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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2d7260a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #60677 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60677) diff --git a/old/60677-8.txt b/old/60677-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3e873b7..0000000 --- a/old/60677-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11351 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Grenadier Guards in the Great War of -1914-1918, Vol. 1 of 3, by Frederick Edward Grey Ponsonby - -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 Grenadier Guards in the Great War of 1914-1918, Vol. 1 of 3 - -Author: Frederick Edward Grey Ponsonby - -Release Date: November 13, 2019 [EBook #60677] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRENADIER GUARDS--1914-1918, VOL 1 *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, David King, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. (This -book was created from images of public domain material -made available by the University of Toronto Libraries -(http://link.library.utoronto.ca/booksonline/).) - - - - - - - THE GRENADIER GUARDS IN THE GREAT WAR OF 1914-1918 - - - - - THE GRENADIER GUARDS IN THE GREAT WAR OF 1914-1918 - - BY - - Lieut.-Colonel - The Right Hon. SIR FREDERICK PONSONBY - (LATE GRENADIER GUARDS) - - WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY - Lieut.-General THE EARL OF CAVAN - - MAPS BY MR. EMERY WALKER - - IN THREE VOLUMES - VOL. I - - MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED - ST. MARTIN'S STREET, LONDON - 1920 - - - - - Dedicated - - (BY PERMISSION) - - TO - - HIS MAJESTY THE KING - - COLONEL-IN-CHIEF OF THE GRENADIER GUARDS - - - - - INTRODUCTION - - -I regard it as a high privilege to be associated with this book, which -has been written by an old officer of the Regiment. I can fully -appreciate the magnitude of the task which confronted him when he -undertook to examine innumerable documents relating to hundreds of -thousands of men and covering a period of several years, and select -therefrom all that particularly concerned the Regiment. - -I often think that an officer who finds himself in command of a -battalion of Grenadiers on active service must be nicely poised between -the weight of responsibility and the upholding power of tradition. At -first the former seems to be overwhelming, but in time the feeling of -confidence and trust in all ranks of the Regiment is so great that the -idea of failure can be eliminated. - -I think this history will make my meaning clear. As Time marches on with -its many inventions, it does not become easier to uphold the traditions -so nobly set by our forbears. Gas and high explosives take heavier toll -of brave men than the weapons of old, and yet it is still the solid -determination of the man that wins the fight, whether offensive or -defensive. Although the tale of our great Dead is a long one, and -thousands have been maimed in the struggle, the Regiment has borne its -part in a manner worthy of it, and in accordance with the parting words -of trust of our Sovereign and Colonel-in-Chief. - -CAVAN, -_Lieut.-General_. - - - - - PREFACE - - -This account of the part taken by the Grenadier Guards in the European -War is, substantially, the work of the officers of the Regiment -themselves. Letters and diaries full of interesting detail have been -sent to me, and a vast amount of information collected by Colonel Sir H. -Streatfeild at the Regimental Orderly Room has been placed at my -disposal. - -The military historian who writes of past centuries has in some ways an -easier task than one who attempts to put contemporary events into their -historical perspective. In the first place, with every desire to be -accurate, the latter finds that the accounts of eye-witnesses differ so -much that he is forced to form his own conclusions, and to adopt what, -according to his judgment, is the most probable version. In the second -place, after reading a private letter giving a graphic account of a -particular part of a battle, he may easily derive a totally false -impression of the whole. Moreover, he writes in the constant presence of -the criticism of eye-witnesses. - -A special difficulty also arises from the unequal quality of the -material placed at his disposal. There is sometimes a wealth of -information on unimportant incidents and no material for the history of -important or dramatic events, in which the principal actors were almost -invariably killed. Even the Battalion diaries, which were kept with -meticulous accuracy during the early days of the war, contain less and -less material as the fighting became more and more serious. - -With a war of such astounding magnitude, when millions of men are -fighting on a front of hundreds of miles, any attempt to give an -intelligible picture of what is going on in a modern battle becomes -practically impossible. Even if such a course were desirable in a -regimental history, the material supplied, which consists for the most -part of letters and diaries of regimental officers, would be totally -inadequate, since regimental officers know little of what is going on -except in their immediate neighbourhood. A tactical study was out of the -question, since a battalion plays such a small part in modern battles, -and to describe the movements of corps and armies appeared to be beyond -the scope of a regimental history. - -I therefore decided to depart from tradition, and to write a narrative -giving, as far as I was able, details about companies, and even -platoons. It seemed to me that this was what the officers themselves -would prefer. - -The absence of information concerning the German Army necessarily takes -some of the life and colour out of such a record as this. In all -military histories the account of the enemy's movements adds enormously -to the interest of the narrative; but at present, beyond a few accounts -from neutral journalists inspired by the Germans, there is no authentic -information as to the movements of the German Army, and the motives -which actuated the German General Staff can only be inferred. - -Time will of course rectify this, and after the war detailed accounts of -the German Army will be available, though it will inevitably be some -years before anything worth reading about the enemy can be published. It -has therefore been suggested that it might be best to defer the -publication of this history for some years. But it is doubtful whether -with the lapse of time any valuable additions could be made to a -regimental history, though for a national history some knowledge of the -enemy's plans will be essential. - -The long periods of monotonous trench life, in which practically the -same incidents recur daily, have been particularly difficult to deal -with; and, although the greatest care has been taken to chronicle every -event of importance, I am conscious that many acts of bravery and -devotion to duty which have been omitted in the letters and diaries must -go unrecorded. - -The terrible list of casualties has made it impossible to do more than -simply record the deaths of the officers of the Regiment who fell during -the war. Had more space been available, fuller accounts of the -circumstances under which they met their deaths and some personal -appreciation of each officer would have been possible, but in a history -which has necessarily to be restricted to three volumes, all this was -out of the question. - -The Regiment is indebted to Colonel Sir H. Streatfeild, not only for the -scrupulous care with which he gathered together information from every -possible source, but also for his foresight in realising in the early -stages of the war the importance of all documents connected with the -movements of the different battalions. - -The maps are the work of Mr. Emery Walker, who has succeeded in -producing not only artistic pictures in the style that was prevalent -among cartographers of the seventeenth century, but also perfectly clear -and accurate maps. To Sergeant West I am indebted for the military -detail. - -To many officers I am indebted for suggestions, especially to -Lieut.-General the Earl of Cavan and Major-General Jeffreys, who found -time, during their few days' leave, to make many interesting additions -to this history; and to Major H. L. Aubrey-Fletcher, whose knowledge and -experience both as a staff and regimental officer have been invaluable. - -In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity of thanking Captain G. R. -Westmacott, Lieutenant M. H. Macmillan, Lieutenant B. Samuelson, -Lieutenant L. R. Abel-Smith, and Lieutenant A. C. Knollys for the -excellent work they did in preparing accurate diaries for each -battalion, with extracts from the officers' letters. Without their aid I -should never have had the time or the energy to complete this book. - -F. E. G. PONSONBY. - - - - - CONTENTS - - -CHAPTER I - -THE SITUATION BEFORE THE WAR 1 - -CHAPTER II - -ARRIVAL OF THE 2ND BATTALION IN FRANCE 9 - -CHAPTER III - -THE RETREAT FROM MONS (2ND BATTALION) 23 - -CHAPTER IV - -THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE (2ND BATTALION) 42 - -CHAPTER V - -THE PASSAGE OF THE AISNE (2ND BATTALION) 54 - -CHAPTER VI - -THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES (1ST BATTALION) 83 - -CHAPTER VII - -THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES (2ND BATTALION) 143 - -CHAPTER VIII - -NOVEMBER 1914 TO MARCH 1915 (1ST BATTALION) 187 - -CHAPTER IX - -NOVEMBER 1914 TO MARCH 1915 (2ND BATTALION) 201 - -CHAPTER X - -THE BATTLE OF NEUVE CHAPELLE (1ST BATTALION) 224 - -CHAPTER XI - -THE BATTLE OF FESTUBERT (1ST AND 2ND BATTALIONS) 247 - -CHAPTER XII - -MAY TO SEPTEMBER 1915 (1ST BATTALION) 264 - -CHAPTER XIII - -MAY TO SEPTEMBER 1915 (2ND BATTALION) 272 - -CHAPTER XIV - -FORMATION OF THE GUARDS DIVISION 283 - -CHAPTER XV - -THE BATTLE OF LOOS (1ST, 2ND, 3RD, AND 4TH BATTALIONS) 290 - -CHAPTER XVI - -OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1915 (1ST, 2ND, 3RD, AND 4TH BATTALIONS) 322 - -CHAPTER XVII - -JANUARY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 1, 1916 (1ST AND 2ND BATTS.) 352 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - - -The King, Colonel-in-Chief _Frontispiece_ - -Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. A. Smith, C.M.G., Commanding 2nd Battalion 144 - -Lieutenant-Colonel L. R. Fisher-Rowe, Commanding 1st Battalion 198 - -Officers of the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards 276 - -Colonel Sir Henry Streatfeild, K.C.V.O., Commanding the Regiment 288 - - - - - MAPS - - -Route of the Second Battalion, 1914, and the Mons Area, 1914 16 - -Route taken by the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards during the Retreat -from Mons, and subsequent advance to the Marne and the Aisne, 1914 24 - -Sketch plan of Landrecies, August 25, 1914 28 - -Engagement at Villers-Cotterêts, September 1, 1914 34 - -Battle of the Marne--Position of the British Army on September 8, 1914 -46 - -The Passage of the Aisne, September 14, 1914 58 - -Ypres and the neighbouring country where the First Battle of Ypres was -fought, October and November 1914 84 - -Route taken by the First Battalion Grenadier Guards through Belgium in -October 1914 90 - -The Grenadier Guards at Ypres 142 - -Battle of Neuve Chapelle, March 11, 1915 226 - -Neuve Chapelle, March 12, 1915 235 - -Neuve Chapelle, March 13, 1915 241 - -Festubert--Position on the evening of May 17, 1915 248 - -Battle of Loos, September 26, 1915 298 - - - - - CHAPTER I - THE SITUATION BEFORE THE WAR - - -When the Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated at -Sarajevo in Serbia on June 28, 1914, it never for a moment occurred to -any one in this country that the crime could in any way affect the -destinies of the First or Grenadier Regiment of Footguards. No one -dreamed that, before another year had passed, not only would the three -Battalions be fighting in a European war, but there would even be a 4th -Battalion at the front, in addition to a 5th Reserve Battalion of almost -unwieldy proportions. - -Even when Austria began to show her teeth, it still seemed an "incident" -quite beyond our horizon. If Austria and Serbia did come to blows, Great -Britain was not even indirectly involved, and the British Army, -therefore, remained unmoved. The Balkan peoples were constantly in a -state of warlike commotion, but their troubles hardly affected the great -British Empire. The war clouds, that from time to time darkened the -European sky, had hitherto always been dispersed. More than once of late -years the German Emperor had rattled his sword in the scabbard, and -talked or telegraphed to the very limits of indiscretion, but nothing -had ever come of it, nor did it seem at all probable that the -assassination of an Austrian Archduke could be made the pretext for a -European conflagration. - -There were, however, certain elements of danger in the European -situation at this particular juncture. The creation of the Triple -Alliance--Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy--had made necessary some -counter-move by the other European Powers. And the _entente_ between -England and France, initiated by King Edward, and originally intended -merely for the settlement of outstanding differences between the two -countries, became eventually the basis of a second grouping of nations. -This _entente_ was followed by one between England and Russia; and -although in neither was there anything in the nature of a defensive -alliance, it was well known that there was in existence--though the -exact terms of it had never been made public--a far stronger agreement -between France and Russia. - -Meanwhile it was generally known that, all the time these several -_ententes_ were being formed, Germany had been steadily preparing for -war. For forty years, with characteristic thoroughness of method, the -Germans had been diligently organising their forces to this end. Not -only had the Army been perfected into a first-class fighting machine, -but the civil population had all been assigned the parts they were to -play in the coming campaign. Trade problems had been handled, not so -much with a view to commercial prosperity pure and simple, as to ensure -to Germany a sufficient supply of the commodities which would be needed -in a great war. Gigantic preparations had been made for a limitless -output of shells and ammunition, and plans carefully elaborated for the -conversion of factories of all kinds into workshops for war material. -The whole State Railway system was controlled in such a way that, on the -declaration of war, troops could be instantly concentrated at any -selected spot with the utmost speed. - -While many civilians saw and deprecated the arrogance and madness of -such a policy, the military element, supported by the Emperor, was -anxiously pressing for an opportunity of proving to the world the -efficiency of the organisation it had created. It was only to be -expected that the generals, who knew how vastly superior the German Army -was to any other continental army, should hanker for an opportunity of -showing off their perfect war-machine. - -The attitude of the bankers and merchants towards the war was not clear. -Originally, without doubt, they had favoured the insinuating methods of -peaceful penetration, which had been so successful in the past, and by -which they intended to dominate Europe, but just before the war they -appear to have been allured by the prospect of large indemnities from -France and Russia and to have withdrawn their opposition. They were -persuaded by the military party that by war, and by war alone, could the -domination of the world by Germany be achieved, and that now was the -time to realise their dream. Young officers of both services made no -secret of their wish for war, and constantly drank "to the Day" when -they met at mess. The more intelligent portion of the German population -quieted what conscience they had with the comfortable reflection that -all military and naval preparations were merely ordinary precautions for -defence. Indeed this theory, cunningly instilled into the German people -by the military party, was so generally accepted that even after the war -was declared the majority was under the delusion that it was fighting -only for the defence of the Fatherland. - -Although the attitude of Germany towards England did not play any -prominent part in the events which led up to the war, there undoubtedly -existed in Germany a deep hatred of this country. Commercial rivalry and -the desire of the Germans to found a Colonial Empire on the same lines -as ours would hardly account for this feeling, which permeated every -class, and it is to the _Flotte Verein_ or Navy League that we must look -if we wish to find the reason. Originally instituted to instil into the -youth of Germany a desire for sea power, this organisation, by means of -propaganda, speeches, and pamphlets, succeeded in convincing the rising -generation that we were their natural enemies. The arguments were -invariably pointed by reference to the British Fleet, which, it was -said, could dominate Germany's world policy, and so young Germans grew -up with a feeling of terror for the British Fleet and hatred for the -British nation. - -In spite of everything, England slumbered on, hypnotised by politicians -who had convinced themselves by a process of mental gymnastics that war -was an impossibility. The contingency of a British Army being sent to -France was never even discussed by the House of Commons, and the logical -outcome of our European policy appears never to have occurred to either -House of Parliament. - -While Germany was studiously preparing for war, we were engaged in -academic discussions on disarmament, and although members of the -Imperial Defence Committee and a limited number of Cabinet Ministers may -have known of the possibility of our having to send an expeditionary -force to France, the man in the street, and even the majority of members -of Parliament, were completely in the dark as to the true significance -of the position of affairs in Europe. - -The whole situation was singularly favourable to the Germans. Never -before had they been so strong, and probably never again would they have -such a powerful Fleet and Army. For some years it had been growing clear -to them that if ever they were to strike, they must strike soon. The -Socialists were becoming stronger every day, and there were constant -grumblings, which ever-increasing prosperity failed to stifle, at the -enormous expenditure on armaments. The nation might weaken as the years -went on, and there was every probability that the Government would find -it impossible to maintain indefinitely a huge Army and a huge Fleet. If -they failed to take advantage of this opportunity they might never again -be in a position to dominate Europe. - -Though Austria had long been tied to the wheels of the German chariot, -there was always the danger of the Hungarians and Bohemians refusing to -support Germany, should the quarrel be purely German. It was therefore -necessary to make the _casus belli_ essentially Austrian. What better -opportunity could ever offer itself than the assassination of the heir -to the Austrian throne? Moreover, the new heir, perhaps soon to be the -new Emperor, might not be willing to endorse all his predecessor's -pledges, and Austria might conceivably drift apart from her ally. -Clearly, therefore, if Germany, with Austria's help, was to strike a -blow at Russia and France, she must do so forthwith. - -The war party held that together Germany and Austria were more than a -match for France and Russia. Italy was a member of the Triple Alliance, -and would either come in on their side or remain neutral. Great Britain, -it imagined, would be unable to take any part owing to her internal -troubles. It appears to have taken it for granted that the Dominions and -Colonies would in any case seize the occasion for declaring their -independence, and that there would certainly be a second mutiny in -India. There was therefore no need to consider the British Empire in -calculating the chances of success. A parade march to Paris would settle -France in a short time, and then the whole forces of the two Empires -would be turned on Russia. A glorious and victorious peace would be -signed before the end of the year. - -With such calculations as these, it is hardly to be wondered at that the -rulers of Germany decided on war at once. To their dismay, however, -Serbia submitted to the terms dictated by Austria, and it seemed at one -moment that the whole incident would be closed. Acting on Russia's -advice, Serbia agreed to all the points in the Austrian memorandum but -two. These practically threatened her independence, but there was -nothing that could not be satisfactorily settled by an impartial -tribunal. But, as despatches and telegrams were exchanged between the -European Powers, it gradually became clear that the original dispute -between Austria and Serbia had now nothing to do with the matter. Sir -Edward Grey made a final attempt to avert war by proposing a conference, -but this proposal came to naught, and the determination on the part of -Germany to force a war appeared to be stronger than ever. However -sincere the Emperor's wish for peace may have been, he was powerless in -the hands of a military autocracy which he himself had created. Ever -since he had ascended the throne, he had set the military over the -civilian element, and now, finding himself powerless to resist the -demands of the war party, he determined to place himself at their head. - -On July 31 Germany despatched an ultimatum to Russia demanding immediate -demobilisation. This was tantamount to a declaration of war, but war was -not actually declared till the next day. The declaration of war with -France followed as a natural sequence. - -Such was the situation at the beginning of August. With disinterested -detachment the British Empire watched the preliminary negotiations, and -even when war was declared between the two groups of Powers, public -opinion was divided as to which course we should adopt. When, however, -Germany violated the neutrality of Belgium, all doubt was removed, and -we declared war on August 4. The whole Empire was stirred to the depths, -and in London huge crowds paraded the streets and assembled outside -Buckingham Palace to cheer the King and the Queen. The wildest rumours -were circulated and believed. Fantastic tales were told to every one in -confidence by well-informed men in the street, and eagerly swallowed by -excited dupes. - -Then the curtain was pulled down, and the British public was allowed to -know nothing. What troops were going, where they were going, when they -were going, all became matters of conjecture. - -Meanwhile, silently and surely, the British Expeditionary Force found -its way over to France. - - - - - CHAPTER II - ARRIVAL OF THE 2ND BATTALION IN FRANCE - - -[Sidenote: 2nd Batt. Aug. 1914.] - -To any neutral not completely blinded by German sympathies it must have -been only too palpable that the last thing we were prepared for was a -European war, for not only had we no men to speak of, but there appeared -to be no competent organisation for dealing with a _levée en masse_. -Relying on the warlike instinct of our race, we had clung tenaciously to -the voluntary system, under the impression that it was best suited to -our needs. Even if conscription had been politically possible, it was -out of the question, since we had neither rifles, clothing, nor barrack -accommodation. The Territorial Associations, which were expected to cope -with the masses of men who at once began to flock to the colours, were -found so inadequate that Lord Kitchener decided to improvise an entirely -new organisation. - -In the inevitable confusion which occurred after the declaration of war, -there were, however, two factors which stood the test successfully, and -which may be said to have saved the country from disaster in the initial -stages of the war. The first was the equipment and despatch of the -Expeditionary Force, which was perfect in every detail, and the second -was the assembly of the Territorial Forces, originally designed to repel -invasion, but now utilised to garrison India and the Colonies. - -When war was declared, the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards was at -Wellington Barracks, the rest of the Expeditionary Force being mostly at -Aldershot. The speed with which the Battalion was mobilised reflected -the greatest credit on all concerned. Its equipment was all ready; -reservists arrived from all parts of the country with a promptitude that -was truly remarkable. It was on August 4 that mobilisation orders were -received, and the Battalion was soon ready to start on active service. - -Meantime, while the preparations were still in progress, there occurred -an unrehearsed little incident, typical in its way of the unspectacular, -practical side of modern war. As the 2nd Battalion was returning to -Wellington Barracks from a route march, the King and Queen came down to -the gates of Buckingham Palace, quite informally, to see the troops pass -by. There was neither pageantry nor gorgeous uniforms, but those who -were privileged to be present on the occasion will not easily forget the -business-like body of men of splendid physique, clad in dull khaki, who -marched past in fours, and saluted the King, their Colonel-in-Chief, as -they returned to barracks. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 12.] - -The start for France was made on August 12. The First Army Corps, under -the command of General Sir Douglas Haig, consisted of: - - - FIRST DIVISION. MAJOR-GENERAL LOMAX - - - _1st Brigade._ Brigadier-General MAXSE. - - The 1st Batt. Coldstream Guards. - The 1st Batt. Scots Guards. - The 1st Batt. Black Watch. - The 2nd Batt. Munster Fusiliers. - - - _2nd Brigade._ Brigadier-General BULFIN. - - The 2nd Batt. Royal Sussex Regiment. - The 1st Batt. North Lancashire Regiment. - The 1st Batt. Northamptonshire Regiment. - The 2nd Batt. King's Royal Rifles. - - _3rd Brigade._ Brigadier-General LANDON. - - The 1st Batt. West Surrey Regiment. - The 1st Batt. South Wales Borderers. - The 1st Batt. Gloucestershire Regiment. - The 2nd Batt. Welsh Regiment. - - - SECOND DIVISION. MAJOR-GENERAL MONRO - - - _4th Brigade._ Brigadier-General SCOTT-KERR. - - The 2nd Batt. Grenadier Guards. - The 2nd Batt. Coldstream Guards. - The 3rd Batt. Coldstream Guards. - The 1st Batt. Irish Guards. - - _5th Brigade._ Brigadier-General HAKING. - - The 2nd Batt. Worcestershire Regiment. - The 2nd Batt. Oxfordshire Light Infantry. - The 2nd Batt. Highland Light Infantry. - The 2nd Batt. Connaught Rangers. - - _6th Brigade._ Brigadier-General DAVIES. - - The 1st Batt. Liverpool Regiment. - The 2nd Batt. South Staffordshire Regiment. - The 1st Batt. Berkshire Regiment. - The 1st Batt. King's Royal Rifles. - - -The Second Army Corps, under General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, consisted -of the Third Division, under Major-General Hamilton, and the Fifth -Division under Major-General Sir Charles Fergusson, Bart. (an old -Grenadier). - - -THE ROLL OF OFFICERS, 2ND BATTALION GRENADIER GUARDS, EMBARKED FOR -ACTIVE SERVICE ON THE 12TH OF AUGUST - - _Headquarters_-- - - Lieut.-Colonel N. A. L. Corry, D.S.O., Commanding. - Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel Lord Loch, M.V.O., D.S.O., Senior Major. - Lieut. and Adjutant I. McDougall (Adjutant). - Lieut. Hon. W. A. Cecil (Machine-Gun Officer). - Hon. Lieut. and Quartermaster J. H. Skidmore (Quartermaster). - - _Company Commanders_-- - - No. 2 Company. Major Lord B. C. Gordon-Lennox. - No. 1 Company. Major G. C. Hamilton. - No. 4 Company. Captain the Hon. E. M. Colston, M.V.O. - No. 3 Company. Captain D. C. L. Stephen. - - _Captains_-- - - No. 2 Company. Captain E. G. H. Powell. - No. 4 Company. Captain E. J. L. Pike. - No. 3 Company. Captain A. B. R. R. Gosselin. - No. 1 Company. Captain C. Symes-Thompson. - - _Lieutenants_-- - - Lieut. Hon. F. E. Needham. - Lieut. C. F. A. Walker. - Lieut. A. K. Mackenzie. - Lieut. R. W. G. Welby. - Lieut. F. W. Des Voeux. - Lieut. R. Wolrige Gordon. - Lieut. H.H. Prince Alexander of Battenberg, G.C.V.O. - Lieut. Hon. J. N. Manners. - Lieut. M. G. Stocks. - - _2nd Lieutenants_-- - - 2nd Lieut. F. W. J. M. Miller. - 2nd Lieut. G. C. Fitz H. Harcourt Vernon. - 2nd Lieut. G. G. B. Nugent. - 2nd Lieut. J. R. Pickersgill Cunliffe. - 2nd Lieut. R. H. M. Vereker. - 2nd Lieut. A. K. S. Cunninghame. - 2nd Lieut. G. E. Cecil. - -Lord Loch was appointed to the Staff after the Battalion landed in -France, and Major Jeffreys took his place as senior Major on August 18. - -Queen Alexandra came to see the Battalion off and wish it God-speed when -it paraded at Chelsea Barracks that afternoon. With Her Majesty, to whom -all the officers were presented, were Princess Victoria and Princess -Beatrice. Headed by the band of the regiment, the Battalion then marched -to Nine Elms and entrained for Southampton Docks, where it embarked on -the _Cawdor Castle_, and finally sailed at 8 o'clock for France. - -Strictest secrecy had been observed about its destination, and the -captain of the ship himself did not know where he was bound for until -she was actually under way. It was lucky that it was a lovely night and -the sea quite calm, for the vessel was crowded to its utmost capacity. -The following message from Lord Kitchener had been handed to each man -when the Battalion embarked: - - You are ordered abroad as a soldier of the King to help our French - comrades against the invasion of a common enemy. You have to perform - a task which will need your courage, your energy, your patience. - - Remember that the conduct of the British Army depends on your - individual conduct. It will be your duty, not only to set an example - of discipline and perfect steadiness under fire, but also to - maintain the most friendly relations with those whom you are helping - in the struggle. The operations in which you are engaged will, for - the most part, take place in a friendly country, and you can do your - own country no better service than in showing yourself in France and - Belgium in the true character of a British soldier. - - Be invariably courteous, considerate, and kind. Never do anything - likely to injure or destroy property, and always look upon looting - as a disgraceful act. You are sure to meet with a welcome and to be - trusted; your conduct must justify that welcome and that trust. Your - duty cannot be done unless your health is sound. So keep constantly - on your guard against any excesses. In this new experience you may - find temptations in wine and women. You must entirely resist both - temptations, and while treating women with perfect courtesy you - should avoid any intimacy. - - Do your duty bravely. - Fear God. - Honour the King. - - KITCHENER, _Field-Marshal_. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 13.] - -Next morning the ship was found to be nearing Havre, and the men were -full of curiosity to see what manner of land France was. Meanwhile, from -French fishing-boats and trawlers came loud cheers at the welcome sight -of the arrival of the forces of Great Britain. A still more enthusiastic -greeting awaited the Battalion when it landed, and marched through the -numerous docks on the outskirts of the town to a camp about five miles -away. The inhabitants crowded round the men, and threw flowers at them -as they marched by, while from all sides came welcoming shouts of "Vive -les Anglais," "Vive l'Angleterre," and "Eep-eep-ooray." - -When the 2nd Battalion arrived in France, the German Army had already -overrun Belgium. For nearly ten days the Belgian Army had held up the -Germans, but Liége had fallen, and there was nothing now to prevent the -enemy from pouring into France. The French Army, as soon as it was -mobilised, had begun a general offensive towards Alsace and Lorraine, -but after some small successes had been checked at Morhange. A complete -alteration in the French plan of campaign was rendered necessary by the -advance of the German Army through Belgium, and troops were now being -hurried up towards the North from every part of France. - -The original disposition of the British Expeditionary Force was as -follows: The Headquarters of the First Corps (the First and Second -Divisions) under Sir Douglas Haig, at Wassigny; the Headquarters of the -Second Corps (the Third and Fifth Divisions), under Sir Horace -Smith-Dorrien, at Nouvion; while the Cavalry Division, under General -Allenby, was sent to Maubeuge. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 14.] - -It was a scorching, airless day, and the march to camp was a very trying -one. But after a good sleep and a bathe in the sea the men were -thoroughly refreshed and fit. Then, after the usual inspections, they -were formed up on parade, and the King's message was read out to them: - - MESSAGE FROM THE KING TO THE TROOPS OF THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - - You are leaving home to fight for the safety and honour of my - empire. - - Belgium, whose Country we are pledged to defend, has been attacked - and France is about to be invaded by the same powerful foe. - - I have implicit confidence in you, my soldiers. Duty is your - watchword, and I know your duty will be nobly done. - - I shall follow your every movement with deepest interest and mark - with eager satisfaction your daily progress, indeed your welfare - will never be absent from my thoughts. - - I pray God to bless you and guard you and bring you back victorious. - - GEORGE R.I. - -The whole population of Havre seemed to have come out to see the -Battalion when it marched the same evening to the entraining point. The -crowd cheered and shouted, and the men responded with "The -Marseillaise." When they reached the siding the disappointing news met -them that the train would not start for another four hours. It began to -rain heavily, but fortunately there were large hangars available, into -which the men crowded for shelter. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 15.] - -Eventually when the train arrived at 2 A.M., the men were packed into -it, and very crowded they were. Sleep was difficult, as the horse-wagons -attached to the train were loosely coupled, and there was a succession -of bumps whenever the train stopped or slowed down. The first real stop -was at Rouen, where provisions were obtained for the men, and then the -train bumped on to Amiens. - -[Illustration: Route of the Second Battalion, 1914.] - -Fervent scenes of welcome went on all along the line. Each little -wayside station, every bridge and level-crossing held a cheering throng. -At Arras the Mayor turned out in state with a number of local magnates, -and presented three large bouquets, for which Colonel Corry returned -thanks on behalf of the officers, in his best French. - -A touch of humour was not wanting at the little ceremony--if any one had -been in the mood to seize hold of it. For, caught unawares, Colonel -Corry, Lord Loch, and Lord Bernard Gordon-Lennox were anything but -arrayed for a function, in fact, in a state of decided deshabille. But -such was the enthusiasm of the inhabitants that a trifle like this -passed unnoticed or unconsidered. - -The stationmaster here said he was passing trains through at the rate of -one every ten or fifteen minutes, which gives some idea of the great -concentration of troops that was going on. - -Slowly the train went on through Cambrai, Busigny, and Vaux Andigny to -Flavigny, where, in pouring rain, the Battalion detrained and went into -billets--surprisingly well arranged; but then Flavigny had plenty of -experience in that way, and only a few days before had lodged the French -troops. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 16-20.] - -Next morning parade was at 7 o'clock for the march to Grougis, about -seven and a half miles off, where four days were spent in billets, and -Colonel Corry took advantage of the breathing space to have his officers -and men inoculated against typhoid. - -The concentration of the British Force in the Busigny area was now -completed, and the advance towards Mons was to begin the next day. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 20-22.] - -Off again on the 20th, the Battalion marched to Oisy (where it was again -billeted), and on the following days to Maroilles and La Longueville. -Here for the first time it heard the guns, and realised that very soon -it would be getting to work. - -On the 21st, following the plan concerted with General Joffre, Sir John -French took up a defensive position from Condé on the west to Binche to -the east--a front of about twenty-five miles. The British Army was thus -on the extreme left of the French lines. To the First Corps was assigned -the easterly position from Mons to Binche, while the Second Corps lined -the canal from Mons to Condé, the whole front being covered by the 5th -Cavalry Brigade. - -Originally the scheme appears to have been to await the enemy's -onslaught on the Charleroi--Mons line, and then to assume the offensive -and advance into Belgium. - -How far-reaching the German preparations had been was at that time -hardly recognised, and neither the French nor the British -Commander-in-Chief seems to have had any conception of the overwhelming -force which the Germans had been able to concentrate against them. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 23.] - -From La Longueville the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers marched on August 23, -during the last stages of its journey, across the field of Malplaquet, -where more than 200 years before the regiment had fought with -distinction, through Blaregnies and Genly to the outskirts of Mons, -where it bivouacked. There it received orders to advance, which were -countermanded before they could be carried out, and the Battalion was -told to remain where it was. There was nothing to do but have breakfast -and an hour's sleep by the roadside, with showers falling at intervals. -All the time heavy firing could be heard from the direction of Mons, and -shells bursting could be observed in the distance. - -Orders then came for the Battalion to march back to Quevy le Petit, -about five miles off, where the men fondly imagined they would again be -comfortably billeted. But hardly had they arrived there when they were -sent forward again. As they were marching down a dusty track General -Scott-Kerr rode up, and directed the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers and the -Irish Guards to move up close behind the ridge east of Spiennes in -support of the Irish Rifles. At the same time the two Coldstream -battalions were ordered to entrench themselves just east of Harveng, -presumably as a precaution in case the Brigade should have to retire. -Heavy firing was now going on all round, and the ridge which overlooked -St. Symphorien to the north was being vigorously shelled by the Germans, -who had got the range to a nicety, and were bursting their shells over -it with accuracy. It was about 6 P.M. when the Battalion, advancing -through Harveng, proceeded in artillery formation for about one and a -half miles to the hill near Spiennes. The men huddled close together -under the banks on the reverse slope of the hill just over the railway -line, while bullets and shells whistled over their heads. As they were -lying there they were amused to see the signalman walk slowly down the -line as if nothing in particular was happening. He had to light the -lamps, and saw no reason why the ordinary routine which he had carried -out probably for many years should be interfered with. One of the -officers called out to him in French, and explained that the Germans -were advancing, but he merely murmured "ça m'est égal," and continued -his work, apparently unconscious of the bullets that were striking the -line. - -Meanwhile, Colonel Corry and Major Jeffreys went up to the position -occupied by the Irish Rifles, who were holding their own well under a -heavy rifle fire. - -When they returned to their men it was getting dark, and at 10.30 a -message came from the O.C. Irish Rifles, that his battalion was -retiring. It appeared therefore to Colonel Corry that the position was -becoming untenable, since the Irish Rifles on his left had already -retired, and both flanks of the Battalion were exposed. He consulted -Colonel Morris of the Irish Guards, and they both came to the conclusion -that the best course would be to retire to Harveng. - -The difficulty was to communicate with the Brigadier. The telephone to -Brigade Headquarters had been cut by shell-fire, and so Colonel Corry -rode back to find General Scott-Kerr. He could not be discovered, and -was reported to have gone to Divisional Headquarters. There seemed no -prospect whatever of finding him, and it was now past midnight. -Thereupon Colonel Corry determined to take upon himself the -responsibility of ordering the retirement of the two battalions. His -impression was that in a case like this, when local conditions could not -be known to the Divisional Staff, it was for the man on the spot to make -his own decision. - -Superior authority, however, afterwards held that while under -exceptional circumstances such powers might well be delegated to the man -_in mediis rebus_, in a case like this it could not be admitted that an -officer in actual touch with the enemy was the best judge of how long a -position should be held. It was felt that there were many considerations -in a decision of this sort, of which the officer in the front line could -know very little. Colonel Corry was therefore severely blamed for his -action, and was a fortnight later relieved of his command. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 24.] - -At 1 o'clock in the morning the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers and the Irish -Guards retired, but they had only gone a couple of miles towards Harveng -when they were ordered to go back and occupy the ridge they had just -left. Back they went, and got as far as the foot of the hill, only to -receive another order to retire to Harveng. By this time the men were -absolutely tired out. They had started at 3.30 the previous morning, and -had been on the move for twenty-four hours, with only occasional halts -by the roadside. - -It was just at this point in the engagement that Sir John French -received what he described in his despatch as a most unexpected message. -It came from General Joffre, who informed him that the French Forces had -been compelled, by superior numbers, to retire, and that consequently -the Fifth French Army, which was immediately on our right, had vacated -its line. Two German corps were advancing on the British position, while -a third corps was engaged in a turning movement in the direction of -Tournai. Divisions of French Territorials had been promised in support -of the left flank, but, except for a Brigade at Tournai, no French -troops arrived from the west. There was therefore no alternative for Sir -John French but to retire. - - - - - CHAPTER III - THE RETREAT FROM MONS (2ND BATTALION) - - -Thus began that historic, terrible, splendid retreat from Mons. Long -weary marches were to be the lot of the British Army for many a day, but -fortunately no one realised what lay ahead, or the stoutest hearts might -well have quailed. - -Long before it was over, the men's boots--not Crimean ones of brown -paper, but good, sound English leather--had been worn into shreds by -those interminable, pitiless paving-stones, that had withstood centuries -of traffic. Even the men with the toughest skins suffered badly from -their feet. Clouds of dust and the heavy atmosphere arising from men in -close formation added to the trials of marching. Constant cries of "Feel -your right" (to let cavalry or wagons pass by), the wearisome burden of -the pack on the shoulders, which drove many men to throw away their most -prized possessions, the frequent futile digging of trenches, abandoned -as soon as they were dug, the orders and counter-orders--all made the -days that followed a positive nightmare to the Army. - -Such continuous retirement had never been practised. It was against all -tradition, and the men grumbled constantly at the seemingly never-ending -retreat. But what other course could the "contemptible little army" have -followed in the face of the enemy's overwhelming force? - -[Sidenote: Aug. 24.] - -On the 24th Sir H. Smith-Dorrien started off with the Second Corps, -while a demonstration was made by the First Corps in the direction of -Binche, and dug a line four miles south of Mons to enable the First -Corps to retire. It was evident that the Germans were straining every -effort to surround the British Army, and therefore to hold on too long -to any line was extremely dangerous. The Fifth French Army was still in -full retirement, and the First French Cavalry Corps was so exhausted -that General Sordet could promise no assistance. The greater part of the -British Cavalry Division, with the exception of the regiments covering -the retreat of the two British Corps, was guarding the left flank. The -arrival of the Fourth Division at Le Cateau had been a welcome addition, -but as it was only too probable that the Germans would make every effort -to envelop the left of the whole line of the Allies, it was important to -have strong reinforcements on that flank. - -[Illustration: Route taken by the Second Batt. Grenadier Guards during -the Retreat from Mons, and subsequent advance to the Marne and the -Aisne. 1914.] - -Two hours' sleep was all the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was allowed on -that fateful 24th of August, weary as it was after its twenty-four hours -on end of marching and fighting. At daybreak it marched to Quevy le -Grand, where the men were ordered to dig themselves in. They were quite -in the dark about what was going on round them. What force was opposed -to them or why they were retiring, no one knew. The greatest secrecy -prevailed. Although it was cold and foggy early, it soon became -scorching hot and the men were tired, but when the word went round that -this was not a rearguard action, but a determined stand, the digging -became a serious matter, and they set to with a will. The Germans -advanced very slowly and cautiously, gradually pushing back our Cavalry -Patrols, who could be seen retiring. They shelled the Mons--Maubeuge -Road and also Quevy le Grand, but as the line of the road was not held, -our position being some hundreds of yards in rear of it, little damage -was done, although a few men were hit in the village. - -But at 2 P.M. another order came to evacuate the trenches and -concentrate on the left. "Concentration" proved to be a euphemism for -further retirement, and after a long and dusty march the Battalion -bivouacked south of La Longueville. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 25. Landrecies.] - -Next morning at 5 o'clock it started on another hot and lengthy march -through Pont sur Sambre, Leval, and Noyelles to Landrecies, which was -reached at 4 P.M. It went into billets and settled down to rest. But -soon afterwards a trooper from the cavalry patrols rode into the town -with the news that the Germans were coming; the alarm was given, and the -men stood to arms. Nothing further happened, however, and they returned -to their billets. The 3rd Battalion Coldstream provided the outposts, -and the rest of the brigade were just settling down once more in the -hope of a restful night when a second alarm sounded. This time it was a -real one. The Germans were advancing in force on Maroilles and -Landrecies. - -Though the night was very dark there was no confusion, as the men poured -hurriedly out from their billets to fall in. Some were at once detailed -to build emergency barricades in the streets, and as the tool limbers -were taken for this purpose the Battalion never had any heavy tools for -the rest of the retreat. The houses on the front of the town were -rapidly put in a state of defence; loopholes were made, and the -furniture, or anything handy, was pushed up to make the walls -bullet-proof. - -As it turned out, the enterprise of a small patrol of Uhlans, who rode -unopposed into the town during the afternoon, had proved a very -fortunate thing for the defenders. For it seems to have been assumed at -first that the town was covered by troops from other brigades, and when -the 3rd Battalion Coldstream was ordered to furnish outposts it had been -considered a quite unnecessary precaution. After the Uhlan incursion, -even the most optimistic could hardly have needed convincing. - -When all the dispositions had been made the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was -distributed as follows: Nos. 2 and 3 Companies, under the command of -Major Lord Bernard Lennox and Captain Stephen, held the level-crossing -over the railway, and watched the right and left flanks of the road -leading over the Sambre. No. 1 Company, under Major Hamilton, held the -two sides on the left, while No. 4 Company, under Captain Colston, in -reserve, was posted on the bridge over the Sambre. - -The first warning that the enemy was at hand was given at 8 P.M. by the -firing of the picquets. When the alarm went there was still sufficient -light for the men to get into their positions, but soon after it became -pitch dark, and the rain began to fall. Suddenly shadowy forms were -observed by the outposts moving in the darkness. Evidently they realised -that they had been seen, for a voice was heard calling out, "Don't -shoot. We are the French." The trick at that time was new to us. Our men -naturally hesitated at first to fire, and this gave the Germans their -opportunity for a forward rush. - -Very critical moments followed. The two forces were only a short -distance apart, and in the darkness a retreat would have been fatal, but -the splendid discipline of the Guards saved the situation. Everywhere -the attacking Germans found themselves beating up against a wall of -stubborn resistance. They brought up a couple of guns and poured shells -into the town at almost point-blank range; they even fired case-shot -down the road. Again and again they charged, only to be met and mowed -down by a withering fire. The machine-guns of the Grenadiers were moved -up to help the Coldstream, and came into action at a very critical -moment. They were largely instrumental in repelling the enemy's attack, -and were well handled by Lieutenant the Hon. W. Cecil, who was slightly -wounded. Private Rule particularly distinguished himself by sticking to -his gun and continuing to fight it, although he had been blown off his -feet by the blast of a H.E. shell. The brunt of the attack was borne at -the start by the 3rd Battalion Coldstream, which lost heavily in this -fight; but in the Grenadiers the casualties were not great. - -Soon burning houses were lighting up the battlefield, and it began to be -possible to distinguish friend from foe. During one of the bursts of -firing Lieutenant Vereker was hit, and fell shot through the head. After -the first heavy attacks had been repulsed, the enemy tried to get round -the left of the Coldstream in the direction of the railway-station, but -there was met by a steady fire from No. 2 Company, under Major Lord -Bernard Lennox, and could make no headway. Splendid work was done by a -field howitzer, which had been manhandled up to the level-crossing, and -which succeeded in silencing the enemy's guns. - -[Illustration: Sketch plan of Landrecies.] - -Finally, about midnight, the enemy evidently realised the futility of -going on with the attack, and retreated once more into the darkness. But -spasmodic firing continued for some time, and it was not until nearly 2 -A.M. that the night became still, and the men were able to strengthen -their position. It was afterwards learnt that the Germans who took part -in the attack had been pushed up to Landrecies in two hundred motor -lorries. How severely they had been handled may be surmised from the -fact that they allowed the Grenadiers and 3rd Battalion Coldstream to -retire unmolested over a single bridge across the Sambre. Writing of -this engagement in his despatch of September 7, Sir John French said: - - The 4th Guards Brigade in Landrecies was heavily attacked by troops - of the Ninth German Army Corps, who were coming through the forest - on the north of the town. This brigade fought most gallantly and - caused the enemy to suffer tremendous loss in issuing from the - forest into the narrow streets of the town. This loss has been - estimated from reliable sources at from 700 to 1000. - -In the meantime the Second Corps was between Le Cateau and Caudry with -the 19th Brigade, which had been brought up from the lines of -communication on the left and the Fourth Division south of Cambrai. The -German First Army launched a serious attack along the whole of this -line, and Sir H. Smith-Dorrien, finding himself outnumbered and -out-gunned, had the greatest difficulty in breaking off the engagement -and continuing the retirement. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 26.] - -At daybreak the 4th Brigade again got orders to retire, and marched -unmolested to Etreux. Unfortunately many of the men had no time to -retrieve their kits, which they had left at their billets, and all these -were left behind. The troops were dead beat, having again had -practically no sleep after a long day's marching and fighting. Every -time a halt was made the whole Battalion fell fast asleep, and when the -march had to be resumed it was very hard to rouse the men. It might seem -hardly worth while to sleep during a brief halt of only a few minutes, -with the prospect of a painful reawakening to the realities of the -situation as the inevitable sequel. But most of the men were so -thoroughly worn out that they eagerly welcomed even the doubtful -blessing of such a respite. In the distance heavy firing could be heard -in the direction of Le Cateau, and at one time it seemed probable the -4th Brigade might be sent off to support the hard-pressed Second Corps. - -Etreux was reached at last, and the Battalion proceeded to dig itself -in. During the afternoon a German aeroplane flew very low over the -bivouac, and dropped a bomb, which, however, did no damage. Every one -who had a rifle handy had a shot at the unwelcome visitor; eventually it -was forced down a mile away, where it was picked up by the cavalry. In -it were found three officers, two dead and one wounded. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 27.] - -Another long dusty march lay before the Brigade on the following day. -Continuing the retirement, it passed through Vénérolles, Tupigny, -Vadencourt, and Hauteville to Mont d'Origny. A report was brought in -that a large force of the enemy had been seen near St. Quentin, but this -proved to be inaccurate. That night the First Corps was in a most -critical position. The Germans had nearly surrounded them, and urgent -orders to entrench the high ground north and east of Mont d'Origny were -received; but although the weary troops dug on till midnight, nothing -occurred, and at 3.30 A.M. the Battalion started off again. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 28.] - -It reached Deuillet near La Fère, where it had the only day's halt -during the retreat. On the way the Scots Greys and 12th Lancers charged -a large force of German cavalry and utterly routed them, making many -prisoners, but otherwise nothing was seen of the enemy. - -On arrival at Deuillet, the usual procedure was gone through, and a -position in defence was entrenched, the men working at it all day. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 29.] - -In the evening an electrifying report, which cheered every one up, went -round that there was to be a general advance. But when the order came it -was the usual one to retire, and another hot march of twenty-eight miles -followed. The weary, wearing ordeal of long day marches and but little -sleep had commenced again. As soon as it was decided to continue the -retreat, and the whole British Force had crossed over the Oise, the -bridges were blown up. The heat was intense. There was practically no -wind, and the dust was stifling; a very large number of men were -suffering from sore feet, and there was a good deal of grumbling in the -ranks at the endless marching in the wrong direction. But there was no -prospect of a long rest, and those battalions which were unlucky enough -to leave men behind never saw them again. Not a man from the 2nd -Grenadiers, however, fell out. - -The two corps which had been dangerously separated were now once more -united, but the pursuing Germans were very near, and the situation still -gave rise to much anxiety. Information was received to the effect that -five or six German corps were pursuing the Fifth French Army, while at -least two corps were advancing on the British Army. The situation on the -left of the British Army was obscure, but it was reported that the enemy -had three or four more corps endeavouring to creep round that flank. In -response to Sir John French's representations, General Joffre ordered -the Fifth French Army to attack the enemy on the Somme with the object -of relieving the pressure on the British Army. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 30-31.] - -The Battalion reached Soissons about midday on the 30th, and was ordered -to occupy the ridge near Pasly, about two miles north of the town. Next -day it tramped on to Soucy, a very hard march in great heat, finishing -up with a steep climb. Here it bivouacked as usual, and snatched what -rest it could. But a full night's sleep was always out of the question, -and soon after midnight the whole Brigade was directed to form a -rearguard, to cover the retirement of the Second Division. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 1. Villers-Cotterêts.] - -Accordingly trenches were dug in the high ground above Soucy, No. 4 -Company Grenadiers being detached to guard the right flank in a position -leading across a deep ravine to the high ground above Montgobert. It was -to rejoin the Battalion when it retired to the forest of -Villers-Cotterêts. Soon after the Germans came in sight, and retirement -from the first position was successfully effected. The 2nd Battalion -Grenadiers and 3rd Battalion Coldstream made their way into the wood, -the edges of which were held by the Irish Guards and 2nd Battalion -Coldstream, and took up a fresh position along the line of the main road -running east and west through Rond de la Reine. - -Thick mist hung over the country, and the dense undergrowth made the -passage of the wood difficult. The Germans, it was assumed, would not -attempt to penetrate the wood, but would be content to use the roads and -drives. The assumption proved to be wrong--fortunately for us. As it -happened, they came through the very thickest part, and in so doing lost -cohesion and direction. Probably, in fact, it was their doing this, and -the confusion into which they were consequently thrown, that enabled the -4th Brigade to break off the action later in the evening and retire -unmolested. - -The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers held the right of the line. From a -strategic point of view, the position it occupied could not well have -been worse. But in a rearguard action there is often no choice. It was -absolutely necessary to retard the advance of the enemy through the -wood, so that the rest of the Division should get away. - -During the time of waiting for the oncoming Germans, the Scots Greys and -12th Lancers suddenly appeared, coming down the ride on the right. They -had been attracted by the firing, and came to see what was going on. -They dismounted, and, finding many friends among the Grenadiers, started -"coffee-housing" for a while. But the firing in the outskirts of the -wood began to sound serious, and they rode off along the road to the -left, with the idea of operating against the enemy's right. - -A few minutes later the Germans appeared, and a fight at close quarters -began. The firing became very hot, as in some places the opposing forces -were hardly seventy yards apart. Good work was done by the machine-guns -of the Grenadiers and Irish Guards, which accounted for a large number -of Germans, while the men charged repeatedly with the bayonet and drove -the enemy back. Gallantly, stolidly, the 4th Brigade held on until the -order came to retire. - -Even with highly-disciplined troops, a rear-guard action in a wood is -one of the most difficult manoeuvres to carry out well. It is quite -impossible for the commanding officer to keep a firm grip of his -battalion when it is scattered about in different rides; orders passed -along often do not reach all the platoons, and men of different -companies, and even regiments, are wont to get hopelessly mixed. -Fortunately in the Brigade of Guards the men are all trained on the same -system, and, except for some small characteristic differences, a man -belonging to one regiment will be quite at home in any of the others. - -At Villers-Cotterêts the men of the 4th Brigade became very much mixed, -and officers took command of the men who happened to be near them. The -wood, too, was so thick that at fifty yards' distance parties were -practically out of sight of each other. One result of this difficulty of -keeping in touch was that two platoons of No. 4 Company never got the -order to retire. - -[Illustration: Engagement at Villers-Cotterêts. September 1. 1914.] - -These two platoons, under the command of Lieutenant the Hon. F. E. -Needham and Lieutenant the Hon. J. N. Manners, were at the Cross Roads -at Rond de la Reine. As the Germans came on, Brigadier-General -Scott-Kerr, finding that they were creeping round his left flank, -ordered these two platoons down a ride to the left, to enfilade them. -Making the best dispositions they could, these two officers continued to -fight, when they suddenly realised that they were cut off and the -Germans were on all sides of them. True to the traditions of the -Regiment, they stuck to their posts, and fought on till all were killed -or wounded. - -Lieutenant the Hon. J. N. Manners was killed while directing the fire of -his platoon, and Lieutenant the Hon. F. Needham, badly wounded, was -taken prisoner. Lieutenant G. E. Cecil, another officer belonging to -these platoons, seeing the Germans streaming across a ride to his left, -dashed off with some men to stop them. He had not gone far before he was -shot through the hand; stumbling forward, he recovered his feet, and, -drawing his sword, he called on the men to charge when a bullet struck -him in the head. And there were other casualties among the officers. -Earlier in the day the Adjutant of the Battalion, Lieutenant I. -MacDougall, was shot dead while carrying orders to the firing-line. His -place was taken by Captain E. J. L. Pike. The Brigadier-General, -Scott-Kerr, who rode up to give some orders, was badly wounded in the -thigh, and the command of the Brigade passed to Colonel Corry, while -Major Jeffreys took over the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers. Field-Marshal Sir -John French, on hearing of this, sent the following telegram to -Brigadier-General Scott-Kerr, care of Communications: - - My warm congratulations on gallantry of your Brigade A A A am deeply - grieved to hear you are wounded A A A I shall miss your valuable - help very much A A A my best wishes for your recovery. - - FRENCH. - -Captain W. T. Payne-Gallwey, M.V.O., who was in charge of the -machine-guns in the First Brigade, was reported missing. - -Orders were given to retire, and the Battalion quietly withdrew in -single file of half-platoons, covered by a rear party from No. 2 -Company. The enemy, as already stated, had been thrown into hopeless -confusion in the wood, and, in spite of a prodigious amount of shouting -and blowing of horns, could not get forward. Some three hours later a -second engagement was fought on the other side of Villers-Cotterêts. The -4th Brigade retired through the 6th Brigade, which with the field -artillery had taken up a position at the edge of another wood. The -enemy's first shells came over as the 4th Brigade moved into the wood. -The British guns succeeded in keeping the Germans at bay, but were only -got away with the utmost difficulty and some loss. - -Having borne the brunt of the fighting, the 4th Brigade had necessarily -suffered heavy casualties. - -The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers lost 4 officers and 160 men, while the -Irish Guards lost 4 officers and the Coldstream 7, as well as a large -number of men. Two exceptionally good officers in the Irish Guards were -killed--Colonel the Hon. G. Morris and Major H. F. Crichton. The latter -served in the Grenadiers for some years before exchanging into the Irish -Guards.[1] - -On emerging once more into open country, the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers -was sent off to march to Boursonne, which it reached about 4 P.M. Two -companies of the 2nd Battalion Coldstream were ordered back to support -the 6th Brigade, which was now protecting the retreat of the guns; but -they were not wanted after all, and were sent back to Boursonne after a -fruitless journey. Then General Monro rode up, and ordered the 2nd -Battalion Grenadiers to take up a rear-guard position about Boursonne, -to cover the retirement of the 6th Brigade. Meanwhile, the Brigade -Headquarters, the Irish Guards, and the 3rd Battalion Coldstream went on -to Betz. - -When the 6th Brigade had passed through, the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers -and 2nd Battalion Coldstream retired to Thury. Unfortunately no orders -had been given them to go to Betz, and through following the 6th Brigade -these two battalions missed the guide whom Battalion Headquarters had -sent to meet them. Once more the men were absolutely dead beat. They had -had nothing to eat since tea the day before, but when the matter of food -was inquired into it was found that all the supplies had gone on to -Betz. This was at 11 o'clock at night, and it looked as if the men would -have to bivouac foodless by the roadside. - -Heroic measures were called for, and Major Jeffreys decided to brush -aside the ordinary procedure and shortcircuit the usual channels of -communication by going straight to the Divisional Commander, General -Monro. He was instantly successful. On learning of the sad plight of the -Battalion, General Monro undertook to supply it with food. He ordered -his D.A.Q.M.G. to take the Battalion to his supply depot, and Major -Jeffreys went back and fell in his weary men. - -With the promise of a meal ahead they responded gamely, and marched off -to La Villeneuve, the place indicated by the General, where rations of -bully-beef, bread, and cheese were soon distributed. - -Then the men were allowed two hours' sleep by way of a night's rest -after one of the longest and most strenuous days they had ever had. They -were more fortunate, though, than the men of the 2nd Battalion -Coldstream Guards, who did not even manage to get any food that night, -and who had to snatch what sleep they could lying down in the streets of -Thury. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 2.] - -At 2 A.M. the Battalion marched off again--still retiring--through -Antilly to Betz, where it was joined by No. 1 Company and 45 men of No. -4 under Lieutenant Stocks. Thence by Montrolle to Reez, where a halt was -made for water, and on to Puisieux. Here the men had a late breakfast, -and then, in stifling heat, continued their march, with constant halts, -through La Chaussée and Barcy to Meaux. They reached this village at 4 -P.M., and, their long day's journey ended, they were refreshed by a -bathe in the Ourcq Canal. This march was almost the hardest of the whole -retreat, but, in spite of everything, the Battalion marched on, with -scarcely a man out of the ranks, although the number of men who fell out -in other regiments was by no means small. - -Undoubtedly the men were by now beginning to feel the strain of this -interminable retirement. However footsore and weary they may be, British -troops will always respond when called upon to advance. But to ask them -to make a special effort when retreating is quite another thing, even -with the most highly disciplined. Besides, they were quite unable to see -the necessity of it all. There had been no pitched battle, no defeat--in -fact, whenever they had had a chance they had inflicted enormous losses -on the enemy and driven him back. Of course they had seen no newspapers, -and had no way of picking up any real idea of what was going on in -France. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 3.] - -Next morning at 7 o'clock the march was resumed eastwards, and the -Division crossed the Marne at Trilport, blowing the bridges up after -them. This new direction was the result of the Germans moving along the -north bank of the Marne, which they crossed near Sammeron. Then the -Battalion moved southward again, through Montceaux and Forêt du Mans to -Pierre Levée, where it bivouacked. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 4.] - -The men had expected a rest on September 4, but the order soon arrived -for the Brigade to continue the retirement. No. 3 Company of the 2nd -Battalion Grenadiers under Captain Gosselin, and No. 4 Company under -Captain Symes-Thompson, were sent out on outpost duty. - -In the morning the Brigade marched to Les Laquais, where trenches were -dug, joining up with the 5th and 6th Brigades on the right. At 5 P.M. -the enemy shelled the right of the line, and at dusk the Brigade -withdrew. It picked up No. 3 Company at Grande Loge Farm, and marched -through Maisoncelles and Rouilly le Fay to Le Bertrand, where it -bivouacked for the night. - -Meanwhile Major Lord Bernard Lennox was despatched to Coulommiers to -find the first draft that had been sent out from home--90 men under -Captain Ridley. They arrived about midday after a train journey of -thirty-six hours--they had been all round the country, constantly -receiving fresh orders to go to different places. Lord Bernard Lennox -had been instructed to remain at Coulommiers, but when he found the -First Division retiring through the town all the afternoon, he decided -to strike off westward with the new draft in search of the Battalion. -This plan succeeded, and he found it about midnight. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 5.] - -It was a sadly tattered, unshaven, footsore body of men that marched at -3 o'clock next morning through La Celle and Malmaison Farm to Fontenay, -where they went into billets. No Londoner seeing them would have guessed -that these were the same smart Grenadiers whom he had often admired on -the King's Guard. But if their looks were gone, their spirit was -indomitable as ever. - -The Germans seem to have been genuinely under the delusion that by this -time the long retreat had reduced the British Army, always -"contemptible," to a mere spiritless mob, which it was no longer -necessary to take into calculation in developing their plan of campaign. -They little knew the British soldier. So far the 2nd Battalion -Grenadiers had had no chance of showing its quality; it had just been -marched off its feet from the start--in the wrong direction. But, in -spite of all the men had gone through, they were ready at any moment to -turn and fight like lions when they were allowed to. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 6.] - -And now at last the moment was close at hand. To their joyful surprise -the officers of the Battalion found, on the morning of September 6, that -the direction had been changed, and that an advance was to be made -eastward against the German flank. At first it was thought that this -meant the beginning of an offensive-defensive, the German attack having -failed; but in reality, of course, the change was a much bigger one even -than this. The French reserves were now available, and the Germans' -greatest asset, superior numbers, was lost to them. And so a new phase -of the campaign began to develop. - -On the 6th Lieut.-Colonel Corry resumed the command of the Battalion, -and Lieut.-Colonel G. Feilding took command of the Brigade. - -Footnote 1: - - In November 1914, when the Allies regained possession of - Villers-Cotterêts, the bodies of those who had fallen there were - reverently buried. Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. G. Morris, Captain Tisdall - of the Irish Guards, Lieut. Geoffrey Lambton, Coldstream Guards, and - Lieut. G. E. Cecil, Grenadier Guards, were buried together, and a - cross was put up by the French with the following inscription: - - - _Ici reposent - Quatre officiers de l'Armée Anglaise._ - - Le Colonel l'honorable GEORGE MORRIS. _R.I.P._ - Le Capitaine C. A. TISDALL, de la garde Irlandaise. - Le Lieut. GEOFFREY LAMBTON. - Le Lieut. GEORGE E. CECIL, des Grenadiers de la Garde. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE (2ND BATTALION) - - -The German General Staff at this juncture realised that a retreating -army is not necessarily a beaten one. For the last ten days, with their -maps spread before them, they had had the satisfaction of moving the -pins and flags representing their forces continually and rapidly nearer -and nearer Paris. But if the French Army--the British Army, they -thought, could be safely ignored--were to succeed in escaping south, it -would remain a constant menace. It might even interfere with the -Emperor's spectacular entry into Paris, every detail of which had been -sketched out beforehand by the officials, whose business it was to -stage-manage all the theatrical pageantry of their Imperial master's -movements. - -So a big _coup_ was wanted--a smashing blow at the French. If the centre -of the French line could be pierced by the combined efforts of Von -Hausen's, the Duke of Würtemberg's, and the Crown Prince's armies, and -if simultaneously Von Kluck's army, which had reached Senlis, and was -only twenty-five miles from Paris, could execute a swift movement to the -south-east, the Fifth French Army would be caught in a vice. This -strategic plan really menaced the whole of the interior of France, and -had it succeeded might have resulted in her downfall. In all these -calculations of the German Staff it appears to have been assumed that -the British Army was practically out of action, and that whatever -remained of it had in all probability been sent to reinforce the weak -spot at Bar-le-Duc. - -To accomplish his decisive stroke, Von Kluck had to execute that most -dangerous of all manoeuvres, a flank march with the object of rolling up -the left of the French line. The German General Staff assumed that the -left of the Fifth French Army was the left of the whole French line, and -that nothing beyond a few cavalry patrols had to be reckoned with. Von -Kluck was accordingly given orders to march his army to the left and -attack the Fifth French Army under General Franchet d'Esperey. They knew -nothing of the Sixth Army under General Maunoury, which had arrived with -such dramatic suddenness in taxi-cabs from Paris. - -The unknown and the despised elements proved Von Kluck's undoing. Before -he had gone very far he found the completely ignored British Army on top -of him, and the totally unexpected Sixth French Army on his right flank. -Quickly realising his peril, he decided to retire. In the meantime, on -the French side, General Foch, who was about in the centre of the French -line, saw an opportunity, which he promptly seized, of driving a wedge -between the armies of Von Hausen and Von Bülow. The situation was now -entirely changed. The lately triumphant German forces were no longer -even moderately secure, and decided on a general retirement all along -the line. - -It was on September 5 that Sir John French and General Joffre conferred -together and decided to take the offensive. To the British Army was -assigned the space between the Fifth and Sixth French Armies. This meant -a change of front, and hence that welcome order to the 2nd Battalion -Grenadiers to move due east instead of south. - -That evening Field-Marshal Sir John French issued the following orders: - - (1) The enemy has apparently abandoned the idea of advancing on - Paris and is contracting his front and moving south-east. - - (2) The Army will advance eastward with a view to attacking. Its - left will be covered by the French Sixth Army also marching east, - and its right will be linked to the French Fifth Army marching - north. - - (3) In pursuance of the above the following moves will take place, - the Army facing east on completion of the movement. - - First Corps: right on La-Chapelle-Iger, left on Lumigny, move to be - completed 9 A.M. - - Second Corps: right on La Houssaye, left in neighbourhood of - Villeneuve, move to be completed 10 A.M. - - Third Corps: facing east in the neighbourhood of Bailly, move to be - completed 10 A.M. - - Cavalry Division (less 3rd and 5th Brigades): to guard front and - flanks of First Corps on the line Jouy-le-Chatel (connecting the - French Fifth Army)--Coulommiers (connecting the 3rd and 5th - Brigades). The 3rd and 5th Cavalry Brigades will cease to be under - the orders of the First Corps and will act in concert under - instructions issued by Brigadier-General Gough. They will cover the - Second Corps connecting with the Cavalry Division on the right and - with the Sixth French Army on the left. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 6.] - -Sunday, the 6th, was the joyful day when there came this turn of the -tide, and that morning Sir John French issued an order to his Army in -which he said: - - After a most trying series of operations, mostly in retirement, - which have been rendered necessary by the general strategic plan of - the Allied Armies, the British Forces stand to-day formed in line - with their French comrades, ready to attack the enemy. Foiled in - their attempt to invest Paris, the Germans have been driven to move - in an easterly and south-easterly direction, with the apparent - intention of falling in strength on Fifth French Army. In this - operation they are exposing their right flank and their line of - communication to an attack by the Sixth French Army and the British - Forces. - - I call upon the British Army in France to show now to the enemy its - power and to push on vigorously to the attack beside the Sixth - French Army. I am sure I shall not call on them in vain, but that on - the contrary by another manifestation of the magnificent spirit - which they have shown in the past fortnight they will fall on the - enemy's flank with all their strength, and in unison with their - Allies drive them back. - -At 5.30 the same morning the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers marched to Le Mée, -where trenches were dug. The men, for once, had had a good night's rest, -and were in great spirits at the prospect of an advance. A sharp -artillery attack was being carried on against Villeneuve, and the 1st -Brigade was moved out to attack the place, while the 4th Brigade -prolonged the line on the left. Being in reserve, the 2nd Battalion -Grenadiers saw little of the day's fighting. In the event the artillery -proved sufficient to shift the enemy, and the Battalion marched without -further incident to Touquin, where it bivouacked for the night. That -night the British Army occupied a line from Dagny on the right to -Villeneuve-le-Comte on the left. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 7.] - -Severe fighting went on all along the line next morning. Maunoury's -taxi-cab army had been able to press Von Kluck as he retired, and the -British Army had taken Coulommiers and La Ferté-Gaucher. As the German -battalions retreated shells were poured on them by our artillery, who -were kept well posted with information by the aircraft observers. -Marching through Paradis, Mauperthuis, St. Simeon, and Voigny, the 2nd -Battalion Grenadiers finally bivouacked at Rebais. Everywhere in the -villages were staring evidences of the German occupation and hurried -retreat. Shops had been looted, houses despoiled, and the contents--such -as could not be carried away--had been wantonly destroyed, evidently -under orders, and the fragments scattered to the winds. The -advance-guard of the 4th Brigade (the 2nd Battalion Coldstream) was -engaged with the German rearguard during this march, and the Grenadiers -who were in support came in for a certain amount of firing. The Germans -could be plainly seen retiring by Rebais with masses of transport in -great confusion. - -[Illustration: Battle of the Marne. Position of the British Army on -September 8, 1914.] - -[Sidenote: Sept. 8.] - -It became clear next day that Von Kluck's Army was in retreat, and Sir -John French determined to press him and give him no rest--thus -completely were the positions reversed. The First Corps advanced, and -everything went well at first, but at La Trétoire it was held up by the -German rear-guard, which had found a good position, and the 3rd -Battalion Coldstream, which formed the advanced guard, was checked for a -time by the German machine-guns hidden in the houses round the bridge -over the Petit Morin. Meanwhile, a German field battery posted near -Boitron shelled the high ground over which the main body of the 4th -Brigade had to pass. - -The Germans were evidently fighting a delaying action, and were -employing their cavalry with great skill to hold the river as long as -possible. In front of the British Army, the cavalry covering the retreat -of Von Kluck's Army was commanded by General von der Marwitz, who showed -no intention of abandoning his position without a struggle. - -Thick woods run down to the river for the last half-mile here, but right -through them goes one big clearing about eighty yards wide. This was -swept by the German machine-guns, and it was a problem how to get the -men across. No. 3 Company Grenadiers under Captain Stephen was sent on -to support the Coldstream, followed later by No. 4 under Captain -Colston. Both companies reached the edge of the wood, but were there -stopped by a hail of fire from the machine-guns. Our field-guns could -not reach the houses where these had been placed, and the howitzers were -unaccountably slow in coming up. It was while he was endeavouring to -find some way of advance that Captain Stephen was shot through both -legs; he was taken to hospital, and died of his wounds four days later. - -Urgent messages to push on kept arriving meanwhile from Sir Douglas -Haig. Lieut.-Colonel Feilding, who was temporarily in command of the -Brigade, sent the 2nd Battalion Coldstream by a circuitous route to try -and effect a crossing at La Forge, farther to the right. No. 1 and No. 2 -Companies Grenadiers were then ordered to go round by a covered route to -avoid the clearing in the wood, and had actually started when -Lieut.-Colonel Feilding gave the order for them to turn about. Major -Lord Bernard Gordon Lennox, who had raced off at their head, was so far -in front that the order did not reach him. He rushed across the -clearing, and just managed to get into a ditch on the other side, the -shower of machine-gun bullets churning up the ground almost at his -heels. - -So deafening was the noise of the firing that it was impossible to pass -orders simultaneously to the men scattered about in the woods, who at -the same time were all on edge to advance. And soon it became very -difficult to keep the troops together. - -Lieut.-Colonel Corry had already gone off with these two companies, Nos. -1 and 2, to follow the 2nd Battalion Coldstream, when Lieut.-Colonel -Feilding thought he saw the Germans retiring, and shouted to Major -Jeffreys to turn the Grenadiers about and take them across the clearing -straight down to the river, but No. 2 Company had got a good way ahead -through the woods, and Major Jeffreys was only able to get hold of half -of No. 1 Company, which followed him across the clearing. Unfortunately, -however, the German guns were still there, and opened a heavy fire on -them. By this time the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was hopelessly split up, -different parts of the Battalion having gone in three different -directions, and the 3rd Battalion Coldstream was also scattered all over -the woods. In the meantime the howitzers came up, and soon drove the -Germans out of their position. No. 3 Company had done well in the -fighting, having succeeded in capturing one of the enemy's machine-guns -and many prisoners. - -The various parties then made their way through the wood to the edge of -the stream, but as there was no bridge to be seen they worked along the -banks to La Trétoire. Without further opposition, a party of the Irish -Guards under Major Herbert Stepney, together with half of No. 1 Company -under Major Jeffreys and Lieutenant Mackenzie, crossed the bridge, and -advanced up the opposite side towards Boitron. In every direction the -ground was strewn with dead and wounded Germans, and after advancing -1000 yards the party of Grenadiers reached the position which had been -occupied by the German Battery; the guns had all been got away, but dead -horses, overturned limbers, and dead gunners showed how this Battery had -suffered at the hands of the 41st Brigade R.F.A. - -As the enemy retired our guns and howitzers kept up a heavy fire, and -inflicted severe losses. - -The whole Brigade had by now debouched from the woods, and gradually -collected behind Boitron, while the Divisional Cavalry went on ahead so -as to keep in touch with the retreating enemy. The 2nd Battalion -Grenadiers was then ordered to advance in artillery formation over the -open country north of Boitron, and met with no resistance. - -But there was one incident that might have proved disastrous. In its -eagerness to get at the enemy, No. 2 Company got rather ahead of its -time, with the result that our own guns planted some shrapnel into it, -luckily without doing much damage. On the left the Irish Guards and the -2nd Battalion Coldstream found in a wood a number of Germans with -machine-guns, who had apparently got separated from the main body. Our -men charged, and immediately up went the white flag; seven machine-guns -and a large number of prisoners were taken, mostly men belonging to the -Guard Jäger Corps. - -Rain had been falling for some time in a steady downpour, and as the -light was failing the Battalion assembled to bivouac near Les Peauliers. -An extremely wet sainfoin field was chosen for the purpose, and there, -in a misty September evening, the men lay down to sleep. Altogether the -Grenadiers had lost forty men in the day's fighting, besides Captain -Stephen. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 9.] - -Dismally the raindrops trickled through the trees as the men roused -themselves in the early morning. It was very cold, too, and the -greatcoats that had been so lightly flung away during the sweltering -days of retreat were now bitterly regretted. And it was a particularly -chilly task that lay before the Battalion, for it was in reserve, which -meant constant standing about--often even more tiring than a march. -However, about midday it cleared, and a very hot sun soon got every one -dry again. - -On this day the passage of the Marne was forced; the Third Corps, under -General Pulteney, bore the brunt of the fighting, whilst the First Corps -on its right drove the Germans before it with some ease and took -numerous prisoners. The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers, starting off at 7.30, -eventually crossed the Marne at Charly, after innumerable halts and -checks. Before it got over it had to wait some hours at Pavant, where it -could watch various divisions crossing the river. This bridge at Charly -was the only one in the neighbourhood left standing; it had been -carefully prepared for demolition, and no one knew why, fortunately for -us, it had escaped. Rumour said that the German engineers entrusted with -the task got so drunk that, when the appointed moment arrived, they were -quite incapable of carrying out their orders. - -During the day Lieut.-Colonel Corry received orders to return home. He -had been relieved of his command on account of the decision, already -recorded, which he took at Mons. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 10.] - -The Battalion bivouacked that evening--rain was again falling--on the -side of a wet hill near Villiers-sur-Marne, and woke up to more rainy, -cold weather. The battle of the Marne had been won, and the Germans were -retreating in perfectly orderly fashion, though we captured 13 guns, 7 -machine-guns, and 2000 men. The prisoners said they had been officially -informed that a large German army was investing Paris, and that their -division was engaged in "drawing off" the French Army eastwards. The 2nd -Battalion Grenadiers was again in reserve, and was constantly marched -backwards and forwards throughout the day. It passed through Domptin, -Coupru, Marigny, and Veuilly to Hautevesnes, where it bivouacked. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 11.] - -The pursuit continued during the two following days. Through heavy -showers, which gave them a thorough soaking, the Grenadiers marched on -the 11th by the way of Priez, Sommelans, Latilly, La Croix, and Breny to -Oulchy, where they got into billets, and fires were lit to dry their -clothes. Such inhabitants as were left eagerly helped to supply all the -men's wants, and placed all they possessed at their disposal. The usual -signs of recent German occupation were to be seen in every house. -Drawers had been turned out, cupboards ransacked, and tables overturned, -and the floors were thickly strewn with such things as the Germans had -been unable to take away with them--clothes, smashed gramophone records, -broken glasses, and other debris. But, in spite of the pitiable -surroundings and their own soaked condition, the officers and men were -soon put in the best of spirits by the cheerful fires and the appetising -smell of bacon and eggs, put on to cook for them. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 12.] - -Next morning's parade was at 5 o'clock, but the town was so crowded with -supply wagons that it was 9 before a move could be made. It rained at -intervals during the day, and in the evening another steady downpour set -in, which once more soaked the men to the skin before they got to their -billets at Courcelles, having marched through Beugneux, Arcy, -Cuiry-Housse, Lesges, Limé, and Braine. - - - - - CHAPTER V - THE PASSAGE OF THE AISNE (2ND BATTALION) - - -For a week now the Germans had been steadily retiring, and there was no -apparent reason why they should stop doing so. Each time they held a -position the question naturally arose whether they were really making a -determined stand, or whether this was just a case of a rear-guard doing -its best to hold up the advance. The only way to find out was to attack -them and make them show their dispositions. - -At the Marne, where it might well have been supposed that the Germans -had a good enough position to make a stand, their resistance had proved -to be merely in the nature of a rear-guard action. It did not at first -dawn on our Army that at the Aisne, on the contrary, the enemy had -occupied a carefully chosen and sedulously prepared position which -suited their purpose in every way. - -An ideal position it was, indeed. Sir John French, in his despatch of -October 8, 1914, thus describes it: - - The Aisne valley runs generally east and west, and consists of a - flat-bottomed depression of width varying from half a mile to two - miles, down which the river flows a winding course to the west at - some points near the southern slopes of the valley and at others - near the northern. The high ground both on the north and south of - the river is approximately 400 feet above the bottom of the valley - and is very similar in character, as are both slopes of the valley - itself, which are broken into numerous rounded spurs and - re-entrants. The most prominent of the former are the Chivres Spur - on the right bank and the Sermoise spur on the left. Near the latter - place the general plateau on the south is divided by a subsidiary - valley of much the same character, down which the small river Vesle - flows to the main stream near Sermoise. The slopes of the plateau - overlooking the Aisne on the north and south are of varying - steepness and are covered with numerous patches of wood, which also - stretch upwards and backwards over the edge on to the top of the - high ground. There are several villages and small towns dotted about - in the valley itself and along its sides, the chief of which is the - town of Soissons. - - The Aisne is a sluggish stream of some 170 feet in breadth, but, - being 15 feet deep in the centre, it is unfordable. Between Soissons - on the west and Villers on the east (the part of the river attacked - and secured by the British Forces) there are eleven road-bridges - across it. On the north bank a narrow-gauge railway runs from - Soissons to Vailly, where it crosses the river and continues - eastward along the south bank. From Soissons to Sermoise a double - line of railway runs along the south bank, turning at the latter - place up the Vesle valley towards Bazoches. - - The position held by the enemy is a very strong one, either for a - delaying action or for a defensive battle. One of its chief military - characteristics is that from the high ground on neither side can the - top of the plateau on the other side be seen, except for small - stretches. This is chiefly due to the woods on the edges of the - slopes. Another important point is that all the bridges are under - either direct or high-angle artillery fire. - -Until the afternoon of the 12th September it was still uncertain whether -the enemy meant business this time or not, and then Sir John French came -to the conclusion that, for the moment at any rate, they had stopped -their retreat and were preparing to dispute vigorously the passage of -the river. The presence of Germans had been reported by our cavalry -south of Soissons and in the neighbourhood of Braine, but these were -merely patrols. - -The opposing forces were posted as follows: The German Army occupied the -high ground north of the river, with Von Kluck still on the right flank. -From the reports that came in, it appeared that the right of Von Kluck's -army was resting on the forest of L'Aigle, and the left on the plateau -of Craonne, while Von Bülow prolonged the line to the left. The French -Army was now extended in an immense line from Compiègne to the Argonne, -the British Army holding a portion of the front--about twenty -miles--between Maunoury's Sixth Army and Franchet d'Esperey's Fifth -Army. - -On the left of our part of the line were the Third Corps, which was -allotted the section from Soissons to Venizel, the Second Corps, which -was between Venizel and Chavonne, and the First Corps between Chavonne -and Bourg. In this last section there was a canal as well as a river to -cross. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 13.] - -Rain was pouring down when the Battalion paraded at 5.30 A.M. on the -13th, but it cleared up later, with sunshine and a strong cold wind, -which soon dried the men again. The 4th Brigade marched towards -Chavonne, and stopped under the brow of a high hill overlooking the -river Aisne. Here there was a halt of several hours in the middle of the -day, during which the commanding officers went on ahead with -Lieut.-Colonel Feilding, the acting Brigadier, to reconnoitre the -opposite heights from the high ground above St. Mard, whence the -movements of the Germans could be clearly seen. Meanwhile, the 2nd -Battalion Coldstream went forward under the cover of our guns to make -good the passages over the canal and the river, the bridges naturally -having all been blown up by the Germans. After about two hours it -succeeded in driving off the enemy, who were seen running up the hill -and disappearing over the sky-line. - -In support of it, the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers advanced towards the -river, but was then sent off to try and make the crossing about a mile -to the east of Chavonne. The only means of getting over, apparently, was -by three or four small boats of doubtful buoyancy, and it was clear that -for the whole Battalion to cross in this way would be a lengthy -business. Pushing ahead, however, to reconnoitre, Lord Bernard Lennox -and Major Hamilton found a bridge which they thought at first the -Battalion could use, but the moment they were seen on the bridge they -were greeted with shrapnel, so well aimed that it was obvious the enemy -had got the exact range. So they retired to report the result of their -observations. - -As it was now getting dark, and no foothold on the opposite bank could -be obtained, Colonel Feilding decided to withdraw the 4th Brigade. The -2nd Battalion Grenadiers and 2nd Battalion Coldstream were therefore -recalled, and sent into billets at St. Mard. Rain was again falling -heavily, and the men were glad to be under cover, while the inhabitants -cooked their rations and supplemented them with omelettes and vegetable -soup. - -Thus began the battle of the Aisne, and had the men only known that it -was to go on, not for months but years, and that the same ground would -be occupied by the Allies during all that time, they would hardly, I -imagine, have shown quite the same dash as they did during the days that -followed. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 14.] - -The morning of the 14th broke cold and wet. A thick mist hung over the -valley of the river--fortunately for us, since this made artillery -observation by the enemy impossible, and enabled the men to cross the -river without coming under shell-fire. During the night the R.E. had -managed to build a pontoon bridge over the river at Pont-Arcy, and at -5.30 A.M. the brigade moved off to this point. As this bridge was the -sole means of crossing for all arms, there was naturally some little -delay, and during the period of waiting Colonel Feilding sent for all -the commanding officers; he explained the dispositions he had made, and -instructed them to make Ostel their objective. - -[Illustration: The Passage of the Aisne. September 14, 1914.] - -The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was to form the advanced guard to the -Brigade, and Major Jeffreys received orders to secure the heights about -La Cour de Soupir, and then to push on and make good the cross-roads at -Ostel, about a mile farther on. Accordingly the Battalion moved off, -crossed the river, and marched to Soupir--without opposition. Had some -German officer blundered, or did the enemy not intend to dispute the -passage of the river? It seemed inconceivable that, if they intended to -hold the position, the enemy should allow a whole battalion to cross -unmolested. - -At Soupir the road ran uphill through a dense wood, and it was -impossible to see very far ahead. Progress was necessarily very slow, -and the advanced guard had orders to move with the utmost caution. No. 1 -Company, under Major Hamilton, formed the vanguard, and half of No. 2 -Company, under Captain Symes-Thompson, was sent as a flank guard to the -left, where the ground rose steeply above the road, and the trees were -very thick. About half-way the vanguard came into touch with the German -outposts. At the same time they were joined by some men of our 5th -Brigade, who had gone too far to their left, and in consequence had -narrowly escaped being captured by the enemy. - -Word was sent back by Major Hamilton that he was not at all happy about -his left flank, which was on the high ground towards Chavonne, and Major -Jeffreys despatched the rest of No. 2 Company to support Captain -Symes-Thompson and strengthen that flank. Two platoons of No. 1 and one -platoon of No. 2 were sent off to the left, and, having got into touch -with the cavalry on that flank, took up a position in the woods above -Chavonne, where they remained for the rest of the day. Meanwhile, the -leading men of the advanced guard, under Lieutenant Cunliffe, pushed on, -and near La Cour de Soupir ran right into the enemy, who were in -superior numbers. All the men were taken prisoners, and Lieutenant -Cunliffe was wounded. - -But the rest of the advanced guard were also pressing forward, and soon -the positions were reversed. Faced with the alternative of capture or -retiring before a stronger force, the German officer in command decided -on the second course. This meant perforce abandoning the prisoners; but -there was one thing at any rate that a German officer still could do. -Remembering the teachings of his Fatherland, that the usages of war were -a mere formula, and the most dastardly crime excusable if any advantage -could be got from it, he deliberately walked up to Lieutenant Cunliffe, -who was lying wounded on the ground, pulled out his revolver, and shot -him dead. - -As to what eventually happened to the German officer there is some -conflict of evidence. Some of the men of the Battalion swore that they -recognised him among the prisoners who were led away that evening. -Another story, which was generally believed at the time, is that Captain -Bentinck, with a company of Coldstream, happened to come up just in time -to see this cold-blooded murder, and that the men were so infuriated -that they bayoneted the German on the spot. But this version can hardly -be true, for the Coldstream did not arrive till a good deal later. - -Shells were now screaming through the trees with monotonous regularity, -and the hail of bullets grew ever thicker as the advanced guard came up -to La Cour de Soupir. It became evident that the Germans were not only -in strength at the top of the hill, but were advancing across the open -against our left flank, and at the same time trying to surround the -advanced guard by working through the woods on the right flank. No. 3 -Company, under Captain Gosselin, was sent off to the right with -instructions to clear the enemy off some rising ground and protect the -right flank. This it succeeded in doing, but found vastly superior -numbers opposed to it, and could not make any farther progress. It was -here that Lieutenant des Voeux was killed, being hit through both lungs -by a chance shot in the wood. - -Urgent appeals from the firing line induced Major Jeffreys to send two -platoons of No. 4 to help No. 1 Company, and one to the right for No. 3, -while the remaining platoon, with the machine-guns, under Lieutenant the -Hon. W. Cecil, was posted on the edge of a clearing in case those in -front were driven back. - -The advanced guard had now done its part. It had ascertained where the -enemy was posted, but if an advance was to be made, it was clear that it -would have to be strengthened considerably. Colonel Feilding therefore -sent the 3rd Coldstream up to the left of the road and the Irish Guards -to the right. Pushing through the woods and picking up platoons of No. 1 -and No. 2 Companies Grenadiers, these troops came up to the hard-pressed -No. 1 Company on the open ground near La Cour de Soupir. - -Here the Germans' attempt to cross the open was effectively stopped by -our rifle-fire, and the whole of their firing line was wiped out. But -even with these reinforcements we were still outnumbered, and an advance -remained impossible. - -On the right the Irish Guards had come up to No. 3 Company, and, -carrying it on with them, managed gradually to clear the wood. As they -did so they disposed of the German snipers, who had shot many of our -officers. Lord Guernsey and Lord Arthur Hay of the Irish Guards were -killed, and several other officers wounded. In the Grenadiers Lieutenant -F. W. des Voeux was killed, while Captain Gosselin was wounded in the -hand and Lieutenant Welby in the shoulder, but they refused to retire, -and gallantly stuck to their posts. - -During this wood-fighting a young soldier of the Grenadiers, Private -Parsons, collected twelve men belonging to a battalion in another -brigade, who were lost and had no officer or N.C.O. He got them together -and commanded them for the rest of the fight, giving his orders clearly -and coolly, and never making a mistake. He was promoted to Corporal on -the field, and was mentioned in despatches of October 18, 1914. To the -general regret of the Battalion, he died of wounds some ten days later. - -By now the firing line was fairly well established behind the banks of -some slightly sunken roads north and east of La Cour de Soupir; it was -composed of Grenadiers, Coldstream, and Irish Guards, all mixed up -together, as they had come through the woods by companies or platoons, -just as the situation demanded. Though the German shells were still -crashing into the trees and searching the woods, our own guns were -answering back, in spite of having hardly a tenth of the ammunition. - -During this time Lieutenant Walker, Lieutenant Harcourt Vernon, and -Lieutenant MacKenzie were all badly wounded. - -But while a satisfactory foothold had been obtained here, Sir Douglas -Haig found that there was a gap between the First and Second Corps. -Being very hard pressed, with no reserves available, he sent back for -help to the Commander-in-Chief, who at once placed the Cavalry Division -at his disposal. On foot, the cavalry was despatched to the left to -prolong the line occupied by the 4th Brigade, and succeeded in repelling -the German attacks. - -A steady fire was being kept up by the 4th Brigade at the German front -line, which was lying down close in front of it in a mangel and beet -field, and therefore very hard to see. The German fire suddenly began to -slacken, and the moment seemed to have arrived for a charge, when, -without any warning, the men in the German leading line ran forward with -their hands over their heads in token of surrender, and at the same time -white flags appeared in various parts of the line. At once a large -number of our men leaped up and ran to meet them. Major Jeffreys and -Major Matheson, fully alive to the possibilities of danger, shouted and -yelled to them to stop, but the men ran on, eager to capture so many -prisoners, and soon British and Germans were mingled together in a -confused mass. - -At this point the German supports opened fire on them all, mowing down -friend and foe alike, and killing a large number of both sides. Most of -those who were unhit dropped down at once where they were in the root -field, and when it got dark many of the Germans walked into our lines -and surrendered. It must be added that there is no evidence that this -treachery was deliberately planned. It would seem that the leading line -had had enough, and genuinely meant to surrender; the supports had no -such intention, and there is thus perhaps some justification for their -action. But it was a lesson to the 4th Brigade which it never forgot. -Thenceforth the white flag was looked on with suspicion, and whenever it -was used, not a man moved from his place. - -After a hurried consultation between Major Matheson, Major Jeffreys, and -Major Lord Bernard Lennox, it was agreed that, while Major Jeffreys held -the enemy in check in front, the other two should take some men with -them, and try to work round the German flank. This operation took some -time, but evidently it surprised the Germans, who were holding a ridge -about 500 yards in front of our firing line. Many of them could be seen -running from right to left across the front, and offered a fine target -for our men posted at the edge of the wood--the shooting was good and -hardly a man escaped. Lieutenant Stewart was ordered to advance with a -platoon of No. 4 Company, and managed to get on another 300 yards when -he was wounded. - -The difficulties of the situation were now borne in on Major Jeffreys -and Major Matheson. It was getting dark, and they could get no orders -from Brigade Headquarters, as the telephone wires had all been cut by -bursting shells. Signalling was out of the question owing to the density -of the woods. Meanwhile, the Germans were still shelling the road, and -it seemed only too probable that the orderly who had been bringing -instructions from the Brigade had been killed on his way. The men were -dead-tired, having had nothing to eat all day, and Major Matheson, who -had found it a very hard matter to get through the wood to the right, -came to the conclusion that no advance could be made in this direction -without reinforcements. - -Therefore it was decided that the only thing to do was to re-sort the -battalions and to dig in where they were. A point of junction was -arranged, and the much mixed battalions were reorganised; digging -started, and the men, tired out as they were, set to work with a will, -and soon produced a trench. Thus was the beginning made of that long -line of trenches which was eventually to stretch from the Argonne to the -Belgian coast, and which formed the battleground of the two armies for -years to come. - -Converted into a dressing-station, the farm of La Cour de Soupir was -filled with wounded, British and German. The ground in front of our -trench was covered with dead and wounded Germans, but though as many -stretcher-bearers as possible were sent out and worked all night long, -it was not easy to find them in the darkness. It was a striking point of -difference that while our wounded hardly made a sound, the Germans never -stopped groaning and crying out: there was a continuous chorus all -through the night of "Kamerad, Kamerad," and "Wasser, Wasser." A regular -pile of Germans was discovered round two haystacks, while in a -stubble-field close by was an almost complete firing line, laid out in a -row, and all dead. Shelling began again at dawn before all the German -wounded could be brought in. - -Soon the farm was crowded, and the men for whom there was no room were -put in the out-buildings. The removal of the wounded from the farm to -the rear proved a great difficulty. The pontoon bridge at Pont-Arcy had -been smashed, and on that side of the river, unfortunately, there were -only four horse ambulance-wagons; these, with their fagged-out horses, -had to plod throughout the night up and down the steep hill which led to -the farm, taking only a few wounded at a time. - -Behind the farm was a deep quarry with several caves in it; here the men -not actually required for the firing line were stationed--comparatively -safe except for an occasional shell from a German howitzer. The three or -four hundred prisoners the Battalion had taken were herded together in -the quarry under a guard and sent downhill next day. They made no -attempt to hide their pleasure at escaping from the battle. - -While Major Jeffreys was superintending the digging, a man of the Irish -Guards arrived and said that as he was searching for the wounded, a -German officer had come up to him and expressed a wish to surrender, but -added that he would only give himself up to an officer. Thereupon Major -Jeffreys told the man to find the German, if possible, and bring him in. -When the man came back he reported that the original officer had refused -to come so far, but that he had met another, who as willingly -accompanied him. Out of the darkness stepped a tall, smart-looking -Ober-Leutnant, who clicked his heels, saluted, and said in perfect -English, "I wish to surrender." Major Jeffreys was at no pains to -conceal his contempt for this poor specimen of an officer, and handed -him over to one of the junior officers of the Grenadiers to take to the -quarries. - -That night the position of the 4th Brigade was as follows. On the left, -in touch with the Cavalry Division, was the 2nd Battalion Coldstream, -then the 3rd Battalion Coldstream and the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers, with -the Irish Guards on the right. The 2nd Battalion Coldstream had been in -reserve, but when there seemed a danger of the enemy getting between the -First and Second Corps, the two companies of this battalion were sent -off to strengthen the left flank. - -The First Corps had managed to establish itself across the Aisne on a -line running from Chemin des Dames on the right, through Chivy and -Soupir to the Chavonne--Soissons road, the latter portion being held by -the 1st Cavalry Brigade. But the Fourth and Fifth Divisions had not been -so successful, and had been unable to do more than maintain their -ground. On the extreme left the Sixth French Army had got some distance -over the Aisne, but the Fifth French Army had made no headway. - -In his account of the day's achievements Sir John French wrote: - - The action of the First Corps on this day under the direction and - command of Sir Douglas Haig was of so skilful, bold and decisive a - character that he gained positions which alone have enabled me to - maintain my position for more than three weeks of very severe - fighting on the north bank of the river. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 15.] - -On the 15th Sir John French made an endeavour to strengthen the line, -and consequently there was no need for the 4th Brigade to advance. All -day it was shelled, and had to meet vigorous counter-attacks. It was -holding a line which was really too long for it with its scanty -reserves, and it is inexplicable why the enemy did not take advantage of -this and drive it back to the river. - -The morning was spent by the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers in improving the -trenches. About noon it was heavily shelled, and as the enemy seemed to -have the range of the trench, the men were withdrawn into the wood, a -certain number being left to keep watch. They proceeded to watch, not -without some quiet satisfaction, the empty trench being plastered with -shrapnel that did no harm to any one. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 16.] - -More parties were sent out at dawn next day to collect the wounded, some -of whom must have been lying out between the lines for nearly two days. -A good many were brought in, but the work had to be stopped as soon as -it was light, as the Germans deliberately shelled our stretcher parties. -About 11 A.M. a shell set fire to a large stack, on the right of the -farm, occupied by Captain Ridley and two men--they had been posted on -top of it to snipe the German fire observation post, more than 1100 -yards away. Captain Ridley had taken no notice of the shells that had -been bursting all round him, but coolly stuck to his work, but now he -was forced to abandon it, dazed by the explosion, and unhurt, though -both the men with him were wounded. - -Helped by the blazing rick to locate the farm, the German artillery now -began to plaster it with common shell, shrapnel, and H.E. It is possible -that if they had known it was full of their own wounded they would not -have gone for it quite so furiously. However that may be, they finally -got it alight, and then followed a scene of hopelessly illogical -chivalry, our men risking their lives to save the German wounded from -their own shells. The wounded were eventually carried out of the burning -building and put in a safer place. At the same time, the Battalion -Headquarters and the horses were moved down into the quarry. - -As this violent shelling seemed to portend an attack, the trenches were -fully manned, with the result that there were many casualties. One shell -landed right in the trench and killed Lieutenant Welby and the men near -him. He had been slightly wounded in the shoulder a couple of days -before, but had refused to go to hospital. Although our gunners replied -gamely, they could not compete with the lavish German expenditure of -ammunition. - -A report having come in that the enemy were advancing, Major Jeffreys -ordered No. 2 Company to come up from the quarry, and line its northern -edge, so as to be available as a support. It had hardly been there a -quarter of an hour when an 8-inch high explosive just missed the farm, -and, grazing the roof, pitched right on the edge of the quarry. A -terrific explosion followed, and out of the 103 men who had been brought -up, only 44 were left, all the rest being killed or wounded. - -This same shell also killed three officers and a large number of men of -the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, and Lieutenant Huggan of the R.A.M.C., -but Major Jeffreys, Major Lord Bernard Lennox, Captain Powell, and -Captain Pike escaped untouched, for some unaccountable reason, though -they were sitting within a few yards of where it exploded, and men were -killed and wounded on every side of them, some of them under cover. The -trees on the bank fell down with a crash, and the whole quarry itself -was filled with a dense yellow-black smoke. - -It was a most disastrous shot, and, to make matters worse, the only -medical officer on the spot had been killed, and there was no qualified -person to attend to the wounded, with whom the caves in the -quarry--seemingly the only safe spot--were now packed. The scene there -was terrible. There was no light of any sort until a single candle was -procured from somewhere. By its faint and uncertain glimmer ghastly -glimpses could be caught of men writhing in pain, with their limbs -smashed to pieces. Into one corner were crowded the German prisoners, -glad of any shelter from the German shells, and there were also a large -number of German wounded, who moaned and cried through the night. The -officers and N.C.O.'s of the Grenadiers, who had just left the trenches -to get a rest, had to give up all idea of that: they set to work and -bound up with such skill as they possessed the wounds of friend and foe. - -In the front trenches, meanwhile, shelling went on incessantly, and -there were many counter-attacks, directed against the part of the line -held by the Coldstream. During the evening two companies of the -Oxfordshire Light Infantry were sent up to take over the trenches next -morning. After dark the supports were brought from the quarry to the -garden at the back of the farm, so as to be near at hand in the event of -an attack. - -One of the Battalion's much-regretted losses this day was Captain the -Hon. W. A. Cecil. He had been in the thick of every engagement since the -start, and had gained a great reputation in the past three weeks for the -effective way in which he handled the machine-guns. On more than one -occasion his keenness had led him into very dangerous corners, and it -was while he was reconnoitring for a good position for his machine-guns -that he was killed. Lieutenant Stewart was wounded, and Captain -Gosselin, who had pluckily stayed with his company, though he was in -great pain from the wound he received two days before, was now obliged -to go into hospital. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 17.] - -The Battalion was relieved just before dawn, and went into billets at -Soupir. Officers and men alike were dead-beat, and slept through most of -the day. The cold, wet nights had begun to tell on many of them, and -some went sick. Among these was Prince Alexander of Battenberg, who got -a bad chill, and had to be sent down to the base. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 18.] - -On the 18th the Battalion went back to the trenches to relieve the -Coldstream, to the left of the position it had held before. No. 1 and -No. 2 Companies were in the firing line, and No. 3 and No. 4 in reserve. -The moment they arrived they started digging and deepening the trenches, -knowing that they would be under constant shell-fire during the day, and -in places they could see the Germans doing the same, some 700 yards -away. But before they could get through very much, the shelling began, -and shrapnel came bursting all over them. - -All through the day the roar of shells and rifle-fire went on, varied -now and then by high-explosive shells from the howitzers, which made -holes big enough to bury three or four horses in. Major Jeffreys, with -Captain Howell, R.A.M.C., came to inspect the trenches, but at that -moment the shelling became particularly vigorous and accurate, and they -were obliged to accept the hospitality of Lord Bernard Lennox, who -placed at their disposal the hole he had dug for himself. But as it had -only been made for one, the owner was not altogether sorry when a lull -in the firing made it possible for the visitors to continue their tour. - -It should be mentioned here that the trenches during the first few -months of the war consisted not of continuous lines of trench, but of a -series of deep holes holding three to four men apiece, and separated -from the next by some 10 feet of undug earth, which formed a natural -traverse. There was hardly any parapet, and the earth was scattered to -the front. The advantage of this type of trench was that it was -difficult to locate and destroy by artillery, but if the enemy was near -at hand vigilant communication either laterally or to the rear was -practically impossible. - -The supports and reserves were all hidden in caves very like those they -had occupied in the quarry behind their first position. They were well -rationed, with plenty of fresh meat, vegetables, and jam. They were, -indeed, very much better off than the men in the trenches, for it turned -very cold again at night, and rain fell heavily. - -It was not hard to guess the reason for the severe bombardment and -continual counter-attacks. This was one of the few positions where the -Allies had succeeded in obtaining a foothold across the river, though -why the Second Division was allowed to get over at Pont-Arcy unmolested -has never been explained. The Germans were not only far superior in -numbers, but had a supply of shells and ammunition out of all proportion -to that of the Allies; moreover, they had chosen an exceptionally good -position and possessed heavy guns, such as were unknown in the British -and French Armies. Though General Maunoury's Sixth French Army had at -first advanced some distance on the extreme left, it had afterwards been -held up, and was now only just holding back the enemy counter-attacks, -which threatened to drive it back on the river. The British Army's task -was the hardest of all, and the Second and Third Corps had been unable -to establish themselves securely on the other side. - -After the first few days of the battle, the German General Staff -determined to direct its energies against the Sixth French Army and the -right of the British Army, and to force back over the river the troops -which had crossed. So the line occupied by the 4th Brigade came in for -more than its share of artillery fire. This hurricane of shells was no -doubt intended to prepare the way for the infantry counter-attacks, but -wherever the Germans attempted an attack they found our men coolly -waiting for them, and absolutely unshaken by the bombardment. - -Our artillery's work in this battle aroused the greatest admiration -among the Guards Brigade. Vastly outnumbered, with none of the heavy -guns the enemy had, and in obviously inferior positions, it fought on -gallantly in spite of great losses, and often succeeded in silencing the -batteries which were shelling our trenches. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 19-20.] - -Brigadier-General the Earl of Cavan (an old Grenadier) arrived on the -19th, and took over the command of the Brigade, while Lieut.-Colonel -Wilfred Smith assumed command of the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers. The -Battalion remained in the trenches till the 21st and repulsed several -attacks. Though the German infantry never seemed anxious to come to -close quarters, their artillery made up for this hesitation by a -prodigal expenditure of shells. Lieut.-Colonel Smith described in a -letter a calculation he made during a bombardment which went on -continuously for six hours; he timed the rate of the falling shells, and -found that it came to an average of fifty shells a minute. - -The nights were constantly disturbed by false alarms. It was the German -practice to send out specially selected snipers to keep the whole line -from having any rest. There is nothing more contagious than night -firing; the snipers would start the men in front of them firing, and -soon it would spread till there was a dull roar all down the line. -Supports and reserves would stand to arms until it had died down, and -then the Germans would start all over again in another part of the line, -with the same result. By this time, too, the trenches were beginning to -fill with water in places, which added to our men's hardships. - -Every day there were some casualties, but considering the amount of -ammunition expended they were really very slight. Lord Congleton had a -lucky escape. He was sent for to Battalion Headquarters to make a -report, and on his return found that his shelter had been blown to -atoms. On the same day Lord Bernard Lennox had an even narrower shave. -Taking off his greatcoat, he laid it on the back of the trench, but had -hardly gone two or three paces when there was a terrific explosion. When -he looked round, he saw that the right arm of his coat was gone -altogether and the left cut to ribbons. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 21.] - -At 4 A.M. on the 21st the Battalion was relieved by the Irish Guards -under Lieut.-Colonel Lord Ardee, who, with Captain Lord Francis Scott, -had been attached from the Grenadiers, and retired to Soupir. Captain -Ridley was sent to inspect the trenches occupied by the 3rd Battalion -Coldstream with a view to taking them over next morning, but this order -was afterwards cancelled, and Lieut.-Colonel Smith, Captain -Symes-Thompson, and Captain Colston went with the same object to the -trenches west of Chavonne. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 22.] - -Next day the Battalion marched at dawn to Chavonne, and took over the -trenches held by the 1st Cavalry Brigade, which was very glad to -relinquish its position. Cavalry at that time had no bayonets, and so -were at a serious disadvantage in a night attack. A company being so -much stronger than a squadron, only two platoons of each company were -needed for the front trenches, the other two being kept in reserve. No. -3 and No. 4 Companies went into the trenches, No. 1 and No. 2 into -billets. Though there was continual shelling here too, it was nothing -compared with what the Battalion had got accustomed to; in fact, the -universal opinion was that it was quite a quiet spot. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 22-Oct. 11.] - -For nearly three weeks the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers remained in the -trenches, two companies at a time. The general impression in the firing -line seemed to be that the centre was waiting till the flanks could push -on. There were also constant stories about the Russians. What really -happened was that, with inferior numbers, General Joffre was unable to -turn the enemy out of their positions. On the other hand, the Germans -had given the Allies time to entrench themselves, and found it equally -impossible to advance. Trench warfare had begun, and had come to stay. -Months of comparative inaction were to follow, while the artillery -pounded away at the infantry in the trenches. - -"No man's land" between the trenches was covered with unburied bodies, -but for either side to venture out merely meant adding to their number. -The trenches were gradually improved and deepened, and communication -trenches were dug in every direction. Rabbit netting was procured from -the neighbouring woods and converted into wire entanglements, but at -that time, with the exception of the Minenwerfer, there were none of the -specially constructed infernal machines which later were to play such a -large part in trench warfare. The infantry crouched in the trenches, -while the artillery tried to reach it with every kind of shell; and -though the casualties were sometimes considerable, on the whole the -infantry succeeded in keeping itself protected. - -Occasionally an extra heavy dose of shelling warned the firing line that -a counter-attack was in view, but when it came to the point of cold -steel the German troops showed no inclination to close with our men. -Another indication of a coming attack was the playing of the band of -some German regiment, which was heard on one or two occasions--evidently -as a stimulant for the men who were to take part. Raids were -periodically made to catch the enemy's snipers, hidden in trees and -hay-ricks. Some N.C.O.'s showed themselves particularly clever and -resourceful in carrying out these excursions, but rashness cost a good -many lives. - -A welcome end was at last put to the continual night firing in which the -German snipers had succeeded in involving us. Lieutenant Donald Miller, -who was in command on the left, which was their favourite approach, gave -orders that no one was to fire without his leave. He took upon himself -the responsibility of distinguishing between sniping and a regular -attack, and with entire success. Isolated shots were ignored, and the -supports and reserves had a quiet night; the other companies soon learnt -the trick, and before long there were no more false alarms. - -On September 27 Captain Colston was seized with appendicitis, and had to -be sent home for an operation. Captain Ridley took his place, but on the -same day was hit on the head and between the shoulders by fragments of a -shell which exploded near him. Fortunately his wounds were not serious, -and after having them dressed he went back to the firing line. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 1914.] - -In the first week of the battle of the Aisne the losses had been -exceptionally heavy, but during the latter part of the time in which the -British occupied the position, they were comparatively light. Sir John -French estimated that from the start of the battle to the day the -British Army left we lost altogether--in killed, wounded, and -missing--561 officers and 12,980 men. On October 5 Captain Robin Grey, -an officer of the Grenadiers attached to the Royal Flying Corps, was -brought down while flying over the enemy's lines and made a prisoner. - -Now the situation again changed. All along the French line there had -been very heavy fighting, but while the Germans had been unable to -pierce the line our Allies had equally failed to advance, though -Maunoury had managed to extend his flank up to the Oise, while the new -armies of Castelnau and Maud'huy were gradually lengthening the line in -a northerly direction. Simultaneously the Germans had grasped that as -nothing could be done on the Aisne the only possible chance of success -was to turn to the French left. - -So they at once began to stretch out their forces to the right, sending -out huge masses of cavalry, and in their endeavour to find the French -left pushed farther and farther north. They were not content with merely -parrying French moves; they determined to outstrip them. They had -shorter lines of communication and many more men than the Allies, and it -is therefore all the more to the credit of the French and British Armies -that they should have won this race for the coast by a short head. - -Having come to the conclusion that an advance on the Aisne was -impossible, General Joffre decided that the first-line troops should be -gradually replaced by Territorials and sent up to prolong the line on -the left. Curiously enough, precisely the same instructions were at the -same time issued to the German Army, and Landwehr troops were gradually -brought into the trenches. - -This decision was to alter the fortunes also of our own troops. When the -French Army began its various moves, Sir John French went to General -Joffre, and pointed out the difficulties in which the British Army was -placed by being in the centre of the line. All the supplies in coming -from England had to go through Paris and cross those intended for the -left of the French line, with the risk of probable confusion. The right -place for the British Army, therefore, was clearly on the left, where -supplies could reach it with the least possible delay. He also put -forward the purely sentimental advantage to be gained by our army -operating as a separate unit and expanding on its own front. - -General Joffre saw the force of these contentions, and agreed to the -British Army being moved up to Belgium, French Territorials taking up -its former position. It should be explained that Territorials in France -are in no way the equivalent of our own; they are all men who have -served in the Army, but are over the age for active fighting. In fact, -they correspond to the German Landwehr. - -The necessary arrangements for withdrawal and relief were made. The -operation began on October 3, and the Second Cavalry Division under -General Gough marched from Compiègne en route for the new front. The -Army Corps followed in succession at intervals of a few days, and the -move was completed by October 19, when the First Corps detrained at St. -Omer. This transfer of hundreds of thousands of men from one point of -the country to another without a hitch was a striking testimony to the -qualities of the French General Staff. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 12.] - -On the night of the 12th the French Territorials arrived, and took over -the trenches of the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers. Though a sturdy lot of -men, they had not exactly the inches of a Guardsman, and so found great -difficulty in reaching the loopholes, with the result that alterations -had to be made all along the line. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 13.] - -Next morning at about 1 A.M. the Battalion marched by way of St. Mard -and Vauxcéré to Perles, where it went into billets at a big farm, and -had its first real rest out of the range of shell-fire for a very long -while. It was generally thought that when the Germans discovered the -change which was being made they would send a few high-explosive shells -well to the rear of the trenches to catch the retiring troops. But as it -happened, the enemy were far too busy with their own movements to pay -any attention to what was going on in front, and the Battalion marched -away unmolested. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 14.] - -It started off again at 4 o'clock on the 14th and marched to Fismes, -where it was to entrain for the north. After the usual long wait for the -transport it got off at 7.30. The men were very closely packed, -thirty-five or forty having to be put into each small covered truck, so -that there was hardly room even to sit down. Through Paris, Beauvais, -Amiens, Étaples, and Calais the train slowly wandered on, and finally -the Battalion reached Hazebrouck at 7 o'clock next morning. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES (1ST BATTALION) - - -[Sidenote: 1st Batt. Sept. 1914.] - -Meanwhile the 1st Battalion Grenadiers remained at Warley until -September 1914. In the middle of the month the Seventh Division was -formed, and the 1st Battalion Grenadiers was sent to Lyndhurst, near -Southampton, where the Division was assembling, and placed in the 20th -Brigade. - -Major-General T. Capper, C.B., D.S.O., commanded the Division, which was -composed as follows: - - - _20th Infantry Brigade._ Brigadier-General H. G. RUGGLES-BRISE, - M.V.O. - - 1st Batt. Grenadier Guards. - 2nd Batt. Scots Guards. - 2nd Batt. Border Regiment. - 2nd Batt. Gordon Highlanders. - - _21st Infantry Brigade._ Brigadier-General H. WATTS, C.B. - - 2nd Batt. Bedford Regiment. - 2nd Batt. Yorkshire Regiment. - 2nd Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers. - 2nd Batt. Wiltshire Regiment. - - _22nd Infantry Brigade._ Brigadier-General S. LAWFORD. - - 2nd Batt. Queen's. - 2nd Batt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment. - 1st Batt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. - 1st Batt. South Staffordshire Regiment. - -Brigadier-General H. G. Ruggles-Brise, who commanded the Brigade in -which the 1st Battalion served, was himself an old Grenadier. - -It was generally considered that the Seventh Division was one of the -finest sent out. Most of the men in it, except the two Guards -battalions, had served for several years in India and the Colonies, and -were bronzed, seasoned men, thorough professional soldiers. - -For artillery the Division had one brigade of horse and two of field -artillery, Brigadier-General H. K. Jackson, D.S.O., being in command. -The brigade of horse artillery consisted of two batteries only. No -howitzer brigade had been provided, but a heavy battery of old 4·7's was -added at the last moment. The transport had to be supplemented by -farm-carts, afterwards painted grey. The Divisional Cavalry consisted of -the Northumberland Hussars, originally commanded by Lord Ridley; -unfortunately he became too ill to go to the front, and Lieut.-Colonel -Cookson took his place. - -The centre of interest was now shifting from France to Belgium. Confused -by the conflicting accounts which filtered through, the people at home -only grasped that the German advance on Paris had failed, and that there -was consequently a stalemate. But Sir John French knew that, even though -the Allies had won the race to the sea, there was every danger of the -German Army concentrating somewhere in the north and breaking through -the line, necessarily weak, of the Allied armies. - -[Illustration: Ypres and the neighbouring country where the First Battle -of Ypres was fought. October and November. 1914.] - -Although the Germans were in possession of the greater part of Belgium, -in their hurry to get to Paris they had been unable to dispose entirely -of the Belgian Army, which had been so troublesome in the first stages -of the war, and which had now retired into Antwerp. Consequently the -German General Staff determined to make good the lines of communication -by taking Antwerp and reducing all Belgium to ruins. As soon as this had -been done all the available troops were to force their way through the -Allied line and seize the northern part of France. - -The capture of one of the largest towns in Belgium would be hailed with -the greatest enthusiasm in Germany, and would also nip in the bud any -scheme for sending British troops and guns to help the besieged Belgian -Army. Germany knew that at present we had no guns capable of competing -with hers, but if she delayed there was no reason why we should not -manufacture them up to any calibre. - -But, undeterred by our lack both of men and guns, the British Government -had made up its mind to do _something_, at any rate, and the Naval -Division, which had been intended as a Reserve for the Fleet, were -accordingly despatched to Antwerp. This expedition was a glaring -instance of our lack of preparation in the early stages of the war. -Totally untrained, the men, many of them, knew nothing of the mechanism -of the rifles they were armed with; they had no transport, and were -given for their conveyance London motor omnibuses, with the familiar -advertisements still on them. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 1914.] - -This force was greeted with wild enthusiasm when it arrived in Antwerp -on October 4. Major J. A. C. Quilter, Captain A. E. Maxwell, and -Lieutenant W. R. C. Murray, all officers of the Grenadiers, were lent to -the Naval Division. Captain Maxwell was severely wounded in the -subsequent fighting, and afterwards died, but the other two returned -safely to England. Major Quilter, who remained attached to the Naval -Division, was killed later in the Dardanelles while in command of the -Hood Battalion. - -With the monster German guns brought up against the town, the fall of -Antwerp was a foregone conclusion. The Belgian artillery was quite -outranged, and could make no sort of a reply, and the Naval Division had -no heavy guns at all. So one-sided was the contest that for the -defenders it was merely a matter of looking on while the huge shells -fell and gradually devastated the town. On October 8 Antwerp -capitulated, and there was a wild, confused rush by the inhabitants to -get away. The Belgian Army and the greater part of the Naval Division -managed to escape from the town, but about 18,000 Belgian troops and -15,000 British were forced up into Holland and interned. - -Suddenly, when it had settled down to a sort of peace-manoeuvre life at -Lyndhurst, the Seventh Division received its marching orders. The -Government had decided to send it to help the Belgian Army. It was -practically the only available unit, except the Third Cavalry Division, -which was sent off a few days later. - -It was a quiet, peaceful Sunday when the summons came. There had been so -many rumours and alarms that no one took much notice of them, and the -idea of departure had faded to a remote possibility. Passes had been -given to the men to remain out till 9.30, and a field-day was arranged -for the next day. Then came the order to embark at once from -Southampton. In an instant there was feverish bustle and energy -throughout the camps. The 1st Battalion Grenadiers marched off to -Southampton, and was joined there by many men who were out on pass, but -by the time the ship sailed all the Battalion was reported present. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 4.] - -Embarking on October 4, the Seventh Division succeeded in avoiding the -enemy's mines and submarines on its voyage to Zeebrugge, but the Cavalry -Division was unable to follow, and was diverted to Ostend instead. - -The following is a list of the officers of the 1st Battalion Grenadier -Guards, who went out with the Battalion--all but a few of them were -killed or wounded: - - - Lieut.-Colonel M. Earle, D.S.O., Commanding Officer. - Major H. St. L. Stucley, Second in Command. - Lieut. Lord Claud N. Hamilton, Machine-gun Officer. - Capt. G. E. C. Rasch, Adjutant. - Lieut. J. Teece, Quartermaster. - Major the Hon. A. O. W. C. Weld-Forester, M.V.O., King's Company. - Captain the Hon. L. P. Cary (Master of Falkland), King's Company. - Lieut. W. S. Pilcher, King's Company. - Lieut. H. L. Aubrey-Fletcher, M.V.O., King's Company. - Lieut. J. H. Powell, King's Company. - 2nd Lieut. R. O. R. Kenyon-Slaney, King's Company. - Captain the Hon. C. M. B. Ponsonby, M.V.O., No. 2 Company. - Capt. G. C. G. Moss, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. G. E. Hope, Signalling Officer. - Lieut. T. E. R. Symons, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. R. S. Lambert, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. M. A. A. Darby, No. 2 Company. - Capt. Lord Richard Wellesley, No. 3 Company. - Capt. G. Rennie, No. 3 Company. - Lieutenant the Hon. A. G. S. Douglas-Pennant, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. P. Van Neck, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. L. G. Ames, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. W. R. Mackenzie, Transport Officer. - Major L. R. V. Colby, No. 4 Company. - Capt. R. E. K. Leatham, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. E. Antrobus, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. S. Walter, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. N. A. H. Somerset, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. Sir G. Duckworth-King, Bart., No. 4 Company. - - _Attached_--Lieut. J. G. Butt, R.A.M.C. - -The crossing was made in the S.S. _Armenian_, which was fairly -comfortable, and the _Turcoman_, just a cattle-boat, with no -accommodation at all. The transports did not move out into the Solent -till after dark on the 5th, and reached Zeebrugge at six o'clock on the -morning of the 7th. Disembarking was none too easy a task, for the jetty -was much too small for ships of that size, and there were no cranes or -other appliances for unshipping the horses, which just had to be pushed -down gangways. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 7.] - -Entreaties were made to General Capper by a Belgian colonel and two -Staff officers, who had come as a deputation from Antwerp, that he would -bring the whole of the Seventh Division into that city. But Sir Henry -Rawlinson had already sent orders for the Division to go to Bruges at -once. The 1st Battalion Grenadiers made the journey in two trains, and -was billeted in the suburb of St. André. Crowds lined the streets, and -cheered each battalion lustily as it arrived. All the billeting was -arranged without any difficulty, as the Belgian authorities knew to a -man how many troops each village would hold. - -That evening there was a "procession of humiliation" through the streets -of Bruges, a long train of old men and women following in the wake of -the priests, who were headed by acolytes swinging their censers. As they -walked slowly through the streets, chanting a litany, they made an odd -contrast with the masses of fighting men in khaki, and their array of -wagons and guns. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 8.] - -Next day the whole Division was ordered to march to Ostend, to cover the -landing of the Cavalry Division--a hot, tiring journey it was of fifteen -miles, over the usual paving-stones. At Leffinghe, on the outskirts of -Ostend, a defensive position was taken up and an attempt made to dig -trenches, but the men could not go very deep, as at three feet below the -surface they reached water. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 9.] - -Fortunately the Battalion was not called upon to hold them. Just before -daybreak it left the trenches and marched into Ostend, where it -entrained for Ghent. Sir Henry Rawlinson's plan was to operate on the -Germans' left flank and divert their attention from the Belgian Army, -which might thus, he hoped, be able to escape from Antwerp. - -Indescribable confusion reigned in Ostend. The whole country-side had -swarmed in to see what was going on; the Cavalry Division was landing -while the Seventh Division passed through to get to the railway station, -and their movements were naturally hampered by the throngs of people -which surged over the streets and quays. General Capper took with him -the 20th and 22nd Brigades under Brigadier-Generals Ruggles-Brise and -Lawford, leaving the 21st, under Brigadier-General Watts, to march back -to Beernem, where it was to remain in reserve. Meanwhile, the Cavalry -Division was to operate in the direction of Thourout. - -When the two brigades arrived at Ghent, they found that a small force of -French Marines and Belgian cyclists were already holding an outpost line -in front of the town. The Germans, it was reported, had just crossed the -Scheldt about ten miles to the east, and were moving north-west, with -the object of cutting off the Belgian Army and the British and French -Naval Divisions, which were evacuating Antwerp. - -[Illustration: Route taken by the First Battalion Grenadier Guards -through Belgium in October 1914.] - -A second outpost line was taken up by the two brigades in rear of the -French Marines, the 1st Battalion Grenadiers being in reserve. There -were no machine-guns, and the only ammunition was the 200 rounds carried -by each man. Though the artillery had been sent on the night before, it -did not arrive at Ghent till twenty-four hours after the infantry, owing -to the confusion there was on the railway line, part of which was in the -hands of the Germans. - -No. 2 Company of the Grenadiers found one or two piquets blocking the -main road, and had a very busy time with the Belgian refugees who were -streaming out of Ghent all night long. The other three companies were -sent into billets in some large dye-works, but there were so few exits -that it was found it would take quite half-an-hour to evacuate the -place, so that it was nothing but a death-trap. Accordingly No. 4 -Company billeted in a timber yard close by, while the King's and No. 3 -bivouacked in an orchard by the roadside. - -The nights were cold, and when the Battalion requisitioned for blankets, -huge rolls of velvet from the dye-works were issued by the Belgian -authorities. Some ten thousand francs' worth of velvet, it was -estimated, was damaged in this way. The men naturally did not mind what -they looked like as long as they kept warm, but as they lay asleep in -the yard, with rich velvet such as Velasquez might have painted wrapped -round their khaki, they presented a spectacle decidedly incongruous. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 10.] - -Nothing much happened during the next day, though there were occasional -alarms. Firing could be heard in the distance, but no shells or bullets -came in the direction of our troops. When it was dark the Battalion was -ordered to report to the commander of the outpost line. On the march -they met scattered bodies of the French Marines, who had presumably been -driven in, and when they got to Destelbergen it appeared that the -Marines had been withdrawn from this section, which was now only thinly -held by such men as could be spared by the Border Regiment on the left. - -The King's Company was told to take over this section--by no means an -easy task in the dark. The frontage was nearly a mile, with the platoons -about six hundred yards apart, and the trenches were useless, being -merely shallow rain-shelters, hastily covered over. By working all night -the men succeeded in making some sort of a trench by dawn. Orders were -received that there could be no retirement in case of attack, and that -no support could be looked for. - -It was a remarkable situation into which this quixotic operation had -forced us. Here was an isolated British Division, with practically no -base and with no available reinforcements, operating entirely by itself, -while large bodies of the enemy were reported in every direction. But -for the information, which was regularly supplied by the aircraft, such -a position would have become impossible. The aeroplanes were most -active, constantly spying out the enemy's movements, and the armed -motor-cars also did very useful work. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 11.] - -Spades and shovels were obtained from neighbouring cottages at daybreak -on the 11th, and the men managed to make really good trenches. But in -the afternoon the Battalion was withdrawn, and marched through Ghent. -The whole force was retiring, and No. 2 and No. 3 Companies formed the -rearguard to the two brigades. It was hardly expected that the Germans -would allow the force to get away without a severe fight, but nothing -happened, though the enemy was close at hand, and entered Ghent soon -after the mixed force of British, French, and Belgians had left the -town. Passing through Ghent at dead of night after the cordial reception -they had had from the inhabitants two days before, and with the -knowledge that the Belgians were being left to the tender mercies of the -Germans, was anything but a pleasant experience for the British Force. - -Antwerp having fallen, the Seventh Division now got orders to make its -way back as fast as it could to Ypres, and there join up with the rest -of the British Army. This meant long marches and few intervals of rest, -but with the German force that had been freed by the capture of Antwerp -close behind, any delay was dangerous. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 12.] - -By dawn on the 12th, Ruggles-Brise's and Lawford's Brigades reached -Somergem, and in the afternoon they marched to Thielt by way of Aeltre. -At Oostcamp Watts's Brigade joined in and followed the others to Thielt. -As the Division drew near that place the halts became more and more -frequent--there were constant checks of as much as ten minutes, followed -by moves of less than a hundred yards. This was a very trying climax -after being up all night and marching all day. The last mile took two -hours, and it was not till 1 A.M. that the men reached their billets. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 13.] - -A burst of very heavy rifle-fire at 6 o'clock next morning in the very -centre of the town brought every one scrambling out of their billets, -with visions of outposts rushed and Germans in their midst. But it -turned out to be only a Taube, at which every one who had a rifle was -taking a shot. Eventually it was brought down about a mile off, the -Grenadiers, Scots Fusiliers, and Pom-Pom Detachment all claiming the -hit. - -The whole Division started off for Roulers, followed by the Germans. On -its arrival at Pitthem, a force of the enemy was reported to be -advancing from the north and north-east. The baggage was therefore sent -on, and the 20th and 22nd Brigades were ordered to take up a position in -order to cover this change in the order of march. The Germans, however, -did not come on, and the march was continued. The Division reached -Roulers after dark--with the usual irritating and fatiguing halts. At -each village, as the Battalion marched through, the whole population -turned out and gave the men apples, cigarettes, and any other offerings -they could, but the lion's share naturally fell to the advance guard and -the leading battalion, and by the time the tail was reached the supplies -had generally given out. - -By now the Germans had grasped that this was an isolated Division, and -were straining every nerve to catch it, so that the position at Roulers -was very precarious. The reports from the aeroplane scouts were -disquieting, and General Capper realised that every moment was precious. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 14.] - -Early next morning the Division marched out of Roulers, and not long -afterwards the Germans arrived; in fact, it was said that the rear-guard -was hardly clear of the town before the Uhlans were in it. No. 3 and No. -4 Companies, under Captain Lord Richard Wellesley and Major Colby, -formed the advance-guard. - -Rain fell heavily all the way, and the roads were in a terrible state, -but the men's spirits were raised by the news that they were nearly in -touch with the Expeditionary Force. These forced marches had told on the -troops, and though in the Grenadiers not a man fell out, in some of the -battalions men were left behind--never to be seen again. Others, -determined not to fall into the enemy's hands, limped doggedly on in a -pitiable plight, some having even taken off their boots and tied their -puttees round their feet. - -They reached Ypres at 2 P.M. on the 14th, and the King's, No. 3, and No. -4 Companies were detailed to find the outposts on the Menin and Messines -roads. As the companies moved out to take up their positions they -encountered several parties of Uhlans, which caused a good deal of -excitement among the men, as they were the first of the enemy's troops -actually seen. Some ammunition was expended without much result. But No. -4 Company at any rate accounted for four of these advanced cavalry. - -In the evening a report was received that a German force of all arms, -estimated to be an Army Corps, was advancing on Ypres from the direction -of Comines. Their road was blocked by a platoon of the King's Company, -and most of the men were delighted at the prospect of a fight, although -those who knew the composition of a German Army Corps were not quite so -enthusiastic. Two platoons of No. 2 Company under Lieutenant T. E. R. -Symons were despatched to Voormezeele, about a mile in front of the -outpost line, to block the road and report at once any movements by the -enemy. - -These were the first trenches dug on the Ypres battle-ground. The men at -that time imagined that they had only to scrape out temporary shelters -which would be sufficient protection for a night or two. They little -thought that they were laying the foundation of an intricate network of -trenches which would be constantly used for the next four years. - -The first battle of Ypres which was now about to begin may be said to -fall into four clearly marked stages: - -A. _Up to October 19_: the operations of the Second and Third Corps from -the La Bassée Canal in the south to Armentières and Ploegsteert Wood, in -which they forced their way forward in the face of always increasing -opposition; the Second Corps establishing itself on the high ground -south-west of Lille ("the Aubers Ridge"), although it was being held up -on its right by the strong German position of La Bassée; the Third Corps -continuing the line northward astride of the Lys. On their left the -enemy's cavalry threatened the passages of the Lys from Warneton -downward, but could not cross the river. Its operations connected up -those of the Second and Third Corps with those of the Seventh Division -and Third Cavalry Division, with which General Rawlinson, after -advancing eastward to assist in the retirement of the Belgian Army from -Antwerp, had fallen back to a position a few miles east of Ypres. - -By the evening of October 19 the line of the Second Corps ran -approximately from east of Givenchy--Violaines--Lorgies--west of -Illies--Herlies to Le Pilly, while between it and the Third Corps was -General Conneau's French Cavalry Corps, somewhat to the left rear -of the Second Corps. The Third Corps had reached the line -Radinghem--Ennetières--Prémesques--Frélinghien--Le Gheer. The British -cavalry continued the line down the Lys to the Ypres--Comines Canal, and -was in touch with the right of General Rawlinson's command, which, after -attempting to advance on Menin on the morning of October 19, had been -forced to fall back to the position Zandvoorde--Kruiseik--Zonnebeke by -the appearance on its left of large forces of Germans, before which the -French cavalry (connecting General Rawlinson's force with the Belgians) -was falling back. - -The situation, as it then stood, seems to have offered Sir John French -two alternatives for the employment of Sir Douglas Haig's Corps, which -had then completed its concentration in the area St. Omer--Hazebrouck: -he might utilise it to reinforce Generals Smith-Dorrien and Pulteney, -who were holding a long front, and whose troops had had over a week of -difficult, if on the whole successful, fighting, and lacked the numbers -needed for any further advance. Reinforcements thrown in on this quarter -might have saved Lille, and enabled the French, in co-operation with -whom the British were acting, to outflank the Germans opposed to them in -the neighbourhood of Loos and Arras. Ever since the battle on the Aisne -had reached a deadlock in the middle of September, it had been the -object of the Allied forces to outflank the German right, while the -Germans had by continually reinforcing and prolonging their threatened -flank succeeded in thwarting this effort. It is this double prolongation -of the opposing lines, first by one combatant, then by the other, which -is called "the Race to the Sea," and of which the first battle of Ypres -was the culminating point. - -The other alternative was to send in this force farther to the left to -carry out a wider turning movement than the mere move round what seemed -then the German right south of Lille, and by pushing forward east of -Ypres in the direction of Bruges to outflank the German line far more -effectively. It is a little difficult to ascertain from the evidence at -present available what exactly was known as to the opposition to be -expected in such a movement. It would seem that the full strength of the -German force available, consisting of several of the newly formed -Reserve Corps (raised since the beginning of the war), was hardly -appreciated. The idea, prevailing at the British Headquarters, was that -if used on the extreme left flank in this way Sir Douglas Haig's part -would be essentially offensive; but as things turned out, he was -speedily thrown on the defensive, and forced to fight a most desperate -battle to prevent greatly superior forces of Germans forcing their way -through Ypres to the Channel ports. Badly as the Second and Third Corps -needed help, it was most fortunate that, when the German attack began, -it found the First Corps, advancing past Ypres, in its path. - -B. _From October 20 to October 28_: the operations in this phase have a -two-fold character. On the left Sir Douglas Haig endeavoured to advance -first of all north of, and then through, General Rawlinson's troops; -and, though to some extent successful, he encountered ever-increasing -opposition, so that by October 28 the British in this quarter (east of -Ypres, north of the Ypres--Comines Canal) had been definitely thrown on -the defensive, and were hard put to it to hold their own against the -repeated attacks of considerably superior forces. Meanwhile, on October -20, the Germans had developed a powerful counter-attack against the long -and attenuated line held by the Second and Third Corps. The left of the -Second Corps at Le Pilly was driven in, and simultaneously General -Pulteney's troops were ousted from Ennetières and Prémesques, and these -losses, coupled with the great superiority of the German forces opposed -to them, compelled the Second and Third Corps to retire. Thus the -valuable tactical position of the Aubers Ridge was lost, and the Second -and Third Corps compelled to retire to the line Givenchy--Richebourg -l'Avoué--Neuve Chapelle--Bois Grenier--Houplines--Le Gheer. At the same -time the cavalry north of the Lys was gradually pressed back to the line -St. Yvon--east of Messines--Hollebeke--Zandvoorde. Fortunately at this -critical time the arrival of the Lahore Division of the Indian Corps -provided a much-needed assistance, but, despite this, the village of -Neuve Chapelle was lost on October 27, and a counter-attack on October -28 failed to regain possession of it. - -C. _From October 29 to November 10_: in this period the operations north -of the Lys, where the German attacks reached their maximum in force, -were of the greatest importance, fresh troops being constantly put in. -South of that river the fighting gradually diminished in intensity, the -German attacks being held up by the Second Corps, part of which was -relieved by the Indian Corps (the Meerut Division, which arrived in the -line on October 31), and the Sixth Division of the Third Corps. A little -ground was lost, but nothing of real importance. North of the river the -intensity of the fighting increased greatly, and on October 29 the -Germans attacked in great strength, but were only able to gain a little -ground. Two days later, on October 31, they renewed the attack with the -utmost vigour, and made a determined effort to reach the Channel ports. -The line of the First Division about Gheluvelt was broken, and the -Division fell back. General Lomax and the greater portion of his staff -were killed, while the casualties in the rank and file were enormous. -The day was saved by Brigadier-General Charles FitzClarence, V.C., who, -quickly realising the peril of the situation, ordered the 2nd Battalion -Worcestershire Regiment to retake Gheluvelt, although they were not -under his command. The First Division gallantly rallied, and regained -some of the ground that had been lost, but not without desperate -fighting and very heavy losses. At the same time the Fourth Division of -the Third Corps was very hard pressed at Le Gheer, but managed to retain -its ground after hard fighting and a successful counter-attack. On -November 1 the cavalry, after a most magnificent resistance at Messines -and Wytschaete, was finally dislodged from the Messines Ridge. By this -time French reinforcements were arriving in large numbers, and they took -over the line between the left of the cavalry and the right of Sir -Douglas Haig's command (into which the Seventh Division had now been -absorbed), but their repeated counter-attacks on the Messines Ridge, and -between Wytschaete and the Ypres--Comines Canal were unsuccessful. After -October 31 the fighting north of the Ypres--Comines Canal did not reach -the same intensity till November 11, but the Germans made repeated -attacks, and forced the line back a little at several points. It became -necessary to relieve the Seventh Division, whose infantry had been -reduced to about a quarter of its original strength, and this was done -by putting in about a dozen of the scarcely less exhausted battalions of -the Second Corps, which had just been taken out of the line north of La -Bassée for a well-earned rest. By November 5 the right of Sir Douglas -Haig's line, south of the Ypres--Menin road, was held by the equivalent -of a division from the Second Corps, the First Division being in his -centre, and the Second on his left, though all three divisions were much -intermingled. - -By November 10 the cavalry, supported by a few battalions of the Second -Corps, had taken over a line west of the Messines Ridge, and on the left -of the Third Corps. From the Douve southward to La Bassée the line was -approximately established as it remained through the winter of 1914-15, -the Third Corps being astride the Lys, while the Fourth Corps (the -Eighth Division, which had by this time arrived) continued the line from -about Bois Grenier to beyond Neuve Chapelle, the Indian Corps being on -the right. - -D. _November 11 to 20_: November 11 was the next most critical moment of -the battle after October 31; on this day took place the great attack of -the Prussian Guard, which broke through the line of the First Division -near Veldhoek and penetrated into the Nonne-Bosschen, but was checked -there, and then dislodged by a counter-attack by the 52nd Oxfordshire -Light Infantry, perhaps the most dramatic of all the individual episodes -of the battle. On this day the line of the Third Division south of the -Ypres--Menin road was also violently assailed, and some ground was lost; -but the net result of the day was the failure of the great German effort -to break through, and from that moment the fighting north as well as -south of the Lys tended to diminish in intensity. The Germans made a few -more attacks, but none in such strength or determination as those of -October 31 and November 11, and about November 15 the French began to -take over the positions in "the Ypres salient," so obstinately defended -by Sir Douglas Haig for nearly four weeks. It may be gathered from the -accounts of the fighting of the subsequent months that the Germans were -for the moment exhausted, that their supplies of ammunition were running -low, and that the attack of November 11 represented their last -bolt--until more could be forged. Thus if the Allied effort to outflank -the German right and roll up their line had been unsuccessful, -defensively the first battle of Ypres was a great success, the German -effort to break through being definitely and decisively defeated. -November 20 may be taken as the end of the battle, as it was on that day -that the last unit of Sir Douglas Haig's command was relieved by the -French, the British line then extending approximately from Givenchy in -the south to Keniwel in the north. During this fourth phase the -operations on the line from the Douve to the La Bassée Canal had been of -the character of "normal trench warfare," neither side attempting any -major operation. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 15.] - -Ypres was to be held at all costs till the First Corps arrived--those -were Sir Henry Rawlinson's orders. There were no other British troops in -the neighbourhood when the Seventh Division arrived there, except the -Third Cavalry Division, which had been sent on in the direction of Menin -to reconnoitre. The Eighty-seventh French Territorial Division was at -Ypres, and the Eighty-ninth at Poperinghe (both under General Bidon), -while the Belgian Army had reached the Forest of Houthulst. - -At first General Capper decided to post the Seventh Division from -Zonnebeke to Langemarck, asking the Eighty-seventh French Territorials -to hold, for the moment, the line from Zonnebeke to Hollebeke; there -they would get into touch with Allenby's Cavalry Division, which was on -the left of the Third Corps. Operating on the left of the Seventh -Division, Byng's Cavalry Division would keep touch with the Belgians and -French Marines. - -But these orders were afterwards cancelled when it was clear that Menin -would be the probable line of advance. General Capper made the Seventh -Division change places with the Eighty-seventh French Division, so that -it now took up the line from Zonnebeke to Hollebeke, with -Ruggles-Brise's Brigade on the right, Watts's in the centre, and -Lawford's on the left. Four German Army Corps were now rumoured to be -operating somewhere in Belgium, but where exactly no one knew. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 16.] - -A piteous sight confronted the 1st Battalion Grenadiers as it marched -eastward towards Zandvoorde on October 16, after a quiet day in billets -on the outskirts of Ypres. On the roads it met the whole civilian -population of the neighbouring towns and villages, which was in flight -before the advancing enemy. Old men and women ran breathless; children -trotted by their mothers' sides; some had all their worldly possessions -in carts drawn by ponies or dogs; others were pushing wheelbarrows -loaded with all the goods they could carry away. All had a look of -terror in their eyes, and all hurried madly to safety, spurred on by the -thought of the blazing villages that lay behind them. - -The advance-guard of the Brigade was formed by the King's and No. 4 -Companies under Major Weld-Forester and Major Colby. Progress was very -slow, even after daybreak, as there was a fog, and every wood by the -roadside had to be thoroughly cleared. A few shots were exchanged with -Uhlans, but there was no serious resistance, and the Brigade entered -Zandvoorde at 11 A.M. Two miles from Zandvoorde, meanwhile, No. 3 -Company under Lord Richard Wellesley had been ordered to Hollebeke to -protect the right flank of the Brigade; this Company rejoined the -Battalion later on. - -At Zandvoorde a strong defensive position was taken up, facing east; it -had a good field of fire, and there was a fairly wide stream two hundred -yards from the trenches. The King's and No. 4 Companies were in the -front trench, and No. 2 and No. 3 in reserve. That night the enemy -played his old tricks, and kept every one awake, with a few snipers -firing at intervals into different parts of the line. The men were then -new to such devices, but it was not long before they learned to -distinguish between sniping and an organised attack. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 17-18.] - -The following day the whole Brigade was ordered to advance and occupy -the ridge Kruiseik--America, with its right bending back to Zandvoorde, -the Scots Guards having occupied Kruiseik the night before. At night -villages could be seen burning in every direction, set on fire by the -Germans, and this was taken as an indication that the enemy was -preparing to attack. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 19.] - -On the 19th orders were received for an advance by the Seventh Division -on Menin and Wervicq; it was reported that the enemy was in no great -strength, and that his forces consisted principally of Landsturm, with -no artillery. The attack was to take place in three phases: - -First phase: by the 22nd Brigade on the left against an advance position -at Kleythoek. - -Second phase: by the 20th and 21st Brigades against Gheluwe. - -Third phase: by the whole Division against Menin and Wervicq. - -Sir John French, in his despatch of that date, said: - - I considered, however, that the possession of Menin constituted a - very important point of passage, and would much facilitate the - advance of the rest of the Army, so I directed the General Officer - commanding the Fourth Corps to advance the Seventh Division upon - Menin and endeavour to seize that crossing on the morning of the - 18th. - -It was no easy task that was allotted to Sir Henry Rawlinson, for he had -nothing to fall back upon. The cavalry under Byng was hardly strong -enough to do more than feel for the enemy, and there was therefore only -the French Territorial Division at Ypres as a reserve. There was nearly -twenty miles of front for the Seventh Division to operate on, and no one -knew when the First Corps would arrive. - -The advance of the Seventh Division began in the morning. The 1st -Battalion Grenadiers deployed for an attack on Gheluwe and Kruiseik, -with No. 2 and No. 3 Companies in the firing-line, and the King's and -No. 4 in support. The men were extended to eight paces, and each company -had a frontage of half a platoon; the Battalion was thus in sixteen -lines, with 200 yards between each line, during the preliminary advance -under artillery fire. - -When about half the Battalion was on the move, the order to advance was -countermanded, for news had arrived that a large force of all arms was -advancing from the direction of Courtrai. Lawford's Brigade, which had -reached Kleythoek, was strongly attacked on its left flank and compelled -to fall back with heavy losses. The advance on Menin had been found -impracticable; Sir Henry Rawlinson suddenly realised that with a single -infantry division it was sheer madness to attack an enemy force which, -according to our airmen's reports, was far stronger than Sir John French -had anticipated. Being the pivot on which the whole Division had to -turn, Ruggles-Brise's Brigade had not gone far when the countermanding -order came, but the left of the Division had to retire some distance -before it was in line facing the right way. - -Ruggles-Brise's Brigade retired to its former position, which consisted -of a semicircular line running from Zandvoorde through Kruiseik to the -cross-roads on the Ypres--Menin road. To the 1st Battalion Grenadiers -was allotted a frontage of nearly a mile, from and including the village -of Kruiseik to the cross-roads, on the left being the Yorkshire Regiment -from Watts's Brigade and on the right the Border Regiment. No. 2 and No. -3 Companies were in the firing line, and No. 4 and the King's Company in -support. - -A circular salient is not easy to hold, and after the greater part of -the day had been spent in improving the trenches and putting out barbed -wire under intermittent and ineffective shell-fire, orders were received -to withdraw the line. This withdrawal was necessitated by the Divisional -order to send back two battalions as Divisional Reserve. This left only -the Grenadiers and Border Regiment to occupy the whole line. After -consulting General Ruggles-Brise, Lieut.-Colonel Earle decided to -withdraw Nos. 2 and 3 Companies and convert the support trenches into -the firing line. This meant altering the trenches a good deal, as those -used for the supports were too wide and shallow. The whole situation -had, however, changed, and the Division was now on the defensive. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 20.] - -Improvements in the line generally were made next day. Besides being -deepened, the trenches were made narrower by driving wash-poles into the -bottom about three feet apart, closing up the intervals with doors, -shutters, straw hurdles, etc., and then filling up the space behind with -earth. This work was practically finished, when it had to be stopped -because a reconnaissance was sent out in front with a battery of R.H.A. -(13-pounders) to support it, and no sooner had the battery opened fire -than it was itself attacked by much heavier artillery from the direction -of Wervicq. - -For an hour a constant stream of shrapnel and high explosive poured over -our trenches. There was one short lull, when our R.H.A. Battery ran -short of ammunition, and the Germans, thinking they had knocked the -battery out, also ceased fire. On realising their mistake, they began -again with renewed energy. High-explosive shells were bursting all down -the trenches, back and front, but luckily none landed actually in them; -and though a cottage by the side of the road caught fire, the removal of -the wood and straw lying near the trench averted all danger. Very -grateful the Grenadiers were for the close touch which F Battery under -Major Head managed to keep with them during these anxious days' -fighting. It was a perfect example of how artillery and infantry should -co-operate. - -In the afternoon the enemy launched his infantry attack, preceded by -scouts and snipers, and covered by artillery and machine-gun fire. -Almost for the first time the Germans were now distinctly seen, and -there was something almost reassuring in the fact that they looked like -ordinary beings. Hitherto they had seemed a sort of mysterious bogey, -something far away on the black horizon, an evil force associated with -burning houses and fleeing inhabitants. Though their attack was all -according to the book, they never succeeded in reaching our trenches. In -many places they managed to advance under cover to within 200 yards of -our position, but the attack was half-hearted and therefore failed. - -The machine-guns under Lord Claud Hamilton were posted on the right of -the Battalion, and remained there for seven days, day and night, without -relief, under continual fire from the enemy's artillery and -machine-guns. During this strenuous time they fired 56,000 rounds, and -inflicted considerable loss on the enemy. - -By dusk the Germans had established a considerable force within striking -distance, and the whole British line stood to arms till about 9 P.M., -expecting an assault any moment. Why with such enormous advantages the -enemy did not make a more determined attack it is difficult to -understand. They outnumbered our troops by four to one, and had an -overwhelming superiority in artillery. But while the Seventh Division -were all seasoned professional soldiers, the German Corps consisted -mostly of Landwehr, that is, second-line troops or men retired from the -active army. - -Nothing happened till midnight, when the enemy suddenly opened a heavy -fire, and in places began half-hearted assaults, which were easily -repulsed. He kept up a continuous and comparatively useless fire for an -hour, but with our men the control of fire was excellent. During these -spasmodic attacks the R.H.A. Battery, which was just behind the village -of Kruiseik, did most effective work, bursting groups of shrapnel with -great accuracy and rapidity over the German lines, at a range of only -eight hundred yards. The Seventh Division was occupying more ground than -it could properly hold, but with so few troops General Capper had no -alternative. Two platoons of No. 2 Company were furnished during the -night to support the King's Company in the fire trenches, but even with -their help it found the greatest difficulty in filling its part of the -line. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 21.] - -There was some shelling in the early morning of the 21st, but nothing -serious happened till the afternoon, when the enemy at last attacked, -apparently, all along the line. So long was the line General Capper was -now holding that he found it impossible to keep any reserves. At first -the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards was in Divisional Reserve, but it was -soon wanted, and was sent up into the firing line in the morning. When -appeals for help came afterwards from various quarters, General Capper -had only the cavalry to send. The Northumberland Hussars were despatched -to fill the gap between the 20th Brigade and the Third Cavalry Division, -and when the right flank of the Division needed strengthening the -Divisional Cyclist Company was sent thither. - -By this time the First Corps had arrived, and had been sent up to the -north of Ypres. As it turned out, that spirit of dash which won Sir John -French his reputation in South Africa proved the saving of the -situation. Had he been of a more cautious disposition, he would -undoubtedly have sent the First Corps to reinforce General -Smith-Dorrien, who was in great difficulties farther south. Its despatch -north of Ypres, originally with the idea of a general advance, saved the -Seventh Division from utter destruction. - -The position of the line was now as follows: the First Corps from -Bixschoote to Zonnebeke; the Seventh Division from Zonnebeke to -Zandvoorde; then Byng's Cavalry and Allenby's Cavalry up to the left of -the Third Corps. - -About mid-day the 21st Brigade was heavily attacked, and -Brigadier-General Watts sent back for reinforcements. There were none. -Some companies had to be sent in support, and General Ruggles-Brise -ordered No. 2 and No. 3 Companies of the Grenadiers to go to its help. -Two companies of Scots Guards had already been sent to Zandvoorde to -fill up a gap on the right, occasioned by the withdrawal of the 5th -Cavalry Brigade, while the remaining two companies were with the -Divisional Reserve at Gheluvelt. These continual demands for -reinforcements naturally weakened the 20th Brigade considerably. Under -heavy shell-fire the Scots Guards started off, but the attack on the -21st Brigade died away, and after they had gone about a mile they were -ordered to return, as they might be wanted any moment to support their -own Brigade. - -Meanwhile the line held by the Grenadiers was heavily shelled, not only -by the Germans but by our own guns, which were firing short. The men -naturally were infuriated by this, but fortunately the mistake did not -last long, as the artillery was soon able to correct its own distance. -During the night the German machine-guns had been brought up close, one -at least being placed in a house 150 yards from our trenches, and the -covering fire from these was most disconcerting. It was generally -oblique, and enabled the German infantry to approach with far fewer -losses than on the previous day. An infantry attack was made, but was -not pressed home, and except for spasmodic bursts of rifle-fire the -night was again fairly quiet. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 22.] - -Having been in the trenches for four days and nights, the King's and No. -4 Companies were relieved by No. 2 and No. 3 Companies. Aircraft reports -that the enemy was massing troops near America seemed to presage an -attack, but except for the inevitable sniping nothing happened in that -part of the line, the attack that day being directed against the 22nd -Brigade and also against the First and Second Divisions farther north. -The relieved companies had not been long in their dug-outs, however, -before two platoons of No. 4 Company under 2nd Lieutenant Walter and 2nd -Lieutenant Somerset were ordered to occupy some trenches vacated by the -21st Brigade on the left, while the King's Company was sent up to -Kruiseik to reinforce No. 2 Company. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 23.] - -The position of the Seventh Division was now becoming most precarious, -holding doggedly on as it was to a line seven miles long, with every man -in the trenches. General Lawford's 22nd Brigade had been attacked by a -large force and obliged to give ground; this made an ugly dent in the -line, and placed the 21st Brigade in an acute and perilous salient. To -help the hard-pressed Seventh Division Sir Douglas Haig now sent along -the Second Division, which had been relieved by the French Ninth Corps. - -Owing to the heavy mist on the 23rd neither side could use artillery -till 9 A.M., when the enemy began to bombard the Kruiseik salient. The -day's attack was directed against the 21st Brigade, and the Wiltshire -Regiment had some desperate fighting. The two platoons of the Grenadiers -which had been sent up the night before were attacked by two battalions -of Germans, but they held their ground and never gave an inch. They -suffered severely, however, and 2nd Lieutenant Walter and 2nd Lieutenant -Somerset were both killed before these platoons were withdrawn. The -whole line of trenches was bombarded incessantly, and all day the German -guns swept the rear of the line so as to catch the supports as they came -up. - -A message was sent to the Grenadiers about 2.30 from the Border Regiment -on the right to say that their trenches had been blown in, and they -might want help. Accordingly the King's and No. 4 Companies were ordered -to move across to a position in rear of the Border Regiment, so as to -support them if necessary. No sooner had they left their dug-outs and -fallen in than they were heavily shelled, though they were well out of -sight of the German gunners. - -Incidents like this gave rise to stories of spies behind the British -lines, who could telephone to the enemy's gunners the exact position of -bodies of our troops. But had the Germans had any means whatever of -obtaining information they could hardly have failed to know that, -instead of the large forces they imagined to be opposed to them, there -was nothing to bar their way to Calais but a single unsupported British -Division. - -When the leading platoons of the two companies of the Grenadiers reached -the position indicated, which was the ridge in rear of the Borderers' -trenches, they came under the concentrated fire of batteries from three -different directions, and suffered some loss. So heavy was the fire that -they found it impossible to remain on the ridge, and as the Border -Regiment had not definitely asked for support the King's Company was -ordered to retire. It retired in good order and in slow time, though -under heavy fire all the way. Lieutenant H. L. Aubrey Fletcher and -several men were wounded, but the casualties were not so heavy as might -have been expected. Fortunately the enemy burst their shrapnel too high, -and the ground was so soft that the high-explosive shells did little -damage except when they got a direct hit. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 24.] - -A violent attack was made next day on the salient formed by the British -line, which at last began to show signs of giving way. After some -desperate fighting the Wiltshire Regiment was driven in, and the Germans -got possession of Polygon Wood. Ruggles-Brise's Brigade was heavily -engaged, as the enemy's attack was being pressed home with great vigour, -especially on the left of the Battalion, where the Germans were trying -to break through between the Grenadiers and the Yorkshire Regiment. No. -4 Company, under Major Colby, was therefore ordered to counter-attack. -Great difficulties were added to its task by the tobacco-drying -grounds--ready-made wire entanglements on which the men's packs and -accoutrements caught while the German machine-guns were practically -enfilading them. But, in spite of everything, Major Colby succeeded in -driving back a much larger body of the enemy, and thus making that part -of the line secure. - -It was a brilliant bit of work, and was specially mentioned by General -Capper in his report. But it was very costly: Major Colby, Lieutenant -Antrobus, and a hundred men were killed, and Captain Leatham was -wounded. The only officer of this company who escaped unhurt was -Lieutenant Sir G. Duckworth-King. - -In the evening news arrived that the First Corps was attacking the enemy -on the left, and this somewhat relieved the situation. The reserve -trenches came in for severe shelling during the night, but, as it -happened, there was only a platoon of No. 2 in reserve at the time. It -had a curious experience, which might have had serious results. Two -companies of the Queen's had been sent up to the reserve dug-outs. -Somehow the report was spread that the Germans had got into Kruiseik, -and an alarm was raised. The platoon from the Grenadiers stood to arms, -and as it waited saw in the moonlight a line of men with fixed bayonets -advancing on their flank. They were preparing to meet them with the -bayonet when they suddenly realised that they were friends. Major -Stucley leaped from the trench, and went himself to explain matters to -the two companies, which returned to their original position. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 25.] - -The Germans were reported next day to be entrenching all along our -southern front and opposite Zandvoorde. About sunset the Grenadiers were -attacked, and one platoon from No. 2 Company under Lieutenant Lambert -became isolated, the enemy having taken the trench on its right and also -the houses behind it. Three messengers were sent back to Battalion -Headquarters for help, but only one got through, and he was wounded. -Lieut.-Colonel Earle sent up a platoon of No. 3, and the houses in the -rear of the line were partially cleared. - -A determined attack developed later that night, and a mass of men was -seen advancing on the left. A voice called out, "Don't shoot! We are the -South Staffords." But the German helmets could be distinctly seen -against the glow from a burning farm; a heavy fire was opened on them, -and slowly they disappeared. As a matter of fact two companies of the -South Staffords had come up to the Battalion as a reserve that night, -and the Germans must have known it. In the morning forty or fifty dead -Germans were counted in front of the platoon under Lieutenant Lambert, -and 200 prisoners were captured by the Scots Guards in a house in rear -of the line. Viscount Dalrymple and Captain Fox, with two companies of -the Scots Guards, cleared all the Germans out of the village, and -restored the line. - -During the night Lord Claud Hamilton, whose guns were in action all -night, saw a body of men moving in fours down the road behind him, and -naturally thought they were men of the Brigade. But as they passed a -burning house he saw the German helmets, and turned one of his guns on -them, while the other gun continued to engage the enemy in front. He was -relieved before dawn by Lieutenant Gladwin of the Scots Guards with a -fresh team of men, who took over the Grenadier machine-guns. Soon after -he took charge Lieutenant Gladwin was killed. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 26.] - -The First Division had now taken over the line from Reutel to the Menin -road, so that the Seventh Division held only the section from the Menin -road through Kruiseik to Zandvoorde. But this salient had become more -and more acute and dangerous, and General Capper decided to readjust the -line and reduce the salient as far as he could. To withdraw from a -position when at close grips with the enemy was a task requiring careful -staff work, but it was successfully carried out that night. - -Before dawn the King's Company took over the fire trenches with a -platoon of No. 3 under Lieutenant Van Neck, while a platoon from No. 2 -under Sergeant Boyles occupied a trench about 200 yards to the left. One -platoon of the King's Company was 300 yards to the right of the rest of -the company, and another 300 yards farther to the right were the Scots -Guards. - -A terrific shelling of our trenches began early in the morning, and -reached such a pitch that the men counted as many as sixty shells a -minute on each small trench. The whole of the enemy's artillery fire was -concentrated on Kruiseik. Gallantly our men held on, in spite of the -fact that again and again the shells blew in the trenches and buried -half-a-dozen men at a time, all of whom had to be dug out with shovels. -Some of them had as much as three feet of earth on top of them, and many -were suffocated before they could be rescued. - -So violent were these attacks that by mid-day the Germans had broken -through the line held by two companies of the South Staffords, which had -been sent to relieve the Border Regiment. By 2.30 P.M. the enemy had -gone through the gap, and had managed to get in rear of two companies of -the Scots Guards, which suddenly found themselves surrounded and fired -at from all directions. Although the Scots Guards still fought on, they -were captured by degrees in small parties, and the survivors were -finally made prisoners, including Lieut.-Colonel Bolton, Major Viscount -Dalrymple, and Captain Fox. Finding his flank exposed, Lieut.-Colonel -Earle at once gave orders to the Grenadiers to retire, but this order -did not reach the fire trenches for a long time, and was never received -by the King's Company at all. Meanwhile, General Ruggles-Brise ordered -the guns back to their old position on the Zandvoorde Ridge, and having -collected the remainder of the Scots Guards, the Gordons, and the -Borderers, he returned to the hollow west of Zandvoorde. - -The position now seemed hopeless for the King's Company and the other -two platoons, for the Germans had got round both flanks, and the rest of -the Battalion was retiring. Lieutenant Pilcher, one of the officers of -the King's Company, managed to get back to Battalion Headquarters, only -to find that the Battalion had retired. He started to return at once, -but the Germans were closing in on the company, and as there were no -communication trenches, he had to advance in the open with the enemy on -each side of him. However, he got through to Major Weld-Forester, and -told him of the retirement. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Hope, the signalling -officer, who had been ordered to retire with the rest of the Battalion, -turned back on his own initiative to warn the King's Company, and even -got some of the First Division to come to its assistance. - -At first Major Weld-Forester had determined to hold on grimly to his bit -of the line, but it now seemed clear to him that he ought to join in -retirement. To do this meant going clean through the Germans, who were -now firmly established in the village and outhouses--but on the other -hand to remain meant being surrounded and captured. So he quickly -decided to retire and join the rest of the Battalion. He knew he could -rely on his men to do anything or go anywhere, and trusted to their -discipline to carry through even such a desperate plan as this of -forcing a way through the Germans. - -Having explained the whole situation to his officers and N.C.O.'s, he -sent an orderly to Lieutenant Van Neck, and told him to retire at the -same time. But the message never reached this officer, nor did the -platoon of the King's Company which was 800 yards away receive the -order. The result was that these two isolated platoons continued to -fight on until they were overwhelmed by the advancing German masses. - -Meanwhile, through the village came the King's Company, with Major -Weld-Forester at their head, bayonets fixed and in perfect order. On -they came, straight through the Germans, who were at first dumbfounded -by the reckless daring of the enterprise. Soon the enemy collected -themselves, and the machine-guns began rattling from the windows; but -friend and foe were so intermingled that it was difficult for them to -fire, and it would have taken better men than the Germans to stop the -men of the King's Company, when they had made up their minds to get -through. Many casualties there were, of course, but Major Weld-Forester -succeeded in joining the Black Watch that night, and linked up with the -rest of the Battalion next morning. - -The same night the retirement of the whole Division was carried out -successfully, and it took up a second position running through the -crossroads near Gheluvelt. The remainder of the Grenadiers, under -Lieut.-Colonel Earle, retired in good order through the First Division -and went into billets on the outskirts of Ypres, where they were joined -next morning by what was left of the King's Company. After five days and -nights in the trenches without relief the men were utterly worn out, but -in spite of their hard fighting and heavy losses their spirits were not -depressed nor their discipline in any way relaxed. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 27.] - -On the 27th the 1st Battalion Grenadiers moved from billets outside -Ypres to a bivouac in Sanctuary Wood, just south of the Menin road. -Ruggles-Brise's Brigade was withdrawn from the Basseville River, and the -battalions were reorganised. When the roll was called, it was found that -the losses in every battalion had been considerable. The 1st Battalion -Grenadiers had lost 9 officers and 301 men, the 2nd Battalion Scots -Guards 17 officers and 511 men, the 2nd Gordon Highlanders 3 officers -and 159 men, and the 2nd Border Regiment 17 officers and 431 men. What -remained of the Seventh Division was now transferred to the First Corps -under Sir Douglas Haig. - -A report was received that the Twenty-seventh German Reserve Division -had been ordered to take the cross-roads south-east of Gheluvelt, and -the 20th Brigade was ordered to relieve the 22nd Brigade just south of -the Menin road. General Ruggles-Brise placed the Grenadiers in the front -line next to the road, with the Gordons on their right, while the -remnants of the Borderers and Scots Guards were left in support. Guides -were furnished by the 22nd Brigade, and General Ruggles-Brise, who knew -the ground well, since it was next to his old Headquarters, met them at -the cross-roads. As the trenches were very inadequate, most of them mere -scratches, and some even facing the wrong way, the Grenadiers were -ordered to withdraw at daybreak, if there was no attack, so as to evade -shell-fire. As the day dawned, General Ruggles-Brise returned to his -Headquarters, where he was met by the Brigade-Major, who told him that -an attack was expected at dawn, and that he had received instructions to -bring up the two supporting battalions. - -On the way up the Scots Guards were so unlucky as to have a shell burst -right into one of their companies, causing some twenty casualties. 2nd -Lieutenant Gibbs was killed, and Captain Kemble and Lieutenant Lord -Dalhousie severely wounded. - -It was a melancholy scene through which the Grenadiers marched off. Some -ten days before, when they passed through Gheluvelt, they had been -greeted by the inhabitants; now it was a deserted ruin. Most of the -houses and the church had been demolished, and such buildings as -remained looked like dolls' houses, when the fronts have been removed. -The roadway was full of great shell-holes, and some carcasses of horses -added to the dreariness of the picture. Arrived at their destination, -Nos. 2, 3, and 4 Companies were put in the firing line, and the King's -Company in support. It was practically dark, and as the trenches were -very bad they had to dig themselves in as well as they could. - -The German General Staff was now getting impatient. In spite of their -immense superiority in numbers and in guns, the Germans had succeeded -only in making dents in the line, and had not yet broken through. So -they determined to mass their guns and infantry at certain parts of the -line, and drive a wedge through--one of the points selected being the -left of the line held by the 1st Battalion Grenadiers near the -cross-roads. Every one on the British side knew of the projected attack, -from General Headquarters down to the latest-joined drummer boy, but -foreknowledge was of little use, as there were no reserves available. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 29.] - -At 5.15 A.M. on the 29th--a densely foggy morning--the Battalion was -heavily shelled by our own guns; presumably the fire was intended for -the German infantry, which was known to be somewhere near. Although -every possible precaution had been taken against an attack at dawn, -there was no sign of any movement on the part of the enemy, and after -the Battalion had waited for an hour and a half, the report of an -intended attack was dismissed as untrue. The question then arose as to -what should be done to obtain food for the supporting battalions. They -had been hurried up in the dark, and no provision had been made for -their rations, nor was it possible to bring food up in wagons to -positions in such close proximity to the enemy. The Brigadier decided -that, as the expected attack had not been made, it would be best to send -these two battalions back to get their food, so that on their return -they would be prepared to remain in the front trench, and meet any -attack that might come later in the day. - -They had been gone hardly half-an-hour when the Germans opened a very -heavy fire, and in the mist which was still clinging to the ground -rifle-fire was poured upon the Grenadiers from the left rear. It was at -once realised that the enemy had managed to penetrate the line between -the two Divisions. To meet this enfilade fire the left flank of the line -turned back, and before long the whole Battalion was forced to leave the -fire trenches and occupy the support trenches, which were far too deep -for the men to fire from. - -Major Stucley, the second in command, dashed off at once with Captain -Rasch, the Adjutant, to bring up the King's Company, the only support -available. In place of the shell-fire, which had practically ceased, -there now arose a steady rifle and machine-gun fire from the houses to -the left and even the left rear of the Battalion. Swinging round to the -left, the King's Company, headed by Major Stucley, steadily advanced for -about two hundred yards, when it came to the support trench occupied by -No. 2 and No. 3 Company. Major Stucley at once grasped the gravity of -the situation. The King's Company had already suffered many casualties, -as it came up across the open, and the enemy's machine-guns were pouring -a murderous fire into the other two companies--No. 4 Company under -Captain Rennie still remained in the fire trenches on the right. The -problem was how, with three companies and no reserve, to stop a force -ten times as numerous. The Germans had taken all the houses near the -Menin road, and the thin line of Grenadiers, with their left turned back -to face the road, was all there was to stop the rush of the enemy. - -And indeed it was a formidable rush. They came on in such numbers that -an officer afterwards said the attacking force reminded him of a crowd -coming on the ground after a football match. Shoulder to shoulder they -advanced, much in the same way as their ancestors fought under Frederick -the Great, and though for spectacular purposes at Grand Manoeuvres their -mass formations were very effective, in actual warfare against modern -weapons they proved to be a costly failure. - -The German General Staff had studied the question of the attack with the -usual German thoroughness. It had carefully considered whether it should -adopt the formation evolved by the British Army from the South African -war or not, and had come to the conclusion that the personal equation -played too large a part in an advance in extended order, and that for a -conscript army the only possible formation was close order, in which the -small percentage of cowards would be carried forward by the great -majority of brave men. Nevertheless, in spite of their solid phalanxes, -it was said that the German officers advanced with revolvers in their -hands, to shoot men who lagged behind. - -For our men the difficulty was to shoot the Germans quick enough. Ever -since the South African war the men had been taught to fire at a little -brown smudge on a green background painted on the target, an artistic -triumph of the musketry authorities, supposed to represent all that a -man would be able to see of his enemy in a modern battle. But here were -full-length Germans not a hundred yards off, alarmingly visible, and in -such numbers that even for the worst shot there was not the slightest -difficulty in hitting them, especially as they were often three or four -deep. In spite of this, however, the apparently hopeless impossibility -of stopping so many, and the futility of killing a few out of such a -crowd, made some of our men sometimes shoot very wildly. - -Major Stucley disdained all cover and dashed forward at the head of the -King's Company, determined to save the situation. In the hail of bullets -he fell shot through the head, and soon afterwards Captain Lord Richard -Wellesley was killed in the same way. Major Weld-Forester, Captain -Ponsonby, and Lieutenant the Hon. A. G. S. Douglas-Pennant, who had -necessarily to expose themselves, were wounded. Captain Ponsonby -recovered, but Major Weld-Forester and Lieutenant Douglas-Pennant died -two days later. - -Finding it impossible to stay in the front trench any longer, No. 4 -Company retired to the brickyard. Captain Rennie, who commanded them, -was never heard of again. Still the Grenadiers held doggedly on to their -support trench for another hour, until it was found that the Germans had -got round their left and were enfilading the whole trench. Bullets -seemed to be coming out of the mist from all directions, and the enemy -to be on every side. Captain Rasch, who was now the only officer left -above the rank of lieutenant, decided to get out of the trench and -retire to the small wood near the brickyard. The order was given, and -the Grenadiers--what was left of them--retired to the wood and formed up -on the other side. - -In the meantime the First Division on the left, almost annihilated by -superior numbers, had been forced back. This made the position of the -Grenadiers still more untenable, but General Capper was gathering -together what reinforcements he could to save the line. - -Seeing what straits the Grenadiers were in, the Gordon Highlanders on -the right sent what reserves they had to help, and a company arrived -under Captain Burnett. The Grenadiers and Gordons formed one line, and -advanced gallantly, but when they got near the wood they came under the -fire of a German machine-gun, which enfiladed them. Undaunted by this -bad start, and determined to regain their former trenches, Captain Rasch -and Captain Burnett led their men on through the wood. There was -something particularly gallant in the way this remnant of a battalion, -with one reinforcing company, was not content to hold its own, but -actually undertook a counter-attack when it knew the enemy was in vastly -superior numbers. It was the men themselves, inspired by the few -remaining officers, that were carrying out this counter-attack. - -Back through the wood they went, and gained the north side of the -brickfields, but the Germans, at first taken by surprise at this bold -stroke, rallied and drove them out. A second time our men -counter-attacked, and this time they forced their way past the -brickfields to a hedge running parallel with the road. They got into the -ditch on the south side of the Menin road, and were joined there by two -platoons of the Gloucester Regiment, which came up as a reinforcement. -In that ditch they remained till the order came to retire. Captain Rasch -and Lieutenant Pilcher took their handful of men--all that remained out -of the splendid Battalion nearly 1000 strong, which had marched out from -Ypres less than a fortnight before--and got into a trench some three -hundred yards east of the windmill. - -The Scots Guards meanwhile, supported by the Queen's, were sent through -the south of Gheluvelt, and succeeded in driving the enemy back and -almost regaining the ground originally held by the Grenadiers and -Gordons. When night fell, the 20th Brigade was holding precisely the -same ground that it had occupied in the morning. - -There can be no doubt that the Germans were completely deceived as to -our strength, and that what misled them was the more than gallant manner -in which the Grenadiers held on to the trenches in the morning, and the -almost reckless audacity with which the Grenadiers and Gordons attacked -later. The enemy was apparently quite unaware how threadbare this part -of the line was. These continual counter-attacks gave the impression -that there must be large reserves in rear, which made the Germans think -it unwise to push on. Had they only known that there were no reserves at -all, and that all that lay between them and Ypres were just the remains -of a battalion, with hardly an officer or non-commissioned officer left -alive, the result of the battle, and all that depended on it, would -undoubtedly have been very different. - -The losses among the officers of the Grenadiers were very heavy. -Lieutenant-Colonel Earle was severely wounded during the engagement, -and, while dressing his wounds, Lieutenant Butt, R.A.M.C., was shot -through the head. Colonel Earle was afterwards reported to be lying in a -house some two hundred yards in rear of the Battalion Headquarters -dug-out. Several men volunteered to carry him back, but as the enemy -were within a couple of hundred yards of the house this would have meant -certain death, not only for the stretcher-bearers but for Colonel Earle -himself. So it was decided to leave him where he was. The total list of -casualties among the officers of the Battalion was: - - Lieut.-Colonel M. Earle, (Commanding Officer), wounded and prisoner. - Major H. St. L. Stucley, (Second in Command), killed. - Lieut. J. G. Butt, (Medical Officer), killed. - Major the Hon. A. O. W. C. Weld-Forester, (King's Company), killed. - Lieut. H. L. Aubrey-Fletcher, (King's Company), wounded. - Lieut. J. H. Powell, (King's Company), wounded. - 2nd Lieut. R. O. R. Kenyon Slaney, (King's Company), wounded. - Captain the Hon. C. M. B. Ponsonby. (No. 2 Company), wounded. - Lieut. G. E. Hope, (Signalling Officer), wounded. - 2nd Lieut. R. S. Lambert, (No. 2 Company), wounded. - Captain Lord Richard Wellesley, (No. 3 Company), killed. - Captain G. Rennie, (No. 3 Company), missing, reported killed. - Lieutenant the Hon. A. G. S. Douglas-Pennant, (No. 3 Company), - killed. - Lieut. P. Van Neck, (No. 3 Company), killed. - Lieut. L. G. Ames,(No. 3 Company), wounded. - Major L. R. V. Colby, (No. 4 Company), killed. - Capt. R. E. K. Leatham, (No. 4 Company), wounded. - Lieut. E. Antrobus, (No. 4 Company), killed. - 2nd Lieut. S. Walter, (No. 4 Company), killed. - 2nd Lieut. N. A. H. Somerset, (No. 4 Company), killed. - -That night the Battalion went into billets at Hooge, half-way to Ypres, -with only four officers and a hundred men left, exclusive of transport. -The officers were Captain Rasch, Lieutenant Pilcher, Second Lieutenant -Darby, and Second Lieutenant Sir G. Duckworth-King. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 30.] - -Men who had been left in the trenches, not knowing of the order to -retire, kept arriving in driblets during the night, and the strength of -the Battalion had risen by next morning to 250 men. But, with most of -the officers and N.C.O.'s killed or wounded, the whole machinery of the -Battalion had disappeared, and Captain Rasch had to do what he could to -reorganise the remnant into a fighting unit. Ruggles-Brise's -Brigade--with the exception of the Gordon Highlanders, who had been -ordered to report themselves to General Bulfin--were placed in reserve -to the other two brigades of the Seventh Division. - -Repeated attempts to penetrate the line were made by the Germans -throughout the day. For each attack preparation was made by very heavy -shell-fire, and the ground in rear of our forward line was thoroughly -searched, apparently with a view to harassing any reinforcements that -might be sent up to the firing line. - -The Grenadiers had just settled down for the night when the Battalion -was ordered to fall in and move off with the rest of the Brigade to -occupy a new defensive position. Later in the war, when a battalion had -been knocked to pieces as the Grenadiers had been the day before, it was -picked out and given a rest, but in those early days this was -impossible, as every man was continually wanted to check the renewed -attacks of fresh enemy troops. The Germans were constantly throwing into -the attack fresh battalions at full strength, whereas in the British -Army the term "Battalion" meant two or three hundred worn-out men who -had been fighting daily for the last ten days or so. - -Eventually, after a long, circuitous march, the Battalion was put into -dug-outs in Brigade Reserve at 3 A.M. Orders were received that the -First and Second Divisions, with the Cavalry Brigade, were attacking the -following day, and that the 20th Brigade was to remain in its position -until 6.30 A.M., when it was to leave one battalion in support of the -left portion of the line, and move the rest to a central position where -it could rapidly support any part of the line held by the Seventh -Division. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 31.] - -On the 31st, the day that Sir John French described as the most critical -in the whole battle of Ypres, the remnant of the Seventh Division was -holding a line from the Ypres--Menin road, in front of the cross-roads -at Veldhoek, to a point 500 yards north of Zandvoorde. At 1 A.M. it was -decided to push the Scots Guards and Borderers up, and entrench them -close behind the left of the 21st Brigade. - -Directly day broke the Germans began a terrific shell-fire all along the -front, and by 8 o'clock shells were bursting ceaselessly on and over the -line. Towards noon word came that the 21st and 22nd Brigades had been -shelled out of their position and forced to retire. In rear of the 21st -Brigade the Scots Guards and Borderers still held their line, and -General Ruggles-Brise himself led up the Grenadiers in prolongation of -this line, with the hope of stemming the German advance. - -This movement had to be carried out very hurriedly, with no opportunity -of reconnaissance, and the Battalion lost rather heavily in crossing the -reverse slope of a hill in front of gun position. When it had gained the -ridge through the woods, it was found that to be of any use the -Grenadiers would have to push forward, and occupy the trenches vacated -by the 21st Brigade. This they managed to do, in spite of very heavy -shell-fire, and three or four of the most forward trenches on the right -of the 21st and the left of the 22nd Brigades were occupied just in time -to meet a portion of the German attack, now being delivered on the -Gheluvelt--Zandvoorde frontage. - -By the time it had reached and occupied the trenches, the strength of -the Battalion was scarcely fifty of all ranks, and this handful of men -had to confront thousands of Germans, with the additional handicap of -having its right flank exposed, as the enemy had gained the 22nd -Brigade's trenches. It was fortunate for us that the attack, wonderfully -brave as the Germans were, was apparently quite disjointed and -unorganised. No officers could be seen leading the men, who advanced in -dense masses to within three hundred yards of the trenches, and were -simply mown down by the fire of the Grenadiers. - -Things now seemed to be going better for us, when suddenly the -right-hand trench reported that the Germans were streaming through a -wood, and, crossing the Veldhoek--Zandvoorde road, were working their -way immediately to our rear. All our reserves had been used up by this -time, and the only thing to do was to hang on somehow till nightfall, -sending word at once to the Division of what had happened. As no -communication had been established since the re-occupation of the -trenches, Captain Brooke, the Staff Captain on the 20th Brigade Staff, -who had come up to see how things were, got out of the trench and, -finding a loose horse, galloped off, and told General Capper. General -Capper went off to ask General Bulfin for help, but already the 4th -Guards Brigade--which included the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers--was -advancing to make a counter-attack through the wood. - -When he got back to the Grenadiers in their trenches, Captain Brooke was -surprised to find them still holding their own and quite happy. They -were successfully beating off repeated German attacks to their front. -The 4th Guards Brigade evicted the enemy from the wood, and it was then -decided to withdraw the Grenadiers, the 21st Brigade being ordered to -take over their trenches. - -Thus ended one of the most desperate days of fighting in the whole war. -As has been already said, it seems incredible that the Germans, with -their vast numbers of men and their great superiority in guns, should -not have broken through the line. They were very near doing it; indeed, -so critical did the situation become at one time, that General Capper -issued a provisional order that, if the line became untenable, the -Brigade was to fall back on a new line extending from one mile east of -Zillebeke to the fifth kilo on the Ypres--Menin road. - -As the Battalion marched back with the Scots Guards, two guns were seen -in the rear of the trenches, standing all by themselves. It looked at -first as if they had been abandoned. But closer inspection showed that -every single man and horse of the team was there--dead. The gunners had -remained gallantly at their posts to the last. Men from the Grenadiers, -the Scots Guards, and the Bedford Regiment were sent to rescue the guns, -and bring them to a place of safety. - -The Grenadiers returned to the shelters at the Château Herenthage, which -they had occupied during the morning. There the officers found that -their shelter had during their absence been blown to pieces by a -high-explosive shell, and it was plain that, had they remained in -reserve that day, there would have been no officers left at all in the -Battalion. - -The action of the 1st Battalion Grenadiers on this day was afterwards -described by the G.O.C. Seventh Division in his report as mainly -instrumental in restoring the battle south of the Ypres--Menin road. - -The total strength of the 20th Brigade was now reduced to 18 officers -and 920 men, constituted as follows: the 1st Battalion Grenadiers, 5 -officers (the four previously mentioned and the transport officer, -Lieutenant Mackenzie) and 200 men, commanded by Captain Rasch; the 2nd -Battalion Scots Guards, 5 officers and 250 men, commanded by Captain -Paynter; the 2nd Border Regiment, 5 officers and 270 men, commanded by -Captain Warren; and the 2nd Gordon Highlanders, 3 officers and 200 men, -commanded by Lieutenant Hamilton. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 1.] - -Very heavy shell-fire opened the morning of November 1. One -high-explosive shell stripped off the whole back of the house occupied -by the Brigade Headquarters, which was thereupon moved to shelters in -the Château Herenthage wood. An infantry attack followed, but it was -only feeble, and the Grenadiers remained in a wood south of Herenthage -in Brigade Reserve. There they prepared a second line of fire-trenches, -and improved the existing dug-outs, while the wood was shelled at -intervals with high explosives. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 2.] - -The brunt of the attack at that part of the line was borne next day by -the Border Regiment, which held on to its trenches so gallantly and -unflinchingly, in spite of a murderous enfilade fire, that it received a -special message from General Capper. In the evening it was relieved by -the Grenadiers. During the heavy shell-fire, with which the enemy -searched the ground in rear of our trenches, General Ruggles-Brise was -severely wounded, and Major A. Cator, the Brigade-Major, took over -command of the Brigade. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 3.] - -The men had now managed to put out a little wire in front, and it seemed -unlikely that the Germans would be able to make much impression on the -line. The trenches, which were good and continuous, were held by the -Grenadiers on the right and the Scots Guards on the left. There was a -weak spot on the right of the Grenadiers near the wood, but this was -well covered by the Gordon Highlanders in rear. - -In the afternoon of the 3rd, the Scots Guards reported the enemy to be -massing in the woods in front of them, while parties were observed -moving towards our right, and our guns turned a heavy fire on to them. -Though no attack developed, a few parties of the enemy advanced in a -half-hearted way, more as if they were carrying out a reconnaissance. -The Brigade suffered some casualties during the day from shells and -snipers, and Lieutenant Sir G. Duckworth-King, who had almost -miraculously come unhurt through the last ten days' fighting, was at -last wounded. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 4.] - -A draft of 100 men under Lieutenant C. Mitchell arrived next day, and -considerably added to the strength of the Battalion. There was a great -deal of indiscriminate shelling and sniping, and Lieutenant G. E. Hope -was wounded in the head by a sniper. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 5.] - -On the 5th there was heavy shell-fire as usual, and some trenches were -blown in. The 20th Brigade was relieved on that day by the 7th Brigade, -and marched through Ypres, which was being shelled as far as Locre. The -men found the march very fatiguing, for they had had little sleep for -many days, and had been digging or fighting all the previous night. -Owing to the incessant shell-fire, it had been found impossible to -organise the Battalion into any recognised formation during the period -from October 29 to November 5. If fifty men were wanted for the -trenches, some one had to go round the dug-outs and collect them. There -was no company, platoon, or even sectional organisation. In spite of -this everything went well, a result due to the splendid spirit shown by -the men themselves. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 6.] - -At daybreak the Brigade reached Locre, weary with the long march, but -very glad to get away from the constant roar of shells and rifle-fire. -As every available house and shed was already occupied by the French, -the church was opened and the Grenadiers and part of the Scots Guards -billeted there. The march was resumed in the afternoon through Bailleul -to Meteren, where the Brigade went into billets. - -The Grenadiers were now reorganised into a single Company as follows: - - - HEADQUARTERS - - Officer Commanding and Adjutant, Captain RASCH. - Quartermaster, Lieut. J. TEECE. - The King's Company, Lieut. Lord CLAUD HAMILTON. - - No. 1 Platoon, Lieut. MITCHELL. - No. 2 Platoon, 2nd Lieut. M. A. A. DARBY. - No. 3 Platoon, Lieut. W. R. MACKENZIE, (Transport Officer). - No. 4 Platoon, Sergeant C. JONES. - - Company Sergeant-Major, Drill-Sergeant J. L. CAPPER. - Company Q.-M. Sergeant, Colour-Sergeant T. W. BROWN. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 7-8.] - -On November 7 the Battalion did an hour's steady drill. There was -something very fine and at the same time pathetic in the remnants of -this decimated Battalion going through their drill with the -determination to maintain the high standard of discipline no matter how -small their numbers might be. Next day the whole Brigade attended divine -service for the first time since they had left England, and as there was -no chaplain, the Brigadier, Major Cator, read the service. In the -afternoon the Brigade was drawn up in square facing inwards, and General -Capper addressed it. He expressed his admiration of the way in which it -had fought round Ypres, and told the men that they had upheld the -splendid traditions of their regiments. - -The fact that the flower of the German Army was defeated by the British -Expeditionary Force, that is to say, the original army that existed -before the war, will always make the first battle of Ypres particularly -interesting to students of military history. Although it can hardly be -claimed as a decisive victory, there is small doubt that the result -influenced the whole course of the war, for had the Germans, when they -turned their whole strength on Ypres, been able to force their way to -the coast, the subsequent operations of the British Army would have been -considerably affected. - -Two battalions of the Grenadiers fought at Ypres, and each covered -itself with imperishable glory. Never before in the long history of the -regiment had so many casualties befallen them in a single action; never -before had so large a force of the Grenadiers been almost annihilated. - -Each battalion had gone into battle with a great reputation to -maintain--a reputation won in centuries of fighting, carried forward in -almost every campaign in which the British Army has taken part, and all -the officers and men were fully conscious of their responsibility. Old -Grenadiers well knew that every nerve would be strained to uphold the -traditions of the regiment; but no one dared to hope that the -illustrious past could be enhanced, and that these two battalions of the -regiment would increase their fame in divisions in which every battalion -distinguished itself. - -The part taken by the 1st Battalion in the defence of Ypres, when with -the Seventh Division they repelled attacks from forces eight times their -number, will ever remain a precious memory to be handed down to future -generations. - -Major-General Sir Henry Rawlinson, in an order which he issued to the -Seventh Division, said: - - After the deprivations and tension of being pursued day and night by - an infinitely stronger force, the Division had to pass through the - worst ordeal of all. It was left to a little force of 30,000 to keep - the German Army at bay while the other British Corps were being - brought up from the Aisne. Here they clung on like grim death with - almost every man in the trenches, holding a line which of necessity - was a great deal too long--a thin exhausted line--against which the - prime of the German first-line troops were hurling themselves with - fury. The odds against them were eight to one, and when once the - enemy found the range of a trench, the shells dropped into it from - one end to the other with terrible effect. Yet the men stood firm - and defended Ypres in such a manner that a German officer afterwards - described their action as a brilliant feat of arms, and said that - they were under the impression that there had been four British Army - Corps against them at this point. When the Division was afterwards - withdrawn from the firing line to refit, it was found that out of - 400 officers who set out from England there were only 44 left, and - out of 12,000 men only 2336. - -Major-General Capper, in a report on the 1st Battalion Grenadiers, which -he sent later to Lieut.-General Pulteney, commanding the Fourth Corps, -wrote as follows: - - This Battalion fought with the utmost tenacity and determination in - a most exposed position at Kruiseik in front of Ypres, being - subjected to an almost ceaseless heavy artillery fire and repeated - attacks by the enemy for a week. Owing to the length of front to be - held, no relief could be found for troops in the trenches. During - this fighting Major Colby's Company of this Battalion - counter-attacked the enemy, who had almost successfully attacked the - line. In the counter-attack this Company lost four officers killed - and wounded, only one officer and forty-five men returning unhurt, - but this Company succeeded in driving back a very much larger - hostile force. This Battalion lost very heavily in the three weeks' - fighting before Ypres. I consider that the resolution and gallantry - of this Battalion, obliged to take its share in holding a height - which was the pivot of all the operations in this part of the field, - was most noble and devoted and worthy of its highest traditions. - - Later on, in the same operations, though weakened in numbers, and - with few officers, the Battalion exhibited gallantry in a - counter-attack near Gheluvelt, where it was mainly instrumental in - restoring the battle south of the main Ypres--Menin road; and - subsequently the same tenacity as it had shown at Kruiseik in - holding a very difficult and exposed part of the Brigade line in the - final position in front of Ypres. - -The Battalion remained at Meteren until the 14th, and spent most of its -time in reorganising and re-equipping. On the 10th a draft of 401 men -arrived with the following officers: Major G. W. Duberly, Captain the -Hon. R. Lygon, Lieutenant E. S. Ward, and Lieutenant C. A. V. Sykes; and -on the 11th, 133 men originally intended for the 2nd Battalion arrived -from the Base Camp under Lieutenant C. L. Blundell-Hollinshead-Blundell -and Lieutenant C. V. Fisher-Rowe. These additions brought the strength -of the Battalion almost to its usual proportions. - -Meanwhile Field-Marshal Sir John French had visited the Brigade, and saw -the remnants of the battalions which had formed the original Seventh -Division. He congratulated both officers and men on the fine work they -had done round Ypres. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES (2ND BATTALION) - - -[Illustration: The Grenadier Guards at Ypres.] - -[Sidenote: 2nd Batt. Oct. 1914.] - -Having completed its detrainment, the First Corps, under Sir Douglas -Haig, was concentrated between St. Omer and Hazebrouck. Sir John French -had now to make up his mind whether he would use it to strengthen his -line, which was much longer than his numbers warranted, or send it to -the north of Ypres. He decided that the greatest danger was that the -Germans might carry out a wide turning movement on his left flank, and -he sent the Corps north of Ypres accordingly. The French cavalry were to -operate on Sir Douglas Haig's left, and the Third Cavalry Division, -under General Byng, on his right. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 15-20.] - -After two nights in billets at Hazebrouck, the 2nd Battalion marched on -the 17th to Boeschepe. Two days afterwards arrived Captain M. E. -Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, Captain R. H. V. Cavendish, M.V.O., -Lieutenant J. S. Hughes, Lieutenant I. St. C. Rose, and Captain C. R. -Champion de Crespigny, who was appointed Staff Captain to the 4th -Brigade. - -The officers of the 2nd Battalion were now as follows: - - - Lieut.-Colonel W. R. A. Smith, Commanding Officer. - Major G. D. Jeffreys, Second in Command. - Capt. E. J. L. Pike, Adjutant. - Lieut. C. W. Tufnell, Machine-gun Officer. - 2nd Lieut. A. K. S. Cunninghame, Transport Officer. - Lieut. J. H. Skidmore, Quartermaster. - Major G. C. Hamilton, No. 1 Company. - Capt. C. Symes-Thompson, No. 1 Company. - Lieut. J. S. Hughes, No. 1 Company. - Lieut. the Hon. W. R. Bailey, No. 1 Company. - Major Lord Bernard Gordon-Lennox, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. I. St. C. Rose, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. C. M. C. Dowling, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. F. W. J. M. Miller, No. 2 Company. - Capt. E. G. H. Powell, No. 3 Company. - Capt. R. H. V. Cavendish, M.V.O., No. 3 Company. - Lieut. Lord Congleton, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. F. G. Marshall, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. R. Gerard, No. 3 Company. - Capt. M. E. Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, No. 4 Company. - Capt. E. D. Ridley, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. F. G. Beaumont-Nesbitt, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. M. G. Stocks, No. 4 Company. - - -It was a cold raw morning on the 20th, when the Battalion marched at 5 -A.M. to St. Jean, a small village to the north of Ypres, where it was -ordered to take up an entrenched position, with the Coldstream on the -right, and the 5th Brigade on the left. Matters were complicated by the -fact that the French looked upon this part of the line as theirs. -However, eventually matters were arranged, and British and French troops -settled down together to a pouring wet night. - -[Illustration: Lieutenant-Colonel W.R.A. Smith C.M.G. Commanding 2nd -Battalion. Died of wounds received at Festubert 19 May 1915.] - -[Sidenote: Oct. 21.] - -There was another move next morning. The Battalion assembled at 5.30, -and marched to a position near Hanebeek Brook, about two miles west of -Zonnebeke, where the 4th Brigade concentrated. Then the whole Brigade -advanced about half a mile towards Passchendaele with the 3rd Battalion -Coldstream on the left, and the 2nd Battalion Coldstream on the -right--each battalion having two companies in the firing line, and the -rest in support, while the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was in reserve. - -About 2.30 Lord Cavan, finding that the two Coldstream battalions had -drifted somewhat apart, ordered up the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers into the -centre of the line. As they made their way across ploughed fields, they -came in for a great deal of unaimed rifle-fire, but suffered very little -loss. - -About 400 to 500 yards east of Zonnebeke--Langemarck road the three -battalions dug themselves in for the night, since news had been received -that large German forces were advancing through Houthulst Forest. Before -long the sky was lit up in all directions by the farms which the enemy -was burning. By this illumination the Germans attempted a -counter-attack, and came on shouting, "Don't fire, we are the -Coldstream." It was characteristic of the German thoroughness of method -to master this regimental idiosyncrasy, and say Coldstream and not -Coldstreams. But the Battalion had not fought for two months without -learning the enemy's tricks, and as spiked helmets could be distinctly -seen against the glow of the burning farms, they fired right into the -middle of the Germans, who hastily retired. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 22-23.] - -Before daylight next morning the companies in the firing line were -relieved by those in support. The whole Brigade then set itself to -improving the trenches and consolidating the position. It turned out -that on the left the First Division had been held up, while on the right -the 22nd Brigade was in a tight place. Consequently the situation was -distinctly uncomfortable. The trenches, composed of isolated holes which -held two or three men apiece, were exposed from the left to enfilade -fire, but there the Battalion had to remain for two days, shelled -intermittently. They suffered many casualties. While making his way down -the firing line, Captain Maitland was forced to walk a great deal in the -open, and was wounded in the head by a sniper, who succeeded in hitting -several other men. In the evening Lieutenant Donald Miller, who had come -out originally with the Battalion, and had fought all through the -retreat, was killed by a high-explosive shell. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 24.] - -On the 24th the Second Division got orders to take up the ground -occupied by the Seventh Division, from Poezelhoek to the -Becelaere--Passchendaele road, and the First Division was relieved by -French Territorial troops, and concentrated about Zillebeke. - -At the same time the 4th Brigade was relieved by a Brigade from the -Sixth French Army under General Moussy, and the men of the Grenadiers -watched the French attack Passchendaele with much interest. Though the -attack was met with a heavy artillery and rifle fire, and made but -little progress, the personal gallantry of General Moussy himself and -his staff, who exposed themselves freely while close up to the front -trenches, made a great impression on all the officers and men of the 2nd -Battalion. After dark this French Brigade took over the trenches, and -the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers moved back about two miles to a farm, where -the men managed to snatch a couple of hours' sleep. At 5.30 A.M. it -started off again, and after a circuitous march of about six miles -reached Eksternest, where it formed the reserve of the 6th Brigade. -Here, at last, it had a thorough rest in barns, outhouses, and -elsewhere, with plenty of straw to lie on, while a fowl-house -constituted No. 3 Company Headquarters. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 25.] - -The Battalion paraded, much refreshed, at 6.30 next morning, but did not -move off till 9. It advanced towards the Six Cross Roads, and halted -behind Polygon Wood. In the afternoon it was ordered to attack the -enemy's position near Reutel, passing over the trenches held by the 5th -Brigade, while the Irish Guards were to advance on the same position -from the north-west. The Orders were: - - The attack will begin at 3 P.M. 4th Guards Brigade will have for its - objective the Reutel Spur. The 1st Battalion Irish Guards will - commence its advance at once as far as the line of trenches now held - by the 5th Brigade. At 3 P.M. its scouts will pass that line, and - the battalion will endeavour to establish itself in such a position - that it can by its fire materially assist the main attack which will - be delivered from the south and south-west. - - The 2nd Batt. Grenadiers will work round the stream at once as - verbally ordered until their right reaches a point one company's - length beyond the forks of the two streams. At 3 P.M. it will be - prepared to attack the R. of Reutel from S.W. During this operation - the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers will specially detail a half company to - protect its right. The 2nd Battalion Coldstream will follow the - Grenadiers and act in close support of them. They must also give - special orders about their right flank. The 3rd Battalion Coldstream - will be in reserve in a covered position at Six Cross Roads. It is - quite understood that the time is short, but this operation must be - carefully carried out without hurry. Brigade Headquarters will be at - Six Cross Roads at 2.45 P.M. - -Advancing in artillery formation, the Battalion came in for a great deal -of rifle-fire, but fortunately no shells. Major Lord Bernard Lennox had -taken advantage of the halt in the morning to reconnoitre the line of -advance thoroughly, and was able to lead the companies to their -destinations. There was no great difficulty in reaching the trenches, -but when the Battalion advanced another 150 yards it came under a very -heavy cross-fire; only one platoon of No. 2 Company actually crossed the -5th Brigade trenches. The other companies were held up before they -reached the firing line. The Bedfords on the right, unable to carry on -the advance, retired again to the trenches, and the Irish Guards on the -left were also held up. - -Darkness was now coming on, and it seemed madness to attempt to take a -strong position in a thick wood where no one knew precisely the position -of the trenches, or how strongly they were held. So Lieut.-Colonel Smith -directed No. 2 Company to fall back and take over a trench from the -Oxfordshire Light Infantry, with the Highland Light Infantry on the left -and the Royal Scots Fusiliers on the right. A platoon of No. 1 Company -was added to the right of No. 2. Its position was along the front edge -of the private grounds of a fine château, which was then intact. - -Three times during the night, which was very dark and windy and rainy, -the Germans attacked--at 9 P.M., at midnight, and at 3 A.M. But the -position was fairly secure, and each time they retired. It is doubtful -whether they ever intended to press the attack home, and possibly they -were only trying to locate the exact position of our trenches--not a -very difficult task, as they were but 300 yards off. - -That evening the following message was received from Sir John French: - - The Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief wishes once more to make it - known to the troops under his command how deeply he appreciates the - bravery and endurance which they have again displayed since their - arrival in the northern theatre of war. In circulating the official - information which records the splendid victory of our Russian - Allies, he would remind the troops that the enemy must before long - withdraw troops to the East and relieve the tension on our front. He - feels it is quite unnecessary to urge officers, N.C.O.'s, and men to - make a determined effort and drive the enemy over the frontier. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 26.] - -Digging started with a will in the trenches early next morning. It had -come to be a regular habit with the battalions which had been through -those first months of the war, at once to dig themselves in deep in any -new position, no matter how soon they might have to move on. They had -learned by experience that the labour was well worth while. On this -occasion the trouble was that the deeper the men dug the wetter the -ground became, and soon they were up to their ankles in mud. But the sun -came out about mid-day, and helped to dry up the ground. - -No regular attack was made that day, though there was constant shelling, -and the Battalion therefore had comparatively few casualties. German -snipers were very busy, but did little damage; our men took every -opportunity of retaliating; and Lieutenant I. Rose was reported to have -been particularly successful in accounting for the enemy marksmen. The -howitzers paid less attention to the trenches than to the Château. On -this unfortunate building the high-explosive shells dropped with -monotonous regularity, but the little tower still remained standing. The -Battalion Headquarters, which were behind the Château, had a decidedly -warm time, getting the benefit not only of the shells from the -howitzers, but of all the stray bullets that went wide of the trenches. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 27.] - -Most of the next day was spent in mending the line and consolidating the -position, for there were weak spots, which the Divisional Staff -discovered, usually between Brigades. Barbed wire was now to be had, and -orders were issued for entanglements to be put up in front of each -trench. In the afternoon the companies of the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers -in reserve were sent to take over the trenches of the 3rd Battalion -Coldstream, and to stay there until they were relieved by the Black -Watch at midnight. Both these reliefs were carried out successfully and -without any casualties, though the task was by no means easy, owing to -the thickness of the wood and consequent bad communications. - -Sir John French had now placed what remained of the Seventh Division and -the Third Cavalry Division under the orders of Sir Douglas Haig, who -redistributed the line thus: - -(A) The Seventh Division from the Château east of Zandvoorde to the -Menin road. - -(B) The First Division from the Menin road to a point immediately west -of Reutel village. - -(C) The Second Division to near the Moorslede--Zonnebeke road. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 28.] - -The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers now moved back about a mile to -Nonne-Bosschen Wood, and having slept there returned the next morning -under howitzer fire across two fields to the northern edge of Polygon -Wood, where it remained until the 6th Brigade passed through it to -attack Reutel Ridge. Then it moved forward in support, and dug in round -a farm. Before it had gone far the 6th Brigade was fiercely attacked, -and succeeded in driving the enemy off with some loss, though unable to -advance farther itself. The 4th Brigade was not wanted, and spent a -quiet afternoon near the Farm--"quiet" in this case being a comparative -term, denoting that they were not directly under fire, for our own -howitzers were only twenty yards off, and kept firing ear-splitting -salvos all day. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 29.] - -Having received orders the night before to be ready at a moment's -notice, the Battalion was under arms soon after dawn next day. But it -was not until much later that it got instructions to move to the other -side of the Racecourse Wood, and entrench a position almost at right -angles to the line of trenches in front. It turned out that the Seventh -Division on the right had been driven back, and though most of the -ground had been regained there was still a risk of the Germans pushing -through. Meanwhile, Captain Ridley was ordered to take No. 4 Company, -and support the Cameron Highlanders near the Château. He sent up two -platoons into the trenches on their right, and kept the rest in support. -They came in for a good deal of shell-fire, but were not seriously -attacked. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 30.] - -Except for No. 4 Company the Battalion was in Corps Reserve next day -with the Irish Guards, while the 2nd and 3rd Battalions Coldstream were -in the trenches. But about 3 P.M. the Brigadier, Lord Cavan, got news -that there had been a serious break in the line about two miles to the -right, _i.e._ the south, and was instructed to send up the battalions, -which he had in reserve, to report to General Bulfin, commanding the 2nd -Brigade. - -Lord Cavan went himself to see General Bulfin at his Headquarters, and -was directed to despatch these battalions southwards to protect the -right flank of the 2nd Brigade. Accordingly the 2nd Battalion -Grenadiers, Irish Guards, and Oxfordshire Light Infantry marched off -from Polygon Wood towards Klein Zillebeke, and Captain Ridley was -ordered to withdraw No. 4 Company and join the remainder of the -Battalion as it moved off. The orders given to Lieut.-Colonel Smith were -to reinforce the cavalry, which was holding a line very lightly north of -the Château de Hollebeke. - -By dusk these battalions were astride of the Klein Zillebeke--Zandvoorde -road, the Grenadiers on the right and the Irish Guards on the left, with -their left thrown forward a little, to keep touch with the right of the -2nd Brigade. Lord Cavan went on ahead with his Staff, to see that the -whole line was made continuous. On going forward to inspect the position -which the cavalry was holding, Lieut.-Colonel Smith found that it was on -a forward slope, which seemed to him untenable, and he thought this a -good opportunity for making a fresh disposition. So he arranged with the -cavalry that it should continue to hold its line, while the Battalion -dug in, in its rear. A new line, which consisted as usual of a series of -deep narrow holes with no parapet, was accordingly made, with the right -on the railway, and the left on the Klein Zillebeke road. - -Major Lord Bernard Lennox with No. 2 Company was on the right, Major -Hamilton with No. 1 in the centre, and Captain Powell with No. 3 on the -left; one platoon from No. 4 under Sergeant Hutchings was posted on the -Klein Zillebeke road; and the rest of the company went to Battalion -Headquarters, north-west of the wood between the railway and Klein -Zillebeke. Supplies and ammunition were brought up, and by 1 A.M. the -Battalion was well dug in. The cavalry then withdrew from the trenches -in front and retired. Meanwhile the Irish Guards had dug trenches, -prolonging the line to the left. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 31.] - -Sir John French in his despatch describes the afternoon of October 31 as -the most critical moment in the whole battle. By sheer weight of numbers -the Germans endeavoured to break through the line, and their immense -superiority in guns encouraged them to hope that they would be able to -beat down any opposition. The greater part of the Second Division was -still on the Moorslede--Zonnebeke road, on the left of the First -Division, while the three battalions detached under Lord Cavan remained -on their new line. - -After a long wet night in the trenches, the 2nd Grenadiers were to have -a still longer day's fighting--a day, too, in which they were most of -the time "holding on by their eyelids." As soon as day dawned, they were -deluged by a rain of shells, to which our artillery could make no sort -of reply. Some troops of the French Ninth Corps tried to advance through -the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers and Irish Guards, and attack the enemy's -position, but the shell-fire was so intense that they never succeeded in -getting beyond the line of trenches. Most of them took refuge in the -trenches, while some dug new ones. - -The shells came crashing through the trees continuously, and -Lieut.-Colonel Smith decided to move the Battalion Headquarters back -about one hundred yards. Particularly violent was the bombardment of No. -2 Company, of which the trenches, being near the railway, were no doubt -easily located by the enemy's artillery, directed with deadly effect by -a captive balloon. Two high-explosive shells landed in one trench, and -killed and buried a number of men. Lieutenant Rose had a marvellous -escape. He was actually buried, but was dug out just in time. Major Lord -Bernard Lennox wisely withdrew part of his company into the support -trenches for a time, and no doubt thus saved many lives. - -About 11 A.M. Lord Cavan sent the following message: - - Keep on repairing your trenches. If any quiet intervals, begin - communication trenches zigzag to your rear, so that to-morrow - infantry can keep out of main trench during heavy shelling hours and - easily man it when required. Can you possibly push an Observation - Post forward to any point from which it could see and report? - -It looked as if the Germans were going to attack this part of the -position about mid-day, but eventually they moved northward. Early in -the afternoon Lieut.-Colonel Smith received a message from Lord Cavan -that the enemy had broken through the line to the left of the Irish -Guards. Soon afterwards came this further message: - - The situation is extremely critical. You are to hold your ground at - all costs. Sir Douglas Haig relies on the Grenadiers to save the - First Corps and possibly the Army. - -After such a call as that, Lieut.-Colonel Smith at once determined to -put every available rifle in the trenches. The few men that still -remained in reserve were accordingly sent up to the front trenches. No. -3 Company was very much extended, although a platoon from No. 4 had -already been sent to support it. Captain Powell sent a message to say -that he might not be able to stay without more support, and Colonel -Smith replied that he must hold on at all cost. Lieut.-Colonel Smith -then reported the measures he had taken to Lord Cavan, who replied: - - Splendid. Hang on like grim death. You may yet save the Army. - -It was undoubtedly a case of hanging on, while this terrific bombardment -continued, but the Grenadiers had not wasted their time the night -before, and had dug themselves in deep. It was to their good digging -that Lieut.-Colonel Smith afterwards ascribed the fact that they never -gave an inch, although it was certainly an advantage to them that the -position was partly concealed owing to the nature of the ground. The -enemy plastered the whole locality with shells, but only in a few cases -were they able to locate the actual position of the trenches. The -Germans were reported meanwhile to have driven back the First Division -from Gheluvelt, thus exposing the left flank of the Seventh Division. -The Headquarters of the First and Second Divisions had been shelled, -General Lomax had been mortally wounded, and several Staff Officers -killed. Such heavy casualties among the Staff, in the middle of a -battle, naturally dislocated the machinery of the Higher Commands. -However, about 2 P.M. Lord Cavan sent word that the situation was -easier, and that he was sending up the Oxfordshire Light Infantry on the -left of the Irish Guards. - -Constant anxiety had been felt about the right of the position occupied -by the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers. A high railway embankment, beyond which -was a small wood, made it very difficult to keep up communication, -especially when the shelling was so severe, and Lieut.-Colonel Smith -sent a message to Lord Bernard Lennox: "Is your right still in touch -with 4th Hussars? Brigadier pressing for a reply." To which Lord Bernard -answered, "Yes." - -At 2.40 Lieut.-Colonel Smith sent the following request to the -Headquarters of the 4th Brigade: - - Wood just short of D E near Canal is full of Germans, also Château - de Hollebeke. Can you turn on guns, please? My advance posts have - been driven in. - -The Canal was dry, and formed no obstacle; and though there were a few -British cavalry this side of the embankment, they were not enough to -stop an attack. The French were said to be coming up to strengthen this -part of the line, but they did not arrive. Of all this fortunately the -Germans knew nothing, and instead of attacking this weak spot, they -directed their energies to the centre of the section of the line held by -the Grenadiers. - -About 3 o'clock the enemy advanced in force through the wood near the -railway, but was met with such a withering fire from No. 1 Company that -he did not succeed in getting very far. An hour later Lord Cavan sent -this message: - - Well done. If absolutely forced back, retire as on parade with your - proper right, that is your left retiring, on line of railway. Put up - the best fight you can on edge of wood. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 1.] - -There was no need to retire, however, although there was one moment at -which the situation seemed critical, for the Germans brought up some -field-guns, and plastered the trenches with every conceivable kind of -shell. - -The shelling stopped shortly after dark, and the men were able at last -to look out over their trenches, and survey the scene by the lights of a -farm which was blazing in the centre of the line. They saw a spectacle, -which later on grew more and more familiar. What had once been a field -was now a mass of trenches; the whole place had been ploughed up by -shells, and the hedges were all torn up and burnt and blown to bits. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 1.] - -During the night the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was relieved by a regiment -from the French Sixteenth Corps, and retired at 4 A.M. to the rear of -Zwarteleen, where the men thought they were going to get some rest, but -before very long they were on the move again. Sir Douglas Haig had sent -a message which Lord Cavan circulated as follows: - - The German Emperor will arrive in the field to-day to conduct - operations against the British Army. The G.O.C. First Corps calls - upon all ranks once more to repeat their magnificent efforts and to - show him what British soldiers really are. - -All the enemy's efforts were now concentrated on smashing the left of -the Irish Guards' trenches with high-explosive shells, and firing with -wonderful accuracy they gradually blew the trench in bit by bit, and -knocked out their machine-guns. At 3 P.M. Lord Cavan heard a report that -the Irish Guards were retiring, and that they had only about 200 men -left. He sent orders at once that they were at all costs to hold on to -the wood 200 yards in rear of their old line. The French were told to -stay where they were, as in the event of a withdrawal the whole British -line was to pivot on them on the elbow of the Canal. The highest praise -was afterwards given by the British Generals to the French for the way -in which they held their trenches all day, in spite of the fact that -their left was in the air. - -An urgent appeal for help now reached Lord Cavan from one of the Corps -Staff, stating that the Northamptonshire Regiment was being driven back -and needed support. The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was immediately sent -off with orders to report itself to General Bulfin, who was to be found -in a wood three-quarters of a mile south-west of Herenthage. But by the -time the Battalion arrived there General Bulfin had been wounded, and -Lieut.-Colonel Smith could not find out what it was he was expected to -do. - -In the meantime Lord Cavan received orders to assume command of the -whole section from the east edge of the wood to the French left. In -these strenuous days it was no uncommon thing for an officer to be told -in the middle of a battle to take over command of a force during a -difficult operation--a war ordeal, for which peace training had supplied -no practice. To take over the command of a Division is no easy matter at -any time, but to do it at a critical moment, with heavy fighting going -on, demands a man of more than ordinary capacity. Lord Cavan galloped up -with his Brigade-Major, Major the Hon. W. P. Hore-Ruthven; on arrival at -General Bulfin's Headquarters he found that everything had been -momentarily disorganised by the sudden departure of the wounded General. -Officers of all sorts were asking for orders. The Germans were breaking -through. Perplexing problems of every description were submitted for -instant solution. Shells were falling in the immediate neighbourhood of -the Divisional Headquarters. Very slowly Lord Cavan drew out his -cigar-case, and having carefully selected a cigar, proceeded to light -it, turning it round to see that it was evenly lighted. This had a -wonderful effect on all present, for it not only enabled Lord Cavan -himself to concentrate his thoughts on the problem, and to see clearly -the most pressing needs of the moment, but it also inspired all the -officers with confidence. As a Staff Officer, who was present, said -afterwards, that cigar saved the situation. - -On the left the Sussex Regiment was in touch with the Seventh Division, -and stood firm. The Northamptonshire Regiment, Gordon Highlanders, and -Oxfordshire Light Infantry had all been pressed back from their advanced -trenches, though the enemy had not got beyond them. Lord Cavan at once -ordered the Grenadiers to leave their packs at the farm in the rear of -the Brown Road, and to clear the wood south-east of that road at the -point of the bayonet. - -Thereupon Lieut.-Colonel Smith launched the Battalion with fixed -bayonets into the wood. It was very thick in places, and there was -always a risk of some company getting lost. The Germans, it was found, -had left the wood, but only recently, as was evident from the number of -dead. That the difficult manoeuvre, entrusted to the Battalion, was -carried out most successfully was due to the excellent manner in which -the four Captains led their men. One platoon of Major Hamilton's -company, which went beyond the wood and was enfiladed by machine-guns, -had to remain under cover of a bank till dark, when it retired and -joined the main line. With this exception the companies--No. 1 under -Major Hamilton, No. 2 under Lord Bernard Lennox, and No. 3 under Captain -Powell--all managed to reach the edge of the wood in perfect order. No. -4 under Captain Ridley was in support. - -This advance had the excellent effect of establishing confidence. Lord -Cavan was able to reorganise the line of defence for the night, and, by -blunting the salients of the wood facing south-east, to reduce the -garrison. The result was that he withdrew two battalions--one, the -Sussex Regiment, was placed in reserve; the other, the Gordon -Highlanders, was sent back to the 20th Brigade, to which it belonged. - -As soon as it was dark, the Germans tried to set the wood on fire, but -fortunately did not succeed, though there were isolated fires in various -parts of it. It was an awkward position and very difficult to hold, as -the Germans were so close, but orders were received for the battalions -to dig in where they were. To officers, who had been taught from their -early youth that one of the essentials of a trench line was a good field -of fire, this digging in a thick wood, where the field of fire was never -more than from fifteen to twenty yards, seemed an absurdity. But ideas -on this subject had been considerably revised by the war--besides, in a -long line of trenches running several miles, battalions of course must -join up with each other, and cannot choose a position for themselves. - -At 10 o'clock that night, No. 4 Company, under Captain Ridley, was -directed to take over the position held by a company of the Gordons on -the left, but finding that the trench had almost vanished after a day's -work by the German artillery, it dug a new one slightly in rear, which -was not finished until 3 A.M. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 2.] - -This was the situation on the Monday morning: the Northamptonshire -Regiment was in touch with the Seventh Division on the left; the -Oxfordshire Light Infantry and Grenadiers, slightly intermingled, were -in the centre, and the Irish Guards on the right--all holding the -south-east edges of the wood. Four vigorous attacks on the line--at -8.45, 11, 2, and 5.45--were delivered by the Germans, preceded by heavy -shelling, especially on the left. The attack at 11 looked dangerous at -one time, when the Germans got within twenty-five yards of our trenches, -but our fire was very steady, and they could make no farther headway. -The 2 o'clock assault partially developed, but the one at 5.45, just -after it got dark, was the most serious. - -It was directed against Captain Ridley's Company and against the -Oxfordshire Light Infantry, and the enemy advanced with a beating of -drums and blowing of horns. The night was cold, with some light from the -moon. As the enemy came on, an incident that was never explained took -place. The firing almost died down, and this message, sent from no one -knew where, was passed along the line: "Don't fire. The Northamptons are -going to charge." It so happened that Lieut.-Colonel Smith and Major -Jeffreys were in that part of the trench at the time, and directly they -heard the mysterious message they realised it was a German ruse. They -yelled at the men to go on firing. The fire was at once taken up and -continued, while the attack died away. Next day Lieut.-Colonel Smith -tried to discover where the fictitious order started, but in vain. - -All night the enemy could be heard digging away, in some places near to -our trenches. At 1 A.M., No. 4 Company was sent back in reserve, being -relieved by a company of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, which next -morning reported that 300 dead had been found in front of the trench. -Some were found within a few yards of our line. - -On Monday evening, the night of the attack, this special order from the -Commander-in-Chief was circulated: - - The Field-Marshal Commanding in Chief has watched with the deepest - admiration and solicitude the splendid stand made by the soldiers of - His Majesty the King in their successful effort to maintain the - forward position which they have won by their gallantry and - steadfastness. He believes that no other Army in the world would - show such tenacity, especially under the tremendous artillery fire - directed against it. Its courage and endurance are beyond all - praise. It is an honour to belong to such an Army. - - The Field-Marshal has to make one more call upon the troops. It is - certainly only a question of a few days, and it may be of only a few - hours, before, if they only stand firm, strong support will come, - the enemy will be driven back, and in the retirement will suffer - losses even greater than those which have befallen him under the - terrific blows by which, especially during the last few days, he has - been repulsed. - - The Commander-in-Chief feels sure that he does not make his call in - vain. - - J. D. P. FRENCH, Field-Marshal, - Commander-in-Chief to the British Army in the Field. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 3.] - -A comparatively quiet interval followed. There was intermittent shelling -next day, though nothing very serious, and the snipers on both sides -kept up a lively fusillade. The trenches meanwhile were deepened and -improved. Some new orders with regard to the coming fighting were also -issued. Each battalion had two companies in the firing line and two in -support, and the captains were told that they must rely on their own -supports if they wanted any help. There was a Cavalry Brigade in -reserve, but Lord Cavan did not wish to call on it unless it became -absolutely necessary. Another warning against the enemy's tricks was -sent to the men in this message from G.O.C. First Corps: - - First Cavalry Division reports that in the attacks on them the - Germans wore British uniforms, especially kilts, and when - approaching our trenches shouted, "Don't fire; we are short of - ammunition," and similar expressions. All troops in the trenches are - to be warned of this practice by the enemy. - -An instruction was issued also for the making of circular redoubts, -about twenty-five yards in rear of the existing line of trenches, with -the object of stopping a rush if the line should be pierced. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 4.] - -An artillery duel--rather one-sided--occupied the next two days. A -German aeroplane having located the trenches, the enemy's guns became -very busy, though mostly against the support trenches, chiefly with the -object of "searching the ground." Early in the afternoon the First -Division reported that the enemy was attacking from the direction of the -woods south of Gheluvelt. The artillery had been turned on them, and -preparations were being made to meet the attack, but nothing came of it. -The shelling stopped at nightfall, and the Battalion settled down to a -pitch-dark, pouring wet night in the trenches, which were all in wet -clay and marshy ground, and the men's sole consolation was that the -Germans must be having just as bad a time. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 5.] - -By the 5th it began to be thought in the firing line that the enemy had -abandoned all attempt to break through the line, but in reality he was -waiting only for reinforcements. He had succeeded in making a dent in -the line near Messines, and was now determined to throw the whole weight -of his superior numbers on Ypres. He chose for his point of attack Klein -Zillebeke, the junction between De Moussy's French Division and the 4th -Brigade, or rather the four battalions under Lord Cavan. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 6.] - -Shelling began with renewed vigour as soon as the sun had cleared away -the next morning's mist, and just before mid-day significant -instructions were received from Lord Cavan: - - "Your position must be retained at all costs," he said in a message - sent out at 11.50. "Redoubts must be occupied, every spare man and - tool employed to make secondary trench. I trust you after splendid - defence of last few days to maintain it to the end." - -And in a second message a few minutes later: - - "Have asked Seventh Division to do everything possible to help you - with artillery fire." - -Evidently the Brigadier expected a determined attack on that part of the -line, and Lieut.-Colonel Smith made his dispositions accordingly. Early -in the afternoon he got a report from the Irish Guards that the French -Division on their right had been driven in. Immediately afterwards came -a message from Major Hamilton that the Irish Guards themselves had been -driven in, and that his right was consequently in the air. - -Major Hamilton's Company was now bearing the brunt of the attack, and -was in a very critical position. Lieut.-Colonel Smith sent word to ask -him whether he needed any help. He replied: "Hughes only wants a few -men, and I have sent him up one section. Bailey is lining road 200 yards -to my front. O.C. Oxfords promised support if necessary." - -Shortly afterwards it was reported that the Germans had reached Brown -Road, and were advancing round the right rear of the Battalion. -Lieut.-Colonel Smith at once posted Lieutenant Tufnell with one -machine-gun on the Brown Road, to guard the ride through the wood across -which the enemy would have to pass, to get behind our line of trenches, -telling him to use his own discretion as to the position he should take -up. Lieutenant Lord Congleton was also sent with one platoon to stop the -Germans from getting through a gap which was reported to the right rear -of the Battalion. Lieutenant Tufnell apparently decided that he would be -able to get a better target for his machine-gun, and at the same time -guard the ride, if he accompanied Lord Congleton. He accordingly took up -a position from which he could command the advancing enemy, but had not -been there long before he was mortally wounded. - -At this point Lieut.-Colonel Smith reported to Lord Cavan that it was -urgently necessary that a farm to his front should be destroyed, as -there were machine-guns firing from it. He received the reply that if it -were humanly possible the howitzers would do as he asked. - -Two companies of the Sussex Regiment were now sent up to support the -right of the line, and helped to hold things together, but the situation -was most critical. The enemy had driven back De Moussy's French -infantry, and consequently there was a bad dent in the line. Lord -Cavan's troops were still holding on with their right in the air when -the Household Cavalry was called in to retrieve the situation. Lord -Cavan sent off Captain R. C. de Crespigny, his Staff Captain, at full -gallop to Sanctuary Wood with orders to the Household Cavalry to come up -at once. Colonel Wilson immediately ordered his men to mount, and -galloped round by Maple Copse to within 500 yards of Brigade -Headquarters, where they dismounted and fixed bayonets. Into the midst -of the Germans they dashed, headed by Colonel Gordon Wilson. - -Throwing in the cavalry at the critical moment to save the situation has -from time immemorial been a recognised tactical manoeuvre, but in this -case the Household Cavalry fought as infantry, and very splendid -infantry they made. They swept forward to the attack with all the -precision of an infantry battalion, and soon Klein Zillebeke was filled -with British, French, and German troops fighting at close quarters. When -it came to hand-to-hand fighting, the Germans could not stand up against -the splendid men of the Household Cavalry, and they were gradually -driven back till the line was restored. This gallant charge of the -Household Cavalry on foot, Lord Cavan afterwards said, not only -prevented the 4th Guards Brigade from being cut to pieces, but also -saved Ypres. Colonel Gordon Wilson and Colonel Hugh Dawnay were killed, -and the Household Cavalry lost a large number of men, but the situation -was retrieved. - -While this was going on, No. 1 Company Grenadiers, which was on the -right, had been practically wiped out. Since the withdrawal of the Irish -Guards, almost every man had been killed or wounded by shell-fire. -Sergeant Thomas, who commanded the right platoon of No. 1, remained at -his post after the Irish Guards had gone, until he had only three men -left, when he withdrew to Brown Road. During that time he was twice -buried by shells, and had three rifles broken in his hand. Sergeant -Digby was mortally wounded, and was never seen again. - -Lord Cavan telephoned: "Hang on tight to Brown Road. Try and get touch -with half battalion Sussex Regiment sent to farm at Irish Guards H.Q." -Lieut.-Colonel Smith passed this on to Captain Powell, adding: "Are you -in touch with the Sussex?" to which Captain Powell replied: "Yes, I am -in touch with Sussex, who prolong my line to the right, bent back to -right rear." - -In the meantime, Lieutenant Lord Congleton, finding how weak the right -of the line was, had moved his platoon to the right of the Sussex. He -had lost a number of men, but at the same time had managed to collect -several Irish Guardsmen. They had no rifles or ammunition, but he placed -them at intervals among the men of his platoon, and went and collected -rifles for them himself from the casualties. Then he went round a second -time with an orderly and collected ammunition. By this means he was able -to hold the gap all through that night, and next day was specially -mentioned by Lieut.-Colonel Smith, who wrote that the intelligent way in -which he handled his platoon on his own initiative was beyond all -praise. - -Much help towards keeping the right of the line intact was also given by -Colonel Davies, commanding the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, who -throughout the afternoon kept sending up any men he happened to have in -reserve. - -When darkness fell Lord Cavan gave Lieut.-Colonel Smith these -directions: - - Can you establish a line between the Brown Road and your original - line so as to keep touch for certain with battalions on your left? I - want to make sure that my line for the night is in touch all along. - I have ordered two battalions to establish the line of the Brown - Road up to south-west edge, where I hope to establish touch with the - French. I have told General Kavanagh he can withdraw his Cavalry - Brigade directly the whole of the Brown Road is established. - -The new line was arranged about midnight, and at 1 A.M. the men began to -dig, although they were dead tired. The trenches were completed by 4 -A.M.--a fine performance on a pitch-dark night, with the additional -handicap of the trees. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 7-9.] - -For three days the battalions remained in their trenches at Klein -Zillebeke without any direct attack being made. Shelling went on all day -with monotonous regularity, but on the whole little damage was done, -though the German howitzers made spasmodic efforts to demolish the -trenches, and occasionally managed to blow in a bit of trench and bury -some men. The nights were comparatively quiet except for some sniping, -and though the mornings were generally foggy, anything in the way of -dirty weather was welcomed by the men, as it made artillery observation -impossible. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 10.] - -The shelling increased enormously on the 10th, and owing to the right -having been thrown back, that part of the trenches was open to enfilade -fire from the German guns. By this time their artillery had the range of -our trenches pretty accurately, and obtained a large number of direct -hits. Further, the wood, always a trouble, became more and more -difficult to hold: trees cut down by the shells fell crashing to the -ground, and made communication impossible. About mid-day the bombardment -became terrific, and it seemed as if it would be impossible for any one -to live under the storm of shells. - -A heavy loss this day was the death of Major Lord Bernard Lennox, who -was killed by a high-explosive shell. For three months he had been in -the thick of every engagement, always cheerful, and making the best of -every hardship. He was one of the most popular officers in the Brigade -of Guards, and his death was very keenly felt by every one. - -Lieutenant M. G. Stocks was also killed by a shell, and Lieutenant Lord -Congleton, who had so distinguished himself only a few days before, was -shot through the heart. Lieutenant H. R. C. Tudway was hit in the head -by a shell, and died a few days later. Captain Powell was buried by -another shell, and was only just saved in time and brought in. Captain -Ridley was wounded in the back, but after being attended to in the -dressing-station was able to return to his company. - -There was considerable delay in collecting the wounded. It was -impossible to attempt to work by day, and the difficulties of carrying -stretchers by night were increased by the fallen trees. - -That night the Battalion went into Corps Reserve, and bivouacked in -dug-outs. Lord Cavan, in writing an account of the day's fighting, said: - - The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers made a wonderful stand to-day against - enfilade fire of the worst description. They stuck it out simply - magnificently. - -The King subsequently telegraphed to the Commander-in-Chief: - - The splendid pluck, spirit, and endurance shown by my troops in the - desperate fighting which has continued for so many days against - vastly superior forces fills me with admiration. I am confident in - the final results of their noble efforts under your able command. - - GEORGE R.I. - -Sir John French replied: - - Your Majesty's most gracious message has been received by the - officers and men of Your Majesty's Army in France with feelings of - the greatest gratitude and pride. We beg to be allowed to express to - Your Majesty our most faithful devotion and our unalterable - determination to uphold the highest tradition of Your Majesty's - Army, and to carry the campaign to a victorious end. - -Lord Kitchener telegraphed: - - The splendid courage and endurance of our troops in the battle in - which you have been engaged during the last few days, and the - boldness and capacity with which they have been led, have - undoubtedly given the enemy a severe blow, successfully frustrating - their efforts. Let the troops know how much we all appreciate their - services, which worthily maintain the best traditions of our Army. - -Having been placed in Corps Reserve for four days, officers and men of -the Battalion were under the impression that they were going to have a -quiet time for that period, sleeping in peace at night and resting -during the day. But they were mistaken. In reality, they spent three of -the nights marching about the whole time, and each day they were moved -up in support of this or that part of the line, to the invariable -accompaniment of considerable shelling. To begin with, the relief took -most of the first night, and it was not till 5 A.M. that the Welsh -Regiment and Munster Fusiliers finished taking over the trenches. Then -at last the Battalion was able to march over to the dug-outs at -Bellewaardes Farm, north of Hooge. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 11.] - -The worst of it was that those placed in reserve were at the beck and -call of any General who wanted reinforcements. At one time the Battalion -was placed under four Generals, and received different orders from each, -which came about because the units in front got hopelessly mixed, and -the battalions were constantly changed from one brigade to another. For -instance, when the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers arrived at Bellewaardes, -Lieut.-Colonel Smith rode over to see General Monro, who congratulated -him on the good work his men had done, and said he would come round -later and say a few words to them. By the time Lieut.-Colonel Smith -returned, he found that the Battalion had been ordered to move to a wood -north-east of Hooge Château, in order to be in a position of readiness -to reinforce the line near Polygon Wood, where the Prussian Guard was -reported to have broken through. He sent one company up into the wood, -and scattered the rest about the grounds of the Château. It was chiefly -shrapnel-shelling that they were exposed to during this operation, and -there were few casualties. - -In the afternoon orders were received to support an attack which was to -be carried out by the Sussex Regiment, Oxfordshire Light Infantry, and -Gloucester Regiment. They were to retake the trenches which had been -captured by the Prussian Guard in the morning, south-west of Polygon -Wood. The Battalion was severely shelled, as it crossed the open ground -towards the wood east of Hooge in artillery formation, and had thirty to -forty casualties in a few minutes. Then Lieut.-Colonel Smith sent Major -Jeffreys forward to find General FitzClarence, under whose orders the -Battalion had been placed. - -The enemy now began to shell this spot with shrapnel, and with every one -underground it was no easy matter to find the General or his Staff. -Major Jeffreys was joined by Lieut.-Colonel Smith; they searched and -searched in vain, and came across Major Corkran, Brigade-Major of the -1st Brigade, who had been engaged on the same fruitless errand. Deciding -to wait, Lieut.-Colonel Smith sent Major Jeffreys back to the Battalion, -where he found Captain Pike, who was almost immediately afterwards -wounded by a shell. - -Meanwhile the Battalion had been waiting for hours under shell-fire, and -had suffered about thirty further casualties. It was now night, -pitch-dark, and pouring with rain; and to assemble the men, who were -spread out in artillery formation, was by no means easy, but Major -Jeffreys managed to get them together near Nonne-Bosschen Wood. -Eventually Lieut.-Colonel Smith found General FitzClarence, and got -permission to give the men a meal before taking them up to the front. -Having returned to the Battalion, he marched it back to the Château -grounds, where after some delay the cookers arrived, and the men settled -down to a meal in the pouring rain. Lieutenant the Hon. W. R. Bailey was -appointed Adjutant in Captain Pike's place, and at once took over his -duties. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 12.] - -After an hour's sleep the Battalion started off again at midnight, and -marched ankle-deep in mud and slush to the Headquarters of the 1st -Brigade, where it received its orders for the attack in which it was to -operate with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, Royal Munster Fusiliers, -and Gloucester Regiment. - -These orders were: - - The following move at 2.15 A.M., to position of readiness at S.W. - corner of Polygon Wood--2nd Battalion Grenadiers, 1st Battalion - Irish Guards, Royal Munster Fusiliers. Left of Grenadier Guards and - right of Irish Guards at S.W. corner of Polygon Wood, both in column - of route heading south. Royal Munster Fusiliers on edge of wood just - in rear of centre. When ordered to move from position of readiness - to attack, Grenadiers will lead in file, passing along western side - of trench and shooting any enemy met with either in or out of it. - Irish Guards to follow Grenadiers in same formation, Royal Munster - Fusiliers to follow Irish Guards. When trench has been cleared, - Battalions will occupy and hold it till further orders. Attack will - be ready to start any hour after 4 A.M. All movements to be made - quickly and silently. Reports to H.Q. 1st Guards Brigade. Captain - Fortune, Black Watch, will act as guide to Grenadiers. Battalions in - rear will keep touch with Battalions in front of them. Gloucesters - will fill gap as at present. - -At 3 A.M. these battalions started. It had been arranged that the Irish -Guards should lead as far as Polygon Wood, and General FitzClarence and -his Staff walked at their head. In spite of the darkness the battalions -kept well together. They were marching down a muddy lane when suddenly -some shots were heard in front, and General FitzClarence halted his -force and went to see what was going on. The advance began again slowly, -they reached the west edge of the wood, and the Grenadiers got into the -ditch at the edge. Then came the news that General FitzClarence had been -mortally wounded. Colonel Davies arrived next with the Oxfordshire Light -Infantry, having reconnoitred the positions; he had found that the -Germans were in great strength, with wire entanglements in front and -several machine-guns. - -The question now arose: What should be done? Was it wise to carry on the -attack with no General in command? Eventually the matter was referred to -Brigadier-General Westmacott, commanding the 5th Brigade. He decided -that it would be best to abandon the attack, as after this delay there -would not be enough time for it to develop before daybreak. He therefore -ordered the battalions back behind the wood, west of Nonne-Bosschen -Wood, and determined to hold a new line. Colonel M'Ewen of the Camerons -was sent for, to take command of the Brigade. - -The work of digging the new line was entrusted to the Gloucesters, but -as they were not strong enough to hold it, No. 4 Company Grenadiers -under Captain Ridley was sent up to reinforce them. Tired as the men -were, they dug for their lives, and by 6 A.M. had managed to dig -themselves well in. The rest of the Battalion returned to the Château, -where it was found that in the darkness one platoon of No. 1 Company and -the Battalion Headquarters had gone astray. However, they arrived next -morning. - -After having been placed under several different Brigadiers, the -Battalion was finally ordered by Colonel Cunliffe Owen to move with the -Irish Guards to the wood on the Menin road, and there dig itself in. Off -it went, and began digging again till the dawn broke, when the shelling -started again as usual. This was the only day on which the Battalion had -no rations, the constant moves having disorganised the transport, but -enough bully beef was procured to give the men something to eat. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 13-14.] - -During the day the Battalion remained in its trenches. There was the -inevitable shelling and sniping, but little damage was done. In the -evening it moved back to within a mile of the Château, and was just -settling down when it received orders to move on to Sanctuary Wood--so -called because it had never been shelled. After some delay, it got to -the wood in the middle of the night, finding there some howitzers which -had been attracted by the name. The officer in command explained that -they had been shelled out of every place they had visited hitherto by -the bigger guns of the enemy. Before long, however, the German artillery -located the howitzers, and at once began to shell the wood. While Major -Hamilton was in his dug-out, a high-explosive shell brought the whole -structure down on him, and he was dug out, unconscious, only just in -time. Not long afterwards Lieutenant Dowling was wounded. - -In the middle of the next night the Battalion was ordered to return to -the trenches and join the 4th Brigade. Its four days' "rest" was over, -and all ranks welcomed with enthusiasm the prospect of getting back to -the trenches! - -[Sidenote: Nov. 15-16.] - -Next day the Battalion marched back through Zillebeke to Lord Cavan's -Headquarters, and was at once sent back into the trenches, part of which -it had held the week before. The companies were sent up on each side of -the Cavalry Brigade, which was holding a line across Brown Road, and the -Battalion was therefore split up into two portions. Nos. 4 and 2 -Platoons of No. 3 Company were on the left of the cavalry, and Nos. 1 -and 2 Companies on the right; the only reserve there was consisted of -two platoons of No. 3 Company, and so they "carried on" for two days -without any happenings of great importance. The weather meanwhile became -very cold, and there were continual snow blizzards. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 17.] - -On November 17 the Germans made their last serious attack on Ypres. The -day opened with a terrific bombardment, evidently heralding a determined -attack. The shelling went on steadily all the morning, and about 1 P.M. -the attack started, the brunt of it falling on No. 1 and No. 2 -Companies. No. 2 in particular was very hard pressed. Captain -Symes-Thompson was killed, and Lieutenant Lee-Steere, who took over the -command, sent back word that they were running short of ammunition. -There were but two platoons in reserve, and they numbered only thirty -men, but Lieut.-Colonel Smith sent them up under Captain Cavendish with -some ammunition. By the time they arrived Lieutenant Lee-Steere had been -killed. Captain Cavendish sent back a message that the enemy was -apparently entrenching in a spinney about four hundred yards to our -front, and that his numbers were estimated at 500. About this time the -enemy attacked in great force, but was quite unable to make any headway -against our rifle-fire. The spirits of the men were wonderful, and they -fought on, quite unaffected by the terrible casualties caused by the -shell-fire amongst their ranks. Captain Cavendish was surprised at -suddenly hearing a burst of firing intermingled with shouts of laughter. -It turned out that some Germans, who had lain down in a slight fold in -the ground when their attack failed, were trying to crawl back, and the -men of Nos. 2 and 3 Companies were firing at them as they went. The -enemy was now becoming very numerous in front, and the situation was -reported to Lord Cavan by Lieut.-Colonel Smith, who received this reply: - - Call on 1st Battalion Coldstream for help if required at once. - Brigade Headquarters knocked to bits, so have shifted to farm - north-west of wood, on Figure 17 of K 17, in dug-out. - -A little while afterwards the situation was easier, and on hearing that -the line was still intact, Lord Cavan sent the message: - - Well done. Hope you got my memo, _re_ calling on 1st Battalion - Coldstream at once if necessary, now in the wood alongside of you. - You must use them to help both yourself and the Irish Guards. When - called on let me know. Am turning all the artillery on the wood to - your front. I have no means of communication left except orderlies. - -The 1st Battalion Coldstream at that time consisted of a draft of 300 -men under Captain G. Edwards, which had just arrived from England, the -Battalion having been practically wiped out in the Prussian Guard attack -of November 4. - -No. 1 Company was now in a bad way, and Captain Hughes sent back an -urgent request for more ammunition. But, as most of the pack animals had -been killed in the morning's bombardment, it was a problem how to send -it. Major Jeffreys collected as many orderlies as he could find, loaded -them up with all the ammunition they could carry, and himself led them -along to the trenches. This was no easy matter, as not only was the -ground they had to cross under shell-fire, but the whole place was -knee-deep in mud. The last fifty yards to the trenches they had to -crawl. - -The firing had been kept up practically all the afternoon, and some idea -of the amount of ammunition expended may be gathered from the fact that -No. 1 Company alone fired 24,000 rounds. This was the first time our men -saw the hand grenades which were to play such a large part in trench -warfare. Little puffs of smoke had been occasionally seen bursting on -the bodies of the Germans, and these proved to be caused by hand -grenades of a primitive type, which exploded when hit by our bullets. - -By the evening the German attack had died down. The enemy had lost very -heavily, and realised, apparently, that the line was too strongly held -for any frontal attack to succeed: - -The casualties amongst the officers of the 2nd Battalion were -unfortunately heavy: - - - Captain E. J. L. Pike (Adjutant), wounded. - Lieut. C. W. Tufnell (Machine-gun Officer), killed. - Capt. C. Symes-Thompson (No. 1 Company), killed. - Major Lord Bernard Gordon-Lennox (No. 2 Company), killed. - Lieut. I. St. C. Rose (No. 2 Company), wounded. - Lieut. C. M. C. Dowling (No. 2 Company), wounded. - 2nd Lieut. F. W. J. M. Miller (No. 2 Company), killed. - 2nd Lieut. J. H. G. Lee-Steere (No. 2 Company), killed. - Capt. E. G. H. Powell (No. 3 Company), wounded. - Lieut. H. R. C. Tudway (No. 3 Company), killed. - Lieut. Lord Congleton (No. 3 Company), killed. - Captain M. E. Makgill-Crichton Maitland (No. 4 Company), wounded. - Captain E. D. Ridley (No. 4 Company), wounded. - Lieut. M. G. Stocks (No. 4 Company), killed. - -The 2nd Battalion had been fighting incessantly from October 21 to -November 16. Day and night it had been attacked by an enemy greatly -superior in numbers. As it had never for a moment been able to leave the -front line, its sleep had been broken and scanty. Yet well aware that no -reinforcements were available, the Battalion had throughout realised -that it must continue to hold the line, and had faced its task with the -utmost determination. Even when it was in reserve, it had taken part in -serious engagements, but this to a certain extent was an experience -which it shared with the other battalions of the 4th Brigade. - -The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers had been most fortunate in its neighbours -during these strenuous days, and the men soon found that the other -battalions in the Second Division were as stout fighters as themselves. -The 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in -particular was known throughout the Division as one of the best -battalions in the Expeditionary Force, and the Grenadiers knew from -experience that it could be relied upon to hold a trench to the last -man. - -But perhaps the branch of the service which won the men's admiration -most of all was the artillery. Outnumbered and outranged, the Second -Division artillery fought on, and time after time saved the situation. -Its supply of shells, compared to that of the German artillery, was -ridiculously small, and yet never for a moment did it fail to respond -when called upon to support the infantry attacks. According to all -preconceived theories it should have been wiped out altogether, and in -fact many batteries were annihilated. But the Grenadiers knew that as -long as there were any men left alive the guns would be served. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 19.] - -The first battle of Ypres may be said to have ended on the 19th, -although naturally the enemy continued his shelling. Some of No. 1 -Company's trenches were blown in, but there were no infantry attacks. In -the evening the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was relieved by the 3rd -Battalion Coldstream and marched to St. Jean, where one company went -into billets, and the other three lay in the open and made themselves as -comfortable as they could with straw, which they took from the ricks at -the farm close by. Curiously enough, the farmer some twelve months later -sent in a claim for compensation for the straw that had been taken. The -few remaining officers managed to get into one room at the farmhouse. - -It was bitterly cold, and there were several degrees of frost and two or -three inches of snow on the ground. Before leaving, Lieut.-Colonel Smith -sent the following message to Captain Cavendish: - - If it is possible, will you try and identify some of the units which - attacked you yesterday? Perhaps you could get a few shoulder-straps - after dark, but you are not to risk life to get them. I do not want - to support you unless it is necessary, but I can send a platoon of - the Coldstream to a place near Irish Guards' support if you would - like it. You will be relieved by Coldstream to-night about 8 P.M. - after your teas, and will come to Brigade Headquarters where you - will get instructions. The men of the Coldstream now with you should - come back at the same time. - -The shoulder-straps referred to in this message were duly secured and -forwarded to the Intelligence officer of the Division. The Germans who -had attacked the day before were from the Fifteenth Corps. - -Lord Cavan, in a private letter to Colonel H. Streatfeild, commanding -the Regiment, wrote: - - No words can ever describe what the devotion of the men and officers - has been under the trials of dirt, squalor, cold, sleeplessness, and - perpetual strain of the last three weeks. Their state of efficiency - still can, I think, be gauged by the fact that twelve attacks have - been repulsed and two companies of Grenadiers fired twenty-four - boxes of ammunition on the 17th, so persistent were the enemy's - assaults. We are told we are to be relieved very soon and sent right - back for a good fortnight to refit and reclothe and reorganise. We - came into this theatre 3700 strong, and we shall go back about 2000, - but nothing finer to my mind has ever been done by human men. I - really should cry if the Germans got into Ypres before we go. On the - 17th before the attack they threw over 200 big shells in and around - my Headquarters and for one and a half hours it was pretty horrible, - but the dug-outs saved us, though my signal officer and 13 men were - wounded and 2 killed at the door of my dug-out. The smell of the - explosion was horrible. One shell pitched in our signal cart and - blew the limber 55 yards away from the body. - -The 2nd Battalion remained at St. Jean the next day, and in the evening -received orders to move back and refit on the following night: - - The Brigadier is directed by Sir Douglas Haig to inform the 4th - Guards Brigade that their relief will definitely take place - to-morrow night 20th/21st for certain. He also wishes it to be - explained that by sticking to their positions for an extra day, the - whole British Expeditionary Force has benefited to the extent that - their front is now narrowed to the line La Bassée--Wytschaete, - whereas if the relief had taken place yesterday it would have had to - extend from La Bassée to the Canal. - -The following orders for concentration of troops when relieved from the -trenches were issued: - - (1) Battalions not in the trenches, viz. 2nd Battalion Grenadiers, - Irish Guards, Herts Battalion, will march in the above order under - Lieut.-Colonel W. R. A. Smith, Grenadier Guards, on Ypres level - crossing J 13 A, thence by road passing J 12, the south edge of J - 11, southern portion of I 15.14, thence through I 13 A, thence to - Ouderdomm. Starting-point road junction at Y of Ypres. Time, 4 P.M. - - (2) All first-line transport, except pack animals, which will - accompany Battalions, will march under Brigade Transport Officer - Captain Gough to Ouderdomm, in time to arrive there by 2 P.M. It - will be met by Captain R. de Crespigny, who will point out - bivouacking areas to units. - - (3) Units will arrange to have a meal waiting for them on arrival at - Ouderdomm; after eating this they will march independently to - Meteren, where they will go into billets. The three battalions under - Lieut.-Colonel Smith will march together under his orders. The route - from Ouderdomm to Meteren _via_ Westoutre--Montnoir--La Manche. - - (4) Officers commanding all units will be responsible that the route - that they have to follow is reconnoitred by daylight. - -[Sidenote: Nov. 20.] - -Orders were first sent for these battalions to start at 4 P.M., and -later the time was altered to 10.45 P.M. The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers -arrived at the rendezvous in plenty of time, and as the Hertfordshire -Territorials did not turn up, Lieut.-Colonel Smith waited for it till -past midnight, and then marched off. It was bitterly cold, and owing to -the frozen state of the road extremely slippery. On account of the -accumulation of guns and transports, the battalions were forced to march -in single file down the side of the road, and to pass miles of wagons -before they were able to march in fours. At 3 A.M. they had some tea, -and arrived at their destination at 8.30, when they went into billets. - - LETTER FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL THE EARL OF CAVAN TO THE OFFICER - COMMANDING THE GRENADIER GUARDS - - The 2nd Battalion moves back to-night about 15 miles with the rest - of the Brigade to refit, reorganise, and rest. It leaves the line - intact, and, in spite of great loss and untold sufferings and - hardships, it fought the battle of Nov. 17 with as good a nerve as - the battle of the Aisne. It has perhaps had the hardest time of any - of the four battalions, as its rest days in Corps Reserve were - entirely taken up with marching and making counter-strokes at - various parts of the line. - - I can never express what I think of the great courage and endurance - shown by officers and men during the defence before Ypres, and I - should like to put on the regimental records not only my sense of - pride at being their Brigadier, but my debt to the Battalion for - their great devotion to their duty. The men have all kept up a - respectable appearance, which has been an example, considering that - it has been absolutely impossible to change an article of clothing - for four weeks. It is hoped that some officers and men may be able - to get home for a few days' complete rest and change. - - (Signed) CAVAN, Brigadier, - Commanding 4th Guards Bgde. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - NOVEMBER 1914 TO MARCH 1915 - - - Diary of the War - - -In November 1914 the war of stagnation had already begun. The power of -modern weapons in defence had made open warfare an impossibility, and -the struggle in France had now assumed the character of siege warfare. -Lines of trench some five hundred miles in length stretched from the -Belgian coast to the Swiss frontier, and high explosive in every form -and shape was fired from monster guns or thrown by hand. Miles of barbed -wire covered the ground between the opposing lines of trenches, and -sappers and miners continued to mine and to counter-mine. At the time it -was thought that this state of things was merely the prelude to a -gigantic battle which would decide the issue of the war. - -The British Army at the beginning of November was holding a longer line -than it well could hold, and in December Sir John French was able to -shorten the line to thirty miles in length. In co-operation with the -Eighth French Army, under General D'Urbal, the British Army attempted to -advance in the direction of Wytschaete, but after several unsuccessful -attacks these operations ceased. In January there were three weeks' -comparative quiet, and then the enemy commenced an organised attack on -Givenchy, but was effectually stopped by the First Division. The Germans -made a more successful effort near Guinchy, and some ground was -temporarily gained by them, but a determined counterattack by the 4th -(Guards) Brigade restored the line. South of La Bassée Canal the 3rd -Battalion Coldstream and 1st Battalion Irish Guards captured a place -known as the Brickstacks; on February 14 the 82nd Brigade was driven out -of their trenches east of St. Eloi; and two days later the Twenty-eighth -Division was forced to retire. In both cases the lost ground was -recovered by counter-attacks. On March 10 the battle of Neuve Chapelle -was fought, and lasted three days. - -In addition to the fighting in the north in co-operation with the -British and Belgian armies, the French were engaged practically all -along their line. For purely sentimental reasons they continued their -attacks on Alsace: although there were local successes, no actual gain -of territory was made, and their losses were enormous. - -The movements of the Russian Army were at first partly successful. Under -the Grand Duke Nicholas it invaded East Prussia, invested the fortress -of Königsberg, and reached the Masurian Lake region. The Southern -Russian Army entered the north of Austria, cleared Galicia as far as the -River San, and invested Przemysl. Its advance was, however, checked by -the severe defeat which it suffered at Tannenberg, and it was forced to -retire from East Prussia, which it again invaded in October. In the -meantime, the Germans assembled a large army in Silesia, and advancing -from Posen, forced the Russians to retire into Poland. Soon afterwards -the Germans invaded Russia itself, and gained a victory at Grodno. In -Austria the Russians were more successful, and after defeating the -Austrian Army at Rawazuska, succeeded in capturing the stronghold of -Przemysl which had been considered impregnable. - -On March 18 an unsuccessful attempt was made by the combined British and -French Fleets to force the Dardanelles. This was the beginning of the -Gallipoli campaign. - -In German South-West Africa General Botha landed at Swakopmund, near -Walfish Bay, in February, and advanced to Jackalswater and Riet. A -British Expeditionary Force also began operations in the Cameroons, and -there was some fighting in German East Africa. - -Naval warfare was practically at an end by the beginning of 1915, as all -the German ships had been cleared off the high seas. The German Fleet -itself had taken refuge in Kiel Harbour, and there was nothing for the -British Fleet to do but to wait patiently, in the hope that it would one -day emerge and give battle. During March the blockade of Germany began, -but the problem of how to deal with neutrals had not been solved, and -the Germans were able to get all they wanted through Holland and the -three Scandinavian countries. - - - The 1st Battalion - - -[Sidenote: 1st Batt. Nov. 1914.] - -On the 14th the 20th Brigade marched through Bailleul, Steenwerck, -Sailly, Bac-St.-Maur to the trenches in the neighbourhood of Fleurbaix, -where it relieved the 19th Brigade. The Grenadiers were on the right, -the Scots Guards in the centre, and the Border Regiment on the left. -Brigadier-General F. J. Heyworth, D.S.O., arrived from England, to take -over the command of the Brigade. - -Throughout November the Brigade remained in the same line of trenches. -At first there was a great deal of rain, but towards the end of the -month it changed to snow and was bitterly cold. The men suffered very -much from trench feet, as the ground was in a shocking condition. Goats' -skins were issued, and also some white smocks for patrol duty at night, -as the dark uniforms showed up so clearly in the snow. - -Major C. E. Corkran came from the Staff, to take over the command of the -Battalion from the 17th till the 29th, when Lieut.-Colonel L. R. -Fisher-Rowe arrived from England to assume command. On the 20th a draft -of 100 men arrived with the following officers: Captain J. A. Morrison, -Captain the Earl Stanhope, Second Lieutenant Lord Brabourne, Second -Lieutenant Lord William Percy, Second Lieutenant Rhys Williams. - -The Eighth Division under Major-General Davies arrived from England, and -completed the Fourth Corps. - -The enemy was constantly busy digging sap-heads, and the shelling was -continuous. Lieutenant E. S. Ward was wounded on the 15th, but although -there were a number of casualties in the Brigade the Battalion did not -suffer much. On the 29th Captain Rose commanding the 55th Company R.E. -was killed. His loss was keenly felt by the whole Brigade, and -especially by the Grenadiers, as he had never spared himself, and had -been of the greatest assistance to all the officers. On the 24th Major -G. F. Trotter, M.V.O., D.S.O., joined the Battalion. - -[Sidenote: Dec.] - -On December 1 His Majesty the King paid a visit to the Division, -accompanied by Lieutenant H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, the President of -the French Republic, General Joffre, and Major-General Sir Pertab Singh. - - SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY BY HIS MAJESTY THE KING - - GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, _Dec. 5, 1914_. - - OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN, - - I am very glad to have been able to see my Army in the Field. - - I much wished to do so, in order to gain a slight experience of the - life you are leading. - - I wish I could have spoken to you all, to express my admiration of - the splendid manner in which you have fought and are still fighting - against a powerful and relentless enemy. - - By your discipline, pluck, and endurance, inspired by the - indomitable regimental spirit, you have not only upheld the - traditions of the British Army, but added fresh lustre to its - history. - - I was particularly impressed by your soldierly, healthy, cheerful - appearance. - - I cannot share in your trials, dangers, and successes, but I can - assure you of the proud confidence and gratitude of myself and of - your fellow-countrymen. - - We follow you in our daily thoughts on your certain road to victory. - - GEORGE R.I. - -The weather all the month of December was very bad, and it was with -difficulty that the trenches were kept from falling in. A draft of 66 -men under Captain E. O. Stewart arrived on the 3rd, and one of 45 men -under Captain the Hon. G. H. Douglas-Pennant on the 12th. On the 15th -Second Lieutenant E. H. J. Duberly and Second Lieutenant T. -Parker-Jervis joined the Battalion, and on the 17th a draft of 60 men -with Lieutenant C. H. Greville and Second Lieutenant C. R. Rowley -arrived. On the 21st Second Lieutenant F. O. S. Sitwell, Second -Lieutenant C. F. Burnand, and Second Lieutenant C. T. R. S. Guthrie -joined the Battalion, and on the 23rd a draft of 41 men under Second -Lieutenant G. R. Westmacott arrived. On the 28th Second Lieutenant C. G. -Goschen arrived. - -There were numerous cases of frostbite, and a certain amount of sickness -owing to the cold wet weather, but considering the constant soaking the -men received, and the amount of water in the trenches, the health of the -Battalion was on the whole good. - -The Battalion was constantly engaged in digging and improving the -trenches as far as possible, but the water-logged condition of the -ground, combined with the vigilance of the German snipers, made the work -difficult. The bombing and sniping continued daily, and were accompanied -occasionally by high-explosive shells. The latter were, however, -generally directed by the Germans against any place that would be likely -to harbour generals or staff. On one of the visits which the Prince of -Wales paid to the 1st Battalion, he narrowly escaped one of these -shells, which exploded outside the house he was in. On the 19th -Lieutenant J. Teece, the Quartermaster, was wounded, and Lieutenant -Mitchell took over his duties. - -On the 18th an organised attack on the German trenches was made by the -22nd Brigade. The 20th Brigade was ordered to assist with two half -battalions by attacking the edge of the Sailly--Fromelles road. It was -decided to double-man the trenches opposite the point of attack, and the -Scots Guards were therefore withdrawn from the right, being relieved by -the Grenadiers. The attack was to be undertaken by half a battalion of -the Scots Guards and half a battalion of the Border Regiment. Brigade -Headquarters were transferred to La Carbonière Farm, so as to be in -close touch with the trenches. The guns being short of ammunition, the -artillery decided not to open fire till just before the attack was -launched. The Grenadiers had to go down, and relieve the Scots Guards in -broad daylight, and this unusual activity in our lines, which was far -too apparent, gave the enemy ample warning of our intended attack. The -Scots Guards launched their attack at the pre-arranged time, but the -signal was not understood down the line, with the result that the -attacks were by no means simultaneous. The men of the Border Regiment -found great difficulty in getting through their own wire entanglements, -which considerably delayed them. The Scots Guards, however, succeeded in -rushing the German trenches and bayoneting the occupants, but a -machine-gun which they were unable to knock out caused a large number of -casualties. The other attacks having failed, the Scots Guards were -ordered to return, as the Germans had been able to bring up large -reinforcements. - -Although little had been accomplished, the enemy had been obliged to -keep all their men in the trenches to resist this attack, and had -therefore been unable to send reinforcements farther south. This was -practically the sole object of our attack. - -Christmas came with the whole country deep in mud and slush. Parcels of -shirts, socks, etc. were received from Colonel Streatfeild, who -succeeded in supplying the wants of the Battalion with the utmost -regularity, while luxuries were sent by Major-General Sir Reginald -Thynne, an old Grenadier Commanding Officer, who had undertaken to send -one surprise packet to every man in each battalion, in addition to the -parcels which he sent regularly from the officers' wives to any -Grenadier prisoners in Germany. - -On the 24th Captain Morrison, on behalf of the King's Company, addressed -the following telegram to the King: - - The Officers, N.C.O.'s, and men of the King's Company, Grenadier - Guards, respectfully offer Your Majesty best wishes for Christmas - and the New Year. - -His Majesty's answer was as follows: - - I heartily thank Officers, N.C.O.'s, and men for their message of - Christmas and New Year greetings, which I warmly reciprocate. You - are all more than ever in my thoughts at this moment. - - GEORGE R.I., Colonel-in-Chief. - -Christmas Day passed off without a shot being fired by either side in -that part of the line. This does not appear to have been the result of -any definite agreement, but simply a tacit understanding on the part of -both forces to refrain from firing during that day. - -Many experiments were made with mortars and bombs at Bac-St.-Maur. -Officers who were present afterwards asserted that they infinitely -preferred the enemy's shot and shell to the uncertain and erratic -explosions during these experiments. The new trench mortar had a way of -moving round and facing the wrong way after one or two shots had been -fired, which was disconcerting. - -Though the art of bomb-throwing was still in its infancy, the importance -of this form of trench warfare had already impressed itself on every one -in France. The Ordnance at home was confused by the many recommendations -that were made, and issued bombs of every pattern, in order to ascertain -by practical means which was the best; but as every brigade favoured a -different bomb, the selection became a matter of great difficulty. In -every brigade a company of 150 bomb-throwers was formed, and the men -were thoroughly trained. Second Lieutenant Rhys Williams was selected to -command the company of bomb-throwers in the 20th Brigade. - -Towards the end of December the constant heavy rain had played havoc -with the trenches. The whole country had become completely water-logged, -and as soon as water was pumped out of one portion of a trench it broke -through in another. The Germans were in the same plight, and could be -observed at pumping operations daily. It was impossible to dig any -trench below a depth of two feet, and in some places it became necessary -to build breastworks over the ground. - -One of the great difficulties the men in the trenches had to contend -with was that the rifles during an attack were rendered useless by the -mud. Whenever an attack was made the rifles became so clogged with mud -that the men had nothing but the bayonet to fight with. To carry 200 or -more rounds of small-arms ammunition all through the day, and then find -they are merely ornamental when the fighting begins, is rather -disheartening, and the Divisional Authorities therefore devised a rough -canvas cover to slip over the muzzle of the rifle. This cover could be -pulled off instantly when required, but even if the rifle was fired with -the cover on no harm was done. A letter found on a German colonel some -months later revealed the fact that the enemy had been much struck with -the idea of a cover of this sort, and had taken steps to have one made -on the British pattern. - -The following letter from His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, -Colonel of the Grenadiers, and at the time Governor-General of Canada, -was forwarded for the officers of the Battalion to read: - -[Sidenote: Jan. 1915.] - - GOVERNMENT HOUSE, OTTAWA, - _January 12, 1915_. - - MY DEAR STREATFEILD--Most grateful thanks for three letters of the - 23rd, 29th, and 30th of December. - - I have been deeply interested with all the regimental news you have - so kindly sent me, especially with the letters of Colonel Wilfred - Smith and Captain Morrison, and the very gratifying order of General - Capper. It is really splendid to hear how well both battalions have - done under most serious and trying circumstances, which must have - tried the nerves and endurance of all ranks to the very utmost. - - As I expected, our Officers have set a splendid example of capacity - and bravery. It is hard to think what terrible losses all this - splendid work has entailed on the Regiment, and how many Officers we - have to mourn. May they not have given their precious lives for - nothing, but may their names and example be ever preserved in the - Regiment in whose honour they have fallen. - - I hope that never again will companies have to occupy so large a - front as ours have done; with less good troops the risk would appear - to me to have been too great to run. - - I am glad to hear such good accounts of our 4th Reserve Battalion. I - thank you for so kindly sending on my message to the 1st and 2nd - Battalions. I was anxious that they should know that although so far - away they were in my thoughts.--Believe me, yours very sincerely, - - (Signed) ARTHUR. - -LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE 1ST BATTALION GRENADIER GUARDS ON JANUARY 1, -1915 - - - Lieut.-Colonel L. R. Fisher-Rowe, Commanding Officer. - Major G. F. Trotter, M.V.O., D.S.O., Second in Command. - Lieut. C. V. Fisher-Rowe, Adjutant. - 2nd Lieut. E. H. J. Duberly, Machine-gun Officer. - Lieut. C. Mitchell, Acting Quartermaster. - Capt. J. A. Morrison, King's Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. T. R. S. Guthrie, King's Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. G. Goschen, King's Company. - Captain the Hon. G. H. Douglas-Pennant, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. Lord Brabourne, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. F. Burnand, No. 2 Company. - Captain the Earl Stanhope, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. Lord William Percy, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. G. R. Westmacott, No. 3 Company. - Captain the Hon. R. Lygon, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. M. A. A. Darby, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. F. O. S. Sitwell, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. J. Parker-Jervis, No. 4 Company. - - The following officers from the Artists' Rifles were attached to the - Battalion: Second Lieutenant Crisp to the King's Company, and Second - Lieutenant A. Moller to No. 2 Company. - -[Sidenote: Jan.] - -The Battalion occupied the same trench line all January, and every four -days was relieved by the Scots Guards, when it went into Divisional -Reserve. On the 11th a draft of 65 men under Captain W. E. Nicol -arrived, and on the 26th one of 60 men under Lieutenant H. W. Ethelston. -On the 27th Lieutenant A. S. L. St. J. Mildmay joined. - -[Illustration: Lieutenant-Colonel L. R. Fisher Rowe. Commanding 1st -Battalion. Died of wounds received at Neuve Chapelle 10 March 1915.] - -Some officers of the Grenadiers were lent to the Scots Guards, who were -very short of officers, and remained away for some time. On the 5th -Second Lieutenant Crisp, who had been attached to the Battalion from the -Artists' Corps, was coming across an open place, where the trenches had -fallen in and had become impassable, when he was shot through the body -and died shortly afterwards. Lieut.-Colonel Fisher-Rowe, who was only -fifty yards away at the time, came up to give him morphia, but found him -quite unconscious. He had done so well, and made himself so popular, -that his death was much regretted by the Battalion. - -With this exception there were no casualties among the officers and very -few among the men, although the Germans expended a large amount of -ammunition on that part of the line. - -The redoubts were finished, and proved a great success. It was curious -to note that the Germans were struck with the same idea, and began -constructing forts in rear of their inundated trenches. A certain amount -of leave was granted to the officers and N.C.O.'s, and those who had -been out some time were all given a week at home. - -[Sidenote: Feb.] - -February found the Battalion still in the same trenches, which had by -now been very greatly improved. The problem of the water had been -partially solved by the efforts of the R.E., and the men were able to -take some pride in their trench line. There was a certain amount of -sickness, with occasional cases of influenza. A motor ambulance, -presented by Captain J. A. Morrison to the Battalion, arrived, and while -the officers and men much appreciated the gift, the Medical Authorities -were much concerned at the irregularity of the proceeding. - -On the 13th Lieutenant R. F. C. Gelderd-Somervell joined the Battalion, -and Captain the Earl Stanhope left to take up his duties as A.D.C. to -the General Commanding the Fifth Army Corps. He had proved himself such -a good officer that the Commanding Officer was sorry to lose him. On the -23rd Captain E. F. F. Sartorius joined the Battalion, and took over -command of No. 3 Company. - -There had been a certain number of casualties among the men from sniping -and shell-fire, but the greater part of the losses were from sickness. - -[Sidenote: March.] - -On March 3 the Battalion was relieved by the Canadians, and billeted in -the Rue du Bois. It marched the next morning to Neuf Berquin, and on the -following day to Estaires. On the 10th it joined the rest of the 20th -Brigade, which was on the main Estaires--La Bassée road. Before taking -over the trenches, Lieutenant Darby was sent up to go over the ground, -so that he might be able to guide the companies when they went up. At -luncheon-time he returned with the intelligence that the shelling in the -front trench was terrific, and that even as far back as the reserve -trenches the noise was deafening, all of which seemed to point to a -lively time for the Battalion. - -As the Battalion marched up, the men were much impressed by the sight of -the Chestnut Battery going into action. This crack battery of the Royal -Artillery, manned by splendid men and drawn by picked horses, came -thundering down the road, and as it passed the men of the Grenadiers -broke into a cheer. - -Although the enemy's shells were bursting over the Battalion, only one -actually pitched near the men, doing no damage, and in the evening the -Battalion went into billets, the King's Company in the Rue du Bacquerot, -and Nos. 2, 3, and 4 in Cameren Lane. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - NOVEMBER 1914 TO MAY 1915 (2ND BATTALION) - - -[Sidenote: 2nd Batt. Nov. 1914.] - -The Battalion remained in billets at Meteren from November 22 till -December 22. The casualties among the officers had been severe, and -there only remained Lieut.-Colonel Smith, Major Jeffreys, Captain -Ridley, Captain Cavendish, Lieutenant Hughes, Lieutenant and Adjutant -the Hon. W. Bailey, Lieutenant Beaumont-Nesbitt, Lieutenant Marshall, -Second Lieutenant Cunninghame (Transport Officer), Second Lieutenant -Gerard, Lieutenant and Quartermaster Skidmore, and Captain Howell, -R.A.M.C. (attached). - -[Sidenote: Dec. 3.] - -The King inspected the 4th Guards Brigade at Meteren, and afterwards -presented Distinguished Conduct Medals to a certain number of N.C.O.'s -and men. - -In the evening the following special order was issued: - - The Brigadier is commanded by His Majesty the King, the - Colonel-in-Chief, to convey to the four battalions of the Brigade of - Guards the following gracious words which His Majesty addressed to - the four Commanding Officers: "I am very proud of my Guards, and I - am full of admiration for their bravery, endurance, and fine spirit. - I wish I could have addressed them all, but that was impossible. So - you must tell them what I say to you. You are fighting a brave and - determined enemy, but if you go on as you have been doing and show - the same spirit, as I am sure you will, there can only be one end, - please God, and that is Victory. I wish you all good luck." - -[Sidenote: Dec. 21.] - -On December 21 the news arrived that the Indian Corps had been heavily -attacked, and driven out of its trenches between La Bassée Canal and -Richebourg. The First Corps was at once to be moved down to this part of -the line, and that evening orders were received by the Second Division -to be ready to march at two hours' notice. When a line of trenches -stretches some hundreds of miles, the rough must be taken with the -smooth, and the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was soon to find that the site -of its trenches was anything but an ideal one. To dig a trench in a -water-logged valley outraged all preconceived principles; yet it was in -such a locality that the men of the Grenadiers were to find themselves -for the following months. - -Minor operations, as they were called, consisted in nibbling away a few -hundred yards. The casualties which occurred daily from bombing and -sniping were hardly taken into account. Yet those who took part in this -monotonous underground warfare did as much to win the war as those who -were fortunate enough to fight in one of the big battles. - -[Sidenote: Dec. 22-23.] - -The 4th Brigade marched off early by Merville to Bethune, about nineteen -miles, and there billeted fairly comfortably. The next day it marched -on, and halted in a field at Essarts, near Le Touret, in readiness to -support the 2nd Brigade. In the evening it moved on again, and took over -the line at Rue de Cailloux from the Royal Sussex Regiment after dark. -These trenches were very bad, and had been hastily improvised from -dykes, when the Germans succeeded in capturing our front-line trenches a -few days before. The water was always knee-deep, in some places -waist-deep, in mud and water, and as the enemy's trench was within -twenty-five yards, his snipers, who were always enterprising, had plenty -of opportunities of shooting. The taking over of these trenches was -complicated by men getting stuck, and having to be dug out, so that it -was nearly six hours before the relief was completed. In some cases it -took four hours to dig the men out, during which time many of them -fainted several times. No. 1 Company under Captain Sir M. Cholmeley, No. -2 under Captain P. A. Clive, and half No. 3 under Captain Cavendish, -were in the firing line, while the other half of No. 3, and No. 4 -Company under Captain Ridley were in reserve. - -[Sidenote: Dec. 24.] - -The early morning began with considerable sniping and bombardment with -trench mortars. It was bitterly cold, and the water in the trenches made -communication almost impossible. It seemed madness to attempt to hold -such a line of trenches, and yet there was no alternative. - -Notes of warning arrived from General Headquarters: - - It is thought possible that the enemy may be contemplating an attack - during Christmas or New Year. Special vigilance will be maintained - during these periods. - -And again later: - - Please note that when the enemy is active with Minenwerfer, it is - generally the prelude to an attack. - -The enemy had the advantage of the ground, for not only did his trenches -drain into ours, but he was able to overlook our whole line. In addition -to this he was amply supplied with trench mortars and hand grenades, so -that we were fighting under very great difficulties. He mined within ten -yards of our trench, and blew in the end of No. 2's trench, after which -he attacked in great force, but was unable to do more than just reach -our line. Captain Sir M. Cholmeley, Bart., and Second Lieutenant J. H. -Neville were killed. Sergeant G. H. Thomas, who had just been awarded -the D.C.M., was also killed, while Second Lieutenant G. G. Goschen was -wounded and taken prisoner. He had a narrow escape of being drowned in -the trench, and was propped up by one of the men just in time. -Lieutenant Eyre and Second Lieutenant Mervyn Williams were wounded. - -In the evening Lieut.-Colonel Smith came to the conclusion that -fighting under such conditions was only courting disaster, and that it -would be clearly better to dig a new line of trenches during the -night, but it was absolutely necessary to finish the new line before -daylight--otherwise it would be useless. Accordingly he gave orders -for a new line to be dug, and the men, soaked and stiff with cold as -they were, set to work at once. Rockets and fireballs gave the enemy's -snipers their opportunity, and the freezing water and hard ground made -the work difficult. There was, however, no artillery fire, though the -Minenwerfer were nearly as bad, and threw large shells into our -trenches. The new line was just completed as dawn broke on Christmas -morning. - -[Sidenote: Dec. 25.] - -The sniping continued steadily the next day with great accuracy, and the -slightest movement drew a shot at once. Captain E. G. Spencer Churchill -was wounded in the head in this way, the bullet making a groove in his -skull. The new trenches, however, threatened to become as wet as the old -ones, although in the worst places they were built with a high parapet -and a shallow trench. No. 3 Company, under Captain Cavendish, in -particular succeeded in erecting an elevated trench of this nature, in -spite of the incessant sniping which was carried on during the night. - -Lord Cavan sent a message: - - Hearty congratulations on good night's work. Thank Captain Cavendish - and his Company. Am absolutely satisfied with arrangements. Report - when and how you manoeuvre the little stream. - -It being Christmas Day, plum puddings and other luxuries were -distributed, and Princess Mary's present of a box, containing a pipe, -tobacco, and cigarettes, was much appreciated. - -In the evening the Battalion was relieved by the 3rd Battalion -Coldstream, and marched back to Le Touret, where it billeted, and -remained for forty-eight hours. - -The Battalion was now composed as follows: - - - Lieut.-Colonel W. R. A. Smith, Headquarters. - Major G. D. Jeffreys, Headquarters - Lieutenant and Adjutant the Hon. W. R. Bailey, Headquarters - 2nd Lieut. M. Williams (Machine-gun Officer), Headquarters - Lieutenant and Quartermaster J. H. Skidmore, Headquarters - Capt. J. S. Hughes, No. 1 Company. - Lieut. A. K. S. Cunninghame (Transport Officer), No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. J. N. Buchanan, No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. G. W. V. Hopley, No. 1 Company. - Capt. P. A. Clive, M.P., No. 2 Company. - Lieut. F. G. Marshall, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. J. C. Craigie, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. H. C. L. Rumbold, No. 2 Company. - Capt. A. B. R. R. Gosselin, No. 3 Company. - Capt. R. H. V. Cavendish, M.V.O., No. 3 Company. - Lieut. C. R. Gerard, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. H. S. E. Bury, No. 3 Company. - Capt. E. D. Ridley, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. F. G. Beaumont-Nesbitt, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. C. R. Britten, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. E. G. Williams, No. 4 Company. - - _Attached_--Captain F. D. G. Howell, R.A.M.C. - -[Sidenote: Dec. 27-28.] - -The Battalion returned to the same line of trenches, and found them as -unpleasant as before. The cover had been improved, and the communication -trenches were better, but the water stood in them as deep as ever. On -the night of the 28th it blew a gale, and the cold was intense. The rain -that came down all night not only filled the trenches with more water, -but broke down the parapet and loopholes in many places. The men passed -a miserable night, soaked to the skin, with no means of keeping warm, -and although the constant repairs to the parapet kept them employed, the -sniping made all work difficult and dangerous. - -[Sidenote: Dec. 29-30.] - -A few of the enemy's 6-inch shells fell on the trenches, but not with -sufficient accuracy to cause any damage. The trenches were still in a -terrible state, communication was impossible, and there were numerous -cases of frostbite. In the evening of the 29th the Battalion was again -relieved by the 3rd Battalion Coldstream, and went back to Le Touret, -where it remained two days. - -[Sidenote: Dec. 31-Jan. 2.] - -On the 31st it returned to the flooded trenches again, and was subjected -to the usual sniping and bombing. The Germans were using a trench mortar -which fired large bombs from some distance into our line, while at that -time we had nothing more than hand grenades, which were somewhat -primitive and dangerous to the thrower. The water, however, was the -greatest difficulty our men had to contend with: it made the -communication trenches impassable, and accounted for more men than the -enemy's bullets. It ate away the parapet, rotted the men's clothing, -rusted and jammed the rifles, retarded the food supply, and generally -made the life of the men in the trenches hideous; but in spite of all -this discomfort the men remained cheerful and in good spirits. - -[Sidenote: Jan. 1915.] - -Lord Cavan, who was much exercised by the water problem, gave orders -that all impossible places were to be vacated and watched by pivots, and -the R.E. received instructions from him to give their attention to this -portion of the line. Our artillery proceeded systematically to flatten -out any house on the enemy's side, as it was found that the smallest -building usually harboured snipers, while the enemy's artillery kept up -a desultory fire; but after what the Battalion had been accustomed to at -Ypres, it seemed mere child's play. - -Second Lieutenant H. C. Rumbold happened to be engaged in drawing at one -of the gunners' observation posts, when a shell struck it; in addition -to being wounded, he was struck by the falling masonry, and was -consequently sent home. Though the casualties in the 4th Brigade had -lately been very heavy, drafts were sent from home with great -efficiency, and the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers had a fair supply of -officers. The Coldstream was, however, very short, and the Brigadier -found it necessary to transfer the following officers from the -Grenadiers to the Coldstream: Lieutenants Kingsmill, Abel-Smith, Lang, -and Creed. - -On January 2 the Battalion was relieved by the South Staffords, and went -into reserve at Locon, where it billeted and remained till the 7th of -January. - -The Prince of Wales, on one of his many visits to the Battalion, brought -the men a gramophone, which was much appreciated by every one, and -helped to enliven the evenings. - -[Sidenote: Jan. 8-14.] - -A few days' rest worked wonders with the Battalion, and converted -ill-shaved men, in clothes sodden and coated with mud, once more into -smart, well-turned-out Guardsmen. The line now taken over was near Rue -du Bois, and the Battalion Headquarters were at Rue des Berceaux. Two -companies were in the firing line, with two platoons in the front trench -and the other two in support; the remainder of the Battalion formed the -reserve. - -The rain continued in torrents, and the trench line became a sort of -lake. The companies, not in the front trench, were engaged in digging -second-line trenches, and a trench that was dug by Nos. 2 and 4 -Companies was known for two years after as the Guards' trench. It was -considered a model of what a good trench should be. - -The usual routine was to relieve the men in the trenches every twelve -hours, and bring them back to be dried, rubbed, and cleaned; and there -was not much sickness, although several men were crippled with -rheumatism, and would have found great difficulty in marching any -distance. The gruesome task of removing the dead was effected by -floating the bodies down the communication trenches. - -On the 12th the following order was circulated from Brigade -Headquarters: - - The Brigadier has much pleasure in forwarding a copy of a letter - received from General Monro, and desires that it should be read to - every man. - - "I have this moment heard from an officer of the Indian Corps an - account of what he saw at the fight for Givenchy, in which the 1st - Brigade was engaged. His position enabled him to see the attack of - the Coldstream, and the following are his words: 'They marched - forward without the least hesitation under the most terrific fire, - just as though they were on parade. The Indian Brigade watched the - progress of the Guards with the profoundest admiration. I thought - perhaps the officers and privates of the Brigade of Guards might - like to know the admiration which their conduct inspires in - outsiders. We who have been through much with them know right well - that the description I have given merely represents their normal - behaviour in action, yet possibly it may please the men to hear what - I have written.'" - -Lieut.-Colonel Smith in a private letter to Colonel Streatfeild wrote: - - I cannot thank you enough for the excellent officers you have sent - me out. I have had the sorrow of seeing nearly a whole battalion of - first-rate officers go one by one, and yet you have been able to - send me a second lot who promise to be almost as good. - -[Sidenote: Jan. 18-20.] - -The Battalion was relieved by an Indian regiment, and went into billets -at Le Touret to rest for two days, after which it returned to the -trenches in Rue des Bois near Rue des Berceaux. The water was as bad as -ever, and even rose after a snowstorm. The whole country was -water-logged, and there was constant difficulty in keeping up the -parapets, which crumbled and fell in great blocks, in spite of the -ceaseless labour expended on them. The enemy's snipers took every -advantage of the crumbling parapets, and accounted for many of our men. -Sergeant Croft was killed by a sniper, and Corporal Parkinson, who, as -Lord Bernard Gordon-Lennox's orderly, must have evaded thousands of -bullets and shells, was shot dead by a stray bullet. - -[Sidenote: Jan. 25-28.] - -After another four days in reserve at Les Choqueaux, the 4th Brigade -marched to Gorre in support of the First Division, which endeavoured to -retake the trenches which had been lost at Givenchy. Having waited about -all day, the Brigade returned to its billets at Les Choqueaux in the -evening. The same procedure was gone through the following day, but on -neither occasion was the Brigade wanted. - -Four officers of the Grenadiers had been temporarily attached to the -Scots Guards: Second Lieutenant H. S. E. Bury, Second Lieutenant G. -Hamilton Fletcher, Second Lieutenant A. H. Lang, Second Lieutenant J. A. -Denny. On the 25th they were all four hit by a shell that exploded in -the trench. Second Lieutenants Bury, Hamilton Fletcher, and Lang were -killed, and Second Lieutenant Denny was severely wounded. - -About this time a case of cerebral meningitis, or spotted fever, was -discovered at the Guards' Depot at Caterham, Surrey, and orders were -given for all drafts from England to be isolated. This caused a certain -amount of inconvenience, as it was by no means easy to isolate a draft -of 200 men. There were at the time only eight subalterns with the -Battalion, which made the duty very heavy for the officers, but some of -the other battalions had not even so many. - -From the 28th to the 30th the Battalion remained in billets at Les -Choqueaux, and on the 30th marched to Bethune. It was only during -marches of this length that the whole Battalion assembled together, and -saw itself as a Battalion, instead of in isolated companies. It -presented an extraordinary appearance. Hung round like a Christmas tree, -wearing fur waist-coats, gum-boots, and carrying long French loaves, -braziers, charcoal, spades, and sandbags, it looked more like a body of -irregular troops from the Balkans than a battalion of Guards. - -[Sidenote: Feb. 1-5.] - -On February 1 the Battalion marched to Annequin, and No. 1 Company under -Lord Henry Seymour went into the trenches at Guinchy, to reinforce the -Coldstream Guards who had been heavily engaged. On the 2nd the whole -Battalion took over from the Irish Guards the trenches from La Bassée -road to the Keep, where it remained till the 5th. Although there was -heavy shelling, the casualties were not large, but Second Lieutenant G. -W. V. Hopley was badly wounded, and Sergeant Buttle killed. - -On February 1 the Germans broke the line in the Guinchy neighbourhood, -and Cavan's 4th Brigade was brought up. A company of the 2nd Battalion -Coldstream, supported by one company of Irish Guards, was ordered to -counter-attack, but failed to retake the lost trench. Lord Cavan, having -left orders that the ground was to be held at all costs, went off, and -arranged a heavy bombardment from the howitzers and siege guns. As soon -as this ceased 50 men from the 2nd Battalion Coldstream, followed by 30 -men from the Irish Guards, with a company of the 2nd Battalion -Grenadiers in support, dashed forward, and succeeded in taking all the -lost ground. The attack was so successful that the Grenadiers never came -into action. - -[Sidenote: Feb. 1915.] - -During the whole of February the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers occupied the -trenches at Guinchy. The usual routine was forty-eight hours in the -trenches, and forty-eight hours' rest in billets at Beuvry. The weather, -which at home is only noticed by people with weak conversational powers, -becomes a matter of enormous importance when you have to stand in a -ditch for two days and two nights. The wet and cold made the life in the -trenches at first very trying, but later, when the spring began, the -nights in the trenches became bearable. - -Sniping and bombing with intermittent shelling were of constant -occurrence. The sad news that some officer, sergeant, or private had -been killed was passed down the trenches with wonderful rapidity, and -was known at once by the whole Battalion. The line of trenches now -occupied by the Battalion was much drier than those it had been -accustomed to, and far more intricate. When the trenches were known the -relief became easy, although it was always carried out in the dark, but -at first, when the officers and N.C.O.'s took over the trenches for the -first time, it was long before every one settled down. - -The forty-eight hours' rest was spent in comparative comfort in billets -at Beuvry, where the inhabitants still lived in spite of the proximity -to the trenches. When the moment came to leave the billets and return to -the trenches, the Battalion moved up in small parties at a time, in case -the road should be shelled. Through endless transport of all kinds the -men slowly wound their way. They usually met food going up, empties -coming back, ammunition and supplies of all sorts, and as it became -darker the road was more difficult. They often passed French troops on -the way, with the secondary French transport, a motley collection of -every conceivable sort of vehicle. Yet with all these different streams -of men and wagons there was never any confusion or accident. As the -platoons neared the trenches, stray bullets usually began to fly, and -occasionally shells. Then each company, on reaching its allotted -communication trench, disappeared, and so reached the firing line. - -The Battalion Headquarters were in the cellar of the ruins of a house, -and here the business part of the work was carried on by clerks and -orderlies. Sometimes shells fell on the remains of the house, but the -cellar was never reached. A motor canteen presented by Lord Derby to his -old Battalion now arrived, and proved a great boon. It could provide hot -drinks for 300 men at a time. - -On the 7th Second Lieutenant H. A. R. Graham was badly wounded, and -subsequently had to have his arm amputated. Captain A. B. R. R. Gosselin -was bending down trying to dress his wound, when a piece of shell struck -him in the neck and killed him instantaneously. On the 8th Second -Lieutenant P. L. M. Battye was wounded in the leg, and Lieutenant -Britten was sent to hospital with enteric fever. - -On the 18th the Germans succeeded in taking a small portion of the -French trenches on our right, and that evening the French sent a party -to retake it. No report came, however, as to whether they had been -successful or not, and considerable doubt existed as to whether this -particular trench was in German or in French hands. In order to decide -this point, the French sent a reconnoitring party down our communication -trench on the right, and asked Captain P. A. Clive's permission to move -down our trench. Captain Clive not only offered to help, but decided to -go himself. Accompanied by Major Foulkes, R.E., he led the French -reconnoitring party into the trench of doubtful ownership, and there -found a dug-out full of German kit, with a lighted candle burning. This -evidence of German occupation satisfied the French party, but Captain -Clive insisted on making further investigation, and crept on in pitch -darkness, followed by Major Foulkes. Suddenly he was challenged in deep -guttural German by a sentry, not two yards off. "Français, Français," he -replied in a voice to which he was uncertain whether he should give a -French or German accent. "Halt, oder Ich schiesse," was the reply, and -the nationality of the occupants of the trench was settled beyond -dispute. Even Captain Clive was convinced, and as the bullets whistled -past him when he retired, the nationality of their makers was forcibly -impressed on his mind. - -The shelling varied: on some days it was mild, and on others for no -apparent reason it became very violent. The difference, however, between -the shelling here and that which the Battalion had been accustomed to -near Ypres was, that while the German gunners at first had it all their -own way, they were now not only answered but received back as many -shells as they sent over. A great deal of work was done by the Battalion -during the month, and the digging was constant night and day. The Keep -was strengthened, many new communication trenches were dug, all very -deep, eight to nine feet, and the right of the line, near the French, -was made very strong. Supporting trenches were dug, and eventually the -whole line was straightened out and wired. The majority of the men -thoroughly understood how to dig, and the newcomers very quickly learnt -from the old hands. On February 20 Lieutenant R. D. Lawford and a draft -of sixty men joined the Battalion, and on the 23rd Second Lieutenants A. -H. Penn, O. Lyttelton, and Viscount Cranborne arrived. - -[Sidenote: March.] - -For the first ten days in March the Battalion rested, and remained in -billets at Bethune, where it had concerts and boxing competitions. On -the 10th it marched to a position of readiness east of Gorre, with the -remainder of the 4th Brigade, to form the reserve to the 6th Brigade, -which was the pivot on which the whole move at Neuve Chapelle hung, -though it did not come into action. The attack made by the 6th Brigade -proved a most gallant but disastrous business, and the casualties were -very heavy. At 3 P.M. the 4th Brigade was ordered up to support another -attempt, which, however, never came off, and it therefore returned to -its billets at Bethune. On the 11th the 4th Brigade was again moved up -to the same place, but again was not wanted. - -Captain Ridley, who held the almost unique record in the 4th Brigade of -having taken part in every engagement from the commencement of the war, -and who had been constantly fighting for five months, having twice been -slightly wounded, went home sick, as the Commanding Officer and the -doctor insisted on his taking this opportunity of having a rest. - -On the 12th the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers relieved the Irish Guards at -Givenchy, where the trenches, which were comparatively new, were shallow -and the parapet not bullet proof. The village was a complete ruin, the -farms were burnt, and remains of wagons and farm implements were -scattered on each side of the road. This part of the country had been -taken and re-taken several times, and many hundreds of British, Indian, -French, and German troops were buried here. The roads were full of -shell-holes, bricks, tiles, cart-wheels, and debris of every -description. The shelling and sniping went on intermittently, but the -habits of the enemy were known, and when the shelling began it was -generally easy to estimate how long it would last, and when it would -begin again. - -On the 16th Major Lord Henry Seymour and Captain J. S. Hughes were -transferred to the 1st Battalion in the Seventh Division, and Captain C. -de Crespigny joined the Battalion from Brigade Headquarters. - -On the 22nd Lieutenant F. G. Marshall, who had been having tea with the -doctor at the dressing-station, was returning to the trenches, when a -stray bullet killed him. The casualties in the trenches were at that -time not great, but occasionally at night a violent shelling would -begin, directed towards the rear of the trenches, in the hopes of -catching the troops coming up to relieve those in the front line. - -The terrible tragedies that went on daily between the two firing lines -gave some idea of the barbarous cruelty of the Germans. Men who were -wounded in any attack or raid were forced to lie out between the lines, -often in great agony, but whenever any of our stretcher-bearers -attempted to reach them they were promptly fired at by the Germans. To -show the vitality possessed by some human beings, cases occurred of men -being left out wounded and without food or drink four or five days, -conscious all the time that if they moved the Germans would shoot or -throw bombs at them. At night German raiding parties would be sent out -to bayonet any of the wounded still living, and would feel these -unfortunate men's hands to see if they were stiff and cold. If any doubt -existed, the bayonet settled the question. In spite of this, men often -managed to crawl back just alive, and were quickly resuscitated by their -comrades. - -[Sidenote: April.] - -On April 1 Major B. H. Barrington-Kennett, and on April 2 Second -Lieutenant Hon. G. S. Bailey and Second Lieutenant P. K. Stephenson, -joined the Battalion. - -While digging a communication trench, in what had once been the Curé's -garden, some men of the Battalion unearthed some silver, and also some -presumably valuable papers. It seemed to the men that this was -treasure-trove, but Lieut.-Colonel Smith, on hearing of the find, -insisted that it should all be carefully packed up, papers, silver, and -all, and sent to the French authorities for safe keeping. The owner, -some weeks later, wrote a letter of profound gratitude, and enclosed a -plan showing where some more of his treasures were buried. Another -search was made, and these were all recovered, with the exception of one -box which had been blown to bits by a shell. - -All throughout April the Battalion remained in the same trenches, and -was relieved every forty-eight hours by the Irish Guards, when it went -into billets at Preol. A new trench howitzer was produced by the -artillery with a range of 520 yards, which put us more on an equality -with the enemy, and gave the men confidence. The mining had now become a -regular practice, and every one was always listening for any sound that -might denote mining operations. The shelling continued regularly, and at -times a battalion coming up to take its turn in the trenches would be -subjected to an unpleasant shelling. - -The Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Colonel W. Smith, was accustomed to what -he called "stumble round the trenches" every day, and many visits were -paid by Lord Cavan and his staff, who became quite proficient in evading -the various missiles which the enemy daily aimed at the trenches. On one -of these occasions the Prince of Wales, who was a constant visitor, -tried his hand at sniping, and as there was an immediate retaliation, -his bullets very probably found their mark. The men were delighted to -see His Royal Highness shooting away at the enemy, and when, as -sometimes happened, the evening shelling of the Germans--"the evening -hate," as it was termed by the men--began while the Prince was in the -trenches, the men were always anxious to hear that His Royal Highness -had finished his tour in safety. - -On April 21 Captain G. L. Derriman and Second Lieutenant C. O. Creed -joined the Battalion, with a draft of thirty men. On the 12th Major Lord -Henry Seymour returned to the Battalion. On the 13th Second Lieutenant -P. K. Stephenson left to join the 1st Battalion, and on the 26th Captain -R. H. V. Cavendish was appointed Town Commandant at Bethune. - -The weather gradually changed, and instead of the general gloom, the -appalling mud, snow, and rain, the days began to be bright and hot, -although the nights were still cold. - -On the 23rd the Battalion relieved the Post Office Rifles -(Territorials), and continued to remain in the trenches, with two -companies in the firing line and two in reserve, relieving each other -every two hours. - -[Sidenote: May.] - - - LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE BATTALION ON MAY 1, 1915 - - Lieut.-Colonel W. R. A. Smith, Headquarters. - Major G. D. Jeffreys, Headquarters. - Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant Hon. W. R. Bailey, Headquarters. - 2nd Lieut. D. Abel-Smith (Machine-gun), Headquarters. - Lieut. and Quartermaster W. E. Acraman, Headquarters. - Major Lord Henry Seymour, No. 1 Company. - Lieut. A. K. S. Cunninghame (Brigade Transport), No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. J. N. Buchanan, No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. A. H. Penn, No. 1 Company. - Capt. P. A. Clive, No. 2 Company. - Capt. G. L. Derriman, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. J. C. Craigie, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. Viscount Cranborne, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. Hon. P. P. Cary, No. 2 Company. - Major B. Barrington-Kennett, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. A. F. R. Wiggins, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. A. V. L. Corry, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. R. D. Lawford, No. 3 Company. - Major C. R. C. de Crespigny, No. 4 Company. - Capt. I. St. C. Rose, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. E. G. Williams, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. O. Lyttelton, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. Hon. G. S. Bailey, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. O. Creed, No. 4 Company. - - _Attached_--Captain F. D. G. Howell, R.A.M.C. - -The Battalion remained in the trenches at Givenchy until May 12, when it -was relieved by the London Scottish, and went into billets at Le Casan. -During the time it had occupied these trenches, it had done a great deal -of work, and altered the appearance of the line. - -On the 9th the offensive on the Richebourg--Festubert line began. To the -4th Brigade was assigned the task of holding the Givenchy--Cuinchy line, -while the First, Eighth, and Indian Divisions were to carry out the -attack. A terrific bombardment on both sides opened early in the -morning, but no attack developed against that part of the line. The -attack by our First Division proved a costly failure, although the -French made some progress near Notre Dame de Lorette. - -News was received of the German gas attack at Ypres, and precautions had -consequently to be taken. The question of respirators became very -important, and masks of all sorts and kinds were tried. Here were -thousands of men absolutely unprepared, who at any moment might be -suffocated, but the idea of taking precautions against gas had never -occurred to us, any more than precautions against wells being poisoned. -Such things had been ruled out of civilised warfare by the Hague -Convention. It is hardly to be wondered at that this perfidious -treachery on the part of the enemy took the whole Army at first -completely by surprise, but an antidote was quickly provided in the -shape of gas helmets. - -On the night of the 11th Lieutenant A. V. L. Corry, accompanied by -Sergeant Skerry, Lance-Corporal Hodgson, and Private Gillet, went out, -and commenced cutting the barbed wire in front of the German trenches. -While engaged in this they came in contact with a German patrol, one of -which was shot by Lieutenant Corry, a second was killed by a bomb thrown -by Private Gillet, while a third was killed by Sergeant Skerry. The -German officer in command of the patrol drew his revolver and shot -Sergeant Skerry and Corporal Hodgson dead, and wounded Private Gillet, -who afterwards succumbed to his wounds. Lieutenant Corry, finding the -remainder too numerous to tackle single-handed, had perforce to retire -to the trenches. - -On the 14th we began a systematic bombardment of the German lines -opposite Richebourg--L'Avoué--Festubert. This continued for two days, -and prepared the line for the second attack, which was to be carried out -by the Second and Seventh Divisions and the Indian Corps. There was a -distinct salient at this part of the German line, and it was for this -reason that it was chosen for attack. The country was flat, although -intersected with water-courses, and owing to the barrage of fire from -the enemy constant difficulty was experienced in bringing up any -supports. - - - - - CHAPTER X - THE BATTLE OF NEUVE CHAPELLE (1ST BATTALION) - - -[Sidenote: 1st Batt. March 1915.] - -For a long time the question had been discussed whether it was humanly -possible to break through a line of trenches. Owing to the great -defensive power of modern weapons, the thickness of the barbed-wire -obstacles, and the dangers the attacking force would have to run in -leaving their trenches and crossing the open, it was generally believed -that no attack could possibly succeed. Further, in spite of repeated -attempts, the Germans had failed time after time to break through our -line. - -But there was another consideration which we had to take into account. -The French had recently suffered enormous losses, with comparatively -small gains to set against them, and they were beginning to think that -since Ypres we had not taken our proper share of the fighting. Sir John -French determined, therefore, to prepare a regularly organised attack on -the enemy's line near Neuve Chapelle. He selected this portion in the -hope that, if the enterprise succeeded and the ridge overlooking Lille -was reached, the La Bassée--Lille line would be threatened. and possibly -the enemy might have to abandon Lille. He communicated his plans to Sir -Douglas Haig in a secret memorandum, and put him in command of the whole -attack. - -It was arranged that the assault should be undertaken by the 4th and -Indian Corps in the First Army. The guns were to be massed west of Neuve -Chapelle, and were to smash the wire entanglements, and break down the -enemy's trenches before the infantry attempted to advance. Later they -were to concentrate their fire on the enemy's supports and reserves, and -prevent any more men from being sent up to the firing line. This was the -first time that we used what afterwards became a regular feature of the -attack--the _barrage_ of fire. - -The sorely tried Seventh Division was again given a very difficult task, -and the 1st Battalion Grenadiers was once more to bear the brunt of the -attack. - -The officers of the Battalion at the time were as follows: - - Lieut.-Colonel L. R. Fisher-Rowe, Commanding Officer. - Major G. F. Trotter, M.V.O., D.S.O., Second in Command. - Lieut. C. V. Fisher-Rowe, Adjutant. - Lieut. J. Teece, Quartermaster. - 2nd Lieut. E. H. J. Duberly, Machine-gun Officer. - Capt. W. E. Nicol, Bombing Officer. - Captain the Hon. G. H. Douglas-Pennant, King's Company. - Lieut. H. W. Ethelston, King's Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. T. R. S. Guthrie, King's Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. G. Goschen, King's Company. - Major G. W. Duberly, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. Lord Brabourne, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. F. Burnand, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. A. Foster, No. 2 Company. - Capt. E. F. F. Sartorius, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. Lord William Percy, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. G. R. Westmacott, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. R. G. Gelderd-Somervell, No. 3 Company. - Captain the Hon. R. Lygon, M.V.O., No. 4 Company. - Lieut. M. A. A. Darby, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. A. S. L. St. J. Mildmay, No. 4 Company. - - _Attached_--Captain G. Petit, R.A.M.C. - -[Sidenote: Mar. 10.] - -It was on the 10th of March that the attack began. At 7.30 A.M. all the -troops were in position, and a powerful bombardment from our massed -batteries was opened on the trenches protecting Neuve Chapelle, but the -enemy made no reply. After thirty-five minutes' bombardment the infantry -advanced; the Eighth Division and the Garhwal Brigade from the -Anglo-Indian Corps attacked, and captured the village and entrenchments. -But the success thus gained was more or less thrown away, owing to the -delay that occurred in bringing up the Reserve Brigades. All day our men -waited for reinforcements to continue the advance, but by the time they -arrived it was dark. So there was nothing to do but wait until next -morning, and meanwhile the Germans had had time to bring up more troops. - -[Illustration: Battle of Neuve Chapelle. March 11th, 1915.] - -[Sidenote: Mar. 11.] - -Being in the Reserve Brigade, the 1st Battalion Grenadiers did not reach -the firing line till the following morning, when the weather was thick -and misty. This made artillery observation impossible, and as many of -the telephone wires had been cut by the enemy's shells on the previous -day, communication between the different Brigades became a matter of -great difficulty. The position of affairs now stood thus: the Eighth -Division had carried the German trenches north of Neuve Chapelle, but -had not succeeded in crossing the River des Layes, and the Garhwal -Brigade on their right had also been held up in front of the Bois du -Biez. The Seventh Division was on the extreme left, with the 21st and -22nd Brigades in the firing line and the 20th Brigade in support. The -21st Brigade was reported to be holding a position with its right -resting on the captured German trenches some two hundred yards east of -Moated Grange, and in touch with the Eighth Division, but it was soon -discovered that it did not extend so much to its right as it imagined, -and the 20th Brigade was therefore sent up to fill the gap. The attack -along the whole line was delayed until the leading battalions of the -20th Brigade were ready. - -The 1st Battalion Grenadiers was now ordered to move up into the old -British line of trenches. It started off at 4 A.M., led by -Brigadier-General Heyworth, and after passing down the Rue du Bacquerot -struck off across the fields, keeping along a trolly line. Dawn was just -breaking, and the flashes of the shells lit up the sinister sky. The -trolly line ended on a road where, in the uncertain light, glimpses -could be caught of trestles, barbed wire, and ammunition boxes, standing -near the remains of a house. Now for the first time bullets could be -heard striking the trees, and the men realised that they were nearing -the front line. The men in front eager to go forward moved rather too -fast, which made it difficult for those in the rear to keep touch with -them, and the platoon leaders, afraid of losing touch with the rest of -the Battalion, had even to urge the men to double. On reaching the Rue -Tilleloy, the Battalion followed it for a few hundred yards south, -keeping behind a breastwork until it came to a road which led to the -left, and apparently ended in a ruined farm. There it received orders to -go into some support trenches, and at 7 A.M. Lieut.-Colonel Fisher-Rowe -sent for the Company Commanders, and explained their orders to them. The -Battalion was to advance in columns of platoons at fifty yards interval -in the following order: - - No. 2 Company The King's Company - - Platoon 5, 2nd Lieut. Foster Platoon 1, Lieut. Ethelston - - Platoon 6, 2nd Lieut. Burnand Platoon 2, 2nd Lieut. Guthrie - - Platoon 7, Lieut. Lord Platoon 3, 2nd Lieut. Goschen - Brabourne - - Platoon 8, Major Duberly Platoon 4, Capt. - Douglas-Pennant - -Leaving the old British line it advanced across the open, over trenches -which had been captured from the Germans the day before. Almost -immediately after the advance began, Captain Douglas-Pennant was struck -by a shell, and mortally wounded just as he had emerged from a trench, -and was looking round to see whether his company was going in the right -direction. - -When the accounts written by the Divisional and Brigade Staffs are -compared with those written by the Commanding Officer and individual -officers, there can be no doubt that the information, which trickled -back during the day's fighting, was often so incorrect, that it led not -only General Capper, but also General Heyworth, to form entirely wrong -conclusions as to what was happening in front, and the orders issued -were in many instances unintelligible. Communication between the -Battalion and the Brigade was maintained by orderlies, and on several -occasions when the orderlies were killed the orders never reached the -front line, or reached it so long after they had been despatched that -the situation in front had completely changed. It hardly seems to have -been realised at Divisional Headquarters, how much the artillery -bombardments on both sides had obliterated all landmarks. Roads were -mentioned of which no trace could be seen, and the four lines of -trenches, the old and the new German lines, and the old and the new -British lines, no doubt added considerably to the lack of clearness in -the orders. - -The whole position was most complicated, as the Germans had been only -partially driven back on the 10th, and consequently their line in places -faced in different directions. Though Neuve Chapelle itself was in our -hands, the enemy still occupied part of their old line farther north. In -order to attack this position, it was necessary to come down the old -British trench, and then advance due west for a quarter of a mile, after -which the attacking force had to wheel round, and go in a northerly -direction. - -Whether such intricate manoeuvres could ever have been successfully -accomplished in the face of machine-gun fire is very doubtful, but there -seems to have been no other way of attacking this part of the enemy's -line, which jutted out at right angles, and made any advance by the -Eighth Division an impossibility. - -To accomplish its difficult task, the 1st Battalion Grenadiers started -with the Gordons on their left. It had hardly reached the road when it -came in for a murderous enfilade fire from the German machine-guns on -its left front, which very much puzzled the men, who imagined the enemy -to be straight in front of them. Two platoons under Lieutenant Ethelston -and Second Lieutenant A. Foster had pushed on, and were quite one -hundred yards ahead of the rest of the line, but No. 2 Company on the -left, being nearest to the German machine-guns, lost very heavily. -Lieutenant Lord Brabourne and Second Lieutenant C. F. Burnand were -killed, in addition to a large number of N.C.O.'s and men. Soon -afterwards Second Lieutenant A. Foster was mortally wounded, being hit -in five places. - -Meanwhile the Gordon Highlanders in the orchard were held up by the -enemy, and could make no headway against the machine-guns in front of -them. Lieut.-Colonel Fisher-Rowe, after having gone round the front -line, saw clearly that unless steps were taken to silence this -machine-gun fire on the left his Battalion would soon be annihilated. He -accordingly sent back a message to Brigade Headquarters explaining his -position. Apparently he was under the impression that the Battalion had -reached the River des Layes, but as a matter of fact it was astride a -small stream much farther back. General Heyworth ordered him to hold on -where he was, in the hope that when the Gordons cleared the orchard the -Grenadiers would be able to press home their attack. - -The platoons had naturally telescoped up during this advance, as those -in rear were always pushing on to get into the front trenches. -Sergeant-Major Hughes, in command of the last platoon of the King's -Company, was joined by Lieutenant Westmacott with his platoon, and soon -afterwards by Lieutenant Somervell. Lieutenant Goschen also managed to -get his platoon up to the front trench, where Lieutenant Duberly with -his machine-gun arrived a little later. No. 4 Company under Captain -Lygon, having passed through two lines of trenches occupied mostly by -the Devonshire Regiment, had come up on the left of No. 2. Lieutenant -Darby with No. 13 Platoon managed to cross a ditch full of water by -means of a plank bridge, and get touch with the Gordon Highlanders; but -when Lieutenant Mildmay attempted to follow with his platoon, he found -the enemy had a machine-gun trained on it, and had to wade through the -water farther to the left. Captain Sartorius was seriously wounded as he -came along at the head of No. 3 Company; his two orderlies attempted to -carry him back, but were both shot. Second Lieutenant Lord William -Percy, who was close behind, was wounded in the thigh; Lieutenant A. -Darby was shot through the heart as he was lighting a cigarette, and -Second Lieutenant Mildmay, who was close to him, was badly wounded. The -casualties among the other ranks were very heavy. - -The 1st Battalion Grenadiers found itself from the start in a hopeless -situation, and was enfiladed the moment it crossed the road. - -But it continued to go forward in spite of the German machine-guns, and -stubbornly held on to the position it had gained. Men who had been -wounded early in the day had to be left lying where they fell, and many -of them were subsequently killed by shrapnel. The King's Company was -unfortunate enough to lose two of its best sergeants: Sergeant Russell -was killed, as he followed Lieutenant Ethelston into the front trench, -and Sergeant Annis fell somewhat later. - -Just before dark the Battalion received orders to dig in where it was, -and the advanced position to which Lieutenant Ethelston and his platoons -clung had to be reached by a communication trench. The darkness made all -communication very difficult, and the piteous cries of the wounded and -dying, who asked not to be trodden on, added to the troubles of the -officers, who were trying to collect their platoons. When orders were -subsequently received for the Battalion to retire and get into some -reserve trenches, it was found that the casualties had been very heavy. -It was disappointing to learn that the British line on the right had -been 200 yards ahead of the Battalion, and that all the losses had been -incurred in passing over ground captured by the Eighth Division. - -The Battalion assembled by degrees, and retired to the place appointed -to it, which was not far from the junction of the three roads. During -its retirement Second Lieutenant R. G. Somervell was mortally wounded, -and was picked up by a stretcher-bearer of another battalion. Rations -were brought up and issued, and the men afterwards got what sleep they -could, but they were wet through, and spent a most uncomfortable night. - -Lieutenant Ethelston was now in command of the King's Company, and -Second Lieutenant Westmacott of No. 3, while Major Duberly and Captain -Lygon retained command of their companies. - -[Sidenote: Mar. 12.] - -Having grasped the gravity of the situation, the Germans were now -hurrying up guns and men to the threatened portion of the line as fast -as they could. At an early hour they opened a savage bombardment on the -trenches, and almost continuously throughout the morning shells were -falling round the men in rapid succession. Only two actually dropped -amongst the Grenadiers, but these caused many casualties. - -In the afternoon the Battalion was ordered to support the Scots Guards, -who were to undertake the attack with the Border Regiment. The orders -were to advance with the right on the Moulin du Piètre, but although -this looked on paper a perfectly clear landmark, it was not so easy to -locate from the trenches. In the orders the abbreviation Mn. was used -for Moulin, which was new to the majority of platoon commanders, but -even those who knew its meaning were quite unable to discover the mill. -They could not see much through their periscopes, and nothing at all -resembling a mill was to be observed. Presumably, as the Grenadiers were -to support the Scots Guards, they should have followed them, and made a -considerable détour; but the Staff Officer who directed the initial -stages of the advance appears to have told them to go straight for the -Moulin du Piètre. - -From information obtained from a German prisoner it appeared that the -enemy intended to retake Neuve Chapelle that day at all costs, and that -reinforcements had been sent up to enable them to do so. Major Trotter -with the left half Battalion started off down the road leading past -Brigade Headquarters, where he was joined by Captain Palmer, the Brigade -Staff Captain. No. 4 Company under Captain Lygon was here ordered to -advance in two lines with two platoons of No. 3 under Sergeant Powell -and Sergeant Langley in support. After having gone forward for about -half a mile it came under enfilade fire from the right, which seemed to -indicate that it was not going in the right direction. Captain Lygon -decided to bear to the right, and sent word to Lieutenant Westmacott, -who was farther back with the remainder of No. 3, to swing round in that -direction, as they were all going too far to the left. He himself hit -off a communication trench which led to the front line, but after the -leading half company had passed through, the Germans trained a -machine-gun down this trench, which made it impossible for the remainder -to follow. Half of No. 4 Company and the two platoons of No. 3 therefore -took refuge in a ruined house. Captain Lygon endeavoured to move down -the front trench to the right, but found all farther progress stopped by -a deep stream which cut the trench in two. After several ineffectual -attempts to cross this stream, he turned back, but the German -machine-gun made all attempts to return by the communication trench an -impossibility. His half company was practically caught in a trap, from -which it would be impossible to escape in daylight. There was therefore -nothing to do but to wait until it was dark. Eventually, Lieutenant -Fisher-Rowe, the Adjutant, who had been sent in search of this lost -company, swam the stream, and told Captain Lygon what was happening on -the right. - -[Illustration: Battle of Neuve Chapelle. March 12th, 1915.] - -Major G. Trotter had been hit in the head by a shrapnel bullet, and -although the wound was not serious it placed him _hors de combat_ for -the rest of the day. - -Meanwhile, the remainder of the Battalion, after waiting two hours, -received orders to advance, but after passing the old British line, -instead of keeping straight on, it began to swing to the left, in the -same way as No. 4 had done. Lieutenant Westmacott, observing this, ran -forward to tell the platoons to swing round to the right, but in the -smoke it was not easy for the platoon leaders to make out what exactly -was the objective. - -There seems no doubt that for some time the Grenadiers were lost in the -labyrinth of trenches, but in spite of all their difficulties the right -half Battalion succeeded in getting eventually to its proper place. - -About the same time Lieut.-Colonel Fisher-Rowe, who came up with the -companies in support, was struck in the head by a bullet and killed. The -death of "the old friend," as he was always called, was a great loss. He -had proved himself so good a Commanding Officer, and inspired the whole -Battalion with such confidence, that he was not easily replaced. - -The Scots Guards and Border Regiment having made a most gallant assault -without any bombardment to aid them, managed to capture some of the -German front trenches, and the 1st Battalion Grenadiers which, with the -exception of No. 4 Company, had got up to its right place, was now ready -to support them. Seeing an opportunity of taking another bit of trench, -Lieutenant Westmacott advanced with some men of his company, who were -able to throw their grenades at the retiring Germans. Men of the -Wiltshire and Border Regiments joined in, and soon bombs were flying -about in every direction. - -But the event which overshadowed all other trench fighting was the -advance of Captain Nicol with his bombers. This was watched with -admiration by the whole line, and the Germans could be seen pursued -everywhere by the Grenadier bombers, and surrendering in large numbers. - -Meanwhile Private Barber advanced by himself down one of the enemy's -communication trenches with a bag of bombs: when a bullet from one of -the enemy's snipers struck the bombs he was carrying, he threw them -away, and they exploded. Gathering up a fresh supply from a dead man, he -rushed along, throwing them with such effect that a large number of -Germans put up their hands and surrendered. He continued his advance -until he was shot by a sniper, and was responsible for taking over one -hundred prisoners. For this conspicuous act of bravery he was awarded -the Victoria Cross. - -Another gallant exploit was also rewarded by the Victoria Cross. -Lance-Corporal W. D. Fuller, seeing a party of the enemy trying to -escape along a communication trench, ran towards it, and killed the -leading man with a bomb. The remainder, finding no means of evading his -bombs, surrendered to him, although he was quite alone. - -Major Nicol himself was later awarded the D.S.O., and many thought that -he should have received the V.C. - -The enemy could be seen streaming away, and the rifle-fire consequently -dwindled to nothing. The ground was torn up by shellfire, so that all -landmarks were obliterated, and the dead and dying were lying about in -large numbers everywhere. Major-General Capper sent an order to the -Battalion to support the Scots Guards by attacking a point in the German -line to their right. The order was received by Lieutenant Westmacott, -who found that the situation had so altered since the order was written -that it would mean having his right flank in the air, and exposed to -enfilade fire. He therefore consulted Colonel Wood, commanding the -Border Regiment, who also thought the time had passed for an attack of -this nature, and advised him to remain where he was in support of the -Scots Guards. - -Not entirely convinced, Lieutenant Westmacott ran back to consult Major -Duberly, and met him as he was coming up with the Adjutant, Lieutenant -Fisher-Rowe. All three officers returned to the firing trench to discuss -the point again with Colonel Wood, and although Major Duberly was at -first strongly in favour of carrying out the order, it was eventually -agreed that to take on the attack ordered some hours ago, under entirely -different conditions, would mean practical annihilation. - -Soon afterwards orders were received for the Battalion to withdraw to -the original line fifty yards in rear, where they remained for the -night. The only officers left with the Battalion were Major Duberly, in -command; Lieutenant Fisher-Rowe, Adjutant; Lieutenant Ethelston, King's -Company; Second Lieutenant C. G. Goschen, No. 2; Lieutenant Westmacott, -No. 3; Captain Lygon, No. 4; and Second Lieutenant Duberly with the -machine-guns. - -During the night Major Duberly and Captain Lygon went up to reconnoitre -the Royal Scots Fusiliers' trenches, from which the Battalion was -expected to attack the next morning. On their return Major Duberly went -to Brigade Headquarters to discuss the situation with General Heyworth, -who decided to go round the trenches himself. He accordingly started -off, accompanied by Captain Lygon, and having visited the front trench -gave orders for the Grenadiers to relieve the Royal Scots Fusiliers on -the right of the line, with a view to attacking Moulin du Piètre. - -[Sidenote: Mar. 13.] - -Unfortunately the rations had only just arrived, and were being -distributed when the orders were received. As it was essential that this -move should be accomplished before daylight it was impossible to see -that each man received his rations before the Battalion moved off. They -started at 3.30, led by Captain Lygon. Owing to the darkness and the -lines of trenches to be crossed, progress was necessarily slow. Though -the distance was only 1000 yards, the constant climbing in and out of -trenches in the dark, the shell-holes, and the remains of barbed-wire -obstacles, made it seem interminable. - -On the way Lieutenant Westmacott, who was standing on the parapet -directing his men where to cross over a trench, was blown up by a bomb -thrown by a wounded German who was lying close by. He had a wonderful -escape, and although completely stunned, he recovered sufficiently to -join his company again later in the day. The Battalion was sadly in need -of officers, and he insisted on returning that evening in spite of his -dazed condition. - -Captain Lygon led the Battalion over a maze of wet trenches and ditches -to where the Royal Scots Fusiliers were in front of the Moulin du -Piètre, and the companies as they came up were ordered to get into the -trenches. But as the day dawned slowly it was found that there was no -room in the trenches for the men, as the Royal Scots Fusiliers were -still there, and there was not time for them to get away. There were but -some mere scratches in the earth, which would hardly hold a quarter of -the men. The lighter it got the more obvious became the peril of the -Battalion's position. Major Duberly did all he could. Absolutely -regardless of danger, he went about shouting to the men to dig -themselves in where they were, and endeavouring to establish -communication between the groups of men who were making themselves some -sort of shelter. - -Soon after daybreak the firing became intense, and the whole ground was -ploughed up with shells and furrowed with machine-gun bullets. Major -Duberly was killed early in the day, and Lieutenant Fisher-Rowe, who -came down a communication trench filled with water, was wounded in the -leg and unable to move, just as he had nearly reached the trench. His -satchel, containing the orders, was passed up by the men to Captain -Lygon in the front trench. The orders were to the effect that the -Grenadiers were to attack Moulin du Piètre in co-operation with the -Eighth Division on the right after a bombardment, which would last from -9 to 9.30 A.M. The Gordons were to attack on the left. - -[Illustration: Neuve Chapelle. March 13th 1915.] - -Captain Lygon, on whom the command of the Battalion now devolved, found -himself in a position of extreme difficulty. Owing to the distances -between the groups he had no means of sending messages to the men on the -right and left, and the roar of musketry and bursting shells made all -communication by word of mouth out of the question, though it was -evident that before an attack could be carried out with any prospect of -success, the men would have to be formed up and got into some sort of -order, in spite of the withering fire. - -To make matters worse, some of our own heavy guns were dropping shells -on the trenches occupied by the Gordon Highlanders, under the impression -that that part of the line was held by the Germans. The Gordons wisely -withdrew to their support trenches until the mistake was rectified. - -As our attack was to be made at the same time as that of the Gordons, it -was more than ever necessary to wait until they were in a position to -co-operate. The enemy on the right front was causing most of the -casualties, and owing to the curve in the trenches would have enfiladed -any advance on Moulin du Piètre. Captain Lygon wriggled down the shallow -trench, over the legs of the men, to consult the Gordons, but found that -any attack from them was for the moment impossible. The Eighth Division -was in equal difficulties, and found it impossible to attack. - -There was, then, nothing to be done but to lie out in the open and wait -for further orders, and in the infernal din of shell-fire the Battalion -went through a terrible ordeal. The shallow scratches they had managed -to dig gave little protection, and the casualties were consequently very -heavy. One incident may be quoted to give some idea of the way in which -the men's nerves were strained. Two men were observed to get up and walk -about, and were shouted at, and told to lie down. All they did was to -smile inanely, and very soon, of course, they were shot by the enemy. -They had gone clean off their heads. - -Twice orderlies were sent back with a report of the position occupied, -and when it was dark Captain Lygon sent Lieutenant Westmacott to report -the situation to Brigade Headquarters, while the Gordon Highlanders sent -a subaltern on the same errand. - -Captain Petit with the stretcher-bearers behaved in the most gallant -manner, and succoured the wounded oblivious of shells and bullets. - -Orders were at last sent to the Grenadiers and Gordon Highlanders to -withdraw, and to march to Laventie, but owing partly to a mistake on the -part of the guides, partly to the darkness, the Battalion did not reach -its billets until 2 A.M. The only three officers left with the Battalion -now were Captain Lygon, Lieutenant Goschen, and Lieutenant Duberly; but -Major Trotter, who had recovered from his wound, met them on arrival, -and took over command. - -It was a source of deep disappointment to the men to feel that many -lives had been lost, and little accomplished. On each day the Battalion -had been given a very difficult and intricate task, and it was entirely -owing to the indomitable pluck of the men that, in spite of all their -difficulties, they had invariably succeeded in reaching their -destination. - -The casualties in the Battalion at Neuve Chapelle were 16 officers and -325 N.C.O.'s and men. Lieut.-Colonel L. R. Fisher-Rowe, Major G. W. -Duberly, Captain the Hon. G. H. Douglas-Pennant, Captain E. F. F. -Sartorius, Lieutenant H. W. Ethelston, Lieutenant Lord Brabourne, -Lieutenant M. A. A. Darby, Second Lieutenant C. F. Burnand, Second -Lieutenant A. C. Foster, Second Lieutenant R. Gelderd-Somervell were -killed, and Major G. F. Trotter, D.S.O., Lieutenant C. V. Fisher-Rowe, -Second Lieutenant C. T. R. S. Guthrie, Second Lieutenant Lord William -Percy, Second Lieutenant G. R. Westmacott, and Second Lieutenant A. L. -St. J. Mildmay were wounded. - -The total British losses during three days' fighting were: 190 officers -and 2337 other ranks killed, 359 officers and 8174 other ranks wounded, -and 23 officers and 1728 other ranks missing. - -Ten days later Major-General Capper sent the following message to the -Battalion: - - The Divisional General has now received the report on the action of - Neuve Chapelle on March 10-14. He desires to express his - appreciation of the steady conduct of the 1st Battalion Grenadier - Guards, which maintained a difficult position in the open under very - adverse circumstances. The conduct of Lance-Corporal W. Fuller and - Private T. Barber and the grenade-throwers of this Battalion - commands the admiration of every one who heard of their exploits, - and testifies in the highest degree to the gallant spirit which - animates this Battalion. - -At the end of the month the Commanding Officer conveyed to the Battalion -stretcher-bearers a message received from the G.O.C. Seventh Division, -expressing his appreciation of the courage and devotion to duty -displayed by them during the recent action. - -Moreover, when Sir John French, the Commander-in-Chief, inspected the -Battalion with the rest of the 20th Brigade in April, he made them a -short but most impressive speech, in which he praised their conduct at -Neuve Chapelle, and referred to the heavy losses they had suffered. He -made a special reference to the gallant death of Lieut.-Colonel -Fisher-Rowe. - -In a private letter written by command of the King to Colonel -Streatfeild, Lieut.-Colonel C. Wigram said: - - The King has read your letter of the 17th inst., and is much - distressed to hear how terribly the 1st Battalion suffered. It is - indeed heart-breaking to see a good Battalion like this decimated in - a few hours. His Majesty has heard from the Prince of Wales, who has - seen the remnants of the Battalion, and he told His Majesty how - splendidly they had taken their losses. - -Major G. Trotter, in spite of his wound in the head, insisted on -returning, and took command of the Battalion, and Lieutenant Charles -Greville, who had rejoined the Battalion on the last day of the battle -of Neuve Chapelle, was appointed Adjutant. Captain Nicol and Lieutenant -C. Mitchell, who had been employed at Brigade Headquarters, returned to -the Battalion. - -On the 15th Major Lord Henry Seymour and Captain J. Hughes came from the -2nd Battalion. On the 20th a draft of 350 men arrived with the following -officers: Captain M. Maitland, Captain G. C. G. Moss, Lieutenant the -Earl of Dalkeith, Lieutenant Lord Stanley, Second Lieutenant the Hon. C. -Hope Morley, and Second Lieutenant A. B. Lawford. - -On the 21st Lieut.-Colonel C. Corkran arrived and took command of the -Battalion, and on the 24th Lieutenant C. Mitchell was appointed Adjutant -in the place of Lieutenant C. Greville, who proceeded to Brigade -Headquarters for duty with the Grenade Company. - -The greater part of the rest of the month was spent in billets, when the -Battalion was reorganised, but the usual routine was followed, and the -Battalion took its turn in the trenches. - -[Sidenote: April.] - -Nothing worth recording happened in April. The days that were spent in -the trenches were uneventful, and when in reserve the Battalion went -into billets at Estaires. On the 2nd, Lieutenant Corry and Lieutenant -St. Aubyn, on the 21st a draft of thirty men under Second Lieutenant C. -Dudley Smith, and on the 27th Captain F. L. V. Swaine, Second Lieutenant -E. O. R. Wakeman, and Lieutenant L. E. Parker joined the Battalion. - -[Sidenote: May.] - -The first few days in May were spent in the trenches, which the enemy's -artillery at times shelled very heavily. It was thought at first that -this denoted an attack, but although the Battalion stood to arms nothing -serious in the way of an attack developed. On the 3rd Captain J. -Morrison was wounded, and there was a certain number of casualties. On -the 2nd Captain T. Dickinson, 16th Cavalry, Indian Army, was attached to -the Battalion, and on the 12th Captain W. S. Pilcher arrived. - -On the 9th the 1st Battalion Grenadiers with the remainder of the 20th -Brigade moved up to the support trenches in rear of the Eighth Division, -but was not called upon to go into action. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - THE BATTLE OF FESTUBERT - - - The 1st Battalion - - -[Sidenote: May 1915.] - -In May the French resolved to make a determined attack on the German -line in Artois, and in order to prevent the enemy moving up any -reinforcements to support that part of the line, Sir John French agreed -to attack simultaneously at Festubert, where the German Seventh Corps -was posted. - -[Sidenote: May 9.] - -Sir Douglas Haig, who was entrusted with the task, began operations on -May 9, when the Eighth Division captured some of the enemy's first-line -trenches at Rougebanc, while the First and Indian Divisions attacked -south of Neuve Chapelle. But the enemy's positions proved much stronger -than had been expected, and little progress was made in either place. -During this attack the 1st Battalion Grenadiers was never engaged, but -remained in close support. Lieut.-Colonel Corkran himself accompanied -the Eighth Division, and remained with it in case the services of the -Battalion should be required. - -[Sidenote: May 10-11.] - -A second attack was made by the Eighth Division east of Festubert on the -10th, preceded by a long artillery bombardment, the Seventh Division -remaining in reserve. During the interval between the attacks of the 9th -and 15th, the Seventh Division was brought up on the right of the First -Corps, the Canadian Division being in support, while the Indian Corps -still remained on the left. - -On the night of the 10th the 1st Battalion marched to Bethune, where it -was billeted in a tobacco factory, and on the 11th moved to Hinges. The -roll of officers of the Battalion was as follows: - - - Lieut.-Colonel C. E. Corkran, C.M.G., Commanding Officer. - Major G. F. Trotter, M.V.O., D.S.O., Second in Command. - Lieut. C. Mitchell, Adjutant. - 2nd Lieut. E. H. J. Duberly, Machine-gun Officer. - Lieut. J. Teece, Quartermaster. - Capt. M. E. Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, King's Company. - Capt. W. S. Pilcher, King's Company. - Lieut. F. C. St. Aubyn, King's Company. - Lieut. Lord Dalkeith, King's Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. G. Goschen, King's Company. - Capt. F. L. V. Swaine, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. Lord Stanley, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. R. P. de P. Trench, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. Dudley Smith, No. 2 Company. - Capt. J. S. Hughes (attached from 2nd Batt.), No. 3 Company. - Lieut. O. Wakeman, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. P. K. Stephenson, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. L. E. Parker, No. 3 Company. - Capt. G. C. G. Moss, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut, the Hon. C. Hope Morley, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. A. B. Lawford, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. E. O. R. Wakeman, No. 4 Company. - Capt. W. E. Nicol, Grenade Company. - Capt. C. H. Greville, Grenade Company. - Capt. G. Petit, R.A.M.C. - - _Attached_--Lieut. F. M. Dickinson. - -[Illustration: Festubert. Position on the evening of May 17th.] - -[Sidenote: May 15.] - -On the 15th the Seventh Division moved up to the trenches north of -Festubert, and the 1st Battalion Grenadiers marched to the assembly -trenches in and around Dead Cow Farm. The attack was opened by the 20th -Brigade. On the right was the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, supported by -the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and on the left the 2nd Battalion -Border Regiment, supported by the 1st Battalion Grenadiers, while the -6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders was in reserve. On the right of the -20th Brigade was the 22nd Brigade, and on the left the Second Division. - -[Sidenote: May 16.] - -The attack began at 3.15 A.M. on the 16th. The Scots Guards met with -little opposition, and easily secured their objective, but the 2nd -Border Regiment had hardly started when it came under a murderous -machine-gun fire. It lost a large number of men and most of its -officers, including the Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Colonel Wood, but it -succeeded nevertheless in reaching the enemy's trenches. In the -meantime, however, the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards had pushed on beyond -the German support line, so that its left was in the air. Even in the -support trenches, which were only thirty yards in rear of the front -line, the 1st Battalion Grenadiers came in for a great deal of shelling, -and one shell burst in the middle of No. 8 Platoon, killing four men and -wounding many others, including Lieutenant Dickinson and Lieutenant St. -Aubyn, who was struck in the face by a piece of shrapnel. All the time a -stream of wounded from the front trenches was passing by, some walking -and some on stretchers. - -The machine-guns under Lieutenant Duberly were sent up to support the -Scots Guards, and helped them greatly. With a view to protecting their -left flank, the 1st Battalion Grenadiers was now ordered forward. It was -about 10 A.M. Lieut.-Colonel Corkran, who saw clearly that his Battalion -would share the same fate as the Border Regiment, if they advanced -against the machine-guns, which had inflicted such loss, decided to move -his Battalion farther to the south, and advance from the original -forming-up trench of the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, where a -communication trench was being constructed by the Gordon Highlanders. -Down this trench the 1st Battalion rushed, jumping over a mass of -wounded men as it went, and when it reached the German front-line -trench, the King's Company under Captain Maitland, and No. 3 under -Captain Hughes, remained to consolidate it, while No. 4 under Captain -Moss, followed by No. 2 under Captain Swaine, pushed on to prolong the -left of the Scots Guards. - -Lieut.-Colonel Corkran met Lieut.-Colonel Cator, commanding the 2nd -Battalion Scots Guards, and discussed the situation, which was very -obscure. One and a half companies of the Scots Guards had most gallantly -pushed on right through the German lines, and had completely lost touch -with the rest of the Battalion. It was afterwards discovered that they -had been surrounded, and cut off by the enemy. The left of that -Battalion was consequently in the air. It was determined that the Scots -Guards and No. 2 Company Grenadiers under Captain Swaine should -consolidate the line they had reached, namely, the German third line; -No. 4 Company under Captain Moss was to advance over the open on the -left, and attack a small house still held by the enemy about six hundred -yards off; No. 3 Company under Captain Hughes, from the original German -front trench, was to make a bombing attack down a German communication -trench leading apparently to the small house; and the King's Company -under Captain Maitland was to remain where it was in the German front -trench in reserve. - -Captain Hughes with No. 3 Company made a most successful advance down -the German trench, clearing about three hundred yards of it, and killing -a number of Germans, while the bombers under Captain Nicol were equally -successful down another German communication trench in which they -captured a large number of prisoners. But the advance of No. 4 Company -was held up almost immediately by machine-gun fire from the small house. -The leading platoon under Lieutenant E. O. R. Wakeman was practically -annihilated, and its gallant commander, as he pluckily led his men on to -this death-trap, was killed. Second Lieutenant C. Hope Morley was struck -by a bullet in the eyes and blinded. Finding any farther advance -impossible, No. 4 Company received orders to prolong the left of No. 2 -Company, and keep in touch with No. 3 Company, which was in the German -communication trench. - -At 1 P.M. Lieut.-Colonel Corkran went back to the 22nd Brigade -Headquarters, and got into communication by telephone with General -Heyworth, who ordered him to push his Battalion as far forward as he -could and assist any advance made by the 22nd Brigade on the right. - -Rain began to fall at 6 P.M., and grew into a steady downpour. The two -companies, which had been moved up on the left of the Scots Guards, -found themselves in some old German trenches, which had to be -reconstructed, as they faced the wrong way, and would have been -lamentably weak if they had been left as they were. In these ill-covered -trenches the men were soaked to the skin, and spent a miserable night, -which was not improved by the fact that all the time the officers were -busy in getting them into their right order, so that they might be ready -to attack at daybreak. Everywhere the wounded, both British and Germans, -lay about groaning. - -Lieut.-Colonel Corkran, having returned to his Battalion, sent Major G. -Trotter to the 22nd Brigade Headquarters as liaison officer, so that -close touch might be kept with it. - -As soon as it was dark, No. 2 Company was ordered to establish itself as -close to the small house as possible and to dig itself in, at the same -time gaining touch with No. 3 Company in the German communication -trench. The King's Company was to fill up the gap in the line created by -the advance of No. 2. It was hoped that the small house might be rushed, -but when No. 2 pushed forward it came under such a heavy machine-gun -fire that it had to abandon all idea of seizing the house. It had -accordingly to leave one platoon to hold the line, which it had gained, -and to return to the main line. - -[Sidenote: May 17.] - -Early next morning the 1st Battalion advanced another 400 yards, and the -men began to dig themselves in, but as the rain continued in torrents -the trenches were knee-deep in mud, and it was difficult to provide -adequate shelter from the enemy's artillery. - -It was while the 1st Battalion was lying in this position that the 4th -Guards Brigade was observed coming up in artillery formation, under a -hail of shells and bullets; and--a memorable incident--the 1st and 2nd -Battalions Grenadiers suddenly found themselves fighting side by side. - -Although the Seventh Division had carried several lines of trenches, the -part of the German line opposite the extreme left of the 20th Brigade -was still in the hands of the enemy. In certain sections of the line the -attack had been most successful, while in others the enemy had offered a -stubborn resistance. Thus the advance had not been uniform, and there -were consequently several places where the German machine-guns were able -to enfilade our men. But, in spite of the constant counter-attacks, the -enemy had not been able to retake any considerable portion of the ground -they had lost on a front of over two miles. - -On the evening of the 17th the 21st Brigade received orders to relieve -the 20th Brigade, and the 1st Battalion Grenadiers consequently withdrew -to the second line, where it remained throughout the 18th. - -[Sidenote: May 19.] - -The attack continued next day with varying results. As the weather was -heavy, artillery observation was difficult, and the guns were unable to -support the infantry attacks. The 1st Battalion Grenadiers was ordered -back to Brigade Headquarters in the Rue du Bois, where it bivouacked in -a field, and presently moved back to Hinges. - -Thus ended the first phase of the battle of Festubert. The Second and -Seventh Divisions had succeeded in cutting two gaps in the German line, -but unfortunately between the two gaps there lay an untouched and -strongly held line, stretching for nearly three-quarters of a mile, -which made any farther advance a matter of great difficulty. - -On the 20th of May the attack was renewed by the Canadian Division, and -on the 24th the Forty-seventh London Territorial Division joined in, but -although considerable progress was made, and a large number of Germans -accounted for, our defective ammunition supply did not at that time -allow us to compete with the Germans on even terms. The net result of -the battle was that we pierced the enemy's lines on a total front of -four miles. The whole first-line system of trenches was captured on a -front of 3200 yards. The total number of prisoners taken was 8 officers -and 777 of other ranks, and a number of machine-guns were captured and -destroyed. - - - The 2nd Battalion. - - -[Sidenote: 2nd Batt. May 1915.] - -The following is the list of officers of the 2nd Battalion at the battle -of Festubert: - - Lieut.-Colonel W. R. A. Smith, C.M.G., Commanding Officer. - Major G. D. Jeffreys, Second in Command. - Lieutenant the Hon. W. R. Bailey, Adjutant. - 2nd Lieut. D. Abel-Smith, Machine-gun Officer. - Lieut. W. E. Acraman, Quartermaster. - Major Lord Henry Seymour, No. 1 Company. (Brigade Transport Officer) - 2nd Lieut. J. N. Buchanan, No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. A. H. Penn, No. 1 Company. - Capt. P. A. Clive, No. 2 Company. - Capt. G. L. Derriman, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. J. C. Craigie, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. Viscount Cranborne, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. the Hon. P. P. Cary, No. 2 Company. - Major B. H. Barrington Kennett, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. A. V. L. Corry, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. O. Creed, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. R. S. Corkran, No. 3 Company. - Major C. R. C. de Crespigny, No. 4 Company. - Capt. I. St. C. Rose (Divisional Observation Officer), No. 4 - Company. - 2nd Lieut. E. G. Williams, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. O. Lyttelton, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. the Hon. G. S. Bailey, No. 4 Company. - - _Attached_--Captain F. G. Howell, R.A.M.C. - - -[Sidenote: May 16.] - -The 4th Brigade did not take part in the first phase of the battle, and -on the 16th it was moved up to the old line of breastworks at Rue du -Bois, to support the 6th Brigade. The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers and Irish -Guards were placed immediately behind the 6th Brigade, while the two -battalions of Coldstream remained still farther back. The attack of the -5th and 6th Brigades was successful, and the first German line of -trenches was taken, but the Indian Division was held up, and could not -advance as the barbed wire had not been destroyed. - -The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was not called on to do anything that day, -and remained behind the breastworks, where it was subjected to a heavy -shelling. Although there were few casualties, the noise was terrific, -for not only were the enemy's shells dropping all round, but our own -artillery was firing just over the men's heads. It stood by all day, and -withdrew in the evening to Lacouture. - -[Sidenote: May 17.] - -Next day the 4th Brigade was sent up into the front line. The men had -breakfast at 3.30 A.M., an unusually early hour even for those about to -take part in the fighting, and after standing by all the morning marched -at 1 P.M. to Le Touret, where they received orders to make good the line -of La Quinque Rue. This involved not only getting up to the front line, -but also attacking La Quinque Rue, which ran about five hundred yards -east of it. The Germans were systematically shelling all the roads -leading to the trenches, and it was therefore some time before the 2nd -Battalion Grenadiers could be moved up in artillery formation across the -open _via_ Cense du Raux Farm, Rue de l'Epinette, and the hamlet known -as "Indian Village." - -When it reached the supports of the front line, it was by no means easy -to ascertain precisely what line the Battalion was expected to occupy. -Units had become mixed as the inevitable result of the previous attack, -and it was impossible to say for certain what battalion occupied a -trench, or to locate the exact front. An artillery observation officer -helped, however, by pointing out the positions on the map. - -It was not till late in the afternoon that the 2nd Battalion began to -move up into the front line. Progress was necessarily slow, as after the -heavy rain the ground was deep in mud, and the shell-holes were full of -water. It advanced gradually through a maze of old British and German -trenches, much knocked about and obstructed with troops' material and a -great many wounded, and passed through the Scots Fusiliers, the Border -Regiment, and the Yorkshire Regiment. Its orders were to pass over what -had originally been the German front line, and to establish itself about -five hundred yards from the German trench at La Quinque Rue. The 5th and -6th Brigades had in the meantime been sent back in reserve, while the -Canadian Division had been ordered to come up on the right and take the -place of the 20th and 22nd Brigades. - -It was dark before the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers reached the line it was -ordered to occupy. The men had stumbled over obstacles of every sort, -wrecked trenches and shell-holes, and had finally wriggled themselves -into the front line. The enemy's trenches over which they passed were a -mass of dead men, both German and British, with heads, legs, and other -gruesome objects lying about amid bits of wire obstacles and remains of -accoutrements. Lieut.-Colonel Smith had originally intended to launch -the attack on La Quinque Rue at once, but decided to wait until dawn. -Brought up in the dark to an entirely strange bit of country, without -any landmarks to guide him, or any means of reconnaissance, and not even -certain as to what troops were on each flank, the Commanding Officer was -faced with many anxious problems. - -The 4th Brigade, however, was no novice at this type of fighting, and it -was astonishing to see how quickly the men settled down. The 2nd -Battalion Grenadiers was on the right, the Irish Guards on the left, -while the 1st and 2nd Battalions Coldstream were in reserve some way -back. Lieut.-Colonel Smith ordered Major Jeffreys to take charge of the -front line, while he remained in the proper place assigned to the -Commanding Officer, which was with the supports. No. 2 Company under -Captain P. Clive on the right, and No. 3 under Major Barrington Kennett -on the left were in the firing line, and No. 1 under Lord Henry Seymour, -and No. 4 under Major C. de Crespigny were in reserve, in some old -German breastworks. As No. 1 Company moved up, Second Lieutenant A. H. -Penn was shot by a sniper through both legs. - -By a curious coincidence the 1st Battalion Grenadiers in the Seventh -Division was immediately on the right, so that for the first time in the -war the 1st and 2nd Battalions were side by side in the line. Second -Lieutenant C. J. Dudley-Smith came over from the 1st Battalion to get -touch, and to his surprise found himself amongst brother officers. - -The men had only their little entrenching tools, and with these they dug -frantically, and managed to scrape up some sort of protection before the -morning. The Germans fired a good deal at first, but finding it -difficult to locate exactly the position of the line they determined -later to save their shells, and as the morning went on did not molest -the Battalion much. The Battalion Headquarters and Reserve Companies -came in for a lot of shelling, but owing to the soft ground many shells -failed to explode. Sleep in such an advanced position was out of the -question, more especially as every moment was precious. - -[Sidenote: May 18.] - -The 4th Brigade was ordered to attack a point marked P 14 and Cour -l'Avoué at 9.30 A.M., but owing to the mist and bad weather the attack -was indefinitely postponed, and the 2nd Battalion had to remain all day -in its hastily made trench, which really offered very little resistance -to artillery fire. The weather cleared about 10 A.M. and the enemy began -a terrific bombardment, which made things very unpleasant, although it -did very little actual damage. It was not till 3.45 P.M. that the 2nd -Battalion received orders to attack at 4.30 P.M., which gave no time for -adequate preparation. Soon afterwards a second message arrived to the -effect that, if the Canadians were late in relieving the 20th Brigade on -the right, the attack was not to be delayed, although there would -necessarily be a gap on that flank. - -The front of the Canadian attack was to extend to the left, so that it -overlapped No. 2 Company. The attack was therefore to be made by No. 3 -Company alone, although a platoon from No. 2 was to be pushed forward as -far as the barricade. - -Our guns began their preparation about forty minutes before the attack -was ordered, and although they undoubtedly did a good deal of damage, -they never succeeded in knocking out the enemy's machine-guns, which -remained hidden during the bombardment. The advance was made by No. 3 -Company in short quick rushes by platoons, but as the ground was very -flat, with no possible cover from the machine-guns, the men never had -any real chance of reaching the German trenches. The distance was about -600 yards, and the ground was intersected with ditches full of water. -The first platoon was mown down before it had covered a hundred yards, -the second melted away before it reached even as far, and the third -shared the same fate. The Irish Guards on the right attacked on a much -wider front, but were also held up by the machine-guns which swept the -whole ground. It was magnificent to see the gallant manner in which they -brought up reinforcements on reinforcements, unfortunately with no -success. - -In the first rush of the Grenadiers Major Barrington Kennett was killed, -and Second Lieutenant the Hon. P. Cary was hit soon afterwards. Second -Lieutenant Creed was mortally wounded as he rushed on to the attack, and -died of his wounds some days later. The only officer left in the Company -was Lieutenant Corry, who behaved with great gallantry when the enemy's -machine-guns opened fire with a storm of bullets. - -Lieutenant Lord Cranborne who commanded the platoon from No. 2 Company, -which had been pushed up as far as the barricade, was completely -deafened by the shells which burst incessantly round his platoon during -the attack. Lieut.-Colonel Smith was struck in the head by a bullet as -he watched the attack from behind a mound of earth, and though he was -carried by Major Jeffreys and Major Lord Henry Seymour into a place of -safety, and eventually taken to the dressing-station, he never recovered -consciousness, and died the following day. He was buried in the British -Soldiers' Cemetery near Le Touret, and his funeral was attended by Lord -Cavan and many officers and non-commissioned officers of his battalion. -Never was a Commanding Officer more mourned by his men; he had endeared -himself to them by his soldier-like qualities and constant care for -their welfare. He was a gallant and distinguished soldier, imperturbable -in action, never flurried or disconcerted in perilous situations, a -strict disciplinarian, but the kindest and best of friends, and his loss -was keenly felt by all ranks of the regiment. - -Major Jeffreys, now in command of the Battalion, ordered No. 2 Company -to reinforce No. 3 and continue the attack, but Captain Clive -represented that it would be practically impossible for his Company to -cross over the exposed ground under so heavy a fire. The enemy's -machine-guns were absolutely undamaged, and commanded the ground over -which it would be necessary to pass, and Major Jeffreys was forced to -the conclusion that it would be merely throwing men's lives away to ask -them to advance. At this moment Captain Lord Gort (Brigade-Major) came -up to investigate the situation, and Major Jeffreys told him that he did -not propose to renew the attack until darkness gave the Battalion some -chance of reaching the objective. - -Lord Cavan, on hearing from Lord Gort how matters stood, sent orders to -the 2nd Battalion to dig in where it was. It had gained 300 yards, and -before it could possibly advance any farther it would be necessary to -wait until the Canadians came up on the right. Soon after dark the -Canadians arrived, and, true to their reputation, carried out their -attack in a very dashing manner. They met with very little opposition at -first, and got on very well until they were stopped by machine-gun fire. -In all probability, if the two attacks had taken place simultaneously, -there would have been a far greater prospect of success, but, as things -happened, first the 4th Brigade and then in turn the Canadians drew on -themselves the attention of all the German troops in that part of the -line. - -Major Jeffreys contemplated a combined attack all down the line by -night, but the Corps Commander sent instructions that the 4th Brigade -was to remain where it was, and join up with the Canadians. So another -gruesome night had to be spent amongst the dead and dying, and the men -had to work hard to make the trench fit to remain in. - -[Sidenote: May 19.] - -All the next day the 2nd Battalion held this line, and came in for a -great deal of shell-fire, but the trenches that had been dug during the -night proved sufficient protection, and there were not many casualties. -That night the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was relieved by the 3rd -Battalion Coldstream, and went into reserve with the rest of the Second -Division. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - MAY TO SEPTEMBER 1915 - - - Diary of the War - - -[Sidenote: 1915. April, May, June.] - -At the end of April, Hill 60 near Ypres was taken by the Second Corps -under Lieut.-General Sir Charles Fergusson, and was lost again early in -May when the enemy used gas. The second battle of Ypres began on May 10, -and will always be notorious for the treacherous use of poisonous gas by -the Germans. The British Army was totally unprepared for this treachery, -and had no gas helmets of any kind, yet such was the tenacious courage -displayed by it that the Germans were unable to do more than drive the -line back a certain distance. It was in this battle that the Canadians -greatly distinguished themselves. The battle of Festubert was the -principal offensive at the end of May, although there was continual -fighting in other parts of the line. - -On May 22 Italy joined the Allies, and declared war on the Central -Powers. This was a great blow to the Germans, who had fondly hoped that -Italy would remain at least neutral, and it completely altered the -situation in Central Europe. - -The Gallipoli Campaign commenced, and the British and French troops -effected a landing at the extremity of the Peninsula near Krithia in -April. In Mesopotamia operations against the Turks were carried forward -under great difficulties, while a Turkish Army under the command of -German officers made an unsuccessful attempt to cross the desert and -attack Egypt. In German South-West Africa General Botha succeeded in -pushing his way into the enemy's country, and in capturing a large -number of prisoners. - -The Zeppelin raids on London and the East Coast began, and as there were -practically no defences at the time the Germans were able to carry them -out with impunity. - -In April the Russian Army continued its advance in Austria, but was -gradually driven back by General von Mackensen's German Army. In the -extreme north the Germans, supported by their Baltic Squadron, captured -the Russian port of Libau. The Austrian Army was now being reorganised -by the German General Staff, and by the end of June the combined -Austrian and German Armies had recaptured Przemysl and Lemberg, and -driven the Russians back over the frontier. - -[Sidenote: July, Aug., Sept.] - -With the exception of continual fighting round Ypres no serious -operation was undertaken by the British Army until September, when the -battle of Loos was fought. - -The Russians were slowly driven out of Poland by the Germans, but had -some successes in Galicia. - -A second landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula was effected at Suvla Bay, -and some farther advance was made later. - -The conquest of German South-West Africa was completed by General Botha. - - The 1st Battalion - - -[Sidenote: 1st Batt. May 1915.] - -For the remainder of May the Battalion remained in billets at Robecq. On -the 22nd a draft of sixty men arrived, and on the 29th Second Lieutenant -Viscount Lascelles, and on the 30th Second Lieutenant F. E. H. Paget -joined the Battalion. - -On the 23rd, after Divine Service, Major-General Gough, commanding the -Seventh Division, after going round the billets made a short speech to -each Company, and afterwards talked to a large number of men, which -greatly pleased them. - -On the 27th the Division was inspected by General Joffre, the French -Commander-in-Chief. The three brigades were drawn up in one field in -mass, the artillery being in an adjoining field. General Joffre was -received with the general salute, and walked down the front of the line. -After giving three cheers the whole of the infantry marched past in -fours, being played past by the massed pipers of the Division. - -On the 31st the sad news of the death of Brigadier-General G. C. Nugent -was received. He had served for many years in the Grenadiers before he -was transferred to the Irish Guards, and his unrivalled wit and literary -talents had long delighted the readers of the _Guards Magazine_. He was -a man of exceptional ability, and there is small doubt that had he lived -he would have risen to high distinction. - -[Sidenote: June.] - -The Battalion went into a new line of trenches in front of Festubert and -Givenchy, which it took over from the 6th and 18th Battalions of the -London Regiment. On June 3 these trenches were very heavily shelled, as -the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders was making an attack farther to the -right, and there were 3 men killed and 45 wounded. On the 5th the -Battalion went into billets at Hingette, and on the 8th moved to Robecq, -thence to Essars, where it remained until it relieved the Border -Regiment in the trenches on the 14th. - -On the 15th an attack was made by the Seventh Division over some flat -ground between two rises at Givenchy. The portion allotted to the -Battalion was on the flat ground, where an advance was not a matter of -great difficulty, but until the rises on each side had been made good it -was useless to attempt to press the attack home in the centre. After -going a short distance, the Battalion was forced to wait until the -situation on each flank developed. Owing to the nature of the ground the -artillery was unable to dispose of the wire entanglements behind these -rises, and therefore the Battalions on each side were held up. During -this engagement Second Lieutenant Dudley-Smith was killed, -Lieut.-Colonel Corkran slightly wounded, and Second Lieutenant Viscount -Lascelles wounded in the head. There were sixty-three casualties among -the N.C.O.'s and men. The Battalion hung on all day under heavy -shell-fire to the line it had gained, but it was found impossible to -advance farther on the flanks, and the whole force withdrew to its -original line. - -Lord Cavan wrote in a private letter: "I am proud to say that the old -1st Battalion stuck it out last night and to-day in glorious isolation. -Pray God they are fed, watered, and replenished to-night. I wrote to -Heyworth to pass them a word of encouragement from me if he could." - -On the 19th the Battalion was relieved by the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and -went into the reserve trenches in front of Gorre, and on the 21st into -billets at Les Choqueaux. On the 24th it returned to the trenches -between Givenchy and La Bassée Canal, and on the 27th was relieved by -the Border Regiment, and went into billets at Le Preol. - -On the 20th Lieutenant Sir A. Napier joined, and on the 23rd a draft of -sixty-seven men arrived under Lieutenant R. Wolrige-Gordon and Second -Lieutenant G. J. T. H. Villiers. - -Lieut.-Colonel Corkran wrote to Colonel Streatfeild, and asked that some -drums and fifes might be sent out, and Lord Derby, who paid a visit to -the Battalion, promised to procure them and send them out. In the -meantime eight men with some musical skill came forward, and offered to -form a drum and fife band. The instruments arrived at the end of the -month, and were a great success. The band now consisted of six drums and -twelve fifes, and marched at the head of the Battalion for the first -time on the 30th, when it moved to billets at Busnes. - -[Sidenote: July.] - -The Battalion had a good rest, and remained in billets till the 17th of -July, when it relieved the Yorkshire Regiment in the trenches at Quinque -Rue. - -[Sidenote: July 1915.] - -On the 13th Lieut.-Colonel Corkran was promoted to the rank of -Brigadier-General, and given command of the 5th Infantry Brigade. His -departure was much regretted by the whole Battalion, which had the -greatest confidence in him. Major G. Trotter then assumed command, and -his appointment as Commanding Officer was confirmed about a week later, -and gave universal satisfaction. - -The Battalion remained in the trenches from the 17th till the 26th, when -it withdrew into billets at Calonne. During the time it was in the -trenches there were but few casualties, among them Lieutenant C. G. -Goschen, who was wounded in the thigh. - -While the Brigade was in billets the officers of the 1st Battalion -entertained the officers of the 2nd Battalion at dinner. The Prince of -Wales and Captain Lord Claud Hamilton also attended. A few days later -the coming of age of Lord Stanley gave another opportunity for a -gastronomic triumph composed mainly of bully beef and Maconochie -rations. The flies in these hot days became unbearable, and fly-traps -and fly-papers were sent out in some measure to mitigate this plague. - -[Sidenote: Aug.] - -On August 3 the Battalion received orders to join the newly formed -Guards Division. It was not without regret that it left the Gordon -Highlanders and Border Regiment, alongside of whom it had fought for -nearly a year, and with whom it had shared the glorious reputation which -had been earned by the Division. All the battalions of the Division -prepared entertainments to bid them farewell, but the notice was so -short that these invitations could not be accepted. - -On the 4th the Battalion was inspected by General Gough, the Corps -Commander, who wished it God-speed in a short speech, after which it -marched to Molinghem. The remainder of the 20th Brigade turned out, and -lined the streets of Robecq, through which it passed, while the band of -the Seventh Division and the pipers of the 2nd Gordon Highlanders played -it out of the divisional area. On the 5th the Battalion marched to -Nizernes, and was met by the drums and fifes of the 3rd Battalion -Grenadiers. - -Lieutenant Lord Stanley, who was suffering from sciatica, refused to go -sick, and in order to keep him Colonel Trotter appointed him temporarily -Transport Officer. - -On the 6th Major-General Capper, commanding the Seventh Division, -inspected the Battalion, and took leave of it in the following words: - - Colonel Trotter and all the ranks of the 1st Battalion Grenadier - Guards--This is a very sad moment for me to have to say good-bye to - you. You have been with us nearly a year, and I feel that with you - leaving the heart of the Division is being taken away. - - You have seen some very hard fighting, notably at Kruiseik and again - at Ypres, when you covered the retirement. - - I must congratulate you on the way you have upheld the traditions of - your famous regiment. You have always done what has been asked of - you. It did not matter whether it was fighting a battle, holding a - line, or digging a trench; you have done well, as a Grenadier always - does. - - Although you are leaving the Division, yet on some future occasion - we hope to have you fighting side by side with us. I can only say - again that it is indeed a very sad moment for me, and it only - remains for me to say Good-bye. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - MAY TO SEPTEMBER 1915 (2ND BATTALION) - - -[Sidenote: 2nd Batt. May 1915.] - -During the remainder of May the Battalion remained in billets at La -Pugnoy and later at Vendin. On the 24th it was inspected by General -Horne, and turned out looking very smart. At the conclusion of the -inspection the General addressed it, and said that he wished to convey -to it the hearty thanks of the Corps Commander, Lieut.-General Sir C. -Monro, as well as his own, for all the good work done by the Battalion -during the past five months. Whether it was in billets, where its -discipline, good behaviour, and smartness had been an example to the -Army, or in the trenches, where it had endured hardships such as few -troops had been called upon to bear, or in action against the enemy, the -conduct of the Battalion had been all that could be desired. More than -that he could not say. They had to deplore the death of their gallant -Commanding Officer, whose loss was mourned by all who knew him, but no -losses must deter them, and it was their duty to prosecute the war with -the utmost energy, until the German Empire lay at the feet of England -and her Allies. - -On the 31st the Battalion marched with the Irish Guards and the 11th -Field Company, R.E., under Major Jeffreys to Noeux les Mines _via_ -Bethune. The Prince of Wales and Lord Claud Hamilton marched with it -most of the way. Some shelling took place _en route_, and it turned out -that the enemy's fire, which seemed unaccountably accurate, was being -directed by an observation balloon which could be seen behind his lines. -As the Battalion moved into its billets the enemy commenced to shell the -town, and succeeded in destroying some houses and wounding a few -civilians. - -On the 25th a draft of 120 men under Second Lieutenant H. A. Clive -arrived, and on the 31st Second Lieutenant E. R. M. Fryer joined the -Battalion. - -[Sidenote: June.] - -During June the Battalion spent alternately two days in the trenches and -two days in billets. The billets were at Sailly-la-Bourse, and the -trenches at first near Auchy and afterwards at Vermelles. - -Every precaution against gas attacks was taken, and an order was issued -to the effect that a G on the bugle was to be the signal to prepare for -gas. As the Battalion at that time had only two buglers owing to the -casualties and the boys who had been sent home sick, the order was -difficult to carry out, but men were found who, without being musicians, -were at least able to produce the desired note on the bugle. - -The trenches at Auchy were indifferent, and required a great deal of -attention, but those at Vermelles were much better. The great difficulty -the men had to contend with at both places was the high crops and long -grass which had grown up quite close to the line, and which not only -impeded the view, but also provided cover which might be used by the -enemy. During the day it was an absolute impossibility for the men to go -out and cope with this difficulty, but at night parties were sent out to -cut down the crops. The men after working for an hour or so at this work -seemed to lose all sense of direction, and when an alarm was given they -had no idea in which direction their own trenches lay. It often happened -that men would wander off towards the German lines under the impression -they were going home. On several occasions when the enemy became aware -of any large numbers of men working out in front they would open a heavy -rifle-fire on them. All the men in the working party would then at once -lie down and wait until the fire subsided; but on one occasion the -Germans showed no inclination to cease firing, and the party had to be -withdrawn. They crawled back slowly, being guided by Captain Cavendish, -who held up his luminous watch to show them the right direction. Every -night there were a few casualties, and on the 7th Lieutenant R. S. -Corkran who had just gone out with one of these parties was severely -wounded by a rifle bullet in the thigh, and died a few days later. - -On the 29th Brigadier-General the Earl of Cavan was promoted, and left -to take over command of the Fiftieth Division. He was succeeded by -Brigadier-General G. P. T. Feilding, who had commanded the 2nd Battalion -Coldstream Guards since the commencement of the war, and who had gained -a great reputation during the last twelve months' fighting. - -[Sidenote: July.] - -On the 28th the Battalion changed its billets from Sailly-la-Bourse to -Oblingham, and on July 1 to Annezin. On the 5th it went into the -trenches at Annequin in precisely the same part of the line it had -occupied in January and February, when hundreds of men had been killed. -The trenches were in a hollow, which was generally known as the Valley -of Death, and were in a very bad condition. Little seemed to have been -done to them since the Battalion was last there, and in many places the -parapet was too high and not bullet-proof. The Battalion therefore set -to work to improve them, and a company of the Queen's Regiment from the -Corps troops was sent up to help. This seemed the height of luxury to -the men, who were unaccustomed to having other people digging their -trenches. - -On July 2 Second Lieutenant H. F. C. Crookshank arrived, and on the -5th Second Lieutenant E. H. Noble, Second Lieutenant M. A. -Knatchbull-Hugessen, and Second Lieutenant E. W. M. Grigg joined the -Battalion. - -On the 15th the Battalion took over the trenches at Guinchy, spending -alternately two days in the trenches and two days in billets at Bethune. -On the 21st it went into Brigade Reserve, and remained for a week at -Bethune, and on the 28th moved into billets at Le Preol, and acted as -reserve Battalion to the troops in the trenches at Givenchy. - -At Cuinchy, in addition to the regular shelling, the Germans employed -their new type of Minenwerfer, from which they fired large bombs, but -their effect was local, and as the men were able to see them coming, -they did little damage. Once a large wooden bomb landed in a trench -without exploding, and was carried off as a souvenir by two -stretcher-bearers, who happened to be passing. On the 18th the enemy -began shelling Bethune, and continued for nearly a week, which made the -men's two days' rest in billets a farce. The shells came screaming and -roaring into the town, and terrific explosions followed. The enemy of -course had no difficulty in hitting the town and shelling the houses, -but it was merely a matter of chance how many men were hit. The shells -were at first directed on the railway station, but beyond causing a -complete suspension of traffic they did little harm, and there were few -casualties. On the 22nd the bombardments became more searching, and many -men were killed. The Inniskilling Fusiliers alone lost seventy men that -day. The Grenadiers were more lucky, and at first escaped with little -loss, but on the 24th some men were wounded and nineteen horses were -killed. - -[Illustration: Officers of the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards.] - -On the 20th Captain Derriman who had been appointed Staff Captain to the -4th Brigade was very seriously wounded, and although he was moved down -to the base, he never recovered, and died some time afterwards. The -pluck he had shown in coming out in spite of a stiff knee which made him -lame, and the dogged manner in which he had persisted in serving with -the Battalion in the trenches until he was placed on the Staff aroused -the admiration of every one. - -On the 18th Lieut.-General Gough, the new Commander of the First Corps, -Major-General Horne commanding the Second Division, and -Brigadier-General G. Feilding commanding the 4th Brigade paid a visit to -the Battalion, and went round the trenches at Cuinchy. - -[Sidenote: Aug.] - -During the first fortnight in August the Battalion followed the same -routine, spending two days in the trenches at Givenchy followed by two -days in billets at Le Preol. Mining operations were begun on a large -scale by both sides. It was assumed that as an advance above ground in -the face of machine-gun fire was too costly, the only other alternative -was to advance under ground and blow up the enemy's parapet. In the -craters made by the explosion of the mines men were then pushed, and the -position was consolidated. The advantage of this subterranean method of -warfare was that the men were safe from rifle- and shell-fire while they -were working, but there was always the danger of a counter-mine which -meant being buried alive. - -On the 2nd the Battalion exploded three mines successfully near Sunken -Road, and in doing this blew in some of the enemy's galleries, and that -night the Irish Guards exploded three more mines. In each case the -positions were consolidated after much bomb-throwing, but the occupation -of the craters was always difficult, on account of the bombs from the -enemy's Minenwerfer. - -On the 5th Brigadier-General Feilding and the Prince of Wales came round -the trenches, and inspected the sap-heads and craters. - -On the 6th in the early morning the enemy exploded two mines in the -orchard near the shrine. At the time Captain Clive and Second Lieutenant -Crookshank were taking out a working party, and had they gone a little -farther, all the men must inevitably have been killed, but fortunately -they were just short of where the mine exploded. The whole ground moved -up in one great convulsion, and when it settled down several men were -completely buried. Captain Clive himself was severely cut and bruised by -the mass of debris that was blown past him, and after being shot up in -the air he came down so doubled up that his teeth were nearly knocked -out by his knees. Second Lieutenant Crookshank was completely buried in -about four feet of earth, and would inevitably have died had not Captain -Clive remembered where he stood before the explosion, and directed the -men to search for him. When he was finally dug out it was found that -beyond a few bruises and the inevitable shock from the explosion he was -not hurt. He was sent back to the dressing-station, but pluckily -insisted on returning to his Company in the evening. One N.C.O. was -killed by the explosion, and eighteen men who had been buried were sent -back suffering from shock and contusions. The work of digging out these -men was much retarded by the constant rifle-fire from the enemy's -trenches, and the enemy's guns also commenced shelling the neighbourhood -of the craters, but were not accurate enough to prevent our -consolidating the position. - -These two mines wrecked the trench connecting our sap-heads and filled -in parts of the saps with debris. The Battalion received orders at once -to reoccupy the sap-heads and dig out the saps again. On the 5th -Lieutenant D. Abel-Smith was slightly wounded. - -On the 7th a draft of drummers arrived, and proved a great acquisition. -When the Battalion was in billets at Le Preol, they played "Retreat" in -the village street, much to the delight of the remaining inhabitants. On -the 10th the enemy again exploded two mines near the Sunken Road, -destroying some of their own wire, and the explosion formed a new crater -on the northern side of a crater known as "Bluff." Second Lieutenant -Hon. G. S. Bailey was killed by a bomb, and Lieutenant A. V. L. Corry -was badly wounded. The casualties from mining and bombing in addition to -those from rifle-fire and shells were very heavy while the Battalion was -at Givenchy, and the digging was most unpleasant on account of the -bodies thrown up by mine explosions. On the 12th Lieutenant E. G. -Williams was accidentally killed in the Trench Mortar School at St. -Venant, where he was undergoing a course of instruction. - -Some ten days later the following order was published: - - The Commander-in-Chief has intimated that he has read with great - interest and satisfaction the report of the mining operations and - crater fighting which have taken place in the Second Division area - during the last two months. He desires that his high appreciation of - the good work performed be conveyed to the troops, especially to the - 170th and 176th Tunnelling Companies, R.E., the 2nd Battalion - Grenadier Guards, the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, the 1st Battalion - King's Royal Rifles, 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. - -The 4th Brigade now received orders to join the newly formed Guards -Division. - -On the 18th, before their departure, the officers of the 2nd Battalion -Grenadiers entertained General Horne, Brigadier-General Feilding, the -Commanding Officers of the other regiments in the 4th Brigade, and the -principal Staff Officers of the Second Division at dinner in the house -of Madame Richepin, who placed all her plate, china, and glass at the -disposal of the officers' mess. - -The following order was published by Major-General H. S. Horne, C.B., -commanding the Second Division: - - The 4th Guards Brigade leaves the Second Division to-morrow. The - G.O.C. speaks not only for himself but for every officer, - non-commissioned officer, and man of the Division when he expresses - sorrow that certain changes in organisation have rendered necessary - the severance of ties of comradeship commenced in peace and cemented - in war. - - For the past year by gallantry, devotion to duty, and sacrifice in - battle and in the trenches, the Brigade has maintained the high - tradition of His Majesty's Guards, and equally by thorough - performance of duties, strict discipline, and the exhibition of many - soldier-like qualities has set an example for smartness which has - tended to raise the standard and elevate the moral of all with whom - it has been associated. - - Major-General Horne parts from Brigadier-General Feilding, the - officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the 4th Guards - Brigade with lively regret. He thanks them for their loyal support, - and he wishes them good fortune in the future. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 19.] - -On the 19th the 4th Brigade, including the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers, -left the Second Division to join the newly formed Guards Division, and -marched about ten miles to Ham-en-Artois. It was a sort of triumphal -progress, and Major-General Horne and the other two Brigadiers came to -see them off while detachments from every unit in the Division lined the -road. The Divisional Band played them as far as Lillers, and on the way -they were joined by Major-General Lord Cavan accompanied by Major -Darrell and Lieutenant Oliver Lyttelton. - -[Sidenote: Aug. 20.] - -On the 20th the Brigade proceeded to Renescure, and as it passed by the -south of Aire it marched past General Sir Douglas Haig commanding the -First Army. In the evening the following order was published by Sir -Douglas Haig: - - The 4th Guards Brigade leaves my command to-day after over a year of - active service in the field. During that time the Brigade has taken - part in military operations of the most diverse kinds and under very - varied conditions of country and weather, and throughout have - displayed the greatest fortitude, tenacity, and resolution. I desire - to place on record my high appreciation of the services rendered by - the Brigade and my grateful thanks for the devoted assistance which - one and all have given me during a year of strenuous work. - - (Signed) D. HAIG, - Commanding First Army. - -On the 21st the Brigade marched past Field-Marshal Sir John French in -the big square at St. Omer, and presented a very fine appearance. So -smart did it look that many of the onlookers were under the impression -that it had just come out from England, and one man in the crowd was -heard to say as the Grenadiers went past: "Wait till you've been in the -trenches a bit, then you won't look so clean and smart, my boys." - -In the evening the 4th Brigade received the following message: - - The Commander-in-Chief wishes to thank all ranks for the splendid - services they have rendered. He is much impressed by their - soldier-like bearing, and very much regrets that owing to pressure - of work he is unable himself to come and visit all units and speak - to them himself. - -After marching for several days the Battalion arrived at Campagne les -Boulonnais, where it joined the rest of the Guards Division, and -remained until September 22. - -On August 21 Second Lieutenant the Hon. W. A. D. Parnell, and on the -24th Second Lieutenant H. G. W. Sandeman joined the Battalion. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - FORMATION OF THE GUARDS DIVISION - - -[Sidenote: The Guards Division. Sept. 1915.] - -The creation of a Guards Division was not regarded without -misapprehension by some of the older officers of the Guards. The -reputation that had been so dearly won by the original officers, -non-commissioned officers, and men of the regiments of Guards, at the -expense of thousands of lives, might possibly be thrown away by their -successors. The flooding of the army with new recruits might produce an -entirely new stamp of man. Was the system alone good enough, were the -traditions alone strong enough, to produce the fighting man who had -hitherto, rightly or wrongly, been associated with the regiments of -Guards? At the time there was no thought of conscription, and therefore -it might be necessary to take any men who were willing to join. Would -there be a sufficient nucleus of old Guardsmen to ensure that the -traditions carefully preserved through many generations were strictly -maintained? - -The mill through which men of the Guards have to pass, however, is so -severe, and the discipline so stern, that no one need have doubted that -the new recruits would prove equal to their predecessors. - -The Guards Division was formed in September 1915, and Major-General the -Earl of Cavan, who had commanded the 4th Guards Brigade in every -engagement almost since the commencement of the war, was naturally given -the command. - -He had proved himself a great soldier, and his exceptional ability as a -commander of men had rendered him eminently fitted for this command. -Thoroughly acquainted with the methods of the enemy, he had shown -himself to be resourceful in strategy and bold of decision in action. -Upon several occasions he had extricated his Brigade from situations of -the utmost peril, and had turned a half-anticipated failure into -hard-won victory. In the darkest hour at Ypres he never lost heart: the -more hopeless the situation, the greater the opportunity for a gallant -fight and great achievement. His perfect confidence in his men was -equalled only by their whole-hearted trust in him. His appointment, -therefore, was hailed with enthusiasm by all ranks of the Brigade of -Guards. - -The Guards Division was composed as follows: - - _The 1st Guards Brigade._ Brigadier-General G. P. T. FEILDING. - - The 2nd Batt. Grenadier Guards. - The 2nd Batt. Coldstream Guards. - The 3rd Batt. Coldstream Guards. - The 1st Batt. Irish Guards. - - _The 2nd Guards Brigade._ Brigadier-General J. PONSONBY. - - The 3rd Batt. Grenadier Guards. - The 1st Batt. Coldstream Guards. - The 1st Batt. Scots Guards. - The 2nd Batt. Irish Guards. - - _The 3rd Guards Brigade._ Brigadier-General F. J. HEYWORTH. - - The 1st Batt. Grenadier Guards. - The 4th Batt. Grenadier Guards. - The 2nd Batt. Scots Guards. - The 1st Batt. Welsh Guards. - -Thus there were four battalions of Grenadier Guards, three battalions of -Coldstream Guards, two battalions of Scots Guards, two battalions of -Irish Guards, and one battalion of Welsh Guards. The 4th Battalion -Coldstream Guards formed the Divisional Pioneer Battalion. - -The Guards Division formed part of the Eleventh Corps under General -Haking, and were placed in the First Army. - - - Arrival of the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards - - -[Sidenote: 3rd Batt. 1915.] - -The 3rd Battalion Grenadiers was the only regular battalion at home. For -months it had fretted at being left behind when all the other battalions -had left, for they had a history second to none in the British Army, and -had taken part in all the great campaigns during the last two hundred -years. - -Whether it was part of that mysterious thing called the British -Constitution, or whether the idea of keeping one regular battalion in -London emanated from the brain of some timid member of the Cabinet, is -not clear, but the 3rd Battalion remained at home after all the rest of -the regular army had gone. At first it was said that two regular -battalions would have to remain behind in London, one for the King, the -other for the Houses of Parliament, but His Majesty, having at once -disposed of the idea that he needed the services of any regular -battalion, Lord Kitchener decided to retain only one battalion, and that -happened to be the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers. - -The only exceptional event during the time it remained at home that -deserves to be chronicled is the fact that for the first time in history -this Battalion found the duties in London in service dress. On the 27th -of August 1914 the King's Guard, under Captain de Crespigny, mounted for -the first time in khaki. - -Although the 3rd Battalion was unable to go as a unit, the terrible -casualties the 1st and 2nd Battalions had suffered during the first -months of the war made it very difficult to find the large draft -required, and so it happened that most of the officers and -non-commissioned officers made their way to the front in the other -battalions. - -When the Guards Division was formed it was decided to send out not only -the 3rd Battalion but also the 4th Battalion, and to form another -reserve battalion. On July 26 the Battalion paraded at Chelsea Barracks, -and Colonel Streatfeild read to them a message from Field-Marshal His -Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, who was still Governor-General of -Canada: - - On hearing our 3rd Battalion has been placed under Orders to leave - for the front, I ask you to give them a personal message from - myself, wishing them God-speed and success, and assuring them of the - great confidence I repose in them nobly to continue their splendid - record of the past, and to assist our brave battalions at the front, - who have so gloriously maintained the traditions of the First - Regiment of Guards. May every blessing rest upon the Regiment, of - which I am so proud to be the Colonel. - - ARTHUR, - Colonel, Grenadier Guards. - -The Battalion crossed over _via_ Southampton to Havre in the steamboat -_Queen Alexandra_, accompanied by a destroyer, and curiously enough was -disembarked by one old Grenadier, Captain Sir F. E. W. Harvey-Bathurst, -Bt., and entrained by another, Major G. C. W. Heneage. It proceeded by -train to Wizernes, where it detrained, and marched into billets at -Esquerdes. On July 31 the Battalion was inspected by General Stopford, -who said it was the finest Battalion he had seen. On August 18 it took -part in a review held on the aviation ground at St. Omer, when M. -Millerand, the French War Minister, Lord Kitchener, and Sir John French -inspected those battalions of the Guards Division which had arrived. - -The 2nd Guards Brigade was complete on August 23, and was placed under -the command of Brigadier-General J. Ponsonby, as Brigadier-General -Lowther had been appointed Military Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief. -On August 26 the officers of the four battalions of Grenadier Guards -dined together at Wisques. - -During the two months spent at Esquerdes the Battalion was busily -engaged in training. Officers and non-commissioned officers went through -several courses, and were initiated into the mysteries of bombing and -the mechanism of the new Lewis gun. - -On August 30 Lieutenant A. T. A. Ritchie arrived, and on September 22 -Lieutenant Sir Robert Filmer, Bt., was appointed Brigade Transport -Officer. - - - Arrival of the 4th Battalion. - - -[Sidenote: 4th Batt. 1915.] - -It was in July that the King on the advice of the military authorities -decided to form another Battalion of Grenadier Guards, since the Reserve -Battalion had swollen to enormous proportions, in spite of the standard -of height being raised. Colonel H. Streatfeild received instructions to -this effect, and at once summoned a conference of the commanding -officers and adjutants of the two Battalions of the Regiment in London -(the 3rd and Reserve Battalions). The part of Chelsea Barracks occupied -by the School of Instruction was vacated to make room for the new -Battalion, which was to become the 4th Battalion, while the Reserve -Battalion was in future to be known as the 5th (Reserve) Battalion. - -Major G. C. Hamilton, D.S.O., was appointed Commanding Officer, and -Sergeant-Major E. Ludlow, Quartermaster. By July 16 the 4th Battalion -completed its establishment, and on the 20th proceeded to Bovingdon -Camp. Captain T. F. J. N. Thorne was appointed Adjutant, and the 3rd -Battalion lent their Sergeant-Major and Orderly-Room Sergeant to assist -the Staff of the 4th Battalion. - -[Illustration: Colonel Sir Henry Streatfeild, K.C.V.O., C.B., C.M.G. The -Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the Regiment.] - -On August 15 the 4th Battalion left Bovingdon Camp, and embarked at -Southampton for Havre. The King, through Lieut.-Colonel Wigram, sent the -following message to Colonel Streatfeild: - - His Majesty heartily congratulates the Regiment on being able to - place four Battalions in the field, thereby creating a record which - will always be cherished in the annals of the Regiment. His Majesty - desires you to tell all ranks of the 4th Battalion that they will - constantly be in the thoughts of their Colonel-in-Chief, who wishes - them every success. - -Field-Marshal His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught sent the -following message from Canada: - - My best wishes accompany the 4th Battalion on their first tour of - active service. I am confident they will do their duty and emulate - their comrades of the older battalions. - - ARTHUR, - Colonel, Grenadier Guards. - -The Battalion crossed over in the _Empress Queen_, accompanied by a -destroyer, and on arrival at Havre proceeded by train to St. Omer, where -it detrained and marched to Blendecques. There it remained until the -Guards Division was formed in September. On August 21 it was inspected -by Brigadier-General Heyworth, who expressed himself pleased with its -smart appearance. On September 17, during the inspection of the 3rd -Guards Brigade, Major-General the Earl of Cavan complimented Major -Hamilton on the way his Battalion had turned out. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - BATTLE OF LOOS, 1915 - - -[Sidenote: Sept. 1915.] - -In September General Joffre and Sir John French agreed that a determined -attempt should be made to break the strong German line. Thousands of -guns were to be massed, and after an action by which, it was hoped, the -German trenches would be destroyed, twelve infantry divisions were to be -launched upon the enemy. Then Sir Douglas Haig, with the First British -Army, would attack between La Bassée Canal and Lens, while the French -were to force their way through the lines south of Lens. - -Sir John French in his despatch thus described the character of the -front to be attacked by the British Army: - - Opposite the front of the main line of attack the distance between - the enemy's trenches and our own varied from about 100 to 500 yards. - - The country over which the advance took place is open and overgrown - with long grass and self-sown crops. - - From the canal southward our trenches and those of the enemy ran, - roughly, parallel up an almost imperceptible rise to the south-west. - - From the Vermelles--Hulluch road southward the advantage of height - is on the enemy's side as far as the Bethune--Lens road. There the - two lines of trenches cross a spur in which the rise culminates, and - thence the command lies on the side of the British trenches. - - Due east of the intersection of spur and trenches, and a short mile - away, stands Loos. Less than a mile farther south-east is Hill 70, - which is the summit of the gentle rise in the ground. - - Other notable tactical points in our front were: - - "_Fosse 8_" (a thousand yards south of Auchy), which is a coal-mine - with a high and strongly defended slag heap. - - "_The Hohenzollern Redoubt._"--A strong work thrust out nearly 500 - yards in front of the German lines and close to our own. It is - connected with their front line by three communication trenches - abutting into the defences of Fosse 8. - - _Cité St. Elie._--A strongly defended mining village lying 1500 - yards south of Haisnes. - - "_The Quarries._"--Lying half-way to the German trenches west of - Cité St. Elie. - - _Hulluch._--A village strung out along a small stream, lying less - than half a mile south-east of Cité St. Elie and 3000 yards - north-east of Loos. - - Half a mile north of Hill 70 is "_Puits 14 bis_," another coal-mine, - possessing great possibilities for defence when taken in conjunction - with a strong redoubt situated on the north-east side of Hill 70. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 25.] - -It was arranged that the First Corps, consisting of the Second, Seventh, -and Ninth Divisions, under Lieut.-General Hubert Gough, should attack -the line between La Bassée Canal and Vermelles, while the Fourth Corps -(First, Fifteenth, and Forty-seventh Divisions), under Lieut.-General -Sir H. Rawlinson, attacked from Vermelles to Grenay, the -Hulluch--Vermelles road forming the boundary between the two Corps. - -The attack began at 6.30 A.M. on September 25, after four days' -continuous bombardment by our massed guns. Gas was employed, but -unfortunately the wind was unfavourable, and it moved so slowly that it -retarded the advance. Further, the wire in some places had hardly been -touched, and consequently the Second Division was held up from the -start. Meanwhile the Ninth Division started well, and even managed to -reach the northern end of "Little Willie," but was unable to maintain -its advanced position on account of the check to the Second Division. -The Seventh Division captured the first line of the trenches and cleared -the quarries half-way between the front line and Cité St. Elie, while -the leading troops even penetrated as far as Cité St. Elie itself. - -By mid-day the First Corps had secured the whole of the German front -from the Hohenzollern Redoubt southwards and had pushed forward to the -second line at three points. But in this achievement it suffered heavy -casualties, and was left too weak to do more than hold on to the -position it had gained. - -In the Fourth Corps the First Division swept forward, carried the first -two lines of German trenches, and reached the outskirts of Hulluch, -where it waited for reinforcements, but as these did not arrive it had -to fall back on the Lens--La Bassée road. As for the Fifteenth Division, -whose objective was Cité St. Augusté, it pushed through not only to -Loos, but even over Hill 70, and the 44th Brigade in this division -actually reached the outskirts of Cité St. Laurent. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 26-27.] - -On the afternoon of the 26th the Eleventh Corps was placed at the -disposal of Sir Douglas Haig; it consisted of the Guards Division and -the Twenty-first and Twenty-fourth Divisions. The two latter were at -once hurried up into the firing line, the Twenty-first Division sending -two brigades to Loos while the Twenty-fourth went to the Lens--La Bassée -road. - -Throughout that Sunday the fighting was very severe, and it was only -with the greatest difficulty that we held on to Loos. The First Corps -was also being strongly counter-attacked, and the quarries changed hands -several times. All day the Crown Prince of Bavaria, who was in command -of the army facing the British divisions, was engaged in bringing up -reserves from other parts, and by next day he had strengthened his whole -line. The German line ran from Auchy--La Bassée over comparatively flat -country to the Vermelles--Hulluch road, where the ground became -undulating and culminated in Hill 70. - -Early on Monday the advance was renewed, but the Germans had started -counter-attacking, and a confused struggle went on, with varying -success. Several times our line gave way, only to be rallied and go -forward again. We managed to maintain our ground on the right and centre -of Hill 70, but on the extreme left the enemy pressed the line back -towards Loos. In the meantime the 64th Brigade of the Twenty-fourth -Division was being driven back and subjected to withering enfilade fire. -The line from the Chalk Pit to the northern end of Hill 70 had to be -abandoned, and Loos was thus left exposed to an attack from the -north-east. A brigade of the Third Cavalry Division was then brought up -to reinforce the hard-pressed troops who were holding Loos. - - - The Guards Division - - -The Guards Division arrived early on Sunday morning at Haillicourt, more -than ten miles off, and marched through Noeux-les-Mines and -Sailly-la-Bourse to Vermelles. For the first time since its creation the -Guards Division was to go into action, and naturally, after the fame -individual battalions had won in the earlier part of the war, a great -deal was expected of it. All the troops were cheered by the news that -the Division had arrived and was going in, but the situation had altered -a good deal since the attack was first launched. All element of surprise -had disappeared, and the Germans had had time to recover from the -effects of the first blow and to collect reinforcements. It is doubtful -whether the Guards Division ever had any real chance of succeeding in -its attack. It had to start from old German trenches, the range of which -the German artillery knew to an inch, while the effect of our own -original artillery bombardment had died away. - -However, there was no alternative but to put in the Guards Division and -try and regain as much of the lost ground as possible. Major-General -Lord Cavan sent round on the 25th a stirring message to the men, -reminding them that great things were expected of the Division, and they -were full of confidence as they went into action. - -The easiest task fell to the lot of the 1st Guards Brigade, under -Brigadier-General Feilding, on the left. It was to advance in the -direction of the Bois Hugo and straighten the line, so that it would run -parallel to the Lens--La Bassée road. The 2nd Brigade, under -Brigadier-General Ponsonby, was to take and hold the Chalk Pit and Puits -14 bis, and the 3rd Brigade, under Brigadier-General Heyworth, to -advance against Hill 70. But to a large extent the movements of the 1st -and 3rd Brigades depended on the success of the attack of the 2nd -Brigade. - -Accomplishing their work at once, Feilding's Brigade secured a good -position on the ground over which the Twenty-fourth Division had -retired. General Feilding, who understood that he was to assist the -other brigades by fire as far as possible, at once collected as many -smoke-bombs and smoke-candles as he could, and at zero hour formed a -most effective smoke-screen, which drew off the fire of a great many -German guns from the other attackers. - -Success at first also attended the attack of Ponsonby's Brigade. It took -the Chalk Pit and Puits 14 bis, but then a tremendous fire from -machine-guns in Bois Hugo swept it down, and it was unable to keep its -hold on these positions. This made it very difficult for the other -brigades to move forward. But on learning that Ponsonby's Brigade was -fighting furiously for the possession of the Chalk Pit, Lord Cavan -decided that the only way to relieve the strain on them was to order -Heyworth's Brigade to advance. It did so, and this course proved -successful in enabling Ponsonby's Brigade to retain possession of the -Chalk Pit. Going forward, Heyworth's Brigade took Hill 70, but it too -found it impossible to keep what it had won. The enemy's trenches were -marked on the map as being on the crest of the hill, but in reality they -were on the reverse slope, and had never been touched by shell-fire. - -The net result of the attack of the Guards Division was the -establishment of the British front along a line running, roughly, -northward from the south-eastern end of Loos and parallel to the -Lens--La Bassée road. Another attempt to gain Puits 14 was made by the -1st Battalion Coldstream on the 28th, but was no more successful than -the first. As before, a small party reached the Puits, but was driven -out again by enfilade fire. - -Measured by the length of the advance made during the battle and the -extent of ground taken from the enemy, the results of the battle of Loos -would seem distinctly disappointing, more especially when the casualty -list of 45,000 men is considered. But to estimate these operations in -terms of geography is a mistake. The smallness of the theatre of -operations and the comparatively narrow depth of our advance give a -totally misleading impression of the success of the battle. It is -obviously more valuable to put out of action 50,000 Germans and gain -half a mile than to gain five miles and only inflict a loss of 10,000. -When it is realised that we drove the enemy from positions which they -considered impregnable to the assaults of modern weapons, that their -casualties must have been as heavy as, if not heavier than, our own, and -that we took 3000 prisoners (including 50 officers), 26 field-guns, and -40 machine-guns,--it will be seen that Lord Kitchener's description of -the battle as a substantial success was not very far wide of the mark. - - - The 2nd Battalion - - -The following were the officers of the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards -who took part in the battle: - - Lieut.-Colonel G. D. Jeffreys, Commanding Officer. - Major Lord Henry Seymour, Second in Command. - Capt. the Hon. W. R. Bailey, Adjutant. - Lieut. W. E. Acraman, Quartermaster. - Lieut. D. Abel-Smith, Machine-gun Officer. - 2nd Lieut. the Hon. A. V. Agar-Robartes, Machine-gun Officer. - Lieut. A. K. S. Cunninghame (Transport Officer), No. 1 Company. - Lieut. J. N. Buchanan, No. 1 Company. - Lieut. E. W. M. Grigg, No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. L. St. L. Hermon Hodge, No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. H. G. W. Sandeman, No. 1 Company. - Capt. A. F. R. Wiggins, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. F. O. S. Sitwell, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. E. H. Noble, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. H. A. Clive, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. H. F. C. Crookshank, No. 2 Company. - Capt. R. H. V. Cavendish, M.V.O., No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. W. H. Beaumont-Nesbitt, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. I. H. Ingleby, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieutenant the Hon. B. B. Ponsonby, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. E. R. M. Fryer, No. 3 Company. - Capt. A. de P. Kingsmill, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieutenant the Hon. W. A. D. Parnell, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. M. A. Knatchbull-Hugessen, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. Crosland, No. 4 Company. - Capt. E. A. Aldridge, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 26.] - -The 1st Guards Brigade, under Brigadier-General Feilding, reached -Vermelles early on the Sunday morning, and at 1 P.M. on the same day it -was ordered forward to the old British trenches near Le Rutoire, where -the two Coldstream battalions were placed in the firing line, and the -2nd Battalion Grenadiers and 1st Battalion Irish Guards in support. The -orders General Feilding received from Major-General Lord Cavan were to -advance and hold a line running parallel to the Lens--La Bassée road. -The two Coldstream battalions found no difficulty in doing this, and -having straightened the line, they occupied what had formerly been the -German first-line trench. - -The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was not brought into action, as the 1st -Guards Brigade could not advance until the Germans had been driven from -the Chalk Pit Wood and Puits 14. The enemy, however, shelled the reserve -trenches intermittently, and caused a few casualties. Second Lieutenant -C. Crosland and five N.C.O.'s and men were wounded. - -[Illustration: Battle of Loos. September 26, 1915.] - -[Sidenote: Sept. 27.] - -On the 27th the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was ordered to move up to the -old German first-line trenches, which it did about 9 P.M., eventually -settling down in the new position about midnight. No. 3 and No. 4 -Companies were placed in the old German second line, while the Battalion -Headquarters and No. 1 and No. 2 Companies were in rear of the old -German first line. Two men were killed and five wounded during this -operation. - -In this position it remained until the 30th, when it was relieved by the -9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, and retired to billets at Mazingarbe. - - - The 3rd Battalion - - -The 2nd Guards Brigade reached Vermelles about 7 P.M. on Saturday, -September 25, having marched _via_ Ligny-les-Aire, Burbure, and Houchin. -The officers of the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers were: - - Colonel N. A. L. Corry, D.S.O., Commanding Officer. - Major G. F. Molyneux-Montgomerie, Second in Command. - Lieut. G. G. B. Nugent, Adjutant. - Lieut. G. H. Wall, Quartermaster. - Capt. G. N. Vivian, No. 1 Company. - Lieut. G. G. Gunnis, No. 1 Company. - Lieut. E. H. J. Wynne (Transport Officer), No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. T. E. Crabbe, No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. A. T. Ayres Ritchie, No. 1 Company. - Capt. C. F. A. Walker, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. C. S. Rowley, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. A. Anson, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. F. D. Lycett-Green, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. R. Williams (Machine-gun Officer), No. 2 Company. - Lieutenant the Hon. F. O. H. Eaton, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. G. P. Bowes Lyon, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieutenant the Hon. A. G. Agar-Robartes, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. H. D. Vernon, No. 3 Company. - Capt. E. G. H. Powell, No. 4 Company. - Capt. W. R. C. Murray (Bombing Officer), No. 4 Company. - Lieut. C. M. C. Dowling, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. G. F. R. Hirst, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. F. Anson, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. T. C. Higginson, No. 4 Company. - - _Attached_--Lieut. A. T. Logan, R.A.M.C. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 25.] - -It was bitterly cold on the night of the 25th, which was spent by the -3rd Battalion Grenadiers in the old British front trench north-west of -Loos. Some of the platoons got into an old remnant of a trench, and some -had to lie down outside. So chilly was it that sleep was difficult, and -the men had constantly to get up and run about to warm themselves, and -then try to snatch a little more rest. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 26.] - -At 3.30 next morning the 3rd Battalion started off in the direction of -Loos. At first it marched in fours, but on coming into the shell area -assumed artillery formation, and went across the open. While ascending -the slope it was not fired upon, but when it came down the hill towards -Loos shrapnel burst all round it. When the Battalion arrived at the -bottom of the hill, which it lost no time in doing, it relieved the -Scots Guards, and got into what had formerly been the German third-line -trenches. Both officers and men were filled with admiration at the -intricate dug-outs they found, twenty to thirty feet down in the chalk; -evidently great trouble had been expended on this part of the line, and -the German officers had been accustomed to live almost in luxury. - -As soon as the 3rd Battalion reached the trench, it was ordered to dig -communication trenches and repair the parapet. Soon the men were soaked -to the skin by pouring rain, and an icy cold wind added to their -discomfort, as they had no prospect that night of getting either dry or -warm. - -Colonel Corry, being the senior Commanding Officer of the Brigade, was -sent to serve temporarily on the Divisional Staff, so that he might be -able to assume command of the Brigade in the event of the Brigadier -being killed. The command of the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers therefore -devolved on Major Molyneux-Montgomerie. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 27.] - -Next day this was the position. The 3rd Battalion Grenadiers was still -in the line of trenches in front of Le Rutoire farm, with its right on -the Loos Redoubt. In front of it was the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, -with its right on the village of Loos. The 2nd Battalion Irish Guards -was on the left of the Scots Guards, with the 1st Battalion Coldstream -in support. At 2 P.M. Brigadier-General J. Ponsonby collected the -commanding officers near the Loos Redoubt, and informed them that an -attack was to be made that evening on Chalk Pit Wood by the 2nd -Battalion Irish Guards, supported by the 1st Battalion Coldstream, and -on Puits 14 (a large colliery) by the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, -supported by the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers. A heavy bombardment was to -start at 3 P.M. The Irish Guards were to advance at 4 P.M., but the -Scots Guards were to wait until the wood was captured before they began -their assault on the Puits. The enemy was known to be strongly -entrenched along Hill 70 to Puits 14. - -Instructions were given for the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers to follow the -1st Battalion Scots Guards and occupy its trench as soon as it was -quitted. Major Montgomerie, now in command of the Battalion, immediately -went forward with Captain Powell to find a way down the old German -communication trenches between the Scots Guards' and Grenadiers' lines. -On his return he sent orders to all company commanders to come to the -right of the Battalion line near the Loos Redoubt, and there explained -the situation. He ordered them to go back and bring their companies one -after another to the communication trench he had found. - -This operation necessarily took a long time, and the whole Battalion -began to file down through a maze of communication trenches towards the -line held by the Scots Guards. The intervening ground was being -searchingly shelled, but at 4 P.M. the Grenadiers reached the trench -from which the Scots Guards were to advance. This trench had become much -broken down during the last days' fighting, and there were many wounded -lying about, some of whom had been there for two days. When he arrived -Major Montgomerie found that the attack had already begun, and that the -Scots Guards were well away over the open, making for Puits 14. He -therefore ordered No. 1 and No. 2 Companies, as they emerged from the -communication trenches, to follow on at once in support of the Scots -Guards. No. 3 and No. 4 Companies, under Lieutenant Eaton and Captain -Powell, were kept in reserve under the immediate orders of the -Brigadier, who had now established his headquarters in that trench. - -The Irish Guards, supported by the Coldstream, succeeded in gaining -Chalk Pit Wood, but the Scots Guards had a more difficult task with -Puits 14. After they had passed the Hulluch--Loos road they were not -only shelled, but came in for heavy machine-gun fire from Hill 70 and -Bois Hugo. The fire came almost entirely from the right flank. The two -Grenadier companies under Captain Vivian and Captain Walker pushed on -under terrific shell-fire, and came up with the Scots Guards just -outside Puits 14, stubbornly defended by the Germans. Regardless of the -machine-guns which were mowing down our men, the Scots Guards and two -companies of Grenadiers pressed on, and endeavoured to reach Puits 14, -but very few of the Scots Guards and not more than a dozen Grenadiers, -under Lieutenant Ritchie, actually got into the Puits, where they threw -bombs into a house occupied by the enemy. - -But the enemy had not occupied this position for a year without thinking -out every possible event, and machine-guns were soon turned on the -attackers from every direction. Finding it impossible to retain -possession of the Puits, the Scots Guards retired with the two companies -of Grenadiers to just in front of Chalk Pit Wood, making it equally -impossible for the enemy to hold his position. Lieutenant Ritchie and -Second Lieutenant Crabbe, not knowing of this retirement, remained with -six men among the buildings in the Puits, until they found themselves -almost surrounded by Germans who had come from the Bois Hugo. At first -they tried to drive the enemy back, but, finding themselves outnumbered -and in danger of being captured, they decided to retire. The majority of -the party got back to Chalk Pit Wood, but Second Lieutenant Crabbe was -last seen standing on a wall throwing bombs at the enemy when he was -killed. Captain Vivian, Lieutenant Ritchie, Lieutenant Dowling, and -Lieutenant Lycett-Green were wounded. The last afterwards had his leg -amputated. Lieutenant Rowley, also wounded, was too badly hurt to be -moved, and so was left behind and taken prisoner. Lieutenant Ritchie, -finding himself alone and wounded, walked slowly back to Chalk Pit Wood, -where he collected all the men he could, and told them to dig themselves -in for the night. He then came back and reported to General Ponsonby the -result of the attack. Captain Walker was left behind in the retirement, -but was able to get back after dark. - -Lieutenant Ritchie, who commanded No. 1 Company after Captain Vivian was -wounded, was specially recommended for "exceptional courage and -ability." In spite of his injuries he continued to fight on with his -company for six hours, and even when the retirement was ordered he made -a valuable reconnaissance. Captain Walker was also specially mentioned -for the splendid way he led his company into action. - -Meanwhile the Irish and Coldstream Guards on the left had established -themselves in the Chalk Pit and adjoining wood, where they dug -themselves in. - -When darkness fell, Brigadier-General Ponsonby ordered another -company from the Grenadiers to support the Scots Guards. Major -Molyneux-Montgomerie, on receiving the order, went out with -Lieutenant Ritchie to find the exact position of the two companies, -and having done this he sent back a guide to bring up another -company. No. 4, under Lieutenant Hirst, started off, but was held up -by machine-gun fire, and it was two hours before it was able to -reach the other two companies, who had suffered very much during the -attack. The 3rd Battalion Grenadiers was now prolonging the line of -the Scots Guards to the right, and holding from the south-west -corner of Chalk Pit Wood to the corner of Loos, facing Puits 14. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 28.] - -The positions remained unchanged during the night and following morning, -with shelling at intervals by the enemy, who knew the range of the -trench precisely. In the afternoon the 1st Battalion Coldstream made a -very gallant attempt to take Puits 14 from the Chalk Pit, but the attack -failed. During the night two platoons of No. 3, under Lieutenant Eaton, -were sent to make a line across the Loos--Hulluch road facing north, and -to establish communication with the 1st Battalion Coldstream towards the -Chalk Pit. Lieutenant F. Anson in No. 4 was wounded early that morning, -and Captain Murray, in charge of the 3rd Battalion bombers, was very -severely wounded while making a plucky raid on the Puits buildings. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 29-30.] - -Until the night of the 30th the Battalion remained in the same trenches. -It was very wet and cold, and the constant shelling greatly interfered -with the work of bringing up supplies. The remnant of No. 2 Company, -under Captain Walker, was moved to the left, and was used, together with -No. 3 Company, to continue the line facing north, thus completing the -junction between the 2nd and 1st Guards Brigades. - -When the Brigade was relieved on the night of the 30th, the Berkshire -Regiment came up to take the place of the Grenadiers. The relief did not -finish till past 2 A.M., when the Battalion, much exhausted after its -three days' fighting, marched slowly back through Noyelles and -Sailly-la-Bourse to Verquigneul, which was reached about 6 A.M. - -Among the officers the casualties were: Second Lieutenant Crabbe, -killed; Captain Vivian, Captain Murray, Lieutenant Ritchie, Lieutenant -Lycett-Green, Lieutenant F. Anson, and Lieutenant Dowling, wounded; -Lieutenant Rowley, missing. The total casualties--killed, wounded, and -missing-amounted to 229. - -The following message was sent from the Brigadier to Colonel Corry: - - To the Commanding Officer 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards. - - I wish to express to the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards my - appreciation and admiration at their steady advance under very - deadly fire to the attack on September 27. Lord Cavan, commanding - the Guards Division, a former Grenadier Guardsman, has expressed to - me the sincere pride with which he watched his old regiment advance - to the assault. - - J. PONSONBY, Brigadier-General, - Commanding the 2nd Guards Brigade. - - - The 4th Battalion. - - -[Sidenote: Sept. 26.] - -The 3rd Guards Brigade, under Brigadier-General Heyworth, marched _via_ -Lambres, Lières, and Marles-les-Mines to Haillicourt, where it arrived -on Sunday morning the 26th. At Marles-les-Mines it had to halt for six -hours to allow a cavalry corps to pass, and as the men never knew when -their turn would come to advance, they had to sit down on a muddy road -and wait. The battalions were crowded into billets for a short time at -Haillicourt, where the violent bombardment of the French attack at -Souchez could be distinctly heard. In the afternoon the Brigade moved -off, and marched to Vermelles, where it remained for the night. - -The officers of the 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards were: - - Lieut.-Colonel G. C. Hamilton, D.S.O., Commanding Officer. - Major the Hon. C. M. B. Ponsonby, M.V.O., Second in Command. - Capt. T. F. J. N. Thorne, Adjutant. - Lieut. M. G. Williams, Machine-gun Officer. - Lieut. C. E. M. Ellison, Machine-gun Officer. - 2nd Lieut. E. Ludlow, Quartermaster. - Capt. J. A. Morrison, No. 1 Company. - Lieut. G. E. Shelley, No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. G. A. Ponsonby, No. 1 Company. - Captain Sir G. Houstoun-Boswall, Bart., No. 2 Company. - Lieut. E. F. Penn, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. P. Malcolm, No. 2 Company. - Capt. E. D. Ridley, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. M. A. T. Ridley, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. A. H. Tompson, No. 3 Company. - Capt. H. L. Aubrey Fletcher, M.V.O., No. 4 Company. - Lieut. E. R. D. Hoare, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. B. C. Layton, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. M. H. Macmillan, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. E. Brunton, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer. - -Lieutenant Blundell, Lieutenant Britten, Lieutenant R. Leigh Pemberton, -and Lieutenant Tennant were left at Vermelles with the transport. - -On the 27th Brigadier-General Heyworth received orders to attack Hill -70. The movements of the 3rd Guards Brigade more or less depended on the -success of the 2nd Brigade. Originally it had been decided not to go -through Loos, but to leave it on the right and to rendezvous close in -rear of the Loos--Hulluch road, but these orders were afterwards -cancelled. - -Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton explained to the company officers the -general plan of attack, with some more detailed particulars about the -part the 4th Battalion was to play, but on being ordered at once to -accompany General Heyworth, who was going into Loos, he handed the -command of the Battalion to Major Ponsonby, and told him to bring it to -a position of deployment in Loos, where he himself would meet them. At -the same time Captain Aubrey Fletcher was sent forward to reconnoitre -the best route into Loos, and Lieutenant Blundell was ordered to bring -up the Brigade S.A.A. and tool limbers to Fort Galatz. - -At 2.30 the 4th Battalion moved off in fours down the Vermelles--Douai -road, with No. 1 Company, under Captain Morrison, leading, and on -reaching the top of the ridge assumed artillery formation. The order of -march was: 4th Battalion Grenadiers, Welsh Guards, 2nd Battalion Scots -Guards, and 1st Battalion Grenadiers. For one and a half miles, under -heavy artillery fire--not shrapnel, but percussion H.E.--and in full -view of the Germans, the 3rd Guards Brigade advanced in artillery -formation. Perfect order was maintained in spite of the shells, which -burst all round, and there was not a man out of his place. Nothing more -splendid has ever been recorded in the annals of the Guards than the -manner in which every battalion in the Brigade faced this trying ordeal. -The 4th Battalion Grenadiers was all the time under machine-gun fire -from the right, and during this stage of the attack Lieutenant Hoare was -wounded. - -On nearing Loos the 4th Battalion Grenadiers was ordered to double down -the slope and get into a trench which ran through some ruined houses. -The German artillery was now directing its attention to Loos, and using -a great many gas shells. Major Ponsonby, guided by Captain Aubrey -Fletcher, led the Battalion down an old German communication trench -immediately north of Fort Galatz. It had already gone some distance -along the trench when General Heyworth arrived at full gallop down the -road, and ordered Captain Ridley and the men in rear of him who had not -yet entered the communication trench to follow him at once. It would -seem that the Battalion had either advanced too far or was going in the -wrong direction. In any case from that moment it was divided into two -parts. - -Captain E. Ridley took with him Nos. 6, 7, and 8 platoons from No. 2 -Company under Captain Sir George Houstoun-Boswall, No. 10 platoon from -No. 3 Company under Lieutenant M. Ridley, with a few men from No. 4 -Company, and worked down a trench towards the outskirts of Loos. Here -they were again met by General Heyworth, who told them to go through the -town and await Lieut.-Colonel Hamilton. Passing through the ruins at a -rapid pace, Captain Ridley and his party reached the corner of the -church which was being heavily shelled. The noise was deafening; shells -were bursting in every direction and houses were falling in. The enemy's -snipers were shooting at every place which might shelter a man. Through -this hideous pandemonium the platoons came, not yet taking any part in -the battle, but simply on their way to the place from which the attack -was to start. - -It was then found that Lieut.-Colonel Hamilton had been gassed and so -placed _hors de combat_. Captain E. Ridley was told to take his platoons -to the south-east corner of the town, but at that moment Major Ponsonby, -accompanied by the Adjutant, Captain Thorne, and also Captain Fletcher, -arrived and guided them to their destination. Major Ponsonby had been -hastily sent for and told by the Brigadier to take command of the -Battalion in Colonel Hamilton's place. Finding the Battalion split in -two, he at once sent back for what really was the main portion, but the -orderly who took the message was killed, and the order never reached -Captain Morrison. Meanwhile the men were placed in a shallow trench just -outside the town and facing Hill 70. - -Here they were joined by Lieutenant M. Williams and Second Lieutenant -Ellison with the machine-guns, who had made their way across country -while the limbers went by road. Corporal C. Gould, who brought up the -limbers under continual shell-fire, met on the way a runaway horse -racing down the road at full gallop with a bomber's wagon behind him, -fully loaded with bombs. The driver had been killed, and the horse, -terrified by the shells, was making for home. Corporal Gould succeeded -in stopping the horse, and put one of his men on the wagon. On arrival -at Loos the machine-guns were carried on by hand. - -The Welsh Guards now came up under Lieut.-Colonel Murray Threipland, who -said that General Heyworth wished the attack to begin at once. Major -Ponsonby, however, realised that to attempt an attack with the small -force at his disposal was merely to court failure, and sent back word to -General Heyworth stating what had happened to his battalion, and adding -that he hardly considered the few platoons under his command sufficient -to carry out the attack with any prospect of success. Messages, however, -take some time to deliver, and every moment might be precious. He -therefore consulted Colonel Murray Threipland, who undertook the attack, -giving him instructions to join in on the left. - -The firing line was composed of the Prince of Wales's Company of the -Welsh Guards on the right, and Nos. 6 and 7 platoons of the 4th -Battalion Grenadiers, under Sir George Houstoun-Boswall, on the left. -Nos. 2 and 3 Companies of the Welsh Guards and Nos. 8 and 10 platoons of -the Grenadiers were in support, while Colonel Murray Threipland kept his -4th Company as a reserve, and to it were added the remaining Grenadiers, -including the men of the Battalion Headquarters. As soon as the men were -formed up Major Ponsonby decided to take command himself, and sent -Captain Ridley back to find the remainder of the Battalion. - -Colonel Murray Threipland sent a message to General Heyworth to warn him -that the attack had been launched, but the news had just arrived that -the 2nd Guards Brigade had been unable to retain their hold on Puits 14. -At this General Heyworth appears at first to have contemplated -cancelling the attack, but on receiving orders from Lord Cavan to -relieve the pressure on the 2nd Brigade by launching the attack on Hill -70, he destroyed the cancelling order. - -So the attack started. Steadily the 4th Battalion Grenadiers and 1st -Battalion Welsh Guards advanced towards Hill 70. At first they met -nothing but rifle-fire, but on reaching the crest of the hill they were -greeted by a murderous machine-gun fire, which caused great havoc among -the front line. Staggered for a moment, the men hesitated, but Major -Ponsonby urged them on, and they got to within twenty-five yards of the -German trenches. There had been no attempt at any surprise in this -attack, which was not supported by artillery, although the cavalry -machine-guns rendered all assistance they could. The enemy's -machine-guns were cleverly placed and were most effective, especially in -the neighbourhood of Puits 14 bis, which was now again in the hands of -the Germans. - -Explicit orders had been given by General Heyworth to the commanding -officers on no account to advance over the crest of the hill; when a -line on the reverse slope of the hill had been occupied it was to be -consolidated. Owing to Lieut.-Colonel Hamilton having been gassed, the -Grenadiers knew nothing of this order, and pushed on, while the Welsh -Guards remained just under the crest of the hill. But the Grenadiers' -position was quite untenable on account of the machine-guns which were -enfilading them, and they withdrew to behind the crest. - -Darkness now came down, and the exact position of the front line was not -clear to those in rear. It was known that Hill 70 had been taken, and -that somewhere on this hill were the Welsh Guards and a portion of the -Grenadiers, with isolated parties in front of them. The 2nd Battalion -Scots Guards, under Colonel Cator, was being sent up to relieve the -front line, while the 1st Battalion Grenadiers remained in reserve in -Loos. - -During the last part of the advance Major Myles Ponsonby was hit while -advancing with his men. Captain Thorne, the Adjutant, remained with him, -although they were only twenty-five yards from the Germans, tied up his -wounds, and, seeing how badly he was wounded, gave him morphia tablets. -Early next morning Major Ponsonby died. No more glorious end could have -been than his. He died, as Lord Cavan afterwards put it in a private -letter, a great and lion-hearted Grenadier fighting to the last, within -a few yards of the Germans. - -Captain Thorne was himself wounded in the head, and after leaving Major -Ponsonby he tried to get back when it was dark. On the way he came upon -two drummers who had been acting as orderlies; one had been killed and -the other wounded through the leg. Knowing that if he left the boy where -he was, he would probably be killed, he determined to carry him back. He -put him on his shoulders and started off, but must have made some noise, -for the Germans at once put up a flare and fired at him with -machine-guns. He fell forward at once with the drummer--both killed. - -Captain Sir George Houstoun-Boswall, who was in command of the first -line of Grenadiers during this attack, behaved with great gallantry, and -was killed as they were nearing the German trenches. Captain Fletcher -was badly wounded earlier in the attack, as was Lieutenant M. Ridley: -thus all the officers who took part in the attack were either killed or -wounded. - -When the attack started Lieutenant Mervyn Williams was ordered by Major -Ponsonby to follow with his machine-guns in case of a counter-attack, -and to leave Lieutenant Ellison behind in Loos with the reserve guns. -The machine-gun party therefore followed on till it got to the top of -Hill 70, where a large number of Grenadiers who had been killed were -found. Crawling on, the men suddenly realised that they had gone too far -and that there were Germans firing behind them, so they wheeled round, -and came across Captain W. Berkley with some Welsh Guards and a small -number of Grenadiers under Lieutenant M. Ridley, who was badly wounded. -The fire was very heavy and there seemed no prospect of being able to -advance. Uncertain where the remainder of the force was, the party -hesitated to fire for fear of killing its own men. It was pouring with -rain, and as darkness came on Lieutenant Williams decided to dig in -where he was on Hill 70. - -It is necessary now to return and follow the movements of the other half -of the Battalion. It was moving down the German communication trench -quite unconscious that General Heyworth had diverted the two last -companies to Loos. When Captain Morrison arrived at the spot appointed -as a rendezvous, he waited. The attack had clearly begun, as the -shelling was very violent, but no orders of any sort came to him, nor -did he know what had become of Major Ponsonby, Captain Fletcher, and -Captain Thorne, any one of whom might have been able to explain to him -the situation. He accordingly sent off an orderly to the Brigade -Headquarters asking for instructions. But it was far from easy to find -the Brigadier in the middle of a battle, and as the first orderly did -not return he sent a second, and repeated this process until four -orderlies had gone. He had with him No. 1 Company (his own), one platoon -of No. 2 Company under Lieutenant Penn, two platoons of No. 3 Company -under Lieutenant Tompson, and the greater part of No. 4 Company under -Second Lieutenant Layton and Second Lieutenant Macmillan. - -As no orders came, he formed up the men and determined to take part in -the fighting. He had been told that the 3rd Guards Brigade were to -attack Hill 70, and that the 4th Battalion Grenadiers were to form part -of the attacking force. It was clearly wrong, therefore, for these -companies to be doing nothing. But he could see no sign of the rest of -his battalion, and efforts to obtain instructions had proved fruitless. -At this moment he observed the 2nd Brigade attacking Puits 14, and -thereupon decided to take on himself the responsibility of joining in, -feeling sure that if he was wanted by the 3rd Brigade to attack Hill 70 -he would be in the best position to assist them; rather than remain -inactive he thought it best to throw his forces in anywhere. - -Captain Morrison's men now extended for attack, and came up on the right -of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards just as they were attacking Puits 14. -The ground in this part of the line was being fiercely contested, and -they found themselves under very severe machine-gun fire. When the Scots -Guards retired from Puits 14, this portion of the 4th Battalion -Grenadiers found themselves completely isolated. They lay down where -they were under heavy fire, and when it was realised that the 2nd Guards -Brigade could make no farther advance, Captain Morrison gave his men -orders to crawl back and dig themselves in on the Hulluch--Loos road. -During this movement Second Lieutenant Macmillan was wounded in the -head. Captain Morrison then went back and reported his position to -General Heyworth, who told him to go up with the 2nd Battalion Scots -Guards, under Colonel Cator, and dig in a line on Hill 70. - -That evening the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards was sent up to relieve the -4th Battalion Grenadiers, but fifty men of No. 3 Company, who had -originally formed part of the attacking force and were now without an -officer, finding how thinly this line was held, insisted on staying -where they were in order to strengthen the line. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 28.] - -Early in the morning the 4th Battalion went to the Loos--Hulluch road, -and remained there till the night of the 29th, but it was found that -there were still the fifty men of the Battalion already mentioned on -Hill 70, in addition to some thirty who had joined the 3rd Battalion in -the 2nd Brigade. The machine-gun section, under Lieutenant Williams, -also remained out on Hill 70, hoping that the attack would be renewed, -when it could join in. Some Engineers had got out to them and erected -barbed-wire entanglements partially across their front. Wounded men were -continually crawling back to this little oasis in the desert of -shell-holes. Painfully and slowly, inch by inch, these maimed men would -arrive, often being sniped by the enemy. It was such an exposed spot -that, beyond helping them into the shallow trench, the men in this party -could do little. - -About 8.30 that night Lieutenant Williams+ saw a party of Germans crawl -out and advance toward some of our wounded who were unable to move. They -appeared to be quite unaware of the handful of men in this trench. -Feeling sure they intended to take the wounded prisoners, when their -injuries would, no doubt, be dressed, he gave orders that no one was to -fire. The Germans crept on slowly, but on reaching the wounded, to -Lieutenant Williams' horror, they proceeded to bayonet them. It was -hardly necessary for Lieutenant Williams to give the order to fire, as -the men with the machine-guns had seen this dastardly act, and the two -machine-guns soon wiped out the whole party of Germans. Our wounded men -were finally rescued by the Scots Guards when they came up, and -Lieutenant Williams retired with the machine-guns to Loos. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 29.] - -Meanwhile, Captain Morrison had succeeded in collecting the men who had -been scattered in various parts of the line. They had all joined in the -attack somewhere, although they received no instructions to do so. That -night the Battalion marched back to Vermelles, and went into billets. - -The casualties among the officers were: Lieut.-Colonel G. Hamilton and -Lieutenant Shelley, gassed; Major the Hon. M. Ponsonby, Captain Thorne, -Captain Sir George Houstoun-Boswall, Second Lieutenant A. Tompson, -killed; Captain Aubrey Fletcher, Lieutenant P. Malcolm, Second -Lieutenant M. Ridley, Lieutenant E. R. D. Hoare, Second Lieutenant -Macmillan, wounded. The total casualties in other ranks amounted to 342. - - - The 1st Battalion - - -The officers of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards at this time were: - - Lieut.-Colonel G. F. Trotter, M.V.O., D.S.O., Commanding Officer. - Major C. R. C. de Crespigny, Second in Command. - Lieut. E. H. Duberly, Adjutant. - 2nd Lieut. P. K. Stephenson, Machine-gun Officer. - Capt. M. E. Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, King's Company. - Lieutenant Sir A. L. M. Napier, Bt., King's Company. - Lieutenant Lord Stanley, King's Company. - 2nd Lieut. G. J. T. H. Villiers, King's Company. - 2nd Lieut. A. G. Bonham-Carter, King's Company. - Capt. F. L. V. Swaine, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. R. P. le P. Trench, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. F. E. H. Paget, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. Leeke, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieutenant the Hon. I. A. Charteris, No. 2 Company. - Major W. E. Nicol, D.S.O., No. 3 Company. - Lieut. O. Wakeman, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. E. Heneage, No. 3 Company. - Capt. W. S. Pilcher, No. 4 Company. - Lieutenant Viscount Lascelles, No. 4 Company. - Lieutenant the Earl of Dalkeith, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. A. A. Moller, No. 4 Company. - Capt. G. Petit, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 26-27.] - -The 1st Battalion reached Vermelles on the Sunday with the rest of the -3rd Guards Brigade. On Monday it advanced towards Loos, and was placed -in reserve, which meant being heavily shelled, without taking any active -part in the fighting. It received orders to occupy the old German -second-line trench on the outskirts of Loos, and Lieut.-Colonel G. -Trotter left it there under Major de Crespigny while he went forward to -Brigade Headquarters. The advance of the 3rd Guards Brigade into Loos -under heavy shell-fire already referred to was described afterwards by a -General as one of the most splendid and inspiring sights he had ever -seen. - -Major de Crespigny led the 1st Battalion to an old German trench just -outside Loos, and ordered the men to put on gas helmets. Lieut.-Colonel -Trotter, having been told to keep his battalion well under cover and to -wait for further orders, returned to find that they had already carried -out these instructions. The attack by the 4th Battalion Grenadiers and -Welsh Guards started, but when General Heyworth found they could not -capture and hold Hill 70 he decided to take up a line a little short of -the crest of the hill and not to throw in the reserves. The 1st -Battalion Grenadiers therefore remained just outside Loos, and in the -evening sent up digging parties to assist the Royal Engineers. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 28.] - -All next day the 1st Battalion Grenadiers remained in this trench, where -it was heavily shelled. The Germans of course knew the exact range of -this trench, and were able to hit it with monotonous regularity, but the -dug-outs were so craftily constructed that little damage was done. The -danger lay in entering and coming out of these caves, and a certain -number of men were killed in this way. All night digging parties were -sent out to work on the lines in front. Marching in the dark through -Loos was a hazardous proceeding, as the roads were a mass of shell-holes -into which men frequently fell, and since the parties had to work in the -open with the German trenches not very far off, their task was a -perilous one. Flares were sent up, and if a man moved the Germans -started firing at once. Nevertheless the Battalion got through a great -deal of work, and barbed wire and sand-bags were taken up to the Scots -Guards, who were now holding the line on Hill 70. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 29.] - -The 1st Battalion stayed in the same trenches next day, but the front -line was by no means straight. This enabled the Germans to bring up a -field-gun, with which they enfiladed the whole trench. When the shells -first arrived down the trench from no one knew where, there were a great -many men outside the dug-outs, and consequently many casualties. Major -W. E. Nicol was hit in the head by a fragment of a shell, and died soon -afterwards; Second Lieutenant Villiers had his jaw broken in two places, -and Lieutenant Sir A. Napier was wounded in the thigh. The total -casualties among other ranks were 45. - -[Sidenote: Sept. 30.] - -On the 30th the Battalion was relieved by a battalion of the 37th -Brigade, and retired into billets at Sailly-la-Bourse. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 1915 - - - Diary of the War - - -The marshy condition of the ground and the bad weather made operations -on any large scale impossible, and, with the exception of raids in -various parts of the line, no serious offensive movement was attempted. -In December Field-Marshal Sir John French resigned command of the -British Army in France, and took over command of the Forces in the -United Kingdom. He was succeeded by General Sir Douglas Haig. - -In October the Bulgarians, under the impression that the Central Powers -were winning the war, decided to join them, and declared war on the -Allies. - -In Mesopotamia the British Forces reached Kut-el-Amara with a view to -the capture of Bagdad. - -The campaign in Gallipoli having reached a deadlock, it was decided to -withdraw the British Forces and abandon the attempt to reach -Constantinople by that route. The whole of the Forces were successfully -withdrawn with only three casualties. - - - The 1st Battalion. Roll of Officers. - - - Lieut.-Colonel G. F. Trotter, M.V.O., D.S.O., Commanding Officer. - Major C. R. C. de Crespigny, Second in Command. - Lieut. E. H. J. Duberly, Adjutant. - Lieut. P. K. Stephenson, Machine Gun Section. - Lieut. the Earl of Dalkeith, Bombing Officer. - Lieut. Lord Stanley, Transport Officer. - Lieut. J. Teece, Quartermaster. - Capt. M. E. Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, King's Company. - 2nd Lieut. F. G. Bonham-Carter, King's Company. - Capt. F. L. V. Swaine, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. R. P. le P. Trench, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. F. E. H. Paget, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. Leeke, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. the Hon. I. A. Charteris, No. 2 Company. - Capt. C. H. Greville, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. O. Wakeman, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. E. Heneage, No. 3 Company. - Capt. W. S. Pilcher, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. Viscount Lascelles, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. A. A. Moller, No. 4 Company. - Capt. G. Petit, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer. - -During October the 1st Battalion remained either in or just behind the -trenches until the 26th. The casualties in the other battalions -necessitated a certain redistribution of the officers, and Captain R. -Wolrige-Gordon, who had returned from sick leave, was transferred to the -3rd Battalion, while Captain Greville and Second Lieutenant F. G. -Bonham-Carter went to the 4th Battalion. On October 3 the 1st Battalion -relieved the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in the -trenches, and came in for a good deal of shelling, during which it had -twenty-six casualties. On the 6th it was relieved by the 6th Buffs, and -went into billets at Vermelles, where it lived in cellars. From -Vermelles to the trenches was a march of one and a half hours through -communication trenches practically the whole way, and fatigue parties -sometimes amounting to over 150 men were constantly sent up to the front -line. Lieutenant O. Wakeman and Lieutenant Lord Lascelles were -recommended for the rank of temporary Captain on account of their -gallant conduct, and the efficient manner in which they handled their -platoons under fire. - -On the 7th Second Lieutenant R. W. Phillipps and a draft of 50 men -arrived, and on the 9th Second Lieutenant F. C. St. Aubyn and Second -Lieutenant H. Alexander joined the Battalion. - -On the 14th the Battalion moved up into the trenches near the -Hohenzollern Redoubt and occupied the front line south-east of "Big -Willie," the name given by the men to the largest of the two German -trenches connecting the Hohenzollern Redoubt with the main line of the -German trenches. - -[Sidenote: Oct. 17.] - -On the 17th Lieut.-Colonel G. Trotter received orders to direct a -bombing attack against the German line towards Slag Alley. The attack -was to be undertaken by No. 3 Company under Lieutenant O. Wakeman, and -the men went out over the top with the expert bombers leading, but on -arrival they found two German machine-guns enfilading the front of the -German block. Second Lieutenant the Hon. I. Charteris and Second -Lieutenant H. Alexander, two very promising officers, were killed at -once, and a large number of men were killed and wounded. Lieutenant O. -Wakeman behaved with great gallantry, and went forward to see whether -anything could be done. He found that to attempt an advance was -impossible, and was just sending back for more reinforcements when he -was shot through the top of the skull and was completely paralysed in -both legs. Colonel Trotter now sent up Lieutenant Lord Lascelles to take -command of the Company, telling him, if possible, to keep all that had -been gained, but to use his discretion as to what should be done in the -circumstances. Lord Lascelles, on coming up, quickly grasped the whole -situation. He saw that while the two German machine-guns were in -position, it was a practical impossibility to take the trench, and he -very wisely withdrew what remained of that Company to our trenches. It -was well that he did so, for soon afterwards the Germans commenced a -heavy bombardment, which lasted till noon. The casualties were 2 -officers killed and 3 wounded, with 125 of other ranks killed and -wounded. - -Lieutenant Trench had asked the Commanding Officer the night before -whether he might lead the bombers, but his request was refused, as his -business was to remain in our trenches and see that every bomb was -properly fused before it was passed along to the front. When Lieutenant -Charteris, however, was killed, his men, not knowing what was expected -of them, started to come back. Lieutenant Trench rallied them, and took -them up again, when he was knocked down with a bit of a bomb through his -right arm. On the previous day only he had had a nasty blow from a piece -of shell on the shoulder, but had refused to take any notice of it. -Lieutenant St. Aubyn was also wounded during this bombing attack, but -not seriously. In the evening the body of Lieutenant Charteris was -recovered, and buried at Sailly-la-Bourse, Lord Stanley superintending -the funeral. - -On the 10th the Battalion was relieved by the 3rd Battalion Coldstream, -and went into billets at Sailly-la-Bourse, but returned to the trenches -on the 26th, when Second Lieutenant R. Phillipps, who had only joined -the Battalion a fortnight before, was killed. On the 20th Lieutenant G. -Inglis and a draft of sixty-eight men arrived. On the 26th the Battalion -marched about fifteen miles to Allouagne, where it remained in billets -for a fortnight. The King, who was in France, had expressed his -intention of inspecting the Guards Division on the 28th, and all the -battalions were actually marching to the ground when the news arrived -that, owing to an accident to His Majesty, the inspection would not take -place. It was known afterwards that while the King was inspecting some -troops his horse, frightened by the cheering, had reared up, falling -back on His Majesty, and crushing him severely. Before he left France, -the following was published in orders: - - SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY BY HIS MAJESTY THE KING - - I am happy to have found myself once more with my armies. - - It is especially gratifying to me to have been able to see some of - those that have been newly created. For I have watched with interest - the growth of these troops from the first days of recruit drill and - through the different stages of training until their final - inspection on the eve of departure for the Front as organised - divisions. Already they have justified the general conviction then - formed of their splendid fighting worth. - - Since I was last among you, you have fought many strenuous battles. - In all you have reaped renown and proved yourselves at least equal - to the highest traditions of the British Army. - - In company with our noble Allies you have baffled the infamous - conspiracy against the law and liberty of Europe, so long and - insidiously prepared. - - These achievements have involved vast sacrifices. But your - countrymen who watch your campaign with sympathetic admiration will, - I am well assured, spare no effort to fill your ranks and afford you - all supplies. - - I have decorated many of you. But had I decorated all who deserve - recognition for conspicuous valour, there would have been no limit, - for the whole Army is illustrious. - - It is a matter of sincere regret to me that my accident should have - prevented my seeing all the troops I had intended, but during my - stay amongst you I have seen enough to fill my heart with admiration - of your patient cheerful endurance of life in the trenches; a life - either of weary monotony or of terrible tumult. It is the dogged - determination evinced by all ranks which will at last bring you to - victory. Keep the goal in sight, and remember it is the final lap - that wins. - - GEORGE, R.I. - - _November 1, 1915._ - -On October 31 Major M. Maitland was transferred to the 3rd Battalion. - -[Sidenote: Nov.] - -On November 1 the 1st Battalion went into Brigade Reserve, and moved -into billets on the La Bassée road. On the 10th Lieutenant G. Wilson -joined from the Yorkshire Light Infantry, and on the 18th Lieutenant the -Hon. P. P. Cary and Second Lieutenant H. V. Cholmeley arrived. On the -16th it went into the trenches at Chapigny with two Companies in the -front line, one in support and one in reserve in Rue Bacquerot, where -the Germans were very quiet, but the inevitable sniping made it -dangerous to any one who exposed himself. A great deal of work had to be -done improving and draining the trenches, but the men were wonderfully -well equipped during the cold weather, for they had high waders, leather -waistcoats, mackintosh caps, and good gloves. - -[Sidenote: Dec.] - -On the 26th the Battalion retired into billets at La Gorgue, and went up -into the trenches, relieving the 4th Battalion every two days, until -December 20, when it went into Brigade Reserve at Laventie. On the 21st -the 1st and 4th Battalions Grenadiers dined together, the dinner being -arranged by Captain Morrison. On the 23rd Second Lieutenant C. Wilkinson -joined the Battalion. On the 22nd the Battalion returned to the front -line, again taking turns with the 4th Battalion, and as the trenches -were ill suited for Christmas festivities, it was unanimously agreed to -postpone the Christmas dinners until January. Captain G. Petit, -R.A.M.C., who had been attached to the 1st Battalion for over a year, -left to take up another appointment. He had followed the fortunes of the -Battalion, and had fought with it in all the battles in which it had -taken part during the last twelve months. His departure was therefore -much regretted by the officers and men, with whom he was very popular. - - - The 2nd Battalion. - - - ROLL OF OFFICERS - - Lieut.-Colonel G. D. Jeffreys, Commanding Officer. - Major Lord Henry Seymour, Second in Command. - Capt. the Hon. W. R. Bailey, Adjutant. - Lieut. D. Abel-Smith, Machine-Gun Officer. - 2nd Lieut. the Hon. A. V. Agar-Robartes, Machine-Gun Officer. - Lieut. W. E. Acraman, Quartermaster. - Lieut. J. N. Buchanan, No. 1 Company. - Lieut. E. W. M. Grigg, No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. L. St. L. Hermon-Hodge, No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. H. G. W. Sandeman, No. 1 Company. - Capt. A. F. R. Wiggins, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. F. O. S. Sitwell, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. E. H. Noble, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. H. A. Clive, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. H. F. C. Crookshank, No. 2 Company. - Capt. R. H. V. Cavendish, M.V.O., No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. W. H. Beaumont-Nesbitt, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. I. H. Ingleby, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. the Hon. B. B. Ponsonby, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. E. R. M. Fryer, No. 3 Company. - Capt. A. de P. Kingsmill, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. J. C. Craigie, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. the Hon. W. A. D. Parnell, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. M. A. Knatchbull-Hugessen, No. 4 Company. - Capt. E. A. Aldridge, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer. - -[Sidenote: Oct.] - -In the redistribution of officers after the battle of Loos, Lieutenant -F. O. S. Sitwell and Second Lieutenant I. H. Ingleby were transferred to -the 4th Battalion, and Second Lieutenant E. R. M. Fryer and Lieutenant -L. St. L. Hermon-Hodge to the 3rd Battalion. - -On the 3rd the 2nd Battalion returned to the trenches, and took over the -section of old British trenches east of Vermelles, where it remained in -support of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions Coldstream, who were in the old -German trenches south of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. It was hardly in -position when the Germans shelled the whole line heavily, and caused -some casualties. Two high-explosive shells landed in the trench occupied -by No. 1 Company, killing two and wounding five men. Second Lieutenant -Sandeman was knocked down, but not seriously hurt, and Lieutenant -Craigie was wounded. - -This activity on the part of the German artillery was the prelude to a -counter-attack, by which the enemy retook the Hohenzollern Redoubt. On -the 4th the East Yorkshire Regiment tried to retake this Redoubt, but -failed. The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers, still in support, was engaged in -digging communication trenches towards the old German trenches which -were now our front line. It was an intricate piece of trench line, with -the Germans not thirty yards off, and required a great deal of work to -make it tenable. On the 5th the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers moved up in the -front line, and there was a certain amount of bombing on both sides. For -two days the Battalion remained in its trenches, and sniping was reduced -to a fine art, as hyposcopic rifles had been provided. On the 7th the -Battalion was relieved by the 3rd Battalion Coldstream, and retired to -billets at Vermelles, but even here the shells followed it, and fell in -and about the village. - -On the 8th the Battalion returned to the trenches, and that night the -enemy attacked, but were easily driven off. On the 10th Lieut.-Colonel -Jeffreys determined to take the enemy's bombing post by surprise, and to -bomb up his trench as far as possible. No. 1 Company under Lieutenant H. -A. Clive was selected for the task, and the whole scheme of attack was -carefully planned and explained to every officer, N.C.O., and man who -took part in it. Second Lieutenant Sandeman was ordered to command the -party, but Lieutenant J. C. Craigie, the bombing officer, went first. It -was a pitch-dark night and very quiet, so that every man had to be -careful not to make any noise, more especially as every few minutes a -light went up silently. Slowly thirty crawling figures went out, and -made their way through the grass. A quarter of an hour went by in -silence, and Colonel Jeffreys, fearing that there was some mistake, -telephoned to Lieutenant Clive to ask why the attack had not begun, but -at that moment the first bombs exploded. Lieutenant Craigie reached the -German bombing post in safety, and as soon as the bomb-throwing began in -earnest, whistled back, which was the signal for Lieutenant Grigg to -come out with a chain of men carrying bombs. - -The Germans, surprised by this shower of bombs, hastily retired, and -were followed by Lieutenant Craigie and Lieutenant Sandeman up the -trench. Having got 150 yards up the German trench, Lieutenant Craigie -sent back for reinforcements, and Lieutenant Clive came up himself with -another platoon carrying picks and shovels to consolidate the position. -Meanwhile in front the Germans were making a stand, and soon a message -came back for stretcher-bearers, but the narrowness of the trench made -stretchers dangerous, as they might possibly block the trench, so the -wounded were carried back over the top. A message had just been received -that barbed wire was wanted in front, when the telephone wire was cut by -a shell. With a narrow trench full of men filling sand-bags and making -fire positions, barbed wire is an awkward thing to carry up, and -Lieutenant Clive therefore gave orders that it was to come up over the -top. Now carrying the wounded back over the top has a certain -sentimental attraction, for anything connected with the wounded is -associated in men's minds with the V.C., but carrying barbed wire up, -although every bit as dangerous, is mere coolie work. Nevertheless the -barbed wire arrived at its destination, and the farthest point taken was -consolidated. One thousand five hundred bombs had been thrown, and there -were no more available; so when Major Lord Henry Seymour came along, and -ordered a second attack to begin at 1 A.M., he found there were no more -bombs, and there was nothing else to do but to build up the trench. It -was hardly to be expected that Lieutenant Craigie, who had been in front -all the way, should escape unscathed, but he got off very cheaply with a -piece of a bomb in his leg. Lieutenant Sandeman was untouched. No. 3 -Company under Captain Cavendish had remained in support, feeding No. 1 -Company with reinforcements as the situation developed. Almost -immediately after the attack started, Captain Cavendish sent Lieutenant -B. Ponsonby up with one and a half platoons to help No. 1, and soon -after Lieutenant Beaumont-Nesbitt was ordered off to look after the -Lewis gun. The remaining three platoons were therefore without officers, -and were gradually sent up in small parties for various duties. Captain -Cavendish himself was ordered not to go up, as he would have been senior -to Lieutenant Clive, and would therefore have had to take command in the -middle of these operations. Moreover, owing to the telephone wire to No. -1 Company being cut, he became the connecting link between the -Commanding Officer and the bombing party. When, therefore, he was -ordered at 4.30 to relieve No. 1, he had some difficulty in finding -where all his Company had got to, but eventually collected it, and -carried out the relief. - -The Germans made a further counter-attack early next morning, but failed -to regain any of their lost trench. They contented themselves with a -heavy bombardment of our line. - -The next day the Battalion received orders to cut the wire near the -front line, to prepare the way for our attack, which was to take place -two days later, but the men had not started when the Germans suddenly -began to shell that particular portion of wire with shrapnel. There was -something almost uncanny in their accuracy as regards time and place, -and it conclusively proved that they must have tapped our telephone -wires. After waiting until the Germans had finished, a party went forth, -and carried out the orders. - -On the 12th the 2nd Battalion remained in the same trench, and although -in the morning there was only intermittent shelling the bombardment -increased in intensity during the afternoon. The Germans made a severe -bombing attack on the trench which had been taken from them, but were -easily beaten off. Although at one time there was some anxiety on our -part as to whether the supply of bombs would hold out, the enemy was not -only driven off but our bombers succeeded in throwing bombs into his -bomb stores, causing two violent explosions. During the whole attack our -line was heavily bombed by aerial torpedoes, a particularly accurate and -powerful form of trench mortar, but when it got dark the enemy's attack -died gradually away. The new Mills grenades proved a great success, as -they could be thrown farther than those of the enemy. The Battalion was -to have been relieved at 6.45 P.M., but owing to this attack the -relieving Battalions did not arrive until nearly midnight, and the -relief was not completed until 3 A.M. - -On the 13th Major Lord Henry Seymour left to take command of the 4th -Battalion, and the same day Lieutenant T. A. Combe arrived. The -casualties during the two days in the trenches were 150 killed and -wounded. - -In a private letter dated October 13, Major-General Lord Cavan wrote to -Lieut.-Colonel Jeffreys: - - I should like to come and thank all your Battalion for its splendid - and glorious work of the past week, but I cannot leave Headquarters - till the fight is ended, and I do not want to bother you and your - officers and men, but simply wish them rest. In case I cannot manage - to come, and we are wanted again quickly, I hope you will accept - this letter of my profound gratitude for, and intense admiration of - your splendid services. To the men who have repulsed attack after - attack on the trench they took so gallantly, I simply could not say - enough, and I hope you have already put in names for due reward of - those who actually win our battles for us. My heartiest - congratulations and undying thanks. - -The Battalion went back into billets at Verquin on the 13th, and then to -Sailly-la-Bourse. On the 19th it returned to the trenches opposite Big -Willie, and owing to some mistake Nos. 1 and 2 Companies were crowded -into a trench capable only of holding one Company, with the result that -quite an unnecessarily large number of men were hit. On the 19th Second -Lieutenant F. A. M. Browning arrived, and on the 21st Major A. St. L. -Glyn joined the Battalion as second in command. - -On the 22nd the shelling became so violent that a message was sent down -the whole British line to the effect that at any moment an attack might -be expected. On the 23rd the German artillery turned its attention to a -communication trench called "King's Head," which it blew in in several -places. Second Lieutenant H. Crookshank was wounded, and there was a -certain number of casualties among other ranks. - -On the 26th Lieut.-Colonel Jeffreys was sent for to take command of the -35th Brigade, much to the regret of the whole Battalion. The Battalion -was formed up in mass near Fosse 8, and Lieut.-Colonel Jeffreys thanked -it for the splendid manner in which they had supported him during the -time he had been in command. He made touching references to his -predecessor Lieut.-Colonel W. Smith, and ended by congratulating it on -all it had done since the beginning of the war. - -Thus the command of the Battalion devolved on Major A. Glyn, who had -only just arrived, and who wrote diffidently to General Feilding, -pointing out the difficulty in which he was placed by being in command -of a Battalion so soon after his arrival. On the 23rd Lieutenant Irvine -and on the 31st Second Lieutenant F. J. V. Hopley joined. - -[Sidenote: Nov.] - -The Battalion remained in billets at Lapugnoy until November 10, when it -marched to Chocques, where it stayed till the 14th, and then marched to -La Gorgue. On the 18th Lieut.-Colonel Jeffreys returned to the -Battalion, as his appointment to the 35th Brigade had only been -temporary, and it was not till some two months later that he was given -command of the 58th Brigade. On the 20th Major the Right Hon. Winston -Churchill was attached to the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers for instruction. -The 1st Guards Brigade took over the line of trenches opposite Pietre, -all in a very bad condition--communication trenches flooded, and -front-line breastworks crumbling and not bullet-proof. There was -consequently a great deal of work to be done, which the incessant -shelling retarded, while the weather, being cold and raw, with snow at -intervals, made things generally unpleasant. For the rest of the month -the Battalion remained in this part of the line, retiring occasionally -as far as Merville in reserve. - -[Sidenote: Dec.] - -The suspected presence of a German mine had for some time caused -anxiety, and it was therefore decided to send out a party to find and -destroy the shaft in the German trenches. Lieutenant the Hon. W. A. D. -Parnell, Sergeant Lyon, and eleven men volunteered for the expedition. -As soon as the moon had gone down the party started off over the -parapet, and advanced cautiously through the long grass which covered -the ground between the two lines. They had to cross a stream which was -composed of water pumped from the enemy's trenches, but fortunately -found a shallow place through which they were able to wade. On arrival -at the German trenches they cut the wire, and silently one by one -dropped down in the trench, but not a soul was to be seen. They moved -slowly forward until they reached the communication trench, where they -left two men to look out, and then went down the communication trench, -but after going on for about forty yards they heard voices. Their -mission was not to alarm the enemy, but to find out if there was an -entrance in the German trench to a shaft of any description; so having -satisfied themselves that none existed, they returned by the same route -they had come, and reported all they had seen to Lieut.-Colonel -Jeffreys. - -On the night of the 17th two patrols were sent out to explore the -enemy's front trench. Lieutenant the Hon. W. Parnell, accompanied by -Sergeant Lyon, again started off with eight men. No rifles were carried, -but each man was armed with a bludgeon about eighteen inches long, with -an iron ring round the head. Two men carried six bombs each. A second -party was sent off by the 2nd Battalion Coldstream, and left at the same -time. On arrival in the German trench, which they again reached without -opposition, the Grenadiers went to the left and the Coldstream to the -right. - -The party of Grenadiers advanced slowly down the German trench. They had -not gone far before they observed a faint ray of light from a dug-out. -Lieutenant Parnell halted the party, and directed Sergeant Lyon to go on -ahead and see whether there was any sign of a sentry. Sergeant Lyon -crept on, and saw that not only was there a sentry, but that on each -side of the trench there was a small place hollowed out large enough to -hold a man, and, what was more, there was a man in each hollow. Having -located the exact position of these Germans, Sergeant Lyon returned, and -reported what he had seen. - -The whole party then advanced, and Sergeant Lyon flung himself on the -sentry, who made no attempt to alarm the others, and did not offer any -resistance. The man was accordingly bound and gagged. One of the other -Germans in the hollow managed to get out and fire off his rifle before -he was bludgeoned. The other made a similar attempt, but was killed -before he could manage to fire. - -This one shot, however, was sufficient to alarm the whole German line, -and soon the whole trench was in an uproar. Parties were seen to be -advancing from all directions. Lieutenant Parnell therefore decided that -no farther reconnaissance was possible, and that the only thing to do -was to take his party back. So they returned the way they had come as -quickly as they could, with the loss of one man, who was killed when the -alarm was given. - -Lieutenant Parnell was awarded the Military Cross, and Sergeant Lyon the -D.C.M. The Coldstream patrol reported it had gone some way down the -German trench, but had seen nothing. - -For the remainder of the month the Battalion remained in billets at -Merville, and afterwards at Riez Bailleul. The Christmas dinner took -place at Merville. On the 30th Second Lieutenant T. W. Minchin, Second -Lieutenant H. G. Carter, and Second Lieutenant N. McK. Jesper joined the -Battalion. - - - The 3rd Battalion. - - - ROLL OF OFFICERS - - Colonel N. A. L. Corry, D.S.O., Commanding Officer. - Major G. F. Molyneux-Montgomerie, Second in Command. - Lieut. G. G. B. Nugent, Adjutant. - Lieut. E. H. J. Wynne, Transport Officer. - Lieut. G. H. Wall, Quartermaster. - Lieut. G. G. Gunnis, No. 1 Company. - Capt. C. F. A. Walker, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. A. Anson, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. the Hon. F. O. H. Eaton, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. G. P. Bowes-Lyon, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. the Hon. A. G. Agar-Robartes, No. 3 Company. - Capt. E. G. H. Powell, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. C. M. C. Dowling, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. G. F. R. Hirst, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. A. T. Logan, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer. - -After the battle of Loos Colonel Corry returned, and resumed command of -the 3rd Battalion. Captain Wolrige-Gordon was transferred from the 1st -Battalion, and Second Lieutenant L. St. L. Hermon-Hodge and Second -Lieutenant E. R. M. Fryer from the 2nd Battalion to the 3rd Battalion, -while Captain Sir R. Filmer, Bt., went from the 3rd Battalion to the 4th -Battalion. - -The 3rd Battalion remained in billets till the 4th, when it took over -from the 5th Liverpool Regiment a line of trenches resting on the -Hohenzollern Redoubt, and there it remained until the 10th. The Germans -were now in possession of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and the position -thus perilously close to them was anything but pleasant. On the 8th the -enemy made a determined attack on this line, and surprised our bombers, -killing most of them. Lieutenant A. Anson, who was with the bombers, -stoutly refused to give way, and was killed with all his party. The -bombs with which our men were armed proved useless, as they got very -damp and refused to detonate. It therefore became a very one-sided -contest, but a machine-gun under Lieutenant R. Williams barred the way -to the Germans, and this had to be disposed of before they could -advance. Bombs and shells rained down on this machine-gun, and -Lieutenant R. Williams was killed. He was replaced by three sergeants in -succession, who fought on as gamely as he had done, and who met with the -same fate. The gun was soon afterwards put out of action. - -The situation now looked ugly. The enemy was bombing down the trench, -and Nos. 2 and 3 Companies had retired somewhat precipitately before the -advancing Germans. The 3rd Battalion Coldstream on the right grasped how -serious this attack might become, and sent off some bombers who managed -to stop the rush. Later on Lieutenant Eaton and Lieutenant Gunnis -reorganised the men, and went forward to support the 3rd Battalion -Coldstream after they had succeeded in regaining the trench. The Germans -fought well, but were forced to retire, when they lost many men. The -total casualties in the 3rd Battalion were 137 all ranks, including -Lieutenant A. Anson and Lieutenant R. Williams killed, and Captain C. -Walker and Lieutenant the Hon. A. G. Agar-Robartes wounded. - -On the 10th the Battalion retired into billets at Vermelles, and on the -12th to Vaudricourt, where it remained in reserve until the 14th. On the -9th Captain E. O. Stewart, Lieutenant the Hon. R. P. Stanhope, and -Lieutenant P. M. Walker; on the 10th, Second Lieutenant R. W. Parker; -and on the 15th Captain Lord F. Blackwood and Lieutenant O. Lyttelton -joined the Battalion. The last was appointed Adjutant. - -The Battalion returned to the line opposite Big Willie on the 15th, and -at once set to work to improve the trenches, but the continual bombing -and shelling rather hampered its movements. On the 17th the enemy's -shelling became unpleasantly accurate, and the Battalion had 11 men -killed and 32 wounded. Lord F. Blackwood was blown up by a shell, and -was badly wounded. Captain Dowling and Lieutenant Hirst were buried in -their dug-out by a high-explosive shell, and were extricated just in -time. That night Major Montgomerie went out with a rifle and fixed -bayonet, and tried to ascertain exactly where the sap joined the -Coldstream trench. Having gained this information he took out a party -and finished the sap. - -During the time in the trenches the casualties had been constant and -often very heavy: the Battalion lost all four Company Sergeant-Majors. -Company Sergeant-Major Tyson was killed, and Company Sergeant-Majors -Eason, Aston, and Day wounded. On the 21st the Battalion suffered a very -severe loss in the death of Major Molyneux-Montgomerie, who was shot -through the head whilst superintending work on Kaiserin Trench under -heavy fire. - -The constant sniping and bombing caused many casualties, and the total -number of killed and wounded since the Battalion came to Loos was 19 -officers and 500 non-commissioned officers and men, which proved how -dangerous the trenches in the neighbourhood of the Hohenzollern Redoubt -were. - -On the 25th the Battalion left the front line and marched to Bethune, -where it entrained for Lillers, and on arrival went into billets at -Norrent Fontes. On the 28th the whole Guards Division was to have been -inspected by the King, but this had to be cancelled owing to an -unfortunate accident to His Majesty. - -On the 25th Captain E. N. E. M. Vaughan and Lieutenant Raymond Asquith; -on the 29th Lieutenant the Hon. H. E. Eaton, Second Lieutenant B. E. -Yorke, and Second Lieutenant E. G. Worsley; and on the 31st Major M. -Maitland joined the Battalion. - -[Sidenote: Nov.] - -On November 8 the Battalion marched to La Gorgue, a very long and tiring -march of twenty-six kilometres, and went into billets. There it remained -until the 14th, and then marched to the trenches just north of Neuve -Chapelle. The line here seemed very quiet after the perilous trenches -opposite the Hohenzollern; but if the shells were less, the water -difficulty was greater than ever. Men had again to stand knee-deep in -water, and in the cold weather many felt that the constant bombing and -shelling was preferable. Two days in the trenches and two days out was -the routine until the 20th, when the whole Brigade moved back again into -billets at La Gorgue, and remained there until the end of the month. - -[Sidenote: Dec.] - -In December the Battalion occupied the trenches from Sion Post Lane to -Moated Grange North, and continued alternately two days in the trenches -and two days out. This portion of the line was in itself comparatively -quiet, but the relief was not altogether pleasant, since it was -necessary for the relieving companies to go over the top of the ground -to get into the front trench. The enemy was, however, singularly -inactive in the neighbourhood, and very few casualties occurred. The -patrols sent out by the Battalion encountered no opposition, although -they boldly went close to the German trenches and explored the craters. -The men of the Battalion were mostly employed in extensive draining -operations, carried out under the supervision of Colonel Corry himself, -and many improvements were thus effected. - -On the 24th a new artillery commander seems to have taken over the -German guns, for the front trenches were subjected to a sound and -perfectly accurate fire, which contrasted strangely with the previous -desultory and usually ill-directed fire. The Battalion spent Christmas -Day in the trenches, and a plum-pudding and a pint of beer were given to -each man. On the 26th it left the trenches and marched to Merville. - - - The 4th Battalion - - - ROLL OF OFFICERS - - Capt. J. A. Morrison, Commanding Officer. - Lieut. R. S. Lambert, Acting Adjutant. - Lieut. M. G. Williams, Machine-Gun Officer. - Lieut. C. E. M. Ellison, Machine-Gun Officer. - 2nd Lieut. E. Ludlow, Quartermaster. - Capt. C. L. Blundell-Hollinshead-Blundell, No. 1 Company. - 2nd Lieut. G. A. Ponsonby, No. 1 Company. - Lieut. C. R. Britten, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. E. F. Penn, No. 2 Company. - Capt. E. D. Ridley, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. B. C. Layton, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. the Hon. E. W. Tennant, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. R. D. Leigh-Pemberton, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. E. R. Brunton, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer. - - -[Sidenote: Oct.] - -After the heavy casualties it had suffered at Loos, the 4th Battalion -had to be reorganised; and Captain Morrison, now in command, -redistributed the officers and non-commissioned officers, and as far as -possible made up the deficiencies. The Battalion remained in billets at -La Bourse until the 3rd, when it was ordered to occupy the trenches on -the left of the Hulluch--Vermelles road. Here there was a certain amount -of shelling. The system of trenches was highly complicated, and -extensive works were being undertaken. The Battalion was ordered to -prepare communicating trenches running parallel to Hulluch--Vermelles -road, and this work kept the men fully employed for two days. - -On the 5th the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards was in trouble, and sent for -assistance, as it had had a portion of its trench blown in, and was -harassed by the enemy's bombs. Captain E. Penn was sent off at once by -Captain Morrison, with 100 men of No. 2 Company and 20 bombers, and told -to report himself to Lieut.-Colonel Cator. Lieutenant Sitwell, with No. -4 Company, was ordered to be ready to follow, but no real attack on the -2nd Battalion Scots Guards developed, and neither company, therefore, -was wanted. That evening the Battalion retired into billets at -Vermelles, but were not free from the shells there, and three -high-explosive shells pitched quite close to its billets. Lieutenant E. -R. Brunton, R.A.M.C., who had come out with the Battalion, and been with -them through the battle of Loos, was killed by a shell on the 8th as he -was going round the billets. - -On the 9th the Battalion returned to the trenches, and relieved the 1st -and 2nd Battalions Scots Guards. Second Lieutenant M. Chapman, Second -Lieutenant G. C. Sloane-Stanley, Second Lieutenant E. W. Nairne, and -Second Lieutenant H. H. Sloane-Stanley joined the Battalion that day, -and on the 10th Captain Parry, R.A.M.C., arrived. On the 12th Major Lord -Henry Seymour came to take over temporary command of the Battalion. - -On the 17th bombing attacks by the 1st Battalion Grenadiers and 2nd -Battalion Scots Guards began, and the 4th Battalion Grenadiers was -ordered to form a continuous chain of men to pass up bombs, sand-bags, -ammunition, and tools, and to hold all positions vacated by the Scots -Guards as they advanced. Lieut.-Colonel Cator sent back for assistance -as his bombers had been knocked out. The 4th Battalion Grenadiers -bombers accordingly went up, followed later by 100 volunteers, many of -whom had never seen a bomb before. Lieutenant C. Britten on his own -initiative took charge of a party of Grenadiers and Scots Guards, after -the two Scots Guards officers had been shot, and with great gallantry -and coolness successfully drove off the enemy. - -The next day Lieut.-Colonel Cator expressed his indebtedness to the 4th -Battalion Grenadiers for its timely assistance; and the manner in which -the bombers of the Battalion had behaved on this occasion was specially -referred to by the Brigadier. - -On the 18th the 4th Battalion mourned the loss of a brave and popular -officer. Captain Eric Penn was in his dug-out when a shell struck it. He -was completely buried, and although still alive when he was extricated, -he died a few minutes later. - -The continual casualties and the strenuous digging were beginning to -tell on the Battalion, and although every two alternate days were spent -resting in billets, the high-explosive shells which reached it prevented -the forty-eight hours in billets from being a complete rest. The -Battalion went on the 21st for two days to Annequin, but on the 23rd -returned to the trenches opposite the Hohenzollern Redoubt, where again -there was a great deal of work to be done. The zeal which the 4th -Battalion showed in its digging operations elicited praise from -Brigadier-General Heyworth when he came round on a tour of inspection. - -[Sidenote: Nov.] - -On the 25th the Battalion retired to Allouagne, where it remained until -November 14, and then marched _via_ Estaires, La Bassée road, Pont du -Hem, to the trenches from Chapigny to Winchester road. Every alternate -forty-eight hours it went into billets, but during the days in the -trenches nothing of interest occurred. - -[Sidenote: Dec. 12.] - -The same routine continued until December 12, when a most successful -raid on the enemy's trenches was carried out. At 8.15 P.M. Captain Sir -Robert Filmer, accompanied by Sergeant Higgins and three men in No. 3 -Company, went out to make a preliminary reconnaissance. By crawling -right up to the enemy's trenches he succeeded in locating the exact -position of the German machine-guns, and was able to confirm the report -as to the gap in the enemy's wire entanglements. Captain Sir R. Filmer, -who had already earned a name for bravery, crept quite alone down the -entire length of the German trench, and carefully noted all he saw. On -his return to our line the final orders were issued to the raiding -party, consisting of thirty-three men from No. 3 Company, and the -Battalion bombers under Lieutenant G. Ponsonby. The night was very dark, -and it was difficult to see any landmarks. Sergeant Higgins led the -party over the parapet at 11 P.M., and was followed by Captain Sir R. -Filmer and a covering party. Silently they advanced, but lost direction -slightly to the left, with the result that they missed the gap and found -themselves held up by low wire entanglement. Sir R. Filmer came up to -ascertain the cause of the delay, and after considering the situation -decided to cut the wire and rush the trench. The wire-cutting was -successfully done, although only a few yards from the German line, and -the party, headed by Sergeant Higgins, dashed into the trench. At the -same time our artillery, in accordance with a previously conceived -arrangement, opened a most effective barrage of fire, which continued -until the party returned. - -Then bombing and bayoneting began in earnest, and the Germans were -completely cleared out of the trench. The machine-guns, which were found -to be too securely fixed to take away, were destroyed by bombs. It was -during this trench fighting that the bombing officer, Lieutenant G. -Ponsonby, was badly wounded in the leg. Private W. Sweetman, finding him -unable to move, carried him on his back under heavy fire to our lines. -The other casualties were one man missing and three wounded. This small -number of casualties proved how well arranged the raid had been, and how -brilliantly it had been carried out. - -General Sir Douglas Haig commanding the First Army specially mentioned -this raid in his report, and wrote: "A well-planned and well-executed -operation, reflecting the highest credit on all concerned, from Colonel -Lord H. Seymour commanding the 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards downwards. -The immediate rewards asked for have been well earned, and I shall have -very great pleasure in recommending the names put forward." - -The following day at Riez Bailleul, Major-General Lord Cavan sent for -and congratulated Captain Sir R. Filmer, Sergeant Higgins, and Private -Sweetman on the success of the raid. He also congratulated the Battalion -on having gained such a good reputation for digging and trench work. - -The rest of December was spent either in billets at Laventie or in the -trenches in the neighbourhood. The monotony of trench life was relieved -by various schemes to catch the enemy's patrols, who were constantly -reported to come out at night. Occasionally parties were sent to lie out -and capture any Germans who might venture in front of their line. -Whether any of their efforts were successful or not it is impossible to -say, but reports of any movement on the part of the enemy ceased. - -At the end of the month Major-General Lord Cavan was promoted, and -consequently gave up the command of the Guards Division. - -The post of Divisional Commander is perhaps the one that presents more -difficulties and demands a more remarkable combination of qualities than -any other in the Army of to-day. It is essential that a general -commanding a division should combine the characteristics of the fighting -man with those of the strategist. In the higher commands personal -bravery so essential in a brigadier or commanding officer is a secondary -consideration. Of a brigadier, on the other hand, whose programme is -mapped out for him in the minutest of instructions, there is not -expected nowadays anything of the precise chess-playing skill of the -professional strategist. Hence it often happens that a brigadier -promoted to command a division is found to lack the necessary qualities -of strategy, while the born strategist, though not deficient in courage, -may be totally unable to think clearly and act decisively when under -fire. - -Brigadier-General Feilding, who was now appointed to command the Guards -Division, possessed in a marked degree the two necessary qualifications. -A man of strong and resourceful character, fearless and independent in -judgment, he was gifted with that indefinable quality which enables men -to form prompt and wise decisions in moments of great emergency. His -practical experience of war under modern conditions was great and -extensive. He went all through the retreat from Mons, as well as the -subsequent advance, when he commanded first the 2nd Battalion Coldstream -and later the 4th (Guards) Brigade, and he had played an important part -in every battle in which the battalions of the Guards had fought. When -the Guards Division was first formed, he was placed in command of the -1st Guards Brigade, and carried out his duties with such distinction -that he was clearly marked out as the prospective successor of Lord -Cavan. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1916 - - - Diary of the War - - -[Sidenote: 1916. Jan., Feb., March.] - -Although no large operations took place at the beginning of 1916, there -was continual fighting in various parts of the line. The Germans made -several attacks on the Yser Canal and at Neuville on the French front, -and also attempted minor operations at Givenchy and on the -Ypres--Comines Canal. In February the great battle of Verdun commenced, -and in spite of heavy losses the Germans made some progress, capturing -Haumont Wood and Village. Large masses of men were employed, and there -was severe fighting at Bethincourt and Le Mort Homme. The Germans -persisted in their attacks and captured Avocourt Wood, but the French -stubbornly held their ground. At the end of March the British Army made -a successful attack at St. Eloi, and penetrated the first and second -German line of trenches, but lost the Vimy Ridge, a position of some -tactical importance. - -The Russians won a great victory in the Caucasus and drove the Turks in -disorder towards Erzeroum, which they captured soon afterwards. The -position of the British Force on the Tigris was giving great anxiety, -and the Turks claimed to have completely surrounded it. - -In March Portugal joined the Allies, and declared war on Germany and -Austria. - -In Africa the Cameroons campaign was completed with the surrender of the -German garrison at Mora Hill. - -General Smuts advanced against the Germans in the Kilimanjaro area, and -a week later gained further successes west of Taveta. - -The United Kingdom resorted to conscription, and the Military Service -Act was passed in the House of Commons. - -[Sidenote: April, May, June.] - -On the British front the Germans launched determined but unsuccessful -attacks at Ploegsteert, and there was fighting on the Vimy Ridge and -between Loos and La Bassée. The struggle at Verdun continued with -unabated fierceness, and Mort Homme and Fort Douaumont changed hands -several times. - -The battle of Jutland was fought, and the British Grand Fleet had an -opportunity of meeting the German High Seas Fleet. The British Cruiser -Squadron had most of the fighting, as the battleships did not come into -action till late in the evening. The losses were heavy on both sides, -and the German Fleet fled back to harbour claiming the victory. - -Serious disturbances broke out in Ireland, and martial law was -proclaimed in Dublin. The headquarters of the rebel Sinn Feiners was -occupied after much street fighting, and the ringleaders were caught, -tried by court-martial, and shot. - -In Mesopotamia the troops sent up to relieve the British Force at -Kut-el-Amara failed in their attack on the intervening Turks, and on -April 29 General Townshend and a force of native and Indian troops -surrendered. - -President Wilson warned the Germans that if they persisted in their -indiscriminate sinking of neutral vessels, he would have no alternative -but to break off diplomatic relations. - -On June 5 H.M.S. _Hampshire_, conveying Field-Marshal Earl Kitchener on -a special mission to Russia, was sunk off the Orkney Islands by a mine, -and all but twelve men were drowned. - -On June 12 General Smuts captured Wilhelmstal, the capital of German -East Africa. - -[Sidenote: July, Aug., Sept.] - -The battle of the Somme commenced at the beginning of July and lasted -until November. Both the British and French Armies were engaged during -these months in systematically capturing the German positions on the -north and south of the River Somme. This was the first battle in which -Tanks were used. - -Salonika had now become an important place in the war, and a mixed force -under General Sarrail attempted an offensive movement, which, however, -came to nothing. - -The Russians continued their successful operations against Austria, and -captured vast numbers of prisoners. On August 27 Roumania declared war -on Austria, and advanced into Transylvania, in spite of warnings from -the Allies that they had better hold their frontier and join hands with -the Russians. - -At the end of August Field-Marshal von Hindenburg was appointed Chief of -the German General Staff. - - - The 1st Battalion - - -[Sidenote: 1st Batt. Jan.] - -The beginning of 1916 found the 1st Battalion in Brigade Reserve at La -Gorgue, where it had retired after a strenuous time in the trenches, and -where it settled down to steady drill and instruction in bombing. - -The list of officers was as follows: - - - Lieut.-Colonel G. F. Trotter, M.V.O., D.S.O., Commanding Officer. - Major C. R. C. de Crespigny, Second in Command. - Lieut. E. H. J. Duberly, Adjutant. - Lieut. F. E. H. Paget, Lewis Gun Officer. - Lieut. the Earl of Dalkeith, Bombing Officer. - Capt. Lord Stanley, Transport Officer. - Lieut. J. Teece, Quartermaster. - Capt. W. S. Pilcher, King's Company. - Lieut. L. G. Fisher-Rowe, King's Company. - 2nd Lieut. R. F. W. Echlin, King's Company. - Capt. F. L. V. Swaine, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. C. D. Baker, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. Wilkinson, No. 2 Company. - Capt. Viscount Lascelles, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. G. Inglis, No. 3 Company. - Lieut. A. A. Moller, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. H. V. Cholmeley, No. 3 Company. - Capt. G. B. Wilson, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. the Hon. P. P. Cary, No. 4 Company. - Lieut. R. D. Lawford, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. R. Turner, No. 4 Company. - Capt. J. C. B. Grant, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer. - - -On the 12th it moved to Laventie, and from there went into the trenches -at Picantin every alternate forty-eight hours, taking turns with the 4th -Battalion and the 2nd Battalion Irish Guards. On January 14 Second -Lieutenant C. T. Swift joined, and on the 29th Major de Crespigny left -to take command of the 2nd Battalion. - -,sn Feb. The same routine was followed until February 16, when the whole -Guards Division was sent to the coast for some sea air, although -February can hardly be said to be an ideal month for the seaside. -Captain Lord Claud Hamilton and Lieutenant H.R.H. the Prince of Wales -left the Headquarters Staff, and joined the Battalion. On arrival at -Calais the Battalion marched to Beaumaris, where they went under canvas. -High winds and heavy snow followed by a thick fog made life in a canvas -tent a doubtful pleasure, but, in spite of the intense cold, the change -undoubtedly did the men a great deal of good. After ten days by the sea -the Battalion entrained at Calais and proceeded to Kiekenput near -Wormhoudt, in Belgium. Captain Lord Claud Hamilton and Lieutenant H.R.H. -the Prince of Wales went on leave to England. - -[Sidenote: March.] - -The weather continued to be very bad, and prevented the men from -training, although a certain amount of route-marching was done. On March -5 the Battalion marched to Poperinghe, where it was again put under -canvas. On the 8th Second Lieutenant L. de J. Havard joined the -Battalion, and on the 10th Captain Viscount Lascelles was accidentally -wounded by a bomb whilst instructing his company, but the wound proved -not to be serious, and he was able to rejoin the Battalion a few days -later. - -On the 17th Lieut.-Colonel G. Trotter, having been promoted to the rank -of Brigadier-General, left to take up command of the 27th Brigade, and -Major A. St. L. Glyn arrived to take his place. - -The Guards Division now went into the Ypres salient, and there it -remained for several months, either in the trenches or in billets in the -neighbourhood. There can be no doubt that this was by far the worst part -of the line, and the constant casualties with no corresponding gain were -somewhat disheartening. On the 16th the 1st Battalion Grenadiers arrived -at Ypres, and on the 20th went into the trenches I.12.a to I.12.c, with -the Canadians on the right and the Welsh Guards on the left. Two -companies were placed in the front line, with one in support and one in -reserve. They immediately came in for a very heavy shelling, and had 6 -killed and 14 wounded, mostly in the King's Company. - -[Sidenote: April.] - -Back to Ypres on the 24th and then to Poperinghe for two days' rest, -after which the Battalion returned to the trench line east of Potidje, -going part of the way by train. The enemy shelled the railway station, -which was unpleasant for those who were starting on their journey, and -also delayed the train. The King's Company and No. 4 occupied the front -line, with No. 2 in support and No. 3 in reserve. On the 4th the enemy's -artillery knocked out one of our machine-guns with a direct hit, killing -one man. On the same day an unfortunate accident caused by the premature -explosion of a Pippin rifle grenade resulted in the death of one -sergeant, while another sergeant was wounded. - -The usual procedure was to hold the support line, and to place as few -men as possible in the front trench. The enemy seemed to be perfectly -aware of this, and confined themselves to bombarding the second line, -but our artillery was more than a match for them, and retaliated with -some effect. Whenever the men saw an observation balloon emerging from -the German lines they knew that a violent bombardment was imminent, and -took precautions accordingly. All dug-outs were at once cleared, and the -men were scattered along the bottom of the trench. - -On the 7th Lieutenant C. Leeke, 1st Battalion Grenadiers, attached to -the 3rd Guards Brigade, Machine-gun Company, was standing in front of -his dug-out, having completed his rounds, when he was hit in the thigh -by a stray bullet, and although his wound was at once dressed by a -surgeon, he died a few days later in hospital. Second Lieutenant H. V. -Cholmeley, attached to the same Machine-gun Company, was killed -outright, being struck in the chest by a large piece of shrapnel, and -Second Lieutenant C. Wilkinson was wounded in the shoulder by a shrapnel -bullet. Amongst the other ranks the casualties were 1 man killed and 60 -wounded. - -After these strenuous days in the trenches the Battalion went to -Poperinghe for four days' rest, and on the 12th returned by train to the -trenches at Potidje, with the 3rd Battalion Coldstream on the right and -the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards on the left. It was luckier this time, -and, except for the inevitable shelling, saw very little of the enemy. -An attack was made by the Germans on the Twentieth Division, but -although the 1st Battalion stood to arms, its services were not -required, as the attacks were easily repulsed. - -On the 15th the Battalion returned to Poperinghe, where it remained in -billets till the 27th. Although at first the weather was abominable, the -last few days were fine and hot. A short time before the men had been -shivering over braziers, and now they were lying about in their -shirt-sleeves. On the 27th the Battalion went into the trenches at -Rifleman Farm, with the Third Canadian Division on the right and the 1st -Battalion Welsh Guards on the left, and the enemy blew in a mine -gallery, killing some men of the Royal Engineers. The enemy's musketry -was active during these three days, and the German aeroplanes were very -busy. - -The following officers joined the Battalion during the month: Major A. -F. A. N. Thorne, as Second in Command, Lieutenant H. G. W. Bradley, -Captain A. C. Graham, Second Lieutenant R. H. P. J. Stourton, Second -Lieutenant E. Hoare, Second Lieutenant J. W. Graham, Second Lieutenant -E. G. L. King. On the 27th Captain Wilson left to take up his duties on -the Divisional Staff, to which he had been appointed. - -[Sidenote: May.] - -The Corps Commander, Major-General Lord Cavan, came round the trenches -on May 1, and expressed himself pleased with all he saw. That evening -the Battalion retired to Ypres, where it remained for four days. The -weather now was quite hot, with occasional thunderstorms; but, as the -enemy continued to shell the remains of Ypres, the men were unable to -enjoy fully the change, since they spent most of the time under the -ramparts. - -Back to Rifleman Farm on the 6th, and on the way up to the trenches, the -Battalion came in for a heavy shelling, which rather delayed matters. -Second Lieutenant J. Graham was wounded, and had his leg broken just -above the ankle as he was going up to the trenches for the first time. -The Engineers feared the enemy would explode a mine in the neighbourhood -of our new crater, but every precaution was taken, and no explosion -occurred at that spot. On the 9th the enemy apparently contemplated an -attack, for at 4 A.M. a mine at the end of Muddy Lane was fired, and -then a heavy bombardment commenced, but when the infantry attack which -usually followed was expected the Germans did not appear anxious to -leave their trenches. Second Lieutenant E. Hoare, who had recently -arrived, was killed, and Lieutenant Bradley wounded. Amongst the other -ranks there were 2 killed and 16 wounded, but Major Thorne was able to -report to Major Glyn that the line remained intact, although in places -it was considerably damaged. - -Later in the morning Brigadier-General Heyworth came to see what had -happened, and although Major Glyn warned him that, owing to the parapet -having been blown away in several places, it was a perilous proceeding -to attempt to walk down the line, he insisted on going. Accompanied by -Major Glyn and Captain Warner, the Brigade-Major, he set off and reached -the front trench. As they were going down Muddy Lane, about fifty yards -from the front trench, they came across an obstruction caused by the -parapet having been blown into the trench. It was while crossing this -that Brigadier-General Heyworth was shot through the head by one of the -enemy's snipers. He had always scorned to take even the most ordinary -precautions, and was accustomed to ignore the enemy's snipers. His loss -was mourned not only by his friends in the Guards Division, and he had -many, but also by the whole British Army, who knew him to be a fearless -and capable commander. - -On the 10th the men were busily engaged in repairing the gaps in the -trenches, and were in consequence subjected to a certain amount of -sniping and bombing, during which Lord Stanley was wounded by a bomb, -and had five wounds, three in his leg and two in his arm, fortunately -none of them serious. That evening the Battalion was relieved and -retired to Poperinghe, and on the 20th it marched to Kiekenput, where it -remained in billets till the end of the month. - -[Sidenote: June.] - -On June 1 the officers of the Battalion were as follows: - - - Major A. St. L. Glyn, Commanding Officer. - Major A. F. A. N. Thorne, D.S.O., Second in Command. - Capt. E. H. J. Duberly, Adjutant. - Lieut. the Hon. P. P. Cary, Lewis Gun Officer. - Lieut. the Earl of Dalkeith, Bombing Officer. - 2nd Lieut. D. H. S. Riddiford, Transport Officer. - Lieut. J. Teece, Quartermaster. - Capt. W. S. Pilcher, King's Company. - Lieut. P. M. Spence, King's Company. - 2nd Lieut. R. F. W. Echlin, King's Company. - Capt. A. C. Graham, No. 2 Company. - Lieut. R. D. Lawford, No. 2 Company. - 2nd Lieut. E. G. L. King, No. 2 Company. - Capt. Viscount Lascelles, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. C. T. Swift, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. L. de J. Harvard, No. 3 Company. - 2nd Lieut. R. H. P. J. Stourton, No. 3 Company. - Capt. L. G. Fisher-Rowe, No. 4 Company. - 2nd Lieut. P. S. Hope, No. 4 Company. - - _Attached_--Capt. J. C. B. Grant. - - -The Battalion remained in billets at Poperinghe or Kiekenput until the -18th, when it moved up into the trench line. On the 7th a gloom was cast -over the whole of the British Army by the death of Lord Kitchener, who -went down in the _Hampshire_, mined on its way to Russia. This passing -away of a great soldier came as a profound shock to every one in France. -At first no one could realise that he was dead. The men felt that the -mainspring of the whole mechanism of the British Army was gone. - -The Battalion remained for ten days in reserve, and although there were -constant alarms, during which the men stood to arms, and news of gas -attacks, its services in the front line were not required. On the 18th -it took over the trench line near Irish Farm, and Nos. 2, 3, and 4 -Companies were placed in the firing line, with the King's Company in -reserve. Although the enemy's patrols were very active, nothing worth -recording appears to have happened, but on the 25th a successful raid -was carried out into the German lines, and a new trench north of Forward -Cottage was made. On the 27th the Battalion retired into dug-outs in -Canal Bank and Yperlee, where it remained until the end of the month. - -[Sidenote: July 1916.] - -On July 1 it returned to the trenches, and on the 3rd the King's Company -was so heavily bombarded that the parapet of the trench and the signal -dug-out were blown in. The Company Sergeant-Major, two sergeants, three -signallers, and four men were completely buried under the debris, but -the remainder of the Company at once set to work to rescue as many as -possible under a heavy shell and machine-gun fire. Owing to the -energetic manner in which the rescue party worked, one sergeant and -three men were brought out alive, but the others were all dead. - -On the 9th Major M. E. M. C. Maitland arrived from the 3rd Battalion, -and took over command of the 1st Battalion from Major Glyn, who -proceeded to take up an appointment at the base. On the 10th the -following were selected from the 1st Battalion to attend the National -Fête in Paris on July 14: Sergeant-Major Young, Lance-Corporal Ewell, -Private Upcott, Private Ayres, Private Andrews, and Private Call. On the -12th Captain Viscount Lascelles was appointed second in command of the -2nd Battalion, and on the 13th Lieutenant E. B. Shelley and Second -Lieutenant C. C. T. Sharpe joined from the Entrenching Battalion. - -On the 15th the 1st Battalion returned to the trenches, where it -remained until the 24th, with the usual routine of two days in and two -days out of the trenches. On the 27th it left the Ypres salient without -regret, and entrained at Poperinghe for Bollezeele, whence it marched to -Watten. There it remained until the 29th, when it proceeded to -Bavingchove and went by train to Fervent. On the 30th it marched to -Halloy. On the 28th Lieutenant R. P. de P. Trench and Lieutenant M. D. -Thomas joined from the Entrenching Battalion, and on the 30th Captain W. -D. Drury Lowe, D.S.O., arrived. He had been in command of a Territorial -Battery for a year and a half, and had so distinguished himself as a -gunner that he had been awarded the D.S.O. But, being a true Grenadier -at heart, he had decided to sink his rank and return to his old -regiment. - -[Sidenote: Aug.] - -During August the 1st Battalion only had two days in the trenches at -Beaumont-Hamel, when the King's Company had rather an unpleasant time -with the enemy's trench mortars, and had nine casualties. On the 9th His -Majesty the King, who was making an informal tour round the Front, -visited the Grenadier Camp, but there was no inspection of any sort. - -Before leaving France His Majesty sent the following message to Sir -Douglas Haig: - - _August 15, 1916._ - - OFFICERS, N.C.O.'S, AND MEN--It has been a great pleasure and - satisfaction to me to be with my Armies during the past week. I have - been able to judge for myself of their splendid condition for war, - and of the spirit of cheerful confidence which animates all ranks, - united in loyal co-operation to their chiefs and to one another. - - Since my last visit to the Front there has been almost uninterrupted - fighting on parts of our line. The offensive recently begun has - since been resolutely maintained by day and by night. I have had - opportunities of visiting some of the scenes of the later desperate - struggles, and of appreciating to a slight extent the demands made - upon your courage and physical endurance in order to assail and - capture positions prepared during the past two years and stoutly - defended to the last. - - I have realised not only the splendid work which has been done in - immediate touch with the enemy--in the air, under the ground, as - well as on the ground--but also the vast organisations behind the - fighting line, honourable alike to the genius of the initiators and - to the heart and hand of the workers. Everywhere there is proof that - all, men and women, are playing their part, and I rejoice to think - that their noble efforts are being heartily seconded by all classes - at home. - - The happy relations maintained by my Armies and those of our French - Allies were equally noticeable between my troops and the inhabitants - of the districts in which they are quartered, and from whom they - have received a cordial welcome ever since their first arrival in - France. - - Do not think that I and your fellow-countrymen forget the heavy - sacrifices which the Armies have made, and the bravery and endurance - they have displayed during the past two years of bitter conflict. - These sacrifices have not been in vain: the arms of the Allies will - never be laid down until our cause has triumphed. - - I return home more than ever proud of you. - - May God guide you to victory. - -On the 6th Second Lieutenant L. G. E. Sim arrived, and on the 15th -Second Lieutenant B. G. Samuelson and Second Lieutenant W. H. Lovell -joined the Battalion. On the 25th the Battalion proceeded by train to -Mericourt, and went into billets in Ville-sous-Corbie. - - - The 2nd Battalion - - -[Sidenote: 2nd Batt. Jan. 1916.] - -At the beginning of the New Year the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was in -billets at Riez Bailleul, and went up every two days to occupy the -trench line at Ebenezer Farm. - - - LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE 2ND BATTALION - - Lieut.-Colonel G. D. Jeffreys, Commanding Officer. - Major A. St. L. Glyn, Second in Command. - Capt. the Hon. W. R. Bailey, Adjutant. - Lieut. W. E. Acraman, Quartermaster. - Capt. R. H. V. Cavendish, M.V.O. - Capt. A. de P. Kingsmill. - Capt. A. F. R. Wiggins. - Capt. E. W. M. Grigg. - Lieut. A. K. S. Cunninghame. - Lieut. D. A. Smith (Brigade Machine-gun Company). - Lieut. E. H. Noble. - Lieut. F. A. M. Browning. - Lieut. M. A. Knatchbull-Hugessen. - Lieut. the Hon. W. A. D. Parnell. - Lieut. W. H. Beaumont-Nesbitt. - Lieut. H. G. W. Sandeman. - Lieut. the Hon. B. B. Ponsonby. - 2nd Lieut. the Hon. A. V. Agar-Robartes (Brigade Machine-gun - Company). - 2nd Lieut. T. A. Combe. - 2nd Lieut. A. F. Irvine. - 2nd Lieut. T. W. Minchin. - 2nd Lieut. H. G. Carter. - 2nd Lieut. N. McK. Jesper. - 2nd Lieut. G. G. M. Vereker. - Capt. J. A. Andrews, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer. - - -On the 8th it marched to Calonne, and on the 12th to Arrewage, where it -remained until the 25th. On the 14th Lieut.-Colonel G. D. Jeffreys left -to take over temporary command of the 3rd Battalion, but after three -days he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and was appointed -to the 58th Infantry Brigade. On the 21st Second Lieutenant J. -Arbuthnott, and on the 23rd Second Lieutenant D. Harvey joined the -Battalion. - -January 27 being the German Emperor's birthday, an attack was expected, -and special precautions were taken, but the German Army were tired of -these Roman holidays. Previous attempts to snatch a victory of some sort -on the birthday of the All-Highest had proved costly and lamentable -failures. This time the Army determined to allow this festival to pass -unnoticed, and consequently no German showed the slightest inclination -to leave his trench. - -During the days spent in the trenches there were constant losses: on -some days men were killed, and almost invariably there were a certain -number wounded. - -[Sidenote: Feb.] - -On February 1 Major de Crespigny took over the command of the 2nd -Battalion from Major Glyn, who had been in temporary command since -Lieut.-Colonel Jeffreys' departure. - -The same routine was continued until February 7, when the 2nd Battalion -marched to La Gorgue, where it remained for a week. On the 11th it was -inspected by Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener in a field at Merville, and on -the 14th marched to Godwaersvelde _via_ Merville. On the 16th it reached -Poperinghe after a long march in the teeth of a strong wind and heavy -rain, and was put into huts in a camp, mostly under water. - -The following letter from Lieut.-General Haking commanding the Eleventh -Corps was addressed to the Guards Division on its departure: - - The Military situation did not permit of my seeing your Division on - its departure from the Corps in order to say Good-bye to you all, - and thank all ranks for the services they have performed during the - time the Division has been in the Corps. I am compelled therefore to - write what I should have liked to speak. - - Ever since the Division was formed and posted to this Corps, it has - proved itself to possess the finest military spirit. Lord Cavan, and - since his departure General Feilding, ably assisted by - Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. W. P. Hore Ruthven, G.S.O.I., Lieut.-Colonel - Darrell, A.A.Q.M.G., and a most efficient staff, have carried out - several offensive operations with distinguished success, including - the attacks during the fighting round Loos, the consolidation of a - difficult and unmade line about the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and the - raid into the hostile trenches along the Rue Tilleloy front. The - careful planning of these operations by the Divisional Commander and - his general and administrative staff, the accurate reconnaissance - and detailed organisation of each by the Brigade Commanders, - Brigadier-Generals Heyworth, Ponsonby, and Pereira, and also General - Feilding until he succeeded Lord Cavan in command of the Division, - together with their staffs, has been a model of good fighting. - - The infantry operations have been ably seconded by the artillery of - the Division under Brigadier-General Wardrop and his Brigade - Commanders, who have spared no pains, both in the construction of - forward observing posts and the training and organisation of good - observing officers, to secure the success of the infantry. - - The Royal Engineers also under Lieut.-Colonel Brough and his field - company commanders have been indefatigable in their work on the - defences, the water drainage in rear of our line, and in assisting - the artillery in the construction of some of the best observing - posts in any part of the British line. The Battalion commanders, - officers, non-commissioned officers and men who have been called - upon to bear the brunt of all this fighting have shown throughout an - offensive spirit which in my opinion surpassed any standard reached - by the Guards or any infantry in past campaigns, and which will be - the admiration of future generations of soldiers. The fine - discipline and soldierly bearing of all ranks is also a matter for - all of you to be proud of. You have been an example to other - Divisions with whom you have been associated, and that example has - produced the best results, and has raised the fighting value and - efficiency of the whole Corps. I am very sorry to say Good-bye to - you, but I am glad you are going to a corps which is commanded by - your old Divisional General Lord Cavan, who has the proud - distinction of being the first General Officer to command a British - Guards Division, and who has so greatly distinguished himself on - every occasion. - - I can only hope that the Eleventh Corps will find itself before long - by the side of the Fourteenth Corps with the Guards Division ready, - as it always will be, to lead the way to Victory. - -While the 2nd Battalion remained at Poperinghe, it was honoured by the -visit of some German aeroplanes which dropped bombs, but fortunately not -anywhere near the men's billets. On the 22nd a demonstration of German -liquid fire was held, and it was clearly shown that, provided the men -kept their heads low down in the trench, no harm would come to them, -since liquid fire rises in the air about six or eight yards from the -muzzle of the apparatus. - -On the 24th the 2nd Battalion proceeded to Cassel, and as the roads were -frozen the transport had several adventures. Down one steep hill several -wagons and cookers skidded into the ditch, from which they had to be -rescued, and there were many accidents. On the 28th the Battalion -entrained, and went by rail to Calais Coulogne station, where it marched -to No. 6 Rest Camp, about four kilometres from the town on the Dunkirk -road. Here it found the 1st Battalion Grenadiers, the 2nd Battalion -Scots Guards, and the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. - -[Sidenote: March.] - -In this breezy but healthy locality the 2nd Battalion remained for ten -days, and the health of the men improved immensely in spite of the -extreme cold. On March 5 it returned by train to Cassel, and marched -about nine miles to Herzeele, where it went into billets. On the 16th it -moved to Poperinghe, and on the 18th took over the line east of Potidje -village, with Nos. 3 and 4 Companies in the front trench, No. 1 Company -in support, and No. 2 in reserve. Major Glyn left the 2nd Battalion to -take command of the 1st Battalion vice Lieut.-Colonel Trotter. - -The trenches that had been taken over turned out to be in very bad -order, with parapets only waist high, and nowhere bullet-proof. There -were no communication trenches, and little or no attention appeared to -have been given to the difficult problem of drainage and sanitary -arrangements, but the men set to work at once, and before long there was -a marked improvement. During the days spent in the trenches by -companies, there were a certain number of casualties--among whom was -Sergeant-Major H. Wood, who was slightly wounded--and the parapet in the -line held by No. 1 Company was blown in by shells from a field-gun not -five hundred yards away. On the 24th the 2nd Battalion went to A Camp at -Vlamertinghe, where they remained for four days, and on the 28th they -returned to the trenches east of Potidje village. Although at first -there was a comparatively quiet time, the shelling increased later, and -a certain number were wounded, including Second Lieutenant H. G. Carter. -On the 30th the shelling increased in intensity, and the trenches of No. -4 Company were completely levelled for about 120 yards. Work was almost -impossible at this spot as the enemy's artillery continued to shell it, -and it was not until the following day that the men were able to erect -another parapet. - -[Sidenote: April.] - -After ten days' rest at Poperinghe, the 2nd Battalion returned to Ypres, -and went into cellars and dug-outs in the ramparts. On the 11th it took -over the line between Railway Wood and the Menin road, where it found a -large gap in the line on the left between it and the Coldstream. For the -next sixteen days it remained either in this line or in Ypres. Second -Lieutenant J. S. Burton joined the Battalion on the 10th, Lieutenant T. -Parker Jarvis on the 20th, and Second Lieutenant J. C. Cornforth on the -21st. On the 27th the 2nd Battalion went into billets at Poperinghe, and -was inspected by General Sir Herbert Plumer, K.C.B., commanding the -Second Army. It remained for a week in billets, and then returned to -Ypres on 4th May. One of the enemy's aeroplanes flew over one day, and -dropped bombs on Poperinghe, of which one fell about twenty-five yards -from Battalion Headquarters, and wounded two men. - -[Sidenote: May.] - -On May 5 the 2nd Battalion went into the trenches near Wieltje, and -although it succeeded in relieving the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards -without sustaining any casualties, it came in for a very heavy shelling -the next day. Lieutenant the Hon. B. Ponsonby was wounded, and there -were three N.C.O.'s killed and seven wounded. This shelling continued -every day, and there was in consequence a daily list of men wounded. On -the 9th the 2nd Battalion returned to billets near the Prison at Ypres, -and remained there till the 13th, when it went into the trenches again. -On the 10th Second Lieutenant G. A. Arbuthnot arrived. A considerable -amount of work had to be done in deepening the trenches, heightening the -parapets, and wiring the entanglements, for which eighty-four coils of -barbed wire were used. A systematic shelling by the enemy, not only of -the front line, but also of all roads and communication trenches, was -daily carried out, and on the 16th Second Lieutenant J. S. Burton was -killed, whilst the casualties amongst other ranks were very heavy. On -the 19th the 2nd Battalion went by train to St. Omer, and marched to -billets at Tatinghem, where it remained resting until June 7. - - - LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE 2ND BATTALION - - Lieut.-Colonel C. R. C. de Crespigny, D.S.O., Commanding Officer. - Major E. N. E. M. Vaughan, Second in Command. - Capt. the Hon. W. R. Bailey, Adjutant. - Lieut. W. E. Acraman, Quartermaster. - Capt. R. H. V. Cavendish, M.V.O. - Capt. A. F. R. Wiggins. - Capt. A. K. S. Cunninghame. - Lieut. the Hon. W. A. D. Parnell. - Lieut. W. H. Beaumont-Nesbitt. - Lieut. H. G. W. Sandeman. - Lieut. T. A. Combe. - Lieut. A. F. Irvine. - Lieut. M. H. Macmillan. - Lieut. T. Parker Jarvis. - 2nd Lieut. T. W. Minchin. - 2nd Lieut. N. McK. Jesper. - 2nd Lieut. G. G. M. Vereker. - 2nd Lieut. D. Harvey. - 2nd Lieut. J. Arbuthnott. - 2nd Lieut. G. A. Arbuthnot. - - _Attached_--Capt. J. A. Andrews, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer. - - -[Sidenote: June.] - -On June 7 the 2nd Battalion left Tatinghem at 8 A.M. and arrived at St. -Sylvestre _via_ Fort Rouge and Staple after a long and hot march. After -ten days spent in Camp M near Poperinghe, during which time parties of -men were employed in cable laying, it proceeded to Elverdinghe and -remained there till the 20th, when it took over the Lancashire Farm -line. Captain G. C. FitzH. Harcourt-Vernon, Lieut. H. F. C. Crookshank, -Lieutenant the Hon. M. H. E. C. Townley-Bertie, and Lieutenant R. E. H. -Oliver joined the Battalion on the 15th, and Lieutenant P. M. Walker on -the 19th. - -The four days spent in the trenches were marked by heavy machine-gun -fire and sniping, but the line was fairly good, and there were in -consequence few casualties. On the 24th an artillery duel took place, -and although our guns did some good work in cutting the enemy's wire, -the German guns retaliated on the front line and support trenches. On -retiring into billets again at Elverdinghe, the men were given -permission to bathe in the lake in the grounds of the château, but this -peaceful pursuit was not without danger, for the German artillery, while -searching about for some target, dropped six shells over the lake, and -later shelled the château itself. - -[Sidenote: July.] - -After a week's rest the 2nd Battalion returned to Ypres on July 6, and -the next day relieved the 4th Battalion in the Irish Farm line, one of -the worst positions it had been in. The 1300 yards of trenches consisted -for the most part of unconnected and shallow shell-holes, which were -full of water, and there were no communication trenches of any kind. It -took four and a half hours to get round the line by night, and in places -it was necessary to walk above ground, which made the Commanding -Officer's tour very dangerous. Naturally in such a line the daily -casualty list was fairly heavy, but the men worked at the trenches with -so much energy that they soon transformed them. Once Captain Wiggins, -Lieutenant Irvine, and Lieutenant Combe were having luncheon in a hole -in the first line, when a shell from a German trench mortar pitched -quite close to them. With the exception of Captain Wiggins, who was hit -through the knee by a piece of the shell, no one was any the worse. The -Germans, finding that the large shells from the trench mortars could be -seen coming, hit upon the idea of firing salvos of shrapnel at the same -time, which confused our men. - -Lieutenant-General Lord Cavan paid a surprise visit to the 2nd Battalion -while it was in the trenches, and made a searching inspection of the -kits, greatcoats, respirators, and rifles. In spite of the men being in -the trenches, everything was complete and clean, but much to the -Sergeant-Major's annoyance two mess-tins and three spoons were found to -be deficient in the whole Battalion. The takings of the regimental -canteen had been greatly augmented by the presence of two Navvy -battalions, and Lieut.-Colonel de Crespigny was therefore able to give -the men certain luxuries, such as French bread and tinned milk, which -were much appreciated. - -During the next fortnight the 2nd Battalion remained either in billets -in the Canal bank or in the line in front, and worked unceasingly on the -trenches. The monotony of trench life was relieved by the exciting but -dangerous ventures of patrols. During the night of the 17th Lieutenant -A. Irvine and Lieutenant Parker Jervis took out patrols, and although -they were unsuccessful in securing any prisoners, they managed to pick -up a great deal of useful information. On the 19th Lieutenant M. H. -Macmillan went out with two men and managed to get quite near to the -German line, but a German sentry whom they came across threw a bomb at -them, wounding Lieutenant Macmillan and one of the men slightly. He, -however, obtained the information he wanted, and was later complimented -by General Pereira, who sent the following message: - - The Brigadier wishes Lieutenant Macmillan and his patrol on the 19th - inst. to be congratulated on their excellent report and the most - useful information which they brought in. - -Lieutenant Irvine also went out with a strong patrol, and on his return -narrowly escaped being bombed by his own company. Captain Wiggins and -ten men lay out on Admirals Road in the hopes of catching some of the -enemy's patrols, but were unsuccessful. On the 22nd Captain M. K. A. -Lloyd joined the Battalion. - -The improvement in the trench line did not escape the notice of -Brigadier-General Pereira, who sent the following message to -Lieut.-Colonel de Crespigny: - - After visiting your Battalion section of the trenches to-day, I wish - to say how very much I was impressed by the wonderful progress that - has been made in improving and strengthening the line, and I realise - the amount of thought and labour that has been expended on this - work. - - (Signed) C. PEREIRA, Brig.-Gen. - Commanding 1st Brigade. - -The enemy's artillery now turned its attention to Poperinghe, with the -result that all the civilians had to be cleared out and sent away. In -its search for suitable objectives, it succeeded in landing a big shell -on the 2nd Battalion Headquarters. Two men were buried, one of whom -survived, but the other was dead when dug out. On the 24th Second -Lieutenant G. A. Arbuthnot went out with five snipers, and although they -remained out all night, they saw nothing of the enemy's patrols. -Sergeant Lyon of No. 1 Company went out by himself into No Man's Land, -and returned the next morning with useful information, and also a German -flag which had been taken from a tree near Wieltje. - -On the 27th the Guards Division left the Ypres salient, and was relieved -by the Fourth Division of the Eighth Corps. - -[Sidenote: Aug.] - -The 2nd Battalion left Ypres on the 26th, and went by train to -Poperinghe. On the 27th it marched _via_ St. Jan der Bietzen Watou and -Houtkerque to Herzeele, and on the 30th to Proven, where it entrained -for St. Pol. From St. Pol it went in motor lorries to Bouque Maison, and -then marched on to billets at Neuvillette. After two days' rest it -marched on to Sarton, where it remained from August 1st to the 10th, and -then proceeded to Bertrancourt. - -The Guards Division was now approaching the Somme area, and the 2nd -Battalion Grenadiers marched from Bertrancourt through Beaussart, -Mailly, Vitermont, to the right sub-sector of the Beaumont-Hamel line. -The trenches were considerably better than any others the 2nd Battalion -had occupied since Loos, and there were several deep dug-outs in the -line. The enemy's artillery sent over some heavy shells at once, and the -casualties were one N.C.O. killed and six men wounded. After three days -in the trenches, when a certain number of men were wounded, the -Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, and -retired to Bertrancourt. Two days later it marched to Courcelles, where -it remained for a week in billets, and on the 23rd proceeded to Beauval. -On the following days it marched to Flesselles, to Canadles, and to -Méaulte, where it remained till the end of the month. Second Lieutenant -C. C. Cubitt and Second Lieutenant A. Hasler joined the Battalion on the -15th, Second Lieutenant D. W. Cassy, who had been employed as signal -officer at Brigade Headquarters, on the 21st, and Lieutenant A. T. A. -Ritchie on the 25th. Second Lieutenant D. Harvey and ten men were -attached to the 180th Tunnelling Company, R.E. - -END OF VOL. I - -_Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, _Edinburgh_. - - - - - A SELECTION OF NEW BOOKS - - -_3 Vols._ _With Portraits and Plans._ _8vo._ _£2:12:6 net._ - -THE LIFE OF - -LORD KITCHENER - -BY - -SIR GEORGE ARTHUR, BT., M.V.O. - -Private Secretary to Lord Kitchener, 1914-16 - -WITH PREFACES BY - -THE MARQUIS OF SALISBURY AND EARL HAIG - - * * * * * - -LETTERS OF TRAVEL. 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} - .c015 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; } - .c016 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 0.8em; - margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; width: 30%; } - .c017 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-top: 1em; font-size: 85%; } - .c018 { margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - div.tnotes { padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;background-color:#E3E4FA; - border:1px solid silver;margin:1em 5% 0 5%;text-align:justify; } - abbr {border:none; text-decoration:none; font-variant:normal; } - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Grenadier Guards in the Great War of -1914-1918, Vol. 1 of 3, by Frederick Edward Grey Ponsonby - -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 Grenadier Guards in the Great War of 1914-1918, Vol. 1 of 3 - -Author: Frederick Edward Grey Ponsonby - -Release Date: November 13, 2019 [EBook #60677] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRENADIER GUARDS--1914-1918, VOL 1 *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, David King, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. (This -book was created from images of public domain material -made available by the University of Toronto Libraries -(http://link.library.utoronto.ca/booksonline/).) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_on'>on</span> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div> - <h1 class='c001'>THE GRENADIER GUARDS IN THE GREAT WAR OF 1914-1918</h1> -</div> -<div id='frontis' class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/frontispiece.jpg' alt='The King. Colonel-in-Chief.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>The King. Colonel-in-Chief.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'><b>THE GRENADIER GUARDS IN THE GREAT WAR OF 1914-1918</b></span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='large'><b>BY</b></span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xxlarge'><b>Lieut.-Colonel</b></span></div> - <div><span class='xxlarge'><b>The Right Hon. SIR FREDERICK PONSONBY</b></span></div> - <div><span class='xlarge'><b>(LATE GRENADIER GUARDS)</b></span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='large'><b>WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY</b></span></div> - <div><span class='xlarge'><b>Lieut.-General THE EARL OF CAVAN</b></span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='large'><b>MAPS BY MR. EMERY WALKER</b></span></div> - <div class='c000'>IN THREE VOLUMES</div> - <div>VOL. I</div> - <div class='c000'>MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED</div> - <div>ST. MARTIN'S STREET, LONDON</div> - <div>1920</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>Dedicated</div> - <div class='c000'>(BY PERMISSION)</div> - <div class='c000'>TO</div> - <div class='c000'>HIS MAJESTY THE KING</div> - <div class='c000'>COLONEL-IN-CHIEF OF THE GRENADIER GUARDS</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span> - <h2 class='c003'>INTRODUCTION</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>I regard it as a high privilege to be associated -with this book, which has been written by an -old officer of the Regiment. I can fully appreciate -the magnitude of the task which confronted -him when he undertook to examine innumerable -documents relating to hundreds of thousands -of men and covering a period of several years, -and select therefrom all that particularly concerned -the Regiment.</p> - -<p class='c005'>I often think that an officer who finds himself -in command of a battalion of Grenadiers on -active service must be nicely poised between the -weight of responsibility and the upholding power -of tradition. At first the former seems to be -overwhelming, but in time the feeling of confidence -and trust in all ranks of the Regiment is so great -that the idea of failure can be eliminated.</p> - -<p class='c005'>I think this history will make my meaning -clear. As Time marches on with its many inventions, -it does not become easier to uphold -the traditions so nobly set by our forbears. -Gas and high explosives take heavier toll of -brave men than the weapons of old, and yet it -is still the solid determination of the man that -wins the fight, whether offensive or defensive. -Although the tale of our great Dead is a long -<span class='pageno' id='Page_viii'>viii</span>one, and thousands have been maimed in the -struggle, the Regiment has borne its part in a -manner worthy of it, and in accordance with the -parting words of trust of our Sovereign and -Colonel-in-Chief.</p> - -<p class='c005'>CAVAN,<br /> -<i>Lieut.-General</i>.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_ix'>ix</span> - <h2 class='c003'>PREFACE</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>This account of the part taken by the Grenadier -Guards in the European War is, substantially, the -work of the officers of the Regiment themselves. -Letters and diaries full of interesting detail have -been sent to me, and a vast amount of information -collected by Colonel Sir <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> Streatfeild at the -Regimental Orderly Room has been placed at -my disposal.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The military historian who writes of past -centuries has in some ways an easier task than one -who attempts to put contemporary events into -their historical perspective. In the first place, -with every desire to be accurate, the latter finds -that the accounts of eye-witnesses differ so much -that he is forced to form his own conclusions, -and to adopt what, according to his judgment, -is the most probable version. In the second -place, after reading a private letter giving a -graphic account of a particular part of a battle, -he may easily derive a totally false impression of -the whole. Moreover, he writes in the constant -presence of the criticism of eye-witnesses.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A special difficulty also arises from the unequal -quality of the material placed at his disposal. -There is sometimes a wealth of information on -unimportant incidents and no material for the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_x'>x</span>history of important or dramatic events, in which -the principal actors were almost invariably killed. -Even the Battalion diaries, which were kept with -meticulous accuracy during the early days of the -war, contain less and less material as the fighting -became more and more serious.</p> - -<p class='c005'>With a war of such astounding magnitude, -when millions of men are fighting on a front of -hundreds of miles, any attempt to give an intelligible -picture of what is going on in a modern -battle becomes practically impossible. Even if -such a course were desirable in a regimental -history, the material supplied, which consists -for the most part of letters and diaries of regimental -officers, would be totally inadequate, -since regimental officers know little of what is -going on except in their immediate neighbourhood. -A tactical study was out of the question, -since a battalion plays such a small part in modern -battles, and to describe the movements of corps -and armies appeared to be beyond the scope of -a regimental history.</p> - -<p class='c005'>I therefore decided to depart from tradition, -and to write a narrative giving, as far as I was -able, details about companies, and even platoons. -It seemed to me that this was what the officers -themselves would prefer.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The absence of information concerning the -German Army necessarily takes some of the life -and colour out of such a record as this. In all -military histories the account of the enemy's -movements adds enormously to the interest of the -narrative; but at present, beyond a few accounts -from neutral journalists inspired by the Germans, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_xi'>xi</span>there is no authentic information as to the movements -of the German Army, and the motives -which actuated the German General Staff can -only be inferred.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Time will of course rectify this, and after the -war detailed accounts of the German Army will -be available, though it will inevitably be some -years before anything worth reading about the -enemy can be published. It has therefore been -suggested that it might be best to defer the -publication of this history for some years. But -it is doubtful whether with the lapse of time any -valuable additions could be made to a regimental -history, though for a national history some -knowledge of the enemy's plans will be essential.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The long periods of monotonous trench life, -in which practically the same incidents recur -daily, have been particularly difficult to deal -with; and, although the greatest care has been -taken to chronicle every event of importance, I -am conscious that many acts of bravery and -devotion to duty which have been omitted in -the letters and diaries must go unrecorded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The terrible list of casualties has made it -impossible to do more than simply record the -deaths of the officers of the Regiment who fell -during the war. Had more space been available, -fuller accounts of the circumstances under which -they met their deaths and some personal appreciation -of each officer would have been possible, -but in a history which has necessarily to be -restricted to three volumes, all this was out of -the question.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Regiment is indebted to Colonel Sir <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_xii'>xii</span>Streatfeild, not only for the scrupulous care with -which he gathered together information from -every possible source, but also for his foresight -in realising in the early stages of the war the -importance of all documents connected with -the movements of the different battalions.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The maps are the work of Mr. Emery Walker, -who has succeeded in producing not only artistic -pictures in the style that was prevalent among -cartographers of the seventeenth century, but -also perfectly clear and accurate maps. To -Sergeant West I am indebted for the military -detail.</p> - -<p class='c005'>To many officers I am indebted for suggestions, -especially to <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-General the Earl of Cavan -and Major-General Jeffreys, who found time, -during their few days' leave, to make many -interesting additions to this history; and to -Major <abbr class='spell'>H. L.</abbr> Aubrey-Fletcher, whose knowledge -and experience both as a staff and regimental -officer have been invaluable.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity of -thanking Captain <abbr class='spell'>G. R.</abbr> Westmacott, Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>M. H.</abbr> Macmillan, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>B.</abbr> Samuelson, -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>L. R.</abbr> Abel-Smith, and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A. C.</abbr> -Knollys for the excellent work they did in preparing -accurate diaries for each battalion, with -extracts from the officers' letters. Without their -aid I should never have had the time or the -energy to complete this book.</p> - -<p class='c005'><abbr class='spell'>F. E. G.</abbr> PONSONBY.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_xiii'>xiii</span> - <h2 class='c003'>CONTENTS</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>CHAPTER <abbr title='one'>I</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>The Situation before the War</span> <a href='#chap01'>1</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='two'>II</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Arrival of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion in France</span> <a href='#chap02'>9</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='three'>III</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>The Retreat from Mons</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion</span>) <a href='#chap03'>23</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='four'>IV</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>The Battle of the Marne</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion</span>) <a href='#chap04'>42</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='five'>V</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>The Passage of the Aisne</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion</span>) <a href='#chap05'>54</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='six'>VI</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>The First Battle of Ypres</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion</span>) <a href='#chap06'>83</a></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xiv'>xiv</span>CHAPTER <abbr title='seven'>VII</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>The First Battle of Ypres</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion</span>) <a href='#chap07'>143</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='eight'>VIII</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>November 1914 to March 1915</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion</span>) <a href='#chap08'>187</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='nine'>IX</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>November 1914 to March 1915</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion</span>) <a href='#chap09'>201</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='ten'>X</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>The Battle of Neuve Chapelle</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion</span>) <a href='#chap10'>224</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='eleven'>XI</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>The Battle of Festubert</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalions</span>) <a href='#chap11'>247</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='twelve'>XII</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>May to September 1915</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion</span>) <a href='#chap12'>264</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='thirteen'>XIII</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>May to September 1915</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion</span>) <a href='#chap13'>272</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='fourteen'>XIV</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Formation of the Guards Division</span> <a href='#chap14'>283</a></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xv'>xv</span>CHAPTER <abbr title='fifteen'>XV</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>The Battle of Loos</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr>, <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr>, <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr>, and <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalions</span>) <a href='#chap15'>290</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='sixteen'>XVI</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>October to December 1915</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr>, <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr>, <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr>, and <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> -Battalions</span>) <a href='#chap16'>322</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>CHAPTER <abbr title='seventeen'>XVII</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>January 1 to September 1, 1916</span> (<span class='sc'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Batts.</span>) <a href='#chap17'>352</a></p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_xvii'>xvii</span> - <h2 class='c003'>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>The King, Colonel-in-Chief <a href='#frontis'><i>Frontispiece</i></a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>W. R. A.</abbr> Smith, <abbr class='spell'>C.M.G.</abbr>, Commanding -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion <a href='#fig1'>144</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>L. R.</abbr> Fisher-Rowe, Commanding <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion <a href='#fig2'>198</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Officers of the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards <a href='#fig3'>276</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Colonel Sir Henry Streatfeild, <abbr class='spell'>K.C.V.O.</abbr>, Commanding the -Regiment <a href='#fig4'>288</a></p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>MAPS</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>Route of the Second Battalion, 1914, and the Mons Area, -1914 <a href='#map01'>16</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Route taken by the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards -during the Retreat from Mons, and subsequent advance -to the Marne and the Aisne, 1914 <a href='#map02'>24</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Sketch plan of Landrecies, August 25, 1914 <a href='#map03'>28</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Engagement at Villers-Cotterêts, September 1, 1914 <a href='#map04'>34</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Battle of the Marne—Position of the British Army on -September 8, 1914 <a href='#map05'>46</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>The Passage of the Aisne, September 14, 1914 <a href='#map06'>58</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Ypres and the neighbouring country where the First Battle -of Ypres was fought, October and November 1914 <a href='#map07'>84</a></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xviii'>xviii</span>Route taken by the First Battalion Grenadier Guards -through Belgium in October 1914 <a href='#map08'>90</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>The Grenadier Guards at Ypres <a href='#map09'>142</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Battle of Neuve Chapelle, March 11, 1915 <a href='#map10'>226</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Neuve Chapelle, March 12, 1915 <a href='#map11'>235</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Neuve Chapelle, March 13, 1915 <a href='#map12'>241</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Festubert—Position on the evening of May 17, 1915 <a href='#map13'>248</a></p> - -<p class='c005'>Battle of Loos, September 26, 1915 <a href='#map14'>298</a></p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span> - <h2 id='chap01' class='c003'>CHAPTER I <br /> THE SITUATION BEFORE THE WAR</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>When the Archduke Francis Ferdinand of -Austria was assassinated at Sarajevo in Serbia -on June 28, 1914, it never for a moment occurred -to any one in this country that the crime could -in any way affect the destinies of the First or -Grenadier Regiment of Footguards. No one -dreamed that, before another year had passed, -not only would the three Battalions be fighting -in a European war, but there would even be -a <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion at the front, in addition to a -<abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Reserve Battalion of almost unwieldy proportions.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Even when Austria began to show her teeth, -it still seemed an "incident" quite beyond -our horizon. If Austria and Serbia did come -to blows, Great Britain was not even indirectly -involved, and the British Army, therefore, remained -unmoved. The Balkan peoples were -constantly in a state of warlike commotion, but -their troubles hardly affected the great British -Empire. The war clouds, that from time to -time darkened the European sky, had hitherto -always been dispersed. More than once of late -years the German Emperor had rattled his sword -<span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>in the scabbard, and talked or telegraphed to -the very limits of indiscretion, but nothing had -ever come of it, nor did it seem at all probable -that the assassination of an Austrian Archduke -could be made the pretext for a European conflagration.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There were, however, certain elements of -danger in the European situation at this particular -juncture. The creation of the Triple Alliance—Germany, -Austria-Hungary, and Italy—had made -necessary some counter-move by the other European -Powers. And the <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr"><i>entente</i></span> between England -and France, initiated by King Edward, and -originally intended merely for the settlement -of outstanding differences between the two -countries, became eventually the basis of a -second grouping of nations. This <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr"><i>entente</i></span> was -followed by one between England and Russia; -and although in neither was there anything in -the nature of a defensive alliance, it was well -known that there was in existence—though the -exact terms of it had never been made public—a -far stronger agreement between France and -Russia.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile it was generally known that, all -the time these several <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr"><i>ententes</i></span> were being formed, -Germany had been steadily preparing for war. -For forty years, with characteristic thoroughness -of method, the Germans had been diligently -organising their forces to this end. Not only -had the Army been perfected into a first-class -fighting machine, but the civil population had -all been assigned the parts they were to play in -the coming campaign. Trade problems had been -<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>handled, not so much with a view to commercial -prosperity pure and simple, as to ensure to -Germany a sufficient supply of the commodities -which would be needed in a great war. Gigantic -preparations had been made for a limitless output -of shells and ammunition, and plans carefully -elaborated for the conversion of factories of all -kinds into workshops for war material. The -whole State Railway system was controlled in -such a way that, on the declaration of war, -troops could be instantly concentrated at any -selected spot with the utmost speed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>While many civilians saw and deprecated the -arrogance and madness of such a policy, the -military element, supported by the Emperor, -was anxiously pressing for an opportunity of -proving to the world the efficiency of the organisation -it had created. It was only to be expected -that the generals, who knew how vastly superior -the German Army was to any other continental -army, should hanker for an opportunity of -showing off their perfect war-machine.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The attitude of the bankers and merchants -towards the war was not clear. Originally, without -doubt, they had favoured the insinuating -methods of peaceful penetration, which had been -so successful in the past, and by which they -intended to dominate Europe, but just before -the war they appear to have been allured by -the prospect of large indemnities from France -and Russia and to have withdrawn their opposition. -They were persuaded by the military -party that by war, and by war alone, could -the domination of the world by Germany be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>achieved, and that now was the time to realise -their dream. Young officers of both services -made no secret of their wish for war, and -constantly drank "to the Day" when they met -at mess. The more intelligent portion of the -German population quieted what conscience they -had with the comfortable reflection that all -military and naval preparations were merely -ordinary precautions for defence. Indeed this -theory, cunningly instilled into the German people -by the military party, was so generally accepted -that even after the war was declared the majority -was under the delusion that it was fighting only -for the defence of the Fatherland.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Although the attitude of Germany towards -England did not play any prominent part in the -events which led up to the war, there undoubtedly -existed in Germany a deep hatred of this country. -Commercial rivalry and the desire of the Germans -to found a Colonial Empire on the same lines as -ours would hardly account for this feeling, which -permeated every class, and it is to the <span lang="de" xml:lang="de"><i>Flotte -Verein</i></span> or Navy League that we must look if -we wish to find the reason. Originally instituted -to instil into the youth of Germany a desire for -sea power, this organisation, by means of propaganda, -speeches, and pamphlets, succeeded in -convincing the rising generation that we were -their natural enemies. The arguments were -invariably pointed by reference to the British -Fleet, which, it was said, could dominate Germany's -world policy, and so young Germans -grew up with a feeling of terror for the British -Fleet and hatred for the British nation.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>In spite of everything, England slumbered -on, hypnotised by politicians who had convinced -themselves by a process of mental gymnastics -that war was an impossibility. The contingency -of a British Army being sent to France was -never even discussed by the House of Commons, -and the logical outcome of our European policy -appears never to have occurred to either House -of Parliament.</p> - -<p class='c005'>While Germany was studiously preparing for -war, we were engaged in academic discussions -on disarmament, and although members of the -Imperial Defence Committee and a limited number -of Cabinet Ministers may have known of the -possibility of our having to send an expeditionary -force to France, the man in the street, and even -the majority of members of Parliament, were -completely in the dark as to the true significance -of the position of affairs in Europe.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The whole situation was singularly favourable -to the Germans. Never before had they been -so strong, and probably never again would they -have such a powerful Fleet and Army. For some -years it had been growing clear to them that -if ever they were to strike, they must strike -soon. The Socialists were becoming stronger -every day, and there were constant grumblings, -which ever-increasing prosperity failed to stifle, -at the enormous expenditure on armaments. -The nation might weaken as the years went on, -and there was every probability that the Government -would find it impossible to maintain indefinitely -a huge Army and a huge Fleet. If -they failed to take advantage of this opportunity -<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>they might never again be in a position to -dominate Europe.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Though Austria had long been tied to the -wheels of the German chariot, there was always -the danger of the Hungarians and Bohemians -refusing to support Germany, should the quarrel -be purely German. It was therefore necessary -to make the <span lang="la" xml:lang="la"><i>casus belli</i></span> essentially Austrian. -What better opportunity could ever offer itself -than the assassination of the heir to the Austrian -throne? Moreover, the new heir, perhaps soon -to be the new Emperor, might not be willing to -endorse all his predecessor's pledges, and Austria -might conceivably drift apart from her ally. -Clearly, therefore, if Germany, with Austria's -help, was to strike a blow at Russia and France, -she must do so forthwith.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The war party held that together Germany -and Austria were more than a match for France -and Russia. Italy was a member of the Triple -Alliance, and would either come in on their side -or remain neutral. Great Britain, it imagined, -would be unable to take any part owing to her -internal troubles. It appears to have taken -it for granted that the Dominions and Colonies -would in any case seize the occasion for declaring -their independence, and that there would certainly -be a second mutiny in India. There was therefore -no need to consider the British Empire in calculating -the chances of success. A parade march -to Paris would settle France in a short time, and -then the whole forces of the two Empires would -be turned on Russia. A glorious and victorious -peace would be signed before the end of the year.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>With such calculations as these, it is hardly -to be wondered at that the rulers of Germany -decided on war at once. To their dismay, however, -Serbia submitted to the terms dictated -by Austria, and it seemed at one moment that -the whole incident would be closed. Acting on -Russia's advice, Serbia agreed to all the points -in the Austrian memorandum but two. These -practically threatened her independence, but -there was nothing that could not be satisfactorily -settled by an impartial tribunal. But, as despatches -and telegrams were exchanged between -the European Powers, it gradually became clear -that the original dispute between Austria and -Serbia had now nothing to do with the matter. -Sir Edward Grey made a final attempt to avert -war by proposing a conference, but this proposal -came to naught, and the determination on the -part of Germany to force a war appeared to be -stronger than ever. However sincere the Emperor's -wish for peace may have been, he was -powerless in the hands of a military autocracy -which he himself had created. Ever since he had -ascended the throne, he had set the military over -the civilian element, and now, finding himself -powerless to resist the demands of the war party, -he determined to place himself at their head.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On July 31 Germany despatched an ultimatum -to Russia demanding immediate demobilisation. -This was tantamount to a declaration of war, -but war was not actually declared till the next -day. The declaration of war with France -followed as a natural sequence.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Such was the situation at the beginning of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>August. With disinterested detachment the -British Empire watched the preliminary negotiations, -and even when war was declared between -the two groups of Powers, public opinion was -divided as to which course we should adopt. -When, however, Germany violated the neutrality -of Belgium, all doubt was removed, and we -declared war on August 4. The whole Empire -was stirred to the depths, and in London huge -crowds paraded the streets and assembled outside -Buckingham Palace to cheer the King and the -Queen. The wildest rumours were circulated and -believed. Fantastic tales were told to every one -in confidence by well-informed men in the street, -and eagerly swallowed by excited dupes.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the curtain was pulled down, and the -British public was allowed to know nothing. -What troops were going, where they were going, -when they were going, all became matters of -conjecture.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile, silently and surely, the British -Expeditionary Force found its way over to France.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span> - <h2 id='chap02' class='c003'>CHAPTER II <br /> ARRIVAL OF THE <abbr title='second'>2ND</abbr> BATTALION IN FRANCE</h2> -</div> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> <abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 1914.</div> -<p class='c005'>To any neutral not completely blinded by German -sympathies it must have been only too palpable -that the last thing we were prepared for was a -European war, for not only had we no men to -speak of, but there appeared to be no competent -organisation for dealing with a <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr"><i>levée en masse</i></span>. -Relying on the warlike instinct of our race, we -had clung tenaciously to the voluntary system, -under the impression that it was best suited -to our needs. Even if conscription had been -politically possible, it was out of the question, -since we had neither rifles, clothing, nor barrack -accommodation. The Territorial Associations, -which were expected to cope with the masses -of men who at once began to flock to the -colours, were found so inadequate that Lord -Kitchener decided to improvise an entirely new -organisation.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the inevitable confusion which occurred -after the declaration of war, there were, however, -two factors which stood the test successfully, -and which may be said to have saved the country -from disaster in the initial stages of the war. -The first was the equipment and despatch of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>the Expeditionary Force, which was perfect in -every detail, and the second was the assembly -of the Territorial Forces, originally designed to -repel invasion, but now utilised to garrison -India and the Colonies.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When war was declared, the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadier Guards was at Wellington Barracks, -the rest of the Expeditionary Force being mostly -at Aldershot. The speed with which the Battalion -was mobilised reflected the greatest credit on -all concerned. Its equipment was all ready; -reservists arrived from all parts of the country -with a promptitude that was truly remarkable. -It was on August 4 that mobilisation orders -were received, and the Battalion was soon ready -to start on active service.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meantime, while the preparations were still -in progress, there occurred an unrehearsed little -incident, typical in its way of the unspectacular, -practical side of modern war. As the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion was returning to Wellington Barracks -from a route march, the King and Queen came -down to the gates of Buckingham Palace, quite -informally, to see the troops pass by. There -was neither pageantry nor gorgeous uniforms, -but those who were privileged to be present on -the occasion will not easily forget the business-like -body of men of splendid physique, clad in -dull khaki, who marched past in fours, and saluted -the King, their Colonel-in-Chief, as they returned -to barracks.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 12.</div> -<p class='c005'>The start for France was made on August 12. -The First Army Corps, under the command of -General Sir Douglas Haig, consisted of:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c006'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>FIRST DIVISION. <span class='sc'>Major-General</span> LOMAX</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'>Maxse</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Coldstream Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Scots Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Black Watch.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Munster Fusiliers.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c006'><i><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'>Bulfin</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Royal Sussex Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> North Lancashire Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Northamptonshire Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> King's Royal Rifles.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i><abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'>Landon</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> West Surrey Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> South Wales Borderers.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Gloucestershire Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Welsh Regiment.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c006'> - <div>SECOND DIVISION. <span class='sc'>Major-General</span> MONRO</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i><abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'>Scott-Kerr</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Grenadier Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Coldstream Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Coldstream Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Irish Guards.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i><abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'>Haking</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Worcestershire Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Oxfordshire Light Infantry.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Highland Light Infantry.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Connaught Rangers.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>6th Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'>Davies</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Liverpool Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> South Staffordshire Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Berkshire Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> King's Royal Rifles.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>The Second Army Corps, under General Sir -Horace Smith-Dorrien, consisted of the Third -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>Division, under Major-General Hamilton, and the -Fifth Division under Major-General Sir Charles -Fergusson, <abbr title='Baronet'>Bart.</abbr> (an old Grenadier).</p> -<p class='c004'><span class='sc'>The Roll of Officers, <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadier Guards, -embarked for active service on the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> of August</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Headquarters</i>—</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>N. A. L.</abbr> Corry, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Commanding.</div> - <div class='line in4'>Brevet-<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Lord Loch, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Senior Major.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> and Adjutant <abbr class='spell'>I.</abbr> McDougall (Adjutant).</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. A.</abbr> Cecil (Machine-Gun Officer).</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> and Quartermaster <abbr class='spell'>J. H.</abbr> Skidmore (Quartermaster).</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Company Commanders</i>—</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company. Major Lord <abbr class='spell'>B. C.</abbr> Gordon-Lennox.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company. Major <abbr class='spell'>G. C.</abbr> Hamilton.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company. Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. M.</abbr> Colston, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr></div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company. Captain <abbr class='spell'>D. C. L.</abbr> Stephen.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Captains</i>—</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company. Captain <abbr class='spell'>E. G. H.</abbr> Powell.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company. Captain <abbr class='spell'>E. J. L.</abbr> Pike.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company. Captain <abbr class='spell'>A. B. R. R.</abbr> Gosselin.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company. Captain <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Symes-Thompson.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Lieutenants</i>—</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. E.</abbr> Needham.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. F. A.</abbr> Walker.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. K.</abbr> Mackenzie.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. W. G.</abbr> Welby.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. W.</abbr> Des Voeux.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Wolrige Gordon.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H.H.</abbr> Prince Alexander of Battenberg, <abbr class='spell'>G.C.V.O.</abbr></div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. N.</abbr> Manners.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. G.</abbr> Stocks.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Lieutenants</i>—</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. W. J. M.</abbr> Miller.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. C.</abbr> Fitz <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> Harcourt Vernon.</div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. G. B.</abbr> Nugent.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. R.</abbr> Pickersgill Cunliffe.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. H. M.</abbr> Vereker.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. K. S.</abbr> Cunninghame.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. E.</abbr> Cecil.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Lord Loch was appointed to the Staff after the -Battalion landed in France, and Major Jeffreys -took his place as senior Major on August 18.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Queen Alexandra came to see the Battalion -off and wish it God-speed when it paraded at -Chelsea Barracks that afternoon. With Her -Majesty, to whom all the officers were presented, -were Princess Victoria and Princess Beatrice. -Headed by the band of the regiment, the -Battalion then marched to Nine Elms and -entrained for Southampton Docks, where it -embarked on the <i>Cawdor Castle</i>, and finally sailed -at 8 o'clock for France.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Strictest secrecy had been observed about -its destination, and the captain of the ship -himself did not know where he was bound for -until she was actually under way. It was -lucky that it was a lovely night and the sea -quite calm, for the vessel was crowded to its -utmost capacity. The following message from -Lord Kitchener had been handed to each man -when the Battalion embarked:</p> - -<p class='c009'>You are ordered abroad as a soldier of the King to -help our French comrades against the invasion of a -common enemy. You have to perform a task which -will need your courage, your energy, your patience.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Remember that the conduct of the British Army -depends on your individual conduct. It will be your -duty, not only to set an example of discipline and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>perfect steadiness under fire, but also to maintain the -most friendly relations with those whom you are helping -in the struggle. The operations in which you are -engaged will, for the most part, take place in a friendly -country, and you can do your own country no better -service than in showing yourself in France and Belgium -in the true character of a British soldier.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Be invariably courteous, considerate, and kind. Never -do anything likely to injure or destroy property, and -always look upon looting as a disgraceful act. You are -sure to meet with a welcome and to be trusted; your -conduct must justify that welcome and that trust. -Your duty cannot be done unless your health is sound. -So keep constantly on your guard against any excesses. -In this new experience you may find temptations in -wine and women. You must entirely resist both -temptations, and while treating women with perfect -courtesy you should avoid any intimacy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Do your duty bravely.<br /> -Fear God.<br /> -Honour the King.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>Kitchener</span>, <i>Field-Marshal</i>.</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 13.</div> -<p class='c005'>Next morning the ship was found to be -nearing Havre, and the men were full of curiosity -to see what manner of land France was. Meanwhile, -from French fishing-boats and trawlers -came loud cheers at the welcome sight of the -arrival of the forces of Great Britain. A still -more enthusiastic greeting awaited the Battalion -when it landed, and marched through the -numerous docks on the outskirts of the town to -a camp about five miles away. The inhabitants -crowded round the men, and threw flowers at -them as they marched by, while from all sides -came welcoming shouts of "Vive les Anglais," -"Vive l'Angleterre," and "Eep-eep-ooray."</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>When the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion arrived in France, -the German Army had already overrun Belgium. -For nearly ten days the Belgian Army had held -up the Germans, but Liége had fallen, and there -was nothing now to prevent the enemy from -pouring into France. The French Army, as -soon as it was mobilised, had begun a general -offensive towards Alsace and Lorraine, but after -some small successes had been checked at -Morhange. A complete alteration in the French -plan of campaign was rendered necessary by the -advance of the German Army through Belgium, -and troops were now being hurried up towards -the North from every part of France.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The original disposition of the British Expeditionary -Force was as follows: The Headquarters -of the First Corps (the First and Second Divisions) -under Sir Douglas Haig, at Wassigny; the -Headquarters of the Second Corps (the Third -and Fifth Divisions), under Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, -at Nouvion; while the Cavalry Division, -under General Allenby, was sent to Maubeuge.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 14.</div> -<p class='c005'>It was a scorching, airless day, and the march -to camp was a very trying one. But after a -good sleep and a bathe in the sea the men were -thoroughly refreshed and fit. Then, after the -usual inspections, they were formed up on parade, -and the King's message was read out to them:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Message from the King to the Troops of the -Expeditionary Force</span></p> - -<p class='c010'>You are leaving home to fight for the safety and -honour of my empire.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Belgium, whose Country we are pledged to defend, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>has been attacked and France is about to be invaded -by the same powerful foe.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I have implicit confidence in you, my soldiers. Duty -is your watchword, and I know your duty will be nobly -done.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I shall follow your every movement with deepest -interest and mark with eager satisfaction your daily -progress, indeed your welfare will never be absent from -my thoughts.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I pray God to bless you and guard you and bring you -back victorious.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>George <abbr class='spell'>R.I.</abbr></span></p> - -<p class='c011'>The whole population of Havre seemed to -have come out to see the Battalion when it -marched the same evening to the entraining point. -The crowd cheered and shouted, and the men -responded with "The Marseillaise." When they -reached the siding the disappointing news met -them that the train would not start for another -four hours. It began to rain heavily, but fortunately -there were large hangars available, into -which the men crowded for shelter.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 15.</div> -<p class='c005'>Eventually when the train arrived at 2 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr>, -the men were packed into it, and very crowded -they were. Sleep was difficult, as the horse-wagons -attached to the train were loosely coupled, -and there was a succession of bumps whenever the -train stopped or slowed down. The first real stop -was at Rouen, where provisions were obtained -for the men, and then the train bumped on -to Amiens.</p> - -<div id='map01' class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/map01.jpg' alt='Route of the Second Battalion, 1914.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Route of the Second Battalion, 1914</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Fervent scenes of welcome went on all along -the line. Each little wayside station, every -bridge and level-crossing held a cheering throng. -At Arras the Mayor turned out in state with a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>number of local magnates, and presented three -large bouquets, for which Colonel Corry returned -thanks on behalf of the officers, in his best -French.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A touch of humour was not wanting at the -little ceremony—if any one had been in the mood -to seize hold of it. For, caught unawares, Colonel -Corry, Lord Loch, and Lord Bernard Gordon-Lennox -were anything but arrayed for a function, -in fact, in a state of decided deshabille. But -such was the enthusiasm of the inhabitants that -a trifle like this passed unnoticed or unconsidered.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The stationmaster here said he was passing -trains through at the rate of one every ten or -fifteen minutes, which gives some idea of the -great concentration of troops that was going on.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Slowly the train went on through Cambrai, -Busigny, and Vaux Andigny to Flavigny, where, -in pouring rain, the Battalion detrained and -went into billets—surprisingly well arranged; -but then Flavigny had plenty of experience in -that way, and only a few days before had lodged -the French troops.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 16-20.</div> -<p class='c005'>Next morning parade was at 7 o'clock for the -march to Grougis, about seven and a half miles -off, where four days were spent in billets, and -Colonel Corry took advantage of the breathing -space to have his officers and men inoculated -against typhoid.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The concentration of the British Force in the -Busigny area was now completed, and the advance -towards Mons was to begin the next day.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 20-22.</div> -<p class='c005'>Off again on the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr>, the Battalion marched -to Oisy (where it was again billeted), and on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>the following days to Maroilles and La Longueville. -Here for the first time it heard the -guns, and realised that very soon it would be -getting to work.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr>, following the plan concerted with -General Joffre, Sir John French took up a defensive -position from Condé on the west to Binche -to the east—a front of about twenty-five miles. -The British Army was thus on the extreme left -of the French lines. To the First Corps was -assigned the easterly position from Mons to -Binche, while the Second Corps lined the canal -from Mons to Condé, the whole front being -covered by the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Cavalry Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Originally the scheme appears to have been to -await the enemy's onslaught on the Charleroi—Mons -line, and then to assume the offensive and -advance into Belgium.</p> - -<p class='c005'>How far-reaching the German preparations -had been was at that time hardly recognised, -and neither the French nor the British Commander-in-Chief -seems to have had any conception -of the overwhelming force which the Germans -had been able to concentrate against them.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 23.</div> -<p class='c005'>From La Longueville the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -marched on August 23, during the last stages -of its journey, across the field of Malplaquet, -where more than 200 years before the regiment -had fought with distinction, through Blaregnies -and Genly to the outskirts of Mons, where it -bivouacked. There it received orders to advance, -which were countermanded before they -could be carried out, and the Battalion was told -to remain where it was. There was nothing to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>do but have breakfast and an hour's sleep by the -roadside, with showers falling at intervals. All -the time heavy firing could be heard from the -direction of Mons, and shells bursting could be -observed in the distance.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Orders then came for the Battalion to march -back to Quevy le Petit, about five miles off, -where the men fondly imagined they would -again be comfortably billeted. But hardly had -they arrived there when they were sent forward -again. As they were marching down a dusty -track General Scott-Kerr rode up, and directed -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers and the Irish -Guards to move up close behind the ridge east -of Spiennes in support of the Irish Rifles. At -the same time the two Coldstream battalions -were ordered to entrench themselves just east -of Harveng, presumably as a precaution in case -the Brigade should have to retire. Heavy firing -was now going on all round, and the ridge which -overlooked <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Symphorien to the north was -being vigorously shelled by the Germans, who -had got the range to a nicety, and were bursting -their shells over it with accuracy. It was about -6 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> when the Battalion, advancing through -Harveng, proceeded in artillery formation for -about one and a half miles to the hill near -Spiennes. The men huddled close together under -the banks on the reverse slope of the hill just -over the railway line, while bullets and shells -whistled over their heads. As they were lying -there they were amused to see the signalman -walk slowly down the line as if nothing in particular -was happening. He had to light the lamps, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>and saw no reason why the ordinary routine -which he had carried out probably for many years -should be interfered with. One of the officers -called out to him in French, and explained that -the Germans were advancing, but he merely -murmured <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">"ça m'est égal,"</span> and continued his -work, apparently unconscious of the bullets -that were striking the line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile, Colonel Corry and Major Jeffreys -went up to the position occupied by the Irish -Rifles, who were holding their own well under a -heavy rifle fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When they returned to their men it was getting -dark, and at 10.30 a message came from the -<abbr class='spell'>O.C.</abbr> Irish Rifles, that his battalion was retiring. -It appeared therefore to Colonel Corry that the -position was becoming untenable, since the Irish -Rifles on his left had already retired, and both -flanks of the Battalion were exposed. He consulted -Colonel Morris of the Irish Guards, and -they both came to the conclusion that the best -course would be to retire to Harveng.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The difficulty was to communicate with the -Brigadier. The telephone to Brigade Headquarters -had been cut by shell-fire, and so Colonel -Corry rode back to find General Scott-Kerr. He -could not be discovered, and was reported to -have gone to Divisional Headquarters. There -seemed no prospect whatever of finding him, and -it was now past midnight. Thereupon Colonel -Corry determined to take upon himself the -responsibility of ordering the retirement of the -two battalions. His impression was that in a -case like this, when local conditions could not be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>known to the Divisional Staff, it was for the man -on the spot to make his own decision.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Superior authority, however, afterwards held -that while under exceptional circumstances such -powers might well be delegated to the man <span lang="la" xml:lang="la"><i>in -mediis rebus</i></span>, in a case like this it could not be -admitted that an officer in actual touch with the -enemy was the best judge of how long a position -should be held. It was felt that there were many -considerations in a decision of this sort, of which -the officer in the front line could know very little. -Colonel Corry was therefore severely blamed for -his action, and was a fortnight later relieved of -his command.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 24.</div> -<p class='c005'>At 1 o'clock in the morning the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers and the Irish Guards retired, but -they had only gone a couple of miles towards -Harveng when they were ordered to go back -and occupy the ridge they had just left. Back -they went, and got as far as the foot of the hill, -only to receive another order to retire to Harveng. -By this time the men were absolutely tired out. -They had started at 3.30 the previous morning, -and had been on the move for twenty-four hours, -with only occasional halts by the roadside.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was just at this point in the engagement -that Sir John French received what he described -in his despatch as a most unexpected message. -It came from General Joffre, who informed him -that the French Forces had been compelled, by -superior numbers, to retire, and that consequently -the Fifth French Army, which was immediately -on our right, had vacated its line. Two German -corps were advancing on the British position, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>while a third corps was engaged in a turning -movement in the direction of Tournai. Divisions -of French Territorials had been promised in support -of the left flank, but, except for a Brigade -at Tournai, no French troops arrived from the -west. There was therefore no alternative for -Sir John French but to retire.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span> - <h2 id='chap03' class='c003'>CHAPTER III <br /> THE RETREAT FROM MONS (<abbr title='SECOND'>2ND</abbr> BATTALION)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Thus began that historic, terrible, splendid retreat -from Mons. Long weary marches were to -be the lot of the British Army for many a day, -but fortunately no one realised what lay ahead, -or the stoutest hearts might well have quailed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Long before it was over, the men's boots—not -Crimean ones of brown paper, but good, -sound English leather—had been worn into -shreds by those interminable, pitiless paving-stones, -that had withstood centuries of traffic. -Even the men with the toughest skins suffered -badly from their feet. Clouds of dust and the -heavy atmosphere arising from men in close -formation added to the trials of marching. -Constant cries of "Feel your right" (to let -cavalry or wagons pass by), the wearisome -burden of the pack on the shoulders, which drove -many men to throw away their most prized possessions, -the frequent futile digging of trenches, -abandoned as soon as they were dug, the orders -and counter-orders—all made the days that -followed a positive nightmare to the Army.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Such continuous retirement had never been -practised. It was against all tradition, and the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>men grumbled constantly at the seemingly never-ending -retreat. But what other course could the -"contemptible little army" have followed in the -face of the enemy's overwhelming force?</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 24.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> Sir <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> Smith-Dorrien started -off with the Second Corps, while a demonstration -was made by the First Corps in the direction of -Binche, and dug a line four miles south of Mons -to enable the First Corps to retire. It was -evident that the Germans were straining every -effort to surround the British Army, and therefore -to hold on too long to any line was extremely -dangerous. The Fifth French Army was still -in full retirement, and the First French Cavalry -Corps was so exhausted that General Sordet -could promise no assistance. The greater part -of the British Cavalry Division, with the exception -of the regiments covering the retreat of the two -British Corps, was guarding the left flank. The -arrival of the Fourth Division at Le Cateau had -been a welcome addition, but as it was only too -probable that the Germans would make every -effort to envelop the left of the whole line of the -Allies, it was important to have strong reinforcements -on that flank.</p> - -<div id='map02' class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/map02.jpg' alt='Route taken by the Second Batt. Grenadier Guards during the Retreat from Mons.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Route taken by the Second <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Grenadier Guards during the Retreat from Mons, and subsequent advance to the Marne and the Aisne. 1914.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Two hours' sleep was all the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers was allowed on that fateful <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> of -August, weary as it was after its twenty-four -hours on end of marching and fighting. At daybreak -it marched to Quevy le Grand, where the -men were ordered to dig themselves in. They -were quite in the dark about what was going on -round them. What force was opposed to them -or why they were retiring, no one knew. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>greatest secrecy prevailed. Although it was -cold and foggy early, it soon became scorching -hot and the men were tired, but when the word -went round that this was not a rearguard action, -but a determined stand, the digging became a -serious matter, and they set to with a will. The -Germans advanced very slowly and cautiously, -gradually pushing back our Cavalry Patrols, -who could be seen retiring. They shelled the -Mons—Maubeuge Road and also Quevy le Grand, -but as the line of the road was not held, our -position being some hundreds of yards in rear -of it, little damage was done, although a few men -were hit in the village.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But at 2 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> another order came to evacuate -the trenches and concentrate on the left. "Concentration" -proved to be a euphemism for -further retirement, and after a long and dusty -march the Battalion bivouacked south of La -Longueville.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 25. Landrecies.</div> -<p class='c005'>Next morning at 5 o'clock it started on -another hot and lengthy march through Pont -sur Sambre, Leval, and Noyelles to Landrecies, -which was reached at 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> It went into -billets and settled down to rest. But soon afterwards -a trooper from the cavalry patrols rode -into the town with the news that the Germans -were coming; the alarm was given, and the -men stood to arms. Nothing further happened, -however, and they returned to their billets. -The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream provided the -outposts, and the rest of the brigade were -just settling down once more in the hope -of a restful night when a second alarm -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>sounded. This time it was a real one. The -Germans were advancing in force on Maroilles -and Landrecies.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Though the night was very dark there was -no confusion, as the men poured hurriedly out -from their billets to fall in. Some were at once -detailed to build emergency barricades in the -streets, and as the tool limbers were taken for -this purpose the Battalion never had any heavy -tools for the rest of the retreat. The houses -on the front of the town were rapidly put in a -state of defence; loopholes were made, and the -furniture, or anything handy, was pushed up -to make the walls bullet-proof.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As it turned out, the enterprise of a small -patrol of Uhlans, who rode unopposed into the -town during the afternoon, had proved a very -fortunate thing for the defenders. For it seems -to have been assumed at first that the town was -covered by troops from other brigades, and when -the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream was ordered to -furnish outposts it had been considered a quite -unnecessary precaution. After the Uhlan incursion, -even the most optimistic could hardly -have needed convincing.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When all the dispositions had been made -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was distributed as -follows: <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 2 and 3 Companies, under the -command of Major Lord Bernard Lennox and -Captain Stephen, held the level-crossing over -the railway, and watched the right and left -flanks of the road leading over the Sambre. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> -1 Company, under Major Hamilton, held the -two sides on the left, while <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>under Captain Colston, in reserve, was posted -on the bridge over the Sambre.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The first warning that the enemy was at hand -was given at 8 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> by the firing of the picquets. -When the alarm went there was still sufficient -light for the men to get into their positions, but -soon after it became pitch dark, and the rain -began to fall. Suddenly shadowy forms were -observed by the outposts moving in the darkness. -Evidently they realised that they had been -seen, for a voice was heard calling out, "Don't -shoot. We are the French." The trick at that -time was new to us. Our men naturally hesitated -at first to fire, and this gave the Germans their -opportunity for a forward rush.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Very critical moments followed. The two -forces were only a short distance apart, and -in the darkness a retreat would have been fatal, -but the splendid discipline of the Guards saved -the situation. Everywhere the attacking Germans -found themselves beating up against a -wall of stubborn resistance. They brought up -a couple of guns and poured shells into the -town at almost point-blank range; they even -fired case-shot down the road. Again and again -they charged, only to be met and mowed down -by a withering fire. The machine-guns of the -Grenadiers were moved up to help the Coldstream, -and came into action at a very critical moment. -They were largely instrumental in repelling the -enemy's attack, and were well handled by -Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> W. Cecil, who was slightly -wounded. Private Rule particularly distinguished -himself by sticking to his gun and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>continuing to fight it, although he had been -blown off his feet by the blast of a <abbr class='spell'>H.E.</abbr> shell. -The brunt of the attack was borne at the start -by the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream, which lost -heavily in this fight; but in the Grenadiers the -casualties were not great.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Soon burning houses were lighting up the -battlefield, and it began to be possible to distinguish -friend from foe. During one of the -bursts of firing Lieutenant Vereker was hit, -and fell shot through the head. After the first -heavy attacks had been repulsed, the enemy -tried to get round the left of the Coldstream -in the direction of the railway-station, but there -was met by a steady fire from <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company, -under Major Lord Bernard Lennox, and -could make no headway. Splendid work was -done by a field howitzer, which had been manhandled -up to the level-crossing, and which -succeeded in silencing the enemy's guns.</p> - -<div id='map03' class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/map03.jpg' alt='Sketch plan of Landrecies.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Sketch plan of Landrecies.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Finally, about midnight, the enemy evidently -realised the futility of going on with the attack, -and retreated once more into the darkness. -But spasmodic firing continued for some time, -and it was not until nearly 2 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> that the night -became still, and the men were able to strengthen -their position. It was afterwards learnt that -the Germans who took part in the attack had -been pushed up to Landrecies in two hundred -motor lorries. How severely they had been -handled may be surmised from the fact that they -allowed the Grenadiers and <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream -to retire unmolested over a single bridge -across the Sambre. Writing of this engagement -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>in his despatch of September 7, Sir John French -said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards Brigade in Landrecies was heavily -attacked by troops of the Ninth German Army Corps, -who were coming through the forest on the north of the -town. This brigade fought most gallantly and caused -the enemy to suffer tremendous loss in issuing from the -forest into the narrow streets of the town. This loss -has been estimated from reliable sources at from 700 -to 1000.</p> - -<p class='c011'>In the meantime the Second Corps was -between Le Cateau and Caudry with the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr> -Brigade, which had been brought up from the -lines of communication on the left and the -Fourth Division south of Cambrai. The German -First Army launched a serious attack along the -whole of this line, and Sir <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> Smith-Dorrien, -finding himself outnumbered and out-gunned, -had the greatest difficulty in breaking off the -engagement and continuing the retirement.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 26.</div> -<p class='c005'>At daybreak the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade again got orders -to retire, and marched unmolested to Etreux. -Unfortunately many of the men had no time to -retrieve their kits, which they had left at their -billets, and all these were left behind. The -troops were dead beat, having again had practically -no sleep after a long day's marching and -fighting. Every time a halt was made the -whole Battalion fell fast asleep, and when the -march had to be resumed it was very hard to -rouse the men. It might seem hardly worth -while to sleep during a brief halt of only a -few minutes, with the prospect of a painful reawakening -to the realities of the situation as the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>inevitable sequel. But most of the men were so -thoroughly worn out that they eagerly welcomed -even the doubtful blessing of such a respite. -In the distance heavy firing could be heard in -the direction of Le Cateau, and at one time it -seemed probable the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade might be sent -off to support the hard-pressed Second Corps.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Etreux was reached at last, and the Battalion -proceeded to dig itself in. During the afternoon -a German aeroplane flew very low over the -bivouac, and dropped a bomb, which, however, -did no damage. Every one who had a rifle -handy had a shot at the unwelcome visitor; -eventually it was forced down a mile away, -where it was picked up by the cavalry. In it -were found three officers, two dead and one -wounded.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 27.</div> -<p class='c005'>Another long dusty march lay before the -Brigade on the following day. Continuing -the retirement, it passed through Vénérolles, -Tupigny, Vadencourt, and Hauteville to Mont -d'Origny. A report was brought in that a large -force of the enemy had been seen near <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Quentin, -but this proved to be inaccurate. That night -the First Corps was in a most critical position. -The Germans had nearly surrounded them, and -urgent orders to entrench the high ground north -and east of Mont d'Origny were received; but -although the weary troops dug on till midnight, -nothing occurred, and at 3.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> the Battalion -started off again.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 28.</div> -<p class='c005'>It reached Deuillet near La Fère, where -it had the only day's halt during the retreat. -On the way the Scots Greys and <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> Lancers -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>charged a large force of German cavalry and -utterly routed them, making many prisoners, -but otherwise nothing was seen of the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On arrival at Deuillet, the usual procedure -was gone through, and a position in defence -was entrenched, the men working at it all -day.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 29.</div> -<p class='c005'>In the evening an electrifying report, which -cheered every one up, went round that there was -to be a general advance. But when the order -came it was the usual one to retire, and another -hot march of twenty-eight miles followed. The -weary, wearing ordeal of long day marches and -but little sleep had commenced again. As soon -as it was decided to continue the retreat, and the -whole British Force had crossed over the Oise, -the bridges were blown up. The heat was -intense. There was practically no wind, and the -dust was stifling; a very large number of men -were suffering from sore feet, and there was a -good deal of grumbling in the ranks at the endless -marching in the wrong direction. But there was -no prospect of a long rest, and those battalions -which were unlucky enough to leave men behind -never saw them again. Not a man from the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Grenadiers, however, fell out.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The two corps which had been dangerously -separated were now once more united, but the -pursuing Germans were very near, and the situation -still gave rise to much anxiety. Information -was received to the effect that five or six German -corps were pursuing the Fifth French Army, -while at least two corps were advancing on the -British Army. The situation on the left of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>British Army was obscure, but it was reported -that the enemy had three or four more corps -endeavouring to creep round that flank. In -response to Sir John French's representations, -General Joffre ordered the Fifth French Army -to attack the enemy on the Somme with the -object of relieving the pressure on the British -Army.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 30-31.</div> -<p class='c005'>The Battalion reached Soissons about midday -on the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr>, and was ordered to occupy the -ridge near Pasly, about two miles north of the -town. Next day it tramped on to Soucy, a -very hard march in great heat, finishing up with -a steep climb. Here it bivouacked as usual, -and snatched what rest it could. But a full -night's sleep was always out of the question, -and soon after midnight the whole Brigade was -directed to form a rearguard, to cover the retirement -of the Second Division.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 1. Villers-Cotterêts.</div> -<p class='c005'>Accordingly trenches were dug in the high -ground above Soucy, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company Grenadiers -being detached to guard the right flank in a -position leading across a deep ravine to the high -ground above Montgobert. It was to rejoin -the Battalion when it retired to the forest of -Villers-Cotterêts. Soon after the Germans came -in sight, and retirement from the first position -was successfully effected. The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers and <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream made -their way into the wood, the edges of which -were held by the Irish Guards and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream, and took up a fresh position along -the line of the main road running east and west -through Rond de la Reine.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>Thick mist hung over the country, and the -dense undergrowth made the passage of the -wood difficult. The Germans, it was assumed, -would not attempt to penetrate the wood, but -would be content to use the roads and drives. -The assumption proved to be wrong—fortunately -for us. As it happened, they came through the -very thickest part, and in so doing lost cohesion -and direction. Probably, in fact, it was their -doing this, and the confusion into which they -were consequently thrown, that enabled the -<abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade to break off the action later in the -evening and retire unmolested.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers held the right -of the line. From a strategic point of view, the -position it occupied could not well have been -worse. But in a rearguard action there is often -no choice. It was absolutely necessary to retard -the advance of the enemy through the wood, so -that the rest of the Division should get away.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During the time of waiting for the oncoming -Germans, the Scots Greys and <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> Lancers -suddenly appeared, coming down the ride on -the right. They had been attracted by the -firing, and came to see what was going on. They -dismounted, and, finding many friends among -the Grenadiers, started "coffee-housing" for a -while. But the firing in the outskirts of the -wood began to sound serious, and they rode off -along the road to the left, with the idea of -operating against the enemy's right.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A few minutes later the Germans appeared, -and a fight at close quarters began. The firing -became very hot, as in some places the opposing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>forces were hardly seventy yards apart. Good -work was done by the machine-guns of the -Grenadiers and Irish Guards, which accounted -for a large number of Germans, while the men -charged repeatedly with the bayonet and drove -the enemy back. Gallantly, stolidly, the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> -Brigade held on until the order came to retire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Even with highly-disciplined troops, a rear-guard -action in a wood is one of the most difficult -manoeuvres to carry out well. It is quite impossible -for the commanding officer to keep a -firm grip of his battalion when it is scattered -about in different rides; orders passed along -often do not reach all the platoons, and men of -different companies, and even regiments, are -wont to get hopelessly mixed. Fortunately in -the Brigade of Guards the men are all trained -on the same system, and, except for some small -characteristic differences, a man belonging to one -regiment will be quite at home in any of the -others.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At Villers-Cotterêts the men of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> -Brigade became very much mixed, and officers -took command of the men who happened to be -near them. The wood, too, was so thick that -at fifty yards' distance parties were practically -out of sight of each other. One result of this -difficulty of keeping in touch was that two -platoons of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company never got the order -to retire.</p> - -<div id='map04' class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/map04.jpg' alt='Engagement at Villers-Cotterets. September 1. 1914.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Engagement at Villers-Cotterêts. September 1. 1914.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>These two platoons, under the command of -Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> F. E. Needham and Lieutenant -the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> J. N. Manners, were at the Cross -Roads at Rond de la Reine. As the Germans -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>came on, Brigadier-General Scott-Kerr, finding -that they were creeping round his left flank, -ordered these two platoons down a ride to the -left, to enfilade them. Making the best dispositions -they could, these two officers continued to -fight, when they suddenly realised that they -were cut off and the Germans were on all sides -of them. True to the traditions of the Regiment, -they stuck to their posts, and fought on till all -were killed or wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. N.</abbr> Manners was -killed while directing the fire of his platoon, and -Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F.</abbr> Needham, badly wounded, -was taken prisoner. Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G. E.</abbr> Cecil, -another officer belonging to these platoons, seeing -the Germans streaming across a ride to his left, -dashed off with some men to stop them. He -had not gone far before he was shot through -the hand; stumbling forward, he recovered his -feet, and, drawing his sword, he called on the -men to charge when a bullet struck him in the -head. And there were other casualties among -the officers. Earlier in the day the Adjutant of -the Battalion, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>I.</abbr> MacDougall, was -shot dead while carrying orders to the firing-line. -His place was taken by Captain <abbr class='spell'>E. J. L.</abbr> Pike. -The Brigadier-General, Scott-Kerr, who rode up -to give some orders, was badly wounded in the -thigh, and the command of the Brigade passed -to Colonel Corry, while Major Jeffreys took over -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers. Field-Marshal -Sir John French, on hearing of this, sent the -following telegram to Brigadier-General Scott-Kerr, -care of Communications:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>My warm congratulations on gallantry of your Brigade -<abbr class='spell'>A A A</abbr> am deeply grieved to hear you are wounded <abbr class='spell'>A A A</abbr> -I shall miss your valuable help very much <abbr class='spell'>A A A</abbr> my best -wishes for your recovery.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>French.</span></p> - -<p class='c011'>Captain <abbr class='spell'>W. T.</abbr> Payne-Gallwey, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, who -was in charge of the machine-guns in the First -Brigade, was reported missing.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Orders were given to retire, and the Battalion -quietly withdrew in single file of half-platoons, -covered by a rear party from <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company. -The enemy, as already stated, had been thrown -into hopeless confusion in the wood, and, in -spite of a prodigious amount of shouting and -blowing of horns, could not get forward. Some -three hours later a second engagement was fought -on the other side of Villers-Cotterêts. The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> -Brigade retired through the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade, which -with the field artillery had taken up a position -at the edge of another wood. The enemy's -first shells came over as the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade moved -into the wood. The British guns succeeded in -keeping the Germans at bay, but were only got -away with the utmost difficulty and some loss.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Having borne the brunt of the fighting, the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> -Brigade had necessarily suffered heavy casualties.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers lost 4 officers -and 160 men, while the Irish Guards lost 4 -officers and the Coldstream 7, as well as a large -number of men. Two exceptionally good officers -in the Irish Guards were killed—Colonel the -<abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Morris and Major <abbr class='spell'>H. F.</abbr> Crichton. The -latter served in the Grenadiers for some years -before exchanging into the Irish Guards.<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c012'><sup>[1]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>On emerging once more into open country, -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was sent off to -march to Boursonne, which it reached about -4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> Two companies of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream were ordered back to support the -<abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade, which was now protecting the -retreat of the guns; but they were not wanted -after all, and were sent back to Boursonne after -a fruitless journey. Then General Monro rode -up, and ordered the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers to -take up a rear-guard position about Boursonne, -to cover the retirement of the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade. -Meanwhile, the Brigade Headquarters, the Irish -Guards, and the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream went -on to Betz.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade had passed through, -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream retired to Thury. Unfortunately no -orders had been given them to go to Betz, and -through following the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade these two -battalions missed the guide whom Battalion -Headquarters had sent to meet them. Once -more the men were absolutely dead beat. They -had had nothing to eat since tea the day before, -but when the matter of food was inquired into -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>it was found that all the supplies had gone on -to Betz. This was at 11 o'clock at night, and it -looked as if the men would have to bivouac -foodless by the roadside.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Heroic measures were called for, and Major -Jeffreys decided to brush aside the ordinary -procedure and shortcircuit the usual channels -of communication by going straight to the -Divisional Commander, General Monro. He was -instantly successful. On learning of the sad -plight of the Battalion, General Monro undertook -to supply it with food. He ordered his -<abbr class='spell'>D.A.Q.M.G.</abbr> to take the Battalion to his supply -depot, and Major Jeffreys went back and fell -in his weary men.</p> - -<p class='c005'>With the promise of a meal ahead they -responded gamely, and marched off to La Villeneuve, -the place indicated by the General, where -rations of bully-beef, bread, and cheese were -soon distributed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the men were allowed two hours' sleep -by way of a night's rest after one of the longest -and most strenuous days they had ever had. -They were more fortunate, though, than the men -of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream Guards, who -did not even manage to get any food that night, -and who had to snatch what sleep they could -lying down in the streets of Thury.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 2.</div> -<p class='c005'>At 2 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> the Battalion marched off again—still -retiring—through Antilly to Betz, where -it was joined by <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company and 45 men -of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 under Lieutenant Stocks. Thence -by Montrolle to Reez, where a halt was made -for water, and on to Puisieux. Here the men -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>had a late breakfast, and then, in stifling heat, -continued their march, with constant halts, -through La Chaussée and Barcy to Meaux. They -reached this village at 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr>, and, their long -day's journey ended, they were refreshed by a -bathe in the Ourcq Canal. This march was -almost the hardest of the whole retreat, but, in -spite of everything, the Battalion marched on, -with scarcely a man out of the ranks, although -the number of men who fell out in other -regiments was by no means small.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Undoubtedly the men were by now beginning -to feel the strain of this interminable retirement. -However footsore and weary they may be, -British troops will always respond when called -upon to advance. But to ask them to make a -special effort when retreating is quite another -thing, even with the most highly disciplined. -Besides, they were quite unable to see the necessity -of it all. There had been no pitched battle, no -defeat—in fact, whenever they had had a chance -they had inflicted enormous losses on the enemy -and driven him back. Of course they had seen no -newspapers, and had no way of picking up any -real idea of what was going on in France.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 3.</div> -<p class='c005'>Next morning at 7 o'clock the march was -resumed eastwards, and the Division crossed -the Marne at Trilport, blowing the bridges up -after them. This new direction was the result -of the Germans moving along the north bank of -the Marne, which they crossed near Sammeron. -Then the Battalion moved southward again, -through Montceaux and Forêt du Mans to Pierre -Levée, where it bivouacked.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 4.</div> -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>The men had expected a rest on September 4, -but the order soon arrived for the Brigade to -continue the retirement. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company of -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers under Captain -Gosselin, and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company under Captain -Symes-Thompson, were sent out on outpost -duty.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the morning the Brigade marched to Les -Laquais, where trenches were dug, joining up with -the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> and <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigades on the right. At 5 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> -the enemy shelled the right of the line, and at -dusk the Brigade withdrew. It picked up <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 -Company at Grande Loge Farm, and marched -through Maisoncelles and Rouilly le Fay to Le -Bertrand, where it bivouacked for the night.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile Major Lord Bernard Lennox was -despatched to Coulommiers to find the first -draft that had been sent out from home—90 men -under Captain Ridley. They arrived about midday -after a train journey of thirty-six hours—they -had been all round the country, constantly -receiving fresh orders to go to different places. -Lord Bernard Lennox had been instructed to -remain at Coulommiers, but when he found the -First Division retiring through the town all the -afternoon, he decided to strike off westward with -the new draft in search of the Battalion. This -plan succeeded, and he found it about midnight.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 5.</div> -<p class='c005'>It was a sadly tattered, unshaven, footsore -body of men that marched at 3 o'clock next -morning through La Celle and Malmaison Farm -to Fontenay, where they went into billets. No -Londoner seeing them would have guessed that -these were the same smart Grenadiers whom he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>had often admired on the King's Guard. But -if their looks were gone, their spirit was indomitable -as ever.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Germans seem to have been genuinely -under the delusion that by this time the long -retreat had reduced the British Army, always -"contemptible," to a mere spiritless mob, which -it was no longer necessary to take into calculation -in developing their plan of campaign. They -little knew the British soldier. So far the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers had had no chance of showing -its quality; it had just been marched off -its feet from the start—in the wrong direction. -But, in spite of all the men had gone through, -they were ready at any moment to turn and -fight like lions when they were allowed to.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 6.</div> -<p class='c005'>And now at last the moment was close at -hand. To their joyful surprise the officers of the -Battalion found, on the morning of September 6, -that the direction had been changed, and that -an advance was to be made eastward against -the German flank. At first it was thought that -this meant the beginning of an offensive-defensive, -the German attack having failed; but in reality, -of course, the change was a much bigger one -even than this. The French reserves were now -available, and the Germans' greatest asset, -superior numbers, was lost to them. And so a -new phase of the campaign began to develop.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Corry resumed the -command of the Battalion, and <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> -Feilding took command of the Brigade.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span> - <h2 id='chap04' class='c003'>CHAPTER IV <br /> THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE (<abbr title='SECOND'>2ND</abbr> BATTALION)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>The German General Staff at this juncture -realised that a retreating army is not necessarily -a beaten one. For the last ten days, with their -maps spread before them, they had had the -satisfaction of moving the pins and flags representing -their forces continually and rapidly nearer -and nearer Paris. But if the French Army—the -British Army, they thought, could be safely -ignored—were to succeed in escaping south, it -would remain a constant menace. It might -even interfere with the Emperor's spectacular -entry into Paris, every detail of which had been -sketched out beforehand by the officials, whose -business it was to stage-manage all the theatrical -pageantry of their Imperial master's movements.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So a big <i>coup</i> was wanted—a smashing blow -at the French. If the centre of the French line -could be pierced by the combined efforts of -Von Hausen's, the Duke of Würtemberg's, and -the Crown Prince's armies, and if simultaneously -Von Kluck's army, which had reached Senlis, -and was only twenty-five miles from Paris, could -execute a swift movement to the south-east, the -Fifth French Army would be caught in a vice. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>This strategic plan really menaced the whole -of the interior of France, and had it succeeded -might have resulted in her downfall. In all these -calculations of the German Staff it appears to -have been assumed that the British Army was -practically out of action, and that whatever -remained of it had in all probability been sent -to reinforce the weak spot at Bar-le-Duc.</p> - -<p class='c005'>To accomplish his decisive stroke, Von Kluck -had to execute that most dangerous of all manoeuvres, -a flank march with the object of rolling -up the left of the French line. The German -General Staff assumed that the left of the Fifth -French Army was the left of the whole French -line, and that nothing beyond a few cavalry -patrols had to be reckoned with. Von Kluck -was accordingly given orders to march his army -to the left and attack the Fifth French Army -under General Franchet d'Esperey. They knew -nothing of the Sixth Army under General -Maunoury, which had arrived with such dramatic -suddenness in taxi-cabs from Paris.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The unknown and the despised elements -proved Von Kluck's undoing. Before he had -gone very far he found the completely ignored -British Army on top of him, and the totally -unexpected Sixth French Army on his right -flank. Quickly realising his peril, he decided -to retire. In the meantime, on the French side, -General Foch, who was about in the centre of -the French line, saw an opportunity, which he -promptly seized, of driving a wedge between the -armies of Von Hausen and Von Bülow. The -situation was now entirely changed. The lately -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>triumphant German forces were no longer even -moderately secure, and decided on a general -retirement all along the line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was on September 5 that Sir John French -and General Joffre conferred together and decided -to take the offensive. To the British Army was -assigned the space between the Fifth and Sixth -French Armies. This meant a change of front, -and hence that welcome order to the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers to move due east instead of -south.</p> - -<p class='c005'>That evening Field-Marshal Sir John French -issued the following orders:</p> - -<p class='c009'>(1) The enemy has apparently abandoned the idea of -advancing on Paris and is contracting his front and -moving south-east.</p> - -<p class='c010'>(2) The Army will advance eastward with a view to -attacking. Its left will be covered by the French Sixth -Army also marching east, and its right will be linked to -the French Fifth Army marching north.</p> - -<p class='c010'>(3) In pursuance of the above the following moves -will take place, the Army facing east on completion of -the movement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>First Corps: right on La-Chapelle-Iger, left on -Lumigny, move to be completed 9 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr></p> - -<p class='c010'>Second Corps: right on La Houssaye, left in neighbourhood -of Villeneuve, move to be completed 10 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr></p> - -<p class='c010'>Third Corps: facing east in the neighbourhood of -Bailly, move to be completed 10 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr></p> - -<p class='c010'>Cavalry Division (less <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> and <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Brigades): to -guard front and flanks of First Corps on the line Jouy-le-Chatel -(connecting the French Fifth Army)—Coulommiers -(connecting the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> and <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Brigades). The -<abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> and <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Cavalry Brigades will cease to be under the -orders of the First Corps and will act in concert under -instructions issued by Brigadier-General Gough. They -<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>will cover the Second Corps connecting with the Cavalry -Division on the right and with the Sixth French Army -on the left.</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 6.</div> -<p class='c005'>Sunday, the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr>, was the joyful day when there -came this turn of the tide, and that morning -Sir John French issued an order to his Army -in which he said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>After a most trying series of operations, mostly in -retirement, which have been rendered necessary by the -general strategic plan of the Allied Armies, the British -Forces stand to-day formed in line with their French -comrades, ready to attack the enemy. Foiled in their -attempt to invest Paris, the Germans have been driven -to move in an easterly and south-easterly direction, -with the apparent intention of falling in strength on -Fifth French Army. In this operation they are exposing -their right flank and their line of communication to an -attack by the Sixth French Army and the British Forces.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I call upon the British Army in France to show now -to the enemy its power and to push on vigorously to -the attack beside the Sixth French Army. I am sure I -shall not call on them in vain, but that on the contrary -by another manifestation of the magnificent spirit which -they have shown in the past fortnight they will fall on -the enemy's flank with all their strength, and in unison -with their Allies drive them back.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At 5.30 the same morning the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers marched to Le Mée, where trenches -were dug. The men, for once, had had a good -night's rest, and were in great spirits at the -prospect of an advance. A sharp artillery attack -was being carried on against Villeneuve, and the -<abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Brigade was moved out to attack the place, -while the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade prolonged the line on -the left. Being in reserve, the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>Grenadiers saw little of the day's fighting. In -the event the artillery proved sufficient to shift -the enemy, and the Battalion marched without -further incident to Touquin, where it bivouacked -for the night. That night the British -Army occupied a line from Dagny on the right -to Villeneuve-le-Comte on the left.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 7.</div> -<p class='c005'>Severe fighting went on all along the line -next morning. Maunoury's taxi-cab army had -been able to press Von Kluck as he retired, and -the British Army had taken Coulommiers and -La Ferté-Gaucher. As the German battalions -retreated shells were poured on them by our -artillery, who were kept well posted with information -by the aircraft observers. Marching -through Paradis, Mauperthuis, <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Simeon, and -Voigny, the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers finally -bivouacked at Rebais. Everywhere in the villages -were staring evidences of the German occupation -and hurried retreat. Shops had been looted, -houses despoiled, and the contents—such as -could not be carried away—had been wantonly -destroyed, evidently under orders, and the fragments -scattered to the winds. The advance-guard -of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade (the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream) was engaged with the German rearguard -during this march, and the Grenadiers -who were in support came in for a certain amount -of firing. The Germans could be plainly seen -retiring by Rebais with masses of transport in -great confusion.</p> - -<div id='map05' class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/map05.jpg' alt='Battle of the Marne. Position of the British Army on September 8, 1914.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Battle of the Marne. Position of the British Army on September 8, 1914.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 8.</div> -<p class='c005'>It became clear next day that Von Kluck's -Army was in retreat, and Sir John French determined -to press him and give him no rest—thus -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>completely were the positions reversed. The -First Corps advanced, and everything went well -at first, but at La Trétoire it was held up by -the German rear-guard, which had found a good -position, and the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream, which -formed the advanced guard, was checked for a -time by the German machine-guns hidden in -the houses round the bridge over the Petit Morin. -Meanwhile, a German field battery posted near -Boitron shelled the high ground over which the -main body of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade had to pass.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Germans were evidently fighting a delaying -action, and were employing their cavalry -with great skill to hold the river as long as -possible. In front of the British Army, the -cavalry covering the retreat of Von Kluck's -Army was commanded by General von der -Marwitz, who showed no intention of abandoning -his position without a struggle.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Thick woods run down to the river for the -last half-mile here, but right through them goes -one big clearing about eighty yards wide. This -was swept by the German machine-guns, and -it was a problem how to get the men across. -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company Grenadiers under Captain -Stephen was sent on to support the Coldstream, -followed later by <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 under Captain Colston. -Both companies reached the edge of the wood, -but were there stopped by a hail of fire from the -machine-guns. Our field-guns could not reach -the houses where these had been placed, and -the howitzers were unaccountably slow in coming -up. It was while he was endeavouring to find -some way of advance that Captain Stephen was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>shot through both legs; he was taken to hospital, -and died of his wounds four days later.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Urgent messages to push on kept arriving -meanwhile from Sir Douglas Haig. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Feilding, who was temporarily in command -of the Brigade, sent the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream by a circuitous route to try and -effect a crossing at La Forge, farther to the -right. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Companies Grenadiers -were then ordered to go round by a covered -route to avoid the clearing in the wood, and had -actually started when <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Feilding gave -the order for them to turn about. Major Lord -Bernard Gordon Lennox, who had raced off at -their head, was so far in front that the order did -not reach him. He rushed across the clearing, -and just managed to get into a ditch on the other -side, the shower of machine-gun bullets churning -up the ground almost at his heels.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So deafening was the noise of the firing that -it was impossible to pass orders simultaneously -to the men scattered about in the woods, who -at the same time were all on edge to advance. -And soon it became very difficult to keep the -troops together.</p> - -<p class='c005'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Corry had already gone off -with these two companies, <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 1 and 2, to -follow the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream, when <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Feilding thought he saw the Germans -retiring, and shouted to Major Jeffreys to turn -the Grenadiers about and take them across the -clearing straight down to the river, but <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 -Company had got a good way ahead through -the woods, and Major Jeffreys was only able -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>to get hold of half of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company, which -followed him across the clearing. Unfortunately, -however, the German guns were still there, and -opened a heavy fire on them. By this time -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was hopelessly -split up, different parts of the Battalion having -gone in three different directions, and the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> -Battalion Coldstream was also scattered all over -the woods. In the meantime the howitzers -came up, and soon drove the Germans out of -their position. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company had done well -in the fighting, having succeeded in capturing -one of the enemy's machine-guns and many -prisoners.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The various parties then made their way -through the wood to the edge of the stream, but -as there was no bridge to be seen they worked -along the banks to La Trétoire. Without further -opposition, a party of the Irish Guards under -Major Herbert Stepney, together with half of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 -Company under Major Jeffreys and Lieutenant -Mackenzie, crossed the bridge, and advanced up -the opposite side towards Boitron. In every -direction the ground was strewn with dead and -wounded Germans, and after advancing 1000 -yards the party of Grenadiers reached the -position which had been occupied by the German -Battery; the guns had all been got away, but -dead horses, overturned limbers, and dead gunners -showed how this Battery had suffered at the -hands of the <abbr title='forty-first'>41st</abbr> Brigade <abbr class='spell'>R.F.A.</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'>As the enemy retired our guns and howitzers -kept up a heavy fire, and inflicted severe losses.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The whole Brigade had by now debouched -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>from the woods, and gradually collected behind -Boitron, while the Divisional Cavalry went on -ahead so as to keep in touch with the retreating -enemy. The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was -then ordered to advance in artillery formation -over the open country north of Boitron, and met -with no resistance.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But there was one incident that might have -proved disastrous. In its eagerness to get at -the enemy, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company got rather ahead of -its time, with the result that our own guns -planted some shrapnel into it, luckily without -doing much damage. On the left the Irish -Guards and the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream found -in a wood a number of Germans with machine-guns, -who had apparently got separated from -the main body. Our men charged, and immediately -up went the white flag; seven machine-guns -and a large number of prisoners were taken, -mostly men belonging to the Guard Jäger Corps.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Rain had been falling for some time in a -steady downpour, and as the light was failing -the Battalion assembled to bivouac near Les -Peauliers. An extremely wet sainfoin field was -chosen for the purpose, and there, in a misty -September evening, the men lay down to sleep. -Altogether the Grenadiers had lost forty men in -the day's fighting, besides Captain Stephen.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 9.</div> -<p class='c005'>Dismally the raindrops trickled through the -trees as the men roused themselves in the early -morning. It was very cold, too, and the greatcoats -that had been so lightly flung away during -the sweltering days of retreat were now bitterly -regretted. And it was a particularly chilly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>task that lay before the Battalion, for it was in -reserve, which meant constant standing about—often -even more tiring than a march. However, -about midday it cleared, and a very hot sun soon -got every one dry again.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On this day the passage of the Marne was -forced; the Third Corps, under General Pulteney, -bore the brunt of the fighting, whilst the First -Corps on its right drove the Germans before -it with some ease and took numerous prisoners. -The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers, starting off at -7.30, eventually crossed the Marne at Charly, -after innumerable halts and checks. Before it -got over it had to wait some hours at Pavant, -where it could watch various divisions crossing -the river. This bridge at Charly was the only -one in the neighbourhood left standing; it had -been carefully prepared for demolition, and no -one knew why, fortunately for us, it had escaped. -Rumour said that the German engineers entrusted -with the task got so drunk that, when -the appointed moment arrived, they were quite -incapable of carrying out their orders.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During the day <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Corry received -orders to return home. He had been relieved -of his command on account of the decision, -already recorded, which he took at Mons.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 10.</div> -<p class='c005'>The Battalion bivouacked that evening—rain -was again falling—on the side of a wet hill near -Villiers-sur-Marne, and woke up to more rainy, -cold weather. The battle of the Marne had -been won, and the Germans were retreating in -perfectly orderly fashion, though we captured -13 guns, 7 machine-guns, and 2000 men. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>prisoners said they had been officially informed -that a large German army was investing Paris, -and that their division was engaged in "drawing -off" the French Army eastwards. The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers was again in reserve, and -was constantly marched backwards and forwards -throughout the day. It passed through Domptin, -Coupru, Marigny, and Veuilly to Hautevesnes, -where it bivouacked.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 11.</div> -<p class='c005'>The pursuit continued during the two following -days. Through heavy showers, which gave them -a thorough soaking, the Grenadiers marched on -the <abbr title='eleventh'>11th</abbr> by the way of Priez, Sommelans, Latilly, -La Croix, and Breny to Oulchy, where they got -into billets, and fires were lit to dry their clothes. -Such inhabitants as were left eagerly helped to -supply all the men's wants, and placed all they -possessed at their disposal. The usual signs of -recent German occupation were to be seen in -every house. Drawers had been turned out, cupboards -ransacked, and tables overturned, and -the floors were thickly strewn with such things -as the Germans had been unable to take away -with them—clothes, smashed gramophone records, -broken glasses, and other debris. But, in spite -of the pitiable surroundings and their own -soaked condition, the officers and men were soon -put in the best of spirits by the cheerful fires and -the appetising smell of bacon and eggs, put on -to cook for them.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 12.</div> -<p class='c005'>Next morning's parade was at 5 o'clock, but -the town was so crowded with supply wagons -that it was 9 before a move could be made. It -rained at intervals during the day, and in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>evening another steady downpour set in, which -once more soaked the men to the skin before they -got to their billets at Courcelles, having marched -through Beugneux, Arcy, Cuiry-Housse, Lesges, -Limé, and Braine.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span> - <h2 id='chap05' class='c003'>CHAPTER V <br /> THE PASSAGE OF THE AISNE (<abbr title='SECOND'>2ND</abbr> BATTALION)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>For a week now the Germans had been steadily -retiring, and there was no apparent reason why -they should stop doing so. Each time they held -a position the question naturally arose whether -they were really making a determined stand, or -whether this was just a case of a rear-guard -doing its best to hold up the advance. The only -way to find out was to attack them and make -them show their dispositions.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At the Marne, where it might well have been -supposed that the Germans had a good enough -position to make a stand, their resistance had -proved to be merely in the nature of a rear-guard -action. It did not at first dawn on our Army -that at the Aisne, on the contrary, the enemy -had occupied a carefully chosen and sedulously -prepared position which suited their purpose -in every way.</p> - -<p class='c005'>An ideal position it was, indeed. Sir John -French, in his despatch of October 8, 1914, thus -describes it:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Aisne valley runs generally east and west, and -consists of a flat-bottomed depression of width varying -from half a mile to two miles, down which the river -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>flows a winding course to the west at some points near -the southern slopes of the valley and at others near the -northern. The high ground both on the north and -south of the river is approximately 400 feet above the -bottom of the valley and is very similar in character, -as are both slopes of the valley itself, which are broken -into numerous rounded spurs and re-entrants. The -most prominent of the former are the Chivres Spur on -the right bank and the Sermoise spur on the left. Near -the latter place the general plateau on the south is -divided by a subsidiary valley of much the same character, -down which the small river Vesle flows to the -main stream near Sermoise. The slopes of the plateau -overlooking the Aisne on the north and south are of -varying steepness and are covered with numerous -patches of wood, which also stretch upwards and backwards -over the edge on to the top of the high ground. -There are several villages and small towns dotted about -in the valley itself and along its sides, the chief of which -is the town of Soissons.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The Aisne is a sluggish stream of some 170 feet in -breadth, but, being 15 feet deep in the centre, it is -unfordable. Between Soissons on the west and Villers -on the east (the part of the river attacked and secured -by the British Forces) there are eleven road-bridges -across it. On the north bank a narrow-gauge railway -runs from Soissons to Vailly, where it crosses the river -and continues eastward along the south bank. From -Soissons to Sermoise a double line of railway runs along -the south bank, turning at the latter place up the Vesle -valley towards Bazoches.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The position held by the enemy is a very strong one, -either for a delaying action or for a defensive battle. -One of its chief military characteristics is that from -the high ground on neither side can the top of the -plateau on the other side be seen, except for small -stretches. This is chiefly due to the woods on the -edges of the slopes. Another important point is that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>all the bridges are under either direct or high-angle -artillery fire.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Until the afternoon of the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> September it was -still uncertain whether the enemy meant business -this time or not, and then Sir John French came -to the conclusion that, for the moment at any -rate, they had stopped their retreat and were -preparing to dispute vigorously the passage of -the river. The presence of Germans had been -reported by our cavalry south of Soissons and -in the neighbourhood of Braine, but these were -merely patrols.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The opposing forces were posted as follows: -The German Army occupied the high ground -north of the river, with Von Kluck still on the -right flank. From the reports that came in, it -appeared that the right of Von Kluck's army -was resting on the forest of L'Aigle, and the left -on the plateau of Craonne, while Von Bülow -prolonged the line to the left. The French -Army was now extended in an immense line -from Compiègne to the Argonne, the British -Army holding a portion of the front—about -twenty miles—between Maunoury's Sixth Army -and Franchet d'Esperey's Fifth Army.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the left of our part of the line were the -Third Corps, which was allotted the section from -Soissons to Venizel, the Second Corps, which was -between Venizel and Chavonne, and the First -Corps between Chavonne and Bourg. In this -last section there was a canal as well as a river -to cross.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 13.</div> -<p class='c005'>Rain was pouring down when the Battalion -paraded at 5.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> on the <abbr title='thirteenth'>13th</abbr>, but it cleared -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>up later, with sunshine and a strong cold wind, -which soon dried the men again. The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade -marched towards Chavonne, and stopped under -the brow of a high hill overlooking the river -Aisne. Here there was a halt of several hours -in the middle of the day, during which the -commanding officers went on ahead with <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Feilding, the acting Brigadier, to reconnoitre -the opposite heights from the high ground -above <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Mard, whence the movements of the -Germans could be clearly seen. Meanwhile, the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream went forward under -the cover of our guns to make good the passages -over the canal and the river, the bridges naturally -having all been blown up by the Germans. -After about two hours it succeeded in driving -off the enemy, who were seen running up the -hill and disappearing over the sky-line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In support of it, the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -advanced towards the river, but was then -sent off to try and make the crossing about a -mile to the east of Chavonne. The only means -of getting over, apparently, was by three or four -small boats of doubtful buoyancy, and it was -clear that for the whole Battalion to cross in -this way would be a lengthy business. Pushing -ahead, however, to reconnoitre, Lord Bernard -Lennox and Major Hamilton found a bridge -which they thought at first the Battalion could -use, but the moment they were seen on the -bridge they were greeted with shrapnel, so well -aimed that it was obvious the enemy had got -the exact range. So they retired to report the -result of their observations.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>As it was now getting dark, and no foothold -on the opposite bank could be obtained, Colonel -Feilding decided to withdraw the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade. -The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream were therefore recalled, and sent into -billets at <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Mard. Rain was again falling -heavily, and the men were glad to be under cover, -while the inhabitants cooked their rations and -supplemented them with omelettes and vegetable -soup.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Thus began the battle of the Aisne, and had -the men only known that it was to go on, not -for months but years, and that the same ground -would be occupied by the Allies during all that -time, they would hardly, I imagine, have shown -quite the same dash as they did during the days -that followed.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 14.</div> -<p class='c005'>The morning of the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr> broke cold and -wet. A thick mist hung over the valley of the -river—fortunately for us, since this made artillery -observation by the enemy impossible, and enabled -the men to cross the river without coming under -shell-fire. During the night the <abbr class='spell'>R.E.</abbr> had managed -to build a pontoon bridge over the river at -Pont-Arcy, and at 5.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> the brigade moved -off to this point. As this bridge was the sole -means of crossing for all arms, there was naturally -some little delay, and during the period of waiting -Colonel Feilding sent for all the commanding -officers; he explained the dispositions he had -made, and instructed them to make Ostel their -objective.</p> - -<div id='map06' class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/map06.jpg' alt='The Passage of the Aisne. September 14, 1914.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>The Passage of the Aisne. September 14, 1914.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was to form -the advanced guard to the Brigade, and Major -<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>Jeffreys received orders to secure the heights about -La Cour de Soupir, and then to push on and -make good the cross-roads at Ostel, about a mile -farther on. Accordingly the Battalion moved off, -crossed the river, and marched to Soupir—without -opposition. Had some German officer blundered, -or did the enemy not intend to dispute the -passage of the river? It seemed inconceivable -that, if they intended to hold the position, the -enemy should allow a whole battalion to cross -unmolested.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At Soupir the road ran uphill through a dense -wood, and it was impossible to see very far ahead. -Progress was necessarily very slow, and the -advanced guard had orders to move with the -utmost caution. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company, under Major -Hamilton, formed the vanguard, and half of -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company, under Captain Symes-Thompson, -was sent as a flank guard to the left, where the -ground rose steeply above the road, and the -trees were very thick. About half-way the vanguard -came into touch with the German outposts. -At the same time they were joined by some -men of our <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Brigade, who had gone too far -to their left, and in consequence had narrowly -escaped being captured by the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Word was sent back by Major Hamilton that -he was not at all happy about his left flank, -which was on the high ground towards Chavonne, -and Major Jeffreys despatched the rest of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 -Company to support Captain Symes-Thompson -and strengthen that flank. Two platoons of -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 and one platoon of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 were sent off -to the left, and, having got into touch with the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>cavalry on that flank, took up a position in the -woods above Chavonne, where they remained -for the rest of the day. Meanwhile, the leading -men of the advanced guard, under Lieutenant -Cunliffe, pushed on, and near La Cour de Soupir -ran right into the enemy, who were in superior -numbers. All the men were taken prisoners, -and Lieutenant Cunliffe was wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the rest of the advanced guard were also -pressing forward, and soon the positions were -reversed. Faced with the alternative of capture -or retiring before a stronger force, the German -officer in command decided on the second course. -This meant perforce abandoning the prisoners; -but there was one thing at any rate that a German -officer still could do. Remembering the teachings -of his Fatherland, that the usages of war -were a mere formula, and the most dastardly -crime excusable if any advantage could be got -from it, he deliberately walked up to Lieutenant -Cunliffe, who was lying wounded on the -ground, pulled out his revolver, and shot him -dead.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As to what eventually happened to the -German officer there is some conflict of evidence. -Some of the men of the Battalion swore that they -recognised him among the prisoners who were -led away that evening. Another story, which -was generally believed at the time, is that -Captain Bentinck, with a company of Coldstream, -happened to come up just in time to see this -cold-blooded murder, and that the men were so -infuriated that they bayoneted the German on -the spot. But this version can hardly be true, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>for the Coldstream did not arrive till a good -deal later.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Shells were now screaming through the trees -with monotonous regularity, and the hail of -bullets grew ever thicker as the advanced guard -came up to La Cour de Soupir. It became evident -that the Germans were not only in strength at -the top of the hill, but were advancing across -the open against our left flank, and at the same -time trying to surround the advanced guard by -working through the woods on the right flank. -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company, under Captain Gosselin, was -sent off to the right with instructions to clear -the enemy off some rising ground and protect -the right flank. This it succeeded in doing, -but found vastly superior numbers opposed to -it, and could not make any farther progress. It -was here that Lieutenant des Voeux was killed, -being hit through both lungs by a chance shot -in the wood.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Urgent appeals from the firing line induced -Major Jeffreys to send two platoons of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 -to help <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company, and one to the right -for <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3, while the remaining platoon, with the -machine-guns, under Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W.</abbr> -Cecil, was posted on the edge of a clearing in case -those in front were driven back.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The advanced guard had now done its part. -It had ascertained where the enemy was posted, -but if an advance was to be made, it was clear -that it would have to be strengthened considerably. -Colonel Feilding therefore sent the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> -Coldstream up to the left of the road and the -Irish Guards to the right. Pushing through -<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>the woods and picking up platoons of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 and -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Companies Grenadiers, these troops came -up to the hard-pressed <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company on the -open ground near La Cour de Soupir.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Here the Germans' attempt to cross the open -was effectively stopped by our rifle-fire, and the -whole of their firing line was wiped out. But -even with these reinforcements we were still -outnumbered, and an advance remained impossible.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the right the Irish Guards had come up to -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company, and, carrying it on with them, -managed gradually to clear the wood. As they -did so they disposed of the German snipers, who -had shot many of our officers. Lord Guernsey -and Lord Arthur Hay of the Irish Guards were -killed, and several other officers wounded. In -the Grenadiers Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>F. W.</abbr> des Voeux was -killed, while Captain Gosselin was wounded in the -hand and Lieutenant Welby in the shoulder, but -they refused to retire, and gallantly stuck to -their posts.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During this wood-fighting a young soldier -of the Grenadiers, Private Parsons, collected -twelve men belonging to a battalion in another -brigade, who were lost and had no officer or -<abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr> He got them together and commanded -them for the rest of the fight, giving his orders -clearly and coolly, and never making a mistake. -He was promoted to Corporal on the field, and -was mentioned in despatches of October 18, 1914. -To the general regret of the Battalion, he died of -wounds some ten days later.</p> - -<p class='c005'>By now the firing line was fairly well established -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>behind the banks of some slightly sunken -roads north and east of La Cour de Soupir; it -was composed of Grenadiers, Coldstream, and -Irish Guards, all mixed up together, as they had -come through the woods by companies or platoons, -just as the situation demanded. Though the -German shells were still crashing into the trees -and searching the woods, our own guns were -answering back, in spite of having hardly a tenth -of the ammunition.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During this time Lieutenant Walker, Lieutenant -Harcourt Vernon, and Lieutenant MacKenzie -were all badly wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But while a satisfactory foothold had been -obtained here, Sir Douglas Haig found that -there was a gap between the First and Second -Corps. Being very hard pressed, with no reserves -available, he sent back for help to the -Commander-in-Chief, who at once placed the -Cavalry Division at his disposal. On foot, the -cavalry was despatched to the left to prolong -the line occupied by the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade, and succeeded -in repelling the German attacks.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A steady fire was being kept up by the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> -Brigade at the German front line, which was -lying down close in front of it in a mangel -and beet field, and therefore very hard to see. -The German fire suddenly began to slacken, and -the moment seemed to have arrived for a charge, -when, without any warning, the men in the -German leading line ran forward with their hands -over their heads in token of surrender, and at -the same time white flags appeared in various -parts of the line. At once a large number of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>our men leaped up and ran to meet them. Major -Jeffreys and Major Matheson, fully alive to the -possibilities of danger, shouted and yelled to -them to stop, but the men ran on, eager to -capture so many prisoners, and soon British and -Germans were mingled together in a confused -mass.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At this point the German supports opened -fire on them all, mowing down friend and foe -alike, and killing a large number of both sides. -Most of those who were unhit dropped down at -once where they were in the root field, and when -it got dark many of the Germans walked into -our lines and surrendered. It must be added -that there is no evidence that this treachery was -deliberately planned. It would seem that the -leading line had had enough, and genuinely -meant to surrender; the supports had no such -intention, and there is thus perhaps some justification -for their action. But it was a lesson to -the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade which it never forgot. Thenceforth -the white flag was looked on with suspicion, -and whenever it was used, not a man moved -from his place.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After a hurried consultation between Major -Matheson, Major Jeffreys, and Major Lord -Bernard Lennox, it was agreed that, while Major -Jeffreys held the enemy in check in front, the -other two should take some men with them, -and try to work round the German flank. This -operation took some time, but evidently it surprised -the Germans, who were holding a ridge -about 500 yards in front of our firing line. Many -of them could be seen running from right to left -<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>across the front, and offered a fine target for our -men posted at the edge of the wood—the shooting -was good and hardly a man escaped. Lieutenant -Stewart was ordered to advance with a platoon -of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company, and managed to get on another -300 yards when he was wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The difficulties of the situation were now -borne in on Major Jeffreys and Major Matheson. -It was getting dark, and they could get no orders -from Brigade Headquarters, as the telephone -wires had all been cut by bursting shells. Signalling -was out of the question owing to the density -of the woods. Meanwhile, the Germans were -still shelling the road, and it seemed only too -probable that the orderly who had been bringing -instructions from the Brigade had been killed -on his way. The men were dead-tired, having -had nothing to eat all day, and Major Matheson, -who had found it a very hard matter to get -through the wood to the right, came to the -conclusion that no advance could be made in -this direction without reinforcements.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Therefore it was decided that the only thing -to do was to re-sort the battalions and to dig -in where they were. A point of junction was -arranged, and the much mixed battalions were -reorganised; digging started, and the men, tired -out as they were, set to work with a will, and -soon produced a trench. Thus was the beginning -made of that long line of trenches which was -eventually to stretch from the Argonne to the -Belgian coast, and which formed the battleground -of the two armies for years to come.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Converted into a dressing-station, the farm -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>of La Cour de Soupir was filled with wounded, -British and German. The ground in front of -our trench was covered with dead and wounded -Germans, but though as many stretcher-bearers -as possible were sent out and worked all night -long, it was not easy to find them in the darkness. -It was a striking point of difference that while -our wounded hardly made a sound, the Germans -never stopped groaning and crying out: there -was a continuous chorus all through the night of -"Kamerad, Kamerad," and "Wasser, Wasser." -A regular pile of Germans was discovered round -two haystacks, while in a stubble-field close by -was an almost complete firing line, laid out in -a row, and all dead. Shelling began again at -dawn before all the German wounded could be -brought in.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Soon the farm was crowded, and the men for -whom there was no room were put in the out-buildings. -The removal of the wounded from -the farm to the rear proved a great difficulty. -The pontoon bridge at Pont-Arcy had been -smashed, and on that side of the river, unfortunately, -there were only four horse ambulance-wagons; -these, with their fagged-out horses, had -to plod throughout the night up and down the -steep hill which led to the farm, taking only a -few wounded at a time.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Behind the farm was a deep quarry with -several caves in it; here the men not actually -required for the firing line were stationed—comparatively -safe except for an occasional -shell from a German howitzer. The three or -four hundred prisoners the Battalion had taken -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>were herded together in the quarry under a guard -and sent downhill next day. They made no -attempt to hide their pleasure at escaping from -the battle.</p> - -<p class='c005'>While Major Jeffreys was superintending the -digging, a man of the Irish Guards arrived and -said that as he was searching for the wounded, a -German officer had come up to him and expressed -a wish to surrender, but added that he would -only give himself up to an officer. Thereupon -Major Jeffreys told the man to find the German, -if possible, and bring him in. When the man -came back he reported that the original officer -had refused to come so far, but that he had -met another, who as willingly accompanied him. -Out of the darkness stepped a tall, smart-looking -Ober-Leutnant, who clicked his heels, saluted, -and said in perfect English, "I wish to surrender." -Major Jeffreys was at no pains to -conceal his contempt for this poor specimen of -an officer, and handed him over to one of the -junior officers of the Grenadiers to take to the -quarries.</p> - -<p class='c005'>That night the position of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade -was as follows. On the left, in touch with the -Cavalry Division, was the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream, -then the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream and -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers, with the Irish -Guards on the right. The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream -had been in reserve, but when there -seemed a danger of the enemy getting between -the First and Second Corps, the two companies -of this battalion were sent off to strengthen the -left flank.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>The First Corps had managed to establish -itself across the Aisne on a line running from -Chemin des Dames on the right, through Chivy -and Soupir to the Chavonne—Soissons road, the -latter portion being held by the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Cavalry -Brigade. But the Fourth and Fifth Divisions -had not been so successful, and had been unable -to do more than maintain their ground. On -the extreme left the Sixth French Army had -got some distance over the Aisne, but the Fifth -French Army had made no headway.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In his account of the day's achievements Sir -John French wrote:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The action of the First Corps on this day under the -direction and command of Sir Douglas Haig was of so -skilful, bold and decisive a character that he gained -positions which alone have enabled me to maintain my -position for more than three weeks of very severe fighting -on the north bank of the river.</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 15.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr> Sir John French made an endeavour -to strengthen the line, and consequently -there was no need for the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade to advance. -All day it was shelled, and had to meet vigorous -counter-attacks. It was holding a line which -was really too long for it with its scanty reserves, -and it is inexplicable why the enemy did not -take advantage of this and drive it back to -the river.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The morning was spent by the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers in improving the trenches. About -noon it was heavily shelled, and as the enemy -seemed to have the range of the trench, the men -were withdrawn into the wood, a certain number -being left to keep watch. They proceeded to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>watch, not without some quiet satisfaction, the -empty trench being plastered with shrapnel that -did no harm to any one.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 16.</div> -<p class='c005'>More parties were sent out at dawn next day -to collect the wounded, some of whom must -have been lying out between the lines for nearly -two days. A good many were brought in, but -the work had to be stopped as soon as it was -light, as the Germans deliberately shelled our -stretcher parties. About 11 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> a shell set fire -to a large stack, on the right of the farm, -occupied by Captain Ridley and two men—they -had been posted on top of it to snipe the -German fire observation post, more than 1100 -yards away. Captain Ridley had taken no notice -of the shells that had been bursting all round -him, but coolly stuck to his work, but now he -was forced to abandon it, dazed by the explosion, -and unhurt, though both the men with him were -wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Helped by the blazing rick to locate the farm, -the German artillery now began to plaster it -with common shell, shrapnel, and <abbr class='spell'>H.E.</abbr> It is -possible that if they had known it was full of -their own wounded they would not have gone -for it quite so furiously. However that may be, -they finally got it alight, and then followed a -scene of hopelessly illogical chivalry, our men -risking their lives to save the German wounded -from their own shells. The wounded were eventually -carried out of the burning building and put -in a safer place. At the same time, the Battalion -Headquarters and the horses were moved down -into the quarry.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>As this violent shelling seemed to portend -an attack, the trenches were fully manned, with -the result that there were many casualties. One -shell landed right in the trench and killed Lieutenant -Welby and the men near him. He had -been slightly wounded in the shoulder a couple -of days before, but had refused to go to hospital. -Although our gunners replied gamely, they could -not compete with the lavish German expenditure -of ammunition.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A report having come in that the enemy -were advancing, Major Jeffreys ordered <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 -Company to come up from the quarry, and line its -northern edge, so as to be available as a support. -It had hardly been there a quarter of an hour when -an 8-inch high explosive just missed the farm, -and, grazing the roof, pitched right on the edge of -the quarry. A terrific explosion followed, and out -of the 103 men who had been brought up, only -44 were left, all the rest being killed or wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>This same shell also killed three officers and -a large number of men of the Oxfordshire Light -Infantry, and Lieutenant Huggan of the <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, -but Major Jeffreys, Major Lord Bernard Lennox, -Captain Powell, and Captain Pike escaped untouched, -for some unaccountable reason, though -they were sitting within a few yards of where it -exploded, and men were killed and wounded on -every side of them, some of them under cover. -The trees on the bank fell down with a crash, -and the whole quarry itself was filled with a -dense yellow-black smoke.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was a most disastrous shot, and, to make -matters worse, the only medical officer on the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>spot had been killed, and there was no qualified -person to attend to the wounded, with whom -the caves in the quarry—seemingly the only -safe spot—were now packed. The scene there -was terrible. There was no light of any sort -until a single candle was procured from somewhere. -By its faint and uncertain glimmer -ghastly glimpses could be caught of men writhing -in pain, with their limbs smashed to pieces. Into -one corner were crowded the German prisoners, -glad of any shelter from the German shells, and -there were also a large number of German -wounded, who moaned and cried through the -night. The officers and <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s of the Grenadiers, -who had just left the trenches to get a -rest, had to give up all idea of that: they set to -work and bound up with such skill as they -possessed the wounds of friend and foe.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the front trenches, meanwhile, shelling went -on incessantly, and there were many counter-attacks, -directed against the part of the line -held by the Coldstream. During the evening two -companies of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry were -sent up to take over the trenches next morning. -After dark the supports were brought from -the quarry to the garden at the back of the -farm, so as to be near at hand in the event of -an attack.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One of the Battalion's much-regretted losses -this day was Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. A.</abbr> Cecil. He -had been in the thick of every engagement since -the start, and had gained a great reputation in -the past three weeks for the effective way in which -he handled the machine-guns. On more than one -<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>occasion his keenness had led him into very -dangerous corners, and it was while he was -reconnoitring for a good position for his machine-guns -that he was killed. Lieutenant Stewart -was wounded, and Captain Gosselin, who had -pluckily stayed with his company, though he -was in great pain from the wound he received -two days before, was now obliged to go into -hospital.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 17.</div> -<p class='c005'>The Battalion was relieved just before dawn, -and went into billets at Soupir. Officers and -men alike were dead-beat, and slept through most -of the day. The cold, wet nights had begun to -tell on many of them, and some went sick. Among -these was Prince Alexander of Battenberg, who -got a bad chill, and had to be sent down to the -base.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 18.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr> the Battalion went back to the -trenches to relieve the Coldstream, to the left -of the position it had held before. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 and -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Companies were in the firing line, and -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 in reserve. The moment they -arrived they started digging and deepening the -trenches, knowing that they would be under -constant shell-fire during the day, and in places -they could see the Germans doing the same, -some 700 yards away. But before they could -get through very much, the shelling began, and -shrapnel came bursting all over them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>All through the day the roar of shells and -rifle-fire went on, varied now and then by high-explosive -shells from the howitzers, which made -holes big enough to bury three or four horses in. -Major Jeffreys, with Captain Howell, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>came to inspect the trenches, but at that moment -the shelling became particularly vigorous and -accurate, and they were obliged to accept the -hospitality of Lord Bernard Lennox, who placed -at their disposal the hole he had dug for himself. -But as it had only been made for one, the owner -was not altogether sorry when a lull in the firing -made it possible for the visitors to continue their -tour.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It should be mentioned here that the trenches -during the first few months of the war consisted -not of continuous lines of trench, but of a series -of deep holes holding three to four men apiece, -and separated from the next by some 10 feet -of undug earth, which formed a natural traverse. -There was hardly any parapet, and the earth was -scattered to the front. The advantage of this -type of trench was that it was difficult to locate -and destroy by artillery, but if the enemy was near -at hand vigilant communication either laterally -or to the rear was practically impossible.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The supports and reserves were all hidden -in caves very like those they had occupied in -the quarry behind their first position. They -were well rationed, with plenty of fresh meat, -vegetables, and jam. They were, indeed, very -much better off than the men in the trenches, for -it turned very cold again at night, and rain fell -heavily.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was not hard to guess the reason for the severe -bombardment and continual counter-attacks. -This was one of the few positions where the -Allies had succeeded in obtaining a foothold -across the river, though why the Second Division -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>was allowed to get over at Pont-Arcy unmolested -has never been explained. The Germans were -not only far superior in numbers, but had a -supply of shells and ammunition out of all -proportion to that of the Allies; moreover, they -had chosen an exceptionally good position and -possessed heavy guns, such as were unknown -in the British and French Armies. Though -General Maunoury's Sixth French Army had -at first advanced some distance on the extreme -left, it had afterwards been held up, and was -now only just holding back the enemy counter-attacks, -which threatened to drive it back -on the river. The British Army's task was -the hardest of all, and the Second and Third -Corps had been unable to establish themselves -securely on the other side.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After the first few days of the battle, the -German General Staff determined to direct its -energies against the Sixth French Army and the -right of the British Army, and to force back over -the river the troops which had crossed. So the -line occupied by the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade came in for more -than its share of artillery fire. This hurricane of -shells was no doubt intended to prepare the way -for the infantry counter-attacks, but wherever -the Germans attempted an attack they found -our men coolly waiting for them, and absolutely -unshaken by the bombardment.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Our artillery's work in this battle aroused -the greatest admiration among the Guards -Brigade. Vastly outnumbered, with none of -the heavy guns the enemy had, and in obviously -inferior positions, it fought on gallantly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>in spite of great losses, and often succeeded in -silencing the batteries which were shelling our -trenches.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 19-20.</div> -<p class='c005'>Brigadier-General the Earl of Cavan (an old -Grenadier) arrived on the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr>, and took over -the command of the Brigade, while <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Wilfred Smith assumed command of the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers. The Battalion remained -in the trenches till the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> and repulsed -several attacks. Though the German infantry -never seemed anxious to come to close quarters, -their artillery made up for this hesitation by -a prodigal expenditure of shells. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith described in a letter a calculation he made -during a bombardment which went on continuously -for six hours; he timed the rate of the -falling shells, and found that it came to an -average of fifty shells a minute.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The nights were constantly disturbed by false -alarms. It was the German practice to send -out specially selected snipers to keep the whole -line from having any rest. There is nothing -more contagious than night firing; the snipers -would start the men in front of them firing, and -soon it would spread till there was a dull roar all -down the line. Supports and reserves would -stand to arms until it had died down, and then -the Germans would start all over again in another -part of the line, with the same result. By this -time, too, the trenches were beginning to fill -with water in places, which added to our men's -hardships.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Every day there were some casualties, but -considering the amount of ammunition expended -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>they were really very slight. Lord Congleton -had a lucky escape. He was sent for to Battalion -Headquarters to make a report, and on his return -found that his shelter had been blown to atoms. -On the same day Lord Bernard Lennox had an -even narrower shave. Taking off his greatcoat, -he laid it on the back of the trench, but -had hardly gone two or three paces when there -was a terrific explosion. When he looked round, -he saw that the right arm of his coat was gone -altogether and the left cut to ribbons.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 21.</div> -<p class='c005'>At 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> on the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> the Battalion was -relieved by the Irish Guards under <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Lord Ardee, who, with Captain Lord Francis -Scott, had been attached from the Grenadiers, -and retired to Soupir. Captain Ridley was sent -to inspect the trenches occupied by the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> -Battalion Coldstream with a view to taking them -over next morning, but this order was afterwards -cancelled, and <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith, Captain -Symes-Thompson, and Captain Colston went -with the same object to the trenches west of -Chavonne.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 22.</div> -<p class='c005'>Next day the Battalion marched at dawn to -Chavonne, and took over the trenches held by -the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Cavalry Brigade, which was very glad -to relinquish its position. Cavalry at that time -had no bayonets, and so were at a serious disadvantage -in a night attack. A company being -so much stronger than a squadron, only two -platoons of each company were needed for the -front trenches, the other two being kept in reserve. -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Companies went into the -trenches, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 into billets. Though -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>there was continual shelling here too, it was -nothing compared with what the Battalion had -got accustomed to; in fact, the universal opinion -was that it was quite a quiet spot.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 22-<abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 11.</div> -<p class='c005'>For nearly three weeks the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers remained in the trenches, two companies -at a time. The general impression in -the firing line seemed to be that the centre was -waiting till the flanks could push on. There were -also constant stories about the Russians. What -really happened was that, with inferior numbers, -General Joffre was unable to turn the enemy -out of their positions. On the other hand, the -Germans had given the Allies time to entrench -themselves, and found it equally impossible to -advance. Trench warfare had begun, and had -come to stay. Months of comparative inaction -were to follow, while the artillery pounded away -at the infantry in the trenches.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"No man's land" between the trenches was -covered with unburied bodies, but for either -side to venture out merely meant adding to their -number. The trenches were gradually improved -and deepened, and communication trenches were -dug in every direction. Rabbit netting was -procured from the neighbouring woods and converted -into wire entanglements, but at that time, -with the exception of the Minenwerfer, there -were none of the specially constructed infernal -machines which later were to play such a large -part in trench warfare. The infantry crouched -in the trenches, while the artillery tried to reach -it with every kind of shell; and though the -casualties were sometimes considerable, on the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>whole the infantry succeeded in keeping itself -protected.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Occasionally an extra heavy dose of shelling -warned the firing line that a counter-attack -was in view, but when it came to the point of -cold steel the German troops showed no inclination -to close with our men. Another indication -of a coming attack was the playing of the band -of some German regiment, which was heard on -one or two occasions—evidently as a stimulant -for the men who were to take part. Raids were -periodically made to catch the enemy's snipers, -hidden in trees and hay-ricks. Some <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s -showed themselves particularly clever and resourceful -in carrying out these excursions, but -rashness cost a good many lives.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A welcome end was at last put to the continual -night firing in which the German snipers had -succeeded in involving us. Lieutenant Donald -Miller, who was in command on the left, which -was their favourite approach, gave orders that -no one was to fire without his leave. He took -upon himself the responsibility of distinguishing -between sniping and a regular attack, and with -entire success. Isolated shots were ignored, and -the supports and reserves had a quiet night; -the other companies soon learnt the trick, and -before long there were no more false alarms.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On September 27 Captain Colston was seized -with appendicitis, and had to be sent home for -an operation. Captain Ridley took his place, -but on the same day was hit on the head and -between the shoulders by fragments of a shell -which exploded near him. Fortunately his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>wounds were not serious, and after having them -dressed he went back to the firing line.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 1914.</div> -<p class='c005'>In the first week of the battle of the Aisne -the losses had been exceptionally heavy, but -during the latter part of the time in which the -British occupied the position, they were comparatively -light. Sir John French estimated -that from the start of the battle to the day the -British Army left we lost altogether—in killed, -wounded, and missing—561 officers and 12,980 -men. On October 5 Captain Robin Grey, an -officer of the Grenadiers attached to the Royal -Flying Corps, was brought down while flying -over the enemy's lines and made a prisoner.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now the situation again changed. All along -the French line there had been very heavy -fighting, but while the Germans had been unable -to pierce the line our Allies had equally failed -to advance, though Maunoury had managed to -extend his flank up to the Oise, while the new -armies of Castelnau and Maud'huy were gradually -lengthening the line in a northerly direction. -Simultaneously the Germans had grasped that -as nothing could be done on the Aisne the only -possible chance of success was to turn to the -French left.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So they at once began to stretch out their -forces to the right, sending out huge masses of -cavalry, and in their endeavour to find the French -left pushed farther and farther north. They -were not content with merely parrying French -moves; they determined to outstrip them. They -had shorter lines of communication and many -more men than the Allies, and it is therefore -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>all the more to the credit of the French and -British Armies that they should have won this -race for the coast by a short head.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Having come to the conclusion that an advance -on the Aisne was impossible, General Joffre -decided that the first-line troops should be -gradually replaced by Territorials and sent up to -prolong the line on the left. Curiously enough, -precisely the same instructions were at the -same time issued to the German Army, and -Landwehr troops were gradually brought into -the trenches.</p> - -<p class='c005'>This decision was to alter the fortunes also -of our own troops. When the French Army -began its various moves, Sir John French went -to General Joffre, and pointed out the difficulties -in which the British Army was placed by being -in the centre of the line. All the supplies in -coming from England had to go through Paris -and cross those intended for the left of the -French line, with the risk of probable confusion. -The right place for the British Army, therefore, -was clearly on the left, where supplies could -reach it with the least possible delay. He also -put forward the purely sentimental advantage -to be gained by our army operating as a separate -unit and expanding on its own front.</p> - -<p class='c005'>General Joffre saw the force of these contentions, -and agreed to the British Army being -moved up to Belgium, French Territorials taking -up its former position. It should be explained -that Territorials in France are in no way the -equivalent of our own; they are all men who -have served in the Army, but are over the age -<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>for active fighting. In fact, they correspond to -the German Landwehr.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The necessary arrangements for withdrawal -and relief were made. The operation began on -October 3, and the Second Cavalry Division under -General Gough marched from Compiègne en route -for the new front. The Army Corps followed in -succession at intervals of a few days, and the -move was completed by October 19, when the -First Corps detrained at <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Omer. This transfer -of hundreds of thousands of men from one point -of the country to another without a hitch was a -striking testimony to the qualities of the French -General Staff.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 12.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the night of the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> the French Territorials -arrived, and took over the trenches of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers. Though a sturdy lot of -men, they had not exactly the inches of a Guardsman, -and so found great difficulty in reaching -the loopholes, with the result that alterations had -to be made all along the line.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 13.</div> -<p class='c005'>Next morning at about 1 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> the Battalion -marched by way of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Mard and Vauxcéré to -Perles, where it went into billets at a big farm, -and had its first real rest out of the range of -shell-fire for a very long while. It was generally -thought that when the Germans discovered the -change which was being made they would send -a few high-explosive shells well to the rear of the -trenches to catch the retiring troops. But as -it happened, the enemy were far too busy with -their own movements to pay any attention to -what was going on in front, and the Battalion -marched away unmolested.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 14.</div> -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>It started off again at 4 o'clock on the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr> -and marched to Fismes, where it was to entrain -for the north. After the usual long wait -for the transport it got off at 7.30. The men -were very closely packed, thirty-five or forty -having to be put into each small covered truck, -so that there was hardly room even to sit down. -Through Paris, Beauvais, Amiens, Étaples, and -Calais the train slowly wandered on, and finally -the Battalion reached Hazebrouck at 7 o'clock -next morning.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span> - <h2 id='chap06' class='c003'>CHAPTER VI <br /> THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES (<abbr title='FIRST'>1ST</abbr> BATTALION)</h2> -</div> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> <abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 1914.</div> -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers remained -at Warley until September 1914. In -the middle of the month the Seventh Division -was formed, and the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was -sent to Lyndhurst, near Southampton, where the -Division was assembling, and placed in the -<abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major-General <abbr class='spell'>T.</abbr> Capper, <abbr class='spell'>C.B.</abbr>, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, commanded -the Division, which was composed as -follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i><abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Infantry Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'>H. G. Ruggles-Brise</span>,</div> - <div class='line'><abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Grenadier Guards.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Scots Guards.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Border Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Gordon Highlanders.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i><abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Infantry Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'>H. Watts</span>, <abbr class='spell'>C.B.</abbr></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Bedford Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Yorkshire Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Royal Scots Fusiliers.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Wiltshire Regiment.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i><abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Infantry Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'>S. Lawford</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Queen's.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Royal Warwickshire Regiment.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Royal Welsh Fusiliers.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> South Staffordshire Regiment.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>Brigadier-General <abbr class='spell'>H. G.</abbr> Ruggles-Brise, who -commanded the Brigade in which the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -served, was himself an old Grenadier.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was generally considered that the Seventh -Division was one of the finest sent out. Most -of the men in it, except the two Guards battalions, -had served for several years in India and -the Colonies, and were bronzed, seasoned men, -thorough professional soldiers.</p> - -<p class='c005'>For artillery the Division had one brigade -of horse and two of field artillery, Brigadier-General -<abbr class='spell'>H. K.</abbr> Jackson, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, being in command. -The brigade of horse artillery consisted of two -batteries only. No howitzer brigade had been -provided, but a heavy battery of old 4·7's was -added at the last moment. The transport had -to be supplemented by farm-carts, afterwards -painted grey. The Divisional Cavalry consisted -of the Northumberland Hussars, originally commanded -by Lord Ridley; unfortunately he -became too ill to go to the front, and <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Cookson took his place.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The centre of interest was now shifting from -France to Belgium. Confused by the conflicting -accounts which filtered through, the people at -home only grasped that the German advance -on Paris had failed, and that there was consequently -a stalemate. But Sir John French knew -that, even though the Allies had won the race -to the sea, there was every danger of the German -Army concentrating somewhere in the north and -breaking through the line, necessarily weak, of -the Allied armies.</p> - -<div id='map07' class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/map07.jpg' alt='Ypres and the neighbouring country where the First Battle of Ypres was fought. October and November. 1914.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Ypres and the neighbouring country where the First Battle of Ypres was fought. October and November. 1914.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Although the Germans were in possession of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>the greater part of Belgium, in their hurry to get -to Paris they had been unable to dispose entirely -of the Belgian Army, which had been so troublesome -in the first stages of the war, and which -had now retired into Antwerp. Consequently -the German General Staff determined to make -good the lines of communication by taking -Antwerp and reducing all Belgium to ruins. -As soon as this had been done all the available -troops were to force their way through the Allied -line and seize the northern part of France.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The capture of one of the largest towns in -Belgium would be hailed with the greatest enthusiasm -in Germany, and would also nip in -the bud any scheme for sending British troops -and guns to help the besieged Belgian Army. -Germany knew that at present we had no guns -capable of competing with hers, but if she delayed -there was no reason why we should not manufacture -them up to any calibre.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But, undeterred by our lack both of men and -guns, the British Government had made up its -mind to do <i>something</i>, at any rate, and the -Naval Division, which had been intended as -a Reserve for the Fleet, were accordingly despatched -to Antwerp. This expedition was a -glaring instance of our lack of preparation in -the early stages of the war. Totally untrained, -the men, many of them, knew nothing of the -mechanism of the rifles they were armed with; -they had no transport, and were given for their -conveyance London motor omnibuses, with the -familiar advertisements still on them.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 1914.</div> -<p class='c005'>This force was greeted with wild enthusiasm -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>when it arrived in Antwerp on October 4. Major -<abbr class='spell'>J. A. C.</abbr> Quilter, Captain <abbr class='spell'>A. E.</abbr> Maxwell, and -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>W. R. C.</abbr> Murray, all officers of the -Grenadiers, were lent to the Naval Division. -Captain Maxwell was severely wounded in the -subsequent fighting, and afterwards died, but the -other two returned safely to England. Major -Quilter, who remained attached to the Naval -Division, was killed later in the Dardanelles while -in command of the Hood Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>With the monster German guns brought up -against the town, the fall of Antwerp was a foregone -conclusion. The Belgian artillery was quite -outranged, and could make no sort of a reply, -and the Naval Division had no heavy guns at -all. So one-sided was the contest that for the -defenders it was merely a matter of looking -on while the huge shells fell and gradually -devastated the town. On October 8 Antwerp -capitulated, and there was a wild, confused -rush by the inhabitants to get away. The -Belgian Army and the greater part of the -Naval Division managed to escape from the -town, but about 18,000 Belgian troops and -15,000 British were forced up into Holland and -interned.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Suddenly, when it had settled down to a -sort of peace-manoeuvre life at Lyndhurst, the -Seventh Division received its marching orders. -The Government had decided to send it to help -the Belgian Army. It was practically the only -available unit, except the Third Cavalry Division, -which was sent off a few days later.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was a quiet, peaceful Sunday when the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>summons came. There had been so many -rumours and alarms that no one took much -notice of them, and the idea of departure had -faded to a remote possibility. Passes had been -given to the men to remain out till 9.30, and -a field-day was arranged for the next day. Then -came the order to embark at once from Southampton. -In an instant there was feverish bustle -and energy throughout the camps. The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers marched off to Southampton, -and was joined there by many men who were out -on pass, but by the time the ship sailed all the -Battalion was reported present.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 4.</div> -<p class='c005'>Embarking on October 4, the Seventh Division -succeeded in avoiding the enemy's mines and -submarines on its voyage to Zeebrugge, but the -Cavalry Division was unable to follow, and was -diverted to Ostend instead.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The following is a list of the officers of the -<abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadier Guards, who went out -with the Battalion—all but a few of them were -killed or wounded:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Earle, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> Stucley, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord Claud <abbr class='spell'>N.</abbr> Hamilton, Machine-gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. E. C.</abbr> Rasch, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Teece, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'>Major the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. O. W. C.</abbr> Weld-Forester, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L. P.</abbr> Cary (Master of Falkland), King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. S.</abbr> Pilcher, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. L.</abbr> Aubrey-Fletcher, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. H.</abbr> Powell, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. O. R.</abbr> Kenyon-Slaney, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. M. B.</abbr> Ponsonby, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. C. G.</abbr> Moss, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. E.</abbr> Hope, Signalling Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>T. E. R.</abbr> Symons, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. S.</abbr> Lambert, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. A. A.</abbr> Darby, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> Lord Richard Wellesley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Rennie, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. G. S.</abbr> Douglas-Pennant, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Van Neck, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L. G.</abbr> Ames, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. R.</abbr> Mackenzie, Transport Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>L. R. V.</abbr> Colby, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. E. K.</abbr> Leatham, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Antrobus, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>S.</abbr> Walter, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>N. A. H.</abbr> Somerset, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Sir <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Duckworth-King, <abbr title='Baronet'>Bart.</abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Attached</i>—<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. G.</abbr> Butt, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The crossing was made in the <abbr class='spell'>S.S.</abbr> <i>Armenian</i>, -which was fairly comfortable, and the <i>Turcoman</i>, -just a cattle-boat, with no accommodation at all. -The transports did not move out into the Solent -till after dark on the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr>, and reached Zeebrugge -at six o'clock on the morning of the <abbr title='seventh'>7th</abbr>. Disembarking -was none too easy a task, for the jetty -was much too small for ships of that size, and -there were no cranes or other appliances for -unshipping the horses, which just had to be -pushed down gangways.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 7.</div> -<p class='c005'>Entreaties were made to General Capper by a -Belgian colonel and two Staff officers, who had -come as a deputation from Antwerp, that he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>would bring the whole of the Seventh Division -into that city. But Sir Henry Rawlinson had -already sent orders for the Division to go to -Bruges at once. The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -made the journey in two trains, and was billeted -in the suburb of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> André. Crowds lined the -streets, and cheered each battalion lustily as it -arrived. All the billeting was arranged without -any difficulty, as the Belgian authorities knew -to a man how many troops each village would -hold.</p> - -<p class='c005'>That evening there was a "procession of -humiliation" through the streets of Bruges, a -long train of old men and women following in -the wake of the priests, who were headed by -acolytes swinging their censers. As they walked -slowly through the streets, chanting a litany, -they made an odd contrast with the masses of -fighting men in khaki, and their array of wagons -and guns.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 8.</div> -<p class='c005'>Next day the whole Division was ordered to -march to Ostend, to cover the landing of the -Cavalry Division—a hot, tiring journey it was -of fifteen miles, over the usual paving-stones. -At Leffinghe, on the outskirts of Ostend, a -defensive position was taken up and an attempt -made to dig trenches, but the men could not go -very deep, as at three feet below the surface -they reached water.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 9.</div> -<p class='c005'>Fortunately the Battalion was not called upon -to hold them. Just before daybreak it left the -trenches and marched into Ostend, where it -entrained for Ghent. Sir Henry Rawlinson's -plan was to operate on the Germans' left flank -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>and divert their attention from the Belgian Army, -which might thus, he hoped, be able to escape -from Antwerp.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Indescribable confusion reigned in Ostend. -The whole country-side had swarmed in to see -what was going on; the Cavalry Division was -landing while the Seventh Division passed -through to get to the railway station, and their -movements were naturally hampered by the -throngs of people which surged over the streets -and quays. General Capper took with him the -<abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> and <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigades under Brigadier-Generals -Ruggles-Brise and Lawford, leaving the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr>, -under Brigadier-General Watts, to march back -to Beernem, where it was to remain in reserve. -Meanwhile, the Cavalry Division was to operate -in the direction of Thourout.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the two brigades arrived at Ghent, they -found that a small force of French Marines and -Belgian cyclists were already holding an outpost -line in front of the town. The Germans, it was -reported, had just crossed the Scheldt about -ten miles to the east, and were moving north-west, -with the object of cutting off the Belgian -Army and the British and French Naval Divisions, -which were evacuating Antwerp.</p> - -<div id='map08' class='figcenter id005'> -<img src='images/map08.jpg' alt='Route taken by the First Battalion Grenadier Guards through Belgium in October 1914.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Route taken by the First Battalion Grenadier Guards through Belgium in October 1914.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>A second outpost line was taken up by the -two brigades in rear of the French Marines, the -<abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers being in reserve. There -were no machine-guns, and the only ammunition -was the 200 rounds carried by each man. Though -the artillery had been sent on the night before, -it did not arrive at Ghent till twenty-four -hours after the infantry, owing to the confusion -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>there was on the railway line, part of which was -in the hands of the Germans.</p> - -<p class='c005'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company of the Grenadiers found one or -two piquets blocking the main road, and had a -very busy time with the Belgian refugees who were -streaming out of Ghent all night long. The other -three companies were sent into billets in some -large dye-works, but there were so few exits that -it was found it would take quite half-an-hour -to evacuate the place, so that it was nothing -but a death-trap. Accordingly <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company -billeted in a timber yard close by, while the -King's and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 bivouacked in an orchard by -the roadside.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The nights were cold, and when the Battalion -requisitioned for blankets, huge rolls of velvet -from the dye-works were issued by the Belgian -authorities. Some ten thousand francs' worth of -velvet, it was estimated, was damaged in this -way. The men naturally did not mind what -they looked like as long as they kept warm, but -as they lay asleep in the yard, with rich velvet -such as Velasquez might have painted wrapped -round their khaki, they presented a spectacle -decidedly incongruous.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 10.</div> -<p class='c005'>Nothing much happened during the next day, -though there were occasional alarms. Firing -could be heard in the distance, but no shells -or bullets came in the direction of our troops. -When it was dark the Battalion was ordered -to report to the commander of the outpost line. -On the march they met scattered bodies of the -French Marines, who had presumably been driven -in, and when they got to Destelbergen it appeared -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>that the Marines had been withdrawn from this -section, which was now only thinly held by such -men as could be spared by the Border Regiment -on the left.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The King's Company was told to take over -this section—by no means an easy task in the -dark. The frontage was nearly a mile, with the -platoons about six hundred yards apart, and the -trenches were useless, being merely shallow rain-shelters, -hastily covered over. By working all -night the men succeeded in making some sort of -a trench by dawn. Orders were received that -there could be no retirement in case of attack, and -that no support could be looked for.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was a remarkable situation into which this -quixotic operation had forced us. Here was an -isolated British Division, with practically no base -and with no available reinforcements, operating -entirely by itself, while large bodies of the enemy -were reported in every direction. But for the -information, which was regularly supplied by -the aircraft, such a position would have become -impossible. The aeroplanes were most active, -constantly spying out the enemy's movements, -and the armed motor-cars also did very useful -work.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 11.</div> -<p class='c005'>Spades and shovels were obtained from neighbouring -cottages at daybreak on the <abbr title='eleventh'>11th</abbr>, and -the men managed to make really good trenches. -But in the afternoon the Battalion was withdrawn, -and marched through Ghent. The whole -force was retiring, and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Companies -formed the rearguard to the two brigades. It -was hardly expected that the Germans would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>allow the force to get away without a severe fight, -but nothing happened, though the enemy was -close at hand, and entered Ghent soon after the -mixed force of British, French, and Belgians had -left the town. Passing through Ghent at dead -of night after the cordial reception they had had -from the inhabitants two days before, and with -the knowledge that the Belgians were being left -to the tender mercies of the Germans, was anything -but a pleasant experience for the British -Force.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Antwerp having fallen, the Seventh Division -now got orders to make its way back as fast as it -could to Ypres, and there join up with the rest of -the British Army. This meant long marches and -few intervals of rest, but with the German force -that had been freed by the capture of Antwerp -close behind, any delay was dangerous.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 12.</div> -<p class='c005'>By dawn on the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr>, Ruggles-Brise's and -Lawford's Brigades reached Somergem, and in the -afternoon they marched to Thielt by way of -Aeltre. At Oostcamp Watts's Brigade joined -in and followed the others to Thielt. As the -Division drew near that place the halts became -more and more frequent—there were constant -checks of as much as ten minutes, followed by -moves of less than a hundred yards. This was a -very trying climax after being up all night and -marching all day. The last mile took two hours, -and it was not till 1 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> that the men reached -their billets.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 13.</div> -<p class='c005'>A burst of very heavy rifle-fire at 6 o'clock -next morning in the very centre of the town -brought every one scrambling out of their billets, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>with visions of outposts rushed and Germans in -their midst. But it turned out to be only a -Taube, at which every one who had a rifle was -taking a shot. Eventually it was brought down -about a mile off, the Grenadiers, Scots Fusiliers, -and Pom-Pom Detachment all claiming the hit.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The whole Division started off for Roulers, followed -by the Germans. On its arrival at Pitthem, -a force of the enemy was reported to be advancing -from the north and north-east. The baggage was -therefore sent on, and the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> and <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigades -were ordered to take up a position in order to -cover this change in the order of march. The -Germans, however, did not come on, and the -march was continued. The Division reached -Roulers after dark—with the usual irritating and -fatiguing halts. At each village, as the Battalion -marched through, the whole population turned -out and gave the men apples, cigarettes, and -any other offerings they could, but the lion's -share naturally fell to the advance guard and -the leading battalion, and by the time the -tail was reached the supplies had generally -given out.</p> - -<p class='c005'>By now the Germans had grasped that this -was an isolated Division, and were straining -every nerve to catch it, so that the position -at Roulers was very precarious. The reports -from the aeroplane scouts were disquieting, and -General Capper realised that every moment was -precious.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 14.</div> -<p class='c005'>Early next morning the Division marched out -of Roulers, and not long afterwards the Germans -arrived; in fact, it was said that the rear-guard -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>was hardly clear of the town before the Uhlans -were in it. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Companies, under -Captain Lord Richard Wellesley and Major Colby, -formed the advance-guard.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Rain fell heavily all the way, and the roads -were in a terrible state, but the men's spirits -were raised by the news that they were nearly in -touch with the Expeditionary Force. These forced -marches had told on the troops, and though in -the Grenadiers not a man fell out, in some of the -battalions men were left behind—never to be -seen again. Others, determined not to fall into -the enemy's hands, limped doggedly on in a pitiable -plight, some having even taken off their -boots and tied their puttees round their feet.</p> - -<p class='c005'>They reached Ypres at 2 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> on the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr>, and the -King's, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3, and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Companies were detailed -to find the outposts on the Menin and Messines -roads. As the companies moved out to take up -their positions they encountered several parties -of Uhlans, which caused a good deal of excitement -among the men, as they were the first of the -enemy's troops actually seen. Some ammunition -was expended without much result. But <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 -Company at any rate accounted for four of these -advanced cavalry.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the evening a report was received that a -German force of all arms, estimated to be an -Army Corps, was advancing on Ypres from the -direction of Comines. Their road was blocked -by a platoon of the King's Company, and most -of the men were delighted at the prospect of a -fight, although those who knew the composition -of a German Army Corps were not quite so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>enthusiastic. Two platoons of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company -under Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>T. E. R.</abbr> Symons were despatched -to Voormezeele, about a mile in front -of the outpost line, to block the road and report -at once any movements by the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>These were the first trenches dug on the Ypres -battle-ground. The men at that time imagined -that they had only to scrape out temporary -shelters which would be sufficient protection for -a night or two. They little thought that they -were laying the foundation of an intricate network -of trenches which would be constantly used -for the next four years.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The first battle of Ypres which was now about -to begin may be said to fall into four clearly -marked stages:</p> - -<p class='c005'><abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> <i>Up to October 19</i>: the operations of the -Second and Third Corps from the La Bassée Canal -in the south to Armentières and Ploegsteert -Wood, in which they forced their way forward -in the face of always increasing opposition; -the Second Corps establishing itself on the high -ground south-west of Lille ("the Aubers Ridge"), -although it was being held up on its right by the -strong German position of La Bassée; the Third -Corps continuing the line northward astride of the -Lys. On their left the enemy's cavalry threatened -the passages of the Lys from Warneton -downward, but could not cross the river. Its -operations connected up those of the Second and -Third Corps with those of the Seventh Division -and Third Cavalry Division, with which General -Rawlinson, after advancing eastward to assist in -the retirement of the Belgian Army from Antwerp, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>had fallen back to a position a few miles east of -Ypres.</p> - -<p class='c005'>By the evening of October 19 the line of the -Second Corps ran approximately from east of -Givenchy—Violaines—Lorgies—west of Illies—Herlies -to Le Pilly, while between it and the -Third Corps was General Conneau's French -Cavalry Corps, somewhat to the left rear of the -Second Corps. The Third Corps had reached the -line Radinghem—Ennetières—Prémesques—Frélinghien—Le -Gheer. The British cavalry continued -the line down the Lys to the Ypres—Comines -Canal, and was in touch with the right -of General Rawlinson's command, which, after -attempting to advance on Menin on the morning -of October 19, had been forced to fall back to -the position Zandvoorde—Kruiseik—Zonnebeke -by the appearance on its left of large forces -of Germans, before which the French cavalry -(connecting General Rawlinson's force with the -Belgians) was falling back.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The situation, as it then stood, seems to have -offered Sir John French two alternatives for the -employment of Sir Douglas Haig's Corps, which -had then completed its concentration in the area -<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Omer—Hazebrouck: he might utilise it to -reinforce Generals Smith-Dorrien and Pulteney, -who were holding a long front, and whose troops -had had over a week of difficult, if on the whole -successful, fighting, and lacked the numbers -needed for any further advance. Reinforcements -thrown in on this quarter might have saved Lille, -and enabled the French, in co-operation with -whom the British were acting, to outflank the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>Germans opposed to them in the neighbourhood -of Loos and Arras. Ever since the battle on the -Aisne had reached a deadlock in the middle of -September, it had been the object of the Allied -forces to outflank the German right, while the -Germans had by continually reinforcing and prolonging -their threatened flank succeeded in thwarting -this effort. It is this double prolongation of -the opposing lines, first by one combatant, then -by the other, which is called "the Race to the -Sea," and of which the first battle of Ypres was -the culminating point.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The other alternative was to send in this force -farther to the left to carry out a wider turning -movement than the mere move round what -seemed then the German right south of Lille, and -by pushing forward east of Ypres in the direction -of Bruges to outflank the German line far more -effectively. It is a little difficult to ascertain -from the evidence at present available what -exactly was known as to the opposition to be -expected in such a movement. It would seem -that the full strength of the German force available, -consisting of several of the newly formed -Reserve Corps (raised since the beginning of the -war), was hardly appreciated. The idea, prevailing -at the British Headquarters, was that if -used on the extreme left flank in this way Sir -Douglas Haig's part would be essentially offensive; -but as things turned out, he was speedily thrown -on the defensive, and forced to fight a most -desperate battle to prevent greatly superior -forces of Germans forcing their way through -Ypres to the Channel ports. Badly as the Second -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>and Third Corps needed help, it was most fortunate -that, when the German attack began, it found -the First Corps, advancing past Ypres, in its path.</p> - -<p class='c005'><abbr class='spell'>B.</abbr> <i>From October 20 to October 28</i>: the operations -in this phase have a two-fold character. -On the left Sir Douglas Haig endeavoured to -advance first of all north of, and then through, -General Rawlinson's troops; and, though to some -extent successful, he encountered ever-increasing -opposition, so that by October 28 the British in -this quarter (east of Ypres, north of the Ypres—Comines -Canal) had been definitely thrown on -the defensive, and were hard put to it to hold their -own against the repeated attacks of considerably -superior forces. Meanwhile, on October 20, the -Germans had developed a powerful counter-attack -against the long and attenuated line held -by the Second and Third Corps. The left of -the Second Corps at Le Pilly was driven in, -and simultaneously General Pulteney's troops -were ousted from Ennetières and Prémesques, and -these losses, coupled with the great superiority of -the German forces opposed to them, compelled -the Second and Third Corps to retire. Thus the -valuable tactical position of the Aubers Ridge -was lost, and the Second and Third Corps compelled -to retire to the line Givenchy—Richebourg -l'Avoué—Neuve Chapelle—Bois Grenier—Houplines—Le -Gheer. At the same time the cavalry -north of the Lys was gradually pressed back to -the line <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Yvon—east of Messines—Hollebeke—Zandvoorde. -Fortunately at this critical time -the arrival of the Lahore Division of the Indian -Corps provided a much-needed assistance, but, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>despite this, the village of Neuve Chapelle was -lost on October 27, and a counter-attack on -October 28 failed to regain possession of it.</p> - -<p class='c005'><abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> <i>From October 29 to November 10</i>: in this -period the operations north of the Lys, where the -German attacks reached their maximum in force, -were of the greatest importance, fresh troops -being constantly put in. South of that river the -fighting gradually diminished in intensity, the -German attacks being held up by the Second -Corps, part of which was relieved by the Indian -Corps (the Meerut Division, which arrived in the -line on October 31), and the Sixth Division of the -Third Corps. A little ground was lost, but nothing -of real importance. North of the river the intensity -of the fighting increased greatly, and on -October 29 the Germans attacked in great -strength, but were only able to gain a little -ground. Two days later, on October 31, they -renewed the attack with the utmost vigour, and -made a determined effort to reach the Channel -ports. The line of the First Division about -Gheluvelt was broken, and the Division fell back. -General Lomax and the greater portion of his -staff were killed, while the casualties in the rank -and file were enormous. The day was saved by -Brigadier-General Charles FitzClarence, <abbr class='spell'>V.C.</abbr>, who, -quickly realising the peril of the situation, ordered -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Worcestershire Regiment to -retake Gheluvelt, although they were not under -his command. The First Division gallantly rallied, -and regained some of the ground that had been -lost, but not without desperate fighting and very -heavy losses. At the same time the Fourth -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>Division of the Third Corps was very hard pressed -at Le Gheer, but managed to retain its ground -after hard fighting and a successful counter-attack. -On November 1 the cavalry, after a most -magnificent resistance at Messines and Wytschaete, -was finally dislodged from the Messines Ridge. By -this time French reinforcements were arriving in -large numbers, and they took over the line between -the left of the cavalry and the right of Sir Douglas -Haig's command (into which the Seventh Division -had now been absorbed), but their repeated -counter-attacks on the Messines Ridge, and between -Wytschaete and the Ypres—Comines Canal -were unsuccessful. After October 31 the fighting -north of the Ypres—Comines Canal did not -reach the same intensity till November 11, but -the Germans made repeated attacks, and forced -the line back a little at several points. It became -necessary to relieve the Seventh Division, whose -infantry had been reduced to about a quarter -of its original strength, and this was done by -putting in about a dozen of the scarcely less -exhausted battalions of the Second Corps, which -had just been taken out of the line north of La -Bassée for a well-earned rest. By November 5 -the right of Sir Douglas Haig's line, south of the -Ypres—Menin road, was held by the equivalent -of a division from the Second Corps, the First -Division being in his centre, and the Second on -his left, though all three divisions were much -intermingled.</p> - -<p class='c005'>By November 10 the cavalry, supported by a -few battalions of the Second Corps, had taken -over a line west of the Messines Ridge, and on the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>left of the Third Corps. From the Douve southward -to La Bassée the line was approximately -established as it remained through the winter of -1914-15, the Third Corps being astride the Lys, -while the Fourth Corps (the Eighth Division, which -had by this time arrived) continued the line from -about Bois Grenier to beyond Neuve Chapelle, -the Indian Corps being on the right.</p> - -<p class='c005'><abbr class='spell'>D.</abbr> <i>November 11 to 20</i>: November 11 was the -next most critical moment of the battle after -October 31; on this day took place the great -attack of the Prussian Guard, which broke -through the line of the First Division near Veldhoek -and penetrated into the Nonne-Bosschen, -but was checked there, and then dislodged by a -counter-attack by the <abbr title='fifty-second'>52nd</abbr> Oxfordshire Light -Infantry, perhaps the most dramatic of all the -individual episodes of the battle. On this day -the line of the Third Division south of the Ypres—Menin -road was also violently assailed, and some -ground was lost; but the net result of the day was -the failure of the great German effort to break -through, and from that moment the fighting -north as well as south of the Lys tended to -diminish in intensity. The Germans made a -few more attacks, but none in such strength -or determination as those of October 31 and -November 11, and about November 15 the French -began to take over the positions in "the Ypres -salient," so obstinately defended by Sir Douglas -Haig for nearly four weeks. It may be gathered -from the accounts of the fighting of the subsequent -months that the Germans were for the -moment exhausted, that their supplies of ammunition -<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>were running low, and that the attack -of November 11 represented their last bolt—until -more could be forged. Thus if the Allied effort -to outflank the German right and roll up their -line had been unsuccessful, defensively the first -battle of Ypres was a great success, the German -effort to break through being definitely and decisively -defeated. November 20 may be taken -as the end of the battle, as it was on that day -that the last unit of Sir Douglas Haig's command -was relieved by the French, the British line then -extending approximately from Givenchy in the -south to Keniwel in the north. During this fourth -phase the operations on the line from the Douve -to the La Bassée Canal had been of the character -of "normal trench warfare," neither side attempting -any major operation.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 15.</div> -<p class='c005'>Ypres was to be held at all costs till the First -Corps arrived—those were Sir Henry Rawlinson's -orders. There were no other British troops in -the neighbourhood when the Seventh Division -arrived there, except the Third Cavalry Division, -which had been sent on in the direction of -Menin to reconnoitre. The Eighty-seventh French -Territorial Division was at Ypres, and the -Eighty-ninth at Poperinghe (both under General -Bidon), while the Belgian Army had reached the -Forest of Houthulst.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At first General Capper decided to post the -Seventh Division from Zonnebeke to Langemarck, -asking the Eighty-seventh French Territorials -to hold, for the moment, the line from -Zonnebeke to Hollebeke; there they would get -into touch with Allenby's Cavalry Division, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>which was on the left of the Third Corps. Operating -on the left of the Seventh Division, Byng's -Cavalry Division would keep touch with the -Belgians and French Marines.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But these orders were afterwards cancelled -when it was clear that Menin would be the probable -line of advance. General Capper made the -Seventh Division change places with the Eighty-seventh -French Division, so that it now took -up the line from Zonnebeke to Hollebeke, with -Ruggles-Brise's Brigade on the right, Watts's -in the centre, and Lawford's on the left. Four -German Army Corps were now rumoured to -be operating somewhere in Belgium, but where -exactly no one knew.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 16.</div> -<p class='c005'>A piteous sight confronted the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers as it marched eastward towards -Zandvoorde on October 16, after a quiet day in -billets on the outskirts of Ypres. On the roads -it met the whole civilian population of the -neighbouring towns and villages, which was in -flight before the advancing enemy. Old men -and women ran breathless; children trotted -by their mothers' sides; some had all their -worldly possessions in carts drawn by ponies -or dogs; others were pushing wheelbarrows -loaded with all the goods they could carry away. -All had a look of terror in their eyes, and all -hurried madly to safety, spurred on by the -thought of the blazing villages that lay behind -them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The advance-guard of the Brigade was formed -by the King's and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Companies under Major -Weld-Forester and Major Colby. Progress was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>very slow, even after daybreak, as there was a -fog, and every wood by the roadside had to be -thoroughly cleared. A few shots were exchanged -with Uhlans, but there was no serious resistance, -and the Brigade entered Zandvoorde at 11 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> -Two miles from Zandvoorde, meanwhile, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 -Company under Lord Richard Wellesley had been -ordered to Hollebeke to protect the right flank -of the Brigade; this Company rejoined the -Battalion later on.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At Zandvoorde a strong defensive position -was taken up, facing east; it had a good field -of fire, and there was a fairly wide stream two -hundred yards from the trenches. The King's -and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Companies were in the front trench, -and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 in reserve. That night the -enemy played his old tricks, and kept every one -awake, with a few snipers firing at intervals into -different parts of the line. The men were then -new to such devices, but it was not long before -they learned to distinguish between sniping and -an organised attack.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 17-18.</div> -<p class='c005'>The following day the whole Brigade was -ordered to advance and occupy the ridge Kruiseik—America, -with its right bending back to -Zandvoorde, the Scots Guards having occupied -Kruiseik the night before. At night villages -could be seen burning in every direction, set on -fire by the Germans, and this was taken as an -indication that the enemy was preparing to -attack.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 19.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr> orders were received for an -advance by the Seventh Division on Menin and -Wervicq; it was reported that the enemy was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>in no great strength, and that his forces consisted -principally of Landsturm, with no artillery. The -attack was to take place in three phases:</p> - -<p class='c005'>First phase: by the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigade on the -left against an advance position at Kleythoek.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Second phase: by the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> and <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Brigades -against Gheluwe.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Third phase: by the whole Division against -Menin and Wervicq.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Sir John French, in his despatch of that date, -said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>I considered, however, that the possession of Menin -constituted a very important point of passage, and -would much facilitate the advance of the rest of the -Army, so I directed the General Officer commanding the -Fourth Corps to advance the Seventh Division upon -Menin and endeavour to seize that crossing on the -morning of the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr>.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was no easy task that was allotted to Sir -Henry Rawlinson, for he had nothing to fall back -upon. The cavalry under Byng was hardly -strong enough to do more than feel for the -enemy, and there was therefore only the French -Territorial Division at Ypres as a reserve. There -was nearly twenty miles of front for the Seventh -Division to operate on, and no one knew when -the First Corps would arrive.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The advance of the Seventh Division began in -the morning. The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers deployed -for an attack on Gheluwe and Kruiseik, -with <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Companies in the firing-line, -and the King's and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 in support. The men -were extended to eight paces, and each company -had a frontage of half a platoon; the Battalion -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>was thus in sixteen lines, with 200 yards between -each line, during the preliminary advance under -artillery fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When about half the Battalion was on the -move, the order to advance was countermanded, -for news had arrived that a large force of all -arms was advancing from the direction of Courtrai. -Lawford's Brigade, which had reached -Kleythoek, was strongly attacked on its left -flank and compelled to fall back with heavy -losses. The advance on Menin had been found -impracticable; Sir Henry Rawlinson suddenly -realised that with a single infantry division it -was sheer madness to attack an enemy force -which, according to our airmen's reports, was far -stronger than Sir John French had anticipated. -Being the pivot on which the whole Division had -to turn, Ruggles-Brise's Brigade had not gone far -when the countermanding order came, but the -left of the Division had to retire some distance -before it was in line facing the right way.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Ruggles-Brise's Brigade retired to its former -position, which consisted of a semicircular line -running from Zandvoorde through Kruiseik to the -cross-roads on the Ypres—Menin road. To the -<abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was allotted a frontage of -nearly a mile, from and including the village of -Kruiseik to the cross-roads, on the left being the -Yorkshire Regiment from Watts's Brigade and -on the right the Border Regiment. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 and -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Companies were in the firing line, and -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 and the King's Company in support.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A circular salient is not easy to hold, and after -the greater part of the day had been spent in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>improving the trenches and putting out barbed -wire under intermittent and ineffective shell-fire, -orders were received to withdraw the line. This -withdrawal was necessitated by the Divisional -order to send back two battalions as Divisional -Reserve. This left only the Grenadiers and -Border Regiment to occupy the whole line. After -consulting General Ruggles-Brise, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Earle decided to withdraw <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 2 and 3 Companies -and convert the support trenches into the firing -line. This meant altering the trenches a good -deal, as those used for the supports were too -wide and shallow. The whole situation had, -however, changed, and the Division was now on -the defensive.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 20.</div> -<p class='c005'>Improvements in the line generally were made -next day. Besides being deepened, the trenches -were made narrower by driving wash-poles into -the bottom about three feet apart, closing up the -intervals with doors, shutters, straw hurdles, etc., -and then filling up the space behind with earth. -This work was practically finished, when it had -to be stopped because a reconnaissance was -sent out in front with a battery of <abbr class='spell'>R.H.A.</abbr> (13-pounders) -to support it, and no sooner had the -battery opened fire than it was itself attacked -by much heavier artillery from the direction of -Wervicq.</p> - -<p class='c005'>For an hour a constant stream of shrapnel and -high explosive poured over our trenches. There -was one short lull, when our <abbr class='spell'>R.H.A.</abbr> Battery -ran short of ammunition, and the Germans, -thinking they had knocked the battery out, -also ceased fire. On realising their mistake, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>they began again with renewed energy. High-explosive -shells were bursting all down the -trenches, back and front, but luckily none -landed actually in them; and though a cottage -by the side of the road caught fire, the removal of -the wood and straw lying near the trench averted -all danger. Very grateful the Grenadiers were -for the close touch which <abbr class='spell'>F</abbr> Battery under Major -Head managed to keep with them during these -anxious days' fighting. It was a perfect example -of how artillery and infantry should co-operate.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the afternoon the enemy launched his -infantry attack, preceded by scouts and snipers, -and covered by artillery and machine-gun fire. -Almost for the first time the Germans were now -distinctly seen, and there was something almost -reassuring in the fact that they looked like -ordinary beings. Hitherto they had seemed a -sort of mysterious bogey, something far away -on the black horizon, an evil force associated -with burning houses and fleeing inhabitants. -Though their attack was all according to the -book, they never succeeded in reaching our -trenches. In many places they managed to -advance under cover to within 200 yards of -our position, but the attack was half-hearted -and therefore failed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The machine-guns under Lord Claud Hamilton -were posted on the right of the Battalion, and -remained there for seven days, day and night, -without relief, under continual fire from the -enemy's artillery and machine-guns. During -this strenuous time they fired 56,000 rounds, and -inflicted considerable loss on the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>By dusk the Germans had established a considerable -force within striking distance, and the -whole British line stood to arms till about 9 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr>, -expecting an assault any moment. Why with -such enormous advantages the enemy did not -make a more determined attack it is difficult -to understand. They outnumbered our troops -by four to one, and had an overwhelming -superiority in artillery. But while the Seventh -Division were all seasoned professional soldiers, -the German Corps consisted mostly of Landwehr, -that is, second-line troops or men retired from -the active army.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Nothing happened till midnight, when the -enemy suddenly opened a heavy fire, and in -places began half-hearted assaults, which were -easily repulsed. He kept up a continuous -and comparatively useless fire for an hour, but -with our men the control of fire was excellent. -During these spasmodic attacks the <abbr class='spell'>R.H.A.</abbr> -Battery, which was just behind the village of -Kruiseik, did most effective work, bursting -groups of shrapnel with great accuracy and -rapidity over the German lines, at a range of -only eight hundred yards. The Seventh Division -was occupying more ground than it could -properly hold, but with so few troops General -Capper had no alternative. Two platoons of -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company were furnished during the night -to support the King's Company in the fire trenches, -but even with their help it found the greatest -difficulty in filling its part of the line.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 21.</div> -<p class='c005'>There was some shelling in the early morning -of the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr>, but nothing serious happened till the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>afternoon, when the enemy at last attacked, -apparently, all along the line. So long was the -line General Capper was now holding that he found -it impossible to keep any reserves. At first the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Scots Guards was in Divisional -Reserve, but it was soon wanted, and was sent -up into the firing line in the morning. When -appeals for help came afterwards from various -quarters, General Capper had only the cavalry -to send. The Northumberland Hussars were -despatched to fill the gap between the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> -Brigade and the Third Cavalry Division, and -when the right flank of the Division needed -strengthening the Divisional Cyclist Company -was sent thither.</p> - -<p class='c005'>By this time the First Corps had arrived, and -had been sent up to the north of Ypres. As it -turned out, that spirit of dash which won Sir John -French his reputation in South Africa proved the -saving of the situation. Had he been of a more -cautious disposition, he would undoubtedly have -sent the First Corps to reinforce General Smith-Dorrien, -who was in great difficulties farther -south. Its despatch north of Ypres, originally -with the idea of a general advance, saved the -Seventh Division from utter destruction.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The position of the line was now as follows: -the First Corps from Bixschoote to Zonnebeke; -the Seventh Division from Zonnebeke to Zandvoorde; -then Byng's Cavalry and Allenby's -Cavalry up to the left of the Third Corps.</p> - -<p class='c005'>About mid-day the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Brigade was heavily -attacked, and Brigadier-General Watts sent -back for reinforcements. There were none. Some -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>companies had to be sent in support, and General -Ruggles-Brise ordered <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Companies -of the Grenadiers to go to its help. Two companies -of Scots Guards had already been sent -to Zandvoorde to fill up a gap on the right, -occasioned by the withdrawal of the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Cavalry -Brigade, while the remaining two companies were -with the Divisional Reserve at Gheluvelt. These -continual demands for reinforcements naturally -weakened the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade considerably. Under -heavy shell-fire the Scots Guards started off, but -the attack on the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Brigade died away, and -after they had gone about a mile they were -ordered to return, as they might be wanted any -moment to support their own Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile the line held by the Grenadiers -was heavily shelled, not only by the Germans -but by our own guns, which were firing short. -The men naturally were infuriated by this, but -fortunately the mistake did not last long, as -the artillery was soon able to correct its own -distance. During the night the German machine-guns -had been brought up close, one at least -being placed in a house 150 yards from our -trenches, and the covering fire from these was -most disconcerting. It was generally oblique, -and enabled the German infantry to approach -with far fewer losses than on the previous day. -An infantry attack was made, but was not -pressed home, and except for spasmodic bursts -of rifle-fire the night was again fairly quiet.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 22.</div> -<p class='c005'>Having been in the trenches for four days and -nights, the King's and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Companies were -relieved by <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Companies. Aircraft -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>reports that the enemy was massing troops -near America seemed to presage an attack, -but except for the inevitable sniping nothing -happened in that part of the line, the attack -that day being directed against the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigade -and also against the First and Second Divisions -farther north. The relieved companies had not -been long in their dug-outs, however, before two -platoons of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company under <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Lieutenant -Walter and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Lieutenant Somerset -were ordered to occupy some trenches vacated -by the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Brigade on the left, while the King's -Company was sent up to Kruiseik to reinforce -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 23.</div> -<p class='c005'>The position of the Seventh Division was -now becoming most precarious, holding doggedly -on as it was to a line seven miles long, with -every man in the trenches. General Lawford's -<abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigade had been attacked by a large force -and obliged to give ground; this made an ugly -dent in the line, and placed the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Brigade in -an acute and perilous salient. To help the hard-pressed -Seventh Division Sir Douglas Haig now -sent along the Second Division, which had been -relieved by the French Ninth Corps.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Owing to the heavy mist on the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> neither -side could use artillery till 9 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr>, when the enemy -began to bombard the Kruiseik salient. The -day's attack was directed against the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> -Brigade, and the Wiltshire Regiment had some -desperate fighting. The two platoons of the -Grenadiers which had been sent up the night -before were attacked by two battalions of -Germans, but they held their ground and never -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>gave an inch. They suffered severely, however, -and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Lieutenant Walter and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Lieutenant -Somerset were both killed before these platoons -were withdrawn. The whole line of trenches -was bombarded incessantly, and all day the -German guns swept the rear of the line so as -to catch the supports as they came up.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A message was sent to the Grenadiers about -2.30 from the Border Regiment on the right to -say that their trenches had been blown in, and -they might want help. Accordingly the King's -and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Companies were ordered to move across -to a position in rear of the Border Regiment, so -as to support them if necessary. No sooner had -they left their dug-outs and fallen in than they -were heavily shelled, though they were well out -of sight of the German gunners.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Incidents like this gave rise to stories of spies -behind the British lines, who could telephone to -the enemy's gunners the exact position of bodies -of our troops. But had the Germans had any -means whatever of obtaining information they -could hardly have failed to know that, instead of -the large forces they imagined to be opposed to -them, there was nothing to bar their way to -Calais but a single unsupported British Division.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the leading platoons of the two companies -of the Grenadiers reached the position -indicated, which was the ridge in rear of the -Borderers' trenches, they came under the concentrated -fire of batteries from three different directions, -and suffered some loss. So heavy was the -fire that they found it impossible to remain on -the ridge, and as the Border Regiment had not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>definitely asked for support the King's Company -was ordered to retire. It retired in good order and -in slow time, though under heavy fire all the way. -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. L.</abbr> Aubrey Fletcher and several -men were wounded, but the casualties were not -so heavy as might have been expected. Fortunately -the enemy burst their shrapnel too high, and -the ground was so soft that the high-explosive -shells did little damage except when they got a -direct hit.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 24.</div> -<p class='c005'>A violent attack was made next day on the -salient formed by the British line, which at last -began to show signs of giving way. After some -desperate fighting the Wiltshire Regiment was -driven in, and the Germans got possession of -Polygon Wood. Ruggles-Brise's Brigade was -heavily engaged, as the enemy's attack was -being pressed home with great vigour, especially -on the left of the Battalion, where the Germans -were trying to break through between the -Grenadiers and the Yorkshire Regiment. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 -Company, under Major Colby, was therefore -ordered to counter-attack. Great difficulties were -added to its task by the tobacco-drying grounds—ready-made -wire entanglements on which the -men's packs and accoutrements caught while the -German machine-guns were practically enfilading -them. But, in spite of everything, Major Colby -succeeded in driving back a much larger body of -the enemy, and thus making that part of the line -secure.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was a brilliant bit of work, and was specially -mentioned by General Capper in his report. But -it was very costly: Major Colby, Lieutenant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>Antrobus, and a hundred men were killed, and -Captain Leatham was wounded. The only officer -of this company who escaped unhurt was Lieutenant -Sir <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Duckworth-King.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the evening news arrived that the First -Corps was attacking the enemy on the left, and -this somewhat relieved the situation. The reserve -trenches came in for severe shelling during -the night, but, as it happened, there was only -a platoon of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 in reserve at the time. It -had a curious experience, which might have had -serious results. Two companies of the Queen's -had been sent up to the reserve dug-outs. Somehow -the report was spread that the Germans -had got into Kruiseik, and an alarm was raised. -The platoon from the Grenadiers stood to arms, -and as it waited saw in the moonlight a line -of men with fixed bayonets advancing on their -flank. They were preparing to meet them with -the bayonet when they suddenly realised that -they were friends. Major Stucley leaped from -the trench, and went himself to explain matters -to the two companies, which returned to their -original position.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 25.</div> -<p class='c005'>The Germans were reported next day to be entrenching -all along our southern front and opposite -Zandvoorde. About sunset the Grenadiers were -attacked, and one platoon from <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company -under Lieutenant Lambert became isolated, the -enemy having taken the trench on its right and also -the houses behind it. Three messengers were sent -back to Battalion Headquarters for help, but only -one got through, and he was wounded. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Earle sent up a platoon of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>the houses in the rear of the line were partially -cleared.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A determined attack developed later that -night, and a mass of men was seen advancing on -the left. A voice called out, "Don't shoot! -We are the South Staffords." But the German -helmets could be distinctly seen against the glow -from a burning farm; a heavy fire was opened on -them, and slowly they disappeared. As a matter -of fact two companies of the South Staffords had -come up to the Battalion as a reserve that night, -and the Germans must have known it. In the -morning forty or fifty dead Germans were counted -in front of the platoon under Lieutenant Lambert, -and 200 prisoners were captured by the Scots -Guards in a house in rear of the line. Viscount -Dalrymple and Captain Fox, with two companies -of the Scots Guards, cleared all the Germans out -of the village, and restored the line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During the night Lord Claud Hamilton, whose -guns were in action all night, saw a body of men -moving in fours down the road behind him, and -naturally thought they were men of the Brigade. -But as they passed a burning house he saw the -German helmets, and turned one of his guns on -them, while the other gun continued to engage the -enemy in front. He was relieved before dawn by -Lieutenant Gladwin of the Scots Guards with a -fresh team of men, who took over the Grenadier -machine-guns. Soon after he took charge Lieutenant -Gladwin was killed.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 26.</div> -<p class='c005'>The First Division had now taken over the line -from Reutel to the Menin road, so that the -Seventh Division held only the section from the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>Menin road through Kruiseik to Zandvoorde. -But this salient had become more and more acute -and dangerous, and General Capper decided to -readjust the line and reduce the salient as far as -he could. To withdraw from a position when at -close grips with the enemy was a task requiring -careful staff work, but it was successfully carried -out that night.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Before dawn the King's Company took over -the fire trenches with a platoon of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 under -Lieutenant Van Neck, while a platoon from <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 -under Sergeant Boyles occupied a trench about -200 yards to the left. One platoon of the King's -Company was 300 yards to the right of the rest -of the company, and another 300 yards farther -to the right were the Scots Guards.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A terrific shelling of our trenches began early -in the morning, and reached such a pitch that the -men counted as many as sixty shells a minute on -each small trench. The whole of the enemy's -artillery fire was concentrated on Kruiseik. -Gallantly our men held on, in spite of the fact -that again and again the shells blew in the -trenches and buried half-a-dozen men at a time, -all of whom had to be dug out with shovels. -Some of them had as much as three feet of earth -on top of them, and many were suffocated before -they could be rescued.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So violent were these attacks that by mid-day -the Germans had broken through the line held by -two companies of the South Staffords, which had -been sent to relieve the Border Regiment. By -2.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> the enemy had gone through the gap, -and had managed to get in rear of two companies -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>of the Scots Guards, which suddenly found themselves -surrounded and fired at from all directions. -Although the Scots Guards still fought on, they -were captured by degrees in small parties, and -the survivors were finally made prisoners, including -<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Bolton, Major Viscount Dalrymple, -and Captain Fox. Finding his flank exposed, -<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Earle at once gave orders to -the Grenadiers to retire, but this order did not -reach the fire trenches for a long time, and was -never received by the King's Company at all. -Meanwhile, General Ruggles-Brise ordered the -guns back to their old position on the Zandvoorde -Ridge, and having collected the remainder of the -Scots Guards, the Gordons, and the Borderers, he -returned to the hollow west of Zandvoorde.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The position now seemed hopeless for the -King's Company and the other two platoons, for -the Germans had got round both flanks, and the -rest of the Battalion was retiring. Lieutenant -Pilcher, one of the officers of the King's Company, -managed to get back to Battalion Headquarters, -only to find that the Battalion had retired. He -started to return at once, but the Germans were -closing in on the company, and as there were no -communication trenches, he had to advance in the -open with the enemy on each side of him. However, -he got through to Major Weld-Forester, and -told him of the retirement. Meanwhile, Lieutenant -Hope, the signalling officer, who had been -ordered to retire with the rest of the Battalion, -turned back on his own initiative to warn the -King's Company, and even got some of the -First Division to come to its assistance.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>At first Major Weld-Forester had determined -to hold on grimly to his bit of the line, but it -now seemed clear to him that he ought to join in -retirement. To do this meant going clean -through the Germans, who were now firmly -established in the village and outhouses—but on -the other hand to remain meant being surrounded -and captured. So he quickly decided to retire -and join the rest of the Battalion. He knew he -could rely on his men to do anything or go anywhere, -and trusted to their discipline to carry -through even such a desperate plan as this of -forcing a way through the Germans.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Having explained the whole situation to his -officers and <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s, he sent an orderly to Lieutenant -Van Neck, and told him to retire at the -same time. But the message never reached this -officer, nor did the platoon of the King's Company -which was 800 yards away receive the order. -The result was that these two isolated platoons -continued to fight on until they were overwhelmed -by the advancing German masses.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile, through the village came the -King's Company, with Major Weld-Forester at -their head, bayonets fixed and in perfect order. -On they came, straight through the Germans, -who were at first dumbfounded by the reckless -daring of the enterprise. Soon the enemy collected -themselves, and the machine-guns began -rattling from the windows; but friend and foe -were so intermingled that it was difficult for them -to fire, and it would have taken better men than -the Germans to stop the men of the King's -Company, when they had made up their minds -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>to get through. Many casualties there were, of -course, but Major Weld-Forester succeeded in -joining the Black Watch that night, and linked -up with the rest of the Battalion next morning.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The same night the retirement of the whole -Division was carried out successfully, and it took -up a second position running through the crossroads -near Gheluvelt. The remainder of the -Grenadiers, under <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Earle, retired in -good order through the First Division and went -into billets on the outskirts of Ypres, where they -were joined next morning by what was left of the -King's Company. After five days and nights in -the trenches without relief the men were utterly -worn out, but in spite of their hard fighting and -heavy losses their spirits were not depressed nor -their discipline in any way relaxed.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 27.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -moved from billets outside Ypres to a bivouac in -Sanctuary Wood, just south of the Menin road. -Ruggles-Brise's Brigade was withdrawn from the -Basseville River, and the battalions were reorganised. -When the roll was called, it was found -that the losses in every battalion had been considerable. -The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers had lost -9 officers and 301 men, the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Scots -Guards 17 officers and 511 men, the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Gordon -Highlanders 3 officers and 159 men, and the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Border Regiment 17 officers and 431 men. What -remained of the Seventh Division was now transferred -to the First Corps under Sir Douglas Haig.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A report was received that the Twenty-seventh -German Reserve Division had been ordered to -take the cross-roads south-east of Gheluvelt, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade was ordered to relieve the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> -Brigade just south of the Menin road. General -Ruggles-Brise placed the Grenadiers in the front -line next to the road, with the Gordons on their -right, while the remnants of the Borderers and -Scots Guards were left in support. Guides were -furnished by the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigade, and General -Ruggles-Brise, who knew the ground well, since -it was next to his old Headquarters, met them -at the cross-roads. As the trenches were very -inadequate, most of them mere scratches, and -some even facing the wrong way, the Grenadiers -were ordered to withdraw at daybreak, if there -was no attack, so as to evade shell-fire. As the -day dawned, General Ruggles-Brise returned -to his Headquarters, where he was met by the -Brigade-Major, who told him that an attack -was expected at dawn, and that he had received -instructions to bring up the two supporting -battalions.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the way up the Scots Guards were so -unlucky as to have a shell burst right into one of -their companies, causing some twenty casualties. -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Lieutenant Gibbs was killed, and Captain -Kemble and Lieutenant Lord Dalhousie severely -wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was a melancholy scene through which the -Grenadiers marched off. Some ten days before, -when they passed through Gheluvelt, they had -been greeted by the inhabitants; now it was a -deserted ruin. Most of the houses and the church -had been demolished, and such buildings as remained -looked like dolls' houses, when the fronts -have been removed. The roadway was full of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>great shell-holes, and some carcasses of horses -added to the dreariness of the picture. Arrived -at their destination, <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 2, 3, and 4 Companies -were put in the firing line, and the King's Company -in support. It was practically dark, and as the -trenches were very bad they had to dig themselves -in as well as they could.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The German General Staff was now getting -impatient. In spite of their immense superiority -in numbers and in guns, the Germans had -succeeded only in making dents in the line, and -had not yet broken through. So they determined -to mass their guns and infantry at certain parts -of the line, and drive a wedge through—one of the -points selected being the left of the line held by -the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers near the cross-roads. -Every one on the British side knew of the projected -attack, from General Headquarters down -to the latest-joined drummer boy, but foreknowledge -was of little use, as there were no -reserves available.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 29.</div> -<p class='c005'>At 5.15 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> on the <abbr title='twenty-ninth'>29th</abbr>—a densely foggy -morning—the Battalion was heavily shelled by -our own guns; presumably the fire was intended -for the German infantry, which was known to be -somewhere near. Although every possible precaution -had been taken against an attack at -dawn, there was no sign of any movement on the -part of the enemy, and after the Battalion had -waited for an hour and a half, the report of an -intended attack was dismissed as untrue. The -question then arose as to what should be done -to obtain food for the supporting battalions. -They had been hurried up in the dark, and no -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>provision had been made for their rations, nor -was it possible to bring food up in wagons to positions -in such close proximity to the enemy. The -Brigadier decided that, as the expected attack -had not been made, it would be best to send -these two battalions back to get their food, so -that on their return they would be prepared to -remain in the front trench, and meet any attack -that might come later in the day.</p> - -<p class='c005'>They had been gone hardly half-an-hour when -the Germans opened a very heavy fire, and in the -mist which was still clinging to the ground rifle-fire -was poured upon the Grenadiers from the -left rear. It was at once realised that the enemy -had managed to penetrate the line between the -two Divisions. To meet this enfilade fire the left -flank of the line turned back, and before long -the whole Battalion was forced to leave the fire -trenches and occupy the support trenches, which -were far too deep for the men to fire from.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major Stucley, the second in command, dashed -off at once with Captain Rasch, the Adjutant, to -bring up the King's Company, the only support -available. In place of the shell-fire, which had -practically ceased, there now arose a steady -rifle and machine-gun fire from the houses to -the left and even the left rear of the Battalion. -Swinging round to the left, the King's Company, -headed by Major Stucley, steadily advanced for -about two hundred yards, when it came to the -support trench occupied by <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 -Company. Major Stucley at once grasped the -gravity of the situation. The King's Company -had already suffered many casualties, as it came -<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>up across the open, and the enemy's machine-guns -were pouring a murderous fire into the other -two companies—<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company under Captain -Rennie still remained in the fire trenches on the -right. The problem was how, with three companies -and no reserve, to stop a force ten times -as numerous. The Germans had taken all the -houses near the Menin road, and the thin line -of Grenadiers, with their left turned back to face -the road, was all there was to stop the rush -of the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And indeed it was a formidable rush. They -came on in such numbers that an officer afterwards -said the attacking force reminded him -of a crowd coming on the ground after a football -match. Shoulder to shoulder they advanced, -much in the same way as their ancestors fought -under Frederick the Great, and though for -spectacular purposes at Grand Manoeuvres their -mass formations were very effective, in actual -warfare against modern weapons they proved to -be a costly failure.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The German General Staff had studied the -question of the attack with the usual German -thoroughness. It had carefully considered whether -it should adopt the formation evolved by the -British Army from the South African war or not, -and had come to the conclusion that the personal -equation played too large a part in an advance in -extended order, and that for a conscript army the -only possible formation was close order, in which -the small percentage of cowards would be carried -forward by the great majority of brave men. -Nevertheless, in spite of their solid phalanxes, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>it was said that the German officers advanced -with revolvers in their hands, to shoot men who -lagged behind.</p> - -<p class='c005'>For our men the difficulty was to shoot the -Germans quick enough. Ever since the South -African war the men had been taught to fire at -a little brown smudge on a green background -painted on the target, an artistic triumph of -the musketry authorities, supposed to represent -all that a man would be able to see of his -enemy in a modern battle. But here were full-length -Germans not a hundred yards off, alarmingly -visible, and in such numbers that even for -the worst shot there was not the slightest difficulty -in hitting them, especially as they were often -three or four deep. In spite of this, however, -the apparently hopeless impossibility of stopping -so many, and the futility of killing a few out of -such a crowd, made some of our men sometimes -shoot very wildly.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major Stucley disdained all cover and dashed -forward at the head of the King's Company, -determined to save the situation. In the hail -of bullets he fell shot through the head, and -soon afterwards Captain Lord Richard Wellesley -was killed in the same way. Major Weld-Forester, -Captain Ponsonby, and Lieutenant -the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. G. S.</abbr> Douglas-Pennant, who had -necessarily to expose themselves, were wounded. -Captain Ponsonby recovered, but Major Weld-Forester -and Lieutenant Douglas-Pennant died -two days later.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Finding it impossible to stay in the front -trench any longer, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company retired to the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>brickyard. Captain Rennie, who commanded -them, was never heard of again. Still the -Grenadiers held doggedly on to their support -trench for another hour, until it was found that -the Germans had got round their left and were -enfilading the whole trench. Bullets seemed to -be coming out of the mist from all directions, and -the enemy to be on every side. Captain Rasch, -who was now the only officer left above the rank -of lieutenant, decided to get out of the trench and -retire to the small wood near the brickyard. The -order was given, and the Grenadiers—what was -left of them—retired to the wood and formed up -on the other side.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the meantime the First Division on the -left, almost annihilated by superior numbers, -had been forced back. This made the position of -the Grenadiers still more untenable, but General -Capper was gathering together what reinforcements -he could to save the line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Seeing what straits the Grenadiers were in, -the Gordon Highlanders on the right sent what -reserves they had to help, and a company arrived -under Captain Burnett. The Grenadiers and -Gordons formed one line, and advanced gallantly, -but when they got near the wood they came under -the fire of a German machine-gun, which enfiladed -them. Undaunted by this bad start, and determined -to regain their former trenches, Captain -Rasch and Captain Burnett led their men on -through the wood. There was something particularly -gallant in the way this remnant of a battalion, -with one reinforcing company, was not content -to hold its own, but actually undertook a counter-attack -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>when it knew the enemy was in vastly -superior numbers. It was the men themselves, -inspired by the few remaining officers, that were -carrying out this counter-attack.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Back through the wood they went, and gained -the north side of the brickfields, but the Germans, -at first taken by surprise at this bold stroke, -rallied and drove them out. A second time our -men counter-attacked, and this time they forced -their way past the brickfields to a hedge running -parallel with the road. They got into the ditch -on the south side of the Menin road, and were -joined there by two platoons of the Gloucester -Regiment, which came up as a reinforcement. In -that ditch they remained till the order came to -retire. Captain Rasch and Lieutenant Pilcher -took their handful of men—all that remained out -of the splendid Battalion nearly 1000 strong, -which had marched out from Ypres less than a -fortnight before—and got into a trench some -three hundred yards east of the windmill.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Scots Guards meanwhile, supported by -the Queen's, were sent through the south of -Gheluvelt, and succeeded in driving the enemy -back and almost regaining the ground originally -held by the Grenadiers and Gordons. When -night fell, the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade was holding precisely -the same ground that it had occupied in the -morning.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There can be no doubt that the Germans were -completely deceived as to our strength, and that -what misled them was the more than gallant -manner in which the Grenadiers held on to the -trenches in the morning, and the almost reckless -<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>audacity with which the Grenadiers and Gordons -attacked later. The enemy was apparently -quite unaware how threadbare this part of the -line was. These continual counter-attacks gave -the impression that there must be large reserves -in rear, which made the Germans think it unwise -to push on. Had they only known that there -were no reserves at all, and that all that lay -between them and Ypres were just the remains -of a battalion, with hardly an officer or non-commissioned -officer left alive, the result of -the battle, and all that depended on it, would -undoubtedly have been very different.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The losses among the officers of the Grenadiers -were very heavy. Lieutenant-Colonel Earle was -severely wounded during the engagement, and, -while dressing his wounds, Lieutenant Butt, -R.A.M.C., was shot through the head. Colonel -Earle was afterwards reported to be lying in a -house some two hundred yards in rear of the -Battalion Headquarters dug-out. Several men -volunteered to carry him back, but as the enemy -were within a couple of hundred yards of the -house this would have meant certain death, not -only for the stretcher-bearers but for Colonel -Earle himself. So it was decided to leave him -where he was. The total list of casualties among -the officers of the Battalion was:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Earle, (Commanding Officer), wounded and prisoner.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> Stucley, (Second in Command), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. G.</abbr> Butt, (Medical Officer), killed.</div> - <div class='line'>Major the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. O. W. C.</abbr> Weld-Forester, (King's Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. L.</abbr> Aubrey-Fletcher, (King's Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. H.</abbr> Powell, (King's Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. O. R.</abbr> Kenyon Slaney, (King's Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. M. B.</abbr> Ponsonby. (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. E.</abbr> Hope, (Signalling Officer), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. S.</abbr> Lambert, (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain Lord Richard Wellesley, (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Rennie, (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company), missing, reported killed.</div> - <div class='line'>Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. G. S.</abbr> Douglas-Pennant, (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Van Neck, (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L. G.</abbr> Ames,(<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>L. R. V.</abbr> Colby, (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. E. K.</abbr> Leatham, (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Antrobus, (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>S.</abbr> Walter, (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>N. A. H.</abbr> Somerset, (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company), killed.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>That night the Battalion went into billets at -Hooge, half-way to Ypres, with only four officers -and a hundred men left, exclusive of transport. -The officers were Captain Rasch, Lieutenant -Pilcher, Second Lieutenant Darby, and Second -Lieutenant Sir <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Duckworth-King.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 30.</div> -<p class='c005'>Men who had been left in the trenches, not -knowing of the order to retire, kept arriving in -driblets during the night, and the strength of the -Battalion had risen by next morning to 250 men. -But, with most of the officers and <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s -killed or wounded, the whole machinery of the -Battalion had disappeared, and Captain Rasch -had to do what he could to reorganise the remnant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>into a fighting unit. Ruggles-Brise's Brigade—with -the exception of the Gordon Highlanders, -who had been ordered to report themselves to -General Bulfin—were placed in reserve to the -other two brigades of the Seventh Division.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Repeated attempts to penetrate the line were -made by the Germans throughout the day. -For each attack preparation was made by very -heavy shell-fire, and the ground in rear of our -forward line was thoroughly searched, apparently -with a view to harassing any reinforcements that -might be sent up to the firing line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Grenadiers had just settled down for the -night when the Battalion was ordered to fall -in and move off with the rest of the Brigade -to occupy a new defensive position. Later in -the war, when a battalion had been knocked to -pieces as the Grenadiers had been the day before, -it was picked out and given a rest, but in those -early days this was impossible, as every man was -continually wanted to check the renewed attacks -of fresh enemy troops. The Germans were constantly -throwing into the attack fresh battalions -at full strength, whereas in the British Army the -term "Battalion" meant two or three hundred -worn-out men who had been fighting daily for -the last ten days or so.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Eventually, after a long, circuitous march, -the Battalion was put into dug-outs in Brigade -Reserve at 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> Orders were received that -the First and Second Divisions, with the Cavalry -Brigade, were attacking the following day, and -that the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade was to remain in its position -until 6.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr>, when it was to leave one battalion -<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>in support of the left portion of the line, and -move the rest to a central position where it could -rapidly support any part of the line held by the -Seventh Division.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 31.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='thirty-first'>31st</abbr>, the day that Sir John French -described as the most critical in the whole battle -of Ypres, the remnant of the Seventh Division -was holding a line from the Ypres—Menin road, -in front of the cross-roads at Veldhoek, to a -point 500 yards north of Zandvoorde. At 1 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> -it was decided to push the Scots Guards and -Borderers up, and entrench them close behind the -left of the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Directly day broke the Germans began a -terrific shell-fire all along the front, and by 8 -o'clock shells were bursting ceaselessly on and -over the line. Towards noon word came that -the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> and <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigades had been shelled out -of their position and forced to retire. In rear of -the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Brigade the Scots Guards and Borderers -still held their line, and General Ruggles-Brise -himself led up the Grenadiers in prolongation of -this line, with the hope of stemming the German -advance.</p> - -<p class='c005'>This movement had to be carried out very -hurriedly, with no opportunity of reconnaissance, -and the Battalion lost rather heavily in -crossing the reverse slope of a hill in front of -gun position. When it had gained the ridge -through the woods, it was found that to be of any -use the Grenadiers would have to push forward, -and occupy the trenches vacated by the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> -Brigade. This they managed to do, in spite of -very heavy shell-fire, and three or four of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>most forward trenches on the right of the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> -and the left of the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigades were occupied -just in time to meet a portion of the German -attack, now being delivered on the Gheluvelt—Zandvoorde -frontage.</p> - -<p class='c005'>By the time it had reached and occupied -the trenches, the strength of the Battalion was -scarcely fifty of all ranks, and this handful of -men had to confront thousands of Germans, -with the additional handicap of having its -right flank exposed, as the enemy had gained -the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigade's trenches. It was fortunate -for us that the attack, wonderfully brave as the -Germans were, was apparently quite disjointed -and unorganised. No officers could be seen -leading the men, who advanced in dense masses -to within three hundred yards of the trenches, -and were simply mown down by the fire of the -Grenadiers.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Things now seemed to be going better for us, -when suddenly the right-hand trench reported -that the Germans were streaming through a -wood, and, crossing the Veldhoek—Zandvoorde -road, were working their way immediately to our -rear. All our reserves had been used up by this -time, and the only thing to do was to hang on -somehow till nightfall, sending word at once to -the Division of what had happened. As no -communication had been established since the -re-occupation of the trenches, Captain Brooke, -the Staff Captain on the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade Staff, who -had come up to see how things were, got out of -the trench and, finding a loose horse, galloped -off, and told General Capper. General Capper -<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>went off to ask General Bulfin for help, but -already the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards Brigade—which included -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers—was advancing to -make a counter-attack through the wood.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When he got back to the Grenadiers in their -trenches, Captain Brooke was surprised to find -them still holding their own and quite happy. -They were successfully beating off repeated -German attacks to their front. The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards -Brigade evicted the enemy from the wood, and -it was then decided to withdraw the Grenadiers, -the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Brigade being ordered to take over their -trenches.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Thus ended one of the most desperate days of -fighting in the whole war. As has been already -said, it seems incredible that the Germans, with -their vast numbers of men and their great superiority -in guns, should not have broken through -the line. They were very near doing it; indeed, -so critical did the situation become at one time, -that General Capper issued a provisional order -that, if the line became untenable, the Brigade -was to fall back on a new line extending from one -mile east of Zillebeke to the fifth kilo on the -Ypres—Menin road.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As the Battalion marched back with the -Scots Guards, two guns were seen in the rear -of the trenches, standing all by themselves. It -looked at first as if they had been abandoned. -But closer inspection showed that every single -man and horse of the team was there—dead. -The gunners had remained gallantly at their -posts to the last. Men from the Grenadiers, -the Scots Guards, and the Bedford Regiment -<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>were sent to rescue the guns, and bring them to -a place of safety.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Grenadiers returned to the shelters at the -Château Herenthage, which they had occupied -during the morning. There the officers found -that their shelter had during their absence been -blown to pieces by a high-explosive shell, and it -was plain that, had they remained in reserve that -day, there would have been no officers left at -all in the Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The action of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers on -this day was afterwards described by the <abbr class='spell'>G.O.C.</abbr> -Seventh Division in his report as mainly instrumental -in restoring the battle south of the Ypres—Menin -road.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The total strength of the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade was now -reduced to 18 officers and 920 men, constituted as -follows: the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers, 5 officers -(the four previously mentioned and the transport -officer, Lieutenant Mackenzie) and 200 men, -commanded by Captain Rasch; the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Scots Guards, 5 officers and 250 men, commanded -by Captain Paynter; the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Border -Regiment, 5 officers and 270 men, commanded -by Captain Warren; and the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Gordon Highlanders, -3 officers and 200 men, commanded -by Lieutenant Hamilton.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Nov. 1.</div> -<p class='c005'>Very heavy shell-fire opened the morning of -November 1. One high-explosive shell stripped -off the whole back of the house occupied by the -Brigade Headquarters, which was thereupon -moved to shelters in the Château Herenthage -wood. An infantry attack followed, but it was -only feeble, and the Grenadiers remained in a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>wood south of Herenthage in Brigade Reserve. -There they prepared a second line of fire-trenches, -and improved the existing dug-outs, while the -wood was shelled at intervals with high explosives.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 2.</div> -<p class='c005'>The brunt of the attack at that part of the -line was borne next day by the Border Regiment, -which held on to its trenches so gallantly and unflinchingly, -in spite of a murderous enfilade fire, -that it received a special message from General -Capper. In the evening it was relieved by the -Grenadiers. During the heavy shell-fire, with -which the enemy searched the ground in rear of -our trenches, General Ruggles-Brise was severely -wounded, and Major A. Cator, the Brigade-Major, -took over command of the Brigade.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 3.</div> -<p class='c005'>The men had now managed to put out a little -wire in front, and it seemed unlikely that the -Germans would be able to make much impression -on the line. The trenches, which were good and -continuous, were held by the Grenadiers on the -right and the Scots Guards on the left. There -was a weak spot on the right of the Grenadiers -near the wood, but this was well covered by the -Gordon Highlanders in rear.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the afternoon of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr>, the Scots Guards -reported the enemy to be massing in the woods -in front of them, while parties were observed -moving towards our right, and our guns turned -a heavy fire on to them. Though no attack -developed, a few parties of the enemy advanced -in a half-hearted way, more as if they were -carrying out a reconnaissance. The Brigade -suffered some casualties during the day from shells -and snipers, and Lieutenant Sir <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Duckworth-King, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>who had almost miraculously come unhurt -through the last ten days' fighting, was at last -wounded.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 4.</div> -<p class='c005'>A draft of 100 men under Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Mitchell -arrived next day, and considerably added to the -strength of the Battalion. There was a great -deal of indiscriminate shelling and sniping, and -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G. E.</abbr> Hope was wounded in the head -by a sniper.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 5.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> there was heavy shell-fire as usual, -and some trenches were blown in. The <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> -Brigade was relieved on that day by the <abbr title='seventh'>7th</abbr> -Brigade, and marched through Ypres, which was -being shelled as far as Locre. The men found -the march very fatiguing, for they had had little -sleep for many days, and had been digging or -fighting all the previous night. Owing to the -incessant shell-fire, it had been found impossible -to organise the Battalion into any recognised -formation during the period from October 29 -to November 5. If fifty men were wanted for -the trenches, some one had to go round the dug-outs -and collect them. There was no company, -platoon, or even sectional organisation. In spite -of this everything went well, a result due to -the splendid spirit shown by the men themselves.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 6.</div> -<p class='c005'>At daybreak the Brigade reached Locre, weary -with the long march, but very glad to get away -from the constant roar of shells and rifle-fire. -As every available house and shed was already -occupied by the French, the church was opened -and the Grenadiers and part of the Scots Guards -billeted there. The march was resumed in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>afternoon through Bailleul to Meteren, where the -Brigade went into billets.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Grenadiers were now reorganised into a -single Company as follows:</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>HEADQUARTERS</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Officer Commanding and Adjutant, Captain <span class='sc'>Rasch</span>.</div> - <div class='line'>Quartermaster, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <span class='sc'>J. Teece</span>.</div> - <div class='line'>The King's Company, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord <span class='sc'>Claud Hamilton</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Platoon, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <span class='sc'>Mitchell</span>.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Platoon, <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <span class='sc'><abbr class='spell'>M. A. A.</abbr> Darby</span>.</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Platoon, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <span class='sc'><abbr class='spell'>W. R.</abbr> Mackenzie</span>, (Transport Officer).</div> - <div class='line in4'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Platoon, Sergeant <span class='sc'><abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Jones</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Company Sergeant-Major, Drill-Sergeant <span class='sc'><abbr class='spell'>J. L.</abbr> Capper</span>.</div> - <div class='line'>Company <abbr class='spell'>Q.-M.</abbr> Sergeant, Colour-Sergeant <span class='sc'><abbr class='spell'>T. W.</abbr> Brown</span>.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 7-8.</div> -<p class='c005'>On November 7 the Battalion did an hour's -steady drill. There was something very fine -and at the same time pathetic in the remnants -of this decimated Battalion going through -their drill with the determination to maintain -the high standard of discipline no matter how -small their numbers might be. Next day the -whole Brigade attended divine service for the first -time since they had left England, and as there was -no chaplain, the Brigadier, Major Cator, read the -service. In the afternoon the Brigade was drawn -up in square facing inwards, and General Capper -addressed it. He expressed his admiration of -the way in which it had fought round Ypres, -and told the men that they had upheld the -splendid traditions of their regiments.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>The fact that the flower of the German Army -was defeated by the British Expeditionary -Force, that is to say, the original army that -existed before the war, will always make the -first battle of Ypres particularly interesting to -students of military history. Although it can -hardly be claimed as a decisive victory, there -is small doubt that the result influenced the -whole course of the war, for had the Germans, -when they turned their whole strength on Ypres, -been able to force their way to the coast, the -subsequent operations of the British Army would -have been considerably affected.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Two battalions of the Grenadiers fought at -Ypres, and each covered itself with imperishable -glory. Never before in the long history of the -regiment had so many casualties befallen them in -a single action; never before had so large a force -of the Grenadiers been almost annihilated.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Each battalion had gone into battle with a -great reputation to maintain—a reputation won -in centuries of fighting, carried forward in almost -every campaign in which the British Army has -taken part, and all the officers and men were fully -conscious of their responsibility. Old Grenadiers -well knew that every nerve would be strained -to uphold the traditions of the regiment; but -no one dared to hope that the illustrious past -could be enhanced, and that these two battalions -of the regiment would increase their fame in -divisions in which every battalion distinguished -itself.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The part taken by the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion in the -defence of Ypres, when with the Seventh Division -<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>they repelled attacks from forces eight times their -number, will ever remain a precious memory to -be handed down to future generations.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major-General Sir Henry Rawlinson, in an -order which he issued to the Seventh Division, -said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>After the deprivations and tension of being pursued -day and night by an infinitely stronger force, the Division -had to pass through the worst ordeal of all. It was left -to a little force of 30,000 to keep the German Army at -bay while the other British Corps were being brought -up from the Aisne. Here they clung on like grim death -with almost every man in the trenches, holding a line -which of necessity was a great deal too long—a thin -exhausted line—against which the prime of the German -first-line troops were hurling themselves with fury. The -odds against them were eight to one, and when once the -enemy found the range of a trench, the shells dropped -into it from one end to the other with terrible effect. -Yet the men stood firm and defended Ypres in such a -manner that a German officer afterwards described their -action as a brilliant feat of arms, and said that they -were under the impression that there had been four -British Army Corps against them at this point. When -the Division was afterwards withdrawn from the firing -line to refit, it was found that out of 400 officers who set -out from England there were only 44 left, and out of -12,000 men only 2336.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Major-General Capper, in a report on the -<abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers, which he sent later to -<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-General Pulteney, commanding the Fourth -Corps, wrote as follows:</p> - -<p class='c009'>This Battalion fought with the utmost tenacity and -determination in a most exposed position at Kruiseik -in front of Ypres, being subjected to an almost ceaseless -heavy artillery fire and repeated attacks by the enemy -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>for a week. Owing to the length of front to be held, no -relief could be found for troops in the trenches. During -this fighting Major Colby's Company of this Battalion -counter-attacked the enemy, who had almost successfully -attacked the line. In the counter-attack this Company -lost four officers killed and wounded, only one officer -and forty-five men returning unhurt, but this Company -succeeded in driving back a very much larger hostile -force. This Battalion lost very heavily in the three -weeks' fighting before Ypres. I consider that the -resolution and gallantry of this Battalion, obliged -to take its share in holding a height which was the -pivot of all the operations in this part of the field, -was most noble and devoted and worthy of its highest -traditions.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Later on, in the same operations, though weakened -in numbers, and with few officers, the Battalion exhibited -gallantry in a counter-attack near Gheluvelt, where it -was mainly instrumental in restoring the battle south of -the main Ypres—Menin road; and subsequently the -same tenacity as it had shown at Kruiseik in holding a -very difficult and exposed part of the Brigade line in -the final position in front of Ypres.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The Battalion remained at Meteren until the -<abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr>, and spent most of its time in reorganising -and re-equipping. On the 10th a draft of 401 -men arrived with the following officers: Major -<abbr class='spell'>G. W.</abbr> Duberly, Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Lygon, -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>E. S.</abbr> Ward, and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. A. V.</abbr> -Sykes; and on the <abbr title='eleventh'>11th</abbr>, 133 men originally intended -for the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion arrived from the -Base Camp under Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. L.</abbr> Blundell-Hollinshead-Blundell -and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. V.</abbr> Fisher-Rowe. -These additions brought the strength of -the Battalion almost to its usual proportions.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile Field-Marshal Sir John French had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>visited the Brigade, and saw the remnants of -the battalions which had formed the original -Seventh Division. He congratulated both officers -and men on the fine work they had done round -Ypres.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span> - <h2 id='chap07' class='c003'>CHAPTER VII <br /> THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES (<abbr title='SECOND'>2ND</abbr> BATTALION)</h2> -</div> -<div id='map09' class='figcenter id005'> -<img src='images/map09.jpg' alt='The Grenadier Guards at Ypres.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>The Grenadier Guards at Ypres.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> <abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 1914.</div> -<p class='c005'>Having completed its detrainment, the First -Corps, under Sir Douglas Haig, was concentrated -between <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Omer and Hazebrouck. Sir John -French had now to make up his mind whether he -would use it to strengthen his line, which was -much longer than his numbers warranted, or -send it to the north of Ypres. He decided -that the greatest danger was that the Germans -might carry out a wide turning movement on -his left flank, and he sent the Corps north of -Ypres accordingly. The French cavalry were to -operate on Sir Douglas Haig's left, and the Third -Cavalry Division, under General Byng, on his -right.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 15-20.</div> -<p class='c005'>After two nights in billets at Hazebrouck, -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion marched on the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> to -Boeschepe. Two days afterwards arrived Captain -<abbr class='spell'>M. E.</abbr> Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, Captain -<abbr class='spell'>R. H. V.</abbr> Cavendish, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>J. S.</abbr> -Hughes, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>I.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Rose, and Captain -<abbr class='spell'>C. R.</abbr> Champion de Crespigny, who was appointed -Staff Captain to the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The officers of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion were now as -follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>W. R. A.</abbr> Smith, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. D.</abbr> Jeffreys, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. J. L.</abbr> Pike, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. W.</abbr> Tufnell, Machine-gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. K. S.</abbr> Cunninghame, Transport Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. H.</abbr> Skidmore, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. C.</abbr> Hamilton, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Symes-Thompson, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. S.</abbr> Hughes, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. R.</abbr> Bailey, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Major Lord Bernard Gordon-Lennox, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>I.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Rose, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. M. C.</abbr> Dowling, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. W. J. M.</abbr> Miller, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. G. H.</abbr> Powell, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. H. V.</abbr> Cavendish, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord Congleton, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. G.</abbr> Marshall, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. R.</abbr> Gerard, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. E.</abbr> Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. D.</abbr> Ridley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. G.</abbr> Beaumont-Nesbitt, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. G.</abbr> Stocks, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>It was a cold raw morning on the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr>, when -the Battalion marched at 5 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> to <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Jean, a -small village to the north of Ypres, where it -was ordered to take up an entrenched position, -with the Coldstream on the right, and the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> -Brigade on the left. Matters were complicated -by the fact that the French looked upon this -part of the line as theirs. However, eventually -matters were arranged, and British and French -troops settled down together to a pouring wet -night.</p> - -<div id='fig1' class='figcenter id006'> -<img src='images/fig1.jpg' alt='Lieutenant-Colonel W.R.A. Smith C.M.G. Commanding 2nd Battalion. Died of wounds received at Festubert 19 May 1915.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Lieutenant-Colonel W.R.A. Smith C.M.G. Commanding <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion. Died of wounds received at Festubert 19 May 1915.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 21.</div> -<p class='c005'>There was another move next morning. The -Battalion assembled at 5.30, and marched to a -position near Hanebeek Brook, about two miles -<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>west of Zonnebeke, where the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade concentrated. -Then the whole Brigade advanced -about half a mile towards Passchendaele with the -<abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream on the left, and the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream on the right—each -battalion having two companies in the firing line, -and the rest in support, while the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers was in reserve.</p> - -<p class='c005'>About 2.30 Lord Cavan, finding that the two -Coldstream battalions had drifted somewhat -apart, ordered up the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -into the centre of the line. As they made their way -across ploughed fields, they came in for a great deal -of unaimed rifle-fire, but suffered very little loss.</p> - -<p class='c005'>About 400 to 500 yards east of Zonnebeke—Langemarck -road the three battalions dug themselves -in for the night, since news had been -received that large German forces were advancing -through Houthulst Forest. Before long the sky -was lit up in all directions by the farms which -the enemy was burning. By this illumination -the Germans attempted a counter-attack, and -came on shouting, "Don't fire, we are the Coldstream." -It was characteristic of the German -thoroughness of method to master this regimental -idiosyncrasy, and say Coldstream and not Coldstreams. -But the Battalion had not fought for -two months without learning the enemy's tricks, -and as spiked helmets could be distinctly seen -against the glow of the burning farms, they fired -right into the middle of the Germans, who hastily -retired.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 22-23.</div> -<p class='c005'>Before daylight next morning the companies -in the firing line were relieved by those in support. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>The whole Brigade then set itself to improving -the trenches and consolidating the position. It -turned out that on the left the First Division had -been held up, while on the right the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigade -was in a tight place. Consequently the situation -was distinctly uncomfortable. The trenches, -composed of isolated holes which held two or -three men apiece, were exposed from the left -to enfilade fire, but there the Battalion had -to remain for two days, shelled intermittently. -They suffered many casualties. While making -his way down the firing line, Captain Maitland -was forced to walk a great deal in the open, -and was wounded in the head by a sniper, who -succeeded in hitting several other men. In -the evening Lieutenant Donald Miller, who had -come out originally with the Battalion, and had -fought all through the retreat, was killed by a -high-explosive shell.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 24.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> the Second Division got orders -to take up the ground occupied by the Seventh -Division, from Poezelhoek to the Becelaere—Passchendaele -road, and the First Division was -relieved by French Territorial troops, and concentrated -about Zillebeke.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At the same time the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade was relieved -by a Brigade from the Sixth French Army under -General Moussy, and the men of the Grenadiers -watched the French attack Passchendaele with -much interest. Though the attack was met with -a heavy artillery and rifle fire, and made but -little progress, the personal gallantry of General -Moussy himself and his staff, who exposed themselves -freely while close up to the front trenches, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>made a great impression on all the officers -and men of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion. After dark this -French Brigade took over the trenches, and the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers moved back about two -miles to a farm, where the men managed to snatch -a couple of hours' sleep. At 5.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> it started -off again, and after a circuitous march of about -six miles reached Eksternest, where it formed -the reserve of the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade. Here, at last, it -had a thorough rest in barns, outhouses, and elsewhere, -with plenty of straw to lie on, while a fowl-house -constituted <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company Headquarters.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 25.</div> -<p class='c005'>The Battalion paraded, much refreshed, at -6.30 next morning, but did not move off till 9. -It advanced towards the Six Cross Roads, and -halted behind Polygon Wood. In the afternoon -it was ordered to attack the enemy's position -near Reutel, passing over the trenches held by -the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Brigade, while the Irish Guards were to -advance on the same position from the north-west. -The Orders were:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The attack will begin at 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards Brigade -will have for its objective the Reutel Spur. The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion Irish Guards will commence its advance at -once as far as the line of trenches now held by the -<abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Brigade. At 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> its scouts will pass that line, and -the battalion will endeavour to establish itself in such -a position that it can by its fire materially assist the -main attack which will be delivered from the south and -south-west.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Grenadiers will work round the stream -at once as verbally ordered until their right reaches a -point one company's length beyond the forks of the -two streams. At 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> it will be prepared to attack -the <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> of Reutel from <abbr class='spell'>S.W.</abbr> During this operation -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers will specially detail a -half company to protect its right. The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream will follow the Grenadiers and act in close -support of them. They must also give special orders -about their right flank. The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream -will be in reserve in a covered position at Six Cross -Roads. It is quite understood that the time is short, -but this operation must be carefully carried out without -hurry. Brigade Headquarters will be at Six Cross Roads -at 2.45 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr></p> - -<p class='c011'>Advancing in artillery formation, the Battalion -came in for a great deal of rifle-fire, but fortunately -no shells. Major Lord Bernard Lennox had -taken advantage of the halt in the morning to -reconnoitre the line of advance thoroughly, and -was able to lead the companies to their destinations. -There was no great difficulty in reaching -the trenches, but when the Battalion advanced -another 150 yards it came under a very heavy -cross-fire; only one platoon of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company -actually crossed the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Brigade trenches. The -other companies were held up before they reached -the firing line. The Bedfords on the right, unable -to carry on the advance, retired again to the -trenches, and the Irish Guards on the left were -also held up.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Darkness was now coming on, and it seemed -madness to attempt to take a strong position in -a thick wood where no one knew precisely the -position of the trenches, or how strongly they -were held. So <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith directed -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company to fall back and take over a -trench from the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, -with the Highland Light Infantry on the left -and the Royal Scots Fusiliers on the right. A -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>platoon of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company was added to the -right of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2. Its position was along the front -edge of the private grounds of a fine château, -which was then intact.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Three times during the night, which was very -dark and windy and rainy, the Germans attacked—at -9 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr>, at midnight, and at 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> But the -position was fairly secure, and each time they -retired. It is doubtful whether they ever intended -to press the attack home, and possibly they were -only trying to locate the exact position of our -trenches—not a very difficult task, as they were -but 300 yards off.</p> - -<p class='c005'>That evening the following message was received -from Sir John French:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief wishes once -more to make it known to the troops under his command -how deeply he appreciates the bravery and endurance -which they have again displayed since their arrival in -the northern theatre of war. In circulating the official -information which records the splendid victory of our -Russian Allies, he would remind the troops that the -enemy must before long withdraw troops to the East -and relieve the tension on our front. He feels it is quite -unnecessary to urge officers, <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s, and men to make -a determined effort and drive the enemy over the -frontier.</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 26.</div> -<p class='c005'>Digging started with a will in the trenches -early next morning. It had come to be a regular -habit with the battalions which had been through -those first months of the war, at once to dig themselves -in deep in any new position, no matter -how soon they might have to move on. They -had learned by experience that the labour was -well worth while. On this occasion the trouble -<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>was that the deeper the men dug the wetter the -ground became, and soon they were up to their -ankles in mud. But the sun came out about -mid-day, and helped to dry up the ground.</p> - -<p class='c005'>No regular attack was made that day, though -there was constant shelling, and the Battalion -therefore had comparatively few casualties. -German snipers were very busy, but did little -damage; our men took every opportunity of -retaliating; and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>I.</abbr> Rose was reported -to have been particularly successful in -accounting for the enemy marksmen. The -howitzers paid less attention to the trenches than -to the Château. On this unfortunate building -the high-explosive shells dropped with monotonous -regularity, but the little tower still remained -standing. The Battalion Headquarters, which -were behind the Château, had a decidedly warm -time, getting the benefit not only of the shells -from the howitzers, but of all the stray bullets -that went wide of the trenches.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 27.</div> -<p class='c005'>Most of the next day was spent in mending -the line and consolidating the position, for there -were weak spots, which the Divisional Staff -discovered, usually between Brigades. Barbed -wire was now to be had, and orders were issued -for entanglements to be put up in front of each -trench. In the afternoon the companies of the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers in reserve were sent -to take over the trenches of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream, and to stay there until they were -relieved by the Black Watch at midnight. Both -these reliefs were carried out successfully and -without any casualties, though the task was by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>no means easy, owing to the thickness of the -wood and consequent bad communications.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Sir John French had now placed what remained -of the Seventh Division and the Third Cavalry -Division under the orders of Sir Douglas Haig, -who redistributed the line thus:</p> - -<p class='c005'>(<abbr class='spell'>A</abbr>) The Seventh Division from the Château -east of Zandvoorde to the Menin road.</p> - -<p class='c005'>(<abbr class='spell'>B</abbr>) The First Division from the Menin road -to a point immediately west of Reutel village.</p> - -<p class='c005'>(<abbr class='spell'>C</abbr>) The Second Division to near the Moorslede—Zonnebeke -road.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 28.</div> -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers now moved back -about a mile to Nonne-Bosschen Wood, and -having slept there returned the next morning -under howitzer fire across two fields to the -northern edge of Polygon Wood, where it -remained until the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade passed through -it to attack Reutel Ridge. Then it moved -forward in support, and dug in round a farm. -Before it had gone far the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade was -fiercely attacked, and succeeded in driving the -enemy off with some loss, though unable to advance -farther itself. The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade was not -wanted, and spent a quiet afternoon near the -Farm—"quiet" in this case being a comparative -term, denoting that they were not directly under -fire, for our own howitzers were only twenty -yards off, and kept firing ear-splitting salvos all -day.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 29.</div> -<p class='c005'>Having received orders the night before to -be ready at a moment's notice, the Battalion was -under arms soon after dawn next day. But it -was not until much later that it got instructions -<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>to move to the other side of the Racecourse -Wood, and entrench a position almost at right -angles to the line of trenches in front. It turned -out that the Seventh Division on the right had -been driven back, and though most of the ground -had been regained there was still a risk of the -Germans pushing through. Meanwhile, Captain -Ridley was ordered to take <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company, -and support the Cameron Highlanders near the -Château. He sent up two platoons into the -trenches on their right, and kept the rest in -support. They came in for a good deal of shell-fire, -but were not seriously attacked.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 30.</div> -<p class='c005'>Except for <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company the Battalion was -in Corps Reserve next day with the Irish Guards, -while the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> and <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalions Coldstream -were in the trenches. But about 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> the -Brigadier, Lord Cavan, got news that there had -been a serious break in the line about two miles -to the right, <abbr class='spell'><i>i.e.</i></abbr> the south, and was instructed to -send up the battalions, which he had in reserve, -to report to General Bulfin, commanding the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lord Cavan went himself to see General -Bulfin at his Headquarters, and was directed to -despatch these battalions southwards to protect -the right flank of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Brigade. Accordingly -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers, Irish Guards, and -Oxfordshire Light Infantry marched off from -Polygon Wood towards Klein Zillebeke, and -Captain Ridley was ordered to withdraw <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 -Company and join the remainder of the Battalion -as it moved off. The orders given to <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith were to reinforce the cavalry, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>which was holding a line very lightly north of the -Château de Hollebeke.</p> - -<p class='c005'>By dusk these battalions were astride of -the Klein Zillebeke—Zandvoorde road, the -Grenadiers on the right and the Irish Guards on -the left, with their left thrown forward a little, to -keep touch with the right of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Brigade. -Lord Cavan went on ahead with his Staff, to see -that the whole line was made continuous. On -going forward to inspect the position which the -cavalry was holding, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith found -that it was on a forward slope, which seemed -to him untenable, and he thought this a good -opportunity for making a fresh disposition. -So he arranged with the cavalry that it should -continue to hold its line, while the Battalion dug -in, in its rear. A new line, which consisted as -usual of a series of deep narrow holes with no -parapet, was accordingly made, with the right on -the railway, and the left on the Klein Zillebeke -road.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major Lord Bernard Lennox with <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 -Company was on the right, Major Hamilton -with <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 in the centre, and Captain Powell -with <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 on the left; one platoon from <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 -under Sergeant Hutchings was posted on the Klein -Zillebeke road; and the rest of the company went -to Battalion Headquarters, north-west of the -wood between the railway and Klein Zillebeke. -Supplies and ammunition were brought up, and -by 1 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> the Battalion was well dug in. The -cavalry then withdrew from the trenches in -front and retired. Meanwhile the Irish Guards -had dug trenches, prolonging the line to the left.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 31.</div> -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>Sir John French in his despatch describes the -afternoon of October 31 as the most critical -moment in the whole battle. By sheer weight -of numbers the Germans endeavoured to break -through the line, and their immense superiority -in guns encouraged them to hope that they would -be able to beat down any opposition. The -greater part of the Second Division was still on -the Moorslede—Zonnebeke road, on the left of the -First Division, while the three battalions detached -under Lord Cavan remained on their new line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After a long wet night in the trenches, the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Grenadiers were to have a still longer day's -fighting—a day, too, in which they were most -of the time "holding on by their eyelids." As -soon as day dawned, they were deluged by a -rain of shells, to which our artillery could make -no sort of reply. Some troops of the French Ninth -Corps tried to advance through the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers and Irish Guards, and attack the -enemy's position, but the shell-fire was so intense -that they never succeeded in getting beyond the -line of trenches. Most of them took refuge in -the trenches, while some dug new ones.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The shells came crashing through the trees -continuously, and <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith decided -to move the Battalion Headquarters back about -one hundred yards. Particularly violent was the -bombardment of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company, of which the -trenches, being near the railway, were no doubt -easily located by the enemy's artillery, directed -with deadly effect by a captive balloon. Two -high-explosive shells landed in one trench, and -killed and buried a number of men. Lieutenant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>Rose had a marvellous escape. He was actually -buried, but was dug out just in time. Major -Lord Bernard Lennox wisely withdrew part of his -company into the support trenches for a time, -and no doubt thus saved many lives.</p> - -<p class='c005'>About 11 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> Lord Cavan sent the following -message:</p> - -<p class='c009'>Keep on repairing your trenches. If any quiet -intervals, begin communication trenches zigzag to your -rear, so that to-morrow infantry can keep out of main -trench during heavy shelling hours and easily man it -when required. Can you possibly push an Observation -Post forward to any point from which it could see and -report?</p> - -<p class='c011'>It looked as if the Germans were going to -attack this part of the position about mid-day, -but eventually they moved northward. Early -in the afternoon <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith received -a message from Lord Cavan that the enemy -had broken through the line to the left of the -Irish Guards. Soon afterwards came this further -message:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The situation is extremely critical. You are to hold -your ground at all costs. Sir Douglas Haig relies on the -Grenadiers to save the First Corps and possibly the -Army.</p> - -<p class='c011'>After such a call as that, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith -at once determined to put every available rifle -in the trenches. The few men that still remained -in reserve were accordingly sent up to the front -trenches. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company was very much extended, -although a platoon from <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 had already -been sent to support it. Captain Powell sent a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>message to say that he might not be able to stay -without more support, and Colonel Smith replied -that he must hold on at all cost. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith then reported the measures he had taken -to Lord Cavan, who replied:</p> - -<p class='c009'>Splendid. Hang on like grim death. You may yet -save the Army.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It was undoubtedly a case of hanging on, while -this terrific bombardment continued, but the -Grenadiers had not wasted their time the night -before, and had dug themselves in deep. It was -to their good digging that <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith -afterwards ascribed the fact that they never gave -an inch, although it was certainly an advantage -to them that the position was partly concealed -owing to the nature of the ground. The enemy -plastered the whole locality with shells, but only -in a few cases were they able to locate the actual -position of the trenches. The Germans were -reported meanwhile to have driven back the -First Division from Gheluvelt, thus exposing the -left flank of the Seventh Division. The Headquarters -of the First and Second Divisions had -been shelled, General Lomax had been mortally -wounded, and several Staff Officers killed. Such -heavy casualties among the Staff, in the middle -of a battle, naturally dislocated the machinery of -the Higher Commands. However, about 2 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> -Lord Cavan sent word that the situation was -easier, and that he was sending up the Oxfordshire -Light Infantry on the left of the Irish -Guards.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Constant anxiety had been felt about the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>right of the position occupied by the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers. A high railway embankment, beyond -which was a small wood, made it very difficult -to keep up communication, especially when the -shelling was so severe, and <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith -sent a message to Lord Bernard Lennox: "Is -your right still in touch with <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Hussars? -Brigadier pressing for a reply." To which Lord -Bernard answered, "Yes."</p> - -<p class='c005'>At 2.40 <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith sent the following -request to the Headquarters of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> -Brigade:</p> - -<p class='c009'>Wood just short of <abbr class='spell'>D E</abbr> near Canal is full of Germans, -also Château de Hollebeke. Can you turn on guns, -please? My advance posts have been driven in.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The Canal was dry, and formed no obstacle; -and though there were a few British cavalry this -side of the embankment, they were not enough -to stop an attack. The French were said to be -coming up to strengthen this part of the line, but -they did not arrive. Of all this fortunately the -Germans knew nothing, and instead of attacking -this weak spot, they directed their energies to -the centre of the section of the line held by the -Grenadiers.</p> - -<p class='c005'>About 3 o'clock the enemy advanced in force -through the wood near the railway, but was -met with such a withering fire from <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 -Company that he did not succeed in getting -very far. An hour later Lord Cavan sent this -message:</p> - -<p class='c009'>Well done. If absolutely forced back, retire as on -parade with your proper right, that is your left retiring, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>on line of railway. Put up the best fight you can on -edge of wood.</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 1.</div> -<p class='c005'>There was no need to retire, however, although -there was one moment at which the situation -seemed critical, for the Germans brought up -some field-guns, and plastered the trenches with -every conceivable kind of shell.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The shelling stopped shortly after dark, and -the men were able at last to look out over their -trenches, and survey the scene by the lights of a -farm which was blazing in the centre of the line. -They saw a spectacle, which later on grew more -and more familiar. What had once been a field -was now a mass of trenches; the whole place had -been ploughed up by shells, and the hedges were -all torn up and burnt and blown to bits.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 1.</div> -<p class='c005'>During the night the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -was relieved by a regiment from the French -Sixteenth Corps, and retired at 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> to the rear -of Zwarteleen, where the men thought they were -going to get some rest, but before very long they -were on the move again. Sir Douglas Haig had -sent a message which Lord Cavan circulated as -follows:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The German Emperor will arrive in the field to-day -to conduct operations against the British Army. The -<abbr class='spell'>G.O.C.</abbr> First Corps calls upon all ranks once more to -repeat their magnificent efforts and to show him what -British soldiers really are.</p> - -<p class='c011'>All the enemy's efforts were now concentrated -on smashing the left of the Irish Guards' trenches -with high-explosive shells, and firing with wonderful -accuracy they gradually blew the trench -in bit by bit, and knocked out their machine-guns. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>At 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> Lord Cavan heard a report -that the Irish Guards were retiring, and that they -had only about 200 men left. He sent orders at -once that they were at all costs to hold on to the -wood 200 yards in rear of their old line. The -French were told to stay where they were, as in -the event of a withdrawal the whole British line -was to pivot on them on the elbow of the Canal. -The highest praise was afterwards given by the -British Generals to the French for the way in -which they held their trenches all day, in spite of -the fact that their left was in the air.</p> - -<p class='c005'>An urgent appeal for help now reached Lord -Cavan from one of the Corps Staff, stating that -the Northamptonshire Regiment was being driven -back and needed support. The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers was immediately sent off with orders -to report itself to General Bulfin, who was to be -found in a wood three-quarters of a mile south-west -of Herenthage. But by the time the -Battalion arrived there General Bulfin had been -wounded, and <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith could not -find out what it was he was expected to do.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the meantime Lord Cavan received orders -to assume command of the whole section from -the east edge of the wood to the French left. In -these strenuous days it was no uncommon thing -for an officer to be told in the middle of a battle -to take over command of a force during a difficult -operation—a war ordeal, for which peace training -had supplied no practice. To take over the command -of a Division is no easy matter at any time, -but to do it at a critical moment, with heavy fighting -going on, demands a man of more than ordinary -<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>capacity. Lord Cavan galloped up with his Brigade-Major, -Major the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. P.</abbr> Hore-Ruthven; -on arrival at General Bulfin's Headquarters he -found that everything had been momentarily -disorganised by the sudden departure of the -wounded General. Officers of all sorts were asking -for orders. The Germans were breaking through. -Perplexing problems of every description were -submitted for instant solution. Shells were falling -in the immediate neighbourhood of the Divisional -Headquarters. Very slowly Lord Cavan drew -out his cigar-case, and having carefully selected -a cigar, proceeded to light it, turning it round -to see that it was evenly lighted. This had a -wonderful effect on all present, for it not only -enabled Lord Cavan himself to concentrate his -thoughts on the problem, and to see clearly the -most pressing needs of the moment, but it also -inspired all the officers with confidence. As a -Staff Officer, who was present, said afterwards, -that cigar saved the situation.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the left the Sussex Regiment was in touch -with the Seventh Division, and stood firm. The -Northamptonshire Regiment, Gordon Highlanders, -and Oxfordshire Light Infantry had all been -pressed back from their advanced trenches, -though the enemy had not got beyond them. -Lord Cavan at once ordered the Grenadiers to -leave their packs at the farm in the rear of the -Brown Road, and to clear the wood south-east of -that road at the point of the bayonet.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Thereupon <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith launched the -Battalion with fixed bayonets into the wood. It -was very thick in places, and there was always a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>risk of some company getting lost. The Germans, -it was found, had left the wood, but only recently, -as was evident from the number of dead. That -the difficult manoeuvre, entrusted to the Battalion, -was carried out most successfully was due to the -excellent manner in which the four Captains led -their men. One platoon of Major Hamilton's -company, which went beyond the wood and was -enfiladed by machine-guns, had to remain under -cover of a bank till dark, when it retired and -joined the main line. With this exception the -companies—<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 under Major Hamilton, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 -under Lord Bernard Lennox, and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 under -Captain Powell—all managed to reach the edge -of the wood in perfect order. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 under -Captain Ridley was in support.</p> - -<p class='c005'>This advance had the excellent effect of -establishing confidence. Lord Cavan was able -to reorganise the line of defence for the night, -and, by blunting the salients of the wood facing -south-east, to reduce the garrison. The result was -that he withdrew two battalions—one, the Sussex -Regiment, was placed in reserve; the other, the -Gordon Highlanders, was sent back to the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> -Brigade, to which it belonged.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As soon as it was dark, the Germans tried to -set the wood on fire, but fortunately did not -succeed, though there were isolated fires in various -parts of it. It was an awkward position and -very difficult to hold, as the Germans were so -close, but orders were received for the battalions -to dig in where they were. To officers, who had -been taught from their early youth that one of -the essentials of a trench line was a good field of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>fire, this digging in a thick wood, where the field -of fire was never more than from fifteen to twenty -yards, seemed an absurdity. But ideas on this -subject had been considerably revised by the -war—besides, in a long line of trenches running -several miles, battalions of course must join up -with each other, and cannot choose a position -for themselves.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At 10 o'clock that night, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company, -under Captain Ridley, was directed to take over -the position held by a company of the Gordons -on the left, but finding that the trench had -almost vanished after a day's work by the -German artillery, it dug a new one slightly in -rear, which was not finished until 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr></p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 2.</div> -<p class='c005'>This was the situation on the Monday morning: -the Northamptonshire Regiment was in touch -with the Seventh Division on the left; the -Oxfordshire Light Infantry and Grenadiers, -slightly intermingled, were in the centre, and the -Irish Guards on the right—all holding the south-east -edges of the wood. Four vigorous attacks -on the line—at 8.45, 11, 2, and 5.45—were -delivered by the Germans, preceded by heavy -shelling, especially on the left. The attack at 11 -looked dangerous at one time, when the Germans -got within twenty-five yards of our trenches, but -our fire was very steady, and they could make no -farther headway. The 2 o'clock assault partially -developed, but the one at 5.45, just after it got -dark, was the most serious.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was directed against Captain Ridley's Company -and against the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, -and the enemy advanced with a beating of drums -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>and blowing of horns. The night was cold, -with some light from the moon. As the enemy -came on, an incident that was never explained -took place. The firing almost died down, and this -message, sent from no one knew where, was passed -along the line: "Don't fire. The Northamptons -are going to charge." It so happened that <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith and Major Jeffreys were in that -part of the trench at the time, and directly they -heard the mysterious message they realised it -was a German ruse. They yelled at the men to -go on firing. The fire was at once taken up and -continued, while the attack died away. Next -day <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith tried to discover where -the fictitious order started, but in vain.</p> - -<p class='c005'>All night the enemy could be heard digging -away, in some places near to our trenches. At -1 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company was sent back in reserve, -being relieved by a company of the Oxfordshire -Light Infantry, which next morning reported that -300 dead had been found in front of the trench. -Some were found within a few yards of our line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On Monday evening, the night of the attack, -this special order from the Commander-in-Chief -was circulated:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Field-Marshal Commanding in Chief has watched -with the deepest admiration and solicitude the splendid -stand made by the soldiers of His Majesty the King in -their successful effort to maintain the forward position -which they have won by their gallantry and steadfastness. -He believes that no other Army in the world would -show such tenacity, especially under the tremendous -artillery fire directed against it. Its courage and endurance -are beyond all praise. It is an honour to belong -to such an Army.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>The Field-Marshal has to make one more call upon -the troops. It is certainly only a question of a few days, -and it may be of only a few hours, before, if they only -stand firm, strong support will come, the enemy will be -driven back, and in the retirement will suffer losses even -greater than those which have befallen him under the -terrific blows by which, especially during the last few -days, he has been repulsed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The Commander-in-Chief feels sure that he does not -make his call in vain.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>J. D. P. French</span>, Field-Marshal,<br /> -Commander-in-Chief to the British Army -in the Field.</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 3.</div> -<p class='c005'>A comparatively quiet interval followed. -There was intermittent shelling next day, though -nothing very serious, and the snipers on both -sides kept up a lively fusillade. The trenches -meanwhile were deepened and improved. Some -new orders with regard to the coming fighting -were also issued. Each battalion had two companies -in the firing line and two in support, -and the captains were told that they must rely -on their own supports if they wanted any help. -There was a Cavalry Brigade in reserve, but -Lord Cavan did not wish to call on it unless it -became absolutely necessary. Another warning -against the enemy's tricks was sent to the men in -this message from <abbr class='spell'>G.O.C.</abbr> First Corps:</p> - -<p class='c009'>First Cavalry Division reports that in the attacks -on them the Germans wore British uniforms, especially -kilts, and when approaching our trenches shouted, -"Don't fire; we are short of ammunition," and similar -expressions. All troops in the trenches are to be -warned of this practice by the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c011'>An instruction was issued also for the making -<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>of circular redoubts, about twenty-five yards in -rear of the existing line of trenches, with the -object of stopping a rush if the line should be -pierced.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 4.</div> -<p class='c005'>An artillery duel—rather one-sided—occupied -the next two days. A German aeroplane having -located the trenches, the enemy's guns became -very busy, though mostly against the support -trenches, chiefly with the object of "searching -the ground." Early in the afternoon the -First Division reported that the enemy was -attacking from the direction of the woods south -of Gheluvelt. The artillery had been turned on -them, and preparations were being made to meet -the attack, but nothing came of it. The shelling -stopped at nightfall, and the Battalion settled -down to a pitch-dark, pouring wet night in the -trenches, which were all in wet clay and marshy -ground, and the men's sole consolation was -that the Germans must be having just as bad -a time.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 5.</div> -<p class='c005'>By the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> it began to be thought in the firing -line that the enemy had abandoned all attempt -to break through the line, but in reality he was -waiting only for reinforcements. He had succeeded -in making a dent in the line near Messines, -and was now determined to throw the whole -weight of his superior numbers on Ypres. -He chose for his point of attack Klein Zillebeke, -the junction between De Moussy's French -Division and the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade, or rather the four -battalions under Lord Cavan.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 6.</div> -<p class='c005'>Shelling began with renewed vigour as soon -as the sun had cleared away the next morning's -<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>mist, and just before mid-day significant instructions -were received from Lord Cavan:</p> - -<p class='c009'>"Your position must be retained at all costs," he -said in a message sent out at 11.50. "Redoubts must -be occupied, every spare man and tool employed to -make secondary trench. I trust you after splendid -defence of last few days to maintain it to the end."</p> - -<p class='c011'>And in a second message a few minutes later:</p> - -<p class='c009'>"Have asked Seventh Division to do everything -possible to help you with artillery fire."</p> - -<p class='c011'>Evidently the Brigadier expected a determined -attack on that part of the line, and <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith made his dispositions accordingly. Early -in the afternoon he got a report from the Irish -Guards that the French Division on their right -had been driven in. Immediately afterwards -came a message from Major Hamilton that the -Irish Guards themselves had been driven in, -and that his right was consequently in the air.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major Hamilton's Company was now bearing -the brunt of the attack, and was in a very critical -position. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith sent word to -ask him whether he needed any help. He replied: -"Hughes only wants a few men, and I -have sent him up one section. Bailey is lining -road 200 yards to my front. <abbr class='spell'>O.C.</abbr> Oxfords -promised support if necessary."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Shortly afterwards it was reported that the -Germans had reached Brown Road, and were -advancing round the right rear of the Battalion. -<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith at once posted Lieutenant -Tufnell with one machine-gun on the Brown -Road, to guard the ride through the wood across -<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>which the enemy would have to pass, to get -behind our line of trenches, telling him to use -his own discretion as to the position he should -take up. Lieutenant Lord Congleton was also -sent with one platoon to stop the Germans from -getting through a gap which was reported to -the right rear of the Battalion. Lieutenant -Tufnell apparently decided that he would be able -to get a better target for his machine-gun, and -at the same time guard the ride, if he accompanied -Lord Congleton. He accordingly took up -a position from which he could command the -advancing enemy, but had not been there long -before he was mortally wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At this point <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith reported to -Lord Cavan that it was urgently necessary that -a farm to his front should be destroyed, as there -were machine-guns firing from it. He received -the reply that if it were humanly possible the -howitzers would do as he asked.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Two companies of the Sussex Regiment were -now sent up to support the right of the line, and -helped to hold things together, but the situation -was most critical. The enemy had driven back -De Moussy's French infantry, and consequently -there was a bad dent in the line. Lord Cavan's -troops were still holding on with their right in -the air when the Household Cavalry was called -in to retrieve the situation. Lord Cavan sent off -Captain <abbr class='spell'>R. C.</abbr> de Crespigny, his Staff Captain, at -full gallop to Sanctuary Wood with orders to the -Household Cavalry to come up at once. Colonel -Wilson immediately ordered his men to mount, -and galloped round by Maple Copse to within 500 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>yards of Brigade Headquarters, where they dismounted -and fixed bayonets. Into the midst of -the Germans they dashed, headed by Colonel -Gordon Wilson.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Throwing in the cavalry at the critical moment -to save the situation has from time immemorial -been a recognised tactical manoeuvre, but in this -case the Household Cavalry fought as infantry, -and very splendid infantry they made. They -swept forward to the attack with all the precision -of an infantry battalion, and soon Klein Zillebeke -was filled with British, French, and German troops -fighting at close quarters. When it came to hand-to-hand -fighting, the Germans could not stand -up against the splendid men of the Household -Cavalry, and they were gradually driven back till -the line was restored. This gallant charge of the -Household Cavalry on foot, Lord Cavan afterwards -said, not only prevented the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards -Brigade from being cut to pieces, but also saved -Ypres. Colonel Gordon Wilson and Colonel Hugh -Dawnay were killed, and the Household Cavalry -lost a large number of men, but the situation was -retrieved.</p> - -<p class='c005'>While this was going on, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company -Grenadiers, which was on the right, had been -practically wiped out. Since the withdrawal of the -Irish Guards, almost every man had been killed -or wounded by shell-fire. Sergeant Thomas, who -commanded the right platoon of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1, remained -at his post after the Irish Guards had gone, until -he had only three men left, when he withdrew to -Brown Road. During that time he was twice -buried by shells, and had three rifles broken in his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>hand. Sergeant Digby was mortally wounded, -and was never seen again.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lord Cavan telephoned: "Hang on tight to -Brown Road. Try and get touch with half -battalion Sussex Regiment sent to farm at Irish -Guards <abbr class='spell'>H.Q.</abbr>" <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith passed this -on to Captain Powell, adding: "Are you in touch -with the Sussex?" to which Captain Powell -replied: "Yes, I am in touch with Sussex, who -prolong my line to the right, bent back to right -rear."</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the meantime, Lieutenant Lord Congleton, -finding how weak the right of the line was, had -moved his platoon to the right of the Sussex. He -had lost a number of men, but at the same time -had managed to collect several Irish Guardsmen. -They had no rifles or ammunition, but he -placed them at intervals among the men of his -platoon, and went and collected rifles for them -himself from the casualties. Then he went round -a second time with an orderly and collected -ammunition. By this means he was able to hold -the gap all through that night, and next day was -specially mentioned by <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith, who -wrote that the intelligent way in which he handled -his platoon on his own initiative was beyond all -praise.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Much help towards keeping the right of the -line intact was also given by Colonel Davies, -commanding the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, who -throughout the afternoon kept sending up any -men he happened to have in reserve.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When darkness fell Lord Cavan gave <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith these directions:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>Can you establish a line between the Brown Road -and your original line so as to keep touch for certain -with battalions on your left? I want to make sure -that my line for the night is in touch all along. I have -ordered two battalions to establish the line of the Brown -Road up to south-west edge, where I hope to establish -touch with the French. I have told General Kavanagh -he can withdraw his Cavalry Brigade directly the whole -of the Brown Road is established.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The new line was arranged about midnight, -and at 1 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> the men began to dig, although they -were dead tired. The trenches were completed -by 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr>—a fine performance on a pitch-dark -night, with the additional handicap of the trees.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 7-9.</div> -<p class='c005'>For three days the battalions remained in -their trenches at Klein Zillebeke without any -direct attack being made. Shelling went on all -day with monotonous regularity, but on the -whole little damage was done, though the German -howitzers made spasmodic efforts to demolish the -trenches, and occasionally managed to blow in a -bit of trench and bury some men. The nights -were comparatively quiet except for some sniping, -and though the mornings were generally foggy, -anything in the way of dirty weather was welcomed -by the men, as it made artillery observation -impossible.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 10.</div> -<p class='c005'>The shelling increased enormously on the 10th, -and owing to the right having been thrown back, -that part of the trenches was open to enfilade -fire from the German guns. By this time their -artillery had the range of our trenches pretty -accurately, and obtained a large number of direct -hits. Further, the wood, always a trouble, became -<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>more and more difficult to hold: trees cut down -by the shells fell crashing to the ground, and -made communication impossible. About mid-day -the bombardment became terrific, and it seemed -as if it would be impossible for any one to live -under the storm of shells.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A heavy loss this day was the death of Major -Lord Bernard Lennox, who was killed by a high-explosive -shell. For three months he had been -in the thick of every engagement, always cheerful, -and making the best of every hardship. He was -one of the most popular officers in the Brigade of -Guards, and his death was very keenly felt by -every one.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>M. G.</abbr> Stocks was also killed by a -shell, and Lieutenant Lord Congleton, who had so -distinguished himself only a few days before, was -shot through the heart. Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. R. C.</abbr> -Tudway was hit in the head by a shell, and died -a few days later. Captain Powell was buried by -another shell, and was only just saved in time and -brought in. Captain Ridley was wounded in the -back, but after being attended to in the dressing-station -was able to return to his company.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There was considerable delay in collecting the -wounded. It was impossible to attempt to work -by day, and the difficulties of carrying stretchers -by night were increased by the fallen trees.</p> - -<p class='c005'>That night the Battalion went into Corps -Reserve, and bivouacked in dug-outs. Lord Cavan, -in writing an account of the day's fighting, said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers made a wonderful -stand to-day against enfilade fire of the worst description. -They stuck it out simply magnificently.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>The King subsequently telegraphed to the -Commander-in-Chief:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The splendid pluck, spirit, and endurance shown by -my troops in the desperate fighting which has continued -for so many days against vastly superior forces fills me -with admiration. I am confident in the final results of -their noble efforts under your able command.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>George R.I.</span></p> - -<p class='c011'>Sir John French replied:</p> - -<p class='c009'>Your Majesty's most gracious message has been -received by the officers and men of Your Majesty's -Army in France with feelings of the greatest gratitude -and pride. We beg to be allowed to express to Your -Majesty our most faithful devotion and our unalterable -determination to uphold the highest tradition of -Your Majesty's Army, and to carry the campaign to a -victorious end.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Lord Kitchener telegraphed:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The splendid courage and endurance of our troops -in the battle in which you have been engaged during -the last few days, and the boldness and capacity with -which they have been led, have undoubtedly given the -enemy a severe blow, successfully frustrating their -efforts. Let the troops know how much we all appreciate -their services, which worthily maintain the best -traditions of our Army.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Having been placed in Corps Reserve for four -days, officers and men of the Battalion were under -the impression that they were going to have a -quiet time for that period, sleeping in peace at -night and resting during the day. But they were -mistaken. In reality, they spent three of the -nights marching about the whole time, and each -day they were moved up in support of this or that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>part of the line, to the invariable accompaniment -of considerable shelling. To begin with, -the relief took most of the first night, and it -was not till 5 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> that the Welsh Regiment and -Munster Fusiliers finished taking over the trenches. -Then at last the Battalion was able to march -over to the dug-outs at Bellewaardes Farm, north -of Hooge.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 11.</div> -<p class='c005'>The worst of it was that those placed in -reserve were at the beck and call of any General -who wanted reinforcements. At one time the -Battalion was placed under four Generals, and -received different orders from each, which came -about because the units in front got hopelessly -mixed, and the battalions were constantly changed -from one brigade to another. For instance, -when the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers arrived at -Bellewaardes, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith rode over to -see General Monro, who congratulated him on the -good work his men had done, and said he would -come round later and say a few words to them. -By the time <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith returned, he -found that the Battalion had been ordered to -move to a wood north-east of Hooge Château, -in order to be in a position of readiness to reinforce -the line near Polygon Wood, where the Prussian -Guard was reported to have broken through. He -sent one company up into the wood, and scattered -the rest about the grounds of the Château. It -was chiefly shrapnel-shelling that they were exposed -to during this operation, and there were -few casualties.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the afternoon orders were received to support -an attack which was to be carried out by the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>Sussex Regiment, Oxfordshire Light Infantry, and -Gloucester Regiment. They were to retake the -trenches which had been captured by the Prussian -Guard in the morning, south-west of Polygon -Wood. The Battalion was severely shelled, as it -crossed the open ground towards the wood east -of Hooge in artillery formation, and had thirty to -forty casualties in a few minutes. Then <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith sent Major Jeffreys forward to find -General FitzClarence, under whose orders the -Battalion had been placed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The enemy now began to shell this spot with -shrapnel, and with every one underground it was -no easy matter to find the General or his Staff. -Major Jeffreys was joined by <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith; -they searched and searched in vain, and came -across Major Corkran, Brigade-Major of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Brigade, who had been engaged on the same -fruitless errand. Deciding to wait, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith sent Major Jeffreys back to the Battalion, -where he found Captain Pike, who was almost -immediately afterwards wounded by a shell.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile the Battalion had been waiting for -hours under shell-fire, and had suffered about -thirty further casualties. It was now night, pitch-dark, -and pouring with rain; and to assemble the -men, who were spread out in artillery formation, -was by no means easy, but Major Jeffreys managed -to get them together near Nonne-Bosschen Wood. -Eventually <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith found General -FitzClarence, and got permission to give the men -a meal before taking them up to the front. -Having returned to the Battalion, he marched it -back to the Château grounds, where after some -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>delay the cookers arrived, and the men settled -down to a meal in the pouring rain. Lieutenant -the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. R.</abbr> Bailey was appointed Adjutant in -Captain Pike's place, and at once took over his -duties.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 12.</div> -<p class='c005'>After an hour's sleep the Battalion started -off again at midnight, and marched ankle-deep -in mud and slush to the Headquarters of the -<abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Brigade, where it received its orders for the -attack in which it was to operate with the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion Irish Guards, Royal Munster Fusiliers, -and Gloucester Regiment.</p> - -<p class='c005'>These orders were:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The following move at 2.15 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr>, to position of readiness -at <abbr class='spell'>S.W.</abbr> corner of Polygon Wood—<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers, <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Irish Guards, Royal Munster -Fusiliers. Left of Grenadier Guards and right of Irish -Guards at <abbr class='spell'>S.W.</abbr> corner of Polygon Wood, both in column -of route heading south. Royal Munster Fusiliers on -edge of wood just in rear of centre. When ordered to -move from position of readiness to attack, Grenadiers -will lead in file, passing along western side of trench -and shooting any enemy met with either in or out of it. -Irish Guards to follow Grenadiers in same formation, -Royal Munster Fusiliers to follow Irish Guards. When -trench has been cleared, Battalions will occupy and -hold it till further orders. Attack will be ready to -start any hour after 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> All movements to be made -quickly and silently. Reports to <abbr class='spell'>H.Q.</abbr> <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Guards -Brigade. Captain Fortune, Black Watch, will act as -guide to Grenadiers. Battalions in rear will keep touch -with Battalions in front of them. Gloucesters will fill -gap as at present.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> these battalions started. It had -been arranged that the Irish Guards should lead -<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>as far as Polygon Wood, and General FitzClarence -and his Staff walked at their head. In -spite of the darkness the battalions kept well -together. They were marching down a muddy -lane when suddenly some shots were heard in -front, and General FitzClarence halted his force -and went to see what was going on. The advance -began again slowly, they reached the west edge -of the wood, and the Grenadiers got into the -ditch at the edge. Then came the news that -General FitzClarence had been mortally wounded. -Colonel Davies arrived next with the Oxfordshire -Light Infantry, having reconnoitred the positions; -he had found that the Germans were in -great strength, with wire entanglements in front -and several machine-guns.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The question now arose: What should be -done? Was it wise to carry on the attack with -no General in command? Eventually the matter -was referred to Brigadier-General Westmacott, -commanding the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Brigade. He decided that -it would be best to abandon the attack, as after -this delay there would not be enough time for -it to develop before daybreak. He therefore -ordered the battalions back behind the wood, west -of Nonne-Bosschen Wood, and determined to hold -a new line. Colonel M'Ewen of the Camerons was -sent for, to take command of the Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The work of digging the new line was entrusted -to the Gloucesters, but as they were not strong -enough to hold it, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company Grenadiers -under Captain Ridley was sent up to reinforce -them. Tired as the men were, they dug for their -lives, and by 6 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> had managed to dig themselves -<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>well in. The rest of the Battalion returned -to the Château, where it was found that in the -darkness one platoon of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company and the -Battalion Headquarters had gone astray. However, -they arrived next morning.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After having been placed under several -different Brigadiers, the Battalion was finally -ordered by Colonel Cunliffe Owen to move with -the Irish Guards to the wood on the Menin -road, and there dig itself in. Off it went, -and began digging again till the dawn broke, -when the shelling started again as usual. This -was the only day on which the Battalion had no -rations, the constant moves having disorganised -the transport, but enough bully beef was procured -to give the men something to eat.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 13-14.</div> -<p class='c005'>During the day the Battalion remained in -its trenches. There was the inevitable shelling -and sniping, but little damage was done. In the -evening it moved back to within a mile of the -Château, and was just settling down when it -received orders to move on to Sanctuary Wood—so -called because it had never been shelled. -After some delay, it got to the wood in the -middle of the night, finding there some howitzers -which had been attracted by the name. The -officer in command explained that they had been -shelled out of every place they had visited hitherto -by the bigger guns of the enemy. Before long, however, -the German artillery located the howitzers, -and at once began to shell the wood. While -Major Hamilton was in his dug-out, a high-explosive -shell brought the whole structure down -on him, and he was dug out, unconscious, only -<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>just in time. Not long afterwards Lieutenant -Dowling was wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the middle of the next night the Battalion -was ordered to return to the trenches and join -the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade. Its four days' "rest" was -over, and all ranks welcomed with enthusiasm -the prospect of getting back to the trenches!</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 15-16.</div> -<p class='c005'>Next day the Battalion marched back through -Zillebeke to Lord Cavan's Headquarters, and was -at once sent back into the trenches, part of which -it had held the week before. The companies were -sent up on each side of the Cavalry Brigade, which -was holding a line across Brown Road, and the -Battalion was therefore split up into two portions. -<abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 4 and 2 Platoons of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company were on -the left of the cavalry, and <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 1 and 2 Companies -on the right; the only reserve there was -consisted of two platoons of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company, and -so they "carried on" for two days without any -happenings of great importance. The weather -meanwhile became very cold, and there were -continual snow blizzards.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 17.</div> -<p class='c005'>On November 17 the Germans made their last -serious attack on Ypres. The day opened with -a terrific bombardment, evidently heralding a determined -attack. The shelling went on steadily -all the morning, and about 1 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> the attack -started, the brunt of it falling on <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 -Companies. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 in particular was very hard -pressed. Captain Symes-Thompson was killed, -and Lieutenant Lee-Steere, who took over the -command, sent back word that they were running -short of ammunition. There were but two -platoons in reserve, and they numbered only -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>thirty men, but <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith sent them -up under Captain Cavendish with some ammunition. -By the time they arrived Lieutenant Lee-Steere -had been killed. Captain Cavendish sent -back a message that the enemy was apparently -entrenching in a spinney about four hundred yards -to our front, and that his numbers were estimated -at 500. About this time the enemy -attacked in great force, but was quite unable to -make any headway against our rifle-fire. The -spirits of the men were wonderful, and they -fought on, quite unaffected by the terrible casualties -caused by the shell-fire amongst their ranks. -Captain Cavendish was surprised at suddenly -hearing a burst of firing intermingled with shouts -of laughter. It turned out that some Germans, -who had lain down in a slight fold in the ground -when their attack failed, were trying to crawl -back, and the men of <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 2 and 3 Companies were -firing at them as they went. The enemy was -now becoming very numerous in front, and the -situation was reported to Lord Cavan by <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith, who received this reply:</p> - -<p class='c009'>Call on <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Coldstream for help if required -at once. Brigade Headquarters knocked to bits, so -have shifted to farm north-west of wood, on Figure 17 -of <abbr class='spell'>K</abbr> 17, in dug-out.</p> - -<p class='c011'>A little while afterwards the situation was -easier, and on hearing that the line was still -intact, Lord Cavan sent the message:</p> - -<p class='c009'>Well done. Hope you got my memo, <i>re</i> calling on -<abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Coldstream at once if necessary, now in -the wood alongside of you. You must use them to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>help both yourself and the Irish Guards. When called -on let me know. Am turning all the artillery on the -wood to your front. I have no means of communication -left except orderlies.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Coldstream at that time -consisted of a draft of 300 men under Captain -<abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Edwards, which had just arrived from England, -the Battalion having been practically wiped -out in the Prussian Guard attack of November 4.</p> - -<p class='c005'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company was now in a bad way, and -Captain Hughes sent back an urgent request for -more ammunition. But, as most of the pack -animals had been killed in the morning's bombardment, -it was a problem how to send it. -Major Jeffreys collected as many orderlies as he -could find, loaded them up with all the ammunition -they could carry, and himself led them along to the -trenches. This was no easy matter, as not only -was the ground they had to cross under shell-fire, -but the whole place was knee-deep in mud. The -last fifty yards to the trenches they had to crawl.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The firing had been kept up practically all -the afternoon, and some idea of the amount of -ammunition expended may be gathered from -the fact that <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company alone fired 24,000 -rounds. This was the first time our men saw the -hand grenades which were to play such a large -part in trench warfare. Little puffs of smoke -had been occasionally seen bursting on the -bodies of the Germans, and these proved to be -caused by hand grenades of a primitive type, -which exploded when hit by our bullets.</p> - -<p class='c005'>By the evening the German attack had died -down. The enemy had lost very heavily, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>realised, apparently, that the line was too strongly -held for any frontal attack to succeed:</p> - -<p class='c005'>The casualties amongst the officers of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion were unfortunately heavy:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Captain <abbr class='spell'>E. J. L.</abbr> Pike (Adjutant), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. W.</abbr> Tufnell (Machine-gun Officer), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Symes-Thompson (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'>Major Lord Bernard Gordon-Lennox (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>I.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Rose (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. M. C.</abbr> Dowling (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. W. J. M.</abbr> Miller (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. H. G.</abbr> Lee-Steere (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. G. H.</abbr> Powell (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. R. C.</abbr> Tudway (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord Congleton (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company), killed.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain <abbr class='spell'>M. E.</abbr> Makgill-Crichton Maitland (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain <abbr class='spell'>E. D.</abbr> Ridley (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company), wounded.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. G.</abbr> Stocks (<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company), killed.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion had been fighting incessantly -from October 21 to November 16. Day -and night it had been attacked by an enemy -greatly superior in numbers. As it had never for -a moment been able to leave the front line, its sleep -had been broken and scanty. Yet well aware that -no reinforcements were available, the Battalion -had throughout realised that it must continue -to hold the line, and had faced its task with the -utmost determination. Even when it was in -reserve, it had taken part in serious engagements, -but this to a certain extent was an experience -which it shared with the other battalions of the -<abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers had been most -fortunate in its neighbours during these strenuous -days, and the men soon found that the -other battalions in the Second Division were as -stout fighters as themselves. The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry -in particular was known throughout the Division -as one of the best battalions in the Expeditionary -Force, and the Grenadiers knew from experience -that it could be relied upon to hold a trench to -the last man.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But perhaps the branch of the service which -won the men's admiration most of all was the -artillery. Outnumbered and outranged, the -Second Division artillery fought on, and time after -time saved the situation. Its supply of shells, -compared to that of the German artillery, was -ridiculously small, and yet never for a moment -did it fail to respond when called upon to -support the infantry attacks. According to all -preconceived theories it should have been wiped -out altogether, and in fact many batteries were -annihilated. But the Grenadiers knew that as -long as there were any men left alive the guns -would be served.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 19.</div> -<p class='c005'>The first battle of Ypres may be said to have -ended on the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr>, although naturally the enemy -continued his shelling. Some of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company's -trenches were blown in, but there were no infantry -attacks. In the evening the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers was relieved by the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream and marched to <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Jean, where one -company went into billets, and the other three -lay in the open and made themselves as comfortable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>as they could with straw, which they took -from the ricks at the farm close by. Curiously -enough, the farmer some twelve months later sent -in a claim for compensation for the straw that had -been taken. The few remaining officers managed -to get into one room at the farmhouse.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was bitterly cold, and there were several -degrees of frost and two or three inches of snow -on the ground. Before leaving, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith sent the following message to Captain -Cavendish:</p> - -<p class='c009'>If it is possible, will you try and identify some of -the units which attacked you yesterday? Perhaps you -could get a few shoulder-straps after dark, but you are -not to risk life to get them. I do not want to support -you unless it is necessary, but I can send a platoon of -the Coldstream to a place near Irish Guards' support if -you would like it. You will be relieved by Coldstream -to-night about 8 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> after your teas, and will come to -Brigade Headquarters where you will get instructions. -The men of the Coldstream now with you should come -back at the same time.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The shoulder-straps referred to in this message -were duly secured and forwarded to the Intelligence -officer of the Division. The Germans -who had attacked the day before were from the -Fifteenth Corps.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lord Cavan, in a private letter to Colonel H. -Streatfeild, commanding the Regiment, wrote:</p> - -<p class='c009'>No words can ever describe what the devotion of the -men and officers has been under the trials of dirt, squalor, -cold, sleeplessness, and perpetual strain of the last -three weeks. Their state of efficiency still can, I think, -be gauged by the fact that twelve attacks have been -repulsed and two companies of Grenadiers fired twenty-four -<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>boxes of ammunition on the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr>, so persistent -were the enemy's assaults. We are told we are to be -relieved very soon and sent right back for a good fortnight -to refit and reclothe and reorganise. We came -into this theatre 3700 strong, and we shall go back -about 2000, but nothing finer to my mind has ever -been done by human men. I really should cry if the -Germans got into Ypres before we go. On the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> -before the attack they threw over 200 big shells in and -around my Headquarters and for one and a half hours -it was pretty horrible, but the dug-outs saved us, though -my signal officer and 13 men were wounded and 2 -killed at the door of my dug-out. The smell of the -explosion was horrible. One shell pitched in our signal -cart and blew the limber 55 yards away from the -body.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion remained at <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Jean the next -day, and in the evening received orders to move -back and refit on the following night:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Brigadier is directed by Sir Douglas Haig to -inform the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards Brigade that their relief will -definitely take place to-morrow night <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr>/<abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> for -certain. He also wishes it to be explained that by -sticking to their positions for an extra day, the whole -British Expeditionary Force has benefited to the extent -that their front is now narrowed to the line La Bassée—Wytschaete, -whereas if the relief had taken place -yesterday it would have had to extend from La Bassée -to the Canal.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The following orders for concentration of -troops when relieved from the trenches were -issued:</p> - -<p class='c009'>(1) Battalions not in the trenches, viz. <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers, Irish Guards, Herts Battalion, will march -in the above order under <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>W. R. A.</abbr> Smith, -Grenadier Guards, on Ypres level crossing <abbr class='spell'>J 13 A</abbr>, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>thence by road passing <abbr class='spell'>J</abbr> 12, the south edge of <abbr class='spell'>J</abbr> 11, -southern portion of <abbr class='spell'>I</abbr> 15.14, thence throug<abbr class='spell'>h I 13 A</abbr>, -thence to Ouderdomm. Starting-point road junction at -<abbr class='spell'>Y</abbr> of Ypres. Time, 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr></p> - -<p class='c010'>(2) All first-line transport, except pack animals, which -will accompany Battalions, will march under Brigade -Transport Officer Captain Gough to Ouderdomm, in -time to arrive there by 2 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> It will be met by Captain -<abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> de Crespigny, who will point out bivouacking areas -to units.</p> - -<p class='c010'>(3) Units will arrange to have a meal waiting for them -on arrival at Ouderdomm; after eating this they will -march independently to Meteren, where they will go -into billets. The three battalions under <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith will march together under his orders. The route -from Ouderdomm to Meteren <i>via</i> Westoutre—Montnoir—La -Manche.</p> - -<p class='c010'>(4) Officers commanding all units will be responsible -that the route that they have to follow is reconnoitred -by daylight.</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 20.</div> -<p class='c005'>Orders were first sent for these battalions to -start at 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr>, and later the time was altered to -10.45 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers arrived -at the rendezvous in plenty of time, and as the -Hertfordshire Territorials did not turn up, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith waited for it till past midnight, -and then marched off. It was bitterly cold, and -owing to the frozen state of the road extremely -slippery. On account of the accumulation of guns -and transports, the battalions were forced to -march in single file down the side of the road, -and to pass miles of wagons before they were -able to march in fours. At 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> they had some -tea, and arrived at their destination at 8.30, when -they went into billets.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span><span class='sc'>Letter from Brigadier-General the Earl of -Cavan to the Officer Commanding the -Grenadier Guards</span></p> - -<p class='c010'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion moves back to-night about 15 -miles with the rest of the Brigade to refit, reorganise, -and rest. It leaves the line intact, and, in spite of -great loss and untold sufferings and hardships, it -fought the battle of <abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 17 with as good a nerve -as the battle of the Aisne. It has perhaps had the -hardest time of any of the four battalions, as its rest -days in Corps Reserve were entirely taken up with -marching and making counter-strokes at various parts -of the line.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I can never express what I think of the great courage -and endurance shown by officers and men during the -defence before Ypres, and I should like to put on the -regimental records not only my sense of pride at being -their Brigadier, but my debt to the Battalion for their -great devotion to their duty. The men have all kept up -a respectable appearance, which has been an example, -considering that it has been absolutely impossible to -change an article of clothing for four weeks. It is hoped -that some officers and men may be able to get home for -a few days' complete rest and change.</p> - -<p class='c010'>(Signed) <span class='sc'>Cavan</span>, Brigadier,<br /> -Commanding <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards Bgde.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span> - <h2 id='chap08' class='c003'>CHAPTER VIII <br /> NOVEMBER 1914 TO MARCH 1915</h2> -</div> -<h3 class='c013'>Diary of the War</h3> -<p class='c004'>In November 1914 the war of stagnation had -already begun. The power of modern weapons in -defence had made open warfare an impossibility, -and the struggle in France had now assumed the -character of siege warfare. Lines of trench some -five hundred miles in length stretched from the -Belgian coast to the Swiss frontier, and high -explosive in every form and shape was fired -from monster guns or thrown by hand. Miles -of barbed wire covered the ground between the -opposing lines of trenches, and sappers and -miners continued to mine and to counter-mine. -At the time it was thought that this state of -things was merely the prelude to a gigantic battle -which would decide the issue of the war.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The British Army at the beginning of -November was holding a longer line than it well -could hold, and in December Sir John French -was able to shorten the line to thirty miles in -length. In co-operation with the Eighth French -Army, under General D'Urbal, the British Army -attempted to advance in the direction of Wytschaete, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>but after several unsuccessful attacks -these operations ceased. In January there -were three weeks' comparative quiet, and then -the enemy commenced an organised attack on -Givenchy, but was effectually stopped by the First -Division. The Germans made a more successful -effort near Guinchy, and some ground was temporarily -gained by them, but a determined counterattack -by the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> (Guards) Brigade restored the -line. South of La Bassée Canal the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream and <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Irish Guards -captured a place known as the Brickstacks; on -February 14 the <abbr title='eighty-second'>82nd</abbr> Brigade was driven out -of their trenches east of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Eloi; and two days -later the Twenty-eighth Division was forced to -retire. In both cases the lost ground was recovered -by counter-attacks. On March 10 the -battle of Neuve Chapelle was fought, and lasted -three days.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In addition to the fighting in the north in co-operation -with the British and Belgian armies, -the French were engaged practically all along their -line. For purely sentimental reasons they continued -their attacks on Alsace: although there -were local successes, no actual gain of territory -was made, and their losses were enormous.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The movements of the Russian Army were -at first partly successful. Under the Grand -Duke Nicholas it invaded East Prussia, invested -the fortress of Königsberg, and reached the -Masurian Lake region. The Southern Russian -Army entered the north of Austria, cleared -Galicia as far as the River San, and invested -Przemysl. Its advance was, however, checked -<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>by the severe defeat which it suffered at Tannenberg, -and it was forced to retire from East -Prussia, which it again invaded in October. In -the meantime, the Germans assembled a large -army in Silesia, and advancing from Posen, -forced the Russians to retire into Poland. Soon -afterwards the Germans invaded Russia itself, -and gained a victory at Grodno. In Austria the -Russians were more successful, and after defeating -the Austrian Army at Rawazuska, succeeded -in capturing the stronghold of Przemysl which -had been considered impregnable.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On March 18 an unsuccessful attempt was -made by the combined British and French Fleets -to force the Dardanelles. This was the beginning -of the Gallipoli campaign.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In German South-West Africa General Botha -landed at Swakopmund, near Walfish Bay, in -February, and advanced to Jackalswater and -Riet. A British Expeditionary Force also began -operations in the Cameroons, and there was some -fighting in German East Africa.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Naval warfare was practically at an end by -the beginning of 1915, as all the German ships -had been cleared off the high seas. The German -Fleet itself had taken refuge in Kiel Harbour, and -there was nothing for the British Fleet to do but -to wait patiently, in the hope that it would one -day emerge and give battle. During March the -blockade of Germany began, but the problem of -how to deal with neutrals had not been solved, -and the Germans were able to get all they wanted -through Holland and the three Scandinavian -countries.</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span> - <h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion</h3> -</div> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> <abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 1914.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr> the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade marched through -Bailleul, Steenwerck, Sailly, Bac-<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr>-Maur to the -trenches in the neighbourhood of Fleurbaix, -where it relieved the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr> Brigade. The -Grenadiers were on the right, the Scots Guards -in the centre, and the Border Regiment on the -left. Brigadier-General <abbr class='spell'>F. J.</abbr> Heyworth, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, -arrived from England, to take over the command -of the Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Throughout November the Brigade remained in -the same line of trenches. At first there was a -great deal of rain, but towards the end of the month -it changed to snow and was bitterly cold. The -men suffered very much from trench feet, as -the ground was in a shocking condition. Goats' -skins were issued, and also some white smocks -for patrol duty at night, as the dark uniforms -showed up so clearly in the snow.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major <abbr class='spell'>C. E.</abbr> Corkran came from the Staff, to -take over the command of the Battalion from the -<abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> till the <abbr title='twenty-ninth'>29th</abbr>, when <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>L. R.</abbr> Fisher-Rowe -arrived from England to assume command. -On the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> a draft of 100 men arrived with -the following officers: Captain <abbr class='spell'>J. A.</abbr> Morrison, -Captain the Earl Stanhope, Second Lieutenant -Lord Brabourne, Second Lieutenant Lord William -Percy, Second Lieutenant Rhys Williams.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Eighth Division under Major-General -Davies arrived from England, and completed -the Fourth Corps.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The enemy was constantly busy digging sap-heads, -and the shelling was continuous. Lieutenant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span><abbr class='spell'>E. S.</abbr> Ward was wounded on the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr>, but -although there were a number of casualties in -the Brigade the Battalion did not suffer much. -On the <abbr title='twenty-ninth'>29th</abbr> Captain Rose commanding the <abbr title='fifty-fifth'>55th</abbr> -Company <abbr class='spell'>R.E.</abbr> was killed. His loss was keenly -felt by the whole Brigade, and especially by the -Grenadiers, as he had never spared himself, and -had been of the greatest assistance to all the -officers. On the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> Major <abbr class='spell'>G. F.</abbr> Trotter, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, -<abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, joined the Battalion.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Dec.</div> -<p class='c005'>On December 1 His Majesty the King paid a -visit to the Division, accompanied by Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>H.R.H.</abbr> the Prince of Wales, the President of the -French Republic, General Joffre, and Major-General -Sir Pertab Singh.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Special Order of the Day by His Majesty -the King</span></p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>General Headquarters</span>, <i>Dec. 5, 1914</i>.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men</span>,</p> - -<p class='c010'>I am very glad to have been able to see my Army -in the Field.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I much wished to do so, in order to gain a slight -experience of the life you are leading.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I wish I could have spoken to you all, to express my -admiration of the splendid manner in which you have -fought and are still fighting against a powerful and -relentless enemy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>By your discipline, pluck, and endurance, inspired -by the indomitable regimental spirit, you have not -only upheld the traditions of the British Army, but -added fresh lustre to its history.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I was particularly impressed by your soldierly, -healthy, cheerful appearance.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>I cannot share in your trials, dangers, and successes, -but I can assure you of the proud confidence and -gratitude of myself and of your fellow-countrymen.</p> - -<p class='c010'>We follow you in our daily thoughts on your certain -road to victory.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>George R.I.</span></p> - -<p class='c011'>The weather all the month of December was very -bad, and it was with difficulty that the trenches -were kept from falling in. A draft of 66 men under -Captain <abbr class='spell'>E. O.</abbr> Stewart arrived on the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr>, and one -of 45 men under Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. H.</abbr> Douglas-Pennant -on the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr>. On the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr> Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>E. H. J.</abbr> Duberly and Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>T.</abbr> Parker-Jervis joined the Battalion, and on the -<abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> a draft of 60 men with Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. H.</abbr> -Greville and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. R.</abbr> Rowley -arrived. On the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>F. O. S.</abbr> -Sitwell, Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. F.</abbr> Burnand, and -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. T. R. S.</abbr> Guthrie joined the -Battalion, and on the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> a draft of 41 men -under Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G. R.</abbr> Westmacott -arrived. On the <abbr title='twenty-eighth'>28th</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. G.</abbr> -Goschen arrived.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There were numerous cases of frostbite, and a -certain amount of sickness owing to the cold wet -weather, but considering the constant soaking -the men received, and the amount of water in the -trenches, the health of the Battalion was on the -whole good.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Battalion was constantly engaged in digging -and improving the trenches as far as possible, -but the water-logged condition of the -ground, combined with the vigilance of the German -snipers, made the work difficult. The bombing -and sniping continued daily, and were accompanied -<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>occasionally by high-explosive shells. The latter -were, however, generally directed by the Germans -against any place that would be likely to harbour -generals or staff. On one of the visits which -the Prince of Wales paid to the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion, -he narrowly escaped one of these shells, which -exploded outside the house he was in. On the -<abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr> Lieutenant J. Teece, the Quartermaster, was -wounded, and Lieutenant Mitchell took over his -duties.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr> an organised attack on the German -trenches was made by the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigade. The -<abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade was ordered to assist with two half -battalions by attacking the edge of the Sailly—Fromelles -road. It was decided to double-man -the trenches opposite the point of attack, and the -Scots Guards were therefore withdrawn from the -right, being relieved by the Grenadiers. The -attack was to be undertaken by half a battalion -of the Scots Guards and half a battalion of the -Border Regiment. Brigade Headquarters were -transferred to La Carbonière Farm, so as to be -in close touch with the trenches. The guns being -short of ammunition, the artillery decided not to -open fire till just before the attack was launched. -The Grenadiers had to go down, and relieve -the Scots Guards in broad daylight, and this -unusual activity in our lines, which was far -too apparent, gave the enemy ample warning -of our intended attack. The Scots Guards -launched their attack at the pre-arranged time, -but the signal was not understood down the -line, with the result that the attacks were by -no means simultaneous. The men of the Border -<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>Regiment found great difficulty in getting through -their own wire entanglements, which considerably -delayed them. The Scots Guards, however, succeeded -in rushing the German trenches and -bayoneting the occupants, but a machine-gun -which they were unable to knock out caused a -large number of casualties. The other attacks -having failed, the Scots Guards were ordered to -return, as the Germans had been able to bring up -large reinforcements.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Although little had been accomplished, the -enemy had been obliged to keep all their men in -the trenches to resist this attack, and had therefore -been unable to send reinforcements farther -south. This was practically the sole object of -our attack.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Christmas came with the whole country deep -in mud and slush. Parcels of shirts, socks, etc. -were received from Colonel Streatfeild, who succeeded -in supplying the wants of the Battalion -with the utmost regularity, while luxuries were -sent by Major-General Sir Reginald Thynne, an -old Grenadier Commanding Officer, who had -undertaken to send one surprise packet to -every man in each battalion, in addition to -the parcels which he sent regularly from the -officers' wives to any Grenadier prisoners in -Germany.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> Captain Morrison, on behalf of -the King's Company, addressed the following -telegram to the King:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Officers, <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s, and men of the King's -Company, Grenadier Guards, respectfully offer Your -Majesty best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>His Majesty's answer was as follows:</p> - -<p class='c009'>I heartily thank Officers, <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s, and men for their -message of Christmas and New Year greetings, which -I warmly reciprocate. You are all more than ever in -my thoughts at this moment.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>George R.I.</span>, Colonel-in-Chief.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Christmas Day passed off without a shot being -fired by either side in that part of the line. This -does not appear to have been the result of any -definite agreement, but simply a tacit understanding -on the part of both forces to refrain -from firing during that day.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Many experiments were made with mortars -and bombs at Bac-<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr>-Maur. Officers who were -present afterwards asserted that they infinitely -preferred the enemy's shot and shell to the uncertain -and erratic explosions during these experiments. -The new trench mortar had a way of -moving round and facing the wrong way after -one or two shots had been fired, which was disconcerting.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Though the art of bomb-throwing was still in -its infancy, the importance of this form of trench -warfare had already impressed itself on every -one in France. The Ordnance at home was confused -by the many recommendations that were -made, and issued bombs of every pattern, in order -to ascertain by practical means which was the -best; but as every brigade favoured a different -bomb, the selection became a matter of great -difficulty. In every brigade a company of 150 -bomb-throwers was formed, and the men were -thoroughly trained. Second Lieutenant Rhys -<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>Williams was selected to command the company -of bomb-throwers in the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Towards the end of December the constant -heavy rain had played havoc with the trenches. -The whole country had become completely water-logged, -and as soon as water was pumped out of -one portion of a trench it broke through in another. -The Germans were in the same plight, and could -be observed at pumping operations daily. It was -impossible to dig any trench below a depth of -two feet, and in some places it became necessary -to build breastworks over the ground.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One of the great difficulties the men in the -trenches had to contend with was that the rifles -during an attack were rendered useless by the -mud. Whenever an attack was made the rifles -became so clogged with mud that the men had -nothing but the bayonet to fight with. To carry -200 or more rounds of small-arms ammunition -all through the day, and then find they are -merely ornamental when the fighting begins, -is rather disheartening, and the Divisional -Authorities therefore devised a rough canvas -cover to slip over the muzzle of the rifle. This -cover could be pulled off instantly when required, -but even if the rifle was fired with the cover on -no harm was done. A letter found on a German -colonel some months later revealed the fact that -the enemy had been much struck with the idea of -a cover of this sort, and had taken steps to have -one made on the British pattern.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The following letter from His Royal Highness -the Duke of Connaught, Colonel of the Grenadiers, -and at the time Governor-General of Canada, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>was forwarded for the officers of the Battalion -to read:</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='January'>Jan.</abbr> 1915.</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Government House, Ottawa</span>,<br /> -<i>January 12, 1915</i>.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>My dear Streatfeild</span>—Most grateful thanks for -three letters of the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr>, <abbr title='twenty-ninth'>29th</abbr>, and <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr> of December.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I have been deeply interested with all the regimental -news you have so kindly sent me, especially with the -letters of Colonel Wilfred Smith and Captain Morrison, -and the very gratifying order of General Capper. It is -really splendid to hear how well both battalions have -done under most serious and trying circumstances, -which must have tried the nerves and endurance of all -ranks to the very utmost.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As I expected, our Officers have set a splendid example -of capacity and bravery. It is hard to think what -terrible losses all this splendid work has entailed on the -Regiment, and how many Officers we have to mourn. -May they not have given their precious lives for nothing, -but may their names and example be ever preserved -in the Regiment in whose honour they have fallen.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I hope that never again will companies have to -occupy so large a front as ours have done; with less -good troops the risk would appear to me to have been -too great to run.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I am glad to hear such good accounts of our <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Reserve -Battalion. I thank you for so kindly sending on my -message to the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalions. I was anxious -that they should know that although so far away they -were in my thoughts.—Believe me, yours very sincerely,</p> - -<p class='c010'>(Signed) <span class='sc'>Arthur</span>.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='sc'>List of Officers of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadier -Guards on January 1, 1915</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>L. R.</abbr> Fisher-Rowe, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. F.</abbr> Trotter, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. V.</abbr> Fisher-Rowe, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H. J.</abbr> Duberly, Machine-gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Mitchell, Acting Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. A.</abbr> Morrison, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. T. R. S.</abbr> Guthrie, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. G.</abbr> Goschen, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. H.</abbr> Douglas-Pennant, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord Brabourne, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. F.</abbr> Burnand, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain the Earl Stanhope, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord William Percy, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. R.</abbr> Westmacott, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Lygon, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. A. A.</abbr> Darby, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. O. S.</abbr> Sitwell, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Parker-Jervis, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The following officers from the Artists' Rifles were -attached to the Battalion: Second Lieutenant Crisp to the -King's Company, and Second Lieutenant A. Moller to -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='January'>Jan.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>The Battalion occupied the same trench line all -January, and every four days was relieved by the -Scots Guards, when it went into Divisional Reserve. -On the <abbr title='eleventh'>11th</abbr> a draft of 65 men under Captain -<abbr class='spell'>W. E.</abbr> Nicol arrived, and on the <abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr> one of 60 -men under Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. W.</abbr> Ethelston. On the -<abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A. S. L.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Mildmay joined.</p> - -<div id='fig2' class='figcenter id006'> -<img src='images/fig2.jpg' alt='Lieutenant-Colonel L. R. Fisher Rowe. Commanding 1st Battalion. Died of wounds received at Neuve Chapelle 10 March 1915.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Lieutenant-Colonel L. R. Fisher Rowe. Commanding <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion. Died of wounds received at Neuve Chapelle 10 March 1915.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Some officers of the Grenadiers were lent to -the Scots Guards, who were very short of officers, -and remained away for some time. On the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> -Second Lieutenant Crisp, who had been attached -to the Battalion from the Artists' Corps, was -coming across an open place, where the trenches -had fallen in and had become impassable, when -he was shot through the body and died shortly -afterwards. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Fisher-Rowe, who -was only fifty yards away at the time, came up -<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>to give him morphia, but found him quite unconscious. -He had done so well, and made himself -so popular, that his death was much regretted by -the Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>With this exception there were no casualties -among the officers and very few among the men, -although the Germans expended a large amount of -ammunition on that part of the line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The redoubts were finished, and proved a great -success. It was curious to note that the Germans -were struck with the same idea, and began constructing -forts in rear of their inundated trenches. -A certain amount of leave was granted to the -officers and <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s, and those who had been out -some time were all given a week at home.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='February'>Feb.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>February found the Battalion still in the same -trenches, which had by now been very greatly -improved. The problem of the water had been -partially solved by the efforts of the <abbr class='spell'>R.E.</abbr>, and -the men were able to take some pride in their -trench line. There was a certain amount of sickness, -with occasional cases of influenza. A motor -ambulance, presented by Captain <abbr class='spell'>J. A.</abbr> Morrison -to the Battalion, arrived, and while the officers -and men much appreciated the gift, the Medical -Authorities were much concerned at the irregularity -of the proceeding.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='thirteenth'>13th</abbr> Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>R. F. C.</abbr> Gelderd-Somervell -joined the Battalion, and Captain the -Earl Stanhope left to take up his duties as <abbr class='spell'>A.D.C.</abbr> -to the General Commanding the Fifth Army Corps. -He had proved himself such a good officer that -the Commanding Officer was sorry to lose him. -On the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> Captain <abbr class='spell'>E. F. F.</abbr> Sartorius joined -<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>the Battalion, and took over command of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 -Company.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There had been a certain number of casualties -among the men from sniping and shell-fire, but -the greater part of the losses were from sickness.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>March.</div> -<p class='c005'>On March 3 the Battalion was relieved by the -Canadians, and billeted in the Rue du Bois. It -marched the next morning to Neuf Berquin, and -on the following day to Estaires. On the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> -it joined the rest of the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade, which -was on the main Estaires—La Bassée road. -Before taking over the trenches, Lieutenant -Darby was sent up to go over the ground, so -that he might be able to guide the companies -when they went up. At luncheon-time he -returned with the intelligence that the shelling -in the front trench was terrific, and that even as -far back as the reserve trenches the noise was -deafening, all of which seemed to point to a -lively time for the Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As the Battalion marched up, the men were -much impressed by the sight of the Chestnut -Battery going into action. This crack battery of -the Royal Artillery, manned by splendid men and -drawn by picked horses, came thundering down -the road, and as it passed the men of the -Grenadiers broke into a cheer.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Although the enemy's shells were bursting over -the Battalion, only one actually pitched near the -men, doing no damage, and in the evening the -Battalion went into billets, the King's Company -in the Rue du Bacquerot, and <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 2, 3, and 4 in -Cameren Lane.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span> - <h2 id='chap09' class='c003'>CHAPTER IX <br /> NOVEMBER 1914 TO MAY 1915 (<abbr title='SECOND'>2ND</abbr> BATTALION)</h2> -</div> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> <abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr> 1914.</div> -<p class='c005'>The Battalion remained in billets at Meteren -from November 22 till December 22. The -casualties among the officers had been severe, -and there only remained <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith, -Major Jeffreys, Captain Ridley, Captain Cavendish, -Lieutenant Hughes, Lieutenant and Adjutant -the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W.</abbr> Bailey, Lieutenant Beaumont-Nesbitt, -Lieutenant Marshall, Second Lieutenant -Cunninghame (Transport Officer), Second Lieutenant -Gerard, Lieutenant and Quartermaster Skidmore, -and Captain Howell, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr> (attached).</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr> 3.</div> -<p class='c005'>The King inspected the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards Brigade -at Meteren, and afterwards presented Distinguished -Conduct Medals to a certain number -of <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s and men.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the evening the following special order was -issued:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Brigadier is commanded by His Majesty the -King, the Colonel-in-Chief, to convey to the four -battalions of the Brigade of Guards the following -gracious words which His Majesty addressed to the -four Commanding Officers: "I am very proud of my -Guards, and I am full of admiration for their bravery, -endurance, and fine spirit. I wish I could have addressed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>them all, but that was impossible. So you -must tell them what I say to you. You are fighting a -brave and determined enemy, but if you go on as you -have been doing and show the same spirit, as I am sure -you will, there can only be one end, please God, and -that is Victory. I wish you all good luck."</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr> 21.</div> -<p class='c005'>On December 21 the news arrived that the -Indian Corps had been heavily attacked, and -driven out of its trenches between La Bassée -Canal and Richebourg. The First Corps was at -once to be moved down to this part of the line, -and that evening orders were received by the -Second Division to be ready to march at two -hours' notice. When a line of trenches stretches -some hundreds of miles, the rough must be taken -with the smooth, and the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -was soon to find that the site of its trenches was -anything but an ideal one. To dig a trench in -a water-logged valley outraged all preconceived -principles; yet it was in such a locality that the -men of the Grenadiers were to find themselves -for the following months.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Minor operations, as they were called, consisted -in nibbling away a few hundred yards. -The casualties which occurred daily from bombing -and sniping were hardly taken into account. -Yet those who took part in this monotonous -underground warfare did as much to win the -war as those who were fortunate enough to fight -in one of the big battles.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr> 22-23.</div> -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade marched off early by Merville -to Bethune, about nineteen miles, and there -billeted fairly comfortably. The next day it -marched on, and halted in a field at Essarts, near -<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>Le Touret, in readiness to support the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Brigade. In the evening it moved on again, -and took over the line at Rue de Cailloux from -the Royal Sussex Regiment after dark. These -trenches were very bad, and had been hastily improvised -from dykes, when the Germans succeeded -in capturing our front-line trenches a few days -before. The water was always knee-deep, in -some places waist-deep, in mud and water, and as -the enemy's trench was within twenty-five yards, -his snipers, who were always enterprising, had -plenty of opportunities of shooting. The taking -over of these trenches was complicated by men -getting stuck, and having to be dug out, so that it -was nearly six hours before the relief was completed. -In some cases it took four hours to dig -the men out, during which time many of them -fainted several times. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company under -Captain Sir <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Cholmeley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 under Captain -<abbr class='spell'>P. A.</abbr> Clive, and half <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 under Captain Cavendish, -were in the firing line, while the other half -of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3, and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company under Captain -Ridley were in reserve.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr> 24.</div> -<p class='c005'>The early morning began with considerable -sniping and bombardment with trench -mortars. It was bitterly cold, and the water in -the trenches made communication almost impossible. -It seemed madness to attempt to hold such a -line of trenches, and yet there was no alternative.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Notes of warning arrived from General Headquarters:</p> - -<p class='c009'>It is thought possible that the enemy may be contemplating -an attack during Christmas or New Year. -Special vigilance will be maintained during these periods.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>And again later:</p> - -<p class='c009'>Please note that when the enemy is active with -Minenwerfer, it is generally the prelude to an attack.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The enemy had the advantage of the ground, -for not only did his trenches drain into ours, -but he was able to overlook our whole line. -In addition to this he was amply supplied with -trench mortars and hand grenades, so that we -were fighting under very great difficulties. He -mined within ten yards of our trench, and blew -in the end of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2's trench, after which he -attacked in great force, but was unable to do -more than just reach our line. Captain Sir <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> -Cholmeley, <abbr title='Baronet'>Bart.</abbr>, and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>J. H.</abbr> -Neville were killed. Sergeant <abbr class='spell'>G. H.</abbr> Thomas, who -had just been awarded the <abbr class='spell'>D.C.M.</abbr>, was also killed, -while Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G. G.</abbr> Goschen was -wounded and taken prisoner. He had a narrow -escape of being drowned in the trench, and was -propped up by one of the men just in time. -Lieutenant Eyre and Second Lieutenant Mervyn -Williams were wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the evening <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith came to -the conclusion that fighting under such conditions -was only courting disaster, and that it would be -clearly better to dig a new line of trenches during -the night, but it was absolutely necessary to -finish the new line before daylight—otherwise -it would be useless. Accordingly he gave orders -for a new line to be dug, and the men, soaked -and stiff with cold as they were, set to work at -once. Rockets and fireballs gave the enemy's -snipers their opportunity, and the freezing water -<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>and hard ground made the work difficult. There -was, however, no artillery fire, though the Minenwerfer -were nearly as bad, and threw large -shells into our trenches. The new line was -just completed as dawn broke on Christmas -morning.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr> 25.</div> -<p class='c005'>The sniping continued steadily the next day -with great accuracy, and the slightest movement -drew a shot at once. Captain <abbr class='spell'>E. G.</abbr> Spencer -Churchill was wounded in the head in this way, -the bullet making a groove in his skull. The new -trenches, however, threatened to become as wet -as the old ones, although in the worst places they -were built with a high parapet and a shallow -trench. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company, under Captain Cavendish, -in particular succeeded in erecting an -elevated trench of this nature, in spite of the -incessant sniping which was carried on during -the night.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lord Cavan sent a message:</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hearty congratulations on good night's work. Thank -Captain Cavendish and his Company. Am absolutely -satisfied with arrangements. Report when and how you -manoeuvre the little stream.</p> - -<p class='c011'>It being Christmas Day, plum puddings -and other luxuries were distributed, and Princess -Mary's present of a box, containing a -pipe, tobacco, and cigarettes, was much appreciated.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the evening the Battalion was relieved by -the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream, and marched back -to Le Touret, where it billeted, and remained for -forty-eight hours.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>The Battalion was now composed as follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>W. R. A.</abbr> Smith, Headquarters.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. D.</abbr> Jeffreys, Headquarters</div> - <div class='line'>Lieutenant and Adjutant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. R.</abbr> Bailey, Headquarters</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Williams (Machine-gun Officer), Headquarters</div> - <div class='line'>Lieutenant and Quartermaster <abbr class='spell'>J. H.</abbr> Skidmore, Headquarters</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. S.</abbr> Hughes, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. K. S.</abbr> Cunninghame (Transport Officer), <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. N.</abbr> Buchanan, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. W. V.</abbr> Hopley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. A.</abbr> Clive, <abbr class='spell'>M.P.</abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. G.</abbr> Marshall, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. C.</abbr> Craigie, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. C. L.</abbr> Rumbold, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. B. R. R.</abbr> Gosselin, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. H. V.</abbr> Cavendish, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. R.</abbr> Gerard, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. S. E.</abbr> Bury, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. D.</abbr> Ridley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. G.</abbr> Beaumont-Nesbitt, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. R.</abbr> Britten, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. G.</abbr> Williams, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Attached</i>—Captain <abbr class='spell'>F. D. G.</abbr> Howell, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr> 27-28.</div> -<p class='c005'>The Battalion returned to the same line of -trenches, and found them as unpleasant as before. -The cover had been improved, and the communication -trenches were better, but the water -stood in them as deep as ever. On the night of -the <abbr title='twenty-eighth'>28th</abbr> it blew a gale, and the cold was intense. -The rain that came down all night not only -filled the trenches with more water, but broke -down the parapet and loopholes in many places. -The men passed a miserable night, soaked to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>the skin, with no means of keeping warm, and -although the constant repairs to the parapet -kept them employed, the sniping made all work -difficult and dangerous.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr> 29-30.</div> -<p class='c005'>A few of the enemy's 6-inch shells fell on -the trenches, but not with sufficient accuracy to -cause any damage. The trenches were still in a -terrible state, communication was impossible, and -there were numerous cases of frostbite. In the -evening of the <abbr title='twenty-ninth'>29th</abbr> the Battalion was again -relieved by the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream, and -went back to Le Touret, where it remained two -days.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr> 31-<abbr title='January'>Jan.</abbr> 2.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='thirty-first'>31st</abbr> it returned to the flooded trenches -again, and was subjected to the usual sniping -and bombing. The Germans were using a trench -mortar which fired large bombs from some distance -into our line, while at that time we had -nothing more than hand grenades, which were -somewhat primitive and dangerous to the thrower. -The water, however, was the greatest difficulty -our men had to contend with: it made the communication -trenches impassable, and accounted -for more men than the enemy's bullets. It ate -away the parapet, rotted the men's clothing, -rusted and jammed the rifles, retarded the food -supply, and generally made the life of the men -in the trenches hideous; but in spite of all this -discomfort the men remained cheerful and in -good spirits.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='January'>Jan.</abbr> 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>Lord Cavan, who was much exercised by the -water problem, gave orders that all impossible -places were to be vacated and watched by -pivots, and the <abbr class='spell'>R.E.</abbr> received instructions from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>him to give their attention to this portion of the -line. Our artillery proceeded systematically to -flatten out any house on the enemy's side, as it -was found that the smallest building usually -harboured snipers, while the enemy's artillery -kept up a desultory fire; but after what the -Battalion had been accustomed to at Ypres, it -seemed mere child's play.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. C.</abbr> Rumbold happened -to be engaged in drawing at one of the gunners' -observation posts, when a shell struck it; in -addition to being wounded, he was struck by the -falling masonry, and was consequently sent home. -Though the casualties in the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade had -lately been very heavy, drafts were sent from -home with great efficiency, and the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers had a fair supply of officers. The -Coldstream was, however, very short, and the -Brigadier found it necessary to transfer the -following officers from the Grenadiers to the -Coldstream: Lieutenants Kingsmill, Abel-Smith, -Lang, and Creed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On January 2 the Battalion was relieved by -the South Staffords, and went into reserve at -Locon, where it billeted and remained till the -<abbr title='seventh'>7th</abbr> of January.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Prince of Wales, on one of his many visits -to the Battalion, brought the men a gramophone, -which was much appreciated by every one, and -helped to enliven the evenings.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='January'>Jan.</abbr> 8-14.</div> -<p class='c005'>A few days' rest worked wonders with the -Battalion, and converted ill-shaved men, in clothes -sodden and coated with mud, once more into -smart, well-turned-out Guardsmen. The line now -<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>taken over was near Rue du Bois, and the -Battalion Headquarters were at Rue des Berceaux. -Two companies were in the firing line, with two -platoons in the front trench and the other two -in support; the remainder of the Battalion -formed the reserve.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The rain continued in torrents, and the trench -line became a sort of lake. The companies, not -in the front trench, were engaged in digging -second-line trenches, and a trench that was dug -by <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 2 and 4 Companies was known for two -years after as the Guards' trench. It was considered -a model of what a good trench should be.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The usual routine was to relieve the men in -the trenches every twelve hours, and bring them -back to be dried, rubbed, and cleaned; and there -was not much sickness, although several men -were crippled with rheumatism, and would have -found great difficulty in marching any distance. -The gruesome task of removing the dead was -effected by floating the bodies down the communication -trenches.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> the following order was circulated -from Brigade Headquarters:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Brigadier has much pleasure in forwarding a -copy of a letter received from General Monro, and -desires that it should be read to every man.</p> - -<p class='c010'>"I have this moment heard from an officer of the -Indian Corps an account of what he saw at the fight -for Givenchy, in which the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Brigade was engaged. -His position enabled him to see the attack of the Coldstream, -and the following are his words: 'They marched -forward without the least hesitation under the most -terrific fire, just as though they were on parade. The -Indian Brigade watched the progress of the Guards -<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>with the profoundest admiration. I thought perhaps -the officers and privates of the Brigade of Guards might -like to know the admiration which their conduct inspires -in outsiders. We who have been through much with -them know right well that the description I have given -merely represents their normal behaviour in action, yet -possibly it may please the men to hear what I have -written.'"</p> - -<p class='c011'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith in a private letter to -Colonel Streatfeild wrote:</p> - -<p class='c009'>I cannot thank you enough for the excellent officers -you have sent me out. I have had the sorrow of seeing -nearly a whole battalion of first-rate officers go one by -one, and yet you have been able to send me a second lot -who promise to be almost as good.</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='January'>Jan.</abbr> 18-20.</div> -<p class='c005'>The Battalion was relieved by an Indian -regiment, and went into billets at Le Touret to -rest for two days, after which it returned to the -trenches in Rue des Bois near Rue des Berceaux. -The water was as bad as ever, and even rose -after a snowstorm. The whole country was water-logged, -and there was constant difficulty in keeping -up the parapets, which crumbled and fell -in great blocks, in spite of the ceaseless labour -expended on them. The enemy's snipers took -every advantage of the crumbling parapets, and -accounted for many of our men. Sergeant Croft -was killed by a sniper, and Corporal Parkinson, -who, as Lord Bernard Gordon-Lennox's orderly, -must have evaded thousands of bullets and shells, -was shot dead by a stray bullet.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='January'>Jan.</abbr> 25-28.</div> -<p class='c005'>After another four days in reserve at Les -Choqueaux, the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade marched to Gorre -in support of the First Division, which endeavoured -<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>to retake the trenches which had been -lost at Givenchy. Having waited about all day, -the Brigade returned to its billets at Les Choqueaux -in the evening. The same procedure was -gone through the following day, but on neither -occasion was the Brigade wanted.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Four officers of the Grenadiers had been -temporarily attached to the Scots Guards: -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. S. E.</abbr> Bury, Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Hamilton Fletcher, Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>A. H.</abbr> Lang, Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>J. A.</abbr> Denny. -On the <abbr title='twenty-fifth'>25th</abbr> they were all four hit by a shell -that exploded in the trench. Second Lieutenants -Bury, Hamilton Fletcher, and Lang were killed, -and Second Lieutenant Denny was severely -wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>About this time a case of cerebral meningitis, -or spotted fever, was discovered at the Guards' -Depot at Caterham, Surrey, and orders were given -for all drafts from England to be isolated. This -caused a certain amount of inconvenience, as it -was by no means easy to isolate a draft of 200 -men. There were at the time only eight subalterns -with the Battalion, which made the duty -very heavy for the officers, but some of the other -battalions had not even so many.</p> - -<p class='c005'>From the <abbr title='twenty-eighth'>28th</abbr> to the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr> the Battalion -remained in billets at Les Choqueaux, and on -the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr> marched to Bethune. It was only -during marches of this length that the whole -Battalion assembled together, and saw itself -as a Battalion, instead of in isolated companies. -It presented an extraordinary appearance. Hung -round like a Christmas tree, wearing fur waist-coats, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>gum-boots, and carrying long French -loaves, braziers, charcoal, spades, and sandbags, -it looked more like a body of irregular troops -from the Balkans than a battalion of Guards.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='February'>Feb.</abbr> 1-5.</div> -<p class='c005'>On February 1 the Battalion marched to -Annequin, and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company under Lord Henry -Seymour went into the trenches at Guinchy, to -reinforce the Coldstream Guards who had been -heavily engaged. On the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> the whole Battalion -took over from the Irish Guards the trenches -from La Bassée road to the Keep, where it remained -till the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr>. Although there was heavy -shelling, the casualties were not large, but Second -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G. W. V.</abbr> Hopley was badly wounded, -and Sergeant Buttle killed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On February 1 the Germans broke the line -in the Guinchy neighbourhood, and Cavan's -<abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade was brought up. A company of -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream, supported by one -company of Irish Guards, was ordered to counter-attack, -but failed to retake the lost trench. -Lord Cavan, having left orders that the ground -was to be held at all costs, went off, and arranged -a heavy bombardment from the howitzers and -siege guns. As soon as this ceased 50 men from -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream, followed by 30 -men from the Irish Guards, with a company of -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers in support, dashed -forward, and succeeded in taking all the lost -ground. The attack was so successful that the -Grenadiers never came into action.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='February'>Feb.</abbr> 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>During the whole of February the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers occupied the trenches at -Guinchy. The usual routine was forty-eight -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>hours in the trenches, and forty-eight hours' rest -in billets at Beuvry. The weather, which at -home is only noticed by people with weak conversational -powers, becomes a matter of enormous -importance when you have to stand in a ditch -for two days and two nights. The wet and cold -made the life in the trenches at first very trying, -but later, when the spring began, the nights in the -trenches became bearable.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Sniping and bombing with intermittent shelling -were of constant occurrence. The sad news -that some officer, sergeant, or private had been -killed was passed down the trenches with wonderful -rapidity, and was known at once by the whole -Battalion. The line of trenches now occupied by -the Battalion was much drier than those it had -been accustomed to, and far more intricate. When -the trenches were known the relief became easy, -although it was always carried out in the dark, -but at first, when the officers and <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s took -over the trenches for the first time, it was long -before every one settled down.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The forty-eight hours' rest was spent in comparative -comfort in billets at Beuvry, where the -inhabitants still lived in spite of the proximity -to the trenches. When the moment came to -leave the billets and return to the trenches, the -Battalion moved up in small parties at a time, in -case the road should be shelled. Through endless -transport of all kinds the men slowly wound their -way. They usually met food going up, empties -coming back, ammunition and supplies of all -sorts, and as it became darker the road was -more difficult. They often passed French troops -<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>on the way, with the secondary French transport, -a motley collection of every conceivable sort of -vehicle. Yet with all these different streams of -men and wagons there was never any confusion -or accident. As the platoons neared the trenches, -stray bullets usually began to fly, and occasionally -shells. Then each company, on reaching its -allotted communication trench, disappeared, and -so reached the firing line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Battalion Headquarters were in the cellar -of the ruins of a house, and here the business part -of the work was carried on by clerks and orderlies. -Sometimes shells fell on the remains of the house, -but the cellar was never reached. A motor -canteen presented by Lord Derby to his old -Battalion now arrived, and proved a great boon. -It could provide hot drinks for 300 men at a -time.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='seventh'>7th</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. A. R.</abbr> Graham -was badly wounded, and subsequently had to -have his arm amputated. Captain <abbr class='spell'>A. B. R. R.</abbr> -Gosselin was bending down trying to dress his -wound, when a piece of shell struck him in the -neck and killed him instantaneously. On the 8th -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>P. L. M.</abbr> Battye was wounded -in the leg, and Lieutenant Britten was sent to -hospital with enteric fever.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr> the Germans succeeded in taking -a small portion of the French trenches on our -right, and that evening the French sent a party -to retake it. No report came, however, as to -whether they had been successful or not, and considerable -doubt existed as to whether this particular -trench was in German or in French hands. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>In order to decide this point, the French sent -a reconnoitring party down our communication -trench on the right, and asked Captain <abbr class='spell'>P. A.</abbr> -Clive's permission to move down our trench. -Captain Clive not only offered to help, but decided -to go himself. Accompanied by Major -Foulkes, <abbr class='spell'>R.E.</abbr>, he led the French reconnoitring -party into the trench of doubtful ownership, and -there found a dug-out full of German kit, with a -lighted candle burning. This evidence of German -occupation satisfied the French party, but Captain -Clive insisted on making further investigation, -and crept on in pitch darkness, followed by Major -Foulkes. Suddenly he was challenged in deep -guttural German by a sentry, not two yards off. -"Français, Français," he replied in a voice to -which he was uncertain whether he should give -a French or German accent. "Halt, oder Ich -schiesse," was the reply, and the nationality of -the occupants of the trench was settled beyond -dispute. Even Captain Clive was convinced, and -as the bullets whistled past him when he retired, -the nationality of their makers was forcibly impressed -on his mind.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The shelling varied: on some days it was mild, -and on others for no apparent reason it became -very violent. The difference, however, between -the shelling here and that which the Battalion had -been accustomed to near Ypres was, that while the -German gunners at first had it all their own way, -they were now not only answered but received -back as many shells as they sent over. A great -deal of work was done by the Battalion during -the month, and the digging was constant night -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>and day. The Keep was strengthened, many new -communication trenches were dug, all very deep, -eight to nine feet, and the right of the line, near -the French, was made very strong. Supporting -trenches were dug, and eventually the whole line -was straightened out and wired. The majority of -the men thoroughly understood how to dig, and -the newcomers very quickly learnt from the old -hands. On February 20 Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>R. D.</abbr> Lawford -and a draft of sixty men joined the Battalion, -and on the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> Second Lieutenants <abbr class='spell'>A. H.</abbr> -Penn, <abbr class='spell'>O.</abbr> Lyttelton, and Viscount Cranborne -arrived.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>March.</div> -<p class='c005'>For the first ten days in March the Battalion -rested, and remained in billets at Bethune, where -it had concerts and boxing competitions. On the -<abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> it marched to a position of readiness east of -Gorre, with the remainder of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade, to -form the reserve to the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade, which was -the pivot on which the whole move at Neuve -Chapelle hung, though it did not come into -action. The attack made by the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade -proved a most gallant but disastrous business, -and the casualties were very heavy. At 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> -the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade was ordered up to support -another attempt, which, however, never came off, -and it therefore returned to its billets at Bethune. -On the <abbr title='eleventh'>11th</abbr> the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade was again moved up -to the same place, but again was not wanted.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Captain Ridley, who held the almost unique -record in the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade of having taken part in -every engagement from the commencement of the -war, and who had been constantly fighting for -five months, having twice been slightly wounded, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>went home sick, as the Commanding Officer and -the doctor insisted on his taking this opportunity -of having a rest.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -relieved the Irish Guards at Givenchy, where the -trenches, which were comparatively new, were -shallow and the parapet not bullet proof. The -village was a complete ruin, the farms were burnt, -and remains of wagons and farm implements were -scattered on each side of the road. This part of -the country had been taken and re-taken several -times, and many hundreds of British, Indian, -French, and German troops were buried here. -The roads were full of shell-holes, bricks, tiles, -cart-wheels, and debris of every description. The -shelling and sniping went on intermittently, but -the habits of the enemy were known, and when -the shelling began it was generally easy to estimate -how long it would last, and when it would begin -again.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='sixteenth'>16th</abbr> Major Lord Henry Seymour and -Captain <abbr class='spell'>J. S.</abbr> Hughes were transferred to the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion in the Seventh Division, and Captain -<abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> de Crespigny joined the Battalion from Brigade -Headquarters.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>F. G.</abbr> Marshall, who -had been having tea with the doctor at the -dressing-station, was returning to the trenches, -when a stray bullet killed him. The casualties -in the trenches were at that time not great, but -occasionally at night a violent shelling would -begin, directed towards the rear of the trenches, -in the hopes of catching the troops coming up to -relieve those in the front line.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>The terrible tragedies that went on daily -between the two firing lines gave some idea of -the barbarous cruelty of the Germans. Men who -were wounded in any attack or raid were forced -to lie out between the lines, often in great agony, -but whenever any of our stretcher-bearers attempted -to reach them they were promptly fired -at by the Germans. To show the vitality possessed -by some human beings, cases occurred of -men being left out wounded and without food or -drink four or five days, conscious all the time that -if they moved the Germans would shoot or throw -bombs at them. At night German raiding parties -would be sent out to bayonet any of the wounded -still living, and would feel these unfortunate men's -hands to see if they were stiff and cold. If any -doubt existed, the bayonet settled the question. -In spite of this, men often managed to crawl back -just alive, and were quickly resuscitated by their -comrades.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>April.</div> -<p class='c005'>On April 1 Major <abbr class='spell'>B. H.</abbr> Barrington-Kennett, -and on April 2 Second Lieutenant <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. S.</abbr> -Bailey and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>P. K.</abbr> Stephenson, -joined the Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>While digging a communication trench, in -what had once been the Curé's garden, some men -of the Battalion unearthed some silver, and also -some presumably valuable papers. It seemed to -the men that this was treasure-trove, but <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith, on hearing of the find, insisted -that it should all be carefully packed up, papers, -silver, and all, and sent to the French authorities -for safe keeping. The owner, some weeks later, -wrote a letter of profound gratitude, and enclosed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>a plan showing where some more of his treasures -were buried. Another search was made, and these -were all recovered, with the exception of one box -which had been blown to bits by a shell.</p> - -<p class='c005'>All throughout April the Battalion remained -in the same trenches, and was relieved every -forty-eight hours by the Irish Guards, when it -went into billets at Preol. A new trench howitzer -was produced by the artillery with a range of -520 yards, which put us more on an equality -with the enemy, and gave the men confidence. -The mining had now become a regular practice, -and every one was always listening for any -sound that might denote mining operations. -The shelling continued regularly, and at times -a battalion coming up to take its turn in the -trenches would be subjected to an unpleasant -shelling.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Commanding Officer, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>W.</abbr> -Smith, was accustomed to what he called "stumble -round the trenches" every day, and many visits -were paid by Lord Cavan and his staff, who -became quite proficient in evading the various -missiles which the enemy daily aimed at the -trenches. On one of these occasions the Prince -of Wales, who was a constant visitor, tried his -hand at sniping, and as there was an immediate -retaliation, his bullets very probably found their -mark. The men were delighted to see His Royal -Highness shooting away at the enemy, and when, -as sometimes happened, the evening shelling of the -Germans—"the evening hate," as it was termed -by the men—began while the Prince was in the -trenches, the men were always anxious to hear -<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>that His Royal Highness had finished his tour in -safety.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On April 21 Captain <abbr class='spell'>G. L.</abbr> Derriman and -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. O.</abbr> Creed joined the Battalion, -with a draft of thirty men. On the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> -Major Lord Henry Seymour returned to the -Battalion. On the <abbr title='thirteenth'>13th</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>P. K.</abbr> -Stephenson left to join the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion, and -on the <abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr> Captain <abbr class='spell'>R. H. V.</abbr> Cavendish was -appointed Town Commandant at Bethune.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The weather gradually changed, and instead of -the general gloom, the appalling mud, snow, and -rain, the days began to be bright and hot, although -the nights were still cold.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> the Battalion relieved the Post -Office Rifles (Territorials), and continued to remain -in the trenches, with two companies in the firing -line and two in reserve, relieving each other every -two hours.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May.</div> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>List of Officers of the Battalion on May 1, 1915</span></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>W. R. A.</abbr> Smith, Headquarters.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. D.</abbr> Jeffreys, Headquarters.</div> - <div class='line'>Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. R.</abbr> Bailey, Headquarters.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>D.</abbr> Abel-Smith (Machine-gun), Headquarters.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> and Quartermaster <abbr class='spell'>W. E.</abbr> Acraman, Headquarters.</div> - <div class='line'>Major Lord Henry Seymour, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. K. S.</abbr> Cunninghame (Brigade Transport), <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. N.</abbr> Buchanan, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. H.</abbr> Penn, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. A.</abbr> Clive, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. L.</abbr> Derriman, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. C.</abbr> Craigie, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Viscount Cranborne, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. P.</abbr> Cary, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>B.</abbr> Barrington-Kennett, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. F. R.</abbr> Wiggins, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. V. L.</abbr> Corry, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. D.</abbr> Lawford, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>C. R. C.</abbr> de Crespigny, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>I.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Rose, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. G.</abbr> Williams, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>O.</abbr> Lyttelton, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. S.</abbr> Bailey, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. O.</abbr> Creed, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Attached</i>—Captain <abbr class='spell'>F. D. G.</abbr> Howell, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The Battalion remained in the trenches at -Givenchy until May 12, when it was relieved by -the London Scottish, and went into billets at Le -Casan. During the time it had occupied these -trenches, it had done a great deal of work, and -altered the appearance of the line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='ninth'>9th</abbr> the offensive on the Richebourg—Festubert -line began. To the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade was -assigned the task of holding the Givenchy—Cuinchy -line, while the First, Eighth, and Indian -Divisions were to carry out the attack. A terrific -bombardment on both sides opened early in the -morning, but no attack developed against that -part of the line. The attack by our First Division -proved a costly failure, although the French made -some progress near Notre Dame de Lorette.</p> - -<p class='c005'>News was received of the German gas attack -at Ypres, and precautions had consequently to be -taken. The question of respirators became very -important, and masks of all sorts and kinds were -tried. Here were thousands of men absolutely -unprepared, who at any moment might be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>suffocated, but the idea of taking precautions -against gas had never occurred to us, any more -than precautions against wells being poisoned. -Such things had been ruled out of civilised warfare -by the Hague Convention. It is hardly to -be wondered at that this perfidious treachery -on the part of the enemy took the whole -Army at first completely by surprise, but an -antidote was quickly provided in the shape of -gas helmets.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the night of the <abbr title='eleventh'>11th</abbr> Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A. V. L.</abbr> -Corry, accompanied by Sergeant Skerry, Lance-Corporal -Hodgson, and Private Gillet, went out, -and commenced cutting the barbed wire in front -of the German trenches. While engaged in this -they came in contact with a German patrol, one -of which was shot by Lieutenant Corry, a second -was killed by a bomb thrown by Private Gillet, -while a third was killed by Sergeant Skerry. -The German officer in command of the patrol -drew his revolver and shot Sergeant Skerry and -Corporal Hodgson dead, and wounded Private -Gillet, who afterwards succumbed to his wounds. -Lieutenant Corry, finding the remainder too -numerous to tackle single-handed, had perforce -to retire to the trenches.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr> we began a systematic bombardment -of the German lines opposite Richebourg—L'Avoué—Festubert. -This continued for -two days, and prepared the line for the second -attack, which was to be carried out by the Second -and Seventh Divisions and the Indian Corps. -There was a distinct salient at this part of the -German line, and it was for this reason that it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>was chosen for attack. The country was flat, -although intersected with water-courses, and -owing to the barrage of fire from the enemy -constant difficulty was experienced in bringing -up any supports.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span> - <h2 id='chap10' class='c003'>CHAPTER X <br /> THE BATTLE OF NEUVE CHAPELLE (<abbr title='FIRST'>1ST</abbr> BATTALION)</h2> -</div> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> March 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>For a long time the question had been discussed -whether it was humanly possible to break through -a line of trenches. Owing to the great defensive -power of modern weapons, the thickness of -the barbed-wire obstacles, and the dangers the -attacking force would have to run in leaving their -trenches and crossing the open, it was generally -believed that no attack could possibly succeed. -Further, in spite of repeated attempts, the -Germans had failed time after time to break -through our line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But there was another consideration which -we had to take into account. The French had -recently suffered enormous losses, with comparatively -small gains to set against them, and -they were beginning to think that since Ypres -we had not taken our proper share of the fighting. -Sir John French determined, therefore, to prepare -a regularly organised attack on the enemy's line -near Neuve Chapelle. He selected this portion -in the hope that, if the enterprise succeeded -and the ridge overlooking Lille was reached, -the La Bassée—Lille line would be threatened. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>and possibly the enemy might have to abandon -Lille. He communicated his plans to Sir Douglas -Haig in a secret memorandum, and put him in -command of the whole attack.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was arranged that the assault should be -undertaken by the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> and Indian Corps in the -First Army. The guns were to be massed west -of Neuve Chapelle, and were to smash the wire -entanglements, and break down the enemy's -trenches before the infantry attempted to advance. -Later they were to concentrate their -fire on the enemy's supports and reserves, and -prevent any more men from being sent up to the -firing line. This was the first time that we used -what afterwards became a regular feature of the -attack—the <i>barrage</i> of fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The sorely tried Seventh Division was again -given a very difficult task, and the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers was once more to bear the brunt of -the attack.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The officers of the Battalion at the time were -as follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>L. R.</abbr> Fisher-Rowe, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. F.</abbr> Trotter, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. V.</abbr> Fisher-Rowe, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Teece, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H. J.</abbr> Duberly, Machine-gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. E.</abbr> Nicol, Bombing Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. H.</abbr> Douglas-Pennant, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. W.</abbr> Ethelston, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. T. R. S.</abbr> Guthrie, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. G.</abbr> Goschen, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. W.</abbr> Duberly, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord Brabourne, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. F.</abbr> Burnand, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> Foster, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. F. F.</abbr> Sartorius, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord William Percy, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. R.</abbr> Westmacott, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. G.</abbr> Gelderd-Somervell, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Lygon, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. A. A.</abbr> Darby, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. S. L.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> J. Mildmay, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Attached</i>—Captain <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Petit, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='March'>Mar.</abbr> 10.</div> -<p class='c005'>It was on the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> of March that the attack -began. At 7.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> all the troops were in position, -and a powerful bombardment from our massed -batteries was opened on the trenches protecting -Neuve Chapelle, but the enemy made no reply. -After thirty-five minutes' bombardment the infantry -advanced; the Eighth Division and the -Garhwal Brigade from the Anglo-Indian Corps -attacked, and captured the village and entrenchments. -But the success thus gained was more -or less thrown away, owing to the delay that -occurred in bringing up the Reserve Brigades. -All day our men waited for reinforcements to -continue the advance, but by the time they arrived -it was dark. So there was nothing to do but -wait until next morning, and meanwhile the -Germans had had time to bring up more troops.</p> - -<div id='map10' class='figcenter id005'> -<img src='images/map10.jpg' alt='Battle of Neuve Chapelle. March 11th, 1915.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Battle of Neuve Chapelle. March 11th, 1915.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='March'>Mar.</abbr> 11.</div> -<p class='c005'>Being in the Reserve Brigade, the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers did not reach the firing line till the -following morning, when the weather was thick -and misty. This made artillery observation -impossible, and as many of the telephone wires -had been cut by the enemy's shells on the previous -day, communication between the different -Brigades became a matter of great difficulty. -The position of affairs now stood thus: the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>Eighth Division had carried the German trenches -north of Neuve Chapelle, but had not succeeded -in crossing the River des Layes, and the Garhwal -Brigade on their right had also been held up in -front of the Bois du Biez. The Seventh Division -was on the extreme left, with the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> and <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> -Brigades in the firing line and the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade -in support. The <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Brigade was reported to -be holding a position with its right resting on the -captured German trenches some two hundred -yards east of Moated Grange, and in touch with -the Eighth Division, but it was soon discovered -that it did not extend so much to its right as -it imagined, and the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade was therefore -sent up to fill the gap. The attack along the -whole line was delayed until the leading battalions -of the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade were ready.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was now ordered -to move up into the old British line of trenches. -It started off at 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr>, led by Brigadier-General -Heyworth, and after passing down the -Rue du Bacquerot struck off across the fields, -keeping along a trolly line. Dawn was just -breaking, and the flashes of the shells lit up -the sinister sky. The trolly line ended on -a road where, in the uncertain light, glimpses -could be caught of trestles, barbed wire, and -ammunition boxes, standing near the remains -of a house. Now for the first time bullets could -be heard striking the trees, and the men realised -that they were nearing the front line. The men -in front eager to go forward moved rather too -fast, which made it difficult for those in the rear -to keep touch with them, and the platoon leaders, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>afraid of losing touch with the rest of the Battalion, -had even to urge the men to double. On reaching -the Rue Tilleloy, the Battalion followed it for -a few hundred yards south, keeping behind a -breastwork until it came to a road which led to -the left, and apparently ended in a ruined farm. -There it received orders to go into some support -trenches, and at 7 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Fisher-Rowe -sent for the Company Commanders, and -explained their orders to them. The Battalion -was to advance in columns of platoons at fifty -yards interval in the following order:</p> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c014'><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company</td> - <td class='c015'>The King's Company</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'>Platoon 5, <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Foster</td> - <td class='c015'>Platoon 1, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Ethelston</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'>Platoon 6, <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Burnand</td> - <td class='c015'>Platoon 2, <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Guthrie</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'>Platoon 7, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord Brabourne</td> - <td class='c015'>Platoon 3, <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Goschen</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c014'>Platoon 8, Major Duberly</td> - <td class='c015'>Platoon 4, <abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> Douglas-Pennant</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p class='c005'>Leaving the old British line it advanced -across the open, over trenches which had been -captured from the Germans the day before. -Almost immediately after the advance began, -Captain Douglas-Pennant was struck by a shell, -and mortally wounded just as he had emerged -from a trench, and was looking round to see -whether his company was going in the right -direction.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the accounts written by the Divisional -and Brigade Staffs are compared with those -written by the Commanding Officer and individual -officers, there can be no doubt that the information, -which trickled back during the day's fighting, -was often so incorrect, that it led not only General -<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>Capper, but also General Heyworth, to form -entirely wrong conclusions as to what was happening -in front, and the orders issued were in -many instances unintelligible. Communication -between the Battalion and the Brigade was -maintained by orderlies, and on several occasions -when the orderlies were killed the orders never -reached the front line, or reached it so long -after they had been despatched that the situation -in front had completely changed. It -hardly seems to have been realised at Divisional -Headquarters, how much the artillery bombardments -on both sides had obliterated all landmarks. -Roads were mentioned of which no trace -could be seen, and the four lines of trenches, the -old and the new German lines, and the old and -the new British lines, no doubt added considerably -to the lack of clearness in the orders.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The whole position was most complicated, as -the Germans had been only partially driven back -on the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr>, and consequently their line in places -faced in different directions. Though Neuve -Chapelle itself was in our hands, the enemy still -occupied part of their old line farther north. In -order to attack this position, it was necessary -to come down the old British trench, and then -advance due west for a quarter of a mile, after -which the attacking force had to wheel round, and -go in a northerly direction.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Whether such intricate manoeuvres could -ever have been successfully accomplished in the -face of machine-gun fire is very doubtful, but -there seems to have been no other way of -attacking this part of the enemy's line, which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>jutted out at right angles, and made any advance -by the Eighth Division an impossibility.</p> - -<p class='c005'>To accomplish its difficult task, the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers started with the Gordons -on their left. It had hardly reached the road -when it came in for a murderous enfilade fire from -the German machine-guns on its left front, which -very much puzzled the men, who imagined the -enemy to be straight in front of them. Two -platoons under Lieutenant Ethelston and Second -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> Foster had pushed on, and were -quite one hundred yards ahead of the rest of the -line, but <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company on the left, being nearest -to the German machine-guns, lost very heavily. -Lieutenant Lord Brabourne and Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>C. F.</abbr> Burnand were killed, in addition -to a large number of <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s and men. Soon -afterwards Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> Foster was -mortally wounded, being hit in five places.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile the Gordon Highlanders in the -orchard were held up by the enemy, and could -make no headway against the machine-guns in -front of them. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Fisher-Rowe, after -having gone round the front line, saw clearly that -unless steps were taken to silence this machine-gun -fire on the left his Battalion would soon be -annihilated. He accordingly sent back a message -to Brigade Headquarters explaining his position. -Apparently he was under the impression that -the Battalion had reached the River des Layes, -but as a matter of fact it was astride a small -stream much farther back. General Heyworth -ordered him to hold on where he was, in the hope -that when the Gordons cleared the orchard the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>Grenadiers would be able to press home their -attack.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The platoons had naturally telescoped up -during this advance, as those in rear were always -pushing on to get into the front trenches. Sergeant-Major -Hughes, in command of the last -platoon of the King's Company, was joined by -Lieutenant Westmacott with his platoon, and -soon afterwards by Lieutenant Somervell. Lieutenant -Goschen also managed to get his platoon -up to the front trench, where Lieutenant Duberly -with his machine-gun arrived a little later. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> -4 Company under Captain Lygon, having passed -through two lines of trenches occupied mostly -by the Devonshire Regiment, had come up on -the left of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2. Lieutenant Darby with <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 13 -Platoon managed to cross a ditch full of water -by means of a plank bridge, and get touch with -the Gordon Highlanders; but when Lieutenant -Mildmay attempted to follow with his platoon, -he found the enemy had a machine-gun trained -on it, and had to wade through the water farther -to the left. Captain Sartorius was seriously -wounded as he came along at the head of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 -Company; his two orderlies attempted to carry -him back, but were both shot. Second Lieutenant -Lord William Percy, who was close behind, was -wounded in the thigh; Lieutenant A. Darby -was shot through the heart as he was lighting -a cigarette, and Second Lieutenant Mildmay, -who was close to him, was badly wounded. The -casualties among the other ranks were very -heavy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers found itself from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>the start in a hopeless situation, and was enfiladed -the moment it crossed the road.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But it continued to go forward in spite of the -German machine-guns, and stubbornly held on -to the position it had gained. Men who had -been wounded early in the day had to be left -lying where they fell, and many of them were -subsequently killed by shrapnel. The King's -Company was unfortunate enough to lose two of -its best sergeants: Sergeant Russell was killed, -as he followed Lieutenant Ethelston into the -front trench, and Sergeant Annis fell somewhat -later.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Just before dark the Battalion received orders -to dig in where it was, and the advanced position -to which Lieutenant Ethelston and his platoons -clung had to be reached by a communication -trench. The darkness made all communication -very difficult, and the piteous cries of the wounded -and dying, who asked not to be trodden on, added -to the troubles of the officers, who were trying to -collect their platoons. When orders were subsequently -received for the Battalion to retire and -get into some reserve trenches, it was found that -the casualties had been very heavy. It was disappointing -to learn that the British line on the -right had been 200 yards ahead of the Battalion, -and that all the losses had been incurred in passing -over ground captured by the Eighth Division.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Battalion assembled by degrees, and retired -to the place appointed to it, which was not -far from the junction of the three roads. During -its retirement Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>R. G.</abbr> Somervell -was mortally wounded, and was picked up by a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>stretcher-bearer of another battalion. Rations -were brought up and issued, and the men afterwards -got what sleep they could, but they were -wet through, and spent a most uncomfortable -night.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant Ethelston was now in command -of the King's Company, and Second Lieutenant -Westmacott of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3, while Major Duberly and -Captain Lygon retained command of their -companies.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='March'>Mar.</abbr> 12.</div> -<p class='c005'>Having grasped the gravity of the situation, -the Germans were now hurrying up guns and -men to the threatened portion of the line as fast -as they could. At an early hour they opened a -savage bombardment on the trenches, and almost -continuously throughout the morning shells were -falling round the men in rapid succession. Only -two actually dropped amongst the Grenadiers, -but these caused many casualties.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the afternoon the Battalion was ordered -to support the Scots Guards, who were to undertake -the attack with the Border Regiment. The -orders were to advance with the right on the -Moulin du Piètre, but although this looked on -paper a perfectly clear landmark, it was not so -easy to locate from the trenches. In the orders -the abbreviation <abbr class='spell'>Mn.</abbr> was used for Moulin, which -was new to the majority of platoon commanders, -but even those who knew its meaning were quite -unable to discover the mill. They could not see -much through their periscopes, and nothing at all -resembling a mill was to be observed. Presumably, -as the Grenadiers were to support the Scots -Guards, they should have followed them, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>made a considerable détour; but the Staff Officer -who directed the initial stages of the advance -appears to have told them to go straight for the -Moulin du Piètre.</p> - -<p class='c005'>From information obtained from a German -prisoner it appeared that the enemy intended to -retake Neuve Chapelle that day at all costs, and -that reinforcements had been sent up to enable -them to do so. Major Trotter with the left half -Battalion started off down the road leading past -Brigade Headquarters, where he was joined -by Captain Palmer, the Brigade Staff Captain. -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company under Captain Lygon was here -ordered to advance in two lines with two platoons -of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 under Sergeant Powell and Sergeant -Langley in support. After having gone forward -for about half a mile it came under enfilade -fire from the right, which seemed to indicate -that it was not going in the right direction. -Captain Lygon decided to bear to the right, and -sent word to Lieutenant Westmacott, who was -farther back with the remainder of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3, to -swing round in that direction, as they were all -going too far to the left. He himself hit off a -communication trench which led to the front line, -but after the leading half company had passed -through, the Germans trained a machine-gun -down this trench, which made it impossible for -the remainder to follow. Half of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company -and the two platoons of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 therefore took -refuge in a ruined house. Captain Lygon endeavoured -to move down the front trench to the -right, but found all farther progress stopped by a -deep stream which cut the trench in two. After -<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>several ineffectual attempts to cross this stream, -he turned back, but the German machine-gun -made all attempts to return by the communication -trench an impossibility. His half company -was practically caught in a trap, from which it -would be impossible to escape in daylight. There -was therefore nothing to do but to wait until it -was dark. Eventually, Lieutenant Fisher-Rowe, -the Adjutant, who had been sent in search of -this lost company, swam the stream, and told -Captain Lygon what was happening on the -right.</p> - -<div id='map11' class='figcenter id005'> -<img src='images/map11.jpg' alt='Battle of Neuve Chapelle. March 12th, 1915.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Battle of Neuve Chapelle. March 12th, 1915.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Major G. Trotter had been hit in the head by a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>shrapnel bullet, and although the wound was not -serious it placed him <i>hors de combat</i> for the rest of -the day.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile, the remainder of the Battalion, -after waiting two hours, received orders to -advance, but after passing the old British line, -instead of keeping straight on, it began to -swing to the left, in the same way as <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 had -done. Lieutenant Westmacott, observing this, -ran forward to tell the platoons to swing round -to the right, but in the smoke it was not easy for -the platoon leaders to make out what exactly -was the objective.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There seems no doubt that for some time the -Grenadiers were lost in the labyrinth of trenches, -but in spite of all their difficulties the right half -Battalion succeeded in getting eventually to its -proper place.</p> - -<p class='c005'>About the same time <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Fisher-Rowe, -who came up with the companies in support, -was struck in the head by a bullet and killed. -The death of "the old friend," as he was always -called, was a great loss. He had proved himself -so good a Commanding Officer, and inspired the -whole Battalion with such confidence, that he -was not easily replaced.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Scots Guards and Border Regiment having -made a most gallant assault without any bombardment -to aid them, managed to capture some -of the German front trenches, and the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers which, with the exception of -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company, had got up to its right place, -was now ready to support them. Seeing an -opportunity of taking another bit of trench, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>Lieutenant Westmacott advanced with some men -of his company, who were able to throw their -grenades at the retiring Germans. Men of the -Wiltshire and Border Regiments joined in, and -soon bombs were flying about in every direction.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the event which overshadowed all other -trench fighting was the advance of Captain Nicol -with his bombers. This was watched with admiration -by the whole line, and the Germans could -be seen pursued everywhere by the Grenadier -bombers, and surrendering in large numbers.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile Private Barber advanced by himself -down one of the enemy's communication trenches -with a bag of bombs: when a bullet from one of -the enemy's snipers struck the bombs he was -carrying, he threw them away, and they exploded. -Gathering up a fresh supply from a dead man, he -rushed along, throwing them with such effect that -a large number of Germans put up their hands -and surrendered. He continued his advance until -he was shot by a sniper, and was responsible for -taking over one hundred prisoners. For this -conspicuous act of bravery he was awarded the -Victoria Cross.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Another gallant exploit was also rewarded by -the Victoria Cross. Lance-Corporal <abbr class='spell'>W. D.</abbr> Fuller, -seeing a party of the enemy trying to escape -along a communication trench, ran towards it, -and killed the leading man with a bomb. The -remainder, finding no means of evading his bombs, -surrendered to him, although he was quite alone.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major Nicol himself was later awarded the -<abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, and many thought that he should have -received the <abbr class='spell'>V.C.</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>The enemy could be seen streaming away, -and the rifle-fire consequently dwindled to -nothing. The ground was torn up by shellfire, -so that all landmarks were obliterated, and -the dead and dying were lying about in large -numbers everywhere. Major-General Capper sent -an order to the Battalion to support the Scots -Guards by attacking a point in the German line -to their right. The order was received by Lieutenant -Westmacott, who found that the situation -had so altered since the order was written that -it would mean having his right flank in the air, -and exposed to enfilade fire. He therefore consulted -Colonel Wood, commanding the Border -Regiment, who also thought the time had passed -for an attack of this nature, and advised him to -remain where he was in support of the Scots -Guards.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Not entirely convinced, Lieutenant Westmacott -ran back to consult Major Duberly, and met -him as he was coming up with the Adjutant, -Lieutenant Fisher-Rowe. All three officers returned -to the firing trench to discuss the point -again with Colonel Wood, and although Major -Duberly was at first strongly in favour of carrying -out the order, it was eventually agreed that to -take on the attack ordered some hours ago, under -entirely different conditions, would mean practical -annihilation.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Soon afterwards orders were received for the -Battalion to withdraw to the original line fifty -yards in rear, where they remained for the night. -The only officers left with the Battalion were -Major Duberly, in command; Lieutenant Fisher-Rowe, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>Adjutant; Lieutenant Ethelston, King's -Company; Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. G.</abbr> Goschen, -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2; Lieutenant Westmacott, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3; Captain -Lygon, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4; and Second Lieutenant Duberly -with the machine-guns.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During the night Major Duberly and Captain -Lygon went up to reconnoitre the Royal Scots -Fusiliers' trenches, from which the Battalion was -expected to attack the next morning. On their -return Major Duberly went to Brigade Headquarters -to discuss the situation with General -Heyworth, who decided to go round the trenches -himself. He accordingly started off, accompanied -by Captain Lygon, and having visited the front -trench gave orders for the Grenadiers to relieve -the Royal Scots Fusiliers on the right of the line, -with a view to attacking Moulin du Piètre.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='March'>Mar.</abbr> 13.</div> -<p class='c005'>Unfortunately the rations had only just -arrived, and were being distributed when the -orders were received. As it was essential that -this move should be accomplished before daylight -it was impossible to see that each man -received his rations before the Battalion moved -off. They started at 3.30, led by Captain Lygon. -Owing to the darkness and the lines of trenches -to be crossed, progress was necessarily slow. -Though the distance was only 1000 yards, the -constant climbing in and out of trenches in the -dark, the shell-holes, and the remains of barbed-wire -obstacles, made it seem interminable.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the way Lieutenant Westmacott, who was -standing on the parapet directing his men where -to cross over a trench, was blown up by a bomb -thrown by a wounded German who was lying close -<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>by. He had a wonderful escape, and although -completely stunned, he recovered sufficiently to -join his company again later in the day. The -Battalion was sadly in need of officers, and he -insisted on returning that evening in spite of his -dazed condition.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Captain Lygon led the Battalion over a maze -of wet trenches and ditches to where the Royal -Scots Fusiliers were in front of the Moulin du -Piètre, and the companies as they came up were -ordered to get into the trenches. But as the day -dawned slowly it was found that there was no -room in the trenches for the men, as the Royal -Scots Fusiliers were still there, and there was not -time for them to get away. There were but some -mere scratches in the earth, which would hardly -hold a quarter of the men. The lighter it got -the more obvious became the peril of the Battalion's -position. Major Duberly did all he could. -Absolutely regardless of danger, he went about -shouting to the men to dig themselves in where -they were, and endeavouring to establish communication -between the groups of men who were -making themselves some sort of shelter.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Soon after daybreak the firing became -intense, and the whole ground was ploughed up -with shells and furrowed with machine-gun -bullets. Major Duberly was killed early in the -day, and Lieutenant Fisher-Rowe, who came -down a communication trench filled with water, -was wounded in the leg and unable to move, just -as he had nearly reached the trench. His satchel, -containing the orders, was passed up by the men -to Captain Lygon in the front trench. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>orders were to the effect that the Grenadiers -were to attack Moulin du Piètre in co-operation -with the Eighth Division on the right after a -bombardment, which would last from 9 to -9.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> The Gordons were to attack on the -left.</p> - -<div id='map12' class='figcenter id005'> -<img src='images/map12.jpg' alt='Neuve Chapelle. March 13th 1915.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Neuve Chapelle. March <abbr title='thirteenth'>13th</abbr> 1915.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Captain Lygon, on whom the command of -the Battalion now devolved, found himself in -a position of extreme difficulty. Owing to the -distances between the groups he had no means of -sending messages to the men on the right and left, -and the roar of musketry and bursting shells made -all communication by word of mouth out of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>question, though it was evident that before an -attack could be carried out with any prospect of -success, the men would have to be formed up and -got into some sort of order, in spite of the withering -fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>To make matters worse, some of our own heavy -guns were dropping shells on the trenches occupied -by the Gordon Highlanders, under the impression -that that part of the line was held by the Germans. -The Gordons wisely withdrew to their support -trenches until the mistake was rectified.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As our attack was to be made at the same -time as that of the Gordons, it was more than -ever necessary to wait until they were in a -position to co-operate. The enemy on the right -front was causing most of the casualties, and -owing to the curve in the trenches would have -enfiladed any advance on Moulin du Piètre. -Captain Lygon wriggled down the shallow trench, -over the legs of the men, to consult the Gordons, -but found that any attack from them was for -the moment impossible. The Eighth Division -was in equal difficulties, and found it impossible -to attack.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There was, then, nothing to be done but to lie -out in the open and wait for further orders, and -in the infernal din of shell-fire the Battalion went -through a terrible ordeal. The shallow scratches -they had managed to dig gave little protection, -and the casualties were consequently very heavy. -One incident may be quoted to give some idea of -the way in which the men's nerves were strained. -Two men were observed to get up and walk about, -and were shouted at, and told to lie down. All -<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>they did was to smile inanely, and very soon, of -course, they were shot by the enemy. They had -gone clean off their heads.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Twice orderlies were sent back with a report -of the position occupied, and when it was dark -Captain Lygon sent Lieutenant Westmacott to -report the situation to Brigade Headquarters, -while the Gordon Highlanders sent a subaltern -on the same errand.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Captain Petit with the stretcher-bearers behaved -in the most gallant manner, and succoured -the wounded oblivious of shells and bullets.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Orders were at last sent to the Grenadiers and -Gordon Highlanders to withdraw, and to march -to Laventie, but owing partly to a mistake on -the part of the guides, partly to the darkness, -the Battalion did not reach its billets until 2 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> -The only three officers left with the Battalion now -were Captain Lygon, Lieutenant Goschen, and -Lieutenant Duberly; but Major Trotter, who had -recovered from his wound, met them on arrival, -and took over command.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was a source of deep disappointment to -the men to feel that many lives had been -lost, and little accomplished. On each day the -Battalion had been given a very difficult and -intricate task, and it was entirely owing to the -indomitable pluck of the men that, in spite of all -their difficulties, they had invariably succeeded -in reaching their destination.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The casualties in the Battalion at Neuve -Chapelle were 16 officers and 325 <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s and -men. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>L. R.</abbr> Fisher-Rowe, Major -<abbr class='spell'>G. W.</abbr> Duberly, Captain the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. H.</abbr> Douglas-Pennant, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>Captain <abbr class='spell'>E. F. F.</abbr> Sartorius, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. -W.</abbr> Ethelston, Lieutenant Lord Brabourne, Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>M. A. A.</abbr> Darby, Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. F.</abbr> -Burnand, Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A. C.</abbr> Foster, Second -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Gelderd-Somervell were killed, and -Major <abbr class='spell'>G. F.</abbr> Trotter, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> V. Fisher-Rowe, -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. T. R. S.</abbr> Guthrie, -Second Lieutenant Lord William Percy, Second -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G. R.</abbr> Westmacott, and Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>A. L.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Mildmay were wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The total British losses during three days' -fighting were: 190 officers and 2337 other ranks -killed, 359 officers and 8174 other ranks wounded, -and 23 officers and 1728 other ranks missing.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Ten days later Major-General Capper sent the -following message to the Battalion:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Divisional General has now received the report -on the action of Neuve Chapelle on March 10-14. He -desires to express his appreciation of the steady conduct -of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadier Guards, which maintained -a difficult position in the open under very adverse circumstances. -The conduct of Lance-Corporal <abbr class='spell'>W.</abbr> Fuller and -Private <abbr class='spell'>T.</abbr> Barber and the grenade-throwers of this -Battalion commands the admiration of every one who -heard of their exploits, and testifies in the highest degree -to the gallant spirit which animates this Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c011'>At the end of the month the Commanding -Officer conveyed to the Battalion stretcher-bearers -a message received from the <abbr class='spell'>G.O.C.</abbr> -Seventh Division, expressing his appreciation -of the courage and devotion to duty displayed by -them during the recent action.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Moreover, when Sir John French, the Commander-in-Chief, -inspected the Battalion with the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>rest of the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade in April, he made them -a short but most impressive speech, in which -he praised their conduct at Neuve Chapelle, and -referred to the heavy losses they had suffered. -He made a special reference to the gallant death -of <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Fisher-Rowe.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In a private letter written by command of -the King to Colonel Streatfeild, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -<abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Wigram said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The King has read your letter of the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> inst., and -is much distressed to hear how terribly the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -suffered. It is indeed heart-breaking to see a good -Battalion like this decimated in a few hours. His -Majesty has heard from the Prince of Wales, who has -seen the remnants of the Battalion, and he told His -Majesty how splendidly they had taken their losses.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Trotter, in spite of his wound in the -head, insisted on returning, and took command -of the Battalion, and Lieutenant Charles Greville, -who had rejoined the Battalion on the last day -of the battle of Neuve Chapelle, was appointed -Adjutant. Captain Nicol and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> -Mitchell, who had been employed at Brigade -Headquarters, returned to the Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr> Major Lord Henry Seymour and -Captain <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Hughes came from the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion. -On the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> a draft of 350 men arrived with the -following officers: Captain <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Maitland, Captain -<abbr class='spell'>G. C. G.</abbr> Moss, Lieutenant the Earl of Dalkeith, -Lieutenant Lord Stanley, Second Lieutenant the -<abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Hope Morley, and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A. -B.</abbr> Lawford.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Corkran arrived -and took command of the Battalion, and on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Mitchell was appointed -Adjutant in the place of Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Greville, -who proceeded to Brigade Headquarters for -duty with the Grenade Company.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The greater part of the rest of the month was -spent in billets, when the Battalion was reorganised, -but the usual routine was followed, and -the Battalion took its turn in the trenches.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>April.</div> -<p class='c005'>Nothing worth recording happened in April. -The days that were spent in the trenches were -uneventful, and when in reserve the Battalion -went into billets at Estaires. On the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr>, Lieutenant -Corry and Lieutenant <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Aubyn, on the -<abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> a draft of thirty men under Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Dudley Smith, and on the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> Captain -<abbr class='spell'>F. L. V.</abbr> Swaine, Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>E. O. R.</abbr> -Wakeman, and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>L. E.</abbr> Parker joined -the Battalion.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May.</div> -<p class='c005'>The first few days in May were spent in the -trenches, which the enemy's artillery at times -shelled very heavily. It was thought at first -that this denoted an attack, but although the -Battalion stood to arms nothing serious in the -way of an attack developed. On the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Captain -<abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Morrison was wounded, and there was a certain -number of casualties. On the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Captain <abbr class='spell'>T.</abbr> -Dickinson, <abbr title='sixteenth'>16th</abbr> Cavalry, Indian Army, was -attached to the Battalion, and on the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> -Captain <abbr class='spell'>W. S.</abbr> Pilcher arrived.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='ninth'>9th</abbr> the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers with -the remainder of the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade moved up -to the support trenches in rear of the Eighth -Division, but was not called upon to go into -action.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span> - <h2 id='chap11' class='c003'>CHAPTER XI <br /> THE BATTLE OF FESTUBERT</h2> -</div> -<h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion</h3> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>May 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>In May the French resolved to make a determined -attack on the German line in Artois, and in order -to prevent the enemy moving up any reinforcements -to support that part of the line, Sir -John French agreed to attack simultaneously at -Festubert, where the German Seventh Corps was -posted.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May 9.</div> -<p class='c005'>Sir Douglas Haig, who was entrusted with -the task, began operations on May 9, when the -Eighth Division captured some of the enemy's -first-line trenches at Rougebanc, while the First -and Indian Divisions attacked south of Neuve -Chapelle. But the enemy's positions proved -much stronger than had been expected, and little -progress was made in either place. During this -attack the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was never -engaged, but remained in close support. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Corkran himself accompanied the Eighth -Division, and remained with it in case the services -of the Battalion should be required.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May 10-11.</div> -<p class='c005'>A second attack was made by the Eighth -Division east of Festubert on the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr>, preceded -<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>by a long artillery bombardment, the Seventh -Division remaining in reserve. During the interval -between the attacks of the <abbr title='ninth'>9th</abbr> and <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr>, -the Seventh Division was brought up on the right -of the First Corps, the Canadian Division being -in support, while the Indian Corps still remained -on the left.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the night of the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -marched to Bethune, where it was billeted in a -tobacco factory, and on the <abbr title='eleventh'>11th</abbr> moved to Hinges. -The roll of officers of the Battalion was as follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>C. E.</abbr> Corkran, <abbr class='spell'>C.M.G.</abbr>, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. F.</abbr> Trotter, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Mitchell, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H. J.</abbr> Duberly, Machine-gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Teece, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. E.</abbr> Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. S.</abbr> Pilcher, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. C.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Aubyn, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord Dalkeith, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. G.</abbr> Goschen, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. L. V.</abbr> Swaine, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord Stanley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. P.</abbr> de <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Trench, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Dudley Smith, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. S.</abbr> Hughes (attached from <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr>), <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>O.</abbr> Wakeman, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. K.</abbr> Stephenson, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L. E.</abbr> Parker, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. C. G.</abbr> Moss, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Lieut, the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Hope Morley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. B.</abbr> Lawford, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. O. R.</abbr> Wakeman, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. E.</abbr> Nicol, Grenade Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. H.</abbr> Greville, Grenade Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Petit, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Attached</i>—<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. M.</abbr> Dickinson.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div id='map13' class='figcenter id005'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span> -<img src='images/map13.jpg' alt='Festubert. Position on the evening of May 17th.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Festubert. Position on the evening of May <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr>.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'>May 15.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr> the Seventh Division moved up -to the trenches north of Festubert, and the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers marched to the assembly -trenches in and around Dead Cow Farm. The -attack was opened by the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade. On -the right was the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Scots Guards, -supported by the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Gordon Highlanders, -and on the left the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Border Regiment, supported by the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers, while the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Battalion Gordon -Highlanders was in reserve. On the right of -the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade was the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigade, and on -the left the Second Division.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May 16.</div> -<p class='c005'>The attack began at 3.15 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> on the <abbr title='sixteenth'>16th</abbr>. -The Scots Guards met with little opposition, and -easily secured their objective, but the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Border -Regiment had hardly started when it came -under a murderous machine-gun fire. It lost -a large number of men and most of its officers, -including the Commanding Officer, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Wood, but it succeeded nevertheless in reaching -the enemy's trenches. In the meantime, however, -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Scots Guards had pushed on beyond -the German support line, so that its left was -in the air. Even in the support trenches, which -were only thirty yards in rear of the front line, -the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers came in for a great -deal of shelling, and one shell burst in the middle -of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 8 Platoon, killing four men and wounding -many others, including Lieutenant Dickinson and -Lieutenant <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Aubyn, who was struck in the -face by a piece of shrapnel. All the time a stream -of wounded from the front trenches was passing -by, some walking and some on stretchers.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>The machine-guns under Lieutenant Duberly -were sent up to support the Scots Guards, and -helped them greatly. With a view to protecting -their left flank, the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -was now ordered forward. It was about 10 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> -<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Corkran, who saw clearly that -his Battalion would share the same fate as -the Border Regiment, if they advanced against -the machine-guns, which had inflicted such loss, -decided to move his Battalion farther to the -south, and advance from the original forming-up -trench of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Scots Guards, -where a communication trench was being constructed -by the Gordon Highlanders. Down -this trench the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion rushed, jumping -over a mass of wounded men as it went, -and when it reached the German front-line -trench, the King's Company under Captain -Maitland, and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 under Captain Hughes, -remained to consolidate it, while <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 under -Captain Moss, followed by <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 under Captain -Swaine, pushed on to prolong the left of the -Scots Guards.</p> - -<p class='c005'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Corkran met <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Cator, commanding the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Scots -Guards, and discussed the situation, which was -very obscure. One and a half companies of the -Scots Guards had most gallantly pushed on right -through the German lines, and had completely -lost touch with the rest of the Battalion. It -was afterwards discovered that they had been -surrounded, and cut off by the enemy. The -left of that Battalion was consequently in the -air. It was determined that the Scots Guards -<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company Grenadiers under Captain -Swaine should consolidate the line they had -reached, namely, the German third line; <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 -Company under Captain Moss was to advance -over the open on the left, and attack a small -house still held by the enemy about six hundred -yards off; <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company under Captain Hughes, -from the original German front trench, was to -make a bombing attack down a German communication -trench leading apparently to the -small house; and the King's Company under -Captain Maitland was to remain where it was in -the German front trench in reserve.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Captain Hughes with <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company made a -most successful advance down the German trench, -clearing about three hundred yards of it, and -killing a number of Germans, while the bombers -under Captain Nicol were equally successful down -another German communication trench in which -they captured a large number of prisoners. But -the advance of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company was held up almost -immediately by machine-gun fire from the small -house. The leading platoon under Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>E. O. R.</abbr> Wakeman was practically annihilated, -and its gallant commander, as he pluckily led his -men on to this death-trap, was killed. Second -Lieutenant C. Hope Morley was struck by a -bullet in the eyes and blinded. Finding any -farther advance impossible, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company -received orders to prolong the left of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 -Company, and keep in touch with <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company, -which was in the German communication -trench.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At 1 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Corkran went back to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigade Headquarters, and got into -communication by telephone with General -Heyworth, who ordered him to push his Battalion -as far forward as he could and assist -any advance made by the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigade on the -right.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Rain began to fall at 6 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr>, and grew into -a steady downpour. The two companies, which -had been moved up on the left of the Scots Guards, -found themselves in some old German trenches, -which had to be reconstructed, as they faced the -wrong way, and would have been lamentably -weak if they had been left as they were. In -these ill-covered trenches the men were soaked -to the skin, and spent a miserable night, which -was not improved by the fact that all the -time the officers were busy in getting them -into their right order, so that they might be -ready to attack at daybreak. Everywhere the -wounded, both British and Germans, lay about -groaning.</p> - -<p class='c005'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Corkran, having returned to -his Battalion, sent Major <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Trotter to the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> -Brigade Headquarters as liaison officer, so that -close touch might be kept with it.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As soon as it was dark, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company was -ordered to establish itself as close to the small -house as possible and to dig itself in, at the -same time gaining touch with <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company in -the German communication trench. The King's -Company was to fill up the gap in the line created -by the advance of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2. It was hoped that the -small house might be rushed, but when <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 -pushed forward it came under such a heavy -<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>machine-gun fire that it had to abandon all -idea of seizing the house. It had accordingly -to leave one platoon to hold the line, which it -had gained, and to return to the main line.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May 17.</div> -<p class='c005'>Early next morning the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion advanced -another 400 yards, and the men began to dig -themselves in, but as the rain continued in -torrents the trenches were knee-deep in mud, -and it was difficult to provide adequate shelter -from the enemy's artillery.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was while the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion was lying in -this position that the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards Brigade was -observed coming up in artillery formation, under -a hail of shells and bullets; and—a memorable -incident—the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalions Grenadiers -suddenly found themselves fighting side by -side.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Although the Seventh Division had carried -several lines of trenches, the part of the German -line opposite the extreme left of the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade -was still in the hands of the enemy. In certain -sections of the line the attack had been most -successful, while in others the enemy had offered -a stubborn resistance. Thus the advance had -not been uniform, and there were consequently -several places where the German machine-guns -were able to enfilade our men. But, in spite of -the constant counter-attacks, the enemy had not -been able to retake any considerable portion of -the ground they had lost on a front of over two -miles.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the evening of the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Brigade -received orders to relieve the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade, and -the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers consequently withdrew -<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>to the second line, where it remained -throughout the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr>.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May 19.</div> -<p class='c005'>The attack continued next day with varying -results. As the weather was heavy, artillery -observation was difficult, and the guns were -unable to support the infantry attacks. The -<abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was ordered back to -Brigade Headquarters in the Rue du Bois, where -it bivouacked in a field, and presently moved -back to Hinges.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Thus ended the first phase of the battle of -Festubert. The Second and Seventh Divisions -had succeeded in cutting two gaps in the German -line, but unfortunately between the two gaps -there lay an untouched and strongly held line, -stretching for nearly three-quarters of a mile, -which made any farther advance a matter of -great difficulty.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> of May the attack was renewed by -the Canadian Division, and on the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> the Forty-seventh -London Territorial Division joined in, but -although considerable progress was made, and a -large number of Germans accounted for, our defective -ammunition supply did not at that time -allow us to compete with the Germans on even -terms. The net result of the battle was that we -pierced the enemy's lines on a total front of four -miles. The whole first-line system of trenches -was captured on a front of 3200 yards. The -total number of prisoners taken was 8 officers -and 777 of other ranks, and a number of machine-guns -were captured and destroyed.</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span> - <h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion.</h3> -</div> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> May 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>The following is the list of officers of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion at the battle of Festubert:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>W. R. A.</abbr> Smith, <abbr class='spell'>C.M.G.</abbr>, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. D.</abbr> Jeffreys, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'>Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. R.</abbr> Bailey, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>D.</abbr> Abel-Smith, Machine-gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. E.</abbr> Acraman, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'>Major Lord Henry Seymour, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company. (Brigade Transport Officer)</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. N.</abbr> Buchanan, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. H.</abbr> Penn, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. A.</abbr> Clive, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. L.</abbr> Derriman, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. C.</abbr> Craigie, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Viscount Cranborne, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. P.</abbr> Cary, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>B. H.</abbr> Barrington Kennett, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. V. L.</abbr> Corry, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. O.</abbr> Creed, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. S.</abbr> Corkran, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>C. R. C.</abbr> de Crespigny, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>I.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Rose (Divisional Observation Officer), <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. G.</abbr> Williams, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>O.</abbr> Lyttelton, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. S.</abbr> Bailey, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Attached</i>—Captain <abbr class='spell'>F. G.</abbr> Howell, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>May 16.</div> -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade did not take part in the first -phase of the battle, and on the <abbr title='sixteenth'>16th</abbr> it was moved -up to the old line of breastworks at Rue du -Bois, to support the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade. The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers and Irish Guards were -placed immediately behind the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigade, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>while the two battalions of Coldstream remained -still farther back. The attack of the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> and <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> -Brigades was successful, and the first German line -of trenches was taken, but the Indian Division -was held up, and could not advance as the barbed -wire had not been destroyed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was not called -on to do anything that day, and remained -behind the breastworks, where it was subjected -to a heavy shelling. Although there were few -casualties, the noise was terrific, for not only were -the enemy's shells dropping all round, but our -own artillery was firing just over the men's heads. -It stood by all day, and withdrew in the evening -to Lacouture.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May 17.</div> -<p class='c005'>Next day the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade was sent up into -the front line. The men had breakfast at -3.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr>, an unusually early hour even for those -about to take part in the fighting, and after -standing by all the morning marched at 1 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> -to Le Touret, where they received orders to make -good the line of La Quinque Rue. This involved -not only getting up to the front line, but also -attacking La Quinque Rue, which ran about -five hundred yards east of it. The Germans -were systematically shelling all the roads leading -to the trenches, and it was therefore some time -before the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers could be -moved up in artillery formation across the open -<i>via</i> Cense du Raux Farm, Rue de l'Epinette, -and the hamlet known as "Indian Village."</p> - -<p class='c005'>When it reached the supports of the front -line, it was by no means easy to ascertain -precisely what line the Battalion was expected -<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>to occupy. Units had become mixed as the -inevitable result of the previous attack, and it -was impossible to say for certain what battalion -occupied a trench, or to locate the exact front. -An artillery observation officer helped, however, -by pointing out the positions on the map.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was not till late in the afternoon that the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion began to move up into the front -line. Progress was necessarily slow, as after -the heavy rain the ground was deep in mud, and -the shell-holes were full of water. It advanced -gradually through a maze of old British and -German trenches, much knocked about and -obstructed with troops' material and a great -many wounded, and passed through the Scots -Fusiliers, the Border Regiment, and the Yorkshire -Regiment. Its orders were to pass over -what had originally been the German front line, -and to establish itself about five hundred yards -from the German trench at La Quinque Rue. -The <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> and <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Brigades had in the meantime -been sent back in reserve, while the Canadian -Division had been ordered to come up on the right -and take the place of the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> and <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Brigades.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was dark before the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -reached the line it was ordered to occupy. The -men had stumbled over obstacles of every sort, -wrecked trenches and shell-holes, and had finally -wriggled themselves into the front line. The -enemy's trenches over which they passed were -a mass of dead men, both German and British, -with heads, legs, and other gruesome objects -lying about amid bits of wire obstacles and -remains of accoutrements. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith -<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>had originally intended to launch the attack on -La Quinque Rue at once, but decided to wait -until dawn. Brought up in the dark to an -entirely strange bit of country, without any landmarks -to guide him, or any means of reconnaissance, -and not even certain as to what troops -were on each flank, the Commanding Officer was -faced with many anxious problems.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade, however, was no novice at -this type of fighting, and it was astonishing to -see how quickly the men settled down. The -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was on the right, the -Irish Guards on the left, while the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalions Coldstream were in reserve some way -back. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Smith ordered Major -Jeffreys to take charge of the front line, while -he remained in the proper place assigned to the -Commanding Officer, which was with the supports. -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company under Captain <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Clive -on the right, and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 under Major Barrington -Kennett on the left were in the firing line, and -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 under Lord Henry Seymour, and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 under -Major <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> de Crespigny were in reserve, in some old -German breastworks. As <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company moved -up, Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A. H.</abbr> Penn was shot by a -sniper through both legs.</p> - -<p class='c005'>By a curious coincidence the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers in the Seventh Division was immediately -on the right, so that for the first time in -the war the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalions were side by -side in the line. Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. J.</abbr> Dudley-Smith -came over from the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion to get -touch, and to his surprise found himself amongst -brother officers.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>The men had only their little entrenching tools, -and with these they dug frantically, and managed -to scrape up some sort of protection before the -morning. The Germans fired a good deal at first, -but finding it difficult to locate exactly the position -of the line they determined later to save -their shells, and as the morning went on did not -molest the Battalion much. The Battalion Headquarters -and Reserve Companies came in for a -lot of shelling, but owing to the soft ground many -shells failed to explode. Sleep in such an advanced -position was out of the question, more -especially as every moment was precious.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May 18.</div> -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade was ordered to attack a point -marked <abbr class='spell'>P</abbr> 14 and Cour l'Avoué at 9.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr>, but -owing to the mist and bad weather the attack -was indefinitely postponed, and the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -had to remain all day in its hastily made trench, -which really offered very little resistance to -artillery fire. The weather cleared about 10 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> -and the enemy began a terrific bombardment, -which made things very unpleasant, although it -did very little actual damage. It was not till -3.45 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> that the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion received orders -to attack at 4.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr>, which gave no time for -adequate preparation. Soon afterwards a second -message arrived to the effect that, if the Canadians -were late in relieving the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade on the -right, the attack was not to be delayed, although -there would necessarily be a gap on that flank.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The front of the Canadian attack was to -extend to the left, so that it overlapped <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 -Company. The attack was therefore to be made -by <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company alone, although a platoon from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span><abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 was to be pushed forward as far as the -barricade.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Our guns began their preparation about forty -minutes before the attack was ordered, and -although they undoubtedly did a good deal of -damage, they never succeeded in knocking out -the enemy's machine-guns, which remained hidden -during the bombardment. The advance was -made by <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company in short quick rushes by -platoons, but as the ground was very flat, with -no possible cover from the machine-guns, the men -never had any real chance of reaching the German -trenches. The distance was about 600 yards, and -the ground was intersected with ditches full of -water. The first platoon was mown down before -it had covered a hundred yards, the second melted -away before it reached even as far, and the third -shared the same fate. The Irish Guards on the -right attacked on a much wider front, but were -also held up by the machine-guns which swept -the whole ground. It was magnificent to see the -gallant manner in which they brought up reinforcements -on reinforcements, unfortunately with -no success.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the first rush of the Grenadiers Major -Barrington Kennett was killed, and Second Lieutenant -the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Cary was hit soon afterwards. -Second Lieutenant Creed was mortally wounded -as he rushed on to the attack, and died of his -wounds some days later. The only officer left in -the Company was Lieutenant Corry, who behaved -with great gallantry when the enemy's machine-guns -opened fire with a storm of bullets.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant Lord Cranborne who commanded -<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>the platoon from <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company, which had been -pushed up as far as the barricade, was completely -deafened by the shells which burst incessantly -round his platoon during the attack. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Smith was struck in the head by a -bullet as he watched the attack from behind a -mound of earth, and though he was carried by -Major Jeffreys and Major Lord Henry Seymour -into a place of safety, and eventually taken to -the dressing-station, he never recovered consciousness, -and died the following day. He was -buried in the British Soldiers' Cemetery near Le -Touret, and his funeral was attended by Lord -Cavan and many officers and non-commissioned -officers of his battalion. Never was a Commanding -Officer more mourned by his men; he had -endeared himself to them by his soldier-like -qualities and constant care for their welfare. He -was a gallant and distinguished soldier, imperturbable -in action, never flurried or disconcerted in -perilous situations, a strict disciplinarian, but the -kindest and best of friends, and his loss was -keenly felt by all ranks of the regiment.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major Jeffreys, now in command of the Battalion, -ordered <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company to reinforce <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 -and continue the attack, but Captain Clive represented -that it would be practically impossible -for his Company to cross over the exposed ground -under so heavy a fire. The enemy's machine-guns -were absolutely undamaged, and commanded -the ground over which it would be necessary to -pass, and Major Jeffreys was forced to the -conclusion that it would be merely throwing -men's lives away to ask them to advance. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>At this moment Captain Lord Gort (Brigade-Major) -came up to investigate the situation, -and Major Jeffreys told him that he did not -propose to renew the attack until darkness -gave the Battalion some chance of reaching the -objective.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lord Cavan, on hearing from Lord Gort how -matters stood, sent orders to the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion to -dig in where it was. It had gained 300 yards, -and before it could possibly advance any farther -it would be necessary to wait until the Canadians -came up on the right. Soon after dark the -Canadians arrived, and, true to their reputation, -carried out their attack in a very dashing manner. -They met with very little opposition at first, and -got on very well until they were stopped by -machine-gun fire. In all probability, if the two -attacks had taken place simultaneously, there -would have been a far greater prospect of success, -but, as things happened, first the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade and -then in turn the Canadians drew on themselves -the attention of all the German troops in that -part of the line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major Jeffreys contemplated a combined attack -all down the line by night, but the Corps Commander -sent instructions that the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade -was to remain where it was, and join up with -the Canadians. So another gruesome night had -to be spent amongst the dead and dying, and the -men had to work hard to make the trench fit to -remain in.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May 19.</div> -<p class='c005'>All the next day the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion held this -line, and came in for a great deal of shell-fire, but -the trenches that had been dug during the night -<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>proved sufficient protection, and there were not -many casualties. That night the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers was relieved by the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream, and went into reserve with the rest -of the Second Division.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span> - <h2 id='chap12' class='c003'>CHAPTER XII <br /> MAY TO SEPTEMBER 1915</h2> -</div> -<h3 class='c013'>Diary of the War</h3> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>1915. April, May, June.</div> -<p class='c005'>At the end of April, Hill 60 near Ypres was taken -by the Second Corps under <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-General Sir -Charles Fergusson, and was lost again early in May -when the enemy used gas. The second battle -of Ypres began on May 10, and will always be -notorious for the treacherous use of poisonous gas -by the Germans. The British Army was totally -unprepared for this treachery, and had no gas -helmets of any kind, yet such was the tenacious -courage displayed by it that the Germans were -unable to do more than drive the line back a -certain distance. It was in this battle that the -Canadians greatly distinguished themselves. The -battle of Festubert was the principal offensive -at the end of May, although there was continual -fighting in other parts of the line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On May 22 Italy joined the Allies, and declared -war on the Central Powers. This was a great -blow to the Germans, who had fondly hoped that -Italy would remain at least neutral, and it completely -altered the situation in Central Europe.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Gallipoli Campaign commenced, and the -British and French troops effected a landing at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>extremity of the Peninsula near Krithia in April. -In Mesopotamia operations against the Turks were -carried forward under great difficulties, while a -Turkish Army under the command of German -officers made an unsuccessful attempt to cross the -desert and attack Egypt. In German South-West -Africa General Botha succeeded in pushing his -way into the enemy's country, and in capturing a -large number of prisoners.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Zeppelin raids on London and the East -Coast began, and as there were practically no -defences at the time the Germans were able to -carry them out with impunity.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In April the Russian Army continued its advance -in Austria, but was gradually driven back -by General von Mackensen's German Army. In -the extreme north the Germans, supported by -their Baltic Squadron, captured the Russian port -of Libau. The Austrian Army was now being reorganised -by the German General Staff, and by the -end of June the combined Austrian and German -Armies had recaptured Przemysl and Lemberg, -and driven the Russians back over the frontier.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>July, <abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr>, <abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>With the exception of continual fighting round -Ypres no serious operation was undertaken by -the British Army until September, when the -battle of Loos was fought.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Russians were slowly driven out of Poland -by the Germans, but had some successes in Galicia.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A second landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula -was effected at Suvla Bay, and some farther -advance was made later.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The conquest of German South-West Africa -was completed by General Botha.</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span> - <h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion</h3> -</div> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> May 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>For the remainder of May the Battalion -remained in billets at Robecq. On the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> a -draft of sixty men arrived, and on the <abbr title='twenty-ninth'>29th</abbr> Second -Lieutenant Viscount Lascelles, and on the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr> -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>F. E. H.</abbr> Paget joined the -Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr>, after Divine Service, Major-General -Gough, commanding the Seventh Division, -after going round the billets made a short -speech to each Company, and afterwards talked -to a large number of men, which greatly pleased -them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> the Division was inspected by -General Joffre, the French Commander-in-Chief. -The three brigades were drawn up in one field in -mass, the artillery being in an adjoining field. -General Joffre was received with the general -salute, and walked down the front of the line. -After giving three cheers the whole of the infantry -marched past in fours, being played past by the -massed pipers of the Division.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='thirty-first'>31st</abbr> the sad news of the death of -Brigadier-General <abbr class='spell'>G. C.</abbr> Nugent was received. -He had served for many years in the Grenadiers -before he was transferred to the Irish Guards, -and his unrivalled wit and literary talents had -long delighted the readers of the <i>Guards Magazine</i>. -He was a man of exceptional ability, and there is -small doubt that had he lived he would have -risen to high distinction.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>June.</div> -<p class='c005'>The Battalion went into a new line of trenches -in front of Festubert and Givenchy, which it took -<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>over from the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> and <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr> Battalions of the -London Regiment. On June 3 these trenches -were very heavily shelled, as the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Battalion -Gordon Highlanders was making an attack -farther to the right, and there were 3 men killed -and 45 wounded. On the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> the Battalion went -into billets at Hingette, and on the 8th moved to -Robecq, thence to Essars, where it remained until -it relieved the Border Regiment in the trenches -on the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr>.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr> an attack was made by the Seventh -Division over some flat ground between two rises -at Givenchy. The portion allotted to the Battalion -was on the flat ground, where an advance -was not a matter of great difficulty, but until the -rises on each side had been made good it was -useless to attempt to press the attack home in -the centre. After going a short distance, the -Battalion was forced to wait until the situation -on each flank developed. Owing to the nature of -the ground the artillery was unable to dispose of -the wire entanglements behind these rises, and -therefore the Battalions on each side were held -up. During this engagement Second Lieutenant -Dudley-Smith was killed, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Corkran -slightly wounded, and Second Lieutenant Viscount -Lascelles wounded in the head. There were -sixty-three casualties among the <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s and -men. The Battalion hung on all day under -heavy shell-fire to the line it had gained, but -it was found impossible to advance farther on -the flanks, and the whole force withdrew to its -original line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lord Cavan wrote in a private letter: "I am -<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>proud to say that the old <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion stuck it -out last night and to-day in glorious isolation. -Pray God they are fed, watered, and replenished -to-night. I wrote to Heyworth to pass them a -word of encouragement from me if he could."</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr> the Battalion was relieved by the -Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and went into the reserve -trenches in front of Gorre, and on the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> into -billets at Les Choqueaux. On the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> it returned -to the trenches between Givenchy and La -Bassée Canal, and on the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> was relieved by -the Border Regiment, and went into billets at -Le Preol.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Lieutenant Sir A. Napier joined, -and on the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> a draft of sixty-seven men -arrived under Lieutenant R. Wolrige-Gordon and -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G. J. T. H.</abbr> Villiers.</p> - -<p class='c005'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Corkran wrote to Colonel -Streatfeild, and asked that some drums and -fifes might be sent out, and Lord Derby, who -paid a visit to the Battalion, promised to procure -them and send them out. In the meantime -eight men with some musical skill came forward, -and offered to form a drum and fife band. The -instruments arrived at the end of the month, and -were a great success. The band now consisted -of six drums and twelve fifes, and marched at -the head of the Battalion for the first time on -the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr>, when it moved to billets at Busnes.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>July.</div> -<p class='c005'>The Battalion had a good rest, and remained in -billets till the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> of July, when it relieved the -Yorkshire Regiment in the trenches at Quinque -Rue.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>July 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='thirteenth'>13th</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Corkran was promoted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>to the rank of Brigadier-General, and -given command of the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Infantry Brigade. -His departure was much regretted by the whole -Battalion, which had the greatest confidence in -him. Major <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Trotter then assumed command, -and his appointment as Commanding Officer -was confirmed about a week later, and gave universal -satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Battalion remained in the trenches from -the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> till the <abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr>, when it withdrew into -billets at Calonne. During the time it was in -the trenches there were but few casualties, among -them Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. G.</abbr> Goschen, who was wounded -in the thigh.</p> - -<p class='c005'>While the Brigade was in billets the officers -of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion entertained the officers of -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion at dinner. The Prince of -Wales and Captain Lord Claud Hamilton also -attended. A few days later the coming of age -of Lord Stanley gave another opportunity for a -gastronomic triumph composed mainly of bully -beef and Maconochie rations. The flies in these -hot days became unbearable, and fly-traps and -fly-papers were sent out in some measure to -mitigate this plague.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>On August 3 the Battalion received orders -to join the newly formed Guards Division. It -was not without regret that it left the Gordon -Highlanders and Border Regiment, alongside of -whom it had fought for nearly a year, and with -whom it had shared the glorious reputation -which had been earned by the Division. All -the battalions of the Division prepared entertainments -to bid them farewell, but the notice -<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>was so short that these invitations could not be -accepted.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> the Battalion was inspected by -General Gough, the Corps Commander, who -wished it God-speed in a short speech, after -which it marched to Molinghem. The remainder -of the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Brigade turned out, and -lined the streets of Robecq, through which it -passed, while the band of the Seventh Division -and the pipers of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Gordon Highlanders -played it out of the divisional area. On the -<abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> the Battalion marched to Nizernes, and was -met by the drums and fifes of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant Lord Stanley, who was suffering -from sciatica, refused to go sick, and in order to -keep him Colonel Trotter appointed him temporarily -Transport Officer.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Major-General Capper, commanding -the Seventh Division, inspected the Battalion, -and took leave of it in the following words:</p> - -<p class='c009'>Colonel Trotter and all the ranks of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Grenadier Guards—This is a very sad moment for me -to have to say good-bye to you. You have been with -us nearly a year, and I feel that with you leaving the -heart of the Division is being taken away.</p> - -<p class='c010'>You have seen some very hard fighting, notably at -Kruiseik and again at Ypres, when you covered the -retirement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I must congratulate you on the way you have upheld -the traditions of your famous regiment. You have -always done what has been asked of you. It did not -matter whether it was fighting a battle, holding a line, -or digging a trench; you have done well, as a Grenadier -always does.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>Although you are leaving the Division, yet on some -future occasion we hope to have you fighting side by -side with us. I can only say again that it is indeed a -very sad moment for me, and it only remains for me to -say Good-bye.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span> - <h2 id='chap13' class='c003'>CHAPTER XIII <br /> MAY TO SEPTEMBER 1915 (<abbr title='SECOND'>2ND</abbr> BATTALION)</h2> -</div> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> May 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>During the remainder of May the Battalion -remained in billets at La Pugnoy and later at -Vendin. On the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> it was inspected by General -Horne, and turned out looking very smart. At -the conclusion of the inspection the General -addressed it, and said that he wished to convey -to it the hearty thanks of the Corps Commander, -<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-General Sir <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Monro, as well as his own, -for all the good work done by the Battalion -during the past five months. Whether it was -in billets, where its discipline, good behaviour, -and smartness had been an example to the Army, -or in the trenches, where it had endured hardships -such as few troops had been called upon to -bear, or in action against the enemy, the conduct -of the Battalion had been all that could be -desired. More than that he could not say. -They had to deplore the death of their gallant -Commanding Officer, whose loss was mourned -by all who knew him, but no losses must deter -them, and it was their duty to prosecute the -war with the utmost energy, until the German -Empire lay at the feet of England and her -Allies.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>On the <abbr title='thirty-first'>31st</abbr> the Battalion marched with the -Irish Guards and the <abbr title='eleventh'>11th</abbr> Field Company, <abbr class='spell'>R.E.</abbr>, -under Major Jeffreys to Noeux les Mines <i>via</i> -Bethune. The Prince of Wales and Lord Claud -Hamilton marched with it most of the way. -Some shelling took place <i>en route</i>, and it turned -out that the enemy's fire, which seemed unaccountably -accurate, was being directed by an -observation balloon which could be seen behind -his lines. As the Battalion moved into its billets -the enemy commenced to shell the town, and succeeded -in destroying some houses and wounding -a few civilians.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-fifth'>25th</abbr> a draft of 120 men under Second -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. A.</abbr> Clive arrived, and on the <abbr title='thirty-first'>31st</abbr> -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>E. R. M.</abbr> Fryer joined the -Battalion.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>June.</div> -<p class='c005'>During June the Battalion spent alternately -two days in the trenches and two days in billets. -The billets were at Sailly-la-Bourse, and the -trenches at first near Auchy and afterwards at -Vermelles.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Every precaution against gas attacks was -taken, and an order was issued to the effect that -a <abbr class='spell'>G</abbr> on the bugle was to be the signal to prepare -for gas. As the Battalion at that time had only -two buglers owing to the casualties and the boys -who had been sent home sick, the order was -difficult to carry out, but men were found who, -without being musicians, were at least able to -produce the desired note on the bugle.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The trenches at Auchy were indifferent, and -required a great deal of attention, but those -at Vermelles were much better. The great -<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>difficulty the men had to contend with at both -places was the high crops and long grass which -had grown up quite close to the line, and which -not only impeded the view, but also provided -cover which might be used by the enemy. -During the day it was an absolute impossibility -for the men to go out and cope with this difficulty, -but at night parties were sent out to cut down -the crops. The men after working for an hour -or so at this work seemed to lose all sense of -direction, and when an alarm was given they had -no idea in which direction their own trenches -lay. It often happened that men would wander -off towards the German lines under the impression -they were going home. On several occasions -when the enemy became aware of any large -numbers of men working out in front they would -open a heavy rifle-fire on them. All the men -in the working party would then at once lie -down and wait until the fire subsided; but on -one occasion the Germans showed no inclination -to cease firing, and the party had to be withdrawn. -They crawled back slowly, being guided -by Captain Cavendish, who held up his luminous -watch to show them the right direction. Every -night there were a few casualties, and on the <abbr title='seventh'>7th</abbr> -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>R. S.</abbr> Corkran who had just gone out -with one of these parties was severely wounded -by a rifle bullet in the thigh, and died a few days -later.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-ninth'>29th</abbr> Brigadier-General the Earl of -Cavan was promoted, and left to take over command -of the Fiftieth Division. He was succeeded -by Brigadier-General <abbr class='spell'>G. P. T.</abbr> Feilding, who had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>commanded the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream Guards -since the commencement of the war, and who -had gained a great reputation during the last -twelve months' fighting.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>July.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-eighth'>28th</abbr> the Battalion changed its billets -from Sailly-la-Bourse to Oblingham, and on July 1 -to Annezin. On the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> it went into the trenches -at Annequin in precisely the same part of the line -it had occupied in January and February, when -hundreds of men had been killed. The trenches -were in a hollow, which was generally known as -the Valley of Death, and were in a very bad condition. -Little seemed to have been done to them -since the Battalion was last there, and in many -places the parapet was too high and not bullet-proof. -The Battalion therefore set to work to -improve them, and a company of the Queen's -Regiment from the Corps troops was sent up to -help. This seemed the height of luxury to the -men, who were unaccustomed to having other -people digging their trenches.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On July 2 Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. F. C.</abbr> Crookshank -arrived, and on the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>E. H.</abbr> Noble, Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>M. A.</abbr> Knatchbull-Hugessen, -and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>E. W. M.</abbr> -Grigg joined the Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr> the Battalion took over the -trenches at Guinchy, spending alternately two -days in the trenches and two days in billets at -Bethune. On the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> it went into Brigade -Reserve, and remained for a week at Bethune, -and on the <abbr title='twenty-eighth'>28th</abbr> moved into billets at Le Preol, -and acted as reserve Battalion to the troops in -the trenches at Givenchy.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>At Cuinchy, in addition to the regular shelling, -the Germans employed their new type of -Minenwerfer, from which they fired large bombs, -but their effect was local, and as the men were -able to see them coming, they did little damage. -Once a large wooden bomb landed in a trench -without exploding, and was carried off as a -souvenir by two stretcher-bearers, who happened -to be passing. On the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr> the enemy began -shelling Bethune, and continued for nearly a -week, which made the men's two days' rest in -billets a farce. The shells came screaming and -roaring into the town, and terrific explosions -followed. The enemy of course had no difficulty -in hitting the town and shelling the houses, but -it was merely a matter of chance how many -men were hit. The shells were at first directed -on the railway station, but beyond causing a -complete suspension of traffic they did little -harm, and there were few casualties. On the -<abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> the bombardments became more searching, -and many men were killed. The Inniskilling -Fusiliers alone lost seventy men that day. The -Grenadiers were more lucky, and at first escaped -with little loss, but on the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> some men were -wounded and nineteen horses were killed.</p> - -<div id='fig3' class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/fig3.jpg' alt='Officers of the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Officers of the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Captain Derriman who had been -appointed Staff Captain to the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade was -very seriously wounded, and although he was -moved down to the base, he never recovered, and -died some time afterwards. The pluck he had -shown in coming out in spite of a stiff knee which -made him lame, and the dogged manner in which -he had persisted in serving with the Battalion -<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>in the trenches until he was placed on the Staff -aroused the admiration of every one.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-General Gough, the new -Commander of the First Corps, Major-General -Horne commanding the Second Division, and -Brigadier-General <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Feilding commanding the -<abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade paid a visit to the Battalion, and -went round the trenches at Cuinchy.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>During the first fortnight in August the -Battalion followed the same routine, spending -two days in the trenches at Givenchy followed -by two days in billets at Le Preol. Mining -operations were begun on a large scale by both -sides. It was assumed that as an advance -above ground in the face of machine-gun fire -was too costly, the only other alternative was -to advance under ground and blow up the -enemy's parapet. In the craters made by the -explosion of the mines men were then pushed, and -the position was consolidated. The advantage -of this subterranean method of warfare was that -the men were safe from rifle- and shell-fire while -they were working, but there was always the -danger of a counter-mine which meant being -buried alive.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> the Battalion exploded three -mines successfully near Sunken Road, and in -doing this blew in some of the enemy's galleries, -and that night the Irish Guards exploded three -more mines. In each case the positions were -consolidated after much bomb-throwing, but -the occupation of the craters was always difficult, -on account of the bombs from the enemy's -Minenwerfer.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>On the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Brigadier-General Feilding and -the Prince of Wales came round the trenches, -and inspected the sap-heads and craters.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> in the early morning the enemy -exploded two mines in the orchard near the -shrine. At the time Captain Clive and Second -Lieutenant Crookshank were taking out a working -party, and had they gone a little farther, all -the men must inevitably have been killed, but -fortunately they were just short of where the -mine exploded. The whole ground moved up in -one great convulsion, and when it settled down -several men were completely buried. Captain -Clive himself was severely cut and bruised by -the mass of debris that was blown past him, -and after being shot up in the air he came down -so doubled up that his teeth were nearly knocked -out by his knees. Second Lieutenant Crookshank -was completely buried in about four feet -of earth, and would inevitably have died had not -Captain Clive remembered where he stood before -the explosion, and directed the men to search -for him. When he was finally dug out it was -found that beyond a few bruises and the inevitable -shock from the explosion he was not -hurt. He was sent back to the dressing-station, -but pluckily insisted on returning to his Company -in the evening. One <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr> was killed by the -explosion, and eighteen men who had been -buried were sent back suffering from shock and -contusions. The work of digging out these men -was much retarded by the constant rifle-fire from -the enemy's trenches, and the enemy's guns also -commenced shelling the neighbourhood of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>craters, but were not accurate enough to prevent -our consolidating the position.</p> - -<p class='c005'>These two mines wrecked the trench connecting -our sap-heads and filled in parts of the saps -with debris. The Battalion received orders at -once to reoccupy the sap-heads and dig out the -saps again. On the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>D.</abbr> Abel-Smith -was slightly wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='seventh'>7th</abbr> a draft of drummers arrived, and -proved a great acquisition. When the Battalion -was in billets at Le Preol, they played "Retreat" -in the village street, much to the delight of the -remaining inhabitants. On the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> the enemy -again exploded two mines near the Sunken Road, -destroying some of their own wire, and the -explosion formed a new crater on the northern -side of a crater known as "Bluff." Second -Lieutenant <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. S.</abbr> Bailey was killed by a -bomb, and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A. V. L.</abbr> Corry was badly -wounded. The casualties from mining and -bombing in addition to those from rifle-fire and -shells were very heavy while the Battalion was -at Givenchy, and the digging was most unpleasant -on account of the bodies thrown up -by mine explosions. On the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>E. G.</abbr> Williams was accidentally killed in the -Trench Mortar School at <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Venant, where he -was undergoing a course of instruction.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Some ten days later the following order was -published:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Commander-in-Chief has intimated that he has -read with great interest and satisfaction the report of -the mining operations and crater fighting which have -taken place in the Second Division area during the last -<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>two months. He desires that his high appreciation of -the good work performed be conveyed to the troops, -especially to the <abbr title='hundred and seventieth'>170th</abbr> and <abbr title='hundred and seventy-sixth'>176th</abbr> Tunnelling Companies, -<abbr class='spell'>R.E.</abbr>, the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadier Guards, the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion Irish Guards, the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion King's Royal -Rifles, <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade now received orders to join -the newly formed Guards Division.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr>, before their departure, the -officers of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers entertained -General Horne, Brigadier-General Feilding, -the Commanding Officers of the other regiments -in the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade, and the principal Staff Officers -of the Second Division at dinner in the house of -Madame Richepin, who placed all her plate, china, -and glass at the disposal of the officers' mess.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The following order was published by Major-General -<abbr class='spell'>H. S.</abbr> Horne, <abbr class='spell'>C.B.</abbr>, commanding the -Second Division:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards Brigade leaves the Second Division -to-morrow. The <abbr class='spell'>G.O.C.</abbr> speaks not only for himself -but for every officer, non-commissioned officer, and man -of the Division when he expresses sorrow that certain -changes in organisation have rendered necessary the -severance of ties of comradeship commenced in peace -and cemented in war.</p> - -<p class='c010'>For the past year by gallantry, devotion to duty, and -sacrifice in battle and in the trenches, the Brigade has -maintained the high tradition of His Majesty's Guards, -and equally by thorough performance of duties, strict -discipline, and the exhibition of many soldier-like -qualities has set an example for smartness which has -tended to raise the standard and elevate the moral of -all with whom it has been associated.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Major-General Horne parts from Brigadier-General -<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>Feilding, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and -men of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards Brigade with lively regret. He -thanks them for their loyal support, and he wishes them -good fortune in the future.</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 19.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr> the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade, including the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers, left the Second Division -to join the newly formed Guards Division, and -marched about ten miles to Ham-en-Artois. It -was a sort of triumphal progress, and Major-General -Horne and the other two Brigadiers -came to see them off while detachments from -every unit in the Division lined the road. The -Divisional Band played them as far as Lillers, -and on the way they were joined by Major-General -Lord Cavan accompanied by Major -Darrell and Lieutenant Oliver Lyttelton.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr> 20.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> the Brigade proceeded to Renescure, -and as it passed by the south of Aire it -marched past General Sir Douglas Haig commanding -the First Army. In the evening the -following order was published by Sir Douglas -Haig:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards Brigade leaves my command to-day -after over a year of active service in the field. During -that time the Brigade has taken part in military operations -of the most diverse kinds and under very varied -conditions of country and weather, and throughout -have displayed the greatest fortitude, tenacity, and -resolution. I desire to place on record my high appreciation -of the services rendered by the Brigade and -my grateful thanks for the devoted assistance which -one and all have given me during a year of strenuous -work.</p> - -<p class='c010'>(Signed) <span class='sc'>D. Haig</span>,<br /> -Commanding First Army.</p> - -<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>On the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> the Brigade marched past Field-Marshal -Sir John French in the big square at -<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Omer, and presented a very fine appearance. -So smart did it look that many of the onlookers -were under the impression that it had just come -out from England, and one man in the crowd -was heard to say as the Grenadiers went past: -"Wait till you've been in the trenches a bit, -then you won't look so clean and smart, my -boys."</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the evening the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Brigade received the -following message:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Commander-in-Chief wishes to thank all ranks -for the splendid services they have rendered. He is -much impressed by their soldier-like bearing, and very -much regrets that owing to pressure of work he is -unable himself to come and visit all units and speak -to them himself.</p> - -<p class='c011'>After marching for several days the Battalion -arrived at Campagne les Boulonnais, where it -joined the rest of the Guards Division, and -remained until September 22.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On August 21 Second Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> -<abbr class='spell'>W. A. D.</abbr> Parnell, and on the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>H. G. W.</abbr> Sandeman joined the Battalion.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span> - <h2 id='chap14' class='c003'>CHAPTER XIV <br /> FORMATION OF THE GUARDS DIVISION</h2> -</div> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>The Guards Division. <abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>The creation of a Guards Division was not -regarded without misapprehension by some of the -older officers of the Guards. The reputation that -had been so dearly won by the original officers, -non-commissioned officers, and men of the regiments -of Guards, at the expense of thousands of -lives, might possibly be thrown away by their -successors. The flooding of the army with new -recruits might produce an entirely new stamp of -man. Was the system alone good enough, were -the traditions alone strong enough, to produce the -fighting man who had hitherto, rightly or wrongly, -been associated with the regiments of Guards? -At the time there was no thought of conscription, -and therefore it might be necessary to take -any men who were willing to join. Would there be -a sufficient nucleus of old Guardsmen to ensure -that the traditions carefully preserved through -many generations were strictly maintained?</p> - -<p class='c005'>The mill through which men of the Guards -have to pass, however, is so severe, and the -discipline so stern, that no one need have doubted -that the new recruits would prove equal to their -predecessors.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>The Guards Division was formed in September -1915, and Major-General the Earl of Cavan, -who had commanded the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Guards Brigade -in every engagement almost since the commencement -of the war, was naturally given the -command.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He had proved himself a great soldier, and -his exceptional ability as a commander of men -had rendered him eminently fitted for this -command. Thoroughly acquainted with the -methods of the enemy, he had shown himself to -be resourceful in strategy and bold of decision -in action. Upon several occasions he had extricated -his Brigade from situations of the utmost -peril, and had turned a half-anticipated failure -into hard-won victory. In the darkest hour at -Ypres he never lost heart: the more hopeless -the situation, the greater the opportunity for a -gallant fight and great achievement. His perfect -confidence in his men was equalled only by their -whole-hearted trust in him. His appointment, -therefore, was hailed with enthusiasm by all -ranks of the Brigade of Guards.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Guards Division was composed as follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Guards Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'><abbr class='spell'>G. P. T.</abbr> Feilding</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Grenadier Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Coldstream Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Coldstream Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Irish Guards.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Guards Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'><abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Ponsonby</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Grenadier Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Coldstream Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Scots Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Irish Guards.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span><i>The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Guards Brigade.</i> Brigadier-General <span class='sc'><abbr class='spell'>F. J.</abbr> Heyworth</span>.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Grenadier Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Grenadier Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Scots Guards.</div> - <div class='line'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> Welsh Guards.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Thus there were four battalions of Grenadier -Guards, three battalions of Coldstream Guards, -two battalions of Scots Guards, two battalions of -Irish Guards, and one battalion of Welsh Guards. -The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion Coldstream Guards formed -the Divisional Pioneer Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Guards Division formed part of the -Eleventh Corps under General Haking, and were -placed in the First Army.</p> -<h3 class='c013'>Arrival of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Grenadier Guards</h3> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was the only -regular battalion at home. For months it had -fretted at being left behind when all the other -battalions had left, for they had a history second -to none in the British Army, and had taken part -in all the great campaigns during the last two -hundred years.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Whether it was part of that mysterious thing -called the British Constitution, or whether -the idea of keeping one regular battalion in -London emanated from the brain of some timid -member of the Cabinet, is not clear, but the -<abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion remained at home after all the -rest of the regular army had gone. At first it -was said that two regular battalions would have -to remain behind in London, one for the King, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>the other for the Houses of Parliament, but His -Majesty, having at once disposed of the idea that -he needed the services of any regular battalion, -Lord Kitchener decided to retain only one -battalion, and that happened to be the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The only exceptional event during the time it -remained at home that deserves to be chronicled -is the fact that for the first time in history this -Battalion found the duties in London in service -dress. On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> of August 1914 the King's -Guard, under Captain de Crespigny, mounted -for the first time in khaki.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Although the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion was unable to go -as a unit, the terrible casualties the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalions had suffered during the first months -of the war made it very difficult to find the large -draft required, and so it happened that most of -the officers and non-commissioned officers made -their way to the front in the other battalions.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the Guards Division was formed it was -decided to send out not only the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -but also the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion, and to form another -reserve battalion. On July 26 the Battalion -paraded at Chelsea Barracks, and Colonel Streatfeild -read to them a message from Field-Marshal -His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, who -was still Governor-General of Canada:</p> - -<p class='c009'>On hearing our <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion has been placed under -Orders to leave for the front, I ask you to give them a -personal message from myself, wishing them God-speed -and success, and assuring them of the great confidence -I repose in them nobly to continue their splendid record -of the past, and to assist our brave battalions at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>front, who have so gloriously maintained the traditions -of the First Regiment of Guards. May every blessing -rest upon the Regiment, of which I am so proud to be -the Colonel.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>Arthur</span>,<br /> -Colonel, Grenadier Guards.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The Battalion crossed over <i>via</i> Southampton -to Havre in the steamboat <i>Queen Alexandra</i>, -accompanied by a destroyer, and curiously -enough was disembarked by one old Grenadier, -Captain Sir <abbr class='spell'>F. E. W.</abbr> Harvey-Bathurst, <abbr class='spell'>Bt.</abbr>, and -entrained by another, Major <abbr class='spell'>G. C. W.</abbr> Heneage. -It proceeded by train to Wizernes, where it -detrained, and marched into billets at Esquerdes. -On July 31 the Battalion was inspected by General -Stopford, who said it was the finest Battalion -he had seen. On August 18 it took part in a -review held on the aviation ground at <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Omer, -when <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Millerand, the French War Minister, -Lord Kitchener, and Sir John French inspected -those battalions of the Guards Division which -had arrived.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Guards Brigade was complete on -August 23, and was placed under the command -of Brigadier-General <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Ponsonby, as Brigadier-General -Lowther had been appointed Military -Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief. On -August 26 the officers of the four battalions of -Grenadier Guards dined together at Wisques.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During the two months spent at Esquerdes -the Battalion was busily engaged in training. -Officers and non-commissioned officers went -through several courses, and were initiated into -the mysteries of bombing and the mechanism -of the new Lewis gun.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>On August 30 Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A. T. A.</abbr> Ritchie -arrived, and on September 22 Lieutenant Sir -Robert Filmer, <abbr class='spell'>Bt.</abbr>, was appointed Brigade Transport -Officer.</p> -<h3 class='c013'>Arrival of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion.</h3> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>It was in July that the King on the advice of -the military authorities decided to form another -Battalion of Grenadier Guards, since the Reserve -Battalion had swollen to enormous proportions, -in spite of the standard of height being raised. -Colonel <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> Streatfeild received instructions to -this effect, and at once summoned a conference -of the commanding officers and adjutants of the -two Battalions of the Regiment in London (the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> -and Reserve Battalions). The part of Chelsea -Barracks occupied by the School of Instruction -was vacated to make room for the new Battalion, -which was to become the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion, while the -Reserve Battalion was in future to be known -as the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> (Reserve) Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. C.</abbr> Hamilton, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, was appointed -Commanding Officer, and Sergeant-Major <abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> -Ludlow, Quartermaster. By July 16 the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> -Battalion completed its establishment, and on -the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> proceeded to Bovingdon Camp. Captain -<abbr class='spell'>T. F. J. N.</abbr> Thorne was appointed Adjutant, and -the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion lent their Sergeant-Major and -Orderly-Room Sergeant to assist the Staff of -the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion.</p> - -<div id='fig4' class='figcenter id006'> -<img src='images/fig4.jpg' alt='Colonel Sir Henry Streatfeild, K.C.V.O., C.B., C.M.G. The Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the Regiment.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Colonel Sir Henry Streatfeild, K.C.V.O., C.B., C.M.G. The Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the Regiment.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>On August 15 the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion left Bovingdon -Camp, and embarked at Southampton for Havre. -The King, through <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Wigram, sent -the following message to Colonel Streatfeild:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>His Majesty heartily congratulates the Regiment on -being able to place four Battalions in the field, thereby -creating a record which will always be cherished in the -annals of the Regiment. His Majesty desires you to -tell all ranks of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion that they will constantly -be in the thoughts of their Colonel-in-Chief, -who wishes them every success.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Field-Marshal His Royal Highness the Duke -of Connaught sent the following message from -Canada:</p> - -<p class='c009'>My best wishes accompany the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion on their -first tour of active service. I am confident they will -do their duty and emulate their comrades of the older -battalions.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>Arthur</span>,<br /> -Colonel, Grenadier Guards.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The Battalion crossed over in the <i>Empress -Queen</i>, accompanied by a destroyer, and on arrival -at Havre proceeded by train to <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Omer, where -it detrained and marched to Blendecques. There -it remained until the Guards Division was formed -in September. On August 21 it was inspected -by Brigadier-General Heyworth, who expressed -himself pleased with its smart appearance. On -September 17, during the inspection of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> -Guards Brigade, Major-General the Earl of Cavan -complimented Major Hamilton on the way his -Battalion had turned out.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span> - <h2 id='chap15' class='c003'>CHAPTER XV <br /> BATTLE OF LOOS, 1915</h2> -</div> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 1915.</div> -<p class='c005'>In September General Joffre and Sir John French -agreed that a determined attempt should be made -to break the strong German line. Thousands of -guns were to be massed, and after an action by -which, it was hoped, the German trenches would -be destroyed, twelve infantry divisions were to -be launched upon the enemy. Then Sir Douglas -Haig, with the First British Army, would attack -between La Bassée Canal and Lens, while the -French were to force their way through the -lines south of Lens.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Sir John French in his despatch thus described -the character of the front to be attacked by the -British Army:</p> - -<p class='c009'>Opposite the front of the main line of attack the -distance between the enemy's trenches and our own -varied from about 100 to 500 yards.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The country over which the advance took place is -open and overgrown with long grass and self-sown crops.</p> - -<p class='c010'>From the canal southward our trenches and those -of the enemy ran, roughly, parallel up an almost imperceptible -rise to the south-west.</p> - -<p class='c010'>From the Vermelles—Hulluch road southward the -advantage of height is on the enemy's side as far as the -Bethune—Lens road. There the two lines of trenches -<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>cross a spur in which the rise culminates, and thence the -command lies on the side of the British trenches.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Due east of the intersection of spur and trenches, -and a short mile away, stands Loos. Less than a mile -farther south-east is Hill 70, which is the summit of -the gentle rise in the ground.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Other notable tactical points in our front were:</p> - -<p class='c010'>"<i>Fosse 8</i>" (a thousand yards south of Auchy), which -is a coal-mine with a high and strongly defended slag -heap.</p> - -<p class='c010'>"<i>The Hohenzollern Redoubt.</i>"—A strong work thrust -out nearly 500 yards in front of the German lines and -close to our own. It is connected with their front line -by three communication trenches abutting into the -defences of Fosse 8.</p> - -<p class='c010'><i>Cité <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Elie.</i>—A strongly defended mining village -lying 1500 yards south of Haisnes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>"<i>The Quarries.</i>"—Lying half-way to the German -trenches west of Cité <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Elie.</p> - -<p class='c010'><i>Hulluch.</i>—A village strung out along a small stream, -lying less than half a mile south-east of Cité <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Elie and -3000 yards north-east of Loos.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Half a mile north of Hill 70 is "<i>Puits 14 bis</i>," another -coal-mine, possessing great possibilities for defence when -taken in conjunction with a strong redoubt situated on -the north-east side of Hill 70.</p> - -<div class='c000'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 25.</div> -<p class='c005'>It was arranged that the First Corps, consisting -of the Second, Seventh, and Ninth Divisions, -under <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-General Hubert Gough, should -attack the line between La Bassée Canal and -Vermelles, while the Fourth Corps (First, -Fifteenth, and Forty-seventh Divisions), under -<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-General Sir H. Rawlinson, attacked from -Vermelles to Grenay, the Hulluch—Vermelles -road forming the boundary between the two -Corps.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>The attack began at 6.30 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> on September -25, after four days' continuous bombardment -by our massed guns. Gas was employed, but -unfortunately the wind was unfavourable, and -it moved so slowly that it retarded the advance. -Further, the wire in some places had hardly been -touched, and consequently the Second Division -was held up from the start. Meanwhile the Ninth -Division started well, and even managed to reach -the northern end of "Little Willie," but was -unable to maintain its advanced position on -account of the check to the Second Division. -The Seventh Division captured the first line of -the trenches and cleared the quarries half-way -between the front line and Cité <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Elie, while -the leading troops even penetrated as far as Cité -<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Elie itself.</p> - -<p class='c005'>By mid-day the First Corps had secured the -whole of the German front from the Hohenzollern -Redoubt southwards and had pushed forward -to the second line at three points. But in this -achievement it suffered heavy casualties, and -was left too weak to do more than hold on to -the position it had gained.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the Fourth Corps the First Division swept -forward, carried the first two lines of German -trenches, and reached the outskirts of Hulluch, -where it waited for reinforcements, but as these -did not arrive it had to fall back on the Lens—La -Bassée road. As for the Fifteenth Division, -whose objective was Cité <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Augusté, it pushed -through not only to Loos, but even over Hill 70, -and the 44th Brigade in this division actually -reached the outskirts of Cité <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Laurent.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 26-27.</div> -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>On the afternoon of the <abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr> the Eleventh -Corps was placed at the disposal of Sir Douglas -Haig; it consisted of the Guards Division -and the Twenty-first and Twenty-fourth Divisions. -The two latter were at once hurried up -into the firing line, the Twenty-first Division -sending two brigades to Loos while the Twenty-fourth -went to the Lens—La Bassée road.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Throughout that Sunday the fighting was -very severe, and it was only with the greatest -difficulty that we held on to Loos. The First -Corps was also being strongly counter-attacked, -and the quarries changed hands several times. -All day the Crown Prince of Bavaria, who was -in command of the army facing the British divisions, -was engaged in bringing up reserves from -other parts, and by next day he had strengthened -his whole line. The German line ran from -Auchy—La Bassée over comparatively flat -country to the Vermelles—Hulluch road, where -the ground became undulating and culminated -in Hill 70.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Early on Monday the advance was renewed, -but the Germans had started counter-attacking, -and a confused struggle went on, with varying -success. Several times our line gave way, only -to be rallied and go forward again. We managed -to maintain our ground on the right and centre -of Hill 70, but on the extreme left the enemy -pressed the line back towards Loos. In the -meantime the 64th Brigade of the Twenty-fourth -Division was being driven back and subjected -to withering enfilade fire. The line from the -Chalk Pit to the northern end of Hill 70 had to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>be abandoned, and Loos was thus left exposed -to an attack from the north-east. A brigade -of the Third Cavalry Division was then brought -up to reinforce the hard-pressed troops who were -holding Loos.</p> -<h3 class='c013'>The Guards Division</h3> -<p class='c004'>The Guards Division arrived early on Sunday -morning at Haillicourt, more than ten miles off, -and marched through Noeux-les-Mines and Sailly-la-Bourse -to Vermelles. For the first time since -its creation the Guards Division was to go into -action, and naturally, after the fame individual -battalions had won in the earlier part of the -war, a great deal was expected of it. All -the troops were cheered by the news that the -Division had arrived and was going in, but the -situation had altered a good deal since the attack -was first launched. All element of surprise had -disappeared, and the Germans had had time to -recover from the effects of the first blow and to -collect reinforcements. It is doubtful whether -the Guards Division ever had any real chance of -succeeding in its attack. It had to start from -old German trenches, the range of which the -German artillery knew to an inch, while the -effect of our own original artillery bombardment -had died away.</p> - -<p class='c005'>However, there was no alternative but to put -in the Guards Division and try and regain as -much of the lost ground as possible. Major-General -Lord Cavan sent round on the <abbr title='twenty-fifth'>25th</abbr> a -stirring message to the men, reminding them that -great things were expected of the Division, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>they were full of confidence as they went into -action.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The easiest task fell to the lot of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Guards Brigade, under Brigadier-General Feilding, -on the left. It was to advance in the -direction of the Bois Hugo and straighten the -line, so that it would run parallel to the Lens—La -Bassée road. The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Brigade, under -Brigadier-General Ponsonby, was to take and -hold the Chalk Pit and Puits 14 bis, and the -<abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Brigade, under Brigadier-General Heyworth, -to advance against Hill 70. But to a large extent -the movements of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> and <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Brigades -depended on the success of the attack of the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Accomplishing their work at once, Feilding's -Brigade secured a good position on the ground -over which the Twenty-fourth Division had -retired. General Feilding, who understood that -he was to assist the other brigades by fire as far -as possible, at once collected as many smoke-bombs -and smoke-candles as he could, and at -zero hour formed a most effective smoke-screen, -which drew off the fire of a great many German -guns from the other attackers.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Success at first also attended the attack of -Ponsonby's Brigade. It took the Chalk Pit and -Puits 14 bis, but then a tremendous fire from -machine-guns in Bois Hugo swept it down, and -it was unable to keep its hold on these positions. -This made it very difficult for the other brigades -to move forward. But on learning that Ponsonby's -Brigade was fighting furiously for the -possession of the Chalk Pit, Lord Cavan decided -<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>that the only way to relieve the strain on them -was to order Heyworth's Brigade to advance. -It did so, and this course proved successful in -enabling Ponsonby's Brigade to retain possession -of the Chalk Pit. Going forward, Heyworth's -Brigade took Hill 70, but it too found it impossible -to keep what it had won. The enemy's -trenches were marked on the map as being on -the crest of the hill, but in reality they were on -the reverse slope, and had never been touched -by shell-fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The net result of the attack of the Guards -Division was the establishment of the British -front along a line running, roughly, northward -from the south-eastern end of Loos and parallel -to the Lens—La Bassée road. Another attempt -to gain Puits 14 was made by the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream on the <abbr title='twenty-eighth'>28th</abbr>, but was no more successful -than the first. As before, a small party -reached the Puits, but was driven out again by -enfilade fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Measured by the length of the advance made -during the battle and the extent of ground taken -from the enemy, the results of the battle of -Loos would seem distinctly disappointing, more -especially when the casualty list of 45,000 men -is considered. But to estimate these operations -in terms of geography is a mistake. The smallness -of the theatre of operations and the comparatively -narrow depth of our advance give a -totally misleading impression of the success of -the battle. It is obviously more valuable to put -out of action 50,000 Germans and gain half a -mile than to gain five miles and only inflict a loss -<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>of 10,000. When it is realised that we drove -the enemy from positions which they considered -impregnable to the assaults of modern weapons, -that their casualties must have been as heavy as, -if not heavier than, our own, and that we took -3000 prisoners (including 50 officers), 26 field-guns, -and 40 machine-guns,—it will be seen that -Lord Kitchener's description of the battle as a -substantial success was not very far wide of the -mark.</p> -<h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion</h3> -<p class='c004'>The following were the officers of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion Grenadier Guards who took part in -the battle:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>G. D.</abbr> Jeffreys, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major Lord Henry Seymour, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. R.</abbr> Bailey, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. E.</abbr> Acraman, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>D.</abbr> Abel-Smith, Machine-gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. V.</abbr> Agar-Robartes, Machine-gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. K. S.</abbr> Cunninghame (Transport Officer), <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. N.</abbr> Buchanan, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. W. M.</abbr> Grigg, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> L. Hermon Hodge, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. G. W.</abbr> Sandeman, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. F. R.</abbr> Wiggins, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. O. S.</abbr> Sitwell, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H.</abbr> Noble, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. A.</abbr> Clive, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. F. C.</abbr> Crookshank, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. H. V.</abbr> Cavendish, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. H.</abbr> Beaumont-Nesbitt, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>I. H.</abbr> Ingleby, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>B. B.</abbr> Ponsonby, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. R. M.</abbr> Fryer, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> de <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Kingsmill, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. A. D.</abbr> Parnell, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. A.</abbr> Knatchbull-Hugessen, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Crosland, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. A.</abbr> Aldridge, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, Medical Officer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 26.</div> -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Guards Brigade, under Brigadier-General -Feilding, reached Vermelles early on the -Sunday morning, and at 1 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> on the same day -it was ordered forward to the old British trenches -near Le Rutoire, where the two Coldstream -battalions were placed in the firing line, and -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers and <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Irish Guards in support. The orders General -Feilding received from Major-General Lord Cavan -were to advance and hold a line running parallel to -the Lens—La Bassée road. The two Coldstream -battalions found no difficulty in doing this, and -having straightened the line, they occupied what -had formerly been the German first-line trench.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was not brought -into action, as the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Guards Brigade could not -advance until the Germans had been driven from -the Chalk Pit Wood and Puits 14. The enemy, -however, shelled the reserve trenches intermittently, -and caused a few casualties. Second -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Crosland and five <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s and -men were wounded.</p> - -<div id='map14' class='figcenter id005'> -<img src='images/map14.jpg' alt='Battle of Loos. September 26, 1915.' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>Battle of Loos. September 26, 1915.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 27.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -was ordered to move up to the old German -first-line trenches, which it did about 9 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr>, -eventually settling down in the new position -<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>about midnight. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Companies -were placed in the old German second line, while -the Battalion Headquarters and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 -Companies were in rear of the old German first -line. Two men were killed and five wounded -during this operation.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In this position it remained until the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr>, -when it was relieved by the <abbr title='ninth'>9th</abbr> Battalion Royal -Fusiliers, and retired to billets at Mazingarbe.</p> -<h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion</h3> -<p class='c004'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Guards Brigade reached Vermelles -about 7 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> on Saturday, September 25, having -marched <i>via</i> Ligny-les-Aire, Burbure, and -Houchin. The officers of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers were:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Colonel <abbr class='spell'>N. A. L.</abbr> Corry, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. F.</abbr> Molyneux-Montgomerie, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. G. B.</abbr> Nugent, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. H.</abbr> Wall, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. N.</abbr> Vivian, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. G.</abbr> Gunnis, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H. J.</abbr> Wynne (Transport Officer), <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. T. E.</abbr> Crabbe, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. T.</abbr> Ayres Ritchie, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. F. A.</abbr> Walker, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. S.</abbr> Rowley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> Anson, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. D.</abbr> Lycett-Green, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Williams (Machine-gun Officer), <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. O. H.</abbr> Eaton, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. P.</abbr> Bowes Lyon, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. G.</abbr> Agar-Robartes, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. D.</abbr> Vernon, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. G. H.</abbr> Powell, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. R. C.</abbr> Murray (Bombing Officer), <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. M. C.</abbr> Dowling, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. F. R.</abbr> Hirst, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F.</abbr> Anson, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>T. C.</abbr> Higginson, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Attached</i>—<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. T.</abbr> Logan, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 25.</div> -<p class='c005'>It was bitterly cold on the night of the <abbr title='twenty-fifth'>25th</abbr>, -which was spent by the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -in the old British front trench north-west of Loos. -Some of the platoons got into an old remnant of -a trench, and some had to lie down outside. So -chilly was it that sleep was difficult, and the men -had constantly to get up and run about to warm -themselves, and then try to snatch a little more -rest.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 26.</div> -<p class='c005'>At 3.30 next morning the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -started off in the direction of Loos. At first -it marched in fours, but on coming into the -shell area assumed artillery formation, and went -across the open. While ascending the slope it -was not fired upon, but when it came down -the hill towards Loos shrapnel burst all round -it. When the Battalion arrived at the bottom -of the hill, which it lost no time in doing, it -relieved the Scots Guards, and got into what had -formerly been the German third-line trenches. -Both officers and men were filled with admiration -at the intricate dug-outs they found, twenty to -thirty feet down in the chalk; evidently great -trouble had been expended on this part of the line, -and the German officers had been accustomed to -live almost in luxury.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>As soon as the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion reached the -trench, it was ordered to dig communication -trenches and repair the parapet. Soon the -men were soaked to the skin by pouring rain, -and an icy cold wind added to their discomfort, -as they had no prospect that night of getting -either dry or warm.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Colonel Corry, being the senior Commanding -Officer of the Brigade, was sent to serve temporarily -on the Divisional Staff, so that he might be -able to assume command of the Brigade in the -event of the Brigadier being killed. The command -of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers therefore -devolved on Major Molyneux-Montgomerie.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 27.</div> -<p class='c005'>Next day this was the position. The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers was still in the line of -trenches in front of Le Rutoire farm, with its -right on the Loos Redoubt. In front of it was -the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Scots Guards, with its right -on the village of Loos. The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Irish -Guards was on the left of the Scots Guards, -with the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Coldstream in support. -At 2 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> Brigadier-General <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Ponsonby collected -the commanding officers near the Loos Redoubt, -and informed them that an attack was to be made -that evening on Chalk Pit Wood by the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion Irish Guards, supported by the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion Coldstream, and on Puits 14 (a large -colliery) by the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Scots Guards, -supported by the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers. A -heavy bombardment was to start at 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> The -Irish Guards were to advance at 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr>, but the -Scots Guards were to wait until the wood was -captured before they began their assault on the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>Puits. The enemy was known to be strongly -entrenched along Hill 70 to Puits 14.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Instructions were given for the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers to follow the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Scots -Guards and occupy its trench as soon as it was -quitted. Major Montgomerie, now in command -of the Battalion, immediately went forward -with Captain Powell to find a way down the old -German communication trenches between the -Scots Guards' and Grenadiers' lines. On his -return he sent orders to all company commanders -to come to the right of the Battalion line near -the Loos Redoubt, and there explained the -situation. He ordered them to go back and -bring their companies one after another to the -communication trench he had found.</p> - -<p class='c005'>This operation necessarily took a long time, -and the whole Battalion began to file down -through a maze of communication trenches -towards the line held by the Scots Guards. The -intervening ground was being searchingly shelled, -but at 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> the Grenadiers reached the trench -from which the Scots Guards were to advance. -This trench had become much broken down -during the last days' fighting, and there were -many wounded lying about, some of whom had -been there for two days. When he arrived -Major Montgomerie found that the attack had -already begun, and that the Scots Guards were -well away over the open, making for Puits 14. -He therefore ordered <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Companies, -as they emerged from the communication -trenches, to follow on at once in support of the -Scots Guards. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Companies, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>under Lieutenant Eaton and Captain Powell, -were kept in reserve under the immediate orders -of the Brigadier, who had now established his -headquarters in that trench.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Irish Guards, supported by the Coldstream, -succeeded in gaining Chalk Pit Wood, but the -Scots Guards had a more difficult task with -Puits 14. After they had passed the Hulluch—Loos -road they were not only shelled, but came -in for heavy machine-gun fire from Hill 70 and -Bois Hugo. The fire came almost entirely from -the right flank. The two Grenadier companies -under Captain Vivian and Captain Walker pushed -on under terrific shell-fire, and came up with the -Scots Guards just outside Puits 14, stubbornly -defended by the Germans. Regardless of the -machine-guns which were mowing down our men, -the Scots Guards and two companies of Grenadiers -pressed on, and endeavoured to reach Puits 14, -but very few of the Scots Guards and not more -than a dozen Grenadiers, under Lieutenant -Ritchie, actually got into the Puits, where they -threw bombs into a house occupied by the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the enemy had not occupied this position -for a year without thinking out every possible -event, and machine-guns were soon turned on -the attackers from every direction. Finding -it impossible to retain possession of the Puits, -the Scots Guards retired with the two companies -of Grenadiers to just in front of Chalk -Pit Wood, making it equally impossible for the -enemy to hold his position. Lieutenant Ritchie -and Second Lieutenant Crabbe, not knowing of -this retirement, remained with six men among -<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>the buildings in the Puits, until they found themselves -almost surrounded by Germans who had -come from the Bois Hugo. At first they tried -to drive the enemy back, but, finding themselves -outnumbered and in danger of being captured, -they decided to retire. The majority of the party -got back to Chalk Pit Wood, but Second Lieutenant -Crabbe was last seen standing on a wall throwing -bombs at the enemy when he was killed. Captain -Vivian, Lieutenant Ritchie, Lieutenant Dowling, -and Lieutenant Lycett-Green were wounded. -The last afterwards had his leg amputated. -Lieutenant Rowley, also wounded, was too badly -hurt to be moved, and so was left behind and -taken prisoner. Lieutenant Ritchie, finding himself -alone and wounded, walked slowly back to -Chalk Pit Wood, where he collected all the men -he could, and told them to dig themselves in for -the night. He then came back and reported -to General Ponsonby the result of the attack. -Captain Walker was left behind in the retirement, -but was able to get back after dark.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant Ritchie, who commanded <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 -Company after Captain Vivian was wounded, -was specially recommended for "exceptional -courage and ability." In spite of his injuries -he continued to fight on with his company for -six hours, and even when the retirement was -ordered he made a valuable reconnaissance. -Captain Walker was also specially mentioned -for the splendid way he led his company into -action.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile the Irish and Coldstream Guards -on the left had established themselves in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>Chalk Pit and adjoining wood, where they dug -themselves in.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When darkness fell, Brigadier-General Ponsonby -ordered another company from the -Grenadiers to support the Scots Guards. Major -Molyneux-Montgomerie, on receiving the order, -went out with Lieutenant Ritchie to find the -exact position of the two companies, and having -done this he sent back a guide to bring up another -company. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4, under Lieutenant Hirst, started -off, but was held up by machine-gun fire, and -it was two hours before it was able to reach -the other two companies, who had suffered very -much during the attack. The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers was now prolonging the line of the -Scots Guards to the right, and holding from the -south-west corner of Chalk Pit Wood to the -corner of Loos, facing Puits 14.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 28.</div> -<p class='c005'>The positions remained unchanged during the -night and following morning, with shelling at -intervals by the enemy, who knew the range of -the trench precisely. In the afternoon the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion Coldstream made a very gallant attempt -to take Puits 14 from the Chalk Pit, but the attack -failed. During the night two platoons of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3, -under Lieutenant Eaton, were sent to make a -line across the Loos—Hulluch road facing north, -and to establish communication with the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion Coldstream towards the Chalk Pit. -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>F.</abbr> Anson in <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 was wounded early -that morning, and Captain Murray, in charge -of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion bombers, was very severely -wounded while making a plucky raid on the Puits -buildings.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 29-30.</div> -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>Until the night of the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr> the Battalion -remained in the same trenches. It was very wet -and cold, and the constant shelling greatly -interfered with the work of bringing up supplies. -The remnant of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company, under -Captain Walker, was moved to the left, and -was used, together with <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company, to -continue the line facing north, thus completing -the junction between the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> and <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Guards -Brigades.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the Brigade was relieved on the night -of the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr>, the Berkshire Regiment came up -to take the place of the Grenadiers. The relief -did not finish till past 2 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr>, when the Battalion, -much exhausted after its three days' fighting, -marched slowly back through Noyelles and Sailly-la-Bourse -to Verquigneul, which was reached -about 6 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'>Among the officers the casualties were: -Second Lieutenant Crabbe, killed; Captain -Vivian, Captain Murray, Lieutenant Ritchie, -Lieutenant Lycett-Green, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>F.</abbr> Anson, -and Lieutenant Dowling, wounded; Lieutenant -Rowley, missing. The total casualties—killed, -wounded, and missing-amounted to 229.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The following message was sent from the -Brigadier to Colonel Corry:</p> - -<p class='c009'>To the Commanding Officer <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Grenadier -Guards.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I wish to express to the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Grenadier -Guards my appreciation and admiration at their steady -advance under very deadly fire to the attack on -September 27. Lord Cavan, commanding the Guards -Division, a former Grenadier Guardsman, has expressed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>to me the sincere pride with which he watched his old -regiment advance to the assault.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>J. Ponsonby</span>, Brigadier-General,<br /> -Commanding the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Guards Brigade.</p> -<h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion.</h3> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 26.</div> -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Guards Brigade, under Brigadier-General -Heyworth, marched <i>via</i> Lambres, Lières, -and Marles-les-Mines to Haillicourt, where it -arrived on Sunday morning the <abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr>. At Marles-les-Mines -it had to halt for six hours to allow a -cavalry corps to pass, and as the men never knew -when their turn would come to advance, they -had to sit down on a muddy road and wait. The -battalions were crowded into billets for a short -time at Haillicourt, where the violent bombardment -of the French attack at Souchez could be -distinctly heard. In the afternoon the Brigade -moved off, and marched to Vermelles, where it -remained for the night.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The officers of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion Grenadier -Guards were:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>G. C.</abbr> Hamilton, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. M. B.</abbr> Ponsonby, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>T. F. J. N.</abbr> Thorne, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. G.</abbr> Williams, Machine-gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. E. M.</abbr> Ellison, Machine-gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Ludlow, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. A.</abbr> Morrison, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. E.</abbr> Shelley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. A.</abbr> Ponsonby, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Captain Sir <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Houstoun-Boswall, <abbr title='Baronet'>Bart.</abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. F.</abbr> Penn, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Malcolm, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. D.</abbr> Ridley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. A. T.</abbr> Ridley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. H.</abbr> Tompson, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. L.</abbr> Aubrey Fletcher, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. R. D.</abbr> Hoare, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>B. C.</abbr> Layton, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. H.</abbr> Macmillan, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Brunton, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, Medical Officer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant Blundell, Lieutenant Britten, Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Leigh Pemberton, and Lieutenant -Tennant were left at Vermelles with the transport.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> Brigadier-General Heyworth received -orders to attack Hill 70. The movements -of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Guards Brigade more or less depended -on the success of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Brigade. Originally -it had been decided not to go through Loos, but -to leave it on the right and to rendezvous close -in rear of the Loos—Hulluch road, but these -orders were afterwards cancelled.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton explained to the -company officers the general plan of attack, with -some more detailed particulars about the part the -<abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion was to play, but on being ordered -at once to accompany General Heyworth, who -was going into Loos, he handed the command -of the Battalion to Major Ponsonby, and told -him to bring it to a position of deployment in -Loos, where he himself would meet them. At -the same time Captain Aubrey Fletcher was sent -forward to reconnoitre the best route into Loos, -and Lieutenant Blundell was ordered to bring -up the Brigade <abbr class='spell'>S.A.A.</abbr> and tool limbers to Fort -Galatz.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>At 2.30 the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion moved off in fours -down the Vermelles—Douai road, with <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 -Company, under Captain Morrison, leading, and -on reaching the top of the ridge assumed artillery -formation. The order of march was: <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers, Welsh Guards, <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Scots Guards, and <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers. For -one and a half miles, under heavy artillery fire—not -shrapnel, but percussion <abbr class='spell'>H.E.</abbr>—and in full view -of the Germans, the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Guards Brigade advanced -in artillery formation. Perfect order was maintained -in spite of the shells, which burst all round, -and there was not a man out of his place. Nothing -more splendid has ever been recorded in the -annals of the Guards than the manner in which -every battalion in the Brigade faced this trying -ordeal. The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers was all -the time under machine-gun fire from the right, -and during this stage of the attack Lieutenant -Hoare was wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On nearing Loos the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -was ordered to double down the slope and get -into a trench which ran through some ruined -houses. The German artillery was now directing -its attention to Loos, and using a great many -gas shells. Major Ponsonby, guided by Captain -Aubrey Fletcher, led the Battalion down an old -German communication trench immediately north -of Fort Galatz. It had already gone some distance -along the trench when General Heyworth -arrived at full gallop down the road, and ordered -Captain Ridley and the men in rear of him -who had not yet entered the communication -trench to follow him at once. It would seem that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>the Battalion had either advanced too far or -was going in the wrong direction. In any case -from that moment it was divided into two parts.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Captain <abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Ridley took with him <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 6, 7, and -8 platoons from <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company under Captain -Sir George Houstoun-Boswall, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 10 platoon from -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company under Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Ridley, with -a few men from <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company, and worked down -a trench towards the outskirts of Loos. Here -they were again met by General Heyworth, who -told them to go through the town and await -<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Hamilton. Passing through the -ruins at a rapid pace, Captain Ridley and his -party reached the corner of the church which -was being heavily shelled. The noise was deafening; -shells were bursting in every direction and -houses were falling in. The enemy's snipers -were shooting at every place which might shelter -a man. Through this hideous pandemonium the -platoons came, not yet taking any part in the -battle, but simply on their way to the place from -which the attack was to start.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was then found that <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Hamilton -had been gassed and so placed <i>hors de combat</i>. -Captain <abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Ridley was told to take his platoons -to the south-east corner of the town, but at -that moment Major Ponsonby, accompanied by -the Adjutant, Captain Thorne, and also Captain -Fletcher, arrived and guided them to their -destination. Major Ponsonby had been hastily -sent for and told by the Brigadier to take command -of the Battalion in Colonel Hamilton's -place. Finding the Battalion split in two, he -at once sent back for what really was the main -<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>portion, but the orderly who took the message -was killed, and the order never reached Captain -Morrison. Meanwhile the men were placed in -a shallow trench just outside the town and -facing Hill 70.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Here they were joined by Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> -Williams and Second Lieutenant Ellison with -the machine-guns, who had made their way -across country while the limbers went by road. -Corporal <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Gould, who brought up the limbers -under continual shell-fire, met on the way a runaway -horse racing down the road at full gallop -with a bomber's wagon behind him, fully loaded -with bombs. The driver had been killed, and -the horse, terrified by the shells, was making for -home. Corporal Gould succeeded in stopping -the horse, and put one of his men on the wagon. -On arrival at Loos the machine-guns were -carried on by hand.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Welsh Guards now came up under <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Murray Threipland, who said that General -Heyworth wished the attack to begin at once. -Major Ponsonby, however, realised that to attempt -an attack with the small force at his -disposal was merely to court failure, and sent -back word to General Heyworth stating what -had happened to his battalion, and adding that -he hardly considered the few platoons under his -command sufficient to carry out the attack with -any prospect of success. Messages, however, take -some time to deliver, and every moment might -be precious. He therefore consulted Colonel -Murray Threipland, who undertook the attack, -giving him instructions to join in on the left.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>The firing line was composed of the Prince of -Wales's Company of the Welsh Guards on the right, -and <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 6 and 7 platoons of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers, under Sir George Houstoun-Boswall, -on the left. <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 2 and 3 Companies of the Welsh -Guards and <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 8 and 10 platoons of the Grenadiers -were in support, while Colonel Murray -Threipland kept his <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Company as a reserve, -and to it were added the remaining Grenadiers, -including the men of the Battalion Headquarters. -As soon as the men were formed up Major -Ponsonby decided to take command himself, and -sent Captain Ridley back to find the remainder -of the Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Colonel Murray Threipland sent a message to -General Heyworth to warn him that the attack -had been launched, but the news had just arrived -that the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Guards Brigade had been unable -to retain their hold on Puits 14. At this General -Heyworth appears at first to have contemplated -cancelling the attack, but on receiving orders -from Lord Cavan to relieve the pressure on the -<abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Brigade by launching the attack on Hill 70, -he destroyed the cancelling order.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So the attack started. Steadily the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers and <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Welsh -Guards advanced towards Hill 70. At first -they met nothing but rifle-fire, but on reaching -the crest of the hill they were greeted by a -murderous machine-gun fire, which caused great -havoc among the front line. Staggered for a -moment, the men hesitated, but Major Ponsonby -urged them on, and they got to within twenty-five -yards of the German trenches. There had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>been no attempt at any surprise in this attack, -which was not supported by artillery, although -the cavalry machine-guns rendered all assistance -they could. The enemy's machine-guns were -cleverly placed and were most effective, especially -in the neighbourhood of Puits 14 bis, which was -now again in the hands of the Germans.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Explicit orders had been given by General -Heyworth to the commanding officers on no -account to advance over the crest of the hill; -when a line on the reverse slope of the hill had -been occupied it was to be consolidated. Owing -to <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Hamilton having been gassed, -the Grenadiers knew nothing of this order, and -pushed on, while the Welsh Guards remained just -under the crest of the hill. But the Grenadiers' -position was quite untenable on account of the -machine-guns which were enfilading them, and -they withdrew to behind the crest.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Darkness now came down, and the exact -position of the front line was not clear to those -in rear. It was known that Hill 70 had been -taken, and that somewhere on this hill were the -Welsh Guards and a portion of the Grenadiers, -with isolated parties in front of them. The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion Scots Guards, under Colonel Cator, -was being sent up to relieve the front line, while -the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers remained in reserve -in Loos.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During the last part of the advance Major -Myles Ponsonby was hit while advancing with his -men. Captain Thorne, the Adjutant, remained -with him, although they were only twenty-five -yards from the Germans, tied up his wounds, and, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>seeing how badly he was wounded, gave him -morphia tablets. Early next morning Major -Ponsonby died. No more glorious end could have -been than his. He died, as Lord Cavan afterwards -put it in a private letter, a great and lion-hearted -Grenadier fighting to the last, within a -few yards of the Germans.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Captain Thorne was himself wounded in the -head, and after leaving Major Ponsonby he -tried to get back when it was dark. On the way -he came upon two drummers who had been acting -as orderlies; one had been killed and the other -wounded through the leg. Knowing that if he -left the boy where he was, he would probably -be killed, he determined to carry him back. -He put him on his shoulders and started off, but -must have made some noise, for the Germans -at once put up a flare and fired at him with -machine-guns. He fell forward at once with the -drummer—both killed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Captain Sir George Houstoun-Boswall, who -was in command of the first line of Grenadiers -during this attack, behaved with great gallantry, -and was killed as they were nearing the German -trenches. Captain Fletcher was badly wounded -earlier in the attack, as was Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> -Ridley: thus all the officers who took part in -the attack were either killed or wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the attack started Lieutenant Mervyn -Williams was ordered by Major Ponsonby to -follow with his machine-guns in case of a counter-attack, -and to leave Lieutenant Ellison behind -in Loos with the reserve guns. The machine-gun -party therefore followed on till it got to the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>top of Hill 70, where a large number of Grenadiers -who had been killed were found. Crawling on, -the men suddenly realised that they had gone too -far and that there were Germans firing behind -them, so they wheeled round, and came across -Captain <abbr class='spell'>W.</abbr> Berkley with some Welsh Guards -and a small number of Grenadiers under Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Ridley, who was badly wounded. -The fire was very heavy and there seemed no -prospect of being able to advance. Uncertain -where the remainder of the force was, the party -hesitated to fire for fear of killing its own men. -It was pouring with rain, and as darkness came -on Lieutenant Williams decided to dig in where -he was on Hill 70.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It is necessary now to return and follow the -movements of the other half of the Battalion. -It was moving down the German communication -trench quite unconscious that General -Heyworth had diverted the two last companies -to Loos. When Captain Morrison arrived at the -spot appointed as a rendezvous, he waited. -The attack had clearly begun, as the shelling -was very violent, but no orders of any sort came -to him, nor did he know what had become of -Major Ponsonby, Captain Fletcher, and Captain -Thorne, any one of whom might have been able -to explain to him the situation. He accordingly -sent off an orderly to the Brigade Headquarters -asking for instructions. But it was far from easy -to find the Brigadier in the middle of a battle, -and as the first orderly did not return he sent -a second, and repeated this process until four -orderlies had gone. He had with him <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>Company (his own), one platoon of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company -under Lieutenant Penn, two platoons of -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company under Lieutenant Tompson, and -the greater part of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company under Second -Lieutenant Layton and Second Lieutenant Macmillan.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As no orders came, he formed up the men -and determined to take part in the fighting. -He had been told that the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Guards Brigade -were to attack Hill 70, and that the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers were to form part of the attacking -force. It was clearly wrong, therefore, for these -companies to be doing nothing. But he could -see no sign of the rest of his battalion, and efforts -to obtain instructions had proved fruitless. At -this moment he observed the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Brigade attacking -Puits 14, and thereupon decided to take on -himself the responsibility of joining in, feeling -sure that if he was wanted by the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Brigade -to attack Hill 70 he would be in the best position -to assist them; rather than remain inactive -he thought it best to throw his forces in anywhere.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Captain Morrison's men now extended for -attack, and came up on the right of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Scots Guards just as they were attacking -Puits 14. The ground in this part of the line -was being fiercely contested, and they found -themselves under very severe machine-gun fire. -When the Scots Guards retired from Puits 14, -this portion of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -found themselves completely isolated. They lay -down where they were under heavy fire, and -when it was realised that the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Guards Brigade -<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>could make no farther advance, Captain Morrison -gave his men orders to crawl back and dig themselves -in on the Hulluch—Loos road. During -this movement Second Lieutenant Macmillan was -wounded in the head. Captain Morrison then -went back and reported his position to General -Heyworth, who told him to go up with the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion Scots Guards, under Colonel Cator, -and dig in a line on Hill 70.</p> - -<p class='c005'>That evening the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Scots Guards -was sent up to relieve the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers, but fifty men of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company, -who had originally formed part of the attacking -force and were now without an officer, finding -how thinly this line was held, insisted on staying -where they were in order to strengthen the -line.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 28.</div> -<p class='c005'>Early in the morning the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion went -to the Loos—Hulluch road, and remained there -till the night of the <abbr title='twenty-ninth'>29th</abbr>, but it was found that -there were still the fifty men of the Battalion -already mentioned on Hill 70, in addition to -some thirty who had joined the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -in the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Brigade. The machine-gun section, -under Lieutenant Williams, also remained out -on Hill 70, hoping that the attack would be -renewed, when it could join in. Some Engineers -had got out to them and erected barbed-wire -entanglements partially across their front. -Wounded men were continually crawling back -to this little oasis in the desert of shell-holes. -Painfully and slowly, inch by inch, these maimed -men would arrive, often being sniped by the -enemy. It was such an exposed spot that, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>beyond helping them into the shallow trench, -the men in this party could do little.</p> - -<p class='c005'>About 8.30 that night Lieutenant Williams+ -saw a party of Germans crawl out and advance -toward some of our wounded who were unable -to move. They appeared to be quite unaware -of the handful of men in this trench. Feeling -sure they intended to take the wounded prisoners, -when their injuries would, no doubt, be dressed, -he gave orders that no one was to fire. The -Germans crept on slowly, but on reaching the -wounded, to Lieutenant Williams' horror, they -proceeded to bayonet them. It was hardly -necessary for Lieutenant Williams to give the -order to fire, as the men with the machine-guns -had seen this dastardly act, and the two machine-guns -soon wiped out the whole party of Germans. -Our wounded men were finally rescued by the -Scots Guards when they came up, and Lieutenant -Williams retired with the machine-guns to Loos.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 29.</div> -<p class='c005'>Meanwhile, Captain Morrison had succeeded -in collecting the men who had been scattered in -various parts of the line. They had all joined -in the attack somewhere, although they received -no instructions to do so. That night the Battalion -marched back to Vermelles, and went into -billets.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The casualties among the officers were: <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -<abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Hamilton and Lieutenant Shelley, -gassed; Major the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Ponsonby, Captain -Thorne, Captain Sir George Houstoun-Boswall, -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> Tompson, killed; Captain -Aubrey Fletcher, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Malcolm, Second -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Ridley, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>E. R. D.</abbr> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>Hoare, Second Lieutenant Macmillan, wounded. -The total casualties in other ranks amounted -to 342.</p> -<h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion</h3> -<p class='c004'>The officers of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadier -Guards at this time were:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c008'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>G. F.</abbr> Trotter, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>C. R. C.</abbr> de Crespigny, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H.</abbr> Duberly, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. K.</abbr> Stephenson, Machine-gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. E.</abbr> Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Lieutenant Sir <abbr class='spell'>A. L. M.</abbr> Napier, <abbr class='spell'>Bt.</abbr>, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Lieutenant Lord Stanley, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. J. T. H.</abbr> Villiers, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. G.</abbr> Bonham-Carter, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. L. V.</abbr> Swaine, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. P.</abbr> le <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Trench, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. E. H.</abbr> Paget, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Leeke, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>I. A.</abbr> Charteris, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>W. E.</abbr> Nicol, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>O.</abbr> Wakeman, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Heneage, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. S.</abbr> Pilcher, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Lieutenant Viscount Lascelles, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'>Lieutenant the Earl of Dalkeith, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. A.</abbr> Moller, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Petit, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, Medical Officer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 26-27.</div> -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion reached Vermelles on the -Sunday with the rest of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Guards Brigade. -On Monday it advanced towards Loos, and was -placed in reserve, which meant being heavily -shelled, without taking any active part in the -fighting. It received orders to occupy the old -<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>German second-line trench on the outskirts of -Loos, and <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel G. Trotter left it there -under Major de Crespigny while he went forward -to Brigade Headquarters. The advance of the -<abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Guards Brigade into Loos under heavy shell-fire -already referred to was described afterwards -by a General as one of the most splendid and -inspiring sights he had ever seen.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Major de Crespigny led the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion to an -old German trench just outside Loos, and ordered -the men to put on gas helmets. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Trotter, having been told to keep his battalion -well under cover and to wait for further orders, -returned to find that they had already carried -out these instructions. The attack by the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers and Welsh Guards started, -but when General Heyworth found they could -not capture and hold Hill 70 he decided to take -up a line a little short of the crest of the hill and -not to throw in the reserves. The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers therefore remained just outside Loos, -and in the evening sent up digging parties to -assist the Royal Engineers.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 28.</div> -<p class='c005'>All next day the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -remained in this trench, where it was heavily -shelled. The Germans of course knew the exact -range of this trench, and were able to hit it with -monotonous regularity, but the dug-outs were so -craftily constructed that little damage was done. -The danger lay in entering and coming out of -these caves, and a certain number of men were -killed in this way. All night digging parties -were sent out to work on the lines in front. -Marching in the dark through Loos was a hazardous -<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>proceeding, as the roads were a mass of shell-holes -into which men frequently fell, and since -the parties had to work in the open with the -German trenches not very far off, their task was -a perilous one. Flares were sent up, and if a -man moved the Germans started firing at once. -Nevertheless the Battalion got through a great -deal of work, and barbed wire and sand-bags -were taken up to the Scots Guards, who were -now holding the line on Hill 70.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 29.</div> -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion stayed in the same trenches -next day, but the front line was by no means -straight. This enabled the Germans to bring up a -field-gun, with which they enfiladed the whole -trench. When the shells first arrived down the -trench from no one knew where, there were a great -many men outside the dug-outs, and consequently -many casualties. Major <abbr class='spell'>W. E.</abbr> Nicol was hit -in the head by a fragment of a shell, and died -soon afterwards; Second Lieutenant Villiers -had his jaw broken in two places, and Lieutenant -Sir A. Napier was wounded in the thigh. The -total casualties among other ranks were 45.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr> 30.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr> the Battalion was relieved by a -battalion of the <abbr title='thirty-seventh'>37th</abbr> Brigade, and retired into -billets at Sailly-la-Bourse.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span> - <h2 id='chap16' class='c003'>CHAPTER XVI <br /> OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 1915</h2> -</div> -<h3 class='c013'>Diary of the War</h3> -<p class='c004'>The marshy condition of the ground and the -bad weather made operations on any large scale -impossible, and, with the exception of raids in -various parts of the line, no serious offensive -movement was attempted. In December Field-Marshal -Sir John French resigned command of -the British Army in France, and took over -command of the Forces in the United Kingdom. -He was succeeded by General Sir Douglas Haig.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In October the Bulgarians, under the impression -that the Central Powers were winning the -war, decided to join them, and declared war on -the Allies.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In Mesopotamia the British Forces reached -Kut-el-Amara with a view to the capture of -Bagdad.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The campaign in Gallipoli having reached a -deadlock, it was decided to withdraw the British -Forces and abandon the attempt to reach Constantinople -by that route. The whole of the -Forces were successfully withdrawn with only -three casualties.</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span> - <h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion. Roll of Officers.</h3> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>G. F.</abbr> Trotter, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>C. R. C.</abbr> de Crespigny, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H. J.</abbr> Duberly, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. K.</abbr> Stephenson, Machine Gun Section.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the Earl of Dalkeith, Bombing Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Lord Stanley, Transport Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Teece, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. E.</abbr> Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. G.</abbr> Bonham-Carter, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. L. V.</abbr> Swaine, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. P.</abbr> le <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Trench, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. E. H.</abbr> Paget, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Leeke, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>I. A.</abbr> Charteris, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. H.</abbr> Greville, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>O.</abbr> Wakeman, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Heneage, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. S.</abbr> Pilcher, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Viscount Lascelles, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. A.</abbr> Moller, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Petit, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, Medical Officer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>During October the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion remained -either in or just behind the trenches until the -<abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr>. The casualties in the other battalions -necessitated a certain redistribution of the -officers, and Captain <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Wolrige-Gordon, who -had returned from sick leave, was transferred -to the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion, while Captain Greville -and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>F. G.</abbr> Bonham-Carter went -to the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion. On October 3 the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion relieved the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire -Light Infantry in the trenches, and -came in for a good deal of shelling, during which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>it had twenty-six casualties. On the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> it -was relieved by the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Buffs, and went into -billets at Vermelles, where it lived in cellars. -From Vermelles to the trenches was a march of -one and a half hours through communication -trenches practically the whole way, and fatigue -parties sometimes amounting to over 150 men were -constantly sent up to the front line. Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>O.</abbr> Wakeman and Lieutenant Lord Lascelles were -recommended for the rank of temporary Captain -on account of their gallant conduct, and the -efficient manner in which they handled their -platoons under fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='seventh'>7th</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>R. W.</abbr> Phillipps -and a draft of 50 men arrived, and on the <abbr title='ninth'>9th</abbr> -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>F. C.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Aubyn and Second -Lieutenant H. Alexander joined the Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr> the Battalion moved up into -the trenches near the Hohenzollern Redoubt and -occupied the front line south-east of "Big -Willie," the name given by the men to the largest -of the two German trenches connecting the -Hohenzollern Redoubt with the main line of the -German trenches.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr> 17.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Trotter received -orders to direct a bombing attack against the -German line towards Slag Alley. The attack -was to be undertaken by <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company under -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>O.</abbr> Wakeman, and the men went out -over the top with the expert bombers leading, -but on arrival they found two German machine-guns -enfilading the front of the German block. -Second Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>I.</abbr> Charteris and -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> Alexander, two very -<span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>promising officers, were killed at once, and a -large number of men were killed and wounded. -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>O.</abbr> Wakeman behaved with great -gallantry, and went forward to see whether -anything could be done. He found that to -attempt an advance was impossible, and was -just sending back for more reinforcements when -he was shot through the top of the skull and -was completely paralysed in both legs. Colonel -Trotter now sent up Lieutenant Lord Lascelles -to take command of the Company, telling him, if -possible, to keep all that had been gained, but to -use his discretion as to what should be done in -the circumstances. Lord Lascelles, on coming -up, quickly grasped the whole situation. He saw -that while the two German machine-guns were -in position, it was a practical impossibility to -take the trench, and he very wisely withdrew -what remained of that Company to our trenches. -It was well that he did so, for soon afterwards -the Germans commenced a heavy bombardment, -which lasted till noon. The casualties were -2 officers killed and 3 wounded, with 125 of other -ranks killed and wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant Trench had asked the Commanding -Officer the night before whether he might lead -the bombers, but his request was refused, as his -business was to remain in our trenches and see -that every bomb was properly fused before it -was passed along to the front. When Lieutenant -Charteris, however, was killed, his men, not knowing -what was expected of them, started to come -back. Lieutenant Trench rallied them, and took -them up again, when he was knocked down with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>a bit of a bomb through his right arm. On the -previous day only he had had a nasty blow from -a piece of shell on the shoulder, but had refused to -take any notice of it. Lieutenant <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Aubyn was -also wounded during this bombing attack, but not -seriously. In the evening the body of Lieutenant -Charteris was recovered, and buried at Sailly-la-Bourse, -Lord Stanley superintending the funeral.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> the Battalion was relieved by -the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream, and went into -billets at Sailly-la-Bourse, but returned to the -trenches on the <abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr>, when Second Lieutenant -R. Phillipps, who had only joined the Battalion -a fortnight before, was killed. On the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Inglis and a draft of sixty-eight -men arrived. On the <abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr> the Battalion marched -about fifteen miles to Allouagne, where it remained -in billets for a fortnight. The King, -who was in France, had expressed his intention -of inspecting the Guards Division on the <abbr title='twenty-eighth'>28th</abbr>, -and all the battalions were actually marching to -the ground when the news arrived that, owing -to an accident to His Majesty, the inspection -would not take place. It was known afterwards -that while the King was inspecting some troops -his horse, frightened by the cheering, had reared -up, falling back on His Majesty, and crushing -him severely. Before he left France, the following -was published in orders:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Special Order of the Day by His Majesty -the King</span></p> - -<p class='c010'>I am happy to have found myself once more with -my armies.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>It is especially gratifying to me to have been able -to see some of those that have been newly created. For -I have watched with interest the growth of these troops -from the first days of recruit drill and through the -different stages of training until their final inspection -on the eve of departure for the Front as organised -divisions. Already they have justified the general conviction -then formed of their splendid fighting worth.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Since I was last among you, you have fought many -strenuous battles. In all you have reaped renown and -proved yourselves at least equal to the highest traditions -of the British Army.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In company with our noble Allies you have baffled -the infamous conspiracy against the law and liberty of -Europe, so long and insidiously prepared.</p> - -<p class='c010'>These achievements have involved vast sacrifices. -But your countrymen who watch your campaign with -sympathetic admiration will, I am well assured, spare -no effort to fill your ranks and afford you all supplies.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I have decorated many of you. But had I decorated -all who deserve recognition for conspicuous valour, there -would have been no limit, for the whole Army is -illustrious.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It is a matter of sincere regret to me that my accident -should have prevented my seeing all the troops I had -intended, but during my stay amongst you I have seen -enough to fill my heart with admiration of your patient -cheerful endurance of life in the trenches; a life either -of weary monotony or of terrible tumult. It is the -dogged determination evinced by all ranks which will -at last bring you to victory. Keep the goal in sight, -and remember it is the final lap that wins.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>George, R.I.</span></p> - -<p class='c010'><i>November 1, 1915.</i></p> - -<p class='c011'>On October 31 Major <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Maitland was transferred -to the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>On November 1 the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion went into -<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>Brigade Reserve, and moved into billets on the -La Bassée road. On the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> -Wilson joined from the Yorkshire Light Infantry, -and on the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr> Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. -P.</abbr> Cary and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. V.</abbr> Cholmeley -arrived. On the <abbr title='sixteenth'>16th</abbr> it went into the trenches at -Chapigny with two Companies in the front line, -one in support and one in reserve in Rue Bacquerot, -where the Germans were very quiet, but -the inevitable sniping made it dangerous to any -one who exposed himself. A great deal of work -had to be done improving and draining the -trenches, but the men were wonderfully well -equipped during the cold weather, for they had -high waders, leather waistcoats, mackintosh caps, -and good gloves.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr> the Battalion retired into billets -at La Gorgue, and went up into the trenches, -relieving the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion every two days, -until December 20, when it went into Brigade -Reserve at Laventie. On the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> and -<abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalions Grenadiers dined together, the -dinner being arranged by Captain Morrison. -On the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Wilkinson -joined the Battalion. On the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> the Battalion -returned to the front line, again taking turns -with the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion, and as the trenches were -ill suited for Christmas festivities, it was unanimously -agreed to postpone the Christmas dinners -until January. Captain <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Petit, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, -who had been attached to the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -for over a year, left to take up another appointment. -He had followed the fortunes of the -Battalion, and had fought with it in all the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>battles in which it had taken part during the -last twelve months. His departure was therefore -much regretted by the officers and men, with -whom he was very popular.</p> -<h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion.</h3> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Roll of Officers</span></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>G. D.</abbr> Jeffreys, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major Lord Henry Seymour, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. R.</abbr> Bailey, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>D.</abbr> Abel-Smith, Machine-Gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. V.</abbr> Agar-Robartes, Machine-Gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. E.</abbr> Acraman, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. N.</abbr> Buchanan, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. W. M.</abbr> Grigg, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> Hermon-Hodge, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. G. W.</abbr> Sandeman, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. F. R.</abbr> Wiggins, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. O. S.</abbr> Sitwell, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H.</abbr> Noble, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. A.</abbr> Clive, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. F. C.</abbr> Crookshank, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. H. V.</abbr> Cavendish, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. H.</abbr> Beaumont-Nesbitt, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>I. H.</abbr> Ingleby, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>B. B.</abbr> Ponsonby, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. R. M.</abbr> Fryer, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> de <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Kingsmill, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. C.</abbr> Craigie, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. A. D.</abbr> Parnell, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. A.</abbr> Knatchbull-Hugessen, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. A.</abbr> Aldridge, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, Medical Officer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>In the redistribution of officers after the -battle of Loos, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>F. O. S.</abbr> Sitwell and -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>I. H.</abbr> Ingleby were transferred -to the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion, and Second Lieutenant -<span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span><abbr class='spell'>E. R. M.</abbr> Fryer and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> Hermon-Hodge -to the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion returned to the -trenches, and took over the section of old British -trenches east of Vermelles, where it remained -in support of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> and <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalions Coldstream, -who were in the old German trenches -south of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. It was -hardly in position when the Germans shelled the -whole line heavily, and caused some casualties. -Two high-explosive shells landed in the trench -occupied by <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company, killing two and -wounding five men. Second Lieutenant Sandeman -was knocked down, but not seriously -hurt, and Lieutenant Craigie was wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>This activity on the part of the German -artillery was the prelude to a counter-attack, -by which the enemy retook the Hohenzollern -Redoubt. On the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> the East Yorkshire Regiment -tried to retake this Redoubt, but failed. -The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers, still in support, -was engaged in digging communication trenches -towards the old German trenches which were -now our front line. It was an intricate piece -of trench line, with the Germans not thirty yards -off, and required a great deal of work to make -it tenable. On the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -moved up in the front line, and there was -a certain amount of bombing on both sides. For -two days the Battalion remained in its trenches, -and sniping was reduced to a fine art, as hyposcopic -rifles had been provided. On the <abbr title='seventh'>7th</abbr> the -Battalion was relieved by the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream, -and retired to billets at Vermelles, but -<span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>even here the shells followed it, and fell in and -about the village.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='eighth'>8th</abbr> the Battalion returned to the -trenches, and that night the enemy attacked, -but were easily driven off. On the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Jeffreys determined to take the enemy's -bombing post by surprise, and to bomb up his -trench as far as possible. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company under -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. A.</abbr> Clive was selected for the task, -and the whole scheme of attack was carefully -planned and explained to every officer, <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>, -and man who took part in it. Second Lieutenant -Sandeman was ordered to command the party, -but Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>J. C.</abbr> Craigie, the bombing officer, -went first. It was a pitch-dark night and very -quiet, so that every man had to be careful not -to make any noise, more especially as every few -minutes a light went up silently. Slowly thirty -crawling figures went out, and made their way -through the grass. A quarter of an hour went -by in silence, and Colonel Jeffreys, fearing that -there was some mistake, telephoned to Lieutenant -Clive to ask why the attack had not begun, but -at that moment the first bombs exploded. Lieutenant -Craigie reached the German bombing post -in safety, and as soon as the bomb-throwing began -in earnest, whistled back, which was the signal for -Lieutenant Grigg to come out with a chain of men -carrying bombs.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Germans, surprised by this shower of bombs, -hastily retired, and were followed by Lieutenant -Craigie and Lieutenant Sandeman up the trench. -Having got 150 yards up the German trench, -Lieutenant Craigie sent back for reinforcements, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>and Lieutenant Clive came up himself with -another platoon carrying picks and shovels to -consolidate the position. Meanwhile in front -the Germans were making a stand, and soon a -message came back for stretcher-bearers, but the -narrowness of the trench made stretchers dangerous, -as they might possibly block the trench, so -the wounded were carried back over the top. -A message had just been received that barbed -wire was wanted in front, when the telephone -wire was cut by a shell. With a narrow trench -full of men filling sand-bags and making fire -positions, barbed wire is an awkward thing to -carry up, and Lieutenant Clive therefore gave -orders that it was to come up over the top. Now -carrying the wounded back over the top has a -certain sentimental attraction, for anything connected -with the wounded is associated in men's -minds with the <abbr class='spell'>V.C.</abbr>, but carrying barbed wire up, -although every bit as dangerous, is mere coolie -work. Nevertheless the barbed wire arrived at -its destination, and the farthest point taken was -consolidated. One thousand five hundred bombs -had been thrown, and there were no more available; -so when Major Lord Henry Seymour came -along, and ordered a second attack to begin at -1 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr>, he found there were no more bombs, and -there was nothing else to do but to build up -the trench. It was hardly to be expected that -Lieutenant Craigie, who had been in front all -the way, should escape unscathed, but he got off -very cheaply with a piece of a bomb in his leg. -Lieutenant Sandeman was untouched. <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 -Company under Captain Cavendish had remained -<span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>in support, feeding <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company with reinforcements -as the situation developed. Almost -immediately after the attack started, Captain -Cavendish sent Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>B.</abbr> Ponsonby up with -one and a half platoons to help <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1, and soon -after Lieutenant Beaumont-Nesbitt was ordered off -to look after the Lewis gun. The remaining three -platoons were therefore without officers, and were -gradually sent up in small parties for various -duties. Captain Cavendish himself was ordered -not to go up, as he would have been senior to -Lieutenant Clive, and would therefore have had -to take command in the middle of these operations. -Moreover, owing to the telephone wire to -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company being cut, he became the connecting -link between the Commanding Officer -and the bombing party. When, therefore, he -was ordered at 4.30 to relieve <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1, he had some -difficulty in finding where all his Company had -got to, but eventually collected it, and carried -out the relief.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Germans made a further counter-attack -early next morning, but failed to regain any of -their lost trench. They contented themselves -with a heavy bombardment of our line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The next day the Battalion received orders -to cut the wire near the front line, to prepare -the way for our attack, which was to take place -two days later, but the men had not started -when the Germans suddenly began to shell that -particular portion of wire with shrapnel. There -was something almost uncanny in their accuracy -as regards time and place, and it conclusively -proved that they must have tapped our telephone -<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>wires. After waiting until the Germans -had finished, a party went forth, and carried out -the orders.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion remained in -the same trench, and although in the morning -there was only intermittent shelling the bombardment -increased in intensity during the afternoon. -The Germans made a severe bombing attack -on the trench which had been taken from them, -but were easily beaten off. Although at one -time there was some anxiety on our part as to -whether the supply of bombs would hold out, -the enemy was not only driven off but our -bombers succeeded in throwing bombs into his -bomb stores, causing two violent explosions. -During the whole attack our line was heavily -bombed by aerial torpedoes, a particularly -accurate and powerful form of trench mortar, -but when it got dark the enemy's attack died -gradually away. The new Mills grenades proved -a great success, as they could be thrown farther -than those of the enemy. The Battalion was to -have been relieved at 6.45 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr>, but owing to this -attack the relieving Battalions did not arrive until -nearly midnight, and the relief was not completed -until 3 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='thirteenth'>13th</abbr> Major Lord Henry Seymour left -to take command of the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion, and -the same day Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>T. A.</abbr> Combe arrived. -The casualties during the two days in the trenches -were 150 killed and wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In a private letter dated October 13, Major-General -Lord Cavan wrote to <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Jeffreys:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>I should like to come and thank all your Battalion -for its splendid and glorious work of the past week, but -I cannot leave Headquarters till the fight is ended, and -I do not want to bother you and your officers and men, -but simply wish them rest. In case I cannot manage -to come, and we are wanted again quickly, I hope you -will accept this letter of my profound gratitude for, and -intense admiration of your splendid services. To the -men who have repulsed attack after attack on the -trench they took so gallantly, I simply could not say -enough, and I hope you have already put in names for -due reward of those who actually win our battles for us. -My heartiest congratulations and undying thanks.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The Battalion went back into billets at -Verquin on the <abbr title='thirteenth'>13th</abbr>, and then to Sailly-la-Bourse. -On the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr> it returned to the trenches -opposite Big Willie, and owing to some mistake -<abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 1 and 2 Companies were crowded into a -trench capable only of holding one Company, -with the result that quite an unnecessarily large -number of men were hit. On the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr> Second -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>F. A. M.</abbr> Browning arrived, and on -the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Major <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> Glyn joined the Battalion -as second in command.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> the shelling became so violent -that a message was sent down the whole British -line to the effect that at any moment an attack -might be expected. On the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> the German -artillery turned its attention to a communication -trench called "King's Head," which it blew in -in several places. Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> Crookshank -was wounded, and there was a certain -number of casualties among other ranks.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Jeffreys was sent -for to take command of the <abbr title='thirty-fifth'>35th</abbr> Brigade, much -<span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>to the regret of the whole Battalion. The Battalion -was formed up in mass near Fosse <abbr class='spell'>8</abbr>, and -<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Jeffreys thanked it for the splendid -manner in which they had supported him during -the time he had been in command. He made -touching references to his predecessor <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -<abbr class='spell'>W.</abbr> Smith, and ended by congratulating -it on all it had done since the beginning of -the war.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Thus the command of the Battalion devolved -on Major <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> Glyn, who had only just arrived, -and who wrote diffidently to General Feilding, -pointing out the difficulty in which he was placed -by being in command of a Battalion so soon after -his arrival. On the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> Lieutenant Irvine and -on the <abbr title='thirty-first'>31st</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>F. J. V.</abbr> Hopley -joined.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>The Battalion remained in billets at Lapugnoy -until November 10, when it marched to Chocques, -where it stayed till the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr>, and then marched -to La Gorgue. On the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Jeffreys -returned to the Battalion, as his appointment to -the <abbr title='thirty-fifth'>35th</abbr> Brigade had only been temporary, and -it was not till some two months later that he was -given command of the <abbr title='fifty-eighth'>58th</abbr> Brigade. On the -<abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> Major the Right <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> Winston Churchill -was attached to the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -for instruction. The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Guards Brigade took -over the line of trenches opposite Pietre, all in -a very bad condition—communication trenches -flooded, and front-line breastworks crumbling and -not bullet-proof. There was consequently a great -deal of work to be done, which the incessant shelling -retarded, while the weather, being cold and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>raw, with snow at intervals, made things generally -unpleasant. For the rest of the month the Battalion -remained in this part of the line, retiring -occasionally as far as Merville in reserve.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>The suspected presence of a German mine had -for some time caused anxiety, and it was therefore -decided to send out a party to find and -destroy the shaft in the German trenches. Lieutenant -the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. A. D.</abbr> Parnell, Sergeant Lyon, -and eleven men volunteered for the expedition. -As soon as the moon had gone down the party -started off over the parapet, and advanced -cautiously through the long grass which covered -the ground between the two lines. They had -to cross a stream which was composed of water -pumped from the enemy's trenches, but fortunately -found a shallow place through which they -were able to wade. On arrival at the German -trenches they cut the wire, and silently one by -one dropped down in the trench, but not a soul -was to be seen. They moved slowly forward -until they reached the communication trench, -where they left two men to look out, and then -went down the communication trench, but after -going on for about forty yards they heard voices. -Their mission was not to alarm the enemy, but -to find out if there was an entrance in the -German trench to a shaft of any description; -so having satisfied themselves that none existed, -they returned by the same route they had come, -and reported all they had seen to <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Jeffreys.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the night of the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> two patrols were -sent out to explore the enemy's front trench. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span>Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W.</abbr> Parnell, accompanied -by Sergeant Lyon, again started off with eight -men. No rifles were carried, but each man was -armed with a bludgeon about eighteen inches long, -with an iron ring round the head. Two men -carried six bombs each. A second party was -sent off by the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream, and -left at the same time. On arrival in the German -trench, which they again reached without opposition, -the Grenadiers went to the left and the -Coldstream to the right.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The party of Grenadiers advanced slowly -down the German trench. They had not gone -far before they observed a faint ray of light from -a dug-out. Lieutenant Parnell halted the party, -and directed Sergeant Lyon to go on ahead -and see whether there was any sign of a sentry. -Sergeant Lyon crept on, and saw that not only -was there a sentry, but that on each side of the -trench there was a small place hollowed out large -enough to hold a man, and, what was more, there -was a man in each hollow. Having located the -exact position of these Germans, Sergeant Lyon -returned, and reported what he had seen.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The whole party then advanced, and Sergeant -Lyon flung himself on the sentry, who made no -attempt to alarm the others, and did not offer -any resistance. The man was accordingly bound -and gagged. One of the other Germans in the -hollow managed to get out and fire off his rifle -before he was bludgeoned. The other made a -similar attempt, but was killed before he could -manage to fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>This one shot, however, was sufficient to alarm -<span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>the whole German line, and soon the whole trench -was in an uproar. Parties were seen to be advancing -from all directions. Lieutenant Parnell -therefore decided that no farther reconnaissance -was possible, and that the only thing to do was -to take his party back. So they returned the way -they had come as quickly as they could, with -the loss of one man, who was killed when the -alarm was given.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant Parnell was awarded the Military -Cross, and Sergeant Lyon the <abbr class='spell'>D.C.M.</abbr> The Coldstream -patrol reported it had gone some way down -the German trench, but had seen nothing.</p> - -<p class='c005'>For the remainder of the month the Battalion -remained in billets at Merville, and afterwards -at Riez Bailleul. The Christmas dinner took -place at Merville. On the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr> Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>T. W.</abbr> Minchin, Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. G.</abbr> -Carter, and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>N. McK.</abbr> Jesper -joined the Battalion.</p> -<h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion.</h3> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Roll of Officers</span></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Colonel <abbr class='spell'>N. A. L.</abbr> Corry, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>G. F.</abbr> Molyneux-Montgomerie, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. G. B.</abbr> Nugent, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H. J.</abbr> Wynne, Transport Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. H.</abbr> Wall, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. G.</abbr> Gunnis, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. F. A.</abbr> Walker, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> Anson, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. O. H.</abbr> Eaton, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. P.</abbr> Bowes-Lyon, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. G.</abbr> Agar-Robartes, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. G. H.</abbr> Powell, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. M. C.</abbr> Dowling, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. F. R.</abbr> Hirst, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. T.</abbr> Logan, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, Medical Officer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>After the battle of Loos Colonel Corry returned, -and resumed command of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion. -Captain Wolrige-Gordon was transferred from -the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion, and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> -Hermon-Hodge and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>E. R. M.</abbr> -Fryer from the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion to the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion, -while Captain Sir <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Filmer, <abbr class='spell'>Bt.</abbr>, went from the -<abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion to the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion remained in billets till the -<abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr>, when it took over from the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> Liverpool -Regiment a line of trenches resting on the Hohenzollern -Redoubt, and there it remained until -the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr>. The Germans were now in possession -of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and the position -thus perilously close to them was anything but -pleasant. On the <abbr title='eighth'>8th</abbr> the enemy made a determined -attack on this line, and surprised our -bombers, killing most of them. Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> -Anson, who was with the bombers, stoutly refused -to give way, and was killed with all his -party. The bombs with which our men were -armed proved useless, as they got very damp -and refused to detonate. It therefore became a -very one-sided contest, but a machine-gun under -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Williams barred the way to the -Germans, and this had to be disposed of before -they could advance. Bombs and shells rained -down on this machine-gun, and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> -Williams was killed. He was replaced by three -sergeants in succession, who fought on as gamely -<span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>as he had done, and who met with the same fate. -The gun was soon afterwards put out of action.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The situation now looked ugly. The enemy -was bombing down the trench, and <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 2 and -3 Companies had retired somewhat precipitately -before the advancing Germans. The <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion -Coldstream on the right grasped how -serious this attack might become, and sent off -some bombers who managed to stop the rush. -Later on Lieutenant Eaton and Lieutenant -Gunnis reorganised the men, and went forward -to support the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream after -they had succeeded in regaining the trench. The -Germans fought well, but were forced to retire, -when they lost many men. The total casualties -in the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion were 137 all ranks, including -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> Anson and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Williams -killed, and Captain <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Walker and Lieutenant -the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. G.</abbr> Agar-Robartes wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> the Battalion retired into billets -at Vermelles, and on the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> to Vaudricourt, -where it remained in reserve until the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr>. On -the <abbr title='ninth'>9th</abbr> Captain <abbr class='spell'>E. O.</abbr> Stewart, Lieutenant the -<abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. P.</abbr> Stanhope, and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>P. M.</abbr> -Walker; on the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr>, Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>R. W.</abbr> -Parker; and on the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr> Captain Lord <abbr class='spell'>F.</abbr> Blackwood -and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>O.</abbr> Lyttelton joined the -Battalion. The last was appointed Adjutant.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Battalion returned to the line opposite -Big Willie on the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr>, and at once set to work -to improve the trenches, but the continual -bombing and shelling rather hampered its -movements. On the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> the enemy's shelling -became unpleasantly accurate, and the Battalion -<span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>had 11 men killed and 32 wounded. Lord <abbr class='spell'>F.</abbr> -Blackwood was blown up by a shell, and was -badly wounded. Captain Dowling and Lieutenant -Hirst were buried in their dug-out by -a high-explosive shell, and were extricated just -in time. That night Major Montgomerie went -out with a rifle and fixed bayonet, and tried -to ascertain exactly where the sap joined the -Coldstream trench. Having gained this information -he took out a party and finished the sap.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During the time in the trenches the casualties -had been constant and often very heavy: the -Battalion lost all four Company Sergeant-Majors. -Company Sergeant-Major Tyson was killed, and -Company Sergeant-Majors Eason, Aston, and Day -wounded. On the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> the Battalion suffered a -very severe loss in the death of Major Molyneux-Montgomerie, -who was shot through the head -whilst superintending work on Kaiserin Trench -under heavy fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The constant sniping and bombing caused -many casualties, and the total number of killed -and wounded since the Battalion came to Loos -was 19 officers and 500 non-commissioned officers -and men, which proved how dangerous the -trenches in the neighbourhood of the Hohenzollern -Redoubt were.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-fifth'>25th</abbr> the Battalion left the front line -and marched to Bethune, where it entrained for -Lillers, and on arrival went into billets at Norrent -Fontes. On the <abbr title='twenty-eighth'>28th</abbr> the whole Guards Division -was to have been inspected by the King, but this -had to be cancelled owing to an unfortunate -accident to His Majesty.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>On the <abbr title='twenty-fifth'>25th</abbr> Captain <abbr class='spell'>E. N. E. M.</abbr> Vaughan and -Lieutenant Raymond Asquith; on the <abbr title='twenty-ninth'>29th</abbr> Lieutenant -the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. E.</abbr> Eaton, Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>B. E.</abbr> Yorke, and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>E. G.</abbr> -Worsley; and on the <abbr title='thirty-first'>31st</abbr> Major <abbr class='spell'>M.</abbr> Maitland -joined the Battalion.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>On November 8 the Battalion marched to La -Gorgue, a very long and tiring march of twenty-six -kilometres, and went into billets. There it -remained until the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr>, and then marched to the -trenches just north of Neuve Chapelle. The line -here seemed very quiet after the perilous trenches -opposite the Hohenzollern; but if the shells were -less, the water difficulty was greater than ever. -Men had again to stand knee-deep in water, and -in the cold weather many felt that the constant -bombing and shelling was preferable. Two days -in the trenches and two days out was the routine -until the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr>, when the whole Brigade moved -back again into billets at La Gorgue, and remained -there until the end of the month.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>In December the Battalion occupied the -trenches from Sion Post Lane to Moated Grange -North, and continued alternately two days in the -trenches and two days out. This portion of the -line was in itself comparatively quiet, but the -relief was not altogether pleasant, since it was -necessary for the relieving companies to go over -the top of the ground to get into the front -trench. The enemy was, however, singularly -inactive in the neighbourhood, and very few -casualties occurred. The patrols sent out by the -Battalion encountered no opposition, although -they boldly went close to the German trenches -<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>and explored the craters. The men of the -Battalion were mostly employed in extensive draining -operations, carried out under the supervision -of Colonel Corry himself, and many improvements -were thus effected.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> a new artillery commander seems -to have taken over the German guns, for the front -trenches were subjected to a sound and perfectly -accurate fire, which contrasted strangely with the -previous desultory and usually ill-directed fire. -The Battalion spent Christmas Day in the -trenches, and a plum-pudding and a pint of -beer were given to each man. On the <abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr> it -left the trenches and marched to Merville.</p> -<h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion</h3> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Roll of Officers</span></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. A.</abbr> Morrison, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. S.</abbr> Lambert, Acting Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. G.</abbr> Williams, Machine-Gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. E. M.</abbr> Ellison, Machine-Gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Ludlow, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. L.</abbr> Blundell-Hollinshead-Blundell, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. A.</abbr> Ponsonby, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. R.</abbr> Britten, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. F.</abbr> Penn, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. D.</abbr> Ridley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>B. C.</abbr> Layton, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. W.</abbr> Tennant, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. D.</abbr> Leigh-Pemberton, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. R.</abbr> Brunton, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, Medical Officer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='October'>Oct.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>After the heavy casualties it had suffered at -Loos, the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion had to be reorganised; -and Captain Morrison, now in command, redistributed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>the officers and non-commissioned officers, -and as far as possible made up the deficiencies. -The Battalion remained in billets at La Bourse -until the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr>, when it was ordered to occupy -the trenches on the left of the Hulluch—Vermelles -road. Here there was a certain -amount of shelling. The system of trenches was -highly complicated, and extensive works were -being undertaken. The Battalion was ordered to -prepare communicating trenches running parallel -to Hulluch—Vermelles road, and this work kept -the men fully employed for two days.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fifth'>5th</abbr> the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Scots Guards -was in trouble, and sent for assistance, as it -had had a portion of its trench blown in, and -was harassed by the enemy's bombs. Captain -<abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Penn was sent off at once by Captain Morrison, -with 100 men of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company and 20 -bombers, and told to report himself to <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Cator. Lieutenant Sitwell, with <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 -Company, was ordered to be ready to follow, but -no real attack on the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Scots Guards -developed, and neither company, therefore, was -wanted. That evening the Battalion retired -into billets at Vermelles, but were not free from -the shells there, and three high-explosive shells -pitched quite close to its billets. Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>E. -R.</abbr> Brunton, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, who had come out with -the Battalion, and been with them through the -battle of Loos, was killed by a shell on the <abbr title='eighth'>8th</abbr> -as he was going round the billets.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='ninth'>9th</abbr> the Battalion returned to the -trenches, and relieved the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalions -Scots Guards. Second Lieutenant M. Chapman, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span>Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G. C.</abbr> Sloane-Stanley, Second -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>E. W.</abbr> Nairne, and Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>H. H.</abbr> Sloane-Stanley joined the Battalion that day, -and on the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> Captain Parry, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, arrived. -On the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> Major Lord Henry Seymour came to -take over temporary command of the Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> bombing attacks by the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers and <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Scots -Guards began, and the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -was ordered to form a continuous chain of men -to pass up bombs, sand-bags, ammunition, and -tools, and to hold all positions vacated by the -Scots Guards as they advanced. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Cator sent back for assistance as his bombers -had been knocked out. The <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -bombers accordingly went up, followed later -by 100 volunteers, many of whom had never -seen a bomb before. Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Britten on -his own initiative took charge of a party of -Grenadiers and Scots Guards, after the two -Scots Guards officers had been shot, and with -great gallantry and coolness successfully drove -off the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The next day <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Cator expressed -his indebtedness to the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -for its timely assistance; and the manner in -which the bombers of the Battalion had behaved -on this occasion was specially referred to by the -Brigadier.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr> the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion mourned the loss -of a brave and popular officer. Captain Eric Penn -was in his dug-out when a shell struck it. He was -completely buried, and although still alive when -he was extricated, he died a few minutes later.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span>The continual casualties and the strenuous -digging were beginning to tell on the Battalion, -and although every two alternate days were spent -resting in billets, the high-explosive shells which -reached it prevented the forty-eight hours in -billets from being a complete rest. The Battalion -went on the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> for two days to Annequin, -but on the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> returned to the trenches opposite -the Hohenzollern Redoubt, where again there -was a great deal of work to be done. The zeal -which the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion showed in its digging -operations elicited praise from Brigadier-General -Heyworth when he came round on a tour of -inspection.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='November'>Nov.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-fifth'>25th</abbr> the Battalion retired to Allouagne, -where it remained until November 14, and then -marched <i>via</i> Estaires, La Bassée road, Pont -du Hem, to the trenches from Chapigny to -Winchester road. Every alternate forty-eight -hours it went into billets, but during the days in -the trenches nothing of interest occurred.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='December'>Dec.</abbr> 12.</div> -<p class='c005'>The same routine continued until December -12, when a most successful raid on the enemy's -trenches was carried out. At 8.15 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr> Captain Sir -Robert Filmer, accompanied by Sergeant Higgins -and three men in <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company, went out to -make a preliminary reconnaissance. By crawling -right up to the enemy's trenches he succeeded -in locating the exact position of the German -machine-guns, and was able to confirm the -report as to the gap in the enemy's wire entanglements. -Captain Sir <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Filmer, who had -already earned a name for bravery, crept quite -alone down the entire length of the German -<span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>trench, and carefully noted all he saw. On his -return to our line the final orders were issued to -the raiding party, consisting of thirty-three men -from <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company, and the Battalion bombers -under Lieutenant G. Ponsonby. The night was -very dark, and it was difficult to see any landmarks. -Sergeant Higgins led the party over the -parapet at 11 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>P.M.</span></abbr>, and was followed by Captain -Sir <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Filmer and a covering party. Silently they -advanced, but lost direction slightly to the left, -with the result that they missed the gap and found -themselves held up by low wire entanglement. -Sir <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Filmer came up to ascertain the cause of -the delay, and after considering the situation -decided to cut the wire and rush the trench. The -wire-cutting was successfully done, although only -a few yards from the German line, and the party, -headed by Sergeant Higgins, dashed into the -trench. At the same time our artillery, in accordance -with a previously conceived arrangement, -opened a most effective barrage of fire, which -continued until the party returned.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then bombing and bayoneting began in -earnest, and the Germans were completely cleared -out of the trench. The machine-guns, which -were found to be too securely fixed to take away, -were destroyed by bombs. It was during this -trench fighting that the bombing officer, Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Ponsonby, was badly wounded in the -leg. Private <abbr class='spell'>W.</abbr> Sweetman, finding him unable -to move, carried him on his back under heavy -fire to our lines. The other casualties were one -man missing and three wounded. This small -number of casualties proved how well arranged -<span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span>the raid had been, and how brilliantly it had been -carried out.</p> - -<p class='c005'>General Sir Douglas Haig commanding the -First Army specially mentioned this raid in his -report, and wrote: "A well-planned and well-executed -operation, reflecting the highest credit -on all concerned, from Colonel Lord <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> Seymour -commanding the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion Grenadier Guards -downwards. The immediate rewards asked for -have been well earned, and I shall have very -great pleasure in recommending the names put -forward."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The following day at Riez Bailleul, Major-General -Lord Cavan sent for and congratulated -Captain Sir <abbr class='spell'>R.</abbr> Filmer, Sergeant Higgins, and -Private Sweetman on the success of the raid. -He also congratulated the Battalion on having -gained such a good reputation for digging and -trench work.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The rest of December was spent either in -billets at Laventie or in the trenches in the -neighbourhood. The monotony of trench life -was relieved by various schemes to catch -the enemy's patrols, who were constantly reported -to come out at night. Occasionally -parties were sent to lie out and capture any -Germans who might venture in front of their -line. Whether any of their efforts were successful -or not it is impossible to say, but reports -of any movement on the part of the enemy -ceased.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At the end of the month Major-General Lord -Cavan was promoted, and consequently gave up -the command of the Guards Division.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span>The post of Divisional Commander is perhaps -the one that presents more difficulties and -demands a more remarkable combination of -qualities than any other in the Army of to-day. -It is essential that a general commanding a -division should combine the characteristics of -the fighting man with those of the strategist. -In the higher commands personal bravery so -essential in a brigadier or commanding officer -is a secondary consideration. Of a brigadier, on -the other hand, whose programme is mapped -out for him in the minutest of instructions, there -is not expected nowadays anything of the precise -chess-playing skill of the professional strategist. -Hence it often happens that a brigadier promoted -to command a division is found to lack the -necessary qualities of strategy, while the born -strategist, though not deficient in courage, may -be totally unable to think clearly and act decisively -when under fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Brigadier-General Feilding, who was now -appointed to command the Guards Division, -possessed in a marked degree the two necessary -qualifications. A man of strong and resourceful -character, fearless and independent in judgment, -he was gifted with that indefinable quality -which enables men to form prompt and wise -decisions in moments of great emergency. His -practical experience of war under modern conditions -was great and extensive. He went all -through the retreat from Mons, as well as the -subsequent advance, when he commanded first -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream and later the -<abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> (Guards) Brigade, and he had played an -<span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span>important part in every battle in which the -battalions of the Guards had fought. When -the Guards Division was first formed, he was -placed in command of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Guards Brigade, -and carried out his duties with such distinction -that he was clearly marked out as the prospective -successor of Lord Cavan.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span> - <h2 id='chap17' class='c003'>CHAPTER XVII <br /> JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1916</h2> -</div> -<h3 class='c013'>Diary of the War</h3> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>1916. <abbr title='January'>Jan.</abbr>, <abbr title='February'>Feb.</abbr>, March.</div> -<p class='c005'>Although no large operations took place at the -beginning of 1916, there was continual fighting -in various parts of the line. The Germans made -several attacks on the Yser Canal and at Neuville -on the French front, and also attempted minor -operations at Givenchy and on the Ypres—Comines -Canal. In February the great battle -of Verdun commenced, and in spite of heavy -losses the Germans made some progress, capturing -Haumont Wood and Village. Large masses -of men were employed, and there was severe -fighting at Bethincourt and Le Mort Homme. -The Germans persisted in their attacks and -captured Avocourt Wood, but the French stubbornly -held their ground. At the end of March -the British Army made a successful attack at -<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Eloi, and penetrated the first and second -German line of trenches, but lost the Vimy -Ridge, a position of some tactical importance.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Russians won a great victory in the -Caucasus and drove the Turks in disorder towards -Erzeroum, which they captured soon afterwards. -The position of the British Force on the Tigris -<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>was giving great anxiety, and the Turks claimed -to have completely surrounded it.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In March Portugal joined the Allies, and -declared war on Germany and Austria.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In Africa the Cameroons campaign was completed -with the surrender of the German garrison -at Mora Hill.</p> - -<p class='c005'>General Smuts advanced against the Germans -in the Kilimanjaro area, and a week later gained -further successes west of Taveta.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The United Kingdom resorted to conscription, -and the Military Service Act was passed in the -House of Commons.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>April, May, June.</div> -<p class='c005'>On the British front the Germans launched -determined but unsuccessful attacks at Ploegsteert, -and there was fighting on the Vimy Ridge -and between Loos and La Bassée. The struggle -at Verdun continued with unabated fierceness, -and Mort Homme and Fort Douaumont changed -hands several times.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The battle of Jutland was fought, and the -British Grand Fleet had an opportunity of -meeting the German High Seas Fleet. The -British Cruiser Squadron had most of the fighting, -as the battleships did not come into action till -late in the evening. The losses were heavy on -both sides, and the German Fleet fled back to -harbour claiming the victory.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Serious disturbances broke out in Ireland, and -martial law was proclaimed in Dublin. The -headquarters of the rebel Sinn Feiners was -occupied after much street fighting, and the -ringleaders were caught, tried by court-martial, -and shot.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span>In Mesopotamia the troops sent up to relieve -the British Force at Kut-el-Amara failed in their -attack on the intervening Turks, and on April 29 -General Townshend and a force of native and -Indian troops surrendered.</p> - -<p class='c005'>President Wilson warned the Germans that if -they persisted in their indiscriminate sinking of -neutral vessels, he would have no alternative -but to break off diplomatic relations.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On June 5 <abbr class='spell'>H.M.S.</abbr> <i>Hampshire</i>, conveying -Field-Marshal Earl Kitchener on a special mission -to Russia, was sunk off the Orkney Islands -by a mine, and all but twelve men were -drowned.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On June 12 General Smuts captured Wilhelmstal, -the capital of German East Africa.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>July, <abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr>, <abbr title='September'>Sept.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>The battle of the Somme commenced at the -beginning of July and lasted until November. -Both the British and French Armies were engaged -during these months in systematically capturing -the German positions on the north and south of -the River Somme. This was the first battle in -which Tanks were used.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Salonika had now become an important place -in the war, and a mixed force under General -Sarrail attempted an offensive movement, which, -however, came to nothing.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Russians continued their successful operations -against Austria, and captured vast numbers -of prisoners. On August 27 Roumania declared -war on Austria, and advanced into Transylvania, -in spite of warnings from the Allies that they -had better hold their frontier and join hands with -the Russians.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>At the end of August Field-Marshal von -Hindenburg was appointed Chief of the German -General Staff.</p> -<h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion</h3> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> <abbr title='January'>Jan.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>The beginning of 1916 found the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -in Brigade Reserve at La Gorgue, where it had -retired after a strenuous time in the trenches, -and where it settled down to steady drill and -instruction in bombing.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The list of officers was as follows:</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>G. F.</abbr> Trotter, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr>, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>C. R. C.</abbr> de Crespigny, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H. J.</abbr> Duberly, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. E. H.</abbr> Paget, Lewis Gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the Earl of Dalkeith, Bombing Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> Lord Stanley, Transport Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Teece, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. S.</abbr> Pilcher, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L. G.</abbr> Fisher-Rowe, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. F. W.</abbr> Echlin, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. L. V.</abbr> Swaine, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. D.</abbr> Baker, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Wilkinson, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> Viscount Lascelles, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Inglis, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. A.</abbr> Moller, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. V.</abbr> Cholmeley, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. B.</abbr> Wilson, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. P.</abbr> Cary, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. D.</abbr> Lawford, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. R.</abbr> Turner, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. C. B.</abbr> Grant, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, Medical Officer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>On the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> it moved to Laventie, and from -there went into the trenches at Picantin every -<span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>alternate forty-eight hours, taking turns with -the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion and the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Irish -Guards. On January 14 Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. T.</abbr> -Swift joined, and on the <abbr title='twenty-ninth'>29th</abbr> Major de Crespigny -left to take command of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>,sn <abbr title='February'>Feb.</abbr> -The same routine was followed until February -16, when the whole Guards Division was sent to -the coast for some sea air, although February -can hardly be said to be an ideal month for the -seaside. Captain Lord Claud Hamilton and -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H.R.H.</abbr> the Prince of Wales left the -Headquarters Staff, and joined the Battalion. -On arrival at Calais the Battalion marched to -Beaumaris, where they went under canvas. High -winds and heavy snow followed by a thick fog -made life in a canvas tent a doubtful pleasure, -but, in spite of the intense cold, the change -undoubtedly did the men a great deal of good. -After ten days by the sea the Battalion entrained -at Calais and proceeded to Kiekenput near Wormhoudt, -in Belgium. Captain Lord Claud Hamilton -and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H.R.H.</abbr> the Prince of Wales -went on leave to England.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>March.</div> -<p class='c005'>The weather continued to be very bad, and -prevented the men from training, although a -certain amount of route-marching was done. -On March 5 the Battalion marched to Poperinghe, -where it was again put under canvas. On the -<abbr title='eighth'>8th</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> de <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Havard joined -the Battalion, and on the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> Captain Viscount -Lascelles was accidentally wounded by a bomb -whilst instructing his company, but the wound -proved not to be serious, and he was able to rejoin -the Battalion a few days later.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_357'>357</span>On the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Trotter, having -been promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, -left to take up command of the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> Brigade, and -Major <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> Glyn arrived to take his place.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Guards Division now went into the -Ypres salient, and there it remained for several -months, either in the trenches or in billets in the -neighbourhood. There can be no doubt that -this was by far the worst part of the line, and the -constant casualties with no corresponding gain -were somewhat disheartening. On the <abbr title='sixteenth'>16th</abbr> the -<abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers arrived at Ypres, and -on the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> went into the trenches <abbr class='spell'>I.12.a</abbr> to <abbr class='spell'>I.12.c</abbr>, -with the Canadians on the right and the Welsh -Guards on the left. Two companies were placed -in the front line, with one in support and one in -reserve. They immediately came in for a very -heavy shelling, and had 6 killed and 14 wounded, -mostly in the King's Company.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>April.</div> -<p class='c005'>Back to Ypres on the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> and then to -Poperinghe for two days' rest, after which the -Battalion returned to the trench line east of -Potidje, going part of the way by train. The -enemy shelled the railway station, which was -unpleasant for those who were starting on their -journey, and also delayed the train. The King's -Company and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 occupied the front line, with -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 in support and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 in reserve. On -the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> the enemy's artillery knocked out one -of our machine-guns with a direct hit, killing -one man. On the same day an unfortunate -accident caused by the premature explosion of -a Pippin rifle grenade resulted in the death of -one sergeant, while another sergeant was wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_358'>358</span>The usual procedure was to hold the support -line, and to place as few men as possible in the -front trench. The enemy seemed to be perfectly -aware of this, and confined themselves to bombarding -the second line, but our artillery was -more than a match for them, and retaliated with -some effect. Whenever the men saw an observation -balloon emerging from the German lines -they knew that a violent bombardment was -imminent, and took precautions accordingly. -All dug-outs were at once cleared, and the men -were scattered along the bottom of the trench.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='seventh'>7th</abbr> Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Leeke, <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion -Grenadiers, attached to the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Guards Brigade, -Machine-gun Company, was standing in front of -his dug-out, having completed his rounds, when -he was hit in the thigh by a stray bullet, and -although his wound was at once dressed by a -surgeon, he died a few days later in hospital. -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. V.</abbr> Cholmeley, attached -to the same Machine-gun Company, was killed -outright, being struck in the chest by a large piece -of shrapnel, and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C.</abbr> Wilkinson -was wounded in the shoulder by a shrapnel -bullet. Amongst the other ranks the casualties -were 1 man killed and 60 wounded.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After these strenuous days in the trenches -the Battalion went to Poperinghe for four days' -rest, and on the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> returned by train to the -trenches at Potidje, with the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream -on the right and the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Welsh -Guards on the left. It was luckier this time, -and, except for the inevitable shelling, saw very -little of the enemy. An attack was made by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_359'>359</span>the Germans on the Twentieth Division, but -although the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion stood to arms, its -services were not required, as the attacks were -easily repulsed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr> the Battalion returned to Poperinghe, -where it remained in billets till the -<abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr>. Although at first the weather was abominable, -the last few days were fine and hot. A -short time before the men had been shivering -over braziers, and now they were lying about in -their shirt-sleeves. On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> the Battalion -went into the trenches at Rifleman Farm, with -the Third Canadian Division on the right and -the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Welsh Guards on the left, and -the enemy blew in a mine gallery, killing some -men of the Royal Engineers. The enemy's -musketry was active during these three days, -and the German aeroplanes were very busy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The following officers joined the Battalion -during the month: Major <abbr class='spell'>A. F. A. N.</abbr> Thorne, -as Second in Command, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. G. W.</abbr> -Bradley, Captain <abbr class='spell'>A. C.</abbr> Graham, Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>R. H. P. J.</abbr> Stourton, Second Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Hoare, Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>J. W.</abbr> Graham, -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>E. G. L.</abbr> King. On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> -Captain Wilson left to take up his duties on the -Divisional Staff, to which he had been appointed.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May.</div> -<p class='c005'>The Corps Commander, Major-General Lord -Cavan, came round the trenches on May 1, and -expressed himself pleased with all he saw. That -evening the Battalion retired to Ypres, where it -remained for four days. The weather now was -quite hot, with occasional thunderstorms; but, -as the enemy continued to shell the remains of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_360'>360</span>Ypres, the men were unable to enjoy fully the -change, since they spent most of the time under -the ramparts.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Back to Rifleman Farm on the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr>, and on -the way up to the trenches, the Battalion came -in for a heavy shelling, which rather delayed -matters. Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Graham was -wounded, and had his leg broken just above -the ankle as he was going up to the trenches for -the first time. The Engineers feared the enemy -would explode a mine in the neighbourhood of -our new crater, but every precaution was taken, -and no explosion occurred at that spot. On -the <abbr title='ninth'>9th</abbr> the enemy apparently contemplated an -attack, for at 4 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> a mine at the end of Muddy -Lane was fired, and then a heavy bombardment -commenced, but when the infantry attack which -usually followed was expected the Germans did -not appear anxious to leave their trenches. -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>E.</abbr> Hoare, who had recently -arrived, was killed, and Lieutenant Bradley -wounded. Amongst the other ranks there were -2 killed and 16 wounded, but Major Thorne -was able to report to Major Glyn that the line -remained intact, although in places it was considerably -damaged.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Later in the morning Brigadier-General Heyworth -came to see what had happened, and -although Major Glyn warned him that, owing to -the parapet having been blown away in several -places, it was a perilous proceeding to attempt -to walk down the line, he insisted on going. -Accompanied by Major Glyn and Captain Warner, -the Brigade-Major, he set off and reached the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_361'>361</span>front trench. As they were going down Muddy -Lane, about fifty yards from the front trench, -they came across an obstruction caused by the -parapet having been blown into the trench. It -was while crossing this that Brigadier-General -Heyworth was shot through the head by one of -the enemy's snipers. He had always scorned to -take even the most ordinary precautions, and -was accustomed to ignore the enemy's snipers. -His loss was mourned not only by his friends in -the Guards Division, and he had many, but also -by the whole British Army, who knew him to be -a fearless and capable commander.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> the men were busily engaged -in repairing the gaps in the trenches, and were -in consequence subjected to a certain amount -of sniping and bombing, during which Lord -Stanley was wounded by a bomb, and had five -wounds, three in his leg and two in his arm, fortunately -none of them serious. That evening the -Battalion was relieved and retired to Poperinghe, -and on the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr> it marched to Kiekenput, where -it remained in billets till the end of the month.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>June.</div> -<p class='c005'>On June 1 the officers of the Battalion were -as follows:</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> Glyn, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>A. F. A. N.</abbr> Thorne, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H. J.</abbr> Duberly, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. P.</abbr> Cary, Lewis Gun Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the Earl of Dalkeith, Bombing Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>D. H. S.</abbr> Riddiford, Transport Officer.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Teece, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. S.</abbr> Pilcher, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. M.</abbr> Spence, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. F. W.</abbr> Echlin, King's Company.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_362'>362</span><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. C.</abbr> Graham, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. D.</abbr> Lawford, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. G. L.</abbr> King, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> Viscount Lascelles, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>C. T.</abbr> Swift, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> de <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Harvard, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. H. P. J.</abbr> Stourton, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 3 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L. G.</abbr> Fisher-Rowe, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>P. S.</abbr> Hope, <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Attached</i>—<abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. C. B.</abbr> Grant.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>The Battalion remained in billets at Poperinghe -or Kiekenput until the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr>, when it -moved up into the trench line. On the <abbr title='seventh'>7th</abbr> -a gloom was cast over the whole of the British -Army by the death of Lord Kitchener, who -went down in the <i>Hampshire</i>, mined on its way -to Russia. This passing away of a great soldier -came as a profound shock to every one in France. -At first no one could realise that he was dead. -The men felt that the mainspring of the whole -mechanism of the British Army was gone.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Battalion remained for ten days in reserve, -and although there were constant alarms, during -which the men stood to arms, and news of gas -attacks, its services in the front line were not -required. On the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr> it took over the trench -line near Irish Farm, and <abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 2, 3, and 4 -Companies were placed in the firing line, with -the King's Company in reserve. Although the -enemy's patrols were very active, nothing worth -recording appears to have happened, but on -the <abbr title='twenty-fifth'>25th</abbr> a successful raid was carried out into -the German lines, and a new trench north of -Forward Cottage was made. On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> the -Battalion retired into dug-outs in Canal Bank -<span class='pageno' id='Page_363'>363</span>and Yperlee, where it remained until the end of -the month.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>July 1916.</div> -<p class='c005'>On July 1 it returned to the trenches, and -on the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> the King's Company was so heavily -bombarded that the parapet of the trench and -the signal dug-out were blown in. The Company -Sergeant-Major, two sergeants, three signallers, -and four men were completely buried under the -debris, but the remainder of the Company at -once set to work to rescue as many as possible -under a heavy shell and machine-gun fire. Owing -to the energetic manner in which the rescue -party worked, one sergeant and three men were -brought out alive, but the others were all -dead.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='ninth'>9th</abbr> Major <abbr class='spell'>M. E. M. C.</abbr> Maitland -arrived from the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion, and took over -command of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion from Major Glyn, -who proceeded to take up an appointment at -the base. On the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> the following were -selected from the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion to attend the -National Fête in Paris on July 14: Sergeant-Major -Young, Lance-Corporal Ewell, Private -Upcott, Private Ayres, Private Andrews, and -Private Call. On the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> Captain Viscount -Lascelles was appointed second in command of -the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion, and on the <abbr title='thirteenth'>13th</abbr> Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>E. B.</abbr> Shelley and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. C. T.</abbr> -Sharpe joined from the Entrenching Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr> the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion returned to -the trenches, where it remained until the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr>, -with the usual routine of two days in and -two days out of the trenches. On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> -it left the Ypres salient without regret, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_364'>364</span>entrained at Poperinghe for Bollezeele, whence -it marched to Watten. There it remained until -the <abbr title='twenty-ninth'>29th</abbr>, when it proceeded to Bavingchove -and went by train to Fervent. On the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr> it -marched to Halloy. On the <abbr title='twenty-eighth'>28th</abbr> Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>R. P.</abbr> de <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Trench and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>M. D.</abbr> -Thomas joined from the Entrenching Battalion, -and on the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr> Captain <abbr class='spell'>W. D.</abbr> Drury Lowe, -<abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, arrived. He had been in command of -a Territorial Battery for a year and a half, and -had so distinguished himself as a gunner that he -had been awarded the <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr> But, being a true -Grenadier at heart, he had decided to sink his -rank and return to his old regiment.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>During August the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion only had -two days in the trenches at Beaumont-Hamel, -when the King's Company had rather an unpleasant -time with the enemy's trench mortars, -and had nine casualties. On the <abbr title='ninth'>9th</abbr> His Majesty -the King, who was making an informal tour -round the Front, visited the Grenadier Camp, -but there was no inspection of any sort.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Before leaving France His Majesty sent the -following message to Sir Douglas Haig:</p> - -<p class='c009'><i>August 15, 1916.</i></p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='sc'>Officers, <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s, and Men</span>—It has been a great -pleasure and satisfaction to me to be with my Armies -during the past week. I have been able to judge for -myself of their splendid condition for war, and of the -spirit of cheerful confidence which animates all ranks, -united in loyal co-operation to their chiefs and to one -another.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Since my last visit to the Front there has been almost -uninterrupted fighting on parts of our line. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_365'>365</span>offensive recently begun has since been resolutely -maintained by day and by night. I have had opportunities -of visiting some of the scenes of the later -desperate struggles, and of appreciating to a slight -extent the demands made upon your courage and -physical endurance in order to assail and capture -positions prepared during the past two years and stoutly -defended to the last.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I have realised not only the splendid work which has -been done in immediate touch with the enemy—in the -air, under the ground, as well as on the ground—but -also the vast organisations behind the fighting line, -honourable alike to the genius of the initiators and to -the heart and hand of the workers. Everywhere there -is proof that all, men and women, are playing their -part, and I rejoice to think that their noble efforts are -being heartily seconded by all classes at home.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The happy relations maintained by my Armies and -those of our French Allies were equally noticeable -between my troops and the inhabitants of the districts -in which they are quartered, and from whom they have -received a cordial welcome ever since their first arrival -in France.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Do not think that I and your fellow-countrymen -forget the heavy sacrifices which the Armies have made, -and the bravery and endurance they have displayed -during the past two years of bitter conflict. These -sacrifices have not been in vain: the arms of the Allies -will never be laid down until our cause has triumphed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I return home more than ever proud of you.</p> - -<p class='c010'>May God guide you to victory.</p> - -<p class='c011'>On the <abbr title='sixth'>6th</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>L. G. E.</abbr> Sim -arrived, and on the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>B. G.</abbr> -Samuelson and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>W. H.</abbr> Lovell -joined the Battalion. On the <abbr title='twenty-fifth'>25th</abbr> the Battalion -proceeded by train to Mericourt, and went into -billets in Ville-sous-Corbie.</p> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_366'>366</span> - <h3 class='c013'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion</h3> -</div> -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Battalion'>Batt.</abbr> <abbr title='January'>Jan.</abbr> 1916.</div> -<p class='c005'>At the beginning of the New Year the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion Grenadiers was in billets at Riez -Bailleul, and went up every two days to occupy -the trench line at Ebenezer Farm.</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>List of Officers of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion</span></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>G. D.</abbr> Jeffreys, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>L.</abbr> Glyn, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. R.</abbr> Bailey, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. E.</abbr> Acraman, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. H. V.</abbr> Cavendish, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr></div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> de <abbr class='spell'>P.</abbr> Kingsmill.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. F. R.</abbr> Wiggins.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. W. M.</abbr> Grigg.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. K. S.</abbr> Cunninghame.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>D. A.</abbr> Smith (Brigade Machine-gun Company).</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>E. H.</abbr> Noble.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>F. A. M.</abbr> Browning.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. A.</abbr> Knatchbull-Hugessen.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. A. D.</abbr> Parnell.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. H.</abbr> Beaumont-Nesbitt.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. G. W.</abbr> Sandeman.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>B. B.</abbr> Ponsonby.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. V.</abbr> Agar-Robartes (Brigade Machine-gun Company).</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>T. A.</abbr> Combe.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. F.</abbr> Irvine.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>T. W.</abbr> Minchin.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. G.</abbr> Carter.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>N. McK.</abbr> Jesper.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. G. M.</abbr> Vereker.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. A.</abbr> Andrews, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, Medical Officer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>On the <abbr title='eighth'>8th</abbr> it marched to Calonne, and on -the <abbr title='twelfth'>12th</abbr> to Arrewage, where it remained until -<span class='pageno' id='Page_367'>367</span>the <abbr title='twenty-fifth'>25th</abbr>. On the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>G. D.</abbr> -Jeffreys left to take over temporary command -of the <abbr title='third'>3rd</abbr> Battalion, but after three days he -was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, -and was appointed to the <abbr title='fifty-eighth'>58th</abbr> Infantry Brigade. -On the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Arbuthnott, -and on the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>D.</abbr> Harvey -joined the Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>January 27 being the German Emperor's -birthday, an attack was expected, and special -precautions were taken, but the German Army -were tired of these Roman holidays. Previous -attempts to snatch a victory of some sort on -the birthday of the All-Highest had proved -costly and lamentable failures. This time the -Army determined to allow this festival to -pass unnoticed, and consequently no German -showed the slightest inclination to leave his -trench.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During the days spent in the trenches there -were constant losses: on some days men were -killed, and almost invariably there were a certain -number wounded.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='February'>Feb.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>On February 1 Major de Crespigny took over -the command of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion from Major -Glyn, who had been in temporary command since -<abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Jeffreys' departure.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The same routine was continued until February -7, when the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion marched to La Gorgue, -where it remained for a week. On the <abbr title='eleventh'>11th</abbr> it -was inspected by Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener -in a field at Merville, and on the <abbr title='fourteenth'>14th</abbr> marched -to Godwaersvelde <i>via</i> Merville. On the <abbr title='sixteenth'>16th</abbr> it -reached Poperinghe after a long march in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_368'>368</span>teeth of a strong wind and heavy rain, and was -put into huts in a camp, mostly under water.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The following letter from <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-General -Haking commanding the Eleventh Corps was addressed -to the Guards Division on its departure:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Military situation did not permit of my seeing -your Division on its departure from the Corps in order -to say Good-bye to you all, and thank all ranks for -the services they have performed during the time the -Division has been in the Corps. I am compelled therefore -to write what I should have liked to speak.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Ever since the Division was formed and posted to this -Corps, it has proved itself to possess the finest military -spirit. Lord Cavan, and since his departure General -Feilding, ably assisted by <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> -<abbr class='spell'>W. P.</abbr> Hore Ruthven, <abbr class='spell'>G.S.O.I.</abbr>, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel Darrell, -<abbr class='spell'>A.A.Q.M.G.</abbr>, and a most efficient staff, have carried out -several offensive operations with distinguished success, -including the attacks during the fighting round Loos, -the consolidation of a difficult and unmade line about -the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and the raid into the hostile -trenches along the Rue Tilleloy front. The careful -planning of these operations by the Divisional Commander -and his general and administrative staff, the -accurate reconnaissance and detailed organisation of -each by the Brigade Commanders, Brigadier-Generals -Heyworth, Ponsonby, and Pereira, and also General -Feilding until he succeeded Lord Cavan in command -of the Division, together with their staffs, has been a -model of good fighting.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The infantry operations have been ably seconded by -the artillery of the Division under Brigadier-General -Wardrop and his Brigade Commanders, who have spared -no pains, both in the construction of forward observing -posts and the training and organisation of good observing -officers, to secure the success of the infantry.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The Royal Engineers also under <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -<span class='pageno' id='Page_369'>369</span>Brough and his field company commanders have been -indefatigable in their work on the defences, the water -drainage in rear of our line, and in assisting the artillery -in the construction of some of the best observing posts -in any part of the British line. The Battalion commanders, -officers, non-commissioned officers and men -who have been called upon to bear the brunt of all this -fighting have shown throughout an offensive spirit -which in my opinion surpassed any standard reached -by the Guards or any infantry in past campaigns, and -which will be the admiration of future generations of -soldiers. The fine discipline and soldierly bearing of -all ranks is also a matter for all of you to be proud of. -You have been an example to other Divisions with whom -you have been associated, and that example has produced -the best results, and has raised the fighting value -and efficiency of the whole Corps. I am very sorry to -say Good-bye to you, but I am glad you are going to a -corps which is commanded by your old Divisional -General Lord Cavan, who has the proud distinction of -being the first General Officer to command a British -Guards Division, and who has so greatly distinguished -himself on every occasion.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I can only hope that the Eleventh Corps will find -itself before long by the side of the Fourteenth Corps -with the Guards Division ready, as it always will be, to -lead the way to Victory.</p> - -<p class='c011'>While the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion remained at Poperinghe, -it was honoured by the visit of some -German aeroplanes which dropped bombs, but -fortunately not anywhere near the men's billets. -On the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> a demonstration of German liquid -fire was held, and it was clearly shown that, provided -the men kept their heads low down in the -trench, no harm would come to them, since liquid -fire rises in the air about six or eight yards from -the muzzle of the apparatus.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_370'>370</span>On the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion proceeded to -Cassel, and as the roads were frozen the transport -had several adventures. Down one steep hill -several wagons and cookers skidded into the -ditch, from which they had to be rescued, and -there were many accidents. On the <abbr title='twenty-eighth'>28th</abbr> the -Battalion entrained, and went by rail to Calais -Coulogne station, where it marched to <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 6 -Rest Camp, about four kilometres from the -town on the Dunkirk road. Here it found the -<abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers, the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Scots Guards, and the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Welsh -Guards.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>March.</div> -<p class='c005'>In this breezy but healthy locality the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion remained for ten days, and the health -of the men improved immensely in spite of -the extreme cold. On March 5 it returned by -train to Cassel, and marched about nine miles to -Herzeele, where it went into billets. On the -<abbr title='sixteenth'>16th</abbr> it moved to Poperinghe, and on the <abbr title='eighteenth'>18th</abbr> -took over the line east of Potidje village, with -<abbr title='numbers'>Nos.</abbr> 3 and 4 Companies in the front trench, -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company in support, and <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 2 in reserve. -Major Glyn left the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion to take command -of the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion vice <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -Trotter.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The trenches that had been taken over turned -out to be in very bad order, with parapets only -waist high, and nowhere bullet-proof. There -were no communication trenches, and little or no -attention appeared to have been given to the -difficult problem of drainage and sanitary arrangements, -but the men set to work at once, and before -long there was a marked improvement. During -<span class='pageno' id='Page_371'>371</span>the days spent in the trenches by companies, there -were a certain number of casualties—among whom -was Sergeant-Major <abbr class='spell'>H.</abbr> Wood, who was slightly -wounded—and the parapet in the line held by -<abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 Company was blown in by shells from a -field-gun not five hundred yards away. On the -<abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion went to A Camp at -Vlamertinghe, where they remained for four -days, and on the <abbr title='twenty-eighth'>28th</abbr> they returned to the -trenches east of Potidje village. Although at -first there was a comparatively quiet time, the -shelling increased later, and a certain number were -wounded, including Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>H. G.</abbr> -Carter. On the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr> the shelling increased in -intensity, and the trenches of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 4 Company -were completely levelled for about 120 yards. -Work was almost impossible at this spot as the -enemy's artillery continued to shell it, and it was -not until the following day that the men were -able to erect another parapet.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>April.</div> -<p class='c005'>After ten days' rest at Poperinghe, the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> -Battalion returned to Ypres, and went into cellars -and dug-outs in the ramparts. On the <abbr title='eleventh'>11th</abbr> -it took over the line between Railway Wood -and the Menin road, where it found a large -gap in the line on the left between it and the -Coldstream. For the next sixteen days it remained -either in this line or in Ypres. Second -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>J. S.</abbr> Burton joined the Battalion on -the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr>, Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>T.</abbr> Parker Jarvis on the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr>, -and Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>J. C.</abbr> Cornforth on the -<abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr>. On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion went into -billets at Poperinghe, and was inspected by -General Sir Herbert Plumer, <abbr class='spell'>K.C.B.</abbr>, commanding -<span class='pageno' id='Page_372'>372</span>the Second Army. It remained for a week -in billets, and then returned to Ypres on <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> -May. One of the enemy's aeroplanes flew over -one day, and dropped bombs on Poperinghe, -of which one fell about twenty-five yards -from Battalion Headquarters, and wounded two -men.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>May.</div> -<p class='c005'>On May 5 the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion went into the -trenches near Wieltje, and although it succeeded -in relieving the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Coldstream Guards -without sustaining any casualties, it came in for a -very heavy shelling the next day. Lieutenant the -<abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>B.</abbr> Ponsonby was wounded, and there were -three <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr>'s killed and seven wounded. This -shelling continued every day, and there was in -consequence a daily list of men wounded. On -the <abbr title='ninth'>9th</abbr> the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion returned to billets near -the Prison at Ypres, and remained there till the -<abbr title='thirteenth'>13th</abbr>, when it went into the trenches again. On -the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G. A.</abbr> Arbuthnot -arrived. A considerable amount of work had to -be done in deepening the trenches, heightening -the parapets, and wiring the entanglements, for -which eighty-four coils of barbed wire were used. -A systematic shelling by the enemy, not only -of the front line, but also of all roads and communication -trenches, was daily carried out, and -on the <abbr title='sixteenth'>16th</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>J. S.</abbr> Burton was -killed, whilst the casualties amongst other ranks -were very heavy. On the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr> the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -went by train to <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Omer, and marched to billets -at Tatinghem, where it remained resting until -June 7.</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c007'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_373'>373</span><span class='sc'>List of Officers of the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion</span></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel <abbr class='spell'>C. R. C.</abbr> de Crespigny, <abbr class='spell'>D.S.O.</abbr>, Commanding Officer.</div> - <div class='line'>Major <abbr class='spell'>E. N. E. M.</abbr> Vaughan, Second in Command.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. R.</abbr> Bailey, Adjutant.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. E.</abbr> Acraman, Quartermaster.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>R. H. V.</abbr> Cavendish, <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr></div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. F. R.</abbr> Wiggins.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. K. S.</abbr> Cunninghame.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. A. D.</abbr> Parnell.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>W. H.</abbr> Beaumont-Nesbitt.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. G. W.</abbr> Sandeman.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>T. A.</abbr> Combe.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>A. F.</abbr> Irvine.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. H.</abbr> Macmillan.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>T.</abbr> Parker Jarvis.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>T. W.</abbr> Minchin.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>N. McK.</abbr> Jesper.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. G. M.</abbr> Vereker.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>D.</abbr> Harvey.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J.</abbr> Arbuthnott.</div> - <div class='line'><abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. A.</abbr> Arbuthnot.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Attached</i>—<abbr title='Captain'>Capt.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>J. A.</abbr> Andrews, <abbr class='spell'>R.A.M.C.</abbr>, Medical Officer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c006'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>June.</div> -<p class='c005'>On June 7 the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion left Tatinghem -at 8 <abbr class='spell'><span class='fss'>A.M.</span></abbr> and arrived at <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Sylvestre <i>via</i> Fort -Rouge and Staple after a long and hot march. -After ten days spent in Camp <abbr class='spell'>M</abbr> near Poperinghe, -during which time parties of men were employed -in cable laying, it proceeded to Elverdinghe and -remained there till the <abbr title='twentieth'>20th</abbr>, when it took over -the Lancashire Farm line. Captain <abbr class='spell'>G. C.</abbr> FitzH. -Harcourt-Vernon, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>H. F. C.</abbr> Crookshank, -Lieutenant the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>M. H. E. C.</abbr> Townley-Bertie, -and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>R. E. H.</abbr> Oliver joined the -Battalion on the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr>, and Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>P. M.</abbr> -Walker on the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr>.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_374'>374</span>The four days spent in the trenches were -marked by heavy machine-gun fire and sniping, -but the line was fairly good, and there were in -consequence few casualties. On the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> an -artillery duel took place, and although our guns -did some good work in cutting the enemy's wire, -the German guns retaliated on the front line and -support trenches. On retiring into billets again -at Elverdinghe, the men were given permission to -bathe in the lake in the grounds of the château, -but this peaceful pursuit was not without danger, -for the German artillery, while searching about -for some target, dropped six shells over the lake, -and later shelled the château itself.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>July.</div> -<p class='c005'>After a week's rest the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion returned -to Ypres on July 6, and the next day relieved -the <abbr title='fourth'>4th</abbr> Battalion in the Irish Farm line, one of -the worst positions it had been in. The 1300 -yards of trenches consisted for the most part of -unconnected and shallow shell-holes, which were -full of water, and there were no communication -trenches of any kind. It took four and a half -hours to get round the line by night, and in -places it was necessary to walk above ground, -which made the Commanding Officer's tour very -dangerous. Naturally in such a line the daily -casualty list was fairly heavy, but the men -worked at the trenches with so much energy -that they soon transformed them. Once Captain -Wiggins, Lieutenant Irvine, and Lieutenant -Combe were having luncheon in a hole in the -first line, when a shell from a German trench -mortar pitched quite close to them. With the -exception of Captain Wiggins, who was hit -<span class='pageno' id='Page_375'>375</span>through the knee by a piece of the shell, no one -was any the worse. The Germans, finding that -the large shells from the trench mortars could be -seen coming, hit upon the idea of firing salvos -of shrapnel at the same time, which confused -our men.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lieutenant-General Lord Cavan paid a surprise -visit to the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion while it was in -the trenches, and made a searching inspection of -the kits, greatcoats, respirators, and rifles. In -spite of the men being in the trenches, everything -was complete and clean, but much to the Sergeant-Major's -annoyance two mess-tins and three spoons -were found to be deficient in the whole Battalion. -The takings of the regimental canteen had been -greatly augmented by the presence of two Navvy -battalions, and <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel de Crespigny was -therefore able to give the men certain luxuries, -such as French bread and tinned milk, which -were much appreciated.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During the next fortnight the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -remained either in billets in the Canal bank or in -the line in front, and worked unceasingly on the -trenches. The monotony of trench life was -relieved by the exciting but dangerous ventures -of patrols. During the night of the <abbr title='seventeenth'>17th</abbr> Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> Irvine and Lieutenant Parker Jervis -took out patrols, and although they were unsuccessful -in securing any prisoners, they managed to -pick up a great deal of useful information. On -the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr> Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>M. H.</abbr> Macmillan went out -with two men and managed to get quite near -to the German line, but a German sentry whom -they came across threw a bomb at them, wounding -<span class='pageno' id='Page_376'>376</span>Lieutenant Macmillan and one of the men -slightly. He, however, obtained the information -he wanted, and was later complimented by -General Pereira, who sent the following message:</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Brigadier wishes Lieutenant Macmillan and his -patrol on the <abbr title='nineteenth'>19th</abbr> inst. to be congratulated on their -excellent report and the most useful information which -they brought in.</p> - -<p class='c011'>Lieutenant Irvine also went out with a strong -patrol, and on his return narrowly escaped being -bombed by his own company. Captain Wiggins -and ten men lay out on Admirals Road in the -hopes of catching some of the enemy's patrols, -but were unsuccessful. On the <abbr title='twenty-second'>22nd</abbr> Captain -<abbr class='spell'>M. K. A.</abbr> Lloyd joined the Battalion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The improvement in the trench line did not -escape the notice of Brigadier-General Pereira, -who sent the following message to <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel -de Crespigny:</p> - -<p class='c009'>After visiting your Battalion section of the trenches -to-day, I wish to say how very much I was impressed -by the wonderful progress that has been made in improving -and strengthening the line, and I realise the -amount of thought and labour that has been expended -on this work.</p> - -<p class='c010'>(Signed) <span class='sc'>C. Pereira</span>, Brig.-Gen.<br /> -Commanding <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Brigade.</p> - -<p class='c011'>The enemy's artillery now turned its attention -to Poperinghe, with the result that all the -civilians had to be cleared out and sent away. -In its search for suitable objectives, it succeeded -in landing a big shell on the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -Headquarters. Two men were buried, one of -whom survived, but the other was dead when -<span class='pageno' id='Page_377'>377</span>dug out. On the <abbr title='twenty-fourth'>24th</abbr> Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>G. A.</abbr> -Arbuthnot went out with five snipers, and although -they remained out all night, they saw nothing of -the enemy's patrols. Sergeant Lyon of <abbr title='Number'>No.</abbr> 1 -Company went out by himself into No Man's -Land, and returned the next morning with useful -information, and also a German flag which had -been taken from a tree near Wieltje.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> the Guards Division left the Ypres -salient, and was relieved by the Fourth Division -of the Eighth Corps.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><abbr title='August'>Aug.</abbr></div> -<p class='c005'>The <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion left Ypres on the <abbr title='twenty-sixth'>26th</abbr>, and -went by train to Poperinghe. On the <abbr title='twenty-seventh'>27th</abbr> it -marched <i>via</i> <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Jan der Bietzen Watou and Houtkerque -to Herzeele, and on the <abbr title='thirtieth'>30th</abbr> to Proven, -where it entrained for <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Pol. From <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Pol it -went in motor lorries to Bouque Maison, and then -marched on to billets at Neuvillette. After two -days' rest it marched on to Sarton, where it -remained from August <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> to the <abbr title='tenth'>10th</abbr>, and then -proceeded to Bertrancourt.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Guards Division was now approaching the -Somme area, and the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion Grenadiers -marched from Bertrancourt through Beaussart, -Mailly, Vitermont, to the right sub-sector of the -Beaumont-Hamel line. The trenches were considerably -better than any others the <abbr title='second'>2nd</abbr> Battalion -had occupied since Loos, and there were -several deep dug-outs in the line. The enemy's -artillery sent over some heavy shells at once, and -the casualties were one <abbr class='spell'>N.C.O.</abbr> killed and six men -wounded. After three days in the trenches, when -a certain number of men were wounded, the Battalion -was relieved by the <abbr title='first'>1st</abbr> Battalion Leicestershire -<span class='pageno' id='Page_378'>378</span>Regiment, and retired to Bertrancourt. -Two days later it marched to Courcelles, where it -remained for a week in billets, and on the <abbr title='twenty-third'>23rd</abbr> -proceeded to Beauval. On the following days -it marched to Flesselles, to Canadles, and to -Méaulte, where it remained till the end of the -month. Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>C. C.</abbr> Cubitt and -Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> Hasler joined the Battalion -on the <abbr title='fifteenth'>15th</abbr>, Second Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>D. W.</abbr> -Cassy, who had been employed as signal officer -at Brigade Headquarters, on the <abbr title='twenty-first'>21st</abbr>, and Lieutenant -<abbr class='spell'>A. T. A.</abbr> Ritchie on the <abbr title='twenty-fifth'>25th</abbr>. Second -Lieutenant <abbr class='spell'>D.</abbr> Harvey and ten men were attached -to the <abbr title='one hundred and eightieth'>180th</abbr> Tunnelling Company, <abbr class='spell'>R.E.</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'>END OF VOL. I</p> - -<p class='c005'><i>Printed by</i> <span class='sc'>R. & R. Clark, Limited</span>, <i>Edinburgh</i>.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_379'>379</span> - <h2 class='c003'>A SELECTION OF NEW BOOKS</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'><i>3 Vols.</i> <i>With Portraits and Plans.</i> <i>8vo.</i> <i>£2:12:6 net.</i></p> - -<p class='c005'>THE LIFE OF</p> - -<p class='c005'>LORD KITCHENER</p> - -<p class='c005'>BY</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Sir GEORGE ARTHUR</span>, BT., <abbr class='spell'>M.V.O.</abbr></p> - -<p class='c005'>Private Secretary to Lord Kitchener, 1914-16</p> - -<p class='c005'>WITH PREFACES BY</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>THE MARQUIS OF SALISBURY and EARL HAIG</span></p> - -<hr class='c016' /> - -<p class='c005'>LETTERS OF TRAVEL. By <span class='sc'>Rudyard Kipling</span>.</p> - -<p class='c005'><i>Edition de Luxe.</i> 8vo. 10s. 6d. net.</p> - -<p class='c005'><i>Uniform Edition.</i> Crown 8vo. 7s. 6d. net.</p> - -<p class='c005'><i>Pocket Edition.</i> Fcap. 8vo. 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With maps and plans. Extra Crown 8vo. -8s. 6d. net.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., Ltd.</span></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='large'>Footnotes</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f1'> -<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. </span>In November 1914, when the Allies regained possession of Villers-Cotterêts, the bodies of those who had fallen there were reverently -buried. <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr>-Colonel the <abbr title='Honorable'>Hon.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G.</abbr> Morris, Captain Tisdall of the Irish -Guards, <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> Geoffrey Lambton, Coldstream Guards, and <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <abbr class='spell'>G. E.</abbr> -Cecil, Grenadier Guards, were buried together, and a cross was put up -by the French with the following inscription:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c017'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Ici reposent</i></div> - <div class='line'><i>Quatre officiers de l'Armée Anglaise.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Le Colonel l'honorable <span class='sc'>George Morris</span>. <abbr class='spell'><i>R.I.P.</i></abbr></div> - <div class='line'>Le Capitaine <span class='sc'><abbr class='spell'>C. A.</abbr> Tisdall</span>, de la garde Irlandaise.</div> - <div class='line'>Le <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <span class='sc'>Geoffrey Lambton</span>.</div> - <div class='line'>Le <abbr title='Lieutenant'>Lieut.</abbr> <span class='sc'>George E. Cecil</span>, des Grenadiers de la Garde.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> -<div class='tnotes'> - -<p class='c018'>Transcriber's Notes:</p> - -<p class='c005'>Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Typographical errors were silently corrected.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only when a predominant form was found in this book.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Footnotes have been collected at the end of the text, and are linked for ease of reference.</p> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Grenadier Guards in the Great War -of 1914-1918, Vol. 1 of 3, by Frederick Edward Grey Ponsonby - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRENADIER GUARDS--1914-1918, VOL 1 *** - -***** This file should be named 60677-h.htm or 60677-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/6/7/60677/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, David King, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. 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