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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..5f8d26f --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67633 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67633) diff --git a/old/67633-0.txt b/old/67633-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8831a38..0000000 --- a/old/67633-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13571 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of History of the 1/4th Battalion Duke of -Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, 1914-1919., by P.G. Bales - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: History of the 1/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) - Regiment, 1914-1919. - -Author: P.G. Bales - -Release Date: March 15, 2022 [eBook #67633] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Brian Coe, Karin Spence and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE 1/4TH -BATTALION DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S (WEST RIDING) REGIMENT, 1914-1919. *** - - - - - - THE HISTORY OF THE - 1/4TH BATTALION, DUKE OF - WELLINGTON’S (WEST RIDING) - REGIMENT. - - 1914–1919. - - [Illustration: 1914.] - - [Illustration: 1918. - - THE CLOTH HALL, YPRES.] - - - - - THE HISTORY - - OF - - THE 1/4TH BATTALION - - DUKE OF WELLINGTON’S - (WEST RIDING) - - REGIMENT, - - 1914–1919. - - - BY - - CAPT. P. G. BALES, M.C. - (Formerly Adjutant of the Battalion.) - - - PUBLISHED BY - - HALIFAX: - EDWARD MORTIMER, LTD., REGENT STREET. - - LONDON: - EDWARD MORTIMER, LTD., 34, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. 4. - - 1920. - - - - - STOTT BROTHERS LIMITED, PRINTERS, MOUNT STREET WORKS, HALIFAX. - - - - - TO - - ALL RANKS - - OF - - THE 1/4TH BATTALION - WHO FELL IN ACTION. - - - - - PREFACE. - - -For more than two years I was responsible for keeping the War Diary of -the 1/4th Battalion, and it was this duty which first suggested to me -the idea of writing a History of the Battalion in the Great War. Soon -after the armistice was signed I submitted the idea to the Commanding -Officer, who expressed his strong approval and promised to assist in -every possible way. The present book is the result. - -The “History” is based mainly on the official documents in the -Battalion’s possession. These have, on the whole, been well preserved, -particularly since the beginning of 1916. They have been supplemented -by the personal recollections of many officers and other ranks. Proofs -of each chapter have been submitted to at least two senior officers, -who were serving with the Battalion during the period covered therein, -and many alterations have been made as results of their criticisms and -suggestions. - -My sincere thanks are due to Brig.-General R. E. Sugden, C.M.G., -D.S.O., T.D.; Lieut.-Col. H. S. Atkinson, T.D.; Lieut.-Col. J. Walker, -D.S.O.; Major W. C. Fenton, M.C.; and Capt. E. N. Marshall, M.C., for -reading part, or the whole, of the proofs; for many valuable criticisms -and suggestions; and for much information. I desire also to acknowledge -my obligations to Major E. P. Chambers for much help with the earlier -period; to Sergt. E. Jones, particularly for his assistance with the -Itinerary; and to the many officers and other ranks, too numerous to -name, who have willingly placed their knowledge at my disposal. Most -important of all has been the help rendered by Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat, -D.S.O., M.C. Nothing has been too much trouble for him. He has read -through the whole of the proofs, and the book owes much to his kindly -criticism. He has relieved me of the whole of the business side of the -production. It is not too much to say that, without his constant help -and encouragement, this book would never have been published. - -The book has been written primarily for the men who served with the -Battalion. If they experience as much pleasure in the reading, as I -have in the writing of it, its publication is more than justified. - - P. G. BALES. - -POSTSCRIPT.--Since this book went to press “The West Riding -Territorials in the Great War,” by Major L. Magnus, has been published. -Apart from three or four minor corrections, such as a date and the -number of a Division, I have seen no reason to alter anything set down -here. - - P.G.B. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. MOBILISATION AND TRAINING 1 - - II. FLEURBAIX 12 - - III. YPRES, 1915: JULY TO OCTOBER; OCTOBER 16TH; THE WET - MONTHS; DECEMBER 19TH 29 - - IV. JANUARY TO JUNE, 1916 59 - - V. THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME: THIEPVAL WOOD; SEPTEMBER - 3RD; LEIPSIG REDOUBT 69 - - VI. WITH THE THIRD ARMY: HANNESCAMPS; FONQUEVILLERS; - HALLOY; BERLES; RIVIERE 101 - - VII. WITH THE FIRST ARMY: FERME DU BOIS SECTOR; - CORDONNERIE SECTOR; ST. ELIE SECTOR 124 - - VIII. THE COAST: ST. POL AND GHYVELDE; LOMBARTZYDE SECTOR; - COAST DEFENCE AND TRAINING; EN ROUTE FOR YPRES 145 - - IX. THE BELLE VUE SPUR: OCTOBER 4TH–8TH; OCTOBER 9TH; - REST AND REORGANISATION 160 - - X. WINTER ON THE PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE: MOLENAARELSTHOEK - AND KEERSELAARHOEK; WORK AND TRAINING; REUTEL - SECTOR 176 - - XI. THE SPRING OFFENSIVE: ERQUINGHEM AND LE VEAU; NIEPPE; - BAILLEUL; ST. JANS CAPPEL; POPERINGHE; KEMMEL 203 - - XII. THE LAST OF YPRES: MAY, 1918; ZILLEBEKE SECTOR; - ZILLEBEKE RAID; QUIET DAYS IN THE YPRES SECTOR 237 - - XIII. THE LAST STAGE: MOVEMENTS AND TRAINING; OCTOBER 11TH - AND AFTER; REORGANISATION; NOVEMBER 1ST–2ND 254 - - XIV. DEMOBILISATION: AUBY AND DOUAI; THE RETURN OF THE - CADRE 276 - - - APPENDIX - - I. ITINERARY OF THE BATTALION 287 - - II. NOMINAL ROLL OF OFFICERS 295 - - III. NOMINAL ROLL OF WARRANT OFFICERS AND COMPANY QUARTER - MASTER SERGEANTS 304 - - IV. SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES 307 - - V. LIST OF HONOURS AND AWARDS 308 - - VI. THE BATTALION CANTEEN 312 - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - THE CLOTH HALL, YPRES: 1914; 1918 FRONTISPIECE - - Facing Page - - LIEUT.-COL. H. S. ATKINSON, T.D. 8 - - MAJOR E. P. CHAMBERS; LIEUT.-COL. H. A. S. STANTON, D.S.O.; - CAPT. H. N. WALLER 20 - - CAPT. M. P. ANDREWS; CAPT. E. E. SYKES, M.C.; CAPT. W. F. - DENNING; CAPT. T. D. PRATT 32 - - LIEUT.-COL. C. J. PICKERING, C.M.G., D.S.O.; LIEUT.-COL. - G. K. SULLIVAN, O.B.E., M.C. 44 - - BRIG.-GENERAL E. G. ST. AUBYN, D.S.O. 64 - - CAPT. W. N. EVERITT, M.C.; CAPT. C. HIRST; LIEUT. J. T. - RILEY; CAPT. S. S. GREAVES, D.S.O., M.C., R.A.M.C. 74 - - LIEUT.-COL. J. WALKER, D.S.O. 88 - - BRIG.-GENERAL R. E. SUGDEN, C.M.G., D.S.O., T.D. 112 - - CAPT. A. E. MANDER; CAPT. J. G. MOWAT, M.C.; CAPT. E. N. - MARSHALL, M.C.; CAPT. N. GELDARD, D.S.O., M.C. 128 - - THE LOMBARTZYDE SECTOR: AEROPLANE MAP 148 - - R.S.M. F. P. STIRZAKER, M.C.; R.S.M. W. LEE, M.C.; C.S.M. - W. MEDLEY, M.C., M.M.; SERGT. A. LOOSEMORE, V.C., D.C.M. 164 - - THE YPRES SALIENT: WINTER, 1917–1918 184 - - MAJOR W. C. FENTON, M.C.; CAPT. N. T. FARRAR, M.C.; CAPT. - A. KIRK, M.C.; CAPT. P. G. BALES, M.C. 196 - - PRIVATE A. POULTER, V.C. 208 - - BAILLEUL CHURCH: AFTER THE BOMBARDMENT 218 - - CAPT. H. H. AYKROYD, M.C.; CAPT. W. N. BROOMHEAD, T.D.; - CAPT. W. GRANTHAM; CAPT. S. BALME 240 - - LIEUT.-COL. A. L. MOWAT, D.S.O., M.C. 256 - - WELLINGTON CEMETERY, NEAR ROEUX 270 - - THE CADRE AT HALIFAX: JUNE 18TH, 1919 284 - - - - -LIST OF MAPS. - - - YPRES, 1915 facing page 58 - - THIEPVAL WOOD, 1916 „ „ 80 - - SEPTEMBER 3RD, 1916 „ „ 96 - - RAID NEAR FICHEUX, FEBRUARY, 1917 page 117 - - ST. ELIE RIGHT SUB-SECTOR, 1917 facing page 144 - - LOMBARTZYDE SECTOR, 1917 „ „ 156 - - BELLE VUE SPUR, OCTOBER 9TH, 1917 „ „ 172 - - RAID NEAR REUTEL, MARCH, 1918 page 195 - - ERQUINGHEM AND NIEPPE, APRIL, 1918 facing page 214 - - BAILLEUL, APRIL, 1918 „ „ 220 - - KEMMEL, APRIL, 1918 „ „ 234 - - RAID NEAR ZILLEBEKE, JUNE, 1918 „ „ 246 - - OCTOBER 11TH, 1918 „ „ 264 - - CAMBRAI AND VALENCIENNES „ „ 274 - - FLANDERS at end of book - - FIFTH AND THIRD ARMY AREAS, 1916–1917 „ „ - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - MOBILISATION AND TRAINING. - - -At the outbreak of war with Germany, early in August, 1914, the West -Riding Territorial Division consisted of the following battalions:-- - - 1st. West Riding Infantry Brigade: 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions - West Yorkshire Regiment. - - 2nd. West Riding Infantry Brigade: 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions - Duke of Wellington’s (W.R.) Regiment. - - 3rd. West Riding Infantry Brigade: 4th and 5th Battalions King’s - Own Yorkshire Light Infantry; 4th and 5th Battalions York and - Lancaster Regiment. - -Major-General T. S. Baldock, C.B., was in command of the Division, -and Brigadier-General E. F. Brereton, D.S.O., of the 2nd West Riding -Infantry Brigade. No change of battalions took place in any of the -Infantry Brigades until the reorganisation of the British Expeditionary -Force at the beginning of 1918, when each was reduced to three -battalions; and even then no fresh battalion was added to the Division. - -The 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s (W.R.) Regt, was under the -command of Lieut.-Colonel H. S. Atkinson, T.D., of Cleckheaton, and -Major E. P. Chambers, of Brighouse, was second in command. Capt. H. A. -S. Stanton, of the Royal Scots Regt., was Adjutant. Though the regular -army had recently been reorganised on a four-company basis, a similar -change had not yet been made in the Territorial Force, so that the -Battalion consisted of eight companies as follows:-- - - A Company (Halifax) commanded by Capt. V. A. Milligan. - B Company (Halifax) „ Capt. D. B. Winter. - C Company (Halifax) „ Capt. D. V. Fleming. - D Company (Brighouse) „ Capt. R. E. Sugden. - E Company (Cleckheaton) „ Capt. J. Walker. - F Company (Halifax) „ Lieut. E. P. Learoyd. - G Company (Elland) „ Capt. R. H. Goldthorp. - H Company (Sowerby Bridge) „ Capt. W. A. Laxton. - -All the four companies from the out-lying districts were well up to -strength, but the Halifax companies were weak. - -On July 26th, the Battalion went to camp at Marske-by-the-Sea for its -annual period of training. The time was one of intense anxiety and -excitement. On July 28th, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. -Three days later general mobilisation was ordered by Russia, which -produced an immediate ultimatum from Berlin. The next day mobilisation -was ordered in both France and Germany; the latter, as is now well -known, had been mobilising and concentrating secretly on its French -and Belgian frontiers for some days. On August 2nd, the German -armies entered Luxembourg, and violated French territory without -any declaration of war. Two days later Britain sent its ultimatum -to Germany and as, on the same day, German troops entered Belgian -territory, war broke out between the two countries at midnight, August -4/5th. Such was the atmosphere in which the Battalion carried out its -training at Marske. - -The camp should have lasted a fortnight, but it broke up at the end -of a week. The Special Service Section of 100 other ranks, under the -command of Capt. R. E. Sugden, with Lieut. H. N. Waller as his second -in command, was the first to leave. Orders for it to proceed at once -to Grimsby arrived during the church parade on Sunday, August 2nd, and -it left the same day. It was employed guarding the Admiralty Wireless -Station at Waltham, and the water and electricity works. On August 3rd, -the men of the Battalion returned to their homes, where they waited in -hourly expectation of orders to mobilise. These came on the evening of -the following day, and the same night the Battalion was concentrated -at Halifax, the men sleeping in the Secondary Schools in Prescott -Street. The Battalion was about 650 strong. Scarcely a man had failed -to report. - -About 1-30 p.m. on August 5th, the Battalion[1] marched down Horton -Street to the Railway Station, and there took train for Hull, its -allotted station. There was no public send-off. War had come so -suddenly that people seemed hardly to realise what was happening. On -arrival most of the men were billeted in a big concert hall in the -town, the remainder occupying a Working Boys’ Club in one of the poorer -quarters, and buildings near the docks. At Hull the men were variously -employed. Guards were provided on the docks and at the Naval Signal -Station. Working parties were sent out to dig trenches at Sutton, part -of the new system of coast defences which was being prepared. Perhaps -the most congenial duty was the rounding up of a number of Germans in -the district; these were searched--some of them were found to be in -possession of revolvers--and were then marched off to S.S. “Borodino,” -one of the new Wilson liners, on board of which they were confined. The -guard on the vessel was found by the Battalion and this was considered -to be a good job. - -During these first days of war the ration question was extremely -difficult. The carefully planned pre-war scheme had broken down the -very first day. The Battalion had no transport, and neither the Quarter -Master nor the transport personnel had accompanied it to Hull. Taxis -had to be requisitioned to take the place of transport vehicles; food -had to be obtained as and where it could be found. Great credit was due -to R.Q.M.S. F. J. Cooke and his staff for the way in which they pulled -the Battalion through the difficulty. At this time the men were armed -with the C.L.L.E. rifle and were fairly well equipped; difficulties of -equipment only became serious when drafts began to arrive. About 100 -National Reservists joined the Battalion at Hull. - -On August 11th, the Battalion was relieved by a Special Reserve -Battalion of Lancashire Fusiliers and moved by water to Immingham, -where it was stationed at the docks. Here it had its first experience -of war conditions. There were no proper billets. The officers all slept -on the floor of a granary, a part of the same building doing duty as -a Battalion Mess. The men were even worse off, having nothing better -than a number of sheds with concrete floors. At Immingham the Special -Service Section and the transport personnel rejoined. There, too, the -whole of the 2nd West Riding Infantry Brigade, except one battalion, -was concentrated. A further draft of National Reservists also joined. - -Only two days were spent at Immingham, and then the Battalion marched -to Great Coates, where it remained for nearly five weeks. This was -the beginning of the long period of intensive training which preceded -its departure overseas. The men were billeted in barns, granaries and -stables, thus getting an early taste of what was to become their normal -mode of life for long periods in France. Training consisted mostly of -route marches, and battalion and company schemes. Great attention was -paid to musketry. Newly-gazetted officers began to arrive, and further -drafts of men brought the Battalion up to full strength before it left -Great Coates, though a good many National Reservists were rejected at -the medical examination. The weather was perfect. Days of glorious -sunshine followed one another with monotonous regularity. - -On September 15th, the Battalion went under canvas in Riby Park, where -training continued for another month. At first there had been few -volunteers for service overseas. Little information was available as to -the conditions of service, and few men had yet realised the greatness -of the crisis. But when the situation was properly understood they -responded to the call well. The Battalion became definitely a foreign -service unit. All officers and other ranks who had not volunteered -for general service left it, and joined the 2/4th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt., which was being formed at Halifax. About the middle -of October, the whole Battalion moved to the neighbourhood of Marsden, -in the Colne Valley, to fire the General Musketry Course. Several -ranges were used by different companies, but the shooting was much -interfered with by the atrocious weather which was experienced there. -Here most of the men were inoculated, and leave was plentiful. - -On November 5th, Battalion H.Q. moved by train to Doncaster, at -which place the whole of the 2nd West Riding Infantry Brigade was -concentrated during the next few days. There it remained throughout the -winter and only left when the time came for it to move to France. - -It was not until the middle of January, 1915, that the Battalion was -reorganised on a four-company basis, in accordance with the system -adopted shortly before the war by the Regular Army. The original -companies were then amalgamated as follows:-- - - A and D Companies joined to form No. 1 (afterwards A) Coy. - E and G „ „ No. 2 ( „ B) „ - B and C „ „ No. 3 ( „ C) „ - F and H „ „ No. 4 ( „ D) „[3] - -Companies were billeted in schools in the town. On the whole these -billets were made pretty comfortable, for the men were fast learning -how to look after themselves.[4] Officers occupied rooms in various -hotels and private houses, but had a Battalion Mess, first at an hotel, -but later in a house which was rented in Regent Terrace. - -All available time was occupied in training and organisation. With the -exception of a few small guards, the Battalion had no garrison duties -to find. During the earlier part of its stay at Doncaster most of the -training took the form of field days. Training areas were allotted near -the town, and these were frequently changed in order to give variety. -Many fierce “battles” were fought both by day and night. Usually -the Battalion worked out its own schemes, but occasionally there -were Brigade and Divisional days, when the officers and men learned -something of the co-operation of the different arms. The training -was very strenuous and involved a great deal of route marching. The -Battalion would parade about 7-0 a.m. and march out, often a distance -of seven or eight miles, to the training area. A scheme would then be -worked out, and after it was over the Battalion would be marched back. -Considerable distances were thus often covered in a day, and the men -got into splendid condition. After the Battalion had been reorganised -into four companies, the system of training was considerably changed -for a time, as a completely new drill had to be learned. So an ordinary -day’s training became much as follows. After about half-an-hour’s -physical training, the Battalion marched down to the Race Course where -the morning was spent at the new drill; an hour’s bayonet fighting -in the afternoon completed the work for the day. Much attention was -also paid to musketry. This was carried out under the supervision of -Major R. E. Sugden, who lived at Battalion H.Q. for that purpose, and -thus was not able to see much of his Company. Ranges at Cantley and -Scunthorpe were used. A little trench digging was done near Armthorpe -but, as it was still hoped that the war would soon become one of -movement again, this form of training was not taken very seriously. -On one occasion the Battalion was inspected on the Race Course by the -G.O.C., Northern Command; but otherwise, little attention was paid to -ceremonial drill. Lectures on various military subjects were given -by the officers and, in order to give variety to the men and lighten -the work of the lecturers, senior officers went round the different -companies giving the same lectures to each. - -Alarms were not infrequent but, only once, was there any real reason -for them. That occasion was the day when a few fast German cruisers -slipped across the North Sea, and bombarded Scarborough for a short -time. That morning the Battalion had marched out about eight miles to -do a scheme. It had just arrived when urgent orders to return at once -were received. Without any rest the men fell in and marched straight -back to Doncaster without a halt. It was very hot for the time of -year, and the march was no mean performance. For the rest of that day -all troops were confined to billets; but they were not called upon to -do anything further and everything was normal the next day. - -The time spent at Doncaster was very pleasant. The townsfolk were very -kind to all the men, many of whom made good friends. Long after they -had gone overseas several men were still corresponding with Doncaster -people, and most of the survivors have warm recollections of the -hospitality extended to them. Christmas was celebrated right royally. -Few were able to get home, but everything possible was done to make the -season an enjoyable one. Dinners were served at the principal hotels[5] -of the town and, thanks to the generosity of the Doncaster Tradesmen’s -Association, about half the Battalion was entertained in the Corn -Exchange on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. - -But in spite of everything there was much discontent in the Battalion, -though one can hardly grumble at the cause of it. The men longed to -be at the “Front.” Most of them had expected to go overseas very soon -and, as the weeks dragged into months, some began to wonder whether -they ever would get there. This long delay was due mainly to shortage -of equipment. Practically everything was going to the New Armies, which -were in training, and there was little left over for the Territorial -Force. Furthermore, there was the ever-present fear of invasion, and it -was not deemed safe to send the Territorials overseas until new troops -were sufficiently trained to defend the country in case of need. But -few of the men understood these things. One man actually deserted in -order to enlist in another regiment, because he thought the Battalion -was not going out. Another wrote direct to the Secretary of State for -War to ask the reason for the delay and, of course, was well “told off” -for his pains. Rumours were plentiful, but, as nothing came of them, -they only served to increase the feeling of disappointment. - -At length, one day early in April, definite news was received. A -tactical tour for the officers and senior N.C.O.’s of the Battalion had -been arranged, under the personal supervision of the Brigadier. When -the latter arrived he brought the news that the Battalion was to move -in a few days. Immediately there was a light-hearted feeling about that -party such as there had seldom been before. - -The days which followed were full of excitement and activity. There -was an enormous amount of work to be done, and very little time to do -it. During the last few days there was little rest for officers and -N.C.O.’s. Up to that time it had been extremely difficult to obtain -articles of kit and equipment. Owing to the enormous demands of the -army already in France, and the fact that the productive power of the -British factories was scarcely a hundredth part of what it became -towards the end of the war, there was very little material available -for distribution to troops at home. But, now that the Battalion was -under orders for the Front, all kinds of stores were thrust upon it. -The miscellaneous collection of spring carts and vans, which had done -duty as transport vehicles, were replaced by the proper limbered -wagons; transport animals and harness arrived quicker than they -could be dealt with. Men were constantly being paraded to receive -some article of kit or equipment; one time it would be new winter -underclothing, another time new boots. These articles are particularly -worthy of notice. Why a Battalion should be fitted out with winter -underclothing early in April is a question which probably only the War -Office officials of the period could satisfactorily answer. While as -to the boots, it was not long before many a man was yearning for his -comfortable old pair. Right up to the end fresh stores were arriving -and being issued. Indeed, about midnight of the Battalion’s last night -in England--reveille was to be at 4-0 a.m.--A Company was hauled -out of bed by two enthusiastic subalterns to exchange its old web -pouches for new; the men of the company, it should be added, hardly -showed themselves so enthusiastic as their officers about the change, -particularly when they discovered in the morning that nearly all the -pouches received were for the left side. But, in spite of all, things -somehow got done. - - [Illustration: - - Lieut.-Col. H. S. ATKINSON, T.D.] - -On April 12th, the transport men, with their animals and loaded -vehicles, entrained for Southampton. They were to move by a different -route from the rest of the Battalion. Major R. E. Sugden and Lieut. -C. Hirst, the Battalion Transport Officer, were in charge of the -party. Considering the men’s lack of experience, the embarkation went -very smoothly. On board elaborate drill in case of torpedo attack was -practised, but the voyage proved uneventful. They disembarked at Havre -and proceeded by train to Hesdigneul, where they rejoined the Battalion -on April 15th. - -April 14th, the fateful day, arrived. Reveille was at 4-0 a.m., and, -after breakfast, preparations were soon complete and the Battalion -paraded ready to move off. The following is the complete list of -officers, warrant officers, and quartermaster sergeants who were to -accompany the Battalion overseas:-- - - - _Battalion H.Q._ - - Lieut.-Col. H. S. Atkinson, T.D. (C.O.). - Major E. P. Chambers (Second in Command). - Capt. H. A. S. Stanton (Adjutant). - Hon. Lieut. T. Fielding (Q.M.). - Lieut. E. Lee (Machine Gun Officer). - Lieut. S. Balme (Signalling Officer). - Lieut. C. Hirst (Transport Officer). - Capt. A. T. Griffiths, R.A.M.C. (Medical Officer). - R.S.M. J. McCormack. - R.Q.M.S. F. J. Cooke. - - - _A Company._ - - Major R. E. Sugden; - Capt. M. P. Andrews; - Lieut. G. W. I. Learoyd; - Lieut. E. N. Marshall; - Sec.-Lieut. E. Taylor; - Sec.-Lieut. G. P. McGuire. - C.S.M. E. Bottomley. - C.Q.M.S. C. Southern. - - - _B Company._ - - Capt. J. Walker; - Capt. H. N. Waller; - Lieut. J. T. Riley; - Lieut. B. A. Bell; - Sec.-Lieut. J. G. Mowat; - Sec.-Lieut. H. H. Aykroyd. - C.S.M. A. Parkin. - C.Q.M.S. D. McKeand. - - - _C Company._ - - Capt. D. B. Winter; - Capt. E. E. Sykes; - Sec.-Lieut. W. C. Fenton; - Sec.-Lieut. F. Walker. - C.S.M. E. Lumb. - C.Q.M.S. W. Lee. - - _D Company._ - - Capt. A. L. Mowat; - Capt. W. F. Denning; - Lieut. W. B. Yates; - Sec.-Lieut. T. D. Pratt; - Sec.-Lieut. W. L. Anderton. - C.S.M. C. C. MacKay. - C.Q.M.S. G. Jackson. - -The 2/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. had come into Doncaster -a few days before and was encamped on the Race Course. Officers and men -turned out now to give their friends and townsmen a rousing send-off. -Their Band played the Battalion to the Railway Station, while their -men lined the streets. The townspeople also turned out in considerable -numbers to say farewell to their recently-made friends. A platoon of -A Company constituted the loading party, under the command of Lieut. -E. N. Marshall, who records that among the miscellaneous stores which -he helped to load upon the train was one coil of barbed wire. Even in -those early days he considered it unnecessary. - -Two trains were provided for the journey. The first, under the command -of Lieut.-Col. H. S. Atkinson, T.D., carried A and B Companies. It was -due to depart at 12-0 noon. When all were entrained and everything -seemed ready, the driver, being a civilian, thought it was time to -start and began to move off. But, of course, that was all wrong. The -train was stopped, the “Advance” was blown on the bugle, and then off -they went. The other train, under the command of Major E. P. Chambers, -and carrying C and D Companies, started more quietly and with less -formality from a siding further down the line. - -The journey was uneventful and slow. The trains circled round London, -and the first arrived at Folkestone Quay about 8-45 p.m. The men -immediately embarked on S.S. “Invicta,” which the Battalion had all -to itself, and were soon at sea. The night was quiet and the crossing -calm. Soon after 10-0 p.m. the vessel arrived at Boulogne, and the -Battalion had its first sight of the “promised land.” At last it was -really on active service, and was to take its place side by side with -the men who had made history at Mons, the Marne, Ypres, and a score of -other battles. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - FLEURBAIX. - - -The Battalion was in France. On arrival at Boulogne it disembarked at -once and marched to St. Martin’s Camp, which was on a hill a mile or -two outside the town. This camp had only recently been started and the -arrangements were far from ideal. A few tents for the officers, and -bivouacs for the men, were the only accommodation. No one had had a -proper meal since he left Doncaster, but no food was provided at the -camp until the following morning. One blanket per man--sewn up to form -a sort of cloak, with a hole in the top for the owner to put his head -through if he felt so inclined--was the only covering provided. Tired -and hungry the Battalion turned in, but not to sleep. It was a cold and -frosty night. After their comfortable billets at Doncaster the men were -not in good training for such rigorous conditions, and the memory of -that night still lives in the minds of some of the “old-timers” of the -Battalion. By a very early hour nearly everyone was out on the road, -stamping up and down in an attempt to get warm. Breakfast time was very -welcome. - -After breakfast, rations for the day were drawn and iron rations -issued, and then the Battalion started on one of the hardest marches -it ever had to make. A late change in the orders had caused a delay -of more than two hours so that, when the men at length moved off, the -march was much more strenuous than it would otherwise have been. It was -a very hot day, with a blazing sun. Most of the men were tired before -they started. They had had a long railway journey and a sea crossing -the previous day, and few had been able to get any sleep during the -night. Clad in their thick winter underclothing, and with packs much -heavier than they had been used to in training, they were none too -suitably equipped for a long tramp. But, worst of all, were the new -boots with which everyone had been supplied before leaving Doncaster; -these had not yet become fitted to the feet, and before long many men -were suffering severely. Men who had never fallen out on a march before -were compelled to do so then, and there were soon many stragglers -on the road, gamely trying to struggle along. It was a very jaded -battalion which at length arrived at the little wayside station of -Hesdigneul. - -The train, with transport vehicles, animals and personnel on board, -was already waiting in the station. Some tea was obtained from a -little wooden canteen near by and then the Battalion entrained, most -of the stragglers having come up by that time. Here the men were first -introduced to what would be called a cattle truck in England, but which -in France bears the mystic legend “Hommes 40, Chevaux 8”--the type of -compartment which was to be their customary means of conveyance on the -somewhat rare occasions when they travelled by rail. Many were the -speculations as to the Battalion’s destination, but no information -could be obtained from the railway officials. Wild rumours circulated, -the most popular being that a great battle was in progress and the -Battalion was being hurried up as a reinforcement. But, as usual, -rumour proved false. After a journey, uninteresting but for the fact -that it was the first most of the men had ever made on the Continent, -the train arrived at Merville about 6-0 p.m., and orders to detrain -were issued. - -There followed another march, worse in some respects than the first. -Certainly it was not so hot, but the rest on the train had allowed -muscles to stiffen and sore feet to develop. Only their tremendous -keenness, and the novelty of active service, kept many of the men -going. One N.C.O. at least arrived at his destination carrying his -boots, having tramped the last part of the way in his stockinged feet. -It was long after dark before the Battalion reached Estaires where it -took over its first billets in France. These were on the edge of the -town, on the Neuf Berquin Road. They had previously been occupied by -Indian troops and were, almost without exception, filthy. Battalion -H.Q. was in the Chateau, but those who had looked for a fine, -castellated mansion were grievously disappointed. It was some time -before the place could be found, and when it was discovered, it turned -out to be a large, but quite uninteresting, building up a side street. -According to rumour, it had been occupied by all sorts of undesirables, -from Germans to typhoid patients; at any rate it was very dirty, -and much work was necessary before it could be put into a habitable -condition. For a day or two all officers messed at a large estaminet by -the Hotel de Ville, but then the system of company messes was started -and continued throughout the Battalion’s period of active service. - -All now knew that they were near the Front. Ruined houses along the -road had borne silent testimony to the presence of war. In Estaires the -sound of the guns could be clearly heard, and there the first aeroplane -fight which anyone had seen was witnessed. The Division was now in the -IV. Corps of the First Army. A few days after landing it received its -new title of the 49th Division; the 2nd West Riding Infantry Brigade -became the 147th Infantry Brigade. - -About a week was spent at Estaires and, during that time, practically -all the officers and many other ranks visited the front line trenches -for short periods of instruction. The first party, which comprised -about half the officers and a large number of N.C.O’s, went up on -April 19th for twenty-four hours. Old London omnibuses carried them -to beyond Bac St. Maur, and then they walked up to the section of the -line which they were soon to take over the defence of--No. 3 Section -of the Fleurbaix Sector. Here they came under the tutelage of the 2nd -Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. On the return of this party, the -remainder of the officers and more N.C.O’s had their turn. Then the -Battalion began to send up whole platoons, each under its own platoon -commander, for twenty-four hours. It was during one of these tours -of instruction that the Battalion suffered its first casualties. -At that time movement to and from the front line, in the Fleurbaix -Sector, was almost entirely across the open, communication trenches -being practically non-existent. When coming out after their tour of -instruction on April 23rd, one man was killed and two were wounded by -stray bullets. - -Meanwhile the Battalion was resting. Little work was done at Estaires. -Platoon commanders’ inspections and occasional short route marches -were all the military training that was attempted. The men were given -a chance to settle down in their new life. A surprise visit from -Lieut.-General Sir H. Rawlinson, G.O.C. IV. Corps, was the one exciting -event. - -On April 22nd, the Battalion marched to billets at Doulieu. This move -caused some discomfort to the platoons which were then undergoing -instruction in the line, as they had considerable difficulty in -finding the Battalion when they returned. Guides had been left behind -for them, but these apparently got tired of waiting and departed. At -Doulieu the Battalion was visited by General Sir Douglas Haig, at -that time commanding the First Army, who surprised a luckless, though -well-meaning, subaltern in the very act of issuing rum to his platoon -at unauthorised hours. - -Two days later the Battalion moved to the neighbourhood of La Croix -Lescornez, where it was in Brigade Reserve to the front line. The -following day, an order to provide 400 men for work under the -Royal Engineers was an indication of much of the future life of -the Battalion. The same day the whole of A Company went into the -line, being distributed along the front held by the 3rd Battalion -Worcestershire Regt., which had relieved the 2nd Battalion West -Yorkshire Regt. - -On April 26th, the Battalion relieved the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire -Regt. in No. 3 Section of the Fleurbaix Sector. - - * * * * * - -One relief is much like another, and all who know the Western Front can -picture the scene in the billet of No. -- Platoon of -- Company on the -morning of April 26th, 1915. - -A dirty yard, with the usual midden in the middle, is surrounded by -buildings on all sides. Nearest to the road is the great barn, which -has been the platoon’s home for the last few days. It is not an ideal -billet. The floor is of trampled earth, with a little straw here and -there; a timber framework, filled in with clay and straw, forms the -walls; the roof is tiled. Many holes in the walls let in light and -air and allow the wind to whistle round the barn; many tiles are -missing from the roof and, at night, a sleepless man can lie gazing -at the stars, or feel the rain falling on his face, according to the -weather. Walls, four to five feet high, subdivide the barn into several -compartments. - -On the opposite side of the yard lies the house--all ground floor. Its -kitchen is well known to the platoon, for the people have been good to -the men. Many of them have sat round that strange closed stove, which -will burn anything, and have drunk coffee, while they aired their -French with their hosts. Stables, pig-sties, and other farm buildings -form the other sides of the yard. - -“Blankets, rolled in bundles of ten and labelled,” have been dumped -ready to be collected by the transport. Equipment has been made up and -packed, and is lying about the yard. Rifles lean against the walls. The -barn has been left “scrupulously clean” and passed as satisfactory. -For the moment there is nothing special to do. The men stand about -the yard in groups, smoking and talking. Some are drinking coffee -in the kitchen. Private X is carrying on a lively conversation with -“Mademoiselle.” - -“Fall in!” Men leisurely don their equipment, pick up their rifles, and -obey. Private Y is the last as usual, and is rebuked by his section -commander. N.C.O’s glance at their men and report “All Correct” to the -platoon sergeant. “Platoon--’Shun!” The men come up to the position of -readiness, described in the Drill Book. “Right--Dress!” They dress. -“Platoon, by Sections--Number! Form--Fours! Form--Two-deep! Stand -at--Ease! Stand--Easy!” The platoon is ready to move. - -“Platoon--’Shun!” The officer has arrived. “Platoon present and -correct, sir!” A rapid inspection, a word of criticism here and there, -and the men again stand easy. - -“Platoon--’Shun! Slope--Arms! Move to the right in Fours, Form--Fours! -Right! Quick--March! Right--Wheel!” The platoon moves out of the yard. -“March Easy!” Rifle slings are loosened and the rifles slung; pipes -and cigarettes appear; the pace settles down to a steady hundred to -the minute. With a cheery greeting to “Madame” and an affectionate -farewell to “Mademoiselle,” they pass the estaminet. The roads are wet -and muddy, and boots soon lose their parade polish. Now the platoon is -leaving the village. A little ahead are the cross-roads, which mark the -Battalion starting point. The subaltern consults his watch. Good! He is -exactly on time. - -“Platoon, March to Attention!” Pipes and cigarettes disappear; slings -are tightened; rifles are brought to the slope. “Left--Left--Left, -Right, Left!” The pace smartens up to the regulation hundred and twenty -to the minute. “Eyes--Right!” They are passing the cross-roads where -the C.O., with his Adjutant, is standing. - -“Eyes--Front! March Easy!” Again rifles are slung and matches struck. -The pace soon settles down to the old hundred to the minute. The road -is muddier than ever now. Few vehicles, except the infantry transport, -use it beyond the village; and so it is seldom repaired. The country -grows more desolate; on all sides are ruined buildings, shattered -trees, and the countless signs of war. But jest and song help to -enliven the way, for the men are fresh after their few days’ rest. - -At “ten minutes to the hour” the platoon falls out on the right of the -road. Equipment is taken off. The grass is wet, but some sit down; in -later days, in spite of all orders to the contrary, they will sit on -their “tin hats.” It seems hardly a minute before they are called on to -don their equipment and fall in again. - -At length a communication trench is reached. The men are quieter now. -Over to the right an occasional shell is bursting. The crack of a rifle -is heard now and then. The trench is muddy, and, here and there, water -is over the duckboards. Private Z slips, and expresses his opinion of -the sandbag-full of charcoal, which he is carrying, in unmistakeable -terms. - -The trench seems endless, but, at last, the front line is reached. -Other men, covered with mud and wearing equipment, are waiting there. -The relief goes smoothly. Sentries are changed, duties are handed over, -the latest intelligence about “Fritz” or “Jerry” is imparted. “Quiet -tour. Not a casualty in our company. He doesn’t fire if you lie doggo.” - -With every sign of satisfaction the relieved troops withdraw. Men who -are not on sentry seek their shelters and grouse at the condition they -have been left in. The platoon commander inspects his line, swears that -the people he has relieved have done no work during the whole tour, and -goes off to air his grievances at Company H.Q. The Company Commander -wires “Hundred gallons of rum urgently needed,” “Love to Alice,” or -some such message, which has been agreed upon to signify “Relief -complete.” - -The tour has begun. - - * * * * * - -For the first time, the Battalion was responsible for the defence of a -sector of the line, with no one between it and the enemy. There it was -to remain for about two months, inter-relieving every few days with the -6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., and spending its rest periods -in and near the village of Fleurbaix. - -No. 3 Section was about a thousand yards in breadth. There was a -continuous front line but, apart from a few strong points with -all-round defence, there were no fortifications in rear of it. Those -were the days when artillery was scanty and shells few; when Lewis -guns were unheard of and the only machine guns available were the -two Maxims owned by each battalion. Hence it was to the rifle that -everyone looked for the defence of the line, and, in order to secure -the maximum of fire effect, as many men as possible were permanently -stationed in the front line. At that time there were practically no men -extra-regimentally employed, and the personnel of the Transport and -the Q.M. Stores was cut down to a minimum. No “trench strength” for -this first tour has been preserved, but the Battalion must have been at -least 900 other ranks strong. Thirteen out of the sixteen platoons were -stationed in the front line, so that, making due allowance for the men -attached to Battalion H.Q., there must have been nearly 700 men in that -1,000 yards of trench--in other words, well over a man to every yard of -fire bay. It can easily be imagined how crowded the line was. At stand -to men stood shoulder to shoulder on every fire step. - -During the Battalion’s first tour in this Section, A Company was on the -right, D Company in the centre, and B Company on the left. C Company -lent one platoon to strengthen the garrison of the front line, the -remainder occupying Dead Dog Farm and another strong point in the -neighbourhood. In subsequent tours these positions were inter-changed -in order to give each company its turn in battalion reserve. The main -feature of the sector was the Convent Wall, which lay almost at right -angles to the front line, near the junction of B and D Companies. There -were no communication trenches up to the line. Reliefs were carried -out straight up the Rue des Bassiéres and then along the side of the -Convent Wall. From the front line the ground sloped gently up to the -crest of the Aubers Ridge. No Man’s Land was covered with thick grass -and rank weeds, and was intersected by many derelict trenches. - -The country was so low-lying, and water lay so near the surface, that -digging was practically impossible. Hence the defences consisted almost -entirely of breast-works, built of sandbags. The line was of the -usual stereotyped kind--six yard fire bays alternating with four yard -traverses. Shelters were built into the parados. They were very flimsy -structures, affording protection against nothing but bullets and the -weather. It is doubtful whether there was a shelter on the whole sector -which would have stopped a “whizz-bang.” Such was the line in which the -Battalion served its apprenticeship. - -From the G.O.C. to the latest-joined private, every man in the 49th -Division was new to trench warfare, and so had everything to learn. -Training in England had mostly taken the form of open warfare, and -practically no one in the Infantry had had any instruction in field -engineering, or in looking after his own comfort. So necessity became -the main teacher, and perhaps a better one could not have been found. -At first rations were carried up by the reserve company, but later -it was found possible to bring pack animals right up to the Convent -Wall; a light cart,--one of the many unauthorised vehicles owned by -the transport at one time or another on active service--was fitted -with axle and wheels, salved from a derelict motor car which was -found lying in a ditch, and was used for carrying ammunition and -R.E. material. All rations were sent up uncooked, and for a day or -two they were issued in that form to each man. But the waste and -futility of individuals cooking for themselves was so apparent that the -system was quickly given up and section messes were instituted, one -man in each being detailed as cook. The main source of water was the -Convent pump, but the reserve company sometimes sent men down to the -nearest inhabited houses to replenish, and it is rumoured that beer -occasionally came back instead of water. - -About the time the Battalion reached France the enemy first made use -of poison gas in his second great attack on the Ypres Salient. This -caused great anxiety among the allied armies and measures were at once -taken to protect the men against it. The Battalion received its first -issue of respirators a few days after it arrived in the neighbourhood -of Fleurbaix. They were clumsy affairs--a piece of cotton waste, -saturated with a solution of hypo, and wrapped in black gauze. When -in use the cotton waste covered the mouth and nose and was gripped -in the teeth, the respirator being held in position by tying the -gauze at the back of the head. Old ammunition boxes, filled with hypo -solution, were installed in the front line, and the respirators were -often worn at stand to for practice. One awful wet night the Divisional -Commander visited the trenches to see the working of the respirators. -Most men were carrying them in their great coat pockets instead of -their haversacks, and when he ordered them to be put on there was -great confusion. The rain poured down; in the darkness men dropped -their respirators in the mud and the crepe became thoroughly soaked. -Altogether the practice was not a success. These first respirators -were very uncomfortable to wear, difficult to keep in position, and -practically useless against anything more dangerous than a weak -concentration of chlorine. Before long the P. helmet superseded them -but, though rather more effective, it was quite as uncomfortable. -Having no outlet valve, it was difficult to breath through, and made -the wearer terribly hot. Its single mica window was very fragile and -the least crack in it rendered the whole helmet useless. As helmets had -to be inspected at least three times a day at that time, the wastage -was very great. - - [Illustration: Major E. P. CHAMBERS.] - - [Illustration: Lieut.-Col. H. A. S. STANTON, D.S.O.] - - [Illustration: Capt. H. N. WALLER.] - -From the very beginning great stress was laid on two things--the -continual wearing of equipment and sentry duties. These were legacies -from the experienced troops with whom the Battalion had undergone its -brief course of instruction. Periods in the line were very strenuous. -Theoretically, 25 per cent. of the men were on duty by day and 50 per -cent. by night. But, owing to the accumulation of odd duties and the -provision of working parties, no man got much rest. At Fleurbaix the -Battalion laid the foundation of its reputation as a working battalion -which it held throughout the war. Breast-works, if they are to be -kept in good condition, require even more constant attention than -trenches. Few of the men possessed any of the necessary technical -knowledge, and visits from the Royal Engineers were rare; but all men -were willing and, though some of the earlier efforts were very crude, -the work quickly improved. Professional bricklayers were in great -demand for sand-bagging, and C.S.M. E. Bottomley in particular was -looked upon as a great theoretical authority on this subject in his -own company. Not only was the upkeep of the trenches taken seriously -in hand, but entirely new work was planned and executed. The route to -the front line, by the side of the Convent Wall, was made safer, first -by the erection of canvas screens to hide movement, and later by the -construction of sandbag walls at the more dangerous points. But the -most enduring monument of the Battalion in the Fleurbaix Sector was -Dead Dog Alley--a regular communication trench which was taped out, and -nearly completed, before the Battalion left the district. - -The Fleurbaix Sector was a very quiet part of the line. In its -inexperience, the Battalion never properly appreciated this fact until -it learned real “liveliness” at Ypres. The early War Diaries are full -of references to heavy shelling; in reality, the enemy artillery did -little. Once a shell dropped right into the Battalion H.Q. Officers’ -Mess, but, luckily, two “shorts” had given the occupants timely -warning, and they had withdrawn to a safer spot. A few salvoes were -fired on different parts of the sector daily, the neighbourhood of the -pump receiving most attention; but there is only one recorded instance -of the front line being hit. This was fortunate for, so crowded was -the line, that well-directed shell fire would have wrought fearful -havoc. - -Unlike their artillery, the German machine gunners and riflemen were -extremely active. The Rue des Bassiéres and the Convent Wall were -always dangerous spots, while at night the enemy traversed the front -line parapet with great accuracy. His snipers were very wide-awake and -excellent shots; they had all the advantages of superior observation -and high command, and some of them were certainly equipped with -telescopic sights. It was almost as much as a man’s life was worth -for him to show his head above the parapet for a few seconds in the -daytime. Nearly all the casualties in the Fleurbaix Sector were from -bullet wounds. - -As has already been said, the British positions were held at this time -almost entirely by rifle fire. Few heavy guns were in use then and, -though there were a fair number of field guns, no really effective -barrage could be put down owing to the scarcity of ammunition. A very -few rounds daily were all that the artillery could fire. Some of their -ammunition was of poor quality. “Prematures” were not uncommon and -caused much worry to Battalion H.Q. One day a 4.7 shell lodged in the -breast-work just outside the Orderly Room, but did not explode. - -The two old Maxims which the Battalion had brought out with it were -disposed to the best advantage, but, both in attack and defence, the -main reliance had to be placed on the rifle. And the amount of rifle -fire on that front was colossal. This was particularly the case at -night. Often, somewhere far away and for no apparent reason, a perfect -storm of firing would open; company after company would take it up, -and so it would travel quickly along the line until, literally along -thousands of yards of front, every man would be working his bolt as -rapidly as possible. Sometimes this would go on for many minutes, and -then it would gradually die down. The good old custom of “Five rounds -rapid” at stand to was always encouraged in the Battalion. Occasionally -rapid fire, to harass enemy transport or carrying parties, would be -opened on some back area. In the daytime the use of the rifle was -restricted to sniping, but in this the enemy had most of the advantage -owing to his higher command and his greater experience in constructing -positions. Yet every man in the Battalion was immensely keen to “bag -a Bosch.” Often one man would hurl the most insulting remarks across -No Man’s Land, or even show himself above the parapet, in the hope -that some very simple-minded German would appear, and thus present a -target to another Britisher who was anxiously waiting his chance in -a neighbouring bay. But no successes have been recorded. The enemy -was much too cute and usually retaliated only in kind. Hand-grenades -too were just coming to the fore. When they were relieved the 3rd -Worcesters had left two men in the line to instruct the Battalion -in the manufacture of “jam-tin” and “hair-brush” bombs. About this -time the Brigade Grenadier Company was formed, one platoon from each -battalion being sent for instruction in bombing. Sec.-Lieut. W. L. -Anderton became the Battalion’s first Bombing Officer. But bombing was -not taken very seriously until some months later. - -The Battalion was handicapped a good deal by the C.L.L.E. rifle, with -which it was armed. This weapon was much inferior to the short rifle -of the Regulars. It usually jammed before ten rounds “rapid” had been -fired, and was thus a source of much anxiety. Also, it could not be -used for firing rifle grenades as these were constructed to clip on to -the short rifle. As time went on short rifles were gradually obtained, -but the C.L.L.E. did not wholly disappear until 1916. - -Patrolling had not yet become the highly organised feature of trench -warfare which it was to be later in the war. In spite of the excellent -facilities offered by No Man’s Land, very little was attempted by the -Battalion in those early days. B Company tried a few patrols with -no very definite result, Sec.-Lieut. J. G. Mowat being the first -officer of the Battalion to go out. Late in May, Lieut. B. A. Bell -was seriously wounded by an enemy machine gun when out on patrol, -and was brought in by Private W. Brown, who afterwards received the -Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry on that occasion. There -was a good deal of unauthorised coming and going in No Man’s Land, -where the chance of securing souvenirs was an attraction to many. - -Usually, six days were spent in the line and six in Brigade Reserve. -During the rest periods one company was stationed at Croix Blanche Farm -and, for tactical purposes, came under the orders of the battalion in -the line. The rest of the Battalion, with the exception of a few small -garrisons in scattered redoubts, was billeted in farm-buildings near -Fleurbaix. At first practically no training was attempted, though later -a little was begun. Time was mainly taken up with interior economy and -inspections. At night large working parties were found, mainly for -digging assembly trenches in connection with the operations which were -planning for May 9th; later on in the period work was concentrated -on Dead Dog Alley. The men wrote shoals of letters, rather to the -disgust of the officers whose duty it was to censor them. Many of these -epistles were conspicuous more for vivid imagination than for strict -adherence to truth. A little cricket was played, bathing in the ponds -of the neighbourhood was indulged in, and several company concerts were -held. A few officers and N.C.O’s were able to visit Armentières, then -a very pleasant town, in spite of its nearness to the front line. The -enemy caused very little trouble; five shells daily into Fleurbaix was -his standard “hate.” - -Few events of importance marked this period of the Battalion’s -apprenticeship. Its first tour in the line only lasted three days, and -it was relieved on April 29th by the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s -Regt. C Company was stationed at Croix Blanche and, shortly before -midnight on April 30th, it was suddenly alarmed and ordered up to -support the battalion in the line. The company fell in with the -greatest alacrity, some without caps or jackets, but all with rifles -and equipment. Down the road they went at the double, No. 9 Platoon -leading. Occasional enemy shells were falling in the fields and a -British battery of 4.7’s was firing vigorously. Some way down the Rue -des Bassières machine gun bullets began to sweep the road, and the men -were ordered to get into the ditch. At this point Sec.-Lieut. W. C. -Fenton was hit in the knee and had to be carried to the Aid Post; he -was thus the first officer in the Battalion to be wounded. The company -remained in the ditch for some time and then received orders to return -to billets. It had been nothing but a false alarm. - -Meanwhile, the big attack on the Aubers Ridge was preparing. This -operation was based on the experience gained in the recent fighting -about Neuve Chapelle, and it was commonly believed in the Battalion -that the 49th Division had been sent out from England in April -specially to take part. Another rumour current about this time was that -the G.O.C’s of the 49th and 50th Divisions had tossed up to decide -which of them should go to Ypres, and which to Fleurbaix. It is not -recorded who won. Originally the attack had been fixed for April 22nd. -But when the enemy made his gas attack on the Ypres Salient, some of -the troops, who had been detailed for the battle, had to be sent north -to relieve the Canadians. So the battle was put off until May 9th. No -attack was planned on the sector held by the 147th Infantry Brigade, -but as the 8th Division was going over on its immediate right it was -very probable that the 49th Division would become involved. Actually, -the part taken by the Battalion was a very minor one; but the event is -of importance as being the first occasion on which the men were engaged -in operations on a large scale. - -In the normal course of events the Battalion should have relieved the -6th Battalion in the front line on May 8th. But these orders were -cancelled and, instead, the men found themselves in reserve for the -attack. Their role was as follows:-- - - 1. With the exception of A Company, which was placed under the - orders of the O.C. No. 3 Section, the Battalion was to assemble - in slits in the ground, near Croix Blanche, on the evening of - May 8th. - - 2. If the attack of the Kensingtons on the extreme left proved - successful, the Battalion was to dig a trench across No Man’s - Land to connect up the old British front line with the old - German front line. - - 3. Later, if Fromelles were captured, a company was to be sent - forward to hold a line to the north-east of that village. - -On the evening of May 8th the Battalion marched up to its assembly -positions. Every man was in full marching order and carried an extra -bandolier of ammunition and the usual miscellaneous assortment of -sandbags, extra rations, etc. On arrival, all set to work to improve -their accommodation. Battalion H.Q. occupied Croix Blanche Farm, from -which building a good view of part of the battle area was obtained -the following day. At 5-30 a.m. on May 9th, the British Artillery -opened fire, and, to the inexperienced soldiers of the Battalion, the -bombardment appeared to be terrific. “The bombardment was a fine sight -and (it was) difficult to realise that anyone could be alive after it -in that particular zone,” says the Battalion’s War Diary. Actually, -it was very thin, but none of the men had any conception at that time -of what massed artillery can do. The German reply was slight, and was -entirely confined to counter-battery work on that part of the front. -In their ignorance, some put this down to the enemy’s scarcity of -ammunition. This mistaken idea that the enemy was short of shells was -not uncommon then. For a long time nothing was learned of the progress -of the attack. At length wounded began to arrive, and rumours to -spread. Some of these latter were only too true. The attack had failed. -It is unnecessary to tell the details of that day as the Battalion -never became engaged. It is sufficient to say that British infantry, -who lacked nothing in gallantry but had little artillery support, were -ineffective in the face of countless German machine guns. - -The Battalion remained at its battle stations all day, without -receiving any orders. Very few shells fell near its positions and its -only casualty was caused by a premature from one of the British guns. -There was little for the men to do. Some of them spent their time -making tea, which they served out to the wounded who were dribbling -down the road in large numbers. Few prisoners were seen. The British -artillery continued firing most of the time, but the attack was really -at an end, on that part of the front, quite early in the day. - -In the evening orders came to carry out the relief which had been -postponed the previous night. This proved by far the most uncomfortable -part of the day’s proceedings. Though everything was quiet both at -Croix Blanche and in the front line trenches, the route between was -being fairly heavily shelled, and was swept by machine gun fire. It -was the Battalion’s first experience of heavy fire in the open and it -was not enjoyed, particularly when a hitch in the operation caused a -somewhat prolonged halt, and three companies were strung out along -the road without any cover. But luckily, and much to the surprise of -everyone, the relief was carried out without a single casualty to the -Battalion. This was the first and only time that a relief was carried -out by night in the Fleurbaix Sector. - -Though the battle continued, on and off, for many days further to -the south, the Battalion was not again seriously affected by it. -Occasionally it received rather more than the usual attention from the -enemy’s artillery, particularly on May 10th, when a large hole was -blown in C Company’s parapet. It was then that Capt. E. E. Sykes had -his first chance of showing that absolute fearlessness and supreme -contempt for danger which later became a by-word in the Battalion. In -full view of the extremely accurate enemy snipers, who shot two of the -men who were helping him, he built up a rough barricade which served -until darkness allowed the breech to be properly repaired. - -Towards the end of May the Battalion played a small part in a minor -operation on the 148th Infantry Brigade Sector. There a new front -line trench was in course of construction in No Man’s Land by the 4th -Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. They worked on it by -night, and withdrew by day. One night, on arriving to occupy it, they -found the Germans in possession. To assist in ejecting them, Lieut. E. -Lee, with part of the Battalion Machine Gun Section, was sent up. They -did not go into action, for the men of the 148th Infantry Brigade were -able to regain the trench without assistance, but a few casualties were -suffered by the party from enemy fire. - -On May 24th, the Battalion suffered a serious loss. Lieut.-Col. H. S. -Atkinson, T.D., who had trained the Battalion in England and brought -it out to France, was invalided home. It was a great misfortune and -none felt it more than he. His health had been bad for three years, -following on a serious operation, but he had stuck very gamely to his -work in England, and hoped to be able to see the war through with the -Battalion. Had he undergone a proper army medical examination, he -would never have been allowed to leave England; but by keeping out of -the way of the doctors he had succeeded in getting to France. Major -E. P. Chambers assumed command of the Battalion, with the rank of -Lieut.-Colonel. - -By the beginning of June, the Battalion had pretty well settled down -in its new life. Perhaps the men did not look quite so smart as in -Doncaster days, but they had become far more efficient soldiers. Trench -routine was no longer a hidden mystery, and enemy bullets had ceased -to be novelties. The Battalion had had to pay for its education. Much -discomfort was suffered before the men learned to fend for themselves; -much work had proved useless owing to the inexperience of the workers. -The toll of life had not been heavy, but the graves near Croix Blanche -still bear their testimony to the early work of the Battalion in France. - -Early in June the Battalion suffered its third officer casualty. Capt. -A. L. Mowat, of D Company, was shot in the head while assisting in the -construction of a sandbag shelter. - -The night before the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo great -preparations were made to annoy the enemy. When the sun rose the -following morning, it shone on a parapet gay with the flags of -Britain, France, Belgium, Russia and Italy. But the result was most -disappointing; the Germans did not show the least signs of annoyance. -Perhaps they remembered their own part in that battle exactly a -century before. So a stuffed dummy was placed on the parapet, and that -certainly did tempt their marksmen, who riddled it with bullets. But -they ceased fire when the dummy was decorated with an iron cross. - -On the night of June 25/26th, the Battalion said good-bye to Fleurbaix -and moved to Doulieu. Thence it marched, by easy stages, halting a day -or two here and there, to a wood near St. Jans ter Biezen, which was -reached about 1-0 a.m. on July 1st. - -The Battalion’s period of apprenticeship was over, and it was about to -learn what real war was in the very worst part of the British line--the -Ypres Salient. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - YPRES, 1915. - - - (_a_) July to October. - -The Battalion was now in the VI. Corps of the Second Army. Several -days were spent in the wood near St. Jans ter Biezen and the men never -had any cover there, but, fortunately, it was early July and the -nights were not cold. No one was allowed outside the wood in daylight -except on duty. Some training was carried out, particularly bombing, -instruction in which was pushed on as fast as possible; occasionally -short route marches were made in the failing light and cool of the -evening. But more time was occupied in the inspection of gas helmets -than in anything else. Three inspections of these were held daily, -by the platoon commander, company commander, and battalion commander -respectively; it can easily be imagined how long a time it took the -Commanding Officer personally to inspect the helmets of a strong -battalion. On July 2nd, the Battalion was inspected by General Sir H. -Plumer, who had formerly been G.O.C. Northern Command, and was now -commanding the Second Army. The 49th was the first Territorial Division -to be detailed for a long spell in the Ypres Salient, and this probably -increased General Plumer’s interest in it, in addition to the fact -that much of its training in England had been carried out under his -supervision. Whether there is any truth in the rumour or not, it was -always an article of faith in the Battalion that Plumer had a “soft -spot in his heart” for the 49th Division. The next day it was again -reviewed, this time by Lieut.-General Sir J. Keir, G.O.C. VI. Corps. - -The Ypres Salient bore a very evil reputation--not without cause. -Reconnaissance of the forward area began soon after the Battalion’s -arrival at St. Jans ter Biezen, and it was at once obvious that -Ypres was a very different proposition from Fleurbaix. The earliest -experience of A Company is worth quoting as an indication of what was -to be expected. One day Capt. M. P. Andrews, at that time commanding A -Company, spent a day in the line with the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin -Fusiliers. There he made the acquaintance of three officers of the -company which he was soon to relieve. Thirty-six hours later one of -his subalterns visited the same company, only to find that, during the -short intervening period, all the three had become casualties--one -was dead, a second had been lost on patrol, while the third had been -evacuated wounded. This was indeed a rude awakening after the quiet -life at Fleurbaix. - -At scarcely any period of the war could the neighbourhood of Ypres -be called quiet. In the autumn of 1915 the British held only a small -bridge-head to the east of the Ypres-Commines Canal. Frequent attempts -were made to extend this, and the enemy was just as anxious to drive -the British out of the salient altogether. When the Battalion arrived -in the area things had barely settled down after the Second Battle -of Ypres, in which the enemy had won for himself all the commanding -ridges, except Mont Kemmel. Since then minor operations had kept the -front lively. One of these took place near Boesinghe only two days -before the 49th Division took over the line, and the 148th Infantry -Brigade in particular came in for a good share of the “liveliness” -which followed it. - -On July 7th, the Battalion moved to Canada Wood, near Elverdinghe, -where one night was spent. The next evening it relieved the 2nd -Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the Lancashire Farm Sector. In -spite of the narrowness of many of the trenches, the relief passed off -very quickly. As the Battalion filed in the Dublins filed out, only too -glad to hand over their charge to someone else. - -The 49th Division now held the extreme left sector of the British line. -Its left rested on the Ypres-Commines Canal near Boesinghe, abutting on -the French, whose line however was west of the canal. The 6th Division -was on the right. The dominating feature of the sector was the Pilkem -Ridge; this was entirely in the hands of the enemy, who thus possessed -every advantage of high command and superior observation. This sector -the 49th Division was destined to hold until the end of December--six -months of continuous trench duty in the very worst part of the British -line. Reliefs were so arranged that two brigades held the line while -the third was back in rest. Thus the Battalion found itself in several -different sub-sectors during its stay in the Ypres Salient. On every -sector the defence scheme was simplicity itself--the front line was to -be held at all costs; not an inch of ground was to be lost. - -During the first tour in the Lancashire Farm Sector A and D Companies -held the front line, B Company was in support, and C Company in -reserve. One of the main features of the sub-sector, and indeed of the -whole divisional front, was the confusing network of old and disused -trenches. Many of these had been hastily dug in the heat of battle and -afterwards abandoned when they were found to be badly sited. Some, -however, were gradually being incorporated in the regular system. The -original notes on the sector, which were handed over by the Commanding -Officer of the Dublins, have been preserved; their outstanding feature -is the continual reference to “work to be done.” He was right. Never -did the Battalion find itself harder worked than during the next few -months. - -The tour was a very anxious one. Away on the left the 148th Infantry -Brigade was having a very rough time of it, the enemy making frequent -counter-attacks to recover the ground which he had lost a few days -before. Not knowing when the enemy’s attention might be turned further -south, the Battalion had to be very much on the alert. No one slept -at night, and two officers per company were always on duty during the -day. The men in the front line trenches were fully occupied with sentry -duties and working parties, and it was deemed inadvisable for any of -them to go away from their positions. Thus, all carrying fell on the -reserve company, which had a very hard time of it. Trolley lines were -not yet in use, and all rations and R.E. material had to be carried -right up to the line from the Canal Bank--a distance of well over a -mile. But all ranks worked magnificently. - -“This is a very noisy place after Fleurbaix” is the War Diary’s -comment on the day the line was taken over. It was! Though nothing -extraordinary for the Ypres Salient, the enemy artillery activity was -a great increase on anything the Battalion had experienced before. -Lacrimatory shells were much in evidence and these were, at that time, -rather an unknown quantity. The front line, at one spot, was only -about seventy yards from the enemy, but this did not procure for it -any immunity from shelling. There, too, the Battalion received its -first introduction to trench mortars, and it had nothing effective -to retaliate with. Machine gun and rifle fire were also severe. As -at Fleurbaix, there were many very accurate snipers among the enemy, -and these were always on the look-out for targets. So, from one cause -or another, the Battalion suffered a number of casualties before its -five days’ tour was over. The most important of these were Lieut. E. -Lee and C.S.M. A. Parkin of B Company. The former was shot through the -head while instructing some of his men of the Machine Gun Section how -to repair a weak spot in the parapet. He was the first officer of the -Battalion to be killed, and his loss was very deeply felt by all who -knew what a fine, keen and enthusiastic fellow he was. C.S.M. Parkin -had an arm blown off by an enemy shell. - -On July 13th, the Battalion was relieved by the 5th Battalion Duke -of Wellington’s Regiment, and went into Brigade Reserve on the Canal -Bank. During the relief part of the area was heavily bombarded with -lacrimatory shells. This considerably interfered with the operation, -for the teaching at the time was that men should always remain as still -as possible when any form of gas was about. Such action was certainly -advisable when no better protection than the P. helmet was available, -for it was so stuffy that any movement became a torture to the wearer. -However, it proved an effective protection against the lacrimatory -shells of the period. About this time Major-General T. S. Baldock, -C.B., was wounded by shrapnel at Divisional H.Q. Major-General E. M. -Perceval, C.B., succeeded to the command of the 49th Division. - - [Illustration: Capt. M. P. ANDREWS. - - (Killed).] - - [Illustration: Capt. E. E. SYKES, M.C. - - (Killed).] - - [Illustration: Capt. W. F. DENNING.] - - [Illustration: Capt. T. D. PRATT.] - -During its stay in the Ypres Salient, the Battalion occupied more -than one position on the banks of the Ypres-Commines Canal. All -were much alike. Officers and men were accommodated in shelters built -into the sunken banks. Things were not always any too quiet. The -enemy knew perfectly well that considerable numbers of troops lived -there, and naturally selected the canal as one of his barrage lines. -As a result, strict orders against loitering near certain points were -issued, much to the disappointment of some enthusiastic fishermen in -the Battalion. The outstanding feature of this, and all other periods -of Brigade Reserve--indeed, of every day of the latter months of -1915--was WORK. During the day men ate and slept. At night there was -no rest for officer or man. Many were employed on the construction -of communication trenches, sometimes only just in rear of the front -line. Great efforts were made to get the trench railways into going -order and, when this work was completed, the resting battalions had -to do a great deal of truck-pushing along them. One of the main -difficulties to be contended with was water. Even in July there was -a good deal of rain; it had rained while the Battalion was relieving -the Dublins--surely an indication of what the future held. Water lay -so near the surface that much digging was useless, and all work had to -be built up and revetted. Looked at in the light of later experience, -it seems a pity that no drainage scheme was instituted at the very -beginning. It was obvious that, as soon as the autumn rains began, the -trenches must become water-logged. Yet nothing was done. Perhaps the -higher authorities still hoped that an advance would be made ere the -wet weather came. Working parties were not free from danger. There was -little artillery fire at night, but machine guns were very active, and -rifle batteries frequently played on obvious places like the trench -tramways. Slowly, but steadily, the Battalion’s total of casualties -mounted up. Yet, in spite of all, the men worked magnificently. They -possessed almost boundless enthusiasm, and were now reaping the benefit -of their training near Fleurbaix. Without exception, officers who -served with them during this early period show the greatest enthusiasm -when they speak of the splendid spirit of the Battalion. The private -soldier, of course, had the hardest time of all; but his officers were -little better off. In order to obtain continuity of work a Brigade -Field Officer of the week was appointed from one of the battalions in -reserve, his duty being to supervise all work. The job was no sinecure. -He was as hard-worked as any honest, though grousing, private. And some -people called these spells in Brigade Reserve “rest” periods! - -After five days on the Canal Bank, the Battalion did a second tour in -the Lancashire Farm Sector. Fears that the enemy was about to make -an attack on the French postponed the relief for a few hours, but -eventually it passed off smoothly. The only event of any interest -during this tour was a gas alarm practice. Shell cases and klaxon -horns had been plentifully distributed about the line, and one day a -highly successful, full-dress rehearsal was held by all companies. -It evidently puzzled the enemy, for he put down a protective barrage -along the canal. It also puzzled Battalion H.Q., which no one had -thought of warning, and numerous terse, though hardly polite, “chits” -circulated in consequence. It is worth while to note here that the -highly-organised system of reports, which in later days was a perpetual -worry to luckless company commanders and adjutants, had not yet -developed. If a company commander wanted to send out a patrol he simply -sent one; he never dreamed of informing Battalion H.Q., much less of -asking its permission or submitting a report after the event. - -On July 24th, the Battalion moved back to the woods near Oosthoek for -its first spell in Divisional Reserve. This can hardly be called a -“rest” period, except that baths and clean clothing were available. A -little training was attempted, but it was seriously interfered with -by the large working parties which had to be found. Some of these -were employed in the forward area, moving up and returning daily by -motor bus. Others were set to work to convert Trois Tours into a -defended locality. The men worked well, but perhaps without quite their -earlier enthusiasm. The novelty of active service had worn off. They -never properly understood the necessity for all their work. Labour -companies and coloured units were then unknown; everything fell upon -the hard-worked infantrymen. The following official communication, -circulated by 49th Division “G” to Brigades about this time, shows -a certain appreciation of the situation on the part of the higher -authorities:-- - - “If all the troops with all the tools - Should dig for half a year, - Do you suppose,” our Captain asked, - “That then we should be clear?” - “I doubt it,” said the Adjutant, - Knowing the Brigadier. - -It is not often that the General Staff stoops to such frivolity in -the transaction of business. But let no mistake be made. The hard -conditions under which the men lived were not the fault of dear old -General Brereton. - -The Battalion returned to the Lancashire Farm Sector on July 30th. -Apart from considerable activity on the part of enemy trench mortars, -and a good deal of sniping, the tour which followed was an uneventful -one. A little patrolling was done, but nothing more important than -a dead Frenchman and a few rats was discovered. Further over to the -right, however, there was considerable activity. It was during this -tour that the Hooge mine went up, and the 14th Division was attacked -with flammenwerfer. - -To regain the ground thus lost to the enemy, the 6th Division was -brought up. They attacked early on the morning of August 9th and -carried all their objectives, but suffered heavy casualties in doing -so. The 49th Division co-operated in this attack, though only in a -passive way. Gaps were cleared in the wire, dummy bridges were laid -over the canal, and artillery fired at intervals on the enemy front -line, in an endeavour to distract the attention of the Germans from -the real objective. The Battalion took no part in these activities, -being in reserve on the Canal Bank at the time; but it suffered some -casualties from the enemy barrage. Later in the day, Battalion H.Q. -and B and C Companies were ordered up at short notice to relieve a -corresponding portion of the 7th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. -who were suffering from a sudden outbreak of ptomaine poisoning, which -was so severe that about a hundred of them were sent to hospital. Two -days later the other two companies of the 7th Battalion were also -relieved. - -The sector now occupied by the Battalion was called the Glimpse -Cottage Sector, and was held with three companies in the front line -and one in support. Two months later it was to be the scene of the -Battalion’s first serious encounter with the enemy, and so a detailed -description of it is held over until then. But the tour in August -was also a very active one, and during it the Battalion suffered two -serious losses. The first was R.S.M. J. McCormack, who was killed on -August 12th. The second was even more serious, and is especially worthy -of attention as a conspicuous example of gallantry and self-sacrifice. - -Late in the afternoon of August 14th, a dugout in A Company’s line was -blown in and a number of men were buried amid the wreckage. Capt. M. P. -Andrews immediately hurried to the spot and, under heavy artillery and -rifle fire, succeeded in extricating the men. Three were found to be -dead and three wounded, one so seriously that, unless he could receive -proper attention at once, there was little hope of his recovery. The -trenches were too narrow for the wounded man to be carried along them -on a stretcher. There was nothing for it but to carry him across the -open. Capt. Andrews did not hesitate. Getting out on the top himself, -he assisted to raise the wounded man, and then set out across the open -with the stretcher party. He paid for his devotion with his life. The -ground was swept by bullets and, before the party could reach the -shelter of a communication trench, he was hit in the head and died -almost at once. So perished one of the most gallant gentlemen and -conscientious officers who ever served with the Battalion. Word of -what had happened was despatched at once to Battalion H.Q., while the -stretcher-bearers, true to their duty, remained in the open, trying -in vain to stop the flow of blood. Lieut. B. Hughes, R.A.M.C., then -Medical Officer to the Battalion, at once hurried up the line. But he -was too late. Capt. Andrews was already dead. The event cast a gloom, -not only over A Company, but over the whole Battalion. - -About this time the Battalion transport was having a very rough -passage, and they too soon recognised the difference between Ypres and -Fleurbaix. Almost nightly, heavy shelling of the roads used by the -ration convoys caused much inconvenience and some loss. On August -14th, in particular, two horses were hit and, for a time, the column -was much disorganised. Cpl. E. Ashworth was in charge and, by his own -gallantry and coolness under fire, he restored order and confidence, -and was able to deliver his charge. For this he was afterwards awarded -the Distinguished Conduct Medal. - -When next the Battalion went into Brigade Reserve it occupied a number -of farms north-east of Brielen. Though not so safe as the shelters on -the Canal Bank, these farms were more comfortable, and they did not -suffer so much from enemy artillery fire. Work continued as before, a -new feature being the erection of “elephant” frames in the Battalion’s -new billets. - -The next two tours in the front line were spent on the extreme left -sector--a part of the line which the Battalion was to know only too -well in later days, and to which the minds of most “old timers” turn -when Ypres in 1915 is mentioned. It bore an ominous reputation. The -trenches lay at the north of the Ypres bridge-head, where it flattened -out to join the canal. On the extreme left a tiny sap ran out to a -point only fifteen yards from the nearest enemy post. Nowhere was -No Man’s Land more than sixty yards across. There was very little -shelling of the front line by either side; the trenches were much too -near together for this to be carried on without serious danger of -injuring one’s own men; but the enemy used many trench mortars, some -of which were of the real “minnie” type. There was also an enormous -amount of bombing on both sides, for grenades could easily be lobbed -from one front line to the other in several places. The trenches were -very confusing--a result of the July attack which had taken place just -before the 49th Division moved into the line near Ypres--and so narrow -that in places a stout man could easily stick fast. Everywhere they -were dominated by the enemy’s positions. - -The French were on the Battalion’s left, but their line was on the west -side of the canal and thus they were comparatively secure from sudden -attack. They proved themselves very helpful and sympathetic neighbours. -When they saw that the Battalion was having a bad time from enemy -trench mortars they were always only too ready to help. They did not -wait to be asked; they simply cleared all their men, save a skeleton -garrison, into deep dugouts or the British support line, and then -opened fire on the enemy with every type of infernal engine they had -available. It always amused them to see the enemy turn his wrath from -the British and start pounding their deserted lines. They were, at this -time, much better supplied with trench mortars than the British, not to -speak of their 75’s. - -After two tours in this sector the Battalion went back for its second -spell in Divisional Reserve. Casualties had been a good deal heavier -than the Battalion had experienced previously, but the men had stuck -to their work splendidly, and many instances of gallantry and devotion -to duty brighten the otherwise sordid picture. The little sap on the -extreme left was the main centre of activity and there trench-mortaring -and bombing were almost continuous. It was constantly being damaged, -and as frequently repaired; on one occasion a heavy trench mortar -dropped right into it, causing six casualties. How near it was to the -Germans is shown by the fact that, on August 26th, they were able to -throw the following message from their lines into it:-- - - “Dear Tommy,--Brest Litovsk fallen to-day. Rippelin, Lieut.” - -An hour or two after the arrival of this message loud cheering was -heard in the enemy lines, presumably rejoicing at the news. During this -tour Sec.-Lieut. W. L. Anderton was shot through the head and died -almost immediately. - -On August 26th, the Battalion moved back to the woods near -Coppernollehoek for twelve days’ rest. A little more training was -done this time, but large working parties were still the order of the -day. Endeavours were made to smarten up the men; among other things -the cleaning of buttons was instituted for the first time since the -Battalion had left England. A somewhat novel duty was the rounding up -of spies in the neighbourhood of Proven; this was entrusted to Capt. -E. E. Sykes, with a party of forty-five other ranks. He was away for -thirty-six hours, but no record has been preserved of what success, -if any, he had. While near Coppernollehoek the Battalion was again -inspected by General Plumer, who was accompanied by the Earl of -Scarborough and Brigadier-General Mends. Probably the G.O.C., Second -Army, noticed a change in the men whom he had reviewed about two -months before; they were no longer light-hearted and cheery novices, -but fully-blooded and hard-bitten veterans. A short time in the Ypres -Salient had worked wonders. A sad loss to the Battalion about this time -was Sergt. D. H. Fenton, who was accidentally killed by a bomb on the -very day his commission was announced. - -When the Battalion again returned to the line it took over the Turco -Farm Sector, on the extreme right, abutting on the 6th Division. This -was the best and quietest sector on the divisional front. In places -No Man’s Land was several hundreds of yards across. Of course there -was plenty of work to be done, but the trenches were, on the whole, -good. After a quiet tour the Battalion came out to a new position on -the Canal Bank. Here there was little shelling and the opportunity was -seized to hold some swimming sports; D Company won the inter-company -team race. During this period in Brigade Reserve, Lieut.-Colonel E. -J. Pickering, formerly Brigade Major of the 148th Infantry Brigade, -arrived to take command of the Battalion. - -On September 21st, the Battalion returned to the Turco Farm Sector. -The tour which followed is chiefly noteworthy for the events of -September 25th--the day on which the battle of Loos began. No very -serious operation was planned for the Ypres front, but a demonstration -was arranged in the hope of distracting the enemy’s attention and -drawing his reserves northwards. The 6th Division was to attack on -the right and capture Bellewaarde Farm and Lake. At the same time the -British artillery was to cut gaps in the German wire opposite the 4th -Battalion, while a smoke screen was to be put up on both its flanks. -It was hoped that this demonstration would cause the enemy to evacuate -his front line, in which case the Battalion was to advance and seize -the unoccupied trenches. At 4-30 a.m. the bombardment and smoke screen -began. The enemy retaliation was quick and heavy. Shells rained down -on the front line and the communication trenches; machine gun and -rifle fire swept the ground. It was soon obvious that the Germans had -no intention of evacuating any part of their trenches, and so no -advance was attempted on the front of the 49th Division. By 7-30 a.m. -the artillery fire on both sides had practically ceased. So far as the -Battalion was concerned, the only results of the day were a number of -casualties and much damage to the lines from the enemy bombardment. - -The last days of September were spent at Elverdinghe, where Battalion -H.Q. occupied the Chateau and officers and men were accommodated in -tents in the grounds. Early in October a move was made to a camp by -the Poperinghe-Woesten Road, where another period, very similar to the -previous ones, was spent in Divisional Reserve. The Battalion had now -been about three months in the Ypres Salient. During that time, in -addition to the normal wastage through sickness, 120 casualties had -been incurred in action. But far worse was in store. Before, however, -entering on an account of the events of October 16th, and of the -terrible wet months which culminated in the gas attack of December -19th, there are one or two points which deserve fuller treatment than -they have yet received. - -The high proficiency of the enemy in sniping has already been -mentioned on more than one occasion. Gradually the Battalion came -to realise that the most effective way of dealing with this form of -annoyance was to adopt similar tactics. Luckily, the very man was to -hand--Sergt. A. McNulty. A combination of all the qualities needed -by a first-class sniper is rarely to be found in one individual; but -this N.C.O. possessed them all to an exceptional degree. A magnificent -rifle shot and a first-class observer, he had the patience of a Job, -and was also an exceptionally good instructor. Before long there was -little that he did not know about marksmanship, telescopic sights, -the building of snipers’ posts, and observation. He constructed his -own posts and waited in them patiently, hour after hour, for suitable -targets. How many Germans he had to his credit, no one ever knew; -it is more than doubtful whether he knew himself. But certain it is -that the enemy had good reason to curse that Winchester of his, and -he did much to counteract the hostile sniping which was menacing the -Battalion so much. For a time he was taken away to be an instructor at -the newly-formed Divisional Technical School, where his energies were -not restricted to sniping. Among other things, he was one of the very -few men who mastered the intricacies of that awful invention--the West -Spring Gun. The Battalion had much to thank Sergt. McNulty for and, -later in the war, when he went to America as an instructor--how the -Americans ever understood his accent was beyond the Battalion--he was -greatly missed. - -Another feature of the period was the appearance of trench mortars. -Almost from the very beginning of trench warfare the Germans had made -use of these weapons and, so effective did they prove, that the British -soon tried to imitate them. Their first attempts were very crude. -The earliest trench mortars to appear in the line had, apparently, -been dragged from the obscurity of some museum, and, needless to say, -were not to be compared with the “minnie.” The two-inch trench mortar -followed, firing its weird, round cannon-ball--affectionately known as -a “plum-pudding”--on the end of a rod. Stokes guns were unknown at that -early period. - - - (_b_) October 16th. - -On October 14th, the Battalion relieved the 1/5th Battalion West -Yorkshire Regiment in the Glimpse Cottage Sector, C Company going in -on the right, A Company in the centre, and D Company on the left; B -Company was in support. The main feature of the sector was a sharp -salient in the enemy line, opposite the centre company front. From this -salient an old communication trench--a relic of the days when both -front lines had been part of the same system--crossed No Man’s Land to -the British line. Both sides had established bombing blocks in this -trench, and the locality was the main centre of activity on the front. -Owing to folds in the ground, it was impossible to cover the sap-head -by rifle fire; but machine guns fired into the dead ground and some -two-inch trench mortars, in emplacements near by, helped to protect it. -The sap-head itself was held by a squad of battalion bombers. It often -received attention from enemy trench mortars. - -The story goes that, a few days before the Battalion took over the -sector, the enemy had started shelling the sap-head and the adjacent -front line, and most of the garrison had withdrawn into the supervision -trench, which ran about thirty yards in rear. Only a weak party had -been left in the sap. The bombardment had been followed by a small -daylight raid to secure a notice-board which had been hung out to -announce some allied success. Whether there was any truth in the story -cannot now be said. - -The first two days of the tour were comparatively quiet. About 1-30 -p.m. on October 16th, the enemy opened an intense artillery and trench -mortar bombardment on the greater part of the Battalion area. It was -soon apparent that something unusual was happening. Trench mortars -were raining down near the sap-head, 5.9’s were whistling overhead and -bursting in the supervision trench, shrapnel and high explosive were -falling on practically the whole area, as far back as Battalion H.Q. -Stand to was ordered at once. Two platoons of B Company were moved up -into close support, and were employed carrying up bombs and ammunition. -The garrison of the sap, on which point it was obvious that much of the -enemy’s attention was directed, was reinforced. The men crouched down -under their parapets--strict orders had been issued that there was to -be no firing until the word was given--and waited for the enemy’s next -move. - -The situation was not a pleasant one. It is true that the majority -of the shells were bursting behind the front line, but there were -sufficient “shorts” to make things very uncomfortable. The wire was -torn to shreds, parapets were breached, and many casualties were -suffered, particularly by the two flank companies. It was the first -time that the Battalion had had to stand a really heavy bombardment in -the front line, and they came through it splendidly. For three hours -they waited, while the shells crashed around them, longing for the -moment when the enemy would appear and they would have the chance to -“get a bit of their own back.” About 4-30 p.m. their opportunity came. -A party of Germans, clad in fatigue dress, emerged from the trenches -opposite and began calmly to cut a passage through their own wire, near -the sap-head. This was too much for A Company. Perhaps it would have -been better had fire been withheld a little longer, until an actual -attack came. But no one thought of that at the time. Tired of his long -inactivity under heavy shelling, every man was at once on the fire step -working his bolt for all he was worth. Shells were still bursting all -around, but none paid attention to them. There was the enemy in the -open; nothing else mattered. And the wire-cutting part of the operation -came to an abrupt conclusion. - -By this time, the sap-head had been blown in by a well-directed shell. -But the garrison, with whom the indefatigable company commander, Major -R. E. Sugden, spent most of his time that day, simply extricated -themselves from the debris and set to work to construct a fresh -bombing block. Shortly after, the enemy made his next move. A party of -Germans, about twenty in number, wearing bombing aprons filled with -stick grenades, crawled up in the folds of the ground and began to bomb -the sap-head. A brisk encounter ensued. Most of the German grenades -fell short and the British proved that they could easily out-throw -the enemy. With the assistance of a Maxim gun the attack was driven -off with comparative ease, as were two further attacks of a similar -character. About the time that the third was made, another party of the -enemy was seen moving along a hedge row in the direction of the British -line. Fortunately this move was detected early by the crew of a machine -gun, which soon drove them to cover. All this time the bombardment -continued. - -About 6-0 p.m. the enemy apparently saw that success was impossible, -and gradually the shelling died down. The Battalion was then able to -review the situation and to count its casualties. These latter were -heavy enough. Sec.-Lieut. E. Taylor, C.S.M. V. S. Tolley and twelve -other ranks were killed, or died shortly after of wounds; Lieut. E. -N. Marshall, Sec.-Lieut. F. A. Innes and twenty-two other ranks were -wounded. Much damage had been done to the sap-head and to other parts -of the line. The night which followed passed quietly, but there was -much work to be done. To assist in this the 5th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. sent up a large working party, and also provided a -number of stretcher-bearers to remove the wounded and the dead. - -Compared with many later events in the history of the Battalion, -this episode is of very minor importance. But, at the time, its -importance loomed large in the eyes of all. It was the Battalion’s -first real fight. After several months of passive warfare, the men -had at length come face to face with the enemy in active operations. -Nothing is harder than to maintain one’s morale when inactive under -a heavy bombardment. But this the men had succeeded in doing. Three -hours of intense shelling had only served to make them the more eager -when their chance came. All ranks came through the ordeal with the -greatest credit, and the hearty congratulations which were received -from Brigade and Division were thoroughly deserved. For their gallant -services on this occasion Sec.-Lieut. F. A. Innes--it was his first -trench tour as he had only recently joined the Battalion--received the -Military Cross, and Lance-Cpl. T. H. Clarke and Cpl. C. Landale were -both awarded Distinguished Conduct Medals. Lance-Cpl. Clarke had been -the N.C.O. in charge of the bombers in the sap-head, and had behaved -with the greatest gallantry throughout the day. Cpl. C. Landale had -worked untiringly on the telephone wires during the bombardment, and -it was mainly due to him that communication between the front line and -Battalion H.Q. was scarcely ever interrupted. - -The object of the enemy in making this attack was never understood. -Perhaps he expected the intensity of his bombardment would induce the -Battalion to vacate its front line, and he would be able to occupy it -with comparative ease. If the story of his daylight raid, a few days -before, had any truth in it, he knew that the front line had been -practically evacuated on that occasion, and may have expected similar -tactics again. Certainly his heaviest shelling fell on the supervision -trench. But, whatever his object, he found the Battalion alert and only -too ready to meet him. - -The next few days were very fully occupied in repairing the damage -done by the enemy’s shells. So well was this work carried out that, -at the end of the tour, the Battalion was able to hand over the line -in as good a condition as it had been before October 16th. On the -night of October 19/20th Lieut.-Col. E. J. Pickering was wounded. He -had gone up with Major Sugden to inspect the wire, which had been -put out by D Company. The enemy was only about 150 yards away at that -point and evidently saw the party. They opened fire and the Commanding -Officer was severely wounded in the right arm. He had only been with -the Battalion about a month, but during that time he had done a lot to -smarten it and he left a lasting impression on all ranks who served -under him. - - [Illustration: Lieut.-Col. C. J. PICKERING, C.M.G., D.S.O.] - - [Illustration: Lieut.-Col. G. K. SULLIVAN, O.B.E., M.C.] - -On October 21st, after a heavy trench-mortaring which destroyed several -dugouts, the Battalion was relieved by the 1/4th Battalion King’s Own -Yorkshire Light Infantry, and went back to the Canal Bank. - - - (_c_) The Wet Months. - -Towards the end of October His Majesty the King visited Abeele, and -there reviewed representatives of all the Divisions of the VI. Corps. -To this review the Battalion sent a contingent[6] of twenty-five other -ranks, under the command of Lieut. E. N. Marshall. Needless to say they -were a carefully picked body of men, and it is worthy of note that -the detachment from the 49th Division was specially commended by His -Majesty for its smart turn-out that day. - -At the end of the month the weather completely broke up and heavy rain -became normal. The Battalion was in comparative comfort on the Canal -Bank, but ominous reports soon began to come in from the units holding -the line. Bad as these reports were, they were mild compared with the -actual conditions under which the men were to exist for the next two -months. On October 30th the Battalion relieved the 7th Battalion Duke -of Wellington’s Regt. in the extreme left sector; and then began for it -such a period of hardship and misery as it has never since been called -upon to endure for so long a time. - -In one way the telling of this part of the Battalion’s history is -comparatively easy. During the earlier part of its stay in the Ypres -Salient it had seldom done more than two tours in the same sector. But -from the end of October, until it was finally relieved in December, -the Battalion held no sector of the line except the extreme left; -and, in every way, that sector was the worst on the divisional front. -Its proximity to the opposing trenches, and the commanding position -occupied by the Germans, have already been described. The trenches lay -very little above the water level of the Ypres-Commines Canal and, as -soon as the rains began, they naturally received much of the drainage -from the Pilkem Ridge. They were badly sited and badly constructed. -Consisting mainly of sandbag breast-works, they were the worst possible -type to inhabit in wet weather. They had been considered the worst on -the front during the fine weather; words cannot adequately describe -what they became early in November. - -When the Battalion took over the sector on October 30th the trenches -were already in an appalling condition. The front line was in places -more than two feet deep in semi-liquid mud, and parts of it were -entirely isolated from neighbouring posts, except by cross-country -routes; stretches of the communication trenches were waist deep in -water. And this was the result of only about two days of steady rain! -For the next two months the conditions gradually became worse and -worse; occasional short frosts gave a little temporary relief, but -the thaws which followed them only made the trenches more awful than -before. Thoroughly undermined by water, the revetments bulged and caved -in, literally before the eyes of the men. In a few days, hundreds of -yards of trenches had become nothing but cavities filled with mud and -water. The shelters of the sector had never been protection against -anything but bullets and the weather. They ceased to be even that now. -Water from the trenches overflowed into them and flooded the floors, -their supports were undermined, and one by one they collapsed, often -causing casualties to the men who occupied them, until scarcely a -habitable one remained near the front line. The enemy made full use of -his higher position. Pumping the water out of his own line, he allowed -it to flow across No Man’s Land into the British line. Often the water -was so deep in the trenches that thigh-boots became useless. Had there -been a well-planned system of drainage, something might have been done. -But it was only the coming of the rain that opened the eyes of the -authorities to the condition of the sector, and the drainage scheme -which was then started was never far enough advanced to be of much use -while the 49th Division was there. What was to be done with the water? -Most of it had to stop where it was. Occasionally it was possible to -divert a little of it elsewhere--in some cases, it is feared, into -other people’s lines. Only in one small trench on the extreme left -could it be turned back into the enemy lines, and, in order to effect -that desirable operation, the whole had to flow right along the British -front line first. - -The utter collapse, and consequent evacuation, of long stretches of the -line considerably altered the method of holding it. Many of the posts -were completely cut off from one another, except by movement across -the open. Such movement was extremely hazardous by day, for the enemy -snipers and machine gunners were only too ready to take advantage of -the many opportunities which the new state of affairs gave them. With -parapets sliding in and trenches filling, it was soon impossible for a -man to move about in daylight without exposing himself. By night there -was an additional danger. It required a man, with a very good sense of -direction, to move over that area of water-logged and derelict trenches -without losing his way. The case of Pte. T. Atkinson--the first -prisoner the enemy secured from the Battalion--was a good illustration -of this. In company with another man, he had successfully delivered -rations to an isolated front line post, but, on the way back, the two -disagreed about the direction of their own lines and separated, each -going his own way. The other man rejoined his platoon in safety; Pte. -Atkinson, apparently, walked straight across No Man’s Land into the -arms of the enemy. - -The greatest hardships were suffered by men who were wounded in the -front line. If a man had the misfortune to be hit early in the day he -could seldom be got away until after dark; often in great pain, and -always under the most miserable conditions, he would have to wait for -many hours before he could receive proper attention. Even when dusk -came his lot was a most unenviable one. The journey to the Canal Bank -often took two or three hours, and there was a good chance that he -might be hit again before he arrived at the Aid Post, for machine gun -fire swept the ground intermittently all night. - -One important result of the new conditions was a great increase in -patrolling. Now that large portions of the line were entirely deserted -and posts were isolated from one another, this was very necessary, for -at night the enemy could enter the trenches unseen almost as easily -as the British could leave them. Most of this patrolling was purely -defensive, but occasionally useful reconnaissances were made, one of -which will be described in detail later. There was little opportunity -for the men to show an offensive spirit. A little bombing was indulged -in, but soon the general policy became one of “live and let live.” Had -the enemy attempted an infantry advance the defence must have placed -its main reliance on the bayonet; in that waste of mud rifles could not -be kept properly clean, and few would have fired more than two or three -rounds rapid. - -Each company held a section of the front line, with two platoons -in front and two in support. Usually these platoons inter-relieved -every forty-eight hours, but towards the end of the time reliefs were -sometimes carried out every twenty-four hours. The Battalion spent four -days in the line and four in brigade reserve; these latter periods were -sometimes passed on the Canal Bank and sometimes in the farm houses -further back. While in brigade reserve every available man was kept -hard at work in the forward area either on the new drainage scheme, -or trying to clear some of the mud and water from the communication -trenches. Only twice during the wet weather did the 147th Infantry -Brigade have a spell in divisional reserve, and even then there was -not much comfort. The prevailing bad weather had its effect on the -back area camps and they were soon deep in mud. Much work was done to -improve them. Early in November a number of wattle and mud huts were -put up in place of some of the tents; some wooden huts were also in -course of erection. When the Battalion came back to the same camp at -the end of the month they found things more comfortable, for the work -had been continued and accommodation improved. But, at the best, it -was a poor form of rest for men who had just spent sixteen days in the -forward area, and were looking forward to another spell of the same -kind. - -Everything possible was done for the men’s comfort, but, at first, the -available supplies of suitable stores were quite inadequate. Until -the wet weather began, no one seems to have dreamed of the conditions -which would prevail during the winter. At the beginning of November -thigh-boots were almost non-existent, though, later, sufficient were -available to equip every man. However, the communication trenches -were so bad that frequently men lost their boots on the way up to the -line. It was no uncommon thing for a man to stick so fast in the mud -that he had to be dragged out by his companions, often leaving his -boots behind. He would then have to complete his journey in his socks; -sometimes he might find a spare pair of boots when he arrived in the -front line. Dry socks were always available for men in support, but -they could seldom be supplied to men in the front line. Foot grease was -provided and periodical foot-rubbing ordered; but how could the men -obey the order? Seldom could a man in the line find a dry spot to sit -down on while he removed his boots. The result was soon apparent in -the enormous number of trench feet which developed; during November, -1915, no less than 146 other ranks were sent to hospital for this cause -alone. Sheep-skin coats were provided and proved a great boon. There -was plenty of rum--more than during any subsequent winter. Every effort -was made to provide hot food and drink, but the difficulties of getting -it to the companies before it was cold were almost insuperable. Any -attempt to light a fire was bound to draw the attention of the hostile -artillery or trench mortars, and so only “Tommy’s Cookers” could be -used. - -Such were the conditions under which the Battalion held the line in -the November and December of 1915. For utter misery they have only -been equalled once--on the Passchendaele Ridge in December, 1917--and -then for a much shorter period. A man had a ghastly prospect in front -of him when his turn came to form part of a front line garrison for -forty-eight hours. For all that time he would be thoroughly soaked and -terribly cold; his boots would be full of water, he would stand in -water and mud; physical pain, mental weariness and bodily fatigue would -be his constant burden. The chances were that he would not complete his -tour of duty--that before his time was up he would succumb to the enemy -snipers, or be on his way to hospital, a physical wreck. One example is -sufficient to show what appalling casualties were suffered during this -period. About the beginning of December, an officer of the Battalion -took up twenty-four other ranks for a forty-eight hour tour of duty in -the front line. At the end of that time he brought out with him one -signaller and three other ranks. Every other man had become a casualty. - -But what of the spirit of the men of the Battalion during this time? -How did they bear their hardships? Many writers have paid tribute to -the gallantry of British troops in battle, but few have written of -the heroism of those who held the line under such conditions as the -4th Battalion did in the autumn of 1915. The soldier in battle has -excitement, and a good deal of exhilaration, to help him through; but -the Yorkshiremen who faced the enemy near Boesinghe in 1915 had neither -of these. Theirs was heroism of a far higher order--the heroism which, -with no excitement to buoy them up, can make men coolly and quietly -face horror and death in their worst forms. Such men as Kipling must -have been thinking of when he wrote, - - “If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew - To serve your turn long after they are gone, - And so hold on when there is nothing in you - Except the will which says to them ‘Hold on’.” - -They were MEN, were those of the 4th Battalion, who held the line -in 1915. Men of the quiet, tight-lipped and dogged type, who talked -little, though occasional flashes of humour brighten even this ghastly -picture, but simply obeyed orders without question and held on. Perhaps -their feelings can best be expressed by quoting the remark of one of -them, when on short leave from that hell. “Well, sir, we either have to -laugh or cry, and we prefer to laugh.” - -Few specific events of this period need be recorded. On November 9th -Lieut.-Col. G. K. Sullivan, formerly Adjutant of the 1/5th Batt. King’s -Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, assumed command of the Battalion. His -stay was a very brief one. Eleven days after his arrival he was wounded -by a shell splinter on the Canal Bank. As Major E. P. Chambers had -been sent to hospital with a sprained ankle the previous day, Major -R. E. Sugden assumed command of the Battalion until the arrival of -Lieut.-Col. E. G. St. Aubyn. The latter had been second in command of a -battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in the 14th Division. Though -always in weak health, he retained command of the Battalion for nearly -a year. He was a very quiet, but exceptionally competent, Commanding -Officer, who earned the respect of all, and the most sincere affection -of those who knew him best. - -On the night of December 11/12th, Sec.-Lieut. W. N. Everitt, with -Sergt. Kitchen, carried out an extremely daring and highly successful -patrol. The glow of a light had been noticed at a particular point in -the enemy line, and they made straight towards it. No Man’s Land was -not more than sixty yards across but it was no mean obstacle, owing to -its water-logged condition. The enemy wire was very thick and difficult -to negotiate but, after much trouble, the two found themselves at the -foot of the enemy parapet. Leaving his companion at the bottom, Everitt -carefully crawled up the parapet and looked into the enemy trench. He -found it to be deeper, better revetted and much drier than the British -trenches were. Slowly he moved along the parapet, examining the trench -at different points. At length he reached the place where the glow had -been observed and suddenly found himself looking into the corner of a -bay, almost exactly at the point where an enemy sentry was standing. As -he looked the German raised his rifle, and Everitt slid gently down the -parapet. He had not been observed, but the chance shot of the sentry -passed only just over his head. He had now seen all he could. The light -was explained; it came from a brazier which evidently warmed a shelter -hollowed out of the traverse near which the sentry was posted. Two or -three Germans were warming themselves round it. There was nothing more -the patrol could do. With a thick wire obstacle behind and only one -man to support him, it would have been suicidal for Everitt to attempt -anything against the enemy post. Besides, his orders were to make a -reconnaissance, and the information he had gained would be useless if -he did not return to report it. So, regretfully, he turned his back -on the enemy, and succeeded in reaching his own line without being -discovered. This patrol caused a good deal of stir in the Brigade, -for no previous patrol had got so far. It had obtained very valuable -information about the condition of the enemy trenches, and had proved -that the Germans were very much on the alert. All agreed that the -Military Cross, which Sec.-Lieut. W. N. Everitt afterwards received for -his work that night, was thoroughly well earned. - -On December 12th Major R. E. Sugden was severely wounded in the arm by -a bullet. The bridges over the Canal were always dangerous spots. Not -only were they well marked by the enemy artillery, but machine guns, -posted further to the north, could fire straight down the Canal in -enfilade. It was while he was crossing one of these bridges that Major -Sugden was hit. He had served continuously with the Battalion since it -had been mobilised and his loss was greatly felt. - - - (_d_) December 19th. - -The enemy first made use of poison gas in the spring of 1915, about -the time the Battalion landed in France. On that occasion he employed -pure chlorine, but in so weak a concentration that the results were -not nearly so disastrous as they might have been. After this first -trial--it was probably more an experiment than anything else--he made -no use of gas on a large scale for several months. This was fortunate, -for it gave allied scientists time to study the whole problem and to -devise means of protection, not only against chlorine, but against -other harmful gases also. It is true that anti-gas measures were far -from perfect at the end of 1915. But the allied armies were better -prepared for that form of attack than they would have been had they had -no preliminary warning. In particular, the possibility of the enemy -using phosgene had been guarded against by the introduction of the P.H. -helmet. This was a considerable advance; its two stout glass eye-pieces -were a great improvement on the single mica window of the P. helmet, -and the outlet valve made it much less stuffy and more comfortable to -wear. - -There is no doubt that, about the beginning of December, some rumour -that the enemy was soon to try a second gas attack on the Ypres Salient -had filtered through to the British. One of the reasons for the patrol -of Sec.-Lieut. W. N. Everitt, already described, was to discover -whether any gas cylinders were in position in the enemy lines. New P.H. -helmets had been issued to all the men in the Battalion, but, as the -available supply only admitted of one per man, a P. helmet was still -carried as a reserve. Much gas helmet drill had been done, and all -ranks were warned to be specially on the alert. - -On December 17th, the Battalion relieved the 6th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. in the extreme left sector. All knew that this -was to be their last tour in the line for the time being and that, -on relief, they were to go back for a long period of rest. At night -patrols were very active on the Battalion front, on the look-out for -indications of the presence of gas cylinders. They reported much -hammering in the enemy lines and, on the night of December 18/19th, a -great deal of coughing. A raid was contemplated, but that never came -off. Much work was in progress, for attempts were being made to put the -trenches into better condition for the relieving unit. Working parties -from the 6th Division, which was then in Corps Reserve, came up nightly -to assist; and the Battalion was also engaged in putting out a great -deal of wire on its front. - -A special artillery “shoot” had been arranged for the early morning -of December 18th. This, it was hoped, would not only damage the -enemy trenches, but would also destroy any gas cylinders which were -in position for an offensive. As the opposing trenches were so near -together, the enemy front line could not be bombarded without grave -risk to the British themselves. Hence, it was arranged that the -Battalion should evacuate its front line at 5-0 a.m. and not reoccupy -it until the next night. This was done, but the bombardment did not -come off as the morning was too misty for satisfactory observation. So -similar arrangements were made for the next day. - -The night of December 18/19th was comparatively quiet. It was bright -and clear, with a gentle breeze blowing from the north-east--in every -way ideal weather for an enemy gas discharge. About 5-0 a.m. on the -morning of December 19th all front line platoons, except those of A -Company, began to withdraw according to plan. Many had actually reached -their positions for the day when, at 5-30 a.m., flares suddenly shot up -all along the enemy lines. Whether they were red or green is a matter -for dispute among those who saw them; but the point is not important. -They were evidently a signal for the attack to begin. Immediately, -what is described by survivors as a “sizzing” noise was heard, a -greenish-white cloud appeared over the enemy parapet and began to drift -towards the British lines, and a terrific bombardment with artillery -and trench mortars was opened on the Canal, the British communication -trenches and reserve positions. Within a few minutes every bridge, -except one, was shattered, great damage had been done to the trenches, -and every telephone line was broken. And over all drifted that deadly -cloud. - -Many men were caught in their shelters and gassed before they could -be alarmed. Others were caught on their way back from the line and -suffered terribly. A Company just managed to get the one word “gas” -over the ’phone before the line to Battalion H.Q. broke. But soon -gongs and horns were crashing out their warning, while men frenziedly -adjusted their helmets, seized their arms, and rushed to their battle -positions. There was hurry and confusion almost everywhere, but panic -nowhere. Indeed, that day there was not a single case of straggling in -the 49th Division. - -Fortunately, the British artillerymen were thoroughly on the alert. -They were standing to their guns ready for the pre-arranged shoot and, -probably for the first time in their experience, they had more shells -than they could fire. They saw the S.O.S., they heard the alarms, and -soon they themselves were surrounded by the gas. With helmets on they -worked their guns as they had never had the chance of working them -before. The storm of projectiles which descended on the German lines -must have taught the enemy that his age of artillery predominance -was near its end. Warning had been sent to the 6th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regiment, which was in Brigade Reserve, and before long it -appeared, moving up across the open. The enemy saw it too and put down -a barrage in its way. But the men came forward splendidly and were soon -manning their battle stations on the west bank of the canal. - -Meanwhile, the Battalion was bearing the full force both of the gas -and of the enemy bombardment. The men who had been warned in time -were unharmed by the gas, for the P.H. helmet proved a very effective -protection. But many men had been gassed before they could do anything, -and among them the sights were ghastly. They lay in agony on the -ground, sickly greenish-white in colour; they foamed at the mouth -and gasped for breath; some even tore open their own throats in the -paroxysms of their pain. None who saw these sights can ever forget -them, and none will ever forgive the enemy who first made use of such -fiendish means of destruction. Among them moved Capt. S. S. Greaves, -the Battalion Medical Officer; none worked more devotedly that day than -he, and many a man owed his life to him. - -Several distinct discharges of gas were made. They seemed to come about -once every twenty minutes. Probably the enemy hoped that some men, -thinking all was over, would have removed their helmets. About 7-0 -a.m. the attack ended, but the air was not clear enough for helmets -to be removed with safety until half-an-hour later. Indeed, in some -parts of the trenches, the gas lay about the whole day and all through -the next night. Intermittent enemy shelling continued all day and the -British fire did not slacken for hours. After their terrible ordeal of -the early morning all the men were very “jumpy,” and false alarms were -frequent. But no more attacks came on the front of the 49th Division, -though a fresh discharge was made against the French further north, -about 9-0 a.m. - -Some account must now be given of A Company, which was holding the -extreme left of the Battalion sector. Two platoons were in the front -line--in F34 and F35 respectively, as the trenches were commonly -called--one platoon near Company H.Q., and a fourth in dugouts on the -west side of the canal. Sec.-Lieut. W. N. Everitt was in command in -F34 and Sergt. A. Stirzaker in F35, each isolated from the other and -from Company H.Q. except by highly dangerous routes across the open. -Like the other front line troops they were to have withdrawn in the -early morning, but, as they had not so far to go, they had not moved -off so soon. Hence, they were still in their positions when the gas -discharge started, and helmets were adjusted so promptly that not a man -was gassed. It was obvious at once that their duty was to remain in -and defend the front line, and this each of the commanders decided to -do. Everitt succeeded in getting a message over the ’phone to Company -H.Q. just before the line was broken; he then stood to with his men and -opened rapid fire until their rifles were red hot. Sergt. Stirzaker -kept his men carefully in hand and allowed no firing; his numbers were -very small and he feared that, by opening fire, he would only be giving -away this fact to the enemy. Everitt’s message and the gas arrived at -Company H.Q. almost simultaneously, and many of the support platoon -were gassed before any warning could be given. Lieut. E. N. Marshall -immediately collected every available man and set off with them to -reinforce the garrison of the front line. Half he sent across to F34, -but most of these became casualties before they reached the comparative -safety of that position; the remainder he led himself up to F35. -Then followed a weary period of waiting. Harassed by enemy fire and -surrounded by gas, in almost complete ignorance of the situation but -expecting an enemy attack at any moment, they hung on. - -It was long before they had any news from outside. At length Lieut. -Marshall decided to send a messenger to Battalion H.Q. The way lay -across ground which was swept by machine gun fire; only one bridge was -left over the canal and that was being heavily shelled. It required -no mean courage to volunteer for such a mission. Just then Pte. W. -Bancroft crawled into F35 with a report from Sec.-Lieut. W. N. Everitt. -This man knew well the dangers of the journey for he had been with -Sec.-Lieut. W. E. Hinton, when the latter had been wounded on that -very ground only a few days before. Yet, as soon as he heard what was -wanted, he offered to take the message. He reached Battalion H.Q. -unhurt, delivered his message, and supplemented it with a very clear -report of his own. He then returned to Lieut. Marshall with a cheery -message from the Commanding Officer, and afterwards crawled back to his -post in F34. Few Distinguished Conduct Medals have been better earned -than the one he received for his gallantry on this occasion. - -The day came to an end at length and, with the darkness, came relief. -The 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. had volunteered to take -over A Company’s front, so that the latter might spend a night in -comparative peace near Battalion H.Q. The relieving troops were not -equipped for a tour in such a line; they had come up that morning in -fighting order, and they had no thigh-boots. Nevertheless, they carried -out the relief. The following night the rest of the Battalion was -relieved, and the whole moved back to near Elverdinghe. - -On December 19th the enemy made practically no attempt to follow up -his gas discharge and bombardment by an infantry attack. Small patrols -were reported at one or two points further to the south, but no German -infantry was seen on the Battalion front. Probably, the heavy barrage -put down by the British artillery, and the resolute front shown by the -few men of A Company deterred the enemy from making an attack. The -gas he used that day was a mixture of chlorine and phosgene--far more -deadly than the plain chlorine of his earlier attack. - -The casualties suffered by the Battalion on December 19th were very -heavy, particularly when it is remembered how low its fighting strength -was at the time. The majority were due to gas, but the bombardment also -claimed many victims. Sec.-Lieuts. J. A. Hartley and F. W. O. Fleming, -R.S.M. C. C. MacKay and thirty-seven other ranks were killed, or died -within the next few days. Lieut. E. N. Marshall, C.S.M. E. Walsh and -about forty other ranks were wounded, or suffering severely from gas -poisoning. It was a fitting climax to the ghastly months which had -preceded it. - -The cool courage and the steadiness of the 49th Division on December -19th were fully appreciated by all who knew what the men had had to -endure. Congratulations from the higher authorities soon began to flow -in. “The coolness of the troops saved the Army from a disaster,” wrote -the G.O.C. VI. Corps. A few days later he expressed himself again, in -no uncertain terms, in a private letter to the Divisional Commander:-- - - “My dear Perceval, - - Although I have already expressed to you and to your Brigade - Commanders the admiration I feel for the gallant stand made - by those under their command against the recent German gas - attack, I should like to place on record how very highly I - value the services rendered by all ranks. I do not think that - the importance of their success can be over-estimated. It has - re-established a complete confidence in our power of defence - which had been severely shaken by the German gas success gained - in the Spring, a confidence which however had never deserted the - 6th Corps. - - Yours very sincerely, - J. L. Keir.” - -The Battalion may justly claim a considerable share of this praise. - -And so the Battalion’s first stay in the Ypres Salient came to an end. -It had arrived at the beginning of July, inexperienced and practically -unknown. It left towards the end of December with a magnificent -reputation. But it had paid the price. There, in the vicinity of Ypres, -the original Battalion, which had mobilised, trained, and gone out to -fight, was disbanded. Its men were scattered in a dozen cemeteries and -scores of hospitals. - - [Illustration: YPRES. 1915.] - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - JANUARY TO JUNE, 1916. - - -The earlier half of 1916 is the least eventful period of the -Battalion’s history. The months in the Ypres Salient had reduced its -strength to a very low figure, and reinforcements arrived very slowly, -until just before the Battle of the Somme. From January to June there -is not one dramatic incident to record. With the exception of one tour -in the trenches near Authuille, the Battalion never went into the line. -Instead, it was employed mainly on various forms of pioneer work which, -though very useful in themselves, are of little interest now. - -When the Battalion was finally withdrawn from the Ypres front on -December 20th, 1915, it moved back to Elverdinghe Chateau for a few -days. There Christmas was spent. Everything possible was done to make -the occasion a successful one. Plenty of money was forthcoming and -supplies were obtained from Poperinghe--then a much better place for -shopping than in later years. Tables, with calico for table-cloths, -were set up in the canteen hut, and dinner was served in three -sittings. Everything went off splendidly. Plates and glass had been -borrowed in Poperinghe, and these were much appreciated by the men, few -of whom had had a meal for many months, except from a mess tin. - -While at Elverdinghe the Battalion was in Brigade Reserve. On December -27th it was relieved and moved by short marches through Poperinghe, -where a night was spent in houses in and around the Square, to -Houtkerque, arriving there on New Year’s Day. The men were billeted in -farms about a mile out of the town and were fairly comfortably housed. -Practically no training was attempted. It was realised that the men -needed rest more than anything else, and so they were given little to -do during their fortnight’s stay at Houtkerque. - -On January 15th the Battalion marched to Wormhoudt. A band, equipped -mainly with Italian horns, had recently been formed; this helped to -enliven the march, particularly when the Brigadier’s horse took fright -at the unusual sight and noise, and bolted. Near the entrance to the -town General Sir H. Plumer was waiting to see the Battalion march past. - -Most of the men were lodged in farms just outside Wormhoudt. They had a -royal time. They thronged the estaminets. They enjoyed the Divisional -Band, which played in the Square. Officers’ messes vied with one -another in the elaborate dinners they gave. All did their best to make -up for the hard time they had had at Ypres. As at Houtkerque, very -little training was done. Officers’ classes in Lewis gun and bombing, -under Sec.-Lieuts. W. N. Everitt, M.C. and H. H. Aykroyd respectively, -were a feature. The latter, it is rumoured, often developed into -throwing contests between the instructor and his pupils. On January -23rd some Battalion sports were held, the most interesting item on the -programme being a mule race for officers. This race was of the usual -type, neither saddle nor stirrups being allowed. Within a few yards of -the starting point most of the mules were riderless, Sec.-Lieut. A. E. -Mander in particular taking a beautiful dive over his mule’s head and -landing on his own. The race was won by Sec.-Lieut. J. G. Mowat, with -Sec.-Lieut. E. C. Mee second; practically no one else finished. - -About this time the 147th Infantry Brigade Machine Gun Company was -formed. Until then machine guns had been battalion weapons. In future -they were to be the arm of a separate unit. To form the Company certain -officers and other ranks were taken from each battalion of the Brigade. -Lieut. G. W. I. Learoyd, Sec.-Lieut. E. Chisnall, six N.C.O’s and -twenty privates were sent by the Battalion. To replace the machine guns -which were thus taken away, each battalion received four Lewis guns. It -was the first time any of these weapons had been issued but, in course -of time, the number was gradually increased until, by the summer of -1918, the Battalion was in possession of no less than 36. - -Just before the Battalion left Wormhoudt the G.O.C. Second Army -presented medal ribbons to a number of officers and other ranks of the -49th Division, and he took the opportunity to say good-bye to the men -who were about to leave his army. His farewell speech shows clearly how -much the work of the 49th Division was appreciated in the Second Army, -and is worth quoting in full:-- - - “General Perceval, Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Men - who are representatives of the 49th Division. - - This is a very pleasant ceremony to me, and I hope to you, with - which to finish for the time being my connection, and that of - the Second Army, with this Division. - - I have had the pleasure on two occasions lately--one some weeks - ago when you came out of the Line, and one the other day when I - gave ribbons representing decorations to Officers, N.C.O’s and - Men of the Division after the recent Gas Attack--and on those - two occasions I expressed briefly, but I hope quite distinctly, - my appreciation of the way in which the 49th Division has - carried out the duties entrusted to them during the last few - months; but now that it is settled for the time being the 49th - Division is to leave the Second Army, and go to another area, - while I have nothing to add as regards appreciation of the - work you have done, I should like to say to you how sorry I am - that you are leaving the Second Army. At the same time I fully - realise that when a Division or any other Unit has undergone - a long, arduous and strenuous time in a particular part of - the Line, as the 49th has done, it is very desirable that - they should have a change of scene, if the military situation - admits of it, and that is the sole reason why you are quitting - the Second Army. I cannot expect you to share my regret; no - one so far as I know has felt any deep regret at quitting the - Ypres Salient; but, while you will not regret your change of - scene, when you look back on the time you have spent here, - notwithstanding the arduous time that you have gone through, - notwithstanding the losses of your comrades--which we all - deplore--you will, I hope, have some pleasant recollections to - take away with you of the time you have spent up here, and at - any rate you will, I know, have some pleasant memories to carry - away with you of your comrades of the Second Army. We, I can - assure you, will follow your doings with the deepest interest; - we are quite confident that no matter where you go you will not - only sustain but add to the reputation that you have already - won, and we shall always feel a kind of reflected glory when we - hear of the gallant deeds which I am quite sure that you are - going to accomplish both individually and as a Unit. - - On behalf of the Second Army, I say good-bye to you, and I wish - you all--Officers, N.C.O’s and Men--the very best of luck. - Good-bye.” - -On February 2nd the Battalion left Wormhoudt and the Second Army, -and moved to the Somme Area. Transport and personnel entrained at -Esquelbecq in the morning and, after the usual tedious journey, arrived -late at night at Longueav, near Amiens. There one company was left -behind, to assist in unloading the transport, while the rest of the -Battalion set off on a long and weary march to Ailly, where motor buses -were waiting to convey it to billets at Camps en Amienois. The men were -very tired when they arrived about 3-0 a.m. After a few days they moved -by stages to Warloy Baillon. - -About a fortnight was spent at Warloy. The rolling downs and open -country of the Somme district were a very welcome change from the flat -clay of Flanders. The men were billeted in barns which were moderately -comfortable, but the weather was very bad, snow falling frequently. -A little time was devoted to training, but more to organisation and -interior economy. Occasionally working parties had to be found. These -were employed digging shallow trenches for buried cables, to the west -of Martinsart Wood, and had a march of one and a half hours each way to -their work. - -The Commanding Officer started an officers’ riding school. All officers -attended, and every available hack was turned out. Several officers -were thrown, much to the amusement of the transport sergeant, who -laughed uproariously. One inexperienced horseman was heard gravely to -explain that his “horse had pushed him in the face with its paw.” - -On February 28th the Battalion relieved the 1/4th Battalion King’s -Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, in the right sector of the Authuille -trenches. This sector is of some interest as being the most southerly -one ever held by the Battalion. At that time the British line, which -lay practically north and south from Thiepval Wood to near Authuille, -made a right-angled turn due east of the latter place, in order to -enclose Authuille Wood. The re-entrant thus formed was occupied, on -the enemy side, by the famous Leipsig Redoubt, the southern defence -of Thiepval village. The sector held by the Battalion was about six -hundred yards in length; it lay along the north side of Authuille Wood, -facing the Leipsig Redoubt, with its left on Campbell Avenue. This part -of the line had been taken over from the French not very long before. - -The sector was in an appalling condition. The communication trenches -were full of water, which often reached to the top of one’s thigh -boots; they were not gridded and the hard lumps of chalk, which -littered the bottom, were very painful to men wearing gum-boots. -Everywhere, the line was very wet; some parts of D Company’s front -were quite impassable, and were left unoccupied. Pumps had to be kept -going night and day. The trenches were not revetted and were falling -in badly, so that all work had to be concentrated on the front line. -The awful weather that prevailed during the tour did not improve the -conditions. Snow fell frequently. - -The enemy was fairly active. He was credited with a desire to -straighten out his line by cutting off the north-east corner of -Authuille Wood. Perhaps the similar designs of the British, on the -Leipsig Redoubt, suggested the idea. The front line was not much -annoyed by shelling, though on one occasion it was pretty heavily -“whizz-banged”; the hostile artillery fired mostly on the north-east -corner of the wood and the vicinity of Battalion H.Q. Medium trench -mortars were much in evidence, particularly during the afternoons; -but luckily, nearly all of them fell a few yards behind the front -line. There was no sniping--the conditions were too miserable--and -the machine guns were not very active. The Battalion did not adopt a -very offensive attitude. A fair amount of patrolling was done, and the -enemy was found to be rather active in No Man’s Land too; but no actual -encounters are recorded. This was the first time that Lewis guns had -been taken into the line, but they were not much used. - -With its Ypres experience behind it, the Battalion naturally did -all that was possible for the comfort of the troops. There were, -unfortunately, several cases of trench feet, for the means of -prevention had not yet been reduced to the science which they became -later in the war. The method of cooking in the line was a great advance -on anything that had been in existence before. Each company had its own -trench kitchen; to it rations were sent up in bulk, and hot meals were -served regularly, being carried up to the front line by orderly men. - -The tour came to an end on March 4th. It had been most uncomfortable, -but very few casualties had been suffered; the only one of importance -was Sec.-Lieut. F. H. Kelsall wounded. The condition of the -communication trenches was so bad that some companies went out over the -open. D Company lost its way in Authuille Wood and got nearly to Albert -before anyone discovered it was on the wrong road. One night was spent -in Bouzincourt and a second in Authuille village, in Brigade Reserve. -At the latter place the billets were awful, and the men had to rig up -their ground sheets to prevent the water pouring in through the roofs. -On March 6th the whole Battalion moved back to Mailly-Maillet. - -With the move to Mailly-Maillet began a period of nearly four months, -during which the Battalion never went into the line. Instead, it -was employed on various forms of work, and had comparatively few -opportunities for training. It is the longest period it ever spent out -of action, while hostilities lasted. The billets at Mailly-Maillet -were not at all bad. The village had been very little shelled, though, -while the Battalion was there, enemy planes dropped some bombs on the -outskirts. Practically all the men were in houses; the rooms were often -quite bare but there were always fires. Training was impossible. Only -very small drafts were arriving and so the strength of the Battalion -was still very low. Practically every available man was required for -the large working parties which had to be provided. - - [Illustration: Brig.-Genl. E. G. St. AUBYN, D.S.O.] - -These working parties were in connection with mining operations to the -north-west of Beaumont Hamel, and were very strenuous. The Battalion -shared the duty with the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., -each having twenty-four hours on and twenty-four hours off. During -the twenty-four hours of duty, three shifts, each consisting of two -officers and one hundred other ranks, had to be found. Each shift was -supposed to do eight hours’ continuous work, but it was not allowed -to stop until the next shift was ready to take its place; so late -arrivals became very unpopular. To take a typical shift, say one which -was due at the mines at 8-0 a.m. The party paraded at 6-15 a.m. and -marched to Auchonvillers. From that point it had to carry timber, -sandbags and other R.E. material, required in the mines, up a long -communication trench. Arriving at the mine at 8-0 a.m., the men had to -work continuously until 4-0 p.m. The work was very hard. The men were -formed into a chain from the mine face, along a tunnel, and then up the -steps of the shaft. Their work consisted of throwing or passing the -sandbags of “spoil” from the mine face up to the open, where a further -party disposed of them. It can be imagined how monotonous the work was, -and how tired the men were at the end of a shift. Then they had another -one and a half hours of marching back to billets. - -This work was not entirely free from danger. The enemy was known to be -counter-mining and, at any time, he might explode his mine. Every now -and then all work would be stopped, and there would be absolute silence -while experts listened for sounds of the enemy working. Fortunately, -there was no untoward incident while the Battalion was engaged on -the work. But once some casualties were suffered, though from a very -different cause. The trenches, in which the mining was being carried -on, were held by a battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. One night, the -enemy put down a heavy artillery and trench mortar barrage, and raided -the line. The working party had to cease work and stand to. It did -not come into action, but one man was killed and three wounded by the -barrage. - -All were glad to leave Mailly-Maillet and the mines. On March 29th the -Battalion marched to Harponville, and the next day to Naours. This -second day’s march was a very long one, but the day was splendid, and a -hard frost had put the road in good condition. When the Battalion was -met by the Divisional Band near Naours, everyone freshened up, and the -last stage of the march was a great success. All who were there look -back on their stay at Naours with pleasure. The billets were good, the -surrounding country delightful, and beautiful spring weather continued -almost throughout. The “Tykes”--the recently-formed Divisional Concert -Party--were there the whole time. On April 14th, the first anniversary -of the Battalion’s landing in France, they gave a special performance -to the “old originals.” Of these, there were about 340 still serving -at that time. There was plenty of sport, particularly football. Above -all, there were no working parties. A good deal of training was done, -special attention being paid to instruction in the Lewis gun, and -to company and other close order drill. There was practice in the -assembly, the attack, and consolidation, over taped-out trenches; -for already preparations for the Somme Battle were in progress. But -all training was carried out during the morning; the afternoons were -entirely devoted to sport. Altogether, the Battalion had a “real good -time” at Naours, in spite of the Medical Officer, who insisted on -inoculating everyone. - -On April 23rd the Battalion moved by motor bus to Hedauville, and then -followed two months of working parties in the area held by the 36th -Division. All this work was in preparation for the attack which was -soon to be launched, in conjunction with the French. The Battalion’s -first job was the digging of assembly trenches in Aveluy Wood. Daily -the men were taken up by motor bus as far as Bouzincourt, and marched -from thence to their work. It was all task work and the tasks were very -heavy. The ground was full of roots, which greatly hindered digging, -and, a foot or two below the surface, much flint was encountered. But -very good work was done in spite of these difficulties. There Capt. -C. Jones, C.F., first became prominent. He had not been long with the -Brigade, but he soon became very popular with the men, taking a shovel -himself and digging with the best of them, in all weathers. - -The life in the woods was really quite enjoyable, in spite of -occasional spells of rain. Hedauville Wood was full of nightingales, -and many men sat out at night to listen to their song. Beetles also -abounded and were not so much appreciated; often it was necessary to -get up at night to catch enormous flying specimens of these insects. - -Strange to say, the enemy artillery made little attempt to harass -troops in the area. The Germans must have had a good idea of the attack -which was impending. They had good ground observation and plenty of -aeroplanes. Martinsart village was crowded with troops and, in the -evenings, there were sometimes thousands in its streets. Yet it was -never shelled. - -It is unnecessary to go into full details about this period. Most of -the work was much of the same type. Digging was done both in Aveluy and -Martinsart Woods; the Battalion was billeted first in one and then in -the other, in order to be near its work. Once it had to carry up gas -cylinders for an operation of the 32nd Division. Perhaps this job was -the indirect cause of a gas alarm which occurred two nights later. At -any rate, someone thought he heard a Strombos horn, and there was great -confusion for a time as few could find their gas helmets. - -About the middle of June the Battalion started work in Thiepval Wood, -digging assembly trenches off Elgin Avenue. There it was sometimes -annoyed by shelling, and a few casualties were suffered. On June 24th -the work came to an end and the Battalion moved back, taking with it -the thanks and congratulations of the G.O.C., 36th Division, under whom -it had been working. - -The time had almost come when the Battalion was again to take its -place in the line. For six months it had done little but pioneer -work, with occasional periods of training, and one trench tour. -During all that time its fighting, or perhaps it would be better to -say “working,” strength had been very low, for the wastage in the -Ypres Salient had never been made good. Now that it was destined -for battle, reinforcements were imperative. On June 24th a draft of -52 other ranks arrived; five days later a further draft, 258 other -ranks strong, joined. Many of these were experienced soldiers, who -had served earlier in the war with other regiments; among them was a -fair sprinkling of old Regulars, who had landed at St. Nazaire with -the 6th Division, during the Battle of the Marne. They were fine -material, but it was a pity they had not been sent earlier. Not only -would they have been of the greatest use in the pioneer work of the -last two months, but officers and N.C.O’s would not have had to lead -into battle so large a proportion of men of whose very names they were -ignorant. To incorporate such numbers of reinforcements, in the short -time available, meant much hard work. Thus, the two days which preceded -that fateful--and fatal--July 1st were very strenuous ones for the -Battalion. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - THE BATTLE Of THE SOMME. - - - (_a_) July and August, 1916. - -The first half of the year 1916 was a period of comparative quiet for -the British Expeditionary Force. During those six months it attempted -no serious offensive, and the Germans were far too fully occupied in -the neighbourhood of Verdun to be able to expend much energy elsewhere. -The terrific attack on their eastern stronghold, caused the French much -anxiety, and it undoubtedly influenced their strategy. Nevertheless, it -did not prevent them making their preparations for the great offensive, -which had been planned for the summer, in conjunction with the British. -This attack was to take place on a wide front, where the allied lines -joined in the Somme district; and the battle which resulted takes its -name from that river. - -The only part of the Somme battlefield which is of interest in a -history of the Fourth Battalion is the neighbourhood of the village -of Thiepval and the wood of the same name. From Albert the River -Ancre flows in a northerly direction to about St. Pierre Divion, -where it turns nearly east towards Miraumont. Its banks rise steeply -on both sides; its width is considerable; and the extensive marshes -and shallow lagoons, which fringe so much of its course, render it -a formidable obstacle. It is surprising that the enemy ever allowed -the French to establish themselves on the eastern bank in 1914. By -the summer of 1916, many military bridges had been built across the -river and its marshes; but the allied bridge-head, though wide, was -shallow, particularly at the northern end. Everywhere it was dominated -by the Germans, who occupied all the commanding positions on the -line of hills. To the north they held the village of Beaumont Hamel, -from which they could overlook the whole course of the river, as -far south as Albert. Their line crossed the Ancre near St. Pierre -Divion and then ran approximately south, including the village of -Thiepval, to La Boiselle. Few stronger defensive systems, than that -around Thiepval, have ever been constructed on the western front. To -the north the village was defended by the mighty Schwaben Redoubt, to -the south by the equally formidable Leipsig Redoubt and that network -of fortifications, well-styled the “Wonderwork.” Everywhere the line -was well supplied with deep dugouts, which were comparatively easy to -construct in the chalky soil of the district. The Germans thus had -many advantages over the British. Their commanding positions gave them -better opportunities for observation, and their machine guns could -sweep every inch of ground in No Man’s Land. The shallowness of the -bridge-head cramped the British, and hampered their assembly for the -attack, while it gave unrivalled opportunities to the enemy artillery. - -Nevertheless, it was with the highest hopes that the allied armies -looked forward to “Z” day. Months of preparation had been necessary for -this offensive, and some account has already been given of the “spade -work” done by the Battalion in that connection. Towards the end of -June, much time was spent in reconnaissance. Before the battle began -all the officers, and most of the N.C.O’s in the Battalion, knew every -dump, aid post, ammunition store and source of water supply between the -Ancre and Authuille Wood. - -The concentration of artillery on the British front was colossal, and -the reserves of ammunition seemed almost inexhaustible. A week before -the end of the month the guns opened fire, and, from that time, the -Germans can have had no doubt of what was coming, and which of their -positions were threatened. Day and night, for seven days, the rain of -shells poured down on the enemy line without ceasing. A good view of -much of the shelled area could be obtained from Senlis Mill, and many -officers of the Battalion visited the observation post there, to watch -the bombardment. All came away with the same opinion--that nothing -could live in the German lines. Their hopes of an early and decisive -victory were very high. They had yet to learn the strength of the -enemy’s deep dugouts. - -The opening of the infantry attack was fixed for the morning of July -1st. The 49th Division formed part of the X. Corps, whose left rested -on the River Ancre and right near Authuille Wood. The Corps objectives, -including as they did the villages of Grandcourt and Thiepval, and all -their outworks, were second to none in difficulty on the British front. -The attack there was entrusted to the 32nd Division on the right, and -the 36th (Ulster) Division on the left. The 49th Division was held in -Corps reserve; it was to assemble in previously-selected positions and -there await orders. The Battalion’s assembly position was in Aveluy -Wood, where it was to occupy some of the very trenches it had dug -about two months before. Just before the battle, Lieut.-Col. E. G. St. -Aubyn was summoned to Corps H.Q. There he remained until nearly the -end of July, being held in reserve to take command of a brigade should -any Brigadier become a casualty during the battle. The command of the -Battalion thus devolved on Major J. Walker. “The Commanding Officer -wishes all ranks to remember that in the work in front of us we are -putting to the test our reputation as a Battalion and has absolute -confidence that Officers, N.C.O’s and men will worthily uphold the -honour of the Regiment to which we belong,” was his message to the -troops on the eve of battle. - -About midnight on June 30/July 1st, the Battalion marched out of -Senlis. Though its role was still indefinite, everything had been -prepared so that it could move into battle at a moment’s notice. The -transport moved to lines near Hedauville. The Battalion itself marched -to B Assembly Trenches in Aveluy Wood, arriving long before dawn. There -was none too much room in the trenches, but all the men were got in -somewhere. The enemy was quiet. There can be no doubt that he knew -full well what was impending, but he reserved his fire for the better -targets which would soon present themselves. Few of the men even tried -to sleep; excitement was far too high for that. - -At zero hour--7-30 a.m.--the British artillery fire lifted from the -enemy front line, and the British and French infantry “went over the -top.” Much has been written of that great assault, but nothing need -be noticed here, except what took place on the X. Corps front. There -the 36th and the 32nd Divisions went forward with a magnificent dash. -They swarmed over the first enemy lines; they over-ran Thiepval and -St. Pierre Divion, the Schwaben and the Leipsig Redoubts. Some of the -Ulstermen even reached Grandcourt Railway Station. But their casualties -were appalling. “Mopping-up” was then unheard of; counter-battery work -was in its infancy; creeping barrages were unknown. Down came the enemy -artillery barrage, and it was such as few had seen before. German -machine gunners and riflemen, emerging from the security of their -deep dugouts, took the attack in enfilade and in reverse. Men fell in -thousands. The survivors were too few to maintain the positions they -had reached. By an early hour the attack on the N. Corps front had -failed. - -Of course, all this was only learned by the Battalion later. From -Aveluy Wood nothing could be seen of what was happening on the Corps -front. The men knew that the attack had opened; for a time they knew -nothing of its progress. They had nothing to do. They were not troubled -by enemy shelling, for the hostile artillery had far better targets -elsewhere. After some time, wounded began to pass, and also a number -of prisoners. The former were eagerly questioned, and some news of the -earliest stages of the attack was obtained; but it was not until much -later that authentic information was received. - -Towards 11-0 a.m., orders to move across the River Ancre arrived. -The Battalion Intelligence Officer was immediately sent forward to -reconnoitre the bridges and report on the safest; none envied him his -job, but, as things turned out, it was simple enough. The enemy was -paying no attention to the bridges. About 11-30 a.m. the Battalion -moved off by platoons, at fifty yards’ interval, A Company leading. -Marching via Brooker’s Pass, it reached the Southern Dugouts near -Crucifix Corner, Aveluy, without incident. There it remained until -the evening of the next day. The 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s -Regt, was also there and accommodation was very crowded; but otherwise -the men were not uncomfortable. Aveluy was not shelled. Crowds of -stragglers from different battalions of the attacking divisions were -coming in to reorganise, and rumours of the failure of the attack were -increasing. Apart from carrying wounded to the neighbouring dressing -station, and helping men who came back from the line absolutely worn -out, the Battalion had nothing to do. - -About 7-0 p.m. on July 2nd the Battalion left Aveluy and moved up to -relieve the 5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. in Johnstone’s Post. -This position was in the narrow and deep valley which lies along the -south-eastern edge of Thiepval Wood. Two large cemeteries now occupy a -great part of the valley, and the inscriptions on the weather-beaten -crosses bear eloquent testimony to the presence of the 49th Division -in that area. None who were there in July, 1916, will ever forget it. -It was a point at which many trenches met, but, apart from these and -a few shelters in the bluff along the edge of Thiepval Wood, there -was no cover. When the Battalion arrived that evening, the enemy was -putting down a terrific counter-preparation on Johnstone’s Post, -where he evidently suspected an assembly for the attack. A continual -stream of 15 cm. high explosive shells poured into the hollow from the -south-east. The cover of existing trenches was nothing like enough to -accommodate the Battalion, and all that could be done was to get the -men as close as possible to the steep south-eastern side of the valley, -which afforded a little protection. - -Very early the next morning, orders were received for the Battalion to -support a fresh attack which the 32nd Division was about to make on -Thiepval. These orders did not arrive until about half-an-hour before -the attack was to begin. What was to be done? Very little was known of -the ground; there was no time for reconnaissance; there was not even -time to issue proper orders to companies. Fortunately, the instructions -were cancelled before zero hour. The 32nd Division, however, made its -attack. It had little success. One corner of the Leipsig Salient was -taken, and was very useful two months later as a starting point in the -operations which outflanked Thiepval on the south. It was also much -used as a “show ground” in the next few weeks, as there were many fine -enemy dugouts in the German line. Apart from this, the attack was a -failure. - -The whole Battalion remained at Johnstone’s Post until the evening of -July 4th, when two companies moved to the Northern Dugouts, Authuille -Bluff. Throughout its stay it was never free from shelling, and -frequently the enemy put down counter-preparations of exceptional -intensity. Casualties were terrible. The Aid Post became frightfully -congested, not only with the Battalion’s own men, but with crowds -from other units; and it is no exaggeration to say that the dead lay -around it in heaps. None could have done more--few could have done -half as much--than Capt. S. S. Greaves, R.A.M.C., did. Day and night -he worked without ceasing. He might have been in a hospital, far from -the scene of action, for all the excitement he showed. Many a man owed -his life to the skill and care lavished on him by the 4th Battalion -Medical Officer at Johnstone’s Post. But the casualties of those first -days on the Somme were so appalling that the medical staffs were quite -inadequate to deal with them. Hour after hour the Battalion worked to -clear the wounded, but fresh cases streamed in far more quickly than -earlier ones could be evacuated. And all the time, into the midst of -that deadly valley, the 5.9’s screamed, taking their remorseless toll -of human life and limb. Without a chance of a fight, scores of the -Battalion went down. Chief among them was Capt. E. E. Sykes, M.C., -an officer of magnificent physique and dauntless courage; one who -had gone to France with the original Battalion, and whose men would -have followed him “into the mouth of hell.” Fearfully wounded in the -abdomen, he died shortly after at the Aid Post, and his body rests in -Authuille Military Cemetery, not far from the scene of his death. - -But enough has been said of these horrors. Men who were there will ever -remember them. Others who know what battle is can picture them, far -better than words can describe. To those who have been fortunate enough -never to see such things, no language can describe them. - - [Illustration: Capt. W. N. EVERITT, M.C. - - (Killed).] - - [Illustration: Capt. C. HIRST. - - (Killed).] - - [Illustration: Lieut. J. T. RILEY. - - (Killed).] - - [Illustration: Capt. S. S. GREAVES, D.S.O., M.C., R.A.M.C.] - -On the evening of July 5th the Battalion relieved the 5th Battalion -Duke of Wellington’s Regt. in the front line, just in front of Thiepval -village. It was responsible for a sector about a thousand yards in -length, and all four companies held portions of the front line. These -trenches were the very ones from which the attack had been launched on -July 1st--no permanent advance had been made on that front, nor was -there to be any until late in September. No Man’s Land was thick -with dead; occasionally a wounded man, who had lain out for days, -succeeded in crawling into the British lines. Trenches and shelters -had been so terribly battered that all work had to be concentrated on -the necessary repairs. The enemy artillery was extremely active, and -many men were killed or wounded before the two days’ tour came to an -end. When the Battalion was relieved on July 7th, partly by the 6th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., and partly by the 5th Battalion -King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, it withdrew to the assembly -trenches in Aveluy Wood, which it had occupied on the morning of July -1st. The relief was very late, everything was sodden with rain, and the -one night which was spent there was little enough rest for anyone. - -On the way back to Thiepval Wood the next night, a shell near -Lancashire Dump wounded several men and killed Sec.-Lieut. W. S. Booth. -He had been bombing officer for some time and was a tower of strength -to the Battalion. - -Then began the longest continuous stretch of duty, under battle -conditions, which the men were ever called upon to perform. - -Tucked away near the point of the angle, between the enemy front -line and the River Ancre, was Thiepval Wood. It was bordered on the -west by the marshes of the river, and on the south and south-east by -the Johnstone’s Post valley; on the east and north-east the ground -sloped steeply up to the German lines on the heights above. With its -trees, its thick undergrowth and numerous “rides,” it must have been -a pleasant spot in pre-war days. But, during the early weeks of the -Battle of the Somme, it rapidly became a desolation little better than -the woods in the Ypres Salient the following year. Such was the home -of the Battalion from July 8th to August 19th. Never, during the whole -of that time, did the men leave it. Reliefs were carried out every few -days with the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt.; but periods in -Brigade Reserve were little improvement on those in the front line, for -both were passed in the wood. - -With the exception of its first tour, the Battalion always held the -extreme left sector. Its left flank rested on the River Ancre and -its right on Union Street, the length of front being about a thousand -yards. All four companies held portions of the front line, and, tour -after tour, they returned to the same positions--A, B, C, D from right -to left. No Man’s Land varied from about 250 to 400 yards in width. -Along it, and roughly parallel to the opposing lines, lay the sunken -Thiepval Road. Crowded as it was with the bodies of the Ulstermen, who -had fallen or crawled there to die on July 1st, this road was a ghastly -place. The British front line lay along the north and north-eastern -edges of Thiepval Wood. Hewn out of the chalk, the trenches had been -comparatively good up to the opening of the battle; but the fearful -hammering they had since received had almost obliterated them in many -places. There were some good deep dugouts, but not nearly enough to -accommodate all the men. The communication trenches, which led back to -Battalion H.Q. and the crossings over the Ancre, were badly constructed -and sited; the main ones lay along, or just beside, the chief rides in -the wood, and they were so straight that they could easily be enfiladed -by the enemy artillery. - -Battalion H.Q. was at Gordon Castle. There, too, accommodation was -scanty. Some attempts were made to improve it, but these were greatly -hampered by enemy shelling. In particular, a bath-house was planned -and, after a week’s hard work, was completed, only to be demolished the -following morning by a shell. Nothing daunted, Lieut. J. T. Riley set -to work to rebuild it. But the second attempt had no more success than -the first. The very night the building was pronounced ready for use, -another shell knocked off one of the corners. That was too much. The -yearning for cleanliness had to remain unsatisfied, while the remnants -of the building were used for the holding of the numerous courts of -enquiry which were so popular about that time. - -Throughout this period, though the role of the Battalion was the purely -passive one of holding a portion of the line, that line was situated -right in the middle of a furious battle. The first attacks on Thiepval -had failed; but the very substantial successes, which were being -gained further to the south, were gradually turning the defences of -that village on the east. The enemy undoubtedly feared a repetition -of the attack, made by the X. Corps on July 1st. His artillery was -always active, and often regular barrages would fall on the wood. The -front line came in for a great deal of attention, and it was only by -much labour that posts at all fit for occupation could be maintained. -Elgin and Inniskilling Avenues, the two chief communication trenches -to Battalion H.Q., were often enfiladed by field guns. But the worst -shelled area of all was the Ancre, in the neighbourhood of which -ration-carrying parties had a very bad time. As the weeks dragged on -the wood became thinner and thinner, until all the trenches were easily -visible to aircraft and even to ground observers. Then artillery, -from the heights north of the river near Beaumont Hamel, began to -take the wood in enfilade, and caused much damage. But, apart from -artillery fire the enemy was not very aggressive. There was not much -rifle fire, and, except to repel a definite attack, machine guns were -little used. Taking everything into account, the casualties suffered by -the Battalion were not excessive. They were constant--it is doubtful -whether a day passed without some men being killed or wounded--but they -were not out of proportion to the enormous weight of artillery fire. - -Since the early days of July, the direct attacks on Thiepval had been -discontinued, and a defensive policy had been adopted on that sector, -for the time being. Nevertheless, there was considerable activity, -every effort being made to pin the enemy to his ground, and to distract -his attention as much as possible from the operations of the Fourth -Army on the right. The British artillery fire never slackened; day -after day, and week after week, the deluge of shells was kept up. This -fire was supplemented by the trench mortars, with which the troops were -now much better supplied. Considerable use was made of the new Lewis -guns, especially at night; and C.S.M. McNulty was again to the fore -with his Winchester. Minor demonstrations were constantly being made, -with the object of deceiving the enemy and making him believe that an -attack was imminent. The following order, from 147th Infantry Brigade, -is an example of what the Battalion was frequently called upon to do:-- - - “The Army Commander wishes everything possible to be done to - keep the enemy in front of the Division on the alert, make him - man his parapets and get him under our shrapnel fire. - - With this object the following demonstration will be made to - induce the enemy to man his parapets. At 1-0 p.m. to-day as - many bayonets as possible will be shown along the whole front - of the Brigade as if assault is imminent and timed for 1-0 p.m. - For five or ten minutes previous to this hour whistles should - be blown at intervals along the front as if signals were being - made. The tops of ladders or trench grids should be shown over - the parapets. The artillery immediately after 1-0 p.m. will open - bombardment on enemy front and support trenches, especially on - those trenches which can be taken in enfilade. - - Any other device which can lead the enemy in front line to - expect an assault at 1-0 p.m. should also be employed and - Machine guns will fire during the artillery bombardment.” - -On several occasions smoke barrages were put up by the Battalion. -For this purpose, special emplacements were constructed about every -twenty-five yards along the front line, and from these smoke bombs were -thrown out into No Man’s Land. Usually the wind changed just before -zero hour and Thiepval Wood was enveloped in a wonderful haze of smoke. -There can be no doubt that these activities met with a certain amount -of success. This was amply proved by the speed with which the enemy put -down his defensive barrages time after time. - -Patrolling too was very active. It was mainly carried out by the -Battalion H.Q. Scouts, and much very useful, and often dangerous, -work was done by them. In particular, some extremely daring and -skilful patrols were done by Sec.-Lieut. H. H. Aykroyd, the Battalion -Intelligence Officer, in the Ancre valley, for which he was awarded -the Military Cross. On one occasion, when visiting the neighbouring -battalion’s post at the Mill, he had the unpleasant experience of being -mistaken for an enemy patrol, and was heavily bombed. - -Reliefs were carried out with the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s -Regiment every few days and soon became very simple, for companies -always occupied the same positions, both in the front line and in -reserve. Battalion H.Q. only had to move about two hundred yards from -Gordon Castle to Belfast City. When in Brigade Reserve, two companies -were in support to each of the battalions in the front line. During -the day there was little to do, but at night working parties had to -be found. It was a dreary life, though enlivened occasionally by the -exploits of the Intelligence Officer. He it was who, whilst engaged in -a scientific investigation of German flares, nearly burnt out Battalion -H.Q. To him also was due the wondrous camouflaging of Belfast City, the -remains of which may still be seen in Thiepval Wood. - -The long and unbroken spell in Thiepval Wood caused much hardship to -the men. There were no facilities for cooking, and so all food had to -be sent up cooked from the transport lines. For six weeks, no one had -a decently-prepared dinner. Supplies of clean clothing were not often -available, and baths for the men were absolutely impossible. It can -be imagined what an awful state they got into, living as they were -under filthy conditions during the hottest season of the year, with -never a chance of a good wash. At first some men bathed in the Ancre, -but this was very dangerous owing to the thick weeds; after a man had -been accidentally drowned there about the middle of July, all bathing -was strictly forbidden. There can be no doubt that this long period of -harassing and filthy conditions seriously affected the men physically. - -Towards the end of July, Lieut.-Col. E. G. St. Aubyn came back to the -Battalion. From that time, until August 19th, Major J. Walker and Capt. -A. L. Mowat shared the duties of second-in-command, taking turns in the -line and with the rear echelon. - -During July work had consisted mainly of keeping the front line in -a habitable condition, and repairing the communication trenches, -which were continually being damaged by shell fire. Many bodies too -were recovered from No Man’s Land and decently buried. But, about -the beginning of August, the digging of the famous parallels began. -It had been decided to renew the frontal attack on the sector from -Thiepval to the River Ancre, but, after the experience of July 1st, -No Man’s Land in that area was considered too wide to attack across -successfully. Hence it was determined to push forward the British -front line by digging a series of trenches in No Man’s Land. These -“parallels” stretched from the Ancre to the top of Inniskilling Avenue, -the foremost being roughly along the line of the sunken road, though -on the extreme right it crossed the road. In other words, the front -on which they were dug corresponded almost exactly with the Battalion -sub-sector. Practically none of the actual digging was done by men of -the Battalion, but, whenever they were occupying the front line, they -had to find covering parties for the work. Every night, as soon as it -was dark enough to conceal movement, one platoon per company moved -out into No Man’s Land, and took up a line along the northern edge -of the sunken road. There they remained so long as the work was in -progress. Company Commanders took turns in charge of the whole covering -party. The actual working parties--nearly a thousand men nightly--were -provided by the 148th Infantry Brigade. Really this number was much too -big. Heavy shelling had reduced the communication trenches in Thiepval -Wood to a very derelict condition; the movement of large parties along -them became very slow, and much time was wasted in coming and going. No -Man’s Land too became very congested. As a result, the amount of work -done on the parallels was small compared with the number of men engaged. - -The work of the covering parties proved tedious, but not particularly -dangerous. The enemy infantry made practically no attempt to interfere -with the digging, and only once was a party of Germans encountered. -It happened in this way. An officer of A Company was on the right of -the covering party one night. Following a not uncommon practice of -his, he was moving about alone, when he saw a party of men, a little -way off on the flank, who did not appear to be working. He went up and -gently exhorted them to get on with their job. A chorus of gutterals -was his answer, as an affrighted party of Germans made off. But though -the enemy infantry was comparatively inactive, this cannot be said of -his artillery. Even if the actual working parties were not observed -the first night, the results of their labours cannot have escaped the -German observers the next day, for the newly-turned chalk showed very -white on the ground. From that time the enemy made a practice of -putting down a barrage regularly soon after midnight, and there were -many casualties among the crowds of men in No Man’s Land. But the -barrage did not seriously affect the covering parties, which escaped -with very little loss. The parallels were nearly complete before the -Battalion left Thiepval Wood, and had been absorbed into the front line -system. - - [Illustration: Thiepval Wood. - - 1916.] - -All things considered, there was not much recognition of the good work -done by the men of the Battalion at this period. Mention has already -been made of the Military Cross awarded to Sec.-Lieut. H. H. Aykroyd. -The only other officer to receive that decoration was Sec.-Lieut. F. V. -Blackwell, who was brought to notice by a daring daylight patrol, which -resulted in the recovery of several machine guns lost by the British -on July 1st. R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker was also awarded the Military -Cross, more for his continuous gallant work than for any specific -act; throughout all this period he earned a magnificent name for hard -work, devotion to duty and gallantry. But he was not the first warrant -officer of the Battalion to receive the Military Cross. That honour -had already been won by C.S.M. (now R.Q.M.S.) W. Lee, for conspicuous -gallantry while the Battalion was near Ypres in 1915, particularly for -his conduct on that never-to-be-forgotten December 19th. - -The longest tour comes to an end at last. On August 19th the 9th -Battalion Loyal North Lancs. Regt. relieved the Battalion, which moved -back to billets near Raincheval. There it remained until August 27th. -The 49th Division was at last to be thrown into the attack, and the -time at Raincheval was mainly occupied with special assault training. A -facsimile of the enemy trenches, which formed the objectives, had been -taped out, and over this the men practised every morning. The rest of -each day was occupied with the thousand and one preparations essential -to the success of any operation. - -When the Battalion first moved back to Raincheval, the operation was -expected to take place within a very few days. But, like so many of the -British attacks, it was postponed. It was a pity that the Battalion did -not know from the very first how long a time it would have out of the -line. The men were very run down after their long spell in Thiepval -Wood, and much might have been done to improve their condition. -Instead, they were kept for many days in that nervous state which must -precede every attack, and the period of rest could not be utilised -nearly so fully as it might have been. Even after a move had been made -to Forceville on August 27th, the exact date of zero day still remained -for a time in doubt. At length the attack was definitely fixed for -September 3rd. - -Two days before the operation, the Battalion suffered a great loss. -Lieut.-Col. E. G. St. Aubyn became so seriously ill that he was -evacuated sick on September 1st, and soon afterwards was sent to -England. So ended his connection with the Battalion, for which he had -done so much. He returned to the 147th Infantry Brigade in the autumn, -but took command of the 7th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. Thus -it fell to Major J. Walker to command the Battalion in its first big -attack. - - - (_b_) September 3rd, 1916. - -The attack made on September 3rd, 1916, is one of the most important -events in the Battalion’s history. Never before had it been selected -for an operation of that kind. It is therefore very unfortunate that -the difficulties of writing a strictly accurate account are so great. -Yet, of all the operations in which the Battalion took part during the -war, none is so obscure in many of its details, and around none has -so much controversy raged. At the time, the higher commands certainly -did not understand clearly what had taken place. Nearly all the -officers and senior N.C.O’s, who took part in the assault, were killed. -Survivors’ narratives differ considerably in matters of detail. In -short, it is impossible to write an account which is absolutely exact -in such details as the precise times at which certain events took -place. The following account has been written after a careful study -of all the available official documents, supplemented by the personal -narratives of many of the survivors. Among the official papers, none -is of greater interest and importance than a German narrative, which -was captured two or three weeks after the event. This is the report -of the Officer Commanding the 1st Battalion 180th Infantry Regt.--the -unit which was holding the line south of the Ancre when the Battalion -attacked. In it are detailed the extent of the British success, the -dispositions made by the Germans to counter-attack, and the operations -which finally resulted in the recapture of the positions, which the -enemy had temporarily lost. - -The operation was part of a big attack, which was to be made about -dawn, on both sides of the River Ancre. South of that river the 49th -Division was attacking, with the 147th Infantry Brigade on the right -and the 146th Infantry Brigade on the left. On the front of the 147th -Infantry Brigade, the 4th Battalion on the right, and the 5th Battalion -on the left, were detailed for the assault; the 6th and 7th Battalions -were in support and reserve respectively. The Battalion was thus on the -extreme flank of the divisional front, and, as no one was attacking -further to the south, had its right “in the air.” The following is a -brief summary of the Operation Orders:-- - - 1. Companies were to assemble in the parallels before dawn, in - the positions shown on the map. - - 2. At zero hour A, B and D Companies were to advance - simultaneously. As soon as B Company had taken the First - Objective, A and D Companies were to go through it to the - assault of their respective objectives. - - 3. Company objectives were as follows:-- - - B Company. Enemy front line from point 84 to point 54. - - A Company. Enemy support line from point 95 to point 66. One - platoon was to push up the Munster Gasse, and make a block in - that trench beyond the support line. - - D Company. Enemy communication trench from point 84 to point - 95. Blocks were to be made in the enemy front and support lines - towards the Schwaben Redoubt. - - C Company was to remain in Battalion reserve. - - 4. A hurricane bombardment was to open at zero hour on the - objectives; it was to remain on the enemy front line for three - minutes, and on the enemy support line for eight minutes. - -Perhaps the greatest difficulty in the operation was the keeping of -direction. A glance at the map will show that A and B Companies had to -advance approximately half right on leaving the parallels--an extremely -difficult manœuvre to carry out in battle, in the half light of early -dawn, and in a country where there were no landmarks. The task of D -Company was even harder. Not only had the men to advance on an incline, -but, on reaching point 84, they had to “right form,” in order to -occupy the communication trench, with their front towards the Schwaben -Redoubt. Of course these manœuvres had been carefully practised -over the “tapes” at Raincheval, but the carrying of them out in the -excitement of battle, under heavy fire, was a very different matter. - -The parallels, in which the Battalion was to assemble, were already -very well known to many of the men. They were rough and narrow, and -so deep that ladders had to be provided for the men to leave them -by. The first objective--the enemy front line--was about two hundred -and fifty yards from the foremost parallel. No Man’s Land was to be -crossed in quick time and three minutes were allowed for this, rather -a short period when it is remembered that the ground was one mass of -shell holes and debris, and that the advance was up a decidedly steep -slope. The enemy front line, owing to the shape of the ground, was -barely visible from the parallels. The Battalion’s objectives lay in a -re-entrant between the Schwaben Redoubt and the Pope’s Nose, from which -positions a deadly cross-fire could be brought to bear on the advance, -unless it were well protected by the British artillery. The slope and -condition of the ground, between the enemy first and second lines, was -very similar to No Man’s Land. The shelling of the past two months -had so battered the enemy defences that it was extremely difficult to -recognise definite points, or even stretches of trench. - -During the afternoon of September 2nd, the Battalion marched from -Senlis to Martinsart Wood, where it halted until evening. A hot meal -was served at 8-0 p.m., and, about an hour later, the platoons began -to move off to their positions of assembly. No smoking was allowed, -and the strictest orders about silence had been issued. So, with no -noise save the squelch of boots in the mud and the occasional rattle -of equipment, the men passed through Aveluy Wood, along a specially -taped line, drew bombs and other battle equipment at the bottom of -Black Horse Road, and crossed the Ancre. During the crossing they -were somewhat harassed by enemy shelling, and D Company suffered some -casualties. But, apart from this, the march was not seriously hampered, -and all were in position by 3-25 a.m. on September 3rd. Then followed -two weary hours of waiting for the dawn and that hurricane burst of -artillery fire, which was to be the signal for the assault. High as -was the nervous tension, and great the excitement in those crowded -parallels, some of the men actually slept. How few realised that, -within the next few hours, scores would be sleeping for ever! - -About 5-0 a.m. dawn was breaking. The enemy had been very quiet -during the night, but he now began to show traces of nervousness -and occasional bursts of machine gun fire clipped the parapets. The -Battalion[7] stood to, and bayonets were quietly fixed. At 5-10 a.m. -one great gun spoke, and then, to quote the words of one who took -part in the attack, “the whole sky seemed to light up suddenly.” The -hour had come. Up rose the three companies like one man. There was no -hesitation. Over the parapet they swarmed. The attack had begun. - -The enemy was thoroughly on the alert. Flares went up all along the -front, and, in spite of the British barrage, which was very good, a -deadly cross fire of machine gun bullets opened from the directions of -the Schwaben Redoubt and the Pope’s Nose. There is some doubt as to the -exact time when many of the officers and senior N.C.O’s were hit; but -it is practically certain that Capt. C. Hirst, Sec.-Lieut. A. E. Hirst -and Sec.-Lieut. C. W. Tomlinson were all killed, and Sec.-Lieut. G. F. -Robertshaw wounded, before the first objective was reached. Many men -fell, but the lines went forward splendidly. Steadily they crossed No -Man’s Land, halted, and got down a few yards from the enemy front line, -waiting for the barrage to lift. But already there was apparent one -point, which seriously affected the success of the operation. Companies -were becoming mixed. Some of the men of A and D Companies were mingled -together; and many men of the 5th Battalion were in the ranks of the -4th Battalion. Also, in the half light, the rear waves of the attack -did not notice quickly enough that the first wave had halted, and -so they crowded up on it. The difficulties of keeping distance and -direction had been too great. - -The enemy artillery barrage did not open properly until nearly ten -minutes after zero hour, but then it was very heavy. The old British -front line and the first parallel received most attention, and were -soon almost obliterated. Heavies rained down on the tunnel entrances; -shrapnel deluged the communication trenches. The barrage embraced the -whole of Thiepval Wood, and many casualties were suffered by the two -reserve battalions of the 147th Infantry Brigade. But the foremost -parallel and No Man’s Land were not heavily shelled at first, and thus -machine gun fire was the only serious danger to the men lying near the -enemy front line. - -Immediately the British barrage lifted, B Company charged and captured -its objective without much difficulty. This line had been terribly -shattered by the bombardment of the previous two months and in places -had almost disappeared. It was so bad that most of the men did not -enter it at all, but remained in shell holes in the open, where they -began to consolidate. Their position was very exposed and, as time went -on, they lost heavily from machine gun fire. Others, among whom C.S.M. -W. Medley was most conspicuous, worked along the trench, bombing the -deep dugouts with which it abounded, and collecting prisoners. The -latter were sent back across No Man’s Land, but only one is known to -have arrived at Battalion H.Q. The rest probably perished under the -fire of their own artillery and machine guns. One part of B Company -worked a considerable distance along the enemy front line towards -the Pope’s Nose, bombing as it went. All that trench was thoroughly -cleared, but the company, and the men of the 5th Battalion who were -with it, were not strong enough to hold the whole, and it had to be -left unoccupied. Numbers of Germans, some without rifles, were seen -making off across the open on the left, and were heavily fired upon. It -seems probable that, for some time, the Pope’s Nose was evacuated by -the enemy; but it was never occupied by the British. - -Meanwhile, A Company had advanced, hard on the heels of B Company. -Passing straight over the captured line, the men moved across the open -until about fifty yards from the enemy support trench. There they -halted, sheltering in shell holes, and waiting for their barrage to -lift. Already they had suffered very heavy casualties. Some, in their -over-eagerness, had advanced too far, and had been hit by their own -shells. Only one officer--Lieut. W. N. Everitt, M.C.--had survived; -C.S.M. A. Stirzaker, D.C.M., had fallen between the first and second -objectives; and scores of N.C.O’s and men had been killed or wounded. -But they had been reinforced by some men of B Company, who had gone -forward with them, and by Cpl. A. Denham’s Lewis gun team, which had -lost D Company and had advanced on the right of A Company. The men came -under a very heavy fire from the German support line. Numbers of the -enemy were seen making off across the open, and Cpl. Denham did some -execution with his Lewis gun; but the bulk of the German garrison held -its ground and fought well. For some time the Company lay in the open, -exchanging shots with the enemy in his line. The British barrage had -now lifted, and there was thus nothing to interfere with the German -marksmen and machine gunners. Casualties were piling up, but the second -objective was not yet taken. Lieut. Everitt, with Sergt. Bancroft, had -already reconnoitred right up to the line, and had thrown some bombs -among the enemy there. He now determined to try to rush the position, -after a short burst of Lewis gun fire. Assisted by Sergts. Haigh and -Bancroft, he crawled round and informed the men of his intention. They -were told to charge as soon as the Lewis gun ceased fire. The gun -opened, but stopped almost at once with a broken return spring; quite -coolly the N.C.O. on the gun--his name is now unknown--changed the -part, and reported to Lieut. Everitt that he was ready to reopen fire. -One magazine was fired, and then A Company charged. Everitt himself -was first in the trench, and was followed closely by Haigh. The bay -they entered was unoccupied, but the next was full of the enemy. These -were bombed, and either fled or dived into their deep dug outs. Parties -then moved to right and left along the trench, bombing dugouts and -collecting prisoners. The latter were sent back across the open, but -none appear to have arrived. Many Germans were killed in the second -objective. Of the parties which moved along the support line, that -to the right got well beyond point 95, towards the Schwaben Redoubt, -without encountering any of the enemy; but it could find no trace of -D Company, which should have had a post near that point. The other -party cleared and occupied the whole line to beyond point 66, where -Sergt. H. Haigh got in touch with a small party of the 5th Battalion. -Consolidation of the line, which was very wide and deep, then began. -Only about forty of the Battalion had reached the second objective. -These were organised in a line of posts from point 86, which was held -by Sergt. Bancroft and Cpl. Denham, to beyond point 66. The second -objective had been taken a little before 6-0 a.m. Soon after, the -Germans began to bombard it heavily with artillery and trench mortars, -and the discomfort of A Company was added to by some of the British -guns, which had not “lifted” sufficiently and were firing into its back. - - [Illustration: Lieut.-Col. J. WALKER, D.S.O.] - -Meanwhile, except for such men as Cpl. Denham’s Lewis gun team which -had become detached from its company, no one had seen or heard anything -of D Company since the opening of the attack. Like the rest it had -advanced at zero hour, and had crossed No Man’s Land on a right -incline. Its two waves had halted near the enemy front line, waiting -for the barrage to lift. Comparatively few casualties had been suffered -in the advance, but these included Sec.-Lieut. C. W. Tomlinson missing, -and Lieut. J. T. Riley and C.S.M. J. C. Walker wounded. Both of the -latter refused to go to the rear to have their wounds dressed, and -continued the advance with the rest of the company. When the barrage -lifted, the men stormed the enemy front line, and some of them extended -up a very battered communication trench, which they believed to be -their objective. All dugouts were bombed, and several prisoners were -taken; these apparently suffered the same fate as most of the other -prisoners that day. The men set to work to consolidate what had been -captured. They had not been long in their new position when the enemy -made a weak counter-attack, from the direction of the Schwaben Redoubt. -This was driven off without difficulty, but the men had very little -opportunity to carry on with the consolidation. Their position was -very exposed and the enemy defences, which had been captured, were so -shattered that they afforded little cover. Very heavy rifle and machine -gun fire, both from the Schwaben Redoubt and the east, was directed -on them; and shells were soon bursting in their midst. But where was -the Company? The exact position it reached that day has been a matter -for controversy ever since. No other company ever got into touch with -it, and the German report, already mentioned, sheds no light on the -mystery. It seems probable, indeed almost certain, that they inclined -too much to the right in crossing No Man’s Land, and entered the enemy -front line to the south-east of point 84; in fact, it would appear that -the Company actually captured, and held for some hours, the fringe -of the Schwaben Redoubt. But it is only fair to say that Sergt. (now -C.S.M.) W. Brooke, the only senior N.C.O. of D Company who got back to -the British lines, is still convinced that the Company reached point -84, its correct objective. - -It is convenient, at this point, to interrupt the narrative for a short -time, in order to summarise the situation about 7-0 a.m. and to note -what steps had been taken by the enemy to deal with it. - -About 7-0 a.m. the positions of companies were as follows:-- - - A Company held the German support line from point 86, where - there was an isolated post, to a little way beyond point - 66. On both flanks the line was clear of the enemy for some - considerable distance. - - B Company held the German front line, from about midway between - points 84 and 54, to beyond point 54. No enemy was in the line - between the Company and point 84, nor for some distance on the - left. - - D Company held a position facing south-east, on the fringe of - the Schwaben Redoubt; exactly where cannot be said. - -All companies were very weak and no reinforcements had arrived, for -reasons which will be indicated later. Only one officer per company -was left--Lieut. W. N. Everitt, M.C., with A Company, Sec.-Lieut. H. -E. Pohlmann with B Company, and Lieut. J. T. Riley with D Company. -Sec.-Lieut. V. A. Horsfall of B Company fell soon after the first -objective was taken. Sec.-Lieut E. C. Mee of D Company was lying dead -in the enemy wire. Supplies of S.A.A. were running very low, and bombs -were almost exhausted. No carrying parties had been able to get up to -the captured positions, and the only way to replenish was to collect -from the dead and wounded who dotted the ground. But the most serious -aspect of the situation was that the rest of the attack south of the -Ancre had failed. By 7-0 a.m. the only British troops maintaining their -positions in the enemy defences were those of the Battalion, with -elements of the 5th Battalion--all hopelessly mixed up. The enemy, -finding there were no British near the Pope’s Nose, was re-occupying -his front line there, and cautiously feeling his way along the trench -towards B Company. - -Meanwhile, energetic measures had been taken from the start by the -German commander opposite. As soon as the situation began to develop -clearly, he directed part of his reserve troops to counter-attack -along, and parallel to, the Munster Gasse. The remainder were sent -to the Schwaben Redoubt to strengthen the garrison there, and to -counter-attack from that direction. There is no doubt that the enemy -attached more importance to the holding of the Schwaben Redoubt than to -anything else on that front. This is amply proved by the dispositions -of his reserve troops on September 3rd. It is also borne out by men of -the Battalion who were captured that day, and who have given accounts -of their examinations by the enemy. And the enemy was right. With the -Schwaben Redoubt still in his hands, he could dominate and enfilade -practically all the objectives of the 49th Division. It would also -appear, from their own account, that the Germans found it necessary to -utilise the whole of their regimental reserve that day, before they -succeeded in repelling the British; and that they even began to draw -reinforcements from another unit--the 66th Infantry Regt. - -Soon after 8-0 a.m., serious enemy counter-attacks began on A Company’s -position. For some time the barrage had slackened, and even rifle and -machine gun fire had died down. What puzzled the men of A Company was -to see Germans in the neighbourhood of the Pope’s Nose, and in the -support line in rear of it; for it must be borne in mind that no one -knew anything of the situation on any other front than his own. These -Germans, as has already been said, were cautiously working their way -along the trenches towards the British, bombing as they went; but they -were still a long way off. The real counter-attack at length came from -enemy troops who advanced across the open, on both sides of the Munster -Gasse. The post at point 86 had, by this time, completely run out of -S.A.A. and bombs, and so was unable to offer any real resistance to -the advance. The Germans came cautiously forward; avoiding a frontal -attack, they worked round the right flank of the post until they -were in its rear. Bombing it from this position, they caused many -casualties. Sergt. Bancroft, Cpl. Payne and several men were killed; -Cpl. Denham and a number of others were wounded. Having thus prepared -the way for an assault, the enemy rushed the post, overwhelmed and made -prisoners of the few survivors. This happened unbeknown to the rest of -the men of A Company. The first indication they had of it was the enemy -bombing along the second objective from the right. The situation soon -became impossible. With no bombs and scarcely a round of S.A.A. left, -they were forced slowly to withdraw towards their left. On arriving -at point 66, they found themselves between two fires, for the enemy -bombing party from the west was also approaching along the trench. The -position was clearly untenable. Lieut. Everitt had only a handful of -men left. He gave orders to withdraw down the communication trench to -point 54. The withdrawal was conducted slowly and in good order, two or -three men waiting at each bend in the trench to cover it. At length the -front line was reached, but only a few isolated men of B Company could -be found there; the enemy artillery and machine guns had done their -work only too well. The party reconnoitred along the trench towards the -Pope’s Nose; another enemy bombing party was encountered. With so few -survivors, and almost without ammunition, Lieut. Everitt could do no -more. He gave the order to withdraw to the parallels. The men jumped -out of the trench and started across No Man’s Land, but they did not -scatter sufficiently. Few ever reached the comparative safety of their -own lines. A machine gun opened from the Pope’s Nose, and most of them -fell. Of the fate of Lieut. Everitt nothing certain is known. For -some time it was hoped that he was still alive. But nothing definite -was ever learned of what happened to him after he gave the order to -withdraw. One of the most gallant, competent and hardworking officers -the Battalion ever had, he probably fell when so many of his men went -down in that last crossing of No Man’s Land. - -And what of D Company? Its fate was much the same as A Company’s. -Harassed by machine guns from the Schwaben Redoubt, and by rifle fire -from snipers to the east, it beat off several counter-attacks. S.A.A. -and bombs ran out, and the men searched the dead to replenish their -supplies. Rapidly their numbers dwindled. Severely wounded and in -great pain, Lieut. J. T. Riley fought fiercely until he was at length -killed. C.S.M. J. C. Walker, who had carried on though wounded early -in the action, was also killed. Yet, practically leaderless, the men -still fought on, until an officer of the 5th Battalion, who had become -mixed up with D Company, ordered a withdrawal. Then the remnants of -the company--they did not muster twenty, all told--withdrew to the -parallels. - -Everything that had been gained was lost. Not a Britisher remained in -the enemy lines, save the few men who had been captured. The number of -these was very small. On the authority of the Germans themselves, only -seven unwounded prisoners from the 4th and 5th Battalions were taken -that day. Many men were still lying out in shell holes, and, during the -rest of the day and night that followed, some of these crawled back -into the lines. But there were far more lying out there who would never -crawl again. - -Throughout the action Battalion H.Q. was located in a deep dugout, near -the junction of Inniskilling Avenue with Whitchurch Street; C Company -was in Battalion reserve, either in or near the old British front line. -All arrangements had been made for sending up stores soon after the -objectives were taken. East Koyli Sap was to be improved, and used as a -communication trench for that purpose. But this was never done. Early -in the action it became so crowded with casualties and others that -parties could not move along it. Even if they had been able to do so, -it entered the enemy front line at the Pope’s Nose, which was never -occupied by the British on September 3rd. - -Lack of reliable information was the most serious difficulty with which -Battalion H.Q. had to contend dining the battle, and the 5th Battalion -was even worse off in that respect. Signallers had gone forward with -the assaulting companies, but no message ever came back from them. Cpl. -C. Landale, D.C.M. made gallant attempts to run a telephone line across -No Man’s Land, but it could not be maintained on account of the enemy -barrage. Most of the runners who left with messages were killed. No -information was ever received from the observation post. The result was -that, during the whole operation, Battalion H.Q. was almost completely -ignorant of what was happening. - -For a long time the sole information obtained was from wounded men, -and was very indefinite. At 5-55 a.m. it was learned that the first -objective had been taken, that the second was being attacked, and that -the two assaulting battalions were badly mixed. Ten minutes later a -wounded man reported that A Company had taken its objective. Then there -was little news for more than an hour and a half. Two carrying parties -were sent forward, and it is believed that a few bombs did reach the -German front line and were used by the 5th Battalion. Runners were -twice sent out to get in touch with B Company, but none came back. -Information that the attack of the 146th Infantry Brigade on the left -had failed was received by the Battalion about 6-30 a.m. Knowing so -little of the situation, the Commanding Officer naturally hesitated to -throw any more troops into the battle; and, as events turned out, it is -well he did not use his reserves, for they could have done little real -good, and there would only have been more casualties. - -At last a wounded runner arrived from B Company, bearing the following -message from Sec.-Lieut. H. E. Pohlmann:-- - - “To I.R. - Am holding point 54 and to left 100 yds. In touch with 5th. Only - remaining officer in B Coy. Bombs wanted. 6-40 a.m. 3.9.16. - H. E. Pohlmann, 2 Lt. B Coy.” - -It had taken the runner two hours to come. - -At once Major Walker ordered two platoons of C Company, and two of -the reserve bombing teams, to advance across the open and reinforce -B Company. But these orders were never issued. Before they could be -written out the advanced signal station reported that the men of the -147th Infantry Brigade were withdrawing. - -C Company had not been engaged, but it had suffered many casualties -from shell fire. When it was clear that the attack had failed, Capt. -Marshall was ordered to man the parallels, in case the enemy tried to -counter-attack. But no such attempt was made. - -At 11-50 a.m., more than four hours after it had been written, a -message was brought in from Lieut. Everitt, by a wounded runner. -Arriving so late, it was of no practical use; the situation had -entirely changed. But as evidence of the deeds of A Company that day, -it deserves to be quoted in full:-- - - “To the Adjt. - - My right is only at the communication trench point 86. I am - partly in the fifth lines. I have only roughly 25 men including - six from B Coy. Have no bombers. Short of bombs and Lewis Gun - ammunition. Our artillery firing into our back especially on the - right. - - Don’t know where D Coy. are. - - W. N. Everitt, Lt., - 3.9.16. 7-40 a.m. O.C. A Coy.” - - -About 5-0 p.m. troops of the 148th Infantry Brigade relieved the -Battalion in the line. The weary men withdrew to Martinsart Wood to -reorganise, but a party of C Company was left in for the night, to -search No Man’s Land for wounded, and to help in the evacuation of -those who had already come in. - -Only once--October 11th, 1918--has the Battalion had heavier casualties -than on September 3rd. It went into action 18 officers and 629 other -ranks strong; of these only three companies, each consisting of 3 -officers and 127 other ranks, and a few Battalion H.Q. details, went -“over the top.” The total casualties that day were 11 officers and -336 other ranks. More than half were either known to be dead, or were -missing; and as the number of prisoners taken by the enemy was very -small, it may fairly be presumed that the Battalion lost, in killed -alone, at least 150 other ranks. Of the nine officers who went over -with the assaulting companies, only two, both wounded, returned; in -addition, Sec.-Lieut. F. A. Innes was killed at 147th Infantry Brigade -H.Q., and Sec.-Lieut. W. Smith was wounded with C Company. September -3rd is the blackest day in the Battalion’s history, for, unlike October -11th, 1918, it had no success to compensate for its casualties. To-day, -upon the very line of the first objective, which B Company carried -that eventful morning and was later forced to evacuate, there stands -a great cemetery. In it have been collected the remains of many men, -from scores of solitary graves; and on the crosses the legend “Unknown -soldier 1/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt.” is one of the most -common. There rest many of the gallant men who fell that day. - -It is not the purpose of this book to criticise as a general rule, but -some slight exception must be made in connection with the attack on -September 3rd. At the time there was a widespread belief, which was -certainly held by most of the higher authorities, that the Battalion -never gained its objectives. This was wrong. A and B Companies -reached, and cleared the enemy from the whole of the first and second -objectives; it is true they did not occupy the whole of them, but that -was due simply to lack of men. For more than two hours there were no -Germans in either of the lines which the Battalion was ordered to -capture. These facts are clearly proved, not only by the evidence of -the men who carried out the assault, but also by the German official -report on the action. The men of D Company, as has been stated, seem to -have got too far to the right; but even they fulfilled their role, for -they successfully defended the Battalion’s exposed right flank so long -as there were men enough to hold the ground which had been won. During -the next few weeks several divisions successively failed to carry the -objectives of September 3rd. Even after Thiepval itself had fallen, it -was some time before the Schwaben Redoubt and the defences north of it -passed into British hands. - - - (_c_) The Leipsig Redoubt. - -The day after the Battalion’s unsuccessful attack on the German line, -Major R. E. Sugden, D.S.O., rejoined and assumed command, being -promoted Lieut.-Colonel a few days later. He had been in England for -nearly nine months, as the result of his wound received near Ypres the -previous December; but now, though he had not yet fully recovered the -use of his hand and arm, he had returned to France. For nearly two -years from this date he held command of the Battalion, only leaving it -when he was appointed G.O.C., 151st Infantry Brigade, in June, 1918. - -After a few days in Martinsart Wood, the Battalion moved back to -bivouacs near Hedauville. Little work was done except reorganisation, -which was very necessary. Not only had an enormous number of officers -and N.C.O’s become casualties, but three whole companies had been -practically wiped out. Out of these companies no officers, only one -warrant officer--C.S.M. W. Medley--and very few N.C.O’s had survived. -The elaborate B Echelons of later days were only in their infancy, and -so little framework existed on which to rebuild. The only thing to do -was to make use of the personnel of C Company to provide the necessary -framework. Hence, many N.C.O’s and specialists were transferred to -other companies. Sec.-Lieut. F. Walker and Lieut. J. G. Mowat were -appointed to the command of A and B Companies respectively. C.S.M. A. -McNulty again became C.S.M. of A Company, and C.Q.M.S. A. L. Lord of C -Company was transferred to D Company as C.S.M. The supply of men was -simpler. Large drafts arrived within a few days, and, by the middle of -September, the Battalion’s fighting strength was practically the -same as it had been at the beginning of the month. On September 21st a -draft of eleven officers arrived, and several more joined a few days -later. Among them were three or four who had already served with the -Battalion abroad, either as officers or in the ranks, while others had -seen active service elsewhere. - - [Illustration: Sept. 3rd. 1916.] - -While the Battalion was at Hedauville, Brig.-General E. F. Brereton, -C.B., D.S.O., came over to say farewell. The men were drawn up in a -hollow square, and were first addressed by the Divisional Commander. -Then the Brigadier spoke. In a magnificent speech, which deeply -impressed all who heard it, he paid a glowing tribute to the dead and -said good-bye to the living. The parade was dismissed and all rushed -down to the road. Roar upon roar of cheering burst forth as the car -passed slowly through the lines of men and, at length, disappeared from -view. If he had ever doubted it, the demonstration must have proved to -the General how much he was beloved in his Brigade. Brig.-General C. G. -Lewes, D.S.O., assumed command of the 147th Infantry Brigade. - -By September 15th the Battalion was considered ready for active service -again; it moved up to Martinsart Wood and from thence, the next day, -to Crucifix Corner, Aveluy. On September 17th it was in support to an -attack, made by the 1/7th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., on part -of the Leipsig Redoubt. Unlike the bigger operation of September 3rd, -this attack was planned to take place in the evening, zero hour being -6-30 p.m. Thus the assaulting troops would have the whole night for -consolidation. The main duty of the Battalion was to provide a number -of carrying parties, no less than 7 officers and 215 other ranks being -detailed for that purpose. Of these, about half were to work with the -assaulting troops, while the remainder were responsible for keeping -the various dumps supplied. Profiting by the experience of September -3rd, Brigade H.Q. had decided that carrying parties should actually -accompany the assaulting troops when they attacked. It was hoped, in -this way, to get some supplies of ammunition up to the objectives -before the enemy barrage came down. The men for this duty were divided -into three separate parties, under Sec.-Lieuts. H. N. Taylor, E. W. -Flatow and E. Rawnsley respectively. A further party, under Sec.-Lieut. -G. Rawnsley, was to carry up water in petrol tins. - -Half-an-hour before zero all parties were in their assembly positions. -Many of the men, who had only left England a few days, had never even -been in the line before, and it must have been a particularly nervous -time for them. The principal supplies to be carried up were Mills -bombs, and every man had a box under each arm. When the assaulting -troops went over, the carrying parties advanced immediately in rear of -them. The ground was not easy to cross, being one mass of shell holes, -and littered everywhere with the debris of shattered trenches and -wire entanglements. Nevertheless, the men went well, and most of them -succeeded in delivering their first load before the enemy barrage came -down. Back they went for a second load, and this time the crossing was -more dangerous. Though rather scattered, and not particularly heavy, -the enemy barrage was most uncomfortable; and machine guns did not -make the situation any pleasanter. But through it all the men worked -splendidly. Backwards and forwards they went, time after time, until at -length the unusual message came back “Enough bombs.” That message is -the best criticism that can be given of the way in which the carrying -parties did their work. By this time they had naturally become very -scattered. Many were being employed as messengers or guides; some had -lost their bearings, for it was now quite dark; and there were many -casualties. Altogether, the Battalion lost that day 12 other ranks, -including C.S.M. T. H. Greenwood of C Company, killed, 7 missing, -and 39 wounded. But the work had been well done. Officers collected -all they could find of their parties, and rejoined the rest of the -Battalion; but many men did not report back until long after dawn the -next day. - -The day after the attack the Battalion moved up into close support to -the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., which had taken over the -captured trenches. Three days later it took over the defence of the new -line. D Company, with C Company in close support to it, held the whole -of the captured ground; the other companies occupied the old British -line. D Company’s sector was a ghastly place. Rain and shell-fire had -turned the ground into a mass of mud, littered with the awful debris of -battle. Never had the Battalion seen so many dead Germans; and there -were many British too. Bodies were lying all over the ground in the -open; many more were exposed by the shovel, and hastily recovered. A -hot September sun beat down in the daytime, and the air was filled with -the stench of decaying humanity. Water was scarce, as every drop of -it had to be carried up, and had to be used very economically. Ration -parties had a very hard task, for there were neither tracks nor proper -communication trenches. Almost the only real comfort was provided -by the excellent German tunnelled dugouts which abounded, and were -sufficient to accommodate the whole company. These were from twenty to -thirty feet down; they were splendidly built and, in some cases, quite -comfortably furnished; and they were proof against the heaviest shell. -This was as well, for the hostile artillery was very active. Though the -Germans probably had a very hazy idea of the British positions, they -knew where their own deep dugouts had been and persistently shelled -those localities. Practically all movement could be easily observed, -and there was much coming and going of staff officers and others in -connection with the new attack on Thiepval which was planning. D -Company came in for all the shelling, which was brought on by this -movement, and also for the not infrequent barrages put down by the -enemy. The other companies had an easier, though far from pleasant, -time. - -Much work was done by the Battalion while it was in the Leipsig -Redoubt. Its role was to prepare the way for an attack on Thiepval by -the 18th Division. Assembly trenches had to be dug; the dead had to -be buried. Most of this work was done by the support companies, who -sent up large parties each night. D Company’s duty was restricted to -holding the line--quite a sufficient task for the new men of whom the -company was mainly composed. Casualties occurred almost hourly. It was -a nerve-racking time. - -At length the relief came on September 24th. A heavy bombardment of 15 -cm. shells about 5-0 p.m., which at one time seemed likely to hinder -the relief seriously, was stopped by the British retaliation. An -unusually quiet night followed. Soon after dark the 12th Battalion -Middlesex Regt. began to arrive; and when, about midnight, D Company’s -relief was complete, the Battalion turned its back on the Somme -battlefield for ever. B and C Companies had been relieved earlier and -they marched straight through to Lealvillers. A and D Companies were -to be met by buses at the bottom of Black Horse Road. The former got -away after a long wait, but there were no conveyances for the latter. -Wearily--few of them had had any sleep to speak of for three days or -nights--the men dragged themselves along to Martinsart Wood, where -they simply dropped down by the roadside and slept. About dawn buses -did arrive, and the company was quickly taken to Lealvillers, where -a halt was made for breakfast. Then it bussed straight through to -Halloy, while the rest of the Battalion had to march. The ride was some -satisfaction for the night spent on the road. - -The day after its arrival at Halloy the Battalion learned of the fall -of Thiepval. In the midst of the satisfaction caused by this news, -there was naturally some little disappointment that, after so many -months of work and fighting, it had not been “in at the death.” - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - WITH THE THIRD ARMY. - - - (_a_) Hannescamps. - -Many expected, and all hoped for, a fairly long period of rest when the -Battalion moved back to Halloy, after nearly three months of the Somme -Battle. But it was not to be. The 49th Division was transferred to the -Third Army, and, within five days of its relief in the Leipsig Redoubt, -the Battalion was holding a front line sector again. Two days of easy -marching, and a night each at Humbercamps and Bienvillers, had brought -it to the Hannescamps sector, where it relieved the 2nd Battalion Royal -Welsh Fusiliers, on September 29th. - -The new sector lay astride the Hannescamps--Essarts Road, and was the -longest front the Battalion had held up to that time. It was outside -the area of the Somme Battle, had been quiet all the summer, and so -had suffered little from shell fire. At a first glance the trenches -appeared to be in splendid condition, and in places they really -were--Lulu Lane, the communication trench on the left, was about as -fine a piece of field engineering as the Battalion had seen. But the -greater part of the front line and most of the communication trenches -were far from good. The weather was dry when they were taken over and, -fortunately, there was practically no rain while the Battalion was -there. Very little of the work had been properly revetted, and it was -obvious that the trenches would slide in as soon as the wet weather -came. The front line was of the regulation type--six yard bays and -four yard traverses--with two or three long saps running out into No -Man’s Land. It was fairly well provided with shelters, B Company in -the centre being particularly well off with a number in the sunken -Hannescamps--Essarts Road. It was garrisoned by three companies; the -fourth was in reserve, with two platoons near Battalion H.Q. and two -about halfway up Lulu Lane. Battalion H.Q. lived in shelters along the -road, just south of the village of Hannescamps. These were moderately -comfortable, except for the rats; but few would have been any good -against shell fire. - -The enemy was very quiet. Apart from a few light shells now and then, -his artillery was practically inactive. Trench mortar, machine gun and -rifle fire were almost unknown. This was due mainly to the extent of No -Man’s Land. On the extreme left, the opposing lines approached within -about 250 yards of one another; but on the greater part of the front -they were over 1,000 yards apart. The main activity of the Battalion -was patrolling. In that department Sec.-Lieut. G. Crowther, who had -succeeded Sec.-Lieut. H. H. Aykroyd, M.C. as Battalion Intelligence -Officer, was extremely active. Night after night he penetrated deeply -into No Man’s Land in his efforts to secure an identification--but -without success. On one occasion he did encounter the enemy--near the -Osier Bed, which was his particular haunt--but he failed to make a -capture, though he certainly wounded one German. Apart from this, the -Battalion only came in contact with the enemy once. During their first -night in the sector, some men of C Company, who were holding a sap-head -on the left, were bombed, and suffered several casualties. - -At Hannescamps, the Battalion had taken over the most elaborate and -well-organised system of cooking they had ever seen in a front line -sector. A good kitchen had been built in a sunken road not far from -the village, and there hot meals were regularly prepared for the whole -Battalion. These were carried up, in hot food containers, by the men of -the reserve company, and living was almost as good in the front line -as in rest billets. The only serious difficulties were the shortage -of water, and the rats. Rats! Everyone who has seen much of trench -warfare knows how prevalent rats are. But never, at any other time or -place, has the Battalion had to contend with such a pest as it found -at Hannescamps. Everywhere the trenches swarmed with them; but nowhere -were they so bad as among the shelters near Battalion H.Q. They ate -everything they could get their teeth into. The very first night the -Battalion was there, not only were nearly all iron rations spoiled, but -more than half the packs and haversacks of the men of D Company, who -were in reserve, were ruined. Nothing could be done to cope with them -and they had to be endured. The remaining packs and haversacks were -only saved by taking them out nightly and hanging them on thin wires, -which were stretched from tree to tree in a neighbouring orchard. - -After four days in this sector, the Battalion was relieved by the 1/5th -Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and went to Souastre -for a rest. There all efforts were concentrated on smartening up. This -was very necessary. For practically three months there had been little -opportunity for a man to keep himself bodily clean, much less smart; -and there had been few proper parades. The result had been a distinct -falling off in smartness; but, after one or two periods in Brigade -Reserve, the improvement was very marked. - -Only two tours were done in the Hannescamps Sector and then the 146th -Infantry Brigade took over the line. While the remainder of the -Battalion moved to Bienvillers for the night, D Company was sent to the -Bluff, south of Fonquevillers, where it came under the orders of the -5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. There it provided shifts for -work in the tunnels for two days, and then rejoined the Battalion at -Humbercamps. After two more short moves, the Battalion arrived again at -Souastre. - - - (_b_) Fonquevillers. - -From the middle of October until the beginning of December, the -Battalion was inter-relieving with the 5th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. in the Y Sector, Fonquevillers. This sector had -a frontage of rather over a thousand yards, and extended from the -Fonquevillers-Gommecourt Road on the left, to the “Mousetrap,” an -unoccupied rectangle of ground opposite Gommecourt Park, on the right. -It had been the scene of one of the most costly failures of July -1st, for from it the men of the 46th Division had started when they -attempted to take Gommecourt in conjunction with the 31st Division. -When the Battalion first took over the sector, it was held with two -companies in the front line and two in support. But, before long, these -dispositions were altered. The front line system was divided into three -company sectors, each company finding its own immediate support; and -the fourth company became battalion reserve. The front line had been -continuous at one time, but now parts of it were practically derelict; -communication along it was still possible without much difficulty, but -there were unoccupied gaps between the three companies. The position -was a strong one, though it was not to be compared with the magnificent -defences which the enemy had constructed for himself round Gommecourt. -Battalion H.Q. occupied a line of shelters and dugouts along the -Fonquevillers--Hebuterne Road, commonly known as Thorpe Street. Chief -among these was the Bairnsfather Dugout, so-called because it had once -been occupied by the artist whose work is so well known to all readers -of the _Bystander_. It was a comfortable little place, like -several more in the vicinity. Its walls were lined with whitewashed -timber and adorned with many drawings by the creator of “Old Bill,” -some executed in pencil, some apparently with the end of a red-hot iron. - -Things were not so quiet in the neighbourhood of Fonquevillers as they -had been at Hannescamps. The enemy did not make much use of heavy -artillery, but his field guns were often active. These did not harass -the front line troops greatly, but a good deal of shrapnel was fired -on Thorpe Street, and various parts of the village frequently received -attention. The most “unhealthy” spot was the Shrine, at the western -entrance; it was never advisable to loiter near there for long. Trench -mortars caused a lot of trouble. On the left in particular these often -fired, and, though actual “minnies” were uncommon, there were plenty -of “rum-jars.” On one occasion the Commanding Officer was confined for -some time in a dugout, the entrance to which had been blocked by one -of these trench mortar shells. The roof of this dugout was at least -fifteen feet thick, but it was bulged in by the force of the explosion. - -As at Hannescamps, the offensive spirit of the Battalion was mainly -confined to patrolling. No Man’s Land varied from 200 to 400 yards in -width. With the exception of the ruins of the Sucherie, which were -really on the next battalion’s front, there was little of interest -between the lines. Sec.-Lieut. G. Crowther was again to the fore in -his efforts to capture a prisoner, but he had no success. The enemy -appeared to be quite willing to leave No Man’s Land to the British; -at any rate, few patrols of his were encountered. At length, when all -minor attempts to secure identification had proved unsuccessful, 147th -Infantry Brigade H.Q. determined to make a raid--the first operation -of that type to be carried out in the Brigade. It was undertaken by -the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., who made the attempt one -night through the 4th Battalion, which was then holding the line. The -operation was well planned and executed; the raiding party succeeded -in entering the enemy lines and did a great deal of damage; but they -failed to secure an identification. Apart from a few minor duties, -such as providing covering fire from Lewis guns and assisting in -the evacuation of the wounded, the Battalion took no part. But some -casualties were suffered from the defensive barrage which the enemy put -down. - -While the Battalion was in this sector, the successful attack north -of the River Ancre, which resulted in the capture of Beaumont Hamel -and other positions, took place. The battle was too far off to have -any real effect on the Fonquevillers front, though, at one time, it -was intended that a smoke barrage should be put up by the Battalion -to distract attention from the real attack. Elaborate preparations -had been made for this, but eventually the orders were cancelled and -nothing was done. - -At Fonquevillers, Battalion H.Q. once spent a very uncomfortable -half-hour. “Authentic” information had been received from Brigade that -the enemy had driven a mine right under H.Q. mess. The exact time at -which this was to be exploded was known, and it was found that it came -in the middle of a relief. This was most inconsiderate on the part of -the Germans, for the necessity of handing over correctly prevented -officers visiting their friends, or making expeditions “on duty” to -distant parts of the line. There was an anxious minute when the time -came to go into the air. Nothing happened. - -Winter had begun soon after the Battalion came into the sector, and, -with its coming, conditions became very bad. The trenches were in no -condition to stand bad weather. Very little work had been done on them -for months, probably because everyone hoped that the British would have -advanced far beyond them ere winter set in. Now, when the rain came, -they immediately began to cave in. But the Battalion had behind it -the experience gained at Ypres the previous winter. There was indeed -more work to do than could possibly be done; so parts of the line were -allowed to become derelict, and one or two communication trenches fell -into disuse. Work was concentrated on what was most necessary, and -the battalion in the line had the assistance of large working parties -sent up by the battalion in reserve. Long hours had to be worked, -but excellent results were obtained. There was plenty of mud, but -no part of the trenches in use ever became really water-logged. How -well the men worked during one tour is shown by the following highly -complimentary letter, which was received from the Brigadier:-- - - “O.C. 4th W. Riding Regt. - - I wish to express to the Battalion under your command my great - appreciation of the work done in your sector, and the excellent - spirit shown by your men during the past 6 day tour in the - trenches under circumstances of exceptional difficulty. - - Your work was good, not shoddy, and when not working your men - were trying to shoot Bosches. - - My only regret is, that owing to circumstances, I was unable to - spend more time with you, but it was a compliment that after - what I saw on Wednesday, I knew I could leave the Battalion to - do its best. - - This excellent spirit of keenness and hard work in a Battalion - is worth a great deal to its Brigade Commander. - - Please circulate my remarks to your officers and men. - - C. Lewes, B.-General, - Commdg. 147 Brigade.” - -Periods of Brigade Reserve were usually spent in Souastre, at which -village the Battalion transport was permanently billeted. Most of the -men occupied barns of the familiar French type, those timber and -clay structures so well known to all who have served with the British -Expeditionary Force. Generally speaking, the troops were fairly -comfortable. The barns were in fairly good condition. There were plenty -of civilians still living in the village, though it was not far from -the line. There were plenty of estaminets, and there was a Y.M.C.A. -hut. Little training was possible owing to the large working parties -which had to be found. Needless to say, the men groused at these, but, -as they worked mostly on the trenches which they occupied themselves -in the line, they realised that the work was for their own benefit. -Sometimes only half the Battalion went to Souastre, the rest stopping -in billets in Fonquevillers, under the command of Major A. L. Mowat. -This arrangement was made in order to have two companies on the spot to -work under the direction of the 57th Field Company, Royal Engineers. - -For the greater part of this period the Battalion was very short of -officers. When it left the Somme area it was well over strength, but, -soon after its arrival in the Third Army, it had been called on to -transfer ten to other battalions of the Regiment. No further drafts -had been received, many officers were absent on courses, and the usual -wastage through sickness was going on. The result was that, during the -latter part of the time at Fonquevillers, there were seldom more than -two officers per company doing duty in the line. - -On December 5th the Battalion was relieved in the Y Sector by the 1/5th -Battalion Sherwood Foresters--the battalion which had gone “over the -top” from those very same trenches on July 1st. As each platoon was -relieved it marched back to Souastre, where a halt was made in a field -for dinner, after which companies formed up and marched to Warlencourt. -The next day the Battalion marched to Halloy, where it was to stop -until early in the New Year. - - - (_c_) Halloy. - -Halloy was one of the worst places for billeting in the whole of -France. The barns were mostly in a bad state of repair. The hutment -camps were exceptionally muddy. The inhabitants of the village were -far from sweet-tempered, as a general rule. To make matters worse, it -seemed to be the invariable custom of the British authorities to crowd -far more troops into the place than it could reasonably be expected to -hold. The weather was not particularly bad for the time of the year, -but December is never an ideal month. Hence the conditions, under which -the Christmas of 1916 was spent, were none of the best. - -There was not a great deal of training. Occasional battalion route -marches were held, but the companies attempted little except specialist -training. No. 5 Platoon of B Company won the 147th Infantry Brigade -Platoon Competition; but it was not successful when it represented the -Brigade in the 49th Divisional Competition. Towards the end of the -time at Halloy, large working parties had to be provided for unloading -stores at Mondicourt Railhead. Several large drafts of men arrived to -replace the wastage of the previous autumn, and, by the beginning of -January, the Battalion’s “paper” strength was over 1,000 other ranks. - -The chief event was Christmas Day. Great preparations were made as -usual. A motor lorry was obtained to fetch additional supplies from -Amiens. Cpl. F. Smith was, of course, very much to the fore; Sergt. -Lockwood rose to the occasion, as he always did at that season of the -year. Dinner accommodation was a difficulty. Only one suitable room, at -an estaminet, could be obtained, and that would only hold one company -at a time. So the dinners started at noon and ran on right through the -afternoon, the men sitting down in four company shifts. But everything -went off well, the usual smoking concerts helped to pass the time, and -the anniversary was thoroughly enjoyed by all. - - - (_d_) Berles. - -On January 7th, the Battalion left Halloy, and, moving by march route, -relieved the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regt. in Brigade Reserve to the -B1 Sub-sector. Battalion H.Q. and two companies were accommodated in -the village of Berles; the other two companies were at Humbercamps. -These were to be the dispositions of the Battalion for the rest of the -month, whenever it was out of the line, except on one occasion when -the whole went to Humbercamps. Though very much nearer the enemy--the -village was only about a mile from the British front line--the troops -at Berles were far more comfortable than those at Humbercamps. Parts -of the village had been very little shelled. Quite a number of French -civilians were still living there and a few small shops were open. -There were many very comfortable billets in private houses, some of -which still contained a good deal of furniture; and the men were not at -all crowded. Here and there extensive tunnels had been dug in the hard -chalk, and to these the men had orders to retire if the enemy started -shelling. Working parties had to be provided as usual, but these could -be borne with ease in such comfortable surroundings. - -The Battalion first took over the B1 Sub-sector on January 10th. Its -dispositions were somewhat peculiar. The front line was divided into -three company sectors, but one platoon was drawn from each to form a -composite company, in reserve at Battalion H.Q. The fourth company -lived in extremely comfortable billets in the village, where it was -in reserve if needed; but it was mainly employed on working parties. -Seldom has part of a battalion in the line been more comfortably off. - -The sector was in an awful state. Laterally, each company was -completely isolated from its neighbours by absolutely derelict trench. -Long stretches of the communication trenches were deep in water, while -portions of the front line fairly beggar description. It had been very -badly constructed; in some places the revetments had bulged so much -that there was scarcely room to force one’s way along the trench; -elsewhere, the sides had collapsed altogether, and the trench was -nothing but a cavity, filled with mud and debris. The pumps were kept -constantly at work, but were quite inadequate to deal with the water. -So bad was the front line on the left company front that, during the -moonless nights of the first tour, it took the subaltern on duty two -hours to walk once each way along the line--and yet the company sector -was only about two hundred yards in length. But the men stood it well. -Kitchens, similar to those at Hannescamps, provided plenty of hot -food; and thigh-boots were available for all. - -Artillery was fairly active on both sides. The vicinity of Battalion -H.Q. received most attention and several casualties were suffered -near there, the chief being R.S.M. T. Glover, who was wounded in the -arm by a shell splinter. There was also a certain amount of trench -mortar fire, particularly on the right, where the lines were not -more than eighty yards apart; indeed, at one point, only about forty -yards separated the saps of the opposing troops. The British had a -heavy trench mortar which occasionally fired on the enemy defences, -opposite to the left company. Owing to doubts as to the accuracy of -this infernal machine, it was customary to clear a portion of the -front line while it was firing. Certainly it produced most terrific -explosions, and it provoked a good deal of retaliation until, one day, -a “premature” destroyed not only the gun but the whole of the team -which was working it. - -Towards the end of the month an exceptionally hard frost began. -Quickly, all the mud and water froze hard, and sheets of ice covered -the bottoms of many trenches. Snow fell and the ground became white. -It froze on the trench grids, making them so slippery that it was -almost impossible to walk without sandbags tied over the boots. The -change in the weather had its advantages as well as its disadvantages, -and probably the former outweighed the latter. Iron-hard ground was -a great improvement on the awful mud; ice was better than water; and -the weather was dry. But the lot of the sentry was most unenviable. To -stand on the fire-step, in the face of a biting north-easterly wind, -with the thermometer registering as much as 28 degrees of frost, was -a terrible task. Everything possible was done. Hot drink and rum were -provided. Section commanders actually put their men through some of the -exercises in bayonet fighting and physical drill in the front line. But -the weather of early 1917 will not be forgotten by those who were in -the trenches at that time. - -During the earlier part of the month patrolling had been very active, -in spite of the bad condition of No Man’s Land. Little had been -possible on the right company front, where the lines were so near -together; but, further north, they were as much as five hundred yards -apart in places. Sergt. J. Bancroft, of C Company, was particularly -energetic. Twice he reached the enemy wire, reconnoitred it for several -hundred yards, and brought back very valuable information as to its -strength, the enemy dispositions, defences and working parties. On -one occasion, finding his men rather “windy,” he fell them in in No -Man’s Land, put them through some bayonet fighting drill, and then -proceeded with the patrol. But the deed for which he won the Military -Medal happened after the cold weather had set in, when the snow-covered -ground shone white in the rays of the moon. Sec.-Lieut. G. Rawnsley, -with Bancroft and two men, was out on patrol. He had reached a point -about thirty yards from the enemy line when a flare revealed his -presence, and he was shot through the head. In spite of the heavy fire -maintained by the enemy, Bancroft remained with the body for some time, -trying to get it back. Finding the task beyond his power, he returned -to his own line, collected and led a party to the spot, and succeeded -in bringing the body in. All this was done in the face of heavy fire, -and his coolness and daring thoroughly merited the decoration which he -received. - -Before the frost set in, all work had been concentrated on keeping -the trenches in a habitable condition. But, with the frost, such work -became temporarily unnecessary, even had it been possible. Meanwhile, -new theories of how a line should be held were developing. The gradual -increase of fire power, due to the introduction of Lewis guns and -the growth of the British artillery, made it unnecessary to keep so -many men in the front line; the increase in the strength of the enemy -artillery and trench mortars made it inadvisable to do so. Instead -of a line in which practically every fire-bay was manned, the system -of semi-isolated posts was coming in. To adapt the old trenches to -this new idea of defence, now became the chief form of work. Derelict -trenches had to be filled in; the trenches which were to be preserved -had to be adapted for all round defence by platoon or section posts. -This was mainly carried out by filling the disused trenches with wire, -so that they could not be occupied by the enemy. - -Bombing too had had its day, and the utility of the numerous -saps, which covered most front lines, was discounted. Among other -improvements in the Battalion’s sector, it was decided to fill in the -T head sap which lay only about forty yards from the enemy, on the -right company front. This was a delicate task. The order was to fill it -in with earth; but it approached so near to the German line that the -least stroke of a pick on that iron-bound ground could easily be heard. -What was to be done? As luck would have it, the enemy was engaged in -wiring his sap just opposite; and so it became the nightly custom to -assemble a working party in the British front line and wait until the -enemy party was heard. Then the work of filling in the T head sap would -begin, for no fire was likely to come from the enemy while his own -party was out. This went on for several nights without incident; but -the work progressed very slowly, owing to the frozen condition of the -soil. On the last night the Battalion was in the line it changed its -tactics. Instead of sending out a working party, it trained a Lewis gun -on the enemy sap and opened fire as soon as the wiring party was heard. -Whether any casualties were caused cannot be said; but the wiring came -to an abrupt conclusion. - -Had the Battalion remained longer in that sector, it would probably -have been called upon to do a raid on the enemy line. Much time had -been expended on reconnaissance for that purpose, and the order was -fully expected. Perhaps it was due to its own intentions that the -Brigade was so nervous about the enemy; whatever the cause, it seemed -most anxious to ascribe to the Germans designs on the British line. A -sign of this nervousness was the great interest taken in a gap in the -enemy wire near the Berles-Monchy Road. It is probable that the gap was -an old one, which had escaped notice up till then; but the amount of -paper that flew about on the subject was enormous. Of course, nothing -happened. - -The Battalion’s departure from the B1 Sub-sector was the result of a -rearrangement of divisional fronts. The 46th Division was extending -north and taking over the whole of the 147th Infantry Brigade sector, -while the 49th Division was doing the same on its left. Hence, when the -Battalion was relieved on January 30th, and moved to Humbercamps, it -knew that it was not to return. - - [Illustration: Brig.-Genl. R. E. SUGDEN, C.M.G., D.S.O., T.D.] - - - (_e_) Riviére. - -On February 1st the Battalion moved to Riviére, where it relieved the -8th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, in Brigade Reserve to the F1 -Sub-sector. The 1/5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. followed, -and, throughout the next month, the two were inter-relieving as they -had been at Berles. The accommodation in brigade reserve was very good, -considering its nearness to the line. Three companies lived in billets -in the village; the fourth garrisoned the Wailly Keeps, a reserve line -of platoon posts. This latter was an ideal duty for an enthusiastic -platoon commander. He had his own little command, nicely compact; he -lived with his platoon, looked after its food, and supervised its work -and training; and, except in one case, his company commander was not -too near. What could a keen young subaltern want better? The bulk of -the Battalion in Riviére found working parties, so there was little -chance for training. But the Battalion had a tour in the line to do -before it was really able to taste the joys of brigade reserve. On -February 2nd it took over the F1 Sub-sector from the 7th Battalion -King’s Royal Rifle Corps. - -This sector was, in one respect, the most “perfect” the Battalion -ever occupied. Students of the many official handbooks on “Trench -Warfare,” which were produced in the first two years of the war, will -remember the excellent instruction on the planning of trenches--how -each system should have a continuous front line, supervision trench, -support line and reserve line, with numerous communication trenches -from front to rear. They will remember too how each of these, except -of course the supervision and communication trenches, was to consist -of alternate bays and traverses, etc., etc. And those of them who knew -the Western Front will remember how seldom, if ever, they saw these -theories put into practice. Well, the F1 Sub-sector was an exception. -The supervision trench did not, indeed, run the whole length of the -front; but there were the continuous front, support and reserve lines, -properly traversed and supplied with fire bays, and connected by -numerous communication trenches. In fact, an aeroplane photograph of -the sector might almost have been reproduced in one of the textbooks, -as a perfect example of what ought to be done. The bombing expert -had also been at work, and the protection of the main communication -trenches was “beautiful,”--but was it effective? Perhaps it was due to -this theoretical accuracy of the sector that the authorities selected -it as a training ground for embryo officers. At any rate, several -privates from the Artists’ Rifles were attached to the Battalion for -instruction while it was in that area. So much for theory! - -In practice also the line was not at all bad. The trenches were deep -and narrow, and afforded good protection against shell fire. At the -beginning of February everything was frozen hard, and so there was -no trouble with the mud; but when a thaw set in, shortly before the -Battalion left the sector, the support line and several communication -trenches soon became impassable. Accommodation was adequate; most -of the dugouts were sufficiently deep to withstand any ordinary -bombardment and a few were really comfortable. In short, the line -had been carefully constructed, in accordance with ideas now quickly -becoming obsolete; it had been well looked after, and might have been -a pleasure to live in--but for the enemy. The archaic atmosphere was -rather heightened by the presence of such “prehistoric” appliances as -the West Spring Gun, and rifle batteries. - -One of the most interesting features of the sector was a Russian sap, -near the boundary between the centre and left companies. About 75 -yards out in No Man’s Land, and nearly parallel to the left company -front, was a bank, behind which patrols could move quite out of sight -of the enemy. The remains of a derelict sap ran out to its southern -end, but this had been replaced by a Russian sap--that is, a covered-in -passage--well revetted with timber. A listening post was permanently -established at the end of this sap; during the day it remained under -cover, but at night it occupied a shell hole in the open. It was in -touch with a second post, at the entrance to the sap, by means of a -bell worked by a string. This apparatus was tested frequently to make -sure that it was in working order. The existence of both listening post -and sap was supposed to be unknown to the enemy; probably he knew all -about them, but, at any rate, he was not supposed to. - -The front system, embracing both front and support lines, was divided -into three company sectors. The fourth company was in battalion -reserve. Battalion H.Q. was, of course, in its “correct” position, a -little in rear of the reserve line. Companies did not always hold the -same sectors, for the right was generally considered to be the most -uncomfortable; but there was not much to choose between them. - -The F1 Sub-sector was the “liveliest” the Battalion held while it was -with the Third Army, but it is not to be compared with such places as -Thiepval Wood or Nieuport. Heavy artillery was not much used by the -enemy, though the reserve company H.Q. had the reputation of being -the datum point for 5.9’s. But the German field guns were very active -on many parts of the front. The most frequently-shelled spot was the -top of Forest Street--the communication trench on the extreme right. -That point was constantly and very accurately “whizz-banged,” for the -enemy could easily detect any movement there. All parts of the front -line came in for attention. The enemy also used “rum-jars” and vane -bombs very freely. The latter probably caused far more annoyance than -casualties. However, Lieut.-Col. H. A. S. Stanton, D.S.O.,[8] was -severely wounded by one of them. - -There was also a good deal of back area shelling, and the transport -was harassed more than once on its nightly journey with rations. -Near Basseux its route led through the position of a 6-inch howitzer -battery, which the enemy frequently shelled. There Pte. H. Bibby, while -driving a limber up to Riviére one night, had his ride horse killed -under him. He coolly cut it out of the traces and completed his journey -with one horse, himself walking by the side and supporting the pole -for a distance of a mile and a half. It was not the first time that he -had been brought to notice, and the award of a Military Medal, which -followed, was well deserved. - -The British were not idle. Their artillery did plenty of work on that -front, and their trench mortars were always ready to fire. There were -some excellent and well-hidden Stokes mortar positions, and also some -2-inch in the line. Both of these were eager to retaliate, and it was -soon found that the former quickly stopped the enemy’s use of vane -bombs. Targets for Lewis guns or rifles were not common, but C.S.M. A. -McNulty did some excellent practice with his Winchester. His gory tale -of how, after more than four hours’ waiting, he saw the blood splash -from the forehead of a German officer, was much appreciated by all who -heard it. The snow made patrolling difficult at first, but it did not -stop it. The higher authorities were clamouring for identification, and -every possible means was tried. But enemy patrols were conspicuous by -their absence. Once a working party was located near the head of the -Russian sap, and a plan was made to secure a dead or wounded German. A -party was to lie in wait in the sap, and, when it heard the enemy, to -signal to the artillery, who would open a heavy burst of shrapnel fire; -the party was then to rush out, pick up the killed and wounded, and -return. But though Lieut. F. H. Kelsall waited in the sap for several -hours, on more than one occasion, the enemy party did not again appear. -So, when all other means of obtaining identification had been tried -without success, the Battalion was ordered to make a raid on the enemy -line. - -Capt. J. G. Mowat was selected to command the raiders. Arrangements -were made for the whole party to stop out of the line during the next -tour, to rehearse the operation. Comfortable billets were provided for -the men, they were not worked too hard, and they enjoyed themselves -thoroughly. Once their billets were changed owing to a rumour about -a spy. There may have been some truth in the report. Certainly the -inhabitants of Riviére, in some unknown way, learned much about the -operation beforehand. They even knew zero hour, a point which had been -kept secret from nearly all the raiders themselves. - - [Illustration: _Raid near Ficheux._ - - 17.2.17.] - -After careful consideration the enemy front line, immediately to the -west of the Wailly-Ficheux Road, was selected as the objective for -the raid. No Man’s Land was thoroughly reconnoitred by Battalion H.Q. -scouts. The operation was fixed for the evening of February 17th, and -was planned to take place as follows:-- - -1. Zero hour was fixed for 10-0 p.m. Fifteen minutes before zero the -raiders were to be assembled in No Man’s Land, along the bank by the -Russian sap, divided into the following parties: - - (_a_) Right Flank Party. Sec.-Lieut. R. C. Purvis and 12 - other ranks. - - (_b_) Left Flank Party. Sergt. G. Moscrop and 12 other - ranks. - - (_c_) Communication Trench Sec.-Lieut. E. V. Blakey and 12 - Party. other ranks. - - (_d_) Dugout Clearing Party. Sec.-Lieut. A. Butler and 15 - other ranks. (Sub-divided into - two parties under the officer - and Sergt. F. Johnson respectively.) - - (_e_) Parapet Party. Capt. J. G. Mowat and 14 other - ranks. - - (_f_) Bangalore Torpedo Sec.-Lieut. W. L. Hirst and 5 - Party. other ranks. - -2. At 10-0 p.m. a heavy shrapnel barrage would open on the enemy -front line, from point A to point B (see map). After four minutes it -would gradually open out to form a box barrage round the objective. -Meanwhile, the enemy front line on both flanks, and all communication -trenches and ground in the vicinity, were to be swept by artillery, -trench-mortar, machine and Lewis gun fire. - -3. The Bangalore Torpedo Party was to advance, immediately under the -barrage, and blow a gap in the wire at point C. The other parties were -to follow, in order as above, pass through the gap, and enter the enemy -line. - -4. Parties (_a_) and (_b_) were to move along the trench -towards the right and left respectively, approach as near to the -barrage as possible, and cover the flanks of the operation. Party -(_c_) was to move down the enemy communication trench from point -C, and establish a block in it. Thus protected, party (_d_) was to -secure identification and do as much damage to the enemy trenches as -possible. - -5. Capt. J. G. Mowat, with party (_e_), was to remain on the -parapet. Signallers were to run a telephone wire across No Man’s Land -so that he would be in direct communication with Battalion H.Q. When -he considered that nothing further could be done, he was to give the -recall signal and supervise the withdrawal. - -6. The assembly was to be covered by fighting patrols, sent out by the -5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., then holding the line. - -At length February 17th arrived, and, in the evening, the raiders began -to move up to their positions. All were assembled, according to plan, -before zero. Apart from an enemy searchlight, which swept No Man’s -Land during the assembly but did not reveal the men to the Germans, -the preliminaries passed off without incident. Just before the barrage -opened, Sec.-Lieut. W. L. Hirst advanced with his torpedo party. The -torpedo was a cumbersome affair, twenty-two feet long, which required -three men to carry it. As the party moved forward it laid out a tape, -to show the direction to the raiders. The barrage had now opened, -the enemy was thoroughly aroused, and the flares which he was firing -considerably helped the party, as it hurried forward. The barrage was -excellent. On reaching the enemy wire, the men pushed the torpedo -well in, though not without difficulty, for it was heavy and the wire -was very thick. They then withdrew, except the officer and one Royal -Engineer who remained to light the fuse. As soon as this had been done, -the two rushed back about thirty yards and threw themselves flat on the -ground. Almost at the same moment the torpedo exploded with a terrific -crash. - -Meanwhile, the raiders, in column of parties, had advanced to a -position about forty yards from the enemy wire. Immediately the torpedo -exploded they rushed forward, only to find that much of the wire -still remained uncut. Capt. Mowat, Sergt. Moscrop and others flung -themselves upon it. Slashing at it with bill-hooks, and hurling great -chevaux-des-frises to one side, they forced a passage. Sergt. Moscrop -was the first to enter the trench, and he was quickly followed by all -the men of the flanking parties. By 10-6 p.m. every man was in the -trench and at work. - -The left flank party came upon an enemy sentry post almost at once. -One unwounded prisoner was taken and was passed out of the trench to -Capt. Mowat, who was waiting on the parapet. The rest of the Germans -were killed. The party then began to work its way along the trench -to its left. A second enemy party was encountered, and, for a short -time, held up the advance. But half of the British party was working -on the parapet. Cpl. E. Jackson, who was in command of these, quickly -worked round the Germans, dropped into the trench behind them, and -attacked them from the rear. One was taken, the rest were killed. But -the prisoner, after his capture, fired at and wounded Moscrop; so he -was promptly killed. The party then continued its way towards the left, -where it became engaged with some German bombers. These it successfully -held at bay until the recall signal was heard. - -The right flank party, under Sec.-Lieut. R. C. Purvis, moved along the -trench in a similar manner. It had barely started when word was passed -down that identification had been obtained. Sergt. J. S. Sheard led -the way, and himself accounted for the first three Germans who were -met. Moving further along, the party became heavily engaged with some -of the enemy, who were bombing from the parados. Several casualties -were suffered, including Sergt. Sheard severely wounded. But here, as -on the other flank, the advantage of having a party on the parapet was -apparent. This party, of whom Lance-Cpl. R. Knox shot two Germans, was -able to hold the enemy bombers at bay; and the right flank was well -covered until the end of the operation. When the recall signal was -sounded, all began to withdraw. Before leaving the trench, Cpl. S. -Jessop threw a petrol can, with Mills bombs attached, down a dugout -entrance; great sheets of flame shot up the stairway and “the results -appeared satisfactory,” says the official report. - -It would appear that the Bangalore torpedo had not been exploded -exactly at the pre-arranged spot. As a result, the raiders entered -the trench more to the left than had been intended. Sec.-Lieut. E. V. -Blakey searched for the communication trench, which it was his duty -to block and hold, but was unable to find it. He was able, however, -to give assistance both to Sergt. Moscrop and to the dugout-clearing -party; and, as the enemy does not seem to have made any attempt to -counter-attack along the communication trench, the failure to find it -did not affect the operation. - -Both flanking parties had received strict orders to ignore all dugouts. -These were left to Sec.-Lieut. A. Butler, Sergt. F. Johnson and their -men. The former worked to the right, the latter to the left. Each party -carried with it a plentiful supply of Mills bombs and short-fused -Stokes shells. Every dugout was bombed, and the crashing explosions -showed clearly how effective the Stokes shells were. No one can attempt -to estimate the number of casualties which were inflicted, but they -were certainly heavy. There is no doubt that many Germans were in the -dugouts. A light flashed down the entrance to one showed four bodies -lying on the steps. Lance-Cpl. H. Kane was particularly prominent in -this work. He shouted down the entrance to one dugout and was answered -by much talking; but as he did not understand the language he thought -it best to drop a bomb down. So he did. - -Meanwhile, Capt. J. G. Mowat was hard at work on the parapet. He was -in communication with Battalion H.Q. by telephone the whole time. He -had to keep a careful watch on the operation, in order to be ready to -deal promptly with any unforeseen development. Also he was largely -occupied in improving the gap in the enemy wire, so that the return -of the raiders might be easier. By 10-18 p.m. he saw clearly that -enemy bombing attacks were becoming serious on the flanks, and, as -identification had been obtained early on, there was no reason to -remain longer in the enemy lines. He ordered the recall to be sounded. -Two buglers were with him for that purpose. Their notes rang out and -were heard by all. The pass-word “Mowat” was shouted everywhere. The -withdrawal began. - -Everything went well. The parties of Sec.-Lieuts. E. V. Blakey and A. -Butler withdrew first, leaving the trench by means of light ladders -which they had carried forward with them in the first advance. Their -withdrawal was covered by the flank parties, who afterwards moved -towards the point of entry, covered by their own parapet men. By 10-20 -p.m. every man had left the trench, and “All Clear” was sent back along -the wire. The artillery barrage again dropped on the enemy front line, -to cover the withdrawal across No Man’s Land. This was soon effected, -Capt. Mowat bringing up the rear. In a few minutes every man, including -all the wounded, was back in the British line. There were no “Missing.” - -The raid had been an unqualified success, and was therefore a great -source of satisfaction to the Battalion. It was an example of what -careful and thorough training can do. With the exception of the -slight loss of direction in the first crossing of No Man’s Land, -which resulted in the trench being entered too much to the left and -Sec.-Lieut. Blakey failing to find his objective, everything had worked -like clockwork. Identification had been obtained, an enormous amount of -damage had been done to the enemy defences, and many Germans had been -killed or wounded--17 dead Germans were actually counted, and there -must have been many more in the dugouts which were bombed. All this had -been done at a cost of only seven wounded, of whom, however, Sergt. J. -S. Sheard died a few days later. All these casualties had been suffered -in the enemy trench; not a man had been hit either during the advance -or the withdrawal. There can be no doubt that the effect on the morale -of the Battalion was very great. The raiders themselves were most -enthusiastic and would have dearly liked to do another raid. Everyone -else in the Battalion envied them their good luck. - -Capt. J. G. Mowat shortly after received the Military Cross which he -had thoroughly earned, both by his good work in training the party and -by his gallant leadership. Sergt. G. Moscrop received the Distinguished -Conduct Medal, and several Military Medals were awarded to the N.C.O’s -and men who had been most prominent in the operation. - -The Battalion did two more tours in the same sector before it was -finally relieved. Little of special note happened. The enemy artillery -and trench mortars were rather more active than they had been earlier -in the month, probably as a result of the raid. About this time one -or two officers of the 62nd Division, which had only recently landed -in France, were attached to the Battalion for instruction. The only -event of real importance was a fire in the Assistant Adjutant’s dugout; -this consumed many “valuable” official documents, and was thus a great -source of satisfaction to the Orderly Room for many weeks to come. - -On the last day of February the Battalion was relieved by the 2/9th -Battalion London Regt., and moved back to Bailleulval. As a parting -message of hate, the enemy shelled the village that night and caused -several casualties. But the Battalion had now finished with the Third -Army. For a few days it marched and counter-marched about the district, -never stopping more than a night at one place, except Halloy. None of -these places was of much interest, except perhaps Neuvillette, where -the billets were exceptionally good. On March 7th the Battalion marched -to Doullens, and, after waiting in the streets all day, entrained in -the evening. Soon after dark the train started on its slow northerly -journey, and so, without interest and unnoticed, the Battalion left the -Third Army. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - WITH THE FIRST ARMY. - - - (_a_) Ferme du Bois Sector. - -The Battalion arrived at Merville about 8-0 a.m. on March 8th. A very -cold night had been spent on the train, snow was falling on arrival, -and the hot tea which was served at the station was very welcome. A -short march brought the Battalion to the village of La Fosse, where -the next night was spent in fairly comfortable billets. Apart from a -little difference of opinion between the Commanding Officer and a very -ill-tempered Frenchman, who said he would rather have Germans than -British in his barn, the day was uneventful. The next day the Battalion -relieved the 12th Battalion London Regt, in Brigade Reserve to the -Ferme du Bois Sector. As the same billets were occupied on and off for -over two months, some description of them is necessary. - -Battalion H.Q. and one company were lodged at Senechal Farm, near -Lacouture. This was one of the large moated farmhouses, so common in -the district, and consisted of the usual hollow rectangle of buildings, -surrounding a pond and a midden. It was supposed to accommodate 500 -men, but never more than about half that number occupied it while the -Battalion was in the area. A second company was quartered in a similar, -but smaller, farm about half a mile distant; a third occupied billets -in the village of Lacouture; and the fourth was in houses on King’s -Road, on the way to the trenches. Considering how near the Battalion -was to the front line, these billets were quite comfortable. The -country around was very flat and intersected by ditches; much of it was -under cultivation, and the inhabitants hardly seemed to realise that -there was a war. The owner of Senechal Farm, who was a very important -man in the district, certainly did very well out of the troops; not -only did he receive considerable sums for billets, but an estaminet, -which he ran on the premises, was well patronised, and must have been -a very profitable concern. Dotted about the district were a number of -fortified posts, some in a very bad state of repair. The Battalion was -required to find “caretakers” for about ten of these posts, and the -“flat cart”--that cart which carried on so long with the transport, in -spite of its official “destruction” about once every three months--came -in very useful for taking rations to these men. - -On March 13th the Battalion relieved the 1/5th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. in the Right Sub-sector of the Ferme du Bois Sector. -Here it remained, inter-relieving with the same battalion, usually -every six days, until the latter part of May. This period was very -uneventful. The line was exceptionally quiet--almost the quietest the -Battalion ever held. Casualties were very slight; in fact, on occasion, -a six-day tour in the line was carried through without a man being -injured. - -Owing to the low-lying and damp condition of the country trenches could -not be dug, and the defences consisted entirely of breast-works. The -material for these had been obtained from “borrow-pits,” which quickly -filled with water and so became additional obstacles to the enemy. -Millions of sandbags must have been used in the building of this line. -The shelters occupied by officers and men were built into the parados, -and were comparatively comfortable. Such a line was quite satisfactory, -indeed almost luxurious, in quiet times. But it was the worst type -possible to occupy in a bombardment, for none of the shelters were more -than splinter-proof, and breast-works are poor protection against shell -fire. - -The Battalion front was well over 2,000 yards in length--by far -the longest it had held up to that time. Two continuous lines of -breast-works, each garrisoned by two companies, formed the main -defences. The front line was held by seven platoon posts, three on the -right company front and four on the left. Each post was complete in -itself, was well wired front and rear, and was only in communication -with neighbouring posts by means of patrols, which moved along the -unoccupied parts of the line at stated times. At night the entrances -to these posts were blocked by chevaux de frise, and sentries -challenged everyone who approached along the front line. Between the -two companies there was an unoccupied gap, 500 yards long. - -The support line was held rather more continuously, but long stretches -were quite unoccupied. Three communication trenches connected the front -line with the Rue du Bois--Rope Street, Cadbury Street and Cockspur -Street. When the Battalion first took over the sector the hard winter -weather was just breaking. The whole country-side was very wet and -many of the trenches, particularly the communication trenches, were -deep in water. But, before the Battalion left, the sector had dried up -considerably. - -Battalion H.Q. was in a nameless farm on the Rue du Bois. This farm -had suffered little from enemy shelling and there were several quite -comfortable rooms in it. All headquarter personnel lived either in the -farm buildings or in shelters which had been erected in the orchard. -Few of the latter were even splinter-proof, but the locality was never -shelled. It was one of the most comfortable H.Q. ever occupied by the -Battalion and much work was done to improve it. It was customary for -the resting battalion to provide a platoon each day to work under the -orders of the battalion in the line. During one of his tour’s, the -Adjutant of the 1/5th Battalion made use of this working party to build -a new sandbag dugout for himself. Apparently he was pleased with the -work for he named the dugout “Deodar House,” after the secret nomme -de guerre of his own battalion, quite overlooking the fact that the -work had been done by men of another unit. But the men of the 1/4th -Battalion had their revenge. When they were next in the line they -painted every scrap of the woodwork outside the Farmhouse red--their -battalion colour--much to the disgust of the other battalion which -preferred its own colour--green. At this time there was a perfect mania -for naming places and nailing up notice boards so that there should -be no mistakes. An energetic police corporal, having a prisoner for -whom he wanted to find a job of work, built a small sandbag ammunition -store, and was so pleased with the finished article that he placed upon -it a big notice-board--“The Binns Redoubt.” - -The Transport Lines were at Vieille Chapelle and everything was so -quiet that ration limbers were brought up nightly along the Rue du -Bois, as far as Battalion H.Q. Each company had its trench kitchen -in the support line and hot meals were provided for all men with -little more difficulty than if the Battalion had been back in rest. -The canteen was set up at Battalion H.Q., and a “hawker” went round -the front line daily to sell cigarettes, etc. to the men, within two -hundred yards of the enemy. - -From the British front line the ground sloped very gently up to the -Aubers Ridge, from which the Germans had good observation. But they -made little use of this. Their artillery was very quiet, except on -rare occasions. Canadian Orchard and the posts on the right got most -attention; Sec.-Lieut. S. P. Stansfield was killed near Shetland Post. -But, compared with what the Battalion had experienced elsewhere and -was to encounter later, the shelling was almost negligible. Occasional -salvoes would be fired on one of the communication trenches or some -other part of the line, but these caused very little inconvenience. -Rarely was anything of heavier calibre than the 10.5 cm. howitzer used. -One noteworthy exception to this was the afternoon of May 12th, when -the junction of Cadbury Street with the Rue du Bois was heavily shelled -with what appeared to be 21 cm. armour-piercing shells. Though there -were no casualties this caused great inconvenience, for the pump, which -supplied all water for the companies, was seriously damaged, and it -took about two days to get it into working order again. The reason for -this bombardment was never understood, but, as it was the only occasion -on which shells of such heavy calibre were used, it was probably only -a visit from a “travelling circus.” Occasionally the 15 cm. howitzer -appeared; one day it heavily shelled the Rue du Bois near Sandbag -Corner; on another occasion it wrecked the officers’ mess of the A246 -Battery, which lay about 1,000 yards behind Battalion H.Q. - -In other ways too the enemy seemed quite willing to “live and let -live,” if he were not interfered with. He had both medium and light -trench mortars in his lines, but seldom fired more than a few rounds at -a time from them. His machine guns did little and sniping was almost -unknown. Undoubtedly he held his front line thinly, though movement -was observed almost daily in the vicinity of the Boar’s Head, where -much work was in progress. One day he gave very clear evidence that -he was awake. An energetic platoon commander, who was trying to make -things uncomfortable for the “Hun” with rifle grenades, unfortunately -had a premature, and the loud cheering that was heard from the opposite -side of No Man’s Land showed that the enemy was on the watch and fully -appreciated the incident. - -The Battalion had two excellent observation posts on the Rue du -Bois, which boasted the grandiloquent names of the “Savoy” and the -“Trocadero.” From these, and from smaller ones in the front line, -excellent observation could be obtained of the whole enemy system and -of much of the country in rear. The enemy seemed to make very little -effort to conceal himself and so the sector was a regular “promised -land” for the Battalion Intelligence Officer. The Sugar Factory at -Marquillies, with its prominent chimney, was of particular interest, -both for the large amount of enemy transport which moved about near -it, and for the careful record which was kept of the times when the -chimney smoked. This chimney also exercised a great fascination on the -Commanding Officer, and the first thing that had to be done when the -Battalion moved to neighbouring sectors was to identify this landmark -from the new position. Indeed, it was almost a relief to some when the -Battalion went to the coast and was quite out of view of Marquillies. - -During the whole time the Battalion was on the Ferme du Bois Sector -patrolling was very active. At first this was very uncomfortable, for -the greater part of No Man’s Land was badly water-logged. For a long -time no brilliant success was gained. No Man’s Land was thoroughly -mapped, but practically all attempts to enter the enemy front line were -unsuccessful. Until about the middle of April, the Battalion was faced -by the 6th Bavarian Reserve Division--the Quinque Rue was one of its -inter-regimental boundaries--which did practically no patrolling. With -the exception of a patrol encounter on the night of April 18/19th, no -enemy patrol was ever seen in No Man’s Land. On the same night C.S.M. -W. Medley, M.M., of B Company, entered the enemy front line south of -the Quinque Rue, and made some valuable observations, but failed to -secure an identification. - - [Illustration: Capt. A. E. MANDER. - - (Killed).] - - [Illustration: Capt. J. G. MOWAT, M.C. - - (Killed).] - - [Illustration: Capt. E. N. MARSHALL, M.C.] - - [Illustration: Capt. N. GELDARD, D.S.O., M.C.] - -Much permanent work was done while the Battalion was in this sector. -The trenches were put into a thorough state of repair and were much -improved, mainly by the construction of new shelters. A good deal of -wire was put out. A series of concrete machine gun posts in front -of the support line was begun. Front line and support companies -inter-relieved in the middle of each tour, and, as tours were spent by -companies on the right and left alternately, all officers and N.C.O’s -got a thorough knowledge of the whole line. - -Reliefs were all carried out by daylight and with greater ease than in -almost any sector the Battalion has occupied. The distance to billets -was short, and a relief which began about mid-day would be complete, -with the relieved troops settled in billets, by about tea-time. Periods -of rest were taken up mainly with training, though a certain number of -working parties had to be found. The training area was near Richebourg -St. Vaast, less than two miles from the front line, but it was very -rarely a shell dropped there. Platoon exercises were generally carried -out in the neighbourhood of billets. While in rest many football -matches were played, both within the Battalion and against neighbouring -units. An excellent recreation room at Senechal Farm was used for -smoking concerts and lectures, as well as for reading and writing. - -April 14th--the second anniversary of the Battalion’s landing in -France--was celebrated at Vieille Chapelle. A dinner for all surviving -officers of the original Battalion was held at the estaminet, best -known for its associations with a lady named Alice. A smoking concert -for the men who had come out with the Battalion was held in the -Y.M.C.A. hut at Vieille Chapelle, the 49th Divisional Band coming over -to assist in the programme. It was found that there were nearly two -hundred survivors still serving with their old Battalion. - -On April 27th Lieut.-General R. Haking, G.O.C. XI. Corps, presented -medal brooches to a number of officers and other ranks of the 49th -Division, including Major A. L. Mowat, M.C., Capt. J. G. Mowat, M.C., -and ten other ranks of the Battalion. The ceremony took place at -Merville and a guard of honour of 20 other ranks, under the command of -Sec.-Lieut. A. J. Robb, was furnished by the Battalion. - -Meanwhile, the first British offensive of 1917--the Battle of -Vimy-Arras--had opened on April 9th. Lying only a few miles to the -north of the battle area, the Battalion could clearly hear the roar -of the artillery, and at night could see the glare of burning dumps -and the flashes of the guns. Before long a current from the battle -began to affect it; the demand for identifications became more and -more persistent. Early in May signs began to point to the presence of -a different division on the Ferme du Bois front, and the Intelligence -Department was most anxious to secure a prisoner. On the afternoon of -May 10th, a particularly urgent memo. on this subject was received. -Very early the following morning a Battalion runner arrived at 147th -Infantry Brigade H.Q. and insisted on seeing an officer at once. When -told that all were asleep he still insisted, saying that the officer -would not mind having been awakened when he saw his message. This is -what had happened. - -About 10-30 p.m. on May 10th, C.S.M. W. Medley, M.M., with eleven -other ranks of B Company, left the front line, crossed No Man’s Land, -and reached the enemy wire. There he left six men to form a covering -party, and, cutting a passage through the wire, entered the enemy -front line with the remainder of his patrol. About seventy yards to -his right was an enemy sentry post, but he decided to attempt nothing -against it as it was difficult for anyone to approach without being -observed. He crossed over to the enemy second line, passed that also, -and continued straight across country until he reached the third -line. The patrol was now about six hundred yards in rear of the enemy -outposts. Leaving the rest of his party in an old shelter, the patrol -leader went forward alone to reconnoitre. He reached a communication -trench, known as Serpent Trench, and saw a man walk along it. He -returned and brought up his men, getting into the trench with two of -them, and leaving the rest on the parapet. They were barely in position -when three Germans--afterwards found to be a water-carrying party--came -along the trench. C.S.M. Medley called on them to surrender and they at -first laughed, probably thinking it was a joke of their own men; but, -presently realising that they really were face to face with a British -party, they turned and ran. The parapet party immediately opened fire -and killed one German; Medley pursued and captured a second; but the -fate of the third is unknown. The prisoner was promptly hoisted out of -the trench and the patrol returned by the way it had come, reaching the -British line without loss after an absence of more than four hours. The -prisoner turned out to be a machine gunner of the 3rd Bavarian R.I.R. -(1st Bavarian Reserve Division), a most valuable identification, since -it proved that a relief had taken place opposite the Battalion front, -and that one of the German divisions which had been shattered at Vimy -was now holding the sector. It was to receive this news that Brigade -H.Q. had been disturbed in the early morning. - -Needless to say, this particularly daring enterprise--the enemy front -had been penetrated to a depth of 700 yards--caused considerable stir, -and C.S.M. W. Medley and the Battalion received many congratulations. -Lieut.-General R. Haking, in forwarding the report to the Army -Commander, wrote: “It is one of the best examples of good patrol work -that I have ever heard of.... I am of the opinion that the whole -operation was a model of how to carry out an enterprise of this -nature.” The Army Commander fully agreed, and spoke of it as “a very -fine example of an offensive patrol.” The G.O.C., 147th Infantry -Brigade, in congratulating the Battalion on its success after so many -disappointments, said “The skilful handling of the commander, and the -courage of all ranks was only excelled by their spirit of determination -to succeed in their task before returning. Men who have such a spirit -cannot be beaten.” For his work on this occasion C.S.M. W. Medley -received the Military Cross, and the Military Medal was awarded to four -other members of the patrol. - -During the latter part of the Battalion’s stay in the area the -main feature was the arrival of two divisions of the Portuguese -Expeditionary Force, which were to take over that part of the line. -They had been excellently equipped by the British Government, but -lacked the experience of trench warfare necessary before they could be -trusted with the defence of a sector. The front between the River Lys -and the La Bassée Canal had always been considered a suitable one for -the training of new troops, and so a number of Portuguese units were -attached to the 49th Division for instruction. At first, only some -officers and N.C.O’s came up to the line for a few days at a time. But, -towards the end of April, a whole company was sent up for 48 hours, -and from that time, until the Battalion left the sector, there were -usually some Portuguese in the line with it. As is usual with troops -sent in for instruction, the Portuguese were not entrusted with the -actual holding of any part of the line. When a company came up, one -of its platoons would be sent to each of the four British companies; -the company commander would attach a section to each of his platoons; -while the platoon commander would arrange that every Portuguese -soldier should be attached to a British soldier, should work with -him everywhere, and thus get an idea of the routine of trench life. -Language was a difficulty and interpreters were not always available; -but, as many of the Portuguese officers and a few of the men had a -knowledge of French, this was used whenever possible. Yet, on the -whole, though they had no common language, the private soldiers seemed -to be able to make themselves better understood than their officers. -Another difficulty was accommodation--there was not room for two or -three hundred additional men in the shelters; however, as the weather -was fine and warm for the time of the year, this was overcome. - -Some Portuguese transport men were also sent to the Battalion for -instruction, but they learned little. Love of their animals and a high -standard in turn-out were strong points with Sergt. Crossley’s men. -But the Portuguese were very different. Few of them cared anything -for their animals and the majority were deliberately cruel; they knew -nothing of “eye-wash” and the appearance of their transport on the road -was a standing joke among the British. Their “A” and “Q” departments -were also far from efficient. They never seemed to know how many men -they had, nor what rations they ought to receive. Certain it was that -the Battalion was better off for rations while the Portuguese were in -the line with it than it had been before. - -When the 147th Infantry Brigade finally left the sector it was taken -over by the Portuguese and was held by them until the German offensive -in April of the following year. - -On May 16th the Battalion was relieved in the Ferme du Bois Sector for -the last time and went back into Brigade Reserve. - - - (_b_) The Cordonnerie Sector. - -Towards the end of May the whole of the 147th Infantry Brigade had -been withdrawn from the line, but, as the relief of the other Brigades -of the 49th Division by the Portuguese was not complete, the Division -could not yet be made use of in any other sector. Just north of the -49th Division was the 57th Division--a Lancashire Territorial Division, -recently out from England. The attack on the Messines Ridge by the -Second Army was timed to begin early in June, and the 57th Division had -to send two battalions to support the flank of that attack. To replace -these in the line, the 1/4th and 1/5th Battalions, Duke of Wellington’s -Regiment were lent by the 147th Infantry Brigade. - -On May 25th the Battalion marched to Estaires, where it remained for -one night. The next day it moved to Sailly-sur-la-Lys, and on May 27th -it took over the Cordonnerie Sector from the 2/5th Battalion Loyal -North Lancashire Regt. Here it came temporarily under the orders of the -170th Infantry Brigade, 57th Division. - -The Battalion sector was a very long one--about 2,800 yards--and the -front line was very thinly held. It was divided into three company -fronts, but each company had only one platoon in the front line, -scattered in small posts. At night a second platoon was sent up to -patrol between the posts on the company front. The other two platoons -were in the support line for garrison and counter-attack. The fourth -company also lived in the support line but was held in Battalion -Reserve. The defences of this sector were very similar to those which -the Battalion had just left, but were in better condition. The New -Zealand Division had held the front recently and had done a great -deal of work there; the support line was well supplied in parts with -concrete dugouts, and two very large dugouts, each of which would -easily hold a company, had been constructed by the Maori Pioneer -Battalion. There were many communication trenches between the front and -support lines, and there was an exceptionally comfortable Battalion -H.Q. in a farmhouse which had been knocked about very little. There -was a bath-house on the premises, and also a bakery--the pride of the -2/5th Battalion Loyal North Lancs.; but the latter was not used by the -Battalion. - -Perhaps the most interesting feature of the sector was that it included -about half of the old No. 3 Section, Fleurbaix--the very first sector -the Battalion had held on coming to France. Its present left extended -almost as far as the Convent Wall, and the left communication trench -was that very Dead Dog Alley which had been dug by it two years before. -There, too, were the graves of the men who had been the first to lay -down their lives; these were sought out and put in good repair, for -it was always the practice of the Battalion to pay this tribute to -its lost ones whenever it had the opportunity. Officers were able to -revisit some of their old haunts, particularly Capt. W. C. Fenton who -stood again on the Rue des Bassiéres, happily without stopping another -machine gun bullet. But how changed were the conditions in other ways! -In 1915 the Battalion held a 1,000 yard front with something like 700 -men in the front line; in 1917 it was holding a front nearly three -times that length with only about 100 men permanently posted in the -front line. In 1915 troops depended almost entirely on their rifles -to maintain their position; in 1917 they had Lewis and machine guns, -artillery and trench mortars, and they preferred to defend their -positions by counter-attack rather than by original fire effect. - -On taking over the sector the Battalion learned from the outgoing unit -that the enemy front line was practically unoccupied, and that patrols -found little difficulty in entering it by night, or even in penetrating -to the second line. Acting on the assumption that this information was -correct, very vigorous patrolling was begun. It was gradually found, -however, that the inactivity of the enemy had been much exaggerated. -The boundary between two enemy divisions--the 38th Landwehr and the -79th Reserve--was opposite the Battalion’s front. The morale of the -former was low, its men kept an indifferent watch, and C Company’s -patrols had little difficulty in entering its line. But the front of -the latter was always covered at night by a strong fighting patrol -which effectually prevented the British approaching, though they made -several attempts. It was there that a patrol experienced the effects -of the gas which British projectors were throwing into Biez Wood, and -had to beat a hasty retreat. Gas masks had to be worn. The officer in -charge of the patrol, following his usual custom, had gone out with -nothing but a P.H. helmet, and that had not been out of its satchel -for many weeks. When he came to put it on, he found the eye-pieces so -dirty that he was practically blind, and had to be led by his men. The -incident caused a good deal of amusement in the Battalion at the time. - -One day there was a most unfortunate accident on C Company’s front. A -trench mortar battery had arranged for a big “shoot,” and, for this -purpose, two large dumps of shells had been made in the front line. -For some cause, which was never satisfactorily explained, as soon as -the guns opened fire both dumps exploded, wiping out the gun crews. -The Battalion was fortunate in having only one casualty, but two great -holes were blown in the parapet, and, though C Company worked very hard -to repair the damage, the task was not finished when they were relieved. - -On the last day of the tour a very successful piece of work was carried -out by a small patrol. Owing to the lie of the land and the height -of the enemy parapet, it was very difficult to obtain observation of -places immediately in rear of the enemy front line. To remedy this, it -was determined to establish a temporary observation post on the front -of the enemy parapet one morning. Such an operation would hardly have -been possible in any ordinary line, but the Battalion was still working -on the assumption that the enemy front line was practically deserted. -The party chosen consisted of Cpl. E. Jackson, M.M. and two men of B -Company, one H.Q. observer, with glasses and telescopic periscope, and -two signallers, whose duty it was to lay a telephone line across No -Man’s Land and maintain communication with the British front line. As a -precaution, arrangements were made for a box barrage to be put down by -the artillery and Stokes mortars if called for, and for Lewis guns to -provide cross fire. - -About 3-30 a.m., just as dawn was breaking, the party started. They -crawled slowly through the long grass which covered No Man’s Land, -got through the enemy wire after much trouble, and Cpl. Jackson -and the observer established themselves on the enemy parapet. The -signallers succeeded in getting into telephonic communication with -the British front line. After lying on the parapet for about an hour -and a quarter, the N.C.O. and the observer entered the enemy trench -and moved along it. Almost immediately they came upon a deserted, but -recently occupied, sentry post. Continuing along the trench, they -turned a corner and saw six rifles leaning just outside a dugout, from -which very obvious snores were issuing. They immediately returned and -summoned two more men to their assistance. The last--one had been sent -back some time before--was posted on the parapet. The four proceeded -along the trench and arrived just in time to find the Germans coming -out of the dugout. One German fired, missing completely, and the -British at once closed, calling on them to surrender. Without further -resistance all the Germans--there were seven of them, including two -N.C.O’s--put up their hands. They were got over the parapet at once and -hurried across No Man’s Land. A few shots were fired by a neighbouring -German post, but the whole party, including prisoners, reached the -British lines unhurt. - -It is recorded that a certain Company Sergeant-Major of the Battalion -was walking quietly up towards the front line when he saw a number of -Germans come rushing over the parapet. Thinking it was an attack, he -dashed across the open, only to find on his arrival that the men he had -seen were prisoners. His disappointment was great, but he revived his -drooping spirits by clouting one of them over the head to put him in a -proper frame of mind. The Commanding Officer was in his morning bath -when the party arrived. So delighted was he that he rushed out in the -somewhat scanty attire of a towel and a pair of slippers, and, in this -garb, interviewed the seven well-drilled Germans, who stood stiffly -to attention throughout. Physically the prisoners were a well-built -lot of men, but their morale was very poor. They were very willing to -talk, and one of them said they had been talking recently of giving -themselves up. At any rate, they were saved that trouble. - -The prisoners were despatched to Brigade H.Q. in charge of the men -who had captured them. Later, the Battalion received some highly -complimentary messages from the higher authorities, particularly from -the G.O.C., XI. Corps. He was so pleased with the operation that he not -only strongly recommended Cpl. E. Jackson, M.M., for the Distinguished -Conduct Medal, an honour which was awarded in due course, but bestowed -Military Medals on all the other members of the patrol. It should be -mentioned also that a congratulatory message was received by O.C. B -Company, addressed to “The Body-snatching Company,” from “The Working -Company” (i.e. C Company--self-styled). - -The next night the Battalion was relieved by the 5th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. and went back into Brigade Reserve at Rouge de Bout. -Here a very pleasant time was spent. The weather continued gloriously -fine, as it had been in the line, and the billets were good. Each -company provided one platoon to man a line of defensive posts; the -others carried on training. There was great competition in turning out -smart guards, B Company winning with a D.C.M., M.M., corporal and three -M.M. men. Here news arrived that Capt. W. C. Fenton and Capt. C. Jones, -the padre, had each been awarded the Military Cross, and the occasion -was suitably celebrated. Plans were also completed for an operation -which the Battalion was to carry out during its next tour in the line. - -This operation was founded on the supposition that the enemy front -line was practically unoccupied--a supposition which the Battalion had -already begun to shake. The XI. Corps wished to impress the enemy with -the idea that active operations were in preparation on the Corps front, -and so hinder his sending troops away to the real battle areas. With -this idea in view a scheme was drawn up for seizing the German front -line and establishing a number of posts in it. The main points of the -scheme were these:-- - - 1. In conjunction with the 146th Infantry Brigade, which was - still in its old sector on the right, and a Brigade of the 57th - Division on the left, a stretch of the enemy front line was to - be seized at night, and a number of fortified posts were to be - established in it. - - 2. Each of the three companies in the front line was to - establish one platoon post. - - 3. For purposes of this operation the four platoons of each - company were known as W, X, Y, Z. Their respective duties were - as follows:--“W” platoon was to seize the position in the enemy - front line and cover it during consolidation; “X” platoon was - to consolidate and garrison the post; “Y” platoon was to carry - the necessary ammunition and stores across No Man’s Land; “Z” - platoon was to garrison the old British front line during the - operation. - - 4. Additional parties, provided by the 5th Battalion Duke of - Wellington’s Regt., were to dig three communication trenches - across No Man’s Land to connect the new posts with the old front - line. These trenches were to be named “Halifax,” “Brighouse” and - “Hull.” “Cleckheaton” had been suggested as one of the names, - but was vetoed on the ground that the artillery would never - understand it; hence the introduction of “Hull,” which was not - thought to be beyond the intellect of the gunners. - - 5. The whole operation was to be carried out in one night. - -When the Battalion took over the Cordonnerie Sector a second time the -necessary preparations were started at once. One of the most important -of these preliminary arrangements was the preparation of dumps of all -necessary stores in the front line. To carry this out Capt. H. Hanson -was attached to Battalion H.Q., and very hard he worked, perspiring -freely in the sweltering weather, and often pushing trucks on the light -railway, and carrying stores himself. - -The night of June 15/16th had been fixed for the operation, and all was -ready. But, in the early morning of June 15th, the orders were suddenly -cancelled and the Battalion was warned to be ready for relief that -night. What would have been the success of the operation, had it been -carried out, can hardly be said. Judging from previous reconnaissance -of the front, it is probable that C Company would have established its -post without difficulty, and that B Company would also have succeeded -though it might have had to fight; A Company’s task would, almost -certainly, have proved the hardest, and it is doubtful whether its post -could have been founded at all. - -The Battalion was relieved on the night of June 15/16th by the 2/4th -Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regt., which had returned from the -fighting near Messines, and marched straight through to billets at -Estaires. A very pleasant three weeks had been spent in the sector, -there had been very few casualties, and the Battalion took away with -it the best of wishes from the 170th Infantry Brigade as the following -letter from the G.O.C. shows:-- - - H.Q., 170th Inf. Bde., - June 15th, 1917. - - My Dear Sugden, - - I should like you and all your battalion to know how sorry - we are to part with you. I have not met a better organised - battalion nor one in which work was more thoroughly and quietly - done. You gave us a taste of your fighting qualities on Trinity - Sunday and I am disappointed indeed that circumstances prevent - you gaining the honourable distinction that your proposed - operations would undoubtedly have conferred on you and your - gallant fellows. At any rate your very complete preparations for - them will give us valuable assistance in the future. - - The 1/4th West Riding Regiment takes with it the heartiest good - wishes of my brigade. - - Yours sincerely, - F. G. Guggisberg. - - - (_c_) St. Elie Sector. - -The Battalion spent three nights in Estaires and then moved by -motor bus to Sailly Labourse. The next day it marched to billets -in Philosophe, a mining village north-west of Lens. Here the 147th -Infantry Brigade came temporarily under the orders of the G.O.C., 6th -Division, relieving a Brigade of that division which was required for -an operation near Lens. The first days were spent in Brigade Reserve -at Philosophe, time being occupied in training and in reconnaissance -of the sector which the Battalion was soon to take over. The country -was typical of the Lens mining district and not unlike the Barnsley -coalfield. An excellent view of it was obtained from the top of a -neighbouring slag-heap. - -On the night of June 25/26th the Battalion relieved the 6th Batt. Duke -of Wellington’s Regt, in the St. Elie Right Sub-Sector, where its -right rested on the Hulluch-Vermelles Road. This sector was a most -peculiar one, and quite different from any the Battalion had previously -occupied. The country-side was all chalk, so that the trenches were -comparatively easy to keep in order and were, on the whole, dry. -The sector was approached from Vermelles by Chapel Alley, one of -the longest communication trenches the men had ever seen, which ran -alongside the road to Hulluch; but most people preferred to use the -road or a cross-country route until they were about half way up to the -line. The trenches lay entirely on the ground which had been captured -from the enemy in the Battle of Loos. Battalion H.Q. was an old German -dugout, just off the old German front line. From this point the route -to the front line was up Devon Lane as far as St. George’s Trench, and -then along one or other of the tunnels. These tunnels were wonderful -works of engineering. Cut out of solid chalk, lit up by electric light, -ventilated by electric fans, and lying thirty to forty feet below the -surface, they gave one a feeling of absolute security, except against -gas. Indeed, this feeling was so strong that they exercised rather a -demoralising influence--once inside, one hardly liked to leave them, -for the heaviest shell or trench mortar could scarcely shake them. -Here and there stair-cases led up to posts, the parapets of which were -constructed from the sandbags of “spoil” obtained in the excavation of -the tunnels. Except on the centre company front, nearly every post was -reached in this way. Most of the old front line was derelict, little -being held except the posts at the tunnel exits, and a few great mine -craters. - -A Company was on the right, B Company in the centre, and D Company -on the left. C Company was in Battalion Reserve, in deep dugouts off -St. George’s Trench. Both the right and left companies lived almost -entirely in the tunnels, but B Company had its H.Q. in a deep dugout, -which was approached by the half-derelict Grimwood Trench, and its -principal post in Newport Sap, a great mine crater garrisoned by one -platoon by day and two platoons by night. - -Fosse 8, an enormous slag-heap a little to the north of the St. Elie -Sector, was the dominating feature of the district. Machine guns from -this mound had been one of the main obstacles to the British advance in -the Battle of Loos. Its possession gave the enemy excellent observation -over a large area and was probably the main reason for his great -artillery and trench mortar activity. - -Never had the Battalion experienced such trench mortar activity. The -Stokes mortar battery, which had been left in the line by the 6th -Division, fired until its guns were red-hot. A heavy trench mortar, -which had its home thirty to forty feet below the surface and fired -up a sort of chimney, made things very lively for the Germans in Cité -St. Elie with its “flying pigs.” The enemy too was very active in this -department. Opposite the Battalion’s left were the St. Elie quarries -and these were packed with trench mortars of all descriptions, which -were able to carry on their deadly work in almost complete security. -The enemy, when he thought fit, could put down such a trench mortar -barrage as the Battalion had never known before. Deservedly, the sector -bore a very bad reputation. - -However, the first day passed quietly, and the night of June 26/27th -was one of those glorious nights, with an almost full moon, which one -sometimes gets at Midsummer. Dawn had almost come before the silence -was broken. The Battalion was already standing to, and the additional -platoon had just been withdrawn from Newport Sap, when, at 3-10 a.m., -without any warning, the enemy opened a terrific bombardment. Trench -mortar shells of all calibres rained down on the posts at Boyau 78, -Newport Sap, “K” Dump and Devon Dump, and on the centre company H.Q. -A heavy barrage of high explosive and shrapnel fell on St. George’s -Trench and Devon Lane. At the centre company H.Q. Capt. J. G. Mowat, -M.C., Sec.-Lieut. I. C. Denby and four other ranks were instantly -killed by a heavy trench mortar shell, just after the first had -sent up the S.O.S. signal. The entrance to “K” Dump was blown in and -Sec.-Lieut. H. Pollard wounded. All quickly realised that an enemy raid -on a large scale was in progress. - -At Newport Sap Sec.-Lieut. G. Crowther, in spite of the terrific -bombardment which blew in the trenches in several places, got his -men standing to and beat off a party of the enemy which appeared, -with rifle and Lewis gun fire. The men at Devon Dump, which post was -fortunately not hit, opened rapid fire to their front, but it was -purely blind fire for they could not see more than twenty yards owing -to the dust and smoke raised by the bombardment. Machine guns at -Dudley Dump fired on a party of Germans who were seen in the vicinity -of “K” Dump, and drove them off. But a third enemy party succeeded in -entering Boyau 78. Here the platoon commander had withdrawn his men -into the tunnels, as soon as the bombardment opened, in order to avoid -casualties. Unfortunately, two men took a wrong turning and were come -upon by the raiding party. One managed to escape into an old shelter, -but the other was captured. The raiders then blew in the main tunnel -exit with a mobile charge, and returned to their own lines, harassed -in their retreat by the machine guns at Dudley Dump, and the excellent -shrapnel barrage which the British artillery was putting down. By about -3-30 a.m. the raid was over and the barrage had ceased. - -The total casualties in this raid were 2 officers and 4 other ranks -killed, 1 officer and 12 other ranks wounded, and one other rank a -prisoner. To the surprise of everyone the G.O.C., 6th Division, was -pleased when he heard that a prisoner had been taken. It suited him -well that the enemy should think his division had been relieved on that -sector by the 49th Division. But this was little satisfaction to the -Battalion which had suffered so seriously, particularly in the death of -Capt. J. G. Mowat, M.C., one of the most gallant and competent officers -in the Battalion. Its only real satisfaction was the knowledge that -heavy casualties had been inflicted on the enemy. Early in the morning -several German ambulances had left, crowded with wounded, and observers -had seen a number of bodies laid out for burial in the cemetery near -Cité St. Elie. - -Early the following morning the Battalion was heavily bombarded -with gas shells, the right company and Battalion H.Q. receiving -most attention. Some of the gas got into the tunnels, but they were -quickly cleared by the ventilating apparatus. This was the first real -experience of enemy gas which the Battalion had had since the days -of the Somme, and about twelve casualties, including Sec.-Lieut. C. -E. Binns, were sustained. Many of these did not report sick until -some hours after the bombardment, the gas poisoning apparently taking -time to develop. The Commanding Officer had a slight touch of it, but -remained in the line. - -To assist more active operations, which were in progress further south, -efforts were being made to attract the enemy’s attention to the St. -Elie Sector. The capture of a prisoner from the Battalion had already -assisted this object. The next night, a patrol of the 6th Battalion -exploded a Bangalore torpedo in the enemy wire opposite Boyau 78, and -left marks of identification near the spot, in the hope that they -would be found by the enemy. On June 28th companies had orders that -unusual movement was to be shown in their lines, and arrangements were -made for a smoke screen to be put up along the fronts of the two flank -companies that evening. At the same time the artillery was to put down -a heavy barrage. Actually, the smoke was not discharged, for the wind -was in the wrong direction, but the artillery part of the programme -was carried out. To save casualties all men, except a few sentries, -had been withdrawn to the tunnel entrances before zero hour. The enemy -replied to the barrage, shelling posts and communication trenches -for the most part, but no casualties resulted except at Newport Sap. -There the platoon commander had his men drawn up on the two stairways -leading to the deep dugout which they occupied. He remained at the top -of one stairway himself, with his platoon sergeant immediately behind -him. During the enemy retaliation a shell burst on the parapet just in -front, killing him and wounding the sergeant. Sec.-Lieut G. Crowther -was a great loss to the Battalion; he was a most competent officer and -very popular with everyone. - -The remainder of the tour was fairly quiet. A good deal of rain fell, -flooding part of Devon Lane temporarily, but the water soon cleared. -No one was sorry when the 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment returned from -the neighbourhood of Lens, and relieved the Battalion on the night -of July 1st/2nd. The heavy casualties at the beginning of the tour -had depressed everyone, especially after the quiet times which the -Battalion had had for some months. The tunnels too exerted a depressing -influence. - -After two days in Brigade Reserve near Vermelles, the Battalion -was relieved by the 9th Battalion Norfolk Regt., and, embussing at -Philosophe, moved to L’Epinette, near Lestrem. Everyone was glad to -leave, and the “Hulluch” sector, as it is known to most, represents a -black page in the Battalion history. A little row of graves, in the -military cemetery at Sailly Labourse, is the only lasting memorial of -the Battalion’s sojourn there. - - [Illustration: St. Elie Right Sub-sector. - - June–July. 1917.] - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - THE COAST. - - - (_a_) St. Pol and Ghyvelde. - -The Battalion arrived at L’Epinette early in the morning of July 4th, -and there it remained for more than a week. After the recent depressing -time which had been spent near Hulluch, the comfortable billets and -the pleasant and highly-cultivated surroundings were indeed a welcome -change. Some training was done, but the main feature of the stay was -the Brigade Sports, which were held near Paradis. On the whole, the -Battalion was not very successful in the events, but its canteen, the -only one on the ground, did a roaring trade. - -On July 13th the Battalion marched to Merville where it entrained. -After a much quicker journey than was usual in France, it arrived at -Dunkerque, and marched thence to a camping ground just outside St. -Pol. Here tents had been pitched by the advanced party. The conditions -were rather primitive, it being an entirely new site, and the number -of tents was so small that about twenty-two men had to be crowded into -each. The camp was pitched among the sand dunes which made an excellent -training area, in view of the operations in which the Battalion -expected soon to be engaged. Large tracts of these sand hills were -covered with furze and other undergrowth, growing in places as high -as six feet, and a highly interesting night march on compass bearing -was carried out there. At first bathing was largely indulged in, but -a particularly obnoxious variety of jelly fish infested the sea and -caused so many casualties that it was practically given up, except by -the few who patronised the deep ditch round Fort Mardyck. - -At the end of five days the Battalion marched to Bray Dunes, where it -was accommodated in a former Belgian camp. A further move into one of -the front line sectors near the coast was expected, and an advanced -billeting party actually went forward to Oost Dunkerque. But these -orders were cancelled and the Battalion moved a mile or two inland to -Ghyvelde, and settled down to hard attack training there. - -When the Battalion first received orders to move up to the coast, the -49th Division was intended to take part in a big attack on the Dunes -Sector, with its flank resting on the sea. This operation had been -prevented by an enemy attack on July 11th, which had captured the whole -of the Dunes Sector and pushed back the British line to the south side -of the Yser Canal. Now the Division was detailed to make a frontal -attack on the village of Lombartzyde. The 147th Infantry Brigade was to -operate on the left, with its right on the Nieuport-Lombartzyde Road -and its left on the Galeide Brook. The Battalion was to lead the attack -on the right of the Brigade. The operation was a very complicated and -difficult one. A large number of men had to be assembled on a very -narrow front, and, after taking a series of objectives, which included -the western half of the village of Lombartzyde, the Battalion was to -consolidate a line on the light railway N.N.W. of the village, with -another battalion of the Brigade on its left, facing nearly due west -along the Galeide. With the enemy very much on the alert on that front, -the assembly alone would have been fraught with great danger and -difficulty. - -A facsimile of the enemy trenches had been dug near at hand by another -division, and this was used by the 147th Infantry Brigade. In order to -approximate to the actual conditions of the operation, the Battalion -used to fall in at 1-0 a.m. and march off to its assembly positions. -All had to be assembled by half-an-hour before dawn. At dawn the -“attack” would begin, and the Battalion would be back in camp about 8-0 -a.m. Little was done during the rest of the day. - -But this attack never took place. The Battalion never learned -definitely why this was. Perhaps it was due to the severe casualties -inflicted on the other Brigades of the Division by the enemy’s first -use of “mustard” gas. On the last day of July the Battalion moved to -La Panne Bains, and took over coast defence duties from a Belgian -battalion. In those days La Panne was a delightful place, and the -three days spent there were much enjoyed by all. The town had suffered -little from shell fire or bombing, and everything was going on much the -same as in peace time. The coast defence duties were not heavy. Billets -were mostly on the sea front, in good houses or hotels. The “Terlynk” -and the “Continental” were well patronised. It was a regular seaside -holiday for everyone. - - - (_b_) The Lombartzyde Sector. - -On the night of August 3rd/4th the Battalion relieved the 1/5th -Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the Lombartzyde Right -Sub-sector. Motor buses conveyed them to a point about midway between -Oost Dunkerque and Nieuport, and from there they marched up to the -line. The night was unusually quiet for that sector, but pouring rain -hampered the relief and caused much discomfort. - -The Lombartzyde Sector was a position of supreme importance. Since -the enemy attack on July 11th had driven the British out of the -Dunes Sector to a line on the south side of the Yser Canal, it had -become the only British position north of the canal. It was simply -a bridge-head, about 1,500 yards wide and 1,000 yards deep, bounded -on the right by the flooded Bamburgh Polder, and on the left by the -canal and the flooded Galeide Brook. Like the Dunes Sector it had been -attacked on July 11th, but the enemy had only succeeded in maintaining -a footing in the front, and part of the support, lines to the west -of the Nieuport-Lombartzyde Road. To maintain this bridge-head as a -“jumping-off” place for attack was of the utmost importance, and its -capture was as much to be desired by the enemy. Hence, since July 11th, -an enormous weight of artillery had been concentrated there by the -British, and the Germans had been equally active on their side. - -The 147th Infantry Brigade took over the defence of the sector from the -148th Infantry Brigade and had two battalions in the front line--the -boundary being the road to Lombartzyde--one in support in the Redan, -and one in reserve on the Nieuport side of the canal. The Battalion -held the sub-sector east of the road, and never in its previous history -had it held a front in such depth. The sector is of such interest that -the Battalion dispositions are given in detail:-- - - 1. A Company garrisoned all the three most forward lines; one - platoon held Nose Trench, a second held Nose Support, and two - platoons were posted in Nasal Trench where the Company H.Q. was - situated. To strengthen the defence, a Lewis gun team from other - companies was attached to each of the two front platoons of A - Company. - - 2. C Company garrisoned Nasal Support, where the Company H.Q. - was, with two platoons; the other two were in Nasal Walk, a - trench between the two most northerly arms of the Yser Canal. - - 3. B Company had two platoons in Nasal Lane, but its other two - platoons lived in the town of Nieuport, where they worked under - the Royal Engineers. - - 4. The whole of D Company was in Battalion Reserve in the Redan. - -It will thus be seen that the Battalion had garrisons in five -successive lines of trench north of the canal, and a sixth line was -held south of one of the branches of the canal. - -The condition of the sector was appalling. Water lay so near the -surface of the ground that only breast-works could be constructed, and -the borrow-pits quickly filled. The heavy rains of the preceding days -had made matters worse. The enormous volume of shell fire had damaged -the trenches beyond hope of repair. There were only two communication -trenches on the front--Nasal Avenue, which was dug by the side of the -road right up to the front line, and Petit Boyau, better known as -“Toute Suite Alley” from the general habits of people using it, between -Nasal Support and Nose Support. Neither of these could be used for -more than a few yards at a stretch as they had been so badly knocked -about, and most people preferred to walk straight up the road as far -as Nasal Support and then along the top of the ruins of Petit Boyau. -Of course they could be observed from the enemy lines, but so also -could they be if they tried to move along the trenches; and one could -move six times faster in the open, which was always considered an -advantage. The defensive lines were in equally bad condition, and -practically all movement was under observation. Except in A Company’s -area, accommodation was very scanty, especially in Nasal Support where -it became worse almost daily, owing to the shattering of dugouts -and shelters. The foremost lines, which had been the scene of heavy -fighting on July 11th, were littered with dead and all the debris of -battle. To crown all, the whole place was a mass of mud and the stench -everywhere was sickening. Perhaps it was this last characteristic of -the sector which suggested the very confusing system of trench names in -use there. - - [Illustration: - - German Front Line(dashed line) - - British Front Line(solid line) - - THE LOMBARTZYDE SECTOR. - - Aeroplane Map.] - -Just north of the canal was an old fort, the former bridge-head of -Nieuport; on the official maps it is called the “Palingbrug,” but -it was always known as the “Redan.” The ramparts of this fort had -been tunnelled into to provide accommodation for reserve troops, and -these tunnels were fairly safe from ordinary shell fire. There were -also a few pill-boxes scattered about the Redan and one of these, -which contained about six rooms, was occupied by Battalion H.Q. In -dry weather it was fairly comfortable, but, as it had been cracked -in numerous places by shell fire, the water fairly poured in when it -rained. Just over the room which was occupied by the Commanding Officer -was a great shell hole; a working party filled this in with much labour -and it was lucky they did so, for, the very next night, another shell -burst on the exact spot. Had the hole not been filled in, it would have -been a bad look out for the Colonel. - -The approaches to the sector were almost worse than the sector itself. -To reach the south side of the canal one must pass through Nieuport, -which was always a most “unhealthy” place. On arriving at the canal -one had the choice of four bridges--perhaps! To the east was a series -of six bridges, one after the other, crossing the different branches -of the canal and called, for some unknown reason, the Cinq Ponts. All -these were very heavily-built structures of masonry which could hardly -be demolished by shell fire. Then, from east to west, came Vauxhall -Bridge, Crowder Bridge and Putney Bridge. These were wooden structures, -four to six feet wide, floating on the water of the canal. Parties of -Royal Engineers were permanently stationed by these bridges to repair -them as soon as they were shot away. The crossing of the canal was -always an adventure. The man who wanted to get to the other side first -noted the areas of enemy shelling, and, when he had decided which was -the quietest bridge, rushed across it as fast as he could go. No one -ever loitered on or near a bridge. At night things were even more -uncertain. In the dark, the middle of a bridge might be missing without -one knowing it, and several men had duckings as a result. Somewhere at -the bottom of the Yser Canal lie the remains of a bottle of whisky and -a dozen eggs, abandoned by a Battalion runner when he had to swim for -it. When the tide was up the bridges lay level on the water; but at low -tide the ends sloped at an angle of about forty-five degrees, and the -quickest method was to sit down and slide to the bottom. - -Whilst the Battalion was holding the sector its transport lines were at -Coxyde Bains. It was quite impossible to do any cooking in the line. -Apart from the fact that smoke would be almost certain to draw enemy -fire, the men were far too short of accommodation for themselves to -think of building trench kitchens. So all food was sent up ready cooked. - -By far the worst feature of the sector was the great activity of the -enemy artillery. This was mainly the result of two factors. In the -first place, the weight of fire which could be brought to bear was -exceptionally great. All the following artillery groups could be -concentrated on Nieuport:-- - - 1. The coast defence batteries between the line and Ostend. - In the normal way these had little to do, and often they were - switched round to fire into Nieuport. - - 2. The batteries on the Dunes Sector, which had little to do - unless the British attempted an attack across the Canal. - - 3. The artillery on the Lombartzyde Sector itself, which was - exceptionally powerful. - - 4. The guns covering the inundated Belgian front, where an - attack by either side was practically impossible. - -Also, the bridge-head was so small, and movement so restricted, that -the enemy could hardly go wrong in his shelling. What was called “a -quiet day” in the neighbourhood of Nieuport would have been described -by some such phrase as “great activity on the part of the enemy -artillery” on most other fronts. - -It is hard to say which parts of the sector were most heavily shelled. -No part was free from shelling. Even the transport lines at Coxyde -Bains had their share on more than one occasion. Probably the worst -localities were Nasal Support, the Redan, and the bridges. The quietest -time of the day was the early morning, between 4-0 a.m. and 8-0 a.m. -Just before dawn it was the enemy’s general custom to put down a heavy -barrage on Nasal Support, probably intended to overwhelm any troops -who might be assembled for an attack. After that, most of the German -gunners apparently took time off for breakfast and an hour or two’s -rest. About 8-0 a.m. things would begin to liven up, and there would -be plenty of activity throughout the rest of the day. But the nights -were the worst. Practically every night was one inferno, from dusk -until dawn. High explosive rained down all over the sector, shrapnel -burst above the bridges and the Lombartzyde Road, the neighbourhood of -Battalion H.Q. and the Redan were deluged with gas shells, both mustard -and diphosgene. Shells of every calibre were used, from the giant -15-inch, which came over with a roar like that of an express train -into Nieuport, down to the “whizz-bang,” which harassed one in the -neighbourhood of the Aid Post. No attempt was made to keep telephone -lines going except to Brigade H.Q. and to the Nasal Lane company, and -these were continually broken. Practically all communication had to -be done by the runners, who had a very hard time and suffered many -casualties. There had been a long-standing discussion, between those -who had been near Ypres in 1915 and those who had been at Johnstone’s -Post in the following year, as to which of these places was the worse -shelled. But the Battalion had not been long in front of Nieuport -before it was mutually agreed that the argument might be dropped. -Nieuport beat all previous records. - -But, with the exception of artillery fire, the enemy showed little -activity. Machine guns were quiet; sniping was almost unknown. There -was some trench-mortaring of the two front lines, but this was -negligible compared with the artillery fire. The enemy front line was -very lightly held, but on two occasions his patrols were seen in No -Man’s Land, though no encounter took place. - -Heavy as was the enemy artillery fire, the activity of the British -gunners was greater. The German attack of July 11th had caused great -anxiety to the higher commands, and an enormous weight of artillery -had been brought up. Behind Nieuport, the country was packed with -guns of all calibres, and firing programmes were so arranged that -some batteries would always be in action. As many as 18,000 shells -were sometimes fired on that front in a single twenty-four hours. The -protective barrage which could be put down by the eighteen-pounders -was thicker than the Battalion had ever dreamed of; where it had -been used to a single gun, there was here, not a battery, but a -brigade. On one occasion, when a S.O.S. was sent up on the sector, the -eighteen-pounders alone fired over 8,500 rounds in about half-an-hour. -And on that sector every available gun fired on S.O.S. - -Such was the Lombartzyde Sector in which the Battalion spent the first -half of August, 1917. - -As has already been said, the night the Battalion took over the line -was particularly quiet. But a very clear warning was given by the -outgoing battalion that this was not the normal state of affairs. The -only casualty of importance that night was Capt. N. Geldard, O.C. D -Company, who was wounded in the Redan. But the first complete day that -the Battalion spent in the sector it had a taste of what was in store -for it, suffering heavier casualties[9] than on any previous day since -it left the Somme battle in September, 1916. - -One of the main features of this tour in the line was the great patrol -activity. Nightly, four standing patrols--one to every two hundred -yards of front--were pushed out into No Man’s Land, to give early -warning of any attempt by the enemy to assemble for the attack. The -whole of the enemy wire, or rather what remained of it for the British -artillery had done its work well, was reconnoitred. But the main point -of interest was a post[10] in the old British front line, which had -been retained by the enemy after his abortive attack on July 11th. This -post lay just to the west of the Nieuport-Lombartzyde Road, and it was -hoped to regain it in connection with a raid which was pending. The -position was carefully reconnoitred by Sec.-Lieut. A. J. Robb, of A -Company, the officer detailed to carry out the operation. - -The raid was to be carried out by a company of the 1/6th Battalion -Duke of Wellington’s Regt., and was to penetrate as far as the enemy -second line, on the west of the Nieuport-Lombartzyde Road. It was -arranged that Sec.-Lieut. Robb’s platoon should form up and advance -in rear of the raiding party. When the latter had captured the enemy -post and advanced to its second objective, Robb was to occupy the post, -consolidate and garrison it. Zero hour was fixed for 1-0 a.m. on August -8th, and, by 3-30 a.m., the whole platoon was to be withdrawn, with -the exception of 1 N.C.O. and 6 men, who were to form the permanent -garrison of the post. Thus only two hours and a half were allowed for -the capture of the post and its consolidation, the carrying up of -stores, and the opening up of communication with the left of A Company -along Nose Trench. - -At zero hour the raiders went over under a fine barrage. They captured -the enemy post, penetrated to their second objective, and returned with -a light machine gun and several prisoners of the 199th German Division. -The 4th Battalion party was not so successful. Advancing in rear of the -raiding party, most of them lost direction and did not arrive at the -post at all; some of them went forward as far as the German second line -and started consolidation there, thinking they had reached the right -spot. Eventually, they discovered their mistake and withdrew with the -6th Battalion. The result was that Sec.-Lieut. A. J. Robb, on reaching -his objective, found that he had only one N.C.O. (Cpl. J. Yates) and -about six men with him. These he at once set to work, while he went -out to seek the rest of his platoon. He failed to find any of them. -Not long after the raiders had withdrawn an enemy party advanced to -reoccupy its post. A bombing fight ensued in which Cpl. Yates succeeded -in driving off the enemy; but when the fight was over he found he -had only four unwounded men left. About 2-25 a.m. Sec.-Lieut. Robb -returned to the post, and, as the number of men he had available was -quite inadequate even for the defence of the post, and still more so -for all the necessary work of carrying and consolidation, he ordered -a withdrawal. Soon after, the enemy reoccupied the post. Dawn was -now so near that there was no time to organise and carry out another -operation, so the enemy was left in possession. - -The following night a combined operation by artillery and gas -projectors was carried out on the Lombartzyde Sector with no other -result, from the Battalion’s point of view, than to bring down heavier -fire than usual. Then, on the night of August 9/10th, the 1/6th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. took over the line, and the -Battalion went into Brigade Reserve, in what were known as the Presque -L’Isle Defences. - -In the Presque L’Isle Defences a comparatively quiet and quite pleasant -time was spent. A and C Companies lived in Nieuport, B Company had one -platoon on Presque L’Isle itself--an island at high tide, a peninsula -at low--while the rest of the Battalion occupied dugouts in the railway -embankment, south-west of the Yser Canal. About 220 men were found -daily for work in Nieuport or the trenches, but, apart from this, the -Battalion had a complete rest. A number of men, who had remained out of -the line for training, returned and were replaced by an equal number -who had been through the recent tour. The only important drawback to -the position was the almost continual roar of artillery on both sides. -It was during this period that the Battalion witnessed the protective -barrage which has already been mentioned. Suddenly one night, almost -like a terrific clap of thunder, the whole of the British artillery -opened fire. Men rushed out to see what was happening and found -themselves standing in the middle of a half circle of light, caused by -the flashes of the guns. This continued for about half-an-hour, and, -in the rare seconds when one was not almost deafened by the roar, the -screech of the “heavies,” which were flying over from further back, -could be heard. The officer who had sent up the S.O.S. signal believed -he had seen the enemy massing for the attack. It is to be hoped he -was correct, for troops in close order in the open must have been -annihilated by such a storm of projectiles. - -After four days’ rest the Battalion returned to the same front as -before, D Company occupying the forward positions, and B Company being -in Nasal Support this time. The conditions were much the same as in -the previous tour. Much time and labour were spent in wiring the front -line, and, by the time the Battalion was relieved, an almost continuous -double-apron fence had been put out along the whole front. - -Throughout the time that the Battalion was in the Lombartzyde Sector -the 147th Infantry Brigade was working under the orders of the G.O.C., -32nd Division. On the night of August 16/17th, the 20th Battalion -Royal Fusiliers of that division took over the line. It was a night -which will remain vivid in the minds of many, particularly certain -officers and men of Battalion H.Q. Fortunately, the full volume of -enemy artillery fire did not open until rather later than usual, and -the majority of the troops were well on their way out before it reached -its worst. But, long before relief was complete, high explosive and -gas shells were raining down on the Redan, the vicinity of Battalion -H.Q., and the bottom of the road to Lombartzyde. It was during this -bombardment that Pte. H. J. Louth, of C Company, earned the high -commendations of the Royal Fusiliers. Detailed as a guide to the -incoming troops, he was wounded early on in the chest, but he remained -at duty and did not report at the Aid Post until he had seen the troops -he was responsible for safely into position. - -When relief was complete, a small party of officers and runners left -Battalion H.Q. The air was thick with diphosgene, but the night was so -dark that movement in respirators was extremely slow and precarious. -Hence, everything was risked, and the party rushed through numerous gas -pockets to the Cinq Ponts. The first two bridges were passed without -difficulty, but over the remainder the enemy was putting an intense -barrage of shrapnel and high explosive. The trenches between these -bridges were crowded with men awaiting opportunities to cross. Never -before that night did some realise how fast a man can run when carrying -a “tin” box of Lewis gun magazines, in addition to his ordinary -equipment. One by one the bridges were rushed until the last had been -crossed--and the party was still intact. Then the town of Nieuport had -to be crossed, and, in the streets, one shrapnel shell burst so close -on the top of everyone that all “ought” to have been hit; yet, in some -strange way, everyone escaped. At length Nieuport was left behind and -a long dreary walk brought the party to Queensland Camp, near Oost -Dunkerque, where the rest of the night was spent. - -No one wept when he saw the last of Nieuport and the Lombartzyde Right -Sub-sector. - - - (_c_) Coast Defence and Training. - -For more than a month the Battalion remained on the coast under the XV. -Corps, but it did not go into the front line again. The day after its -relief in the Lombartzyde Sector it marched to Oost Dunkerque Bains, -where coast defence duties were taken over from the 2nd Battalion -Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders (33rd Division). It was the first -time the two battalions had met, but they were destined to come in -contact again on several occasions. The coast defence duties were not -burdensome, two companies at a time providing all garrisons. The sector -extended nearly up to Nieuport Bains, and one or two casualties were -sustained from shell fire. Much amusement was provided by a number -of French 37 mm. revolver guns which had been taken over as part of -the defences. The men had never seen these weapons before and felt -compelled to perfect themselves in the handling of them by frequent -practice out to sea. The result showed itself in a few days in a -scarcity of ammunition, and indents for more began to come in from -companies, one Company Commander asking for a large supply of 37 cm. -shells. As he was not known to have on his charge any guns of such high -calibre, the indent was ignored. The shell cases also formed desirable -souvenirs. - -Many of the Battalion billets were in good houses or hotels along the -sea front. On a clear day a good view could be obtained from the top -storeys as far as Ostend. But this had its disadvantages, for the enemy -also had the shore under observation, and so no movement was allowed -on the sea front, nor bathing in the sea. While in this area, the -Battalion was working under the orders of the 66th Division, who had -quite a good concert party within easy reach. - - [Illustration: Lombartzyde Sector. Aug. 1917.] - -Nearly a fortnight was spent at Oost Dunkerque Bains, the last two days -at Surrey Camp just outside the town, and then the Battalion returned -to La Panne. This time the billets were not nearly so good as they had -been a month before. Since then, XV. Corps H.Q. had moved into the -town and had appropriated all the good billets on the sea front, so -the Battalion had to be content with greatly inferior billets about a -mile inland. But the town was the same as ever, though occasionally -visited by bombing planes; bathing was again possible; and there were -now no coast defence duties to perform. Instead, some hard training was -carried out, and several fierce “battles” were fought amongst the sand -dunes. While at La Panne, the whole Brigade was one day reviewed on the -sands by the G.O.C., XV. Corps, who presented medal ribbons to a number -of officers and other ranks, and afterwards took the salute in the -march past. - -The most important event of the stay at La Panne was a visit from -the G.O.C., 2nd Army, Gen. Sir H. Plumer. By this time, though the -Battalion was still in the XV. Corps area, it had been transferred -to the 2nd Anzac Corps, Second Army. There was no ceremonial parade. -Instead, the Battalion paraded in fighting order, just on the French -side of the frontier, and carried out a practice attack for the -General’s inspection. It was a time when many ideas on tactics were -changing, owing to the experiences of the early part of the Third -Battle of Ypres; in particular, the old practice of mopping-up by lines -was giving way to the newer idea of mopping-up by areas. It was this -point, more than any other, that the General insisted on when he spoke -to the officers after the scheme was over. Incidentally, he gave the -Battalion the first definite news of what it was destined for in the -near future--to take part in the attack on the Passchendaele Ridge. It -was the first time that most of the officers had heard the name--one -now so well known to everyone, and conjuring up so many memories. - -The Battalion left La Panne on the 13th of September, but only moved -as far as Bray Dunes, where a camp was pitched among the sand hills. -Training continued though the district was not so suitable as the last -had been. Two night marches on compass bearings, which took place here, -are worthy of record. The first was for platoon sergeants, and was -easily won by C Company, who received drinks round as their reward. -The other was for officers and produced more amusement, though there -was no prize. One Company, led by an experienced and fully-qualified -surveyor in civil life, never got near its objective. A second company, -trying to steal a march on the others, started from the wrong point and -soon got into difficulty; after negotiating a precipitous cliff, at -least two hundred feet high, and a mass of barbed wire, they threw up -the sponge and retired to rest, calling down curses on the head of the -unfortunate officer who had planned the march. It wasn’t his fault, but -perhaps it was fortunate for him that he was far away. It was at Bray -Dunes too that Capt. N. T. Farrar celebrated his promotion, and rumour -has it that a combination of A Company and the Q.M. Stores is not the -best for a night march without a compass. - - - (_d_) En Route for Ypres. - -Not until the latter end of September did the Battalion start on its -march to Ypres. When it did take to the road its wanderings were so -confusing that many wondered what really was to be done with it in -the near future. Bray Dunes to Ypres should be marched with comfort -in three days, or even two, for the distance is only about 25 miles. -Actually the Battalion marched further than that in the first three -days. Yet, it was not until the night of the twelfth day from starting -that it passed through Ypres. In the intervening time it had marched -about 75 miles, and had halted at various places for five complete days -of rest. But the march had this advantage--it got the men into splendid -condition. - -The march was very uneventful. During the whole period up to the last -day--October 4th--the weather was fine. The first few days were very -hot, and the second day in particular, when the Battalion moved from -Coudekerque to Wormhoudt, the march was extremely trying. A rather -late start had been made so that the whole of the march took place in -the heat of the day, and many men fell out. In the neighbourhood of -Buysscheure, where the Battalion remained for three nights, a football -match between Battalion H.Q. and A Company resulted in a win for the -former. As every officer who was qualified to play for either side -turned out, the match provoked an unusual amount of interest. All who -saw the match will remember the roar of cheers which went up when Capt. -A. E. Mander--“Old Man”--headed a goal for his company. - -About a week after leaving Bray Dunes the Battalion arrived in the -Second Army training area, some miles to the west of St. Omer. This -naturally fostered the idea that a period of intensive training was to -be carried out before the men moved into battle. But, the very next -day, advanced billeting parties were sent forward, and on the 30th of -September the Battalion was again on the move. - -On October 3rd the frontier was passed, the night being spent at Clyde -Camp, not far from Watou. An early start was made the next morning, -and, as the distance was short, it was still early when the Battalion -arrived at Red Rose Camp near Vlamertinghe. That day the weather broke; -it rained pretty steadily throughout the march, and was the beginning -of a long spell of wet. The men were fairly comfortably housed in the -camp, but accommodation for officers was very bad. As things turned -out this mattered little, for only B Echelon and the Transport spent a -night there. At last the Battalion was to be rushed into battle at the -shortest possible notice. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - THE BELLE VUE SPUR. - - - (_a_) October 4th–8th. - -The Third Battle of Ypres opened on July 31st, 1917, with an attack by -two British Armies--the Second Army on the right and the Fifth Army on -the left--supported by a French Army Corps to the north. At first a -considerable advance was made, but the unusually wet weather of August -greatly hampered operations. During September the weather improved and -progress continued, but the fighting was exceptionally severe, the -enemy stubbornly defending every inch of the ground. Notwithstanding -all difficulties, by the beginning of October the Second Army was in -touch with the Passchendaele Ridge, which was the last natural barrier -between the British and the fertile, low-lying plains of Belgium. -Though this ridge proved so serious an obstacle to the British advance, -it is by no means conspicuous. At no point is it as much as sixty -metres above sea level, and its average height is little more than -fifty metres. - -Some description of the battlefield, which the Battalion entered -early in October, is necessary. For nearly three years the enemy had -been fortifying the area east of Ypres, making use of every method -and device known to modern warfare--and throughout the war the -Germans were unsurpassed as field engineers. The result was a mighty -fortress, covering many square miles of ground, second to none on -the Western Front, or, for that matter, in the world. The ground was -covered with trenches, constructed according to the latest ideas of -fortification, and crammed with every device for offence and defence. -Thousands of miles of barbed wire had been used in the construction of -obstacles. Hundreds of “pill-boxes”--massive but low-lying structures -of reinforced concrete, invulnerable unless they received direct hits -from at least an 8-inch shell--covered the country-side and sheltered -thousands of machine guns. The German artillery was extremely powerful -and magnificently handled; and as every ridge, up to the battle of -Messines, was in enemy hands, his gunners had all the advantages of -superior observation. Such was the country that the British had been -attacking, and slowly penetrating, during the last two months. - -This country the British and German artillery had turned into a -desolation unparalleled even on the Somme battlefield in the previous -year. Literally, every inch of ground had been torn up by shell fire. -The whole appearance of the country-side had changed--most of the roads -had almost disappeared, thick woods had become nothing but collections -of broken and distorted tree-stumps, of some villages there was -scarcely a trace. Everywhere the ground was littered with the awful -debris of war--dead bodies of men and animals, derelict tanks and guns, -shattered wagons and every conceivable form of what was known to the -men as “salvage.” To crown all, the heavy rains of the late summer -and early autumn had converted the whole area into a quagmire, the -drainage system having been completely destroyed by artillery fire. -Cross-country travelling was extremely difficult for a man on foot, -for even when he picked his way carefully he was often bogged well -above the knees; transport and animals could not move at all except by -the newly-made roads and tracks. Every effort had been made to deal -with the situation by the construction of plank roads, gridded tracks -and light railways, but transport difficulties and the activity of -the enemy artillery seriously interfered. Could the prophetic eye of -Dante have looked so far forward into the future, he might readily have -introduced this desolation as the setting to one of the lowest circles -of Hell. - - * * * * * - -The Battalion was about to settle down for the night in Red Rose -Camp when an urgent order from 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. altered -everything. In spite of the rain that day, a particularly successful -attack had been made on a wide front; all objectives had been -reached, and, in some cases, passed. Luck had been on the side of the -British for once, for that same morning the enemy had planned a big -counter-attack. Unfortunately for him his zero hour had been fixed -a few minutes later than the British, whose barrage, 1,000 yards in -depth, had passed slowly over three enemy divisions, assembled in close -order in the open, and had almost annihilated them. So promising had -been the situation at one time that the 147th Infantry Brigade was -within an ace of being thrown into the battle that very day, to exploit -it. This, however, had not been done, but the Battalion now received -orders to move up and relieve the 1st Battalion Canterbury Regt., in -reserve to the 2nd New Zealand Infantry Brigade. At once all was bustle -and excitement, and, soon after 11-0 p.m. the Battalion, in battle -order and at battle strength, marched out of camp to play its part in -the battle for the Passchendaele Ridge. - -The night was very dark and wet, and great difficulty was found in -carrying out the relief. The route to Pommern Castle, where Battalion -H.Q. was located and round which the whole Battalion was posted, -lay along No. 5 Track--a single line of grids, in particularly evil -condition, with fearsome mud on both sides. Relief was not complete -until after dawn. Some anxiety was felt as to what should be done in -case the enemy attacked, for not a man of the Battalion had any clear -idea where he was, or where the front line lay. Accommodation was -very bad. One or two low-lying, very wet, and extremely uncomfortable -pill-boxes were occupied by Battalion H.Q.; but nearly everyone had to -be content with a shell-hole over which he could spread his waterproof -sheet. October 5th was spent mainly in trying to build habitable -shelters. - -On the night of October 5/6th the Battalion moved up to the line, where -it relieved two New Zealand battalions. D and C Companies held the -front line--D Company to the south of, and C Company along, the eastern -edge of Berlin Wood; A Company was in support on Abraham Heights, and B -Company in reserve near Otto Farm, where Battalion H.Q. was situated. -Abraham Heights were rather heavily shelled at intervals, but, apart -from this, nothing of importance happened during the twenty-four -hours that were spent in the sector. The enemy was undoubtedly very -disorganised after the attack of two days before, and was in no -condition to be aggressive. - -The night of October 5/6th was a particularly bad one for the Battalion -transport men. Owing to the appalling condition of the ground, supplies -could only be taken up on pack animals, and that night, for the first -and last time, Texas packs were used. These proved most unsatisfactory, -the loads could not be properly secured, and constant halts were -necessary to readjust them. The amount of traffic on the roads was -amazing. From Vlamertinghe to Ypres, and up beyond Wieltje, the whole -road was packed with every conceivable form of vehicle and pack animal. -Blocks were constantly occurring and causing wearisome halts. Soon -after the convoy started it became split up, owing to vehicles pushing -in between the animals. Beyond Ypres the conditions became even worse, -and eventually the convoy returned to Red Rose Camp without having -reached the Battalion. But soon after dawn a fresh convoy set out and -succeeded in delivering the rations. - -The next night the Battalion was relieved by the 2/5th Battalion -Manchester Regt. (66th Division) and returned to Pommern Castle. The -next two days were spent in active preparation for the attack which was -to take place on October 9th. Large carrying parties were found for -establishing forward dumps, and all officers reconnoitred routes up to -the line and assembly positions for the attack. - -This operation was on a very big scale. The 49th Division was to attack -on the extreme left of the Second Army, with the Fifth Army attacking -on its left and the 66th Division on its right. The main details of the -attack were as follows:-- - - 1. The 49th Division was to advance straight towards the point - of the Belle Vue Spur, an offshoot of the main Passchendaele - Ridge, on a frontage of about 1,500 yards. - - 2. Two objectives were to be captured and consolidated, the - second objective being about 1,250 yards from the British Front - Line. - - 3. The attack was to be made by the 148th Infantry Brigade on - the right and the 146th Infantry Brigade on the left, each - having two battalions in the front line. The 147th Infantry - Brigade was to be in Divisional Reserve. - -It was thus very uncertain what the role of the Battalion would be. -Its orders were to be assembled at Pommern Castle by zero hour (5-20 -a.m.) ready to move at a moment’s notice. There it was to remain until -further orders were received from Brigade H.Q., and, as it was the -reserve battalion of the Brigade, these orders were not expected very -early. - -The morning of October 8th was bright and sunny, and the ground was -drying up splendidly. But about the middle of the afternoon very heavy -rain began to fall which continued, almost without a break, right -through the night. The ground, already in very bad condition, was thus -rendered almost impassable in many places, and the assembly of the -attacking Brigades was seriously hampered. - - - (_b_) October 9th. - -By 5-0 a.m. on October 9th the Battalion,[11] with the exception -of most of B Company, who had not yet returned from a carrying -party, was assembled at Pommern Castle ready to move. At 5-20 a.m. -the barrage opened, several batteries near where the Battalion was -assembled being in action, and all knew that the attack had begun. -For about two hours nothing happened; save for the noise of the -guns, everything was quiet, and no news of the attack came through. -About 7-30 a.m., orders were received for the Battalion to advance -to the vicinity of Aisne Farm, some six or seven hundred yards west -of Kansas Cross. B Company’s carrying party had not yet returned, so -guides were left behind for them, and the rest of the Battalion moved -off in artillery formation, with platoons at fifty yards’ interval. -The ground was very wet after the heavy rain of the night before, and -movement was slow and laborious. The Battalion had scarcely reached -its destination when fresh orders arrived, directing it to proceed -forthwith to the neighbourhood of Korek, where it would come under the -orders of the 146th Infantry Brigade, whose advanced H.Q. was there. -The route followed was along No. 6 Track, a single line of grids in -none too good condition. Platoons had to move in single file, and, as -they drew near to Korek, came under heavy artillery fire which caused -several casualties--the first suffered that day. On arrival there -the Battalion halted and began to dig in as the artillery fire was -still heavy. While it was thus engaged, the remainder of B Company -came up, so that the Battalion was again concentrated. The Commanding -Officer went personally to the 146th Infantry Brigade H.Q. for orders -and information as to the situation. The latter, he found, was very -obscure. It was not definitely known where any of the Battalion H.Q. -were situated; the 1/5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. was believed -to be at or near Peter Pan, the 1/7th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. -somewhere between Kronprinz Farm and Yetta Houses. The only definite -information was that both were in need of reinforcements, and the -Commanding Officer was accordingly ordered to send up two companies -in support of each. He returned to his Battalion H.Q. and orders, as -definite as the situation would admit, were issued at 10-50 a.m. A and -B Companies were placed under the command of Capt. A. E. Mander, whose -instructions were to report to the 1/7th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. -and place himself under its orders. C and D Companies the Commanding -Officer decided to lead in person to the assistance of the 1/5th -Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. - - [Illustration: R.S.M. F. P. STIRZAKER, M.C. - - (Killed).] - - [Illustration: R.S.M. W. LEE, M.C.] - - [Illustration: C.S.M. W. MEDLEY, M.C., M.M.] - - [Illustration: Sergt. A. LOOSEMORE, V.C., D.C.M.] - -At 10-55 a.m. Battalion H.Q. moved off, followed by C Company, with D -Company bringing up the rear--all in artillery formation. Near Calgary -Grange they came across Capt. Ablitt, of the 1/5th Battalion West -Yorkshire Regt., who stated that his Commanding Officer was wounded -and he was now in command. Most of his H.Q. personnel were casualties, -he had no proper Headquarters and knew very little of the situation. -The Commanding Officer informed Capt. Ablitt that he was moving up to -Peter Pan with two companies, and then continued on his way. There was -no protective barrage to cover the advance of the Battalion, and, as it -came down the slope past Calgary Grange, very heavy machine gun fire -was encountered from the pill-boxes on the Belle Vue Spur. The enemy -artillery was also active, and, though the companies extended, many -casualties were suffered before the old British front line was reached. -Here a halt was made for about fifteen minutes to give companies an -opportunity to reorganise, and to allow time for the reconnaissance of -the crossings over the Ravebeke. In normal times this stream would have -been a very slight obstacle, but the devastating fire of the British -artillery and the recent heavy rains had converted its course into a -formidable morass. Sec.-Lieut. A. M. Luty went forward to reconnoitre -for practicable crossings. Under a heavy artillery and machine gun fire -he carried out this duty, marked the possible places with sticks, and -then returned to his own lines. - -Lieut. H. S. Wilkinson, the Battalion Intelligence Officer, was also -sent forward, not only to reconnoitre the crossings of the stream, -but to try to get into touch with men of the 146th Infantry Brigade. -Running from one shell-hole to another, he soon lost touch with the two -men who had started out with him, and went on alone. Near the Ravebeke, -a bullet lodged in his steel helmet, fortunately without wounding him. -As he could find no other means of crossing, he waded through the -stream, the water coming above his waist. He then advanced straight -towards Peter Pan, across awful mud, and with machine gun bullets -whistling all round. Soon he met a party of the 1/6th Battalion West -Yorkshire Regiment, but they could tell him nothing of the situation. -So he determined to reconnoitre as far as Peter Pan itself before -returning to report. Not a dozen yards from the ruined building he -was severely wounded. One bullet shattered his jaw; another went right -through his left shoulder and fractured the arm. That was the end of -his reconnaissance. He had established the very important fact that -the enemy did not hold Peter Pan, but he was unable to return to give -the information. In great pain and half covered with water, he lay in -a shell-hole until the advance of the Battalion swept past him, and he -was found and carried back. - -Meanwhile, the Battalion was again advancing. C Company led the way, -with D Company in close support. Under a hail of machine gun bullets, -in the face of accurate sniping, and with shells bursting all round, -they steadily advanced by section rushes, in extended order. The rear -company gave covering fire to the leading one, and machine guns also -assisted in keeping down the hostile fire. But many men went down, -killed or wounded, in the mud, before the stream was reached. Then -followed the crossing of the Ravebeke. Some of C Company had carried -saplings with them which they threw across, others crossed on the -fallen trees which were already lying there, yet others literally -forced their way through the mud and water. On the far side of the -Ravebeke the fire was, if anything, heavier; but the men pressed on to -Peter Pan where many of them gained some temporary protection among -the ruined buildings. It was in this crossing of the Ravebeke, and -the advance to Peter Pan, that the Battalion suffered its heaviest -casualties that day. Among others, Capt. N. Geldard, O.C. D Company, -went down with a bullet wound in the ankle--his second wound in less -than three months. Lieut. W. L. Hirst assumed command of D Company. -Had the Battalion carried out its advance under a proper barrage the -casualties would not have been nearly so heavy. But the Ravebeke had -been crossed, which was, at the moment, the really important thing. - -Battalion H.Q. was established in a newly-made shell hole, just in rear -of the ruins of Peter Pan. C Company was pushed forward at once to -get in touch with the West Yorks, and to gain contact with the enemy. -Following a line slightly to the right of the direction of Wolf Copse, -they came upon a number of West Yorks, who had dug themselves in, -from two to three hundred yards in front of Peter Pan. Reconnoitring -to their flanks, they also gained touch with a platoon of the 1/6th -Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. So they set to work to consolidate on -that line. There were rumours of other troops of the 146th Infantry -Brigade still further out in front, but, apart from a few advanced men -in shell holes, none were seen, and it is unlikely that any existed. D -Company was also sent forward to prolong C Company’s line to the left. -Lieut. W. L. Hirst, with his C.S.M., first reconnoitred the ground, -and, finding a company of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. -already in position there, brought up his company to prolong the line -on its left. With the exception of the platoons found by C Company, -no formed body of the 146th Infantry Brigade was ever found by the -Battalion, though various isolated groups and stragglers were taken -charge of by different companies. Meanwhile, machine gun fire from the -Belle Vue Spur and from Wolf Copse was still sweeping the Battalion -front, and extremely accurate sniping from the latter direction made -individual movement very hazardous. Companies were doing what they -could to keep this down with Lewis gun and rifle fire, but casualties -were frequent. Two signallers, attached to C Company, were shot through -the head as they were moving along a shallow trench. The Adjutant, -Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C., while reconnoitring the positions, was -also wounded in the head. As Lieut. H. S. Wilkinson had already been -wounded, only the Commanding Officer and Lieut. W. T Scholes were left -at Battalion H.Q. Such was the situation on the right about 3-0 p.m. - -Meanwhile, A and B Companies had not moved with the rest of the -Battalion. On receiving his orders to reinforce the 1/7th Battalion -West Yorkshire Regt., Capt. A. E. Mander had sent out scouts to try -to find out the location of the Battalion H.Q.; but, after some -time, these had returned without any information. The companies were -therefore kept in shell holes in the vicinity of Calgary Grange until -something definite could be discovered. It was not until 12-20 p.m. -that they got into touch with the Commanding Officer of the 1/7th -Battalion West Yorkshire Regt., who was found moving his H.Q. back to -Calgary Grange. He simply told them to stand fast for the present. They -remained where they were until about 3-0 p.m., when they received -orders to move up to Yetta Houses, and fill a gap in the line there. -With A Company leading and B Company in support, they moved off in -artillery formation, until they reached the swamps of the Ravebeke. -Here heavy machine gun fire, and the same accurate sniping which had -harassed the rest of the Battalion, forced them to extend. Capt. A. E. -Mander was hit in the head by a sniper during the advance, and killed -instantly. His death was a great loss to the Battalion, for he was not -only a most conscientious officer, but a general favourite with all -ranks; nothing was ever too much trouble for him if he thought it would -benefit his men, and his only ambitions in life seemed to be to work -hard and make others happy. On his fall, Lieut. A. Kirk assumed command -of A Company. - -A and B Companies reached their objective about 5-30 p.m. Like the rest -of the Battalion, they found only stragglers of the 146th Infantry -Brigade. A Company began to dig in to the right front of Yetta Houses, -with B Company in support in an old trench in rear. Patrols sent out to -the left failed to gain touch with any troops, save a few stragglers -in shell holes, so Lieut. Kirk ordered the flank of his trench to be -thrown back to protect his left. About dusk, patrols sent out by all -companies succeeded in gaining touch with one another, and the line -which was held for the night was as follows:-- - - Right:--C Company, facing N.E., and about 200 yards from Wolf - Copse. It was in touch on the right with a platoon of the 1/6th - Battalion West Yorkshire Regt., and had scattered men of the - same battalion in shell holes in front of its position. - - Right Centre:--A Company of the 6th Battalion Duke of - Wellington’s Regt., under Capt. Buxton. - - Left Centre:--D Company, N. of Peter Pan, and facing Wolf Farm. - - Left:--A Company, just to the right front of Yetta Houses, with - its left flank thrown back as no touch had been obtained there. - B Company was behind Yetta Houses, in support to A Company. - -Battalion H.Q. was behind Peter Pan, still occupying its shell hole, -“and very uncomfortable at that,” according to the situation report -sent in by the Commanding Officer. This line remained unchanged until -the Battalion was relieved the following night. - -Darkness brought a welcome relief from the harassing machine gun fire -and the accurate sniping which had caused so many casualties during -the day. Though heavy, casualties had not been sufficiently high to -interfere seriously with the efficiency of the Battalion. C and D -Companies combined had lost nearly 30 per cent. of their men, and A and -B Companies about 20 per cent. These losses were, to a certain extent, -made good by the temporary incorporation of numbers of stragglers. -The men settled down for the night as best they could, tired out with -their efforts of the day. Every officer and man was covered with mud -from head to foot, and his clothes were thoroughly soaked with water. -In these circumstances little comfort could be hoped for, especially -as the Battalion failed to get in touch with the ration convoy. The -night was very cold. Patrols were pushed out to maintain contact with -the enemy, and these found the pill-boxes on Belle Vue Spur and the -neighbourhood of Wolf Copse still held. One H.Q. scout unfortunately -was captured by the enemy while out on patrol; he had become separated -from the man he was working with, owing to the darkness and the very -broken nature of the country. Suddenly he found himself right on the -top of an enemy post; a bullet shattered one of his arms and paralysed -his power of resistance, and, though he tried to run for it, he was -easily taken.[12] - -Throughout the day the enemy made no attempt to counter-attack, -contenting himself by harassing the exposed British troops with his -fire. About 7-0 p.m., a report that the Germans were massing for the -attack caused some excitement, but it turned out to be incorrect. -Towards midnight the Battalion was surprised by the opening of a heavy -shrapnel barrage on its front. As everything was quiet at the time, -no call for help had been sent back, and no operation was known to be -in progress, the cause of this remained a mystery for some time. It -was cleared up about 1-45 a.m. by the arrival of an order, from the -146th Infantry Brigade, to mop up a considerable area of ground on the -front. The barrage had been intended to cover this operation, but so -late did the order arrive, that it had long been over and nothing could -be done. - -The dawn of October 10th was ushered in by the customary German “hate,” -but after that things became fairly quiet for a time. A change was -made in the Battalion dispositions at dawn. B Company was moved back -to the vicinity of 146th Infantry Brigade H.Q. where it became Brigade -Reserve. A Company thereupon withdrew one platoon from the line to form -a company reserve. - -Little of importance happened during October 10th. Very accurate -sniping from Wolf Copse, as on the previous day, caused much -inconvenience and several casualties. At various times during the day -numbers of the enemy were seen on the Belle Vue Spur, and artillery -fire was directed on them. About 4-0 p.m., Battalion H.Q. was subjected -to a heavy and very accurate shelling. This was believed to be a result -of the laying out of the Battalion ground sign, which had been called -for by a contact aeroplane; it was thought that this had been seen by -enemy planes which were also up at the time. - -Word had been received during the day that the Battalion was to be -relieved that night by a New Zealand Battalion. About 10-0 p.m., these -troops began to arrive. They did not take over in the ordinary way, but -preferred to select their own position and dig an entirely new line -for themselves. So, as the New Zealanders marched in and took up their -position, the Battalion marched out. Relief was complete about midnight. - -The orders issued to companies were that they should make for the -Wieltje Road and follow it until they met the guides who were being -sent up from the transport lines. All that night these guides were out -on the road, directing men to X Camp, St. Jean, where they were to rest -and where hot tea and rum awaited them. From about midnight until long -after dawn, the troops of the 49th Division streamed down the road, -some singly, some in groups of two or three, others in formed bodies. -It is doubtful whether, before or since, the Battalion has been more -thoroughly done up. After living in that waste of mud and water, with -practically no shelter, for nearly a week, it had carried out an attack -over the same appalling ground, and then consolidated and held its -position in the face of violent artillery and machine gun fire. - -The attack of October 9th had not been a complete success, but a very -important advance had been made. The first objective had been carried -practically in its entirety, and, in front of Peter Pan, a new line had -been established some distance beyond it. But the second objective had -not been reached. The most important success was the establishment of a -line, well beyond the Ravebeke, along the whole front. This stream was -a most serious obstacle, and the consolidation of a line to the east of -it provided a good jumping-off ground for the troops who were to attack -later on the same front. The difficulty of the operation may be judged -from the fact that an attack launched from the new line a few days -later by the New Zealanders failed to gain an inch of ground, and that -the second objective of the 49th Division on October 9th was only just -reached three weeks later by the Canadians, who had come up quite fresh -to make the attack. The operation of October 9th was one of the first -of that awful series of attacks on the Passchendaele Ridge which failed -to obtain a full measure of success owing, not to the opposition of the -enemy, but to the appalling condition of the ground. - -That the work done by the 49th Division was appreciated by the higher -commands is shown by the following message from the G.O.C., 2nd Anzac -Corps, under whom the Division had fought:-- - - “Following message has been received by me from Army Commander, - begins:-- - - ‘Please accept and convey to all your troops engaged to-day my - heartiest congratulations on success achieved. - - General Plumer.’ - - The Commander-in-Chief also called here to-day and wished - specially to congratulate you and your Division. - - I wish also to add my high appreciation and thanks to you - personally and to all ranks of your Division on having done so - much under such arduous and trying conditions. - - General Godley.” - -The G.O.C., 49th Division, in a Special Order of the Day, wrote -“Nothing could be finer than what the Division accomplished.” The -G.O.C., 146th Infantry Brigade, in a personal letter to the Commanding -Officer, said “I cannot thank you enough for the cheerful and thorough -way in which all my orders were carried out.” While the Battalion’s -own Brigadier, referring to the response of his troops when ordered up -to support the other Brigades of the Division, said “Officers and men, -though thoroughly exhausted, at once forgot their fatigue and advanced -through the enemy barrage in the most gallant style worthy of the best -traditions of the Army.” - - [Illustration: _Belle Vue Spur 9.10.17._] - - - (_c_) Rest and Reorganisation. - -Though a welcome change after the hardships of the Belle Vue Spur, X -Camp, St. Jean, was far from a paradise. There were very few tents, -and most of the men had to be content with small bivouacs or covered -holes in the ground. The camp had been pitched hurriedly by a New -Zealand battalion only a day or two before, and there had not been time -to perfect it. It was not shelled, though the enemy paid attention to -some neighbouring areas, and on several occasions his bombing planes -were not far off at night. But the camp was made something like a home, -and great regret was felt, and expressed, when a neighbouring Corps -found that the Battalion was on the wrong side of the road and orders -to move were issued. There was no other suitable camping site in the -district. The best that could be found was a small field, pitted with -shell holes, and covered with very long grass and rank weeds, all -absolutely sodden by the rain. Into this field the tents and bivouacs -were moved and repitched in the pouring rain, the men freely expressing -their opinions, in language more forcible than polite, and the officers -thoroughly sympathising. - -On October 12th the New Zealand Division made its attack on the Belle -Vue Spur, with the result already mentioned. One of the worst features -of October 9th had been the difficulty of getting the wounded away; -there had been far too few stretcher-bearers, and many of the wounded -had suffered greatly by their long exposure. For the New Zealand attack -each battalion of the 147th Infantry Brigade was asked to provide -200 men to assist in evacuating the wounded, and volunteers were -readily forthcoming from among the men who had themselves learned the -awful conditions. For two days these men worked in the battle area, -fortunately with practically no casualties, and the gratitude of the -New Zealand Division is shown by the following letter, written by its -Divisional Commander to the G.O.C., 147th Infantry Brigade:-- - - “My Dear General, - - Please express to the officers and men of your Brigade who came - forward to assist in getting in the wounded, the very hearty - thanks of myself and Staff, and the whole Division. - - I have heard the warmest expressions of praise for the way in - which your men volunteered to come forward and undertake what - was certainly a very exhausting and maybe dangerous task. - - I hope they did not suffer casualties, or if so, that they were - light. The New Zealand Division will not forget the debt they - owe to the officers and men of the 147th Brigade. - - A. W. Russell, Major-General.” - -On October 16th the Battalion moved back to a hutment camp south-east -of Vlamertinghe and here there was more comfort, though the huts were -very crowded. In fact, at this time, there was not nearly enough -accommodation, around and behind Ypres, for the enormous number -of troops which had been brought up to take part in the battle of -Passchendaele. Some training was done during the week the Battalion -was there, particularly of specialists, the loss of whom had been very -heavy in the recent battle. There, too, Major-General E. M. Perceval, -C.B., D.S.O., said farewell to the 147th Infantry Brigade. He had -commanded the 49th Division for more than two years, but was now -returning to England to take up a home command. The Brigade paraded in -hollow square and was inspected by the General, who afterwards thanked -the men for all they had done and wished them farewell. The Brigade -then marched past. Major-General N. J. G. Cameron, C.B., C.M.G., who -had formerly commanded an infantry brigade of the 50th Division, -succeeded to the command of the 49th Division. - -The Battalion was now sent well back for a period of rest and -reorganisation. On October 24th it moved by motor bus to tents near -Winnizeele, a village famous for a restaurant which catered specially -for officers. The camp site was not a good one, but three days later -the Battalion moved to billets near Steenvoorde, where it remained for -about a fortnight. Time was spent in reorganisation and training. Some -interesting tactical schemes were worked out, one of which was attended -by the new Divisional Commander. This was the first time the men had -met him, though they were to see much of him in the future. He turned -out to be a man of exceptional energy, who spent much of his time in -the line, and seemed to have a peculiar preference for visiting the -hottest places he could find. Here some drafts, both of officers and -other ranks, joined the Battalion; but the heavy casualties sustained -at Nieuport and the Belle Vue Spur were not made good until the -reorganisation of the British Expeditionary Force at the beginning -of the next year. The arrangement of billets did not allow of much -social relaxation being organised. B Company, who occupied a large and -comfortable barn, held a very successful concert, chiefly noteworthy -for the dancing of a certain “Miss” Hey, who there made her début in -that role. Another feature was the lecturing of the Area Commandant -of Steenvoorde, whose comments on the strategy of the war were most -interesting, even though his prophecies were sometimes rather wide of -the mark. - -On November 9th the Battalion moved by motor bus to the neighbourhood -of Ypres where it was to remain, save for one period of rest, until the -last great enemy offensive was launched in the following spring. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - WINTER ON THE PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE. - - - (_a_) Molenaarelsthoek and Keerselaarhoek. - -The battle for the Passchendaele Ridge was still raging when the -Battalion returned to the neighbourhood of Ypres in November. To -the south of the Zonnebeke Road the crest of the ridge was almost -everywhere in British hands, but round the village of Passchendaele -itself heavy fighting was to continue into December. The Battalion was -not destined to carry out any further attacks; its role was the far -more tedious, and almost equally difficult one of assisting to hold the -ground which had been gained. - -Ten days were spent in hutment camps at the back of Ypres. Winter was -setting in and off the gridded walks, which ran round the huts, the -camping areas were simply wastes of foul mud. About 200 men were found -daily for work on light railways in the district. While the Battalion -was encamped there news was received that the Commanding Officer had -been awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order, for good work -during the attack on the Belle Vue Spur, and the occasion was suitably -celebrated. Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C., who had recovered from his wound, -rejoined the Battalion here. About this time the allotment of leave -improved considerably, so much so that, at the end of November, no less -than 150 all ranks were away from the Battalion for that reason. - -About the middle of November Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O., assumed -temporary command of the 147th Infantry Brigade, during the absence of -the G.O.C. on leave. As soon as the Brigadier returned, he went on a -month’s leave himself, so that Major A. L. Mowat, M.C., was in command -of the Battalion until the latter part of January. On November 19th -the 147th Infantry Brigade took over the defence of the Broodseinde -Sector, and the Battalion moved up into brigade right support on Anzac -Ridge. Accommodation in this position was particularly poor. The -tiniest of pill-boxes was all that was available for Battalion H.Q., -and the same table had to serve for meals and office work by day, and -as a bed for all H.Q. officers by night. On the night the Battalion -took over, some gas shells burst just outside the shelters occupied by -H.Q. details. C.S.M. A. Day, of A Company, who was Acting R.S.M., all -the runners, and several others were so severely gassed that they had -to be evacuated. A number of Battalion scouts, who had been left out of -the line for training, had to be sent for to act as runners. - -Four days later the Battalion relieved the 1/6th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. in the Molenaarelsthoek Sector, which extended -from opposite Justice Wood to about Flinte Wood. The relief was a -stormy one. The tracks were heavily shelled and one platoon had eight -casualties going into the line. The front was rather a long one and -required three companies in the line. As it lay on the forward slope -of the Broodseinde Ridge, which was under observation from the Keiberg -Spur opposite, no movement was allowed by day. Accommodation was poor -and there were no continuous trenches. At night much work was done, -joining up front line posts, constructing supporting posts to the -west of the ridge, digging a defensive communication trench on the -right, and wiring. The influence of the battle further north made the -front a lively one. Army barrages were continually being put down in -the vicinity, in an endeavour to distract the enemy’s attention from -the real point of attack. Judging from the Battalion’s experiences, -these had a fair amount of success, for the enemy artillery was -very active; frequently parts of the line were heavily shelled, and -barrages on No Man’s Land during the night were common. These latter -greatly interfered with the work of patrols, which were out nightly. -Fortunately, casualties were not heavy; but it was during this tour -that Sec.-Lieut. J. S. Watson, a most promising young officer of B -Company, was killed. - -The Battalion transport too had a very rough time. The enemy was doing -a great deal of back area shelling, and night after night the ration -convoys had to pass through it. During this tour the transport lost -the first of its number killed in action. But all ranks behaved with -great gallantry, and, in spite of casualties to men and animals, -rations were invariably delivered nightly. - -There is no doubt that, by this time, the enemy had settled down to a -defensive policy for the winter. The collapse of Russia had come too -late to prevent the British gaining the Passchendaele Ridge, though -German reinforcements from the Eastern Front had made that task far -more difficult. For the next few months the enemy was content to leave -things as they were, and quietly to perfect his plans for a great -offensive the following spring. - -On November 27th the Battalion was relieved by the 1/5th Battalion -King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and, after a night spent near -Gordon House, moved to Vancouver Camp The day after its arrival Capt. -H. Hanson, O.C. D Company, was so seriously wounded by a shell, just -outside Vlamertinghe, that he died two days later in hospital. His -death was a great blow to everyone. He was one of those men whom no one -can help liking, possessing a most equable temper, and, though unsuited -by age to the rigours of trench warfare, always trying to remain -cheerful and to make the best of things. Sec.-Lieut. P. Donkersley was -also severely wounded by the same shell. - -In the next camp was a New Zealand Cyclist Battalion against whom -a very vigorous “rugger” match was played. The result was one -casualty--Sec.-Lieut. F. Irish with a dislocated elbow--and a win for -the Battalion by two tries to a try. Little training was possible for, -a few days after arrival at the camp, practically every available man -was moved to Lancer Camp, near Potijze, for working parties. Little -more than Battalion H.Q. remained at Vancouver Camp. Three days later -the Battalion was again concentrated in Dragoon Camp, and the next -night took over the Keerselaarhoek Sector from the 4th Battalion -Suffolk Regt. (33rd Division). - -This sector deserves more than a passing mention as it was one of the -worst, if not the worst, ever held by the Battalion. The usual route -to the line lay along a gridded track which seemed endless to the -weary and heavily-laden soldier. The track was far from “healthy,” -particularly where it wound round Abraham Heights; at this point -several casualties were suffered by the advanced party, when the -Battalion was first taking over the sector. But it was after Seine -that the real trouble began. Just beyond that point the grids came to -an end,[13] and for the rest of the way, over a mile in distance even -if a direct line were followed, the troops simply wallowed among mud -and shell holes, appalling even in that country. The front line posts -were on either side of the Ypres-Roulers Railway, and their condition -beggars description. Originally shell holes, attempts had been made to -improve them by digging; but so water-logged was the ground that all -excavations filled with water almost at once, while the sides caved in -as quickly as they were dug out. To the south of the railway another -difficulty presented itself; as often as digging was started anywhere, -dead bodies, in a state of decomposition, were uncovered, and the hole -had to be filled in quickly. It was extremely difficult to get R.E. -material up to the front line at all. Owing to enemy observation no -movement was possible by day, and the nights were so black, and usually -wet, that a man could hardly see a yard in front of him. The man who -had carried up one trench grid or revetting frame from Battalion -H.Q. to the front line, had done a really hard night’s work. The -Ypres-Roulers Railway, which ran through a deep cutting and should have -been an easy and direct route to the line, was absolutely impassable -owing to the thick mud which covered it. No fires could be lit, and the -only hot food or drink that could ever be obtained was that heated over -Tommy’s cookers. In short, the state of discomfort and misery in which -the men lived had never been equalled in the history of the Battalion, -except possibly in those ghastly days on the extreme left sector in -December, 1915. An American officer, who was attached to the Battalion -at this time, expressed amazement that men could exist at all under -such conditions. - -The front system was held by two companies, one on each side of -the railway. A third company was in support round Hillside Farm, a -prominent pill-box just below the crest on the west side of the ridge. -The other company was in reserve in a number of shelters not far from -Tyne Cottage. Battalion H.Q. was near Seine. - -Fortunately the enemy was not very active on this front. His artillery -made good practice on and around the village of Passchendaele, a little -further to the north, but comparatively little attention was paid to -the Keerselaarhoek Sector. Probably he realised that an attack there -was practically impossible for either side. Patrols which pushed out in -the direction of Tiber Copse and along the Railway reported the ground -impassable; sheets of water covered much of No Man’s Land, and where -there was no water the mud was almost bottomless. The only route by -which the opposing forces could come in contact was in the direction -of Assyria, on the Keiberg Spur, and even there the ground was in an -appalling condition. Only in the event of hard frost would an attack -be possible anywhere. So, apart from harassing fire, there was little -activity. - -Three days were considered a long enough spell for any troops to hold -that line, so, on the night of December 10/11th, the 1/5th Battalion -Duke of Wellington’s Regt. came up to relieve, and the Battalion -returned to Dragoon Camp. It was not much of a rest. The camp was, -on the whole, comfortable, considering that it was to the east of -Ypres. But nearly every man was required for working parties daily, -and these were often in badly shelled areas. Rather to the surprise of -everyone, the Battalion remained at Dragoon Camp for five days. The -1/5th Battalion had asked and been allowed to remain in the line for an -extra two days, preferring to do this rather than have the fatigue and -discomfort of going out and then coming in again for another tour. But -every man was heartily sick of it by the time his five days were over. - -One point in connection with the relief is worthy of note. The -advantages of the Zonnebeke Road, as a route to the line, had been -so much praised by one officer of the Battalion that the Commanding -Officer determined to try it. All went well until he was nearing -Zonnebeke, and then, without any warning, a 5.9 burst in the middle of -the road about seventy yards away. It was almost immediately followed -by a second, which burst within ten yards of the party, luckily just -off the road. That was enough! With one accord everyone made off -straight across country as fast as he could go. This was not very fast, -for all were heavily laden and often sank up to the knees in mud. But -they got away from the road, over country which no one would have -dreamed of attempting in ordinary circumstances. And none of them ever -tried the Zonnebeke Road again. - -Little need be said of the second tour in this sector except that it -only lasted 48 hours. If such a thing were possible, the conditions -were even worse than before. Some snow fell during the tour, but -it melted almost as it fell and simply helped to make things more -miserable. When the 1/7th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. came in to -relieve, it was with the greatest joy that the Battalion bade farewell -to the Keerselaarhoek Sector. - -The next rest period was spent at Halifax Camp, which adjoined -Vancouver Camp. About this time the weather changed and bright days, -with hard frost, supplanted the constant rain which had helped to make -things so miserable of late. Though much colder, the change in the -weather was a great improvement. On December 23rd, when the time came -for another tour in the front line, the Battalion was taken up in the -morning by broad gauge railway as far as Hellfire Corner, and halted -there until the middle of the afternoon. Cook kitchens had been brought -up to this point and hot dinners were served before the men started -again. Shortly before dusk the Battalion marched off, via Mole and -Jabber Tracks, to the Molenaarelsthoek Sector, where it relieved the -1/5th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. - -Since the Battalion had held this part of the line a month before, -the length of the front had been reduced by the New Zealanders taking -over part on the right flank. It was now only necessary to have two -companies in the front line. Of the other two, one garrisoned a line -of posts on the western slope of the ridge, and the other lived in -shelters and pill-boxes near Battalion H.Q. Companies inter-relieved -after three days in the front line. - -This tour was the pleasantest the Battalion had on the Passchendaele -Ridge. The frost, which continued throughout, had made the ground -everywhere passable. Though colder, it was quite dry, and so far more -comfortable than the damp had been. Snow covered the ground, but not to -any great depth. Except for some further snow occasionally, the weather -was bright. The nights were wonderful. The moon was at the full, and, -assisted by the reflection from the snow, the light was so bright at -midnight that observers on the crest of the ridge were able to use -ordinary glasses for observing the Keiberg Spur, more than 2,000 yards -away. The days were often misty, which made it possible to move about -freely to the east of the ridge where, before, all movement had been -forbidden in daylight. - -Advantage was taken of the bright nights to do a great deal of work. -Much wire was put out in front, posts were improved and shelters -built therein, and a lot of work was done on the support posts west -of the ridge. Since the Battalion had last occupied the sector, two -communication trenches had been cut through the ridge nearly up to -the front line, and these made movement both safer and easier. Enemy -artillery was not very active, and, with one important exception, most -of the shelling was very scattered. It was one of these scattered -shells that wounded Capt. E. V. Blakey, M.C., and C.S.M. J. Parkinson, -as they were going the round of their company posts in the support -line. The exception was a small but prominent pill-box on the crest of -the ridge, which the Battalion used as an observation post, and the -enemy apparently as a registration point. Fortunately this pill-box -was very strong and had a cellar, to which the observers retired when -things became too lively. The nearest enemy posts were a long way off; -indeed, later information goes to show that the nearest post was at -least a thousand yards east of Celtic Wood. - -Christmas Day, for the first and only time during the war, was spent by -the Battalion in the front line. In the circumstances, little could be -done to celebrate the occasion. Messages of goodwill were telephoned -to the Brigadier and the Divisional Commander. One Company Commander, -after laboriously putting a message of seasonable greetings into B.A.B. -code, sent it over the wire to another company. The O.C. that company, -delighted with his success in deciphering the first few letters of it, -repeated it to Battalion H.Q. and to the remaining companies, in his -own name. Rumour has it that one company, not very expert in B.A.B. -code, spent a dreadful night wondering what operation was to take -place; perhaps the mistakes which had been made in encoding the message -accounted for the inability of these officers to read it. Many visitors -called at Battalion H.Q. and visits were exchanged with the 1/6th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., which was holding the sector on -the left. Apart from a present of shells, despatched to the enemy on -the stroke of midnight, there was little activity on either side. - -The nights were so bright, and movement over the snow visible at so -great a distance, that special white overalls were worn by men when -patrolling. Unfortunately, no change was made in the colour of the -equipment which had to be worn over them. The result was that, though -the men of a patrol were practically invisible at no great distance, -sets of equipment could be seen moving about in No Man’s Land. There -was much patrol activity on both sides, rendered necessary by the -hard frost which had made No Man’s Land easily passable. There is -also no doubt that the enemy was as anxious to secure identification -as the British were. So patrols, both defensive and offensive, were -out practically the whole of every night. On the night of December -23rd/24th Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Lumb, while reconnoitring in the -neighbourhood of Flinte Farm, narrowly escaped being surrounded by a -large enemy patrol. After that, nothing further was seen of the enemy -in No Man’s Land for several nights. About 11-0 p.m. on December 28th, -a small defensive patrol of one N.C.O. (Cpl. Aspin) and three men left -the right company front. They had not been out very long, and were -near the north-west corner of Celtic Wood, when they saw a party, -about twenty strong, moving towards them along the northern edge of -the wood. At first they believed this to be a New Zealand patrol from -the battalion on the right, but soon they found it was a party of the -enemy. All were clad in long white coats and a few were wearing belts -filled with bombs; most were armed with revolvers. The German party -tried to surround the small British patrol, and succeeded in cutting -off one man and capturing him. The other three broke through the cordon -and made for their own line, with the enemy in pursuit. On reaching -the wire there was a scuffle in which one man was killed, but Cpl. -Aspin and the other succeeded in forcing their way through the wire -and gaining one of their own posts. The garrison of this post, warned -by the noise, was standing to, but had hesitated to fire for fear of -hitting its own men. It now opened a heavy fire with Lewis guns and -rifles, and the enemy immediately made off. As soon as one could be -organised, a strong fighting patrol was sent out; but the enemy had -disappeared. It is probable that the German party was on its way to -raid the British line and that the patrol had served its object, though -it had been unfortunate enough to lose one man killed and another -captured. This mishap was undoubtedly due to the carelessness which had -developed owing to previous immunity, and was a salutary lesson to many -in the Battalion. - -The next night the Battalion was relieved and went back into Brigade -Reserve. The relief did not pass off without casualties. A shell -exploded among a party of H.Q. scouts, as they were crossing the -Hanebeek Valley on their way to Westhoek Ridge, killing one and -wounding six. In Brigade Reserve the Battalion was very scattered, -dispositions being as follows:-- - - Battn. H.Q.: Garter Point. - A Company: Tokio. - B Company: Westhoek Ridge. - C Company: Tunnels near Moulin Farm. - D Company: Distributed between Anzac Ridge, Tokio and Retaliation - Farm. - -About this time the lessons learned in the recent battle of Cambrai -were beginning to take effect, and an elaborate system of defensive -lines was in course of construction in the Ypres Salient. While in -Brigade Reserve, all men were kept hard at work on these rear lines -of defence, and on tunnels which were being made near Moulin Farm. -The birth of the New Year passed almost unnoticed at Garter Point. On -January 4th, 1918, the Battalion was relieved by the 1/8th Battalion -West Yorkshire Regt. and moved to Infantry Barracks, Ypres. Several -casualties were suffered during the relief. So ended the first period -of the Battalion’s defence of the Passchendaele Ridge. - - [Illustration: THE YPRES SALIENT, WINTER, 1917–18.] - - - (_b_) Work and Training. - -In pre-war days Infantry Barracks had been one of the permanent -barracks of the Belgian Army. It must have been rather a bleak -building, but it had been built on such solid lines that, in spite of -heavy shelling, parts of it were still habitable. It was not an ideal -billet for troops to occupy in January, being extremely draughty. -Several of the rooms had been fitted up with wire beds and there was -ample accommodation for the whole Battalion. There was also quite a -good little concert room on the premises. During the time the Battalion -was at Infantry Barracks it was engaged in work on the Corps Line, -particulars of which are given later. - -After four days, the Battalion was relieved by the 2/6th Battalion -Lancashire Fusiliers (66th Division), and moved back to Devonshire -Camp, between Busseboom and Ouderdom. This camp was in very poor -condition and had actually been condemned some time previously. But -the number of troops in the Ypres Salient was so great that its use -could not be dispensed with. The weather had again turned to rain and -the huts leaked badly. At Devonshire Camp the 147th Infantry Brigade -Concert Party--the “Ducks”--began its activities. The Battalion -contributed several performers, chief amongst whom was the “low -comedian,” commonly known as “Jenks.” - -While at Infantry Barracks and Devonshire Camp, nearly all available -men were working on the Corps Line. This was part of the new defensive -system which was being constructed all over the Ypres Salient, and -consisted of a line of strongly fortified posts on the Westhoek Ridge. -Three of these were allotted to the Battalion, which re-allotted them -to companies as follows:-- - - Frezenberg Post: D Company. - Kit and Kat Post: A and B Companies. - Sexton Post: C Company. - -By this means, the same company always worked at the same post, and -soon men began to take a great pride in making their particular post -better than anyone else’s. The work was very hard. Sixty men per -company were sent up daily; the company commanders took turns in -charge of the party; and either the Commanding Officer or the Second -in Command went up daily. The men had to rise long before daybreak in -order to get breakfast and catch the train at Brandhoek Station. At -first they marched to the station, but, shortly before the Battalion -left Devonshire Camp, the system of conveying them by motor bus was -started. The train took them as far as Hellfire Corner, from which -point they marched up to their work. Only haversack rations were -taken, but tea was made on the spot. Hot dinners were ready on their -return to camp, which was not until fairly late in the afternoon. The -working parties were occasionally troubled by enemy shelling and on one -occasion C Company suffered casualties. Most men were ready for bed -very early in those days. - -The divisional arrangement was that one Infantry Brigade should remain -up near Ypres for this work, while the other two were back for rest and -training. The 147th Infantry Brigade had been the first for work. On -January 26th the 148th Infantry Brigade came up to take over the work -and the Battalion, which had already done its day’s work on the Corps -Line, moved by train direct from Hellfire Corner to Caestre, whence it -marched to the billets that awaited it at St. Sylvestre Cappel. Here it -remained, except for a few days spent on the rifle ranges near Moulle, -for nearly a month. - -Only the billets occupied by Battalion H.Q. and the officers of C -Company were in the village itself. All the rest were in scattered -houses and farm-buildings, some well over a mile away. But the billets -were comfortable, and the troops found the French inhabitants well -disposed towards them. Many still look back on the time spent there -as one of their happiest times in France. Training was entirely -by companies; the men were too scattered, and there was no ground -available, for Battalion training. Much of the training was in -connection with a divisional competition scheme, but the Battalion was -very unlucky in its results. As companies were so scattered they kept -mostly to themselves, and there was little opportunity to organise -social functions. Towards the end of the stay, a highly successful -“convivial” was held by the warrant officers and sergeants at the -“Brown Cow” in the village. Most of the officers were present, and, -among them, Capt. Allen, V.C., M.C., particularly distinguished himself. - -In January a big reorganisation of the British Expeditionary Force took -place, the strength of each Infantry Brigade being reduced to three -battalions. In the 147th Infantry Brigade the 1/5th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. was broken up, and a draft of 10 officers and 250 -other ranks was posted to the Battalion from it, late in January. A -few days later, a further draft of two officers and about 80 other -ranks arrived from the 8th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. (11th -Division), which had also been dissolved. These reinforcements brought -the Battalion to full strength again, for the first time since the -beginning of August, 1917. Both the officers and men of these drafts -quickly settled down, and many of them soon rendered very valuable -services to their new battalion. It has always been a matter of pride -in the Battalion that new officers and men, from wherever they came, -were quickly assimilated, and in a short time regarded the Battalion as -their own. - -Early in February the Battalion moved by train to Moulle for four days’ -shooting. All day was spent on the Second Army ranges, and the training -culminated in a big Battalion field practice. A special “bullet and -bayonet” competition was held there for the best platoon from each -company in the 147th Infantry Brigade, and this the Battalion was very -unlucky to lose. D Company’s platoon was at first placed top, but -afterwards was defeated when it had to compete again against the best -platoon of the 1/7th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. In spite of -rather unsettled weather, the time at Moulle passed very pleasantly, -musketry at long ranges being quite new to the Battalion since it came -to France. At the end of the time, the return to St. Sylvestre Cappel -was made by road, two days being taken on the journey. - -On February 20th the G.O.C., XXII. Corps (the new title of the old “2nd -Anzac Corps”) inspected the Battalion at training. Great preparations -were made for his arrival and a scout, posted at a useful point of -observation along the road, gave early warning of his approach. His -entry upon the training field was greeted with a volley of rifle -grenades (not at him); Lewis guns and rifles opened rapid fire on the -miniature rifle range, the marksmen all being arrayed in small box -respirators; while a platoon, with many lurid epithets and a most -unusual amount of energy, attacked a row of sacks with the bayonet. It -is hoped that the G.O.C. was suitably impressed. At any rate he ought -to have been. But his only comment after this great display of the -Battalion’s offensive spirit was “How are the men’s boots?” Later in -the day he presented medal ribbons, at a ceremonial parade, to a number -of officers and other ranks of the 147th Infantry Brigade. - -This was the end of the Battalion’s period of rest. The next day it -marched to Caestre, entrained there for Ypres, and spent the night at -Infantry Barracks. A very strenuous time was in store for it, and much -was to happen, ere it went back into rest again. - - - (_c_) Reutel Sector. - -This was the first time the 49th Division had held a part of the -front line since the strength of a brigade had been reduced to three -battalions, and naturally, defence schemes and systems of relief -required revision. The Divisional Sector was divided into two Brigade -Sectors; the left, which was much the narrower front, was held always -by the 146th Infantry Brigade with only one battalion in the front -line at a time. On the right, the 147th and 148th Infantry Brigades -inter-relieved every eight days. Here, all three battalions of the -brigade held sub-sectors of the front line. The Reutel Sector, which -was on the extreme right of the Division, abutting on the 33rd -Division, was allotted to the Battalion, which, throughout the time it -was there, inter-relieved with the 1/5th Battalion York and Lancs. Regt. - -When in Divisional Reserve, the Battalion usually lived at Maida Camp, -near Belgian Chateau. To reach the Reutel Sector the men were taken -by light railway trains as far as Birr Cross Roads, and from thence -marched straight up the Menin Road as far as Hooge Crater. At this -point they bore to the left, through the desolate remnants of Chateau -Wood, and then moved along Jargon Track to the vicinity of Polygon -Butte; companies then followed separate routes to their respective -positions. Although this route had its fair share of shelling, the -Battalion was generally fortunate in its reliefs. - -The front line was rather over a thousand yards in length, and the -sector was held as follows:-- - - Front Line: Two Companies, each having two platoons in the front - line, one in the support line, and one available for immediate - counter-attack. The front line was the main line of defence. - - Support Company: One platoon in Patu Support and the remainder - of the Company in the reserve line near Battalion H.Q. In the - event of enemy attack the whole company was to move up into Patu - Support. - - Reserve Company: In pill-boxes and dugouts to the north of the - Polygon de Zonnebeke. In the event of enemy attack this company - was to move up into the reserve line, vacated by the support - company. - -Battalion H.Q. was in a pill-box about two hundred yards from the -Butte. Inter-company reliefs were carried out in the middle of each -tour. - -The sector was one of the most varied and interesting that the -Battalion had ever occupied. It was taken over from the 1st Battalion -Otago Regt. (New Zealand Division) on February 22nd. This division -had occupied it for a long while and had done an extraordinary amount -of work there. Like all the sectors on the Passchendaele Ridge, it -was very wet, and the Battalion found it quite impossible to drain -certain parts of the trench system, particularly Plumer Trench, the -communication trench on the left. Except for one gap in the middle, -where all attempts to get the water away had failed, there was -continuous communication along the front line. This line had been well -and deeply dug, and was well provided with fire bays, shelters, and all -the necessary provisions for trench life. The right rested upon the -valley of the Polygonbeke which, like all streams in the district, was -an impassable morass. The centre ran through the ruins of the village -of Reutel, whose existence would probably have been overlooked had not -the trenches in places been cut through the actual foundations of the -houses. Near the centre of the front line, the parapet had been built -over the village well; this provided the water supply for both front -line companies. There had once been a continuous support line, but the -centre was now derelict, and only the two flanks were occupied. Each -Company H.Q. was comfortably housed in a pill-box which gave practical -immunity from shell fire. The front line faced roughly south-east, the -ground, except on the extreme left, falling away to the Reutelbeke. On -the left a spur ran out from the main ridge, near the point of which -had been the village of Becelaere, now marked only by some prominent -pill-boxes. - -Behind the front system of defences lay Jetty Warren, once a tributary -of the Polygonbeke, but now a filthy, noisome and impassable quagmire. -It was crossed in two[14] places by gridded bridges, and these were -the only means of communication with the front line, except a very -roundabout route through the area of the next battalion. This fact -was well known to the enemy, who swept them with machine gun fire at -frequent intervals during the night. On the forward slope of the hill, -overlooking Jetty Warren, was Patu Support Line, a well-constructed -fire trench but rather short of accommodation for men. About five -hundred yards further back lay the reserve line and Battalion H.Q., the -latter in a small but very strong pill-box, the chief drawback to which -was the lowness of the roof. When the Battalion first took over the -sector all communication with the front line companies was across the -open; but before it left a good communication trench had been dug from -Patu Support to the right company H.Q., and a second had been started -from the reserve line to Patu Support. - -The main feature of the country-side was Polygon Butte, popularly -supposed to be the ruins of the race course stand. This stood out so -prominently that it naturally became a registration point for the enemy -artillery, and people did not generally linger near it. Here Capt. A. -J. Robb, of D Company, was wounded, when returning from his inspection -of the line before the Battalion took over. - -All the ground behind Jetty Warren was overlooked from Polderhoek -Chateau. That commanding position lay about 1,000 yards due north of -Gheluvelt and an equal distance from the Battalion’s right. It had been -the scene of terrific fighting the previous autumn and had changed -hands more than once; but finally the enemy had kept possession of it. -From the Reutel Sector nothing but a great pill-box could be seen. This -was a favourite mark for the British artillery. Guns of the heaviest -calibre were constantly firing at it, and sometimes splinters from the -explosions were hurled right into the Battalion’s lines. Attempts were -even made to smash it in with 12-inch “duds.” But apparently no serious -damage was done to it. Occasionally enemy snipers from that position -fired on men moving to and fro between Patu Support and the Butte; but -the range was too great for this to be really dangerous. - -Like all sectors which had been occupied by the New Zealanders, the -Reutel Sector was a very active one. It was not so much the hostile -artillery. This was certainly not quiet, especially round the Butte, -on Patu Support, and near the well in the front line. But most of the -activity came from the infantry. The Germans had posts much nearer the -British line than the Battalion had been used to of late. Although the -crest of the ridge was in British hands, the enemy had retained a hold -on the slope instead of withdrawing to the far side of the valley. -Some of his posts were only about a hundred yards from the British -line. When advanced parties from the Battalion first visited the line -they were surprised at the amount of firing which was going on; and -when the New Zealanders finally handed over they were most anxious -that their old front should be kept lively. The Battalion did its best -to oblige, and not without success. At night the amount of Lewis gun -and rifle fire was extraordinary. Capt. A. M. Luty was particularly -energetic in this respect, and C Company got through more ammunition -in a night than the average battalion in the line fired in a month. -The enemy retaliated with plenty of machine gun fire, sometimes making -it very uncomfortable for parties working on the top. Some patrolling -was done, but the enemy was so close, and his positions were so well -known, that this was not a very important feature. Most active of all -was the sniping by day. The enemy had no continuous line and he seemed -to take comparatively little trouble to hide himself. Men could be seen -at almost any hour of the day, and the front line garrisons became -tremendously keen on sniping. Not many hits were made, so far as is -known, but this caused no slackening of the fire. A low pill-box near -Juniper Wood, little more than a hundred yards from the British front -line and opposite to the right company, was the main centre of the -sniping. Here there was one little German who became very well-known -to everyone. He was bald-headed, and something of a sportsman. Many -men spent hours trying to snipe him, and he was only too ready to -retaliate. He fired over the top of the pill-box, but was careful not -to show himself too often in the same spot. A man watching for him -would see a rifle barrel slowly appear over the top, followed by a bald -head. Sometimes he might succeed in getting in a shot; at other times, -the bald head would disappear too quickly. Then the situation would be -reversed; the little German would be up first, and it would be the turn -of the Britisher to duck quickly. And so things went on day after day, -with little execution on either side, and “honours easy.” - -The enemy made considerable use of vane bombs, and it was by one of -these that Sec.-Lieut. R. B. Atkinson was wounded. Stokes shells -were the ordinary form of retaliation. Gas shells too were used, -though in no great number, except in the neighbourhood of the Butte. -In this sector the Battalion first met with the enemy Blue Cross -Gas--comparatively harmless, but causing violent sneezing. - -Needless to say, much work was done in the sector. The wire in No -Man’s Land was much improved, a good deal of revetting was done in the -front line, and great efforts were made to drain Plumer Trench, though -without much success. Most important was the work further back. This -was carried out under the supervision of Major E. Jackson, M.C., of the -458th Field Company, Royal Engineers, a very competent officer with -whom the Battalion was on excellent terms. It was under his direction -that the new communication trench was dug from Patu Support to the -Right Company H.Q. - -The period too was one of fads which, though they sometimes irritated, -often provided a certain amount of amusement. Chief among these were -the “Silent Days,” and the wearing of small box respirators. At first -the term “silent day” was not very well understood. One company, it -is said, suspended all firing, and did not even retaliate when fired -upon. But the real purpose was to compel battalions to use means of -communication other than the telephone. For twenty-four hours the -use of the telephone, either for speaking or buzzing, was forbidden, -except in cases of emergency. So pigeons, power buzzers, Lucas lamps, -and all the other devices, which had formerly been looked upon as -things for signallers to learn but never to use, were pressed into -service. The increased use of the power buzzer and wireless speedily -showed up the ignorance of certain ciphers, which all officers were -supposed to be acquainted with. The wearing of small box respirators -was another fad, intended to familiarise all with their use. About -every other day, orders would be received that they were to be worn -continuously by all ranks during certain hours, and that work was to -be continued as if nothing unusual were happening. The practice was -mildly resented by some, who thought they had to wear them quite enough -when there actually was gas about, without being put to the discomfort -of wearing them needlessly. Elaborate precautions were taken to ensure -that everyone did wear them at the times stated, and there was unholy -delight in the Battalion when two Brigade runners were caught one day -not complying with the orders. - -During the time the Battalion was holding the Reutel Sector the weather -was, on the whole, good. Though trench strength was high, accommodation -was not very crowded. All companies had their trench cook-houses, and -hot meals were as regular as if the Battalion had been in rest. The -transport men were having an easy time, for rations were brought up to -Crucifix Dump, not far from the Butte, by light railway. The Quarter -Masters of the Brigade took it in turns to come up in charge of the -ration train. - -The first tour of duty in the Reutel Sector was not a specially -eventful one. On February 25th the enemy heavily shelled the front -line near the well, blowing in the parapet, causing several casualties, -and burying the garrison of a machine gun post. C.S.M. W. Brooke was -among the wounded. On this occasion Cpl. H. Kane, M.M., of D Company, -behaved with the greatest gallantry. Going to the assistance of the -buried men, he quietly set to work to dig them out, and succeeded in -doing this, in spite of the heavy bombardment which continued round -him, and the fact that he was in full view of an enemy pill-box only -about a hundred yards away. For this gallant act he was awarded the -Distinguished Conduct Medal. Early on the morning of February 28th a -heavy counter-preparation was put down in front of the line, the higher -commands fearing an enemy attack from the direction of Polderhoek -Chateau. Except for a certain amount of enemy retaliation, nothing -happened. Much attention was paid to the enemy pill-box in front of the -Right Company, which has already been mentioned. The Battalion had been -detailed to carry out a raid during its next tour, and this pill-box -had been selected as the objective. - -On March 2nd the Battalion was relieved by the 1/5th Battalion York and -Lancs. Regt., and moved to Maida Camp. Here training was carried on as -well as possible, but was much hampered by lack of suitable ground. The -platoon which had been selected to carry out the raid was sent to the -147th Infantry Brigade School to train, as it was to be left out of -the line until the night before the raid. When the Battalion returned -to the line, after its six days’ rest, preparations for the raid were -completed. The plan was as follows:-- - - 1. The objective was the enemy pill-box already described, which - lay rather more than a hundred yards from the line. To the right - of it lay an old British tank, stranded and abandoned in one of - the attacks of the previous autumn, and known to be occupied by - the enemy sometimes. - - 2. The raiding party was to consist of Sec.-Lieut. L. Gumby and - 31 other ranks (one complete platoon) of D Company. Two men of - the 147th Light Trench Mortar Battery accompanied the party, - carrying with them short-fused Stokes mortar shells, to damage - the pill-box. - - 3. At zero hour (7-0 a.m.) the party was to advance in four - sections, one on each flank of the pill-box, one towards it, and - one towards the tank. - - 4. A creeping barrage was to cover the advance, while enemy - positions in the vicinity were to be engaged by artillery and - trench mortars. - -Zero hour had been fixed after dawn as the broken nature of the ground -made an advance in the dark extremely difficult. - - [Illustration: _Raid near Reutel._ - - 13.3.18.] - -On the evening of March 12th the raiding party came up by light -railway, and was accommodated with the reserve company for the night. -During the night final preparations were made; steps for each of the -four sections were cut in the parapet of the front line trench opposite -the pill-box, and four gaps were cut in the wire. By dawn on March -13th the whole party was assembled in the front line, waiting for the -barrage to open. There too was the Commanding Officer, in communication -with Battalion H.Q. by a telephone wire, laid specially for the -occasion. - -At 7-0 a.m. the barrage opened, and the raiding party went over in line -of sections in file. From the start, the flanking sections went well -and reached their positions without difficulty; but the section under -the direct command of the platoon commander, whose special objective -was the pill-box, was delayed by the short firing of one of the barrage -guns. In the meantime, about twenty of the enemy got out of a trench -in rear of the pill-box and tried to escape. They were heavily fired -on by the flanking sections, and many were brought down. As soon as -the barrage lifted off the pill-box, two of the enemy mounted a light -machine gun on the top; but both were shot down before they could open -fire. By this time the centre section had got forward, worked round -the pill-box, and captured one or two prisoners in rear of it. The -pill-box itself was then attacked. A Mills bomb was inserted through a -loophole and a M.S.K. grenade was dropped down the ventilating shaft. -The latter immediately had its effect, about thirty Germans coming out -with their hands up. How so many had been able to crowd into so small a -space cannot be conceived. They were immediately directed to run across -to the British line, where now the greatest excitement prevailed; -everywhere men were standing on the parapet waving to them to come in. -A Stokes shell was thrown into the pill-box and then, about 7-20 a.m., -the withdrawal was ordered. A few minutes later the raiding party, with -the exception of two dead near the pill-box and some wounded still in -No Man’s Land, was back in its own lines. - -When the captures came to be totalled up it was found that there were -no less than 37 prisoners, and, in addition, three enemy machine guns -had been brought back by the raiding party. Among the prisoners was the -little bald-headed man, who had been the source of so much amusement to -the front line troops the previous tour. Also, many dead and wounded -were lying about round the pill-box, not counting a number who had -certainly been wounded in escaping to the rear. All this had been -accomplished by a total force of one officer and thirty-three other -ranks--less than the total number of prisoners--with a loss of only two -killed and eight wounded. Unfortunately, two of the wounded afterwards -died. The greatest loss to the Battalion was Cpl. H. Kane, D.C.M., -M.M., who was severely wounded in the back and, after dragging on for -several weeks in hospital, died. He was one of the most gallant N.C.O’s -the Battalion ever had--the sort of man who would have won the Victoria -Cross had the chance come his way. - - [Illustration: Major W. C. FENTON, M.C.] - - [Illustration: Capt. N. T. FARRAR, M.C.] - - [Illustration: Capt. A. KIRK, M.C.] - - [Illustration: Capt. P. G. BALES, M.C.] - -So great had been the success of the raid that, when the first estimate -of prisoners--30--was telephoned through to Brigade H.Q., they were -too sceptical to forward the news to the Division. When the prisoners -began to appear over the crest line, they were seen by some artillery -observers who, never dreaming that such success had been gained, sent -frantic messages through that the enemy was counter-attacking. When -this was denied they declared that they could see the enemy in crowds -coming down the hill. - -But much still remained to be done. A number of wounded were lying -out in No Man’s Land and these had to be brought in. This business -was taken in hand by Major A. L. Mowat, M.C., who had gone up to the -line immediately the Commanding Officer returned. Some of the enemy -meanwhile had hoisted a white flag, and, under its protection which -had not been violated by the British, were collecting their wounded. -Seeing this, Major Mowat ordered a white flag to be put out, and -stretcher-bearers to go over and bring back the wounded. This was done -but, no sooner did they appear on the top of the parapet than every -enemy machine gun in the district opened fire on them. It was a typical -“Hun” trick--to make use of the white flag to collect their own wounded -and then to open fire at once when it was used by their opponents. The -flag was quickly hoisted down and fire was opened in retaliation. It -is unlikely that any man in the Battalion ever respected a German flag -again. In spite of this failure, it was not long before every wounded -man was brought in. Lce.-Cpl. A. Moon, of D Company, particularly -distinguished himself in this work. He had already done yeoman service -during the raid; though not himself one of the party, he had taken a -Lewis Gun out into No Man’s Land on his own initiative, and with it -had provided covering fire during both the advance and the withdrawal. -Now he twice went out, and on each occasion succeeded in bringing in a -wounded man. For these actions he afterwards received the Distinguished -Conduct Medal. - -Later in the morning, a large party of the enemy was seen advancing -to reoccupy the empty pill-box. Attempts to bring artillery fire to -bear on them failed, but a heavy fire was opened with rifles and Lewis -guns. Eventually the enemy artillery put down a protective barrage, -under cover of which the Germans were able to rush forward and enter -the pill-box. Apart from artillery activity, the rest of the day passed -quietly, but during the night Patu Support was heavily shelled and -several men of B Company were killed or wounded. - -Needless to say, the Battalion received many messages of congratulation -and commendation, for the raid had been one of the most successful on -record. The Commander-in-Chief sent his congratulations, an unusual -thing in connection with a minor operation, while the following wire -was received from Second Army H.Q.:-- - - “General Plumer was delighted on his arrival to hear of the - successful raid this morning of West Riding, 49th Division, and - wishes to convey his congratulations to all concerned.” - -This was the first intimation the Battalion had that General Plumer -had returned from Italy. Perhaps the most delighted people, though -no message came from them officially, were the New Zealanders, who -realised that their wishes were being carried out and that their old -front had been left in good hands. For this operation, Sec.-Lieut. L. -Gumby was awarded the Military Cross, Sergt. H. Binns and Lance-Cpl. -R. A. Hudson the Distinguished Conduct Medal; Cpl. H. Kane, D.C.M., -M.M., received a bar to his Military Medal, and eleven other ranks the -Military Medal. - -The remainder of the tour was marked by a considerable increase in the -volume of enemy artillery fire. This was probably partly a result of -the raid, but it may also have been an attempt to pin British troops -to that area while the enemy concentrated for his attack elsewhere. -The areas chiefly affected were the usual ones, with the addition of -Peter Trench; this trench had been named after the Commanding Officer’s -youthful son, the father later expressing the hope that his son would -have better fortune than his trench had had. - -On the night of March 17/18th a S.O.S. test was arranged which had a -rather amusing sequel. In order to ensure that S.O.S. signals should -be seen by the artillery if they were sent up, a chain of repeating -stations had been arranged. A S.O.S. sent up in the front line was -to be repeated from the left company H.Q., then from Battalion H.Q., -and thence further back. To test the efficiency of this chain, green -Very lights were supplied by Brigade, and it was arranged that, at -9-0 p.m., two of these should be fired from the front line, and -repeated backwards as ordered. Everything went off well; the signals -were seen, promptly repeated and--down came an enemy barrage. Brigade -had overlooked the important point that a double green was the enemy -S.O.S. Capt. N. T. Farrar who, as O.C. Left Company, was responsible -for repeating the signal, in order not to give away the location of -his Company H.Q., had gone down to Jetty Warren to fire his lights. -Now Jetty Warren happened to be one of the enemy barrage lines, and -Capt. Farrar soon found matters so lively there that he decided to -run for it. As the scheme was only a test the British artillery was -not intended to fire, but frantic appeals for retaliation soon got -them going. Similar tests should have been carried out by the other -battalions of the Brigade later in the night, but these orders were -cancelled owing to the result of the first test. - -On the night of March 18/19th the Battalion was relieved. Instead of -going back to Maida Camp, two companies moved to Westhoek Dugouts -and two to Railway Wood Dugouts on Cambridge Road. The relief was -much hampered by heavy gas shelling, but the Battalion escaped with -practically no casualties. - -The period which followed was one of anxious expectation. For the -last month signs had been accumulating of the imminence of a great -enemy offensive. It was known that many of his best divisions had been -brought over from the Russian Front, and that his armies had never -been so strong in the West before. In the early months of the year -attack training had been carried out on an unusually large scale. And -now the information obtained from almost every prisoner pointed to a -great attack in the very near future. Every possible precaution had -been taken in the Second Army to meet an attack, should it come on that -front, and all were anxiously waiting for the enemy to make his first -move. One minor attack had been made on the 33rd Division north of the -Menin Road, about a fortnight before. But as the enemy had made no -further attempt there, it was probably only a “blind.” - -On March 21st the storm broke, though far away to the south. Never -since stationary warfare had taken the place of movement, had a single -attack been made on so wide a front in the West. From the neighbourhood -of Arras to far south of St. Quentin, the whole front was ablaze. The -news which reached the Battalion during the first few days was brief, -but it was enough to make clear to everyone that practically the whole -force of the enemy’s offensive was directed against the British, -and that the situation was desperate to a degree. On March 24th the -Commander-in-Chief published his, now famous, Special Order of the Day; -and in forwarding it to Battalions the G.O.C., 49th Division, himself -issued an Order which is so characteristic of the man that it is worth -repeating in full:-- - - “In forwarding the attached copy of a Special Order of the Day - by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, I wish to say at once that I - have complete confidence that the 49th (West Riding) Division - will acquit itself gloriously in whatever circumstances it may - be placed. - - Remember that other Divisions elsewhere are at this moment - holding up splendidly the most strenuous efforts of the enemy to - force a decision. - - Remember also that if we are called upon to fight here, we shall - be fighting on the historic ground where the ‘contemptible - little British Army’ fought and defeated the enemy’s first great - effort to destroy it in 1914. In that year we defeated him with - the rifle. With the rifle we can and will defeat him again--the - more thoroughly this time, as we have our wire to give our - rifles a better opportunity than they had in 1914. - - Go on improving your wire, look carefully to your rifles, - Machine Guns, and Lewis Guns, and ammunition, exercise vigilance - every moment of the day, to see that every yard of your front is - watched and can be shot into. We can then beat off any attack. - - So much for the defensive. - - We must also be aggressive. Every front line company must - send out at least one fighting patrol every night to look for - opportunities for killing or capturing enemy patrols or posts. - Identifications are of great importance, but more important - still is the object of making ourselves masters of No Man’s - Land, and inducing the enemy to increase his strength against - us on this portion of the front, thus helping to reduce the - pressure against our comrades further South. - - N. G. Cameron, Major-General, - March 24th, 1918. Commanding 49th (W.R.) Division.” - -The Battalion chafed at its inactivity. It was well up to strength -and in magnificent condition. After a month’s rest and training, -it had spent another month in a line where, though it had suffered -comparatively few casualties, things had been sufficiently active to -keep it in good condition. Furthermore, the highly successful raid of -little more than a week before had raised its morale to such an extent -that it felt fit to tackle anything. All leave had been stopped and -officers, who were in England, recalled. The news that the New Zealand -Division was moving south rather added to the excitement. On March 27th -a warning order was received to be prepared to move at the shortest -notice; but that very night the Battalion again took over the defence -of the Reutel Sector. - -The tour which followed--the last the Battalion was to do in that -sector--was wonderfully, almost uncannily, quiet. It was rarely a shell -fell at all, and the standing joke of the tour was that, if the enemy -division opposite wanted a concentration of fire on its front, it would -have to ring up the neighbouring divisions and ask each to switch its -“gun” round. This was not so correct of the enemy machine guns; wiring -was the main work carried out that tour, and several casualties were -caused to men working on the top. - -On April 3rd the tour came to an end, the Battalion being relieved by -the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regt. (6th Division). This division -had just come up from the south-east of Arras, where it had been in -the line when the enemy first launched his offensive. It had acquitted -itself well, as it always did, but had been terribly cut up. From the -men of this battalion something was learned of the battle in the south. - -The Battalion said farewell to the Reutel Sector and moved back to -Maida Camp again. Here several days passed quietly and nothing was -heard of an early move. Indeed, so far did the Battalion seem from -battle, that orders were received to relieve the 146th Infantry Brigade -on April 9th. That Brigade was now holding the sector astride the Menin -Road, facing Gheluvelt and Polderhoek Chateau, where it had relieved -part of the 33rd Division. It was a disappointed party of officers and -N.C.O’s who went up to inspect the line on April 8th. But the Battalion -was never to hold that sector. The same night orders for the relief -were cancelled, and fresh orders were received to move the following -day to a camp near Reninghelst. - -The next day was crowded with incident. In the morning the G.O.C., -Second Army, presented medal ribbons to a number of officers and -other ranks, the Battalion providing three officers and 150 other -ranks for the guard of honour. During the parade the General received -several telegrams, and when he addressed the troops he referred to -the probability that they would soon be in battle. In the afternoon -the Battalion marched to the neighbourhood of Reninghelst, where it -expected to remain for two or three days, and then to move to the -southern battle. As the column wound its way along the road that bright -spring afternoon, the dull but continuous roar of guns was such as -had never been heard in that area since the battle of Passchendaele. -Something was happening much nearer than the Somme, but none knew what. -On arrival at the camp everyone quickly settled down, and arrangements -were made for the night. But no night was to be spent by the Battalion -there. The time had come when it was to write what is probably the -finest page of its history. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - THE ENEMY SPRING OFFENSIVE. - - - (_a_) Erquinghem and Le Veau. - -On April 9th the enemy launched his great offensive between the -La Bassée Canal and Armentiéres. Preceded by an intense artillery -bombardment, the German infantry broke right through the centre of the -line which was held by the Portuguese; and all was confusion there. It -was the sound of this battle that the Battalion had heard as it marched -along the road towards Reninghelst. - -At the moment the 49th Division was too scattered for immediate -combined action. Divisional H.Q. was still at Chateau Ségard, and in -the same area the 148th Infantry Brigade was concentrated. The 147th -Infantry Brigade had all arrived in the neighbourhood of Reninghelst -by the evening of April 9th. But the 146th Infantry Brigade was still -holding the line astride the Menin Road. It was due to this that, -during the first fortnight of the operations which followed, the -Division was not able to act as a unit. - -When the Battalion arrived in camp, on the evening of April 9th, -everyone expected to remain there for two or three days. It was the -general idea that the Division would concentrate in that area, and -then move down to the Somme battlefield. Hence, preparations were -made for spending the night. The Commanding Officer was dining with -Lieut.-General A. J. Godley, at Corps H.Q., and was not expected back -until late. The Battalion was turning in for the night when he suddenly -returned, bringing early information of an immediate move. He had heard -of the disaster on the Portuguese front, and brought the news that -the 147th Infantry Brigade was to be pushed into the battle at once. -Immediately, all was bustle and excitement in the camp, and never had -the men been in better spirits than when they heard that the Battalion -was for battle at last. Little time was needed for preparation. Soon -after midnight all were in motor buses hurrying south. At Neuve -Eglise, through which the buses passed, the gravity of the situation -was apparent. Transport vehicles and guns were being hurried back, -while already enemy shells were dropping in the village. At La Crèche, -which was reached at 3-15 a.m., the Battalion debussed, and marched -through the darkness to Le Veau, arriving at 4-30 a.m. Here some empty -huts and stables were found, and into these the men were put to get -what rest they could. Picquets were posted, for the situation was so -obscure that no one knew how soon the enemy might be upon him. And the -Battalion waited for orders. - -About 6-30 a.m. orders were received from 147th Infantry Brigade -H.Q., to move up to a position of readiness near the cross-roads at -L’Epinette. Packs were dumped in a hut at Le Veau, a hurried selection -was made of the personnel of B Echelon who were not to go into battle, -and about 7-0 a.m. the Battalion[15] moved off. All along the road was -witnessed one of the most pitiful sights of warfare, common enough -in the early days of 1914, but never before seen by the Battalion. -Everywhere civilians were leaving their homes and flocking to the rear; -old people, women, and young children, some driving an odd cow or two, -others pushing a few of their most valued household goods in barrows, -plodded wearily along. Fortunately the enemy was not shelling the -road, so the troops were able to advance without hindrance, except -from one low-flying aeroplane. L’Epinette was reached before 8-30 a.m. -and the men began to dig in. Little was known of the situation, but -from observation it appeared that the British were withdrawing to the -north bank of the River Lys, particularly about the loop to the west of -Erquinghem. - -The Battalion had been placed at the disposal of the 101st Infantry -Brigade (34th Division), and about 9-30 a.m. the G.O.C., Brig.-General -B. C. Gore, came up, explained the situation, and issued his orders as -follows:-- - - 1. The 101st Infantry Brigade was holding a line south of the - Bac St. Maur-Armentiéres Railway, with the 16th Battalion Royal - Scots on the right and the 11th Battalion Suffolk Regt. on the - left. This line the enemy had penetrated near the Rue Delpierre, - between the two battalions. - - 2. The Battalion was ordered to send up two companies to close - this gap in the line, and to place its remaining companies in - positions north of the railway, in support of the Royal Scots - and Suffolks respectively. - -Company commanders were immediately summoned and the situation was -explained to them. C Company, with D Company in support, was ordered -to move up by the Rue Delpierre and close the gap. B Company, with A -Company in support, was to assemble near the Rue du Moulin and advance -to the assistance of the Royal Scots. - -About 10-0 a.m. all companies moved off and Battalion H.Q. went forward -to Wigan Post, some 500 yards north of the river. Enemy shells were -already bursting around, and several direct hits were made on the road. -The numbers of wounded who were streaming back showed only too clearly -how severe the fighting was. Yet, quietly and in perfect order, the -companies marched down to the River Lys by platoons. The main bridge -was destroyed, but B Company, which was leading, succeeded in crossing -by a wooden bridge near by, though this was also badly broken and only -possible for men in single file. All the other companies crossed by a -wooden bridge near the church. From this time, except A and B Companies -which were in close touch throughout the day, companies were separated -and their doings must be told individually. - -On arriving in Erquinghem, B Company marched along the main street of -the village, and took cover at the west end, while Capt. N. T. Farrar -and Sergt. R. G. Brunt went forward to reconnoitre. They soon found -that the situation was very different from what had been reported. Not -only was the enemy to the north of the railway, near the Rue du Moulin, -but he also appeared to be occupying the whole of the ground in the -loop which the river makes to the west of Erquinghem. His outposts -were in farms, only about 200 yards west of the village, and there was -no sign of any formed body of Royal Scots. In these circumstances any -attempt to advance south would almost certainly have led to disaster, -so Capt. Farrar decided to take up a position covering the west end -of the village. Between the river and the Rue du Moulin was an R.E. -yard, with piles of trench grids and other stores; this B Company -garrisoned with three platoons, pushing out its fourth platoon about -a hundred yards in front. Its left was covered by a Lewis gun section -which could fire, either along the road to the west, or down the Rue -du Moulin; to protect its right and cover a bridge over the Lys, which -was its main line of retreat, A Company sent up a platoon and a half, -under Sec.-Lieut. E. Clarke, between the R.E. yard and the river. These -dispositions opposed an enemy advance either from the west or up the -Rue du Moulin, and remained unchanged for five hours--until the order -to withdraw was received. During that time, two separate attacks were -made by the enemy on the village; but so heavy was the fire kept up by -A and B Companies that these had no success. Parts of Erquinghem were -heavily shelled, and many buildings were set on fire; but the R.E. yard -escaped the attentions of the hostile artillery. The men were much -harassed by machine gun and rifle fire. In particular, A Company’s -platoon was heavily fired on from a farm house, only about a hundred -yards away. Careful observation of this place through glasses revealed -the fact that a large store of Mills bombs and Stokes shells was in -an outhouse against the wall of the farm. Lewis guns were trained on -this dump and fired for some minutes without success; but, suddenly, -the whole dump blew up, completely destroying the farmhouse. As the -place was packed with Germans, there is no doubt that they suffered -very heavily. The British had excellent cover behind the piles of R.E. -material, and, as a result, comparatively few casualties were suffered; -but heavy losses were certainly inflicted on the enemy. - -Late in the morning, an officer of the 11th Battalion Suffolk Regt. -asked for reinforcements to close a gap in the line near the Rue du -Moulin. In response, A Company sent up a platoon, which Sec.-Lieut. -B. H. Huggard saw into position. This platoon was never seen again, -and its fate was a mystery until after the armistice. Then, returned -prisoners told how it had been surrounded by the enemy, and, after -suffering heavily, the few survivors had been captured. - -Meanwhile, what was happening to C and D Companies? After crossing -the Lys, C Company assembled near the top of the Rue Delpierre, while -Capt. A. M. Luty, with Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy, C.S.M. N. Hobson -and two N.C.O’s, went forward to reconnoitre. The ground was swept -by machine gun fire, and it was only by crawling that the party was -able to reach the point where the road crosses the railway. Capt. -Luty at once realised that it was impossible for him to get to his -objective, and decided to hold the line of the railway. He returned to -his company which, by this time, had suffered several casualties from -enemy artillery fire. The company moved down the road by platoons and -took up a position along the railway line, with its right turned back -to face south-west. The position was a bad one as the straight line -of the railway was heavily enfiladed by machine guns near the Rue du -Moulin. Losses were heavy from the very first. Sec.-Lieut. M. C. O’Dowd -and several men had been hit coming down the road. C.S.M. N. Hobson was -wounded soon after the line of the railway had been taken up. After -a short time, one platoon was sent across the railway to take up a -more advanced position. Here, except for sniping, this platoon was not -much worried for some time, but the rest of the company was suffering -appalling casualties. The numbers of wounded were soon far greater than -the company stretcher-bearers could deal with. It was then that Pte. -A. Poulter earned the highest decoration that a soldier can win--the -Victoria Cross. Hour after hour he toiled, in the greatest danger, -tending the wounded and carrying them into safety.[16] - -About 1-0 p.m. the situation became even worse. The enemy brought up -a field gun which enfiladed C Company’s position at a range of only a -few hundred yards. Within half-an-hour scarcely twenty men were left -unwounded. The position on the railway was clearly untenable, and -soon it was decided that a move was necessary, if any were to escape -unhurt. The few survivors crossed the railway and took up a position -a little to the south of it. Here they suffered much less. About the -middle of the afternoon the men of the 11th Battalion Suffolk Regt., -who had been on the left of C Company all day, withdrew, having written -orders to do so. As he had received no orders, Capt. Luty remained. -It should be mentioned that orders to withdraw had been sent to him -from Battalion H.Q. some time before, but the runners had become -casualties and the orders never arrived. But before long the enemy -was seen to be advancing rapidly, both from the south and west, and -the position became hopeless. A withdrawal was ordered. Sec.-Lieut. -F. D. Chippindale went forward to warn No. 9 Platoon, which was lying -out in front; a hail of machine gun bullets was sweeping the ground, -and he had barely given the order when he was struck down. The few -survivors of this platoon were surrounded and captured. The rest of C -Company made a dash for the railway, but only about twelve ever reached -it. One by one they rushed across, suffering two more casualties -before all were over, and then made for Erquinghem. Many wounded were -collected on the way, practically every man of the party assisting one -along. They found the bridge near the church destroyed, and, before -another crossing could be found, enemy skirmishers were already -in the village. At last another bridge was discovered, about half a -mile towards Armentiéres, and over this the miserable remnants of the -company crossed, remaining on the northern bank until the bridge had -been demolished. Of the Company, 5 officers and 139 other ranks strong, -which had crossed the Lys about six hours before, little more than the -strength of a section remained. - - [Illustration: Private A. POULTER, V.C.] - -D Company had crossed the Lys in rear of C Company in the morning, and -had taken up a position in support, south of Erquinghem and astride the -Rue Delpierre. Here they had come under heavy artillery and machine -gun fire, and had suffered considerably. About 1-30 p.m. they received -orders to support the 11th Battalion Suffolk Regt., and moved up to -a position in rear of La Rolanderie Farm, where the H.Q. of that -battalion was situated. They had not been there long when they received -their orders to withdraw, and so returned to the north of the river. - -Throughout the day Battalion H.Q. was at Wigan. It had originally been -intended to move across the river, but, owing to the uncertainty of the -situation, this was never done. The position had not been occupied long -before it was realised that the enemy had crossed the Lys, away to the -right. Indeed, it is very possible that German troops were actually -across, a little to the west of Erquinghem, before any of the Battalion -entered the village. By the middle of the morning the situation on -that flank was rapidly becoming serious, and the Commanding Officer -recommended that troops should be sent up to the neighbourhood of the -line Lancashire--Jesus Farm. By 12-20 p.m. A Company’s signallers had -established communication by means of a visual station in one of the -houses, and throughout the day they and B Company remained in touch -with Battalion H.Q. But no reports were received from C and D Companies -until the afternoon. About mid-day the neighbourhood of Wigan began to -receive attention from the enemy artillery, and, though few casualties -were suffered, great inconvenience was caused by the destruction of the -officers’ rations. At 12-40 p.m. orders were sent to D Company to move -up in support of the 11th Suffolks, these orders anticipating a very -urgent appeal from the Commanding Officer of that unit which arrived a -little later. The first report from C Company, timed 1-7 p.m., arrived -about 2-0 p.m., but gave no idea of Capt. Luty’s desperate situation. -However, it was rapidly becoming clear that Erquinghem was untenable, -though the real gravity of the situation was not known at the time. -As a matter of fact, while the Battalion was still fighting in and to -the south of Erquinghem, the enemy was right in its rear at Le Veau, -looting the packs which had been dumped there in the morning, and -fighting with the men of B Echelon who had been left behind. Early in -the afternoon, machine gun bullets from the west began to fall about -Wigan. But, by this time, the order to withdraw to Nieppe had been -received, and had been passed on to companies. B Company and part of A -Company withdrew by the bridge which they had been covering all day; -the others crossed by bridges further to the east. Battalion H.Q. -remained at Wigan until the early evening. Many buildings in Erquinghem -were burning furiously, and numbers of the enemy could be seen moving -about in the village. - -All the companies had passed long before Battalion H.Q. moved. About -6-0 p.m. the line at Wigan was left in the hands of a very mixed -garrison of Royal Scots, Suffolks, Australian tunnellers and others, -and the Commanding Officer started for Nieppe. It was only then that -the full gravity of the situation was realised. Enemy machine gun -bullets were whistling across the road as the party moved along, and, -when the level crossing by Nieppe Station was reached, it was found -that an enemy machine gun was on the railway line to the north-west, -shooting straight down the line. One or two casualties were suffered -by H.Q. details in crossing the line. Near the entrance to Nieppe, the -whole of D Company was met marching out towards the Station, and Lieut. -B. M. Machin stated that he had received orders from the G.O.C. himself -to seize and hold that point. Away to the north troops could be seen -in extended order attacking towards Le Veau. These troops were A and B -Companies, though this was not known at the time. From what he knew of -the enemy’s position on the railway, near the station, it was obvious -to the Commanding Officer that the left flank of this attack was in -danger. To cope with the difficulty H.Q. details, organised in two -platoons under Sec.-Lieut. H. A. Loudoun, and one platoon of D Company, -were sent down the road to the Station. Two platoons of D Company were -directed to prolong the left flank of the attack on Le Veau, and the -other platoon was kept in reserve. - -It is now necessary to return to A and B Companies. On reporting at -147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. in Nieppe they had been told to occupy -some old trenches at Les Trois Arbres. They had not been there long -before they were ordered to fall in and move along the Nieppe-Bailleul -Road towards Pont d’Achelles. Here they were drawn up by Maj. A. -L. Mowat[17] and directed to attack and expel the enemy, who was -established in the farmhouses and enclosures at Le Veau. A Company was -on the extreme left with B Company on its right; beyond B Company were -some Royal Engineers and other troops, mainly Northumberland Fusiliers. -Neither side had any artillery to support it. - -The advance started and at first progress was easy; but, when the -attacking force was about six hundred yards from the enemy, very heavy -machine gun and rifle fire opened on it. Progress could now only -be made by section rushes with covering fire, and even this became -impossible when the line had got to about three hundred yards from the -enemy. It was at this point that the arrival of the two platoons of D -Company on the left restored the situation. These did not meet with -strong opposition, and were able to push forward and gain a footing -on the railway. Taken now in flank the Germans began to withdraw, and -this enabled A Company to continue its advance and reach the railway -on its whole front. Meanwhile B Company had met with strong resistance -from the farms and enclosures of Le Veau. A sniper, firing from an -attic window, had been particularly obnoxious. For a short time they -too had been held up, but Sec.-Lieut. F. Akroyd, supported by heavy -covering fire from the rest of the company, managed to push forward on -the right and establish a footing, with his platoon, in the enclosures. -The enemy then withdrew on this front too, and B Company advanced to -the railway. As the H.Q. details had established themselves firmly in -the neighbourhood of the Station, the Battalion now held the whole of -the railway line from that point nearly up to the Steenwerck Road. The -men dug in a few yards in front of the railway line and there settled -down for the night, after a most strenuous and exciting day. During -this attack A Company had suffered heavy casualties, but both B and D -Companies had come through comparatively lightly. In all, the Battalion -had lost nearly two hundred men since it had left Le Veau early that -morning. - - - (_b_) Nieppe. - -During the night of April 10/11th Battalion H.Q. was established in the -Hospice at the south-west end of Nieppe, and here it remained until -the following evening. With the exception of the pitiful remnants of C -Company, and one platoon of D Company, the whole Battalion was manning -the line which had been established in front of the railway, between -Nieppe Station and the Steenwerck Road. In spite of the uncertainty of -the situation, everyone whose duties would allow of it slept soundly, -tired out with the activities of the previous day and night. The night -passed quietly, the enemy, after his set-back at Le Veau, making no -further attack. - -Early the next morning, the Commanding Officer made a personal -reconnaissance towards L’Epinette, and nearly reached the village -before he saw anything of the enemy. He was then heavily fired on by -a party of Germans and forced to withdraw. Other patrols were pushed -out well to the west of the railway without encountering the enemy. -From French civilians, who had remained in their homes all through the -fighting, they learned that large numbers of Germans had been there, -but had withdrawn towards the south-west after the successful attack -of the Battalion at Le Veau. The only actual encounter that took place -near the railway was with a German artillery officer, who rode nearly -up to the line with a mounted orderly about 8-30 a.m. He was shot and -fell from his horse dead, but his companion escaped. The numbers of -German dead littering the ground in front of the railway showed that, -in spite of its own heavy losses, the Battalion had made the enemy pay -even more heavily. About 9-0 a.m., units of the 101st Infantry Brigade -relieved the Battalion, and the men were concentrated in houses near -the Hospice. - -The Battalion was now in Brigade Reserve, the other battalions of the -Brigade manning the Nieppe System to the east of the town. The day -was a very confused one. Continually the situation was being reported -obscure at some part of the front, and frequently a company, or two -platoons, or some other force, had to be sent off to clear it up. The -only part of the front where the situation was never reported obscure -was that held by the 147th Infantry Brigade. Such duties proved very -tiring, though for some time no serious fighting resulted. By now the -enemy was everywhere well across the Lys, the entrenched line of which -Wigan formed a part had been entirely given up, and the railway and the -Nieppe System were the outpost lines of the British. Incidentally, it -should be mentioned here that the 1/5th Battalion York and Lancaster -Regt. did the 147th Infantry Brigade a very good turn that day. By a -highly successful counter-attack in the neighbourhood of Steenwerck, -they held up the enemy’s advance, and barred his approach to the main -line of retreat from Nieppe--the road to Bailleul. - -Nothing serious, so far as the Battalion was concerned, happened until -after mid-day. But about 12-30 p.m., a message arrived from Brigade -H.Q. stating that the situation was very obscure on the left of the 6th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., near Bruna Gaye; the remnants of -C Company were already on their way there; and an additional company -was to be despatched at once. A Company was detailed for this duty, and -the Commanding Officer himself accompanied it, leaving Capt. Fenton in -charge at Battalion H.Q. Lieut.-Col. Sugden found matters in a very -critical state; artillery and machine gun fire were very heavy, and -a strong German attack was being directed against a battalion of the -Cheshires. The arrival of the 4th Battalion detachment restored the -situation, but hard fighting continued there until the evening. One -Lewis gun of A Company did great execution; it was concealed in the -upper storey of a house, found excellent targets among the masses of -the enemy, and was apparently never discovered by them. The Commanding -Officer remained at Bruna Gaye to direct operations. - -Late in the afternoon there was again trouble on the right, and two -platoons of B Company were sent to the neighbourhood of Nieppe Station. -Here they had hard fighting for two hours, but held their ground -successfully. - -About 7-0 p.m. the Commanding Officer returned from Bruna Gaye. He had -called at Brigade H.Q. on his way back, and had received orders for a -further withdrawal, which was to be made that night. This withdrawal -was rendered necessary by a fresh attack which the enemy had launched -at Wytschaete that day, for there was now great danger that, unless -all the troops in and around Nieppe withdrew at once, they would be -surrounded. The withdrawal was to start at 7-30 p.m. and the difficulty -was to get orders through to A and C Companies. Runners managed to -reach them just in time, when they were in imminent danger of being cut -off. - -At 7-30 p.m. B and D Companies, followed by Battalion H.Q., left the -Hospice and started towards Bailleul. Enemy machine gun bullets were -sweeping the ground, and, before he had gone more than a hundred yards, -R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker, M.C., was hit in the throat, and died within -five minutes. His death was a great blow to the Battalion which he had -fought with continuously for three years; he was a most hardworking, -conscientious and gallant man, whose place could never be filled. It -was impossible to remove the body, and he would have been the last to -wish any risks to be run by others on his account. So he was left like -a soldier on the spot where he had died, and the remainder of the party -continued sorrowfully on its way. - -The sight on the Nieppe-Bailleul Road that night was such as none of -the Battalion had seen before, nor any wished to see again. Of vehicles -there were practically none, but the whole road was crowded with men -hastening to the rear. It was an army in retreat. But the crowd of -men was not disorderly; there was no panic. As each one reached his -allotted station he quietly fell in, ready to hold a fresh line. -Mercifully the enemy, for some unknown reason, scarcely attempted to -shell the road. Had he done so the casualties must have been awful, for -no shell dropped among those masses of men could have failed to hit -many. One gruesome spot, where a 15 cm. shell had burst among a number -of Royal Engineers, gave the passer-by an idea of what might have been. -All along the left of the road the enemy flares, approaching nearer and -nearer, showed how near the British troops were to utter disaster. But -they escaped. And never again had the enemy such an opportunity. By -about 11-0 p.m. the Battalion was again concentrated in a position near -Bailleul. - - [Illustration: _April 10–11, 1918._] - - - (_c_) Bailleul. - -About a mile from Bailleul the road to Armentiéres almost touches the -railway. It was at this point that 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. was -established, the battalions occupying positions in the fields just to -the south of the railway. The position was not really intended to be a -defensive one, for other troops were well out in front of the Brigade. -Nevertheless, the men dug in, and patrols were pushed out down the -roads. The rest of the night passed quietly. - -On April 12th, though there were some mild alarms during the morning, -nothing special happened until after mid-day. Occasional shells burst -near the Battalion’s positions, one of which wounded Sec.-Lieut. F. -Akroyd. But about 1-0 p.m. a heavy bombardment opened, and quickly -drove Battalion H.Q. from its cottage to seek a hole in the ground, -among the slits which had been dug the previous night. Intermittent -shelling went on for the whole afternoon and caused several casualties, -among them being Lieut. B. M. Machin and Sergt. F. Firth, the pioneer -sergeant. - -About 4-0 p.m. the Commanding Officer, who had been to Brigade H.Q., -returned with the alarming news that the enemy had entered Bailleul -from the west. The Battalion was ordered to move at once and expel -him. Company commanders were summoned, and columns were detailed to -enter the town by different roads. The operation was carried out with -unexpected ease. The report was found to be incorrect. Nothing of the -enemy could be seen in Bailleul; in fact, the town was deserted, -except for an Australian corporal who had just set fire to the -Australian Comforts Store, much to the disgust of the Battalion which -could have done with many of the articles thus destroyed. The companies -moved through the deserted town and established a picquet line in the -fields to the west of it, roughly along the line of the Becque de la -Flanche, and covering all the roads in that direction. - -Up to this time there had been little activity in the area occupied -by battalions of the 147th Infantry Brigade. But early in the evening -the advanced troops began rapidly to retire through them. Numbers of -stragglers of different units entered Bailleul from the south, and the -situation began to look serious. It was restored by Capt. Fenton, who -took charge of a number of stragglers and posted them with D Company, -in and around Bailleul Station. About this time the enemy began to -shell the town, possibly attracted by the fire at the Australian -Comforts Store, which was now burning furiously. One shell burst near -a group of H.Q. details, as they were marching up the Station Road, -killing one and wounding about fifteen of them. - -When darkness fell the dispositions of the Battalion were as follows:-- - - D Company, with a number of stragglers of other units, was - holding the railway line on both sides of the Station. The 6th - Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. was holding a line in front - of it. - - A Company had a line of posts along the Becque de la Flanche, - from the railway west of the Station, where it was in touch with - the right of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., to - Steam Mill. - - B Company continued this line due north as far as the Meteren - Road. - - Battalion H.Q. and C Company, which was in Battalion Reserve, - occupied houses on the Station Road. - -Reconnaissance soon showed that a composite force, which had been -organised at the 22nd Corps Reinforcement Camp and went by the name of -the 22nd Corps Reinforcement Battalion, was holding a line of posts -from Steam Mill towards Meteren. Beyond these troops was the 19th -Infantry Brigade (33rd Division) covering Meteren itself. Thus, only A -Company was actually in the front line. - -The night passed quietly. A patrol of A Company, from Steam Mill along -the Oultersteene Road, did not gain touch with the enemy until more -than a mile down the road. During the night A Company was relieved by -the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, so that, by dawn, both A -and C Companies were in Battalion Reserve in the town. - -The morning of the 13th was also uneventful. A well-stocked Y.M.C.A. -canteen was found in Bailleul, and a guard was placed over it to stop -looting; the supplies there were taken charge of, and many were issued -to the troops to supplement rations. Early in the afternoon the enemy -began to shell the town heavily, and continued to do so for about two -hours. Buildings proved a very bad protection against high explosive. -The house occupied by Battalion H.Q. did not receive a direct hit, but -windows were smashed and considerable damage caused by shells bursting -just outside. Here Sec.-Lieut. H. A. Loudoun, the Signalling Officer, -was wounded in the arm; and Cpl. A. R. Mitchell, the stout and popular -N.C.O. in charge of the Battalion runners, was so badly hit in the body -that he died shortly afterwards in hospital. It was deemed advisable -to move Battalion H.Q. to a neighbouring house which had a small but -substantial cellar. - -Meanwhile, the other units of the Brigade were having serious fighting -to the south of Bailleul. About dusk, the Battalion received orders to -send up two companies to hold the line of the railway on either side -of the Station, as it was feared the enemy might break through. A and -C Companies were sent up, under the command of Capt. Fenton. These -occupied a line to the south of the railway, covering the Station, on -a frontage of about half a mile. During the night another withdrawal -took place, contracting the defences to the south and south-east of -the town. The 6th Battalion took over the defence of the railway line -and Bailleul Station, while the 7th Battalion was brought back into -the town in Brigade Reserve. D Company relieved the 9th Battalion -Northumberland Fusiliers between the railway and Steam Mill. Its -left should have been in touch with the right of the 6th Battalion, -but there was found to be a considerable gap which it could not fill -without dangerously weakening its front. A Company was moved up to -close this gap. The withdrawal had, of course, automatically brought -about the relief of the two companies south of the railway. At dawn the -Battalion was disposed as follows:-- - - A Company was astride the railway, west of Bailleul Station, and - in touch with the right of the 6th Battalion. - - D Company held the line of the Becque de la Flanche from the - right of A Company to Steam Mill, where it was in touch with the - left of the 22nd Corps Reinforcement Battalion. - - B Company was still in its old position behind the 22nd Corps - Reinforcement Battalion. - - C Company was in Battalion Reserve in houses on the Station Road. - -Two days had now passed without the Battalion being drawn into any -really serious fighting. There had been plenty of anxiety and much -changing of dispositions, but, compared with the activities of April -10th and 11th, it had been a rest period. The attacks which the enemy -had made to the south of Bailleul on April 13th had not been very -successful for him, and he now determined to try his luck to the west -of the town. Already, on the night of the 13th, his troops had been -seen dribbling up towards Steam Mill. - -The night of April 13/14th passed quietly, as did also the following -morning. But early in the afternoon a bombardment, far heavier than on -the previous day, opened on the town and on the positions along the -Becque de la Flanche. B and D Companies were both shelled out of their -H.Q. and forced to take to the fields; in this shelling Sec.-Lieut. -W. Oldfield, M.M., of D Company, was severely wounded, and had the -grave misfortune to lose the sight of both eyes. Meanwhile, observers -reported that large numbers of the enemy were dribbling forward and -massing about three hundred yards from the Battalion’s outpost line. -It was obvious that a heavy attack was impending. Fire was opened -upon all movement, but did not appear to interfere much with the -assembly. Little could be done but wait. As a precautionary measure, -all available reserves of A Company were placed at the disposal of D -Company. - - [Illustration: BAILLEUL CHURCH AFTER THE BOMBARDMENT.] - -Bailleul was still being heavily bombarded, and about six big fires -were raging in the Station Road alone, without anyone to check them, -when, about 4-0 p.m., the attack came. Masses of the enemy advanced -against the fronts held by D Company and the 22nd Corps Reinforcement -Battalion. The latter gave way without much resistance, and the enemy -was able to occupy Steam Mill. This seriously threatened the right -flank of D Company, along the whole of whose front heavy fighting -was going on. For a time its centre was pressed back, but the men -soon regained the ground without assistance. Unfortunately, in this -fighting, Sec.-Lieut. J. H. Kitson was killed. - -The whole situation was extremely critical. The 22nd Corps -Reinforcement Battalion had ceased to exist as a fighting unit though, -luckily, B Company was in its rear, and held up the further advance of -the enemy on that front. The loss of Steam Mill seriously threatened -the right flank of D Company, who had only just been able to beat -off the attack on its immediate front. The only battalion reserves -available were the few survivors of C Company and the Battalion H.Q. -details. Fortunately, something of the state of affairs was quickly -known at 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q., and the G.O.C. promptly placed -two companies of the 7th Battalion at the disposal of the Commanding -Officer of the 4th Battalion. Battalion H.Q. details were assembled -ready for any eventuality near the huts of the Officers’ Rest Camp, -while C Company and the companies of the 7th Battalion were warned to -be prepared to counter-attack. - -About 5-30 p.m. a heavy counter-attack was launched from the north-east -towards Steam Mill, by Capt. Fenton with one and a half companies of -the 7th Battalion, and Capt. Luty with C Company. The attack met with -almost complete success. With the single exception of Steam Mill, the -whole of the ground which had been lost by the 22nd Corps Reinforcement -Battalion was regained. But Steam Mill itself was firmly held by the -enemy, and could not be retaken. Everywhere else the enemy withdrew in -confusion. During this fighting Capt. A. M. Luty was twice wounded, -once while leading his men near Steam Mill, and a second time while he -was being carried away on a stretcher. About 7-30 p.m., the Commanding -Officer was able to report to Brigade H.Q. that the situation was again -quiet. - -Had the enemy been able to make a second attack, the situation would -have been serious indeed. Save for the H.Q. details, the Battalion now -had absolutely no reserves, while the companies of the 7th Battalion -which had counter-attacked had to be used to man the line formerly -held by the 22nd Corps Reinforcement Battalion. But, after the failure -of their attack, the Germans attempted nothing further that day. In -all, on April 14th, the Battalion lost one officer and 14 other ranks -killed, two officers and 51 other ranks wounded, and two other ranks -missing. - -The occasional crashes of burning buildings were almost the only sounds -which disturbed the night. It was not free from alarms, but nothing -came of any of them. Towards midnight, the joyful news arrived that the -Battalion was to be relieved by troops of the 59th Division, who were -already on their way. The whole of both the 4th and 6th Battalions were -to be relieved by the 5th Battalion North Staffordshire Regt., but as -this Battalion was about 900 fighting strength, and the total effective -strength of the battalions to be relieved was only about 600, no great -difficulty was anticipated by 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. There was, -however, considerable difficulty in handing over the line, owing to -the great extension of front which the dispersal of the 22nd Corps -Reinforcement Battalion had rendered necessary. As a result, relief -was not complete until some time after daybreak. Then the Battalion, -delighted at the prospect of a rest, moved back to a position about -half a mile south of St. Jans Cappel, where the site of a new line had -been taped out the previous day. - - - (_d_) St. Jans Cappel. - -On being relieved in Bailleul, the 147th Infantry Brigade passed into -IX. Corps Reserve, but was to be prepared to move at half-an-hour’s -notice. The 7th Battalion was in reserve in or near St. Jans Cappel; -the 4th and 6th Battalions bivouaced in the open about a thousand yards -south of the village, where the new line had been taped. Everyone was -tired out with the exertions of the past week, and the opportunity for -a sound and unbroken sleep was welcomed. No one guessed how short -the period of rest would be. - - [Illustration: _Bailleul. 12-15. 4. 18._] - -A few alarming rumours came through during the day, but little was -thought of them at first. Then, about 4-30 p.m., came the order from -Brigade which disillusioned all--the Battalion was to stand to at once, -and work on the taped-out line was to be pressed on with as hard as -possible. It was hinted that this line would probably be the front -line before morning. Everyone responded with the greatest readiness -and cheerfulness. Few shovels were available, but farm implements were -seized and many of the men set to work with the long-handled spades of -the district. The Battalion was responsible for a line, about half a -mile in length, on the western side of the Bailleul--St. Jans Cappel -Road. The 6th Battalion held a similar front on the opposite side of -the road, but, apart from some Lewis guns manned by a battalion of -the Tank Corps, there appeared to be no one for several hundred yards -on the right. “When positions are taken up all ranks must definitely -understand that no withdrawal is to take place excepting under written -orders” was the Commanding Officer’s message to companies. The strength -of the Battalion was very low--only 19 officers and 307 other ranks -all told--little enough to hold half a mile of front. It was then that -the Commanding Officer, thinking the extreme urgency of the situation -warranted the step, ordered up practically the whole of B Echelon. - -The night which followed was one of the most depressing in the whole -history of the Battalion. About 8-30 p.m. a message had arrived from -Brigade H.Q. to warn everyone that the 59th Division would probably -withdraw through the new line. But the message was unnecessary. The men -of the 176th Infantry Brigade were already coming along the road, and -it was clear that Bailleul, the town which the Battalion had helped to -defend for three days in spite of heavy losses, had fallen. Many of the -men of the 5th Battalion North Staffordshire Regt. stopped to assist in -the defence of the new line; but most of their Brigade passed through -to Locre to reorganise. The Battalion was again holding the front line. -Picquets were pushed out well in front, a wiring party under the 57th -Field Company, Royal Engineers, did valuable work, while through the -night the men dug hard, and by dawn there was quite a good line. - -The chief anxiety was the gap in the line, on the Battalion’s right. -This was eventually filled by the 5th Battalion North Staffordshire -Regt. About 350 men of this battalion had remained in the line when the -rest of their Brigade passed through, and these were now transferred to -the right, where they took over the front under their own Commanding -Officer. But, in accordance with the instructions of the G.O.C., 147th -Infantry Brigade, Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O., retained supreme -command of that part of the front, as well as of his own battalion. - -The night passed without any enemy action. At dawn the next day, -patrols pushed out well in front of the line, and located the enemy -on the Becque de la Flanche. It was certain that he would soon make -an attempt to continue his advance, but the Battalion now felt ready -for him. Quite a respectable line had been dug during the night. This -was held by B Company on the right and C Company on the left; D and -A Companies were in support on the right and left respectively; B -Echelon, which had arrived during the night, was kept at Battalion -H.Q. in reserve. As time went on movement among the enemy became more -and more pronounced, and early in the afternoon it was obvious that -an attack was imminent. Large numbers of Germans were seen dribbling -down the hedge-rows, from the direction of Bailleul, and massing about -500 or 600 yards from the Battalion front. Two companies of the 7th -Battalion had been placed at the disposal of the Commanding Officer, to -strengthen his right flank, and all ranks quietly awaited the enemy’s -move. - -About 4-0 p.m. the storm burst. The desultory shelling of the earlier -part of the afternoon changed to a barrage, and large numbers of the -enemy advanced to the attack. The Battalion settled down to fight. On -the right such a hail of bullets was poured into the advancing masses -by B Company that the attack scarcely succeeded in debouching from the -hedge, behind which the assembly had been carried out. On the left C -Company, whose line was packed with Lewis guns, brought the advance -to a complete standstill 300 yards from the line. A detachment of -the 176th Light Trench Mortar Battery, which was covering the road -to Bailleul, was able to burst shell after shell in the midst of the -enemy. The attack had hardly opened before it had failed. Nowhere did -a German get within 300 yards of the British line. To the east of -the road it was much the same tale; there the 6th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. first held up the attack by Lewis gun and rifle -fire, and then, issuing from its trenches, collected a number of -prisoners. Within half-an-hour, of the whole German regiment which -had made the attack, nothing was to be seen but the little group of -prisoners moving to the rear, and the scores of dead who littered -the battlefield. “Well done all ranks” was the message received from -the Brigadier; and “Well done old 147 Brigade” was the affectionate -greeting of Major-General N. J. G. Cameron when he received the news. - -Though the men of the Battalion knew it not, this was the last attack -they were to sustain on that front. After eight days of almost -continuous fighting, they had at length succeeded in bringing the -enemy’s advance to a full stop. The line which they had started to dig -late in the afternoon of April 15th, and which they had defended so -successfully the following day, was to remain the front line until the -beginning of the victorious British advance in the late summer. Through -it the enemy was never to penetrate; and while the Battalion was in -the neighbourhood he never again tried. For the time being the Germans -had had enough of the 147th Infantry Brigade. But, at the time, the -Battalion knew nothing of all this. - -The days that followed were very anxious ones. So weak was the -Battalion that it could not be expected to withstand many more attacks. -Time after time reports came in that reinforcements were coming up, -that French troops would soon be there. But as the days went by, and -the Battalion still remained in that all-important part of the line, -some began to doubt whether relief ever would come. At length one day -a French cavalry officer arrived at Battalion H.Q., and informed the -Commanding Officer that he had come for liaison purposes. His regiment -was the advanced guard of considerable numbers of French troops, and -was already bivouacing in the neighbourhood. He was authorised by his -Commanding Officer to say that, although the regiment was not intended -to take part in any fighting without orders from higher authority, if -help were needed the Battalion need only let him know and the regiment -would come. - -Meanwhile the Battalion was hard at work improving the line. Patrols -were active on the front, and were seldom interfered with. Two days -after his unsuccessful attempt towards St. Jans Cappel, the enemy -launched an attack further to the west, on the front which had been -occupied by the men of the 5th Battalion North Staffordshire Regt. As -luck would have it, these had been relieved the previous night by the -2nd Battalion Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, who gave the enemy so -warm a reception that afterwards he left that front severely alone. -During these days the Battalion was not much troubled, except by -intermittent artillery fire. - -On the night of April 18/19th the Battalion was relieved by the 7th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., and went into Brigade Reserve. -Battalion H.Q. was situated in the Convent at St. Jans Cappel which -had large, though not very strongly built cellars. The Aid Post was in -a brewery on the opposite side of the road, where considerable stocks -of beer, rather better in quality than the normal French variety, were -much appreciated. Most of the men held a new switch line, which had -been dug to the south-west of the village. - -Only twenty-four hours were spent in the new location, for the next -night the whole Brigade was withdrawn into Divisional Reserve. The -Battalion was relieved by the 1st Queens and withdrew to Mont Noir; -here the only billets available, with the exception of one estaminet -occupied by Battalion H.Q., were slits in the ground. - -By this time the French were coming up in force and were taking over -the whole sector. Long before dawn on the morning of April 21st, the -Battalion marched out and proceeded in the darkness, through batteries -of French 75’s which were already in action, to a hutment camp on -the top of Mont des Cats. Here the men slept until the middle of the -afternoon. It was the first real piece of comfort they had had since -they were hurried into battle nearly two weeks before. - - - (_e_) Poperinghe. - -The Battalion only stopped on Mont des Cats for a few hours and then it -moved off to Poperinghe. On the way, it passed the G.O.C., IX. Corps, -who had come to take a last look at the men who had served him so -well. Though a sorry remnant of the Battalion, which had embussed so -cheerfully at Reninghelst only twelve days before, they were well worth -a second glance. Ragged, unshaven and unkempt, with nothing clean about -them but their rifles, bayonets and ammunition, they were yet a body -of veterans whom anyone would have been proud to command. Thrown into -the battle when the enemy was flushed with success, they had fought and -beaten him time after time. It was the proud boast of the Battalion -that it had never withdrawn without definite orders to do so, and that -the enemy had never won from it an inch of ground. - -Messages of thanks and congratulations had poured in to the Brigade -from all quarters--from the Commander-in-Chief, from General Plumer, -and from the IX. Corps. The G.O.C., 34th Division, on parting with the -147th Infantry Brigade, wrote to the G.O.C., 49th Division, in the -following terms:-- - - “The G.O.C., 34th Division, wishes to place on record his great - appreciation of the services rendered by 147th Infantry Brigade - during the period it has been attached to the Division under his - command. The action of the 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s - South of the Lys on 10th April, the skilful rearguard fighting - under cover of which the Division withdrew from the Nieppe - position, the stubborn defence of the right of the Division at - Steam Mill (S. of Bailleul) and the complete defeat of a whole - German Regiment on the 16th April, are exploits of which the - Brigade may well be proud. - - Throughout the period the steadiness, gallantry and endurance of - all ranks has been worthy of the highest traditions of British - Infantry and the G.O.C., 34th Division, is proud to have had - such troops under his command.” - -At Poperinghe the Battalion was housed in the Rest Camp by the Railway -Station, but most of the officers slept in the Convent not far away. No -training was attempted. The men were given as much rest as possible. -Time was spent in reorganisation, of which every company stood much in -need. A draft, about two hundred strong, joined the Battalion; but this -was not sufficient to bring it to full strength, for over four hundred -casualties had been suffered during the past fortnight. Here the 147th -Infantry Brigade came again under the 49th Division, as did also the -148th Infantry Brigade. - -The days were fairly peaceful, but the nights were rather disturbed by -high velocity guns, which fired into the town. During the last night, -several bombing planes visited Poperinghe and caused great excitement. -Some bombs were dropped very near the camp, one in particular narrowly -missing the Battalion Transport and stampeding some of the animals. - -It was fully realised that the period of rest would almost certainly be -short. The Germans had already captured the low range of hills about -Neuve Eglise, and it was certain they would make a bid for the chain, -of which Mont Kemmel is the highest point. Hence, there was little -surprise when, early in the morning of April 25th, the Battalion was -put on half-an-hour’s notice to move. - - - (_f_) Kemmel.[18] - -About 8-45 a.m. on April 25th, the order to move arrived. The Brigade -was proceeding at once to Ouderdom in support of the 9th Division. The -Battalion was to move by march route as it was to remain in Brigade -Reserve, but motor buses were provided for all the rest of the Brigade. -However, so quickly did the Battalion fall in and move off that it -arrived at Ouderdom long before the buses appeared. - -The situation was very obscure. A great battle was in progress to the -south and it was believed that the enemy had captured Mont Kemmel; but -nothing was definitely known. The 6th and 7th Battalions were moved -forward to form a defensive flank from Beaver Corner to Millekruisse, -as the Cheapside Line was thought still to be in British hands; but -touch had been completely lost with the troops on the right. All that -day the Battalion remained inactive in the fields near Ouderdom. They -were little troubled, except by an occasional aeroplane. One of these -dropped a bomb which caused one or two casualties, but otherwise the -Battalion escaped unscathed. - -In the evening the Battalion moved up to positions in some old trenches -a little to the north of Millekruisse, and here it settled down for -the night. But it was not to rest for long. About 2-30 a.m., Major A. -L. Mowat arrived from 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. with orders for an -immediate attack. The situation and details were as follows:-- - - 1. A big counter-attack was to be launched, by French troops on - the right and the 25th Division on the left, to recapture Mont - Kemmel and establish a line to the south of it. - - 2. The Battalion was to co-operate on the left of the 25th - Division. It was to assemble on the Cheapside Line and attack - in a south-easterly direction, on a front of about six hundred - yards, with the trench system on the York Road as its objective. - - 3. In the event of the 25th Division not being able to advance, - the Battalion was to conform to its line. - - 4. Zero hour was fixed for 4-25 a.m., when a creeping barrage - would come down. - -From the Battalion point of view, this operation was extremely -difficult. No one had any knowledge of the ground, and the assembly was -to take place and the attack to open before dawn. As the companies were -much below full strength, the Commanding Officer decided to attack on a -three-company frontage--B Company was to attack on the right, D Company -in the centre, and A Company on the left. C Company was in support, -and was to advance about two hundred yards in rear of the assaulting -troops. - -At once the Battalion fell in and marched off. Owing to the darkness -of the night and the fact that everyone was completely ignorant of the -ground, companies did not quite reach their assembly positions by zero -hour, but were drawn up about the line of the Kemmelbeke. At 4-25 a.m. -the barrage--a very thin one--opened, and the Battalion advanced. It -passed through a deserted camp and came to a road, along the line of -which were some old trenches. These had been occupied by the enemy, but -he retired when the British advanced. The trenches were occupied and a -halt was made there. This was due to the failure of the next battalion -to advance. - -The 74th Infantry Brigade of the 25th Division was attacking on the -Battalion’s right. One of its battalions did extremely well, forcing -its way right into Kemmel village, and taking about 150 prisoners -there. But the battalion on the immediate right of B Company failed -to get forward. The 4th Battalion had met with very little resistance -up to that time. Enemy machine gun fire was extremely heavy, but, as -the morning was misty, very few casualties were caused by it at first. -There is no doubt that the Battalion could have advanced further -without much difficulty, but its orders were to conform to the 25th -Division, and, as the men on its right were not advancing, it halted. -For several hours it was believed that the line of Sackville Street had -been reached, and this was the situation reported by the Commanding -Officer to Brigade H.Q. at 5.5 a.m. Later it was found that the men had -only got as far as Cheapside. - -For about an hour things were comparatively quiet, except for enemy -machine gun fire. Soon after 6-0 a.m. the battalion on the right began -to withdraw, and before long the situation was becoming serious on that -flank. The mist had cleared considerably, and the enemy was making -better use of his machine guns. Taking advantage of the weakness of the -troops there, he began to work round the Battalion’s right flank, by -Beaver Corner and R.E. Farm. To cope with this menace, first half, and -later the whole, of C Company had to be sent over to the right to form -a defensive flank, facing south-west. On the rest of the Battalion -front there was little anxiety. All three companies were well in touch, -and A Company was connected up with the 9th Battalion King’s Own -Yorkshire Light Infantry (21st Division) on its left. Enemy machine gun -fire was heavy, but the troops had good cover. - -As time went on, the situation on the right became more and more -serious. Here enemy machine gun fire was particularly heavy, and his -sniping very accurate. He was making determined attempts to advance to -the west of the Milky Way, and there was great danger that he might -get across the Battalion’s line of retreat. The whole of C Company -had been committed to the defence of this flank, and later, two guns -of the Machine Gun Company and a detachment of the 147th Light Trench -Mortar Battery had also been sent up. Thus, the whole available -battalion reserve, except a few H.Q. details, was engaged. C Company -had done some very useful work. They had driven the enemy from R.E. -Farm, though they were unable to occupy it themselves; but they were -suffering heavily from the enemy’s very accurate sniping. At 9-25 a.m. -a message was sent to the 6th Battalion asking it to send up a company -to reinforce the right. - -By about 11-0 a.m. the strength of C Company had been very much -reduced. Man after man had been shot in the head by enemy snipers, -among the casualties being Pte. A. Poulter, the stretcher-bearer who -had so greatly distinguished himself two weeks before at Erquinghem. -Lieut. W. G. Mackie, who was commanding C Company, was also wounded, -and Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy assumed command. Soon after noon, two -platoons of the 6th Battalion arrived and were sent up to strengthen -C Company. This helped to restore the situation on the right flank, -and, for a time, things were much quieter, though the enemy sniping and -machine gun fire continued. - -It was hoped that the 25th Division would take action to restore the -situation on its left, and about 1-30 p.m. a message was received that -a battalion of the South Lancashire Regt. was coming up to get in touch -there. Meanwhile, there was great difficulty in supplying the forward -troops with ammunition, owing to the heavy fire kept up by the enemy. -Everything had to be carried across the open, and there was very little -cover. In this connection, splendid work was done by some of the H.Q. -batmen, who crawled up to the line with bandoliers slung over their -backs. - -During the afternoon the enemy made a further attempt to work round the -right flank. Considerable numbers of them were seen moving along the -side of a hedge, but the situation was satisfactorily dealt with by C -Company. Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy had seen them himself. He quickly got -two Vickers guns into position, and, when the enemy appeared at a gap -in the hedge, so heavy a fire was opened at close range that the party -was almost wiped out. This was the last attempt to advance that the -enemy made that day. - -By this time the discovery had been made that the Battalion was -not in Sackville Street at all, but in Cheapside. This was at once -reported to 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q., as it altered the situation -considerably. The battalion of South Lancashires had come up, but was -halted by the Milky Way and did not go into action. It was now night. -Arrangements were made for wiring and other work to be done on the -front; but this was not to be. The higher authorities had realised -that the counter-attack had failed, and had decided to withdraw the -troops, who had carried it out, from their advanced positions. About -11-0 p.m., the order for the withdrawal was received, and the operation -began at 12-30 a.m. All went smoothly. The night was dark and the enemy -remained inactive. A Company withdrew first, and was followed by the -others in order from left to right, C Company moving last and bringing -out with them the few men who were left of the next battalion. All the -ammunition, which had been sent up during the day, was got away. The -Battalion moved back along the Milky Way, through the line held by the -6th Battalion, and reoccupied the same positions near Millekruisse -which it had left in the early morning of April 26th. - -For the next two days the enemy made no further infantry attack, -but his artillery was often active, particularly round Millekruisse -cross roads. Not far from this spot Sec.-Lieut J. C. Whitaker, of A -Company, was killed by a shell on April 28th. There can be no doubt -that, between April 25th and 29th, the Germans were replenishing their -ammunition dumps, and making preparations for their next big attack. -During this time the Battalion was in Brigade Reserve. Much work was -done on a new line a little to the south of Millekruisse, and A Company -moved up to garrison it. Otherwise, there was no change in dispositions. - -On April 28th the enemy put down a heavy barrage on the British front, -from 7-30 p.m. to 9-0 p.m., and desultory shelling continued through -the night. About 3-0 a.m. on the morning of April 29th this suddenly -changed to a barrage, the intensity and depth of which can seldom have -been equalled. From Mont Vidaigne on the right to Zillebeke Lake on -the left, the whole front was ablaze. On the sector held by the 147th -Infantry Brigade the whole country, from the front line to beyond -Ouderdom, was deluged with shells. High explosive and gas literally -rained down everywhere. Practically the first shell of the bombardment -burst in the roof of the farm house, which was occupied by Battalion -H.Q., and mortally wounded both the orderly room clerks; the R.S.M., -who was in the same room, had a wonderful escape, and fragments -actually penetrated the roof of the cellar, in which the Commanding -Officer was sleeping at the time. By a great stroke of luck the barrage -almost entirely missed the front line, so that its garrison, though -extremely uncomfortable, was practically unharmed. No one doubted that -this was the prelude to another mighty attack. - -After about two hours of this bombardment, the German infantry advanced -in great numbers to the attack. They gained nothing. Caught by the -British barrage, mown down by Lewis gun and rifle fire, they suffered -enormous casualties. It is said that, on one part of the front, they -were so demoralised that they put out a white flag and tried to come -in, but could not pass through the barrage. On the whole front attacked -they only gained a footing in the allied line in two places, and from -both of these they were ejected almost immediately by counter-attacks. -All this time the barrage continued. - -Meanwhile, the Battalion was in Brigade Reserve, anxiously awaiting -information which could be acted upon. The Millekruisse Line had -been strengthened by the addition of D Company, but B and C Companies -were both available for any action. All telephone lines had been -broken within a few minutes of the opening of the bombardment, and it -was extremely difficult to obtain any news. Lieut. J. C. Walton, the -Battalion Intelligence Officer, was sent up to get in touch with the -H.Q. of the 7th Battalion, which was in the line; but he was blown to -pieces by a shell before he had gone more than two hundred yards. About -7-0 a.m. it was learned from wounded men who had come down, that the -7th Battalion had been heavily attacked, but that they had held their -ground and still had a company in reserve. On receipt of this news, -the Commanding Officer immediately communicated with Brigade H.Q., -asking whether he should send a company to assist them. About 9-0 a.m. -a wounded N.C.O. of the 7th Battalion reported a fresh massing of the -enemy for the attack. Lieut.-Col. Sugden waited no longer, but at once -ordered up B Company to reinforce. Though the barrage was almost as -thick as ever, the company succeeded in finding a route by which it -reached its objective with very few casualties. It arrived just in -time to stop an urgent message which was being sent, asking for the -assistance of a company. But the reinforcements were never required. -The worst of the battle was over. After two violent attacks all along -the front, the enemy made only local and spasmodic efforts for the rest -of the day. His force was broken; he had been beaten to a standstill; -and he had gained--nothing. As the Divisional Commander wrote shortly -after--“It was a great day for British Arms.” - -The battle of April 29th was far more than an ordinary defeat for the -enemy. It was the final collapse of his offensive. During the next -three months he was to launch other great attacks against the French, -further to the south. But never again was he to try conclusions with -the British in a great battle, until they took the initiative into -their own hands, and, after driving him headlong from position after -position, forced him to sue for an armistice from the men he had -professed to despise. For the second time in less than three weeks the -147th Infantry Brigade had assisted in bringing the German attack to a -standstill, and had consolidated and held a line which was to remain -unbroken until all lines were left behind in the victorious advance of -the autumn. - -The following days were uneventful. Work continued on the Millekruisse -Line, in which two companies were now permanently stationed. B Company -remained under the orders of the 7th Battalion. Enemy artillery was -active, but was as nothing compared with the barrage of April 29th. The -147th Infantry Brigade was strengthened by the temporary addition of -a composite battalion, made up of the remnants of the 146th Infantry -Brigade and the 19th Lancashire Fusiliers, each battalion furnishing -one company. Among the many congratulatory messages, which poured in -after the victory of April 29th, not the least appreciated was one from -the G.O.C., IX. Corps, who had not forgotten the work of the 147th -Infantry Brigade while serving under his command so recently. - -On the night of May 1/2nd the Battalion relieved the 7th Battalion Duke -of Wellington’s Regt. on the left of the Brigade Sector. The front -held was a peculiar one, and lay almost at right angles to the general -line. Its left rested almost on Cheapside, where A Company had been on -April 26th. From that point it ran nearly due north to and across the -Kemmelbeke, and then turned at right angles across the Milky Way. Three -companies held this line, the men occupying small slits in the ground; -the fourth and a company of the 6th Battalion, which had been relieved -by the 146th Composite Battalion, were in support. There was still -plenty of hostile shelling but it was very scattered, and the little -slits in the ground were difficult targets to hit. - -The labours and troubles of the Battalion were now nearly over for -the time being. A French Army had come up and was gradually taking -over the front, along the chain of hills. On the night of May 3/4th -the Battalion was relieved by the 3rd Battalion, 80th Infantry Regt., -of the 32nd French Division. This Battalion, which was very strong, -took over the whole front of the 147th Infantry Brigade. They were a -magnificent body of men, and the British were much struck with their -fine appearance. While the relief was in progress some anxiety was -caused by a heavy enemy bombardment, but, apart from this, everything -went smoothly. Capt. Fenton, with a few N.C.O’s, was left in the line -for twenty-four hours to assist the French; and the Battalion started -on its march through the night to a well-earned rest. - -It was daylight before the first halting-place was reached. This was a -camp which, it was rumoured, had recently been occupied by a Chinese -Labour Company. This fact did not altogether commend itself to the -Battalion, but all men were so weary that it scarcely disturbed their -sleep. In the afternoon a short march brought the Battalion to a -hutment camp at St. Jans ter Biezen, where the rest period was to be -spent. - - * * * * * - -The part taken by the Battalion, in what is generally known as the -Battle of the Lys, is the most glorious chapter in its history. Never -before nor since did the men fight so long continuously, nor against -such overwhelming odds. They faced the enemy in the full flush of his -successes on the Somme, when his morale was at its highest. They fought -him again and again, and never yielded an inch of ground in battle. -They taught him that he was no match for a British soldier, either in -attack or in defence. They helped to pave the way for his crushing -defeat a few months later. - -And the men learned many things too. They learned that the German -will never push home an assault in the face of a really determined -resistance; that infantry fire alone is sufficient to stop his most -violent attacks. In the many engagements that they fought during April, -1918, no man of them ever used a bayonet, for never did the enemy reach -their lines. They learned too--those of them who did not know it well -before--that the spade, almost as much as the rifle, is the infantry -man’s weapon. And, perhaps most valuable lesson of all, they learned -that what appear to be the blackest and most hopeless situations can be -restored by men, if only they possess the necessary determination. - -Throughout the most trying and uncomfortable conditions all ranks -continued cheerful, and morale never declined. In spite of appalling -casualties, the Battalion never became in the least disorganised. -Camaraderie and good-fellowship were never more conspicuous. Though -the Battalion was only about three hundred strong, a draft of two -hundred was incorporated so thoroughly that the men of it fought, only -two or three days later, as if they had never served with any other -unit. - - [Illustration: _Kemmel_ - - 26. 4. 18.] - -The Transport and Stores too did magnificent work. Frequently shelled, -and on one occasion at least under machine gun fire, constantly on the -move and often surrounded by disorder, they carried on their work in -a way which earned the admiration of everyone. At a time when one was -continually hearing of battalions who had had no rations for days, -the 4th Battalion had never lived in such plenty. There is no doubt -that this happy state of affairs increased the fighting efficiency of -everyone enormously. - -The work of the 49th Division, in which the Battalion had played no -inconsiderable a part, was recognised on all sides. On the night of -April 29th, the Commander-in-Chief expressed himself in the following -terms:-- - - “I desire to express my appreciation of the very valuable and - gallant services performed by troops of the 49th (West Riding) - Division since the entry of the 147th Infantry Brigade into the - battle of Armentiéres. The courage and determination showed by - this Division has played no small part in checking the enemy’s - advance, and I wish to convey to General Cameron and to all - officers and men under his command my thanks for all that they - have done.” - -Among the many other messages, too numerous for reproduction, which -were received, the following, expressed in the inimitable manner of the -French, deserves special notice:-- - - “The G.O.C., 2nd Cavalry Corps, warmly congratulates the brave - British troops who have heroically assisted in the defence of - the chain of hills, and who, by their admirable resistance have - broken down the enemy’s effort and barred the way to Dunkerque. - - Shelterless under a bombardment of the heaviest description, - surrounded by poisonous gases of various description, stubbornly - disputing every foot of ground, they have held their own against - repeated attacks by greatly superior numbers, and though at - first overwhelmed by weight of numbers they were obliged to - give ground, they have inflicted such heavy losses on the enemy - that his forces have been exhausted. - - Once more the Germans have seen their hopes dashed to the - ground. France will remember that. - - Robillot.” - -It was a matter of the deepest regret to all that the 49th Division -could not work as a whole during a great part of the operations; and -none felt it more than General Cameron. In the confidential summary -of operations, which he circulated a few days after the Division was -withdrawn from the battle, one can clearly see his disappointment that -this should have been so. One can also distinguish clearly his pride -in the record of his men on so many different fronts. The concluding -paragraph of that summary, as looking to the future, may fittingly end -this chapter:-- - - “The reputation which you have won for courage, determination - and efficiency, during recent operations, has its very joyous - aspect, and it is deeply precious to us all. - - It has also a serious aspect for us. - - It lays on each one of us a great responsibility--a personal - responsibility for doing all he can to ensure that the next time - the Division is engaged it will perform even better service than - it has in the past. - - We shall shortly, we hope, be filling up with new men. - - Let every old hand put his shoulder to the wheel in the task - of instilling into our new blood the spirit of courage, - determination and efficiency which has carried you through your - recent trial so successfully. - - Never fail to impress on all new hands what the rifle and - bayonet can do in the hands of a determined British soldier who - knows how to look after them and use them. - - N. G. Cameron, Major-General.” - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - THE LAST OF YPRES. - - - (_a_) May, 1918. - -For nearly a month the Battalion was out of the line, and most of -this time was spent at Road Camp, St. Jans ter Biezen. At first the -accommodation was adequate, but, towards the end of May, the huts were -becoming very crowded. This was due to the arrival of new drafts, -and the return of a number of lightly wounded men. By the time the -Battalion went into the line again nearly 200 had joined. Many of these -were young soldiers, who had been hurriedly despatched from England to -make good the very heavy losses suffered during the enemy’s violent -attacks in March and April. They were splendid material and quickly -developed into fine soldiers. A large draft of officers also arrived -towards the end of April. Here, too, Sergt. A. Loosemore, V.C., joined -the Battalion. - -The first days were spent almost entirely in reorganisation. This was -very necessary after the enormous casualties of the last few weeks. But -the organisation of the Battalion had never broken down, and there was -a solid framework on which to build. New officers and men were quickly -assimilated; new specialists were trained. Long before the rest period -came to an end, the Battalion was almost as efficient a fighting unit -as it had been at the beginning of April. - -On May 14th the 147th Infantry Brigade moved by bus to St. Martin au -Laert for four days’ shooting. Tents were pitched about a mile from the -town, and, as the weather was gloriously fine, a very enjoyable time -was spent there. St. Omer was within easy walking distance of the camp, -and the rather unusual experience of having a large town near at hand -was thoroughly enjoyed. Enemy bombing planes were common at night, but -they restricted their activities mainly to Arques, and never troubled -the camp. - -Soon after its return to Road Camp, the Brigade moved to Penton Camp, -near Proven, for four days’ work on the East Poperinghe Line. At -this time an immense amount of labour and material was being used in -the construction of defences between Ypres and Poperinghe. Everyone -expected that the enemy would make a further attack in that direction, -and no less than four defensive systems were in course of construction -or improvement between the two towns. The East Poperinghe Line was the -most westerly of these systems. A definite sector was allotted to each -battalion, and every available man was sent to work on it. Parties -paraded early in the morning and were taken up to the work by light -railway trains. They did not return until late in the afternoon, so -there was not much time for recreation. At Proven, officers met an old -friend. Francois, well known to most officers who have seen much of -Poperinghe, had transferred his restaurant business to Proven, when the -German advance made Poperinghe too warm. As always, dinner at Francois’ -was very popular. - -The Battalion returned to Road Camp on May 26th, and another week -was spent there. At the end of May Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O., -went on leave. He had scarcely arrived in England when an urgent wire -recalled him, to take command of the 151st Infantry Brigade, 50th -Division. He had no time to return to the Battalion, but went straight -down to the neighbourhood of the Marne, where his Brigade awaited him. -Everyone was delighted to hear of his promotion, for it was looked -upon as an honour to the Battalion--few Territorial officers attained -such high rank during the war. Another source of great satisfaction to -everyone was that Major A. L. Mowat, M.C., was appointed to the command -of the Battalion; few had seen more service with it, and none had done -more for its good than he. - -While at St. Jans ter Biezen, permission was given for a photograph to -be taken of all the “old originals” still serving with the Battalion. -Four officers and 114 other ranks were included in the group. This -should have been done on April 14th--the anniversary of the Battalion’s -landing in France. But circumstances over which the Battalion had -little control--the battle of Steam Mill was fought on that day--had -prevented any celebrations. - - - (_b_) Zillebeke Sector. - -When the enemy broke through to the south of Armentiéres, and, still -more, when he captured the Messines Ridge, the situation of the British -troops in the Ypres Salient became very critical. Their whole right -flank was laid bare, and they were in imminent danger of being cut off. -The whole line was therefore withdrawn to a position a little in front -of Ypres. With the exception of the Pilkem Ridge, all the ground gained -in the terrific fighting of 1917 was thus given up. Indeed, astride and -south of the Menin Road, the line was further back than it had been in -1915. - -Early in June the 49th Division took over the line, from a point a -little north of the Zonnebeke Road, to Zillebeke Lake. This line was -divided into two brigade sectors, the third brigade being in divisional -reserve. Thus brigades had sixteen days in the front line and eight -days in rest. Each brigade had two battalions in the front line so -that, now there were only three battalions to a brigade, one battalion -had to do a continuous tour of sixteen days. - -On the afternoon of June 3rd the Battalion moved by light railway -to near Vlamertinghe Chateau, where it detrained. As soon as it was -getting dusk, the men marched off to carry out the relief. That -night the enemy artillery was extremely active; in fact, it was the -“liveliest” night the Battalion had near Ypres the whole summer. Rome -Farm was being very heavily shelled as the men went past towards the -Menin Road, and when they reached Kruisstraat they passed into an area -thick with mustard gas. A heavy bombardment of Warrington Road and the -vicinity of the Lille Gate, with 8-inch gas shells, was in progress. -This greatly hampered the relief, as respirators had to be worn for -considerable distances; but, luckily, the Battalion got in with -practically no casualties. - -The front line was about a line in length and was held by three -companies, disposed as follows:-- - - Right: B Company, from Zillebeke Lake to the Warrington Road. - Only one platoon occupied the front line posts, the remainder - living in the dugouts along the western edge of the Lake. - - Centre: D Company, from the Warrington Road to a point - north-west of Moated Grange. - - Left: A Company, from the flank of D Company to the - Ypres-Roulers Railway, about 300 yards west of Hellfire Corner. - -C Company was in reserve in a line about 500 yards in rear of the front -line. - -Battalion H.Q. was in the Ramparts of Ypres, not far from the Lille -Gate. Never had such a commodious place been occupied before. When -preparations were in progress for the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917, -two divisional H.Q. had been constructed in the Ramparts, one near -the Lille Gate and one near the Menin Gate. Now that the line had -been withdrawn so far, these had come into use for battalions. There -were rooms and to spare, lit up with electric light and comfortably -furnished. Every H.Q. officer had his separate room, and there were -also a fine large mess and a good office. - -The front line was not very satisfactory. On the left it was continuous -and good, but on the right posts were completely isolated. It was -fortunate too that the weather was fine, for the ground was very low -and would quickly have become water-logged. The dugouts on the west -side of Zillebeke Lake provided any amount of good accommodation for B -Company, but the other companies were not nearly so well off in that -respect. The reserve line occupied by C Company was also inferior. - -When the Battalion took over the line there were no communication -trenches, and all movement was across the open. The outgoing unit--the -15th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps--stated that no movement in -the open was advisable by day as enemy sniping was very accurate. This -did not suit the Battalion at all, and, right from the start, officers -began to make the usual tours of inspection. At first these were -carried out with extreme care, all movement being done by crawling; but -soon it was found that the enemy was very inactive, and, even before -communication trenches were dug, movement in ones and twos became -general. - - [Illustration: Capt. H. H. AYKROYD, M.C.] - - [Illustration: Capt. W. N. BROOMHEAD, T.D.] - - [Illustration: Capt. W. GRANTHAM. - - (Died of Wounds).] - - [Illustration: Capt. S. BALME.] - -The sector turned out to be a very quiet one. The 1st Landwehr -Division was holding the line opposite, and these troops were of poor -discipline and low morale. If left alone they remained very quiet, and -there was little machine gun or rifle fire. The enemy artillery was -rarely active. Nothing approaching the bombardment, which had taken -place on the night of June 3rd/4th, ever occurred again. The chief -feature of the artillery fire was the use of Blue Cross gas shells, -which caused violent sneezing but were practically harmless. - -From the Ramparts good observation could be obtained of much of the -area occupied by the enemy. It was very tantalising to see Germans -moving about in the neighbourhood of Kit and Kat Post, upon which A and -B Companies had expended so much labour the previous January. All this -ground, which was under observation, was well known to the Battalion, -from its experiences of the previous winter. Very little movement was -observed near the front line. - -No Man’s Land was covered with thick grass and was ideal for -patrolling, either by night or day. In this department there was great -activity. It was not that identifications were needed, for these were -well known; but the more activity the Battalion could display, the less -likely the enemy would be to weaken the front. Before long, the whole -of No Man’s Land, to a depth of several hundred yards, was well known. -Several patrols were seriously interfered with by Blue Cross gas. - -The first tour was not without excitement. On the night of June -10/11th a strong patrol, consisting of two officers (Sec.-Lieut. F. -Woodward and Sec.-Lieut. A. Charlesworth) and 12 other ranks, moved out -towards Hill 40. As they drew near to it, they thought they detected -movement behind a hedge. They halted and, soon after, were challenged -by a sentry in German. Sec.-Lieut. F. Woodward fired at him with his -revolver, and at once the whole patrol opened rapid fire. The enemy, -who was evidently there in strength, retaliated with a shower of -bombs, wounding Sec.-Lieut. Woodward and three of his men. The action -continued for some minutes, but at length Sec.-Lieut. Charlesworth, -finding he could make no impression on the hostile position, withdrew -the patrol. It was afterwards found that the enemy had a very strong -post on Hill 40, from which good observation was obtained of the -British line. - -The next night the Battalion was relieved and went back into Brigade -Reserve. Two companies garrisoned part of the Brielen Line, astride -the Ypres-Poperinghe Road. The other two companies held a reserve line -south of Ypres, from Kruisstraat to near the Lille Gate. At this time -the Battalion was somewhat depleted in strength, owing to a mild form -of influenza, commonly known as “Chink Fever.” - - - (_c_) The Zillebeke Raid. - -The one absorbing interest of this period of Brigade Reserve was the -raid, which eventually came off on the night of June 19/20th. There was -little opportunity for rehearsal or training, as the companies were -scattered, and many men were tied down to certain posts. But the plan -was worked out most carefully, down to the minutest detail, by the -Commanding Officer, who made nearly all the arrangements and wrote the -orders himself. The plan was as follows:-- - - 1. The object of the operation was to secure identification and - to do as much damage to the enemy as possible. - - 2. Twelve platoons of the Battalion[19] were to take part, and - these were divided into three parties:-- - - (_a_) Two platoons of C Company, whose task was to seize - and hold Hill 40, thus guarding the left flank of the main - operation. - - (_b_) A Company, operating north of the Warrington Road. - - (_c_) B Company, operating south of the Warrington Road. - - A and B Companies were each reinforced by a platoon from D - Company. - - 3. Objectives:-- - - (_a_) B Company: The line Hellblast - Corner--Tuilerie--Tuilerie Chimney. - - (_b_) A Company: 1st Objective: Enemy posts about 100 yards east - of Cavalry Road. - 2nd Objective: Halfway House. - - -4. All platoons were to be assembled in No Man’s Land by 11-30 p.m. At -12-0 midnight the advance was to begin. First objectives were to be -taken by the front platoons of companies. When B Company had gained -all its objectives, Capt. N. T. Farrar was to fire a red light as a -signal to A Company, the support platoons of which would then advance -on Halfway House. - -5. The whole were to withdraw at 1-30 a.m. - -6. The artillery was to open fire at 12-15 a.m. and put down a standing -barrage along the line of Leinster Road. If the wind were favourable, -it was also to put down a smoke barrage to cover the advance. But there -was to be no creeping barrage. - -Late in the evening of June 19th, the troops who were to take part -marched into Ypres. As soon as it was dark enough to conceal movement -they assembled in the British front line, and, about 11-0 p.m., moved -out into No Man’s Land. The night was very bright, the moon being -almost at the full, and there was some anxiety that the enemy might -detect the assembly and put down a barrage. But everything went well -and not a shot was fired. All were in position by 11-45 p.m. Battalion -H.Q. was established in a dugout in the British front line, and from -there the Commanding Officer was in telephonic communication with Major -Fenton, who was in the Ramparts. At 12-0 midnight the advance began, -and, by a great stroke of luck, almost at the same moment, the moon -disappeared behind a thick bank of clouds. - -About 12-10 a.m. the left flank of C Company made contact with the -enemy. As they were approaching the post on Hill 40, they encountered -a working party, about thirty strong. Shots were exchanged, and the -Germans retired a short distance; but the post had, unfortunately, -been warned. The flank party was heavily fired on, and Sec.-Lieut. -H. E. Burgoyne was wounded. Sergt. R. Wilson was also wounded in the -left arm, but remained at duty for some time, until the pain and -loss of blood from his wound weakened him so much that he was forced -to give up. Long grass and the broken nature of the ground impeded -the advance, and, by the time the post was reached, its garrison had -withdrawn. Sec.-Lieut. B. Crickmer, who had now assumed command of both -the platoons, took up a position facing north-east, about fifty yards -beyond the post. Here he became heavily engaged with large numbers -of the enemy. All attempts to advance were met by heavy machine gun -and rifle fire, and by bombs; and although several casualties were -undoubtedly inflicted, he was unable to secure an identification. About -1-0 a.m. artillery fire began to harass the party, but the men held -on to their position until it was time to withdraw, and successfully -carried out their duty of covering the left flank of the raid. At 1-30 -a.m. they withdrew, covered by a small rearguard, and regained their -lines. - -Meanwhile, the major part of the operation was going extremely well. -At 12-15 a.m. the British barrage opened, the bursting shells showing -up splendidly against the thick wall of smoke, which was soon built -up. It was a picture. Apparently this was the first warning the enemy -artillery had, that anything unusual was happening. Shortly after, the -enemy barrage came down, and then the wisdom of starting to advance -fifteen minutes before zero hour was clearly proved. By the time the -German guns got into action all the raiders were beyond the barrage -lines, and, that night, the Battalion did not suffer a single casualty -from shell fire. - -On the extreme right, Sergt. F. J. Field’s platoon reached its -objective with very little opposition; Vickers and Lewis guns were -then brought into action, effectually guarding the right flank of the -attack. In the centre Sec.-Lieut. H. R. Newman, with No. 5 Platoon, -advanced along the C3 Line and became engaged about fifty yards in -front of the Tuilerie. This post was strongly held and wired; but -the men cut through two belts of wire, crept up to within ten yards, -and rushed the position. Four prisoners and a light machine gun were -captured, several casualties were inflicted, and the remainder of the -garrison made off. A little later, Sec.-Lieut. R. E. Jones came up -south of the Tuilerie, and the line from that point to Hellblast Corner -was firmly held until the end of the operation. - -But the left platoon of B Company--No. 8 under Sec.-Lieut. W. G. -Bradley--had a very rough time. When about 150 yards from its -objective, the Tuilerie Chimney, three machine guns opened on the -leading section at only a few yards’ range. So heavy were the -casualties that only two unwounded men were left in the section after -the first burst. The other sections were also heavily engaged by an -enemy post further to the left. Three attempts were made to rush the -position, but without success. The platoon was harassed by machine guns -and trench mortars, and had become so reduced in strength, owing to -casualties, that Sec.-Lieut. Bradley was forced to break off the action -and simply hold on to the position already reached. - -Capt. N. T. Farrar was anxiously awaiting the signals from his platoon -commanders, which would show that their objectives had been reached. -These were received from his right and centre platoons, but not from -his left, for the reasons already given. However, from his own position -well forward in No Man’s Land, he judged that the right flank was -sufficiently secure for A Company to advance; and so, at 1-0 a.m., he -fired his red signal light. - -Meanwhile, A Company in the centre had been even more successful. The -earlier part of its advance had been quite uneventful, and contact with -the enemy had not been made until near Cavalry Road. Here a few bombs -had been thrown, but the Germans had quickly withdrawn. The two leading -platoons, under Sec.-Lieuts. R. M. Leddra and J. E. Bentley, crossed -the road and occupied a line of trenches, about 200 yards beyond. Near -the road Sec.-Lieut. Leddra came across a large dugout, which he bombed -with M.S.K. grenades; three Germans came out and were promptly made -prisoners. The Company Commander, Sec.-Lieut. B. H. Huggard, had gone -well forward to keep in touch with the situation; with the assistance -of no one but his runner, he himself rounded up four of the enemy who -were trying to escape. Considerable numbers of Germans were seen making -off to the rear, and some were shot while doing so. But at this point -the smoke screen, which had been of great assistance in covering the -earlier stages of the advance, helped the enemy. Many, who otherwise -would almost certainly have been captured, were completely lost sight -of in the smoke. - -By 12-45 a.m. all five platoons of A Company had crossed Cavalry Road -and were drawn up ready to advance on Halfway House, as soon as the -signal should be fired by B Company. As has already been said, this -signal was sent up at 1-0 a.m. But it was not seen owing to the smoke. -This was very unfortunate for A Company was quite ready, and there was -ample time for the second part of the operation to be carried out. -So, no further advance was attempted, but the positions reached were -maintained by all parties until the withdrawal. - -At 1-30 a.m. the withdrawal began, and was carried out very -successfully. White tapes marked the gaps which had been cut in the -wire, and rockets were sent up from the Ramparts at Ypres, to direct -any who had lost their direction. About 2-0 a.m. patrols went out to -search for wounded, the Commanding Officer personally assisting in this -work. Several wounded were brought in and the work was certainly well -done, for the Battalion had only one man missing out of over 350 who -had gone “over the top.” Platoons moved back to their former stations -in Brigade Reserve, where a well-earned sleep awaited them. - -Though the second part of the operation--the attack on Halfway -House--was not attempted, the raid was a great success. Eleven -prisoners and a light machine gun had been captured, and considerable -casualties had undoubtedly been inflicted on the enemy. The total -casualties of the Battalion were 3 other ranks killed, one officer and -16 other ranks wounded, and one other rank missing. This was extremely -light, considering that three quarters of the Battalion had spent one -and a half hours in the enemy’s lines. But by far the most satisfactory -result of the raid was its effect on morale. Many of the officers and -men who took part had only been with the Battalion a very short -time, and a large number of the latter were very young and had seen -no fighting before. The old soldier has learned to take things as they -come, but success or failure have great effect on inexperienced and -young soldiers. So it was with this raid. They went into action boys; -they came out almost veterans. - - [Illustration: _Raid near Zillebeke._ - - _19/20. 6. 18._] - -For their services in connection with this raid, Sec.-Lieuts. B. H. -Huggard and H. R. Newman were each awarded the Military Cross. Sergts. -A. Loosemore, V.C., R. Wilson and F. J. Field received Distinguished -Conduct Medals; and sixteen other ranks gained the Military Medal. - - - (_d_) Quiet Days in the Ypres Salient. - -The night after the raid the Battalion was relieved in Brigade Reserve, -and went to Siege Camp for rest. This camp lay on the east side of -the Vlamertinghe-Elverdinghe Road. It consisted mainly of Nissen -huts, but there were also a number of sandbag shelters and one or two -pill-boxes. The surroundings were very pleasant. All the time the 49th -Division remained in the Ypres Salient, the Battalion’s rest periods -were spent at Siege Camp. One period was much like another. Of the -seven complete days out of the line, the first was devoted to baths and -interior economy, and then three days were occupied with training and -three were spent at work on one or other of the defensive lines in the -neighbourhood. - -All the work, of whatever nature, was allotted by tasks. If the men -could finish in two days, they had a day off. But the tasks were heavy. -Some very good work indeed was done by the Battalion during these rest -periods, and, looking back now, it seems a pity that all this work -was unnecessary; for none of the lines, so carefully constructed and -strongly fortified, ever had to be held against an enemy attack. - -Training was carried out mainly under company arrangements, but, on -one or two occasions, battalion schemes were worked out, particularly -one in which the Vlamertinghe Line was used as an objective. The -Battalion had its own miniature rifle range and its own football field. -The latter was much used. Not many hundred yards away was a Belgian -detention camp, with the officers and N.C.O’s of which the Battalion -was on very good terms. Enemy shelling was not serious. There was a -good deal of searching for the many gun positions which covered the -area, but it was seldom that shells dropped dangerously near Siege -Camp. One unlucky shot severely wounded Sec.-Lieut. A. Charlesworth -during a tactical tour. - -The main form of relaxation was dancing. For this the Battalion band -was in nightly demand, and the absence of ladies did not interfere -with the enjoyment. The first dance hall was an old ammunition store, -the floor being covered with a large tarpaulin. When this store was -pulled down, the band was ejected from a wooden platform which had been -built for it near the orderly room, and had to perform on the bare -earth while the dancers monopolised the floor. All ranks took part; -the Regimental Sergeant-Major could usually be seen affectionately -encircling the waist of a signaller, while the Medical Officer and -others have been known to grace the floor. - -Gradually the nightmare of the enemy offensive was passing away. At -first the days were full of rumours and alarms. Most elaborate defence -schemes had been worked out, and heavy artillery counter-preparations -were common at night, and in the early morning. Reports came through -of the attacks on the French down south, but it gradually became clear -that the enemy’s power of attack was being worn out. From the first -news of his attack on July 15th, it was obvious that little success -had been gained. Then, three days later, came word of Marshal Foch’s -great counter-stroke on the flank, which not only robbed the Germans of -the little ground they had gained south of the Marne, but drove them -headlong to the Vesle. Almost at once everyone realised that the danger -was past, and that soon it would be the turn of the British to attack. -But this is anticipating. - -On June 29th the Battalion returned to the line, relieving the 1/7th -Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. This time it was holding the right of -the Left Brigade Sector. The front extended from near White Chateau -to the vicinity of Dragoon Farm. It was held by three companies, each -having its platoons distributed in depth in three lines. The fourth -company was in battalion reserve, occupying a line in front of the -civilian cemetery near the Menin Gate--the cemetery in which lie the -remains of Prince Maurice of Battenberg. Battalion H.Q. occupied the -old divisional H.Q. near the Menin Gate. - -For sixteen continuous days the Battalion held this front. It was the -longest unbroken trench tour that it had ever done, and most men were -heartily sick of it by the time it came to an end. The tour was not -particularly exciting. The enemy remained quiet, and, until the last -few days, little but defensive patrolling was done. Almost nightly -raids by the 148th Infantry Brigade had put the enemy so much on the -alert that there was little hope of success for minor enterprises. -During the last few days patrols became more active. Early one morning -Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Entwhistle penetrated deeply into No Man’s Land and -located some enemy posts, which he believed were held at night. The -following evening he took out a fighting patrol, hoping to occupy -these posts before the enemy arrived. But he was not early enough. The -Germans were there first, were thoroughly alert, and received him with -a hail of machine gun bullets. Fortunately he succeeded in withdrawing -without casualties. It was afterwards thought that the enemy might have -discovered the visit paid to his posts in the early morning, owing -to the removal of “souvenirs” by members of the British patrol. On -another occasion Sec.-Lieut. J. A. Steele occupied West Farm, a ruined -building about 500 yards out in No Man’s Land, for a whole day, with -no result, except that his party suffered torments from the bites of -the horse flies which swarmed in the long grass. On the night of July -9/10th there was a terrific thunderstorm, with drenching rain. One -platoon, which was carrying R.E. material up to the front line along -F Track--the left boundary of the Battalion sub-sector--was struck by -lightning. Two men were killed instantly, but the rest, though thrown -violently to the ground, escaped with a severe shaking. - -Messenger dogs were in use on this sector and some were even stationed -at Company H.Q. This gave an opportunity to the sporting spirits among -the officers, who backed their dogs to arrive with messages first. For -some time the same dog always won, and by so big a margin that no -one could understand the reason. At length the mystery was solved. A -sentry had made friends with the losing dog, which was in the habit of -stopping daily to see him when it passed his post. - -The most important feature of this long tour was the appearance of -American troops. The 30th Division of the American Expeditionary Force -had been attached to the 49th and 33rd Divisions for instruction. -This division was recruited entirely from North and South Carolina -and Tennessee. Some of its companies boasted continuity from units -of the Confederate Army in the American Civil War, and many of the -officers and men were descendants of those who had fought under Lee -and Jackson; indeed, the Intelligence Officer of one of the regiments -of this division was a grandson of General Robert E. Lee. Physically -the men were very fine, and the standard of education among them was -very high. They were mostly recruited from agricultural districts, -and were magnificent rifle shots. During the tour many officers and -other ranks--or, as they are called in the American Army, “enlisted -men”--were attached to the Battalion for instruction in trench duties. -They proved themselves very keen to learn, and the Battalion got on -well with them. - -On July 15th the Battalion went back for its second period of rest at -Siege Camp. After eight days it went into brigade reserve to the Right -Sector. But the same night, before the relief was carried out, the men -were engaged in an operation of, to them, an entirely new type. This -operation was always known as Scheme B. It was a cloud gas discharge, -and was to be carried out as follows:-- - - 1. Nine light railway trains, each consisting of seven trucks, - all loaded with gas cylinders, were to be brought up to Austral - Dump by light engines. Here they were to be taken over by the - Battalion, six men to a truck, and pushed out into No Man’s Land - in front of White Chateau, along an old light railway which ran - there. - - 2. The men were then to withdraw into the support line, and the - gas from all the cylinders was to be discharged simultaneously - by a system of detonators, exploded electrically. - - 3. When sufficient time had been allowed for the gas to clear, - the men were to go out again and push the trucks back to Austral - Dump, where they would be taken charge of by the light railway - men again. - -The Battalion’s part in the operation sounded simple, but it was to -prove far otherwise. - -On the night of July 23/24th the Battalion was brought up by light -railway trains to near Ypres, and marched from there to Austral Dump. -The first part of the operation went off smoothly. Apart from one burst -of enemy machine gun fire, which wounded two men at Austral Dump, -nothing exciting happened. The trains were pushed into position in No -Man’s Land without great difficulty, and the men withdrew according -to plan. The gas was liberated and a dense white cloud floated slowly -across No Man’s Land. The enemy made no sign. Fifteen minutes after -the discharge, the men went out again to remove the trucks. Then the -trouble began. The trucks should have been much lighter after the -discharge, but they were undoubtedly much harder to push. The air was -thick with the gas, but so hard was the work that respirators could not -be worn properly, and most men simply had the nose-clip and mouth piece -adjusted. The oil of the wheels was clogged by the gas, the ground was -slippery from the recent rains and afforded little foothold, and there -was not sufficient room to move properly between the railway line and -the barbed wire fences beside it. The first part of the way was up an -incline, and trucks were continually derailed. To get these latter -on to the lines again, the cylinders had to be unloaded, and then -replaced. It was found impossible to move whole trains, and trucks had -to be uncoupled, and pushed in twos and threes. Even then they could -only be moved by officers and N.C.O’s shouting to the men to “heave,” -as in a tug-of-war. It was almost daylight before the last trucks -crossed the British front line. Every man was thoroughly exhausted, -and many were suffering more or less from the effects of the gas. It -had been a terribly anxious time for the Commanding Officer, who had -himself been working as hard as anyone. - -Strange to say, through it all the enemy remained completely inactive. -The moon was very bright, and the noise must have been audible several -hundreds of yards away. Yet, not a shot was fired; not a shell burst -anywhere near. Could the gas have had so deadly an effect? Little was -ever heard of the result of the operation. Patrols reported many dead -rats in No Man’s Land. Later, prisoners from the 6th Cavalry Division, -which relieved the 1st Landwehr Division, spoke vaguely of the latter -having been withdrawn owing to the use of a new gas by the British. But -nothing more definite was ever learned by the Battalion. - -After nine days in Brigade Reserve, the Battalion again took over the -Zillebeke Sector, this time relieving the 2nd Battalion, 118th Regiment -of the 30th American Division. This Division was now undergoing the -last stage of its instruction, and during the whole tour the Battalion -had an American company in the line with it. Each company came in for -three days, the system of instruction being as follows:-- - - 1st Day: Every American officer and other rank was attached to - his British “opposite number,” went with him everywhere, and - shared all his duties. - - 2nd Day: An American platoon, under its own officer, relieved - one British platoon in each company, and for twenty-four hours - worked under the orders of the British company commander. The - American platoons, during this time, carried out exactly the - same duties as the British would have done had they been there. - - 3rd Day: The four American platoons were again concentrated - under their own company commander, and relieved one of the - British companies in the front line. For twenty-four hours the - American company was responsible for its sector, and carried on - the usual work, patrols, sentry duties, etc. - -It will thus be seen that, quite early, American troops were placed -in more responsible positions than the Portuguese had been, when they -were undergoing similar training. Throughout this tour Major Callen, -the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion, 117th Regiment, whose -companies were in the line, lived at the 4th Battalion H.Q. - -Several minor events marked the tour. On August 3rd the dugouts along -the west side of Zillebeke Lake were heavily shelled, and B Company -H.Q. was demolished. This was believed to be a result of the unusual -movement caused by the American troops. It was the custom at this time -for all front line troops to move about two hundred yards into No -Man’s Land early in the morning, and remain there until nearly dawn. -This was done to avoid the enemy barrage, which would be put down on -the British front line if an attack were intended. But apparently the -enemy discovered this manœuvre, for he began to shell No Man’s Land -in the early morning, and several casualties were suffered. A relief -too had taken place opposite. The 1st Landwehr Division had gone and -the 6th Cavalry Division, which had been dismounted for some time and -had seen service as infantry in Alsace, was holding the front. These -troops proved to be of much higher morale, and stubbornly resisted all -attempts to secure prisoners. But, the last morning the Battalion was -in the line, a young Dragoon was captured near Moated Grange, by two -officers of A Company. - -On the night of August 7/8th the 3rd Battalion, 117th American Infantry -Regt., relieved the Battalion, taking over the line completely for -forty-eight hours. After one night in the Brielen Line the Battalion -went back to Siege Camp for the third and last time. Its stay in the -Ypres Salient was nearly over. It again held the line from August -16th to August 20th, but, on the latter date, it was relieved by the -5th Battalion Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders (34th Division), and, -moving back to a camp near Oosthoek, said good-bye to the Ypres Salient -for ever. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - THE LAST STAGE. - - - (_a_) Movements and Training. - -On the 23rd of August the Battalion moved by light railway to Proven, -and from thence by train to Audruicq. From there it marched to billets -in Nielles-lez-Ardres--some of the finest it had ever occupied. The -weather was glorious, the country delightful, and a pleasant spell of -rest and training was anticipated. But great events were happening in -the south. On August 8th the Fourth Army, with a French army on its -right, had started a brilliant offensive south of the Somme; when the -situation became more or less stationary there, the Third Army had -taken up the attack further north; and now it was time for the First -Army to play its part. Fresh troops were needed and the 49th Division -was ordered south. Moving from Nortkerque to Wavrans by train, the -Battalion went into billets at Siracourt and Beauvois. There it had its -first experience of training with tanks. A few days later it bussed -to Camblain L’Abbé, where it occupied a hutment camp for nearly a -fortnight. - -At Camblain L’Abbé Brig.-General C. G. Lewes, C.M.G., D.S.O., left -the Brigade which he had commanded for almost exactly two years. He -had come to it in the latter days of the Somme battle, but was now -appointed to a home command. He had been a good friend to the Battalion -and there were many regrets when it paraded to say farewell. The men -were drawn up in a hollow square and addressed by the G.O.C., who -thanked them for their loyal support in the past and wished them the -best of luck in the future. He left amid ringing cheers. Brig.-General -H. H. S. Morant, D.S.O., who had formerly commanded a Brigade of the -1st Division, assumed command of the 147th Infantry Brigade. - -The time at Camblain L’Abbé was well and pleasantly spent. Much -training in the attack was carried out under the supervision of the -new Brigadier. Various divisional concert parties at the Corps Theatre -provided welcome relaxation; and the excellent Officers’ Club, under -the management of the Canadian E.F.C., was well patronised. Perhaps the -most criticised part of the local arrangements was the exceptionally -hard type of wire bed in use in the camp; all who slept there will -remember these. - -On September 13th the 49th Division took over the line immediately -north of the River Scarpe, and the Battalion moved to Roclincourt, -where it was in divisional reserve. Time still passed pleasantly. Tanks -were again to the fore in training. An inter-company Rugby football -competition was played, and provoked much enthusiasm. The 147th -Infantry Brigade never went into the front line here. After about ten -days, the 49th Division was relieved by the 51st Division, and the -Battalion moved to Feuchy. - -“Old timers” saw in Feuchy some resemblance to the Johnstone’s Post of -Somme memory--but without the shelling. There was the same chalk soil, -and similar shelters and dugouts were built on the sides of a similar -valley. Accommodation was not of the best. Feuchy was in the middle of -the country over which the battle of Arras had been fought in 1917, and -the Battalion area was almost where the British front line had been for -about five months of the summer of 1918; so good billets could hardly -be expected. On the whole the weather was good, and the neighbourhood -ideal for training. The River Scarpe, with its surrounding marshes, was -useful, not only for swimming, but more than once for the working out -of bridge-head schemes. One night all officers and platoon sergeants -carried out a rather intricate compass march which will not soon be -forgotten, particularly by those who, at one point, found themselves -sitting on horses’ backs in a wide trench. Altogether the time at -Feuchy passed very happily. - -Meanwhile, things were moving so quickly that, almost daily, one -looked for fresh victories. On August 26th the First Army had attacked -on both sides of the Scarpe and on that, and the following days, the -British line had been pushed forward some miles, particularly south -of the river. On September 2nd the Canadian Corps had broken right -through the famous Drocourt--Queant Line, south of the river, and had -pushed on almost to the Canal du Nord. On September 27th the passage -of that great obstacle was forced, and, during the next few days, the -high ground to the north of Cambrai was seized and held after terrific -fighting. - -The time had come for the 49th Division to play its part in the final -adventure. On October 6th came the orders to move. When, late in the -afternoon, B Echelon, under the command of Major W. C. Fenton, M.C., -marched out en route for the Divisional Reception Camp at Mont St. -Eloi, the Battalion knew that at last it was for battle; and perhaps, -during all its years of active service, it had never been fitter. -An hour or two later the Battalion,[20] over 650 strong, moved off -and, in the darkness, bussed through the historic Queant--the pivotal -point of the Hindenburg Line--to the neighbourhood of Buissy, where -it bivouaced. For two days it lay idle. Its exact role had not yet -been definitely settled. So unlikely did a move seem on the morning of -October 9th that the adjutant, and most of the company commanders, rode -up to reconnoitre the forward area. They rode on and on, until they -came to the point where they expected to find the front line; it was -occupied by a battery of 6-inch howitzers. Then they heard the news. -Cambrai had fallen that morning, and the Canadians were already well -beyond it. In haste they returned, only to meet the Battalion already -two miles forward on the road. Beyond the Canal du Nord was a sight to -be remembered by anyone who had seen the same ground on the previous -day. Then the country had been covered with transport lines, the camps -of ammunition columns, and all the details to be found immediately -behind the line. Now it was deserted, save for the few odd men left -behind to clear up. While over the hill in front, in that rolling -grass-covered country, line after line and column after column could be -seen moving slowly towards the east. The whole B.E.F. seemed to be on -the march. - - [Illustration: Lieut.-Col. A. L. MOWAT, D.S.O., M.C.] - -The night was spent in some deserted enemy shelters and dugouts, in a -sunken road to the west of Sancourt. Arriving after dark, there was -little opportunity to make oneself comfortable. The following morning -passed quietly but, about 1-0 p.m., came the orders to move again. -Early in the afternoon the Battalion started. It crossed the Canal de -l’Escaut at Escaudœuvres--the bridge had been in enemy hands barely -twenty-four hours before, but he had left too hurriedly to destroy it. -Yet he had found time wantonly to destroy in his usual manner; the -houses were full of furniture senselessly damaged--chairs broken to -bits, feather beds ripped open, crockery and glass lying smashed on the -floors. An occasional shell was still falling as the Battalion marched -through the village. - -A halt was made by the railway embankment to the east of the village. -Rifles were piled, hot tea was served, and the men lay down to get -what rest they could. As darkness fell the scene was one never to be -forgotten--the long rows of piled arms, the hundreds of men lying -around sleeping or talking in whispers, the occasional glimmer of a -light. It was a scene such as one sees in pictures of old-time warfare, -and perhaps nothing showed more plainly that the long wearisome days -of trench warfare were past. The stars shone brightly overhead and, to -complete the picture, a small group of Canadian machine gunners sang -song after song in the gloom. - - - (_b_) October 11th and After. - -About 8-0 p.m. the Commanding Officer was summoned to Brigade H.Q. He -was away for about two hours and, on his return, all officers were -summoned. By the light of three candles stuck in the ground, he marked -upon each officer’s map the objectives and boundaries of the attack -which was to be delivered the next morning, and then explained the plan -of operations:-- - - 1. The Battalion was to assemble and dig in before dawn on the - line of the Iwuy--Rieux Road, on a frontage of about 500 yards. - The 7th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., with its right - on the Naves--Villers-en-Cauchies Road, would attack on the - Battalion’s right; the 146th Infantry Brigade on its left. - - 2. A Company was to be on the right and D Company on the left. - B and C Companies were to be in support on the right and left - respectively. - - 3. It was believed that the enemy was too shaken to put up a - vigorous resistance. Hence it had been decided to attack without - any artillery support. - - 4. At 9-0 a.m. the attack was to begin, the first objective - being the railway line midway between Avesnes-le-Sec and - Villers-en-Cauchies, and the second objective the high ground - east of the La Selle River. - -The attack was part of a very big operation on a wide front and the -task of the 49th Division was a most important one. Opposite to the -Battalion’s front, with its crest line about a mile from the assembly -position, lay a long ridge. This was held by the enemy. The Canadians -were to make an attack on the ridge that very night. If they succeeded, -the Battalion would advance through them the next morning, and the -first part of its task would be easy. But if they failed, the ridge -must be captured by the Battalion, on its way to the first objective. -_The ridge must be taken at all costs._ This was the definite -order of the Divisional Commander. It was a point of extreme tactical -importance, and its possession by the enemy was holding up the whole -flank of the attack. Such were the orders issued by the Commanding -Officer. - -An advanced party was sent forward to reconnoitre routes to the -assembly positions. Tea was served out and the Battalion waited only -for rations to arrive. Time passed, there was no sign of the convoy, -and the Commanding Officer became very anxious. It was imperative for -the men to reach their assembly positions and dig in before dawn. -The Battalion was on the point of moving off rationless when the -limbers were announced. The delay had been no fault of the transport. -Throughout the operations they always served the Battalion well. But -the roads were crowded with vehicles of all kinds, and they had had -to fetch the rations from a great distance. It was simply one of the -difficulties which had to be faced in the new warfare of movement. - -Shortly after midnight the Battalion moved off. It passed through -Naves, which was thick with mustard gas, and was met about a thousand -yards beyond by Battalion scouts, who had gone forward to reconnoitre -the routes. Leaving the roads, companies crossed the Erclin River -at points where the bed was dry, and moved independently to their -positions of assembly. These were not reached without difficulty. -The night was very dark and the ground strange. Troops of the 146th -Infantry Brigade were using the same route, and there was some -confusion. To make matters worse, the enemy put down a fairly heavy -counter-preparation on the field which the companies were crossing, and -about ten men were wounded. But, by 4-0 a.m., all were up and digging -in. Everything was quiet when daylight came, and the hours dragged -slowly on. - -From the road on which the Battalion was assembled, the ground sloped -gently upwards to the ridge, already mentioned. The land between was -mostly under cultivation and afforded no cover to attacking troops. -Near the top of the ridge was a stack of bean straw which formed a -very useful landmark, as it was almost on the boundary between the two -companies. The night attack of the Canadians had been unsuccessful -and the enemy still held the all-important position. It was therefore -decided that the first hour of the attack should be supported by a -thick barrage. For half-an-hour this was to fall on the crest of the -ridge; after that, it would move forward at the rate of 100 yards in -three minutes for a further half hour. This information did not arrive -at Battalion H.Q. until about 8-20 a.m., and there was barely time to -inform the attacking troops before zero hour. - -At 9-0 a.m., prompt to the second, the British artillery opened fire -and the Battalion went “over the top.” The advance was magnificent. -Never, either in action or at training, had it been done better. -In artillery formation, with sections in file and keeping perfect -intervals, the men went quietly and steadily forward. If there were -a fault, it was that of over-eagerness. The leading troops advanced -rather faster than had been expected, and they were on the top of the -ridge before their barrage had lifted. - -Almost immediately the enemy barrage came down, consisting mainly -of high explosive. Fortunately, the bulk of it fell just behind the -assembly position and did little harm. Then the enemy machine guns -opened, and these caused more trouble than the artillery. Sections -were forced to extend in order to minimise casualties, but the rate of -advance was scarcely affected. Near the straw stack on the hill, Sergt. -A. Loosemore, V.C., D.C.M., of A Company, went down, shot through both -legs; and the Battalion thus lost a magnificent leader who was liked -by every one and almost worshipped by the men of his platoon. By 9-45 -a.m. all four companies had disappeared from view over the crest line. -The enemy’s artillery fire had weakened considerably, many prisoners -were coming in, in charge of lightly wounded men, and everything -seemed to be going well. Battalion H.Q. moved up from the position it -had occupied in the dried-up bed of the River Erclin, and temporarily -established itself on the road where the Battalion had assembled. The -Commanding Officer immediately went forward to the crest of the ridge -to see for himself how the attack was progressing. - -The Battalion was now meeting with much stiffer resistance and the -advance had become slower. The British barrage had ceased and the enemy -was better able to get his machine guns into action. Ground could now -only be gained by infiltration, and by manœuvring sections round the -flanks of enemy posts. Casualties were becoming heavier. At one point -the attacking infantry came up against field guns, firing point blank -at them. The 7th Battalion on the right was also meeting with strong -opposition from the enemy in the village of Villers-en-Cauchies. But -the advance still went on. The field guns were captured. It seemed as -if the resistance would gradually be worn down. - -Then, about 10-45 a.m., came the great enemy counter-attack. Appearing -from the low ground to the south of Avesnes-le-Sec enemy tanks, eight -in number, advanced against the attacking troops. All men of the -Battalion agree that these tanks were of German pattern, and not -captured British ones. The main force of their first attack fell upon -the 146th Infantry Brigade on the left, which gave way before them and -began to retire. Capt. R. B. Broster of C Company and Sec.-Lieut. H. -Rosendale of D Company were shot down by machine gun fire from a tank, -whilst trying to rally the left flank. Sec.-Lieut. T. E. Jessop of A -Company, with the greatest gallantry, collected several Lewis guns and, -by a concentration of their fire, actually forced one tank to withdraw. -He was seriously wounded a little later and was carried to safety by -the men of his platoon. An unknown man of C Company was seen running -behind another tank, bomb in hand, trying to find an opening into which -to throw it; he too was shot down. Capt. W. Grantham of B Company -was so seriously wounded that he died a few weeks later--a prisoner -in enemy hands. But all was of no avail. With its left flank “in the -air,” heavily pressed by the tanks in front, with no artillery--almost -the only weapon which would have been effective--to support it, the -Battalion began to withdraw. The withdrawal was slow and there was no -panic. But all the hard-won ground, with its killed and wounded, its -field guns and other trophies, was lost. - -The Battalion halted a little in front of the road from which it had -started little more than two hours before. All companies had become -hopelessly mixed; the 6th Battalion, which had advanced in rear of the -attacking troops, had become engaged, and its men were mingled with the -men of the 4th Battalion. Furthermore, men from the battalions on the -flanks had also wandered into the area in the confusion. The enemy, -following hard on the rear of his tanks, had reoccupied the ridge, and -was getting his machine guns again into action. His tanks, however, did -not appear over the crest of the ridge; perhaps they were satisfied -with the success gained, and feared to come into view of the British -artillery. There was intense disappointment and not a little confusion -everywhere. - -Into the midst of this confusion the Commanding Officer threw himself. -By his presence, personal energy, and utter disregard for danger, he -quickly restored order. Time did not allow of separating the men into -their proper companies, but officers and N.C.O’s, assuming command -of whatever men were near them, including men of other battalions, -resolved confusion into order, disappointment into hope; and the -Battalion was a fighting force again. Then it advanced to the attack -once more. - -This second advance was not so orderly as the first had been, but, in -some ways it was, perhaps, finer. Without a gun to support it, through -a hail of machine gun bullets, with men falling in scores, the line -went forward. The Colonel led, his Battalion followed. “_The ridge -must be taken at all costs._” Those had been the words of the -Divisional Commander the night before. And Lieut.-Col. Mowat and his -men meant to take that ridge. Slowly, at first by section rushes and -later, when casualties became heavier and heavier, by infiltration, -they pressed on towards the crest. Conditions were much worse, in every -way, than they had been earlier in the day. Losses were appalling. -Sec.-Lieuts. J. E. Bentley and H. M. Marsden, both of A Company, with -many N.C.O’s and men, went down. But the advance never stopped. For a -time the enemy maintained his position well, but, as the attack came -nearer and nearer, his resistance began to weaken, and at length he -gave way and retired. For the second time that day, about 1-0 p.m., the -ridge was won. But at what a cost! Of the Battalion, over 650 strong, -which had bivouaced by the railway at Escaudœuvres on the previous -evening, little more than 250 remained. - -The rest of the day passed comparatively quietly. The enemy made no -further attempt to restore the situation, but any movement on the -ridge was promptly shelled. There was much work to be done. During the -afternoon the 6th Battalion was withdrawn to reorganise as Brigade -Reserve. Companies were reorganised, their own men returning to them, -and rectifications were made in the line. For a time there was some -anxiety about the left flank, the next Brigade not being so far forward -as the Battalion; this was, to some extent, met by sending up two H.Q. -Lewis gun teams to strengthen that flank. In all this reorganisation -Capt. A. Kirk, M.C., of A Company, was the right-hand man of the -Commanding Officer. He established his Company H.Q. by the, now -famous, straw stack, and exercised a general supervision over the whole -of the front line. - -When darkness fell the new line had been firmly established. Rain had -fallen during the afternoon, all were thoroughly weary, and a deep -sense of disappointment oppressed everyone. No one yet understood -how great a success had really been gained; this it remained for the -morning to show. - -During the night active preparations were in progress for the advance -to be continued the next day. The 6th Battalion relieved the 7th -Battalion on the right, the latter becoming Brigade Reserve. Guns were -pushed forward in the most daring fashion--some actually into No Man’s -Land--ready to deal with hostile tanks should they again appear. The -advance was to start at 12-0 noon, under cover of a heavy barrage. -In the early hours of the morning the enemy heavily shelled the -neighbourhood of Battalion H.Q. with “whizz-bangs,” but the meaning of -this was not realised until the next morning. Actually, he was shooting -away the ammunition before withdrawing his guns to the east of the La -Selle River. - -Next morning everyone was about early, though there was plenty of time -before zero hour. The damp and cold of the night, and the discomfort -of the narrow slits, which were the only cover available, were no -inducement to late rising. The sun rose bright, but a thin mist hung -about the ground. Preparations for the attack were leisurely made and -the quietness of the enemy was commented on. But it was not until an -officer’s patrol had pushed far out in front of the line, and the -Brigadier himself had ridden nearly to Villers-en-Cauchies, that the -situation was realised. The capture of the ridge on the previous day -had made the enemy’s position untenable; he had withdrawn during -the night, and all touch with him had been lost. Fresh orders were -immediately issued--the Brigade was to advance at once, without any -barrage, and make good the line of the railway which had been its first -objective the day before. On the right the 24th Division had already -started, and was well forward. - -By 10-15 a.m. the Battalion was on the move. Covered by an advanced -guard, consisting of the H.Q. scouts and the remnants of a platoon of -B Company, it moved forward in artillery formation, two companies in -front and two in support. The 6th Battalion maintained the alignment -on the right, but some difficulty and delay were caused by the 146th -Infantry Brigade, which did not move on the left until some time -later. At first the advance led over the ground that had been won and -lost on the previous day. Everywhere was evidence of the stern fight -that had been made. The tracks of the tanks were clear in the grass, -and the ground was strewn with the bodies of those who had fought and -died. Only then was it realised how far the advance had, at one time, -reached. The fate of many a man was cleared up. At one point a German -machine gunner was found sitting behind his gun, dead; by his side lay -the man who had killed him, also dead, with his bayonet right through -the German’s body. The inevitable “booby trap” was also in evidence--a -brand new German machine gun, with a wire running from it to a spot a -few yards away; but there was no time to examine the appliance. - -On went the Battalion, across valleys and over ridges--and never a -shell nor a bullet from the enemy. By noon the advanced guard was -almost on the railway, but here the advance was again delayed for -about half-an-hour. During the night the 51st Division had relieved -the Canadians on the left, and was to have taken part in the attack -timed for noon. Unlike the 49th Division its orders were not -cancelled, and down came its barrage, promptly to time, a number of -4.5 inch howitzer shells falling about the area which the Battalion -advanced guard had reached. However, about 12-30 p.m., the advance -was resumed. The Battalion reached its objective, the line of the -Avesnes-le-Sec--Villers-en-Cauchies Railway, without further incident -about 1-30 p.m. Orders were issued for three companies to dig in on -that line, with the fourth in reserve in a sunken road west of the -railway. - -Meanwhile, the advanced guard had pushed forward more than a thousand -yards beyond the railway and had, at length, gained touch with the -enemy. On approaching Vordon Wood, near the La Selle River, it was met -by rifle and machine gun fire, not only from the wood in front but also -from a small copse on the left flank. Numbers of the enemy were seen -on the high ground south-west of Haspres. It was obvious from the -volume of fire that the enemy was present in some strength, and that, -without support, further progress by the advanced guard was impossible. - - [Illustration: _Oct. 11th. 1918._] - -About 4 p.m. orders to advance and capture Vordon Wood were received. -Half-an-hour later the Battalion, preceded by an advanced guard as -before, moved forward. As the leading troops approached the wood they -were again held up by hostile fire, and had to halt until two companies -of the Battalion came up. The 146th Infantry Brigade had occupied -Avesnes-le-Sec, but had not pushed far beyond it. As a result the small -copse on the left was still held by the enemy, and seriously menaced -the attack on Vordon Wood. To counteract this the reserve company, C -Company, was moved up to form a defensive flank, facing north. - -By this time darkness had fallen. The right of the wood was attacked, -and was taken without much difficulty. The enemy rearguard did not -put up much of a fight, but withdrew as soon as the situation looked -serious, leaving two prisoners in the Battalion’s hands. The wood, -though narrow, was very thick with undergrowth, and provided excellent -cover. Had they been willing to put up a better fight, the Germans -might have caused far more trouble there than they did. The left, or -northern, end of the wood lay outside the Battalion boundary, and no -attempt was made to enter it until the next day. Dispositions for the -night were taken up as follows:-- - - B and D Companies dug in on the eastern edge of the wood. - - A Company was in support on the western edge. - - C Company formed a defensive flank, facing north, from the wood - to the railway. - - Battalion H.Q. dug in on the railway. - -During the night a strong fighting patrol reached the La Selle River -and reconnoitred its banks for more than half a mile, without gaining -touch with the enemy. - -Early the next morning it was found that the enemy had been occupying -the northern end of the wood during the night. A small party was seen -to leave it in the morning and retire towards Haspres. About 7-0 a.m. -another party of Germans approached D Company’s posts, but was driven -off by rifle and Lewis gun fire. - -October 13th was, more or less, an “off” day for the Battalion. At 9-0 -a.m. the 19th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, with the 6th Battalion -Duke of Wellington’s Regt. on its right and the 148th Infantry -Brigade on its left, attacked through the Battalion. The attack was -unsuccessful. It came under heavy artillery and machine gun fire from -the high ground east of the river, which was strongly held by the -enemy, and was unable to make any progress. Throughout the day the -Battalion maintained the positions it had won on the previous night. -Several casualties were suffered from the defensive barrage put down -by the enemy, among them being Capt. F. C. Harrison, the popular and -cheery little Medical Officer. His slit in the railway cutting was hit -by a shell, and he was so severely wounded that he died before he could -be got to the advanced dressing station. Apart from this the day was -uneventful, though there was one false alarm of tanks. - -That night the ration convoy met with serious misfortune. Coming into -the village of Villers-en-Cauchies, it was heavily shelled. Company -Quartermaster Sergts. E. Walsh and B. Little, of A and B Companies -respectively, were killed. Two horses were also killed, and the rations -were scattered. Lieut. F. Irish, the Transport Officer, though himself -wounded in two places, acted with great gallantry and coolness, -and succeeded in collecting the rations and delivering them at his -destination. - -The next day was warm and sunny. Not long after dawn Sec.-Lieut. E. -Maley, of C Company, was killed by a chance shell, in the rear of -the wood, while he was taking round rum to his men. Since the 148th -Infantry Brigade had come into the line it had pushed forward and -secured the Battalion’s left flank; but a gap still existed between -the two Brigades, the north end of the wood being held by no one. As -C Company was no longer necessary to form a defensive flank, it was -moved up at dusk to occupy that part of the wood and fill the gap. The -wood was very thick and tangled and bore evident signs of recent enemy -occupation; among other things, a tank had been hidden there not many -days before. - -During the day, Major-General Lipsett, G.O.C. 4th Division, came up to -make a personal reconnaissance of the front, as it was expected his -division would soon relieve the 49th Division. He went right out in -front of Vordon Wood, in full view of the German posts south-west of -Haspres, was shot through the mouth by the enemy and instantly killed. -His body was brought into the British lines by Lieut. J. Spencer, -Intelligence Officer of the 147th Infantry Brigade, assisted by men of -the Battalion. - -On the night of October 14/15th the Battalion was relieved by the -1/7th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. While waiting for the completion -of the relief, Battalion H.Q. was surprised by the arrival of numbers -of French civilians on the railway. They had escaped from the village -of Saulzoir, had found their way through the lines, and were only -too pleased to be at liberty again. What to do with them was the -difficulty, and, in the midst of the excitement, the enemy opened up -on the railway with mustard gas shells. This caused much anxiety for a -time, but eventually they were got to the rear, apparently unharmed. -When the line had finally been taken over the Battalion withdrew into -divisional reserve, in the fields south-west of Avesnes-le-Sec, where -there were some old enemy shelters and dugouts. - -For two days the Battalion rested. Accommodation was very poor, but -at such a time no one was particularly fanciful. What all wanted -was rest--the chance of lying down without the probability of being -awakened in a few minutes to stand to. For five days and nights there -had been little rest for anyone, and all were thoroughly done up. There -were no parades and no working parties. Sometimes the enemy shelled the -locality, and a few casualties were suffered. - -On the night of October 16/17th the Battalion went back into the line, -taking over the front which it had previously held, with the addition -of some three or four hundred yards on the right. Three companies -were needed to hold this line, and even then it was very thinly held. -Battalion H.Q. lived in the cellars of some houses at the east end of -Villers-en-Cauchies. These were far more comfortable than the slits in -the railway cutting had been, but they had disadvantages too, as the -next night was to show. - -Compared with the strenuous activity of the past week, the two-day -tour which followed was quiet. Both the wood and the village were -frequently shelled, and there were several casualties. But worst of all -was the gas shelling. The night after the relief Villers-en-Cauchies -was deluged with mustard gas. All the 6th Battalion H.Q. officers and -details were gassed, and Major Clarkson, M.C., had to be summoned -from the Divisional Reception Camp to take command. Over forty of the -4th Battalion H.Q. details were also so seriously gassed that they -had to be sent down. The cellars occupied by the officers and the Aid -Post were saved only by the lighting of great fires of straw at the -entrance. Box respirators had to be worn for a great part of the night. - -Nightly, the enemy was expected to fall back to a fresh rearguard -position. Everyone was very much on the alert for signs of a -withdrawal, in order that the operation might be harassed by a rapid -British advance. The early morning of October 17th was very misty, the -enemy was exceptionally quiet, and the Commanding Officer, who was -up in the line at the time, began to fear that a withdrawal actually -had taken place. About four hundred yards in front of Vordon Wood, -and lying roughly parallel to it, was a sunken road, from which the -ground sloped gently to the river. This Lieut.-Col. Mowat determined -to reconnoitre in person, with the object of locating the enemy if -possible. Setting out from the right flank of the Battalion with -four others, he reached the road and proceeded along it. The mist -had lifted considerably by this time, and, as the patrol came round -a slight bend, it almost ran into an enemy post. Not more than fifty -yards away was a German sentry. With rifle slung over his shoulder, -and wearing greatcoat and soft cap, he was pacing up and down the road -like a sentry in front of the guard-room. Fortunately, when first -seen, he had his back turned, which gave the patrol a moment’s grace. -Withdrawing a few yards down the road, the men climbed the bank and -made off towards the wood. The Germans, who proved to be about twelve -strong with a light machine gun, opened fire, but their shooting was -very bad. Retiring by bounds and covered by the fire of individual men, -the patrol reached the wood without loss. Machine and Lewis guns were -immediately brought to bear on the German post, its garrison was driven -from its position and retired towards the river. The encounter had -established the fact that the enemy had not yet withdrawn. - -Next day the Battalion was visited by Major-General N. J. G. Cameron. -Usually sparing of words, he was, on this occasion, profuse in his -congratulations on the success which had been gained. Particularly -was he anxious that the men should realise how much they had done on -October 11th--that their fearful losses had not been in vain, but had -made possible a great British success. His views cannot be better -expressed than by quoting his own words when he forwarded to battalions -the congratulations of the Corps Commander, on October 13th:-- - - “It is with feelings of great pride and pleasure that I forward - to you the attached copy of a message received from the XXII. - Corps Commander. Evidence accumulates to show that your attack - on the 11th October was a very real success. It cost the enemy - heavily and dealt him a severe and much needed blow. It entirely - turned the enemy’s position at Iwuy, the possession of which was - necessary to the further advance of the right wing of the First - Army in the required direction. My heartiest congratulations to - you all. - - N. G. Cameron, Major-General, - Commanding 49th (W.R.) Division.” - -The Divisional Commander had only just left when the Battalion suffered -another serious loss. The experience of the previous night had shown -the danger of cellar accommodation, and it had been decided to return -to the open. The few available men at Battalion H.Q. set to work -digging slits in an enclosure not far from the building. Foremost among -them was R.S.M. W. Lee, M.C., whose gallantry, tireless energy and -exceptional strength had been conspicuous during the operations. While -at work he was seriously wounded by a chance shell which burst near. - -That night the Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion Royal -Warwickshire Regt. (4th Division), and withdrew to billets at Naves. -The relief was not carried out without loss. One party of D Company, -while on its way out of the line, was caught by enemy gas shelling. -Both Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Lumb and Sec.-Lieut. A. H. W. Mallalieu were -hit by fragments, the former so badly that he died in hospital about -ten days later, while the latter lost a leg. - -During the night the enemy carried out his long-expected withdrawal, so -that the next day the 4th Division was able to push forward almost to -the River Ecaillon. From one point of view this was very disappointing -to the Battalion. After the hard work of the last week, and the gradual -wearing down of the enemy’s power of resistance, the men would have -liked to reap the benefits themselves. Yet, by that time, all were so -fatigued that probably they could not have taken such full advantage of -the enemy’s retirement as a fresh division was able to do. - -While the Battalion had been in the neighbourhood of -Villers-en-Cauchies the transport lines had been established near -Rieux. Capt. H. N. Taylor who, though left out of the battle, had -not gone to the Divisional Reception Camp, organised a party of men, -consisting mainly of the Battalion Band, to search the battlefield of -October 11th. The ground was gone over systematically, the dead were -collected and were properly buried in a cemetery by the cross roads -near Rieux. The cemetery is called the “Wellington Cemetery,” and -there lie the remains of most of those who perished in this series of -actions. Their graves are well tended. French women of the neighbouring -village have taken upon themselves the duty of paying this tribute to -the men who sleep in their midst. - - - (_c_) Reorganisation. - -For three days the Battalion lived in fairly comfortable billets -at Naves. The village had not suffered very severely in the recent -fighting and, since the enemy had fallen back to the River Ecaillon, -was out of range of anything but long distance artillery fire. While -the Battalion was resting there it was never shelled. The urgent -business was reorganisation, for it was probable that the 49th -Division would soon be back in the fighting line. Casualties could -not be replaced, so each company was reorganised on a two-platoon -basis. The loss of the many specialists, who had been gassed in -Villers-en-Cauchies, was very serious. To a certain extent these could -be replaced by the men who were at the Divisional Reception Camp, but -even then the deficiency was great. However, what could be done was -done. - - [Illustration: WELLINGTON CEMETERY, Near ROEUX. - - In the background is the ridge which the Battalion captured on Oct. - 11th, 1918.] - -On the 21st of October the Battalion marched to Le Bassin Rond, a small -village at the junction of the Canal de l’Escaut with the Canal de la -Sensée. Its appearance was not at first inviting. No one had lived -there since the Germans had left it a few days before. The houses -were all filthy and full of debris. However, a few hours’ work made a -wonderful improvement. The material structure of most of the houses had -not been injured, and many wire beds and stoves had been left behind -by the previous occupants. Before long the Battalion was comfortably -settled, and a very pleasant week was spent there. The canals were full -of fish, and one of the most popular forms of amusement was “fishing.” -The Germans had been good enough to leave behind them a large dump of -hand grenades, and many of their “potato-mashers” came in very useful -for this purpose. All the sportsman had to do was to drop a bomb into -the canal and then select what he desired in the way of fish from those -which came to the surface, stunned by the explosion. A fleet of small -boats was collected, and, in the delightful autumn weather which lasted -the whole time, many hours were spent on the water. A ferry was rigged -up across the canal between Battalion H.Q. and the companies, and it -became customary, when company commanders were due to attend at Orderly -Room, for the adjutant and his understudy to defend the crossing. It -was seldom that one arrived without a splashing. The Germans had also -left behind them a plentiful supply of fuel, and “colliers” regularly -plied on the deep, between the local “Newcastle” and the consumers on -the other side of the water. - -At the same time, much solid work was done. Everyone knew that, at -any moment, the Battalion might be ordered to take its place in the -fighting line. Already the 51st and the 4th Divisions had forced the -passage of the River Ecaillon, and they were now facing the enemy near -the left bank of the La Rhonelle River. Further north the Canadians, on -both banks of the Canal de l’Escaut, had pushed forward nearly to the -western outskirts of Valenciennes, where they were held up temporarily -by the extensive floods. These floods made a direct attack on the -town from the west extremely difficult, and it was therefore decided -to outflank it on the south. To assist in this the 49th Division was -ordered forward. - - - (_d_) November 1st–2nd. - -On October 27th the 147th Infantry Brigade marched to Douchy, where -it was billeted for the night. The next day it moved on, marching -straight across the open country, to take over the line which had been -established by part of the 51st Division. Here it was disposed very -much in depth. The 6th Battalion held the front line to the south-east -of the village of Famers, about a thousand yards west of the La -Rhonelle River. The 7th Battalion was in support among the sunken roads -to the south of Maing. The 4th Battalion was in reserve, occupying -slits in the sunken road between Thiant and Monchaux-sur-Ecaillon, just -east of the river. There was only one house on this road between the -villages, but it had quite a good cellar. Of course this was allotted -to Battalion H.Q., and, with the help of two large trusses of straw, -it was soon made very comfortable. Round about were the wagon lines of -several batteries, all camping in the open. During the first evening -Major W. C. Fenton, M.C., who was commanding the Battalion in the -absence of Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat on leave, had an unusual number of -callers from the gunners. Each would drop in in the ordinary way, and, -after a few minutes’ general conversation of the usual type, would -casually ask when the Battalion was going. Before long it dawned on the -occupants that it was not so much their company that was sought after -as their cellar. There were so many applicants for the first refusal -that the Battalion decided, when the next move did come, to slip -quietly away and leave them to fight it out among themselves. As events -turned out, most of them moved before the Battalion. - -The next attack, which was in preparation, was delayed for some days. -Originally planned for October 28th, it was three times postponed for -a period of twenty-four hours, and eventually came off on November 1st. -The main plan of attack was as follows:-- - - 1. The 49th Division, with a Canadian division on its left and - the 4th Division on its right, was to attack in the direction - of Saultain, force the passage of the La Rhonelle River, and - outflank the defences of Valenciennes on the south. - - 2. On the 147th Infantry Brigade front, the 6th Battalion was - to attack from a position south of Famers straight towards - Saultain, with the 7th Battalion in support. The final objective - for the first day was the line of the Marly--Préseau Road, - south-west of Saultain. - -For a time the role of the 4th Battalion was uncertain. At first -it was feared the men would have to dump all arms and act as -stretcher-bearers. But in the end, it was decided to keep them in -Brigade Reserve, ready to exploit the situation should the attack -go well. Preparations for this operation, and reconnaissance of the -forward area, kept everyone fully occupied for the next few days. Only -an occasional shell fell near, and no casualties were suffered. - -Zero hour for the attack was 5-15 a.m. on November 1st. The evening -before, as soon as it was dark, the Battalion moved up into the area -south of Maing, where it occupied slits in the sunken roads. These had -just been vacated by the 7th Battalion, which had gone forward to the -neighbourhood of Caumont Farm, in support to the attack. Here the night -was spent, the Battalion having orders not to move without direct word -from 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. - -At zero hour the men of the 6th Battalion went forward under a -splendid barrage. They crossed the river, partly on fallen trees, -and partly over light bridges, which were carried forward with the -assaulting troops by parties from the 19th Battalion Lancashire -Fusiliers. They captured and held the Aulnoy--Préseau Road, which was -their intermediate objective, and some of them even reached their -final objective. But the 4th Division on their right had not been -so successful; after getting into the village of Préseau, it was -heavily counter-attacked by two regiments of a fresh enemy division -from reserve, and was driven out again. Thus, with its right flank -uncovered, and having suffered heavy casualties, the 6th Battalion -could not hold its final objective. Instead, it dug in on a line in -front of the intermediate objective. - -But the success gained was very great. Several hundreds of prisoners -had been taken by the 6th Battalion; indeed, the number of prisoners -captured was almost double the total number of assaulting troops, on -that part of the front. The first party to arrive at Battalion H.Q. was -about 200 strong, and its size caused some uneasiness to the corporal -and five men of the 4th Battalion, who were the only escort available. -Really they had no cause to worry, for the prisoners were only too glad -to be out of it, and all they wanted at the moment was to get well -away from the fighting. As soon as they were marched off they started -running at such a rate that the escort had hard work to keep up with -them. These prisoners were a very mixed lot. Some were fine-looking -men, but the majority were of poor physique, and the proportion of -quite young boys was considerable. Perhaps nothing showed more clearly -the straits to which German man-power had been reduced than the poor -specimens who were captured from the 6th (German) Division--one of the -active divisions which had invaded Belgium at the beginning of August, -1914, and which had been, throughout the war, one of the enemy’s most -famous assault divisions. - -The 4th Battalion did not take any real part in the fighting on -November 1st. Soon after 8-0 a.m. it moved up to positions of readiness -near Caumont Farm, which then became Battalion H.Q. About the middle -of the afternoon, when an enemy counter-attack was expected, two -companies were moved further forward. But none ever came into action. -A weak counter-attack did develop in the afternoon, but it was easily -repulsed by the front line troops, who actually advanced their line -some hundreds of yards as a result of it. The enemy indulged in some -scattered shelling, mainly about the river, but no casualties were -suffered by the Battalion. - - [Illustration: CAMBRAI--VALENCIENNES.] - -It was expected that the Brigade would be relieved that night by the -148th Infantry Brigade. In fact, not only had all preparations been -made for the relief, but practically the whole of the relieving -troops had come up, and some details of the Battalion were on their way -out. Then a sudden alteration was made, and a fresh attack was arranged -for the next morning. During the night the 7th Battalion relieved the -6th Battalion in the front line, and the 4th Battalion moved up into -support. A and C Companies occupied the intermediate objective; B and D -Companies were on the road just east of the river. The 148th Infantry -Brigade relieved the 146th Infantry Brigade on the left. The objective -was the final objective of the previous day. - -At 5-30 a.m. on November 2nd the 7th Battalion attacked and easily -gained its objective, which was not a distant one. Nevertheless, nearly -one hundred prisoners were captured during the operation. As soon as -news of the success arrived, D Company was pushed forward into some old -rifle pits behind the intermediate objective, to be ready to assist -should the enemy counter-attack. About 1-30 p.m. an urgent warning -arrived--the R.A.F. had reported that the Mons-Valenciennes Road was -packed with transport and guns moving west, and that masses of troops -could be seen in the neighbourhood of Saultain; a heavy counter-attack -was expected. But nothing happened. The Mons-Valenciennes Road was -crowded with columns; but the R.A.F. had mistaken their direction. They -were moving eastward, not westward. The enemy was in full retreat. - -That night the Brigade was relieved by units of the 56th Division. As -these intended to attack at daybreak, exact dispositions were not taken -over, but troops were considered to be relieved as soon as others had -arrived. For the second time within a fortnight the Brigade had just -missed reaping the full reward of its efforts. That night the enemy -retired well behind Saultain, and the “attack” of the 56th Division the -next morning was little more than a promenade. - -Perhaps, as the Battalion marched slowly through the night towards -Haulchin, where comfortable billets awaited it, no one realised that he -had seen his last fight--that so far as he was concerned the war was -finished. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - DEMOBILISATION. - - - (_a_) Auby and Douai. - -After a night at Haulchin and a second at Douchy, the Battalion -embussed for Auby. The road lay entirely through the country which had -recently been evacuated by the enemy. Everywhere were signs of his -occupation and departure. The route was necessarily a circuitous one, -for there were many canals in the district and every bridge had been -destroyed by the enemy during his withdrawal. Only a few temporary -military bridges were in existence, the bare minimum necessary to -supply the advancing British armies. Auby was almost deserted when the -Battalion arrived, and, as it was a large village and the Battalion was -small, there were ample billets. Like all villages recently vacated by -the Germans, it was in a filthy condition; but the actual billets were -fairly clean, having been occupied for a few days by troops of the 63rd -Division. The church was in ruins, as was also the chemical works which -was the mainstay of the place. But, otherwise, not much damage had been -done, for there had been no protracted fighting in the district. - -Reorganisation and training were begun at once. Though the Battalion -was very low in strength, it might soon be called on to fight again. -For fighting was still in progress, and, though the enemy retreat -was quickly becoming a rout, few realised before the armistice how -thoroughly beaten the Germans were. Only two platoons per company could -be organised, but large drafts were hoped for soon. On November 8th -the Battalion was inspected by the G.O.C., 147th Infantry Brigade, who -commended it on its good turn-out, and also on its recent fighting -record. - -On the morning of November 11th came news of the armistice, which had -been concluded with the enemy. Hostilities were to cease at 11-0 -a.m., and all troops were to remain in the positions occupied at that -hour. The news came rather as a surprise to most. Sweep-stakes on the -date of the cessation of hostilities had been got up in the last few -days by both the 4th and 7th Battalions; officers of the former netted -the proceeds of both. There was little time to make preparations for -celebrating the occasion. At 11-0 a.m. the Battalion Band turned out -and paraded the streets. A Battalion concert was hurriedly arranged -for the evening and went off very well, in spite of the total absence -of beer, which could not be procured in time. Brigadier-General H. H. -S. Morant, D.S.O., was present, and said a few words to the men; his -pious wish that the armistice had been postponed a little, in order -that he might have seen the Battalion again in action, was greeted with -many cries of dissent. Though, of course, everyone was glad that the -war was over, there were undoubtedly some who viewed the event with -rather mixed feelings. To those who had lived for more than four years -with the one great purpose of defeating the enemy, it seemed almost -that the object of their lives had been taken away. And there is also a -spirit of camaraderie and good-fellowship on the battlefield and in the -trenches which no peacetime conditions can wholly reproduce. - -The Battalion had come to Auby expecting to remain for, at most, a week -or two. As events turned out it spent four months and a half there--by -far the longest period it ever spent at one place abroad. The time -was marked by few events of importance. Towards the end of November -a draft, about 200 strong, arrived. This was rather a surprise, -particularly as many of the men were farmers who, it was expected, -would be in one of the earliest classes for demobilisation. Early in -December it was decided to bring the Battalion Colours out to France, -and a colour party[21] was sent to England to fetch them. The Colours -had been deposited in the Parish Church of Halifax since the summer of -1915. On December 8th they were handed over to the colour party by the -Rev. Canon A. E. Burn, D.D., after the morning service, and were safely -conveyed to France. - -During the earlier part of December, ceremonial drill was the main -occupation. On December 16th the 49th Division was inspected by the -G.O.C., XXII. Corps, under whom it had served so long, though, at the -time of the review, it was in the VIII. Corps. This was the first and -only time that the whole division paraded together in France. - -Christmas was celebrated with due honours. As was the general custom, -the officers’ dinner was held on Christmas Eve and the sergeants’ -dinner on Boxing Day, in order that Christmas Day itself might be -wholly devoted to the men. A Rugby match between the officers and -sergeants of the Battalion was played during the afternoon. The “form” -of the officers was not very convincing; possibly this was the result -of the festivities of the previous night. Altogether, the festive -season passed very happily. - -A few days after Christmas the 147th Infantry Brigade gave a “treat” -to the children of Auby, and never until then was it realised how many -youngsters there were in the village. Indeed, it was suspected that -many had come in specially from the neighbourhood. A cinematograph -show in the afternoon was followed by a tea, after which a real Father -Christmas--the Medical Officer’s store of cotton wool had been heavily -drawn upon, and few would have recognised Sergt. E. Jones in the -benevolent-looking old man--helped to hand out a present to each child. -But the most striking event of the entertainment was the wonderful -enthusiasm of the children as they joined in the singing when the band -struck up the “Marseillaise.” - -Meanwhile, the Battalion had not been idle. Some work was carried out, -trying to restore the damage done by the enemy in the district. Much -of the country had been flooded and attempts were made to reduce the -water, though without much success. Trenches were filled in, barbed -wire entanglements were removed, and roads were improved. An area was -allotted to the Battalion for salvage work, and a certain amount of -useful material was collected. In connection with this work, a most -unfortunate accident occurred early in December. During their removal -to the salvage dump some trench mortar shells exploded, killing two men -of A Company and wounding several more. About once a week one whole -company moved into Douai, which was about four miles away, to provide -guards at the station there for forty-eight hours. - -Some training was carried out every morning, and the afternoons -were entirely devoted to games. The Battalion had a fairly good -football field at its disposal, and this was in use every fine day. -Much of both the training and recreation was in connection with the -Divisional Competition, for the shield presented by Major-General N. -J. G. Cameron. In these competitions the Battalion finished second, -and was very unlucky not to do even better. Its greatest triumph was -the winning of the competition for the best platoon in the Division. -The Battalion was represented by No. 5 Platoon of B Company, under -Sec.-Lieut. W. G. Bradley, with Sergt. F. B. Birtwhistle as platoon -sergeant. After winning the Brigade eliminating competition with ease, -this platoon came up against the platoons of the 1/5th Battalion West -Yorkshire Regt. and 1/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regt., winners -in their respective brigades. The competition was most comprehensive -and occupied three whole days. The platoons were inspected in drill -order and fighting order; they had competitions in marching, firing -with rifle, Lewis gun and revolver, close and extended order drill, -ceremonial, and guard mounting. The competition ended with a small -tactical scheme. Right from the start good shooting put No. 5 Platoon -ahead, and it never lost this position, winning comfortably. - -A Company won the Brigade inter-company Association football -competition, but came down rather badly when it played a company -of the D.A.C. in the divisional competition. Both Battalion teams -reached the finals in the tug-of-war, but neither won. In the Brigade -boxing championships the Battalion had two firsts and a second, -but its representatives did little afterwards. About the middle of -January several successes[22] were gained in the 147th Infantry -Brigade Gymkhana. An officers’ Rugby XV. was started and had great -success, though most of the players had had no experience of the game -before. The Battalion Rugby XV. was the best in the Brigade, but, -unfortunately, the divisional Rugby competition was never played. -Altogether, the Battalion was well to the fore both in military -training and in sports. - -With the armistice, the army education scheme was taken up strongly. -The lack of trained teachers and the deficiency in books and stationery -were serious obstacles, but they did not prevent a great deal of -useful work being done. At least one hour a day was set apart for -education, and classes were attended by everyone. General subjects -were taught by platoon commanders, with the help of any competent -N.C.O’s or privates they could discover. Special classes were started -in French and Spanish, mathematics and commercial subjects. Many -lectures were given, mainly by outside lecturers; in particular, -three lectures on the recent history of Egypt, which were given by -the Brigadier and were largely based on his personal experiences, -were much enjoyed. A Battalion debating society was started and had -several successful evenings, the chief being a mock court-martial -of “William Hohenzollern,” carried out by the officers. Major W. C. -Fenton’s rendering of the title part, and Sec.-Lieut. R. M. Leddra’s -impersonation of “Little Willie,” fairly brought down the house. - -Reading and recreation rooms were opened in the village. The Battalion -canteen continued its activities, but found the competition of the -numerous estaminets which were being opened very strong. Whist drives -were introduced and proved very popular; the Battalion was particularly -fortunate in the receipt of large numbers of splendid prizes from the -_Halifax Courier_ Fund. For a short time an officers’ club was in -being, but it was not a great success. - -The Battalion had not been long at Auby before the civilian inhabitants -began to return. This had its advantages, but it had disadvantages too. -On the whole the men got on very well with the natives, and the opening -of shops and estaminets was very much appreciated. But, as more and -more people returned, the billeting question for a time became rather -serious. - -Early in January demobilisation on a large scale began. Though much -desired by most, this had also its melancholy aspect. It was sad to -see the men, who had been so much to the Battalion, gradually melting -away. Especially was this realised when a farewell whist drive was -held on January 20th, in honour of Major W. C. Fenton, M.C., Sergt. -F. Smith, and many men, who were to leave the next morning. Day after -day, as one saw the lorry-loads of friends leaving for the Corps -Concentration Camp, one realised how quickly a chapter of one’s life -was drawing to its close. By the end of February over 270 had left, -besides a large number who had been demobilised on leave. Towards the -end of February a draft of 8 officers and 169 other ranks left to -join the 13th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. at Dunkerque. By -the middle of March the Battalion was but a skeleton, its effective -strength being below 100. - -On March 20th, what remained of the Battalion was moved to Douai, where -the cadres of the 49th Division were being concentrated. Here the -Battalion was soon reduced to cadre strength--4 officers and 46 other -ranks. Before the cadre started for England it had been reduced still -lower. Time hung very heavily on the hands of the few people who were -still left. There were not enough to do any training, the necessary -duties did not occupy much time, and there was practically nothing to -do in Douai. Apart from one or two cinemas, and the estaminets, there -were few forms of amusement. Even the strongest adherents of military -life began to long for demobilisation. Almost daily there were rumours -that the Battalion was to leave at some early date. But the weeks -dragged on until May was past before the first move was made. - - - (_b_) The Return of the Cadre.[23] - -On June 7th, after many false rumours and one lot of cancelled orders, -the cadre at last left Douai. For the past month the weather had been -very hot and dry, and it was a broiling morning when the Battalion -vehicles and stores were entrained. The officers, with the loose -baggage, occupied one of the well-known cattle trucks, which was made -quite comfortable with a table, some forms and chairs; the men occupied -third-class compartments. Early in the afternoon the train started. On -the way to Arras a glimpse was obtained of the old camping ground at -Feuchy. Then, circling round the ruins of Lens and passing Bethune and -Hazebrouck, the cadre arrived at a siding near Dunkerque, just before -dusk. The night was spent at what was known as the “dirty” camp--the -blankets provided certainly deserved the name. The next morning the -Battalion moved to No. 3 Camp where it remained for nine days. - -No. 3 Camp was the centre through which passed all men and cadres on -their way for demobilisation by the Dunkerque route. It was managed -entirely by the 13th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., so the -cadre found itself in the midst of friends. Officers’ and Sergeants’ -Messes were thrown open; everything that was wanted was immediately -forthcoming, if available. Two very pleasant officers’ reunion dinners -were held in Dunkerque, and the Officers’ Mess of the 13th Batt. Duke -of Wellington’s Regt. held a special guest night for the officers of -the 147th Infantry Brigade. Altogether, the tedium of the stay on the -coast was very much relieved. Strange to say, No. 3 Camp was pitched on -the exact site which the Battalion had occupied in July, 1917. But how -changed was the country! Then the Battalion had seen nothing but a flat -grass patch and a waste of sand hills, on which to pitch its tents. -Now the whole area was covered by immense camps, mostly of huts, which -would accommodate many thousands of men. The time near Dunkerque passed -uneventfully. The cadre remained there rather longer than was usual, -partly as a result of a violent wind storm which delayed sailings for -two or three days. - -On June 16th the cadre sailed. The morning was spent in loading the -vehicles on to the cargo vessel--S.S. “Clutha”--which was to carry them -to Southampton. Among the loading party were several transport men -who had assisted in a similar operation at Southampton, more than four -years before, when the Battalion sailed for France. In the afternoon -the cadre embarked on S.S. “St. George,” and, about 3-0 p.m., the -vessel moved away from the quay. Among her passengers was Capt. W. B. -B. Yates, who had that morning arrived at Dunkerque on leave from the -Murman Coast. Slowly the ship passed out of Dunkerque harbour and moved -along the French coast, until opposite Calais. The day was perfect. A -bright sun blazed down upon the deck, and there was scarcely a ripple -on the water. Every now and then a fountain of water would rise at -some miles’ distance, followed by the sound of a deep ‘boom,’ as some -mine was destroyed. Opposite Calais the ship turned north towards the -English coast, and, in the early evening, the coast of France dipped -from view, and all said good-bye to the land which held for them so -many memories. A run along the English coast brought the “St. George,” -in the early morning, into Southampton Water, where it anchored off -Netley until about 8-0 a.m. - -Soon after breakfast the cadre landed at Southampton Docks and the work -of unloading began. As the vehicles were slung by the great cranes -out of the ship, they were run by the men into a large covered shed -to await entrainment. A change had been made in the programme. When -it left France, the cadre had expected to go to a camp at Fovant and -remain there until stores had been checked over. But on arrival in -England, it was found that only the stores were to go to Fovant, while -the cadre was to proceed direct to Halifax. As soon as the vehicles -were loaded the cadre might leave. Everyone worked with a will, and, by -tea time, everything was on the train. Then all marched to Southampton -West Station to entrain for London. While the cadre was waiting there, -the train carrying the battalion’s vehicles passed through the station -on its way to Fovant, and a shout of unholy glee was the farewell of -the transport men to their beloved (?) limbers. An uneventful journey -brought the party to London where all spent the night at the Buckingham -Palace Hotel. - -Shortly after 3-0 p.m. on June 18th, the cadre reached Halifax. -On the platform Brigadier-General R. E. Sugden, C.M.G., D.S.O., -Lieut.-Colonel H. S. Atkinson, T.D., Lieut.-Colonel J. Walker, D.S.O., -and many other old officers of the Battalion were waiting to meet -the party and give it a rousing welcome. Outside the station was -Sergt.-Drummer H. Deane, with a band which he had collected. A colour -escort had been sent down from the depot of the 3rd Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. But, best of all, hundreds of demobilised men of -the Battalion--the men who had made its history--had paraded there -to welcome their old comrades. “Demobilised men of the 1/4th Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. rally round their old Battalion” was the inscription -on the banner which they carried. - -The cadre was photographed at the Station, and then it fell in and -moved off. Notice of its coming had been very short, but the streets -were gay with flags and packed with cheering crowds. Preceded by -the band, and followed by the Colours with their escort and the -demobilised “Dukes,” who once again “moved to the right in fours,” -the cadre marched up Horton Street and round to the Town Hall, where -it was welcomed home by the Mayor. The Commanding Officer thanked the -Mayor for all the town and district had done for the Battalion while -overseas, and for the day’s welcome home. Then, turning to the men, he -said farewell to them in words which all will remember:-- - - “The Battalion will now pass to another command, and I take this - opportunity of thanking the men for their loyalty to me, to the - regiment, and to the town and district they have represented. - Those of us who have been spared to come through this great - conflict hold a very sacred trust. We must ever remember the - comrades we have left lying on the battle-fields of France and - Flanders. Let us try to prove worthy of their sacrifice. They - have died that we might live; and on our return to civilian - life we must continue to serve our country, our town, and our - homes in the same spirit of loyalty, cheerfulness and trust that - pulled us through four years of war. If you do that you can look - to the future with happiness, certain that your great efforts of - the last few years have not been made in vain.” - - [Illustration: Illustration: THE CADRE AT HALIFAX, JUNE 18th, 1919.] - -The cadre was then entertained by the Mayor at the Drill Hall, and -afterwards the men dispersed to their homes for the night. - -The next day the men paraded for the last time and went to Ripon for -dispersal. And when the time came to say the last good-bye there were -many who regretted that, henceforward, their paths would lie apart. -With the warmest of handshakes, and the deepest feelings of friendship -and respect, we parted one from another, and the history of the 1/4th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment in the Great War -came to an end. - - - - - APPENDIX I. - - ITINERARY OF THE BATTALION. - - - Date of - Move. Move to. - - 4.8.14. Halifax Mobilisation of the Battalion. - - 5.8.14. Hull By train - - 11.8.14. Immingham By boat. - - 13.8.14. Great Coates By march route. - - 15.9.14. Riby Park By march route. - - 17.10.14. Marsden By train. - - 5.11.14. Doncaster By train. - - 14.4.15. St. Martin’s Camp, By train to Folkestone; by - Boulogne S.S. “Invicta” to Boulogne. - - 15.4.15. Estaires By march route to Hesdigneul; - by train to Merville; - by march route to Estaires. - - 22.4.15. Doulieu By march route. - - 24.4.15. La Croix Lescornez By march route. - - 26.4.15. No. 3 Section, Fleurbaix Relieved 3rd Bn. Worcestershire - Sector Regt. - - 29.4.15. La Croix Lescornez } - 2.6.15. No. 3 Section } Inter-relieving with 1/6th Bn. - 5.5.15. La Croix Lescornez } D. of W. Regt. - - 8.5.15. Croix Blanche By march route. - - 9.5.15. No. 3 Section } - 13.5.15. La Croix Lescornez } - 17.5.15. No. 3 Section } - 21.5.15. La Croix Lescornez } - 25.5.15. No. 3 Section } Inter-relieving with 1/6th Bn. - 29.5.15. La Croix Lescornez } D. of W. Regt. - 2.6.15. No. 3 Section } - 6.6.15. La Croix Lescornez } - 12.6.15. No. 3 Section } - 18.6.15. La Croix Lescornez } - - 25.6.15. Sailly-sur-la-Lys } - 26.6.15. Doulieu } - 27.6.15. Farms near Bailleul } - 29.6.15. Flêtre } - 30.6.15. Wood near St. Jans ter } By march route. - Biezen } - 7.7.15. Canada Wood, near } - Elverdinghe } - - 8.7.15. Lancashire Farm Sector Relieved 2nd Bn. Royal Dublin - Fusiliers. - - 13.7.15. Canal Bank (Bde. Res.) } - 18.7.15. Lancashire Farm Sector } - 24.7.15. Wood near Oosthoek } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - (Divl. Res.) } D. of W. Regt. - 30.7.15. Lancashire Farm Sector } - 5.8.15. Canal Bank (Bde. Res.) } - - 11.8.15. Glimpse Cottage Sector } Inter-relieving with 1/7th Bn. - 16.8.15. Saragossa Farm (Bde. } D. of W. Regt. - Res.) - - 18.8.15. Ypres Left Sector } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 21.8.15. Malakoff Farm (Bde. Res.)} D. of W. Regt. - 24.8.15. Ypres Left Sector } - - 26.8.15. Coppernollehoek (Divl. Relieved by 1/4th Bn. Y. and - Res.) L. Regt. - - 8.9.15. Turco Farm Sector Relieved 1/6th Bn. W. Yorks. - Regt. - - 15.9.15. Canal Bank (Bde. Res.) } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 21.9.15. Turco Farm Sector } D. of W. Regt. - 27.9.15. Elverdinghe (Bde. Res.) } - - 2.10.15. Camp near - Woesten-Poperinghe - Road. - - 14.10.15. Glimpse Cottage Sector Relieved 1/5th Bn. W. Yorks. - Regt. - - 21.10.15. Canal Bank (Bde. Res.) Relieved by 1/4th Bn. - K.O.Y.L.I. - - 30.10.15. Ypres Left Sector Relieved 1/7th Bn. D. of W. - Regt. - - 3.11.15. Coppernollehoek (Divl. By motor bus. Relieved by - Res.) 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt. - - 11.11.15. Ypres Left Sector } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 15.11.15. Malakoff Farm (Bde. Res.)} D. of W. Regt. - 19.11.15. Ypres Left Sector } - - 23.11.15. Malakoff Farm (Bde. Res.) Relieved by 1/6th Bn. D. of W. - Regt. - - 27.11.15. Coppernollehoek (Divl. - Res.) - - 5.12.15. Malakoff Farm (Bde. Res.) - - 9.12.15. Ypres Left Sector Relieved 1/5th Bn. D of W. Regt. - - 13.12.15. Malakoff Farm (Bde. Res.)} Inter-relieving with 1/6th Bn. - 17.12.15. Ypres Left Sector } D. of W. Regt. - 20.12.15. Elverdinghe } - - 27.12.15. Coppernollehoek } - 30.12.15. Poperinghe } - 31.12.15. Camp near St. Jans ter } By march route. - Biezen } - 1.1.16. Houtkerque } - 15.1.16. Wormhoudt } - - 2/3.2.16. Camps En Amienois By march route to Esquelbecq; - by train to Longueau; by - march route to Ailly; by - motor bus to Camps En - Amienois. - - 11.2.16. Picquigny } - 12.2.16. Molliens-au-Bois } By march route. - 13.2.16. Warloy Baillon } - - 28.2.16. Right Section, Authuille Relieved 1/4th Bn. K.O.Y.L.I. - Trenches - - 4.3.16. Bouzincourt } - 5.3.16. Authuille Defences } - 6.3.16. Mailly-Maillet } By march route. - 29.3.16. Harponville } - 30.3.16. Naours } - - 23.4.16. Hedauville By motor bus. - - 12.5.16. Aveluy Wood } - 1.6.16. Martinsart Wood } - 15.6.16. Aveluy Wood } - 20.6.16. Vadencourt Wood } By march route. - 27.6.16. Senlis } - 28.6.16. Vadencourt Wood } - - 30.6.16. B Assembly Trenches, By march route, via Senlis. - Aveluy Wood - - 1.7.16. Crucifix Corner, Aveluy By march route. - - 2.7.16. Johnstone’s Post Relieved 1/5th Bn. W. Yorks. - Regt. - - 5.7.16. Right Sub-sector, Relieved 1/5th Bn. D. of W. - Thiepval Wood Regt. - - 7.7.16. B Assembly Trenches, Relieved by 1/6th Bn. D. of W. - Aveluy Wood Regt. and 1/5th Bn. - K.O.Y.L.I. - - 8.7.16. Thiepval Wood, Relieved 1/6th Bn. D. of W. - Right Sub-sector Regt. and 1/5th Bn. - K.O.Y.L.I. - - 11.7.16. „ Bde. Res. Relieved by 1/5th and 1/7th - Bns. D. of W. Regt. - - 14.7.16. „ Left Sub-sector } - 17.7.16. „ Bde. Res. } - 21.7.16. „ Left Sub-sector } - 25.7.16. „ Bde. Res. } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 31.7.16. „ Left Sub-sector } D. of W. Regt. - 6.8.16. „ Bde. Res. } - 12.8.16. „ Left Sub-sector } - - 19.8.16. Raincheval Relieved by 9th Bn. Loyal - North Lancs. Regt. - - 27.8.16. Forceville By march route. - - 2.9.16. Martinsart Wood By march route. - - 2/3.9.16. Thiepval Wood, Assembly For attack on German line. - Parallels - - 3.9.16. Martinsart Wood By march route. - - 7.9.16. Hedauville } - 15.9.16. Martinsart Wood } By march route. - 16.9.16. Crucifix Corner, Aveluy } - 18.9.16. Leipsig Redoubt (Support). - - 21.9.16. Leipsig Redoubt (Front Relieved 1/5th Bn. D. of W. - Line) Regt. - - 24.9.16. Lealvillers By march route. Relieved by - 12th Bn. Middlesex Regt. - - 25.9.16. Halloy } - 27.9.16. Humbercamps } By march route. - 28.9.16. Bienvillers-au-Bois } - - 29.9.16. Hannescamps, Left Relieved 2nd Bn. Royal Welsh - Sub-sector Fusiliers. - - 3.10.16. Souastre } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 9.10.16. Hannescamps, Left } K.O.Y.L.I. - Sub-sector - - 16.10.16. Bienvillers-au-Bois Relieved by 1/6th Bn. D. of W. - Regt. - - 18.10.16. Humbercamps } - 19.10.16. St. Amand } By march route. - 21.10.16. Souastre (Bde. Res.) } - 24.10.16. Y Sector, Fonquevillers Relieved 1/6th Bn. W. Yorks. - Regt. - - 30.10.16. Souastre } - 5.11.16. Y Sector } - 11.11.16. Souastre } - 17.11.16. Y Sector } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 23.11.16. Souastre } D. of W. Regt. - 29.11.16. Y Sector } - - 5.12.16. Warlincourt By march route. Relieved by - 1/5th Bn. Sherwood Foresters. - - 6.12.16. Halloy By march route. - - 7.1.17. Berles-au-Bois and By march route. Relieved 2nd - Humbercamps Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. - - 10.1.17. B1 Sub-sector, } - Berles-au-Bois } - 14.1.17. Humbercamps } - 18.1.17. B1 Sub-sector } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 22.1.17. Berles-au-Bois and } D. of W. Regt. - Humbercamps } - 26.1.17. B1 Sub-sector } - 30.1.17. Humbercamps } - - 1.2.17. Rivière (Bde. Res.) By march route. Relieved 8th - Bn. K.R.R.C. - - 2.2.17. F1 Sub-sector, Rivière Relieved 7th Bn. K.R.R.C. - 7.2.17. Rivière } - 11.2.17 F1 Sub-sector } - 16.2.17 Rivière } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 20.2.17. F1 Sub-sector } D. of W. Regt. - 22.2.17. Bailleulval } - 26.2.17. F1 Sub-sector } - - 28.2.17. Bailleulval Relieved by 2/9th Bn. London - Regt. - - 1.3.17. Souastre } - 2.3.17. Halloy } By march route. - 6.3.17. Neuvillette } - - 7/8.3.17. La Fosse By march route to Doullens; - by train to Merville; by - march route to La Fosse. - - 9.3.17. Senechal Farm (Bde. Res.) By march route. Relieved - 12th Bn. London Regt. - - 13.3.17. Ferme du Bois Sector } - 17.3.17. Senechal Farm } - 23.3.17. Ferme du Bois Sector } - 29.3.17. Senechal Farm } - 4.4.17. Ferme du Bois Sector } - 10.4.17. Senechal Farm } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 16.4.17. Ferme du Bois Sector } D. of W. Regt. - 22.4.17. Senechal Farm } - 28.4.17. Ferme du Bois Sector } - 4.5.17. Senechal Farm } - 10.5.17. Ferme du Bois Sector } - 16.5.17. Senechal Farm } - - 25.5.17. Estaires By march route. - 26.5.17. Sailly-sur-la-Lys By march route. - 27.5.17. Cordonnerie Sector Relieved 2/5th Bn. Loyal North - Lancs. Regt. - - 3.6.17. Rouge de Bout (Bde. Res.)} Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 11.6.17. Cordonnerie Sector } D. of W. Regt. - - 15.6.17. Estaires Relieved by 2/4th Bn. Loyal - North Lancs. Regt. - - 18.6.17. Sailly Labourse By motor bus. - - 19.6.17. Philosophe (Bde. Res.) Relieved 1st Bn. Leicestershire - Regt. - - 25.6.17. St. Elie Sector Relieved 1/6th Bn. D. of W. - Regt. - - 1.7.17. Tower Keep, Vermelles Relieved by 9th Bn. Suffolk - Regt. - - 3.7.17. L’Epinette By march route to Philosophe; - by motor bus to L’Epinette. - - 13.7.17. Mardyck Camp, St. Pol By march route to Merville; - by train to Dunkerque; by - march route to St. Pol. - - 18.7.17. Bray Dunes } - 20.7.17. Ghyvelde } By march route. - 31.7.17. La Panne Bains } - - 3.8.17. Lombartzyde Right By motor bus to beyond Oost - Sub-sector Dunkerque; by march route - to trenches. Relieved 1/5th - Bn. K.O.Y.L.I. - - 9.8.17. Presque L’Isle Defences } Inter-relieving with 1/6th Bn. - 13.8.17. Lombartzyde Right } D. of W. Regt. - Sub-sector - - 16.8.17. Oost Dunkerque By march route. Relieved by - 20th Bn. Royal Fusiliers. - - 17.8.17. Oost Dunkerque Bains By march route. Relieved 2nd - Bn. Argyle and Sutherland - Highlanders on coast defence. - - 27.8.17. Surrey Camp } - 29.8.17. La Panne } - 13.9.17. Bray Dunes } - 23.9.17. Coudekerque } - 24.9.17. Wormhoudt } - 25.9.17. Buysscheure } By march route. - 28.9.17. Audenthun Area } - 30.9.17. Longue Croix (Staple } - Area) } - 3.10.17. Clyde Camp, near Watou } - 4.10.17. Red Rose Camp, } - Vlamertinghe } - - 4.10.17. Pommern Castle (Bde. Relieved 1st Bn. Canterbury - Res.) Regt. - - 5.10.17. Front Line near Abraham Relieved 3rd Bn. Canterbury - Heights and 3rd Bn. Auckland Regts. - - 6.10.17. Pommern Castle Relieved by 2/5th Bn. Manchester - Regt. - - 9.10.17. Peter Pan Attacked in support of 146th - Infantry Brigade. - - 10.10.17. X Camp, St. Jean Relieved by New Zealand Div. - - 16.10.17. No. 3 Area, Vlamertinghe } - 24.10.17. A Camp, Winnezeele } By march route. - 27.10.17. Farms near Steenvoorde } - - 9.11.17. Canal Area, near Ypres By motor bus. - - 12.11.17. Swan Area, near Ypres By march route. - - 19.11.17. Anzac Ridge (Bde. Res.) Relieved 1/7th Bn. W. Yorks - Regt. - - 23.11.17. Molenaarelsthoek Sector Relieved 1/6th Bn. D. of W. - Regt. - - 27.11.17. Gordon House Area Relieved by 1/5th Bn. - K.O.Y.L.I. - - 28.11.17. Vancouver Camp By march route. - - 6.12.17. Dragoon Camp By march route. - - 7.12.17. Keerselaarhoek Sector Relieved 4th Bn. Suffolk Regt. - - 10.12.17. Dragoon Camp } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 15.12.17. Keerselaarhoek Sector } D. of W. Regt. - - 17.12.17. Argyle Camp Relieved by 1/7th Bn. W. - Yorks. Regt. - - 18.12.17. Halifax Camp By march route. - - 23.12.17. Molenaarelsthoek Sector By train to Hellfire Corner; by - march route to trenches. - Relieved 1/5th Bn. - K.O.Y.L.I. - - 29.12.17. Garter Point (Bde. Res.) Relieved by 1/5th Bn. D. of W. - Regt. - - 4.1.18. Infantry Barracks, Ypres Relieved by 1/8th Bn. W. - Yorks. Regt. - - 12.1.18. Devonshire Camp By march route. - - 26.1.18. St. Silvestre Cappel By train from Brandhoek to - Caestre; by march route to - billets. - - 5.2.18. Moulle By march route to Ebblinghem; - by train to Watten; - by march route to billets. - - 10.2.18. Buysscheure By march route. - - 11.2.18. St. Silvestre Cappel By march route. - - 21.2.18. Infantry Barracks, Ypres By march route to Caestre; - by train to Ypres. - - 22.2.18. Reutel Sector Relieved 1st Bn. Otago Regt. - - 2.3.18. Maida Camp } - 10.3.18. Reutel Sector } Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. - 18.3.18. Westhoek and Railway Wood} Y. and L. Regt. - Dugouts } - 27.3.18. Reutel Sector } - - 3.4.18. Maida Camp Relieved by 1st Bn. Leicestershire - Regt. - - 9.4.18. Camp near Reninghelst By march route. - - 10.4.18. Erquinghem By motor bus to La Crèche; - by march route, via Le - Veau, to Erquinghem. - - 10.4.18. Nieppe } - 11.4.18. S.E. of Bailleul } - 12.4.18. Bailleul } By march route. (Battle of - 15.4.18. S. of St. Jans Cappel } the Lys). - 18.4.18. St. Jans Cappel } - 20.4.18. Mont Noir } - - 21.4.18. Mont des Cats By march route. - - 21.4.18. Poperinghe By march route. - - 25.4.18. Ouderdom } - 25.4.18. Millekruisse (Bde. Res.) } By march route. (Battle of - 1.5.18. Millekruisse (Front Line)} Kemmel.) - 3.5.18. Camp S. of Poperinghe } - - 4.5.18. Road Camp, St. Jans ter By march route. - Biezen - - 14.5.18. Camp near St. By motor bus. - Martin-au-Laert - - 19.5.18. Road Camp, St. Jans ter By motor bus. - Biezen - - 22.5.18. Penton Camp, Proven By march route. - - 26.5.18. Road Camp, St. Jans ter By march route. - Biezen - - 3.6.18. Zillebeke Sector By light railway to Vlamertinghe; - by march route to - trenches. Relieved 15th Bn. - K.R.R.C. - - 11.6.18. Bde. Res. near Goldfish Relieved by 1/7th Bn. D. of W. - Chateau Regt. - - 20.6.18. Siege Camp (Divl. Res.) Relieved by 1/5th Bn. Y. and - L. Regt. - - 29.6.18. Sector N. of Menin Road Relieved 1/7th Bn. W. Yorks. - Regt. - - 15.7.18. Siege Camp Relieved by 1/5th Bn. Y. and - L. Regt. - - 23.7.18. Bde. Res. near Goldfish Relieved 1/6th Bn. W. Yorks. - Chateau Regt. - - 1.8.18. Zillebeke Sector Relieved 2nd Bn. 118th American - Inf. Regt. - - 7.8.18. Brielen Line Relieved by 3rd Bn. 117th - American Inf. Regt. - - 8.8.18. Siege Camp Relieved by 1/4th Bn. - K.O.Y.L.I. - - 16.8.18. Menin Road Sector Relieved 1/5th Bn. Y. and L. - Regt. - - 20.8.18. Wood near Oosthoek Relieved by 5th Bn. Argyle - and Sutherland Highlanders. - - 23.8.18. Nielles-lez-Ardres By light railway to Proven; - by train to Audruicq; by - march route to billets. - - 28.8.18. Siracourt and Beauvois By march route to Nortkerque; - by train to Wavrans; - by march route to - billets. - - 1.9.18. Camblain L’Abbé By motor bus. - - 13.9.18. Wakefield Camp, near By march route. - Roclincourt - - 23.9.18. Feuchy By march route. - - 6.10.18. Bivouacs near Buissy By motor bus. - - 9.10.18. Sunken road S. of } - Haynecourt } - 10.10.18. Railway embankment near } By march route. - Escaudœuvres } - 11.10.18. Assembly positions on } - Iwuy--Rieux Road } - - 11.10.18. Ridge S.E. of Iwuy Captured in battle. - - 12.10.18. Vordon Wood, W. of La Following up retreating - Selle River enemy. - - 14.10.18. Area S.W. of Relieved by 1/7th Bn. W. - Avesnes-le-Sec Yorks. Regt. - - 16.10.18. Vordon Wood Relieved 1/7th Bn. W. Yorks. - Regt. - - 18.10.18. Naves Relieved by 1st Bn. Warwickshire - Regt. - 21.10.18. Le Bassin Rond } - 27.10.18. Douchy } - 28.10.18. Thiant--Moncheaux Road } - 31.10.18. Sunken Road S. of Maing } By march route. - 1.11.18. Bde. Support near La } - Rhonelle River } - - 2.11.18. Haulchin Relieved by units of 169th - Inf. Bde. - - 3.11.18. Douchy By march route. - - 4.11.18. Auby By motor bus. - - 20.3.19. Douai By march route. - - 7.6.19. A Camp, near Dunkerque By train. - - 8.6.19. No. 3 Camp, near Dunkerque By march route. - - 16/17.6.19. Southampton By S.S. “St. George”; transport - on S.S. “Clutha.” - - 17.6.19. London } - 18.6.19. Halifax } By train. - 19.6.19. Ripon Dispersal Camp } - - - - - APPENDIX II. - - NOMINAL ROLL OF OFFICERS WHO SERVED WITH THE BATTALION ABROAD. - - -In compiling the list of officers, the following rules have been -adhered to:-- - - 1. In the case of officers who went out with the original - Battalion, the rank stated was that held on April 14th, 1915. - - 2. In the case of officers who joined the Battalion after April - 14th, 1915, the rank stated was that held at the date the - officer reported for duty. - - 3. Decorations, a list of which will be found in Appendix V., - have been omitted, except the following:-- - - (_a_) Territorial Decoration. - (_b_) Decorations won by officers before they joined the Battalion. - - 4. This record is a Battalion record. Hence, only service with - the Battalion is shown. - - 5. The names of the officers of the original Battalion are - marked *. - -AKROYD, F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.11.17. Wounded near Bailleul, -12.4.18. - -* ANDERTON, W. L., Sec.-Lieut. Bn. Bombing Officer (May–August, 1915). -Killed in action near Ypres, 21.8.15. - -ANDERTON, R., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 14.8.16. Transferred to 2nd Bn. D. of -W. Regt., 23.10.16. - -* ANDREWS, M. P., Capt. O.C. A Coy. (May–August, 1915). Killed in -action near Ypres, 14.8.15. - -APPLEWHAITE, C. T., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Norfolk Regt.). Joined, -20.8.17. To hospital sick, 16.6.18. - -* ATKINSON, H. S., Lieut.-Col. (T.D.). O.C. Bn. (August, 1914–May, -1915). To hospital sick, 24.5.15. - -ATKINSON, R. B., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Wounded near Reutel, -16.3.18. - -* AYKROYD, H. H., Sec.-Lieut. Bn. I.O. (January–September, 1916). 147th -Inf. Bde. I.O. (September, 1916–July, 1917). To hospital sick, 12.7.17. -Rejoined, 24.6.18. Adjt. (June, 1918–January, 1919). Second in Command -(January–February, 1919). Left Bn. for demobilisation, 6.2.19. - - Lieut., 30.5.16. Capt., 1.6.16. A/Major, 22.1.19. - -BALDWIN, S., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Transferred to 8th -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.10.16. - -BALES, P. G., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Bn. I.O. (March–September, -1917 and May–November, 1918). A/Adjt. (September, 1917–May, 1918). -Adjt. (January–June, 1919). Demobilised with Cadre of Bn., 19.6.19. - - Lieut., 1.6.16. A/Capt., 22.1.19. - -BALME, S., Lieut. Bn. Signalling Officer (1915). O.C. D Coy. -(February–November, 1918). Left Bn. for demobilisation, 29.1.19. - - Capt., 10.4.17. - -BAMFORTH, H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Demobilised on -leave, 3.12.18. - -*BELL, B. A., Lieut. Wounded near Fleurbaix, 26.5.15. - -BENSON, G. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 4.1.16. Transferred to -R.F.C., 10.7.16. - -BENTLEY, J. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Killed in action -near Roeux, 11.10.18. - -BESWICK, N.S., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 22.6.15. Bn. M.G.O. To -hospital sick, 15.8.15. - -BIDDLE, V., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 16.10.18. Transferred to 13th -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19. - -BINNS, C. E., Sec.-Lieut. Promoted from the ranks; joined as -an officer, 16.2.17. Wounded (gas) near Hulluch, 28.6.17. Rejoined, -9.10.18. Left Bn. for demobilisation, 7.2.19. - - Lieut., 16.8.18. - -BLACKWELL, F. V., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 7.1.16. Transferred to -147th T.M.B., 12.8.16. - -BLAKEY, E. V., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.17. Wounded at Johnstone’s -Post, 4.7.16. Rejoined, 21.9.16. O.C. C Company (October–December, -1917). Wounded near Molenaarelsthoek, 27.12.17. - - Lieut., 1.6.16. A/Capt., 20.7.17. - -BOOTH, W. S., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.5.15. Bn. Bombing Officer -(1916). Killed in action near Thiepval, 8.7.16. - -BRABHAM, J. R. S., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Norfolk Regt.). Joined, -20.8.17. Struck off strength of Bn. (sick in England), 27.1.18. - -BRADLEY, W. G., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 21.3.19. - -BRICE, A. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 16.10.18. Transferred to -13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19. - -BROOMHEAD, W. N., Hon. Lieut. and Q.M. (T.D.). Joined Bn. from -6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, 15.2.17. Demobilised with Cadre of Bn., -19.6.19. - - Capt., 23.12.17. - -BROSTER, R. B., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 1.3.17. O.C. C Coy. -(May–October, 1918). Killed in action near Roeux, 11.10.18. - - A/Capt., 30.12.17. Lieut., 19.6.18. - -BURGOYNE, H. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Wounded near -Zillebeke, 20.6.18. - -BUTLER, A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 8.8.16. Bn. and 147th Inf. -Bde. Bombing Officer. Wounded (gas) near Nieuport, 10.8.17. - -CAMPBELL, G., Sec.-Lieut. (4th Bn. East Yorks, Regt.). Joined, -18.9.17. Struck off strength of Bn. (sick in England), 30.8.18. - -*CHAMBERS, E. P., Major. Second in Command (August, 1914–May, -1915 and September, 1915–April, 1916). O.C. Bn. (May–September, 1915). -Appointed Claims Officer, 49th Div., 3.4.16. - - T/Lieut.-Col., 24.6.15.–15.9.15. - -CHARLESWORTH, A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Wounded near -Vlamertinghe, 26.6.18. - -CHIPPINDALE, F. D., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 19.5.17. Killed in -action near Erquinghem, 10.4.18. - -CHISNALL, F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 13.1.16. Transferred to -147th M.G. Coy., 4.2.16. - -CLARKE, E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 18.3.19. - -COPELAND, J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. To hospital sick, -19.11.16. - -COURT, G. B., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.12.15. Shell shock, -5.7.16. - -CRICKMER, B., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Transferred to 13th -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 22.4.19. - -CROWTHER, G., Sec.-Lieut. Promoted from the ranks; joined as -an officer, 14.3.16. Bn. I.O. and A/Adjt. (September, 1916–Mch. 1917). -Killed in action near Hulluch, 28.6.17. - -DENBY, I. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.16. Killed in action -near Hulluch, 27.6.17. - -*DENNING, W. F., Capt. O.C. D Coy. (June–December, 1915). To -hospital sick, 9.12.15. - -DONKERSLEY, P., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 19.5.17. Wounded near -Vlamertinghe, 29.11.17. - -DREW, E. B., Hon. Lieut, and Q.M. Joined, 25.11.16. To -hospital sick, 31.1.17. - -EADE, W. M., Hon. Capt. and Q.M. (6th Bn. Suffolk Regt.). -Joined, 18.5.18. Transferred to 1/4th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders, 20.7.18. - -EDWARDS, A. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.10.17. Attached to -147th T.M.B., 6.5.18. - -ENTWHISTLE, J. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. To hospital -sick, 25.9.18. - -EVERITT, W. N., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 13.9.15. O.C. A Coy. -(December, 1915–September, 1916). Killed in action N. of Thiepval, -3.9.16. - - T/Lieut., 31.12.15. T/Capt., 24.6.16. - -FARRAR, N. T., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 17.2.16. O.C. B Coy. (June, -1917–February, 1919). Second in Command (February–April, 1919). Left -Bn. for demobilisation, 3.4.19. - - Lieut., 1.6.16. A/Capt., 12.7.17. A/Major, 7.2.19. - -*FENTON, W. C., Sec.-Lieut. Wounded near Fleurbaix, 30.4.15. -Rejoined, 8.1.16. Adjutant (February, 1916–June, 1918). Wounded on -Belle Vue Spur, 9.10.17. Rejoined, 23.10.17. Second in Command (June, -1918–January, 1919). Left Bn. for demobilisation, 21.1.19. - - T/Lieut., 10.2.16. Capt., 1.6.16. A/Major, 4.6.18. - -FENTON, D. H., Sec.-Lieut. Promoted from the ranks; -accidentally killed before commission announced, 8.9.15. - -*FIELDING, T., Hon. Lieut, and Q.M. To hospital sick, 21.8.16. - -FLATOW, E. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 15.11.15. Wounded near -Nieuport, 9.8.17. - - Lieut., 1.6.16. - -FLEMING, F. W. O., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.15. Gassed near -Ypres and died in hospital, 19.12.15. - -FLETCHER, J., Lieut. Joined, 25.11.18. Transferred to 13th Bn. -D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19. - -GELDARD, N., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.). Joined, -25.9.16. O.C. D Coy. (October, 1916–October, 1917). Wounded at -Nieuport, 4.8.17. Rejoined, 11.9.17. Wounded on Belle Vue Spur, -9.10.17. Capt., 30.11.16. - -GILROY, T. T., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 15.10.17. Wounded (at duty) -near Kemmel, 25.4.18. Transferred to 13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 22.4.19. -Lieut., 1.2.19. A/Capt., 13.2.19. - -GRANTHAM, W., Lieut. Joined, 9.12.17. Wounded and missing near -Roeux, 11.10.18. Died of wounds, a prisoner in enemy hands. - - A/Capt., 29.4.18. - -GUMBY, L., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 9.9.17. A/Adjt. (May–September, -1918). Attached to 147th Inf. Bde. H.Q., 13.9.18. - -HANSON, H., Capt. (5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.). Joined, 23.5.17. -Wounded near Vlamertinghe and died of wounds, 1.12.17. - -HARTLEY, J. A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 22.6.15. Gassed near Ypres -and died in hospital, 19.12.15. - -HATCH, H. S., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 8.8.16. To hospital sick, -3.12.17. Rejoined, November, 1918. Left Bn. for demobilisation, 3.4.19. -Lieut., July, 1918. - -HILL, G.M., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Transferred to 2nd -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16. - -HINTON, W. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 20.11.15. Wounded near -Ypres, 11.12.15. Rejoined, 8.6.16. To hospital sick, 24.7.16. - -* HIRST, C., Lieut. Bn. T.O. (April–August, 1915). O.C. B Coy. -(December, 1915–September, 1916). Killed in action N. of Thiepval, -3.9.16. - - T/Capt., 22.1.16. - -HIRST, A. E., Sec.-Lieut. Promoted from the ranks; joined as -an officer, 26.3.16. Killed in action N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16. - -HIRST, W. L., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.11.16. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 1.2.19. - - Lieut., 1.7.17. - -HOLME, R. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Transferred to -147th T.M.B., 18.7.18. - -HOLT, J. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.16. Transferred to 8th -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.10.16. - -HORSFALL, V. A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 15.7.16. Killed in action -N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16. - -HOTHERSALL, T., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 16.10.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 28.1.19. - -HUGGARD, B. H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 2.11.17. Wounded near -Nieppe, 11.4.18. Rejoined, 4.5.18. Left Bn. for demobilisation, 2.3.19. -Lieut., February, 1919. A/Capt., February, 1919. - -HUTTON, T., Lieut. (M.C.). Joined, 19.8.18. O.C. D Coy. -(November, 1918–February, 1919). Re-posted to 2nd Bn. D. of W. Regt., -12.2.19. A/Capt., 26.10.18. - -HYLAND, J. L., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Transferred to -R.O.D., 31.12.18. - -ILLINGWORTH, A. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 14.4.16. To hospital -sick, 26.10.16. - -INNES, F. A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.15. Wounded near Ypres, -16.10.15. Rejoined, 23.10.15. Attached to 147th Inf. Bde. H.Q., 9.8.16. -Killed in action in Thiepval Wood, 3.9.16. - -IRISH, F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.3.17. Bn. T.O. (October, -1917–May, 1919). Left Bn. for demobilisation, 5.5.19. - - Lieut., 25.7.18. - -JESSOP, T. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.5.18. Wounded in action -near Roeux, 11.10.18. - -JOHNSON, L. L., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Norfolk Regt.). Joined, -20.8.17. Wounded near St. Jans Cappel, 17.4.18. - -JONES, R. E., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Manchester Regt.). Joined, -15.5.18. Transferred to 13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19. - -JURY, R., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 19.5.17. Wounded by enemy bomb -at Dunkerque and died of wounds, 6.10.17. - -KELSALL, F. H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 7.12.15. Wounded near -Authuille, 29.2.16. Rejoined, 28.5.16. To hospital sick, 22.7.17. - - Lieut., 25.6.16. - -* KING, M. H., Lieut. Went to France as 147th Inf. Bde. I.O. -and was extra-regimentally employed continuously from that time. - -KIRK, A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. A/Adjt. -(September–December, 1916). O.C. A Coy. (October, 1917–January, 1919). -Demobilised on leave, March, 1919. - - Lieut., 1.6.16. A/Capt., 28.10.17. - -KITSON, J. H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Killed in action -near Bailleul, 14.4.18. - -* LEAROYD, G. W. I., Lieut. Bn. M.G.O. (July, 1915–February, -1916). Transferred to 147th M.G. Coy., 4.2.16. - -LEDDRA, R. M., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Transferred to -13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19. - -* LEE, E., Lieut. Bn. M.G.O. (April–July, 1915). Killed in -action near Ypres, 10.7.15. - -LOUDOUN, H. A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 8.2.18. Wounded at -Bailleul, 13.4.18. Rejoined, 24.5.18. Bn. Signalling Officer (June, -1918–February, 1919). Transferred to 13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19. -Lieut., 28.9.18. A/Capt., 6.2.19. - -LUMB, J. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 2.11.17. Wounded near -Bailleul, 14.4.18. Rejoined, 27.4.18. Wounded near Villers-en-Cauchies, -18.10.18. Died of wounds, 30.10.18. - -LUTY, A.M., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 8.1.17. O.C. C Coy. (December, -1917–April, 1918). Wounded near Bailleul, 14.4.18. - - Lieut., 25.4.18. A/Capt., 20.3.18. - -MACHIN, B. M., Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Wounded near Bailleul, -12.4.18. - -MACKIE, W. G., Lieut. Joined, 8.2.18. Wounded near Kemmel, -26.4.18. - -MACKINTOSH, J. D. V., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Transferred -to 2nd Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16. - -MALEY, F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 30.4.18. Killed in action near -Villers-en-Cauchies, 14.10.18. - -MALLALIEU, A. H. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 30.8.18. Wounded near -Villers-en-Cauchies, 18.10.18. - -MANDER, A. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.12.15. Wounded near -Thiepval, 11.7.16. Rejoined, 8.8.16. Bn. T.O. (September–November, -1916). O.C. A Coy. (June–October, 1917). Killed in action on Belle Vue -Spur, 9.10.17. - - Lieut., 1.6.16. A/Capt., 10.7.17. - -MANDER, P. G., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 8.11.15. To hospital sick, -12.12.15. Rejoined, 16.6.16. Wounded near Thiepval, 17.8.16. - -MARSDEN, H. M., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Killed in action -near Roeux, 11.10.18. - -* MARSHALL, E. N., Lieut. Wounded (at duty) near Ypres, -16.10.15. O.C. A Coy. (October–December, 1915). Wounded (gas) near -Ypres, 19.12.15. Rejoined, 14.8.16. O.C. C Coy. (August, 1916–December, -1917). Appointed Chief Instructor XXII. Corps Lewis Gun School, -15.12.17. - - T/Capt., 20.11.15. Capt., 1.6.16. - -* MCGUIRE, G. P., Sec.-Lieut. Adjt. (August, 1915–February, -1916). Attached 147th Inf. Bde. H.Q., 9.2.16. Returned to duty, 2.8.17. -Attached Second Army H.Q., 19.11.17. - - T/Lieut., 18.12.15. Lieut., 1.6.16. Capt., 12.9.17. - -MEE, E. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.12.15. Killed in action N. -of Thiepval, 3.9.16. - -MELLOR, N., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Transferred to -R.F.C., 7.12.16. - -MILLIGAN, V. A., Capt. Joined, 14.4.16. Returned to England, -24.6.16. - -MORRISON, J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 30.9.17. To hospital sick, -25.4.18. - -* MOWAT, A. L., Capt. O.C. D Coy. (April–June, 1915). Wounded -near Fleurbaix, 3.6.15. Rejoined, 28.12.15. O.C. D Coy. (December, -1915–October, 1916). Second in Command (October, 1916–June, 1918). O.C. -Bn. (June, 1918–June, 1919). Demobilised with Cadre of Bn., 19.6.19. - - A/Major, 13.11.16. A/Lieut.-Col., 18.6.18. - -* MOWAT, J. G., Sec.-Lieut. Bn. T.O. (August, 1915–September, -1916). O.C. B Coy. (September, 1916–June, 1917). Killed in action near -Hulluch, 27.6.17. - - Lieut., 14.8.15. Capt., 1.6.16. - -NEVILE, A. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 17.9.17. Transferred to -147th T.M.B., 29.10.17. - -NEWMAN, H. R., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 2.11.17. Transferred to -13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19. - -NORTON, S. R., Sec.-Lieut. Joined 29.10.17. To hospital sick, -16.6.18. - -O’DOWD, M. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Wounded near -Erquinghem, 10.4.18. - -OLDFIELD, W., Sec.-Lieut. (M.M.). Joined, 20.9.17. Wounded -near Bailleul, 14.4.18. - -OLDROYD, W. L., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.16. Transferred to -8th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.10.16. - -PICKERING, E. J., Lieut.-Col. O.C. Bn. (September–October, -1915). Wounded near Ypres, 20.10.15. - -POHLMANN, H. E., Sec.-Lieut. Promoted from the ranks; joined -as an officer, 26.3.16. Wounded N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16. - -POLLARD, H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Wounded in Thiepval -Wood, 14.7.16. Rejoined, 14.11.16. Wounded near Hulluch, 27.6.17. - -PRATT, L. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 9.9.15. Wounded near -Thiepval, 25.7.16. - -*PRATT, T. D., Sec.-Lieut. O.C. D Coy. (June–August, 1916). -Wounded near Thiepval, 18.8.16. - - T/Lieut., 10.7.15. T/Capt., 29.12.15. - -PURVIS, R. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 6.9.16. Transferred to -R.F.C., 30.4.17. - -RAWNSLEY, E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 3.8.16. Transferred to 2nd -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16. Rejoined, 9.12.17. Appointed Instructor, -XXII. Corps Bombing School, 15.2.18. - -RAWNSLEY, G., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 9.9.16. Killed in action -near Berles-au-Bois, 22.1.17. - -RHODES, C. N., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Bn. Signalling -Officer (September–October, 1916). To hospital sick, 20.10.16. - -*RILEY, J. T., Lieut. Accidentally wounded, 11.10.15. -Rejoined, 29.5.16. Killed in action N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16. - -ROBB, A. J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 1.3.17. Wounded (gas) -near Nieuport, 17.8.17. Rejoined, 14.10.17. O.C. D Coy. (October, -1917–February, 1918). Wounded near Reutel, 19.2.18. - - A/Capt., 14.12.17. - -ROBERTSHAW, G. F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Wounded N. of -Thiepval, 3.9.16. - -ROBINS, P. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 2.11.17. Wounded near -Ypres, 15.11.17. - -ROBINSON, J. H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.11.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 21.4.19. - -ROBINSON, O., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Wounded near -Zillebeke, 5.8.18. Rejoined, 21.11.18. Transferred to 147th T.M.B., -27.1.19. - -RODGERS, G., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.16. Transferred to 2nd. -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16. - -ROSENDALE, H., Sec.-Lieut. (4th Bn. East Yorks. Regt.). -Joined, 18.9.17. Wounded (at duty) in Bailleul, 12.4.18. Killed in -action near Roeux, 11.10.18. - -SCHOLES, W. T., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Left Bn., for -demobilisation, 25.1.19. - - Lieut., 1.7.17. - -SHAW, A., Lieut. Joined, 19.8.18. O.C. C Coy. (October, -1918–January, 1919). Demobilised on leave, February, 1919. - - A/Capt., 10.11.18. - -SHERLOCK, S. P., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.11.15. To hospital -sick, 1.12.15. - -SIEMSSEN, G. H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 2.11.17. Wounded near -Berthen, 17.4.18. - -SKELSEY, R. M., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.16. Accidentally -wounded, 5.11.16. - -SMETS, L. J., Lieut. Joined, 9.12.17. Bn. Signalling Officer -(February–June, 1918). Certified unfit for service while on a course in -England, June, 1918. - -SMITH, W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Wounded near Thiepval, -3.9.16. - -SOMERVELL, A., Capt. (M.C.) (6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.). -Joined, 29.11.18. O.C. C Coy. (January–March, 1919). Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 20.3.19. - -ST. AUBYN, E. G., Lieut.-Col. Joined, 22.11.15. O.C. Bn. -(November, 1915–September, 1916). To hospital sick, 1.9.16. - -STANSFIELD, S. P., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 26.3.17. Killed in -action near Richebourg L’Avoue, 30.4.17. - -* STANTON, H. A. S., Capt. (Royal Scots Regt.). Adjt. (August, -1914–August, 1915). Appointed Brigade Major, 147th Inf. Bde., 19.8.15. - -STARKEY, T. P., Lieut. Joined, 28.11.18. Transferred to 1/7th -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 5.12.18. - -STEELE, J. A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Demobilised with -Cadre of Bn., 19.6.19. - -STUBINGTON, R. E., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Norfolk Regt.). -Joined, 20.8.17. Wounded on Belle Vue Spur, 9.10.17. - -* SUGDEN, R. E., Major. O.C. A Coy. (April–May, 1915 and -September–November, 1915). Second in Command (May–September and -November–December, 1915). Wounded near Ypres, 12.12.15. Rejoined, -5.9.16. O.C. Bn. (September, 1916–June, 1918). Appointed G.O.C., 151st -Inf. Bde., 7.6.18. - - Lieut.-Col., 1.6.16. T/Brig.-Genl., 7.6.18. - -SULLIVAN, G. K., Lieut.-Col. Joined, 9.11.15. O.C. Bn. -(November, 1915). Wounded near Ypres, 20.11.15. - -* SYKES, E. E., Capt. O.C. C Coy. (April–November, 1915 and -May–July, 1916). To hospital sick, 26.11.15. Rejoined, 23.5.16. Killed -in action at Johnstone’s Post, 4.7.16. - -SYKES, B., Lieut. Joined, 28.11.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 21.3.19. - -* TAYLOR, E., Sec.-Lieut. Wounded near Ypres and died of -wounds, 16.10.15. - -TAYLOR, H. N., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 11.10.15. O.C. A Coy. -(January–June, 1917). Certified medically unfit for service, July, -1917. Rejoined 9.12.17. Bn. L.G.O. (December, 1917–January, 1919). Left -Bn. for demobilisation, 22.1.19. - - Lieut., 1.6.16. Capt., 29.8.17. - -TOMLINSON, C. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Killed in -action N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16. - -TURNER, J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. To hospital sick, -1.8.18. - -TURNER, J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, October, 1918. Transferred to -13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19. - -* WALKER, J., Capt. O.C. B Coy. (April, 1915–April, 1916). -Second in Command (April–October, 1916). Appointed Second in Command -of 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt., January, 1917. T/Major, 22.1.16. Major, -1.6.16. A/Lieut.-Col. (1/5th Bn.), 26.9.17. - -* WALKER, F., Sec.-Lieut. To hospital sick, 6.9.15. Rejoined, -15.2.16. O.C. A Coy. (September–October, 1916). To hospital sick, -19.10.16. Lieut., 26.1.16. A/Capt., 4.10.16. - -WALKER, E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 1.3.17. Bn. Signalling Officer -(April, 1917–January, 1918). Transferred to R.F.C., 15.1.18. - -* WALLER, H. N., Capt. To hospital sick, 7.6.15. - -WALTON, P. B., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 13.3.16. Wounded in -Thiepval Wood, 7.7.16. - -WALTON, J. C., Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Bn. I.O. -(February–April, 1918). Killed in action near Kemmel, 29.4.18. - -WATSON, J. S., Sec.-Lieut. (4th Bn. East Yorks. Regt.). -Joined, 18.9.17. Killed in action near Molenaarelsthoek, 26.11.17. - -WENHAM-GOODE, A. F., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Manchester Regt.). -Joined, 15.5.18. Left Bn. for demobilisation, 3.2.19. - -WHITTAKER, J. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Killed in -action near Kemmel, 28.5.18. - -WILKINSON, H. S., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Instructor -Third Army S.O.S. School (December, 1916–May, 1917). Rejoined, 16.5.17. -Bn. I.O. (September–October, 1917). Wounded on Belle Vue Spur, 9.10.17. - - Lieut., 1.7.17. - -WILLIAMS, H. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 15.4.16. Transferred to -2nd Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16. - -WILLIAMSON, R. J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 19.10.18. Transferred -to 13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19. - -WIMBUSH, R. M., Lieut. Joined, 29.11.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 24.4.19. - -* WINTER, D. B., Capt. O.C. C Coy. (April, 1915). To hospital -sick, 24.4.15. - -WOODWARD, F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.5.18. Wounded near -Zillebeke, 11.6.18. - -* YATES, W. B. B., Lieut. To England as Instructor at Cadet -School, 16.9.16. - -YELLAND, E. J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 6.9.16. Transferred to 2nd -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16. - -YOUNG, E. M., Lieut. Joined, 3.11.16. Bn. T.O. (November, -1916–October, 1917). Transferred to A.S.C., 13.10.17. - - - _Medical Officers._ - - * GRIFFITHS, A. T., April–May, 1915. - GREAVES, S. S., June, 1915–December, 1916. - SCOTT, D. C., December, 1916–July, 1917. - ANDERSON, J. M., July–October, 1917. - FARIE, J. G., October, 1917–January, 1918. - ALLEN, W. B. (V.C., M.C.), January–March, 1918. - HARRISON, F. C., March–October, 1918. - WRIGHT, A., November, 1918–March, 1919. - - - - - APPENDIX III. - - NOMINAL ROLL OF WARRANT OFFICERS AND COMPANY QUARTER - MASTER SERGEANTS. - - -_Regimental Sergeant Majors_:-- - - J. MCCORMACK. Killed in action, 12.8.15. - - E. BOTTOMLEY. Reverted to C.S.M. on return to the Battalion of - C.S.M. C. C. MacKay who had been wounded, - 18.10.15. - - C. C. MACKAY. Killed in action, 19.12.15. - - W. LEE. Reverted to C.S.M. on arrival from England of - R.S.M. J. Graham, 30.1.16. - - J. GRAHAM. Evacuated sick, 25.5.16. - - F. P. STIRZAKER. Reverted to C.S.M. on arrival from England of - R.S.M. T. Glover, 16.11.16. - - T. GLOVER. Wounded in action, 27.1.17. - - F. P. STIRZAKER. Killed in action, 11.4.18. - - T. S. SHERWOOD. Transferred to 1/7th Bn. Duke of Wellington’s - (W.R.) Regt., 17.9.18. - - W. LEE. Wounded in action, 18.10.18. - - B. HARRISON. Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 14.2.19. - - S. FLITCROFT. Demobilised with the Cadre of the Battalion, - 19.6.19. - -_Regimental Quarter Master Sergeants_:-- - - F. J. COOKE. Returned to England time-expired, 31.3.16. - W. LEE. Promoted R.S.M., 17.9.18. - B. HARRISON. Promoted R.S.M., 19.10.18. - P. BARKER. Demobilised with the Cadre of the Battalion, - 19.6.19. - - -_Company Sergeant Majors_ (_A Company_):-- - - E. BOTTOMLEY. Promoted R.S.M., 13.8.15. - - A. MCNULTY. Appointed Sergt. Instructor at the 49th - Divisional Technical School, 20.8.15. - - E. WALSH. Wounded in action (Gas), 19.12.15. - - A. STIRZAKER. Killed in action, 3.9.16. - - A. MCNULTY. Appointed Instructor at the 147th Infantry - Brigade School, 11.2.17. - - A. DAY. Wounded in action (Gas), 20.11.17. - - T. S. SHERWOOD. Promoted R.S.M., 11.4.18. - - F. GLEDHILL. Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 8.2.19. - - -_Company Sergeant Majors_ (_B Company_):-- - - A. PARKIN. Wounded in action, 10.7.15. - - W. LEE. Promoted R.S.M., 20.12.15. - - L. GREENWOOD. Reverted to Sergeant when C.S.M. W. Lee returned - to the Company, 30.1.16. - - W. LEE. Promoted R.Q.M.S., 1.4.16. - W. MEDLEY. Evacuated sick, 20.7.17. - H. HAIGH. Demobilised while on leave in England, 22.1.19. - F. BIRTWHISTLE. Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 3.4.19. - - -_Company Sergeant Majors_ (_C Company_):-- - - E. LUMB. Evacuated sick, 8.8.15. - - V. S. TOLLEY. Killed in action, 16.10.15. - - E. BOTTOMLEY. Evacuated sick, 12.11.15. - - T. H. GREENWOOD. Killed in action, 17.9.16. - - J. PARKINSON. Reverted to Sergeant on the transfer of C.S.M. - A. L. Lord from D Company, 16.11.16. - - A. L. LORD. Proceeded to G.H.Q. Cadet School for a - commission, 6.3.17. - - J. PARKINSON. Wounded in action, 27.12.17. - - C. NAYLOR. Reverted to Sergeant on the arrival from England - of C.S.M. N. Hobson, 29.1.18. - - N. HOBSON. Wounded in action, 10.4.18. - - J. E. YATES. Proceeded to England for a commission, 1.6.18. - - B. HARRISON. Promoted R.Q.M.S., 17.9.18. - - S. FLITCROFT. Promoted R.S.M., 14.2.19. - - J. WIDDOP. Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 7.3.19. - - -_Company Sergeant Majors_ (_D Company_):-- - - C. C. MACKAY. Wounded in action, 7.8.15. - T. S. SHERWOOD. Wounded in action, 30.10.15. - F. P. STIRZAKER. Promoted R.S.M., 26.5.16. - A. HOWARTH. Killed in action, 13.7.16. - J. N. FLATHER. Wounded in action, 27.7.16. - J. C. WALKER. Killed in action, 3.9.16. - A. L. LORD. Transferred to C Company, 15.11.16. - F. P. STIRZAKER. Promoted R.S.M., 27.1.17. - L. GREENWOOD. Proceeded to England for a commission, 21.5.17. - T. S. SHERWOOD. Transferred to A Company, 20.11.17. - W. BROOKE. Wounded in action, 25.2.18. - C. NAYLOR. Wounded in action, 11.10.18. - F. WOOD. Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 2.2.19. - - -_Supernumerary Warrant Officers_:-- - - F. SPENCER. Joined the Battalion in France with the first - reinforcement and was posted to A Company. - Evacuated sick, 22.9.15. - - H. J. WYLDE. Orderly Room Sergeant. Promoted Warrant Officer, - Class II., 22.6.18. - - -_Company Quarter Master Sergeants_ (_A Company_):-- - - C. SOUTHERN. Returned to England time-expired, 12.3.16. - J. C. WALKER. Promoted C.S.M. D Company, 28.7.16. - S. MACKENZIE. Wounded in action (Gas), 14.8.17. - H. HAIGH. Promoted C.S.M. B Company, 16.9.17. - E. WALSH. Killed in action, 13.10.18. - P. J. DAVENPORT. Demobilised while on leave in England, 22.1.19. - - -_Company Quarter Master Sergeants_ (_B Company_):-- - - D. MCKEAND. Proceeded to England for a commission, 10.11.15. - - E. MIDGLEY. Returned to England time-expired, 17.3.16. - - C. L. JOHNSON. Evacuated sick, 21.1.17. - - A. HODGSON. Wounded in action (Gas), 14.8.17. - - B. LITTLE. Killed in action, 13.10.18. - - F. WOOD. Demobilised while on leave in England, 26.1.19. - - L. RODGERS. Transferred to 13th Bn. Duke of Wellington’s - (W.R.) Regt., 26.2.19. - - -_Company Quarter Master Sergeants_ (_C Company_):-- - - W. LEE. Promoted C.S.M. B Company, 11.7.15. - - A. L. LORD. Promoted C.S.M. D Company, 4.9.16. - - H. FITTON. Evacuated (accidental injury), 23.2.17. - - E. MIDGLEY. Reverted to Sergeant on return from England of - C.Q.M.S. H. Fitton, 4.7.17. - - H. FITTON. Evacuated sick, 1.8.17. - - E. MIDGLEY. Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 28.1.19. - - -_Company Quarter Master Sergeants_ (_D Company_):-- - - G. JACKSON. Evacuated sick, 3.7.15. - J. W. SIDDALL. Returned to England time-expired, 17.3.16. - G. EDMONSON. Transferred to England, 20.9.16. - P. BARKER. Promoted R.Q.M.S., 19.10.18. - A. WHITAKER. Evacuated sick, 14.11.18. - E. ELSEY. Demobilised with the Cadre of the Battalion, - 19.6.19. - - - - - APPENDIX IV. - - SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES. - - - ----------------+-------------------+----------------+----------------- - | | Officers. | Other Ranks. - Period. | Sector. |K. W. M. | K. W. M. - ----------------+-------------------+----------------+----------------- - 1915. | | | - April 18-June 25|Fleurbaix |-- 3 -- | 14 38 -- - July 8-Dec. 20 |Ypres | 7 7 -- |116 206 4 - 1916. | | | - Feb. 28-Mch. 6 |Authuille |-- 1 -- | -- 1 -- - Mch. 7-Mch. 29 |Mailly-Maillet |-- -- -- | 1 4 -- - June |Aveluy Wood |-- -- -- | 2 7 -- - July 1-Sept. 24 |Battle of the Somme|10[24] 10 -- | 91 453 155 - Sept. 29-Oct. 16|Hannescamps |-- -- -- | 3 13 -- - Oct. 24-Dec. 5 |Fonquevillers |-- -- -- | 10 12 -- - 1917. | | | - Jan. 7-Jan. 30 |Berles-au-Bois | 1 -- -- | -- 18 -- - Feb. 2-Feb. 28 |Riviére |-- -- -- | 6 27 -- - Mch. 13-May 16 |Ferme du Bois | 1 1 -- | 4 22 -- - May 27-June 15 |Cordonnerie |-- -- -- | 1 1 -- - June 25-July 3 |Hulluch | 3 2 -- | 7 24 1 - Aug. 3-Aug. 16 |Nieuport | 1[25] 4 -- | 19 84 1 - Oct. 4-Oct. 10 |Belle Vue Spur | 1 4 -- | 20 117 2 - Nov. 19-Jan. 4 |Keerselaarhoek and | 2 3 -- | 16 75 1 - 1918 | Molenaarelsthoek | | - 1918. | | | - Feb. 22-April 3 |Reutel |-- 3 -- | 18 60 -- - April 9-April 20|Battle of the Lys | 2 13 -- | 47 261 83 - April 25-May 3 |Battle of Kemmel | 2 2 -- | 32 121 4 - June 3-Aug. 20 |Ypres |-- 4 -- | 9 77 1 - Oct. 11-Oct. 18 |Villers-en-Cauchies| 7 3 1[26]| 55 377 12 - | +----------------+----------------- - | Totals |37 60 1 |471 1998 264[27] - ----------------+-------------------+----------------+----------------- - - K.--Killed. W.--Wounded (includes Gassed). M.--Missing. - - - - - APPENDIX V. - - LIST OF HONOURS AND AWARDS. - - -In compiling this list of Honours and Awards the following rules have -been adhered to:-- - - 1. The Rank and Regimental Number given are those held by the - individual at the time the decoration was won. It thus follows - that, in several cases, the same name occurs more than once but - with a different rank and sometimes with a different regimental - number. - - 2. Only Honours and Awards conferred on officers, warrant - officers, non-commissioned officers and men for services - rendered _while actually serving with the Battalion_ have - been included. - -The length of the list might be considerably increased by including -such names as Brig.-General R. E. Sugden, who was awarded the C.M.G. -while he was G.O.C., 151st Infantry Brigade; Lieut.-Col. J. Walker, -who received the D.S.O. and Bar and the French Legion d’Honneur while -he was in command of the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt.; and -several other officers. Many N.C.O.’s and men, such as Sergt. F. E. -Lumb, D.C.M., also won decorations whilst attached to such units as the -147th Infantry Brigade H.Q., the 147th Machine Gun Company, and the -147th Light Trench Mortar Battery. - - VICTORIA CROSS (1). - 24066 Pte. A. Poulter. - - DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (2). - Capt. (A/Lt.-Col.) A. L. Mowat, M.C. Major R. E. Sugden. - - BAR TO DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (1). - Lt.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O. - - MILITARY CROSS (27). - Sec.-Lt. H. H. Aykroyd - Lt. P. G. Bales - Sec.-Lt. F. V. Blackwell - Sec.-Lt. E. V. Blakey - Sec.-Lt. W. N. Everitt - Lt. (A/Capt.) N. T. Farrar - Lt. (A/Capt.) W. C. Fenton - Capt. N. Geldard - Lt. T. T. Gilroy - Capt. S. S. Greaves (R.A.M.C.) - Sec.-Lt. L. Gumby - Sec.-Lt. B. H. Huggard - Sec.-Lt. F. A. Innes - Lt. F. Irish - Sec.-Lt. T. E. Jessop - Lt. (A/Capt.) A. Kirk - 83 C.S.M. W. Lee - Sec.-Lt. J. W. Lumb - Lt. (A/Capt.) A. M. Luty - Lt. W. G. Mackie - Capt. E. N. Marshall - 200441 C.S.M. W. Medley, M.M. - Capt. A. L. Mowat - Lt. (A/Capt.) J. G. Mowat - Sec.-Lt. H. R. Newman - 2353 R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker - Lt. (T/Capt.) E. E. Sykes - - - BAR TO MILITARY CROSS (2). - - Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C. Capt. (A/Major) A. L. Mowat, M.C. - - - DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL (28). - - 355 Cpl. E. Ashworth - 200453 Sgt. J. Bancroft, M.M. - 3060 Cpl. W. Bancroft - 235519 Sgt. W. H. Binns - 235227 Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) W. Brooke - 200298 Sgt. F. J. Brown - 1597 Pte. W. Brown - 2040 Pte. (L/Cpl.) T. H. Clarke - 203129 Sgt. F. Constable - 200143 Sgt. N. Downes - 203340 L/Sgt. F. J. Field - 200055 Sgt. S. Flitcroft, M.M. - 203252 Sgt. W. D. Foster - 200135 C.Q.M.S. H. Haigh - 202936 Pte. (A/Cpl.) R. A. Hudson - 200352 Cpl. E. Jackson, M.M. - 203285 Pte. (L/Cpl.) H. Kane, M.M. - 1495 Cpl. C. Landale - 15805 Sgt. A. Loosemore, V.C. - 203229 Sgt. J. Mann - 203351 Pte. (L/Cpl.) A. Moon - 6750 Sgt. G. Moscrop - 200598 C.S.M. J. Parkinson - 242274 Sgt. J. Redpath, M.M. - 2353 C.S.M. A. Stirzaker - 3406 Pte. H. Sykes - 203305 Sgt. R. Wilson - 201191 Sgt. F. Wood, M.M. - - - MILITARY MEDAL (132). - - 200471 Pte. C. Andrews - 203501 Pte. (L/Cpl.) J. T. N. Atkinson - 203414 Pte. J. H. Atkinson - 1605 Cpl. G. A. Bailey - 1995 Sgt. J. Bancroft - 26498 Pte. (L/Cpl.) G. W. Barber - 200096 Pte. S. Barker - 306365 Sgt. W. Barnes - 203178 Pte. J. T. Berridge - 200053 Pte. (L/Cpl.) A. Beverley - 200331 Pte. H. Bibby - 16465 Pte. H. G. Binns - 201886 Cpl. G. Birkinshaw - 26010 Pte. A. Bishop - 203336 Sgt. A. A. Bolt - 201893 Pte. (L/Cpl.) C. Bolton - 202042 Pte. (L/Cpl.) E. Booth - 6596 Pte. (L/Cpl.) J. Bowers - 203177 Pte. S. R. Brabben - 1775 Pte. E. Braithwaite - 202787 Pte. (L/Cpl.) G. Broadbent - 202410 Pte. J. W. Brookes - 202579 Pte. N. W. Brooksbank - 200298 Sgt. F. J. Brown, D.C.M. - 242271 Sgt. W. Brown - 24960 Pte. S. Brummit - 200653 Sgt. R. G. Brunt - 203595 Pte. W. Buckley - 203217 Cpl. A. Buie - 203433 Pte. T. Burfoot - 201125 L/Sgt. T. Chilton - 5792 Sgt. F. Johnson - 33014 Pte. J. E. Johnson - 200920 Pte. A. G. Jones - 203285 Pte. (L/Cpl.) H. Kane - 10737 Sgt. S. Kay - 201783 Sgt. T. Knowles - 1645 Pte. (L/Cpl.) R. Knox - 200139 Pte. J. Lancaster - 200488 Pte. O. Lee - 200504 Pte. J. Limb - 203188 Pte. H. Louth - 238181 Pte. W. Lowe - 201012 Sgt. P. McHugh - 601 Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) A. McNulty - 1967 Cpl. W. Medley - 201923 Pte. T. Meneghan - 200396 Sgt. A. Meskimmon - 6520 Pte. W. Metcalfe - 201013 Pte. (L/Cpl.) A. R. Mitchell - 200681 Cpl. W. H. Mitchell - 73 Sgt. P. Moran - 200153 Pte. (L/Cpl.) C. Mortimer - 1603 Pte. W. H. Murray - 201689 Pte. J. H. Naylor - 203352 Pte. T. Nicholls - 203371 Cpl. G. North - 202669 Pte. T. North - 203193 Pte. G. Pearson - 201336 Pte. F. F. Pettit - 306873 Pte. T. Proctor - 242274 Pte. J. Redpath - 202120 Pte. T. Conroy - 26815 Pte. (L/Cpl.) A. Cresswell - 30 Sgt. J. W. Crossley - 26524 Pte. H. S. Davies - 203647 Pte. H. B. Dawson - 203650 Pte. A. Denham - 200172 Pte. N. Dennis - 203649 Pte. J. Dewar - 203451 Pte. V. T. Dobson - 267198 Pte. (L/Cpl.) H. Driver - 201437 Pte. (L/Cpl.) J. A. Ellis - 242874 Pte. R. Emmett - 200146 Pte. J. Ennis - 201535 Pte. C. Firth - 242821 Pte. P. Firth - 1002 Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) J. N. Flather - 200055 Sgt. S. Flitcroft - 203513 Pte. G. A. Foster - 201879 Pte. J. Galloway - 200127 Pte. R. Gledhill - 235253 Pte. G. Green - 203728 Pte. E. Haggas - 200135 C.S.M. H. Haigh, D.C.M. - 203517 Pte. T. Hartley - 12682 Pte. H. Henderson - 203315 Pte. B. Hinchcliffe - 1485 Sgt. A. Hodgson - 2108 Pte. (L/Cpl.) G. H. Holt - 203480 Pte. F. A. Hookham - 201687 Pte. F. Howarth - 203551 Pte. W. Howker - 203072 Pte. W. Inman - 1747 Cpl. E. Jackson - 202664 Pte. (L/Cpl.) B. Jennings - 201219 Cpl. (L/Sgt.) S. Jessop - 202746 Pte. (L/Cpl.) F. Rhodes - 1889 Pte. S. Royals - 242202 Pte. G. Ryder - 200134 Pte. (L/Cpl.) J. W. Ryder - 32897 Pte. E. Sambrookes - 203390 Pte. F. Scales - 202888 Pte. W. A. Scruton - 2481 Cpl. H. Shackleton - 2413 L/Sgt. J. S. Sheard - 242567 Sgt. A. Smith - 200192 Sgt. H. Smith - 2716 Pte. L. Stead - 201883 Pte. A. Sutcliffe - 6606 Pte. R. Swinburne - 202142 Pte. J. W. Taylor - 201186 Cpl. (A/Sgt.) V. Taylor - 242371 Pte. J. Tebb - 13014 Sgt. W. P. Thompson - 1455 Cpl. A. L. Thornton - 200101 Sgt. E. Turner - 238031 Cpl. J. W. Varley - 200204 Cpl. H. Wainwright - 2164 Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) J. C. Walker - 34005 Cpl. A. Wall - 200320 Pte. C. Walsh - 34007 Pte. M. Webster - 200753 Sgt. A. Whitaker - 200529 Pte. (L/Cpl.) H. Whiteley - 16075 Sgt. J. Widdop - 201295 Cpl. B. Wilson - 2346 Sgt. J. Wilson - 235120 Pte. W. F. Witts - 201191 Sgt. F. Wood - 235524 Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) J. E. Yates - 26271 Pte. J. Young - - - BAR TO MILITARY MEDAL (5). - - 200096 Pte. (L/Cpl.) S. Barker, M.M. - 200146 Pte. (L/Cpl.) J. Ennis, M.M. - 34005 Pte. (L/Cpl.) A. Wall, M.M. - 200529 Pte. (L/C.) H. Whiteley, M.M. - 203285 Pte. (A/Cpl.) H. Kane, D.C.M., M.M. - - - MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL (4). - - 200264 Sgt. H. Deane - 200483 Sgt. F. Firth - 200688 Sgt. E. Jones - 242695 Sgt. F. Smith - - - ITALIAN BRONZE MEDAL FOR MILITARY VALOUR (1). - - 1535 Cpl. J. Walker. - - - MEDAILLE MILITAIRE (1). - - 200441 C.S.M. W. Medley, M.M. - - - BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE (1). - - 200064 Sgt. C. Naylor. - - - MENTIONS IN DESPATCHES (39). - - Lt. (T/Capt.) M. P. Andrews - Lt. P. G. Bales - 202027 C.Q.M.S. P. Barker - Sec.-Lt. E. V. Blakey - 235227 Sgt. W. Brooke - Capt. & Q.M. W. N. Broomhead - 2492 Pte. (L/Cpl.) D. Dow - Lt. & Q.M. T. Fielding - Capt. S. S. Greaves (R.A.M.C.) - 200036 R.S.M. B. Harrison - 2108 Pte. (L/Cpl.) G. H. Holt - Sec.-Lt. F. A. Innes, M.C. - 1687 C.S.M. A. L. Lord - Sec.-Lt. (T/Capt.) E. N. Marshall - Lt. G. P. McGuire (twice) - 601 C.S.M. A. McNulty - 200441 C.S.M. W. Medley, M.M. - 204733 C.Q.M.S. E. Midgley - Lt.-Col. A. L. Mowat, D.S.O., M.C. - 200598 C.S.M. J. Parkinson - Major (T/Lt.-Col.) C. J. Pickering - Sec.-Lt. T. D. Pratt - 2481 Cpl. H. Shackleton - 2400 Pte. J. Shelley - 2716 Pte. L. Stead - 2353 Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) F. P. Stirzaker - Lt.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O. (5 times) - Lt. (T/Capt.) E. E. Sykes - Major J. Walker (3 times) - 2164 Sgt. J. C. Walker - 2346 Sgt. J. Wilson - 1234 Pte. (L/Cpl.) C. Wood - - - - - APPENDIX VI. - - THE BATTALION CANTEEN. - - -A thoughtful enemy provided the Battalion with most of its excitement, -and a deal of its amusement, during the Great War. An equally -thoughtful War Office arranged for rations, and a limited supply of -such luxuries as tobacco and cigarettes for the men. But it was left -to the Battalion to supply itself with a canteen. And it was Sergt. F. -Smith who made that institution such a great success. - -The Canteen had its beginning in a small affair, started for the -benefit of the transport men, in August, 1915. Lieut. J. G. Mowat, who -was Transport Officer at the time, provided the necessary capital. Pte. -F. Smith, then employed in the Q.M. Stores, managed the Canteen in his -spare time. From the very first, the new departure was a great success. -Goods were sold out almost as soon as they were displayed, and the -small library which was opened was also very popular. - -Early in its history, this first Canteen nearly came to an untimely -end. One night the roof was found to be in flames, which rapidly spread -to the wooden supports of the building. The “proprietor” alone knew -that a store of petrol and bombs was lying in the hut. But, largely -through the energy of that trained fireman, Cpl. E. Ashworth, the fire -was put out before it reached them. - -In September, 1915, the transport canteen developed into a battalion -institution. Plenty of money was forthcoming to start it, and it soon -“set up shop” in a dugout on the Canal Bank. This was not an ideal spot -for business, and there is no doubt that it was the first canteen to be -set up in that area. When the Battalion went back into rest the Canteen -accompanied it, and, before long, it was looked upon as a permanent -institution. - -In the spring of 1916, the Canteen closed down for a time. Lance-Cpl. -F. Smith had been evacuated sick, and no one else was deemed suitable -to carry on the business. He returned to the 147th Infantry Brigade -late in the Battle of the Somme, but was posted to the 1/5th Battalion -Duke of Wellington’s Regt. However, shortly after, through the courtesy -of that battalion, he returned to his old unit, and the Canteen was -immediately restarted. - -At Fonquevillers it did excellent service. Stationed in a broken-down -building in the village, and frequently annoyed by enemy shelling, it -soon became the admiration of all units in the neighbourhood. At first -it had only been intended for the use of men of the Battalion, but -it was now thrown open to all comers. Within less than a mile of the -firing line, it provided such luxuries as fresh fish, eggs, butter, -fruit and vegetables. Needless to say, it did a “roaring” trade. - -During the rest at Halloy, it was much to the fore, and its activities -were greatly extended. In addition to an enormous retail business, it -catered for all the Christmas dinners and for many smaller parties. It -also became a buying agency, through which officers and other ranks -could obtain goods which they required but which were not ordinarily -kept in stock. - -When the Battalion went into the line near Berles-au-Bois, the Canteen -was set up as usual. There it narrowly escaped a violent death. A -shell entered by the roof one day and blew out a side of the shelter, -wounding a man who was there, and scattering the cash which was being -counted at the time. During the terribly cold weather of that period, -hot coffee and rum were supplied free to many a half-frozen man. - -Senechal Farm and the Ferme du Bois Sector provided plenty of scope for -the Canteen’s initiative. Good shopping centres were plentiful in the -district, and supplies easily procurable. “Hawking” goods in the front -line became quite an institution there, and it was continued in the -Cordonnerie Sector. In the line near Hulluch the facilities were not so -good. A Canteen was set up near Battalion H.Q., but it was difficult to -get goods up to it; and twice the staff was gassed out. - -Little could be done in the Nieuport Sector, though the Canteen still -acted as a buying agency. But while the Battalion was training on the -coast it was very active. There, whole-day training schemes were not -uncommon, and it became customary for a limber to accompany the troops -and set up a stall on the ground. - -The winter of 1917–18 was a very difficult period. There was never -accommodation for a canteen when the Battalion was in the front line; -but it was always at work during rest periods. Its presence in the -Westhoek Dugouts was a great success; beer was never lacking during -that rest period. - -The sudden order to move from Maida Camp, early in April, 1918, caused -much consternation, for the Canteen was particularly well stocked at -the time. However, the stock was somehow cleared, and the takings on -the last day in that area amounted to 4,500 francs--a Battalion record. - -Little business was possible during the Battles of the Lys and Mont -Kemmel, but an increase in trade followed the Battalion’s return to the -neighbourhood of Ypres. Trade again declined when the Battalion went -into battle in the autumn; but the indefatigable Sergt. Smith succeeded -in getting a large supply of cigarettes up to the Battalion in Vordon -Wood--at a time when there was not a cigarette to be had for miles -around. - -During the Armistice, trade was good at Auby, in spite of the -competition of a number of estaminets and shops which were soon opened -in the village. There Sergt. F. Smith laid down his duties and devoted -himself to education for the short period before he was demobilised. -Yet, right up to the end, the Canteen survived at Douai. - -In its long and chequered history the Canteen had many homes. Dugouts -and shelters, within easy range of the front line, were occupied on -many occasions. Barns, stables, even a pig-sty, did duty in various -places when the Battalion was in rest. But, whatever its surroundings -might be, it always proved a source of much comfort to the men. There -were many rumours of the “row of houses” which was being built in -Halifax, for few people were well acquainted with current prices. But -actually, the profit was never more than 5 per cent. Out of this profit -all expenses had to be paid; the whole of the balance was then spent -on the men of the Battalion, who were the chief customers. When the -demobilisation of the Battalion was complete, the surplus funds were -handed over to the Old Comrades’ Association. - -The Canteen staff had many duties besides those of buying and selling. -The Battalion library, which was run almost continuously for about -three and a half years, was in its charge. When billets were available, -reading and recreation rooms were organised. Sports material was looked -after. Concerts, whist drives, and other social functions were catered -for. In all these activities, the efforts of Sergt. Smith were ably -seconded by his faithful henchmen, “Jack” Baines and “Johnny” Jackson. - -The Battalion was particularly fortunate in having so many good friends -at home. Chief among these should be mentioned Mr. W. E. Denison and -the _Halifax Courier_ Fund. Books, periodicals, whist drive -prizes, lamps, and countless other articles, which helped to make life -happier for the men at the “Front,” were provided by them. - -The Battalion had several different Seconds-in-Command and all took -great interest in, and spent much time over, the Canteen. But it had -only one Sergt. F. Smith. To him was mainly due the reputation of the -4th Battalion Canteen as the most successful institution of its kind in -the 49th Division. Everyone was delighted when the Meritorious Service -Medal rewarded his great services. - - - STOTT BROTHERS LIMITED, Printers, Mount Street Works, Halifax. - - [Illustration: ~Flanders.~] - - [Illustration: FIFTH AND THIRD ARMY AREAS. - - 1916–1917 - - --·--·--Approximate Front Line 1.7.16.] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] The following Officers mobilised with the Battalion on August 4th:-- - - Lieut.-Col. H. S. Atkinson, T.D. (C.O.). - Major E. P. Chambers (Second in Command). - Capt. H. A. S. Stanton (Adjutant). - Capt. A. T. Griffiths, R.A.M.C. (Medical Officer). - Lieut. T. Fielding (Quartermaster). - -Captains - W. A. Laxton, - D. V. Fleming, - J. Walker, - V. A. Milligan, - D. B. Winter, - R. H. Goldthorp, - C. E. Kirby.[2] - -Lieutenants - E. P. Learoyd, - E. E. Sykes,[2] - A. H. Helliwell, - A. L. Mowat, - A. H. Richardson, - D. A. Sutcliffe, - M. P. Andrews, W. - F. Denning.[2] - -Second-Lieutenants - J. T. Riley, - C. Hirst, - S. Balme. - - Capt. R. E. Sugden and Lieut. H. N. Waller had gone away with - the Special Service Section two days previously. - -[2] From the T.F. Reserve. - -[3] Company Commanders and Seconds-in-Command were as follows:-- - -A Company: - - Major R. E. Sugden; - Capt. M. P. Andrews. - -B Company: - Capt. J. Walker; - Capt. H. N. Waller. - -C Company: - Capt. D. B. Winter; - Capt. E. E. Sykes. - -D Company: - Capt. R. H. Goldthorp; - Capt. A. L. Mowat. - -[4] The following were the billets occupied in Doncaster:-- - - Battn. H.Q. and Q.M. Stores: Oxford Place Schools. - A Company: Hexthorpe Schools. - B Company: Wheatley Road and St. James’ Schools. - C and D Companies: Hyde Park Schools. - Transport: Turf Hotel Stables and Wood Street - Hotel. - -[5] The hotels used were:-- - - Nos. 1 and 7 Companies: Red Lion Hotel. - No. 2 Company: Salutation Hotel. - No. 3 Company: Thatched House Hotel. - Nos. 4 and 8 Companies: Burns Hotel. - Nos. 5 and 6 Companies: Danum Hotel. - Battalion H.Q. Details: Good Woman Hotel. - Transport: Wood Street Hotel. - -[6] The names of the men who made up this party, representing as they -did the pick of the “original” Battalion, are worth recording. They -were:-- - -Lieut. E. N. Marshall. - -A Company: - - C.S.M. Walsh, - Sergts. Stirzaker and Green, - Cpl. Harrison, - Lance-Cpl. Payne, - Pte. Pamment. - -B Company: - - C.S.M. Lee, - Lance-Cpl. Brown, - Ptes. Brown, Helliwell, Whiteley and Harkness. - -C Company: - - C.S.M. Greenwood, - Sergts. Flather, Robertshaw and Moran, - Cpls. Hoyle and Barraclough. - -D Company: - - C.S.M. Sherwood, - Lance-Cpls. Asquith and Walsh, - Ptes. Sykes, Bentley and Braithwaite. - -Transport: - - Sergt. Crossley. - -[7] The following Officers and Warrant Officers went into action with -the Battalion on September 3rd, 1916:-- - -Battalion H.Q.: - - Major J. Walker (C.O.); - Lieut. W. C. Fenton (Adjt.); - Sec.-Lieut. H. H. Aykroyd, M.C. (I.O.); - Sec.-Lieut. H. N. Taylor (L.G.O.); - Sec.-Lieut. N. Mellor (Bombing O.); - Capt. S. S. Greaves, R.A.M.C. (M.O.). - - R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker, M.C. - -A Company: - - Lieut. W. N. Everitt, M.C.; - Sec.-Lieut. A. E. Hirst; - Sec.-Lieut. G. F. Robertshaw. - - C.S.M. A. Stirzaker, D.C.M. - -B Company: - - Capt. C. Hirst; - Sec.-Lieut. V. A. Horsfall; - Sec.-Lieut. H. E. Pohlmann. - - C.S.M. W. Medley. - -C Company: - - Capt. E. N. Marshall; - Sec.-Lieut. F. Walker; - Sec.-Lieut. W. Smith. - - C.S.M. T. H. Greenwood. - -D Company: - - Lieut. J. T. Riley; - Sec.-Lieut. E. C. Mee; - Sec.-Lieut. C. W. Tomlinson. - - C.S.M. J. C. Walker. - -Fighting strength of the Battalion on the afternoon of September 2nd:-- - - Battalion H.Q. Officers (including M.O.) 6 Other ranks 121 - A Company „ 3 „ 127 - B Company „ 3 „ 127 - C Company „ 3 „ 127 - D Company „ 3 „ 127 - -- --- - Total 18 629 - -[8] At that time O.C., 1/5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt.; -formerly Adjutant of the 1/4th Battalion. - -[9] 7 killed, 24 wounded. - -[10] Marked X on map. - -[11] The following Officers and Warrant Officers went into action with -the Battalion on October 9th, 1917:-- - -Battn. H.Q.: - - Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O. (C.O.); - Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C. (Adjt.); - Lieut. H. S. Wilkinson (I.O.); - Lieut. W. T. Scholes; - Capt. J. M. Anderson, R.A.M.C. (M.O.). - - R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker, M.C. - Lieut. G. P. McGuire (Liaison Officer at 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q.). - -A Company: - - Capt. A. E. Mander; - Lieut. A. Kirk; - Sec.-Lieut. J. R. S. Brabham. - - Sergt. H. Gidley (A/C.S.M.) - -B Company: - - Capt. S. Balme; - Sec.-Lieut. L. L. Johnson; - Sec.-Lieut. J. S. Watson; - Sec.-Lieut. R. E. Stubington. - - C.S.M. H. Haigh. - -C Company: - - Lieut. E. V. Blakey; - Sec.-Lieut. A. M. Luty; - Sec.-Lieut. A. W. Nevile. - - C.S.M. J. Parkinson. - -D Company: - - Capt. N. Geldard; - Lieut. W. L. Hirst; - Sec.-Lieut. L. Gumby; - Sec.-Lieut. W. Oldfield, M.M. - - Sergt. W. Brooke (A/C.S.M.) - -Fighting Strength of the Battalion on the morning of October 9th:-- - - Battn. H.Q. 5 officers 59 other ranks. - A Company 3 „ 101 „ - B Company 4 „ 86 „ - C Company 3 „ 106 „ - D Company 4 „ 108 „ - -- --- - Total 19 „ 460 „ - -- --- - -[12] This man did not long remain a prisoner. Certified by a combined -board of Dutch and German medical men as unfit for further service, he -was repatriated through Holland. - -[13] While the Battalion was holding the Keerselaarhoek Sector the -gridded track was continued as far as the crest of the Passchendaele -Ridge. - -[14] Before the Battalion left the sector, a third had been built. - -[15] The following Officers and Warrant Officers went into action with -the Battalion on April 10th, 1918:-- - -Battn. H.Q.: - - Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O. (C.O.); - Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C. (Second in Command); - Lieut. P. G. Bales (A/Adjt.); - Lieut. J. C. Walton (I.O.); - Sec.-Lieut. H. A. Loudoun (Sig. O.); - Capt. F. C. Harrison, R.A.M.C. (M.O.). - - R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker, M.C. - Sec.-Lieut. H. Rosendale (Liaison Officer at 147th Infantry Bde. H.Q.). - -A Company: - - Capt. A. Kirk; - Sec.-Lieut. B. H. Huggard; - Sec.-Lieut. E. Clarke; - Sec.-Lieut. J. C. Whitaker. - - C.S.M. T. S. Sherwood. - -B Company: - - Capt. N. T. Farrar; - Sec.-Lieut. L. L. Johnson; - Sec.-Lieut. S. R. Norton; - Sec.-Lieut. F. Akroyd. - - Sergt. A. Smith (A/C.S.M.). - -C Company: - - Capt. A. M. Luty; - Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy; - Sec.-Lieut. F. D. Chippindale; - Sec.-Lieut. M. C. O’Dowd; - Sec.-Lieut. H. E. Burgoyne. - - C.S.M. N. Hobson. - -D Company: - - Lieut. B. M. Machin; - Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Lumb; - Sec.-Lieut. J. Turner; - Sec.-Lieut. J. H. Kitson; - Sec.-Lieut. W. Oldfield, M.M. - - C.S.M. C. Naylor. - -Owing to casualties and fresh officers coming up from B Echelon, many -changes took place in the personnel during the next ten days. The -Battalion went into battle so hurriedly that no record of the exact -strength was made, but it was approximately 650 other ranks. - -[16] Extract from the 6th Supplement to the “London Gazette,” dated -June 25th, 1918:--“24066 Pte. Arthur Poulter awarded Victoria Cross. - -For most conspicuous bravery when acting as a stretcher-bearer. On -ten occasions Pte. Poulter carried badly wounded men on his back to -a safer locality, through a particularly heavy artillery and machine -gun barrage. Two of these were hit a second time whilst on his back. -Again, after a withdrawal over the river had been ordered, Pte. Poulter -returned in full view of the enemy who were advancing, and carried -back another man who had been left behind wounded. He bandaged up over -forty men under fire, and his conduct throughout the whole day was a -magnificent example to all ranks. - -This very gallant soldier was subsequently seriously wounded when -attempting another rescue in the face of the enemy.” - -[17] Throughout the operations in April, 1918, Major A. L. Mowat, M.C, -was attached to 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. as Assistant Brigade Major. - -[18] The following Officers and Warrant Officers went into action with -the Battalion on April 25th, 1918:-- - -Battn. H.Q.: - - Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O. (C.O.); - Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C. (Second in Command); - Lieut. P. G. Bales (A/Adjt.); - Lieut. J. C. Walton (I.O.); - Lieut. L. J. Smets (Sig. O.); - Capt. F. C. Harrison, R.A.M.C. (M.O.). - - R.S.M. T. S. Sherwood. - Capt. H. N. Taylor (Liaison Officer at 147th Infantry Brigade - H.Q.). - -A Company: - - Capt. A. Kirk (O.C.); - Sec.-Lieut. E. Clarke; - Sec.-Lieut. J. C. Whitaker; - Sec.-Lieut. G. Campbell. - - Sergt. W. D. Foster (A/C.S.M.). - -B Company: - - Sec.-Lieut. R. B. Broster (O.C.); - Sec.-Lieut. C. T. Applewhaite; - Sec.-Lieut. S. R. Norton. - - C.S.M. B. Haigh, D.C.M. - -C Company: - - Lieut. W. G. Mackie (O.C.); - Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy; - Sec.-Lieut. A. C. Edwards. - - C.S.M. J. E. Yates. - -D Company: - - Capt. S. Balme (O.C.); - Sec.-Lieut. H. Rosendale; - Sec.-Lieut. E. Turner; - Sec.-Lieut. L. Gumby, M.C. - - C.S.M. C. Naylor. - -[19] The following Officers and Warrant Officers took part in the -raid:-- - -Advanced Battn. H.Q.: - - Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat, M.C. (C.O.); - Lieut. P. G. Bales. - -Rear Battn. H.Q.: - - Major W. C. Fenton, M.C.; - Sec.-Lieut. L. Gumby, M.C. - -A Company: - - Sec.-Lieut. B. H. Huggard (O.C. Company). - C.S.M. P. Gledhill. - Sec.-Lieut. A. Charlesworth (No. 1 Platoon). - Sec.-Lieut. J. E. Bentley (No. 2 Platoon). - Sec.-Lieut. R. M. Leddra (No. 3 Platoon). - Sec.-Lieut. H. M. Marsden (No. 4 Platoon). - Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Entwhistle (No. 14 Platoon). - -B Company: - - Capt. N. T. Farrar, M.C. (O.C. Company). - C.S.M. H. Haigh, D.C.M. - Sec.-Lieut. H. R. Newman (No. 5 Platoon). - Sec.-Lieut. R. E. Jones (No. 6 Platoon). - Sergt. F. J. Field (No. 7 Platoon). - Sec.-Lieut. W. G. Bradley (No. 8 Platoon). - Sec.-Lieut. H. Rosendale (No. 16 Platoon). - -C Company: - - Sec.-Lieut. B. Crickmer (No. 10 Platoon). - Sec.-Lieut. H. E. Burgoyne (No. 12 Platoon). - -[20] The following Officers and Warrant Officers went into action with -the Battalion in October, 1918:-- - -Battn. H.Q.: - - Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat, M.C. (C.O.); - Capt. H. H. Aykroyd, M.C. (Adjt.); - Lieut. P. G. Bales (I.O.); - Lieut. H. A. Loudoun (Sig. O.); - Capt. F. C. Harrison, R.A.M.C. (M.O.). - - R.S.M. W. Lee, M.C. - -A Company: - - Capt. A. Kirk, M.C. (O.C. Company); - Sec.-Lieut. J. E. Bentley; - Sec.-Lieut. T. E. Jessop; - Sec.-Lieut. H. M. Marsden. - - Sergt. W. D. Foster (A/C.S.M.). - -B Company: - - Capt. W. Grantham (O.C. Company); - Sec.-Lieut. H. Bamforth; - Sec.-Lieut. R. E. Jones; - Sec.-Lieut. A. F. Wenham-Goode. - - C.S.M. H. Haigh, D.C.M. - -C Company: - - Capt. R. B. Broster (O.C. Company); - Sec.-Lieut. H. R. Newman, M.C.; - Sec.-Lieut. F. Maley; - Sec.-Lieut J. L. Hyland. - -D Company: - - Capt. T. Hutton, M.C. (O.C. Company); - Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Lumb; - Sec.-Lieut. A. H. W. Mallalieu; - Sec.-Lieut. H. Rosendale. - - C.S.M. C. Naylor. - -[21] The Colour Party consisted of - - Lieut. P. G. Bales; - Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy; - C.S.M. H. Haigh, D.C.M., M.M.; - Sergt. A. Meskimmon, M.M.; - Sergt. T. Chilton, M.M. - -[22] 4 Firsts; 1 Second; 1 Third. - -[23] The cadre of the Battalion consisted of the following officers and -other ranks:.-- - - Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat, D.S.O., M.C. (C.O.). - Capt. W. N. Broomhead, T.D. (Q.M.). - Capt. P. G. Bales, M.C. (Adjt.). - Sec.-Lieut. J. A. Steele. - R.S.M. S. Flitcroft, D.C.M., M.M. - R.Q.M.S. P. Barker. - C.Q.M.S. E. Elsey. - -Sergts. - - E. Ashworth, D.C.M.; - E. L. Collinson; - C. H. Shaw. - -Cpls. - - J. W. Rider, M.M.; - S. Barker, M.M. - -Lance-Cpls. - - C. Walsh, M.M.; - F. E. Thompson; - A. Cobbold. - -Privates - - N. Crowther; - T. Langan; - C. Charnock; - C. Hipwood; - H. B. Nelson; - H. Pope; - A. Tordoff; - W. Steele; - T. Walton; - H. Wilkinson; - H. Whiteley; - W. H. Redman; - F. Wade; - F. Everett; - E. Newsome; - J. E. Walker; - N. Rawson; - S. J. Hawkes; - H. Waite; - C. Andrews. - -[24] Includes several, at first reported “Missing,” since “Assumed to -be Dead.” - -[25] Sec.-Lieut. R. Jury, mortally wounded by an enemy bomb at -Dunkerque. - -[26] Includes all since reported “Prisoners of War.” - -[27] Capt. W. Grantham, since reported “Died of wounds a Prisoner in -Enemy Hands.” - -Transcriber’s Notes: - -1. Obvious printers’, punctuation and spelling errors have been - corrected silently. - -2. Underlined text is shown as ~xxx~. - -3. Italics are shown as _xxx_. - -4. Some hyphenated and non-hyphenated versions of the same words have - been retained as in the original. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE 1/4TH BATTALION -DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S (WEST RIDING) REGIMENT, 1914-1919. *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - -/* Poetry */ -.poetry-container -{ -text-align: center; -font-size: 90%; -} - -.poetry -{ -display: inline-block; -text-align: left; -margin-left: 2.5em; -line-height: 100%; -} - -.poetry .stanza -{ -margin: 1em 0em 1em 1em; -} - -.poetry .ileft {margin-left: -.4em;} -.poetry .ih {margin-left: .5em;} -.poetry .i1 {margin-left: 1em;} -.poetry .i2 {margin-left: 2em;} - -@media print { .poetry {display: block;} } -.x-ebookmaker .poetry {display: block;} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - - </style> - </head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of History of the 1/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, 1914-1919., by P.G. Bales</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: History of the 1/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, 1914-1919.</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: P.G. Bales</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: March 15, 2022 [eBook #67633]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Brian Coe, Karin Spence and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE 1/4TH BATTALION DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S (WEST RIDING) REGIMENT, 1914-1919. ***</div> - -<p id="half-title" class="p6">THE HISTORY OF THE<br /> -1/4<span class="allsmcap">TH</span> BATTALION, DUKE OF<br /> -WELLINGTON’S (<span class="allsmcap">WEST RIDING</span>)<br /> -REGIMENT.<br /> -<span class="smaller">1914–1919.</span></p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="frontispiecea"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/frontispiecea.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">1914.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_frontispieceb"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/frontispieceb.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">1918.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">THE CLOTH HALL, YPRES.</p> - </div> - - -<h1>THE HISTORY<br /> - -<span class="sm">OF</span><br /> - -THE <span class="allsmcap">1/4TH</span> BATTALION<br /> - -DUKE OF WELLINGTON’S<br /> - -<span class="allsmcap">(west riding)</span><br /> - -REGIMENT,<br /> - -<span class="smaller">1914–1919.</span></h1> - - -<p class="sm p2 center">BY</p> - -<p class="center">CAPT. P. G. BALES, M.C.</p> - -<p class="sm center">(Formerly Adjutant of the Battalion.)</p> - - -<p class="smcap sm p4 center">Published by</p> - -<p class="sm center">HALIFAX:<br /> -EDWARD MORTIMER, LTD., REGENT STREET.</p> - -<p class="sm center">LONDON:<br /> -EDWARD MORTIMER, LTD., 34, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. 4.</p> - -<p class="sm center">1920.</p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="smcap center p6 xs">Stott Brothers Limited, Printers, Mount Street Works, Halifax.</p> -</div> - - -<p class="center sm p6">TO</p> - -<p class="center">ALL RANKS</p> - -<p class="center sm">OF</p> - -<p class="center sm">THE <span class="allsmcap">1/4TH</span> BATTALION</p> - -<p class="center sm">WHO FELL IN ACTION.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>PREFACE.</h2> -</div> - - -<p>For more than two years I was responsible for keeping the War Diary of -the 1/4th Battalion, and it was this duty which first suggested to me -the idea of writing a History of the Battalion in the Great War. Soon -after the armistice was signed I submitted the idea to the Commanding -Officer, who expressed his strong approval and promised to assist in -every possible way. The present book is the result.</p> - -<p>The “History” is based mainly on the official documents in the -Battalion’s possession. These have, on the whole, been well preserved, -particularly since the beginning of 1916. They have been supplemented -by the personal recollections of many officers and other ranks. Proofs -of each chapter have been submitted to at least two senior officers, -who were serving with the Battalion during the period covered therein, -and many alterations have been made as results of their criticisms and -suggestions.</p> - -<p>My sincere thanks are due to Brig.-General R. E. Sugden, C.M.G., -D.S.O., T.D.; Lieut.-Col. H. S. Atkinson, T.D.; Lieut.-Col. J. Walker, -D.S.O.; Major W. C. Fenton, M.C.; and Capt. E. N. Marshall, M.C., for -reading part, or the whole, of the proofs; for many valuable criticisms -and suggestions; and for much information. I desire also to acknowledge -my obligations to Major E. P. Chambers for much help with the earlier -period; to Sergt. E. Jones, particularly for his assistance with the -Itinerary; and to the many officers and other ranks, too numerous to -name, who have willingly placed their knowledge at my disposal. Most -important of all has been the help rendered by Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat, -D.S.O., M.C. Nothing has been too much trouble for him. He has read -through the whole of the proofs, and the book owes much to his kindly -criticism. He has relieved me of the whole of the business side of the -production. It is not too much to say that, without his constant help -and encouragement, this book would never have been published.</p> - -<p>The book has been written primarily for the men who served with the -Battalion. If they experience as much pleasure in the reading, as I -have in the writing of it, its publication is more than justified.</p> - -<p class="r2">P. G. BALES.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Postscript.</span>—Since this book went to press “The West Riding -Territorials in the Great War,” by Major L. Magnus, has been published. -Apart from three or four minor corrections, such as a date and the -number of a Division, I have seen no reason to alter anything set down -here.</p> - -<p class="r2">P.G.B.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table summary="contents" class="smaller"> - <tr> - <th class="chap">CHAPTER</th> - <th></th> - <th class="pag">PAGE</th> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">I.</td> - <td class="cht1">Mobilisation and Training</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">II.</td> - <td class="cht1">Fleurbaix</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_12">12</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">III.</td> - <td class="cht1">Ypres, 1915: July to October; October 16th; The -Wet Months; December 19th</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">IV.</td> - <td class="cht1">January to June, 1916</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">V.</td> - <td class="cht1">The Battle of the Somme: Thiepval Wood; September -3rd; Leipsig Redoubt</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">VI.</td> - <td class="cht1">With the Third Army: Hannescamps; Fonquevillers; -Halloy; Berles; Riviere</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">VII.</td> - <td class="cht1">With the First Army: Ferme du Bois Sector; Cordonnerie -Sector; St. Elie Sector</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">VIII.</td> - <td class="cht1">The Coast: St. Pol and Ghyvelde; Lombartzyde -Sector; Coast Defence and Training; En Route for Ypres</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">IX.</td> - <td class="cht1">The Belle Vue Spur: October 4th–8th; October 9th; -Rest and Reorganisation</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">X.</td> - <td class="cht1">Winter on the Passchendaele Ridge: Molenaarelsthoek -and Keerselaarhoek; Work and Training; Reutel Sector</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">XI.</td> - <td class="cht1">The Spring Offensive: Erquinghem and Le Veau; -Nieppe; Bailleul; St. Jans Cappel; Poperinghe; Kemmel</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_203">203</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">XII.</td> - <td class="cht1">The Last of Ypres: May, 1918; Zillebeke Sector; -Zillebeke Raid; Quiet Days in the Ypres Sector</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_237">237</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">XIII.</td> - <td class="cht1">The Last Stage: Movements and Training; October -11th and After; Reorganisation; November 1st–2nd</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_254">254</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">XIV.</td> - <td class="cht1">Demobilisation: Auby and Douai; The Return of the Cadre</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_276">276</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <th class="chap">APPENDIX</th> - <th></th> - <th></th> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">I.</td> - <td class="cht1">Itinerary of the Battalion</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_287">287</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">II.</td> - <td class="cht1">Nominal Roll of Officers</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_295">295</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">III.</td> - <td class="cht1">Nominal Roll of Warrant Officers and Company -Quarter Master Sergeants</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_304">304</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">IV.</td> - <td class="cht1">Summary of Casualties</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_307">307</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">V.</td> - <td class="cht1">List of Honours and Awards</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_308">308</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chn">VI.</td> - <td class="cht1">The Battalion Canteen</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#Page_312">312</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> -</div> - -<table summary="illos" class="smaller"> - <tr> - <td class="cht1">The Cloth Hall, Ypres: 1914; 1918</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#frontispiecea"><span class="smcap">Frontispiece</span></a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <th></th> - <th class="pag">Facing Page</th> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Lieut.-Col. H. S. Atkinson, T.D.</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_008fp">8</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Major E. P. Chambers; Lieut.-Col. H. A. S. Stanton, D.S.O.; -Capt. H. N. Waller</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_020afp">20</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Capt. M. P. Andrews; Capt. E. E. Sykes, M.C.; Capt. W. F. -Denning; Capt. T. D. Pratt</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_032afp">32</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Lieut.-Col. C. J. Pickering, C.M.G., D.S.O.; Lieut.-Col. G. K. -Sullivan, O.B.E., M.C.</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_044afp">44</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Brig.-General E. G. St. Aubyn, D.S.O.</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_064fp">64</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Capt. W. N. Everitt, M.C.; Capt. C. Hirst; Lieut. J. T. Riley; -Capt. S. S. Greaves, D.S.O., M.C., R.A.M.C.</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_074afp">74</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Lieut.-Col. J. Walker, D.S.O.</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_088fp">88</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Brig.-General R. E. Sugden, C.M.G., D.S.O., T.D.</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_112fp">112</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Capt. A. E. Mander; Capt. J. G. Mowat, M.C.; Capt. E. N. -Marshall, M.C.; Capt. N. Geldard, D.S.O., M.C.</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_128afp">128</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">The Lombartzyde Sector: Aeroplane Map</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_148fp">148</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker, M.C.; R.S.M. W. Lee, M.C.; C.S.M. -W. Medley, M.C., M.M.; Sergt. A. Loosemore, V.C., D.C.M.</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_164afp">164</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">The Ypres Salient: Winter, 1917–1918</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_184afp">184</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Major W. C. Fenton, M.C.; Capt. N. T. Farrar, M.C.; Capt. -A. Kirk, M.C.; Capt. P. G. Bales, M.C.</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_196afp">196</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Private A. Poulter, V.C.</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_208fp">208</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Bailleul Church: After the Bombardment</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_218fp">218</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Capt. H. H. Aykroyd, M.C.; Capt. W. N. Broomhead, T.D.; -Capt. W. Grantham; Capt. S. Balme</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_240afp">240</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat, D.S.O., M.C.</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_256fp">256</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Wellington Cemetery, near Roeux</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_270fp">270</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">The Cadre at Halifax: June 18th, 1919</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_284fp">284</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>LIST OF MAPS.</h2> -</div> - -<table summary="maps" class="smaller"> - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Ypres, 1915</td> - <td class="right">facing page</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_058fp">58</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Thiepval Wood, 1916</td> - <td class="right">„  „ </td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_080fp">80</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">September 3rd, 1916</td> - <td class="right">„  „ </td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_096fp">96</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Raid near Ficheux, February, 1917</td> - <td class="right">page</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_117">117</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">St. Elie Right Sub-Sector, 1917</td> - <td class="right">facing page</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_144fp">144</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Lombartzyde Sector, 1917</td> - <td class="right">„  „ </td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_156fp">156</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Belle Vue Spur, October 9th, 1917</td> - <td class="right">„  „ </td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_172fp">172</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Raid near Reutel, March, 1918</td> - <td class="right">page</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_195">195</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Erquinghem and Nieppe, April, 1918</td> - <td class="right">facing page</td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_214fp">214</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Bailleul, April, 1918</td> - <td class="right">„  „ </td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_220fp">220</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Kemmel, April, 1918</td> - <td class="right">„  „ </td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_234fp">234</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Raid near Zillebeke, June, 1918</td> - <td class="right">„  „ </td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_246fp">246</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">October 11th, 1918</td> - <td class="right">„  „ </td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_264fp">264</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Cambrai and Valenciennes</td> - <td class="right">„  „ </td> - <td class="pag"><a href="#i_b_274fp">274</a></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Flanders</td> - <td class="right" colspan="2">at end of book</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht1">Fifth and Third Army Areas, 1916–1917</td> - <td class="right" colspan="2">„  „ </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[1]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER I.<br /> -<span class="subhed">MOBILISATION AND TRAINING.</span></h2></div> - -<p>At the outbreak of war with Germany, early in August, 1914, the West -Riding Territorial Division consisted of the following battalions:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangingindent">1st. West Riding Infantry Brigade: 5th, 6th, -7th and 8th Battalions West Yorkshire Regiment.</p> - -<p class="hangingindent">2nd. West Riding Infantry Brigade: 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th -Battalions Duke of Wellington’s (W.R.) Regiment.</p> - -<p class="hangingindent">3rd. West Riding Infantry Brigade: 4th and 5th Battalions King’s -Own Yorkshire Light Infantry; 4th and 5th Battalions York and -Lancaster Regiment.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">Major-General T. S. Baldock, C.B., was in command of the -Division, and Brigadier-General E. F. Brereton, D.S.O., of the 2nd -West Riding Infantry Brigade. No change of battalions took place in -any of the Infantry Brigades until the reorganisation of the British -Expeditionary Force at the beginning of 1918, when each was reduced to -three battalions; and even then no fresh battalion was added to the -Division.</p> - -<p>The 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s (W.R.) Regt, was under the -command of Lieut.-Colonel H. S. Atkinson, T.D., of Cleckheaton, and -Major E. P. Chambers, of Brighouse, was second in command. Capt. H. A. -S. Stanton, of the Royal Scots Regt., was Adjutant. Though the regular -army had recently been reorganised on a four-company basis, a similar -change had not yet been made in the Territorial Force, so that the -Battalion consisted of eight companies as follows:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span></p> - -<table summary="companies" class="smaller"> - <tr> - <td class="cht">A Company (Halifax)</td> - <td class="ctr">commanded by</td> - <td class="cht">Capt. V. A. Milligan.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht">B Company (Halifax)</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="cht">Capt. D. B. Winter.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht">C Company (Halifax)</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="cht">Capt. D. V. Fleming.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht">D Company (Brighouse)</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="cht">Capt. R. E. Sugden.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht">E Company (Cleckheaton)</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="cht">Capt. J. Walker.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht">F Company (Halifax)</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="cht">Lieut. E. P. Learoyd.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht">G Company (Elland)</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="cht">Capt. R. H. Goldthorp.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht">H Company (Sowerby Bridge)</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="cht">Capt. W. A. Laxton.</td> - </tr> - -</table> - -<p class="p-left">All the four companies from the out-lying districts were -well up to strength, but the Halifax companies were weak.</p> - -<p>On July 26th, the Battalion went to camp at Marske-by-the-Sea for its -annual period of training. The time was one of intense anxiety and -excitement. On July 28th, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. -Three days later general mobilisation was ordered by Russia, which -produced an immediate ultimatum from Berlin. The next day mobilisation -was ordered in both France and Germany; the latter, as is now well -known, had been mobilising and concentrating secretly on its French -and Belgian frontiers for some days. On August 2nd, the German -armies entered Luxembourg, and violated French territory without -any declaration of war. Two days later Britain sent its ultimatum -to Germany and as, on the same day, German troops entered Belgian -territory, war broke out between the two countries at midnight, August -4/5th. Such was the atmosphere in which the Battalion carried out its -training at Marske.</p> - -<p>The camp should have lasted a fortnight, but it broke up at the end -of a week. The Special Service Section of 100 other ranks, under the -command of Capt. R. E. Sugden, with Lieut. H. N. Waller as his second -in command, was the first to leave. Orders for it to proceed at once -to Grimsby arrived during the church parade on Sunday, August 2nd, and -it left the same day. It was employed guarding the Admiralty Wireless -Station at Waltham, and the water and electricity works. On August 3rd, -the men of the Battalion returned to their homes, where they waited in -hourly expectation of orders to mobilise. These came on the evening of -the following day, and the same night the Battalion was concentrated -at Halifax, the men sleeping in the Secondary Schools in Prescott -Street. The Battalion was about 650 strong. Scarcely a man had failed -to report.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span></p> - -<p>About 1-30 p.m. on August 5th, the Battalion<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> marched down Horton -Street to the Railway Station, and there took train for Hull, its -allotted station. There was no public send-off. War had come so -suddenly that people seemed hardly to realise what was happening. On -arrival most of the men were billeted in a big concert hall in the -town, the remainder occupying a Working Boys’ Club in one of the poorer -quarters, and buildings near the docks. At Hull the men were variously -employed. Guards were provided on the docks and at the Naval Signal -Station. Working parties were sent out to dig trenches at Sutton, part -of the new system of coast defences which was being prepared. Perhaps -the most congenial duty was the rounding up of a number of Germans in -the district; these were searched—some of them were found to be in -possession of revolvers—and were then marched off to S.S. “Borodino,” -one of the new Wilson liners, on board of which they were confined. The -guard on the vessel was found by the Battalion and this was considered -to be a good job.</p> - -<p>During these first days of war the ration question was extremely -difficult. The carefully planned pre-war scheme had broken down the -very first day. The Battalion had no transport, and neither the Quarter -Master nor the transport personnel had accompanied it to Hull. Taxis -had to be requisitioned to take the place of transport vehicles; food -had to be obtained as and where it could be found. Great credit was due -to R.Q.M.S. F. J. Cooke and his staff for the way in which they pulled -the Battalion through the difficulty. At this time the men were armed -with the C.L.L.E. rifle and were fairly well equipped; difficulties of -equipment only became serious when drafts began<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span> to arrive. About 100 -National Reservists joined the Battalion at Hull.</p> - -<p>On August 11th, the Battalion was relieved by a Special Reserve -Battalion of Lancashire Fusiliers and moved by water to Immingham, -where it was stationed at the docks. Here it had its first experience -of war conditions. There were no proper billets. The officers all slept -on the floor of a granary, a part of the same building doing duty as -a Battalion Mess. The men were even worse off, having nothing better -than a number of sheds with concrete floors. At Immingham the Special -Service Section and the transport personnel rejoined. There, too, the -whole of the 2nd West Riding Infantry Brigade, except one battalion, -was concentrated. A further draft of National Reservists also joined.</p> - -<p>Only two days were spent at Immingham, and then the Battalion marched -to Great Coates, where it remained for nearly five weeks. This was -the beginning of the long period of intensive training which preceded -its departure overseas. The men were billeted in barns, granaries and -stables, thus getting an early taste of what was to become their normal -mode of life for long periods in France. Training consisted mostly of -route marches, and battalion and company schemes. Great attention was -paid to musketry. Newly-gazetted officers began to arrive, and further -drafts of men brought the Battalion up to full strength before it left -Great Coates, though a good many National Reservists were rejected at -the medical examination. The weather was perfect. Days of glorious -sunshine followed one another with monotonous regularity.</p> - -<p>On September 15th, the Battalion went under canvas in Riby Park, where -training continued for another month. At first there had been few -volunteers for service overseas. Little information was available as to -the conditions of service, and few men had yet realised the greatness -of the crisis. But when the situation was properly understood they -responded to the call well. The Battalion became definitely a foreign -service unit. All officers and other ranks who had not volunteered -for general service left it, and joined the 2/4th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt., which was being formed at Halifax. About the middle -of October, the whole Battalion moved to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> neighbourhood of Marsden, -in the Colne Valley, to fire the General Musketry Course. Several -ranges were used by different companies, but the shooting was much -interfered with by the atrocious weather which was experienced there. -Here most of the men were inoculated, and leave was plentiful.</p> - -<p>On November 5th, Battalion H.Q. moved by train to Doncaster, at -which place the whole of the 2nd West Riding Infantry Brigade was -concentrated during the next few days. There it remained throughout the -winter and only left when the time came for it to move to France.</p> - -<p>It was not until the middle of January, 1915, that the Battalion was -reorganised on a four-company basis, in accordance with the system -adopted shortly before the war by the Regular Army. The original -companies were then amalgamated as follows:—</p> - -<table summary="companies" class="smaller"> - <tr> - <td class="ctr">A and D</td> - <td class="ctr">Companies</td> - <td class="ctr">joined to form</td> - <td class="ctr">No. 1</td> - <td class="ctr">(afterwards A)</td> - <td class="ctr">Coy.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="ctr">E and G</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="ctr">No. 2</td> - <td class="ctr">(  „  B)</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="ctr">B and C</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="ctr">No. 3</td> - <td class="ctr">(  „  C)</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="ctr">F and H</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="ctr">No. 4</td> - <td class="ctr">(  „  D)</td> - <td class="ctr">„<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p class="p-left">Companies were billeted in schools in the town. On the whole these -billets were made pretty comfortable, for the men were fast learning -how to look after themselves.<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> Officers occupied rooms in various -hotels and private houses, but had a Battalion Mess, first at an hotel, -but later in a house which was rented in Regent Terrace.</p> - -<p>All available time was occupied in training and organisation. With the -exception of a few small guards, the Battalion had no garrison duties -to find. During the earlier part of its stay at Doncaster most of the -training took the form of field days. Training areas were allotted near -the town, and these were frequently changed in order to give variety. -Many fierce “battles” were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> fought both by day and night. Usually -the Battalion worked out its own schemes, but occasionally there -were Brigade and Divisional days, when the officers and men learned -something of the co-operation of the different arms. The training -was very strenuous and involved a great deal of route marching. The -Battalion would parade about 7-0 a.m. and march out, often a distance -of seven or eight miles, to the training area. A scheme would then be -worked out, and after it was over the Battalion would be marched back. -Considerable distances were thus often covered in a day, and the men -got into splendid condition. After the Battalion had been reorganised -into four companies, the system of training was considerably changed -for a time, as a completely new drill had to be learned. So an ordinary -day’s training became much as follows. After about half-an-hour’s -physical training, the Battalion marched down to the Race Course where -the morning was spent at the new drill; an hour’s bayonet fighting -in the afternoon completed the work for the day. Much attention was -also paid to musketry. This was carried out under the supervision of -Major R. E. Sugden, who lived at Battalion H.Q. for that purpose, and -thus was not able to see much of his Company. Ranges at Cantley and -Scunthorpe were used. A little trench digging was done near Armthorpe -but, as it was still hoped that the war would soon become one of -movement again, this form of training was not taken very seriously. -On one occasion the Battalion was inspected on the Race Course by the -G.O.C., Northern Command; but otherwise, little attention was paid to -ceremonial drill. Lectures on various military subjects were given -by the officers and, in order to give variety to the men and lighten -the work of the lecturers, senior officers went round the different -companies giving the same lectures to each.</p> - -<p>Alarms were not infrequent but, only once, was there any real reason -for them. That occasion was the day when a few fast German cruisers -slipped across the North Sea, and bombarded Scarborough for a short -time. That morning the Battalion had marched out about eight miles to -do a scheme. It had just arrived when urgent orders to return at once -were received. Without any rest the men fell in and marched straight -back to Doncaster<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> without a halt. It was very hot for the time of -year, and the march was no mean performance. For the rest of that day -all troops were confined to billets; but they were not called upon to -do anything further and everything was normal the next day.</p> - -<p>The time spent at Doncaster was very pleasant. The townsfolk were very -kind to all the men, many of whom made good friends. Long after they -had gone overseas several men were still corresponding with Doncaster -people, and most of the survivors have warm recollections of the -hospitality extended to them. Christmas was celebrated right royally. -Few were able to get home, but everything possible was done to make the -season an enjoyable one. Dinners were served at the principal hotels<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> -of the town and, thanks to the generosity of the Doncaster Tradesmen’s -Association, about half the Battalion was entertained in the Corn -Exchange on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.</p> - -<p>But in spite of everything there was much discontent in the Battalion, -though one can hardly grumble at the cause of it. The men longed to -be at the “Front.” Most of them had expected to go overseas very soon -and, as the weeks dragged into months, some began to wonder whether -they ever would get there. This long delay was due mainly to shortage -of equipment. Practically everything was going to the New Armies, which -were in training, and there was little left over for the Territorial -Force. Furthermore, there was the ever-present fear of invasion, and it -was not deemed safe to send the Territorials overseas until new troops -were sufficiently trained to defend the country in case of need. But -few of the men understood these things. One man actually deserted in -order to enlist in another regiment, because he thought the Battalion -was not going out. Another wrote direct to the Secretary of State for -War to ask the reason for the delay and, of course, was well “told off” -for his pains. Rumours were plentiful, but, as nothing came of them, -they only served to increase the feeling of disappointment.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span></p> - -<p>At length, one day early in April, definite news was received. A -tactical tour for the officers and senior N.C.O.’s of the Battalion had -been arranged, under the personal supervision of the Brigadier. When -the latter arrived he brought the news that the Battalion was to move -in a few days. Immediately there was a light-hearted feeling about that -party such as there had seldom been before.</p> - -<p>The days which followed were full of excitement and activity. There -was an enormous amount of work to be done, and very little time to do -it. During the last few days there was little rest for officers and -N.C.O.’s. Up to that time it had been extremely difficult to obtain -articles of kit and equipment. Owing to the enormous demands of the -army already in France, and the fact that the productive power of the -British factories was scarcely a hundredth part of what it became -towards the end of the war, there was very little material available -for distribution to troops at home. But, now that the Battalion was -under orders for the Front, all kinds of stores were thrust upon it. -The miscellaneous collection of spring carts and vans, which had done -duty as transport vehicles, were replaced by the proper limbered -wagons; transport animals and harness arrived quicker than they -could be dealt with. Men were constantly being paraded to receive -some article of kit or equipment; one time it would be new winter -underclothing, another time new boots. These articles are particularly -worthy of notice. Why a Battalion should be fitted out with winter -underclothing early in April is a question which probably only the War -Office officials of the period could satisfactorily answer. While as -to the boots, it was not long before many a man was yearning for his -comfortable old pair. Right up to the end fresh stores were arriving -and being issued. Indeed, about midnight of the Battalion’s last night -in England—reveille was to be at 4-0 a.m.—A Company was hauled -out of bed by two enthusiastic subalterns to exchange its old web -pouches for new; the men of the company, it should be added, hardly -showed themselves so enthusiastic as their officers about the change, -particularly when they discovered in the morning that nearly all the -pouches received were for the left side. But, in spite of all, things -somehow got done.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_008fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_008fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Lieut.-Col. H. S. ATKINSON, T.D.</p> - </div> - -<p>On April 12th, the transport men, with their animals and loaded -vehicles, entrained for Southampton. They were to move by a different -route from the rest of the Battalion. Major R. E. Sugden and Lieut. -C. Hirst, the Battalion Transport Officer, were in charge of the -party. Considering the men’s lack of experience, the embarkation went -very smoothly. On board elaborate drill in case of torpedo attack was -practised, but the voyage proved uneventful. They disembarked at Havre -and proceeded by train to Hesdigneul, where they rejoined the Battalion -on April 15th.</p> - -<p>April 14th, the fateful day, arrived. Reveille was at 4-0 a.m., and, -after breakfast, preparations were soon complete and the Battalion -paraded ready to move off. The following is the complete list of -officers, warrant officers, and quartermaster sergeants who were to -accompany the Battalion overseas:—</p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Battalion H.Q.</i></p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut.-Col. H. S. Atkinson, T.D. (C.O.).</li> - <li>Major E. P. Chambers (Second in Command).</li> - <li>Capt. H. A. S. Stanton (Adjutant).</li> - <li>Hon. Lieut. T. Fielding (Q.M.).</li> - <li>Lieut. E. Lee (Machine Gun Officer).</li> - <li>Lieut. S. Balme (Signalling Officer).</li> - <li>Lieut. C. Hirst (Transport Officer).</li> - <li>Capt. A. T. Griffiths, R.A.M.C. (Medical Officer).</li> - <li>R.S.M. J. McCormack.</li> - <li>R.Q.M.S. F. J. Cooke.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="center"><i>A Company.</i></p> - -<ul> - <li>Major R. E. Sugden;</li> - <li>Capt. M. P. Andrews;</li> - <li>Lieut. G. W. I. Learoyd;</li> - <li>Lieut. E. N. Marshall;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. E. Taylor;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. G. P. McGuire.</li> - <li class="top">C.S.M. E. Bottomley.</li> - <li>C.Q.M.S. C. Southern.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="center"><i>B Company.</i></p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. J. Walker;</li> - <li>Capt. H. N. Waller;</li> - <li>Lieut. J. T. Riley;</li> - <li>Lieut. B. A. Bell;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. G. Mowat;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. H. Aykroyd.</li> - <li class="top">C.S.M. A. Parkin.</li> - <li>C.Q.M.S. D. McKeand.</li> -</ul> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>C Company.</i></p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. D. B. Winter;</li> - <li>Capt. E. E. Sykes;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. W. C. Fenton;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. F. Walker.</li> - <li class="top">C.S.M. E. Lumb.</li> - <li>C.Q.M.S. W. Lee.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="center"><i>D Company.</i></p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. A. L. Mowat;</li> - <li>Capt. W. F. Denning;</li> - <li>Lieut. W. B. Yates;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. T. D. Pratt;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. W. L. Anderton.</li> - <li class="top">C.S.M. C. C. MacKay.</li> - <li>C.Q.M.S. G. Jackson.</li> -</ul> - -<p>The 2/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. had come into Doncaster -a few days before and was encamped on the Race Course. Officers and men -turned out now to give their friends and townsmen a rousing send-off. -Their Band played the Battalion to the Railway Station, while their -men lined the streets. The townspeople also turned out in considerable -numbers to say farewell to their recently-made friends. A platoon of -A Company constituted the loading party, under the command of Lieut. -E. N. Marshall, who records that among the miscellaneous stores which -he helped to load upon the train was one coil of barbed wire. Even in -those early days he considered it unnecessary.</p> - -<p>Two trains were provided for the journey. The first, under the command -of Lieut.-Col. H. S. Atkinson, T.D., carried A and B Companies. It was -due to depart at 12-0 noon. When all were entrained and everything -seemed ready, the driver, being a civilian, thought it was time to -start and began to move off. But, of course, that was all wrong. The -train was stopped, the “Advance” was blown on the bugle, and then off -they went. The other train, under the command of Major E. P. Chambers, -and carrying C and D Companies, started more quietly and with less -formality from a siding further down the line.</p> - -<p>The journey was uneventful and slow. The trains circled round London, -and the first arrived at Folkestone Quay about 8-45 p.m. The men -immediately embarked on S.S. “Invicta,” which the Battalion had all -to itself, and were soon at sea. The night was quiet and the crossing -calm. Soon after 10-0 p.m. the vessel<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> arrived at Boulogne, and the -Battalion had its first sight of the “promised land.” At last it was -really on active service, and was to take its place side by side with -the men who had made history at Mons, the Marne, Ypres, and a score of -other battles.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER II.<br /> -<span class="subhed">FLEURBAIX.</span></h2></div> - -<p>The Battalion was in France. On arrival at Boulogne it disembarked at -once and marched to St. Martin’s Camp, which was on a hill a mile or -two outside the town. This camp had only recently been started and the -arrangements were far from ideal. A few tents for the officers, and -bivouacs for the men, were the only accommodation. No one had had a -proper meal since he left Doncaster, but no food was provided at the -camp until the following morning. One blanket per man—sewn up to form -a sort of cloak, with a hole in the top for the owner to put his head -through if he felt so inclined—was the only covering provided. Tired -and hungry the Battalion turned in, but not to sleep. It was a cold and -frosty night. After their comfortable billets at Doncaster the men were -not in good training for such rigorous conditions, and the memory of -that night still lives in the minds of some of the “old-timers” of the -Battalion. By a very early hour nearly everyone was out on the road, -stamping up and down in an attempt to get warm. Breakfast time was very -welcome.</p> - -<p>After breakfast, rations for the day were drawn and iron rations -issued, and then the Battalion started on one of the hardest marches -it ever had to make. A late change in the orders had caused a delay -of more than two hours so that, when the men at length moved off, the -march was much more strenuous than it would otherwise have been. It was -a very hot day, with a blazing sun. Most of the men were tired before -they started. They had had a long railway journey and a sea crossing -the previous day, and few had been able to get any sleep during the -night. Clad in their thick winter underclothing, and with packs much -heavier than they had been used to in training, they were none too<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> -suitably equipped for a long tramp. But, worst of all, were the new -boots with which everyone had been supplied before leaving Doncaster; -these had not yet become fitted to the feet, and before long many men -were suffering severely. Men who had never fallen out on a march before -were compelled to do so then, and there were soon many stragglers -on the road, gamely trying to struggle along. It was a very jaded -battalion which at length arrived at the little wayside station of -Hesdigneul.</p> - -<p>The train, with transport vehicles, animals and personnel on board, -was already waiting in the station. Some tea was obtained from a -little wooden canteen near by and then the Battalion entrained, most -of the stragglers having come up by that time. Here the men were first -introduced to what would be called a cattle truck in England, but which -in France bears the mystic legend “Hommes 40, Chevaux 8”—the type of -compartment which was to be their customary means of conveyance on the -somewhat rare occasions when they travelled by rail. Many were the -speculations as to the Battalion’s destination, but no information -could be obtained from the railway officials. Wild rumours circulated, -the most popular being that a great battle was in progress and the -Battalion was being hurried up as a reinforcement. But, as usual, -rumour proved false. After a journey, uninteresting but for the fact -that it was the first most of the men had ever made on the Continent, -the train arrived at Merville about 6-0 p.m., and orders to detrain -were issued.</p> - -<p>There followed another march, worse in some respects than the first. -Certainly it was not so hot, but the rest on the train had allowed -muscles to stiffen and sore feet to develop. Only their tremendous -keenness, and the novelty of active service, kept many of the men -going. One N.C.O. at least arrived at his destination carrying his -boots, having tramped the last part of the way in his stockinged feet. -It was long after dark before the Battalion reached Estaires where it -took over its first billets in France. These were on the edge of the -town, on the Neuf Berquin Road. They had previously been occupied by -Indian troops and were, almost without exception, filthy. Battalion -H.Q. was in the Chateau, but those who had looked for a fine,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> -castellated mansion were grievously disappointed. It was some time -before the place could be found, and when it was discovered, it turned -out to be a large, but quite uninteresting, building up a side street. -According to rumour, it had been occupied by all sorts of undesirables, -from Germans to typhoid patients; at any rate it was very dirty, -and much work was necessary before it could be put into a habitable -condition. For a day or two all officers messed at a large estaminet by -the Hotel de Ville, but then the system of company messes was started -and continued throughout the Battalion’s period of active service.</p> - -<p>All now knew that they were near the Front. Ruined houses along the -road had borne silent testimony to the presence of war. In Estaires the -sound of the guns could be clearly heard, and there the first aeroplane -fight which anyone had seen was witnessed. The Division was now in the -IV. Corps of the First Army. A few days after landing it received its -new title of the 49th Division; the 2nd West Riding Infantry Brigade -became the 147th Infantry Brigade.</p> - -<p>About a week was spent at Estaires and, during that time, practically -all the officers and many other ranks visited the front line trenches -for short periods of instruction. The first party, which comprised -about half the officers and a large number of N.C.O’s, went up on -April 19th for twenty-four hours. Old London omnibuses carried them -to beyond Bac St. Maur, and then they walked up to the section of the -line which they were soon to take over the defence of—No. 3 Section -of the Fleurbaix Sector. Here they came under the tutelage of the 2nd -Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. On the return of this party, the -remainder of the officers and more N.C.O’s had their turn. Then the -Battalion began to send up whole platoons, each under its own platoon -commander, for twenty-four hours. It was during one of these tours -of instruction that the Battalion suffered its first casualties. -At that time movement to and from the front line, in the Fleurbaix -Sector, was almost entirely across the open, communication trenches -being practically non-existent. When coming out after their tour of -instruction on April 23rd, one man was killed and two were wounded by -stray bullets.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the Battalion was resting. Little work was done<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> at Estaires. -Platoon commanders’ inspections and occasional short route marches -were all the military training that was attempted. The men were given -a chance to settle down in their new life. A surprise visit from -Lieut.-General Sir H. Rawlinson, G.O.C. IV. Corps, was the one exciting -event.</p> - -<p>On April 22nd, the Battalion marched to billets at Doulieu. This move -caused some discomfort to the platoons which were then undergoing -instruction in the line, as they had considerable difficulty in -finding the Battalion when they returned. Guides had been left behind -for them, but these apparently got tired of waiting and departed. At -Doulieu the Battalion was visited by General Sir Douglas Haig, at -that time commanding the First Army, who surprised a luckless, though -well-meaning, subaltern in the very act of issuing rum to his platoon -at unauthorised hours.</p> - -<p>Two days later the Battalion moved to the neighbourhood of La Croix -Lescornez, where it was in Brigade Reserve to the front line. The -following day, an order to provide 400 men for work under the -Royal Engineers was an indication of much of the future life of -the Battalion. The same day the whole of A Company went into the -line, being distributed along the front held by the 3rd Battalion -Worcestershire Regt., which had relieved the 2nd Battalion West -Yorkshire Regt.</p> - -<p>On April 26th, the Battalion relieved the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire -Regt. in No. 3 Section of the Fleurbaix Sector.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>One relief is much like another, and all who know the Western Front can -picture the scene in the billet of No. — Platoon of — Company on the -morning of April 26th, 1915.</p> - -<p>A dirty yard, with the usual midden in the middle, is surrounded by -buildings on all sides. Nearest to the road is the great barn, which -has been the platoon’s home for the last few days. It is not an ideal -billet. The floor is of trampled earth, with a little straw here and -there; a timber framework, filled in with clay and straw, forms the -walls; the roof is tiled. Many holes in the walls let in light and -air and allow the wind to whistle round<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> the barn; many tiles are -missing from the roof and, at night, a sleepless man can lie gazing -at the stars, or feel the rain falling on his face, according to the -weather. Walls, four to five feet high, subdivide the barn into several -compartments.</p> - -<p>On the opposite side of the yard lies the house—all ground floor. Its -kitchen is well known to the platoon, for the people have been good to -the men. Many of them have sat round that strange closed stove, which -will burn anything, and have drunk coffee, while they aired their -French with their hosts. Stables, pig-sties, and other farm buildings -form the other sides of the yard.</p> - -<p>“Blankets, rolled in bundles of ten and labelled,” have been dumped -ready to be collected by the transport. Equipment has been made up and -packed, and is lying about the yard. Rifles lean against the walls. The -barn has been left “scrupulously clean” and passed as satisfactory. -For the moment there is nothing special to do. The men stand about -the yard in groups, smoking and talking. Some are drinking coffee -in the kitchen. Private X is carrying on a lively conversation with -“Mademoiselle.”</p> - -<p>“Fall in!” Men leisurely don their equipment, pick up their rifles, and -obey. Private Y is the last as usual, and is rebuked by his section -commander. N.C.O’s glance at their men and report “All Correct” to the -platoon sergeant. “Platoon—’Shun!” The men come up to the position of -readiness, described in the Drill Book. “Right—Dress!” They dress. -“Platoon, by Sections—Number! Form—Fours! Form—Two-deep! Stand -at—Ease! Stand—Easy!” The platoon is ready to move.</p> - -<p>“Platoon—’Shun!” The officer has arrived. “Platoon present and -correct, sir!” A rapid inspection, a word of criticism here and there, -and the men again stand easy.</p> - -<p>“Platoon—’Shun! Slope—Arms! Move to the right in Fours, Form—Fours! -Right! Quick—March! Right—Wheel!” The platoon moves out of the yard. -“March Easy!” Rifle slings are loosened and the rifles slung; pipes -and cigarettes appear; the pace settles down to a steady hundred to -the minute. With a cheery greeting to “Madame” and an affectionate -farewell<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> to “Mademoiselle,” they pass the estaminet. The roads are wet -and muddy, and boots soon lose their parade polish. Now the platoon is -leaving the village. A little ahead are the cross-roads, which mark the -Battalion starting point. The subaltern consults his watch. Good! He is -exactly on time.</p> - -<p>“Platoon, March to Attention!” Pipes and cigarettes disappear; slings -are tightened; rifles are brought to the slope. “Left—Left—Left, -Right, Left!” The pace smartens up to the regulation hundred and twenty -to the minute. “Eyes—Right!” They are passing the cross-roads where -the C.O., with his Adjutant, is standing.</p> - -<p>“Eyes—Front! March Easy!” Again rifles are slung and matches struck. -The pace soon settles down to the old hundred to the minute. The road -is muddier than ever now. Few vehicles, except the infantry transport, -use it beyond the village; and so it is seldom repaired. The country -grows more desolate; on all sides are ruined buildings, shattered -trees, and the countless signs of war. But jest and song help to -enliven the way, for the men are fresh after their few days’ rest.</p> - -<p>At “ten minutes to the hour” the platoon falls out on the right of the -road. Equipment is taken off. The grass is wet, but some sit down; in -later days, in spite of all orders to the contrary, they will sit on -their “tin hats.” It seems hardly a minute before they are called on to -don their equipment and fall in again.</p> - -<p>At length a communication trench is reached. The men are quieter now. -Over to the right an occasional shell is bursting. The crack of a rifle -is heard now and then. The trench is muddy, and, here and there, water -is over the duckboards. Private Z slips, and expresses his opinion of -the sandbag-full of charcoal, which he is carrying, in unmistakeable -terms.</p> - -<p>The trench seems endless, but, at last, the front line is reached. -Other men, covered with mud and wearing equipment, are waiting there. -The relief goes smoothly. Sentries are changed, duties are handed over, -the latest intelligence about “Fritz” or “Jerry” is imparted. “Quiet -tour. Not a casualty in our company. He doesn’t fire if you lie doggo.”</p> - -<p>With every sign of satisfaction the relieved troops withdraw.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> Men who -are not on sentry seek their shelters and grouse at the condition they -have been left in. The platoon commander inspects his line, swears that -the people he has relieved have done no work during the whole tour, and -goes off to air his grievances at Company H.Q. The Company Commander -wires “Hundred gallons of rum urgently needed,” “Love to Alice,” or -some such message, which has been agreed upon to signify “Relief -complete.”</p> - -<p>The tour has begun.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>For the first time, the Battalion was responsible for the defence of a -sector of the line, with no one between it and the enemy. There it was -to remain for about two months, inter-relieving every few days with the -6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., and spending its rest periods -in and near the village of Fleurbaix.</p> - -<p>No. 3 Section was about a thousand yards in breadth. There was a -continuous front line but, apart from a few strong points with -all-round defence, there were no fortifications in rear of it. Those -were the days when artillery was scanty and shells few; when Lewis -guns were unheard of and the only machine guns available were the -two Maxims owned by each battalion. Hence it was to the rifle that -everyone looked for the defence of the line, and, in order to secure -the maximum of fire effect, as many men as possible were permanently -stationed in the front line. At that time there were practically no men -extra-regimentally employed, and the personnel of the Transport and -the Q.M. Stores was cut down to a minimum. No “trench strength” for -this first tour has been preserved, but the Battalion must have been at -least 900 other ranks strong. Thirteen out of the sixteen platoons were -stationed in the front line, so that, making due allowance for the men -attached to Battalion H.Q., there must have been nearly 700 men in that -1,000 yards of trench—in other words, well over a man to every yard of -fire bay. It can easily be imagined how crowded the line was. At stand -to men stood shoulder to shoulder on every fire step.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span></p> - -<p>During the Battalion’s first tour in this Section, A Company was on the -right, D Company in the centre, and B Company on the left. C Company -lent one platoon to strengthen the garrison of the front line, the -remainder occupying Dead Dog Farm and another strong point in the -neighbourhood. In subsequent tours these positions were inter-changed -in order to give each company its turn in battalion reserve. The main -feature of the sector was the Convent Wall, which lay almost at right -angles to the front line, near the junction of B and D Companies. There -were no communication trenches up to the line. Reliefs were carried -out straight up the Rue des Bassiéres and then along the side of the -Convent Wall. From the front line the ground sloped gently up to the -crest of the Aubers Ridge. No Man’s Land was covered with thick grass -and rank weeds, and was intersected by many derelict trenches.</p> - -<p>The country was so low-lying, and water lay so near the surface, that -digging was practically impossible. Hence the defences consisted almost -entirely of breast-works, built of sandbags. The line was of the -usual stereotyped kind—six yard fire bays alternating with four yard -traverses. Shelters were built into the parados. They were very flimsy -structures, affording protection against nothing but bullets and the -weather. It is doubtful whether there was a shelter on the whole sector -which would have stopped a “whizz-bang.” Such was the line in which the -Battalion served its apprenticeship.</p> - -<p>From the G.O.C. to the latest-joined private, every man in the 49th -Division was new to trench warfare, and so had everything to learn. -Training in England had mostly taken the form of open warfare, and -practically no one in the Infantry had had any instruction in field -engineering, or in looking after his own comfort. So necessity became -the main teacher, and perhaps a better one could not have been found. -At first rations were carried up by the reserve company, but later -it was found possible to bring pack animals right up to the Convent -Wall; a light cart,—one of the many unauthorised vehicles owned by -the transport at one time or another on active service—was fitted -with axle and wheels, salved from a derelict motor car which was -found lying in a ditch, and was used for carrying ammunition<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> and -R.E. material. All rations were sent up uncooked, and for a day or -two they were issued in that form to each man. But the waste and -futility of individuals cooking for themselves was so apparent that the -system was quickly given up and section messes were instituted, one -man in each being detailed as cook. The main source of water was the -Convent pump, but the reserve company sometimes sent men down to the -nearest inhabited houses to replenish, and it is rumoured that beer -occasionally came back instead of water.</p> - -<p>About the time the Battalion reached France the enemy first made use -of poison gas in his second great attack on the Ypres Salient. This -caused great anxiety among the allied armies and measures were at once -taken to protect the men against it. The Battalion received its first -issue of respirators a few days after it arrived in the neighbourhood -of Fleurbaix. They were clumsy affairs—a piece of cotton waste, -saturated with a solution of hypo, and wrapped in black gauze. When -in use the cotton waste covered the mouth and nose and was gripped -in the teeth, the respirator being held in position by tying the -gauze at the back of the head. Old ammunition boxes, filled with hypo -solution, were installed in the front line, and the respirators were -often worn at stand to for practice. One awful wet night the Divisional -Commander visited the trenches to see the working of the respirators. -Most men were carrying them in their great coat pockets instead of -their haversacks, and when he ordered them to be put on there was -great confusion. The rain poured down; in the darkness men dropped -their respirators in the mud and the crepe became thoroughly soaked. -Altogether the practice was not a success. These first respirators -were very uncomfortable to wear, difficult to keep in position, and -practically useless against anything more dangerous than a weak -concentration of chlorine. Before long the P. helmet superseded them -but, though rather more effective, it was quite as uncomfortable. -Having no outlet valve, it was difficult to breath through, and made -the wearer terribly hot. Its single mica window was very fragile and -the least crack in it rendered the whole helmet useless. As helmets had -to be inspected at least three times a day at that time, the wastage -was very great.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_020afp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_020afp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Major E. P. CHAMBERS.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_020bfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_020bfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Lieut.-Col. H. A. S. STANTON, D.S.O.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_020cfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_020cfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. H. N. WALLER.</p> - </div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span></p> - -<p>From the very beginning great stress was laid on two things—the -continual wearing of equipment and sentry duties. These were legacies -from the experienced troops with whom the Battalion had undergone its -brief course of instruction. Periods in the line were very strenuous. -Theoretically, 25 per cent. of the men were on duty by day and 50 per -cent. by night. But, owing to the accumulation of odd duties and the -provision of working parties, no man got much rest. At Fleurbaix the -Battalion laid the foundation of its reputation as a working battalion -which it held throughout the war. Breast-works, if they are to be -kept in good condition, require even more constant attention than -trenches. Few of the men possessed any of the necessary technical -knowledge, and visits from the Royal Engineers were rare; but all men -were willing and, though some of the earlier efforts were very crude, -the work quickly improved. Professional bricklayers were in great -demand for sand-bagging, and C.S.M. E. Bottomley in particular was -looked upon as a great theoretical authority on this subject in his -own company. Not only was the upkeep of the trenches taken seriously -in hand, but entirely new work was planned and executed. The route to -the front line, by the side of the Convent Wall, was made safer, first -by the erection of canvas screens to hide movement, and later by the -construction of sandbag walls at the more dangerous points. But the -most enduring monument of the Battalion in the Fleurbaix Sector was -Dead Dog Alley—a regular communication trench which was taped out, and -nearly completed, before the Battalion left the district.</p> - -<p>The Fleurbaix Sector was a very quiet part of the line. In its -inexperience, the Battalion never properly appreciated this fact until -it learned real “liveliness” at Ypres. The early War Diaries are full -of references to heavy shelling; in reality, the enemy artillery did -little. Once a shell dropped right into the Battalion H.Q. Officers’ -Mess, but, luckily, two “shorts” had given the occupants timely -warning, and they had withdrawn to a safer spot. A few salvoes were -fired on different parts of the sector daily, the neighbourhood of the -pump receiving most attention; but there is only one recorded instance -of the front line being hit. This was fortunate for, so crowded was -the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> line, that well-directed shell fire would have wrought fearful -havoc.</p> - -<p>Unlike their artillery, the German machine gunners and riflemen were -extremely active. The Rue des Bassiéres and the Convent Wall were -always dangerous spots, while at night the enemy traversed the front -line parapet with great accuracy. His snipers were very wide-awake and -excellent shots; they had all the advantages of superior observation -and high command, and some of them were certainly equipped with -telescopic sights. It was almost as much as a man’s life was worth -for him to show his head above the parapet for a few seconds in the -daytime. Nearly all the casualties in the Fleurbaix Sector were from -bullet wounds.</p> - -<p>As has already been said, the British positions were held at this time -almost entirely by rifle fire. Few heavy guns were in use then and, -though there were a fair number of field guns, no really effective -barrage could be put down owing to the scarcity of ammunition. A very -few rounds daily were all that the artillery could fire. Some of their -ammunition was of poor quality. “Prematures” were not uncommon and -caused much worry to Battalion H.Q. One day a 4.7 shell lodged in the -breast-work just outside the Orderly Room, but did not explode.</p> - -<p>The two old Maxims which the Battalion had brought out with it were -disposed to the best advantage, but, both in attack and defence, the -main reliance had to be placed on the rifle. And the amount of rifle -fire on that front was colossal. This was particularly the case at -night. Often, somewhere far away and for no apparent reason, a perfect -storm of firing would open; company after company would take it up, -and so it would travel quickly along the line until, literally along -thousands of yards of front, every man would be working his bolt as -rapidly as possible. Sometimes this would go on for many minutes, and -then it would gradually die down. The good old custom of “Five rounds -rapid” at stand to was always encouraged in the Battalion. Occasionally -rapid fire, to harass enemy transport or carrying parties, would be -opened on some back area. In the daytime the use of the rifle was -restricted to sniping, but in this the enemy had most of the advantage -owing to his higher<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> command and his greater experience in constructing -positions. Yet every man in the Battalion was immensely keen to “bag -a Bosch.” Often one man would hurl the most insulting remarks across -No Man’s Land, or even show himself above the parapet, in the hope -that some very simple-minded German would appear, and thus present a -target to another Britisher who was anxiously waiting his chance in -a neighbouring bay. But no successes have been recorded. The enemy -was much too cute and usually retaliated only in kind. Hand-grenades -too were just coming to the fore. When they were relieved the 3rd -Worcesters had left two men in the line to instruct the Battalion -in the manufacture of “jam-tin” and “hair-brush” bombs. About this -time the Brigade Grenadier Company was formed, one platoon from each -battalion being sent for instruction in bombing. Sec.-Lieut. W. L. -Anderton became the Battalion’s first Bombing Officer. But bombing was -not taken very seriously until some months later.</p> - -<p>The Battalion was handicapped a good deal by the C.L.L.E. rifle, with -which it was armed. This weapon was much inferior to the short rifle -of the Regulars. It usually jammed before ten rounds “rapid” had been -fired, and was thus a source of much anxiety. Also, it could not be -used for firing rifle grenades as these were constructed to clip on to -the short rifle. As time went on short rifles were gradually obtained, -but the C.L.L.E. did not wholly disappear until 1916.</p> - -<p>Patrolling had not yet become the highly organised feature of trench -warfare which it was to be later in the war. In spite of the excellent -facilities offered by No Man’s Land, very little was attempted by the -Battalion in those early days. B Company tried a few patrols with -no very definite result, Sec.-Lieut. J. G. Mowat being the first -officer of the Battalion to go out. Late in May, Lieut. B. A. Bell -was seriously wounded by an enemy machine gun when out on patrol, -and was brought in by Private W. Brown, who afterwards received the -Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry on that occasion. There -was a good deal of unauthorised coming and going in No Man’s Land, -where the chance of securing souvenirs was an attraction to many.</p> - -<p>Usually, six days were spent in the line and six in Brigade<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> Reserve. -During the rest periods one company was stationed at Croix Blanche Farm -and, for tactical purposes, came under the orders of the battalion in -the line. The rest of the Battalion, with the exception of a few small -garrisons in scattered redoubts, was billeted in farm-buildings near -Fleurbaix. At first practically no training was attempted, though later -a little was begun. Time was mainly taken up with interior economy and -inspections. At night large working parties were found, mainly for -digging assembly trenches in connection with the operations which were -planning for May 9th; later on in the period work was concentrated -on Dead Dog Alley. The men wrote shoals of letters, rather to the -disgust of the officers whose duty it was to censor them. Many of these -epistles were conspicuous more for vivid imagination than for strict -adherence to truth. A little cricket was played, bathing in the ponds -of the neighbourhood was indulged in, and several company concerts were -held. A few officers and N.C.O’s were able to visit Armentières, then -a very pleasant town, in spite of its nearness to the front line. The -enemy caused very little trouble; five shells daily into Fleurbaix was -his standard “hate.”</p> - -<p>Few events of importance marked this period of the Battalion’s -apprenticeship. Its first tour in the line only lasted three days, and -it was relieved on April 29th by the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s -Regt. C Company was stationed at Croix Blanche and, shortly before -midnight on April 30th, it was suddenly alarmed and ordered up to -support the battalion in the line. The company fell in with the -greatest alacrity, some without caps or jackets, but all with rifles -and equipment. Down the road they went at the double, No. 9 Platoon -leading. Occasional enemy shells were falling in the fields and a -British battery of 4.7’s was firing vigorously. Some way down the Rue -des Bassières machine gun bullets began to sweep the road, and the men -were ordered to get into the ditch. At this point Sec.-Lieut. W. C. -Fenton was hit in the knee and had to be carried to the Aid Post; he -was thus the first officer in the Battalion to be wounded. The company -remained in the ditch for some time and then received orders to return -to billets. It had been nothing but a false alarm.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span></p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the big attack on the Aubers Ridge was preparing. This -operation was based on the experience gained in the recent fighting -about Neuve Chapelle, and it was commonly believed in the Battalion -that the 49th Division had been sent out from England in April -specially to take part. Another rumour current about this time was that -the G.O.C’s of the 49th and 50th Divisions had tossed up to decide -which of them should go to Ypres, and which to Fleurbaix. It is not -recorded who won. Originally the attack had been fixed for April 22nd. -But when the enemy made his gas attack on the Ypres Salient, some of -the troops, who had been detailed for the battle, had to be sent north -to relieve the Canadians. So the battle was put off until May 9th. No -attack was planned on the sector held by the 147th Infantry Brigade, -but as the 8th Division was going over on its immediate right it was -very probable that the 49th Division would become involved. Actually, -the part taken by the Battalion was a very minor one; but the event is -of importance as being the first occasion on which the men were engaged -in operations on a large scale.</p> - -<p>In the normal course of events the Battalion should have relieved the -6th Battalion in the front line on May 8th. But these orders were -cancelled and, instead, the men found themselves in reserve for the -attack. Their role was as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangingindent1">1. With the exception of A Company, which was placed under the -orders of the O.C. No. 3 Section, the Battalion was to assemble -in slits in the ground, near Croix Blanche, on the evening of -May 8th.</p> - -<p class="hangingindent1">2. If the attack of the Kensingtons on the extreme left proved -successful, the Battalion was to dig a trench across No Man’s -Land to connect up the old British front line with the old -German front line.</p> - -<p class="hangingindent1">3. Later, if Fromelles were captured, a company was to be sent -forward to hold a line to the north-east of that village.</p> -</div> - -<p>On the evening of May 8th the Battalion marched up to its assembly -positions. Every man was in full marching order and carried an extra -bandolier of ammunition and the usual miscellaneous assortment of -sandbags, extra rations, etc. On arrival, all set to work to improve -their accommodation.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> Battalion H.Q. occupied Croix Blanche Farm, from -which building a good view of part of the battle area was obtained -the following day. At 5-30 a.m. on May 9th, the British Artillery -opened fire, and, to the inexperienced soldiers of the Battalion, the -bombardment appeared to be terrific. “The bombardment was a fine sight -and (it was) difficult to realise that anyone could be alive after it -in that particular zone,” says the Battalion’s War Diary. Actually, -it was very thin, but none of the men had any conception at that time -of what massed artillery can do. The German reply was slight, and was -entirely confined to counter-battery work on that part of the front. -In their ignorance, some put this down to the enemy’s scarcity of -ammunition. This mistaken idea that the enemy was short of shells was -not uncommon then. For a long time nothing was learned of the progress -of the attack. At length wounded began to arrive, and rumours to -spread. Some of these latter were only too true. The attack had failed. -It is unnecessary to tell the details of that day as the Battalion -never became engaged. It is sufficient to say that British infantry, -who lacked nothing in gallantry but had little artillery support, were -ineffective in the face of countless German machine guns.</p> - -<p>The Battalion remained at its battle stations all day, without -receiving any orders. Very few shells fell near its positions and its -only casualty was caused by a premature from one of the British guns. -There was little for the men to do. Some of them spent their time -making tea, which they served out to the wounded who were dribbling -down the road in large numbers. Few prisoners were seen. The British -artillery continued firing most of the time, but the attack was really -at an end, on that part of the front, quite early in the day.</p> - -<p>In the evening orders came to carry out the relief which had been -postponed the previous night. This proved by far the most uncomfortable -part of the day’s proceedings. Though everything was quiet both at -Croix Blanche and in the front line trenches, the route between was -being fairly heavily shelled, and was swept by machine gun fire. It -was the Battalion’s first experience of heavy fire in the open and it -was not enjoyed, particularly when a hitch in the operation caused a -somewhat prolonged<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> halt, and three companies were strung out along -the road without any cover. But luckily, and much to the surprise of -everyone, the relief was carried out without a single casualty to the -Battalion. This was the first and only time that a relief was carried -out by night in the Fleurbaix Sector.</p> - -<p>Though the battle continued, on and off, for many days further to -the south, the Battalion was not again seriously affected by it. -Occasionally it received rather more than the usual attention from the -enemy’s artillery, particularly on May 10th, when a large hole was -blown in C Company’s parapet. It was then that Capt. E. E. Sykes had -his first chance of showing that absolute fearlessness and supreme -contempt for danger which later became a by-word in the Battalion. In -full view of the extremely accurate enemy snipers, who shot two of the -men who were helping him, he built up a rough barricade which served -until darkness allowed the breech to be properly repaired.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of May the Battalion played a small part in a minor -operation on the 148th Infantry Brigade Sector. There a new front -line trench was in course of construction in No Man’s Land by the 4th -Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. They worked on it by -night, and withdrew by day. One night, on arriving to occupy it, they -found the Germans in possession. To assist in ejecting them, Lieut. E. -Lee, with part of the Battalion Machine Gun Section, was sent up. They -did not go into action, for the men of the 148th Infantry Brigade were -able to regain the trench without assistance, but a few casualties were -suffered by the party from enemy fire.</p> - -<p>On May 24th, the Battalion suffered a serious loss. Lieut.-Col. H. S. -Atkinson, T.D., who had trained the Battalion in England and brought -it out to France, was invalided home. It was a great misfortune and -none felt it more than he. His health had been bad for three years, -following on a serious operation, but he had stuck very gamely to his -work in England, and hoped to be able to see the war through with the -Battalion. Had he undergone a proper army medical examination, he -would never have been allowed to leave England; but by keeping out of -the way of the doctors he had succeeded in getting to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> France. Major -E. P. Chambers assumed command of the Battalion, with the rank of -Lieut.-Colonel.</p> - -<p>By the beginning of June, the Battalion had pretty well settled down -in its new life. Perhaps the men did not look quite so smart as in -Doncaster days, but they had become far more efficient soldiers. Trench -routine was no longer a hidden mystery, and enemy bullets had ceased -to be novelties. The Battalion had had to pay for its education. Much -discomfort was suffered before the men learned to fend for themselves; -much work had proved useless owing to the inexperience of the workers. -The toll of life had not been heavy, but the graves near Croix Blanche -still bear their testimony to the early work of the Battalion in France.</p> - -<p>Early in June the Battalion suffered its third officer casualty. Capt. -A. L. Mowat, of D Company, was shot in the head while assisting in the -construction of a sandbag shelter.</p> - -<p>The night before the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo great -preparations were made to annoy the enemy. When the sun rose the -following morning, it shone on a parapet gay with the flags of -Britain, France, Belgium, Russia and Italy. But the result was most -disappointing; the Germans did not show the least signs of annoyance. -Perhaps they remembered their own part in that battle exactly a -century before. So a stuffed dummy was placed on the parapet, and that -certainly did tempt their marksmen, who riddled it with bullets. But -they ceased fire when the dummy was decorated with an iron cross.</p> - -<p>On the night of June 25/26th, the Battalion said good-bye to Fleurbaix -and moved to Doulieu. Thence it marched, by easy stages, halting a day -or two here and there, to a wood near St. Jans ter Biezen, which was -reached about 1-0 a.m. on July 1st.</p> - -<p>The Battalion’s period of apprenticeship was over, and it was about to -learn what real war was in the very worst part of the British line—the -Ypres Salient.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER III.<br /> -<span class="subhed">YPRES, 1915.</span></h2></div> - -<h3>(<i>a</i>) July to October.</h3> - -<p>The Battalion was now in the VI. Corps of the Second Army. Several -days were spent in the wood near St. Jans ter Biezen and the men never -had any cover there, but, fortunately, it was early July and the -nights were not cold. No one was allowed outside the wood in daylight -except on duty. Some training was carried out, particularly bombing, -instruction in which was pushed on as fast as possible; occasionally -short route marches were made in the failing light and cool of the -evening. But more time was occupied in the inspection of gas helmets -than in anything else. Three inspections of these were held daily, -by the platoon commander, company commander, and battalion commander -respectively; it can easily be imagined how long a time it took the -Commanding Officer personally to inspect the helmets of a strong -battalion. On July 2nd, the Battalion was inspected by General Sir H. -Plumer, who had formerly been G.O.C. Northern Command, and was now -commanding the Second Army. The 49th was the first Territorial Division -to be detailed for a long spell in the Ypres Salient, and this probably -increased General Plumer’s interest in it, in addition to the fact -that much of its training in England had been carried out under his -supervision. Whether there is any truth in the rumour or not, it was -always an article of faith in the Battalion that Plumer had a “soft -spot in his heart” for the 49th Division. The next day it was again -reviewed, this time by Lieut.-General Sir J. Keir, G.O.C. VI. Corps.</p> - -<p>The Ypres Salient bore a very evil reputation—not without cause. -Reconnaissance of the forward area began soon after<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> the Battalion’s -arrival at St. Jans ter Biezen, and it was at once obvious that -Ypres was a very different proposition from Fleurbaix. The earliest -experience of A Company is worth quoting as an indication of what was -to be expected. One day Capt. M. P. Andrews, at that time commanding A -Company, spent a day in the line with the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin -Fusiliers. There he made the acquaintance of three officers of the -company which he was soon to relieve. Thirty-six hours later one of -his subalterns visited the same company, only to find that, during the -short intervening period, all the three had become casualties—one -was dead, a second had been lost on patrol, while the third had been -evacuated wounded. This was indeed a rude awakening after the quiet -life at Fleurbaix.</p> - -<p>At scarcely any period of the war could the neighbourhood of Ypres -be called quiet. In the autumn of 1915 the British held only a small -bridge-head to the east of the Ypres-Commines Canal. Frequent attempts -were made to extend this, and the enemy was just as anxious to drive -the British out of the salient altogether. When the Battalion arrived -in the area things had barely settled down after the Second Battle -of Ypres, in which the enemy had won for himself all the commanding -ridges, except Mont Kemmel. Since then minor operations had kept the -front lively. One of these took place near Boesinghe only two days -before the 49th Division took over the line, and the 148th Infantry -Brigade in particular came in for a good share of the “liveliness” -which followed it.</p> - -<p>On July 7th, the Battalion moved to Canada Wood, near Elverdinghe, -where one night was spent. The next evening it relieved the 2nd -Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the Lancashire Farm Sector. In -spite of the narrowness of many of the trenches, the relief passed off -very quickly. As the Battalion filed in the Dublins filed out, only too -glad to hand over their charge to someone else.</p> - -<p>The 49th Division now held the extreme left sector of the British line. -Its left rested on the Ypres-Commines Canal near Boesinghe, abutting on -the French, whose line however was west of the canal. The 6th Division -was on the right. The dominating feature of the sector was the Pilkem -Ridge; this was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> entirely in the hands of the enemy, who thus possessed -every advantage of high command and superior observation. This sector -the 49th Division was destined to hold until the end of December—six -months of continuous trench duty in the very worst part of the British -line. Reliefs were so arranged that two brigades held the line while -the third was back in rest. Thus the Battalion found itself in several -different sub-sectors during its stay in the Ypres Salient. On every -sector the defence scheme was simplicity itself—the front line was to -be held at all costs; not an inch of ground was to be lost.</p> - -<p>During the first tour in the Lancashire Farm Sector A and D Companies -held the front line, B Company was in support, and C Company in -reserve. One of the main features of the sub-sector, and indeed of the -whole divisional front, was the confusing network of old and disused -trenches. Many of these had been hastily dug in the heat of battle and -afterwards abandoned when they were found to be badly sited. Some, -however, were gradually being incorporated in the regular system. The -original notes on the sector, which were handed over by the Commanding -Officer of the Dublins, have been preserved; their outstanding feature -is the continual reference to “work to be done.” He was right. Never -did the Battalion find itself harder worked than during the next few -months.</p> - -<p>The tour was a very anxious one. Away on the left the 148th Infantry -Brigade was having a very rough time of it, the enemy making frequent -counter-attacks to recover the ground which he had lost a few days -before. Not knowing when the enemy’s attention might be turned further -south, the Battalion had to be very much on the alert. No one slept -at night, and two officers per company were always on duty during the -day. The men in the front line trenches were fully occupied with sentry -duties and working parties, and it was deemed inadvisable for any of -them to go away from their positions. Thus, all carrying fell on the -reserve company, which had a very hard time of it. Trolley lines were -not yet in use, and all rations and R.E. material had to be carried -right up to the line from the Canal Bank—a distance of well over a -mile. But all ranks worked magnificently.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span></p> - -<p>“This is a very noisy place after Fleurbaix” is the War Diary’s -comment on the day the line was taken over. It was! Though nothing -extraordinary for the Ypres Salient, the enemy artillery activity was -a great increase on anything the Battalion had experienced before. -Lacrimatory shells were much in evidence and these were, at that time, -rather an unknown quantity. The front line, at one spot, was only -about seventy yards from the enemy, but this did not procure for it -any immunity from shelling. There, too, the Battalion received its -first introduction to trench mortars, and it had nothing effective -to retaliate with. Machine gun and rifle fire were also severe. As -at Fleurbaix, there were many very accurate snipers among the enemy, -and these were always on the look-out for targets. So, from one cause -or another, the Battalion suffered a number of casualties before its -five days’ tour was over. The most important of these were Lieut. E. -Lee and C.S.M. A. Parkin of B Company. The former was shot through the -head while instructing some of his men of the Machine Gun Section how -to repair a weak spot in the parapet. He was the first officer of the -Battalion to be killed, and his loss was very deeply felt by all who -knew what a fine, keen and enthusiastic fellow he was. C.S.M. Parkin -had an arm blown off by an enemy shell.</p> - -<p>On July 13th, the Battalion was relieved by the 5th Battalion Duke -of Wellington’s Regiment, and went into Brigade Reserve on the Canal -Bank. During the relief part of the area was heavily bombarded with -lacrimatory shells. This considerably interfered with the operation, -for the teaching at the time was that men should always remain as still -as possible when any form of gas was about. Such action was certainly -advisable when no better protection than the P. helmet was available, -for it was so stuffy that any movement became a torture to the wearer. -However, it proved an effective protection against the lacrimatory -shells of the period. About this time Major-General T. S. Baldock, -C.B., was wounded by shrapnel at Divisional H.Q. Major-General E. M. -Perceval, C.B., succeeded to the command of the 49th Division.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_032afp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_032afp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. M. P. ANDREWS.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">(Killed).</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_032bfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_032bfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. E. E. SYKES, M.C.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">(Killed).</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_032cfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_032cfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. W. F. DENNING.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_032dfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_032dfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. T. D. PRATT.</p> - </div> - -<p>During its stay in the Ypres Salient, the Battalion occupied more -than one position on the banks of the Ypres-Commines <span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>Canal. All -were much alike. Officers and men were accommodated in shelters built -into the sunken banks. Things were not always any too quiet. The -enemy knew perfectly well that considerable numbers of troops lived -there, and naturally selected the canal as one of his barrage lines. -As a result, strict orders against loitering near certain points were -issued, much to the disappointment of some enthusiastic fishermen in -the Battalion. The outstanding feature of this, and all other periods -of Brigade Reserve—indeed, of every day of the latter months of -1915—was WORK. During the day men ate and slept. At night there was -no rest for officer or man. Many were employed on the construction -of communication trenches, sometimes only just in rear of the front -line. Great efforts were made to get the trench railways into going -order and, when this work was completed, the resting battalions had -to do a great deal of truck-pushing along them. One of the main -difficulties to be contended with was water. Even in July there was -a good deal of rain; it had rained while the Battalion was relieving -the Dublins—surely an indication of what the future held. Water lay -so near the surface that much digging was useless, and all work had to -be built up and revetted. Looked at in the light of later experience, -it seems a pity that no drainage scheme was instituted at the very -beginning. It was obvious that, as soon as the autumn rains began, the -trenches must become water-logged. Yet nothing was done. Perhaps the -higher authorities still hoped that an advance would be made ere the -wet weather came. Working parties were not free from danger. There was -little artillery fire at night, but machine guns were very active, and -rifle batteries frequently played on obvious places like the trench -tramways. Slowly, but steadily, the Battalion’s total of casualties -mounted up. Yet, in spite of all, the men worked magnificently. They -possessed almost boundless enthusiasm, and were now reaping the benefit -of their training near Fleurbaix. Without exception, officers who -served with them during this early period show the greatest enthusiasm -when they speak of the splendid spirit of the Battalion. The private -soldier, of course, had the hardest time of all; but his officers were -little better off. In order to obtain continuity of work a Brigade<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> -Field Officer of the week was appointed from one of the battalions in -reserve, his duty being to supervise all work. The job was no sinecure. -He was as hard-worked as any honest, though grousing, private. And some -people called these spells in Brigade Reserve “rest” periods!</p> - -<p>After five days on the Canal Bank, the Battalion did a second tour in -the Lancashire Farm Sector. Fears that the enemy was about to make -an attack on the French postponed the relief for a few hours, but -eventually it passed off smoothly. The only event of any interest -during this tour was a gas alarm practice. Shell cases and klaxon -horns had been plentifully distributed about the line, and one day a -highly successful, full-dress rehearsal was held by all companies. -It evidently puzzled the enemy, for he put down a protective barrage -along the canal. It also puzzled Battalion H.Q., which no one had -thought of warning, and numerous terse, though hardly polite, “chits” -circulated in consequence. It is worth while to note here that the -highly-organised system of reports, which in later days was a perpetual -worry to luckless company commanders and adjutants, had not yet -developed. If a company commander wanted to send out a patrol he simply -sent one; he never dreamed of informing Battalion H.Q., much less of -asking its permission or submitting a report after the event.</p> - -<p>On July 24th, the Battalion moved back to the woods near Oosthoek for -its first spell in Divisional Reserve. This can hardly be called a -“rest” period, except that baths and clean clothing were available. A -little training was attempted, but it was seriously interfered with -by the large working parties which had to be found. Some of these -were employed in the forward area, moving up and returning daily by -motor bus. Others were set to work to convert Trois Tours into a -defended locality. The men worked well, but perhaps without quite their -earlier enthusiasm. The novelty of active service had worn off. They -never properly understood the necessity for all their work. Labour -companies and coloured units were then unknown; everything fell upon -the hard-worked infantrymen. The following official communication, -circulated by 49th Division “G” to Brigades about this time, shows -a certain appreciation of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> situation on the part of the higher -authorities:—</p> - - <div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="ileft">“If all the troops with all the tools</div> - <div>Should dig for half a year,</div> - <div>Do you suppose,” our Captain asked,</div> - <div class="ileft">“That then we should be clear?”</div> - <div class="ileft">“I doubt it,” said the Adjutant,</div> - <div>Knowing the Brigadier.</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> - -<p>It is not often that the General Staff stoops to such frivolity in -the transaction of business. But let no mistake be made. The hard -conditions under which the men lived were not the fault of dear old -General Brereton.</p> - -<p>The Battalion returned to the Lancashire Farm Sector on July 30th. -Apart from considerable activity on the part of enemy trench mortars, -and a good deal of sniping, the tour which followed was an uneventful -one. A little patrolling was done, but nothing more important than -a dead Frenchman and a few rats was discovered. Further over to the -right, however, there was considerable activity. It was during this -tour that the Hooge mine went up, and the 14th Division was attacked -with flammenwerfer.</p> - -<p>To regain the ground thus lost to the enemy, the 6th Division was -brought up. They attacked early on the morning of August 9th and -carried all their objectives, but suffered heavy casualties in doing -so. The 49th Division co-operated in this attack, though only in a -passive way. Gaps were cleared in the wire, dummy bridges were laid -over the canal, and artillery fired at intervals on the enemy front -line, in an endeavour to distract the attention of the Germans from -the real objective. The Battalion took no part in these activities, -being in reserve on the Canal Bank at the time; but it suffered some -casualties from the enemy barrage. Later in the day, Battalion H.Q. -and B and C Companies were ordered up at short notice to relieve a -corresponding portion of the 7th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. -who were suffering from a sudden outbreak of ptomaine poisoning, which -was so severe that about a hundred of them were sent to hospital. Two -days later the other two companies of the 7th Battalion were also -relieved.</p> - -<p>The sector now occupied by the Battalion was called the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> Glimpse -Cottage Sector, and was held with three companies in the front line -and one in support. Two months later it was to be the scene of the -Battalion’s first serious encounter with the enemy, and so a detailed -description of it is held over until then. But the tour in August -was also a very active one, and during it the Battalion suffered two -serious losses. The first was R.S.M. J. McCormack, who was killed on -August 12th. The second was even more serious, and is especially worthy -of attention as a conspicuous example of gallantry and self-sacrifice.</p> - -<p>Late in the afternoon of August 14th, a dugout in A Company’s line was -blown in and a number of men were buried amid the wreckage. Capt. M. P. -Andrews immediately hurried to the spot and, under heavy artillery and -rifle fire, succeeded in extricating the men. Three were found to be -dead and three wounded, one so seriously that, unless he could receive -proper attention at once, there was little hope of his recovery. The -trenches were too narrow for the wounded man to be carried along them -on a stretcher. There was nothing for it but to carry him across the -open. Capt. Andrews did not hesitate. Getting out on the top himself, -he assisted to raise the wounded man, and then set out across the open -with the stretcher party. He paid for his devotion with his life. The -ground was swept by bullets and, before the party could reach the -shelter of a communication trench, he was hit in the head and died -almost at once. So perished one of the most gallant gentlemen and -conscientious officers who ever served with the Battalion. Word of -what had happened was despatched at once to Battalion H.Q., while the -stretcher-bearers, true to their duty, remained in the open, trying -in vain to stop the flow of blood. Lieut. B. Hughes, R.A.M.C., then -Medical Officer to the Battalion, at once hurried up the line. But he -was too late. Capt. Andrews was already dead. The event cast a gloom, -not only over A Company, but over the whole Battalion.</p> - -<p>About this time the Battalion transport was having a very rough -passage, and they too soon recognised the difference between Ypres and -Fleurbaix. Almost nightly, heavy shelling of the roads used by the -ration convoys caused much inconvenience<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> and some loss. On August -14th, in particular, two horses were hit and, for a time, the column -was much disorganised. Cpl. E. Ashworth was in charge and, by his own -gallantry and coolness under fire, he restored order and confidence, -and was able to deliver his charge. For this he was afterwards awarded -the Distinguished Conduct Medal.</p> - -<p>When next the Battalion went into Brigade Reserve it occupied a number -of farms north-east of Brielen. Though not so safe as the shelters on -the Canal Bank, these farms were more comfortable, and they did not -suffer so much from enemy artillery fire. Work continued as before, a -new feature being the erection of “elephant” frames in the Battalion’s -new billets.</p> - -<p>The next two tours in the front line were spent on the extreme left -sector—a part of the line which the Battalion was to know only too -well in later days, and to which the minds of most “old timers” turn -when Ypres in 1915 is mentioned. It bore an ominous reputation. The -trenches lay at the north of the Ypres bridge-head, where it flattened -out to join the canal. On the extreme left a tiny sap ran out to a -point only fifteen yards from the nearest enemy post. Nowhere was -No Man’s Land more than sixty yards across. There was very little -shelling of the front line by either side; the trenches were much too -near together for this to be carried on without serious danger of -injuring one’s own men; but the enemy used many trench mortars, some -of which were of the real “minnie” type. There was also an enormous -amount of bombing on both sides, for grenades could easily be lobbed -from one front line to the other in several places. The trenches were -very confusing—a result of the July attack which had taken place just -before the 49th Division moved into the line near Ypres—and so narrow -that in places a stout man could easily stick fast. Everywhere they -were dominated by the enemy’s positions.</p> - -<p>The French were on the Battalion’s left, but their line was on the west -side of the canal and thus they were comparatively secure from sudden -attack. They proved themselves very helpful and sympathetic neighbours. -When they saw that the Battalion was having a bad time from enemy -trench mortars they were always only too ready to help. They did not -wait to be asked;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> they simply cleared all their men, save a skeleton -garrison, into deep dugouts or the British support line, and then -opened fire on the enemy with every type of infernal engine they had -available. It always amused them to see the enemy turn his wrath from -the British and start pounding their deserted lines. They were, at this -time, much better supplied with trench mortars than the British, not to -speak of their 75’s.</p> - -<p>After two tours in this sector the Battalion went back for its second -spell in Divisional Reserve. Casualties had been a good deal heavier -than the Battalion had experienced previously, but the men had stuck -to their work splendidly, and many instances of gallantry and devotion -to duty brighten the otherwise sordid picture. The little sap on the -extreme left was the main centre of activity and there trench-mortaring -and bombing were almost continuous. It was constantly being damaged, -and as frequently repaired; on one occasion a heavy trench mortar -dropped right into it, causing six casualties. How near it was to the -Germans is shown by the fact that, on August 26th, they were able to -throw the following message from their lines into it:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“Dear Tommy,—Brest Litovsk fallen to-day. Rippelin, Lieut.”</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">An hour or two after the arrival of this message loud cheering was -heard in the enemy lines, presumably rejoicing at the news. During this -tour Sec.-Lieut. W. L. Anderton was shot through the head and died -almost immediately.</p> - -<p>On August 26th, the Battalion moved back to the woods near -Coppernollehoek for twelve days’ rest. A little more training was -done this time, but large working parties were still the order of the -day. Endeavours were made to smarten up the men; among other things -the cleaning of buttons was instituted for the first time since the -Battalion had left England. A somewhat novel duty was the rounding up -of spies in the neighbourhood of Proven; this was entrusted to Capt. -E. E. Sykes, with a party of forty-five other ranks. He was away for -thirty-six hours, but no record has been preserved of what success, -if any, he had. While near Coppernollehoek the Battalion was again -inspected by General Plumer, who was accompanied by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> the Earl of -Scarborough and Brigadier-General Mends. Probably the G.O.C., Second -Army, noticed a change in the men whom he had reviewed about two -months before; they were no longer light-hearted and cheery novices, -but fully-blooded and hard-bitten veterans. A short time in the Ypres -Salient had worked wonders. A sad loss to the Battalion about this time -was Sergt. D. H. Fenton, who was accidentally killed by a bomb on the -very day his commission was announced.</p> - -<p>When the Battalion again returned to the line it took over the Turco -Farm Sector, on the extreme right, abutting on the 6th Division. This -was the best and quietest sector on the divisional front. In places -No Man’s Land was several hundreds of yards across. Of course there -was plenty of work to be done, but the trenches were, on the whole, -good. After a quiet tour the Battalion came out to a new position on -the Canal Bank. Here there was little shelling and the opportunity was -seized to hold some swimming sports; D Company won the inter-company -team race. During this period in Brigade Reserve, Lieut.-Colonel E. -J. Pickering, formerly Brigade Major of the 148th Infantry Brigade, -arrived to take command of the Battalion.</p> - -<p>On September 21st, the Battalion returned to the Turco Farm Sector. -The tour which followed is chiefly noteworthy for the events of -September 25th—the day on which the battle of Loos began. No very -serious operation was planned for the Ypres front, but a demonstration -was arranged in the hope of distracting the enemy’s attention and -drawing his reserves northwards. The 6th Division was to attack on -the right and capture Bellewaarde Farm and Lake. At the same time the -British artillery was to cut gaps in the German wire opposite the 4th -Battalion, while a smoke screen was to be put up on both its flanks. -It was hoped that this demonstration would cause the enemy to evacuate -his front line, in which case the Battalion was to advance and seize -the unoccupied trenches. At 4-30 a.m. the bombardment and smoke screen -began. The enemy retaliation was quick and heavy. Shells rained down -on the front line and the communication trenches; machine gun and -rifle fire swept the ground. It was soon obvious that the Germans had -no intention of evacuating any part of their trenches, and so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> no -advance was attempted on the front of the 49th Division. By 7-30 a.m. -the artillery fire on both sides had practically ceased. So far as the -Battalion was concerned, the only results of the day were a number of -casualties and much damage to the lines from the enemy bombardment.</p> - -<p>The last days of September were spent at Elverdinghe, where Battalion -H.Q. occupied the Chateau and officers and men were accommodated in -tents in the grounds. Early in October a move was made to a camp by -the Poperinghe-Woesten Road, where another period, very similar to the -previous ones, was spent in Divisional Reserve. The Battalion had now -been about three months in the Ypres Salient. During that time, in -addition to the normal wastage through sickness, 120 casualties had -been incurred in action. But far worse was in store. Before, however, -entering on an account of the events of October 16th, and of the -terrible wet months which culminated in the gas attack of December -19th, there are one or two points which deserve fuller treatment than -they have yet received.</p> - -<p>The high proficiency of the enemy in sniping has already been -mentioned on more than one occasion. Gradually the Battalion came -to realise that the most effective way of dealing with this form of -annoyance was to adopt similar tactics. Luckily, the very man was to -hand—Sergt. A. McNulty. A combination of all the qualities needed -by a first-class sniper is rarely to be found in one individual; but -this N.C.O. possessed them all to an exceptional degree. A magnificent -rifle shot and a first-class observer, he had the patience of a Job, -and was also an exceptionally good instructor. Before long there was -little that he did not know about marksmanship, telescopic sights, -the building of snipers’ posts, and observation. He constructed his -own posts and waited in them patiently, hour after hour, for suitable -targets. How many Germans he had to his credit, no one ever knew; -it is more than doubtful whether he knew himself. But certain it is -that the enemy had good reason to curse that Winchester of his, and -he did much to counteract the hostile sniping which was menacing the -Battalion so much. For a time he was taken away to be an instructor at -the newly-formed Divisional Technical School, where his energies were -not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> restricted to sniping. Among other things, he was one of the very -few men who mastered the intricacies of that awful invention—the West -Spring Gun. The Battalion had much to thank Sergt. McNulty for and, -later in the war, when he went to America as an instructor—how the -Americans ever understood his accent was beyond the Battalion—he was -greatly missed.</p> - -<p>Another feature of the period was the appearance of trench mortars. -Almost from the very beginning of trench warfare the Germans had made -use of these weapons and, so effective did they prove, that the British -soon tried to imitate them. Their first attempts were very crude. -The earliest trench mortars to appear in the line had, apparently, -been dragged from the obscurity of some museum, and, needless to say, -were not to be compared with the “minnie.” The two-inch trench mortar -followed, firing its weird, round cannon-ball—affectionately known as -a “plum-pudding”—on the end of a rod. Stokes guns were unknown at that -early period.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>b</i>) October 16th.</h3> - -<p>On October 14th, the Battalion relieved the 1/5th Battalion West -Yorkshire Regiment in the Glimpse Cottage Sector, C Company going in -on the right, A Company in the centre, and D Company on the left; B -Company was in support. The main feature of the sector was a sharp -salient in the enemy line, opposite the centre company front. From this -salient an old communication trench—a relic of the days when both -front lines had been part of the same system—crossed No Man’s Land to -the British line. Both sides had established bombing blocks in this -trench, and the locality was the main centre of activity on the front. -Owing to folds in the ground, it was impossible to cover the sap-head -by rifle fire; but machine guns fired into the dead ground and some -two-inch trench mortars, in emplacements near by, helped to protect it. -The sap-head itself was held by a squad of battalion bombers. It often -received attention from enemy trench mortars.</p> - -<p>The story goes that, a few days before the Battalion took over<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> the -sector, the enemy had started shelling the sap-head and the adjacent -front line, and most of the garrison had withdrawn into the supervision -trench, which ran about thirty yards in rear. Only a weak party had -been left in the sap. The bombardment had been followed by a small -daylight raid to secure a notice-board which had been hung out to -announce some allied success. Whether there was any truth in the story -cannot now be said.</p> - -<p>The first two days of the tour were comparatively quiet. About 1-30 -p.m. on October 16th, the enemy opened an intense artillery and trench -mortar bombardment on the greater part of the Battalion area. It was -soon apparent that something unusual was happening. Trench mortars -were raining down near the sap-head, 5.9’s were whistling overhead and -bursting in the supervision trench, shrapnel and high explosive were -falling on practically the whole area, as far back as Battalion H.Q. -Stand to was ordered at once. Two platoons of B Company were moved up -into close support, and were employed carrying up bombs and ammunition. -The garrison of the sap, on which point it was obvious that much of the -enemy’s attention was directed, was reinforced. The men crouched down -under their parapets—strict orders had been issued that there was to -be no firing until the word was given—and waited for the enemy’s next -move.</p> - -<p>The situation was not a pleasant one. It is true that the majority -of the shells were bursting behind the front line, but there were -sufficient “shorts” to make things very uncomfortable. The wire was -torn to shreds, parapets were breached, and many casualties were -suffered, particularly by the two flank companies. It was the first -time that the Battalion had had to stand a really heavy bombardment in -the front line, and they came through it splendidly. For three hours -they waited, while the shells crashed around them, longing for the -moment when the enemy would appear and they would have the chance to -“get a bit of their own back.” About 4-30 p.m. their opportunity came. -A party of Germans, clad in fatigue dress, emerged from the trenches -opposite and began calmly to cut a passage through their own wire, near -the sap-head. This was too much for A Company. Perhaps it would have -been better had fire<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> been withheld a little longer, until an actual -attack came. But no one thought of that at the time. Tired of his long -inactivity under heavy shelling, every man was at once on the fire step -working his bolt for all he was worth. Shells were still bursting all -around, but none paid attention to them. There was the enemy in the -open; nothing else mattered. And the wire-cutting part of the operation -came to an abrupt conclusion.</p> - -<p>By this time, the sap-head had been blown in by a well-directed shell. -But the garrison, with whom the indefatigable company commander, Major -R. E. Sugden, spent most of his time that day, simply extricated -themselves from the debris and set to work to construct a fresh -bombing block. Shortly after, the enemy made his next move. A party of -Germans, about twenty in number, wearing bombing aprons filled with -stick grenades, crawled up in the folds of the ground and began to bomb -the sap-head. A brisk encounter ensued. Most of the German grenades -fell short and the British proved that they could easily out-throw -the enemy. With the assistance of a Maxim gun the attack was driven -off with comparative ease, as were two further attacks of a similar -character. About the time that the third was made, another party of the -enemy was seen moving along a hedge row in the direction of the British -line. Fortunately this move was detected early by the crew of a machine -gun, which soon drove them to cover. All this time the bombardment -continued.</p> - -<p>About 6-0 p.m. the enemy apparently saw that success was impossible, -and gradually the shelling died down. The Battalion was then able to -review the situation and to count its casualties. These latter were -heavy enough. Sec.-Lieut. E. Taylor, C.S.M. V. S. Tolley and twelve -other ranks were killed, or died shortly after of wounds; Lieut. E. -N. Marshall, Sec.-Lieut. F. A. Innes and twenty-two other ranks were -wounded. Much damage had been done to the sap-head and to other parts -of the line. The night which followed passed quietly, but there was -much work to be done. To assist in this the 5th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. sent up a large working party, and also provided a -number of stretcher-bearers to remove the wounded and the dead.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span></p> - -<p>Compared with many later events in the history of the Battalion, -this episode is of very minor importance. But, at the time, its -importance loomed large in the eyes of all. It was the Battalion’s -first real fight. After several months of passive warfare, the men -had at length come face to face with the enemy in active operations. -Nothing is harder than to maintain one’s morale when inactive under -a heavy bombardment. But this the men had succeeded in doing. Three -hours of intense shelling had only served to make them the more eager -when their chance came. All ranks came through the ordeal with the -greatest credit, and the hearty congratulations which were received -from Brigade and Division were thoroughly deserved. For their gallant -services on this occasion Sec.-Lieut. F. A. Innes—it was his first -trench tour as he had only recently joined the Battalion—received the -Military Cross, and Lance-Cpl. T. H. Clarke and Cpl. C. Landale were -both awarded Distinguished Conduct Medals. Lance-Cpl. Clarke had been -the N.C.O. in charge of the bombers in the sap-head, and had behaved -with the greatest gallantry throughout the day. Cpl. C. Landale had -worked untiringly on the telephone wires during the bombardment, and -it was mainly due to him that communication between the front line and -Battalion H.Q. was scarcely ever interrupted.</p> - -<p>The object of the enemy in making this attack was never understood. -Perhaps he expected the intensity of his bombardment would induce the -Battalion to vacate its front line, and he would be able to occupy it -with comparative ease. If the story of his daylight raid, a few days -before, had any truth in it, he knew that the front line had been -practically evacuated on that occasion, and may have expected similar -tactics again. Certainly his heaviest shelling fell on the supervision -trench. But, whatever his object, he found the Battalion alert and only -too ready to meet him.</p> - -<p>The next few days were very fully occupied in repairing the damage -done by the enemy’s shells. So well was this work carried out that, -at the end of the tour, the Battalion was able to hand over the line -in as good a condition as it had been before October 16th. On the -night of October 19/20th Lieut.-Col. E. J. Pickering was wounded. He -had gone up with Major <span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>Sugden to inspect the wire, which had been -put out by D Company. The enemy was only about 150 yards away at that -point and evidently saw the party. They opened fire and the Commanding -Officer was severely wounded in the right arm. He had only been with -the Battalion about a month, but during that time he had done a lot to -smarten it and he left a lasting impression on all ranks who served -under him.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_044afp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_044afp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Lieut.-Col. C. J. PICKERING, C.M.G., D.S.O.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_044bfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_044bfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Lieut.-Col. G. K. SULLIVAN, O.B.E., M.C.</p> - </div> - -<p>On October 21st, after a heavy trench-mortaring which destroyed several -dugouts, the Battalion was relieved by the 1/4th Battalion King’s Own -Yorkshire Light Infantry, and went back to the Canal Bank.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>c</i>) The Wet Months.</h3> - -<p>Towards the end of October His Majesty the King visited Abeele, and -there reviewed representatives of all the Divisions of the VI. Corps. -To this review the Battalion sent a contingent<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> of twenty-five other -ranks, under the command of Lieut. E. N. Marshall. Needless to say they -were a carefully picked body of men, and it is worthy of note that -the detachment from the 49th Division was specially commended by His -Majesty for its smart turn-out that day.</p> - -<p>At the end of the month the weather completely broke up and heavy rain -became normal. The Battalion was in comparative comfort on the Canal -Bank, but ominous reports soon began to come in from the units holding -the line. Bad as these reports were, they were mild compared with the -actual conditions under which the men were to exist for the next two -months. On October 30th the Battalion relieved the 7th Battalion Duke<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> -of Wellington’s Regt. in the extreme left sector; and then began for it -such a period of hardship and misery as it has never since been called -upon to endure for so long a time.</p> - -<p>In one way the telling of this part of the Battalion’s history is -comparatively easy. During the earlier part of its stay in the Ypres -Salient it had seldom done more than two tours in the same sector. But -from the end of October, until it was finally relieved in December, -the Battalion held no sector of the line except the extreme left; -and, in every way, that sector was the worst on the divisional front. -Its proximity to the opposing trenches, and the commanding position -occupied by the Germans, have already been described. The trenches lay -very little above the water level of the Ypres-Commines Canal and, as -soon as the rains began, they naturally received much of the drainage -from the Pilkem Ridge. They were badly sited and badly constructed. -Consisting mainly of sandbag breast-works, they were the worst possible -type to inhabit in wet weather. They had been considered the worst on -the front during the fine weather; words cannot adequately describe -what they became early in November.</p> - -<p>When the Battalion took over the sector on October 30th the trenches -were already in an appalling condition. The front line was in places -more than two feet deep in semi-liquid mud, and parts of it were -entirely isolated from neighbouring posts, except by cross-country -routes; stretches of the communication trenches were waist deep in -water. And this was the result of only about two days of steady rain! -For the next two months the conditions gradually became worse and -worse; occasional short frosts gave a little temporary relief, but -the thaws which followed them only made the trenches more awful than -before. Thoroughly undermined by water, the revetments bulged and caved -in, literally before the eyes of the men. In a few days, hundreds of -yards of trenches had become nothing but cavities filled with mud and -water. The shelters of the sector had never been protection against -anything but bullets and the weather. They ceased to be even that now. -Water from the trenches overflowed into them and flooded the floors, -their supports were undermined, and one by one they collapsed, often -causing casualties to the men who occupied them, until scarcely a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> -habitable one remained near the front line. The enemy made full use of -his higher position. Pumping the water out of his own line, he allowed -it to flow across No Man’s Land into the British line. Often the water -was so deep in the trenches that thigh-boots became useless. Had there -been a well-planned system of drainage, something might have been done. -But it was only the coming of the rain that opened the eyes of the -authorities to the condition of the sector, and the drainage scheme -which was then started was never far enough advanced to be of much use -while the 49th Division was there. What was to be done with the water? -Most of it had to stop where it was. Occasionally it was possible to -divert a little of it elsewhere—in some cases, it is feared, into -other people’s lines. Only in one small trench on the extreme left -could it be turned back into the enemy lines, and, in order to effect -that desirable operation, the whole had to flow right along the British -front line first.</p> - -<p>The utter collapse, and consequent evacuation, of long stretches of the -line considerably altered the method of holding it. Many of the posts -were completely cut off from one another, except by movement across -the open. Such movement was extremely hazardous by day, for the enemy -snipers and machine gunners were only too ready to take advantage of -the many opportunities which the new state of affairs gave them. With -parapets sliding in and trenches filling, it was soon impossible for a -man to move about in daylight without exposing himself. By night there -was an additional danger. It required a man, with a very good sense of -direction, to move over that area of water-logged and derelict trenches -without losing his way. The case of Pte. T. Atkinson—the first -prisoner the enemy secured from the Battalion—was a good illustration -of this. In company with another man, he had successfully delivered -rations to an isolated front line post, but, on the way back, the two -disagreed about the direction of their own lines and separated, each -going his own way. The other man rejoined his platoon in safety; Pte. -Atkinson, apparently, walked straight across No Man’s Land into the -arms of the enemy.</p> - -<p>The greatest hardships were suffered by men who were wounded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> in the -front line. If a man had the misfortune to be hit early in the day he -could seldom be got away until after dark; often in great pain, and -always under the most miserable conditions, he would have to wait for -many hours before he could receive proper attention. Even when dusk -came his lot was a most unenviable one. The journey to the Canal Bank -often took two or three hours, and there was a good chance that he -might be hit again before he arrived at the Aid Post, for machine gun -fire swept the ground intermittently all night.</p> - -<p>One important result of the new conditions was a great increase in -patrolling. Now that large portions of the line were entirely deserted -and posts were isolated from one another, this was very necessary, for -at night the enemy could enter the trenches unseen almost as easily -as the British could leave them. Most of this patrolling was purely -defensive, but occasionally useful reconnaissances were made, one of -which will be described in detail later. There was little opportunity -for the men to show an offensive spirit. A little bombing was indulged -in, but soon the general policy became one of “live and let live.” Had -the enemy attempted an infantry advance the defence must have placed -its main reliance on the bayonet; in that waste of mud rifles could not -be kept properly clean, and few would have fired more than two or three -rounds rapid.</p> - -<p>Each company held a section of the front line, with two platoons -in front and two in support. Usually these platoons inter-relieved -every forty-eight hours, but towards the end of the time reliefs were -sometimes carried out every twenty-four hours. The Battalion spent four -days in the line and four in brigade reserve; these latter periods were -sometimes passed on the Canal Bank and sometimes in the farm houses -further back. While in brigade reserve every available man was kept -hard at work in the forward area either on the new drainage scheme, -or trying to clear some of the mud and water from the communication -trenches. Only twice during the wet weather did the 147th Infantry -Brigade have a spell in divisional reserve, and even then there was -not much comfort. The prevailing bad weather had its effect on the -back area camps and they were soon deep in mud. Much work was done to -improve them. Early<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> in November a number of wattle and mud huts were -put up in place of some of the tents; some wooden huts were also in -course of erection. When the Battalion came back to the same camp at -the end of the month they found things more comfortable, for the work -had been continued and accommodation improved. But, at the best, it -was a poor form of rest for men who had just spent sixteen days in the -forward area, and were looking forward to another spell of the same -kind.</p> - -<p>Everything possible was done for the men’s comfort, but, at first, the -available supplies of suitable stores were quite inadequate. Until -the wet weather began, no one seems to have dreamed of the conditions -which would prevail during the winter. At the beginning of November -thigh-boots were almost non-existent, though, later, sufficient were -available to equip every man. However, the communication trenches -were so bad that frequently men lost their boots on the way up to the -line. It was no uncommon thing for a man to stick so fast in the mud -that he had to be dragged out by his companions, often leaving his -boots behind. He would then have to complete his journey in his socks; -sometimes he might find a spare pair of boots when he arrived in the -front line. Dry socks were always available for men in support, but -they could seldom be supplied to men in the front line. Foot grease was -provided and periodical foot-rubbing ordered; but how could the men -obey the order? Seldom could a man in the line find a dry spot to sit -down on while he removed his boots. The result was soon apparent in -the enormous number of trench feet which developed; during November, -1915, no less than 146 other ranks were sent to hospital for this cause -alone. Sheep-skin coats were provided and proved a great boon. There -was plenty of rum—more than during any subsequent winter. Every effort -was made to provide hot food and drink, but the difficulties of getting -it to the companies before it was cold were almost insuperable. Any -attempt to light a fire was bound to draw the attention of the hostile -artillery or trench mortars, and so only “Tommy’s Cookers” could be -used.</p> - -<p>Such were the conditions under which the Battalion held the line in -the November and December of 1915. For utter misery<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> they have only -been equalled once—on the Passchendaele Ridge in December, 1917—and -then for a much shorter period. A man had a ghastly prospect in front -of him when his turn came to form part of a front line garrison for -forty-eight hours. For all that time he would be thoroughly soaked and -terribly cold; his boots would be full of water, he would stand in -water and mud; physical pain, mental weariness and bodily fatigue would -be his constant burden. The chances were that he would not complete his -tour of duty—that before his time was up he would succumb to the enemy -snipers, or be on his way to hospital, a physical wreck. One example is -sufficient to show what appalling casualties were suffered during this -period. About the beginning of December, an officer of the Battalion -took up twenty-four other ranks for a forty-eight hour tour of duty in -the front line. At the end of that time he brought out with him one -signaller and three other ranks. Every other man had become a casualty.</p> - -<p>But what of the spirit of the men of the Battalion during this time? -How did they bear their hardships? Many writers have paid tribute to -the gallantry of British troops in battle, but few have written of -the heroism of those who held the line under such conditions as the -4th Battalion did in the autumn of 1915. The soldier in battle has -excitement, and a good deal of exhilaration, to help him through; but -the Yorkshiremen who faced the enemy near Boesinghe in 1915 had neither -of these. Theirs was heroism of a far higher order—the heroism which, -with no excitement to buoy them up, can make men coolly and quietly -face horror and death in their worst forms. Such men as Kipling must -have been thinking of when he wrote,</p> - - <div class="poetry-container"> - <div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="ileft">“If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew</div> - <div class="i1">To serve your turn long after they are gone,</div> - <div>And so hold on when there is nothing in you</div> - <div class="i1">Except the will which says to them ‘Hold on’.”</div> - </div> - </div> - </div> - -<p>They were MEN, were those of the 4th Battalion, who held the line -in 1915. Men of the quiet, tight-lipped and dogged type, who talked -little, though occasional flashes of humour brighten even this ghastly -picture, but simply obeyed orders without question and held on. Perhaps -their feelings can best be expressed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> by quoting the remark of one of -them, when on short leave from that hell. “Well, sir, we either have to -laugh or cry, and we prefer to laugh.”</p> - -<p>Few specific events of this period need be recorded. On November 9th -Lieut.-Col. G. K. Sullivan, formerly Adjutant of the 1/5th Batt. King’s -Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, assumed command of the Battalion. His -stay was a very brief one. Eleven days after his arrival he was wounded -by a shell splinter on the Canal Bank. As Major E. P. Chambers had -been sent to hospital with a sprained ankle the previous day, Major -R. E. Sugden assumed command of the Battalion until the arrival of -Lieut.-Col. E. G. St. Aubyn. The latter had been second in command of a -battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in the 14th Division. Though -always in weak health, he retained command of the Battalion for nearly -a year. He was a very quiet, but exceptionally competent, Commanding -Officer, who earned the respect of all, and the most sincere affection -of those who knew him best.</p> - -<p>On the night of December 11/12th, Sec.-Lieut. W. N. Everitt, with -Sergt. Kitchen, carried out an extremely daring and highly successful -patrol. The glow of a light had been noticed at a particular point in -the enemy line, and they made straight towards it. No Man’s Land was -not more than sixty yards across but it was no mean obstacle, owing to -its water-logged condition. The enemy wire was very thick and difficult -to negotiate but, after much trouble, the two found themselves at the -foot of the enemy parapet. Leaving his companion at the bottom, Everitt -carefully crawled up the parapet and looked into the enemy trench. He -found it to be deeper, better revetted and much drier than the British -trenches were. Slowly he moved along the parapet, examining the trench -at different points. At length he reached the place where the glow had -been observed and suddenly found himself looking into the corner of a -bay, almost exactly at the point where an enemy sentry was standing. As -he looked the German raised his rifle, and Everitt slid gently down the -parapet. He had not been observed, but the chance shot of the sentry -passed only just over his head. He had now seen all he could. The light -was explained; it came from a brazier which evidently<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> warmed a shelter -hollowed out of the traverse near which the sentry was posted. Two or -three Germans were warming themselves round it. There was nothing more -the patrol could do. With a thick wire obstacle behind and only one -man to support him, it would have been suicidal for Everitt to attempt -anything against the enemy post. Besides, his orders were to make a -reconnaissance, and the information he had gained would be useless if -he did not return to report it. So, regretfully, he turned his back -on the enemy, and succeeded in reaching his own line without being -discovered. This patrol caused a good deal of stir in the Brigade, -for no previous patrol had got so far. It had obtained very valuable -information about the condition of the enemy trenches, and had proved -that the Germans were very much on the alert. All agreed that the -Military Cross, which Sec.-Lieut. W. N. Everitt afterwards received for -his work that night, was thoroughly well earned.</p> - -<p>On December 12th Major R. E. Sugden was severely wounded in the arm by -a bullet. The bridges over the Canal were always dangerous spots. Not -only were they well marked by the enemy artillery, but machine guns, -posted further to the north, could fire straight down the Canal in -enfilade. It was while he was crossing one of these bridges that Major -Sugden was hit. He had served continuously with the Battalion since it -had been mobilised and his loss was greatly felt.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>d</i>) December 19th.</h3> - -<p>The enemy first made use of poison gas in the spring of 1915, about -the time the Battalion landed in France. On that occasion he employed -pure chlorine, but in so weak a concentration that the results were -not nearly so disastrous as they might have been. After this first -trial—it was probably more an experiment than anything else—he made -no use of gas on a large scale for several months. This was fortunate, -for it gave allied scientists time to study the whole problem and to -devise means of protection, not only against chlorine, but against -other harmful gases also. It is true that anti-gas measures were far -from perfect at the end<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> of 1915. But the allied armies were better -prepared for that form of attack than they would have been had they had -no preliminary warning. In particular, the possibility of the enemy -using phosgene had been guarded against by the introduction of the P.H. -helmet. This was a considerable advance; its two stout glass eye-pieces -were a great improvement on the single mica window of the P. helmet, -and the outlet valve made it much less stuffy and more comfortable to -wear.</p> - -<p>There is no doubt that, about the beginning of December, some rumour -that the enemy was soon to try a second gas attack on the Ypres Salient -had filtered through to the British. One of the reasons for the patrol -of Sec.-Lieut. W. N. Everitt, already described, was to discover -whether any gas cylinders were in position in the enemy lines. New P.H. -helmets had been issued to all the men in the Battalion, but, as the -available supply only admitted of one per man, a P. helmet was still -carried as a reserve. Much gas helmet drill had been done, and all -ranks were warned to be specially on the alert.</p> - -<p>On December 17th, the Battalion relieved the 6th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. in the extreme left sector. All knew that this -was to be their last tour in the line for the time being and that, -on relief, they were to go back for a long period of rest. At night -patrols were very active on the Battalion front, on the look-out for -indications of the presence of gas cylinders. They reported much -hammering in the enemy lines and, on the night of December 18/19th, a -great deal of coughing. A raid was contemplated, but that never came -off. Much work was in progress, for attempts were being made to put the -trenches into better condition for the relieving unit. Working parties -from the 6th Division, which was then in Corps Reserve, came up nightly -to assist; and the Battalion was also engaged in putting out a great -deal of wire on its front.</p> - -<p>A special artillery “shoot” had been arranged for the early morning -of December 18th. This, it was hoped, would not only damage the -enemy trenches, but would also destroy any gas cylinders which were -in position for an offensive. As the opposing trenches were so near -together, the enemy front line could not be bombarded without grave -risk to the British themselves.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> Hence, it was arranged that the -Battalion should evacuate its front line at 5-0 a.m. and not reoccupy -it until the next night. This was done, but the bombardment did not -come off as the morning was too misty for satisfactory observation. So -similar arrangements were made for the next day.</p> - -<p>The night of December 18/19th was comparatively quiet. It was bright -and clear, with a gentle breeze blowing from the north-east—in every -way ideal weather for an enemy gas discharge. About 5-0 a.m. on the -morning of December 19th all front line platoons, except those of A -Company, began to withdraw according to plan. Many had actually reached -their positions for the day when, at 5-30 a.m., flares suddenly shot up -all along the enemy lines. Whether they were red or green is a matter -for dispute among those who saw them; but the point is not important. -They were evidently a signal for the attack to begin. Immediately, -what is described by survivors as a “sizzing” noise was heard, a -greenish-white cloud appeared over the enemy parapet and began to drift -towards the British lines, and a terrific bombardment with artillery -and trench mortars was opened on the Canal, the British communication -trenches and reserve positions. Within a few minutes every bridge, -except one, was shattered, great damage had been done to the trenches, -and every telephone line was broken. And over all drifted that deadly -cloud.</p> - -<p>Many men were caught in their shelters and gassed before they could -be alarmed. Others were caught on their way back from the line and -suffered terribly. A Company just managed to get the one word “gas” -over the ’phone before the line to Battalion H.Q. broke. But soon -gongs and horns were crashing out their warning, while men frenziedly -adjusted their helmets, seized their arms, and rushed to their battle -positions. There was hurry and confusion almost everywhere, but panic -nowhere. Indeed, that day there was not a single case of straggling in -the 49th Division.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, the British artillerymen were thoroughly on the alert. -They were standing to their guns ready for the pre-arranged shoot and, -probably for the first time in their experience, they had more shells -than they could fire. They saw the S.O.S., they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> heard the alarms, and -soon they themselves were surrounded by the gas. With helmets on they -worked their guns as they had never had the chance of working them -before. The storm of projectiles which descended on the German lines -must have taught the enemy that his age of artillery predominance -was near its end. Warning had been sent to the 6th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regiment, which was in Brigade Reserve, and before long it -appeared, moving up across the open. The enemy saw it too and put down -a barrage in its way. But the men came forward splendidly and were soon -manning their battle stations on the west bank of the canal.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the Battalion was bearing the full force both of the gas -and of the enemy bombardment. The men who had been warned in time -were unharmed by the gas, for the P.H. helmet proved a very effective -protection. But many men had been gassed before they could do anything, -and among them the sights were ghastly. They lay in agony on the -ground, sickly greenish-white in colour; they foamed at the mouth -and gasped for breath; some even tore open their own throats in the -paroxysms of their pain. None who saw these sights can ever forget -them, and none will ever forgive the enemy who first made use of such -fiendish means of destruction. Among them moved Capt. S. S. Greaves, -the Battalion Medical Officer; none worked more devotedly that day than -he, and many a man owed his life to him.</p> - -<p>Several distinct discharges of gas were made. They seemed to come about -once every twenty minutes. Probably the enemy hoped that some men, -thinking all was over, would have removed their helmets. About 7-0 -a.m. the attack ended, but the air was not clear enough for helmets -to be removed with safety until half-an-hour later. Indeed, in some -parts of the trenches, the gas lay about the whole day and all through -the next night. Intermittent enemy shelling continued all day and the -British fire did not slacken for hours. After their terrible ordeal of -the early morning all the men were very “jumpy,” and false alarms were -frequent. But no more attacks came on the front of the 49th Division, -though a fresh discharge was made against the French further north, -about 9-0 a.m.</p> - -<p>Some account must now be given of A Company, which was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> holding the -extreme left of the Battalion sector. Two platoons were in the front -line—in F34 and F35 respectively, as the trenches were commonly -called—one platoon near Company H.Q., and a fourth in dugouts on the -west side of the canal. Sec.-Lieut. W. N. Everitt was in command in -F34 and Sergt. A. Stirzaker in F35, each isolated from the other and -from Company H.Q. except by highly dangerous routes across the open. -Like the other front line troops they were to have withdrawn in the -early morning, but, as they had not so far to go, they had not moved -off so soon. Hence, they were still in their positions when the gas -discharge started, and helmets were adjusted so promptly that not a man -was gassed. It was obvious at once that their duty was to remain in -and defend the front line, and this each of the commanders decided to -do. Everitt succeeded in getting a message over the ’phone to Company -H.Q. just before the line was broken; he then stood to with his men and -opened rapid fire until their rifles were red hot. Sergt. Stirzaker -kept his men carefully in hand and allowed no firing; his numbers were -very small and he feared that, by opening fire, he would only be giving -away this fact to the enemy. Everitt’s message and the gas arrived at -Company H.Q. almost simultaneously, and many of the support platoon -were gassed before any warning could be given. Lieut. E. N. Marshall -immediately collected every available man and set off with them to -reinforce the garrison of the front line. Half he sent across to F34, -but most of these became casualties before they reached the comparative -safety of that position; the remainder he led himself up to F35. -Then followed a weary period of waiting. Harassed by enemy fire and -surrounded by gas, in almost complete ignorance of the situation but -expecting an enemy attack at any moment, they hung on.</p> - -<p>It was long before they had any news from outside. At length Lieut. -Marshall decided to send a messenger to Battalion H.Q. The way lay -across ground which was swept by machine gun fire; only one bridge was -left over the canal and that was being heavily shelled. It required -no mean courage to volunteer for such a mission. Just then Pte. W. -Bancroft crawled into F35 with a report from Sec.-Lieut. W. N. Everitt. -This man<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> knew well the dangers of the journey for he had been with -Sec.-Lieut. W. E. Hinton, when the latter had been wounded on that -very ground only a few days before. Yet, as soon as he heard what was -wanted, he offered to take the message. He reached Battalion H.Q. -unhurt, delivered his message, and supplemented it with a very clear -report of his own. He then returned to Lieut. Marshall with a cheery -message from the Commanding Officer, and afterwards crawled back to his -post in F34. Few Distinguished Conduct Medals have been better earned -than the one he received for his gallantry on this occasion.</p> - -<p>The day came to an end at length and, with the darkness, came relief. -The 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. had volunteered to take -over A Company’s front, so that the latter might spend a night in -comparative peace near Battalion H.Q. The relieving troops were not -equipped for a tour in such a line; they had come up that morning in -fighting order, and they had no thigh-boots. Nevertheless, they carried -out the relief. The following night the rest of the Battalion was -relieved, and the whole moved back to near Elverdinghe.</p> - -<p>On December 19th the enemy made practically no attempt to follow up -his gas discharge and bombardment by an infantry attack. Small patrols -were reported at one or two points further to the south, but no German -infantry was seen on the Battalion front. Probably, the heavy barrage -put down by the British artillery, and the resolute front shown by the -few men of A Company deterred the enemy from making an attack. The -gas he used that day was a mixture of chlorine and phosgene—far more -deadly than the plain chlorine of his earlier attack.</p> - -<p>The casualties suffered by the Battalion on December 19th were very -heavy, particularly when it is remembered how low its fighting strength -was at the time. The majority were due to gas, but the bombardment also -claimed many victims. Sec.-Lieuts. J. A. Hartley and F. W. O. Fleming, -R.S.M. C. C. MacKay and thirty-seven other ranks were killed, or died -within the next few days. Lieut. E. N. Marshall, C.S.M. E. Walsh and -about forty other ranks were wounded, or suffering severely from gas -poisoning. It was a fitting climax to the ghastly months which had -preceded it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span></p> - -<p>The cool courage and the steadiness of the 49th Division on December -19th were fully appreciated by all who knew what the men had had to -endure. Congratulations from the higher authorities soon began to flow -in. “The coolness of the troops saved the Army from a disaster,” wrote -the G.O.C. VI. Corps. A few days later he expressed himself again, in -no uncertain terms, in a private letter to the Divisional Commander:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="p-left">“My dear Perceval,</p> - -<p>Although I have already expressed to you and to your Brigade -Commanders the admiration I feel for the gallant stand made -by those under their command against the recent German gas -attack, I should like to place on record how very highly I -value the services rendered by all ranks. I do not think that -the importance of their success can be over-estimated. It has -re-established a complete confidence in our power of defence -which had been severely shaken by the German gas success gained -in the Spring, a confidence which however had never deserted the -6th Corps.</p> - -<p class="r6 p-min">Yours very sincerely,</p> - -<p class="r2 p-min">J. L. Keir.”</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">The Battalion may justly claim a considerable share of this praise.</p> - -<p>And so the Battalion’s first stay in the Ypres Salient came to an end. -It had arrived at the beginning of July, inexperienced and practically -unknown. It left towards the end of December with a magnificent -reputation. But it had paid the price. There, in the vicinity of Ypres, -the original Battalion, which had mobilised, trained, and gone out to -fight, was disbanded. Its men were scattered in a dozen cemeteries and -scores of hospitals.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_058fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_058fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">YPRES. 1915.</p> - </div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER IV.<br /> -<span class="subhed">JANUARY TO JUNE, 1916.</span></h2></div> - -<p>The earlier half of 1916 is the least eventful period of the -Battalion’s history. The months in the Ypres Salient had reduced its -strength to a very low figure, and reinforcements arrived very slowly, -until just before the Battle of the Somme. From January to June there -is not one dramatic incident to record. With the exception of one tour -in the trenches near Authuille, the Battalion never went into the line. -Instead, it was employed mainly on various forms of pioneer work which, -though very useful in themselves, are of little interest now.</p> - -<p>When the Battalion was finally withdrawn from the Ypres front on -December 20th, 1915, it moved back to Elverdinghe Chateau for a few -days. There Christmas was spent. Everything possible was done to make -the occasion a successful one. Plenty of money was forthcoming and -supplies were obtained from Poperinghe—then a much better place for -shopping than in later years. Tables, with calico for table-cloths, -were set up in the canteen hut, and dinner was served in three -sittings. Everything went off splendidly. Plates and glass had been -borrowed in Poperinghe, and these were much appreciated by the men, few -of whom had had a meal for many months, except from a mess tin.</p> - -<p>While at Elverdinghe the Battalion was in Brigade Reserve. On December -27th it was relieved and moved by short marches through Poperinghe, -where a night was spent in houses in and around the Square, to -Houtkerque, arriving there on New Year’s Day. The men were billeted in -farms about a mile out of the town and were fairly comfortably housed. -Practically no training was attempted. It was realised that the men -needed rest more than anything else, and so they were given little to -do during their fortnight’s stay at Houtkerque.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span></p> - -<p>On January 15th the Battalion marched to Wormhoudt. A band, equipped -mainly with Italian horns, had recently been formed; this helped to -enliven the march, particularly when the Brigadier’s horse took fright -at the unusual sight and noise, and bolted. Near the entrance to the -town General Sir H. Plumer was waiting to see the Battalion march past.</p> - -<p>Most of the men were lodged in farms just outside Wormhoudt. They had a -royal time. They thronged the estaminets. They enjoyed the Divisional -Band, which played in the Square. Officers’ messes vied with one -another in the elaborate dinners they gave. All did their best to make -up for the hard time they had had at Ypres. As at Houtkerque, very -little training was done. Officers’ classes in Lewis gun and bombing, -under Sec.-Lieuts. W. N. Everitt, M.C. and H. H. Aykroyd respectively, -were a feature. The latter, it is rumoured, often developed into -throwing contests between the instructor and his pupils. On January -23rd some Battalion sports were held, the most interesting item on the -programme being a mule race for officers. This race was of the usual -type, neither saddle nor stirrups being allowed. Within a few yards of -the starting point most of the mules were riderless, Sec.-Lieut. A. E. -Mander in particular taking a beautiful dive over his mule’s head and -landing on his own. The race was won by Sec.-Lieut. J. G. Mowat, with -Sec.-Lieut. E. C. Mee second; practically no one else finished.</p> - -<p>About this time the 147th Infantry Brigade Machine Gun Company was -formed. Until then machine guns had been battalion weapons. In future -they were to be the arm of a separate unit. To form the Company certain -officers and other ranks were taken from each battalion of the Brigade. -Lieut. G. W. I. Learoyd, Sec.-Lieut. E. Chisnall, six N.C.O’s and -twenty privates were sent by the Battalion. To replace the machine guns -which were thus taken away, each battalion received four Lewis guns. It -was the first time any of these weapons had been issued but, in course -of time, the number was gradually increased until, by the summer of -1918, the Battalion was in possession of no less than 36.</p> - -<p>Just before the Battalion left Wormhoudt the G.O.C. Second Army -presented medal ribbons to a number of officers and other<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> ranks of the -49th Division, and he took the opportunity to say good-bye to the men -who were about to leave his army. His farewell speech shows clearly how -much the work of the 49th Division was appreciated in the Second Army, -and is worth quoting in full:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“General Perceval, Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Men -who are representatives of the 49th Division.</p> - -<p>This is a very pleasant ceremony to me, and I hope to you, with -which to finish for the time being my connection, and that of -the Second Army, with this Division.</p> - -<p>I have had the pleasure on two occasions lately—one some weeks -ago when you came out of the Line, and one the other day when I -gave ribbons representing decorations to Officers, N.C.O’s and -Men of the Division after the recent Gas Attack—and on those -two occasions I expressed briefly, but I hope quite distinctly, -my appreciation of the way in which the 49th Division has -carried out the duties entrusted to them during the last few -months; but now that it is settled for the time being the 49th -Division is to leave the Second Army, and go to another area, -while I have nothing to add as regards appreciation of the -work you have done, I should like to say to you how sorry I am -that you are leaving the Second Army. At the same time I fully -realise that when a Division or any other Unit has undergone -a long, arduous and strenuous time in a particular part of -the Line, as the 49th has done, it is very desirable that -they should have a change of scene, if the military situation -admits of it, and that is the sole reason why you are quitting -the Second Army. I cannot expect you to share my regret; no -one so far as I know has felt any deep regret at quitting the -Ypres Salient; but, while you will not regret your change of -scene, when you look back on the time you have spent here, -notwithstanding the arduous time that you have gone through, -notwithstanding the losses of your comrades—which we all -deplore—you will, I hope, have some pleasant recollections to -take away with you of the time you have spent up here, and at -any rate you will, I know, have some pleasant memories to carry -away with you of your comrades of the Second Army. We, I can -assure you, will<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> follow your doings with the deepest interest; -we are quite confident that no matter where you go you will not -only sustain but add to the reputation that you have already -won, and we shall always feel a kind of reflected glory when we -hear of the gallant deeds which I am quite sure that you are -going to accomplish both individually and as a Unit.</p> - -<p>On behalf of the Second Army, I say good-bye to you, and I wish -you all—Officers, N.C.O’s and Men—the very best of luck. -Good-bye.”</p> -</div> - -<p>On February 2nd the Battalion left Wormhoudt and the Second Army, -and moved to the Somme Area. Transport and personnel entrained at -Esquelbecq in the morning and, after the usual tedious journey, arrived -late at night at Longueav, near Amiens. There one company was left -behind, to assist in unloading the transport, while the rest of the -Battalion set off on a long and weary march to Ailly, where motor buses -were waiting to convey it to billets at Camps en Amienois. The men were -very tired when they arrived about 3-0 a.m. After a few days they moved -by stages to Warloy Baillon.</p> - -<p>About a fortnight was spent at Warloy. The rolling downs and open -country of the Somme district were a very welcome change from the flat -clay of Flanders. The men were billeted in barns which were moderately -comfortable, but the weather was very bad, snow falling frequently. -A little time was devoted to training, but more to organisation and -interior economy. Occasionally working parties had to be found. These -were employed digging shallow trenches for buried cables, to the west -of Martinsart Wood, and had a march of one and a half hours each way to -their work.</p> - -<p>The Commanding Officer started an officers’ riding school. All officers -attended, and every available hack was turned out. Several officers -were thrown, much to the amusement of the transport sergeant, who -laughed uproariously. One inexperienced horseman was heard gravely to -explain that his “horse had pushed him in the face with its paw.”</p> - -<p>On February 28th the Battalion relieved the 1/4th Battalion King’s -Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, in the right sector of the Authuille -trenches. This sector is of some interest as being<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> the most southerly -one ever held by the Battalion. At that time the British line, which -lay practically north and south from Thiepval Wood to near Authuille, -made a right-angled turn due east of the latter place, in order to -enclose Authuille Wood. The re-entrant thus formed was occupied, on -the enemy side, by the famous Leipsig Redoubt, the southern defence -of Thiepval village. The sector held by the Battalion was about six -hundred yards in length; it lay along the north side of Authuille Wood, -facing the Leipsig Redoubt, with its left on Campbell Avenue. This part -of the line had been taken over from the French not very long before.</p> - -<p>The sector was in an appalling condition. The communication trenches -were full of water, which often reached to the top of one’s thigh -boots; they were not gridded and the hard lumps of chalk, which -littered the bottom, were very painful to men wearing gum-boots. -Everywhere, the line was very wet; some parts of D Company’s front -were quite impassable, and were left unoccupied. Pumps had to be kept -going night and day. The trenches were not revetted and were falling -in badly, so that all work had to be concentrated on the front line. -The awful weather that prevailed during the tour did not improve the -conditions. Snow fell frequently.</p> - -<p>The enemy was fairly active. He was credited with a desire to -straighten out his line by cutting off the north-east corner of -Authuille Wood. Perhaps the similar designs of the British, on the -Leipsig Redoubt, suggested the idea. The front line was not much -annoyed by shelling, though on one occasion it was pretty heavily -“whizz-banged”; the hostile artillery fired mostly on the north-east -corner of the wood and the vicinity of Battalion H.Q. Medium trench -mortars were much in evidence, particularly during the afternoons; -but luckily, nearly all of them fell a few yards behind the front -line. There was no sniping—the conditions were too miserable—and -the machine guns were not very active. The Battalion did not adopt a -very offensive attitude. A fair amount of patrolling was done, and the -enemy was found to be rather active in No Man’s Land too; but no actual -encounters are recorded. This was the first time that Lewis guns had -been taken into the line, but they were not much used.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span></p> - -<p>With its Ypres experience behind it, the Battalion naturally did -all that was possible for the comfort of the troops. There were, -unfortunately, several cases of trench feet, for the means of -prevention had not yet been reduced to the science which they became -later in the war. The method of cooking in the line was a great advance -on anything that had been in existence before. Each company had its own -trench kitchen; to it rations were sent up in bulk, and hot meals were -served regularly, being carried up to the front line by orderly men.</p> - -<p>The tour came to an end on March 4th. It had been most uncomfortable, -but very few casualties had been suffered; the only one of importance -was Sec.-Lieut. F. H. Kelsall wounded. The condition of the -communication trenches was so bad that some companies went out over the -open. D Company lost its way in Authuille Wood and got nearly to Albert -before anyone discovered it was on the wrong road. One night was spent -in Bouzincourt and a second in Authuille village, in Brigade Reserve. -At the latter place the billets were awful, and the men had to rig up -their ground sheets to prevent the water pouring in through the roofs. -On March 6th the whole Battalion moved back to Mailly-Maillet.</p> - -<p>With the move to Mailly-Maillet began a period of nearly four months, -during which the Battalion never went into the line. Instead, it -was employed on various forms of work, and had comparatively few -opportunities for training. It is the longest period it ever spent out -of action, while hostilities lasted. The billets at Mailly-Maillet -were not at all bad. The village had been very little shelled, though, -while the Battalion was there, enemy planes dropped some bombs on the -outskirts. Practically all the men were in houses; the rooms were often -quite bare but there were always fires. Training was impossible. Only -very small drafts were arriving and so the strength of the Battalion -was still very low. Practically every available man was required for -the large working parties which had to be provided.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_064fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_064fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Brig.-Genl. E. G. St. AUBYN, D.S.O.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller"></p> - </div> - -<p>These working parties were in connection with mining operations to the -north-west of Beaumont Hamel, and were very strenuous. The Battalion -shared the duty with the 5th Battalion <span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>Duke of Wellington’s Regt., -each having twenty-four hours on and twenty-four hours off. During -the twenty-four hours of duty, three shifts, each consisting of two -officers and one hundred other ranks, had to be found. Each shift was -supposed to do eight hours’ continuous work, but it was not allowed -to stop until the next shift was ready to take its place; so late -arrivals became very unpopular. To take a typical shift, say one which -was due at the mines at 8-0 a.m. The party paraded at 6-15 a.m. and -marched to Auchonvillers. From that point it had to carry timber, -sandbags and other R.E. material, required in the mines, up a long -communication trench. Arriving at the mine at 8-0 a.m., the men had to -work continuously until 4-0 p.m. The work was very hard. The men were -formed into a chain from the mine face, along a tunnel, and then up the -steps of the shaft. Their work consisted of throwing or passing the -sandbags of “spoil” from the mine face up to the open, where a further -party disposed of them. It can be imagined how monotonous the work was, -and how tired the men were at the end of a shift. Then they had another -one and a half hours of marching back to billets.</p> - -<p>This work was not entirely free from danger. The enemy was known to be -counter-mining and, at any time, he might explode his mine. Every now -and then all work would be stopped, and there would be absolute silence -while experts listened for sounds of the enemy working. Fortunately, -there was no untoward incident while the Battalion was engaged on -the work. But once some casualties were suffered, though from a very -different cause. The trenches, in which the mining was being carried -on, were held by a battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. One night, the -enemy put down a heavy artillery and trench mortar barrage, and raided -the line. The working party had to cease work and stand to. It did -not come into action, but one man was killed and three wounded by the -barrage.</p> - -<p>All were glad to leave Mailly-Maillet and the mines. On March 29th the -Battalion marched to Harponville, and the next day to Naours. This -second day’s march was a very long one, but the day was splendid, and a -hard frost had put the road in good condition. When the Battalion was -met by the Divisional<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> Band near Naours, everyone freshened up, and the -last stage of the march was a great success. All who were there look -back on their stay at Naours with pleasure. The billets were good, the -surrounding country delightful, and beautiful spring weather continued -almost throughout. The “Tykes”—the recently-formed Divisional Concert -Party—were there the whole time. On April 14th, the first anniversary -of the Battalion’s landing in France, they gave a special performance -to the “old originals.” Of these, there were about 340 still serving -at that time. There was plenty of sport, particularly football. Above -all, there were no working parties. A good deal of training was done, -special attention being paid to instruction in the Lewis gun, and -to company and other close order drill. There was practice in the -assembly, the attack, and consolidation, over taped-out trenches; -for already preparations for the Somme Battle were in progress. But -all training was carried out during the morning; the afternoons were -entirely devoted to sport. Altogether, the Battalion had a “real good -time” at Naours, in spite of the Medical Officer, who insisted on -inoculating everyone.</p> - -<p>On April 23rd the Battalion moved by motor bus to Hedauville, and then -followed two months of working parties in the area held by the 36th -Division. All this work was in preparation for the attack which was -soon to be launched, in conjunction with the French. The Battalion’s -first job was the digging of assembly trenches in Aveluy Wood. Daily -the men were taken up by motor bus as far as Bouzincourt, and marched -from thence to their work. It was all task work and the tasks were very -heavy. The ground was full of roots, which greatly hindered digging, -and, a foot or two below the surface, much flint was encountered. But -very good work was done in spite of these difficulties. There Capt. -C. Jones, C.F., first became prominent. He had not been long with the -Brigade, but he soon became very popular with the men, taking a shovel -himself and digging with the best of them, in all weathers.</p> - -<p>The life in the woods was really quite enjoyable, in spite of -occasional spells of rain. Hedauville Wood was full of nightingales, -and many men sat out at night to listen to their song.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> Beetles also -abounded and were not so much appreciated; often it was necessary to -get up at night to catch enormous flying specimens of these insects.</p> - -<p>Strange to say, the enemy artillery made little attempt to harass -troops in the area. The Germans must have had a good idea of the attack -which was impending. They had good ground observation and plenty of -aeroplanes. Martinsart village was crowded with troops and, in the -evenings, there were sometimes thousands in its streets. Yet it was -never shelled.</p> - -<p>It is unnecessary to go into full details about this period. Most of -the work was much of the same type. Digging was done both in Aveluy and -Martinsart Woods; the Battalion was billeted first in one and then in -the other, in order to be near its work. Once it had to carry up gas -cylinders for an operation of the 32nd Division. Perhaps this job was -the indirect cause of a gas alarm which occurred two nights later. At -any rate, someone thought he heard a Strombos horn, and there was great -confusion for a time as few could find their gas helmets.</p> - -<p>About the middle of June the Battalion started work in Thiepval Wood, -digging assembly trenches off Elgin Avenue. There it was sometimes -annoyed by shelling, and a few casualties were suffered. On June 24th -the work came to an end and the Battalion moved back, taking with it -the thanks and congratulations of the G.O.C., 36th Division, under whom -it had been working.</p> - -<p>The time had almost come when the Battalion was again to take its -place in the line. For six months it had done little but pioneer -work, with occasional periods of training, and one trench tour. -During all that time its fighting, or perhaps it would be better to -say “working,” strength had been very low, for the wastage in the -Ypres Salient had never been made good. Now that it was destined -for battle, reinforcements were imperative. On June 24th a draft of -52 other ranks arrived; five days later a further draft, 258 other -ranks strong, joined. Many of these were experienced soldiers, who -had served earlier in the war with other regiments; among them was a -fair sprinkling of old Regulars, who had landed at St. Nazaire with -the 6th Division, during the Battle of the Marne. They were fine -material, but it was a pity they had not been sent earlier. Not only -would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> they have been of the greatest use in the pioneer work of the -last two months, but officers and N.C.O’s would not have had to lead -into battle so large a proportion of men of whose very names they were -ignorant. To incorporate such numbers of reinforcements, in the short -time available, meant much hard work. Thus, the two days which preceded -that fateful—and fatal—July 1st were very strenuous ones for the -Battalion.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER V.<br /> -<span class="subhed">THE BATTLE Of THE SOMME.</span></h2></div> - -<h3>(<i>a</i>) July and August, 1916.</h3> - -<p>The first half of the year 1916 was a period of comparative quiet for -the British Expeditionary Force. During those six months it attempted -no serious offensive, and the Germans were far too fully occupied in -the neighbourhood of Verdun to be able to expend much energy elsewhere. -The terrific attack on their eastern stronghold, caused the French much -anxiety, and it undoubtedly influenced their strategy. Nevertheless, it -did not prevent them making their preparations for the great offensive, -which had been planned for the summer, in conjunction with the British. -This attack was to take place on a wide front, where the allied lines -joined in the Somme district; and the battle which resulted takes its -name from that river.</p> - -<p>The only part of the Somme battlefield which is of interest in a -history of the Fourth Battalion is the neighbourhood of the village -of Thiepval and the wood of the same name. From Albert the River -Ancre flows in a northerly direction to about St. Pierre Divion, -where it turns nearly east towards Miraumont. Its banks rise steeply -on both sides; its width is considerable; and the extensive marshes -and shallow lagoons, which fringe so much of its course, render it -a formidable obstacle. It is surprising that the enemy ever allowed -the French to establish themselves on the eastern bank in 1914. By -the summer of 1916, many military bridges had been built across the -river and its marshes; but the allied bridge-head, though wide, was -shallow, particularly at the northern end. Everywhere it was dominated -by the Germans, who occupied all the commanding positions on the -line of hills. To the north they held the village of Beaumont Hamel, -from which they could overlook the whole course<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> of the river, as -far south as Albert. Their line crossed the Ancre near St. Pierre -Divion and then ran approximately south, including the village of -Thiepval, to La Boiselle. Few stronger defensive systems, than that -around Thiepval, have ever been constructed on the western front. To -the north the village was defended by the mighty Schwaben Redoubt, to -the south by the equally formidable Leipsig Redoubt and that network -of fortifications, well-styled the “Wonderwork.” Everywhere the line -was well supplied with deep dugouts, which were comparatively easy to -construct in the chalky soil of the district. The Germans thus had -many advantages over the British. Their commanding positions gave them -better opportunities for observation, and their machine guns could -sweep every inch of ground in No Man’s Land. The shallowness of the -bridge-head cramped the British, and hampered their assembly for the -attack, while it gave unrivalled opportunities to the enemy artillery.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, it was with the highest hopes that the allied armies -looked forward to “Z” day. Months of preparation had been necessary for -this offensive, and some account has already been given of the “spade -work” done by the Battalion in that connection. Towards the end of -June, much time was spent in reconnaissance. Before the battle began -all the officers, and most of the N.C.O’s in the Battalion, knew every -dump, aid post, ammunition store and source of water supply between the -Ancre and Authuille Wood.</p> - -<p>The concentration of artillery on the British front was colossal, and -the reserves of ammunition seemed almost inexhaustible. A week before -the end of the month the guns opened fire, and, from that time, the -Germans can have had no doubt of what was coming, and which of their -positions were threatened. Day and night, for seven days, the rain of -shells poured down on the enemy line without ceasing. A good view of -much of the shelled area could be obtained from Senlis Mill, and many -officers of the Battalion visited the observation post there, to watch -the bombardment. All came away with the same opinion—that nothing -could live in the German lines. Their hopes of an early and decisive -victory were very high. They had yet to learn the strength of the -enemy’s deep dugouts.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span></p> - -<p>The opening of the infantry attack was fixed for the morning of July -1st. The 49th Division formed part of the X. Corps, whose left rested -on the River Ancre and right near Authuille Wood. The Corps objectives, -including as they did the villages of Grandcourt and Thiepval, and all -their outworks, were second to none in difficulty on the British front. -The attack there was entrusted to the 32nd Division on the right, and -the 36th (Ulster) Division on the left. The 49th Division was held in -Corps reserve; it was to assemble in previously-selected positions and -there await orders. The Battalion’s assembly position was in Aveluy -Wood, where it was to occupy some of the very trenches it had dug -about two months before. Just before the battle, Lieut.-Col. E. G. St. -Aubyn was summoned to Corps H.Q. There he remained until nearly the -end of July, being held in reserve to take command of a brigade should -any Brigadier become a casualty during the battle. The command of the -Battalion thus devolved on Major J. Walker. “The Commanding Officer -wishes all ranks to remember that in the work in front of us we are -putting to the test our reputation as a Battalion and has absolute -confidence that Officers, N.C.O’s and men will worthily uphold the -honour of the Regiment to which we belong,” was his message to the -troops on the eve of battle.</p> - -<p>About midnight on June 30/July 1st, the Battalion marched out of -Senlis. Though its role was still indefinite, everything had been -prepared so that it could move into battle at a moment’s notice. The -transport moved to lines near Hedauville. The Battalion itself marched -to B Assembly Trenches in Aveluy Wood, arriving long before dawn. There -was none too much room in the trenches, but all the men were got in -somewhere. The enemy was quiet. There can be no doubt that he knew -full well what was impending, but he reserved his fire for the better -targets which would soon present themselves. Few of the men even tried -to sleep; excitement was far too high for that.</p> - -<p>At zero hour—7-30 a.m.—the British artillery fire lifted from the -enemy front line, and the British and French infantry “went over the -top.” Much has been written of that great assault, but nothing need -be noticed here, except what took place on the X. Corps front. There -the 36th and the 32nd Divisions went<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> forward with a magnificent dash. -They swarmed over the first enemy lines; they over-ran Thiepval and -St. Pierre Divion, the Schwaben and the Leipsig Redoubts. Some of the -Ulstermen even reached Grandcourt Railway Station. But their casualties -were appalling. “Mopping-up” was then unheard of; counter-battery work -was in its infancy; creeping barrages were unknown. Down came the enemy -artillery barrage, and it was such as few had seen before. German -machine gunners and riflemen, emerging from the security of their -deep dugouts, took the attack in enfilade and in reverse. Men fell in -thousands. The survivors were too few to maintain the positions they -had reached. By an early hour the attack on the N. Corps front had -failed.</p> - -<p>Of course, all this was only learned by the Battalion later. From -Aveluy Wood nothing could be seen of what was happening on the Corps -front. The men knew that the attack had opened; for a time they knew -nothing of its progress. They had nothing to do. They were not troubled -by enemy shelling, for the hostile artillery had far better targets -elsewhere. After some time, wounded began to pass, and also a number -of prisoners. The former were eagerly questioned, and some news of the -earliest stages of the attack was obtained; but it was not until much -later that authentic information was received.</p> - -<p>Towards 11-0 a.m., orders to move across the River Ancre arrived. -The Battalion Intelligence Officer was immediately sent forward to -reconnoitre the bridges and report on the safest; none envied him his -job, but, as things turned out, it was simple enough. The enemy was -paying no attention to the bridges. About 11-30 a.m. the Battalion -moved off by platoons, at fifty yards’ interval, A Company leading. -Marching via Brooker’s Pass, it reached the Southern Dugouts near -Crucifix Corner, Aveluy, without incident. There it remained until -the evening of the next day. The 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s -Regt, was also there and accommodation was very crowded; but otherwise -the men were not uncomfortable. Aveluy was not shelled. Crowds of -stragglers from different battalions of the attacking divisions were -coming in to reorganise, and rumours of the failure of the attack were -increasing. Apart from carrying wounded to the neighbouring dressing -station, and helping men<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> who came back from the line absolutely worn -out, the Battalion had nothing to do.</p> - -<p>About 7-0 p.m. on July 2nd the Battalion left Aveluy and moved up to -relieve the 5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. in Johnstone’s Post. -This position was in the narrow and deep valley which lies along the -south-eastern edge of Thiepval Wood. Two large cemeteries now occupy a -great part of the valley, and the inscriptions on the weather-beaten -crosses bear eloquent testimony to the presence of the 49th Division -in that area. None who were there in July, 1916, will ever forget it. -It was a point at which many trenches met, but, apart from these and -a few shelters in the bluff along the edge of Thiepval Wood, there -was no cover. When the Battalion arrived that evening, the enemy was -putting down a terrific counter-preparation on Johnstone’s Post, -where he evidently suspected an assembly for the attack. A continual -stream of 15 cm. high explosive shells poured into the hollow from the -south-east. The cover of existing trenches was nothing like enough to -accommodate the Battalion, and all that could be done was to get the -men as close as possible to the steep south-eastern side of the valley, -which afforded a little protection.</p> - -<p>Very early the next morning, orders were received for the Battalion to -support a fresh attack which the 32nd Division was about to make on -Thiepval. These orders did not arrive until about half-an-hour before -the attack was to begin. What was to be done? Very little was known of -the ground; there was no time for reconnaissance; there was not even -time to issue proper orders to companies. Fortunately, the instructions -were cancelled before zero hour. The 32nd Division, however, made its -attack. It had little success. One corner of the Leipsig Salient was -taken, and was very useful two months later as a starting point in the -operations which outflanked Thiepval on the south. It was also much -used as a “show ground” in the next few weeks, as there were many fine -enemy dugouts in the German line. Apart from this, the attack was a -failure.</p> - -<p>The whole Battalion remained at Johnstone’s Post until the evening of -July 4th, when two companies moved to the Northern Dugouts, Authuille -Bluff. Throughout its stay it was never free<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> from shelling, and -frequently the enemy put down counter-preparations of exceptional -intensity. Casualties were terrible. The Aid Post became frightfully -congested, not only with the Battalion’s own men, but with crowds -from other units; and it is no exaggeration to say that the dead lay -around it in heaps. None could have done more—few could have done -half as much—than Capt. S. S. Greaves, R.A.M.C., did. Day and night -he worked without ceasing. He might have been in a hospital, far from -the scene of action, for all the excitement he showed. Many a man owed -his life to the skill and care lavished on him by the 4th Battalion -Medical Officer at Johnstone’s Post. But the casualties of those first -days on the Somme were so appalling that the medical staffs were quite -inadequate to deal with them. Hour after hour the Battalion worked to -clear the wounded, but fresh cases streamed in far more quickly than -earlier ones could be evacuated. And all the time, into the midst of -that deadly valley, the 5.9’s screamed, taking their remorseless toll -of human life and limb. Without a chance of a fight, scores of the -Battalion went down. Chief among them was Capt. E. E. Sykes, M.C., -an officer of magnificent physique and dauntless courage; one who -had gone to France with the original Battalion, and whose men would -have followed him “into the mouth of hell.” Fearfully wounded in the -abdomen, he died shortly after at the Aid Post, and his body rests in -Authuille Military Cemetery, not far from the scene of his death.</p> - -<p>But enough has been said of these horrors. Men who were there will ever -remember them. Others who know what battle is can picture them, far -better than words can describe. To those who have been fortunate enough -never to see such things, no language can describe them.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_074afp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_074afp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. W. N. EVERITT, M.C.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">(Killed).</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_074bfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_074bfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. C. HIRST.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">(Killed).</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_074cfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_074cfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Lieut. J. T. RILEY.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">(Killed).</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_074dfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_074dfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. S. S. GREAVES, D.S.O., M.C., R.A.M.C.</p> - </div> - -<p>On the evening of July 5th the Battalion relieved the 5th Battalion -Duke of Wellington’s Regt. in the front line, just in front of Thiepval -village. It was responsible for a sector about a thousand yards in -length, and all four companies held portions of the front line. These -trenches were the very ones from which the attack had been launched on -July 1st—no permanent advance had been made on that front, nor was -there to be any until late in September. No Man’s Land was thick -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>with dead; occasionally a wounded man, who had lain out for days, -succeeded in crawling into the British lines. Trenches and shelters -had been so terribly battered that all work had to be concentrated on -the necessary repairs. The enemy artillery was extremely active, and -many men were killed or wounded before the two days’ tour came to an -end. When the Battalion was relieved on July 7th, partly by the 6th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., and partly by the 5th Battalion -King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, it withdrew to the assembly -trenches in Aveluy Wood, which it had occupied on the morning of July -1st. The relief was very late, everything was sodden with rain, and the -one night which was spent there was little enough rest for anyone.</p> - -<p>On the way back to Thiepval Wood the next night, a shell near -Lancashire Dump wounded several men and killed Sec.-Lieut. W. S. Booth. -He had been bombing officer for some time and was a tower of strength -to the Battalion.</p> - -<p>Then began the longest continuous stretch of duty, under battle -conditions, which the men were ever called upon to perform.</p> - -<p>Tucked away near the point of the angle, between the enemy front -line and the River Ancre, was Thiepval Wood. It was bordered on the -west by the marshes of the river, and on the south and south-east by -the Johnstone’s Post valley; on the east and north-east the ground -sloped steeply up to the German lines on the heights above. With its -trees, its thick undergrowth and numerous “rides,” it must have been -a pleasant spot in pre-war days. But, during the early weeks of the -Battle of the Somme, it rapidly became a desolation little better than -the woods in the Ypres Salient the following year. Such was the home -of the Battalion from July 8th to August 19th. Never, during the whole -of that time, did the men leave it. Reliefs were carried out every few -days with the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt.; but periods in -Brigade Reserve were little improvement on those in the front line, for -both were passed in the wood.</p> - -<p>With the exception of its first tour, the Battalion always held the -extreme left sector. Its left flank rested on the River Ancre<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> and -its right on Union Street, the length of front being about a thousand -yards. All four companies held portions of the front line, and, tour -after tour, they returned to the same positions—A, B, C, D from right -to left. No Man’s Land varied from about 250 to 400 yards in width. -Along it, and roughly parallel to the opposing lines, lay the sunken -Thiepval Road. Crowded as it was with the bodies of the Ulstermen, who -had fallen or crawled there to die on July 1st, this road was a ghastly -place. The British front line lay along the north and north-eastern -edges of Thiepval Wood. Hewn out of the chalk, the trenches had been -comparatively good up to the opening of the battle; but the fearful -hammering they had since received had almost obliterated them in many -places. There were some good deep dugouts, but not nearly enough to -accommodate all the men. The communication trenches, which led back to -Battalion H.Q. and the crossings over the Ancre, were badly constructed -and sited; the main ones lay along, or just beside, the chief rides in -the wood, and they were so straight that they could easily be enfiladed -by the enemy artillery.</p> - -<p>Battalion H.Q. was at Gordon Castle. There, too, accommodation was -scanty. Some attempts were made to improve it, but these were greatly -hampered by enemy shelling. In particular, a bath-house was planned -and, after a week’s hard work, was completed, only to be demolished the -following morning by a shell. Nothing daunted, Lieut. J. T. Riley set -to work to rebuild it. But the second attempt had no more success than -the first. The very night the building was pronounced ready for use, -another shell knocked off one of the corners. That was too much. The -yearning for cleanliness had to remain unsatisfied, while the remnants -of the building were used for the holding of the numerous courts of -enquiry which were so popular about that time.</p> - -<p>Throughout this period, though the role of the Battalion was the purely -passive one of holding a portion of the line, that line was situated -right in the middle of a furious battle. The first attacks on Thiepval -had failed; but the very substantial successes, which were being -gained further to the south, were gradually turning the defences of -that village on the east. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> enemy undoubtedly feared a repetition -of the attack, made by the X. Corps on July 1st. His artillery was -always active, and often regular barrages would fall on the wood. The -front line came in for a great deal of attention, and it was only by -much labour that posts at all fit for occupation could be maintained. -Elgin and Inniskilling Avenues, the two chief communication trenches -to Battalion H.Q., were often enfiladed by field guns. But the worst -shelled area of all was the Ancre, in the neighbourhood of which -ration-carrying parties had a very bad time. As the weeks dragged on -the wood became thinner and thinner, until all the trenches were easily -visible to aircraft and even to ground observers. Then artillery, -from the heights north of the river near Beaumont Hamel, began to -take the wood in enfilade, and caused much damage. But, apart from -artillery fire the enemy was not very aggressive. There was not much -rifle fire, and, except to repel a definite attack, machine guns were -little used. Taking everything into account, the casualties suffered by -the Battalion were not excessive. They were constant—it is doubtful -whether a day passed without some men being killed or wounded—but they -were not out of proportion to the enormous weight of artillery fire.</p> - -<p>Since the early days of July, the direct attacks on Thiepval had been -discontinued, and a defensive policy had been adopted on that sector, -for the time being. Nevertheless, there was considerable activity, -every effort being made to pin the enemy to his ground, and to distract -his attention as much as possible from the operations of the Fourth -Army on the right. The British artillery fire never slackened; day -after day, and week after week, the deluge of shells was kept up. This -fire was supplemented by the trench mortars, with which the troops were -now much better supplied. Considerable use was made of the new Lewis -guns, especially at night; and C.S.M. McNulty was again to the fore -with his Winchester. Minor demonstrations were constantly being made, -with the object of deceiving the enemy and making him believe that an -attack was imminent. The following order, from 147th Infantry Brigade, -is an example of what the Battalion was frequently called upon to do:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>“The Army Commander wishes everything possible to be done to -keep the enemy in front of the Division on the alert, make him -man his parapets and get him under our shrapnel fire.</p> - -<p>With this object the following demonstration will be made to -induce the enemy to man his parapets. At 1-0 p.m. to-day as -many bayonets as possible will be shown along the whole front -of the Brigade as if assault is imminent and timed for 1-0 p.m. -For five or ten minutes previous to this hour whistles should -be blown at intervals along the front as if signals were being -made. The tops of ladders or trench grids should be shown over -the parapets. The artillery immediately after 1-0 p.m. will open -bombardment on enemy front and support trenches, especially on -those trenches which can be taken in enfilade.</p> - -<p>Any other device which can lead the enemy in front line to -expect an assault at 1-0 p.m. should also be employed and -Machine guns will fire during the artillery bombardment.”</p> -</div> - -<p>On several occasions smoke barrages were put up by the Battalion. -For this purpose, special emplacements were constructed about every -twenty-five yards along the front line, and from these smoke bombs were -thrown out into No Man’s Land. Usually the wind changed just before -zero hour and Thiepval Wood was enveloped in a wonderful haze of smoke. -There can be no doubt that these activities met with a certain amount -of success. This was amply proved by the speed with which the enemy put -down his defensive barrages time after time.</p> - -<p>Patrolling too was very active. It was mainly carried out by the -Battalion H.Q. Scouts, and much very useful, and often dangerous, -work was done by them. In particular, some extremely daring and -skilful patrols were done by Sec.-Lieut. H. H. Aykroyd, the Battalion -Intelligence Officer, in the Ancre valley, for which he was awarded -the Military Cross. On one occasion, when visiting the neighbouring -battalion’s post at the Mill, he had the unpleasant experience of being -mistaken for an enemy patrol, and was heavily bombed.</p> - -<p>Reliefs were carried out with the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s -Regiment every few days and soon became very simple, for companies -always occupied the same positions, both in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> front line and in -reserve. Battalion H.Q. only had to move about two hundred yards from -Gordon Castle to Belfast City. When in Brigade Reserve, two companies -were in support to each of the battalions in the front line. During -the day there was little to do, but at night working parties had to -be found. It was a dreary life, though enlivened occasionally by the -exploits of the Intelligence Officer. He it was who, whilst engaged in -a scientific investigation of German flares, nearly burnt out Battalion -H.Q. To him also was due the wondrous camouflaging of Belfast City, the -remains of which may still be seen in Thiepval Wood.</p> - -<p>The long and unbroken spell in Thiepval Wood caused much hardship to -the men. There were no facilities for cooking, and so all food had to -be sent up cooked from the transport lines. For six weeks, no one had -a decently-prepared dinner. Supplies of clean clothing were not often -available, and baths for the men were absolutely impossible. It can -be imagined what an awful state they got into, living as they were -under filthy conditions during the hottest season of the year, with -never a chance of a good wash. At first some men bathed in the Ancre, -but this was very dangerous owing to the thick weeds; after a man had -been accidentally drowned there about the middle of July, all bathing -was strictly forbidden. There can be no doubt that this long period of -harassing and filthy conditions seriously affected the men physically.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of July, Lieut.-Col. E. G. St. Aubyn came back to the -Battalion. From that time, until August 19th, Major J. Walker and Capt. -A. L. Mowat shared the duties of second-in-command, taking turns in the -line and with the rear echelon.</p> - -<p>During July work had consisted mainly of keeping the front line in -a habitable condition, and repairing the communication trenches, -which were continually being damaged by shell fire. Many bodies too -were recovered from No Man’s Land and decently buried. But, about -the beginning of August, the digging of the famous parallels began. -It had been decided to renew the frontal attack on the sector from -Thiepval to the River Ancre, but, after the experience of July 1st, -No Man’s Land in that area was considered too wide to attack across -successfully. Hence it was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> determined to push forward the British -front line by digging a series of trenches in No Man’s Land. These -“parallels” stretched from the Ancre to the top of Inniskilling Avenue, -the foremost being roughly along the line of the sunken road, though -on the extreme right it crossed the road. In other words, the front -on which they were dug corresponded almost exactly with the Battalion -sub-sector. Practically none of the actual digging was done by men of -the Battalion, but, whenever they were occupying the front line, they -had to find covering parties for the work. Every night, as soon as it -was dark enough to conceal movement, one platoon per company moved -out into No Man’s Land, and took up a line along the northern edge -of the sunken road. There they remained so long as the work was in -progress. Company Commanders took turns in charge of the whole covering -party. The actual working parties—nearly a thousand men nightly—were -provided by the 148th Infantry Brigade. Really this number was much too -big. Heavy shelling had reduced the communication trenches in Thiepval -Wood to a very derelict condition; the movement of large parties along -them became very slow, and much time was wasted in coming and going. No -Man’s Land too became very congested. As a result, the amount of work -done on the parallels was small compared with the number of men engaged.</p> - -<p>The work of the covering parties proved tedious, but not particularly -dangerous. The enemy infantry made practically no attempt to interfere -with the digging, and only once was a party of Germans encountered. -It happened in this way. An officer of A Company was on the right of -the covering party one night. Following a not uncommon practice of -his, he was moving about alone, when he saw a party of men, a little -way off on the flank, who did not appear to be working. He went up and -gently exhorted them to get on with their job. A chorus of gutterals -was his answer, as an affrighted party of Germans made off. But though -the enemy infantry was comparatively inactive, this cannot be said of -his artillery. Even if the actual working parties were not observed -the first night, the results of their labours cannot have escaped the -German observers the next day, for the newly-turned chalk showed very -white on <span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span>the ground. From that time the enemy made a practice of -putting down a barrage regularly soon after midnight, and there were -many casualties among the crowds of men in No Man’s Land. But the -barrage did not seriously affect the covering parties, which escaped -with very little loss. The parallels were nearly complete before the -Battalion left Thiepval Wood, and had been absorbed into the front line -system.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_080fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_080fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Thiepval Wood.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">1916.</p> - </div> - -<p>All things considered, there was not much recognition of the good work -done by the men of the Battalion at this period. Mention has already -been made of the Military Cross awarded to Sec.-Lieut. H. H. Aykroyd. -The only other officer to receive that decoration was Sec.-Lieut. F. V. -Blackwell, who was brought to notice by a daring daylight patrol, which -resulted in the recovery of several machine guns lost by the British -on July 1st. R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker was also awarded the Military -Cross, more for his continuous gallant work than for any specific -act; throughout all this period he earned a magnificent name for hard -work, devotion to duty and gallantry. But he was not the first warrant -officer of the Battalion to receive the Military Cross. That honour -had already been won by C.S.M. (now R.Q.M.S.) W. Lee, for conspicuous -gallantry while the Battalion was near Ypres in 1915, particularly for -his conduct on that never-to-be-forgotten December 19th.</p> - -<p>The longest tour comes to an end at last. On August 19th the 9th -Battalion Loyal North Lancs. Regt. relieved the Battalion, which moved -back to billets near Raincheval. There it remained until August 27th. -The 49th Division was at last to be thrown into the attack, and the -time at Raincheval was mainly occupied with special assault training. A -facsimile of the enemy trenches, which formed the objectives, had been -taped out, and over this the men practised every morning. The rest of -each day was occupied with the thousand and one preparations essential -to the success of any operation.</p> - -<p>When the Battalion first moved back to Raincheval, the operation was -expected to take place within a very few days. But, like so many of the -British attacks, it was postponed. It was a pity that the Battalion did -not know from the very first how long a time it would have out of the -line. The men were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> very run down after their long spell in Thiepval -Wood, and much might have been done to improve their condition. -Instead, they were kept for many days in that nervous state which must -precede every attack, and the period of rest could not be utilised -nearly so fully as it might have been. Even after a move had been made -to Forceville on August 27th, the exact date of zero day still remained -for a time in doubt. At length the attack was definitely fixed for -September 3rd.</p> - -<p>Two days before the operation, the Battalion suffered a great loss. -Lieut.-Col. E. G. St. Aubyn became so seriously ill that he was -evacuated sick on September 1st, and soon afterwards was sent to -England. So ended his connection with the Battalion, for which he had -done so much. He returned to the 147th Infantry Brigade in the autumn, -but took command of the 7th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. Thus -it fell to Major J. Walker to command the Battalion in its first big -attack.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>b</i>) September 3rd, 1916.</h3> - -<p>The attack made on September 3rd, 1916, is one of the most important -events in the Battalion’s history. Never before had it been selected -for an operation of that kind. It is therefore very unfortunate that -the difficulties of writing a strictly accurate account are so great. -Yet, of all the operations in which the Battalion took part during the -war, none is so obscure in many of its details, and around none has -so much controversy raged. At the time, the higher commands certainly -did not understand clearly what had taken place. Nearly all the -officers and senior N.C.O’s, who took part in the assault, were killed. -Survivors’ narratives differ considerably in matters of detail. In -short, it is impossible to write an account which is absolutely exact -in such details as the precise times at which certain events took -place. The following account has been written after a careful study -of all the available official documents, supplemented by the personal -narratives of many of the survivors. Among the official papers, none -is of greater interest and importance than a German narrative, which -was captured two or three weeks after the event.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span> This is the report -of the Officer Commanding the 1st Battalion 180th Infantry Regt.—the -unit which was holding the line south of the Ancre when the Battalion -attacked. In it are detailed the extent of the British success, the -dispositions made by the Germans to counter-attack, and the operations -which finally resulted in the recapture of the positions, which the -enemy had temporarily lost.</p> - -<p>The operation was part of a big attack, which was to be made about -dawn, on both sides of the River Ancre. South of that river the 49th -Division was attacking, with the 147th Infantry Brigade on the right -and the 146th Infantry Brigade on the left. On the front of the 147th -Infantry Brigade, the 4th Battalion on the right, and the 5th Battalion -on the left, were detailed for the assault; the 6th and 7th Battalions -were in support and reserve respectively. The Battalion was thus on the -extreme flank of the divisional front, and, as no one was attacking -further to the south, had its right “in the air.” The following is a -brief summary of the Operation Orders:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. Companies were to assemble in the parallels before dawn, in -the positions shown on the map.</p> - -<p>2. At zero hour A, B and D Companies were to advance -simultaneously. As soon as B Company had taken the First -Objective, A and D Companies were to go through it to the -assault of their respective objectives.</p> - -<p>3. Company objectives were as follows:—</p> - -<p class="hangingindent">B Company. Enemy front line from point 84 to point 54.</p> - -<p class="hangingindent">A Company. Enemy support line from point 95 to point 66. One -platoon was to push up the Munster Gasse, and make a block in -that trench beyond the support line.</p> - -<p class="hangingindent">D Company. Enemy communication trench from point 84 to point -95. Blocks were to be made in the enemy front and support lines -towards the Schwaben Redoubt.</p> - -<p>C Company was to remain in Battalion reserve.</p> - -<p>4. A hurricane bombardment was to open at zero hour on the objectives; -it was to remain on the enemy front line for three minutes, and on the -enemy support line for eight minutes.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">Perhaps the greatest difficulty in the operation was the keeping of -direction. A glance at the map will show that A and B Companies<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> had to -advance approximately half right on leaving the parallels—an extremely -difficult manœuvre to carry out in battle, in the half light of early -dawn, and in a country where there were no landmarks. The task of D -Company was even harder. Not only had the men to advance on an incline, -but, on reaching point 84, they had to “right form,” in order to -occupy the communication trench, with their front towards the Schwaben -Redoubt. Of course these manœuvres had been carefully practised -over the “tapes” at Raincheval, but the carrying of them out in the -excitement of battle, under heavy fire, was a very different matter.</p> - -<p>The parallels, in which the Battalion was to assemble, were already -very well known to many of the men. They were rough and narrow, and -so deep that ladders had to be provided for the men to leave them -by. The first objective—the enemy front line—was about two hundred -and fifty yards from the foremost parallel. No Man’s Land was to be -crossed in quick time and three minutes were allowed for this, rather -a short period when it is remembered that the ground was one mass of -shell holes and debris, and that the advance was up a decidedly steep -slope. The enemy front line, owing to the shape of the ground, was -barely visible from the parallels. The Battalion’s objectives lay in a -re-entrant between the Schwaben Redoubt and the Pope’s Nose, from which -positions a deadly cross-fire could be brought to bear on the advance, -unless it were well protected by the British artillery. The slope and -condition of the ground, between the enemy first and second lines, was -very similar to No Man’s Land. The shelling of the past two months -had so battered the enemy defences that it was extremely difficult to -recognise definite points, or even stretches of trench.</p> - -<p>During the afternoon of September 2nd, the Battalion marched from -Senlis to Martinsart Wood, where it halted until evening. A hot meal -was served at 8-0 p.m., and, about an hour later, the platoons began -to move off to their positions of assembly. No smoking was allowed, -and the strictest orders about silence had been issued. So, with no -noise save the squelch of boots in the mud and the occasional rattle -of equipment, the men passed through Aveluy Wood, along a specially -taped line, drew bombs<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> and other battle equipment at the bottom of -Black Horse Road, and crossed the Ancre. During the crossing they -were somewhat harassed by enemy shelling, and D Company suffered some -casualties. But, apart from this, the march was not seriously hampered, -and all were in position by 3-25 a.m. on September 3rd. Then followed -two weary hours of waiting for the dawn and that hurricane burst of -artillery fire, which was to be the signal for the assault. High as -was the nervous tension, and great the excitement in those crowded -parallels, some of the men actually slept. How few realised that, -within the next few hours, scores would be sleeping for ever!</p> - -<p>About 5-0 a.m. dawn was breaking. The enemy had been very quiet -during the night, but he now began to show traces of nervousness -and occasional bursts of machine gun fire clipped the parapets. The -Battalion<a id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> stood to, and bayonets were quietly fixed. At 5-10 a.m. -one great gun spoke, and then, to quote the words of one who took -part in the attack, “the whole sky seemed to light up suddenly.” The -hour had come. Up rose the three companies like one man. There was no -hesitation. Over the parapet they swarmed. The attack had begun.</p> - -<p>The enemy was thoroughly on the alert. Flares went up all along the -front, and, in spite of the British barrage, which was very good, a -deadly cross fire of machine gun bullets opened from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> the directions of -the Schwaben Redoubt and the Pope’s Nose. There is some doubt as to the -exact time when many of the officers and senior N.C.O’s were hit; but -it is practically certain that Capt. C. Hirst, Sec.-Lieut. A. E. Hirst -and Sec.-Lieut. C. W. Tomlinson were all killed, and Sec.-Lieut. G. F. -Robertshaw wounded, before the first objective was reached. Many men -fell, but the lines went forward splendidly. Steadily they crossed No -Man’s Land, halted, and got down a few yards from the enemy front line, -waiting for the barrage to lift. But already there was apparent one -point, which seriously affected the success of the operation. Companies -were becoming mixed. Some of the men of A and D Companies were mingled -together; and many men of the 5th Battalion were in the ranks of the -4th Battalion. Also, in the half light, the rear waves of the attack -did not notice quickly enough that the first wave had halted, and -so they crowded up on it. The difficulties of keeping distance and -direction had been too great.</p> - -<p>The enemy artillery barrage did not open properly until nearly ten -minutes after zero hour, but then it was very heavy. The old British -front line and the first parallel received most attention, and were -soon almost obliterated. Heavies rained down on the tunnel entrances; -shrapnel deluged the communication trenches. The barrage embraced the -whole of Thiepval Wood, and many casualties were suffered by the two -reserve battalions of the 147th Infantry Brigade. But the foremost -parallel and No Man’s Land were not heavily shelled at first, and thus -machine gun fire was the only serious danger to the men lying near the -enemy front line.</p> - -<p>Immediately the British barrage lifted, B Company charged and captured -its objective without much difficulty. This line had been terribly -shattered by the bombardment of the previous two months and in places -had almost disappeared. It was so bad that most of the men did not -enter it at all, but remained in shell holes in the open, where they -began to consolidate. Their position was very exposed and, as time went -on, they lost heavily from machine gun fire. Others, among whom C.S.M. -W. Medley was most conspicuous, worked along the trench, bombing the -deep dugouts with which it abounded, and collecting prisoners.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> The -latter were sent back across No Man’s Land, but only one is known to -have arrived at Battalion H.Q. The rest probably perished under the -fire of their own artillery and machine guns. One part of B Company -worked a considerable distance along the enemy front line towards -the Pope’s Nose, bombing as it went. All that trench was thoroughly -cleared, but the company, and the men of the 5th Battalion who were -with it, were not strong enough to hold the whole, and it had to be -left unoccupied. Numbers of Germans, some without rifles, were seen -making off across the open on the left, and were heavily fired upon. It -seems probable that, for some time, the Pope’s Nose was evacuated by -the enemy; but it was never occupied by the British.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, A Company had advanced, hard on the heels of B Company. -Passing straight over the captured line, the men moved across the open -until about fifty yards from the enemy support trench. There they -halted, sheltering in shell holes, and waiting for their barrage to -lift. Already they had suffered very heavy casualties. Some, in their -over-eagerness, had advanced too far, and had been hit by their own -shells. Only one officer—Lieut. W. N. Everitt, M.C.—had survived; -C.S.M. A. Stirzaker, D.C.M., had fallen between the first and second -objectives; and scores of N.C.O’s and men had been killed or wounded. -But they had been reinforced by some men of B Company, who had gone -forward with them, and by Cpl. A. Denham’s Lewis gun team, which had -lost D Company and had advanced on the right of A Company. The men came -under a very heavy fire from the German support line. Numbers of the -enemy were seen making off across the open, and Cpl. Denham did some -execution with his Lewis gun; but the bulk of the German garrison held -its ground and fought well. For some time the Company lay in the open, -exchanging shots with the enemy in his line. The British barrage had -now lifted, and there was thus nothing to interfere with the German -marksmen and machine gunners. Casualties were piling up, but the second -objective was not yet taken. Lieut. Everitt, with Sergt. Bancroft, had -already reconnoitred right up to the line, and had thrown some bombs -among the enemy there. He now determined to try to rush the position, -after a short burst of Lewis gun fire. Assisted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> by Sergts. Haigh and -Bancroft, he crawled round and informed the men of his intention. They -were told to charge as soon as the Lewis gun ceased fire. The gun -opened, but stopped almost at once with a broken return spring; quite -coolly the N.C.O. on the gun—his name is now unknown—changed the -part, and reported to Lieut. Everitt that he was ready to reopen fire. -One magazine was fired, and then A Company charged. Everitt himself -was first in the trench, and was followed closely by Haigh. The bay -they entered was unoccupied, but the next was full of the enemy. These -were bombed, and either fled or dived into their deep dug outs. Parties -then moved to right and left along the trench, bombing dugouts and -collecting prisoners. The latter were sent back across the open, but -none appear to have arrived. Many Germans were killed in the second -objective. Of the parties which moved along the support line, that -to the right got well beyond point 95, towards the Schwaben Redoubt, -without encountering any of the enemy; but it could find no trace of -D Company, which should have had a post near that point. The other -party cleared and occupied the whole line to beyond point 66, where -Sergt. H. Haigh got in touch with a small party of the 5th Battalion. -Consolidation of the line, which was very wide and deep, then began. -Only about forty of the Battalion had reached the second objective. -These were organised in a line of posts from point 86, which was held -by Sergt. Bancroft and Cpl. Denham, to beyond point 66. The second -objective had been taken a little before 6-0 a.m. Soon after, the -Germans began to bombard it heavily with artillery and trench mortars, -and the discomfort of A Company was added to by some of the British -guns, which had not “lifted” sufficiently and were firing into its back.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_088fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_088fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Lieut.-Col. J. WALKER, D.S.O.</p> - </div> - -<p>Meanwhile, except for such men as Cpl. Denham’s Lewis gun team which -had become detached from its company, no one had seen or heard anything -of D Company since the opening of the attack. Like the rest it had -advanced at zero hour, and had crossed No Man’s Land on a right -incline. Its two waves had halted near the enemy front line, waiting -for the barrage to lift. Comparatively few casualties had been suffered -in the advance, but these included Sec.-Lieut. C. W. Tomlinson missing, -and <span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>Lieut. J. T. Riley and C.S.M. J. C. Walker wounded. Both of the -latter refused to go to the rear to have their wounds dressed, and -continued the advance with the rest of the company. When the barrage -lifted, the men stormed the enemy front line, and some of them extended -up a very battered communication trench, which they believed to be -their objective. All dugouts were bombed, and several prisoners were -taken; these apparently suffered the same fate as most of the other -prisoners that day. The men set to work to consolidate what had been -captured. They had not been long in their new position when the enemy -made a weak counter-attack, from the direction of the Schwaben Redoubt. -This was driven off without difficulty, but the men had very little -opportunity to carry on with the consolidation. Their position was -very exposed and the enemy defences, which had been captured, were so -shattered that they afforded little cover. Very heavy rifle and machine -gun fire, both from the Schwaben Redoubt and the east, was directed -on them; and shells were soon bursting in their midst. But where was -the Company? The exact position it reached that day has been a matter -for controversy ever since. No other company ever got into touch with -it, and the German report, already mentioned, sheds no light on the -mystery. It seems probable, indeed almost certain, that they inclined -too much to the right in crossing No Man’s Land, and entered the enemy -front line to the south-east of point 84; in fact, it would appear that -the Company actually captured, and held for some hours, the fringe -of the Schwaben Redoubt. But it is only fair to say that Sergt. (now -C.S.M.) W. Brooke, the only senior N.C.O. of D Company who got back to -the British lines, is still convinced that the Company reached point -84, its correct objective.</p> - -<p>It is convenient, at this point, to interrupt the narrative for a short -time, in order to summarise the situation about 7-0 a.m. and to note -what steps had been taken by the enemy to deal with it.</p> - -<p>About 7-0 a.m. the positions of companies were as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>A Company held the German support line from point 86, where -there was an isolated post, to a little way beyond point -66. On both flanks the line was clear of the enemy for some -considerable distance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span></p> - -<p>B Company held the German front line, from about midway between -points 84 and 54, to beyond point 54. No enemy was in the line -between the Company and point 84, nor for some distance on the -left.</p> - -<p>D Company held a position facing south-east, on the fringe of -the Schwaben Redoubt; exactly where cannot be said.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">All companies were very weak and no reinforcements had arrived, for -reasons which will be indicated later. Only one officer per company -was left—Lieut. W. N. Everitt, M.C., with A Company, Sec.-Lieut. H. -E. Pohlmann with B Company, and Lieut. J. T. Riley with D Company. -Sec.-Lieut. V. A. Horsfall of B Company fell soon after the first -objective was taken. Sec.-Lieut E. C. Mee of D Company was lying dead -in the enemy wire. Supplies of S.A.A. were running very low, and bombs -were almost exhausted. No carrying parties had been able to get up to -the captured positions, and the only way to replenish was to collect -from the dead and wounded who dotted the ground. But the most serious -aspect of the situation was that the rest of the attack south of the -Ancre had failed. By 7-0 a.m. the only British troops maintaining their -positions in the enemy defences were those of the Battalion, with -elements of the 5th Battalion—all hopelessly mixed up. The enemy, -finding there were no British near the Pope’s Nose, was re-occupying -his front line there, and cautiously feeling his way along the trench -towards B Company.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, energetic measures had been taken from the start by the -German commander opposite. As soon as the situation began to develop -clearly, he directed part of his reserve troops to counter-attack -along, and parallel to, the Munster Gasse. The remainder were sent -to the Schwaben Redoubt to strengthen the garrison there, and to -counter-attack from that direction. There is no doubt that the enemy -attached more importance to the holding of the Schwaben Redoubt than to -anything else on that front. This is amply proved by the dispositions -of his reserve troops on September 3rd. It is also borne out by men of -the Battalion who were captured that day, and who have given accounts -of their examinations by the enemy. And the enemy was right. With the -Schwaben Redoubt still in his hands, he could dominate and enfilade -practically all the objectives of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> 49th Division. It would also -appear, from their own account, that the Germans found it necessary to -utilise the whole of their regimental reserve that day, before they -succeeded in repelling the British; and that they even began to draw -reinforcements from another unit—the 66th Infantry Regt.</p> - -<p>Soon after 8-0 a.m., serious enemy counter-attacks began on A Company’s -position. For some time the barrage had slackened, and even rifle and -machine gun fire had died down. What puzzled the men of A Company was -to see Germans in the neighbourhood of the Pope’s Nose, and in the -support line in rear of it; for it must be borne in mind that no one -knew anything of the situation on any other front than his own. These -Germans, as has already been said, were cautiously working their way -along the trenches towards the British, bombing as they went; but they -were still a long way off. The real counter-attack at length came from -enemy troops who advanced across the open, on both sides of the Munster -Gasse. The post at point 86 had, by this time, completely run out of -S.A.A. and bombs, and so was unable to offer any real resistance to -the advance. The Germans came cautiously forward; avoiding a frontal -attack, they worked round the right flank of the post until they -were in its rear. Bombing it from this position, they caused many -casualties. Sergt. Bancroft, Cpl. Payne and several men were killed; -Cpl. Denham and a number of others were wounded. Having thus prepared -the way for an assault, the enemy rushed the post, overwhelmed and made -prisoners of the few survivors. This happened unbeknown to the rest of -the men of A Company. The first indication they had of it was the enemy -bombing along the second objective from the right. The situation soon -became impossible. With no bombs and scarcely a round of S.A.A. left, -they were forced slowly to withdraw towards their left. On arriving -at point 66, they found themselves between two fires, for the enemy -bombing party from the west was also approaching along the trench. The -position was clearly untenable. Lieut. Everitt had only a handful of -men left. He gave orders to withdraw down the communication trench to -point 54. The withdrawal was conducted slowly and in good order, two or -three men waiting at each bend in the trench to cover it. At length the -front line was reached, but only<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span> a few isolated men of B Company could -be found there; the enemy artillery and machine guns had done their -work only too well. The party reconnoitred along the trench towards the -Pope’s Nose; another enemy bombing party was encountered. With so few -survivors, and almost without ammunition, Lieut. Everitt could do no -more. He gave the order to withdraw to the parallels. The men jumped -out of the trench and started across No Man’s Land, but they did not -scatter sufficiently. Few ever reached the comparative safety of their -own lines. A machine gun opened from the Pope’s Nose, and most of them -fell. Of the fate of Lieut. Everitt nothing certain is known. For -some time it was hoped that he was still alive. But nothing definite -was ever learned of what happened to him after he gave the order to -withdraw. One of the most gallant, competent and hardworking officers -the Battalion ever had, he probably fell when so many of his men went -down in that last crossing of No Man’s Land.</p> - -<p>And what of D Company? Its fate was much the same as A Company’s. -Harassed by machine guns from the Schwaben Redoubt, and by rifle fire -from snipers to the east, it beat off several counter-attacks. S.A.A. -and bombs ran out, and the men searched the dead to replenish their -supplies. Rapidly their numbers dwindled. Severely wounded and in -great pain, Lieut. J. T. Riley fought fiercely until he was at length -killed. C.S.M. J. C. Walker, who had carried on though wounded early -in the action, was also killed. Yet, practically leaderless, the men -still fought on, until an officer of the 5th Battalion, who had become -mixed up with D Company, ordered a withdrawal. Then the remnants of -the company—they did not muster twenty, all told—withdrew to the -parallels.</p> - -<p>Everything that had been gained was lost. Not a Britisher remained in -the enemy lines, save the few men who had been captured. The number of -these was very small. On the authority of the Germans themselves, only -seven unwounded prisoners from the 4th and 5th Battalions were taken -that day. Many men were still lying out in shell holes, and, during the -rest of the day and night that followed, some of these crawled back -into the lines. But there were far more lying out there who would never -crawl again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span></p> - -<p>Throughout the action Battalion H.Q. was located in a deep dugout, near -the junction of Inniskilling Avenue with Whitchurch Street; C Company -was in Battalion reserve, either in or near the old British front line. -All arrangements had been made for sending up stores soon after the -objectives were taken. East Koyli Sap was to be improved, and used as a -communication trench for that purpose. But this was never done. Early -in the action it became so crowded with casualties and others that -parties could not move along it. Even if they had been able to do so, -it entered the enemy front line at the Pope’s Nose, which was never -occupied by the British on September 3rd.</p> - -<p>Lack of reliable information was the most serious difficulty with which -Battalion H.Q. had to contend dining the battle, and the 5th Battalion -was even worse off in that respect. Signallers had gone forward with -the assaulting companies, but no message ever came back from them. Cpl. -C. Landale, D.C.M. made gallant attempts to run a telephone line across -No Man’s Land, but it could not be maintained on account of the enemy -barrage. Most of the runners who left with messages were killed. No -information was ever received from the observation post. The result was -that, during the whole operation, Battalion H.Q. was almost completely -ignorant of what was happening.</p> - -<p>For a long time the sole information obtained was from wounded men, -and was very indefinite. At 5-55 a.m. it was learned that the first -objective had been taken, that the second was being attacked, and that -the two assaulting battalions were badly mixed. Ten minutes later a -wounded man reported that A Company had taken its objective. Then there -was little news for more than an hour and a half. Two carrying parties -were sent forward, and it is believed that a few bombs did reach the -German front line and were used by the 5th Battalion. Runners were -twice sent out to get in touch with B Company, but none came back. -Information that the attack of the 146th Infantry Brigade on the left -had failed was received by the Battalion about 6-30 a.m. Knowing so -little of the situation, the Commanding Officer naturally hesitated to -throw any more troops into the battle; and, as events turned out, it is -well he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> did not use his reserves, for they could have done little real -good, and there would only have been more casualties.</p> - -<p>At last a wounded runner arrived from B Company, bearing the following -message from Sec.-Lieut. H. E. Pohlmann:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“To I.R.</p> - -<p>Am holding point 54 and to left 100 yds. In touch with 5th. Only -remaining officer in B Coy. Bombs wanted. 6-40 a.m. 3.9.16.</p> - -<p class="r2 p-min">H. E. Pohlmann, 2 Lt. B Coy.”</p> -</div> - - -<p class="p-left">It had taken the runner two hours to come.</p> - -<p>At once Major Walker ordered two platoons of C Company, and two of -the reserve bombing teams, to advance across the open and reinforce -B Company. But these orders were never issued. Before they could be -written out the advanced signal station reported that the men of the -147th Infantry Brigade were withdrawing.</p> - -<p>C Company had not been engaged, but it had suffered many casualties -from shell fire. When it was clear that the attack had failed, Capt. -Marshall was ordered to man the parallels, in case the enemy tried to -counter-attack. But no such attempt was made.</p> - -<p>At 11-50 a.m., more than four hours after it had been written, a -message was brought in from Lieut. Everitt, by a wounded runner. -Arriving so late, it was of no practical use; the situation had -entirely changed. But as evidence of the deeds of A Company that day, -it deserves to be quoted in full:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“To the Adjt.</p> - -<p>My right is only at the communication trench point 86. I am -partly in the fifth lines. I have only roughly 25 men including -six from B Coy. Have no bombers. Short of bombs and Lewis Gun -ammunition. Our artillery firing into our back especially on the -right.</p> - -<p>Don’t know where D Coy. are.</p> - -<p class="r4 p-min">W. N. Everitt, Lt.,</p> - -<p>3.9.16. 7-40 a.m. <span style="float: right"> O.C. A Coy.”</span></p> -</div> - - -<p style="clear: both">About 5-0 p.m. troops of the 148th Infantry Brigade relieved the -Battalion in the line. The weary men withdrew to Martinsart Wood to -reorganise, but a party of C Company was left in for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> the night, to -search No Man’s Land for wounded, and to help in the evacuation of -those who had already come in.</p> - -<p>Only once—October 11th, 1918—has the Battalion had heavier casualties -than on September 3rd. It went into action 18 officers and 629 other -ranks strong; of these only three companies, each consisting of 3 -officers and 127 other ranks, and a few Battalion H.Q. details, went -“over the top.” The total casualties that day were 11 officers and -336 other ranks. More than half were either known to be dead, or were -missing; and as the number of prisoners taken by the enemy was very -small, it may fairly be presumed that the Battalion lost, in killed -alone, at least 150 other ranks. Of the nine officers who went over -with the assaulting companies, only two, both wounded, returned; in -addition, Sec.-Lieut. F. A. Innes was killed at 147th Infantry Brigade -H.Q., and Sec.-Lieut. W. Smith was wounded with C Company. September -3rd is the blackest day in the Battalion’s history, for, unlike October -11th, 1918, it had no success to compensate for its casualties. To-day, -upon the very line of the first objective, which B Company carried -that eventful morning and was later forced to evacuate, there stands -a great cemetery. In it have been collected the remains of many men, -from scores of solitary graves; and on the crosses the legend “Unknown -soldier 1/4th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt.” is one of the most -common. There rest many of the gallant men who fell that day.</p> - -<p>It is not the purpose of this book to criticise as a general rule, but -some slight exception must be made in connection with the attack on -September 3rd. At the time there was a widespread belief, which was -certainly held by most of the higher authorities, that the Battalion -never gained its objectives. This was wrong. A and B Companies -reached, and cleared the enemy from the whole of the first and second -objectives; it is true they did not occupy the whole of them, but that -was due simply to lack of men. For more than two hours there were no -Germans in either of the lines which the Battalion was ordered to -capture. These facts are clearly proved, not only by the evidence of -the men who carried out the assault, but also by the German official -report on the action. The men of D Company, as has been stated, seem to -have got too far to the right; but even they fulfilled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> their role, for -they successfully defended the Battalion’s exposed right flank so long -as there were men enough to hold the ground which had been won. During -the next few weeks several divisions successively failed to carry the -objectives of September 3rd. Even after Thiepval itself had fallen, it -was some time before the Schwaben Redoubt and the defences north of it -passed into British hands.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>c</i>) The Leipsig Redoubt.</h3> - -<p>The day after the Battalion’s unsuccessful attack on the German line, -Major R. E. Sugden, D.S.O., rejoined and assumed command, being -promoted Lieut.-Colonel a few days later. He had been in England for -nearly nine months, as the result of his wound received near Ypres the -previous December; but now, though he had not yet fully recovered the -use of his hand and arm, he had returned to France. For nearly two -years from this date he held command of the Battalion, only leaving it -when he was appointed G.O.C., 151st Infantry Brigade, in June, 1918.</p> - -<p>After a few days in Martinsart Wood, the Battalion moved back to -bivouacs near Hedauville. Little work was done except reorganisation, -which was very necessary. Not only had an enormous number of officers -and N.C.O’s become casualties, but three whole companies had been -practically wiped out. Out of these companies no officers, only one -warrant officer—C.S.M. W. Medley—and very few N.C.O’s had survived. -The elaborate B Echelons of later days were only in their infancy, and -so little framework existed on which to rebuild. The only thing to do -was to make use of the personnel of C Company to provide the necessary -framework. Hence, many N.C.O’s and specialists were transferred to -other companies. Sec.-Lieut. F. Walker and Lieut. J. G. Mowat were -appointed to the command of A and B Companies respectively. C.S.M. A. -McNulty again became C.S.M. of A Company, and C.Q.M.S. A. L. Lord of C -Company was transferred to D Company as C.S.M. The supply of men was -simpler. Large drafts arrived within a few days, and, by the middle of -September, the Battalion’s fighting strength was practically<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> the -same as it had been at the beginning of the month. On September 21st a -draft of eleven officers arrived, and several more joined a few days -later. Among them were three or four who had already served with the -Battalion abroad, either as officers or in the ranks, while others had -seen active service elsewhere.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_096fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_096fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Sept. 3rd. 1916.</p> - </div> - -<p>While the Battalion was at Hedauville, Brig.-General E. F. Brereton, -C.B., D.S.O., came over to say farewell. The men were drawn up in a -hollow square, and were first addressed by the Divisional Commander. -Then the Brigadier spoke. In a magnificent speech, which deeply -impressed all who heard it, he paid a glowing tribute to the dead and -said good-bye to the living. The parade was dismissed and all rushed -down to the road. Roar upon roar of cheering burst forth as the car -passed slowly through the lines of men and, at length, disappeared from -view. If he had ever doubted it, the demonstration must have proved to -the General how much he was beloved in his Brigade. Brig.-General C. G. -Lewes, D.S.O., assumed command of the 147th Infantry Brigade.</p> - -<p>By September 15th the Battalion was considered ready for active service -again; it moved up to Martinsart Wood and from thence, the next day, -to Crucifix Corner, Aveluy. On September 17th it was in support to an -attack, made by the 1/7th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., on part -of the Leipsig Redoubt. Unlike the bigger operation of September 3rd, -this attack was planned to take place in the evening, zero hour being -6-30 p.m. Thus the assaulting troops would have the whole night for -consolidation. The main duty of the Battalion was to provide a number -of carrying parties, no less than 7 officers and 215 other ranks being -detailed for that purpose. Of these, about half were to work with the -assaulting troops, while the remainder were responsible for keeping -the various dumps supplied. Profiting by the experience of September -3rd, Brigade H.Q. had decided that carrying parties should actually -accompany the assaulting troops when they attacked. It was hoped, in -this way, to get some supplies of ammunition up to the objectives -before the enemy barrage came down. The men for this duty were divided -into three separate parties, under Sec.-Lieuts.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> H. N. Taylor, E. W. -Flatow and E. Rawnsley respectively. A further party, under Sec.-Lieut. -G. Rawnsley, was to carry up water in petrol tins.</p> - -<p>Half-an-hour before zero all parties were in their assembly positions. -Many of the men, who had only left England a few days, had never even -been in the line before, and it must have been a particularly nervous -time for them. The principal supplies to be carried up were Mills -bombs, and every man had a box under each arm. When the assaulting -troops went over, the carrying parties advanced immediately in rear of -them. The ground was not easy to cross, being one mass of shell holes, -and littered everywhere with the debris of shattered trenches and -wire entanglements. Nevertheless, the men went well, and most of them -succeeded in delivering their first load before the enemy barrage came -down. Back they went for a second load, and this time the crossing was -more dangerous. Though rather scattered, and not particularly heavy, -the enemy barrage was most uncomfortable; and machine guns did not -make the situation any pleasanter. But through it all the men worked -splendidly. Backwards and forwards they went, time after time, until at -length the unusual message came back “Enough bombs.” That message is -the best criticism that can be given of the way in which the carrying -parties did their work. By this time they had naturally become very -scattered. Many were being employed as messengers or guides; some had -lost their bearings, for it was now quite dark; and there were many -casualties. Altogether, the Battalion lost that day 12 other ranks, -including C.S.M. T. H. Greenwood of C Company, killed, 7 missing, -and 39 wounded. But the work had been well done. Officers collected -all they could find of their parties, and rejoined the rest of the -Battalion; but many men did not report back until long after dawn the -next day.</p> - -<p>The day after the attack the Battalion moved up into close support to -the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., which had taken over the -captured trenches. Three days later it took over the defence of the new -line. D Company, with C Company in close support to it, held the whole -of the captured ground; the other companies occupied the old British -line. D Company’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span> sector was a ghastly place. Rain and shell-fire had -turned the ground into a mass of mud, littered with the awful debris of -battle. Never had the Battalion seen so many dead Germans; and there -were many British too. Bodies were lying all over the ground in the -open; many more were exposed by the shovel, and hastily recovered. A -hot September sun beat down in the daytime, and the air was filled with -the stench of decaying humanity. Water was scarce, as every drop of -it had to be carried up, and had to be used very economically. Ration -parties had a very hard task, for there were neither tracks nor proper -communication trenches. Almost the only real comfort was provided -by the excellent German tunnelled dugouts which abounded, and were -sufficient to accommodate the whole company. These were from twenty to -thirty feet down; they were splendidly built and, in some cases, quite -comfortably furnished; and they were proof against the heaviest shell. -This was as well, for the hostile artillery was very active. Though the -Germans probably had a very hazy idea of the British positions, they -knew where their own deep dugouts had been and persistently shelled -those localities. Practically all movement could be easily observed, -and there was much coming and going of staff officers and others in -connection with the new attack on Thiepval which was planning. D -Company came in for all the shelling, which was brought on by this -movement, and also for the not infrequent barrages put down by the -enemy. The other companies had an easier, though far from pleasant, -time.</p> - -<p>Much work was done by the Battalion while it was in the Leipsig -Redoubt. Its role was to prepare the way for an attack on Thiepval by -the 18th Division. Assembly trenches had to be dug; the dead had to -be buried. Most of this work was done by the support companies, who -sent up large parties each night. D Company’s duty was restricted to -holding the line—quite a sufficient task for the new men of whom the -company was mainly composed. Casualties occurred almost hourly. It was -a nerve-racking time.</p> - -<p>At length the relief came on September 24th. A heavy bombardment of 15 -cm. shells about 5-0 p.m., which at one time seemed likely to hinder -the relief seriously, was stopped by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> British retaliation. An -unusually quiet night followed. Soon after dark the 12th Battalion -Middlesex Regt. began to arrive; and when, about midnight, D Company’s -relief was complete, the Battalion turned its back on the Somme -battlefield for ever. B and C Companies had been relieved earlier and -they marched straight through to Lealvillers. A and D Companies were -to be met by buses at the bottom of Black Horse Road. The former got -away after a long wait, but there were no conveyances for the latter. -Wearily—few of them had had any sleep to speak of for three days or -nights—the men dragged themselves along to Martinsart Wood, where -they simply dropped down by the roadside and slept. About dawn buses -did arrive, and the company was quickly taken to Lealvillers, where -a halt was made for breakfast. Then it bussed straight through to -Halloy, while the rest of the Battalion had to march. The ride was some -satisfaction for the night spent on the road.</p> - -<p>The day after its arrival at Halloy the Battalion learned of the fall -of Thiepval. In the midst of the satisfaction caused by this news, -there was naturally some little disappointment that, after so many -months of work and fighting, it had not been “in at the death.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER VI.<br /> -<span class="subhed">WITH THE THIRD ARMY.</span></h2></div> - -<h3>(<i>a</i>) Hannescamps.</h3> - -<p>Many expected, and all hoped for, a fairly long period of rest when the -Battalion moved back to Halloy, after nearly three months of the Somme -Battle. But it was not to be. The 49th Division was transferred to the -Third Army, and, within five days of its relief in the Leipsig Redoubt, -the Battalion was holding a front line sector again. Two days of easy -marching, and a night each at Humbercamps and Bienvillers, had brought -it to the Hannescamps sector, where it relieved the 2nd Battalion Royal -Welsh Fusiliers, on September 29th.</p> - -<p>The new sector lay astride the Hannescamps—Essarts Road, and was the -longest front the Battalion had held up to that time. It was outside -the area of the Somme Battle, had been quiet all the summer, and so -had suffered little from shell fire. At a first glance the trenches -appeared to be in splendid condition, and in places they really -were—Lulu Lane, the communication trench on the left, was about as -fine a piece of field engineering as the Battalion had seen. But the -greater part of the front line and most of the communication trenches -were far from good. The weather was dry when they were taken over and, -fortunately, there was practically no rain while the Battalion was -there. Very little of the work had been properly revetted, and it was -obvious that the trenches would slide in as soon as the wet weather -came. The front line was of the regulation type—six yard bays and -four yard traverses—with two or three long saps running out into No -Man’s Land. It was fairly well provided with shelters, B Company in -the centre being particularly well off with a number in the sunken -Hannescamps—Essarts Road. It was garrisoned by three companies; the -fourth was in reserve, with two platoons<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> near Battalion H.Q. and two -about halfway up Lulu Lane. Battalion H.Q. lived in shelters along the -road, just south of the village of Hannescamps. These were moderately -comfortable, except for the rats; but few would have been any good -against shell fire.</p> - -<p>The enemy was very quiet. Apart from a few light shells now and then, -his artillery was practically inactive. Trench mortar, machine gun and -rifle fire were almost unknown. This was due mainly to the extent of No -Man’s Land. On the extreme left, the opposing lines approached within -about 250 yards of one another; but on the greater part of the front -they were over 1,000 yards apart. The main activity of the Battalion -was patrolling. In that department Sec.-Lieut. G. Crowther, who had -succeeded Sec.-Lieut. H. H. Aykroyd, M.C. as Battalion Intelligence -Officer, was extremely active. Night after night he penetrated deeply -into No Man’s Land in his efforts to secure an identification—but -without success. On one occasion he did encounter the enemy—near the -Osier Bed, which was his particular haunt—but he failed to make a -capture, though he certainly wounded one German. Apart from this, the -Battalion only came in contact with the enemy once. During their first -night in the sector, some men of C Company, who were holding a sap-head -on the left, were bombed, and suffered several casualties.</p> - -<p>At Hannescamps, the Battalion had taken over the most elaborate and -well-organised system of cooking they had ever seen in a front line -sector. A good kitchen had been built in a sunken road not far from -the village, and there hot meals were regularly prepared for the whole -Battalion. These were carried up, in hot food containers, by the men of -the reserve company, and living was almost as good in the front line -as in rest billets. The only serious difficulties were the shortage -of water, and the rats. Rats! Everyone who has seen much of trench -warfare knows how prevalent rats are. But never, at any other time or -place, has the Battalion had to contend with such a pest as it found -at Hannescamps. Everywhere the trenches swarmed with them; but nowhere -were they so bad as among the shelters near Battalion H.Q. They ate -everything they could get their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> teeth into. The very first night the -Battalion was there, not only were nearly all iron rations spoiled, but -more than half the packs and haversacks of the men of D Company, who -were in reserve, were ruined. Nothing could be done to cope with them -and they had to be endured. The remaining packs and haversacks were -only saved by taking them out nightly and hanging them on thin wires, -which were stretched from tree to tree in a neighbouring orchard.</p> - -<p>After four days in this sector, the Battalion was relieved by the 1/5th -Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and went to Souastre -for a rest. There all efforts were concentrated on smartening up. This -was very necessary. For practically three months there had been little -opportunity for a man to keep himself bodily clean, much less smart; -and there had been few proper parades. The result had been a distinct -falling off in smartness; but, after one or two periods in Brigade -Reserve, the improvement was very marked.</p> - -<p>Only two tours were done in the Hannescamps Sector and then the 146th -Infantry Brigade took over the line. While the remainder of the -Battalion moved to Bienvillers for the night, D Company was sent to the -Bluff, south of Fonquevillers, where it came under the orders of the -5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. There it provided shifts for -work in the tunnels for two days, and then rejoined the Battalion at -Humbercamps. After two more short moves, the Battalion arrived again at -Souastre.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>b</i>) Fonquevillers.</h3> - -<p>From the middle of October until the beginning of December, the -Battalion was inter-relieving with the 5th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. in the Y Sector, Fonquevillers. This sector had -a frontage of rather over a thousand yards, and extended from the -Fonquevillers-Gommecourt Road on the left, to the “Mousetrap,” an -unoccupied rectangle of ground opposite Gommecourt Park, on the right. -It had been the scene of one of the most costly failures of July -1st, for from it the men of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> 46th Division had started when they -attempted to take Gommecourt in conjunction with the 31st Division. -When the Battalion first took over the sector, it was held with two -companies in the front line and two in support. But, before long, these -dispositions were altered. The front line system was divided into three -company sectors, each company finding its own immediate support; and -the fourth company became battalion reserve. The front line had been -continuous at one time, but now parts of it were practically derelict; -communication along it was still possible without much difficulty, but -there were unoccupied gaps between the three companies. The position -was a strong one, though it was not to be compared with the magnificent -defences which the enemy had constructed for himself round Gommecourt. -Battalion H.Q. occupied a line of shelters and dugouts along the -Fonquevillers—Hebuterne Road, commonly known as Thorpe Street. Chief -among these was the Bairnsfather Dugout, so-called because it had once -been occupied by the artist whose work is so well known to all readers -of the <i>Bystander</i>. It was a comfortable little place, like -several more in the vicinity. Its walls were lined with whitewashed -timber and adorned with many drawings by the creator of “Old Bill,” -some executed in pencil, some apparently with the end of a red-hot iron.</p> - -<p>Things were not so quiet in the neighbourhood of Fonquevillers as they -had been at Hannescamps. The enemy did not make much use of heavy -artillery, but his field guns were often active. These did not harass -the front line troops greatly, but a good deal of shrapnel was fired -on Thorpe Street, and various parts of the village frequently received -attention. The most “unhealthy” spot was the Shrine, at the western -entrance; it was never advisable to loiter near there for long. Trench -mortars caused a lot of trouble. On the left in particular these often -fired, and, though actual “minnies” were uncommon, there were plenty -of “rum-jars.” On one occasion the Commanding Officer was confined for -some time in a dugout, the entrance to which had been blocked by one -of these trench mortar shells. The roof of this dugout was at least -fifteen feet thick, but it was bulged in by the force of the explosion.</p> - -<p>As at Hannescamps, the offensive spirit of the Battalion was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> mainly -confined to patrolling. No Man’s Land varied from 200 to 400 yards in -width. With the exception of the ruins of the Sucherie, which were -really on the next battalion’s front, there was little of interest -between the lines. Sec.-Lieut. G. Crowther was again to the fore in -his efforts to capture a prisoner, but he had no success. The enemy -appeared to be quite willing to leave No Man’s Land to the British; -at any rate, few patrols of his were encountered. At length, when all -minor attempts to secure identification had proved unsuccessful, 147th -Infantry Brigade H.Q. determined to make a raid—the first operation -of that type to be carried out in the Brigade. It was undertaken by -the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., who made the attempt one -night through the 4th Battalion, which was then holding the line. The -operation was well planned and executed; the raiding party succeeded -in entering the enemy lines and did a great deal of damage; but they -failed to secure an identification. Apart from a few minor duties, -such as providing covering fire from Lewis guns and assisting in -the evacuation of the wounded, the Battalion took no part. But some -casualties were suffered from the defensive barrage which the enemy put -down.</p> - -<p>While the Battalion was in this sector, the successful attack north -of the River Ancre, which resulted in the capture of Beaumont Hamel -and other positions, took place. The battle was too far off to have -any real effect on the Fonquevillers front, though, at one time, it -was intended that a smoke barrage should be put up by the Battalion -to distract attention from the real attack. Elaborate preparations -had been made for this, but eventually the orders were cancelled and -nothing was done.</p> - -<p>At Fonquevillers, Battalion H.Q. once spent a very uncomfortable -half-hour. “Authentic” information had been received from Brigade that -the enemy had driven a mine right under H.Q. mess. The exact time at -which this was to be exploded was known, and it was found that it came -in the middle of a relief. This was most inconsiderate on the part of -the Germans, for the necessity of handing over correctly prevented -officers visiting their friends, or making expeditions “on duty” to -distant parts of the line. There was an anxious minute when the time -came to go into the air. Nothing happened.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span></p> - -<p>Winter had begun soon after the Battalion came into the sector, and, -with its coming, conditions became very bad. The trenches were in no -condition to stand bad weather. Very little work had been done on them -for months, probably because everyone hoped that the British would have -advanced far beyond them ere winter set in. Now, when the rain came, -they immediately began to cave in. But the Battalion had behind it -the experience gained at Ypres the previous winter. There was indeed -more work to do than could possibly be done; so parts of the line were -allowed to become derelict, and one or two communication trenches fell -into disuse. Work was concentrated on what was most necessary, and -the battalion in the line had the assistance of large working parties -sent up by the battalion in reserve. Long hours had to be worked, -but excellent results were obtained. There was plenty of mud, but -no part of the trenches in use ever became really water-logged. How -well the men worked during one tour is shown by the following highly -complimentary letter, which was received from the Brigadier:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“O.C. 4th W. Riding Regt.</p> - -<p>I wish to express to the Battalion under your command my great -appreciation of the work done in your sector, and the excellent -spirit shown by your men during the past 6 day tour in the -trenches under circumstances of exceptional difficulty.</p> - -<p>Your work was good, not shoddy, and when not working your men -were trying to shoot Bosches.</p> - -<p>My only regret is, that owing to circumstances, I was unable to -spend more time with you, but it was a compliment that after -what I saw on Wednesday, I knew I could leave the Battalion to -do its best.</p> - -<p>This excellent spirit of keenness and hard work in a Battalion -is worth a great deal to its Brigade Commander.</p> - -<p>Please circulate my remarks to your officers and men.</p> - -<p class="r4 p-min">C. Lewes, B.-General,</p> - -<p class="r2 p-min">Commdg. 147 Brigade.”</p> -</div> - -<p>Periods of Brigade Reserve were usually spent in Souastre, at which -village the Battalion transport was permanently billeted. Most of the -men occupied barns of the familiar French<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> type, those timber and -clay structures so well known to all who have served with the British -Expeditionary Force. Generally speaking, the troops were fairly -comfortable. The barns were in fairly good condition. There were plenty -of civilians still living in the village, though it was not far from -the line. There were plenty of estaminets, and there was a Y.M.C.A. -hut. Little training was possible owing to the large working parties -which had to be found. Needless to say, the men groused at these, but, -as they worked mostly on the trenches which they occupied themselves -in the line, they realised that the work was for their own benefit. -Sometimes only half the Battalion went to Souastre, the rest stopping -in billets in Fonquevillers, under the command of Major A. L. Mowat. -This arrangement was made in order to have two companies on the spot to -work under the direction of the 57th Field Company, Royal Engineers.</p> - -<p>For the greater part of this period the Battalion was very short of -officers. When it left the Somme area it was well over strength, but, -soon after its arrival in the Third Army, it had been called on to -transfer ten to other battalions of the Regiment. No further drafts -had been received, many officers were absent on courses, and the usual -wastage through sickness was going on. The result was that, during the -latter part of the time at Fonquevillers, there were seldom more than -two officers per company doing duty in the line.</p> - -<p>On December 5th the Battalion was relieved in the Y Sector by the 1/5th -Battalion Sherwood Foresters—the battalion which had gone “over the -top” from those very same trenches on July 1st. As each platoon was -relieved it marched back to Souastre, where a halt was made in a field -for dinner, after which companies formed up and marched to Warlencourt. -The next day the Battalion marched to Halloy, where it was to stop -until early in the New Year.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>c</i>) Halloy.</h3> - -<p>Halloy was one of the worst places for billeting in the whole of -France. The barns were mostly in a bad state of repair.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> The hutment -camps were exceptionally muddy. The inhabitants of the village were -far from sweet-tempered, as a general rule. To make matters worse, it -seemed to be the invariable custom of the British authorities to crowd -far more troops into the place than it could reasonably be expected to -hold. The weather was not particularly bad for the time of the year, -but December is never an ideal month. Hence the conditions, under which -the Christmas of 1916 was spent, were none of the best.</p> - -<p>There was not a great deal of training. Occasional battalion route -marches were held, but the companies attempted little except specialist -training. No. 5 Platoon of B Company won the 147th Infantry Brigade -Platoon Competition; but it was not successful when it represented the -Brigade in the 49th Divisional Competition. Towards the end of the -time at Halloy, large working parties had to be provided for unloading -stores at Mondicourt Railhead. Several large drafts of men arrived to -replace the wastage of the previous autumn, and, by the beginning of -January, the Battalion’s “paper” strength was over 1,000 other ranks.</p> - -<p>The chief event was Christmas Day. Great preparations were made as -usual. A motor lorry was obtained to fetch additional supplies from -Amiens. Cpl. F. Smith was, of course, very much to the fore; Sergt. -Lockwood rose to the occasion, as he always did at that season of the -year. Dinner accommodation was a difficulty. Only one suitable room, at -an estaminet, could be obtained, and that would only hold one company -at a time. So the dinners started at noon and ran on right through the -afternoon, the men sitting down in four company shifts. But everything -went off well, the usual smoking concerts helped to pass the time, and -the anniversary was thoroughly enjoyed by all.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>d</i>) Berles.</h3> - -<p>On January 7th, the Battalion left Halloy, and, moving by march route, -relieved the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regt. in Brigade Reserve to the -B1 Sub-sector. Battalion H.Q. and two companies were accommodated in -the village of Berles; the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> other two companies were at Humbercamps. -These were to be the dispositions of the Battalion for the rest of the -month, whenever it was out of the line, except on one occasion when -the whole went to Humbercamps. Though very much nearer the enemy—the -village was only about a mile from the British front line—the troops -at Berles were far more comfortable than those at Humbercamps. Parts -of the village had been very little shelled. Quite a number of French -civilians were still living there and a few small shops were open. -There were many very comfortable billets in private houses, some of -which still contained a good deal of furniture; and the men were not at -all crowded. Here and there extensive tunnels had been dug in the hard -chalk, and to these the men had orders to retire if the enemy started -shelling. Working parties had to be provided as usual, but these could -be borne with ease in such comfortable surroundings.</p> - -<p>The Battalion first took over the B1 Sub-sector on January 10th. Its -dispositions were somewhat peculiar. The front line was divided into -three company sectors, but one platoon was drawn from each to form a -composite company, in reserve at Battalion H.Q. The fourth company -lived in extremely comfortable billets in the village, where it was -in reserve if needed; but it was mainly employed on working parties. -Seldom has part of a battalion in the line been more comfortably off.</p> - -<p>The sector was in an awful state. Laterally, each company was -completely isolated from its neighbours by absolutely derelict trench. -Long stretches of the communication trenches were deep in water, while -portions of the front line fairly beggar description. It had been very -badly constructed; in some places the revetments had bulged so much -that there was scarcely room to force one’s way along the trench; -elsewhere, the sides had collapsed altogether, and the trench was -nothing but a cavity, filled with mud and debris. The pumps were kept -constantly at work, but were quite inadequate to deal with the water. -So bad was the front line on the left company front that, during the -moonless nights of the first tour, it took the subaltern on duty two -hours to walk once each way along the line—and yet the company sector -was only about two hundred yards in length. But the men stood it well. -Kitchens, similar to those at Hannescamps,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> provided plenty of hot -food; and thigh-boots were available for all.</p> - -<p>Artillery was fairly active on both sides. The vicinity of Battalion -H.Q. received most attention and several casualties were suffered -near there, the chief being R.S.M. T. Glover, who was wounded in the -arm by a shell splinter. There was also a certain amount of trench -mortar fire, particularly on the right, where the lines were not -more than eighty yards apart; indeed, at one point, only about forty -yards separated the saps of the opposing troops. The British had a -heavy trench mortar which occasionally fired on the enemy defences, -opposite to the left company. Owing to doubts as to the accuracy of -this infernal machine, it was customary to clear a portion of the -front line while it was firing. Certainly it produced most terrific -explosions, and it provoked a good deal of retaliation until, one day, -a “premature” destroyed not only the gun but the whole of the team -which was working it.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of the month an exceptionally hard frost began. -Quickly, all the mud and water froze hard, and sheets of ice covered -the bottoms of many trenches. Snow fell and the ground became white. -It froze on the trench grids, making them so slippery that it was -almost impossible to walk without sandbags tied over the boots. The -change in the weather had its advantages as well as its disadvantages, -and probably the former outweighed the latter. Iron-hard ground was -a great improvement on the awful mud; ice was better than water; and -the weather was dry. But the lot of the sentry was most unenviable. To -stand on the fire-step, in the face of a biting north-easterly wind, -with the thermometer registering as much as 28 degrees of frost, was -a terrible task. Everything possible was done. Hot drink and rum were -provided. Section commanders actually put their men through some of the -exercises in bayonet fighting and physical drill in the front line. But -the weather of early 1917 will not be forgotten by those who were in -the trenches at that time.</p> - -<p>During the earlier part of the month patrolling had been very active, -in spite of the bad condition of No Man’s Land. Little had been -possible on the right company front, where the lines<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> were so near -together; but, further north, they were as much as five hundred yards -apart in places. Sergt. J. Bancroft, of C Company, was particularly -energetic. Twice he reached the enemy wire, reconnoitred it for several -hundred yards, and brought back very valuable information as to its -strength, the enemy dispositions, defences and working parties. On -one occasion, finding his men rather “windy,” he fell them in in No -Man’s Land, put them through some bayonet fighting drill, and then -proceeded with the patrol. But the deed for which he won the Military -Medal happened after the cold weather had set in, when the snow-covered -ground shone white in the rays of the moon. Sec.-Lieut. G. Rawnsley, -with Bancroft and two men, was out on patrol. He had reached a point -about thirty yards from the enemy line when a flare revealed his -presence, and he was shot through the head. In spite of the heavy fire -maintained by the enemy, Bancroft remained with the body for some time, -trying to get it back. Finding the task beyond his power, he returned -to his own line, collected and led a party to the spot, and succeeded -in bringing the body in. All this was done in the face of heavy fire, -and his coolness and daring thoroughly merited the decoration which he -received.</p> - -<p>Before the frost set in, all work had been concentrated on keeping -the trenches in a habitable condition. But, with the frost, such work -became temporarily unnecessary, even had it been possible. Meanwhile, -new theories of how a line should be held were developing. The gradual -increase of fire power, due to the introduction of Lewis guns and -the growth of the British artillery, made it unnecessary to keep so -many men in the front line; the increase in the strength of the enemy -artillery and trench mortars made it inadvisable to do so. Instead -of a line in which practically every fire-bay was manned, the system -of semi-isolated posts was coming in. To adapt the old trenches to -this new idea of defence, now became the chief form of work. Derelict -trenches had to be filled in; the trenches which were to be preserved -had to be adapted for all round defence by platoon or section posts. -This was mainly carried out by filling the disused trenches with wire, -so that they could not be occupied by the enemy.</p> - -<p>Bombing too had had its day, and the utility of the numerous<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> -saps, which covered most front lines, was discounted. Among other -improvements in the Battalion’s sector, it was decided to fill in the -T head sap which lay only about forty yards from the enemy, on the -right company front. This was a delicate task. The order was to fill it -in with earth; but it approached so near to the German line that the -least stroke of a pick on that iron-bound ground could easily be heard. -What was to be done? As luck would have it, the enemy was engaged in -wiring his sap just opposite; and so it became the nightly custom to -assemble a working party in the British front line and wait until the -enemy party was heard. Then the work of filling in the T head sap would -begin, for no fire was likely to come from the enemy while his own -party was out. This went on for several nights without incident; but -the work progressed very slowly, owing to the frozen condition of the -soil. On the last night the Battalion was in the line it changed its -tactics. Instead of sending out a working party, it trained a Lewis gun -on the enemy sap and opened fire as soon as the wiring party was heard. -Whether any casualties were caused cannot be said; but the wiring came -to an abrupt conclusion.</p> - -<p>Had the Battalion remained longer in that sector, it would probably -have been called upon to do a raid on the enemy line. Much time had -been expended on reconnaissance for that purpose, and the order was -fully expected. Perhaps it was due to its own intentions that the -Brigade was so nervous about the enemy; whatever the cause, it seemed -most anxious to ascribe to the Germans designs on the British line. A -sign of this nervousness was the great interest taken in a gap in the -enemy wire near the Berles-Monchy Road. It is probable that the gap was -an old one, which had escaped notice up till then; but the amount of -paper that flew about on the subject was enormous. Of course, nothing -happened.</p> - -<p>The Battalion’s departure from the B1 Sub-sector was the result of a -rearrangement of divisional fronts. The 46th Division was extending -north and taking over the whole of the 147th Infantry Brigade sector, -while the 49th Division was doing the same on its left. Hence, when the -Battalion was relieved on January 30th, and moved to Humbercamps, it -knew that it was not to return.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_112fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_112fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Brig.-Genl. R. E. SUGDEN, C.M.G., D.S.O., T.D.</p> - </div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span></p> - - -<h3>(<i>e</i>) Riviére.</h3> - -<p>On February 1st the Battalion moved to Riviére, where it relieved the -8th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, in Brigade Reserve to the F1 -Sub-sector. The 1/5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. followed, -and, throughout the next month, the two were inter-relieving as they -had been at Berles. The accommodation in brigade reserve was very good, -considering its nearness to the line. Three companies lived in billets -in the village; the fourth garrisoned the Wailly Keeps, a reserve line -of platoon posts. This latter was an ideal duty for an enthusiastic -platoon commander. He had his own little command, nicely compact; he -lived with his platoon, looked after its food, and supervised its work -and training; and, except in one case, his company commander was not -too near. What could a keen young subaltern want better? The bulk of -the Battalion in Riviére found working parties, so there was little -chance for training. But the Battalion had a tour in the line to do -before it was really able to taste the joys of brigade reserve. On -February 2nd it took over the F1 Sub-sector from the 7th Battalion -King’s Royal Rifle Corps.</p> - -<p>This sector was, in one respect, the most “perfect” the Battalion -ever occupied. Students of the many official handbooks on “Trench -Warfare,” which were produced in the first two years of the war, will -remember the excellent instruction on the planning of trenches—how -each system should have a continuous front line, supervision trench, -support line and reserve line, with numerous communication trenches -from front to rear. They will remember too how each of these, except -of course the supervision and communication trenches, was to consist -of alternate bays and traverses, etc., etc. And those of them who knew -the Western Front will remember how seldom, if ever, they saw these -theories put into practice. Well, the F1 Sub-sector was an exception. -The supervision trench did not, indeed, run the whole length of the -front; but there were the continuous front, support and reserve lines, -properly traversed and supplied with fire bays, and connected by -numerous communication trenches. In fact, an aeroplane photograph of -the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span> sector might almost have been reproduced in one of the textbooks, -as a perfect example of what ought to be done. The bombing expert -had also been at work, and the protection of the main communication -trenches was “beautiful,”—but was it effective? Perhaps it was due to -this theoretical accuracy of the sector that the authorities selected -it as a training ground for embryo officers. At any rate, several -privates from the Artists’ Rifles were attached to the Battalion for -instruction while it was in that area. So much for theory!</p> - -<p>In practice also the line was not at all bad. The trenches were deep -and narrow, and afforded good protection against shell fire. At the -beginning of February everything was frozen hard, and so there was -no trouble with the mud; but when a thaw set in, shortly before the -Battalion left the sector, the support line and several communication -trenches soon became impassable. Accommodation was adequate; most -of the dugouts were sufficiently deep to withstand any ordinary -bombardment and a few were really comfortable. In short, the line -had been carefully constructed, in accordance with ideas now quickly -becoming obsolete; it had been well looked after, and might have been -a pleasure to live in—but for the enemy. The archaic atmosphere was -rather heightened by the presence of such “prehistoric” appliances as -the West Spring Gun, and rifle batteries.</p> - -<p>One of the most interesting features of the sector was a Russian sap, -near the boundary between the centre and left companies. About 75 -yards out in No Man’s Land, and nearly parallel to the left company -front, was a bank, behind which patrols could move quite out of sight -of the enemy. The remains of a derelict sap ran out to its southern -end, but this had been replaced by a Russian sap—that is, a covered-in -passage—well revetted with timber. A listening post was permanently -established at the end of this sap; during the day it remained under -cover, but at night it occupied a shell hole in the open. It was in -touch with a second post, at the entrance to the sap, by means of a -bell worked by a string. This apparatus was tested frequently to make -sure that it was in working order. The existence of both listening post -and sap was supposed to be unknown to the enemy; probably<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> he knew all -about them, but, at any rate, he was not supposed to.</p> - -<p>The front system, embracing both front and support lines, was divided -into three company sectors. The fourth company was in battalion -reserve. Battalion H.Q. was, of course, in its “correct” position, a -little in rear of the reserve line. Companies did not always hold the -same sectors, for the right was generally considered to be the most -uncomfortable; but there was not much to choose between them.</p> - -<p>The F1 Sub-sector was the “liveliest” the Battalion held while it was -with the Third Army, but it is not to be compared with such places as -Thiepval Wood or Nieuport. Heavy artillery was not much used by the -enemy, though the reserve company H.Q. had the reputation of being -the datum point for 5.9’s. But the German field guns were very active -on many parts of the front. The most frequently-shelled spot was the -top of Forest Street—the communication trench on the extreme right. -That point was constantly and very accurately “whizz-banged,” for the -enemy could easily detect any movement there. All parts of the front -line came in for attention. The enemy also used “rum-jars” and vane -bombs very freely. The latter probably caused far more annoyance than -casualties. However, Lieut.-Col. H. A. S. Stanton, D.S.O.,<a id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> was -severely wounded by one of them.</p> - -<p>There was also a good deal of back area shelling, and the transport -was harassed more than once on its nightly journey with rations. -Near Basseux its route led through the position of a 6-inch howitzer -battery, which the enemy frequently shelled. There Pte. H. Bibby, while -driving a limber up to Riviére one night, had his ride horse killed -under him. He coolly cut it out of the traces and completed his journey -with one horse, himself walking by the side and supporting the pole -for a distance of a mile and a half. It was not the first time that he -had been brought to notice, and the award of a Military Medal, which -followed, was well deserved.</p> - -<p>The British were not idle. Their artillery did plenty of work<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> on that -front, and their trench mortars were always ready to fire. There were -some excellent and well-hidden Stokes mortar positions, and also some -2-inch in the line. Both of these were eager to retaliate, and it was -soon found that the former quickly stopped the enemy’s use of vane -bombs. Targets for Lewis guns or rifles were not common, but C.S.M. A. -McNulty did some excellent practice with his Winchester. His gory tale -of how, after more than four hours’ waiting, he saw the blood splash -from the forehead of a German officer, was much appreciated by all who -heard it. The snow made patrolling difficult at first, but it did not -stop it. The higher authorities were clamouring for identification, and -every possible means was tried. But enemy patrols were conspicuous by -their absence. Once a working party was located near the head of the -Russian sap, and a plan was made to secure a dead or wounded German. A -party was to lie in wait in the sap, and, when it heard the enemy, to -signal to the artillery, who would open a heavy burst of shrapnel fire; -the party was then to rush out, pick up the killed and wounded, and -return. But though Lieut. F. H. Kelsall waited in the sap for several -hours, on more than one occasion, the enemy party did not again appear. -So, when all other means of obtaining identification had been tried -without success, the Battalion was ordered to make a raid on the enemy -line.</p> - -<p>Capt. J. G. Mowat was selected to command the raiders. Arrangements -were made for the whole party to stop out of the line during the next -tour, to rehearse the operation. Comfortable billets were provided for -the men, they were not worked too hard, and they enjoyed themselves -thoroughly. Once their billets were changed owing to a rumour about -a spy. There may have been some truth in the report. Certainly the -inhabitants of Riviére, in some unknown way, learned much about the -operation beforehand. They even knew zero hour, a point which had been -kept secret from nearly all the raiders themselves.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_117"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_117.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0"><i>Raid near Ficheux.</i></p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">17.2.17.</p> - </div> - -<p>After careful consideration the enemy front line, immediately to the -west of the Wailly-Ficheux Road, was selected as the objective for -the raid. No Man’s Land was thoroughly reconnoitred by Battalion H.Q. -scouts. The operation was fixed for the evening of February 17th, and -was planned to take place as follows:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span></p> - -<p>1. Zero hour was fixed for 10-0 p.m. Fifteen minutes before zero the -raiders were to be assembled in No Man’s Land, along the bank by the -Russian sap, divided into the following parties:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span></p> - -<table summary="parties" class="smaller"> - <tr> - <td>(<i>a</i>) Right Flank Party.</td> - <td>Sec.-Lieut. R. C. Purvis and 12 other ranks.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>(<i>b</i>) Left Flank Party.</td> - <td>Sergt. G. Moscrop and 12 other ranks.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>(<i>c</i>) Communication Trench Party.</td> - <td>Sec.-Lieut. E. V. Blakey and 12 other ranks.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>(<i>d</i>) Dugout Clearing Party.</td> - <td>Sec.-Lieut. A. Butler and 15 other ranks. (Sub-divided into -two parties under the officer and Sergt. F. Johnson respectively.)</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>(<i>e</i>) Parapet Party.</td> - <td>Capt. J. G. Mowat and 14 other ranks.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>(<i>f</i>) Bangalore Torpedo Party.</td> - <td>Sec.-Lieut. W. L. Hirst and 5 other ranks.</td> - </tr> - -</table> - -<p>2. At 10-0 p.m. a heavy shrapnel barrage would open on the enemy -front line, from point A to point B (see map). After four minutes it -would gradually open out to form a box barrage round the objective. -Meanwhile, the enemy front line on both flanks, and all communication -trenches and ground in the vicinity, were to be swept by artillery, -trench-mortar, machine and Lewis gun fire.</p> - -<p>3. The Bangalore Torpedo Party was to advance, immediately under the -barrage, and blow a gap in the wire at point C. The other parties were -to follow, in order as above, pass through the gap, and enter the enemy -line.</p> - -<p>4. Parties (<i>a</i>) and (<i>b</i>) were to move along the trench -towards the right and left respectively, approach as near to the -barrage as possible, and cover the flanks of the operation. Party -(<i>c</i>) was to move down the enemy communication trench from point -C, and establish a block in it. Thus protected, party (<i>d</i>) was to -secure identification and do as much damage to the enemy trenches as -possible.</p> - -<p>5. Capt. J. G. Mowat, with party (<i>e</i>), was to remain on the -parapet. Signallers were to run a telephone wire across No Man’s Land -so that he would be in direct communication with Battalion H.Q. When -he considered that nothing further could be done, he was to give the -recall signal and supervise the withdrawal.</p> - -<p>6. The assembly was to be covered by fighting patrols, sent out by the -5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., then holding the line.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span></p> - -<p>At length February 17th arrived, and, in the evening, the raiders began -to move up to their positions. All were assembled, according to plan, -before zero. Apart from an enemy searchlight, which swept No Man’s -Land during the assembly but did not reveal the men to the Germans, -the preliminaries passed off without incident. Just before the barrage -opened, Sec.-Lieut. W. L. Hirst advanced with his torpedo party. The -torpedo was a cumbersome affair, twenty-two feet long, which required -three men to carry it. As the party moved forward it laid out a tape, -to show the direction to the raiders. The barrage had now opened, -the enemy was thoroughly aroused, and the flares which he was firing -considerably helped the party, as it hurried forward. The barrage was -excellent. On reaching the enemy wire, the men pushed the torpedo -well in, though not without difficulty, for it was heavy and the wire -was very thick. They then withdrew, except the officer and one Royal -Engineer who remained to light the fuse. As soon as this had been done, -the two rushed back about thirty yards and threw themselves flat on the -ground. Almost at the same moment the torpedo exploded with a terrific -crash.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the raiders, in column of parties, had advanced to a -position about forty yards from the enemy wire. Immediately the torpedo -exploded they rushed forward, only to find that much of the wire -still remained uncut. Capt. Mowat, Sergt. Moscrop and others flung -themselves upon it. Slashing at it with bill-hooks, and hurling great -chevaux-des-frises to one side, they forced a passage. Sergt. Moscrop -was the first to enter the trench, and he was quickly followed by all -the men of the flanking parties. By 10-6 p.m. every man was in the -trench and at work.</p> - -<p>The left flank party came upon an enemy sentry post almost at once. -One unwounded prisoner was taken and was passed out of the trench to -Capt. Mowat, who was waiting on the parapet. The rest of the Germans -were killed. The party then began to work its way along the trench -to its left. A second enemy party was encountered, and, for a short -time, held up the advance. But half of the British party was working -on the parapet. Cpl. E. Jackson, who was in command of these, quickly -worked round<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> the Germans, dropped into the trench behind them, and -attacked them from the rear. One was taken, the rest were killed. But -the prisoner, after his capture, fired at and wounded Moscrop; so he -was promptly killed. The party then continued its way towards the left, -where it became engaged with some German bombers. These it successfully -held at bay until the recall signal was heard.</p> - -<p>The right flank party, under Sec.-Lieut. R. C. Purvis, moved along the -trench in a similar manner. It had barely started when word was passed -down that identification had been obtained. Sergt. J. S. Sheard led -the way, and himself accounted for the first three Germans who were -met. Moving further along, the party became heavily engaged with some -of the enemy, who were bombing from the parados. Several casualties -were suffered, including Sergt. Sheard severely wounded. But here, as -on the other flank, the advantage of having a party on the parapet was -apparent. This party, of whom Lance-Cpl. R. Knox shot two Germans, was -able to hold the enemy bombers at bay; and the right flank was well -covered until the end of the operation. When the recall signal was -sounded, all began to withdraw. Before leaving the trench, Cpl. S. -Jessop threw a petrol can, with Mills bombs attached, down a dugout -entrance; great sheets of flame shot up the stairway and “the results -appeared satisfactory,” says the official report.</p> - -<p>It would appear that the Bangalore torpedo had not been exploded -exactly at the pre-arranged spot. As a result, the raiders entered -the trench more to the left than had been intended. Sec.-Lieut. E. V. -Blakey searched for the communication trench, which it was his duty -to block and hold, but was unable to find it. He was able, however, -to give assistance both to Sergt. Moscrop and to the dugout-clearing -party; and, as the enemy does not seem to have made any attempt to -counter-attack along the communication trench, the failure to find it -did not affect the operation.</p> - -<p>Both flanking parties had received strict orders to ignore all dugouts. -These were left to Sec.-Lieut. A. Butler, Sergt. F. Johnson and their -men. The former worked to the right, the latter to the left. Each party -carried with it a plentiful supply<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> of Mills bombs and short-fused -Stokes shells. Every dugout was bombed, and the crashing explosions -showed clearly how effective the Stokes shells were. No one can attempt -to estimate the number of casualties which were inflicted, but they -were certainly heavy. There is no doubt that many Germans were in the -dugouts. A light flashed down the entrance to one showed four bodies -lying on the steps. Lance-Cpl. H. Kane was particularly prominent in -this work. He shouted down the entrance to one dugout and was answered -by much talking; but as he did not understand the language he thought -it best to drop a bomb down. So he did.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Capt. J. G. Mowat was hard at work on the parapet. He was -in communication with Battalion H.Q. by telephone the whole time. He -had to keep a careful watch on the operation, in order to be ready to -deal promptly with any unforeseen development. Also he was largely -occupied in improving the gap in the enemy wire, so that the return -of the raiders might be easier. By 10-18 p.m. he saw clearly that -enemy bombing attacks were becoming serious on the flanks, and, as -identification had been obtained early on, there was no reason to -remain longer in the enemy lines. He ordered the recall to be sounded. -Two buglers were with him for that purpose. Their notes rang out and -were heard by all. The pass-word “Mowat” was shouted everywhere. The -withdrawal began.</p> - -<p>Everything went well. The parties of Sec.-Lieuts. E. V. Blakey and A. -Butler withdrew first, leaving the trench by means of light ladders -which they had carried forward with them in the first advance. Their -withdrawal was covered by the flank parties, who afterwards moved -towards the point of entry, covered by their own parapet men. By 10-20 -p.m. every man had left the trench, and “All Clear” was sent back along -the wire. The artillery barrage again dropped on the enemy front line, -to cover the withdrawal across No Man’s Land. This was soon effected, -Capt. Mowat bringing up the rear. In a few minutes every man, including -all the wounded, was back in the British line. There were no “Missing.”</p> - -<p>The raid had been an unqualified success, and was therefore a great -source of satisfaction to the Battalion. It was an example<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> of what -careful and thorough training can do. With the exception of the -slight loss of direction in the first crossing of No Man’s Land, -which resulted in the trench being entered too much to the left and -Sec.-Lieut. Blakey failing to find his objective, everything had worked -like clockwork. Identification had been obtained, an enormous amount of -damage had been done to the enemy defences, and many Germans had been -killed or wounded—17 dead Germans were actually counted, and there -must have been many more in the dugouts which were bombed. All this had -been done at a cost of only seven wounded, of whom, however, Sergt. J. -S. Sheard died a few days later. All these casualties had been suffered -in the enemy trench; not a man had been hit either during the advance -or the withdrawal. There can be no doubt that the effect on the morale -of the Battalion was very great. The raiders themselves were most -enthusiastic and would have dearly liked to do another raid. Everyone -else in the Battalion envied them their good luck.</p> - -<p>Capt. J. G. Mowat shortly after received the Military Cross which he -had thoroughly earned, both by his good work in training the party and -by his gallant leadership. Sergt. G. Moscrop received the Distinguished -Conduct Medal, and several Military Medals were awarded to the N.C.O’s -and men who had been most prominent in the operation.</p> - -<p>The Battalion did two more tours in the same sector before it was -finally relieved. Little of special note happened. The enemy artillery -and trench mortars were rather more active than they had been earlier -in the month, probably as a result of the raid. About this time one -or two officers of the 62nd Division, which had only recently landed -in France, were attached to the Battalion for instruction. The only -event of real importance was a fire in the Assistant Adjutant’s dugout; -this consumed many “valuable” official documents, and was thus a great -source of satisfaction to the Orderly Room for many weeks to come.</p> - -<p>On the last day of February the Battalion was relieved by the 2/9th -Battalion London Regt., and moved back to Bailleulval. As a parting -message of hate, the enemy shelled the village that night and caused -several casualties. But the Battalion had now<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> finished with the Third -Army. For a few days it marched and counter-marched about the district, -never stopping more than a night at one place, except Halloy. None of -these places was of much interest, except perhaps Neuvillette, where -the billets were exceptionally good. On March 7th the Battalion marched -to Doullens, and, after waiting in the streets all day, entrained in -the evening. Soon after dark the train started on its slow northerly -journey, and so, without interest and unnoticed, the Battalion left the -Third Army.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER VII.<br /> -<span class="subhed">WITH THE FIRST ARMY.</span></h2></div> - -<h3>(<i>a</i>) Ferme du Bois Sector.</h3> - -<p>The Battalion arrived at Merville about 8-0 a.m. on March 8th. A very -cold night had been spent on the train, snow was falling on arrival, -and the hot tea which was served at the station was very welcome. A -short march brought the Battalion to the village of La Fosse, where -the next night was spent in fairly comfortable billets. Apart from a -little difference of opinion between the Commanding Officer and a very -ill-tempered Frenchman, who said he would rather have Germans than -British in his barn, the day was uneventful. The next day the Battalion -relieved the 12th Battalion London Regt, in Brigade Reserve to the -Ferme du Bois Sector. As the same billets were occupied on and off for -over two months, some description of them is necessary.</p> - -<p>Battalion H.Q. and one company were lodged at Senechal Farm, near -Lacouture. This was one of the large moated farmhouses, so common in -the district, and consisted of the usual hollow rectangle of buildings, -surrounding a pond and a midden. It was supposed to accommodate 500 -men, but never more than about half that number occupied it while the -Battalion was in the area. A second company was quartered in a similar, -but smaller, farm about half a mile distant; a third occupied billets -in the village of Lacouture; and the fourth was in houses on King’s -Road, on the way to the trenches. Considering how near the Battalion -was to the front line, these billets were quite comfortable. The -country around was very flat and intersected by ditches; much of it was -under cultivation, and the inhabitants hardly seemed to realise that -there was a war. The owner of Senechal Farm, who was a very important -man in the district,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span> certainly did very well out of the troops; not -only did he receive considerable sums for billets, but an estaminet, -which he ran on the premises, was well patronised, and must have been -a very profitable concern. Dotted about the district were a number of -fortified posts, some in a very bad state of repair. The Battalion was -required to find “caretakers” for about ten of these posts, and the -“flat cart”—that cart which carried on so long with the transport, in -spite of its official “destruction” about once every three months—came -in very useful for taking rations to these men.</p> - -<p>On March 13th the Battalion relieved the 1/5th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. in the Right Sub-sector of the Ferme du Bois Sector. -Here it remained, inter-relieving with the same battalion, usually -every six days, until the latter part of May. This period was very -uneventful. The line was exceptionally quiet—almost the quietest the -Battalion ever held. Casualties were very slight; in fact, on occasion, -a six-day tour in the line was carried through without a man being -injured.</p> - -<p>Owing to the low-lying and damp condition of the country trenches could -not be dug, and the defences consisted entirely of breast-works. The -material for these had been obtained from “borrow-pits,” which quickly -filled with water and so became additional obstacles to the enemy. -Millions of sandbags must have been used in the building of this line. -The shelters occupied by officers and men were built into the parados, -and were comparatively comfortable. Such a line was quite satisfactory, -indeed almost luxurious, in quiet times. But it was the worst type -possible to occupy in a bombardment, for none of the shelters were more -than splinter-proof, and breast-works are poor protection against shell -fire.</p> - -<p>The Battalion front was well over 2,000 yards in length—by far -the longest it had held up to that time. Two continuous lines of -breast-works, each garrisoned by two companies, formed the main -defences. The front line was held by seven platoon posts, three on the -right company front and four on the left. Each post was complete in -itself, was well wired front and rear, and was only in communication -with neighbouring posts by means of patrols, which moved along the -unoccupied parts of the line<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> at stated times. At night the entrances -to these posts were blocked by chevaux de frise, and sentries -challenged everyone who approached along the front line. Between the -two companies there was an unoccupied gap, 500 yards long.</p> - -<p>The support line was held rather more continuously, but long stretches -were quite unoccupied. Three communication trenches connected the front -line with the Rue du Bois—Rope Street, Cadbury Street and Cockspur -Street. When the Battalion first took over the sector the hard winter -weather was just breaking. The whole country-side was very wet and -many of the trenches, particularly the communication trenches, were -deep in water. But, before the Battalion left, the sector had dried up -considerably.</p> - -<p>Battalion H.Q. was in a nameless farm on the Rue du Bois. This farm -had suffered little from enemy shelling and there were several quite -comfortable rooms in it. All headquarter personnel lived either in the -farm buildings or in shelters which had been erected in the orchard. -Few of the latter were even splinter-proof, but the locality was never -shelled. It was one of the most comfortable H.Q. ever occupied by the -Battalion and much work was done to improve it. It was customary for -the resting battalion to provide a platoon each day to work under the -orders of the battalion in the line. During one of his tour’s, the -Adjutant of the 1/5th Battalion made use of this working party to build -a new sandbag dugout for himself. Apparently he was pleased with the -work for he named the dugout “Deodar House,” after the secret nomme -de guerre of his own battalion, quite overlooking the fact that the -work had been done by men of another unit. But the men of the 1/4th -Battalion had their revenge. When they were next in the line they -painted every scrap of the woodwork outside the Farmhouse red—their -battalion colour—much to the disgust of the other battalion which -preferred its own colour—green. At this time there was a perfect mania -for naming places and nailing up notice boards so that there should -be no mistakes. An energetic police corporal, having a prisoner for -whom he wanted to find a job of work, built a small sandbag ammunition -store, and was so pleased with the finished article that he placed upon -it a big notice-board—“The Binns Redoubt.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span></p> - -<p>The Transport Lines were at Vieille Chapelle and everything was so -quiet that ration limbers were brought up nightly along the Rue du -Bois, as far as Battalion H.Q. Each company had its trench kitchen -in the support line and hot meals were provided for all men with -little more difficulty than if the Battalion had been back in rest. -The canteen was set up at Battalion H.Q., and a “hawker” went round -the front line daily to sell cigarettes, etc. to the men, within two -hundred yards of the enemy.</p> - -<p>From the British front line the ground sloped very gently up to the -Aubers Ridge, from which the Germans had good observation. But they -made little use of this. Their artillery was very quiet, except on -rare occasions. Canadian Orchard and the posts on the right got most -attention; Sec.-Lieut. S. P. Stansfield was killed near Shetland Post. -But, compared with what the Battalion had experienced elsewhere and -was to encounter later, the shelling was almost negligible. Occasional -salvoes would be fired on one of the communication trenches or some -other part of the line, but these caused very little inconvenience. -Rarely was anything of heavier calibre than the 10.5 cm. howitzer used. -One noteworthy exception to this was the afternoon of May 12th, when -the junction of Cadbury Street with the Rue du Bois was heavily shelled -with what appeared to be 21 cm. armour-piercing shells. Though there -were no casualties this caused great inconvenience, for the pump, which -supplied all water for the companies, was seriously damaged, and it -took about two days to get it into working order again. The reason for -this bombardment was never understood, but, as it was the only occasion -on which shells of such heavy calibre were used, it was probably only -a visit from a “travelling circus.” Occasionally the 15 cm. howitzer -appeared; one day it heavily shelled the Rue du Bois near Sandbag -Corner; on another occasion it wrecked the officers’ mess of the A246 -Battery, which lay about 1,000 yards behind Battalion H.Q.</p> - -<p>In other ways too the enemy seemed quite willing to “live and let -live,” if he were not interfered with. He had both medium and light -trench mortars in his lines, but seldom fired more than a few rounds at -a time from them. His machine guns did little and sniping was almost -unknown. Undoubtedly he held his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> front line thinly, though movement -was observed almost daily in the vicinity of the Boar’s Head, where -much work was in progress. One day he gave very clear evidence that -he was awake. An energetic platoon commander, who was trying to make -things uncomfortable for the “Hun” with rifle grenades, unfortunately -had a premature, and the loud cheering that was heard from the opposite -side of No Man’s Land showed that the enemy was on the watch and fully -appreciated the incident.</p> - -<p>The Battalion had two excellent observation posts on the Rue du -Bois, which boasted the grandiloquent names of the “Savoy” and the -“Trocadero.” From these, and from smaller ones in the front line, -excellent observation could be obtained of the whole enemy system and -of much of the country in rear. The enemy seemed to make very little -effort to conceal himself and so the sector was a regular “promised -land” for the Battalion Intelligence Officer. The Sugar Factory at -Marquillies, with its prominent chimney, was of particular interest, -both for the large amount of enemy transport which moved about near -it, and for the careful record which was kept of the times when the -chimney smoked. This chimney also exercised a great fascination on the -Commanding Officer, and the first thing that had to be done when the -Battalion moved to neighbouring sectors was to identify this landmark -from the new position. Indeed, it was almost a relief to some when the -Battalion went to the coast and was quite out of view of Marquillies.</p> - -<p>During the whole time the Battalion was on the Ferme du Bois Sector -patrolling was very active. At first this was very uncomfortable, for -the greater part of No Man’s Land was badly water-logged. For a long -time no brilliant success was gained. No Man’s Land was thoroughly -mapped, but practically all attempts to enter the enemy front line were -unsuccessful. Until about the middle of April, the Battalion was faced -by the 6th Bavarian Reserve Division—the Quinque Rue was one of its -inter-regimental boundaries—which did practically no patrolling. With -the exception of a patrol encounter on the night of April 18/19th, no -enemy patrol was ever seen in No Man’s Land. On the same night C.S.M. -W. Medley, M.M., of B Company, entered the enemy front line south of -the Quinque Rue, and made some <span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span>valuable observations, but failed to -secure an identification.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_128afp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_128afp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. A. E. MANDER.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">(Killed).</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_128bfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_128bfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. J. G. MOWAT, M.C.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">(Killed).</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_128cfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_128cfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. E. N. MARSHALL, M.C.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_128dfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_128dfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. N. GELDARD, D.S.O., M.C.</p> - </div> - -<p>Much permanent work was done while the Battalion was in this sector. -The trenches were put into a thorough state of repair and were much -improved, mainly by the construction of new shelters. A good deal of -wire was put out. A series of concrete machine gun posts in front -of the support line was begun. Front line and support companies -inter-relieved in the middle of each tour, and, as tours were spent by -companies on the right and left alternately, all officers and N.C.O’s -got a thorough knowledge of the whole line.</p> - -<p>Reliefs were all carried out by daylight and with greater ease than in -almost any sector the Battalion has occupied. The distance to billets -was short, and a relief which began about mid-day would be complete, -with the relieved troops settled in billets, by about tea-time. Periods -of rest were taken up mainly with training, though a certain number of -working parties had to be found. The training area was near Richebourg -St. Vaast, less than two miles from the front line, but it was very -rarely a shell dropped there. Platoon exercises were generally carried -out in the neighbourhood of billets. While in rest many football -matches were played, both within the Battalion and against neighbouring -units. An excellent recreation room at Senechal Farm was used for -smoking concerts and lectures, as well as for reading and writing.</p> - -<p>April 14th—the second anniversary of the Battalion’s landing in -France—was celebrated at Vieille Chapelle. A dinner for all surviving -officers of the original Battalion was held at the estaminet, best -known for its associations with a lady named Alice. A smoking concert -for the men who had come out with the Battalion was held in the -Y.M.C.A. hut at Vieille Chapelle, the 49th Divisional Band coming over -to assist in the programme. It was found that there were nearly two -hundred survivors still serving with their old Battalion.</p> - -<p>On April 27th Lieut.-General R. Haking, G.O.C. XI. Corps, presented -medal brooches to a number of officers and other ranks of the 49th -Division, including Major A. L. Mowat, M.C., Capt. J. G. Mowat, M.C., -and ten other ranks of the Battalion. The ceremony took place at -Merville and a guard of honour of 20<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> other ranks, under the command of -Sec.-Lieut. A. J. Robb, was furnished by the Battalion.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the first British offensive of 1917—the Battle of -Vimy-Arras—had opened on April 9th. Lying only a few miles to the -north of the battle area, the Battalion could clearly hear the roar -of the artillery, and at night could see the glare of burning dumps -and the flashes of the guns. Before long a current from the battle -began to affect it; the demand for identifications became more and -more persistent. Early in May signs began to point to the presence of -a different division on the Ferme du Bois front, and the Intelligence -Department was most anxious to secure a prisoner. On the afternoon of -May 10th, a particularly urgent memo. on this subject was received. -Very early the following morning a Battalion runner arrived at 147th -Infantry Brigade H.Q. and insisted on seeing an officer at once. When -told that all were asleep he still insisted, saying that the officer -would not mind having been awakened when he saw his message. This is -what had happened.</p> - -<p>About 10-30 p.m. on May 10th, C.S.M. W. Medley, M.M., with eleven -other ranks of B Company, left the front line, crossed No Man’s Land, -and reached the enemy wire. There he left six men to form a covering -party, and, cutting a passage through the wire, entered the enemy -front line with the remainder of his patrol. About seventy yards to -his right was an enemy sentry post, but he decided to attempt nothing -against it as it was difficult for anyone to approach without being -observed. He crossed over to the enemy second line, passed that also, -and continued straight across country until he reached the third -line. The patrol was now about six hundred yards in rear of the enemy -outposts. Leaving the rest of his party in an old shelter, the patrol -leader went forward alone to reconnoitre. He reached a communication -trench, known as Serpent Trench, and saw a man walk along it. He -returned and brought up his men, getting into the trench with two of -them, and leaving the rest on the parapet. They were barely in position -when three Germans—afterwards found to be a water-carrying party—came -along the trench. C.S.M. Medley called on them to surrender and they at -first laughed, probably thinking it was a joke of their own men;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> but, -presently realising that they really were face to face with a British -party, they turned and ran. The parapet party immediately opened fire -and killed one German; Medley pursued and captured a second; but the -fate of the third is unknown. The prisoner was promptly hoisted out of -the trench and the patrol returned by the way it had come, reaching the -British line without loss after an absence of more than four hours. The -prisoner turned out to be a machine gunner of the 3rd Bavarian R.I.R. -(1st Bavarian Reserve Division), a most valuable identification, since -it proved that a relief had taken place opposite the Battalion front, -and that one of the German divisions which had been shattered at Vimy -was now holding the sector. It was to receive this news that Brigade -H.Q. had been disturbed in the early morning.</p> - -<p>Needless to say, this particularly daring enterprise—the enemy front -had been penetrated to a depth of 700 yards—caused considerable stir, -and C.S.M. W. Medley and the Battalion received many congratulations. -Lieut.-General R. Haking, in forwarding the report to the Army -Commander, wrote: “It is one of the best examples of good patrol work -that I have ever heard of.... I am of the opinion that the whole -operation was a model of how to carry out an enterprise of this -nature.” The Army Commander fully agreed, and spoke of it as “a very -fine example of an offensive patrol.” The G.O.C., 147th Infantry -Brigade, in congratulating the Battalion on its success after so many -disappointments, said “The skilful handling of the commander, and the -courage of all ranks was only excelled by their spirit of determination -to succeed in their task before returning. Men who have such a spirit -cannot be beaten.” For his work on this occasion C.S.M. W. Medley -received the Military Cross, and the Military Medal was awarded to four -other members of the patrol.</p> - -<p>During the latter part of the Battalion’s stay in the area the -main feature was the arrival of two divisions of the Portuguese -Expeditionary Force, which were to take over that part of the line. -They had been excellently equipped by the British Government, but -lacked the experience of trench warfare necessary before they could be -trusted with the defence of a sector. The front between the River Lys -and the La Bassée Canal had always<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> been considered a suitable one for -the training of new troops, and so a number of Portuguese units were -attached to the 49th Division for instruction. At first, only some -officers and N.C.O’s came up to the line for a few days at a time. But, -towards the end of April, a whole company was sent up for 48 hours, -and from that time, until the Battalion left the sector, there were -usually some Portuguese in the line with it. As is usual with troops -sent in for instruction, the Portuguese were not entrusted with the -actual holding of any part of the line. When a company came up, one -of its platoons would be sent to each of the four British companies; -the company commander would attach a section to each of his platoons; -while the platoon commander would arrange that every Portuguese -soldier should be attached to a British soldier, should work with -him everywhere, and thus get an idea of the routine of trench life. -Language was a difficulty and interpreters were not always available; -but, as many of the Portuguese officers and a few of the men had a -knowledge of French, this was used whenever possible. Yet, on the -whole, though they had no common language, the private soldiers seemed -to be able to make themselves better understood than their officers. -Another difficulty was accommodation—there was not room for two or -three hundred additional men in the shelters; however, as the weather -was fine and warm for the time of the year, this was overcome.</p> - -<p>Some Portuguese transport men were also sent to the Battalion for -instruction, but they learned little. Love of their animals and a high -standard in turn-out were strong points with Sergt. Crossley’s men. -But the Portuguese were very different. Few of them cared anything -for their animals and the majority were deliberately cruel; they knew -nothing of “eye-wash” and the appearance of their transport on the road -was a standing joke among the British. Their “A” and “Q” departments -were also far from efficient. They never seemed to know how many men -they had, nor what rations they ought to receive. Certain it was that -the Battalion was better off for rations while the Portuguese were in -the line with it than it had been before.</p> - -<p>When the 147th Infantry Brigade finally left the sector it was taken -over by the Portuguese and was held by them until the German offensive -in April of the following year.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span></p> - -<p>On May 16th the Battalion was relieved in the Ferme du Bois Sector for -the last time and went back into Brigade Reserve.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>b</i>) The Cordonnerie Sector.</h3> - -<p>Towards the end of May the whole of the 147th Infantry Brigade had -been withdrawn from the line, but, as the relief of the other Brigades -of the 49th Division by the Portuguese was not complete, the Division -could not yet be made use of in any other sector. Just north of the -49th Division was the 57th Division—a Lancashire Territorial Division, -recently out from England. The attack on the Messines Ridge by the -Second Army was timed to begin early in June, and the 57th Division had -to send two battalions to support the flank of that attack. To replace -these in the line, the 1/4th and 1/5th Battalions, Duke of Wellington’s -Regiment were lent by the 147th Infantry Brigade.</p> - -<p>On May 25th the Battalion marched to Estaires, where it remained for -one night. The next day it moved to Sailly-sur-la-Lys, and on May 27th -it took over the Cordonnerie Sector from the 2/5th Battalion Loyal -North Lancashire Regt. Here it came temporarily under the orders of the -170th Infantry Brigade, 57th Division.</p> - -<p>The Battalion sector was a very long one—about 2,800 yards—and the -front line was very thinly held. It was divided into three company -fronts, but each company had only one platoon in the front line, -scattered in small posts. At night a second platoon was sent up to -patrol between the posts on the company front. The other two platoons -were in the support line for garrison and counter-attack. The fourth -company also lived in the support line but was held in Battalion -Reserve. The defences of this sector were very similar to those which -the Battalion had just left, but were in better condition. The New -Zealand Division had held the front recently and had done a great -deal of work there; the support line was well supplied in parts with -concrete dugouts, and two very large dugouts, each of which would -easily hold a company, had been constructed by the Maori Pioneer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> -Battalion. There were many communication trenches between the front and -support lines, and there was an exceptionally comfortable Battalion -H.Q. in a farmhouse which had been knocked about very little. There -was a bath-house on the premises, and also a bakery—the pride of the -2/5th Battalion Loyal North Lancs.; but the latter was not used by the -Battalion.</p> - -<p>Perhaps the most interesting feature of the sector was that it included -about half of the old No. 3 Section, Fleurbaix—the very first sector -the Battalion had held on coming to France. Its present left extended -almost as far as the Convent Wall, and the left communication trench -was that very Dead Dog Alley which had been dug by it two years before. -There, too, were the graves of the men who had been the first to lay -down their lives; these were sought out and put in good repair, for -it was always the practice of the Battalion to pay this tribute to -its lost ones whenever it had the opportunity. Officers were able to -revisit some of their old haunts, particularly Capt. W. C. Fenton who -stood again on the Rue des Bassiéres, happily without stopping another -machine gun bullet. But how changed were the conditions in other ways! -In 1915 the Battalion held a 1,000 yard front with something like 700 -men in the front line; in 1917 it was holding a front nearly three -times that length with only about 100 men permanently posted in the -front line. In 1915 troops depended almost entirely on their rifles -to maintain their position; in 1917 they had Lewis and machine guns, -artillery and trench mortars, and they preferred to defend their -positions by counter-attack rather than by original fire effect.</p> - -<p>On taking over the sector the Battalion learned from the outgoing unit -that the enemy front line was practically unoccupied, and that patrols -found little difficulty in entering it by night, or even in penetrating -to the second line. Acting on the assumption that this information was -correct, very vigorous patrolling was begun. It was gradually found, -however, that the inactivity of the enemy had been much exaggerated. -The boundary between two enemy divisions—the 38th Landwehr and the -79th Reserve—was opposite the Battalion’s front. The morale of the -former was low, its men kept an indifferent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> watch, and C Company’s -patrols had little difficulty in entering its line. But the front of -the latter was always covered at night by a strong fighting patrol -which effectually prevented the British approaching, though they made -several attempts. It was there that a patrol experienced the effects -of the gas which British projectors were throwing into Biez Wood, and -had to beat a hasty retreat. Gas masks had to be worn. The officer in -charge of the patrol, following his usual custom, had gone out with -nothing but a P.H. helmet, and that had not been out of its satchel -for many weeks. When he came to put it on, he found the eye-pieces so -dirty that he was practically blind, and had to be led by his men. The -incident caused a good deal of amusement in the Battalion at the time.</p> - -<p>One day there was a most unfortunate accident on C Company’s front. A -trench mortar battery had arranged for a big “shoot,” and, for this -purpose, two large dumps of shells had been made in the front line. -For some cause, which was never satisfactorily explained, as soon as -the guns opened fire both dumps exploded, wiping out the gun crews. -The Battalion was fortunate in having only one casualty, but two great -holes were blown in the parapet, and, though C Company worked very hard -to repair the damage, the task was not finished when they were relieved.</p> - -<p>On the last day of the tour a very successful piece of work was carried -out by a small patrol. Owing to the lie of the land and the height -of the enemy parapet, it was very difficult to obtain observation of -places immediately in rear of the enemy front line. To remedy this, it -was determined to establish a temporary observation post on the front -of the enemy parapet one morning. Such an operation would hardly have -been possible in any ordinary line, but the Battalion was still working -on the assumption that the enemy front line was practically deserted. -The party chosen consisted of Cpl. E. Jackson, M.M. and two men of B -Company, one H.Q. observer, with glasses and telescopic periscope, and -two signallers, whose duty it was to lay a telephone line across No -Man’s Land and maintain communication with the British front line. As a -precaution, arrangements were made for a box barrage to be put down by -the artillery and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> Stokes mortars if called for, and for Lewis guns to -provide cross fire.</p> - -<p>About 3-30 a.m., just as dawn was breaking, the party started. They -crawled slowly through the long grass which covered No Man’s Land, -got through the enemy wire after much trouble, and Cpl. Jackson -and the observer established themselves on the enemy parapet. The -signallers succeeded in getting into telephonic communication with -the British front line. After lying on the parapet for about an hour -and a quarter, the N.C.O. and the observer entered the enemy trench -and moved along it. Almost immediately they came upon a deserted, but -recently occupied, sentry post. Continuing along the trench, they -turned a corner and saw six rifles leaning just outside a dugout, from -which very obvious snores were issuing. They immediately returned and -summoned two more men to their assistance. The last—one had been sent -back some time before—was posted on the parapet. The four proceeded -along the trench and arrived just in time to find the Germans coming -out of the dugout. One German fired, missing completely, and the -British at once closed, calling on them to surrender. Without further -resistance all the Germans—there were seven of them, including two -N.C.O’s—put up their hands. They were got over the parapet at once and -hurried across No Man’s Land. A few shots were fired by a neighbouring -German post, but the whole party, including prisoners, reached the -British lines unhurt.</p> - -<p>It is recorded that a certain Company Sergeant-Major of the Battalion -was walking quietly up towards the front line when he saw a number of -Germans come rushing over the parapet. Thinking it was an attack, he -dashed across the open, only to find on his arrival that the men he had -seen were prisoners. His disappointment was great, but he revived his -drooping spirits by clouting one of them over the head to put him in a -proper frame of mind. The Commanding Officer was in his morning bath -when the party arrived. So delighted was he that he rushed out in the -somewhat scanty attire of a towel and a pair of slippers, and, in this -garb, interviewed the seven well-drilled Germans, who stood stiffly -to attention throughout. Physically the prisoners were a well-built -lot of men, but their morale was very poor.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> They were very willing to -talk, and one of them said they had been talking recently of giving -themselves up. At any rate, they were saved that trouble.</p> - -<p>The prisoners were despatched to Brigade H.Q. in charge of the men -who had captured them. Later, the Battalion received some highly -complimentary messages from the higher authorities, particularly from -the G.O.C., XI. Corps. He was so pleased with the operation that he not -only strongly recommended Cpl. E. Jackson, M.M., for the Distinguished -Conduct Medal, an honour which was awarded in due course, but bestowed -Military Medals on all the other members of the patrol. It should be -mentioned also that a congratulatory message was received by O.C. B -Company, addressed to “The Body-snatching Company,” from “The Working -Company” (i.e. C Company—self-styled).</p> - -<p>The next night the Battalion was relieved by the 5th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. and went back into Brigade Reserve at Rouge de Bout. -Here a very pleasant time was spent. The weather continued gloriously -fine, as it had been in the line, and the billets were good. Each -company provided one platoon to man a line of defensive posts; the -others carried on training. There was great competition in turning out -smart guards, B Company winning with a D.C.M., M.M., corporal and three -M.M. men. Here news arrived that Capt. W. C. Fenton and Capt. C. Jones, -the padre, had each been awarded the Military Cross, and the occasion -was suitably celebrated. Plans were also completed for an operation -which the Battalion was to carry out during its next tour in the line.</p> - -<p>This operation was founded on the supposition that the enemy front -line was practically unoccupied—a supposition which the Battalion had -already begun to shake. The XI. Corps wished to impress the enemy with -the idea that active operations were in preparation on the Corps front, -and so hinder his sending troops away to the real battle areas. With -this idea in view a scheme was drawn up for seizing the German front -line and establishing a number of posts in it. The main points of the -scheme were these:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. In conjunction with the 146th Infantry Brigade, which was -still in its old sector on the right, and a Brigade of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> 57th -Division on the left, a stretch of the enemy front line was to -be seized at night, and a number of fortified posts were to be -established in it.</p> - -<p>2. Each of the three companies in the front line was to -establish one platoon post.</p> - -<p>3. For purposes of this operation the four platoons of each -company were known as W, X, Y, Z. Their respective duties were -as follows:—“W” platoon was to seize the position in the enemy -front line and cover it during consolidation; “X” platoon was -to consolidate and garrison the post; “Y” platoon was to carry -the necessary ammunition and stores across No Man’s Land; “Z” -platoon was to garrison the old British front line during the -operation.</p> - -<p>4. Additional parties, provided by the 5th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt., were to dig three communication trenches -across No Man’s Land to connect the new posts with the old front -line. These trenches were to be named “Halifax,” “Brighouse” and -“Hull.” “Cleckheaton” had been suggested as one of the names, -but was vetoed on the ground that the artillery would never -understand it; hence the introduction of “Hull,” which was not -thought to be beyond the intellect of the gunners.</p> - -<p>5. The whole operation was to be carried out in one night.</p> -</div> - -<p>When the Battalion took over the Cordonnerie Sector a second time the -necessary preparations were started at once. One of the most important -of these preliminary arrangements was the preparation of dumps of all -necessary stores in the front line. To carry this out Capt. H. Hanson -was attached to Battalion H.Q., and very hard he worked, perspiring -freely in the sweltering weather, and often pushing trucks on the light -railway, and carrying stores himself.</p> - -<p>The night of June 15/16th had been fixed for the operation, and all was -ready. But, in the early morning of June 15th, the orders were suddenly -cancelled and the Battalion was warned to be ready for relief that -night. What would have been the success of the operation, had it been -carried out, can hardly be said. Judging from previous reconnaissance -of the front, it is probable that C Company would have established its -post<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> without difficulty, and that B Company would also have succeeded -though it might have had to fight; A Company’s task would, almost -certainly, have proved the hardest, and it is doubtful whether its post -could have been founded at all.</p> - -<p>The Battalion was relieved on the night of June 15/16th by the 2/4th -Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regt., which had returned from the -fighting near Messines, and marched straight through to billets at -Estaires. A very pleasant three weeks had been spent in the sector, -there had been very few casualties, and the Battalion took away with -it the best of wishes from the 170th Infantry Brigade as the following -letter from the G.O.C. shows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="r4">H.Q., 170th Inf. Bde.,</p> - -<p class="right p-min">June 15th, 1917.</p> - -<p class="p-min">My Dear Sugden,</p> - -<p class="p-min">I should like you and all your battalion to know how sorry -we are to part with you. I have not met a better organised -battalion nor one in which work was more thoroughly and quietly -done. You gave us a taste of your fighting qualities on Trinity -Sunday and I am disappointed indeed that circumstances prevent -you gaining the honourable distinction that your proposed -operations would undoubtedly have conferred on you and your -gallant fellows. At any rate your very complete preparations for -them will give us valuable assistance in the future.</p> - -<p>The 1/4th West Riding Regiment takes with it the heartiest good -wishes of my brigade.</p> - -<p class="r6 p-min">Yours sincerely,</p> - -<p class="r2 p-min">F. G. Guggisberg.</p> -</div> - - -<h3>(<i>c</i>) St. Elie Sector.</h3> - -<p>The Battalion spent three nights in Estaires and then moved by -motor bus to Sailly Labourse. The next day it marched to billets -in Philosophe, a mining village north-west of Lens. Here the 147th -Infantry Brigade came temporarily under the orders of the G.O.C., 6th -Division, relieving a Brigade of that division<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> which was required for -an operation near Lens. The first days were spent in Brigade Reserve -at Philosophe, time being occupied in training and in reconnaissance -of the sector which the Battalion was soon to take over. The country -was typical of the Lens mining district and not unlike the Barnsley -coalfield. An excellent view of it was obtained from the top of a -neighbouring slag-heap.</p> - -<p>On the night of June 25/26th the Battalion relieved the 6th Batt. Duke -of Wellington’s Regt, in the St. Elie Right Sub-Sector, where its -right rested on the Hulluch-Vermelles Road. This sector was a most -peculiar one, and quite different from any the Battalion had previously -occupied. The country-side was all chalk, so that the trenches were -comparatively easy to keep in order and were, on the whole, dry. -The sector was approached from Vermelles by Chapel Alley, one of -the longest communication trenches the men had ever seen, which ran -alongside the road to Hulluch; but most people preferred to use the -road or a cross-country route until they were about half way up to the -line. The trenches lay entirely on the ground which had been captured -from the enemy in the Battle of Loos. Battalion H.Q. was an old German -dugout, just off the old German front line. From this point the route -to the front line was up Devon Lane as far as St. George’s Trench, and -then along one or other of the tunnels. These tunnels were wonderful -works of engineering. Cut out of solid chalk, lit up by electric light, -ventilated by electric fans, and lying thirty to forty feet below the -surface, they gave one a feeling of absolute security, except against -gas. Indeed, this feeling was so strong that they exercised rather a -demoralising influence—once inside, one hardly liked to leave them, -for the heaviest shell or trench mortar could scarcely shake them. -Here and there stair-cases led up to posts, the parapets of which were -constructed from the sandbags of “spoil” obtained in the excavation of -the tunnels. Except on the centre company front, nearly every post was -reached in this way. Most of the old front line was derelict, little -being held except the posts at the tunnel exits, and a few great mine -craters.</p> - -<p>A Company was on the right, B Company in the centre, and D Company -on the left. C Company was in Battalion Reserve, in deep dugouts off -St. George’s Trench. Both the right and left<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> companies lived almost -entirely in the tunnels, but B Company had its H.Q. in a deep dugout, -which was approached by the half-derelict Grimwood Trench, and its -principal post in Newport Sap, a great mine crater garrisoned by one -platoon by day and two platoons by night.</p> - -<p>Fosse 8, an enormous slag-heap a little to the north of the St. Elie -Sector, was the dominating feature of the district. Machine guns from -this mound had been one of the main obstacles to the British advance in -the Battle of Loos. Its possession gave the enemy excellent observation -over a large area and was probably the main reason for his great -artillery and trench mortar activity.</p> - -<p>Never had the Battalion experienced such trench mortar activity. The -Stokes mortar battery, which had been left in the line by the 6th -Division, fired until its guns were red-hot. A heavy trench mortar, -which had its home thirty to forty feet below the surface and fired -up a sort of chimney, made things very lively for the Germans in Cité -St. Elie with its “flying pigs.” The enemy too was very active in this -department. Opposite the Battalion’s left were the St. Elie quarries -and these were packed with trench mortars of all descriptions, which -were able to carry on their deadly work in almost complete security. -The enemy, when he thought fit, could put down such a trench mortar -barrage as the Battalion had never known before. Deservedly, the sector -bore a very bad reputation.</p> - -<p>However, the first day passed quietly, and the night of June 26/27th -was one of those glorious nights, with an almost full moon, which one -sometimes gets at Midsummer. Dawn had almost come before the silence -was broken. The Battalion was already standing to, and the additional -platoon had just been withdrawn from Newport Sap, when, at 3-10 a.m., -without any warning, the enemy opened a terrific bombardment. Trench -mortar shells of all calibres rained down on the posts at Boyau 78, -Newport Sap, “K” Dump and Devon Dump, and on the centre company H.Q. -A heavy barrage of high explosive and shrapnel fell on St. George’s -Trench and Devon Lane. At the centre company H.Q. Capt. J. G. Mowat, -M.C., Sec.-Lieut. I. C. Denby and four other ranks were instantly -killed by a heavy<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> trench mortar shell, just after the first had -sent up the S.O.S. signal. The entrance to “K” Dump was blown in and -Sec.-Lieut. H. Pollard wounded. All quickly realised that an enemy raid -on a large scale was in progress.</p> - -<p>At Newport Sap Sec.-Lieut. G. Crowther, in spite of the terrific -bombardment which blew in the trenches in several places, got his -men standing to and beat off a party of the enemy which appeared, -with rifle and Lewis gun fire. The men at Devon Dump, which post was -fortunately not hit, opened rapid fire to their front, but it was -purely blind fire for they could not see more than twenty yards owing -to the dust and smoke raised by the bombardment. Machine guns at -Dudley Dump fired on a party of Germans who were seen in the vicinity -of “K” Dump, and drove them off. But a third enemy party succeeded in -entering Boyau 78. Here the platoon commander had withdrawn his men -into the tunnels, as soon as the bombardment opened, in order to avoid -casualties. Unfortunately, two men took a wrong turning and were come -upon by the raiding party. One managed to escape into an old shelter, -but the other was captured. The raiders then blew in the main tunnel -exit with a mobile charge, and returned to their own lines, harassed -in their retreat by the machine guns at Dudley Dump, and the excellent -shrapnel barrage which the British artillery was putting down. By about -3-30 a.m. the raid was over and the barrage had ceased.</p> - -<p>The total casualties in this raid were 2 officers and 4 other ranks -killed, 1 officer and 12 other ranks wounded, and one other rank a -prisoner. To the surprise of everyone the G.O.C., 6th Division, was -pleased when he heard that a prisoner had been taken. It suited him -well that the enemy should think his division had been relieved on that -sector by the 49th Division. But this was little satisfaction to the -Battalion which had suffered so seriously, particularly in the death of -Capt. J. G. Mowat, M.C., one of the most gallant and competent officers -in the Battalion. Its only real satisfaction was the knowledge that -heavy casualties had been inflicted on the enemy. Early in the morning -several German ambulances had left, crowded with wounded, and observers -had seen a number of bodies laid out for burial in the cemetery near -Cité St. Elie.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span></p> - -<p>Early the following morning the Battalion was heavily bombarded -with gas shells, the right company and Battalion H.Q. receiving -most attention. Some of the gas got into the tunnels, but they were -quickly cleared by the ventilating apparatus. This was the first real -experience of enemy gas which the Battalion had had since the days -of the Somme, and about twelve casualties, including Sec.-Lieut. C. -E. Binns, were sustained. Many of these did not report sick until -some hours after the bombardment, the gas poisoning apparently taking -time to develop. The Commanding Officer had a slight touch of it, but -remained in the line.</p> - -<p>To assist more active operations, which were in progress further south, -efforts were being made to attract the enemy’s attention to the St. -Elie Sector. The capture of a prisoner from the Battalion had already -assisted this object. The next night, a patrol of the 6th Battalion -exploded a Bangalore torpedo in the enemy wire opposite Boyau 78, and -left marks of identification near the spot, in the hope that they -would be found by the enemy. On June 28th companies had orders that -unusual movement was to be shown in their lines, and arrangements were -made for a smoke screen to be put up along the fronts of the two flank -companies that evening. At the same time the artillery was to put down -a heavy barrage. Actually, the smoke was not discharged, for the wind -was in the wrong direction, but the artillery part of the programme -was carried out. To save casualties all men, except a few sentries, -had been withdrawn to the tunnel entrances before zero hour. The enemy -replied to the barrage, shelling posts and communication trenches -for the most part, but no casualties resulted except at Newport Sap. -There the platoon commander had his men drawn up on the two stairways -leading to the deep dugout which they occupied. He remained at the top -of one stairway himself, with his platoon sergeant immediately behind -him. During the enemy retaliation a shell burst on the parapet just in -front, killing him and wounding the sergeant. Sec.-Lieut G. Crowther -was a great loss to the Battalion; he was a most competent officer and -very popular with everyone.</p> - -<p>The remainder of the tour was fairly quiet. A good deal of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> rain fell, -flooding part of Devon Lane temporarily, but the water soon cleared. -No one was sorry when the 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment returned from -the neighbourhood of Lens, and relieved the Battalion on the night -of July 1st/2nd. The heavy casualties at the beginning of the tour -had depressed everyone, especially after the quiet times which the -Battalion had had for some months. The tunnels too exerted a depressing -influence.</p> - -<p>After two days in Brigade Reserve near Vermelles, the Battalion -was relieved by the 9th Battalion Norfolk Regt., and, embussing at -Philosophe, moved to L’Epinette, near Lestrem. Everyone was glad to -leave, and the “Hulluch” sector, as it is known to most, represents a -black page in the Battalion history. A little row of graves, in the -military cemetery at Sailly Labourse, is the only lasting memorial of -the Battalion’s sojourn there.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_144fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_144fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">St. Elie Right Sub-sector.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">June–July. 1917.</p> - </div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> -<span class="subhed">THE COAST.</span></h2></div> - -<h3>(<i>a</i>) St. Pol and Ghyvelde.</h3> - -<p>The Battalion arrived at L’Epinette early in the morning of July 4th, -and there it remained for more than a week. After the recent depressing -time which had been spent near Hulluch, the comfortable billets and -the pleasant and highly-cultivated surroundings were indeed a welcome -change. Some training was done, but the main feature of the stay was -the Brigade Sports, which were held near Paradis. On the whole, the -Battalion was not very successful in the events, but its canteen, the -only one on the ground, did a roaring trade.</p> - -<p>On July 13th the Battalion marched to Merville where it entrained. -After a much quicker journey than was usual in France, it arrived at -Dunkerque, and marched thence to a camping ground just outside St. -Pol. Here tents had been pitched by the advanced party. The conditions -were rather primitive, it being an entirely new site, and the number -of tents was so small that about twenty-two men had to be crowded into -each. The camp was pitched among the sand dunes which made an excellent -training area, in view of the operations in which the Battalion -expected soon to be engaged. Large tracts of these sand hills were -covered with furze and other undergrowth, growing in places as high -as six feet, and a highly interesting night march on compass bearing -was carried out there. At first bathing was largely indulged in, but -a particularly obnoxious variety of jelly fish infested the sea and -caused so many casualties that it was practically given up, except by -the few who patronised the deep ditch round Fort Mardyck.</p> - -<p>At the end of five days the Battalion marched to Bray Dunes, where it -was accommodated in a former Belgian camp. A further<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> move into one of -the front line sectors near the coast was expected, and an advanced -billeting party actually went forward to Oost Dunkerque. But these -orders were cancelled and the Battalion moved a mile or two inland to -Ghyvelde, and settled down to hard attack training there.</p> - -<p>When the Battalion first received orders to move up to the coast, the -49th Division was intended to take part in a big attack on the Dunes -Sector, with its flank resting on the sea. This operation had been -prevented by an enemy attack on July 11th, which had captured the whole -of the Dunes Sector and pushed back the British line to the south side -of the Yser Canal. Now the Division was detailed to make a frontal -attack on the village of Lombartzyde. The 147th Infantry Brigade was to -operate on the left, with its right on the Nieuport-Lombartzyde Road -and its left on the Galeide Brook. The Battalion was to lead the attack -on the right of the Brigade. The operation was a very complicated and -difficult one. A large number of men had to be assembled on a very -narrow front, and, after taking a series of objectives, which included -the western half of the village of Lombartzyde, the Battalion was to -consolidate a line on the light railway N.N.W. of the village, with -another battalion of the Brigade on its left, facing nearly due west -along the Galeide. With the enemy very much on the alert on that front, -the assembly alone would have been fraught with great danger and -difficulty.</p> - -<p>A facsimile of the enemy trenches had been dug near at hand by another -division, and this was used by the 147th Infantry Brigade. In order to -approximate to the actual conditions of the operation, the Battalion -used to fall in at 1-0 a.m. and march off to its assembly positions. -All had to be assembled by half-an-hour before dawn. At dawn the -“attack” would begin, and the Battalion would be back in camp about 8-0 -a.m. Little was done during the rest of the day.</p> - -<p>But this attack never took place. The Battalion never learned -definitely why this was. Perhaps it was due to the severe casualties -inflicted on the other Brigades of the Division by the enemy’s first -use of “mustard” gas. On the last day of July the Battalion moved to -La Panne Bains, and took over coast defence duties from a Belgian -battalion. In those days La Panne was a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> delightful place, and the -three days spent there were much enjoyed by all. The town had suffered -little from shell fire or bombing, and everything was going on much the -same as in peace time. The coast defence duties were not heavy. Billets -were mostly on the sea front, in good houses or hotels. The “Terlynk” -and the “Continental” were well patronised. It was a regular seaside -holiday for everyone.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>b</i>) The Lombartzyde Sector.</h3> - -<p>On the night of August 3rd/4th the Battalion relieved the 1/5th -Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the Lombartzyde Right -Sub-sector. Motor buses conveyed them to a point about midway between -Oost Dunkerque and Nieuport, and from there they marched up to the -line. The night was unusually quiet for that sector, but pouring rain -hampered the relief and caused much discomfort.</p> - -<p>The Lombartzyde Sector was a position of supreme importance. Since -the enemy attack on July 11th had driven the British out of the -Dunes Sector to a line on the south side of the Yser Canal, it had -become the only British position north of the canal. It was simply -a bridge-head, about 1,500 yards wide and 1,000 yards deep, bounded -on the right by the flooded Bamburgh Polder, and on the left by the -canal and the flooded Galeide Brook. Like the Dunes Sector it had been -attacked on July 11th, but the enemy had only succeeded in maintaining -a footing in the front, and part of the support, lines to the west -of the Nieuport-Lombartzyde Road. To maintain this bridge-head as a -“jumping-off” place for attack was of the utmost importance, and its -capture was as much to be desired by the enemy. Hence, since July 11th, -an enormous weight of artillery had been concentrated there by the -British, and the Germans had been equally active on their side.</p> - -<p>The 147th Infantry Brigade took over the defence of the sector from the -148th Infantry Brigade and had two battalions in the front line—the -boundary being the road to Lombartzyde—one in support in the Redan, -and one in reserve on the Nieuport<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span> side of the canal. The Battalion -held the sub-sector east of the road, and never in its previous history -had it held a front in such depth. The sector is of such interest that -the Battalion dispositions are given in detail:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. A Company garrisoned all the three most forward lines; one -platoon held Nose Trench, a second held Nose Support, and two -platoons were posted in Nasal Trench where the Company H.Q. was -situated. To strengthen the defence, a Lewis gun team from other -companies was attached to each of the two front platoons of A -Company.</p> - -<p>2. C Company garrisoned Nasal Support, where the Company H.Q. -was, with two platoons; the other two were in Nasal Walk, a -trench between the two most northerly arms of the Yser Canal.</p> - -<p>3. B Company had two platoons in Nasal Lane, but its other two -platoons lived in the town of Nieuport, where they worked under -the Royal Engineers.</p> - -<p>4. The whole of D Company was in Battalion Reserve in the Redan.</p> -</div> - -<p>It will thus be seen that the Battalion had garrisons in five -successive lines of trench north of the canal, and a sixth line was -held south of one of the branches of the canal.</p> - -<p>The condition of the sector was appalling. Water lay so near the -surface of the ground that only breast-works could be constructed, and -the borrow-pits quickly filled. The heavy rains of the preceding days -had made matters worse. The enormous volume of shell fire had damaged -the trenches beyond hope of repair. There were only two communication -trenches on the front—Nasal Avenue, which was dug by the side of the -road right up to the front line, and Petit Boyau, better known as -“Toute Suite Alley” from the general habits of people using it, between -Nasal Support and Nose Support. Neither of these could be used for -more than a few yards at a stretch as they had been so badly knocked -about, and most people preferred to walk straight up the road as far -as Nasal Support and then along the top of the ruins of Petit Boyau. -Of course they could be observed from the enemy lines, but so also -could they be if they tried to move along the trenches; and one could -move six times <span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span>faster in the open, which was always considered an -advantage. The defensive lines were in equally bad condition, and -practically all movement was under observation. Except in A Company’s -area, accommodation was very scanty, especially in Nasal Support where -it became worse almost daily, owing to the shattering of dugouts -and shelters. The foremost lines, which had been the scene of heavy -fighting on July 11th, were littered with dead and all the debris of -battle. To crown all, the whole place was a mass of mud and the stench -everywhere was sickening. Perhaps it was this last characteristic of -the sector which suggested the very confusing system of trench names in -use there.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_148fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_148fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p-0 smaller">German Front Line(dashed line)</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">British Front Line(solid line)</p> - <p class="center p-min">THE LOMBARTZYDE SECTOR.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">Aeroplane Map.</p> - </div> - -<p>Just north of the canal was an old fort, the former bridge-head of -Nieuport; on the official maps it is called the “Palingbrug,” but -it was always known as the “Redan.” The ramparts of this fort had -been tunnelled into to provide accommodation for reserve troops, and -these tunnels were fairly safe from ordinary shell fire. There were -also a few pill-boxes scattered about the Redan and one of these, -which contained about six rooms, was occupied by Battalion H.Q. In -dry weather it was fairly comfortable, but, as it had been cracked -in numerous places by shell fire, the water fairly poured in when it -rained. Just over the room which was occupied by the Commanding Officer -was a great shell hole; a working party filled this in with much labour -and it was lucky they did so, for, the very next night, another shell -burst on the exact spot. Had the hole not been filled in, it would have -been a bad look out for the Colonel.</p> - -<p>The approaches to the sector were almost worse than the sector itself. -To reach the south side of the canal one must pass through Nieuport, -which was always a most “unhealthy” place. On arriving at the canal -one had the choice of four bridges—perhaps! To the east was a series -of six bridges, one after the other, crossing the different branches -of the canal and called, for some unknown reason, the Cinq Ponts. All -these were very heavily-built structures of masonry which could hardly -be demolished by shell fire. Then, from east to west, came Vauxhall -Bridge, Crowder Bridge and Putney Bridge. These were wooden structures, -four to six feet wide, floating on the water of the canal. Parties of -Royal Engineers were permanently stationed by these bridges to repair<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> -them as soon as they were shot away. The crossing of the canal was -always an adventure. The man who wanted to get to the other side first -noted the areas of enemy shelling, and, when he had decided which was -the quietest bridge, rushed across it as fast as he could go. No one -ever loitered on or near a bridge. At night things were even more -uncertain. In the dark, the middle of a bridge might be missing without -one knowing it, and several men had duckings as a result. Somewhere at -the bottom of the Yser Canal lie the remains of a bottle of whisky and -a dozen eggs, abandoned by a Battalion runner when he had to swim for -it. When the tide was up the bridges lay level on the water; but at low -tide the ends sloped at an angle of about forty-five degrees, and the -quickest method was to sit down and slide to the bottom.</p> - -<p>Whilst the Battalion was holding the sector its transport lines were at -Coxyde Bains. It was quite impossible to do any cooking in the line. -Apart from the fact that smoke would be almost certain to draw enemy -fire, the men were far too short of accommodation for themselves to -think of building trench kitchens. So all food was sent up ready cooked.</p> - -<p>By far the worst feature of the sector was the great activity of the -enemy artillery. This was mainly the result of two factors. In the -first place, the weight of fire which could be brought to bear was -exceptionally great. All the following artillery groups could be -concentrated on Nieuport:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. The coast defence batteries between the line and Ostend. -In the normal way these had little to do, and often they were -switched round to fire into Nieuport.</p> - -<p>2. The batteries on the Dunes Sector, which had little to do -unless the British attempted an attack across the Canal.</p> - -<p>3. The artillery on the Lombartzyde Sector itself, which was -exceptionally powerful.</p> - -<p>4. The guns covering the inundated Belgian front, where an -attack by either side was practically impossible.</p> -</div> - -<p>Also, the bridge-head was so small, and movement so restricted, that -the enemy could hardly go wrong in his shelling. What was called “a -quiet day” in the neighbourhood of Nieuport would have been described -by some such phrase as “great activity on the part of the enemy -artillery” on most other fronts.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span></p> - -<p>It is hard to say which parts of the sector were most heavily shelled. -No part was free from shelling. Even the transport lines at Coxyde -Bains had their share on more than one occasion. Probably the worst -localities were Nasal Support, the Redan, and the bridges. The quietest -time of the day was the early morning, between 4-0 a.m. and 8-0 a.m. -Just before dawn it was the enemy’s general custom to put down a heavy -barrage on Nasal Support, probably intended to overwhelm any troops -who might be assembled for an attack. After that, most of the German -gunners apparently took time off for breakfast and an hour or two’s -rest. About 8-0 a.m. things would begin to liven up, and there would -be plenty of activity throughout the rest of the day. But the nights -were the worst. Practically every night was one inferno, from dusk -until dawn. High explosive rained down all over the sector, shrapnel -burst above the bridges and the Lombartzyde Road, the neighbourhood of -Battalion H.Q. and the Redan were deluged with gas shells, both mustard -and diphosgene. Shells of every calibre were used, from the giant -15-inch, which came over with a roar like that of an express train -into Nieuport, down to the “whizz-bang,” which harassed one in the -neighbourhood of the Aid Post. No attempt was made to keep telephone -lines going except to Brigade H.Q. and to the Nasal Lane company, and -these were continually broken. Practically all communication had to -be done by the runners, who had a very hard time and suffered many -casualties. There had been a long-standing discussion, between those -who had been near Ypres in 1915 and those who had been at Johnstone’s -Post in the following year, as to which of these places was the worse -shelled. But the Battalion had not been long in front of Nieuport -before it was mutually agreed that the argument might be dropped. -Nieuport beat all previous records.</p> - -<p>But, with the exception of artillery fire, the enemy showed little -activity. Machine guns were quiet; sniping was almost unknown. There -was some trench-mortaring of the two front lines, but this was -negligible compared with the artillery fire. The enemy front line was -very lightly held, but on two occasions his patrols were seen in No -Man’s Land, though no encounter took place.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span></p> - -<p>Heavy as was the enemy artillery fire, the activity of the British -gunners was greater. The German attack of July 11th had caused great -anxiety to the higher commands, and an enormous weight of artillery -had been brought up. Behind Nieuport, the country was packed with -guns of all calibres, and firing programmes were so arranged that -some batteries would always be in action. As many as 18,000 shells -were sometimes fired on that front in a single twenty-four hours. The -protective barrage which could be put down by the eighteen-pounders -was thicker than the Battalion had ever dreamed of; where it had -been used to a single gun, there was here, not a battery, but a -brigade. On one occasion, when a S.O.S. was sent up on the sector, the -eighteen-pounders alone fired over 8,500 rounds in about half-an-hour. -And on that sector every available gun fired on S.O.S.</p> - -<p>Such was the Lombartzyde Sector in which the Battalion spent the first -half of August, 1917.</p> - -<p>As has already been said, the night the Battalion took over the line -was particularly quiet. But a very clear warning was given by the -outgoing battalion that this was not the normal state of affairs. The -only casualty of importance that night was Capt. N. Geldard, O.C. D -Company, who was wounded in the Redan. But the first complete day that -the Battalion spent in the sector it had a taste of what was in store -for it, suffering heavier casualties<a id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> than on any previous day since -it left the Somme battle in September, 1916.</p> - -<p>One of the main features of this tour in the line was the great patrol -activity. Nightly, four standing patrols—one to every two hundred -yards of front—were pushed out into No Man’s Land, to give early -warning of any attempt by the enemy to assemble for the attack. The -whole of the enemy wire, or rather what remained of it for the British -artillery had done its work well, was reconnoitred. But the main point -of interest was a post<a id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> in the old British front line, which had -been retained by the enemy after his abortive attack on July 11th. This -post lay just to the west of the Nieuport-Lombartzyde Road, and it was -hoped to regain it in connection with a raid which was pending. The -position was carefully reconnoitred by Sec.-Lieut. A. J.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span> Robb, of A -Company, the officer detailed to carry out the operation.</p> - -<p>The raid was to be carried out by a company of the 1/6th Battalion -Duke of Wellington’s Regt., and was to penetrate as far as the enemy -second line, on the west of the Nieuport-Lombartzyde Road. It was -arranged that Sec.-Lieut. Robb’s platoon should form up and advance -in rear of the raiding party. When the latter had captured the enemy -post and advanced to its second objective, Robb was to occupy the post, -consolidate and garrison it. Zero hour was fixed for 1-0 a.m. on August -8th, and, by 3-30 a.m., the whole platoon was to be withdrawn, with -the exception of 1 N.C.O. and 6 men, who were to form the permanent -garrison of the post. Thus only two hours and a half were allowed for -the capture of the post and its consolidation, the carrying up of -stores, and the opening up of communication with the left of A Company -along Nose Trench.</p> - -<p>At zero hour the raiders went over under a fine barrage. They captured -the enemy post, penetrated to their second objective, and returned with -a light machine gun and several prisoners of the 199th German Division. -The 4th Battalion party was not so successful. Advancing in rear of the -raiding party, most of them lost direction and did not arrive at the -post at all; some of them went forward as far as the German second line -and started consolidation there, thinking they had reached the right -spot. Eventually, they discovered their mistake and withdrew with the -6th Battalion. The result was that Sec.-Lieut. A. J. Robb, on reaching -his objective, found that he had only one N.C.O. (Cpl. J. Yates) and -about six men with him. These he at once set to work, while he went -out to seek the rest of his platoon. He failed to find any of them. -Not long after the raiders had withdrawn an enemy party advanced to -reoccupy its post. A bombing fight ensued in which Cpl. Yates succeeded -in driving off the enemy; but when the fight was over he found he -had only four unwounded men left. About 2-25 a.m. Sec.-Lieut. Robb -returned to the post, and, as the number of men he had available was -quite inadequate even for the defence of the post, and still more so -for all the necessary work of carrying and consolidation, he ordered -a withdrawal. Soon after, the enemy<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> reoccupied the post. Dawn was -now so near that there was no time to organise and carry out another -operation, so the enemy was left in possession.</p> - -<p>The following night a combined operation by artillery and gas -projectors was carried out on the Lombartzyde Sector with no other -result, from the Battalion’s point of view, than to bring down heavier -fire than usual. Then, on the night of August 9/10th, the 1/6th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. took over the line, and the -Battalion went into Brigade Reserve, in what were known as the Presque -L’Isle Defences.</p> - -<p>In the Presque L’Isle Defences a comparatively quiet and quite pleasant -time was spent. A and C Companies lived in Nieuport, B Company had one -platoon on Presque L’Isle itself—an island at high tide, a peninsula -at low—while the rest of the Battalion occupied dugouts in the railway -embankment, south-west of the Yser Canal. About 220 men were found -daily for work in Nieuport or the trenches, but, apart from this, the -Battalion had a complete rest. A number of men, who had remained out of -the line for training, returned and were replaced by an equal number -who had been through the recent tour. The only important drawback to -the position was the almost continual roar of artillery on both sides. -It was during this period that the Battalion witnessed the protective -barrage which has already been mentioned. Suddenly one night, almost -like a terrific clap of thunder, the whole of the British artillery -opened fire. Men rushed out to see what was happening and found -themselves standing in the middle of a half circle of light, caused by -the flashes of the guns. This continued for about half-an-hour, and, -in the rare seconds when one was not almost deafened by the roar, the -screech of the “heavies,” which were flying over from further back, -could be heard. The officer who had sent up the S.O.S. signal believed -he had seen the enemy massing for the attack. It is to be hoped he -was correct, for troops in close order in the open must have been -annihilated by such a storm of projectiles.</p> - -<p>After four days’ rest the Battalion returned to the same front as -before, D Company occupying the forward positions, and B Company being -in Nasal Support this time. The conditions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> were much the same as in -the previous tour. Much time and labour were spent in wiring the front -line, and, by the time the Battalion was relieved, an almost continuous -double-apron fence had been put out along the whole front.</p> - -<p>Throughout the time that the Battalion was in the Lombartzyde Sector -the 147th Infantry Brigade was working under the orders of the G.O.C., -32nd Division. On the night of August 16/17th, the 20th Battalion -Royal Fusiliers of that division took over the line. It was a night -which will remain vivid in the minds of many, particularly certain -officers and men of Battalion H.Q. Fortunately, the full volume of -enemy artillery fire did not open until rather later than usual, and -the majority of the troops were well on their way out before it reached -its worst. But, long before relief was complete, high explosive and -gas shells were raining down on the Redan, the vicinity of Battalion -H.Q., and the bottom of the road to Lombartzyde. It was during this -bombardment that Pte. H. J. Louth, of C Company, earned the high -commendations of the Royal Fusiliers. Detailed as a guide to the -incoming troops, he was wounded early on in the chest, but he remained -at duty and did not report at the Aid Post until he had seen the troops -he was responsible for safely into position.</p> - -<p>When relief was complete, a small party of officers and runners left -Battalion H.Q. The air was thick with diphosgene, but the night was so -dark that movement in respirators was extremely slow and precarious. -Hence, everything was risked, and the party rushed through numerous gas -pockets to the Cinq Ponts. The first two bridges were passed without -difficulty, but over the remainder the enemy was putting an intense -barrage of shrapnel and high explosive. The trenches between these -bridges were crowded with men awaiting opportunities to cross. Never -before that night did some realise how fast a man can run when carrying -a “tin” box of Lewis gun magazines, in addition to his ordinary -equipment. One by one the bridges were rushed until the last had been -crossed—and the party was still intact. Then the town of Nieuport had -to be crossed, and, in the streets, one shrapnel shell burst so close -on the top of everyone that all “ought” to have been hit; yet, in some -strange way, everyone<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> escaped. At length Nieuport was left behind and -a long dreary walk brought the party to Queensland Camp, near Oost -Dunkerque, where the rest of the night was spent.</p> - -<p>No one wept when he saw the last of Nieuport and the Lombartzyde Right -Sub-sector.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>c</i>) Coast Defence and Training.</h3> - -<p>For more than a month the Battalion remained on the coast under the XV. -Corps, but it did not go into the front line again. The day after its -relief in the Lombartzyde Sector it marched to Oost Dunkerque Bains, -where coast defence duties were taken over from the 2nd Battalion -Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders (33rd Division). It was the first -time the two battalions had met, but they were destined to come in -contact again on several occasions. The coast defence duties were not -burdensome, two companies at a time providing all garrisons. The sector -extended nearly up to Nieuport Bains, and one or two casualties were -sustained from shell fire. Much amusement was provided by a number -of French 37 mm. revolver guns which had been taken over as part of -the defences. The men had never seen these weapons before and felt -compelled to perfect themselves in the handling of them by frequent -practice out to sea. The result showed itself in a few days in a -scarcity of ammunition, and indents for more began to come in from -companies, one Company Commander asking for a large supply of 37 cm. -shells. As he was not known to have on his charge any guns of such high -calibre, the indent was ignored. The shell cases also formed desirable -souvenirs.</p> - -<p>Many of the Battalion billets were in good houses or hotels along the -sea front. On a clear day a good view could be obtained from the top -storeys as far as Ostend. But this had its disadvantages, for the enemy -also had the shore under observation, and so no movement was allowed -on the sea front, nor bathing in the sea. While in this area, the -Battalion was working under the orders of the 66th Division, who had -quite a good concert party within easy reach.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_156fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_156fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Lombartzyde Sector. Aug. 1917.</p> - </div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span></p> - -<p>Nearly a fortnight was spent at Oost Dunkerque Bains, the last two days -at Surrey Camp just outside the town, and then the Battalion returned -to La Panne. This time the billets were not nearly so good as they had -been a month before. Since then, XV. Corps H.Q. had moved into the -town and had appropriated all the good billets on the sea front, so -the Battalion had to be content with greatly inferior billets about a -mile inland. But the town was the same as ever, though occasionally -visited by bombing planes; bathing was again possible; and there were -now no coast defence duties to perform. Instead, some hard training was -carried out, and several fierce “battles” were fought amongst the sand -dunes. While at La Panne, the whole Brigade was one day reviewed on the -sands by the G.O.C., XV. Corps, who presented medal ribbons to a number -of officers and other ranks, and afterwards took the salute in the -march past.</p> - -<p>The most important event of the stay at La Panne was a visit from -the G.O.C., 2nd Army, Gen. Sir H. Plumer. By this time, though the -Battalion was still in the XV. Corps area, it had been transferred -to the 2nd Anzac Corps, Second Army. There was no ceremonial parade. -Instead, the Battalion paraded in fighting order, just on the French -side of the frontier, and carried out a practice attack for the -General’s inspection. It was a time when many ideas on tactics were -changing, owing to the experiences of the early part of the Third -Battle of Ypres; in particular, the old practice of mopping-up by lines -was giving way to the newer idea of mopping-up by areas. It was this -point, more than any other, that the General insisted on when he spoke -to the officers after the scheme was over. Incidentally, he gave the -Battalion the first definite news of what it was destined for in the -near future—to take part in the attack on the Passchendaele Ridge. It -was the first time that most of the officers had heard the name—one -now so well known to everyone, and conjuring up so many memories.</p> - -<p>The Battalion left La Panne on the 13th of September, but only moved -as far as Bray Dunes, where a camp was pitched among the sand hills. -Training continued though the district was not so suitable as the last -had been. Two night marches on compass bearings, which took place here, -are worthy of record.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> The first was for platoon sergeants, and was -easily won by C Company, who received drinks round as their reward. -The other was for officers and produced more amusement, though there -was no prize. One Company, led by an experienced and fully-qualified -surveyor in civil life, never got near its objective. A second company, -trying to steal a march on the others, started from the wrong point and -soon got into difficulty; after negotiating a precipitous cliff, at -least two hundred feet high, and a mass of barbed wire, they threw up -the sponge and retired to rest, calling down curses on the head of the -unfortunate officer who had planned the march. It wasn’t his fault, but -perhaps it was fortunate for him that he was far away. It was at Bray -Dunes too that Capt. N. T. Farrar celebrated his promotion, and rumour -has it that a combination of A Company and the Q.M. Stores is not the -best for a night march without a compass.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>d</i>) En Route for Ypres.</h3> - -<p>Not until the latter end of September did the Battalion start on its -march to Ypres. When it did take to the road its wanderings were so -confusing that many wondered what really was to be done with it in -the near future. Bray Dunes to Ypres should be marched with comfort -in three days, or even two, for the distance is only about 25 miles. -Actually the Battalion marched further than that in the first three -days. Yet, it was not until the night of the twelfth day from starting -that it passed through Ypres. In the intervening time it had marched -about 75 miles, and had halted at various places for five complete days -of rest. But the march had this advantage—it got the men into splendid -condition.</p> - -<p>The march was very uneventful. During the whole period up to the last -day—October 4th—the weather was fine. The first few days were very -hot, and the second day in particular, when the Battalion moved from -Coudekerque to Wormhoudt, the march was extremely trying. A rather -late start had been made so that the whole of the march took place in -the heat of the day, and many men fell out. In the neighbourhood of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> -Buysscheure, where the Battalion remained for three nights, a football -match between Battalion H.Q. and A Company resulted in a win for the -former. As every officer who was qualified to play for either side -turned out, the match provoked an unusual amount of interest. All who -saw the match will remember the roar of cheers which went up when Capt. -A. E. Mander—“Old Man”—headed a goal for his company.</p> - -<p>About a week after leaving Bray Dunes the Battalion arrived in the -Second Army training area, some miles to the west of St. Omer. This -naturally fostered the idea that a period of intensive training was to -be carried out before the men moved into battle. But, the very next -day, advanced billeting parties were sent forward, and on the 30th of -September the Battalion was again on the move.</p> - -<p>On October 3rd the frontier was passed, the night being spent at Clyde -Camp, not far from Watou. An early start was made the next morning, -and, as the distance was short, it was still early when the Battalion -arrived at Red Rose Camp near Vlamertinghe. That day the weather broke; -it rained pretty steadily throughout the march, and was the beginning -of a long spell of wet. The men were fairly comfortably housed in the -camp, but accommodation for officers was very bad. As things turned -out this mattered little, for only B Echelon and the Transport spent a -night there. At last the Battalion was to be rushed into battle at the -shortest possible notice.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER IX.<br /> -<span class="subhed">THE BELLE VUE SPUR.</span></h2></div> - -<h3>(<i>a</i>) October 4th–8th.</h3> - -<p>The Third Battle of Ypres opened on July 31st, 1917, with an attack by -two British Armies—the Second Army on the right and the Fifth Army on -the left—supported by a French Army Corps to the north. At first a -considerable advance was made, but the unusually wet weather of August -greatly hampered operations. During September the weather improved and -progress continued, but the fighting was exceptionally severe, the -enemy stubbornly defending every inch of the ground. Notwithstanding -all difficulties, by the beginning of October the Second Army was in -touch with the Passchendaele Ridge, which was the last natural barrier -between the British and the fertile, low-lying plains of Belgium. -Though this ridge proved so serious an obstacle to the British advance, -it is by no means conspicuous. At no point is it as much as sixty -metres above sea level, and its average height is little more than -fifty metres.</p> - -<p>Some description of the battlefield, which the Battalion entered -early in October, is necessary. For nearly three years the enemy had -been fortifying the area east of Ypres, making use of every method -and device known to modern warfare—and throughout the war the -Germans were unsurpassed as field engineers. The result was a mighty -fortress, covering many square miles of ground, second to none on -the Western Front, or, for that matter, in the world. The ground was -covered with trenches, constructed according to the latest ideas of -fortification, and crammed with every device for offence and defence. -Thousands of miles of barbed wire had been used in the construction of -obstacles. Hundreds of “pill-boxes”—massive but low-lying structures -of reinforced concrete, invulnerable unless they received direct hits -from at least an 8-inch shell—covered the country-side<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> and sheltered -thousands of machine guns. The German artillery was extremely powerful -and magnificently handled; and as every ridge, up to the battle of -Messines, was in enemy hands, his gunners had all the advantages of -superior observation. Such was the country that the British had been -attacking, and slowly penetrating, during the last two months.</p> - -<p>This country the British and German artillery had turned into a -desolation unparalleled even on the Somme battlefield in the previous -year. Literally, every inch of ground had been torn up by shell fire. -The whole appearance of the country-side had changed—most of the roads -had almost disappeared, thick woods had become nothing but collections -of broken and distorted tree-stumps, of some villages there was -scarcely a trace. Everywhere the ground was littered with the awful -debris of war—dead bodies of men and animals, derelict tanks and guns, -shattered wagons and every conceivable form of what was known to the -men as “salvage.” To crown all, the heavy rains of the late summer -and early autumn had converted the whole area into a quagmire, the -drainage system having been completely destroyed by artillery fire. -Cross-country travelling was extremely difficult for a man on foot, -for even when he picked his way carefully he was often bogged well -above the knees; transport and animals could not move at all except by -the newly-made roads and tracks. Every effort had been made to deal -with the situation by the construction of plank roads, gridded tracks -and light railways, but transport difficulties and the activity of -the enemy artillery seriously interfered. Could the prophetic eye of -Dante have looked so far forward into the future, he might readily have -introduced this desolation as the setting to one of the lowest circles -of Hell.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Battalion was about to settle down for the night in Red Rose -Camp when an urgent order from 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. altered -everything. In spite of the rain that day, a particularly successful -attack had been made on a wide front; all objectives had been -reached, and, in some cases, passed. Luck had been on the side of the -British for once, for that same morning the enemy had planned a big -counter-attack. Unfortunately<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> for him his zero hour had been fixed -a few minutes later than the British, whose barrage, 1,000 yards in -depth, had passed slowly over three enemy divisions, assembled in close -order in the open, and had almost annihilated them. So promising had -been the situation at one time that the 147th Infantry Brigade was -within an ace of being thrown into the battle that very day, to exploit -it. This, however, had not been done, but the Battalion now received -orders to move up and relieve the 1st Battalion Canterbury Regt., in -reserve to the 2nd New Zealand Infantry Brigade. At once all was bustle -and excitement, and, soon after 11-0 p.m. the Battalion, in battle -order and at battle strength, marched out of camp to play its part in -the battle for the Passchendaele Ridge.</p> - -<p>The night was very dark and wet, and great difficulty was found in -carrying out the relief. The route to Pommern Castle, where Battalion -H.Q. was located and round which the whole Battalion was posted, -lay along No. 5 Track—a single line of grids, in particularly evil -condition, with fearsome mud on both sides. Relief was not complete -until after dawn. Some anxiety was felt as to what should be done in -case the enemy attacked, for not a man of the Battalion had any clear -idea where he was, or where the front line lay. Accommodation was -very bad. One or two low-lying, very wet, and extremely uncomfortable -pill-boxes were occupied by Battalion H.Q.; but nearly everyone had to -be content with a shell-hole over which he could spread his waterproof -sheet. October 5th was spent mainly in trying to build habitable -shelters.</p> - -<p>On the night of October 5/6th the Battalion moved up to the line, where -it relieved two New Zealand battalions. D and C Companies held the -front line—D Company to the south of, and C Company along, the eastern -edge of Berlin Wood; A Company was in support on Abraham Heights, and B -Company in reserve near Otto Farm, where Battalion H.Q. was situated. -Abraham Heights were rather heavily shelled at intervals, but, apart -from this, nothing of importance happened during the twenty-four -hours that were spent in the sector. The enemy was undoubtedly very -disorganised after the attack of two days before, and was in no -condition to be aggressive.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span></p> - -<p>The night of October 5/6th was a particularly bad one for the Battalion -transport men. Owing to the appalling condition of the ground, supplies -could only be taken up on pack animals, and that night, for the first -and last time, Texas packs were used. These proved most unsatisfactory, -the loads could not be properly secured, and constant halts were -necessary to readjust them. The amount of traffic on the roads was -amazing. From Vlamertinghe to Ypres, and up beyond Wieltje, the whole -road was packed with every conceivable form of vehicle and pack animal. -Blocks were constantly occurring and causing wearisome halts. Soon -after the convoy started it became split up, owing to vehicles pushing -in between the animals. Beyond Ypres the conditions became even worse, -and eventually the convoy returned to Red Rose Camp without having -reached the Battalion. But soon after dawn a fresh convoy set out and -succeeded in delivering the rations.</p> - -<p>The next night the Battalion was relieved by the 2/5th Battalion -Manchester Regt. (66th Division) and returned to Pommern Castle. The -next two days were spent in active preparation for the attack which was -to take place on October 9th. Large carrying parties were found for -establishing forward dumps, and all officers reconnoitred routes up to -the line and assembly positions for the attack.</p> - -<p>This operation was on a very big scale. The 49th Division was to attack -on the extreme left of the Second Army, with the Fifth Army attacking -on its left and the 66th Division on its right. The main details of the -attack were as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. The 49th Division was to advance straight towards the point -of the Belle Vue Spur, an offshoot of the main Passchendaele -Ridge, on a frontage of about 1,500 yards.</p> - -<p>2. Two objectives were to be captured and consolidated, the -second objective being about 1,250 yards from the British Front -Line.</p> - -<p>3. The attack was to be made by the 148th Infantry Brigade on -the right and the 146th Infantry Brigade on the left, each -having two battalions in the front line. The 147th Infantry -Brigade was to be in Divisional Reserve.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">It was thus very uncertain what the role of the Battalion would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> be. -Its orders were to be assembled at Pommern Castle by zero hour (5-20 -a.m.) ready to move at a moment’s notice. There it was to remain until -further orders were received from Brigade H.Q., and, as it was the -reserve battalion of the Brigade, these orders were not expected very -early.</p> - -<p>The morning of October 8th was bright and sunny, and the ground was -drying up splendidly. But about the middle of the afternoon very heavy -rain began to fall which continued, almost without a break, right -through the night. The ground, already in very bad condition, was thus -rendered almost impassable in many places, and the assembly of the -attacking Brigades was seriously hampered.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>b</i>) October 9th.</h3> - -<p>By 5-0 a.m. on October 9th the Battalion,<a id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> with the exception -of most of B Company, who had not yet returned from a carrying -party, was assembled at Pommern Castle ready to move. At 5-20 a.m. -the barrage opened, several batteries near where the Battalion was -assembled being in action, and all knew that the attack had begun. -For about two hours nothing happened; <span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>save for the noise of the -guns, everything was quiet, and no news of the attack came through. -About 7-30 a.m., orders were received for the Battalion to advance -to the vicinity of Aisne Farm, some six or seven hundred yards west -of Kansas Cross. B Company’s carrying party had not yet returned, so -guides were left behind for them, and the rest of the Battalion moved -off in artillery formation, with platoons at fifty yards’ interval. -The ground was very wet after the heavy rain of the night before, and -movement was slow and laborious. The Battalion had scarcely reached -its destination when fresh orders arrived, directing it to proceed -forthwith to the neighbourhood of Korek, where it would come under the -orders of the 146th Infantry Brigade, whose advanced H.Q. was there. -The route followed was along No. 6 Track, a single line of grids in -none too good condition. Platoons had to move in single file, and, as -they drew near to Korek, came under heavy artillery fire which caused -several casualties—the first suffered that day. On arrival there -the Battalion halted and began to dig in as the artillery fire was -still heavy. While it was thus engaged, the remainder of B Company -came up, so that the Battalion was again concentrated. The Commanding -Officer went personally to the 146th Infantry Brigade H.Q. for orders -and information as to the situation. The latter, he found, was very -obscure. It was not definitely known where any of the Battalion H.Q. -were situated; the 1/5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. was believed -to be at or near Peter Pan, the 1/7th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. -somewhere between Kronprinz Farm and Yetta Houses. The only definite -information was that both were in need of reinforcements, and the -Commanding Officer was accordingly ordered to send up two companies -in support of each. He returned to his Battalion H.Q. and orders, as -definite as the situation would admit, were issued at 10-50 a.m. A and -B Companies were placed under the command of Capt. A. E. Mander, whose -instructions were to report to the 1/7th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. -and place himself under its orders. C and D Companies the Commanding -Officer decided to lead in person to the assistance of the 1/5th -Battalion West Yorkshire Regt.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_164afp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_164afp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">R.S.M. F. P. STIRZAKER, M.C.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">(Killed).</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_164bfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_164bfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">R.S.M. W. LEE, M.C.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_164cfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_164cfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">C.S.M. W. MEDLEY, M.C., M.M.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_164dfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_164dfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Sergt. A. LOOSEMORE, V.C., D.C.M.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller"></p> - </div> - -<p>At 10-55 a.m. Battalion H.Q. moved off, followed by C Company,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> with D -Company bringing up the rear—all in artillery formation. Near Calgary -Grange they came across Capt. Ablitt, of the 1/5th Battalion West -Yorkshire Regt., who stated that his Commanding Officer was wounded -and he was now in command. Most of his H.Q. personnel were casualties, -he had no proper Headquarters and knew very little of the situation. -The Commanding Officer informed Capt. Ablitt that he was moving up to -Peter Pan with two companies, and then continued on his way. There was -no protective barrage to cover the advance of the Battalion, and, as it -came down the slope past Calgary Grange, very heavy machine gun fire -was encountered from the pill-boxes on the Belle Vue Spur. The enemy -artillery was also active, and, though the companies extended, many -casualties were suffered before the old British front line was reached. -Here a halt was made for about fifteen minutes to give companies an -opportunity to reorganise, and to allow time for the reconnaissance of -the crossings over the Ravebeke. In normal times this stream would have -been a very slight obstacle, but the devastating fire of the British -artillery and the recent heavy rains had converted its course into a -formidable morass. Sec.-Lieut. A. M. Luty went forward to reconnoitre -for practicable crossings. Under a heavy artillery and machine gun fire -he carried out this duty, marked the possible places with sticks, and -then returned to his own lines.</p> - -<p>Lieut. H. S. Wilkinson, the Battalion Intelligence Officer, was also -sent forward, not only to reconnoitre the crossings of the stream, -but to try to get into touch with men of the 146th Infantry Brigade. -Running from one shell-hole to another, he soon lost touch with the two -men who had started out with him, and went on alone. Near the Ravebeke, -a bullet lodged in his steel helmet, fortunately without wounding him. -As he could find no other means of crossing, he waded through the -stream, the water coming above his waist. He then advanced straight -towards Peter Pan, across awful mud, and with machine gun bullets -whistling all round. Soon he met a party of the 1/6th Battalion West -Yorkshire Regiment, but they could tell him nothing of the situation. -So he determined to reconnoitre as far as Peter Pan itself before -returning to report. Not a dozen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> yards from the ruined building he -was severely wounded. One bullet shattered his jaw; another went right -through his left shoulder and fractured the arm. That was the end of -his reconnaissance. He had established the very important fact that -the enemy did not hold Peter Pan, but he was unable to return to give -the information. In great pain and half covered with water, he lay in -a shell-hole until the advance of the Battalion swept past him, and he -was found and carried back.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the Battalion was again advancing. C Company led the way, -with D Company in close support. Under a hail of machine gun bullets, -in the face of accurate sniping, and with shells bursting all round, -they steadily advanced by section rushes, in extended order. The rear -company gave covering fire to the leading one, and machine guns also -assisted in keeping down the hostile fire. But many men went down, -killed or wounded, in the mud, before the stream was reached. Then -followed the crossing of the Ravebeke. Some of C Company had carried -saplings with them which they threw across, others crossed on the -fallen trees which were already lying there, yet others literally -forced their way through the mud and water. On the far side of the -Ravebeke the fire was, if anything, heavier; but the men pressed on to -Peter Pan where many of them gained some temporary protection among -the ruined buildings. It was in this crossing of the Ravebeke, and -the advance to Peter Pan, that the Battalion suffered its heaviest -casualties that day. Among others, Capt. N. Geldard, O.C. D Company, -went down with a bullet wound in the ankle—his second wound in less -than three months. Lieut. W. L. Hirst assumed command of D Company. -Had the Battalion carried out its advance under a proper barrage the -casualties would not have been nearly so heavy. But the Ravebeke had -been crossed, which was, at the moment, the really important thing.</p> - -<p>Battalion H.Q. was established in a newly-made shell hole, just in rear -of the ruins of Peter Pan. C Company was pushed forward at once to -get in touch with the West Yorks, and to gain contact with the enemy. -Following a line slightly to the right of the direction of Wolf Copse, -they came upon a number of West Yorks, who had dug themselves in, -from two to three<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> hundred yards in front of Peter Pan. Reconnoitring -to their flanks, they also gained touch with a platoon of the 1/6th -Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. So they set to work to consolidate on -that line. There were rumours of other troops of the 146th Infantry -Brigade still further out in front, but, apart from a few advanced men -in shell holes, none were seen, and it is unlikely that any existed. D -Company was also sent forward to prolong C Company’s line to the left. -Lieut. W. L. Hirst, with his C.S.M., first reconnoitred the ground, -and, finding a company of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. -already in position there, brought up his company to prolong the line -on its left. With the exception of the platoons found by C Company, -no formed body of the 146th Infantry Brigade was ever found by the -Battalion, though various isolated groups and stragglers were taken -charge of by different companies. Meanwhile, machine gun fire from the -Belle Vue Spur and from Wolf Copse was still sweeping the Battalion -front, and extremely accurate sniping from the latter direction made -individual movement very hazardous. Companies were doing what they -could to keep this down with Lewis gun and rifle fire, but casualties -were frequent. Two signallers, attached to C Company, were shot through -the head as they were moving along a shallow trench. The Adjutant, -Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C., while reconnoitring the positions, was -also wounded in the head. As Lieut. H. S. Wilkinson had already been -wounded, only the Commanding Officer and Lieut. W. T Scholes were left -at Battalion H.Q. Such was the situation on the right about 3-0 p.m.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, A and B Companies had not moved with the rest of the -Battalion. On receiving his orders to reinforce the 1/7th Battalion -West Yorkshire Regt., Capt. A. E. Mander had sent out scouts to try -to find out the location of the Battalion H.Q.; but, after some -time, these had returned without any information. The companies were -therefore kept in shell holes in the vicinity of Calgary Grange until -something definite could be discovered. It was not until 12-20 p.m. -that they got into touch with the Commanding Officer of the 1/7th -Battalion West Yorkshire Regt., who was found moving his H.Q. back to -Calgary Grange. He simply told them to stand fast for the present. They -remained<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> where they were until about 3-0 p.m., when they received -orders to move up to Yetta Houses, and fill a gap in the line there. -With A Company leading and B Company in support, they moved off in -artillery formation, until they reached the swamps of the Ravebeke. -Here heavy machine gun fire, and the same accurate sniping which had -harassed the rest of the Battalion, forced them to extend. Capt. A. E. -Mander was hit in the head by a sniper during the advance, and killed -instantly. His death was a great loss to the Battalion, for he was not -only a most conscientious officer, but a general favourite with all -ranks; nothing was ever too much trouble for him if he thought it would -benefit his men, and his only ambitions in life seemed to be to work -hard and make others happy. On his fall, Lieut. A. Kirk assumed command -of A Company.</p> - -<p>A and B Companies reached their objective about 5-30 p.m. Like the rest -of the Battalion, they found only stragglers of the 146th Infantry -Brigade. A Company began to dig in to the right front of Yetta Houses, -with B Company in support in an old trench in rear. Patrols sent out to -the left failed to gain touch with any troops, save a few stragglers -in shell holes, so Lieut. Kirk ordered the flank of his trench to be -thrown back to protect his left. About dusk, patrols sent out by all -companies succeeded in gaining touch with one another, and the line -which was held for the night was as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Right:—C Company, facing N.E., and about 200 yards from Wolf -Copse. It was in touch on the right with a platoon of the 1/6th -Battalion West Yorkshire Regt., and had scattered men of the -same battalion in shell holes in front of its position.</p> - -<p>Right Centre:—A Company of the 6th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt., under Capt. Buxton.</p> - -<p>Left Centre:—D Company, N. of Peter Pan, and facing Wolf Farm.</p> - -<p>Left:—A Company, just to the right front of Yetta Houses, with -its left flank thrown back as no touch had been obtained there. -B Company was behind Yetta Houses, in support to A Company.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">Battalion H.Q. was behind Peter Pan, still occupying its shell hole, -“and very uncomfortable at that,” according to the situation<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> report -sent in by the Commanding Officer. This line remained unchanged until -the Battalion was relieved the following night.</p> - -<p>Darkness brought a welcome relief from the harassing machine gun fire -and the accurate sniping which had caused so many casualties during -the day. Though heavy, casualties had not been sufficiently high to -interfere seriously with the efficiency of the Battalion. C and D -Companies combined had lost nearly 30 per cent. of their men, and A and -B Companies about 20 per cent. These losses were, to a certain extent, -made good by the temporary incorporation of numbers of stragglers. -The men settled down for the night as best they could, tired out with -their efforts of the day. Every officer and man was covered with mud -from head to foot, and his clothes were thoroughly soaked with water. -In these circumstances little comfort could be hoped for, especially -as the Battalion failed to get in touch with the ration convoy. The -night was very cold. Patrols were pushed out to maintain contact with -the enemy, and these found the pill-boxes on Belle Vue Spur and the -neighbourhood of Wolf Copse still held. One H.Q. scout unfortunately -was captured by the enemy while out on patrol; he had become separated -from the man he was working with, owing to the darkness and the very -broken nature of the country. Suddenly he found himself right on the -top of an enemy post; a bullet shattered one of his arms and paralysed -his power of resistance, and, though he tried to run for it, he was -easily taken.<a id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p> - -<p>Throughout the day the enemy made no attempt to counter-attack, -contenting himself by harassing the exposed British troops with his -fire. About 7-0 p.m., a report that the Germans were massing for the -attack caused some excitement, but it turned out to be incorrect. -Towards midnight the Battalion was surprised by the opening of a heavy -shrapnel barrage on its front. As everything was quiet at the time, -no call for help had been sent back, and no operation was known to be -in progress, the cause of this remained a mystery for some time. It -was cleared up about 1-45 a.m. by the arrival of an order, from the -146th Infantry Brigade, to mop up a considerable area of ground on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> the -front. The barrage had been intended to cover this operation, but so -late did the order arrive, that it had long been over and nothing could -be done.</p> - -<p>The dawn of October 10th was ushered in by the customary German “hate,” -but after that things became fairly quiet for a time. A change was -made in the Battalion dispositions at dawn. B Company was moved back -to the vicinity of 146th Infantry Brigade H.Q. where it became Brigade -Reserve. A Company thereupon withdrew one platoon from the line to form -a company reserve.</p> - -<p>Little of importance happened during October 10th. Very accurate -sniping from Wolf Copse, as on the previous day, caused much -inconvenience and several casualties. At various times during the day -numbers of the enemy were seen on the Belle Vue Spur, and artillery -fire was directed on them. About 4-0 p.m., Battalion H.Q. was subjected -to a heavy and very accurate shelling. This was believed to be a result -of the laying out of the Battalion ground sign, which had been called -for by a contact aeroplane; it was thought that this had been seen by -enemy planes which were also up at the time.</p> - -<p>Word had been received during the day that the Battalion was to be -relieved that night by a New Zealand Battalion. About 10-0 p.m., these -troops began to arrive. They did not take over in the ordinary way, but -preferred to select their own position and dig an entirely new line -for themselves. So, as the New Zealanders marched in and took up their -position, the Battalion marched out. Relief was complete about midnight.</p> - -<p>The orders issued to companies were that they should make for the -Wieltje Road and follow it until they met the guides who were being -sent up from the transport lines. All that night these guides were out -on the road, directing men to X Camp, St. Jean, where they were to rest -and where hot tea and rum awaited them. From about midnight until long -after dawn, the troops of the 49th Division streamed down the road, -some singly, some in groups of two or three, others in formed bodies. -It is doubtful whether, before or since, the Battalion has been more -thoroughly done up. After living in that waste of mud and water, with -practically no shelter, for nearly a week, it had carried out an attack -over the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> same appalling ground, and then consolidated and held its -position in the face of violent artillery and machine gun fire.</p> - -<p>The attack of October 9th had not been a complete success, but a very -important advance had been made. The first objective had been carried -practically in its entirety, and, in front of Peter Pan, a new line had -been established some distance beyond it. But the second objective had -not been reached. The most important success was the establishment of a -line, well beyond the Ravebeke, along the whole front. This stream was -a most serious obstacle, and the consolidation of a line to the east of -it provided a good jumping-off ground for the troops who were to attack -later on the same front. The difficulty of the operation may be judged -from the fact that an attack launched from the new line a few days -later by the New Zealanders failed to gain an inch of ground, and that -the second objective of the 49th Division on October 9th was only just -reached three weeks later by the Canadians, who had come up quite fresh -to make the attack. The operation of October 9th was one of the first -of that awful series of attacks on the Passchendaele Ridge which failed -to obtain a full measure of success owing, not to the opposition of the -enemy, but to the appalling condition of the ground.</p> - -<p>That the work done by the 49th Division was appreciated by the higher -commands is shown by the following message from the G.O.C., 2nd Anzac -Corps, under whom the Division had fought:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“Following message has been received by me from Army Commander, -begins:—</p> - -<p>‘Please accept and convey to all your troops engaged to-day my -heartiest congratulations on success achieved.</p> - -<p class="right p-min">General Plumer.’</p> - -<p>The Commander-in-Chief also called here to-day and wished -specially to congratulate you and your Division.</p> - -<p>I wish also to add my high appreciation and thanks to you -personally and to all ranks of your Division on having done so -much under such arduous and trying conditions.</p> - -<p class="right p-min">General Godley.”</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">The G.O.C., 49th Division, in a Special Order of the Day, wrote -“Nothing could be finer than what the Division accomplished.” <span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>The -G.O.C., 146th Infantry Brigade, in a personal letter to the Commanding -Officer, said “I cannot thank you enough for the cheerful and thorough -way in which all my orders were carried out.” While the Battalion’s -own Brigadier, referring to the response of his troops when ordered up -to support the other Brigades of the Division, said “Officers and men, -though thoroughly exhausted, at once forgot their fatigue and advanced -through the enemy barrage in the most gallant style worthy of the best -traditions of the Army.”</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_172fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_172fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0"><i>Belle Vue Spur 9.10.17.</i></p> - </div> - - -<h3>(<i>c</i>) Rest and Reorganisation.</h3> - -<p>Though a welcome change after the hardships of the Belle Vue Spur, X -Camp, St. Jean, was far from a paradise. There were very few tents, -and most of the men had to be content with small bivouacs or covered -holes in the ground. The camp had been pitched hurriedly by a New -Zealand battalion only a day or two before, and there had not been time -to perfect it. It was not shelled, though the enemy paid attention to -some neighbouring areas, and on several occasions his bombing planes -were not far off at night. But the camp was made something like a home, -and great regret was felt, and expressed, when a neighbouring Corps -found that the Battalion was on the wrong side of the road and orders -to move were issued. There was no other suitable camping site in the -district. The best that could be found was a small field, pitted with -shell holes, and covered with very long grass and rank weeds, all -absolutely sodden by the rain. Into this field the tents and bivouacs -were moved and repitched in the pouring rain, the men freely expressing -their opinions, in language more forcible than polite, and the officers -thoroughly sympathising.</p> - -<p>On October 12th the New Zealand Division made its attack on the Belle -Vue Spur, with the result already mentioned. One of the worst features -of October 9th had been the difficulty of getting the wounded away; -there had been far too few stretcher-bearers, and many of the wounded -had suffered greatly by their long exposure. For the New Zealand attack -each battalion<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> of the 147th Infantry Brigade was asked to provide -200 men to assist in evacuating the wounded, and volunteers were -readily forthcoming from among the men who had themselves learned the -awful conditions. For two days these men worked in the battle area, -fortunately with practically no casualties, and the gratitude of the -New Zealand Division is shown by the following letter, written by its -Divisional Commander to the G.O.C., 147th Infantry Brigade:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“My Dear General,</p> - -<p>Please express to the officers and men of your Brigade who came -forward to assist in getting in the wounded, the very hearty -thanks of myself and Staff, and the whole Division.</p> - -<p>I have heard the warmest expressions of praise for the way in -which your men volunteered to come forward and undertake what -was certainly a very exhausting and maybe dangerous task.</p> - -<p>I hope they did not suffer casualties, or if so, that they were -light. The New Zealand Division will not forget the debt they -owe to the officers and men of the 147th Brigade.</p> - -<p class="right p-min">A. W. Russell, Major-General.”</p> -</div> - -<p>On October 16th the Battalion moved back to a hutment camp south-east -of Vlamertinghe and here there was more comfort, though the huts were -very crowded. In fact, at this time, there was not nearly enough -accommodation, around and behind Ypres, for the enormous number -of troops which had been brought up to take part in the battle of -Passchendaele. Some training was done during the week the Battalion -was there, particularly of specialists, the loss of whom had been very -heavy in the recent battle. There, too, Major-General E. M. Perceval, -C.B., D.S.O., said farewell to the 147th Infantry Brigade. He had -commanded the 49th Division for more than two years, but was now -returning to England to take up a home command. The Brigade paraded in -hollow square and was inspected by the General, who afterwards thanked -the men for all they had done and wished them farewell. The Brigade -then marched past. Major-General N. J. G. Cameron, C.B., C.M.G., who -had formerly commanded an infantry brigade of the 50th Division, -succeeded to the command of the 49th Division.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span></p> - -<p>The Battalion was now sent well back for a period of rest and -reorganisation. On October 24th it moved by motor bus to tents near -Winnizeele, a village famous for a restaurant which catered specially -for officers. The camp site was not a good one, but three days later -the Battalion moved to billets near Steenvoorde, where it remained for -about a fortnight. Time was spent in reorganisation and training. Some -interesting tactical schemes were worked out, one of which was attended -by the new Divisional Commander. This was the first time the men had -met him, though they were to see much of him in the future. He turned -out to be a man of exceptional energy, who spent much of his time in -the line, and seemed to have a peculiar preference for visiting the -hottest places he could find. Here some drafts, both of officers and -other ranks, joined the Battalion; but the heavy casualties sustained -at Nieuport and the Belle Vue Spur were not made good until the -reorganisation of the British Expeditionary Force at the beginning -of the next year. The arrangement of billets did not allow of much -social relaxation being organised. B Company, who occupied a large and -comfortable barn, held a very successful concert, chiefly noteworthy -for the dancing of a certain “Miss” Hey, who there made her début in -that role. Another feature was the lecturing of the Area Commandant -of Steenvoorde, whose comments on the strategy of the war were most -interesting, even though his prophecies were sometimes rather wide of -the mark.</p> - -<p>On November 9th the Battalion moved by motor bus to the neighbourhood -of Ypres where it was to remain, save for one period of rest, until the -last great enemy offensive was launched in the following spring.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER X.<br /> -<span class="subhed">WINTER ON THE PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE.</span></h2></div> - -<h3>(<i>a</i>) Molenaarelsthoek and Keerselaarhoek.</h3> - -<p>The battle for the Passchendaele Ridge was still raging when the -Battalion returned to the neighbourhood of Ypres in November. To -the south of the Zonnebeke Road the crest of the ridge was almost -everywhere in British hands, but round the village of Passchendaele -itself heavy fighting was to continue into December. The Battalion was -not destined to carry out any further attacks; its role was the far -more tedious, and almost equally difficult one of assisting to hold the -ground which had been gained.</p> - -<p>Ten days were spent in hutment camps at the back of Ypres. Winter was -setting in and off the gridded walks, which ran round the huts, the -camping areas were simply wastes of foul mud. About 200 men were found -daily for work on light railways in the district. While the Battalion -was encamped there news was received that the Commanding Officer had -been awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order, for good work -during the attack on the Belle Vue Spur, and the occasion was suitably -celebrated. Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C., who had recovered from his wound, -rejoined the Battalion here. About this time the allotment of leave -improved considerably, so much so that, at the end of November, no less -than 150 all ranks were away from the Battalion for that reason.</p> - -<p>About the middle of November Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O., assumed -temporary command of the 147th Infantry Brigade, during the absence of -the G.O.C. on leave. As soon as the Brigadier returned, he went on a -month’s leave himself, so that Major A. L. Mowat, M.C., was in command -of the Battalion until the latter part of January. On November 19th -the 147th Infantry Brigade took over the defence of the Broodseinde<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> -Sector, and the Battalion moved up into brigade right support on Anzac -Ridge. Accommodation in this position was particularly poor. The -tiniest of pill-boxes was all that was available for Battalion H.Q., -and the same table had to serve for meals and office work by day, and -as a bed for all H.Q. officers by night. On the night the Battalion -took over, some gas shells burst just outside the shelters occupied by -H.Q. details. C.S.M. A. Day, of A Company, who was Acting R.S.M., all -the runners, and several others were so severely gassed that they had -to be evacuated. A number of Battalion scouts, who had been left out of -the line for training, had to be sent for to act as runners.</p> - -<p>Four days later the Battalion relieved the 1/6th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. in the Molenaarelsthoek Sector, which extended -from opposite Justice Wood to about Flinte Wood. The relief was a -stormy one. The tracks were heavily shelled and one platoon had eight -casualties going into the line. The front was rather a long one and -required three companies in the line. As it lay on the forward slope -of the Broodseinde Ridge, which was under observation from the Keiberg -Spur opposite, no movement was allowed by day. Accommodation was poor -and there were no continuous trenches. At night much work was done, -joining up front line posts, constructing supporting posts to the -west of the ridge, digging a defensive communication trench on the -right, and wiring. The influence of the battle further north made the -front a lively one. Army barrages were continually being put down in -the vicinity, in an endeavour to distract the enemy’s attention from -the real point of attack. Judging from the Battalion’s experiences, -these had a fair amount of success, for the enemy artillery was -very active; frequently parts of the line were heavily shelled, and -barrages on No Man’s Land during the night were common. These latter -greatly interfered with the work of patrols, which were out nightly. -Fortunately, casualties were not heavy; but it was during this tour -that Sec.-Lieut. J. S. Watson, a most promising young officer of B -Company, was killed.</p> - -<p>The Battalion transport too had a very rough time. The enemy was doing -a great deal of back area shelling, and night after night the ration -convoys had to pass through it. During<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> this tour the transport lost -the first of its number killed in action. But all ranks behaved with -great gallantry, and, in spite of casualties to men and animals, -rations were invariably delivered nightly.</p> - -<p>There is no doubt that, by this time, the enemy had settled down to a -defensive policy for the winter. The collapse of Russia had come too -late to prevent the British gaining the Passchendaele Ridge, though -German reinforcements from the Eastern Front had made that task far -more difficult. For the next few months the enemy was content to leave -things as they were, and quietly to perfect his plans for a great -offensive the following spring.</p> - -<p>On November 27th the Battalion was relieved by the 1/5th Battalion -King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and, after a night spent near -Gordon House, moved to Vancouver Camp The day after its arrival Capt. -H. Hanson, O.C. D Company, was so seriously wounded by a shell, just -outside Vlamertinghe, that he died two days later in hospital. His -death was a great blow to everyone. He was one of those men whom no one -can help liking, possessing a most equable temper, and, though unsuited -by age to the rigours of trench warfare, always trying to remain -cheerful and to make the best of things. Sec.-Lieut. P. Donkersley was -also severely wounded by the same shell.</p> - -<p>In the next camp was a New Zealand Cyclist Battalion against whom -a very vigorous “rugger” match was played. The result was one -casualty—Sec.-Lieut. F. Irish with a dislocated elbow—and a win for -the Battalion by two tries to a try. Little training was possible for, -a few days after arrival at the camp, practically every available man -was moved to Lancer Camp, near Potijze, for working parties. Little -more than Battalion H.Q. remained at Vancouver Camp. Three days later -the Battalion was again concentrated in Dragoon Camp, and the next -night took over the Keerselaarhoek Sector from the 4th Battalion -Suffolk Regt. (33rd Division).</p> - -<p>This sector deserves more than a passing mention as it was one of the -worst, if not the worst, ever held by the Battalion. The usual route -to the line lay along a gridded track which seemed endless to the -weary and heavily-laden soldier. The track was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> far from “healthy,” -particularly where it wound round Abraham Heights; at this point -several casualties were suffered by the advanced party, when the -Battalion was first taking over the sector. But it was after Seine -that the real trouble began. Just beyond that point the grids came to -an end,<a id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> and for the rest of the way, over a mile in distance even -if a direct line were followed, the troops simply wallowed among mud -and shell holes, appalling even in that country. The front line posts -were on either side of the Ypres-Roulers Railway, and their condition -beggars description. Originally shell holes, attempts had been made to -improve them by digging; but so water-logged was the ground that all -excavations filled with water almost at once, while the sides caved in -as quickly as they were dug out. To the south of the railway another -difficulty presented itself; as often as digging was started anywhere, -dead bodies, in a state of decomposition, were uncovered, and the hole -had to be filled in quickly. It was extremely difficult to get R.E. -material up to the front line at all. Owing to enemy observation no -movement was possible by day, and the nights were so black, and usually -wet, that a man could hardly see a yard in front of him. The man who -had carried up one trench grid or revetting frame from Battalion -H.Q. to the front line, had done a really hard night’s work. The -Ypres-Roulers Railway, which ran through a deep cutting and should have -been an easy and direct route to the line, was absolutely impassable -owing to the thick mud which covered it. No fires could be lit, and the -only hot food or drink that could ever be obtained was that heated over -Tommy’s cookers. In short, the state of discomfort and misery in which -the men lived had never been equalled in the history of the Battalion, -except possibly in those ghastly days on the extreme left sector in -December, 1915. An American officer, who was attached to the Battalion -at this time, expressed amazement that men could exist at all under -such conditions.</p> - -<p>The front system was held by two companies, one on each side of -the railway. A third company was in support round Hillside Farm, a -prominent pill-box just below the crest on the west side<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> of the ridge. -The other company was in reserve in a number of shelters not far from -Tyne Cottage. Battalion H.Q. was near Seine.</p> - -<p>Fortunately the enemy was not very active on this front. His artillery -made good practice on and around the village of Passchendaele, a little -further to the north, but comparatively little attention was paid to -the Keerselaarhoek Sector. Probably he realised that an attack there -was practically impossible for either side. Patrols which pushed out in -the direction of Tiber Copse and along the Railway reported the ground -impassable; sheets of water covered much of No Man’s Land, and where -there was no water the mud was almost bottomless. The only route by -which the opposing forces could come in contact was in the direction -of Assyria, on the Keiberg Spur, and even there the ground was in an -appalling condition. Only in the event of hard frost would an attack -be possible anywhere. So, apart from harassing fire, there was little -activity.</p> - -<p>Three days were considered a long enough spell for any troops to hold -that line, so, on the night of December 10/11th, the 1/5th Battalion -Duke of Wellington’s Regt. came up to relieve, and the Battalion -returned to Dragoon Camp. It was not much of a rest. The camp was, -on the whole, comfortable, considering that it was to the east of -Ypres. But nearly every man was required for working parties daily, -and these were often in badly shelled areas. Rather to the surprise of -everyone, the Battalion remained at Dragoon Camp for five days. The -1/5th Battalion had asked and been allowed to remain in the line for an -extra two days, preferring to do this rather than have the fatigue and -discomfort of going out and then coming in again for another tour. But -every man was heartily sick of it by the time his five days were over.</p> - -<p>One point in connection with the relief is worthy of note. The -advantages of the Zonnebeke Road, as a route to the line, had been -so much praised by one officer of the Battalion that the Commanding -Officer determined to try it. All went well until he was nearing -Zonnebeke, and then, without any warning, a 5.9 burst in the middle of -the road about seventy yards away. It was almost immediately followed -by a second, which burst<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> within ten yards of the party, luckily just -off the road. That was enough! With one accord everyone made off -straight across country as fast as he could go. This was not very fast, -for all were heavily laden and often sank up to the knees in mud. But -they got away from the road, over country which no one would have -dreamed of attempting in ordinary circumstances. And none of them ever -tried the Zonnebeke Road again.</p> - -<p>Little need be said of the second tour in this sector except that it -only lasted 48 hours. If such a thing were possible, the conditions -were even worse than before. Some snow fell during the tour, but -it melted almost as it fell and simply helped to make things more -miserable. When the 1/7th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. came in to -relieve, it was with the greatest joy that the Battalion bade farewell -to the Keerselaarhoek Sector.</p> - -<p>The next rest period was spent at Halifax Camp, which adjoined -Vancouver Camp. About this time the weather changed and bright days, -with hard frost, supplanted the constant rain which had helped to make -things so miserable of late. Though much colder, the change in the -weather was a great improvement. On December 23rd, when the time came -for another tour in the front line, the Battalion was taken up in the -morning by broad gauge railway as far as Hellfire Corner, and halted -there until the middle of the afternoon. Cook kitchens had been brought -up to this point and hot dinners were served before the men started -again. Shortly before dusk the Battalion marched off, via Mole and -Jabber Tracks, to the Molenaarelsthoek Sector, where it relieved the -1/5th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.</p> - -<p>Since the Battalion had held this part of the line a month before, -the length of the front had been reduced by the New Zealanders taking -over part on the right flank. It was now only necessary to have two -companies in the front line. Of the other two, one garrisoned a line -of posts on the western slope of the ridge, and the other lived in -shelters and pill-boxes near Battalion H.Q. Companies inter-relieved -after three days in the front line.</p> - -<p>This tour was the pleasantest the Battalion had on the Passchendaele -Ridge. The frost, which continued throughout, had made the ground -everywhere passable. Though colder, it was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> quite dry, and so far more -comfortable than the damp had been. Snow covered the ground, but not to -any great depth. Except for some further snow occasionally, the weather -was bright. The nights were wonderful. The moon was at the full, and, -assisted by the reflection from the snow, the light was so bright at -midnight that observers on the crest of the ridge were able to use -ordinary glasses for observing the Keiberg Spur, more than 2,000 yards -away. The days were often misty, which made it possible to move about -freely to the east of the ridge where, before, all movement had been -forbidden in daylight.</p> - -<p>Advantage was taken of the bright nights to do a great deal of work. -Much wire was put out in front, posts were improved and shelters -built therein, and a lot of work was done on the support posts west -of the ridge. Since the Battalion had last occupied the sector, two -communication trenches had been cut through the ridge nearly up to -the front line, and these made movement both safer and easier. Enemy -artillery was not very active, and, with one important exception, most -of the shelling was very scattered. It was one of these scattered -shells that wounded Capt. E. V. Blakey, M.C., and C.S.M. J. Parkinson, -as they were going the round of their company posts in the support -line. The exception was a small but prominent pill-box on the crest of -the ridge, which the Battalion used as an observation post, and the -enemy apparently as a registration point. Fortunately this pill-box -was very strong and had a cellar, to which the observers retired when -things became too lively. The nearest enemy posts were a long way off; -indeed, later information goes to show that the nearest post was at -least a thousand yards east of Celtic Wood.</p> - -<p>Christmas Day, for the first and only time during the war, was spent by -the Battalion in the front line. In the circumstances, little could be -done to celebrate the occasion. Messages of goodwill were telephoned -to the Brigadier and the Divisional Commander. One Company Commander, -after laboriously putting a message of seasonable greetings into B.A.B. -code, sent it over the wire to another company. The O.C. that company, -delighted with his success in deciphering the first few letters of it, -repeated it to Battalion H.Q. and to the remaining companies, in his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> -own name. Rumour has it that one company, not very expert in B.A.B. -code, spent a dreadful night wondering what operation was to take -place; perhaps the mistakes which had been made in encoding the message -accounted for the inability of these officers to read it. Many visitors -called at Battalion H.Q. and visits were exchanged with the 1/6th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., which was holding the sector on -the left. Apart from a present of shells, despatched to the enemy on -the stroke of midnight, there was little activity on either side.</p> - -<p>The nights were so bright, and movement over the snow visible at so -great a distance, that special white overalls were worn by men when -patrolling. Unfortunately, no change was made in the colour of the -equipment which had to be worn over them. The result was that, though -the men of a patrol were practically invisible at no great distance, -sets of equipment could be seen moving about in No Man’s Land. There -was much patrol activity on both sides, rendered necessary by the -hard frost which had made No Man’s Land easily passable. There is -also no doubt that the enemy was as anxious to secure identification -as the British were. So patrols, both defensive and offensive, were -out practically the whole of every night. On the night of December -23rd/24th Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Lumb, while reconnoitring in the -neighbourhood of Flinte Farm, narrowly escaped being surrounded by a -large enemy patrol. After that, nothing further was seen of the enemy -in No Man’s Land for several nights. About 11-0 p.m. on December 28th, -a small defensive patrol of one N.C.O. (Cpl. Aspin) and three men left -the right company front. They had not been out very long, and were -near the north-west corner of Celtic Wood, when they saw a party, -about twenty strong, moving towards them along the northern edge of -the wood. At first they believed this to be a New Zealand patrol from -the battalion on the right, but soon they found it was a party of the -enemy. All were clad in long white coats and a few were wearing belts -filled with bombs; most were armed with revolvers. The German party -tried to surround the small British patrol, and succeeded in cutting -off one man and capturing him. The other three broke through the cordon -and made for their own line, with the enemy in pursuit.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> On reaching -the wire there was a scuffle in which one man was killed, but Cpl. -Aspin and the other succeeded in forcing their way through the wire -and gaining one of their own posts. The garrison of this post, warned -by the noise, was standing to, but had hesitated to fire for fear of -hitting its own men. It now opened a heavy fire with Lewis guns and -rifles, and the enemy immediately made off. As soon as one could be -organised, a strong fighting patrol was sent out; but the enemy had -disappeared. It is probable that the German party was on its way to -raid the British line and that the patrol had served its object, though -it had been unfortunate enough to lose one man killed and another -captured. This mishap was undoubtedly due to the carelessness which had -developed owing to previous immunity, and was a salutary lesson to many -in the Battalion.</p> - -<p>The next night the Battalion was relieved and went back into Brigade -Reserve. The relief did not pass off without casualties. A shell -exploded among a party of H.Q. scouts, as they were crossing the -Hanebeek Valley on their way to Westhoek Ridge, killing one and -wounding six. In Brigade Reserve the Battalion was very scattered, -dispositions being as follows:—</p> - -<table summary="dispositions" class="smaller"> - <tr> - <td>Battn. H.Q.:</td> - <td>Garter Point.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>A Company:</td> - <td>Tokio.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>B Company:</td> - <td>Westhoek Ridge.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>C Company:</td> - <td>Tunnels near Moulin Farm.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>D Company:</td> - <td>Distributed between Anzac Ridge, Tokio and Retaliation Farm.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>About this time the lessons learned in the recent battle of Cambrai -were beginning to take effect, and an elaborate system of defensive -lines was in course of construction in the Ypres Salient. While in -Brigade Reserve, all men were kept hard at work on these rear lines -of defence, and on tunnels which were being made near Moulin Farm. -The birth of the New Year passed almost unnoticed at Garter Point. On -January 4th, 1918, the Battalion was relieved by the 1/8th Battalion -West Yorkshire Regt. and moved to Infantry Barracks, Ypres. Several -casualties were suffered during the relief. So ended the first period -of the Battalion’s defence of the Passchendaele Ridge.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_184afp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_184afp.jpg" - alt="" /> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_184bfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_184bfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">THE YPRES SALIENT, WINTER, 1917–18.</p> - </div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span></p> - - -<h3>(<i>b</i>) Work and Training.</h3> - -<p>In pre-war days Infantry Barracks had been one of the permanent -barracks of the Belgian Army. It must have been rather a bleak -building, but it had been built on such solid lines that, in spite of -heavy shelling, parts of it were still habitable. It was not an ideal -billet for troops to occupy in January, being extremely draughty. -Several of the rooms had been fitted up with wire beds and there was -ample accommodation for the whole Battalion. There was also quite a -good little concert room on the premises. During the time the Battalion -was at Infantry Barracks it was engaged in work on the Corps Line, -particulars of which are given later.</p> - -<p>After four days, the Battalion was relieved by the 2/6th Battalion -Lancashire Fusiliers (66th Division), and moved back to Devonshire -Camp, between Busseboom and Ouderdom. This camp was in very poor -condition and had actually been condemned some time previously. But -the number of troops in the Ypres Salient was so great that its use -could not be dispensed with. The weather had again turned to rain and -the huts leaked badly. At Devonshire Camp the 147th Infantry Brigade -Concert Party—the “Ducks”—began its activities. The Battalion -contributed several performers, chief amongst whom was the “low -comedian,” commonly known as “Jenks.”</p> - -<p>While at Infantry Barracks and Devonshire Camp, nearly all available -men were working on the Corps Line. This was part of the new defensive -system which was being constructed all over the Ypres Salient, and -consisted of a line of strongly fortified posts on the Westhoek Ridge. -Three of these were allotted to the Battalion, which re-allotted them -to companies as follows:—</p> - -<table summary="companies" class="smaller"> - <tr> - <td>Frezenberg Post:</td> - <td>D Company.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>Kit and Kat Post:</td> - <td>A and B Companies.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>Sexton Post:</td> - <td>C Company.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>By this means, the same company always worked at the same post, and -soon men began to take a great pride in making their particular post -better than anyone else’s. The work was very hard. Sixty men per -company were sent up daily; the company<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> commanders took turns in -charge of the party; and either the Commanding Officer or the Second -in Command went up daily. The men had to rise long before daybreak in -order to get breakfast and catch the train at Brandhoek Station. At -first they marched to the station, but, shortly before the Battalion -left Devonshire Camp, the system of conveying them by motor bus was -started. The train took them as far as Hellfire Corner, from which -point they marched up to their work. Only haversack rations were -taken, but tea was made on the spot. Hot dinners were ready on their -return to camp, which was not until fairly late in the afternoon. The -working parties were occasionally troubled by enemy shelling and on one -occasion C Company suffered casualties. Most men were ready for bed -very early in those days.</p> - -<p>The divisional arrangement was that one Infantry Brigade should remain -up near Ypres for this work, while the other two were back for rest and -training. The 147th Infantry Brigade had been the first for work. On -January 26th the 148th Infantry Brigade came up to take over the work -and the Battalion, which had already done its day’s work on the Corps -Line, moved by train direct from Hellfire Corner to Caestre, whence it -marched to the billets that awaited it at St. Sylvestre Cappel. Here it -remained, except for a few days spent on the rifle ranges near Moulle, -for nearly a month.</p> - -<p>Only the billets occupied by Battalion H.Q. and the officers of C -Company were in the village itself. All the rest were in scattered -houses and farm-buildings, some well over a mile away. But the billets -were comfortable, and the troops found the French inhabitants well -disposed towards them. Many still look back on the time spent there -as one of their happiest times in France. Training was entirely -by companies; the men were too scattered, and there was no ground -available, for Battalion training. Much of the training was in -connection with a divisional competition scheme, but the Battalion was -very unlucky in its results. As companies were so scattered they kept -mostly to themselves, and there was little opportunity to organise -social functions. Towards the end of the stay, a highly successful -“convivial” was held by the warrant officers and sergeants<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> at the -“Brown Cow” in the village. Most of the officers were present, and, -among them, Capt. Allen, V.C., M.C., particularly distinguished himself.</p> - -<p>In January a big reorganisation of the British Expeditionary Force took -place, the strength of each Infantry Brigade being reduced to three -battalions. In the 147th Infantry Brigade the 1/5th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. was broken up, and a draft of 10 officers and 250 -other ranks was posted to the Battalion from it, late in January. A -few days later, a further draft of two officers and about 80 other -ranks arrived from the 8th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. (11th -Division), which had also been dissolved. These reinforcements brought -the Battalion to full strength again, for the first time since the -beginning of August, 1917. Both the officers and men of these drafts -quickly settled down, and many of them soon rendered very valuable -services to their new battalion. It has always been a matter of pride -in the Battalion that new officers and men, from wherever they came, -were quickly assimilated, and in a short time regarded the Battalion as -their own.</p> - -<p>Early in February the Battalion moved by train to Moulle for four days’ -shooting. All day was spent on the Second Army ranges, and the training -culminated in a big Battalion field practice. A special “bullet and -bayonet” competition was held there for the best platoon from each -company in the 147th Infantry Brigade, and this the Battalion was very -unlucky to lose. D Company’s platoon was at first placed top, but -afterwards was defeated when it had to compete again against the best -platoon of the 1/7th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. In spite of -rather unsettled weather, the time at Moulle passed very pleasantly, -musketry at long ranges being quite new to the Battalion since it came -to France. At the end of the time, the return to St. Sylvestre Cappel -was made by road, two days being taken on the journey.</p> - -<p>On February 20th the G.O.C., XXII. Corps (the new title of the old “2nd -Anzac Corps”) inspected the Battalion at training. Great preparations -were made for his arrival and a scout, posted at a useful point of -observation along the road, gave early warning of his approach. His -entry upon the training field<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> was greeted with a volley of rifle -grenades (not at him); Lewis guns and rifles opened rapid fire on the -miniature rifle range, the marksmen all being arrayed in small box -respirators; while a platoon, with many lurid epithets and a most -unusual amount of energy, attacked a row of sacks with the bayonet. It -is hoped that the G.O.C. was suitably impressed. At any rate he ought -to have been. But his only comment after this great display of the -Battalion’s offensive spirit was “How are the men’s boots?” Later in -the day he presented medal ribbons, at a ceremonial parade, to a number -of officers and other ranks of the 147th Infantry Brigade.</p> - -<p>This was the end of the Battalion’s period of rest. The next day it -marched to Caestre, entrained there for Ypres, and spent the night at -Infantry Barracks. A very strenuous time was in store for it, and much -was to happen, ere it went back into rest again.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>c</i>) Reutel Sector.</h3> - -<p>This was the first time the 49th Division had held a part of the -front line since the strength of a brigade had been reduced to three -battalions, and naturally, defence schemes and systems of relief -required revision. The Divisional Sector was divided into two Brigade -Sectors; the left, which was much the narrower front, was held always -by the 146th Infantry Brigade with only one battalion in the front -line at a time. On the right, the 147th and 148th Infantry Brigades -inter-relieved every eight days. Here, all three battalions of the -brigade held sub-sectors of the front line. The Reutel Sector, which -was on the extreme right of the Division, abutting on the 33rd -Division, was allotted to the Battalion, which, throughout the time it -was there, inter-relieved with the 1/5th Battalion York and Lancs. Regt.</p> - -<p>When in Divisional Reserve, the Battalion usually lived at Maida Camp, -near Belgian Chateau. To reach the Reutel Sector the men were taken -by light railway trains as far as Birr Cross Roads, and from thence -marched straight up the Menin Road as far as Hooge Crater. At this -point they bore to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> left, through the desolate remnants of Chateau -Wood, and then moved along Jargon Track to the vicinity of Polygon -Butte; companies then followed separate routes to their respective -positions. Although this route had its fair share of shelling, the -Battalion was generally fortunate in its reliefs.</p> - -<p>The front line was rather over a thousand yards in length, and the -sector was held as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Front Line: Two Companies, each having two platoons in the front -line, one in the support line, and one available for immediate -counter-attack. The front line was the main line of defence.</p> - -<p>Support Company: One platoon in Patu Support and the remainder -of the Company in the reserve line near Battalion H.Q. In the -event of enemy attack the whole company was to move up into Patu -Support.</p> - -<p>Reserve Company: In pill-boxes and dugouts to the north of the -Polygon de Zonnebeke. In the event of enemy attack this company -was to move up into the reserve line, vacated by the support -company.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">Battalion H.Q. was in a pill-box about two hundred yards from the -Butte. Inter-company reliefs were carried out in the middle of each -tour.</p> - -<p>The sector was one of the most varied and interesting that the -Battalion had ever occupied. It was taken over from the 1st Battalion -Otago Regt. (New Zealand Division) on February 22nd. This division -had occupied it for a long while and had done an extraordinary amount -of work there. Like all the sectors on the Passchendaele Ridge, it -was very wet, and the Battalion found it quite impossible to drain -certain parts of the trench system, particularly Plumer Trench, the -communication trench on the left. Except for one gap in the middle, -where all attempts to get the water away had failed, there was -continuous communication along the front line. This line had been well -and deeply dug, and was well provided with fire bays, shelters, and all -the necessary provisions for trench life. The right rested upon the -valley of the Polygonbeke which, like all streams in the district, was -an impassable morass. The centre ran through the ruins of the village -of Reutel, whose existence would probably have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> been overlooked had not -the trenches in places been cut through the actual foundations of the -houses. Near the centre of the front line, the parapet had been built -over the village well; this provided the water supply for both front -line companies. There had once been a continuous support line, but the -centre was now derelict, and only the two flanks were occupied. Each -Company H.Q. was comfortably housed in a pill-box which gave practical -immunity from shell fire. The front line faced roughly south-east, the -ground, except on the extreme left, falling away to the Reutelbeke. On -the left a spur ran out from the main ridge, near the point of which -had been the village of Becelaere, now marked only by some prominent -pill-boxes.</p> - -<p>Behind the front system of defences lay Jetty Warren, once a tributary -of the Polygonbeke, but now a filthy, noisome and impassable quagmire. -It was crossed in two<a id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> places by gridded bridges, and these were -the only means of communication with the front line, except a very -roundabout route through the area of the next battalion. This fact -was well known to the enemy, who swept them with machine gun fire at -frequent intervals during the night. On the forward slope of the hill, -overlooking Jetty Warren, was Patu Support Line, a well-constructed -fire trench but rather short of accommodation for men. About five -hundred yards further back lay the reserve line and Battalion H.Q., the -latter in a small but very strong pill-box, the chief drawback to which -was the lowness of the roof. When the Battalion first took over the -sector all communication with the front line companies was across the -open; but before it left a good communication trench had been dug from -Patu Support to the right company H.Q., and a second had been started -from the reserve line to Patu Support.</p> - -<p>The main feature of the country-side was Polygon Butte, popularly -supposed to be the ruins of the race course stand. This stood out so -prominently that it naturally became a registration point for the enemy -artillery, and people did not generally linger near it. Here Capt. A. -J. Robb, of D Company, was wounded, when returning from his inspection -of the line before the Battalion took over.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span></p> - -<p>All the ground behind Jetty Warren was overlooked from Polderhoek -Chateau. That commanding position lay about 1,000 yards due north of -Gheluvelt and an equal distance from the Battalion’s right. It had been -the scene of terrific fighting the previous autumn and had changed -hands more than once; but finally the enemy had kept possession of it. -From the Reutel Sector nothing but a great pill-box could be seen. This -was a favourite mark for the British artillery. Guns of the heaviest -calibre were constantly firing at it, and sometimes splinters from the -explosions were hurled right into the Battalion’s lines. Attempts were -even made to smash it in with 12-inch “duds.” But apparently no serious -damage was done to it. Occasionally enemy snipers from that position -fired on men moving to and fro between Patu Support and the Butte; but -the range was too great for this to be really dangerous.</p> - -<p>Like all sectors which had been occupied by the New Zealanders, the -Reutel Sector was a very active one. It was not so much the hostile -artillery. This was certainly not quiet, especially round the Butte, -on Patu Support, and near the well in the front line. But most of the -activity came from the infantry. The Germans had posts much nearer the -British line than the Battalion had been used to of late. Although the -crest of the ridge was in British hands, the enemy had retained a hold -on the slope instead of withdrawing to the far side of the valley. -Some of his posts were only about a hundred yards from the British -line. When advanced parties from the Battalion first visited the line -they were surprised at the amount of firing which was going on; and -when the New Zealanders finally handed over they were most anxious -that their old front should be kept lively. The Battalion did its best -to oblige, and not without success. At night the amount of Lewis gun -and rifle fire was extraordinary. Capt. A. M. Luty was particularly -energetic in this respect, and C Company got through more ammunition -in a night than the average battalion in the line fired in a month. -The enemy retaliated with plenty of machine gun fire, sometimes making -it very uncomfortable for parties working on the top. Some patrolling -was done, but the enemy was so close, and his positions were so well -known, that this was not a very important feature. Most<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> active of all -was the sniping by day. The enemy had no continuous line and he seemed -to take comparatively little trouble to hide himself. Men could be seen -at almost any hour of the day, and the front line garrisons became -tremendously keen on sniping. Not many hits were made, so far as is -known, but this caused no slackening of the fire. A low pill-box near -Juniper Wood, little more than a hundred yards from the British front -line and opposite to the right company, was the main centre of the -sniping. Here there was one little German who became very well-known -to everyone. He was bald-headed, and something of a sportsman. Many -men spent hours trying to snipe him, and he was only too ready to -retaliate. He fired over the top of the pill-box, but was careful not -to show himself too often in the same spot. A man watching for him -would see a rifle barrel slowly appear over the top, followed by a bald -head. Sometimes he might succeed in getting in a shot; at other times, -the bald head would disappear too quickly. Then the situation would be -reversed; the little German would be up first, and it would be the turn -of the Britisher to duck quickly. And so things went on day after day, -with little execution on either side, and “honours easy.”</p> - -<p>The enemy made considerable use of vane bombs, and it was by one of -these that Sec.-Lieut. R. B. Atkinson was wounded. Stokes shells -were the ordinary form of retaliation. Gas shells too were used, -though in no great number, except in the neighbourhood of the Butte. -In this sector the Battalion first met with the enemy Blue Cross -Gas—comparatively harmless, but causing violent sneezing.</p> - -<p>Needless to say, much work was done in the sector. The wire in No -Man’s Land was much improved, a good deal of revetting was done in the -front line, and great efforts were made to drain Plumer Trench, though -without much success. Most important was the work further back. This -was carried out under the supervision of Major E. Jackson, M.C., of the -458th Field Company, Royal Engineers, a very competent officer with -whom the Battalion was on excellent terms. It was under his direction -that the new communication trench was dug from Patu Support to the -Right Company H.Q.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span></p> - -<p>The period too was one of fads which, though they sometimes irritated, -often provided a certain amount of amusement. Chief among these were -the “Silent Days,” and the wearing of small box respirators. At first -the term “silent day” was not very well understood. One company, it -is said, suspended all firing, and did not even retaliate when fired -upon. But the real purpose was to compel battalions to use means of -communication other than the telephone. For twenty-four hours the -use of the telephone, either for speaking or buzzing, was forbidden, -except in cases of emergency. So pigeons, power buzzers, Lucas lamps, -and all the other devices, which had formerly been looked upon as -things for signallers to learn but never to use, were pressed into -service. The increased use of the power buzzer and wireless speedily -showed up the ignorance of certain ciphers, which all officers were -supposed to be acquainted with. The wearing of small box respirators -was another fad, intended to familiarise all with their use. About -every other day, orders would be received that they were to be worn -continuously by all ranks during certain hours, and that work was to -be continued as if nothing unusual were happening. The practice was -mildly resented by some, who thought they had to wear them quite enough -when there actually was gas about, without being put to the discomfort -of wearing them needlessly. Elaborate precautions were taken to ensure -that everyone did wear them at the times stated, and there was unholy -delight in the Battalion when two Brigade runners were caught one day -not complying with the orders.</p> - -<p>During the time the Battalion was holding the Reutel Sector the weather -was, on the whole, good. Though trench strength was high, accommodation -was not very crowded. All companies had their trench cook-houses, and -hot meals were as regular as if the Battalion had been in rest. The -transport men were having an easy time, for rations were brought up to -Crucifix Dump, not far from the Butte, by light railway. The Quarter -Masters of the Brigade took it in turns to come up in charge of the -ration train.</p> - -<p>The first tour of duty in the Reutel Sector was not a specially -eventful one. On February 25th the enemy heavily shelled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> the front -line near the well, blowing in the parapet, causing several casualties, -and burying the garrison of a machine gun post. C.S.M. W. Brooke was -among the wounded. On this occasion Cpl. H. Kane, M.M., of D Company, -behaved with the greatest gallantry. Going to the assistance of the -buried men, he quietly set to work to dig them out, and succeeded in -doing this, in spite of the heavy bombardment which continued round -him, and the fact that he was in full view of an enemy pill-box only -about a hundred yards away. For this gallant act he was awarded the -Distinguished Conduct Medal. Early on the morning of February 28th a -heavy counter-preparation was put down in front of the line, the higher -commands fearing an enemy attack from the direction of Polderhoek -Chateau. Except for a certain amount of enemy retaliation, nothing -happened. Much attention was paid to the enemy pill-box in front of the -Right Company, which has already been mentioned. The Battalion had been -detailed to carry out a raid during its next tour, and this pill-box -had been selected as the objective.</p> - -<p>On March 2nd the Battalion was relieved by the 1/5th Battalion York and -Lancs. Regt., and moved to Maida Camp. Here training was carried on as -well as possible, but was much hampered by lack of suitable ground. The -platoon which had been selected to carry out the raid was sent to the -147th Infantry Brigade School to train, as it was to be left out of -the line until the night before the raid. When the Battalion returned -to the line, after its six days’ rest, preparations for the raid were -completed. The plan was as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. The objective was the enemy pill-box already described, which -lay rather more than a hundred yards from the line. To the right -of it lay an old British tank, stranded and abandoned in one of -the attacks of the previous autumn, and known to be occupied by -the enemy sometimes.</p> - -<p>2. The raiding party was to consist of Sec.-Lieut. L. Gumby and -31 other ranks (one complete platoon) of D Company. Two men of -the 147th Light Trench Mortar Battery accompanied the party, -carrying with them short-fused Stokes mortar shells, to damage -the pill-box.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span></p> - -<p>3. At zero hour (7-0 a.m.) the party was to advance in four -sections, one on each flank of the pill-box, one towards it, and -one towards the tank.</p> - -<p>4. A creeping barrage was to cover the advance, while enemy -positions in the vicinity were to be engaged by artillery and -trench mortars.</p> -</div> - -<p>Zero hour had been fixed after dawn as the broken nature of the ground -made an advance in the dark extremely difficult.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_195"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_195.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0"><i>Raid near Reutel.</i></p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">13.3.18.</p> - </div> - -<p>On the evening of March 12th the raiding party came up by light -railway, and was accommodated with the reserve company for the night. -During the night final preparations were made; steps for each of the -four sections were cut in the parapet of the front line trench opposite -the pill-box, and four gaps were cut<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> in the wire. By dawn on March -13th the whole party was assembled in the front line, waiting for the -barrage to open. There too was the Commanding Officer, in communication -with Battalion H.Q. by a telephone wire, laid specially for the -occasion.</p> - -<p>At 7-0 a.m. the barrage opened, and the raiding party went over in line -of sections in file. From the start, the flanking sections went well -and reached their positions without difficulty; but the section under -the direct command of the platoon commander, whose special objective -was the pill-box, was delayed by the short firing of one of the barrage -guns. In the meantime, about twenty of the enemy got out of a trench -in rear of the pill-box and tried to escape. They were heavily fired -on by the flanking sections, and many were brought down. As soon as -the barrage lifted off the pill-box, two of the enemy mounted a light -machine gun on the top; but both were shot down before they could open -fire. By this time the centre section had got forward, worked round -the pill-box, and captured one or two prisoners in rear of it. The -pill-box itself was then attacked. A Mills bomb was inserted through a -loophole and a M.S.K. grenade was dropped down the ventilating shaft. -The latter immediately had its effect, about thirty Germans coming out -with their hands up. How so many had been able to crowd into so small a -space cannot be conceived. They were immediately directed to run across -to the British line, where now the greatest excitement prevailed; -everywhere men were standing on the parapet waving to them to come in. -A Stokes shell was thrown into the pill-box and then, about 7-20 a.m., -the withdrawal was ordered. A few minutes later the raiding party, with -the exception of two dead near the pill-box and some wounded still in -No Man’s Land, was back in its own lines.</p> - -<p>When the captures came to be totalled up it was found that there were -no less than 37 prisoners, and, in addition, three enemy machine guns -had been brought back by the raiding party. Among the prisoners was the -little bald-headed man, who had been the source of so much amusement to -the front line troops the previous tour. Also, many dead and wounded -were lying about round the pill-box, not counting a number who had -certainly been wounded in escaping to the rear. All this had been -accomplished<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> by a total force of one officer and thirty-three other -ranks—less than the total number of prisoners—with a loss of only two -killed and eight wounded. Unfortunately, two of the wounded afterwards -died. The greatest loss to the Battalion was Cpl. H. Kane, D.C.M., -M.M., who was severely wounded in the back and, after dragging on for -several weeks in hospital, died. He was one of the most gallant N.C.O’s -the Battalion ever had—the sort of man who would have won the Victoria -Cross had the chance come his way.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_196afp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_196afp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Major W. C. FENTON, M.C.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_196bfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_196bfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. N. T. FARRAR, M.C.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_196cfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_196cfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. A. KIRK, M.C.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_196dfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_196dfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. P. G. BALES, M.C.</p> - </div> - -<p>So great had been the success of the raid that, when the first estimate -of prisoners—30—was telephoned through to Brigade H.Q., they were -too sceptical to forward the news to the Division. When the prisoners -began to appear over the crest line, they were seen by some artillery -observers who, never dreaming that such success had been gained, sent -frantic messages through that the enemy was counter-attacking. When -this was denied they declared that they could see the enemy in crowds -coming down the hill.</p> - -<p>But much still remained to be done. A number of wounded were lying -out in No Man’s Land and these had to be brought in. This business -was taken in hand by Major A. L. Mowat, M.C., who had gone up to the -line immediately the Commanding Officer returned. Some of the enemy -meanwhile had hoisted a white flag, and, under its protection which -had not been violated by the British, were collecting their wounded. -Seeing this, Major Mowat ordered a white flag to be put out, and -stretcher-bearers to go over and bring back the wounded. This was done -but, no sooner did they appear on the top of the parapet than every -enemy machine gun in the district opened fire on them. It was a typical -“Hun” trick—to make use of the white flag to collect their own wounded -and then to open fire at once when it was used by their opponents. The -flag was quickly hoisted down and fire was opened in retaliation. It -is unlikely that any man in the Battalion ever respected a German flag -again. In spite of this failure, it was not long before every wounded -man was brought in. Lce.-Cpl. A. Moon, of D Company, particularly -distinguished himself in this work. He had already done yeoman service -during the raid; though not himself one of the party,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> he had taken a -Lewis Gun out into No Man’s Land on his own initiative, and with it -had provided covering fire during both the advance and the withdrawal. -Now he twice went out, and on each occasion succeeded in bringing in a -wounded man. For these actions he afterwards received the Distinguished -Conduct Medal.</p> - -<p>Later in the morning, a large party of the enemy was seen advancing -to reoccupy the empty pill-box. Attempts to bring artillery fire to -bear on them failed, but a heavy fire was opened with rifles and Lewis -guns. Eventually the enemy artillery put down a protective barrage, -under cover of which the Germans were able to rush forward and enter -the pill-box. Apart from artillery activity, the rest of the day passed -quietly, but during the night Patu Support was heavily shelled and -several men of B Company were killed or wounded.</p> - -<p>Needless to say, the Battalion received many messages of congratulation -and commendation, for the raid had been one of the most successful on -record. The Commander-in-Chief sent his congratulations, an unusual -thing in connection with a minor operation, while the following wire -was received from Second Army H.Q.:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“General Plumer was delighted on his arrival to hear of the -successful raid this morning of West Riding, 49th Division, and -wishes to convey his congratulations to all concerned.”</p> -</div> - -<p>This was the first intimation the Battalion had that General Plumer -had returned from Italy. Perhaps the most delighted people, though -no message came from them officially, were the New Zealanders, who -realised that their wishes were being carried out and that their old -front had been left in good hands. For this operation, Sec.-Lieut. L. -Gumby was awarded the Military Cross, Sergt. H. Binns and Lance-Cpl. -R. A. Hudson the Distinguished Conduct Medal; Cpl. H. Kane, D.C.M., -M.M., received a bar to his Military Medal, and eleven other ranks the -Military Medal.</p> - -<p>The remainder of the tour was marked by a considerable increase in the -volume of enemy artillery fire. This was probably partly a result of -the raid, but it may also have been an attempt to pin British troops -to that area while the enemy concentrated<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span> for his attack elsewhere. -The areas chiefly affected were the usual ones, with the addition of -Peter Trench; this trench had been named after the Commanding Officer’s -youthful son, the father later expressing the hope that his son would -have better fortune than his trench had had.</p> - -<p>On the night of March 17/18th a S.O.S. test was arranged which had a -rather amusing sequel. In order to ensure that S.O.S. signals should -be seen by the artillery if they were sent up, a chain of repeating -stations had been arranged. A S.O.S. sent up in the front line was -to be repeated from the left company H.Q., then from Battalion H.Q., -and thence further back. To test the efficiency of this chain, green -Very lights were supplied by Brigade, and it was arranged that, at -9-0 p.m., two of these should be fired from the front line, and -repeated backwards as ordered. Everything went off well; the signals -were seen, promptly repeated and—down came an enemy barrage. Brigade -had overlooked the important point that a double green was the enemy -S.O.S. Capt. N. T. Farrar who, as O.C. Left Company, was responsible -for repeating the signal, in order not to give away the location of -his Company H.Q., had gone down to Jetty Warren to fire his lights. -Now Jetty Warren happened to be one of the enemy barrage lines, and -Capt. Farrar soon found matters so lively there that he decided to -run for it. As the scheme was only a test the British artillery was -not intended to fire, but frantic appeals for retaliation soon got -them going. Similar tests should have been carried out by the other -battalions of the Brigade later in the night, but these orders were -cancelled owing to the result of the first test.</p> - -<p>On the night of March 18/19th the Battalion was relieved. Instead of -going back to Maida Camp, two companies moved to Westhoek Dugouts -and two to Railway Wood Dugouts on Cambridge Road. The relief was -much hampered by heavy gas shelling, but the Battalion escaped with -practically no casualties.</p> - -<p>The period which followed was one of anxious expectation. For the -last month signs had been accumulating of the imminence of a great -enemy offensive. It was known that many of his best divisions had been -brought over from the Russian Front, and that his armies had never -been so strong in the West before. In the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span> early months of the year -attack training had been carried out on an unusually large scale. And -now the information obtained from almost every prisoner pointed to a -great attack in the very near future. Every possible precaution had -been taken in the Second Army to meet an attack, should it come on that -front, and all were anxiously waiting for the enemy to make his first -move. One minor attack had been made on the 33rd Division north of the -Menin Road, about a fortnight before. But as the enemy had made no -further attempt there, it was probably only a “blind.”</p> - -<p>On March 21st the storm broke, though far away to the south. Never -since stationary warfare had taken the place of movement, had a single -attack been made on so wide a front in the West. From the neighbourhood -of Arras to far south of St. Quentin, the whole front was ablaze. The -news which reached the Battalion during the first few days was brief, -but it was enough to make clear to everyone that practically the whole -force of the enemy’s offensive was directed against the British, -and that the situation was desperate to a degree. On March 24th the -Commander-in-Chief published his, now famous, Special Order of the Day; -and in forwarding it to Battalions the G.O.C., 49th Division, himself -issued an Order which is so characteristic of the man that it is worth -repeating in full:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“In forwarding the attached copy of a Special Order of the Day -by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, I wish to say at once that I -have complete confidence that the 49th (West Riding) Division -will acquit itself gloriously in whatever circumstances it may -be placed.</p> - -<p>Remember that other Divisions elsewhere are at this moment -holding up splendidly the most strenuous efforts of the enemy to -force a decision.</p> - -<p>Remember also that if we are called upon to fight here, we shall -be fighting on the historic ground where the ‘contemptible -little British Army’ fought and defeated the enemy’s first great -effort to destroy it in 1914. In that year we defeated him with -the rifle. With the rifle we can and will defeat him again—the -more thoroughly this time, as we have our wire to give our -rifles a better opportunity than they had in 1914.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span></p> - -<p>Go on improving your wire, look carefully to your rifles, -Machine Guns, and Lewis Guns, and ammunition, exercise vigilance -every moment of the day, to see that every yard of your front is -watched and can be shot into. We can then beat off any attack.</p> - -<p>So much for the defensive.</p> - -<p>We must also be aggressive. Every front line company must -send out at least one fighting patrol every night to look for -opportunities for killing or capturing enemy patrols or posts. -Identifications are of great importance, but more important -still is the object of making ourselves masters of No Man’s -Land, and inducing the enemy to increase his strength against -us on this portion of the front, thus helping to reduce the -pressure against our comrades further South.</p> - -<p class="r4 p-min">N. G. Cameron, Major-General,</p> - -<p class="p-min p-left">March 24th, 1918. <span style="float:right">Commanding 49th (W.R.) Division.”</span></p> -</div> - -<p style="clear: both">The Battalion chafed at its inactivity. It was well up to strength -and in magnificent condition. After a month’s rest and training, -it had spent another month in a line where, though it had suffered -comparatively few casualties, things had been sufficiently active to -keep it in good condition. Furthermore, the highly successful raid of -little more than a week before had raised its morale to such an extent -that it felt fit to tackle anything. All leave had been stopped and -officers, who were in England, recalled. The news that the New Zealand -Division was moving south rather added to the excitement. On March 27th -a warning order was received to be prepared to move at the shortest -notice; but that very night the Battalion again took over the defence -of the Reutel Sector.</p> - -<p>The tour which followed—the last the Battalion was to do in that -sector—was wonderfully, almost uncannily, quiet. It was rarely a shell -fell at all, and the standing joke of the tour was that, if the enemy -division opposite wanted a concentration of fire on its front, it would -have to ring up the neighbouring divisions and ask each to switch its -“gun” round. This was not so correct of the enemy machine guns; wiring -was the main work carried out that tour, and several casualties were -caused to men working on the top.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span></p> - -<p>On April 3rd the tour came to an end, the Battalion being relieved by -the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regt. (6th Division). This division -had just come up from the south-east of Arras, where it had been in -the line when the enemy first launched his offensive. It had acquitted -itself well, as it always did, but had been terribly cut up. From the -men of this battalion something was learned of the battle in the south.</p> - -<p>The Battalion said farewell to the Reutel Sector and moved back to -Maida Camp again. Here several days passed quietly and nothing was -heard of an early move. Indeed, so far did the Battalion seem from -battle, that orders were received to relieve the 146th Infantry Brigade -on April 9th. That Brigade was now holding the sector astride the Menin -Road, facing Gheluvelt and Polderhoek Chateau, where it had relieved -part of the 33rd Division. It was a disappointed party of officers and -N.C.O’s who went up to inspect the line on April 8th. But the Battalion -was never to hold that sector. The same night orders for the relief -were cancelled, and fresh orders were received to move the following -day to a camp near Reninghelst.</p> - -<p>The next day was crowded with incident. In the morning the G.O.C., -Second Army, presented medal ribbons to a number of officers and -other ranks, the Battalion providing three officers and 150 other -ranks for the guard of honour. During the parade the General received -several telegrams, and when he addressed the troops he referred to -the probability that they would soon be in battle. In the afternoon -the Battalion marched to the neighbourhood of Reninghelst, where it -expected to remain for two or three days, and then to move to the -southern battle. As the column wound its way along the road that bright -spring afternoon, the dull but continuous roar of guns was such as -had never been heard in that area since the battle of Passchendaele. -Something was happening much nearer than the Somme, but none knew what. -On arrival at the camp everyone quickly settled down, and arrangements -were made for the night. But no night was to be spent by the Battalion -there. The time had come when it was to write what is probably the -finest page of its history.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER XI.<br /> -<span class="subhed">THE ENEMY SPRING OFFENSIVE.</span></h2></div> - -<h3>(<i>a</i>) Erquinghem and Le Veau.</h3> - -<p>On April 9th the enemy launched his great offensive between the -La Bassée Canal and Armentiéres. Preceded by an intense artillery -bombardment, the German infantry broke right through the centre of the -line which was held by the Portuguese; and all was confusion there. It -was the sound of this battle that the Battalion had heard as it marched -along the road towards Reninghelst.</p> - -<p>At the moment the 49th Division was too scattered for immediate -combined action. Divisional H.Q. was still at Chateau Ségard, and in -the same area the 148th Infantry Brigade was concentrated. The 147th -Infantry Brigade had all arrived in the neighbourhood of Reninghelst -by the evening of April 9th. But the 146th Infantry Brigade was still -holding the line astride the Menin Road. It was due to this that, -during the first fortnight of the operations which followed, the -Division was not able to act as a unit.</p> - -<p>When the Battalion arrived in camp, on the evening of April 9th, -everyone expected to remain there for two or three days. It was the -general idea that the Division would concentrate in that area, and -then move down to the Somme battlefield. Hence, preparations were -made for spending the night. The Commanding Officer was dining with -Lieut.-General A. J. Godley, at Corps H.Q., and was not expected back -until late. The Battalion was turning in for the night when he suddenly -returned, bringing early information of an immediate move. He had heard -of the disaster on the Portuguese front, and brought the news that -the 147th Infantry Brigade was to be pushed into the battle at once. -Immediately, all was bustle and excitement in the camp, and never had -the men been in better spirits than when they heard that the Battalion -was for battle at last. Little time was needed for preparation. Soon -after midnight all were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> in motor buses hurrying south. At Neuve -Eglise, through which the buses passed, the gravity of the situation -was apparent. Transport vehicles and guns were being hurried back, -while already enemy shells were dropping in the village. At La Crèche, -which was reached at 3-15 a.m., the Battalion debussed, and marched -through the darkness to Le Veau, arriving at 4-30 a.m. Here some empty -huts and stables were found, and into these the men were put to get -what rest they could. Picquets were posted, for the situation was so -obscure that no one knew how soon the enemy might be upon him. And the -Battalion waited for orders.</p> - -<p>About 6-30 a.m. orders were received from 147th Infantry Brigade -H.Q., to move up to a position of readiness near the cross-roads at -L’Epinette. Packs were dumped in a hut at Le Veau, a hurried selection -was made of the personnel of B Echelon who were not to go into battle, -and about 7-0 a.m. the Battalion<a id="FNanchor_15" href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> moved off. All along the road was -witnessed one of the most pitiful sights of warfare, common enough -in the early days of 1914, but never before seen by the Battalion. -Everywhere civilians were leaving their homes and flocking to the rear; -old people, women, and young children, some driving an odd cow or two, -others pushing a few of their most valued household goods in barrows, -plodded wearily along. Fortunately the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> enemy was not shelling the -road, so the troops were able to advance without hindrance, except -from one low-flying aeroplane. L’Epinette was reached before 8-30 a.m. -and the men began to dig in. Little was known of the situation, but -from observation it appeared that the British were withdrawing to the -north bank of the River Lys, particularly about the loop to the west of -Erquinghem.</p> - -<p>The Battalion had been placed at the disposal of the 101st Infantry -Brigade (34th Division), and about 9-30 a.m. the G.O.C., Brig.-General -B. C. Gore, came up, explained the situation, and issued his orders as -follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. The 101st Infantry Brigade was holding a line south of the -Bac St. Maur-Armentiéres Railway, with the 16th Battalion Royal -Scots on the right and the 11th Battalion Suffolk Regt. on the -left. This line the enemy had penetrated near the Rue Delpierre, -between the two battalions.</p> - -<p>2. The Battalion was ordered to send up two companies to close -this gap in the line, and to place its remaining companies in -positions north of the railway, in support of the Royal Scots -and Suffolks respectively.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">Company commanders were immediately summoned and the situation was -explained to them. C Company, with D Company in support, was ordered -to move up by the Rue Delpierre and close the gap. B Company, with A -Company in support, was to assemble near the Rue du Moulin and advance -to the assistance of the Royal Scots.</p> - -<p>About 10-0 a.m. all companies moved off and Battalion H.Q. went forward -to Wigan Post, some 500 yards north of the river. Enemy shells were -already bursting around, and several direct hits were made on the road. -The numbers of wounded who were streaming back showed only too clearly -how severe the fighting was. Yet, quietly and in perfect order, the -companies marched down to the River Lys by platoons. The main bridge -was destroyed, but B Company, which was leading, succeeded in crossing -by a wooden bridge near by, though this was also badly broken and only -possible for men in single file. All the other companies crossed by a -wooden bridge near the church. From this time, except A and B Companies -which were in close touch throughout<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> the day, companies were separated -and their doings must be told individually.</p> - -<p>On arriving in Erquinghem, B Company marched along the main street of -the village, and took cover at the west end, while Capt. N. T. Farrar -and Sergt. R. G. Brunt went forward to reconnoitre. They soon found -that the situation was very different from what had been reported. Not -only was the enemy to the north of the railway, near the Rue du Moulin, -but he also appeared to be occupying the whole of the ground in the -loop which the river makes to the west of Erquinghem. His outposts -were in farms, only about 200 yards west of the village, and there was -no sign of any formed body of Royal Scots. In these circumstances any -attempt to advance south would almost certainly have led to disaster, -so Capt. Farrar decided to take up a position covering the west end -of the village. Between the river and the Rue du Moulin was an R.E. -yard, with piles of trench grids and other stores; this B Company -garrisoned with three platoons, pushing out its fourth platoon about -a hundred yards in front. Its left was covered by a Lewis gun section -which could fire, either along the road to the west, or down the Rue -du Moulin; to protect its right and cover a bridge over the Lys, which -was its main line of retreat, A Company sent up a platoon and a half, -under Sec.-Lieut. E. Clarke, between the R.E. yard and the river. These -dispositions opposed an enemy advance either from the west or up the -Rue du Moulin, and remained unchanged for five hours—until the order -to withdraw was received. During that time, two separate attacks were -made by the enemy on the village; but so heavy was the fire kept up by -A and B Companies that these had no success. Parts of Erquinghem were -heavily shelled, and many buildings were set on fire; but the R.E. yard -escaped the attentions of the hostile artillery. The men were much -harassed by machine gun and rifle fire. In particular, A Company’s -platoon was heavily fired on from a farm house, only about a hundred -yards away. Careful observation of this place through glasses revealed -the fact that a large store of Mills bombs and Stokes shells was in -an outhouse against the wall of the farm. Lewis guns were trained on -this dump and fired for some minutes without success; but, suddenly, -the whole<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> dump blew up, completely destroying the farmhouse. As the -place was packed with Germans, there is no doubt that they suffered -very heavily. The British had excellent cover behind the piles of R.E. -material, and, as a result, comparatively few casualties were suffered; -but heavy losses were certainly inflicted on the enemy.</p> - -<p>Late in the morning, an officer of the 11th Battalion Suffolk Regt. -asked for reinforcements to close a gap in the line near the Rue du -Moulin. In response, A Company sent up a platoon, which Sec.-Lieut. -B. H. Huggard saw into position. This platoon was never seen again, -and its fate was a mystery until after the armistice. Then, returned -prisoners told how it had been surrounded by the enemy, and, after -suffering heavily, the few survivors had been captured.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, what was happening to C and D Companies? After crossing -the Lys, C Company assembled near the top of the Rue Delpierre, while -Capt. A. M. Luty, with Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy, C.S.M. N. Hobson -and two N.C.O’s, went forward to reconnoitre. The ground was swept -by machine gun fire, and it was only by crawling that the party was -able to reach the point where the road crosses the railway. Capt. -Luty at once realised that it was impossible for him to get to his -objective, and decided to hold the line of the railway. He returned to -his company which, by this time, had suffered several casualties from -enemy artillery fire. The company moved down the road by platoons and -took up a position along the railway line, with its right turned back -to face south-west. The position was a bad one as the straight line -of the railway was heavily enfiladed by machine guns near the Rue du -Moulin. Losses were heavy from the very first. Sec.-Lieut. M. C. O’Dowd -and several men had been hit coming down the road. C.S.M. N. Hobson was -wounded soon after the line of the railway had been taken up. After -a short time, one platoon was sent across the railway to take up a -more advanced position. Here, except for sniping, this platoon was not -much worried for some time, but the rest of the company was suffering -appalling casualties. The numbers of wounded were soon far greater than -the company stretcher-bearers could deal with. It was then that Pte. -A. Poulter earned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> the highest decoration that a soldier can win—the -Victoria Cross. Hour after hour he toiled, in the greatest danger, -tending the wounded and carrying them into safety.<a id="FNanchor_16" href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p> - -<p>About 1-0 p.m. the situation became even worse. The enemy brought up -a field gun which enfiladed C Company’s position at a range of only a -few hundred yards. Within half-an-hour scarcely twenty men were left -unwounded. The position on the railway was clearly untenable, and -soon it was decided that a move was necessary, if any were to escape -unhurt. The few survivors crossed the railway and took up a position -a little to the south of it. Here they suffered much less. About the -middle of the afternoon the men of the 11th Battalion Suffolk Regt., -who had been on the left of C Company all day, withdrew, having written -orders to do so. As he had received no orders, Capt. Luty remained. -It should be mentioned that orders to withdraw had been sent to him -from Battalion H.Q. some time before, but the runners had become -casualties and the orders never arrived. But before long the enemy -was seen to be advancing rapidly, both from the south and west, and -the position became hopeless. A withdrawal was ordered. Sec.-Lieut. -F. D. Chippindale went forward to warn No. 9 Platoon, which was lying -out in front; a hail of machine gun bullets was sweeping the ground, -and he had barely given the order when he was struck down. The few -survivors of this platoon were surrounded and captured. The rest of C -Company made a dash for the railway, but only about twelve ever reached -it. One by one they rushed across, suffering two more casualties -before all were over, and then made for Erquinghem. Many wounded were -collected on the way, practically every man of the party assisting one -along. They found the bridge near the church destroyed, and, before -another crossing <span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span>could be found, enemy skirmishers were already -in the village. At last another bridge was discovered, about half a -mile towards Armentiéres, and over this the miserable remnants of the -company crossed, remaining on the northern bank until the bridge had -been demolished. Of the Company, 5 officers and 139 other ranks strong, -which had crossed the Lys about six hours before, little more than the -strength of a section remained.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_208fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_208fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Private A. POULTER, V.C.</p> - </div> - -<p>D Company had crossed the Lys in rear of C Company in the morning, and -had taken up a position in support, south of Erquinghem and astride the -Rue Delpierre. Here they had come under heavy artillery and machine -gun fire, and had suffered considerably. About 1-30 p.m. they received -orders to support the 11th Battalion Suffolk Regt., and moved up to -a position in rear of La Rolanderie Farm, where the H.Q. of that -battalion was situated. They had not been there long when they received -their orders to withdraw, and so returned to the north of the river.</p> - -<p>Throughout the day Battalion H.Q. was at Wigan. It had originally been -intended to move across the river, but, owing to the uncertainty of the -situation, this was never done. The position had not been occupied long -before it was realised that the enemy had crossed the Lys, away to the -right. Indeed, it is very possible that German troops were actually -across, a little to the west of Erquinghem, before any of the Battalion -entered the village. By the middle of the morning the situation on -that flank was rapidly becoming serious, and the Commanding Officer -recommended that troops should be sent up to the neighbourhood of the -line Lancashire—Jesus Farm. By 12-20 p.m. A Company’s signallers had -established communication by means of a visual station in one of the -houses, and throughout the day they and B Company remained in touch -with Battalion H.Q. But no reports were received from C and D Companies -until the afternoon. About mid-day the neighbourhood of Wigan began to -receive attention from the enemy artillery, and, though few casualties -were suffered, great inconvenience was caused by the destruction of the -officers’ rations. At 12-40 p.m. orders were sent to D Company to move -up in support of the 11th Suffolks, these orders anticipating a very -urgent appeal from the Commanding Officer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> of that unit which arrived a -little later. The first report from C Company, timed 1-7 p.m., arrived -about 2-0 p.m., but gave no idea of Capt. Luty’s desperate situation. -However, it was rapidly becoming clear that Erquinghem was untenable, -though the real gravity of the situation was not known at the time. -As a matter of fact, while the Battalion was still fighting in and to -the south of Erquinghem, the enemy was right in its rear at Le Veau, -looting the packs which had been dumped there in the morning, and -fighting with the men of B Echelon who had been left behind. Early in -the afternoon, machine gun bullets from the west began to fall about -Wigan. But, by this time, the order to withdraw to Nieppe had been -received, and had been passed on to companies. B Company and part of A -Company withdrew by the bridge which they had been covering all day; -the others crossed by bridges further to the east. Battalion H.Q. -remained at Wigan until the early evening. Many buildings in Erquinghem -were burning furiously, and numbers of the enemy could be seen moving -about in the village.</p> - -<p>All the companies had passed long before Battalion H.Q. moved. About -6-0 p.m. the line at Wigan was left in the hands of a very mixed -garrison of Royal Scots, Suffolks, Australian tunnellers and others, -and the Commanding Officer started for Nieppe. It was only then that -the full gravity of the situation was realised. Enemy machine gun -bullets were whistling across the road as the party moved along, and, -when the level crossing by Nieppe Station was reached, it was found -that an enemy machine gun was on the railway line to the north-west, -shooting straight down the line. One or two casualties were suffered -by H.Q. details in crossing the line. Near the entrance to Nieppe, the -whole of D Company was met marching out towards the Station, and Lieut. -B. M. Machin stated that he had received orders from the G.O.C. himself -to seize and hold that point. Away to the north troops could be seen -in extended order attacking towards Le Veau. These troops were A and B -Companies, though this was not known at the time. From what he knew of -the enemy’s position on the railway, near the station, it was obvious -to the Commanding Officer that the left flank of this attack was in -danger. To cope with the difficulty H.Q. details, organised in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> two -platoons under Sec.-Lieut. H. A. Loudoun, and one platoon of D Company, -were sent down the road to the Station. Two platoons of D Company were -directed to prolong the left flank of the attack on Le Veau, and the -other platoon was kept in reserve.</p> - -<p>It is now necessary to return to A and B Companies. On reporting at -147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. in Nieppe they had been told to occupy -some old trenches at Les Trois Arbres. They had not been there long -before they were ordered to fall in and move along the Nieppe-Bailleul -Road towards Pont d’Achelles. Here they were drawn up by Maj. A. -L. Mowat<a id="FNanchor_17" href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> and directed to attack and expel the enemy, who was -established in the farmhouses and enclosures at Le Veau. A Company was -on the extreme left with B Company on its right; beyond B Company were -some Royal Engineers and other troops, mainly Northumberland Fusiliers. -Neither side had any artillery to support it.</p> - -<p>The advance started and at first progress was easy; but, when the -attacking force was about six hundred yards from the enemy, very heavy -machine gun and rifle fire opened on it. Progress could now only -be made by section rushes with covering fire, and even this became -impossible when the line had got to about three hundred yards from the -enemy. It was at this point that the arrival of the two platoons of D -Company on the left restored the situation. These did not meet with -strong opposition, and were able to push forward and gain a footing -on the railway. Taken now in flank the Germans began to withdraw, and -this enabled A Company to continue its advance and reach the railway -on its whole front. Meanwhile B Company had met with strong resistance -from the farms and enclosures of Le Veau. A sniper, firing from an -attic window, had been particularly obnoxious. For a short time they -too had been held up, but Sec.-Lieut. F. Akroyd, supported by heavy -covering fire from the rest of the company, managed to push forward on -the right and establish a footing, with his platoon, in the enclosures. -The enemy then withdrew on this front too, and B Company advanced to -the railway. As the H.Q. details had established themselves firmly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> in -the neighbourhood of the Station, the Battalion now held the whole of -the railway line from that point nearly up to the Steenwerck Road. The -men dug in a few yards in front of the railway line and there settled -down for the night, after a most strenuous and exciting day. During -this attack A Company had suffered heavy casualties, but both B and D -Companies had come through comparatively lightly. In all, the Battalion -had lost nearly two hundred men since it had left Le Veau early that -morning.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>b</i>) Nieppe.</h3> - -<p>During the night of April 10/11th Battalion H.Q. was established in the -Hospice at the south-west end of Nieppe, and here it remained until -the following evening. With the exception of the pitiful remnants of C -Company, and one platoon of D Company, the whole Battalion was manning -the line which had been established in front of the railway, between -Nieppe Station and the Steenwerck Road. In spite of the uncertainty of -the situation, everyone whose duties would allow of it slept soundly, -tired out with the activities of the previous day and night. The night -passed quietly, the enemy, after his set-back at Le Veau, making no -further attack.</p> - -<p>Early the next morning, the Commanding Officer made a personal -reconnaissance towards L’Epinette, and nearly reached the village -before he saw anything of the enemy. He was then heavily fired on by -a party of Germans and forced to withdraw. Other patrols were pushed -out well to the west of the railway without encountering the enemy. -From French civilians, who had remained in their homes all through the -fighting, they learned that large numbers of Germans had been there, -but had withdrawn towards the south-west after the successful attack -of the Battalion at Le Veau. The only actual encounter that took place -near the railway was with a German artillery officer, who rode nearly -up to the line with a mounted orderly about 8-30 a.m. He was shot and -fell from his horse dead, but his companion escaped. The numbers of -German dead littering the ground in front of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> railway showed that, -in spite of its own heavy losses, the Battalion had made the enemy pay -even more heavily. About 9-0 a.m., units of the 101st Infantry Brigade -relieved the Battalion, and the men were concentrated in houses near -the Hospice.</p> - -<p>The Battalion was now in Brigade Reserve, the other battalions of the -Brigade manning the Nieppe System to the east of the town. The day -was a very confused one. Continually the situation was being reported -obscure at some part of the front, and frequently a company, or two -platoons, or some other force, had to be sent off to clear it up. The -only part of the front where the situation was never reported obscure -was that held by the 147th Infantry Brigade. Such duties proved very -tiring, though for some time no serious fighting resulted. By now the -enemy was everywhere well across the Lys, the entrenched line of which -Wigan formed a part had been entirely given up, and the railway and the -Nieppe System were the outpost lines of the British. Incidentally, it -should be mentioned here that the 1/5th Battalion York and Lancaster -Regt. did the 147th Infantry Brigade a very good turn that day. By a -highly successful counter-attack in the neighbourhood of Steenwerck, -they held up the enemy’s advance, and barred his approach to the main -line of retreat from Nieppe—the road to Bailleul.</p> - -<p>Nothing serious, so far as the Battalion was concerned, happened until -after mid-day. But about 12-30 p.m., a message arrived from Brigade -H.Q. stating that the situation was very obscure on the left of the 6th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., near Bruna Gaye; the remnants of -C Company were already on their way there; and an additional company -was to be despatched at once. A Company was detailed for this duty, and -the Commanding Officer himself accompanied it, leaving Capt. Fenton in -charge at Battalion H.Q. Lieut.-Col. Sugden found matters in a very -critical state; artillery and machine gun fire were very heavy, and -a strong German attack was being directed against a battalion of the -Cheshires. The arrival of the 4th Battalion detachment restored the -situation, but hard fighting continued there until the evening. One -Lewis gun of A Company did great execution; it was concealed in the -upper storey of a house, found excellent targets among the masses of -the enemy, and was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> apparently never discovered by them. The Commanding -Officer remained at Bruna Gaye to direct operations.</p> - -<p>Late in the afternoon there was again trouble on the right, and two -platoons of B Company were sent to the neighbourhood of Nieppe Station. -Here they had hard fighting for two hours, but held their ground -successfully.</p> - -<p>About 7-0 p.m. the Commanding Officer returned from Bruna Gaye. He had -called at Brigade H.Q. on his way back, and had received orders for a -further withdrawal, which was to be made that night. This withdrawal -was rendered necessary by a fresh attack which the enemy had launched -at Wytschaete that day, for there was now great danger that, unless -all the troops in and around Nieppe withdrew at once, they would be -surrounded. The withdrawal was to start at 7-30 p.m. and the difficulty -was to get orders through to A and C Companies. Runners managed to -reach them just in time, when they were in imminent danger of being cut -off.</p> - -<p>At 7-30 p.m. B and D Companies, followed by Battalion H.Q., left the -Hospice and started towards Bailleul. Enemy machine gun bullets were -sweeping the ground, and, before he had gone more than a hundred yards, -R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker, M.C., was hit in the throat, and died within -five minutes. His death was a great blow to the Battalion which he had -fought with continuously for three years; he was a most hardworking, -conscientious and gallant man, whose place could never be filled. It -was impossible to remove the body, and he would have been the last to -wish any risks to be run by others on his account. So he was left like -a soldier on the spot where he had died, and the remainder of the party -continued sorrowfully on its way.</p> - -<p>The sight on the Nieppe-Bailleul Road that night was such as none of -the Battalion had seen before, nor any wished to see again. Of vehicles -there were practically none, but the whole road was crowded with men -hastening to the rear. It was an army in retreat. But the crowd of -men was not disorderly; there was no panic. As each one reached his -allotted station he quietly fell in, ready to hold a fresh line. -Mercifully the enemy, for some unknown reason, scarcely attempted to -shell the road. Had he done so the casualties must have been awful, for -no shell dropped <span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>among those masses of men could have failed to hit -many. One gruesome spot, where a 15 cm. shell had burst among a number -of Royal Engineers, gave the passer-by an idea of what might have been. -All along the left of the road the enemy flares, approaching nearer and -nearer, showed how near the British troops were to utter disaster. But -they escaped. And never again had the enemy such an opportunity. By -about 11-0 p.m. the Battalion was again concentrated in a position near -Bailleul.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_214fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_214fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0"><i>April 10–11, 1918.</i></p> - </div> - - -<h3>(<i>c</i>) Bailleul.</h3> - -<p>About a mile from Bailleul the road to Armentiéres almost touches the -railway. It was at this point that 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. was -established, the battalions occupying positions in the fields just to -the south of the railway. The position was not really intended to be a -defensive one, for other troops were well out in front of the Brigade. -Nevertheless, the men dug in, and patrols were pushed out down the -roads. The rest of the night passed quietly.</p> - -<p>On April 12th, though there were some mild alarms during the morning, -nothing special happened until after mid-day. Occasional shells burst -near the Battalion’s positions, one of which wounded Sec.-Lieut. F. -Akroyd. But about 1-0 p.m. a heavy bombardment opened, and quickly -drove Battalion H.Q. from its cottage to seek a hole in the ground, -among the slits which had been dug the previous night. Intermittent -shelling went on for the whole afternoon and caused several casualties, -among them being Lieut. B. M. Machin and Sergt. F. Firth, the pioneer -sergeant.</p> - -<p>About 4-0 p.m. the Commanding Officer, who had been to Brigade H.Q., -returned with the alarming news that the enemy had entered Bailleul -from the west. The Battalion was ordered to move at once and expel -him. Company commanders were summoned, and columns were detailed to -enter the town by different roads. The operation was carried out with -unexpected ease. The report was found to be incorrect. Nothing of the -enemy could be seen in Bailleul; in fact, the town was deserted,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> -except for an Australian corporal who had just set fire to the -Australian Comforts Store, much to the disgust of the Battalion which -could have done with many of the articles thus destroyed. The companies -moved through the deserted town and established a picquet line in the -fields to the west of it, roughly along the line of the Becque de la -Flanche, and covering all the roads in that direction.</p> - -<p>Up to this time there had been little activity in the area occupied -by battalions of the 147th Infantry Brigade. But early in the evening -the advanced troops began rapidly to retire through them. Numbers of -stragglers of different units entered Bailleul from the south, and the -situation began to look serious. It was restored by Capt. Fenton, who -took charge of a number of stragglers and posted them with D Company, -in and around Bailleul Station. About this time the enemy began to -shell the town, possibly attracted by the fire at the Australian -Comforts Store, which was now burning furiously. One shell burst near -a group of H.Q. details, as they were marching up the Station Road, -killing one and wounding about fifteen of them.</p> - -<p>When darkness fell the dispositions of the Battalion were as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>D Company, with a number of stragglers of other units, was -holding the railway line on both sides of the Station. The 6th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. was holding a line in front -of it.</p> - -<p>A Company had a line of posts along the Becque de la Flanche, -from the railway west of the Station, where it was in touch with -the right of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., to -Steam Mill.</p> - -<p>B Company continued this line due north as far as the Meteren -Road.</p> - -<p>Battalion H.Q. and C Company, which was in Battalion Reserve, -occupied houses on the Station Road.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">Reconnaissance soon showed that a composite force, which had been -organised at the 22nd Corps Reinforcement Camp and went by the name of -the 22nd Corps Reinforcement Battalion, was holding a line of posts -from Steam Mill towards Meteren. Beyond these troops was the 19th -Infantry Brigade (33rd<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> Division) covering Meteren itself. Thus, only A -Company was actually in the front line.</p> - -<p>The night passed quietly. A patrol of A Company, from Steam Mill along -the Oultersteene Road, did not gain touch with the enemy until more -than a mile down the road. During the night A Company was relieved by -the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, so that, by dawn, both A -and C Companies were in Battalion Reserve in the town.</p> - -<p>The morning of the 13th was also uneventful. A well-stocked Y.M.C.A. -canteen was found in Bailleul, and a guard was placed over it to stop -looting; the supplies there were taken charge of, and many were issued -to the troops to supplement rations. Early in the afternoon the enemy -began to shell the town heavily, and continued to do so for about two -hours. Buildings proved a very bad protection against high explosive. -The house occupied by Battalion H.Q. did not receive a direct hit, but -windows were smashed and considerable damage caused by shells bursting -just outside. Here Sec.-Lieut. H. A. Loudoun, the Signalling Officer, -was wounded in the arm; and Cpl. A. R. Mitchell, the stout and popular -N.C.O. in charge of the Battalion runners, was so badly hit in the body -that he died shortly afterwards in hospital. It was deemed advisable -to move Battalion H.Q. to a neighbouring house which had a small but -substantial cellar.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the other units of the Brigade were having serious fighting -to the south of Bailleul. About dusk, the Battalion received orders to -send up two companies to hold the line of the railway on either side -of the Station, as it was feared the enemy might break through. A and -C Companies were sent up, under the command of Capt. Fenton. These -occupied a line to the south of the railway, covering the Station, on -a frontage of about half a mile. During the night another withdrawal -took place, contracting the defences to the south and south-east of -the town. The 6th Battalion took over the defence of the railway line -and Bailleul Station, while the 7th Battalion was brought back into -the town in Brigade Reserve. D Company relieved the 9th Battalion -Northumberland Fusiliers between the railway and Steam Mill. Its -left should have been in touch with the right<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> of the 6th Battalion, -but there was found to be a considerable gap which it could not fill -without dangerously weakening its front. A Company was moved up to -close this gap. The withdrawal had, of course, automatically brought -about the relief of the two companies south of the railway. At dawn the -Battalion was disposed as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>A Company was astride the railway, west of Bailleul Station, and -in touch with the right of the 6th Battalion.</p> - -<p>D Company held the line of the Becque de la Flanche from the -right of A Company to Steam Mill, where it was in touch with the -left of the 22nd Corps Reinforcement Battalion.</p> - -<p>B Company was still in its old position behind the 22nd Corps -Reinforcement Battalion.</p> - -<p>C Company was in Battalion Reserve in houses on the Station Road.</p> -</div> - -<p>Two days had now passed without the Battalion being drawn into any -really serious fighting. There had been plenty of anxiety and much -changing of dispositions, but, compared with the activities of April -10th and 11th, it had been a rest period. The attacks which the enemy -had made to the south of Bailleul on April 13th had not been very -successful for him, and he now determined to try his luck to the west -of the town. Already, on the night of the 13th, his troops had been -seen dribbling up towards Steam Mill.</p> - -<p>The night of April 13/14th passed quietly, as did also the following -morning. But early in the afternoon a bombardment, far heavier than on -the previous day, opened on the town and on the positions along the -Becque de la Flanche. B and D Companies were both shelled out of their -H.Q. and forced to take to the fields; in this shelling Sec.-Lieut. -W. Oldfield, M.M., of D Company, was severely wounded, and had the -grave misfortune to lose the sight of both eyes. Meanwhile, observers -reported that large numbers of the enemy were dribbling forward and -massing about three hundred yards from the Battalion’s outpost line. -It was obvious that a heavy attack was impending. Fire was opened -upon all movement, but did not appear to interfere much with the -assembly. Little could be done but wait. As a precautionary measure, -all available reserves of A Company were placed at the disposal of D -Company.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_218fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_218fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">BAILLEUL CHURCH AFTER THE BOMBARDMENT.</p> - </div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span></p> - -<p>Bailleul was still being heavily bombarded, and about six big fires -were raging in the Station Road alone, without anyone to check them, -when, about 4-0 p.m., the attack came. Masses of the enemy advanced -against the fronts held by D Company and the 22nd Corps Reinforcement -Battalion. The latter gave way without much resistance, and the enemy -was able to occupy Steam Mill. This seriously threatened the right -flank of D Company, along the whole of whose front heavy fighting -was going on. For a time its centre was pressed back, but the men -soon regained the ground without assistance. Unfortunately, in this -fighting, Sec.-Lieut. J. H. Kitson was killed.</p> - -<p>The whole situation was extremely critical. The 22nd Corps -Reinforcement Battalion had ceased to exist as a fighting unit though, -luckily, B Company was in its rear, and held up the further advance of -the enemy on that front. The loss of Steam Mill seriously threatened -the right flank of D Company, who had only just been able to beat -off the attack on its immediate front. The only battalion reserves -available were the few survivors of C Company and the Battalion H.Q. -details. Fortunately, something of the state of affairs was quickly -known at 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q., and the G.O.C. promptly placed -two companies of the 7th Battalion at the disposal of the Commanding -Officer of the 4th Battalion. Battalion H.Q. details were assembled -ready for any eventuality near the huts of the Officers’ Rest Camp, -while C Company and the companies of the 7th Battalion were warned to -be prepared to counter-attack.</p> - -<p>About 5-30 p.m. a heavy counter-attack was launched from the north-east -towards Steam Mill, by Capt. Fenton with one and a half companies of -the 7th Battalion, and Capt. Luty with C Company. The attack met with -almost complete success. With the single exception of Steam Mill, the -whole of the ground which had been lost by the 22nd Corps Reinforcement -Battalion was regained. But Steam Mill itself was firmly held by the -enemy, and could not be retaken. Everywhere else the enemy withdrew in -confusion. During this fighting Capt. A. M. Luty was twice wounded, -once while leading his men near Steam Mill, and a second time while he -was being carried away on a stretcher. About 7-30 p.m., the Commanding -Officer was able to report to Brigade H.Q. that the situation was again -quiet.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span></p> - -<p>Had the enemy been able to make a second attack, the situation would -have been serious indeed. Save for the H.Q. details, the Battalion now -had absolutely no reserves, while the companies of the 7th Battalion -which had counter-attacked had to be used to man the line formerly -held by the 22nd Corps Reinforcement Battalion. But, after the failure -of their attack, the Germans attempted nothing further that day. In -all, on April 14th, the Battalion lost one officer and 14 other ranks -killed, two officers and 51 other ranks wounded, and two other ranks -missing.</p> - -<p>The occasional crashes of burning buildings were almost the only sounds -which disturbed the night. It was not free from alarms, but nothing -came of any of them. Towards midnight, the joyful news arrived that the -Battalion was to be relieved by troops of the 59th Division, who were -already on their way. The whole of both the 4th and 6th Battalions were -to be relieved by the 5th Battalion North Staffordshire Regt., but as -this Battalion was about 900 fighting strength, and the total effective -strength of the battalions to be relieved was only about 600, no great -difficulty was anticipated by 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. There was, -however, considerable difficulty in handing over the line, owing to -the great extension of front which the dispersal of the 22nd Corps -Reinforcement Battalion had rendered necessary. As a result, relief -was not complete until some time after daybreak. Then the Battalion, -delighted at the prospect of a rest, moved back to a position about -half a mile south of St. Jans Cappel, where the site of a new line had -been taped out the previous day.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>d</i>) St. Jans Cappel.</h3> - -<p>On being relieved in Bailleul, the 147th Infantry Brigade passed into -IX. Corps Reserve, but was to be prepared to move at half-an-hour’s -notice. The 7th Battalion was in reserve in or near St. Jans Cappel; -the 4th and 6th Battalions bivouaced in the open about a thousand yards -south of the village, where the new line had been taped. Everyone was -tired out with the exertions of the past week, and the opportunity for -a sound and <span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span>unbroken sleep was welcomed. No one guessed how short -the period of rest would be.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_220fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_220fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0"><i>Bailleul. 12-15. 4. 18.</i></p> - </div> - -<p>A few alarming rumours came through during the day, but little was -thought of them at first. Then, about 4-30 p.m., came the order from -Brigade which disillusioned all—the Battalion was to stand to at once, -and work on the taped-out line was to be pressed on with as hard as -possible. It was hinted that this line would probably be the front -line before morning. Everyone responded with the greatest readiness -and cheerfulness. Few shovels were available, but farm implements were -seized and many of the men set to work with the long-handled spades of -the district. The Battalion was responsible for a line, about half a -mile in length, on the western side of the Bailleul—St. Jans Cappel -Road. The 6th Battalion held a similar front on the opposite side of -the road, but, apart from some Lewis guns manned by a battalion of -the Tank Corps, there appeared to be no one for several hundred yards -on the right. “When positions are taken up all ranks must definitely -understand that no withdrawal is to take place excepting under written -orders” was the Commanding Officer’s message to companies. The strength -of the Battalion was very low—only 19 officers and 307 other ranks -all told—little enough to hold half a mile of front. It was then that -the Commanding Officer, thinking the extreme urgency of the situation -warranted the step, ordered up practically the whole of B Echelon.</p> - -<p>The night which followed was one of the most depressing in the whole -history of the Battalion. About 8-30 p.m. a message had arrived from -Brigade H.Q. to warn everyone that the 59th Division would probably -withdraw through the new line. But the message was unnecessary. The men -of the 176th Infantry Brigade were already coming along the road, and -it was clear that Bailleul, the town which the Battalion had helped to -defend for three days in spite of heavy losses, had fallen. Many of the -men of the 5th Battalion North Staffordshire Regt. stopped to assist in -the defence of the new line; but most of their Brigade passed through -to Locre to reorganise. The Battalion was again holding the front line. -Picquets were pushed out well in front, a wiring party under the 57th -Field Company, Royal Engineers,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> did valuable work, while through the -night the men dug hard, and by dawn there was quite a good line.</p> - -<p>The chief anxiety was the gap in the line, on the Battalion’s right. -This was eventually filled by the 5th Battalion North Staffordshire -Regt. About 350 men of this battalion had remained in the line when the -rest of their Brigade passed through, and these were now transferred to -the right, where they took over the front under their own Commanding -Officer. But, in accordance with the instructions of the G.O.C., 147th -Infantry Brigade, Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O., retained supreme -command of that part of the front, as well as of his own battalion.</p> - -<p>The night passed without any enemy action. At dawn the next day, -patrols pushed out well in front of the line, and located the enemy -on the Becque de la Flanche. It was certain that he would soon make -an attempt to continue his advance, but the Battalion now felt ready -for him. Quite a respectable line had been dug during the night. This -was held by B Company on the right and C Company on the left; D and -A Companies were in support on the right and left respectively; B -Echelon, which had arrived during the night, was kept at Battalion -H.Q. in reserve. As time went on movement among the enemy became more -and more pronounced, and early in the afternoon it was obvious that -an attack was imminent. Large numbers of Germans were seen dribbling -down the hedge-rows, from the direction of Bailleul, and massing about -500 or 600 yards from the Battalion front. Two companies of the 7th -Battalion had been placed at the disposal of the Commanding Officer, to -strengthen his right flank, and all ranks quietly awaited the enemy’s -move.</p> - -<p>About 4-0 p.m. the storm burst. The desultory shelling of the earlier -part of the afternoon changed to a barrage, and large numbers of the -enemy advanced to the attack. The Battalion settled down to fight. On -the right such a hail of bullets was poured into the advancing masses -by B Company that the attack scarcely succeeded in debouching from the -hedge, behind which the assembly had been carried out. On the left C -Company, whose line was packed with Lewis guns, brought the advance -to a complete standstill 300 yards from the line. A detachment of -the 176th Light Trench Mortar Battery, which was covering<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> the road -to Bailleul, was able to burst shell after shell in the midst of the -enemy. The attack had hardly opened before it had failed. Nowhere did -a German get within 300 yards of the British line. To the east of -the road it was much the same tale; there the 6th Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. first held up the attack by Lewis gun and rifle -fire, and then, issuing from its trenches, collected a number of -prisoners. Within half-an-hour, of the whole German regiment which -had made the attack, nothing was to be seen but the little group of -prisoners moving to the rear, and the scores of dead who littered -the battlefield. “Well done all ranks” was the message received from -the Brigadier; and “Well done old 147 Brigade” was the affectionate -greeting of Major-General N. J. G. Cameron when he received the news.</p> - -<p>Though the men of the Battalion knew it not, this was the last attack -they were to sustain on that front. After eight days of almost -continuous fighting, they had at length succeeded in bringing the -enemy’s advance to a full stop. The line which they had started to dig -late in the afternoon of April 15th, and which they had defended so -successfully the following day, was to remain the front line until the -beginning of the victorious British advance in the late summer. Through -it the enemy was never to penetrate; and while the Battalion was in -the neighbourhood he never again tried. For the time being the Germans -had had enough of the 147th Infantry Brigade. But, at the time, the -Battalion knew nothing of all this.</p> - -<p>The days that followed were very anxious ones. So weak was the -Battalion that it could not be expected to withstand many more attacks. -Time after time reports came in that reinforcements were coming up, -that French troops would soon be there. But as the days went by, and -the Battalion still remained in that all-important part of the line, -some began to doubt whether relief ever would come. At length one day -a French cavalry officer arrived at Battalion H.Q., and informed the -Commanding Officer that he had come for liaison purposes. His regiment -was the advanced guard of considerable numbers of French troops, and -was already bivouacing in the neighbourhood. He was authorised by his -Commanding Officer to say that, although the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> regiment was not intended -to take part in any fighting without orders from higher authority, if -help were needed the Battalion need only let him know and the regiment -would come.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the Battalion was hard at work improving the line. Patrols -were active on the front, and were seldom interfered with. Two days -after his unsuccessful attempt towards St. Jans Cappel, the enemy -launched an attack further to the west, on the front which had been -occupied by the men of the 5th Battalion North Staffordshire Regt. As -luck would have it, these had been relieved the previous night by the -2nd Battalion Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, who gave the enemy so -warm a reception that afterwards he left that front severely alone. -During these days the Battalion was not much troubled, except by -intermittent artillery fire.</p> - -<p>On the night of April 18/19th the Battalion was relieved by the 7th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., and went into Brigade Reserve. -Battalion H.Q. was situated in the Convent at St. Jans Cappel which -had large, though not very strongly built cellars. The Aid Post was in -a brewery on the opposite side of the road, where considerable stocks -of beer, rather better in quality than the normal French variety, were -much appreciated. Most of the men held a new switch line, which had -been dug to the south-west of the village.</p> - -<p>Only twenty-four hours were spent in the new location, for the next -night the whole Brigade was withdrawn into Divisional Reserve. The -Battalion was relieved by the 1st Queens and withdrew to Mont Noir; -here the only billets available, with the exception of one estaminet -occupied by Battalion H.Q., were slits in the ground.</p> - -<p>By this time the French were coming up in force and were taking over -the whole sector. Long before dawn on the morning of April 21st, the -Battalion marched out and proceeded in the darkness, through batteries -of French 75’s which were already in action, to a hutment camp on -the top of Mont des Cats. Here the men slept until the middle of the -afternoon. It was the first real piece of comfort they had had since -they were hurried into battle nearly two weeks before.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span></p> - - -<h3>(<i>e</i>) Poperinghe.</h3> - -<p>The Battalion only stopped on Mont des Cats for a few hours and then it -moved off to Poperinghe. On the way, it passed the G.O.C., IX. Corps, -who had come to take a last look at the men who had served him so -well. Though a sorry remnant of the Battalion, which had embussed so -cheerfully at Reninghelst only twelve days before, they were well worth -a second glance. Ragged, unshaven and unkempt, with nothing clean about -them but their rifles, bayonets and ammunition, they were yet a body -of veterans whom anyone would have been proud to command. Thrown into -the battle when the enemy was flushed with success, they had fought and -beaten him time after time. It was the proud boast of the Battalion -that it had never withdrawn without definite orders to do so, and that -the enemy had never won from it an inch of ground.</p> - -<p>Messages of thanks and congratulations had poured in to the Brigade -from all quarters—from the Commander-in-Chief, from General Plumer, -and from the IX. Corps. The G.O.C., 34th Division, on parting with the -147th Infantry Brigade, wrote to the G.O.C., 49th Division, in the -following terms:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“The G.O.C., 34th Division, wishes to place on record his great -appreciation of the services rendered by 147th Infantry Brigade -during the period it has been attached to the Division under his -command. The action of the 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s -South of the Lys on 10th April, the skilful rearguard fighting -under cover of which the Division withdrew from the Nieppe -position, the stubborn defence of the right of the Division at -Steam Mill (S. of Bailleul) and the complete defeat of a whole -German Regiment on the 16th April, are exploits of which the -Brigade may well be proud.</p> - -<p>Throughout the period the steadiness, gallantry and endurance of -all ranks has been worthy of the highest traditions of British -Infantry and the G.O.C., 34th Division, is proud to have had -such troops under his command.”</p> -</div> - -<p>At Poperinghe the Battalion was housed in the Rest Camp by the Railway -Station, but most of the officers slept in the Convent not far away. No -training was attempted. The men<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> were given as much rest as possible. -Time was spent in reorganisation, of which every company stood much in -need. A draft, about two hundred strong, joined the Battalion; but this -was not sufficient to bring it to full strength, for over four hundred -casualties had been suffered during the past fortnight. Here the 147th -Infantry Brigade came again under the 49th Division, as did also the -148th Infantry Brigade.</p> - -<p>The days were fairly peaceful, but the nights were rather disturbed by -high velocity guns, which fired into the town. During the last night, -several bombing planes visited Poperinghe and caused great excitement. -Some bombs were dropped very near the camp, one in particular narrowly -missing the Battalion Transport and stampeding some of the animals.</p> - -<p>It was fully realised that the period of rest would almost certainly be -short. The Germans had already captured the low range of hills about -Neuve Eglise, and it was certain they would make a bid for the chain, -of which Mont Kemmel is the highest point. Hence, there was little -surprise when, early in the morning of April 25th, the Battalion was -put on half-an-hour’s notice to move.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>f</i>) Kemmel.<a id="FNanchor_18" href="#Footnote_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a></h3> - -<p>About 8-45 a.m. on April 25th, the order to move arrived. The Brigade -was proceeding at once to Ouderdom in support of the 9th Division. The -Battalion was to move by march route<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> as it was to remain in Brigade -Reserve, but motor buses were provided for all the rest of the Brigade. -However, so quickly did the Battalion fall in and move off that it -arrived at Ouderdom long before the buses appeared.</p> - -<p>The situation was very obscure. A great battle was in progress to the -south and it was believed that the enemy had captured Mont Kemmel; but -nothing was definitely known. The 6th and 7th Battalions were moved -forward to form a defensive flank from Beaver Corner to Millekruisse, -as the Cheapside Line was thought still to be in British hands; but -touch had been completely lost with the troops on the right. All that -day the Battalion remained inactive in the fields near Ouderdom. They -were little troubled, except by an occasional aeroplane. One of these -dropped a bomb which caused one or two casualties, but otherwise the -Battalion escaped unscathed.</p> - -<p>In the evening the Battalion moved up to positions in some old trenches -a little to the north of Millekruisse, and here it settled down for -the night. But it was not to rest for long. About 2-30 a.m., Major A. -L. Mowat arrived from 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. with orders for an -immediate attack. The situation and details were as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. A big counter-attack was to be launched, by French troops on -the right and the 25th Division on the left, to recapture Mont -Kemmel and establish a line to the south of it.</p> - -<p>2. The Battalion was to co-operate on the left of the 25th -Division. It was to assemble on the Cheapside Line and attack -in a south-easterly direction, on a front of about six hundred -yards, with the trench system on the York Road as its objective.</p> - -<p>3. In the event of the 25th Division not being able to advance, -the Battalion was to conform to its line.</p> - -<p>4. Zero hour was fixed for 4-25 a.m., when a creeping barrage -would come down.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">From the Battalion point of view, this operation was extremely -difficult. No one had any knowledge of the ground, and the assembly was -to take place and the attack to open before dawn. As the companies were -much below full strength, the Commanding Officer decided to attack on a -three-company frontage—B Company was to attack on the right, D Company -in the centre,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> and A Company on the left. C Company was in support, -and was to advance about two hundred yards in rear of the assaulting -troops.</p> - -<p>At once the Battalion fell in and marched off. Owing to the darkness -of the night and the fact that everyone was completely ignorant of the -ground, companies did not quite reach their assembly positions by zero -hour, but were drawn up about the line of the Kemmelbeke. At 4-25 a.m. -the barrage—a very thin one—opened, and the Battalion advanced. It -passed through a deserted camp and came to a road, along the line of -which were some old trenches. These had been occupied by the enemy, but -he retired when the British advanced. The trenches were occupied and a -halt was made there. This was due to the failure of the next battalion -to advance.</p> - -<p>The 74th Infantry Brigade of the 25th Division was attacking on the -Battalion’s right. One of its battalions did extremely well, forcing -its way right into Kemmel village, and taking about 150 prisoners -there. But the battalion on the immediate right of B Company failed -to get forward. The 4th Battalion had met with very little resistance -up to that time. Enemy machine gun fire was extremely heavy, but, as -the morning was misty, very few casualties were caused by it at first. -There is no doubt that the Battalion could have advanced further -without much difficulty, but its orders were to conform to the 25th -Division, and, as the men on its right were not advancing, it halted. -For several hours it was believed that the line of Sackville Street had -been reached, and this was the situation reported by the Commanding -Officer to Brigade H.Q. at 5.5 a.m. Later it was found that the men had -only got as far as Cheapside.</p> - -<p>For about an hour things were comparatively quiet, except for enemy -machine gun fire. Soon after 6-0 a.m. the battalion on the right began -to withdraw, and before long the situation was becoming serious on that -flank. The mist had cleared considerably, and the enemy was making -better use of his machine guns. Taking advantage of the weakness of the -troops there, he began to work round the Battalion’s right flank, by -Beaver Corner and R.E. Farm. To cope with this menace, first half, and -later the whole, of C Company had to be sent over to the right to form<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> -a defensive flank, facing south-west. On the rest of the Battalion -front there was little anxiety. All three companies were well in touch, -and A Company was connected up with the 9th Battalion King’s Own -Yorkshire Light Infantry (21st Division) on its left. Enemy machine gun -fire was heavy, but the troops had good cover.</p> - -<p>As time went on, the situation on the right became more and more -serious. Here enemy machine gun fire was particularly heavy, and his -sniping very accurate. He was making determined attempts to advance to -the west of the Milky Way, and there was great danger that he might -get across the Battalion’s line of retreat. The whole of C Company -had been committed to the defence of this flank, and later, two guns -of the Machine Gun Company and a detachment of the 147th Light Trench -Mortar Battery had also been sent up. Thus, the whole available -battalion reserve, except a few H.Q. details, was engaged. C Company -had done some very useful work. They had driven the enemy from R.E. -Farm, though they were unable to occupy it themselves; but they were -suffering heavily from the enemy’s very accurate sniping. At 9-25 a.m. -a message was sent to the 6th Battalion asking it to send up a company -to reinforce the right.</p> - -<p>By about 11-0 a.m. the strength of C Company had been very much -reduced. Man after man had been shot in the head by enemy snipers, -among the casualties being Pte. A. Poulter, the stretcher-bearer who -had so greatly distinguished himself two weeks before at Erquinghem. -Lieut. W. G. Mackie, who was commanding C Company, was also wounded, -and Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy assumed command. Soon after noon, two -platoons of the 6th Battalion arrived and were sent up to strengthen -C Company. This helped to restore the situation on the right flank, -and, for a time, things were much quieter, though the enemy sniping and -machine gun fire continued.</p> - -<p>It was hoped that the 25th Division would take action to restore the -situation on its left, and about 1-30 p.m. a message was received that -a battalion of the South Lancashire Regt. was coming up to get in touch -there. Meanwhile, there was great difficulty in supplying the forward -troops with ammunition,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> owing to the heavy fire kept up by the enemy. -Everything had to be carried across the open, and there was very little -cover. In this connection, splendid work was done by some of the H.Q. -batmen, who crawled up to the line with bandoliers slung over their -backs.</p> - -<p>During the afternoon the enemy made a further attempt to work round the -right flank. Considerable numbers of them were seen moving along the -side of a hedge, but the situation was satisfactorily dealt with by C -Company. Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy had seen them himself. He quickly got -two Vickers guns into position, and, when the enemy appeared at a gap -in the hedge, so heavy a fire was opened at close range that the party -was almost wiped out. This was the last attempt to advance that the -enemy made that day.</p> - -<p>By this time the discovery had been made that the Battalion was -not in Sackville Street at all, but in Cheapside. This was at once -reported to 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q., as it altered the situation -considerably. The battalion of South Lancashires had come up, but was -halted by the Milky Way and did not go into action. It was now night. -Arrangements were made for wiring and other work to be done on the -front; but this was not to be. The higher authorities had realised -that the counter-attack had failed, and had decided to withdraw the -troops, who had carried it out, from their advanced positions. About -11-0 p.m., the order for the withdrawal was received, and the operation -began at 12-30 a.m. All went smoothly. The night was dark and the enemy -remained inactive. A Company withdrew first, and was followed by the -others in order from left to right, C Company moving last and bringing -out with them the few men who were left of the next battalion. All the -ammunition, which had been sent up during the day, was got away. The -Battalion moved back along the Milky Way, through the line held by the -6th Battalion, and reoccupied the same positions near Millekruisse -which it had left in the early morning of April 26th.</p> - -<p>For the next two days the enemy made no further infantry attack, -but his artillery was often active, particularly round Millekruisse -cross roads. Not far from this spot Sec.-Lieut J. C.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> Whitaker, of A -Company, was killed by a shell on April 28th. There can be no doubt -that, between April 25th and 29th, the Germans were replenishing their -ammunition dumps, and making preparations for their next big attack. -During this time the Battalion was in Brigade Reserve. Much work was -done on a new line a little to the south of Millekruisse, and A Company -moved up to garrison it. Otherwise, there was no change in dispositions.</p> - -<p>On April 28th the enemy put down a heavy barrage on the British front, -from 7-30 p.m. to 9-0 p.m., and desultory shelling continued through -the night. About 3-0 a.m. on the morning of April 29th this suddenly -changed to a barrage, the intensity and depth of which can seldom have -been equalled. From Mont Vidaigne on the right to Zillebeke Lake on -the left, the whole front was ablaze. On the sector held by the 147th -Infantry Brigade the whole country, from the front line to beyond -Ouderdom, was deluged with shells. High explosive and gas literally -rained down everywhere. Practically the first shell of the bombardment -burst in the roof of the farm house, which was occupied by Battalion -H.Q., and mortally wounded both the orderly room clerks; the R.S.M., -who was in the same room, had a wonderful escape, and fragments -actually penetrated the roof of the cellar, in which the Commanding -Officer was sleeping at the time. By a great stroke of luck the barrage -almost entirely missed the front line, so that its garrison, though -extremely uncomfortable, was practically unharmed. No one doubted that -this was the prelude to another mighty attack.</p> - -<p>After about two hours of this bombardment, the German infantry advanced -in great numbers to the attack. They gained nothing. Caught by the -British barrage, mown down by Lewis gun and rifle fire, they suffered -enormous casualties. It is said that, on one part of the front, they -were so demoralised that they put out a white flag and tried to come -in, but could not pass through the barrage. On the whole front attacked -they only gained a footing in the allied line in two places, and from -both of these they were ejected almost immediately by counter-attacks. -All this time the barrage continued.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the Battalion was in Brigade Reserve, anxiously awaiting -information which could be acted upon. The Millekruisse<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span> Line had -been strengthened by the addition of D Company, but B and C Companies -were both available for any action. All telephone lines had been -broken within a few minutes of the opening of the bombardment, and it -was extremely difficult to obtain any news. Lieut. J. C. Walton, the -Battalion Intelligence Officer, was sent up to get in touch with the -H.Q. of the 7th Battalion, which was in the line; but he was blown to -pieces by a shell before he had gone more than two hundred yards. About -7-0 a.m. it was learned from wounded men who had come down, that the -7th Battalion had been heavily attacked, but that they had held their -ground and still had a company in reserve. On receipt of this news, -the Commanding Officer immediately communicated with Brigade H.Q., -asking whether he should send a company to assist them. About 9-0 a.m. -a wounded N.C.O. of the 7th Battalion reported a fresh massing of the -enemy for the attack. Lieut.-Col. Sugden waited no longer, but at once -ordered up B Company to reinforce. Though the barrage was almost as -thick as ever, the company succeeded in finding a route by which it -reached its objective with very few casualties. It arrived just in -time to stop an urgent message which was being sent, asking for the -assistance of a company. But the reinforcements were never required. -The worst of the battle was over. After two violent attacks all along -the front, the enemy made only local and spasmodic efforts for the rest -of the day. His force was broken; he had been beaten to a standstill; -and he had gained—nothing. As the Divisional Commander wrote shortly -after—“It was a great day for British Arms.”</p> - -<p>The battle of April 29th was far more than an ordinary defeat for the -enemy. It was the final collapse of his offensive. During the next -three months he was to launch other great attacks against the French, -further to the south. But never again was he to try conclusions with -the British in a great battle, until they took the initiative into -their own hands, and, after driving him headlong from position after -position, forced him to sue for an armistice from the men he had -professed to despise. For the second time in less than three weeks the -147th Infantry Brigade had assisted in bringing the German attack to a -standstill, and had consolidated and held a line which was to remain -unbroken<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span> until all lines were left behind in the victorious advance of -the autumn.</p> - -<p>The following days were uneventful. Work continued on the Millekruisse -Line, in which two companies were now permanently stationed. B Company -remained under the orders of the 7th Battalion. Enemy artillery was -active, but was as nothing compared with the barrage of April 29th. The -147th Infantry Brigade was strengthened by the temporary addition of -a composite battalion, made up of the remnants of the 146th Infantry -Brigade and the 19th Lancashire Fusiliers, each battalion furnishing -one company. Among the many congratulatory messages, which poured in -after the victory of April 29th, not the least appreciated was one from -the G.O.C., IX. Corps, who had not forgotten the work of the 147th -Infantry Brigade while serving under his command so recently.</p> - -<p>On the night of May 1/2nd the Battalion relieved the 7th Battalion Duke -of Wellington’s Regt. on the left of the Brigade Sector. The front -held was a peculiar one, and lay almost at right angles to the general -line. Its left rested almost on Cheapside, where A Company had been on -April 26th. From that point it ran nearly due north to and across the -Kemmelbeke, and then turned at right angles across the Milky Way. Three -companies held this line, the men occupying small slits in the ground; -the fourth and a company of the 6th Battalion, which had been relieved -by the 146th Composite Battalion, were in support. There was still -plenty of hostile shelling but it was very scattered, and the little -slits in the ground were difficult targets to hit.</p> - -<p>The labours and troubles of the Battalion were now nearly over for -the time being. A French Army had come up and was gradually taking -over the front, along the chain of hills. On the night of May 3/4th -the Battalion was relieved by the 3rd Battalion, 80th Infantry Regt., -of the 32nd French Division. This Battalion, which was very strong, -took over the whole front of the 147th Infantry Brigade. They were a -magnificent body of men, and the British were much struck with their -fine appearance. While the relief was in progress some anxiety was -caused by a heavy enemy bombardment, but, apart from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> this, everything -went smoothly. Capt. Fenton, with a few N.C.O’s, was left in the line -for twenty-four hours to assist the French; and the Battalion started -on its march through the night to a well-earned rest.</p> - -<p>It was daylight before the first halting-place was reached. This was a -camp which, it was rumoured, had recently been occupied by a Chinese -Labour Company. This fact did not altogether commend itself to the -Battalion, but all men were so weary that it scarcely disturbed their -sleep. In the afternoon a short march brought the Battalion to a -hutment camp at St. Jans ter Biezen, where the rest period was to be -spent.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The part taken by the Battalion, in what is generally known as the -Battle of the Lys, is the most glorious chapter in its history. Never -before nor since did the men fight so long continuously, nor against -such overwhelming odds. They faced the enemy in the full flush of his -successes on the Somme, when his morale was at its highest. They fought -him again and again, and never yielded an inch of ground in battle. -They taught him that he was no match for a British soldier, either in -attack or in defence. They helped to pave the way for his crushing -defeat a few months later.</p> - -<p>And the men learned many things too. They learned that the German -will never push home an assault in the face of a really determined -resistance; that infantry fire alone is sufficient to stop his most -violent attacks. In the many engagements that they fought during April, -1918, no man of them ever used a bayonet, for never did the enemy reach -their lines. They learned too—those of them who did not know it well -before—that the spade, almost as much as the rifle, is the infantry -man’s weapon. And, perhaps most valuable lesson of all, they learned -that what appear to be the blackest and most hopeless situations can be -restored by men, if only they possess the necessary determination.</p> - -<p>Throughout the most trying and uncomfortable conditions all ranks -continued cheerful, and morale never declined. In spite of appalling -casualties, the Battalion never became in the least disorganised. -Camaraderie and good-fellowship were never <span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span>more conspicuous. Though -the Battalion was only about three hundred strong, a draft of two -hundred was incorporated so thoroughly that the men of it fought, only -two or three days later, as if they had never served with any other -unit.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_234fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_234fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0"><i>Kemmel</i> 26.4.18.</p> - </div> - -<p>The Transport and Stores too did magnificent work. Frequently shelled, -and on one occasion at least under machine gun fire, constantly on the -move and often surrounded by disorder, they carried on their work in -a way which earned the admiration of everyone. At a time when one was -continually hearing of battalions who had had no rations for days, -the 4th Battalion had never lived in such plenty. There is no doubt -that this happy state of affairs increased the fighting efficiency of -everyone enormously.</p> - -<p>The work of the 49th Division, in which the Battalion had played no -inconsiderable a part, was recognised on all sides. On the night of -April 29th, the Commander-in-Chief expressed himself in the following -terms:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“I desire to express my appreciation of the very valuable and -gallant services performed by troops of the 49th (West Riding) -Division since the entry of the 147th Infantry Brigade into the -battle of Armentiéres. The courage and determination showed by -this Division has played no small part in checking the enemy’s -advance, and I wish to convey to General Cameron and to all -officers and men under his command my thanks for all that they -have done.”</p> -</div> - -<p>Among the many other messages, too numerous for reproduction, which -were received, the following, expressed in the inimitable manner of the -French, deserves special notice:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“The G.O.C., 2nd Cavalry Corps, warmly congratulates the brave -British troops who have heroically assisted in the defence of -the chain of hills, and who, by their admirable resistance have -broken down the enemy’s effort and barred the way to Dunkerque.</p> - -<p>Shelterless under a bombardment of the heaviest description, -surrounded by poisonous gases of various description, stubbornly -disputing every foot of ground, they have held their own against -repeated attacks by greatly superior numbers, and though at -first overwhelmed by weight of numbers they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> were obliged to -give ground, they have inflicted such heavy losses on the enemy -that his forces have been exhausted.</p> - -<p>Once more the Germans have seen their hopes dashed to the -ground. France will remember that.</p> - -<p class="r2 p-min">Robillot.”</p> -</div> - - -<p>It was a matter of the deepest regret to all that the 49th Division -could not work as a whole during a great part of the operations; and -none felt it more than General Cameron. In the confidential summary -of operations, which he circulated a few days after the Division was -withdrawn from the battle, one can clearly see his disappointment that -this should have been so. One can also distinguish clearly his pride -in the record of his men on so many different fronts. The concluding -paragraph of that summary, as looking to the future, may fittingly end -this chapter:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“The reputation which you have won for courage, determination -and efficiency, during recent operations, has its very joyous -aspect, and it is deeply precious to us all.</p> - -<p>It has also a serious aspect for us.</p> - -<p>It lays on each one of us a great responsibility—a personal -responsibility for doing all he can to ensure that the next time -the Division is engaged it will perform even better service than -it has in the past.</p> - -<p>We shall shortly, we hope, be filling up with new men.</p> - -<p>Let every old hand put his shoulder to the wheel in the task -of instilling into our new blood the spirit of courage, -determination and efficiency which has carried you through your -recent trial so successfully.</p> - -<p>Never fail to impress on all new hands what the rifle and -bayonet can do in the hands of a determined British soldier who -knows how to look after them and use them.</p> - -<p class="right">N. G. Cameron, Major-General.”</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER XII.<br /> -<span class="subhed">THE LAST OF YPRES.</span></h2></div> - -<h3>(<i>a</i>) May, 1918.</h3> - -<p>For nearly a month the Battalion was out of the line, and most of -this time was spent at Road Camp, St. Jans ter Biezen. At first the -accommodation was adequate, but, towards the end of May, the huts were -becoming very crowded. This was due to the arrival of new drafts, -and the return of a number of lightly wounded men. By the time the -Battalion went into the line again nearly 200 had joined. Many of these -were young soldiers, who had been hurriedly despatched from England to -make good the very heavy losses suffered during the enemy’s violent -attacks in March and April. They were splendid material and quickly -developed into fine soldiers. A large draft of officers also arrived -towards the end of April. Here, too, Sergt. A. Loosemore, V.C., joined -the Battalion.</p> - -<p>The first days were spent almost entirely in reorganisation. This was -very necessary after the enormous casualties of the last few weeks. But -the organisation of the Battalion had never broken down, and there was -a solid framework on which to build. New officers and men were quickly -assimilated; new specialists were trained. Long before the rest period -came to an end, the Battalion was almost as efficient a fighting unit -as it had been at the beginning of April.</p> - -<p>On May 14th the 147th Infantry Brigade moved by bus to St. Martin au -Laert for four days’ shooting. Tents were pitched about a mile from the -town, and, as the weather was gloriously fine, a very enjoyable time -was spent there. St. Omer was within easy walking distance of the camp, -and the rather unusual experience of having a large town near at hand -was thoroughly enjoyed. Enemy bombing planes were common at night, but -they restricted their activities mainly to Arques, and never troubled -the camp.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span></p> - -<p>Soon after its return to Road Camp, the Brigade moved to Penton Camp, -near Proven, for four days’ work on the East Poperinghe Line. At -this time an immense amount of labour and material was being used in -the construction of defences between Ypres and Poperinghe. Everyone -expected that the enemy would make a further attack in that direction, -and no less than four defensive systems were in course of construction -or improvement between the two towns. The East Poperinghe Line was the -most westerly of these systems. A definite sector was allotted to each -battalion, and every available man was sent to work on it. Parties -paraded early in the morning and were taken up to the work by light -railway trains. They did not return until late in the afternoon, so -there was not much time for recreation. At Proven, officers met an old -friend. Francois, well known to most officers who have seen much of -Poperinghe, had transferred his restaurant business to Proven, when the -German advance made Poperinghe too warm. As always, dinner at Francois’ -was very popular.</p> - -<p>The Battalion returned to Road Camp on May 26th, and another week -was spent there. At the end of May Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O., -went on leave. He had scarcely arrived in England when an urgent wire -recalled him, to take command of the 151st Infantry Brigade, 50th -Division. He had no time to return to the Battalion, but went straight -down to the neighbourhood of the Marne, where his Brigade awaited him. -Everyone was delighted to hear of his promotion, for it was looked -upon as an honour to the Battalion—few Territorial officers attained -such high rank during the war. Another source of great satisfaction to -everyone was that Major A. L. Mowat, M.C., was appointed to the command -of the Battalion; few had seen more service with it, and none had done -more for its good than he.</p> - -<p>While at St. Jans ter Biezen, permission was given for a photograph to -be taken of all the “old originals” still serving with the Battalion. -Four officers and 114 other ranks were included in the group. This -should have been done on April 14th—the anniversary of the Battalion’s -landing in France. But circumstances over which the Battalion had -little control—the battle of Steam Mill was fought on that day—had -prevented any celebrations.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span></p> - - -<h3>(<i>b</i>) Zillebeke Sector.</h3> - -<p>When the enemy broke through to the south of Armentiéres, and, still -more, when he captured the Messines Ridge, the situation of the British -troops in the Ypres Salient became very critical. Their whole right -flank was laid bare, and they were in imminent danger of being cut off. -The whole line was therefore withdrawn to a position a little in front -of Ypres. With the exception of the Pilkem Ridge, all the ground gained -in the terrific fighting of 1917 was thus given up. Indeed, astride and -south of the Menin Road, the line was further back than it had been in -1915.</p> - -<p>Early in June the 49th Division took over the line, from a point a -little north of the Zonnebeke Road, to Zillebeke Lake. This line was -divided into two brigade sectors, the third brigade being in divisional -reserve. Thus brigades had sixteen days in the front line and eight -days in rest. Each brigade had two battalions in the front line so -that, now there were only three battalions to a brigade, one battalion -had to do a continuous tour of sixteen days.</p> - -<p>On the afternoon of June 3rd the Battalion moved by light railway -to near Vlamertinghe Chateau, where it detrained. As soon as it was -getting dusk, the men marched off to carry out the relief. That -night the enemy artillery was extremely active; in fact, it was the -“liveliest” night the Battalion had near Ypres the whole summer. Rome -Farm was being very heavily shelled as the men went past towards the -Menin Road, and when they reached Kruisstraat they passed into an area -thick with mustard gas. A heavy bombardment of Warrington Road and the -vicinity of the Lille Gate, with 8-inch gas shells, was in progress. -This greatly hampered the relief, as respirators had to be worn for -considerable distances; but, luckily, the Battalion got in with -practically no casualties.</p> - -<p>The front line was about a line in length and was held by three -companies, disposed as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="hangingindent">Right: B Company, from Zillebeke Lake to the Warrington Road. -Only one platoon occupied the front line posts, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span> remainder -living in the dugouts along the western edge of the Lake.</p> - -<p class="hangingindent">Centre: D Company, from the Warrington Road to a point -north-west of Moated Grange.</p> - -<p class="hangingindent">Left: A Company, from the flank of D Company to the -Ypres-Roulers Railway, about 300 yards west of Hellfire Corner.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">C Company was in reserve in a line about 500 yards in rear of the front -line.</p> - -<p>Battalion H.Q. was in the Ramparts of Ypres, not far from the Lille -Gate. Never had such a commodious place been occupied before. When -preparations were in progress for the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917, -two divisional H.Q. had been constructed in the Ramparts, one near -the Lille Gate and one near the Menin Gate. Now that the line had -been withdrawn so far, these had come into use for battalions. There -were rooms and to spare, lit up with electric light and comfortably -furnished. Every H.Q. officer had his separate room, and there were -also a fine large mess and a good office.</p> - -<p>The front line was not very satisfactory. On the left it was continuous -and good, but on the right posts were completely isolated. It was -fortunate too that the weather was fine, for the ground was very low -and would quickly have become water-logged. The dugouts on the west -side of Zillebeke Lake provided any amount of good accommodation for B -Company, but the other companies were not nearly so well off in that -respect. The reserve line occupied by C Company was also inferior.</p> - -<p>When the Battalion took over the line there were no communication -trenches, and all movement was across the open. The outgoing unit—the -15th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps—stated that no movement in -the open was advisable by day as enemy sniping was very accurate. This -did not suit the Battalion at all, and, right from the start, officers -began to make the usual tours of inspection. At first these were -carried out with extreme care, all movement being done by crawling; but -soon it was found that the enemy was very inactive, and, even before -communication trenches were dug, movement in ones and twos became -general.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_240afp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_240afp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. H. H. AYKROYD, M.C.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_240bfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_240bfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. W. N. BROOMHEAD, T.D.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_240cfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_240cfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. W. GRANTHAM.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">(Died of Wounds).</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_240dfp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_240dfp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Capt. S. BALME.</p> - </div> - -<p>The sector turned out to be a very quiet one. The 1st Landwehr<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span> -Division was holding the line opposite, and these troops were of poor -discipline and low morale. If left alone they remained very quiet, and -there was little machine gun or rifle fire. The enemy artillery was -rarely active. Nothing approaching the bombardment, which had taken -place on the night of June 3rd/4th, ever occurred again. The chief -feature of the artillery fire was the use of Blue Cross gas shells, -which caused violent sneezing but were practically harmless.</p> - -<p>From the Ramparts good observation could be obtained of much of the -area occupied by the enemy. It was very tantalising to see Germans -moving about in the neighbourhood of Kit and Kat Post, upon which A and -B Companies had expended so much labour the previous January. All this -ground, which was under observation, was well known to the Battalion, -from its experiences of the previous winter. Very little movement was -observed near the front line.</p> - -<p>No Man’s Land was covered with thick grass and was ideal for -patrolling, either by night or day. In this department there was great -activity. It was not that identifications were needed, for these were -well known; but the more activity the Battalion could display, the less -likely the enemy would be to weaken the front. Before long, the whole -of No Man’s Land, to a depth of several hundred yards, was well known. -Several patrols were seriously interfered with by Blue Cross gas.</p> - -<p>The first tour was not without excitement. On the night of June -10/11th a strong patrol, consisting of two officers (Sec.-Lieut. F. -Woodward and Sec.-Lieut. A. Charlesworth) and 12 other ranks, moved out -towards Hill 40. As they drew near to it, they thought they detected -movement behind a hedge. They halted and, soon after, were challenged -by a sentry in German. Sec.-Lieut. F. Woodward fired at him with his -revolver, and at once the whole patrol opened rapid fire. The enemy, -who was evidently there in strength, retaliated with a shower of -bombs, wounding Sec.-Lieut. Woodward and three of his men. The action -continued for some minutes, but at length Sec.-Lieut. Charlesworth, -finding he could make no impression on the hostile position, withdrew -the patrol. It was afterwards found that the enemy had a very strong -post on Hill 40, from which good observation was obtained of the -British line.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span></p> - -<p>The next night the Battalion was relieved and went back into Brigade -Reserve. Two companies garrisoned part of the Brielen Line, astride -the Ypres-Poperinghe Road. The other two companies held a reserve line -south of Ypres, from Kruisstraat to near the Lille Gate. At this time -the Battalion was somewhat depleted in strength, owing to a mild form -of influenza, commonly known as “Chink Fever.”</p> - - -<h3>(<i>c</i>) The Zillebeke Raid.</h3> - -<p>The one absorbing interest of this period of Brigade Reserve was the -raid, which eventually came off on the night of June 19/20th. There was -little opportunity for rehearsal or training, as the companies were -scattered, and many men were tied down to certain posts. But the plan -was worked out most carefully, down to the minutest detail, by the -Commanding Officer, who made nearly all the arrangements and wrote the -orders himself. The plan was as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. The object of the operation was to secure identification and -to do as much damage to the enemy as possible.</p> - -<p>2. Twelve platoons of the Battalion<a id="FNanchor_19" href="#Footnote_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> were to take part, and -these were divided into three parties:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot1"> - -<p>(<i>a</i>) Two platoons of C Company, whose task was to seize -and hold Hill 40, thus guarding the left flank of the main -operation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span></p> - -<p>(<i>b</i>) A Company, operating north of the Warrington Road.</p> - -<p>(<i>c</i>) B Company, operating south of the Warrington Road.</p> -</div> - -<p>A and B Companies were each reinforced by a platoon from D Company.</p> - -<p>3. Objectives:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot1"> - -<p>(<i>a</i>) B Company: The line Hellblast -Corner—Tuilerie—Tuilerie Chimney.</p> - -<p>(<i>b</i>) A Company: 1st Objective: Enemy posts about 100 yards east of Cavalry Road.</p> - -<p class="p-left1 p-min">2nd Objective: Halfway House.</p> -</div> - -<p>4. All platoons were to be assembled in No Man’s Land by 11-30 p.m. At -12-0 midnight the advance was to begin. First objectives were to be -taken by the front platoons of companies. When B Company had gained -all its objectives, Capt. N. T. Farrar was to fire a red light as a -signal to A Company, the support platoons of which would then advance -on Halfway House.</p> - -<p>5. The whole were to withdraw at 1-30 a.m.</p> - -<p>6. The artillery was to open fire at 12-15 a.m. and put down a standing -barrage along the line of Leinster Road. If the wind were favourable, -it was also to put down a smoke barrage to cover the advance. But there -was to be no creeping barrage.</p> -</div> - -<p>Late in the evening of June 19th, the troops who were to take part -marched into Ypres. As soon as it was dark enough to conceal movement -they assembled in the British front line, and, about 11-0 p.m., moved -out into No Man’s Land. The night was very bright, the moon being -almost at the full, and there was some anxiety that the enemy might -detect the assembly and put down a barrage. But everything went well -and not a shot was fired. All were in position by 11-45 p.m. Battalion -H.Q. was established in a dugout in the British front line, and from -there the Commanding Officer was in telephonic communication with Major -Fenton, who was in the Ramparts. At 12-0 midnight the advance began, -and, by a great stroke of luck, almost at the same moment, the moon -disappeared behind a thick bank of clouds.</p> - -<p>About 12-10 a.m. the left flank of C Company made contact<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span> with the -enemy. As they were approaching the post on Hill 40, they encountered -a working party, about thirty strong. Shots were exchanged, and the -Germans retired a short distance; but the post had, unfortunately, -been warned. The flank party was heavily fired on, and Sec.-Lieut. -H. E. Burgoyne was wounded. Sergt. R. Wilson was also wounded in the -left arm, but remained at duty for some time, until the pain and -loss of blood from his wound weakened him so much that he was forced -to give up. Long grass and the broken nature of the ground impeded -the advance, and, by the time the post was reached, its garrison had -withdrawn. Sec.-Lieut. B. Crickmer, who had now assumed command of both -the platoons, took up a position facing north-east, about fifty yards -beyond the post. Here he became heavily engaged with large numbers -of the enemy. All attempts to advance were met by heavy machine gun -and rifle fire, and by bombs; and although several casualties were -undoubtedly inflicted, he was unable to secure an identification. About -1-0 a.m. artillery fire began to harass the party, but the men held -on to their position until it was time to withdraw, and successfully -carried out their duty of covering the left flank of the raid. At 1-30 -a.m. they withdrew, covered by a small rearguard, and regained their -lines.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the major part of the operation was going extremely well. -At 12-15 a.m. the British barrage opened, the bursting shells showing -up splendidly against the thick wall of smoke, which was soon built -up. It was a picture. Apparently this was the first warning the enemy -artillery had, that anything unusual was happening. Shortly after, the -enemy barrage came down, and then the wisdom of starting to advance -fifteen minutes before zero hour was clearly proved. By the time the -German guns got into action all the raiders were beyond the barrage -lines, and, that night, the Battalion did not suffer a single casualty -from shell fire.</p> - -<p>On the extreme right, Sergt. F. J. Field’s platoon reached its -objective with very little opposition; Vickers and Lewis guns were -then brought into action, effectually guarding the right flank of the -attack. In the centre Sec.-Lieut. H. R. Newman, with No. 5 Platoon, -advanced along the C3 Line and became<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> engaged about fifty yards in -front of the Tuilerie. This post was strongly held and wired; but -the men cut through two belts of wire, crept up to within ten yards, -and rushed the position. Four prisoners and a light machine gun were -captured, several casualties were inflicted, and the remainder of the -garrison made off. A little later, Sec.-Lieut. R. E. Jones came up -south of the Tuilerie, and the line from that point to Hellblast Corner -was firmly held until the end of the operation.</p> - -<p>But the left platoon of B Company—No. 8 under Sec.-Lieut. W. G. -Bradley—had a very rough time. When about 150 yards from its -objective, the Tuilerie Chimney, three machine guns opened on the -leading section at only a few yards’ range. So heavy were the -casualties that only two unwounded men were left in the section after -the first burst. The other sections were also heavily engaged by an -enemy post further to the left. Three attempts were made to rush the -position, but without success. The platoon was harassed by machine guns -and trench mortars, and had become so reduced in strength, owing to -casualties, that Sec.-Lieut. Bradley was forced to break off the action -and simply hold on to the position already reached.</p> - -<p>Capt. N. T. Farrar was anxiously awaiting the signals from his platoon -commanders, which would show that their objectives had been reached. -These were received from his right and centre platoons, but not from -his left, for the reasons already given. However, from his own position -well forward in No Man’s Land, he judged that the right flank was -sufficiently secure for A Company to advance; and so, at 1-0 a.m., he -fired his red signal light.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, A Company in the centre had been even more successful. The -earlier part of its advance had been quite uneventful, and contact with -the enemy had not been made until near Cavalry Road. Here a few bombs -had been thrown, but the Germans had quickly withdrawn. The two leading -platoons, under Sec.-Lieuts. R. M. Leddra and J. E. Bentley, crossed -the road and occupied a line of trenches, about 200 yards beyond. Near -the road Sec.-Lieut. Leddra came across a large dugout, which he bombed -with M.S.K. grenades; three Germans came out and were promptly made -prisoners. The Company Commander, Sec.-Lieut. B. H. Huggard, had gone -well forward to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> keep in touch with the situation; with the assistance -of no one but his runner, he himself rounded up four of the enemy who -were trying to escape. Considerable numbers of Germans were seen making -off to the rear, and some were shot while doing so. But at this point -the smoke screen, which had been of great assistance in covering the -earlier stages of the advance, helped the enemy. Many, who otherwise -would almost certainly have been captured, were completely lost sight -of in the smoke.</p> - -<p>By 12-45 a.m. all five platoons of A Company had crossed Cavalry Road -and were drawn up ready to advance on Halfway House, as soon as the -signal should be fired by B Company. As has already been said, this -signal was sent up at 1-0 a.m. But it was not seen owing to the smoke. -This was very unfortunate for A Company was quite ready, and there was -ample time for the second part of the operation to be carried out. -So, no further advance was attempted, but the positions reached were -maintained by all parties until the withdrawal.</p> - -<p>At 1-30 a.m. the withdrawal began, and was carried out very -successfully. White tapes marked the gaps which had been cut in the -wire, and rockets were sent up from the Ramparts at Ypres, to direct -any who had lost their direction. About 2-0 a.m. patrols went out to -search for wounded, the Commanding Officer personally assisting in this -work. Several wounded were brought in and the work was certainly well -done, for the Battalion had only one man missing out of over 350 who -had gone “over the top.” Platoons moved back to their former stations -in Brigade Reserve, where a well-earned sleep awaited them.</p> - -<p>Though the second part of the operation—the attack on Halfway -House—was not attempted, the raid was a great success. Eleven -prisoners and a light machine gun had been captured, and considerable -casualties had undoubtedly been inflicted on the enemy. The total -casualties of the Battalion were 3 other ranks killed, one officer and -16 other ranks wounded, and one other rank missing. This was extremely -light, considering that three quarters of the Battalion had spent one -and a half hours in the enemy’s lines. But by far the most satisfactory -result of the raid was its effect on morale. Many of the officers and -men who took part had only been with the Battalion a very short -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span>time, and a large number of the latter were very young and had seen -no fighting before. The old soldier has learned to take things as they -come, but success or failure have great effect on inexperienced and -young soldiers. So it was with this raid. They went into action boys; -they came out almost veterans.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_246fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_246fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0"><i>Raid near Zillebeke.</i></p> - <p class="center p-min smaller"><i>19/20. 6. 18.</i></p> - </div> - -<p>For their services in connection with this raid, Sec.-Lieuts. B. H. -Huggard and H. R. Newman were each awarded the Military Cross. Sergts. -A. Loosemore, V.C., R. Wilson and F. J. Field received Distinguished -Conduct Medals; and sixteen other ranks gained the Military Medal.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>d</i>) Quiet Days in the Ypres Salient.</h3> - -<p>The night after the raid the Battalion was relieved in Brigade Reserve, -and went to Siege Camp for rest. This camp lay on the east side of -the Vlamertinghe-Elverdinghe Road. It consisted mainly of Nissen -huts, but there were also a number of sandbag shelters and one or two -pill-boxes. The surroundings were very pleasant. All the time the 49th -Division remained in the Ypres Salient, the Battalion’s rest periods -were spent at Siege Camp. One period was much like another. Of the -seven complete days out of the line, the first was devoted to baths and -interior economy, and then three days were occupied with training and -three were spent at work on one or other of the defensive lines in the -neighbourhood.</p> - -<p>All the work, of whatever nature, was allotted by tasks. If the men -could finish in two days, they had a day off. But the tasks were heavy. -Some very good work indeed was done by the Battalion during these rest -periods, and, looking back now, it seems a pity that all this work -was unnecessary; for none of the lines, so carefully constructed and -strongly fortified, ever had to be held against an enemy attack.</p> - -<p>Training was carried out mainly under company arrangements, but, on -one or two occasions, battalion schemes were worked out, particularly -one in which the Vlamertinghe Line was used as an objective. The -Battalion had its own miniature rifle range and its own football field. -The latter was much used. Not many<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span> hundred yards away was a Belgian -detention camp, with the officers and N.C.O’s of which the Battalion -was on very good terms. Enemy shelling was not serious. There was a -good deal of searching for the many gun positions which covered the -area, but it was seldom that shells dropped dangerously near Siege -Camp. One unlucky shot severely wounded Sec.-Lieut. A. Charlesworth -during a tactical tour.</p> - -<p>The main form of relaxation was dancing. For this the Battalion band -was in nightly demand, and the absence of ladies did not interfere -with the enjoyment. The first dance hall was an old ammunition store, -the floor being covered with a large tarpaulin. When this store was -pulled down, the band was ejected from a wooden platform which had been -built for it near the orderly room, and had to perform on the bare -earth while the dancers monopolised the floor. All ranks took part; -the Regimental Sergeant-Major could usually be seen affectionately -encircling the waist of a signaller, while the Medical Officer and -others have been known to grace the floor.</p> - -<p>Gradually the nightmare of the enemy offensive was passing away. At -first the days were full of rumours and alarms. Most elaborate defence -schemes had been worked out, and heavy artillery counter-preparations -were common at night, and in the early morning. Reports came through -of the attacks on the French down south, but it gradually became clear -that the enemy’s power of attack was being worn out. From the first -news of his attack on July 15th, it was obvious that little success -had been gained. Then, three days later, came word of Marshal Foch’s -great counter-stroke on the flank, which not only robbed the Germans of -the little ground they had gained south of the Marne, but drove them -headlong to the Vesle. Almost at once everyone realised that the danger -was past, and that soon it would be the turn of the British to attack. -But this is anticipating.</p> - -<p>On June 29th the Battalion returned to the line, relieving the 1/7th -Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. This time it was holding the right of -the Left Brigade Sector. The front extended from near White Chateau -to the vicinity of Dragoon Farm. It was held by three companies, each -having its platoons distributed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> in depth in three lines. The fourth -company was in battalion reserve, occupying a line in front of the -civilian cemetery near the Menin Gate—the cemetery in which lie the -remains of Prince Maurice of Battenberg. Battalion H.Q. occupied the -old divisional H.Q. near the Menin Gate.</p> - -<p>For sixteen continuous days the Battalion held this front. It was the -longest unbroken trench tour that it had ever done, and most men were -heartily sick of it by the time it came to an end. The tour was not -particularly exciting. The enemy remained quiet, and, until the last -few days, little but defensive patrolling was done. Almost nightly -raids by the 148th Infantry Brigade had put the enemy so much on the -alert that there was little hope of success for minor enterprises. -During the last few days patrols became more active. Early one morning -Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Entwhistle penetrated deeply into No Man’s Land and -located some enemy posts, which he believed were held at night. The -following evening he took out a fighting patrol, hoping to occupy -these posts before the enemy arrived. But he was not early enough. The -Germans were there first, were thoroughly alert, and received him with -a hail of machine gun bullets. Fortunately he succeeded in withdrawing -without casualties. It was afterwards thought that the enemy might have -discovered the visit paid to his posts in the early morning, owing -to the removal of “souvenirs” by members of the British patrol. On -another occasion Sec.-Lieut. J. A. Steele occupied West Farm, a ruined -building about 500 yards out in No Man’s Land, for a whole day, with -no result, except that his party suffered torments from the bites of -the horse flies which swarmed in the long grass. On the night of July -9/10th there was a terrific thunderstorm, with drenching rain. One -platoon, which was carrying R.E. material up to the front line along -F Track—the left boundary of the Battalion sub-sector—was struck by -lightning. Two men were killed instantly, but the rest, though thrown -violently to the ground, escaped with a severe shaking.</p> - -<p>Messenger dogs were in use on this sector and some were even stationed -at Company H.Q. This gave an opportunity to the sporting spirits among -the officers, who backed their dogs to arrive with messages first. For -some time the same dog always won,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span> and by so big a margin that no -one could understand the reason. At length the mystery was solved. A -sentry had made friends with the losing dog, which was in the habit of -stopping daily to see him when it passed his post.</p> - -<p>The most important feature of this long tour was the appearance of -American troops. The 30th Division of the American Expeditionary Force -had been attached to the 49th and 33rd Divisions for instruction. -This division was recruited entirely from North and South Carolina -and Tennessee. Some of its companies boasted continuity from units -of the Confederate Army in the American Civil War, and many of the -officers and men were descendants of those who had fought under Lee -and Jackson; indeed, the Intelligence Officer of one of the regiments -of this division was a grandson of General Robert E. Lee. Physically -the men were very fine, and the standard of education among them was -very high. They were mostly recruited from agricultural districts, -and were magnificent rifle shots. During the tour many officers and -other ranks—or, as they are called in the American Army, “enlisted -men”—were attached to the Battalion for instruction in trench duties. -They proved themselves very keen to learn, and the Battalion got on -well with them.</p> - -<p>On July 15th the Battalion went back for its second period of rest at -Siege Camp. After eight days it went into brigade reserve to the Right -Sector. But the same night, before the relief was carried out, the men -were engaged in an operation of, to them, an entirely new type. This -operation was always known as Scheme B. It was a cloud gas discharge, -and was to be carried out as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. Nine light railway trains, each consisting of seven trucks, -all loaded with gas cylinders, were to be brought up to Austral -Dump by light engines. Here they were to be taken over by the -Battalion, six men to a truck, and pushed out into No Man’s Land -in front of White Chateau, along an old light railway which ran -there.</p> - -<p>2. The men were then to withdraw into the support line, and the -gas from all the cylinders was to be discharged simultaneously -by a system of detonators, exploded electrically.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span></p> - -<p>3. When sufficient time had been allowed for the gas to clear, -the men were to go out again and push the trucks back to Austral -Dump, where they would be taken charge of by the light railway -men again.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">The Battalion’s part in the operation sounded simple, but it was to -prove far otherwise.</p> - -<p>On the night of July 23/24th the Battalion was brought up by light -railway trains to near Ypres, and marched from there to Austral Dump. -The first part of the operation went off smoothly. Apart from one burst -of enemy machine gun fire, which wounded two men at Austral Dump, -nothing exciting happened. The trains were pushed into position in No -Man’s Land without great difficulty, and the men withdrew according -to plan. The gas was liberated and a dense white cloud floated slowly -across No Man’s Land. The enemy made no sign. Fifteen minutes after -the discharge, the men went out again to remove the trucks. Then the -trouble began. The trucks should have been much lighter after the -discharge, but they were undoubtedly much harder to push. The air was -thick with the gas, but so hard was the work that respirators could not -be worn properly, and most men simply had the nose-clip and mouth piece -adjusted. The oil of the wheels was clogged by the gas, the ground was -slippery from the recent rains and afforded little foothold, and there -was not sufficient room to move properly between the railway line and -the barbed wire fences beside it. The first part of the way was up an -incline, and trucks were continually derailed. To get these latter -on to the lines again, the cylinders had to be unloaded, and then -replaced. It was found impossible to move whole trains, and trucks had -to be uncoupled, and pushed in twos and threes. Even then they could -only be moved by officers and N.C.O’s shouting to the men to “heave,” -as in a tug-of-war. It was almost daylight before the last trucks -crossed the British front line. Every man was thoroughly exhausted, -and many were suffering more or less from the effects of the gas. It -had been a terribly anxious time for the Commanding Officer, who had -himself been working as hard as anyone.</p> - -<p>Strange to say, through it all the enemy remained completely inactive. -The moon was very bright, and the noise must have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span> been audible several -hundreds of yards away. Yet, not a shot was fired; not a shell burst -anywhere near. Could the gas have had so deadly an effect? Little was -ever heard of the result of the operation. Patrols reported many dead -rats in No Man’s Land. Later, prisoners from the 6th Cavalry Division, -which relieved the 1st Landwehr Division, spoke vaguely of the latter -having been withdrawn owing to the use of a new gas by the British. But -nothing more definite was ever learned by the Battalion.</p> - -<p>After nine days in Brigade Reserve, the Battalion again took over the -Zillebeke Sector, this time relieving the 2nd Battalion, 118th Regiment -of the 30th American Division. This Division was now undergoing the -last stage of its instruction, and during the whole tour the Battalion -had an American company in the line with it. Each company came in for -three days, the system of instruction being as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1st Day: Every American officer and other rank was attached to -his British “opposite number,” went with him everywhere, and -shared all his duties.</p> - -<p>2nd Day: An American platoon, under its own officer, relieved -one British platoon in each company, and for twenty-four hours -worked under the orders of the British company commander. The -American platoons, during this time, carried out exactly the -same duties as the British would have done had they been there.</p> - -<p>3rd Day: The four American platoons were again concentrated -under their own company commander, and relieved one of the -British companies in the front line. For twenty-four hours the -American company was responsible for its sector, and carried on -the usual work, patrols, sentry duties, etc.</p> -</div> - -<p>It will thus be seen that, quite early, American troops were placed -in more responsible positions than the Portuguese had been, when they -were undergoing similar training. Throughout this tour Major Callen, -the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion, 117th Regiment, whose -companies were in the line, lived at the 4th Battalion H.Q.</p> - -<p>Several minor events marked the tour. On August 3rd the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span> dugouts along -the west side of Zillebeke Lake were heavily shelled, and B Company -H.Q. was demolished. This was believed to be a result of the unusual -movement caused by the American troops. It was the custom at this time -for all front line troops to move about two hundred yards into No -Man’s Land early in the morning, and remain there until nearly dawn. -This was done to avoid the enemy barrage, which would be put down on -the British front line if an attack were intended. But apparently the -enemy discovered this manœuvre, for he began to shell No Man’s Land -in the early morning, and several casualties were suffered. A relief -too had taken place opposite. The 1st Landwehr Division had gone and -the 6th Cavalry Division, which had been dismounted for some time and -had seen service as infantry in Alsace, was holding the front. These -troops proved to be of much higher morale, and stubbornly resisted all -attempts to secure prisoners. But, the last morning the Battalion was -in the line, a young Dragoon was captured near Moated Grange, by two -officers of A Company.</p> - -<p>On the night of August 7/8th the 3rd Battalion, 117th American Infantry -Regt., relieved the Battalion, taking over the line completely for -forty-eight hours. After one night in the Brielen Line the Battalion -went back to Siege Camp for the third and last time. Its stay in the -Ypres Salient was nearly over. It again held the line from August -16th to August 20th, but, on the latter date, it was relieved by the -5th Battalion Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders (34th Division), and, -moving back to a camp near Oosthoek, said good-bye to the Ypres Salient -for ever.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> -<span class="subhed">THE LAST STAGE.</span></h2></div> - -<h3>(<i>a</i>) Movements and Training.</h3> - -<p>On the 23rd of August the Battalion moved by light railway to Proven, -and from thence by train to Audruicq. From there it marched to billets -in Nielles-lez-Ardres—some of the finest it had ever occupied. The -weather was glorious, the country delightful, and a pleasant spell of -rest and training was anticipated. But great events were happening in -the south. On August 8th the Fourth Army, with a French army on its -right, had started a brilliant offensive south of the Somme; when the -situation became more or less stationary there, the Third Army had -taken up the attack further north; and now it was time for the First -Army to play its part. Fresh troops were needed and the 49th Division -was ordered south. Moving from Nortkerque to Wavrans by train, the -Battalion went into billets at Siracourt and Beauvois. There it had its -first experience of training with tanks. A few days later it bussed -to Camblain L’Abbé, where it occupied a hutment camp for nearly a -fortnight.</p> - -<p>At Camblain L’Abbé Brig.-General C. G. Lewes, C.M.G., D.S.O., left -the Brigade which he had commanded for almost exactly two years. He -had come to it in the latter days of the Somme battle, but was now -appointed to a home command. He had been a good friend to the Battalion -and there were many regrets when it paraded to say farewell. The men -were drawn up in a hollow square and addressed by the G.O.C., who -thanked them for their loyal support in the past and wished them the -best of luck in the future. He left amid ringing cheers. Brig.-General -H. H. S. Morant, D.S.O., who had formerly commanded a Brigade of the -1st Division, assumed command of the 147th Infantry Brigade.</p> - -<p>The time at Camblain L’Abbé was well and pleasantly spent. Much -training in the attack was carried out under the supervision of the -new Brigadier. Various divisional concert parties at the Corps Theatre -provided welcome relaxation; and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span> excellent Officers’ Club, under -the management of the Canadian E.F.C., was well patronised. Perhaps the -most criticised part of the local arrangements was the exceptionally -hard type of wire bed in use in the camp; all who slept there will -remember these.</p> - -<p>On September 13th the 49th Division took over the line immediately -north of the River Scarpe, and the Battalion moved to Roclincourt, -where it was in divisional reserve. Time still passed pleasantly. Tanks -were again to the fore in training. An inter-company Rugby football -competition was played, and provoked much enthusiasm. The 147th -Infantry Brigade never went into the front line here. After about ten -days, the 49th Division was relieved by the 51st Division, and the -Battalion moved to Feuchy.</p> - -<p>“Old timers” saw in Feuchy some resemblance to the Johnstone’s Post of -Somme memory—but without the shelling. There was the same chalk soil, -and similar shelters and dugouts were built on the sides of a similar -valley. Accommodation was not of the best. Feuchy was in the middle of -the country over which the battle of Arras had been fought in 1917, and -the Battalion area was almost where the British front line had been for -about five months of the summer of 1918; so good billets could hardly -be expected. On the whole the weather was good, and the neighbourhood -ideal for training. The River Scarpe, with its surrounding marshes, was -useful, not only for swimming, but more than once for the working out -of bridge-head schemes. One night all officers and platoon sergeants -carried out a rather intricate compass march which will not soon be -forgotten, particularly by those who, at one point, found themselves -sitting on horses’ backs in a wide trench. Altogether the time at -Feuchy passed very happily.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, things were moving so quickly that, almost daily, one -looked for fresh victories. On August 26th the First Army had attacked -on both sides of the Scarpe and on that, and the following days, the -British line had been pushed forward some miles, particularly south -of the river. On September 2nd the Canadian Corps had broken right -through the famous Drocourt—Queant Line, south of the river, and had -pushed on almost<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span> to the Canal du Nord. On September 27th the passage -of that great obstacle was forced, and, during the next few days, the -high ground to the north of Cambrai was seized and held after terrific -fighting.</p> - -<p>The time had come for the 49th Division to play its part in the final -adventure. On October 6th came the orders to move. When, late in the -afternoon, B Echelon, under the command of Major W. C. Fenton, M.C., -marched out en route for the Divisional Reception Camp at Mont St. -Eloi, the Battalion knew that at last it was for battle; and perhaps, -during all its years of active service, it had never been fitter. -An hour or two later the Battalion,<a id="FNanchor_20" href="#Footnote_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> over 650 strong, moved off -and, in the darkness, bussed through the historic Queant—the pivotal -point of the Hindenburg Line—to the neighbourhood of Buissy, where -it bivouaced. For two days it lay idle. Its exact role had not yet -been definitely settled. So unlikely did a move seem on the morning of -October 9th that the adjutant, and most of the company commanders, rode -up to reconnoitre the forward area. They rode on and on, until they -came to the point where they expected to find the front line; it was -occupied by a battery of 6-inch howitzers. Then they heard the news. -Cambrai had fallen that morning, and the Canadians were already well -beyond it. In haste they returned, only to meet the Battalion already -two miles forward on the road. Beyond the Canal du Nord was a sight to -be remembered by anyone who had seen the same ground on the previous -day. Then the country had been covered with transport lines, the camps -of ammunition columns, and all <span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span>the details to be found immediately -behind the line. Now it was deserted, save for the few odd men left -behind to clear up. While over the hill in front, in that rolling -grass-covered country, line after line and column after column could be -seen moving slowly towards the east. The whole B.E.F. seemed to be on -the march.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_256fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_256fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">Lieut.-Col. A. L. MOWAT, D.S.O., M.C.</p> - </div> - -<p>The night was spent in some deserted enemy shelters and dugouts, in a -sunken road to the west of Sancourt. Arriving after dark, there was -little opportunity to make oneself comfortable. The following morning -passed quietly but, about 1-0 p.m., came the orders to move again. -Early in the afternoon the Battalion started. It crossed the Canal de -l’Escaut at Escaudœuvres—the bridge had been in enemy hands barely -twenty-four hours before, but he had left too hurriedly to destroy it. -Yet he had found time wantonly to destroy in his usual manner; the -houses were full of furniture senselessly damaged—chairs broken to -bits, feather beds ripped open, crockery and glass lying smashed on the -floors. An occasional shell was still falling as the Battalion marched -through the village.</p> - -<p>A halt was made by the railway embankment to the east of the village. -Rifles were piled, hot tea was served, and the men lay down to get -what rest they could. As darkness fell the scene was one never to be -forgotten—the long rows of piled arms, the hundreds of men lying -around sleeping or talking in whispers, the occasional glimmer of a -light. It was a scene such as one sees in pictures of old-time warfare, -and perhaps nothing showed more plainly that the long wearisome days -of trench warfare were past. The stars shone brightly overhead and, to -complete the picture, a small group of Canadian machine gunners sang -song after song in the gloom.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>b</i>) October 11th and After.</h3> - -<p>About 8-0 p.m. the Commanding Officer was summoned to Brigade H.Q. He -was away for about two hours and, on his return, all officers were -summoned. By the light of three candles stuck in the ground, he marked -upon each officer’s map the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span> objectives and boundaries of the attack -which was to be delivered the next morning, and then explained the plan -of operations:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. The Battalion was to assemble and dig in before dawn on the -line of the Iwuy—Rieux Road, on a frontage of about 500 yards. -The 7th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., with its right -on the Naves—Villers-en-Cauchies Road, would attack on the -Battalion’s right; the 146th Infantry Brigade on its left.</p> - -<p>2. A Company was to be on the right and D Company on the left. -B and C Companies were to be in support on the right and left -respectively.</p> - -<p>3. It was believed that the enemy was too shaken to put up a -vigorous resistance. Hence it had been decided to attack without -any artillery support.</p> - -<p>4. At 9-0 a.m. the attack was to begin, the first objective -being the railway line midway between Avesnes-le-Sec and -Villers-en-Cauchies, and the second objective the high ground -east of the La Selle River.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">The attack was part of a very big operation on a wide front and the -task of the 49th Division was a most important one. Opposite to the -Battalion’s front, with its crest line about a mile from the assembly -position, lay a long ridge. This was held by the enemy. The Canadians -were to make an attack on the ridge that very night. If they succeeded, -the Battalion would advance through them the next morning, and the -first part of its task would be easy. But if they failed, the ridge -must be captured by the Battalion, on its way to the first objective. -<i>The ridge must be taken at all costs.</i> This was the definite -order of the Divisional Commander. It was a point of extreme tactical -importance, and its possession by the enemy was holding up the whole -flank of the attack. Such were the orders issued by the Commanding -Officer.</p> - -<p>An advanced party was sent forward to reconnoitre routes to the -assembly positions. Tea was served out and the Battalion waited only -for rations to arrive. Time passed, there was no sign of the convoy, -and the Commanding Officer became very anxious. It was imperative for -the men to reach their assembly positions and dig in before dawn. -The Battalion was on the point of moving<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span> off rationless when the -limbers were announced. The delay had been no fault of the transport. -Throughout the operations they always served the Battalion well. But -the roads were crowded with vehicles of all kinds, and they had had -to fetch the rations from a great distance. It was simply one of the -difficulties which had to be faced in the new warfare of movement.</p> - -<p>Shortly after midnight the Battalion moved off. It passed through -Naves, which was thick with mustard gas, and was met about a thousand -yards beyond by Battalion scouts, who had gone forward to reconnoitre -the routes. Leaving the roads, companies crossed the Erclin River -at points where the bed was dry, and moved independently to their -positions of assembly. These were not reached without difficulty. -The night was very dark and the ground strange. Troops of the 146th -Infantry Brigade were using the same route, and there was some -confusion. To make matters worse, the enemy put down a fairly heavy -counter-preparation on the field which the companies were crossing, and -about ten men were wounded. But, by 4-0 a.m., all were up and digging -in. Everything was quiet when daylight came, and the hours dragged -slowly on.</p> - -<p>From the road on which the Battalion was assembled, the ground sloped -gently upwards to the ridge, already mentioned. The land between was -mostly under cultivation and afforded no cover to attacking troops. -Near the top of the ridge was a stack of bean straw which formed a -very useful landmark, as it was almost on the boundary between the two -companies. The night attack of the Canadians had been unsuccessful -and the enemy still held the all-important position. It was therefore -decided that the first hour of the attack should be supported by a -thick barrage. For half-an-hour this was to fall on the crest of the -ridge; after that, it would move forward at the rate of 100 yards in -three minutes for a further half hour. This information did not arrive -at Battalion H.Q. until about 8-20 a.m., and there was barely time to -inform the attacking troops before zero hour.</p> - -<p>At 9-0 a.m., prompt to the second, the British artillery opened fire -and the Battalion went “over the top.” The advance was magnificent. -Never, either in action or at training, had it been done better. -In artillery formation, with sections in file and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span> keeping perfect -intervals, the men went quietly and steadily forward. If there were -a fault, it was that of over-eagerness. The leading troops advanced -rather faster than had been expected, and they were on the top of the -ridge before their barrage had lifted.</p> - -<p>Almost immediately the enemy barrage came down, consisting mainly -of high explosive. Fortunately, the bulk of it fell just behind the -assembly position and did little harm. Then the enemy machine guns -opened, and these caused more trouble than the artillery. Sections -were forced to extend in order to minimise casualties, but the rate of -advance was scarcely affected. Near the straw stack on the hill, Sergt. -A. Loosemore, V.C., D.C.M., of A Company, went down, shot through both -legs; and the Battalion thus lost a magnificent leader who was liked -by every one and almost worshipped by the men of his platoon. By 9-45 -a.m. all four companies had disappeared from view over the crest line. -The enemy’s artillery fire had weakened considerably, many prisoners -were coming in, in charge of lightly wounded men, and everything -seemed to be going well. Battalion H.Q. moved up from the position it -had occupied in the dried-up bed of the River Erclin, and temporarily -established itself on the road where the Battalion had assembled. The -Commanding Officer immediately went forward to the crest of the ridge -to see for himself how the attack was progressing.</p> - -<p>The Battalion was now meeting with much stiffer resistance and the -advance had become slower. The British barrage had ceased and the enemy -was better able to get his machine guns into action. Ground could now -only be gained by infiltration, and by manœuvring sections round the -flanks of enemy posts. Casualties were becoming heavier. At one point -the attacking infantry came up against field guns, firing point blank -at them. The 7th Battalion on the right was also meeting with strong -opposition from the enemy in the village of Villers-en-Cauchies. But -the advance still went on. The field guns were captured. It seemed as -if the resistance would gradually be worn down.</p> - -<p>Then, about 10-45 a.m., came the great enemy counter-attack. Appearing -from the low ground to the south of Avesnes-le-Sec enemy tanks, eight -in number, advanced against the attacking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> troops. All men of the -Battalion agree that these tanks were of German pattern, and not -captured British ones. The main force of their first attack fell upon -the 146th Infantry Brigade on the left, which gave way before them and -began to retire. Capt. R. B. Broster of C Company and Sec.-Lieut. H. -Rosendale of D Company were shot down by machine gun fire from a tank, -whilst trying to rally the left flank. Sec.-Lieut. T. E. Jessop of A -Company, with the greatest gallantry, collected several Lewis guns and, -by a concentration of their fire, actually forced one tank to withdraw. -He was seriously wounded a little later and was carried to safety by -the men of his platoon. An unknown man of C Company was seen running -behind another tank, bomb in hand, trying to find an opening into which -to throw it; he too was shot down. Capt. W. Grantham of B Company -was so seriously wounded that he died a few weeks later—a prisoner -in enemy hands. But all was of no avail. With its left flank “in the -air,” heavily pressed by the tanks in front, with no artillery—almost -the only weapon which would have been effective—to support it, the -Battalion began to withdraw. The withdrawal was slow and there was no -panic. But all the hard-won ground, with its killed and wounded, its -field guns and other trophies, was lost.</p> - -<p>The Battalion halted a little in front of the road from which it had -started little more than two hours before. All companies had become -hopelessly mixed; the 6th Battalion, which had advanced in rear of the -attacking troops, had become engaged, and its men were mingled with the -men of the 4th Battalion. Furthermore, men from the battalions on the -flanks had also wandered into the area in the confusion. The enemy, -following hard on the rear of his tanks, had reoccupied the ridge, and -was getting his machine guns again into action. His tanks, however, did -not appear over the crest of the ridge; perhaps they were satisfied -with the success gained, and feared to come into view of the British -artillery. There was intense disappointment and not a little confusion -everywhere.</p> - -<p>Into the midst of this confusion the Commanding Officer threw himself. -By his presence, personal energy, and utter disregard for danger, he -quickly restored order. Time did not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span> allow of separating the men into -their proper companies, but officers and N.C.O’s, assuming command -of whatever men were near them, including men of other battalions, -resolved confusion into order, disappointment into hope; and the -Battalion was a fighting force again. Then it advanced to the attack -once more.</p> - -<p>This second advance was not so orderly as the first had been, but, in -some ways it was, perhaps, finer. Without a gun to support it, through -a hail of machine gun bullets, with men falling in scores, the line -went forward. The Colonel led, his Battalion followed. “<i>The ridge -must be taken at all costs.</i>” Those had been the words of the -Divisional Commander the night before. And Lieut.-Col. Mowat and his -men meant to take that ridge. Slowly, at first by section rushes and -later, when casualties became heavier and heavier, by infiltration, -they pressed on towards the crest. Conditions were much worse, in every -way, than they had been earlier in the day. Losses were appalling. -Sec.-Lieuts. J. E. Bentley and H. M. Marsden, both of A Company, with -many N.C.O’s and men, went down. But the advance never stopped. For a -time the enemy maintained his position well, but, as the attack came -nearer and nearer, his resistance began to weaken, and at length he -gave way and retired. For the second time that day, about 1-0 p.m., the -ridge was won. But at what a cost! Of the Battalion, over 650 strong, -which had bivouaced by the railway at Escaudœuvres on the previous -evening, little more than 250 remained.</p> - -<p>The rest of the day passed comparatively quietly. The enemy made no -further attempt to restore the situation, but any movement on the -ridge was promptly shelled. There was much work to be done. During the -afternoon the 6th Battalion was withdrawn to reorganise as Brigade -Reserve. Companies were reorganised, their own men returning to them, -and rectifications were made in the line. For a time there was some -anxiety about the left flank, the next Brigade not being so far forward -as the Battalion; this was, to some extent, met by sending up two H.Q. -Lewis gun teams to strengthen that flank. In all this reorganisation -Capt. A. Kirk, M.C., of A Company, was the right-hand man of the -Commanding Officer. He established<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> his Company H.Q. by the, now -famous, straw stack, and exercised a general supervision over the whole -of the front line.</p> - -<p>When darkness fell the new line had been firmly established. Rain had -fallen during the afternoon, all were thoroughly weary, and a deep -sense of disappointment oppressed everyone. No one yet understood -how great a success had really been gained; this it remained for the -morning to show.</p> - -<p>During the night active preparations were in progress for the advance -to be continued the next day. The 6th Battalion relieved the 7th -Battalion on the right, the latter becoming Brigade Reserve. Guns were -pushed forward in the most daring fashion—some actually into No Man’s -Land—ready to deal with hostile tanks should they again appear. The -advance was to start at 12-0 noon, under cover of a heavy barrage. -In the early hours of the morning the enemy heavily shelled the -neighbourhood of Battalion H.Q. with “whizz-bangs,” but the meaning of -this was not realised until the next morning. Actually, he was shooting -away the ammunition before withdrawing his guns to the east of the La -Selle River.</p> - -<p>Next morning everyone was about early, though there was plenty of time -before zero hour. The damp and cold of the night, and the discomfort -of the narrow slits, which were the only cover available, were no -inducement to late rising. The sun rose bright, but a thin mist hung -about the ground. Preparations for the attack were leisurely made and -the quietness of the enemy was commented on. But it was not until an -officer’s patrol had pushed far out in front of the line, and the -Brigadier himself had ridden nearly to Villers-en-Cauchies, that the -situation was realised. The capture of the ridge on the previous day -had made the enemy’s position untenable; he had withdrawn during -the night, and all touch with him had been lost. Fresh orders were -immediately issued—the Brigade was to advance at once, without any -barrage, and make good the line of the railway which had been its first -objective the day before. On the right the 24th Division had already -started, and was well forward.</p> - -<p>By 10-15 a.m. the Battalion was on the move. Covered by an advanced -guard, consisting of the H.Q. scouts and the remnants of a platoon of -B Company, it moved forward in artillery formation,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span> two companies in -front and two in support. The 6th Battalion maintained the alignment -on the right, but some difficulty and delay were caused by the 146th -Infantry Brigade, which did not move on the left until some time -later. At first the advance led over the ground that had been won and -lost on the previous day. Everywhere was evidence of the stern fight -that had been made. The tracks of the tanks were clear in the grass, -and the ground was strewn with the bodies of those who had fought and -died. Only then was it realised how far the advance had, at one time, -reached. The fate of many a man was cleared up. At one point a German -machine gunner was found sitting behind his gun, dead; by his side lay -the man who had killed him, also dead, with his bayonet right through -the German’s body. The inevitable “booby trap” was also in evidence—a -brand new German machine gun, with a wire running from it to a spot a -few yards away; but there was no time to examine the appliance.</p> - -<p>On went the Battalion, across valleys and over ridges—and never a -shell nor a bullet from the enemy. By noon the advanced guard was -almost on the railway, but here the advance was again delayed for -about half-an-hour. During the night the 51st Division had relieved -the Canadians on the left, and was to have taken part in the attack -timed for noon. Unlike the 49th Division its orders were not -cancelled, and down came its barrage, promptly to time, a number of -4.5 inch howitzer shells falling about the area which the Battalion -advanced guard had reached. However, about 12-30 p.m., the advance -was resumed. The Battalion reached its objective, the line of the -Avesnes-le-Sec—Villers-en-Cauchies Railway, without further incident -about 1-30 p.m. Orders were issued for three companies to dig in on -that line, with the fourth in reserve in a sunken road west of the -railway.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the advanced guard had pushed forward more than a thousand -yards beyond the railway and had, at length, gained touch with the -enemy. On approaching Vordon Wood, near the La Selle River, it was met -by rifle and machine gun fire, not only from the wood in front but also -from a small copse on the left flank. Numbers of the enemy were seen -on the high <span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span>ground south-west of Haspres. It was obvious from the -volume of fire that the enemy was present in some strength, and that, -without support, further progress by the advanced guard was impossible.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_264fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_264fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0"><i>Oct. 11th. 1918.</i></p> - </div> - -<p>About 4 p.m. orders to advance and capture Vordon Wood were received. -Half-an-hour later the Battalion, preceded by an advanced guard as -before, moved forward. As the leading troops approached the wood they -were again held up by hostile fire, and had to halt until two companies -of the Battalion came up. The 146th Infantry Brigade had occupied -Avesnes-le-Sec, but had not pushed far beyond it. As a result the small -copse on the left was still held by the enemy, and seriously menaced -the attack on Vordon Wood. To counteract this the reserve company, C -Company, was moved up to form a defensive flank, facing north.</p> - -<p>By this time darkness had fallen. The right of the wood was attacked, -and was taken without much difficulty. The enemy rearguard did not -put up much of a fight, but withdrew as soon as the situation looked -serious, leaving two prisoners in the Battalion’s hands. The wood, -though narrow, was very thick with undergrowth, and provided excellent -cover. Had they been willing to put up a better fight, the Germans -might have caused far more trouble there than they did. The left, or -northern, end of the wood lay outside the Battalion boundary, and no -attempt was made to enter it until the next day. Dispositions for the -night were taken up as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>B and D Companies dug in on the eastern edge of the wood.</p> - -<p>A Company was in support on the western edge.</p> - -<p>C Company formed a defensive flank, facing north, from the wood -to the railway.</p> - -<p>Battalion H.Q. dug in on the railway.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">During the night a strong fighting patrol reached the La Selle River -and reconnoitred its banks for more than half a mile, without gaining -touch with the enemy.</p> - -<p>Early the next morning it was found that the enemy had been occupying -the northern end of the wood during the night. A small party was seen -to leave it in the morning and retire towards<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span> Haspres. About 7-0 a.m. -another party of Germans approached D Company’s posts, but was driven -off by rifle and Lewis gun fire.</p> - -<p>October 13th was, more or less, an “off” day for the Battalion. At 9-0 -a.m. the 19th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, with the 6th Battalion -Duke of Wellington’s Regt. on its right and the 148th Infantry -Brigade on its left, attacked through the Battalion. The attack was -unsuccessful. It came under heavy artillery and machine gun fire from -the high ground east of the river, which was strongly held by the -enemy, and was unable to make any progress. Throughout the day the -Battalion maintained the positions it had won on the previous night. -Several casualties were suffered from the defensive barrage put down -by the enemy, among them being Capt. F. C. Harrison, the popular and -cheery little Medical Officer. His slit in the railway cutting was hit -by a shell, and he was so severely wounded that he died before he could -be got to the advanced dressing station. Apart from this the day was -uneventful, though there was one false alarm of tanks.</p> - -<p>That night the ration convoy met with serious misfortune. Coming into -the village of Villers-en-Cauchies, it was heavily shelled. Company -Quartermaster Sergts. E. Walsh and B. Little, of A and B Companies -respectively, were killed. Two horses were also killed, and the rations -were scattered. Lieut. F. Irish, the Transport Officer, though himself -wounded in two places, acted with great gallantry and coolness, -and succeeded in collecting the rations and delivering them at his -destination.</p> - -<p>The next day was warm and sunny. Not long after dawn Sec.-Lieut. E. -Maley, of C Company, was killed by a chance shell, in the rear of -the wood, while he was taking round rum to his men. Since the 148th -Infantry Brigade had come into the line it had pushed forward and -secured the Battalion’s left flank; but a gap still existed between -the two Brigades, the north end of the wood being held by no one. As -C Company was no longer necessary to form a defensive flank, it was -moved up at dusk to occupy that part of the wood and fill the gap. The -wood was very thick and tangled and bore evident signs of recent enemy -occupation; among other things, a tank had been hidden there not many -days before.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span></p> - -<p>During the day, Major-General Lipsett, G.O.C. 4th Division, came up to -make a personal reconnaissance of the front, as it was expected his -division would soon relieve the 49th Division. He went right out in -front of Vordon Wood, in full view of the German posts south-west of -Haspres, was shot through the mouth by the enemy and instantly killed. -His body was brought into the British lines by Lieut. J. Spencer, -Intelligence Officer of the 147th Infantry Brigade, assisted by men of -the Battalion.</p> - -<p>On the night of October 14/15th the Battalion was relieved by the -1/7th Battalion West Yorkshire Regt. While waiting for the completion -of the relief, Battalion H.Q. was surprised by the arrival of numbers -of French civilians on the railway. They had escaped from the village -of Saulzoir, had found their way through the lines, and were only -too pleased to be at liberty again. What to do with them was the -difficulty, and, in the midst of the excitement, the enemy opened up -on the railway with mustard gas shells. This caused much anxiety for a -time, but eventually they were got to the rear, apparently unharmed. -When the line had finally been taken over the Battalion withdrew into -divisional reserve, in the fields south-west of Avesnes-le-Sec, where -there were some old enemy shelters and dugouts.</p> - -<p>For two days the Battalion rested. Accommodation was very poor, but -at such a time no one was particularly fanciful. What all wanted -was rest—the chance of lying down without the probability of being -awakened in a few minutes to stand to. For five days and nights there -had been little rest for anyone, and all were thoroughly done up. There -were no parades and no working parties. Sometimes the enemy shelled the -locality, and a few casualties were suffered.</p> - -<p>On the night of October 16/17th the Battalion went back into the line, -taking over the front which it had previously held, with the addition -of some three or four hundred yards on the right. Three companies -were needed to hold this line, and even then it was very thinly held. -Battalion H.Q. lived in the cellars of some houses at the east end of -Villers-en-Cauchies. These were far more comfortable than the slits in -the railway cutting had been, but they had disadvantages too, as the -next night was to show.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span></p> - -<p>Compared with the strenuous activity of the past week, the two-day -tour which followed was quiet. Both the wood and the village were -frequently shelled, and there were several casualties. But worst of all -was the gas shelling. The night after the relief Villers-en-Cauchies -was deluged with mustard gas. All the 6th Battalion H.Q. officers and -details were gassed, and Major Clarkson, M.C., had to be summoned -from the Divisional Reception Camp to take command. Over forty of the -4th Battalion H.Q. details were also so seriously gassed that they -had to be sent down. The cellars occupied by the officers and the Aid -Post were saved only by the lighting of great fires of straw at the -entrance. Box respirators had to be worn for a great part of the night.</p> - -<p>Nightly, the enemy was expected to fall back to a fresh rearguard -position. Everyone was very much on the alert for signs of a -withdrawal, in order that the operation might be harassed by a rapid -British advance. The early morning of October 17th was very misty, the -enemy was exceptionally quiet, and the Commanding Officer, who was -up in the line at the time, began to fear that a withdrawal actually -had taken place. About four hundred yards in front of Vordon Wood, -and lying roughly parallel to it, was a sunken road, from which the -ground sloped gently to the river. This Lieut.-Col. Mowat determined -to reconnoitre in person, with the object of locating the enemy if -possible. Setting out from the right flank of the Battalion with -four others, he reached the road and proceeded along it. The mist -had lifted considerably by this time, and, as the patrol came round -a slight bend, it almost ran into an enemy post. Not more than fifty -yards away was a German sentry. With rifle slung over his shoulder, -and wearing greatcoat and soft cap, he was pacing up and down the road -like a sentry in front of the guard-room. Fortunately, when first -seen, he had his back turned, which gave the patrol a moment’s grace. -Withdrawing a few yards down the road, the men climbed the bank and -made off towards the wood. The Germans, who proved to be about twelve -strong with a light machine gun, opened fire, but their shooting was -very bad. Retiring by bounds and covered by the fire of individual men, -the patrol reached the wood without loss. Machine and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span> Lewis guns were -immediately brought to bear on the German post, its garrison was driven -from its position and retired towards the river. The encounter had -established the fact that the enemy had not yet withdrawn.</p> - -<p>Next day the Battalion was visited by Major-General N. J. G. Cameron. -Usually sparing of words, he was, on this occasion, profuse in his -congratulations on the success which had been gained. Particularly -was he anxious that the men should realise how much they had done on -October 11th—that their fearful losses had not been in vain, but had -made possible a great British success. His views cannot be better -expressed than by quoting his own words when he forwarded to battalions -the congratulations of the Corps Commander, on October 13th:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“It is with feelings of great pride and pleasure that I forward -to you the attached copy of a message received from the XXII. -Corps Commander. Evidence accumulates to show that your attack -on the 11th October was a very real success. It cost the enemy -heavily and dealt him a severe and much needed blow. It entirely -turned the enemy’s position at Iwuy, the possession of which was -necessary to the further advance of the right wing of the First -Army in the required direction. My heartiest congratulations to -you all.</p> - -<p class="r4 p-min">N. G. Cameron, Major-General,</p> - -<p class="right p-min">Commanding 49th (W.R.) Division.”</p> -</div> - -<p>The Divisional Commander had only just left when the Battalion suffered -another serious loss. The experience of the previous night had shown -the danger of cellar accommodation, and it had been decided to return -to the open. The few available men at Battalion H.Q. set to work -digging slits in an enclosure not far from the building. Foremost among -them was R.S.M. W. Lee, M.C., whose gallantry, tireless energy and -exceptional strength had been conspicuous during the operations. While -at work he was seriously wounded by a chance shell which burst near.</p> - -<p>That night the Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion Royal -Warwickshire Regt. (4th Division), and withdrew to billets at Naves. -The relief was not carried out without loss. One party of D Company, -while on its way out of the line, was caught by enemy gas shelling. -Both Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Lumb and Sec.-Lieut.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span> A. H. W. Mallalieu were -hit by fragments, the former so badly that he died in hospital about -ten days later, while the latter lost a leg.</p> - -<p>During the night the enemy carried out his long-expected withdrawal, so -that the next day the 4th Division was able to push forward almost to -the River Ecaillon. From one point of view this was very disappointing -to the Battalion. After the hard work of the last week, and the gradual -wearing down of the enemy’s power of resistance, the men would have -liked to reap the benefits themselves. Yet, by that time, all were so -fatigued that probably they could not have taken such full advantage of -the enemy’s retirement as a fresh division was able to do.</p> - -<p>While the Battalion had been in the neighbourhood of -Villers-en-Cauchies the transport lines had been established near -Rieux. Capt. H. N. Taylor who, though left out of the battle, had -not gone to the Divisional Reception Camp, organised a party of men, -consisting mainly of the Battalion Band, to search the battlefield of -October 11th. The ground was gone over systematically, the dead were -collected and were properly buried in a cemetery by the cross roads -near Rieux. The cemetery is called the “Wellington Cemetery,” and -there lie the remains of most of those who perished in this series of -actions. Their graves are well tended. French women of the neighbouring -village have taken upon themselves the duty of paying this tribute to -the men who sleep in their midst.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>c</i>) Reorganisation.</h3> - -<p>For three days the Battalion lived in fairly comfortable billets -at Naves. The village had not suffered very severely in the recent -fighting and, since the enemy had fallen back to the River Ecaillon, -was out of range of anything but long distance artillery fire. While -the Battalion was resting there it was never shelled. The urgent -business was reorganisation, for it was probable that the 49th -Division would soon be back in the fighting line. Casualties could -not be replaced, so each company was reorganised on a two-platoon -basis. The loss of the many specialists, who had <span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span>been gassed in -Villers-en-Cauchies, was very serious. To a certain extent these could -be replaced by the men who were at the Divisional Reception Camp, but -even then the deficiency was great. However, what could be done was -done.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_270fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_270fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">WELLINGTON CEMETERY, Near ROEUX.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">In the background is the ridge which the Battalion captured on Oct. -11th, 1918.</p> - </div> - -<p>On the 21st of October the Battalion marched to Le Bassin Rond, a small -village at the junction of the Canal de l’Escaut with the Canal de la -Sensée. Its appearance was not at first inviting. No one had lived -there since the Germans had left it a few days before. The houses -were all filthy and full of debris. However, a few hours’ work made a -wonderful improvement. The material structure of most of the houses had -not been injured, and many wire beds and stoves had been left behind -by the previous occupants. Before long the Battalion was comfortably -settled, and a very pleasant week was spent there. The canals were full -of fish, and one of the most popular forms of amusement was “fishing.” -The Germans had been good enough to leave behind them a large dump of -hand grenades, and many of their “potato-mashers” came in very useful -for this purpose. All the sportsman had to do was to drop a bomb into -the canal and then select what he desired in the way of fish from those -which came to the surface, stunned by the explosion. A fleet of small -boats was collected, and, in the delightful autumn weather which lasted -the whole time, many hours were spent on the water. A ferry was rigged -up across the canal between Battalion H.Q. and the companies, and it -became customary, when company commanders were due to attend at Orderly -Room, for the adjutant and his understudy to defend the crossing. It -was seldom that one arrived without a splashing. The Germans had also -left behind them a plentiful supply of fuel, and “colliers” regularly -plied on the deep, between the local “Newcastle” and the consumers on -the other side of the water.</p> - -<p>At the same time, much solid work was done. Everyone knew that, at -any moment, the Battalion might be ordered to take its place in the -fighting line. Already the 51st and the 4th Divisions had forced the -passage of the River Ecaillon, and they were now facing the enemy near -the left bank of the La Rhonelle River. Further north the Canadians, on -both banks of the Canal de l’Escaut, had pushed forward nearly to the -western outskirts<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span> of Valenciennes, where they were held up temporarily -by the extensive floods. These floods made a direct attack on the -town from the west extremely difficult, and it was therefore decided -to outflank it on the south. To assist in this the 49th Division was -ordered forward.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>d</i>) November 1st–2nd.</h3> - -<p>On October 27th the 147th Infantry Brigade marched to Douchy, where -it was billeted for the night. The next day it moved on, marching -straight across the open country, to take over the line which had been -established by part of the 51st Division. Here it was disposed very -much in depth. The 6th Battalion held the front line to the south-east -of the village of Famers, about a thousand yards west of the La -Rhonelle River. The 7th Battalion was in support among the sunken roads -to the south of Maing. The 4th Battalion was in reserve, occupying -slits in the sunken road between Thiant and Monchaux-sur-Ecaillon, just -east of the river. There was only one house on this road between the -villages, but it had quite a good cellar. Of course this was allotted -to Battalion H.Q., and, with the help of two large trusses of straw, -it was soon made very comfortable. Round about were the wagon lines of -several batteries, all camping in the open. During the first evening -Major W. C. Fenton, M.C., who was commanding the Battalion in the -absence of Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat on leave, had an unusual number of -callers from the gunners. Each would drop in in the ordinary way, and, -after a few minutes’ general conversation of the usual type, would -casually ask when the Battalion was going. Before long it dawned on the -occupants that it was not so much their company that was sought after -as their cellar. There were so many applicants for the first refusal -that the Battalion decided, when the next move did come, to slip -quietly away and leave them to fight it out among themselves. As events -turned out, most of them moved before the Battalion.</p> - -<p>The next attack, which was in preparation, was delayed for some days. -Originally planned for October 28th, it was three times<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span> postponed for -a period of twenty-four hours, and eventually came off on November 1st. -The main plan of attack was as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. The 49th Division, with a Canadian division on its left and -the 4th Division on its right, was to attack in the direction -of Saultain, force the passage of the La Rhonelle River, and -outflank the defences of Valenciennes on the south.</p> - -<p>2. On the 147th Infantry Brigade front, the 6th Battalion was -to attack from a position south of Famers straight towards -Saultain, with the 7th Battalion in support. The final objective -for the first day was the line of the Marly—Préseau Road, -south-west of Saultain.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">For a time the role of the 4th Battalion was uncertain. At first -it was feared the men would have to dump all arms and act as -stretcher-bearers. But in the end, it was decided to keep them in -Brigade Reserve, ready to exploit the situation should the attack -go well. Preparations for this operation, and reconnaissance of the -forward area, kept everyone fully occupied for the next few days. Only -an occasional shell fell near, and no casualties were suffered.</p> - -<p>Zero hour for the attack was 5-15 a.m. on November 1st. The evening -before, as soon as it was dark, the Battalion moved up into the area -south of Maing, where it occupied slits in the sunken roads. These had -just been vacated by the 7th Battalion, which had gone forward to the -neighbourhood of Caumont Farm, in support to the attack. Here the night -was spent, the Battalion having orders not to move without direct word -from 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q.</p> - -<p>At zero hour the men of the 6th Battalion went forward under a -splendid barrage. They crossed the river, partly on fallen trees, -and partly over light bridges, which were carried forward with the -assaulting troops by parties from the 19th Battalion Lancashire -Fusiliers. They captured and held the Aulnoy—Préseau Road, which was -their intermediate objective, and some of them even reached their -final objective. But the 4th Division on their right had not been -so successful; after getting into the village of Préseau, it was -heavily counter-attacked by two regiments of a fresh enemy division -from reserve, and was driven<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> out again. Thus, with its right flank -uncovered, and having suffered heavy casualties, the 6th Battalion -could not hold its final objective. Instead, it dug in on a line in -front of the intermediate objective.</p> - -<p>But the success gained was very great. Several hundreds of prisoners -had been taken by the 6th Battalion; indeed, the number of prisoners -captured was almost double the total number of assaulting troops, on -that part of the front. The first party to arrive at Battalion H.Q. was -about 200 strong, and its size caused some uneasiness to the corporal -and five men of the 4th Battalion, who were the only escort available. -Really they had no cause to worry, for the prisoners were only too glad -to be out of it, and all they wanted at the moment was to get well -away from the fighting. As soon as they were marched off they started -running at such a rate that the escort had hard work to keep up with -them. These prisoners were a very mixed lot. Some were fine-looking -men, but the majority were of poor physique, and the proportion of -quite young boys was considerable. Perhaps nothing showed more clearly -the straits to which German man-power had been reduced than the poor -specimens who were captured from the 6th (German) Division—one of the -active divisions which had invaded Belgium at the beginning of August, -1914, and which had been, throughout the war, one of the enemy’s most -famous assault divisions.</p> - -<p>The 4th Battalion did not take any real part in the fighting on -November 1st. Soon after 8-0 a.m. it moved up to positions of readiness -near Caumont Farm, which then became Battalion H.Q. About the middle -of the afternoon, when an enemy counter-attack was expected, two -companies were moved further forward. But none ever came into action. -A weak counter-attack did develop in the afternoon, but it was easily -repulsed by the front line troops, who actually advanced their line -some hundreds of yards as a result of it. The enemy indulged in some -scattered shelling, mainly about the river, but no casualties were -suffered by the Battalion.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_274fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_274fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0 smcap">Cambrai—Valenciennes.</p> - </div> - -<p>It was expected that the Brigade would be relieved that night by the -148th Infantry Brigade. In fact, not only had all preparations been -made for the relief, but practically the whole of the <span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span>relieving -troops had come up, and some details of the Battalion were on their way -out. Then a sudden alteration was made, and a fresh attack was arranged -for the next morning. During the night the 7th Battalion relieved the -6th Battalion in the front line, and the 4th Battalion moved up into -support. A and C Companies occupied the intermediate objective; B and D -Companies were on the road just east of the river. The 148th Infantry -Brigade relieved the 146th Infantry Brigade on the left. The objective -was the final objective of the previous day.</p> - -<p>At 5-30 a.m. on November 2nd the 7th Battalion attacked and easily -gained its objective, which was not a distant one. Nevertheless, nearly -one hundred prisoners were captured during the operation. As soon as -news of the success arrived, D Company was pushed forward into some old -rifle pits behind the intermediate objective, to be ready to assist -should the enemy counter-attack. About 1-30 p.m. an urgent warning -arrived—the R.A.F. had reported that the Mons-Valenciennes Road was -packed with transport and guns moving west, and that masses of troops -could be seen in the neighbourhood of Saultain; a heavy counter-attack -was expected. But nothing happened. The Mons-Valenciennes Road was -crowded with columns; but the R.A.F. had mistaken their direction. They -were moving eastward, not westward. The enemy was in full retreat.</p> - -<p>That night the Brigade was relieved by units of the 56th Division. As -these intended to attack at daybreak, exact dispositions were not taken -over, but troops were considered to be relieved as soon as others had -arrived. For the second time within a fortnight the Brigade had just -missed reaping the full reward of its efforts. That night the enemy -retired well behind Saultain, and the “attack” of the 56th Division the -next morning was little more than a promenade.</p> - -<p>Perhaps, as the Battalion marched slowly through the night towards -Haulchin, where comfortable billets awaited it, no one realised that he -had seen his last fight—that so far as he was concerned the war was -finished.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span></p> - -<h2>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> -<span class="subhed">DEMOBILISATION.</span></h2></div> - -<h3>(<i>a</i>) Auby and Douai.</h3> - -<p>After a night at Haulchin and a second at Douchy, the Battalion -embussed for Auby. The road lay entirely through the country which had -recently been evacuated by the enemy. Everywhere were signs of his -occupation and departure. The route was necessarily a circuitous one, -for there were many canals in the district and every bridge had been -destroyed by the enemy during his withdrawal. Only a few temporary -military bridges were in existence, the bare minimum necessary to -supply the advancing British armies. Auby was almost deserted when the -Battalion arrived, and, as it was a large village and the Battalion was -small, there were ample billets. Like all villages recently vacated by -the Germans, it was in a filthy condition; but the actual billets were -fairly clean, having been occupied for a few days by troops of the 63rd -Division. The church was in ruins, as was also the chemical works which -was the mainstay of the place. But, otherwise, not much damage had been -done, for there had been no protracted fighting in the district.</p> - -<p>Reorganisation and training were begun at once. Though the Battalion -was very low in strength, it might soon be called on to fight again. -For fighting was still in progress, and, though the enemy retreat -was quickly becoming a rout, few realised before the armistice how -thoroughly beaten the Germans were. Only two platoons per company could -be organised, but large drafts were hoped for soon. On November 8th -the Battalion was inspected by the G.O.C., 147th Infantry Brigade, who -commended it on its good turn-out, and also on its recent fighting -record.</p> - -<p>On the morning of November 11th came news of the armistice, which had -been concluded with the enemy. Hostilities were to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span> cease at 11-0 -a.m., and all troops were to remain in the positions occupied at that -hour. The news came rather as a surprise to most. Sweep-stakes on the -date of the cessation of hostilities had been got up in the last few -days by both the 4th and 7th Battalions; officers of the former netted -the proceeds of both. There was little time to make preparations for -celebrating the occasion. At 11-0 a.m. the Battalion Band turned out -and paraded the streets. A Battalion concert was hurriedly arranged -for the evening and went off very well, in spite of the total absence -of beer, which could not be procured in time. Brigadier-General H. H. -S. Morant, D.S.O., was present, and said a few words to the men; his -pious wish that the armistice had been postponed a little, in order -that he might have seen the Battalion again in action, was greeted with -many cries of dissent. Though, of course, everyone was glad that the -war was over, there were undoubtedly some who viewed the event with -rather mixed feelings. To those who had lived for more than four years -with the one great purpose of defeating the enemy, it seemed almost -that the object of their lives had been taken away. And there is also a -spirit of camaraderie and good-fellowship on the battlefield and in the -trenches which no peacetime conditions can wholly reproduce.</p> - -<p>The Battalion had come to Auby expecting to remain for, at most, a week -or two. As events turned out it spent four months and a half there—by -far the longest period it ever spent at one place abroad. The time -was marked by few events of importance. Towards the end of November -a draft, about 200 strong, arrived. This was rather a surprise, -particularly as many of the men were farmers who, it was expected, -would be in one of the earliest classes for demobilisation. Early in -December it was decided to bring the Battalion Colours out to France, -and a colour party<a id="FNanchor_21" href="#Footnote_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> was sent to England to fetch them. The Colours -had been deposited in the Parish Church of Halifax since the summer of -1915. On December 8th they were handed over to the colour party by the -Rev. Canon A. E. Burn, D.D., after the morning service, and were safely -conveyed to France.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span></p> - -<p>During the earlier part of December, ceremonial drill was the main -occupation. On December 16th the 49th Division was inspected by the -G.O.C., XXII. Corps, under whom it had served so long, though, at the -time of the review, it was in the VIII. Corps. This was the first and -only time that the whole division paraded together in France.</p> - -<p>Christmas was celebrated with due honours. As was the general custom, -the officers’ dinner was held on Christmas Eve and the sergeants’ -dinner on Boxing Day, in order that Christmas Day itself might be -wholly devoted to the men. A Rugby match between the officers and -sergeants of the Battalion was played during the afternoon. The “form” -of the officers was not very convincing; possibly this was the result -of the festivities of the previous night. Altogether, the festive -season passed very happily.</p> - -<p>A few days after Christmas the 147th Infantry Brigade gave a “treat” -to the children of Auby, and never until then was it realised how many -youngsters there were in the village. Indeed, it was suspected that -many had come in specially from the neighbourhood. A cinematograph -show in the afternoon was followed by a tea, after which a real Father -Christmas—the Medical Officer’s store of cotton wool had been heavily -drawn upon, and few would have recognised Sergt. E. Jones in the -benevolent-looking old man—helped to hand out a present to each child. -But the most striking event of the entertainment was the wonderful -enthusiasm of the children as they joined in the singing when the band -struck up the “Marseillaise.”</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the Battalion had not been idle. Some work was carried out, -trying to restore the damage done by the enemy in the district. Much -of the country had been flooded and attempts were made to reduce the -water, though without much success. Trenches were filled in, barbed -wire entanglements were removed, and roads were improved. An area was -allotted to the Battalion for salvage work, and a certain amount of -useful material was collected. In connection with this work, a most -unfortunate accident occurred early in December. During their removal -to the salvage dump some trench mortar shells exploded, killing two men -of A Company and wounding several more.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span> About once a week one whole -company moved into Douai, which was about four miles away, to provide -guards at the station there for forty-eight hours.</p> - -<p>Some training was carried out every morning, and the afternoons -were entirely devoted to games. The Battalion had a fairly good -football field at its disposal, and this was in use every fine day. -Much of both the training and recreation was in connection with the -Divisional Competition, for the shield presented by Major-General N. -J. G. Cameron. In these competitions the Battalion finished second, -and was very unlucky not to do even better. Its greatest triumph was -the winning of the competition for the best platoon in the Division. -The Battalion was represented by No. 5 Platoon of B Company, under -Sec.-Lieut. W. G. Bradley, with Sergt. F. B. Birtwhistle as platoon -sergeant. After winning the Brigade eliminating competition with ease, -this platoon came up against the platoons of the 1/5th Battalion West -Yorkshire Regt. and 1/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regt., winners -in their respective brigades. The competition was most comprehensive -and occupied three whole days. The platoons were inspected in drill -order and fighting order; they had competitions in marching, firing -with rifle, Lewis gun and revolver, close and extended order drill, -ceremonial, and guard mounting. The competition ended with a small -tactical scheme. Right from the start good shooting put No. 5 Platoon -ahead, and it never lost this position, winning comfortably.</p> - -<p>A Company won the Brigade inter-company Association football -competition, but came down rather badly when it played a company -of the D.A.C. in the divisional competition. Both Battalion teams -reached the finals in the tug-of-war, but neither won. In the Brigade -boxing championships the Battalion had two firsts and a second, -but its representatives did little afterwards. About the middle of -January several successes<a id="FNanchor_22" href="#Footnote_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> were gained in the 147th Infantry -Brigade Gymkhana. An officers’ Rugby XV. was started and had great -success, though most of the players had had no experience of the game -before. The Battalion Rugby XV. was the best in the Brigade, but, -unfortunately,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span> the divisional Rugby competition was never played. -Altogether, the Battalion was well to the fore both in military -training and in sports.</p> - -<p>With the armistice, the army education scheme was taken up strongly. -The lack of trained teachers and the deficiency in books and stationery -were serious obstacles, but they did not prevent a great deal of -useful work being done. At least one hour a day was set apart for -education, and classes were attended by everyone. General subjects -were taught by platoon commanders, with the help of any competent -N.C.O’s or privates they could discover. Special classes were started -in French and Spanish, mathematics and commercial subjects. Many -lectures were given, mainly by outside lecturers; in particular, -three lectures on the recent history of Egypt, which were given by -the Brigadier and were largely based on his personal experiences, -were much enjoyed. A Battalion debating society was started and had -several successful evenings, the chief being a mock court-martial -of “William Hohenzollern,” carried out by the officers. Major W. C. -Fenton’s rendering of the title part, and Sec.-Lieut. R. M. Leddra’s -impersonation of “Little Willie,” fairly brought down the house.</p> - -<p>Reading and recreation rooms were opened in the village. The Battalion -canteen continued its activities, but found the competition of the -numerous estaminets which were being opened very strong. Whist drives -were introduced and proved very popular; the Battalion was particularly -fortunate in the receipt of large numbers of splendid prizes from the -<i>Halifax Courier</i> Fund. For a short time an officers’ club was in -being, but it was not a great success.</p> - -<p>The Battalion had not been long at Auby before the civilian inhabitants -began to return. This had its advantages, but it had disadvantages too. -On the whole the men got on very well with the natives, and the opening -of shops and estaminets was very much appreciated. But, as more and -more people returned, the billeting question for a time became rather -serious.</p> - -<p>Early in January demobilisation on a large scale began. Though much -desired by most, this had also its melancholy aspect. It was sad to -see the men, who had been so much to the Battalion,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span> gradually melting -away. Especially was this realised when a farewell whist drive was -held on January 20th, in honour of Major W. C. Fenton, M.C., Sergt. -F. Smith, and many men, who were to leave the next morning. Day after -day, as one saw the lorry-loads of friends leaving for the Corps -Concentration Camp, one realised how quickly a chapter of one’s life -was drawing to its close. By the end of February over 270 had left, -besides a large number who had been demobilised on leave. Towards the -end of February a draft of 8 officers and 169 other ranks left to -join the 13th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt. at Dunkerque. By -the middle of March the Battalion was but a skeleton, its effective -strength being below 100.</p> - -<p>On March 20th, what remained of the Battalion was moved to Douai, where -the cadres of the 49th Division were being concentrated. Here the -Battalion was soon reduced to cadre strength—4 officers and 46 other -ranks. Before the cadre started for England it had been reduced still -lower. Time hung very heavily on the hands of the few people who were -still left. There were not enough to do any training, the necessary -duties did not occupy much time, and there was practically nothing to -do in Douai. Apart from one or two cinemas, and the estaminets, there -were few forms of amusement. Even the strongest adherents of military -life began to long for demobilisation. Almost daily there were rumours -that the Battalion was to leave at some early date. But the weeks -dragged on until May was past before the first move was made.</p> - - -<h3>(<i>b</i>) The Return of the Cadre.<a id="FNanchor_23" href="#Footnote_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></h3> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span></p> - -<p>On June 7th, after many false rumours and one lot of cancelled orders, -the cadre at last left Douai. For the past month the weather had been -very hot and dry, and it was a broiling morning when the Battalion -vehicles and stores were entrained. The officers, with the loose -baggage, occupied one of the well-known cattle trucks, which was made -quite comfortable with a table, some forms and chairs; the men occupied -third-class compartments. Early in the afternoon the train started. On -the way to Arras a glimpse was obtained of the old camping ground at -Feuchy. Then, circling round the ruins of Lens and passing Bethune and -Hazebrouck, the cadre arrived at a siding near Dunkerque, just before -dusk. The night was spent at what was known as the “dirty” camp—the -blankets provided certainly deserved the name. The next morning the -Battalion moved to No. 3 Camp where it remained for nine days.</p> - -<p>No. 3 Camp was the centre through which passed all men and cadres on -their way for demobilisation by the Dunkerque route. It was managed -entirely by the 13th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regt., so the -cadre found itself in the midst of friends. Officers’ and Sergeants’ -Messes were thrown open; everything that was wanted was immediately -forthcoming, if available. Two very pleasant officers’ reunion dinners -were held in Dunkerque, and the Officers’ Mess of the 13th Batt. Duke -of Wellington’s Regt. held a special guest night for the officers of -the 147th Infantry Brigade. Altogether, the tedium of the stay on the -coast was very much relieved. Strange to say, No. 3 Camp was pitched on -the exact site which the Battalion had occupied in July, 1917. But how -changed was the country! Then the Battalion had seen nothing but a flat -grass patch and a waste of sand hills, on which to pitch its tents. -Now the whole area was covered by immense camps, mostly of huts, which -would accommodate many thousands of men. The time near Dunkerque passed -uneventfully. The cadre remained there rather longer than was usual, -partly as a result of a violent wind storm which delayed sailings for -two or three days.</p> - -<p>On June 16th the cadre sailed. The morning was spent in loading the -vehicles on to the cargo vessel—S.S. “Clutha”—which was to carry them -to Southampton. Among the loading<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> party were several transport men -who had assisted in a similar operation at Southampton, more than four -years before, when the Battalion sailed for France. In the afternoon -the cadre embarked on S.S. “St. George,” and, about 3-0 p.m., the -vessel moved away from the quay. Among her passengers was Capt. W. B. -B. Yates, who had that morning arrived at Dunkerque on leave from the -Murman Coast. Slowly the ship passed out of Dunkerque harbour and moved -along the French coast, until opposite Calais. The day was perfect. A -bright sun blazed down upon the deck, and there was scarcely a ripple -on the water. Every now and then a fountain of water would rise at -some miles’ distance, followed by the sound of a deep ‘boom,’ as some -mine was destroyed. Opposite Calais the ship turned north towards the -English coast, and, in the early evening, the coast of France dipped -from view, and all said good-bye to the land which held for them so -many memories. A run along the English coast brought the “St. George,” -in the early morning, into Southampton Water, where it anchored off -Netley until about 8-0 a.m.</p> - -<p>Soon after breakfast the cadre landed at Southampton Docks and the work -of unloading began. As the vehicles were slung by the great cranes -out of the ship, they were run by the men into a large covered shed -to await entrainment. A change had been made in the programme. When -it left France, the cadre had expected to go to a camp at Fovant and -remain there until stores had been checked over. But on arrival in -England, it was found that only the stores were to go to Fovant, while -the cadre was to proceed direct to Halifax. As soon as the vehicles -were loaded the cadre might leave. Everyone worked with a will, and, by -tea time, everything was on the train. Then all marched to Southampton -West Station to entrain for London. While the cadre was waiting there, -the train carrying the battalion’s vehicles passed through the station -on its way to Fovant, and a shout of unholy glee was the farewell of -the transport men to their beloved (?) limbers. An uneventful journey -brought the party to London where all spent the night at the Buckingham -Palace Hotel.</p> - -<p>Shortly after 3-0 p.m. on June 18th, the cadre reached Halifax. -On the platform Brigadier-General R. E. Sugden, C.M.G., D.S.O.,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span> -Lieut.-Colonel H. S. Atkinson, T.D., Lieut.-Colonel J. Walker, D.S.O., -and many other old officers of the Battalion were waiting to meet -the party and give it a rousing welcome. Outside the station was -Sergt.-Drummer H. Deane, with a band which he had collected. A colour -escort had been sent down from the depot of the 3rd Battalion Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. But, best of all, hundreds of demobilised men of -the Battalion—the men who had made its history—had paraded there -to welcome their old comrades. “Demobilised men of the 1/4th Duke of -Wellington’s Regt. rally round their old Battalion” was the inscription -on the banner which they carried.</p> - -<p>The cadre was photographed at the Station, and then it fell in and -moved off. Notice of its coming had been very short, but the streets -were gay with flags and packed with cheering crowds. Preceded by -the band, and followed by the Colours with their escort and the -demobilised “Dukes,” who once again “moved to the right in fours,” -the cadre marched up Horton Street and round to the Town Hall, where -it was welcomed home by the Mayor. The Commanding Officer thanked the -Mayor for all the town and district had done for the Battalion while -overseas, and for the day’s welcome home. Then, turning to the men, he -said farewell to them in words which all will remember:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“The Battalion will now pass to another command, and I take this -opportunity of thanking the men for their loyalty to me, to the -regiment, and to the town and district they have represented. -Those of us who have been spared to come through this great -conflict hold a very sacred trust. We must ever remember the -comrades we have left lying on the battle-fields of France and -Flanders. Let us try to prove worthy of their sacrifice. They -have died that we might live; and on our return to civilian -life we must continue to serve our country, our town, and our -homes in the same spirit of loyalty, cheerfulness and trust that -pulled us through four years of war. If you do that you can look -to the future with happiness, certain that your great efforts of -the last few years have not been made in vain.”</p> -</div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_284fp"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_284fp.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0">THE CADRE AT HALIFAX, JUNE 18th, 1919.</p> - </div> - -<p class="p-left">The cadre was then entertained by the Mayor at the Drill Hall, and -afterwards the men dispersed to their homes for the night.</p> - -<p>The next day the men paraded for the last time and went to Ripon for -dispersal. And when the time came to say the last good-bye there were -many who regretted that, henceforward, their paths would lie apart. -With the warmest of handshakes, and the deepest feelings of friendship -and respect, we parted one from another, and the history of the 1/4th -Battalion Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment in the Great War -came to an end.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span></p> - -<h2>APPENDIX I.<br /> -<span class="subhed">ITINERARY OF THE BATTALION.</span></h2></div> - -<table summary="itinerary" class="smaller"> - <tr> - <td class="ctr">Date of<br />Move.</td> - <td class="ctr">Move to.</td> - <td></td> - <td></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>4.8.14.</td> - <td>Halifax</td> - <td></td> - <td>Mobilisation of the Battalion.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>5.8.14.</td> - <td>Hull</td> - <td></td> - <td>By train</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.8.14.</td> - <td>Immingham</td> - <td></td> - <td>By boat.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>13.8.14.</td> - <td>Great Coates</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>15.9.14.</td> - <td>Riby Park</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>17.10.14.</td> - <td>Marsden</td> - <td></td> - <td>By train.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>5.11.14.</td> - <td>Doncaster</td> - <td></td> - <td>By train.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>14.4.15.</td> - <td>St. Martin’s Camp, Boulogne</td> - <td></td> - <td>By train to Folkestone; by S.S. “Invicta” to Boulogne.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>15.4.15.</td> - <td>Estaires</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route to Hesdigneul; by train to Merville; -by march route to Estaires.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>22.4.15.</td> - <td>Doulieu</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>24.4.15.</td> - <td>La Croix Lescornez</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>26.4.15.</td> - <td>No. 3 Section, Fleurbaix Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 3rd Bn. Worcestershire Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>29.4.15.</td> - <td>La Croix Lescornez</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">Inter-relieving with 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>2.6.15.</td> - <td>No. 3 Section</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>5.5.15.</td> - <td>La Croix Lescornez</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>8.5.15.</td> - <td>Croix Blanche</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>9.5.15.</td> - <td>No. 3 Section</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="10"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:15.5em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="10">Inter-relieving with 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>13.5.15.</td> - <td>La Croix Lescornez</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>17.5.15.</td> - <td>No. 3 Section</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>21.5.15.</td> - <td>La Croix Lescornez</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>25.5.15.</td> - <td>No. 3 Section</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>29.5.15.</td> - <td>La Croix Lescornez</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>2.6.15.</td> - <td>No. 3 Section</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>6.6.15.</td> - <td>La Croix Lescornez</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>12.6.15.</td> - <td>No. 3 Section</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.6.15.</td> - <td>La Croix Lescornez</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>25.6.15.</td> - <td>Sailly-sur-la-Lys</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="6"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:9em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="6">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>26.6.15.</td> - <td>Doulieu</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.6.15.</td> - <td>Farms near Bailleul</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>29.6.15.</td> - <td>Flêtre</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>30.6.15.</td> - <td>Wood near St. Jans ter Biezen</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>7.7.15.</td> - <td>Canada Wood, near Elverdinghe</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>8.7.15.</td> - <td>Lancashire Farm Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 2nd Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>13.7.15.</td> - <td>Canal Bank (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="5"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:7em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="5">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.7.15.</td> - <td>Lancashire Farm Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>24.7.15.</td> - <td>Wood near Oosthoek (Divl. Res.)</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>30.7.15.</td> - <td>Lancashire Farm Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>5.8.15.</td> - <td>Canal Bank (Bde. Res.)<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.8.15.</td> - <td>Glimpse Cottage Sector</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="2"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:2.5em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="2">Inter-relieving with 1/7th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>16.8.15.</td> - <td>Saragossa Farm (Bde. Res.)</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.8.15.</td> - <td>Ypres Left Sector</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>21.8.15.</td> - <td>Malakoff Farm (Bde. Res.)</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>24.8.15.</td> - <td>Ypres Left Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>26.8.15.</td> - <td>Coppernollehoek (Divl. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/4th Bn. Y. and L. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>8.9.15.</td> - <td>Turco Farm Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/6th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>15.9.15.</td> - <td>Canal Bank (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>21.9.15.</td> - <td>Turco Farm Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.9.15.</td> - <td>Elverdinghe (Bde. Res.)</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>2.10.15.</td> - <td>Camp near Woesten-Poperinghe Road.</td> - <td></td> - <td></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>14.10.15.</td> - <td>Glimpse Cottage Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/5th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>21.10.15.</td> - <td>Canal Bank (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/4th Bn. K.O.Y.L.I.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>30.10.15.</td> - <td>Ypres Left Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/7th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>3.11.15.</td> - <td>Coppernollehoek (Divl. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td>By motor bus. Relieved by 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.11.15.</td> - <td>Ypres Left Sector</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>15.11.15.</td> - <td>Malakoff Farm (Bde. Res.)</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>19.11.15.</td> - <td>Ypres Left Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>23.11.15.</td> - <td> Malakoff Farm (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.11.15.</td> - <td>Coppernollehoek (Divl. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>5.12.15.</td> - <td>Malakoff Farm (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>9.12.15.</td> - <td>Ypres Left Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/5th Bn. D of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>13.12.15.</td> - <td>Malakoff Farm (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">Inter-relieving with 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>17.12.15.</td> - <td>Ypres Left Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>20.12.15.</td> - <td>Elverdinghe</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.12.15.</td> - <td>Coppernollehoek</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="5"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:7em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="5">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>30.12.15.</td> - <td>Poperinghe</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>31.12.15.</td> - <td>Camp near St. Jans ter Biezen</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>1.1.16.</td> - <td>Houtkerque</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>15.1.16.</td> - <td>Wormhoudt</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>2/3.2.16.</td> - <td>Camps En Amienois</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route to Esquelbecq; by train to Longueau; by march route to Ailly; by -motor bus to Camps En Amienois.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.2.16.</td> - <td>Picquigny</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>12.2.16.</td> - <td>Molliens-au-Bois</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>13.2.16.</td> - <td>Warloy Baillon</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>28.2.16.</td> - <td>Right Section, Authuille Trenches</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/4th Bn. K.O.Y.L.I.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>4.3.16.</td> - <td>Bouzincourt</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="5"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:7em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="5">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>5.3.16.</td> - <td>Authuille Defences</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>6.3.16.</td> - <td>Mailly-Maillet</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>29.3.16.</td> - <td>Harponville</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>30.3.16.</td> - <td>Naours<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>23.4.16.</td> - <td>Hedauville</td> - <td></td> - <td>By motor bus.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>12.5.16.</td> - <td>Aveluy Wood</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="6"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:8.5em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="6">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>1.6.16.</td> - <td>Martinsart Wood</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>15.6.16.</td> - <td>Aveluy Wood</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>20.6.16.</td> - <td>Vadencourt Wood</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.6.16.</td> - <td>Senlis</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>28.6.16.</td> - <td>Vadencourt Wood</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>30.6.16.</td> - <td>B Assembly Trenches, Aveluy Wood</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route, via Senlis.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>1.7.16.</td> - <td>Crucifix Corner, Aveluy</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>2.7.16.</td> - <td>Johnstone’s Post</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/5th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>5.7.16.</td> - <td>Right Sub-sector, Thiepval Wood</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>7.7.16.</td> - <td>B Assembly Trenches, Aveluy Wood</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt. and 1/5th Bn. K.O.Y.L.I.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>8.7.16.</td> - <td>Thiepval Wood, Right Sub-sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt. and 1/5th Bn. K.O.Y.L.I.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.7.16.</td> - <td>  „   Bde. Res.</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/5th and 1/7th Bns. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>14.7.16.</td> - <td>  „  Left Sub-sector</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="7"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:10em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="7">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>17.7.16.</td> - <td>  „  Bde. Res.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>21.7.16.</td> - <td>  „  Left Sub-sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>25.7.16.</td> - <td>  „  Bde. Res.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>31.7.16.</td> - <td>  „  Left Sub-sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>6.8.16.</td> - <td>  „  Bde. Res.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>12.8.16.</td> - <td>  „  Left Sub-sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>19.8.16.</td> - <td>Raincheval</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 9th Bn. Loyal North Lancs. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.8.16.</td> - <td>Forceville</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>2.9.16.</td> - <td>Martinsart Wood</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>2/3.9.16.</td> - <td>Thiepval Wood, Assembly Parallels</td> - <td></td> - <td>For attack on German line.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>3.9.16.</td> - <td>Martinsart Wood</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>7.9.16.</td> - <td>Hedauville</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>15.9.16.</td> - <td>Martinsart Wood</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>16.9.16.</td> - <td>Crucifix Corner, Aveluy</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.9.16.</td> - <td>Leipsig Redoubt (Support).</td> - <td></td> - <td></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>21.9.16.</td> - <td>Leipsig Redoubt (Front Line)</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>24.9.16.</td> - <td>Lealvillers</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route. Relieved by 12th Bn. Middlesex Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>25.9.16.</td> - <td>Halloy</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.9.16.</td> - <td>Humbercamps</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>28.9.16.</td> - <td>Bienvillers-au-Bois</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>29.9.16.</td> - <td>Hannescamps, Left Sub-sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 2nd Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>3.10.16.</td> - <td>Souastre</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="2"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:2.5em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="2">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. K.O.Y.L.I.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>9.10.16.</td> - <td>Hannescamps, Left Sub-sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>16.10.16.</td> - <td>Bienvillers-au-Bois</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.10.16.</td> - <td>Humbercamps</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>19.10.16.</td> - <td>St. Amand</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>21.10.16.</td> - <td>Souastre (Bde. Res.)</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>24.10.16.</td> - <td>Y Sector, Fonquevillers</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/6th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>30.10.16.</td> - <td>Souastre</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="6"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:9em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="6">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>5.11.16.</td> - <td>Y Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.11.16.</td> - <td>Souastre</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>17.11.16.</td> - <td>Y Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>23.11.16.</td> - <td>Souastre</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>29.11.16.</td> - <td>Y Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>5.12.16.</td> - <td>Warlincourt</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route. Relieved by 1/5th Bn. Sherwood Foresters.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>6.12.16.</td> - <td>Halloy</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>7.1.17.</td> - <td>Berles-au-Bois and Humbercamps</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route. Relieved 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>10.1.17.</td> - <td>B1 Sub-sector, Berles-au-Bois</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="6"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:9em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="6">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>14.1.17.</td> - <td>Humbercamps</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.1.17.</td> - <td>B1 Sub-sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>22.1.17.</td> - <td>Berles-au-Bois and Humbercamps</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>26.1.17.</td> - <td>B1 Sub-sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>30.1.17.</td> - <td>Humbercamps</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>1.2.17.</td> - <td>Rivière (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route. Relieved 8th Bn. K.R.R.C.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>2.2.17.</td> - <td>F1 Sub-sector, Rivière</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 7th Bn. K.R.R.C.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>7.2.17.</td> - <td>Rivière</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="6"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:9em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="6">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.2.17.</td> - <td>F1 Sub-sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>16.2.17.</td> - <td>Rivière</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>20.2.17.</td> - <td>F1 Sub-sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>22.2.17.</td> - <td>Bailleulval</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>26.2.17.</td> - <td>F1 Sub-sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>28.2.17.</td> - <td>Bailleulval</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 2/9th Bn. London Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>1.3.17.</td> - <td>Souastre</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>2.3.17.</td> - <td>Halloy</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>6.3.17.</td> - <td>Neuvillette</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>7/8.3.17.</td> - <td>La Fosse</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route to Doullens; by train to Merville; by -march route to La Fosse.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>9.3.17.</td> - <td>Senechal Farm (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route. Relieved 12th Bn. London Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>13.3.17.</td> - <td>Ferme du Bois Sector</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="12"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:18em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="12">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>17.3.17.</td> - <td>Senechal Farm</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>23.3.17.</td> - <td>Ferme du Bois Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>29.3.17.</td> - <td>Senechal Farm</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>4.4.17.</td> - <td>Ferme du Bois Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>10.4.17.</td> - <td>Senechal Farm</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>16.4.17.</td> - <td>Ferme du Bois Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>22.4.17.</td> - <td>Senechal Farm</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>28.4.17.</td> - <td>Ferme du Bois Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>4.5.17.</td> - <td>Senechal Farm</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>10.5.17.</td> - <td>Ferme du Bois Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>16.5.17.</td> - <td>Senechal Farm<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>25.5.17.</td> - <td>Estaires</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>26.5.17.</td> - <td>Sailly-sur-la-Lys</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.5.17.</td> - <td>Cordonnerie Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 2/5th Bn. Loyal North Lancs. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>3.6.17.</td> - <td>Rouge de Bout (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="2"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:2.8em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="2">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.6.17.</td> - <td>Cordonnerie Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>15.6.17.</td> - <td>Estaires</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 2/4th Bn. Loyal North Lancs. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.6.17.</td> - <td>Sailly Labourse</td> - <td></td> - <td>By motor bus.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>19.6.17.</td> - <td>Philosophe (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>25.6.17.</td> - <td>St. Elie Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>1.7.17.</td> - <td>Tower Keep, Vermelles</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 9th Bn. Suffolk Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>3.7.17.</td> - <td>L’Epinette</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route to Philosophe; by motor bus to L’Epinette.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>13.7.17.</td> - <td>Mardyck Camp, St. Pol</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route to Merville; by train to Dunkerque; by -march route to St. Pol.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.7.17.</td> - <td>Bray Dunes</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>20.7.17.</td> - <td>Ghyvelde</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>31.7.17.</td> - <td>La Panne Bains</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>3.8.17.</td> - <td>Lombartzyde Right Sub-sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>By motor bus to beyond Oost Dunkerque; by march route -to trenches. Relieved 1/5th Bn. K.O.Y.L.I.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>9.8.17.</td> - <td>Presque L’Isle Defences</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="2"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:2.8em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="2">Inter-relieving with 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>13.8.17.</td> - <td>Lombartzyde Right Sub-sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>16.8.17.</td> - <td>Oost Dunkerque</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route. Relieved by 20th Bn. Royal Fusiliers.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>17.8.17.</td> - <td>Oost Dunkerque Bains</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route. Relieved 2nd Bn. Argyle and Sutherland -Highlanders on coast defence.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.8.17.</td> - <td>Surrey Camp</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="10"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:14.5em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="10">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>29.8.17.</td> - <td>La Panne</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>13.9.17.</td> - <td>Bray Dunes</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>23.9.17.</td> - <td>Coudekerque</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>24.9.17.</td> - <td>Wormhoudt</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>25.9.17.</td> - <td>Buysscheure</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>28.9.17.</td> - <td>Audenthun Area</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>30.9.17.</td> - <td>Longue Croix (Staple Area)</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>3.10.17.</td> - <td>Clyde Camp, near Watou</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>4.10.17.</td> - <td>Red Rose Camp, Vlamertinghe</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>4.10.17.</td> - <td>Pommern Castle (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1st Bn. Canterbury Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>5.10.17.</td> - <td>Front Line near Abraham Heights</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 3rd Bn. Canterbury and 3rd Bn. Auckland Regts.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>6.10.17.</td> - <td>Pommern Castle</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 2/5th Bn. Manchester Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>9.10.17.</td> - <td>Peter Pan</td> - <td></td> - <td>Attacked in support of 146th Infantry Brigade.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>10.10.17.</td> - <td>X Camp, St. Jean</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by New Zealand Div.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>16.10.17.</td> - <td>No. 3 Area, Vlamertinghe</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>24.10.17.</td> - <td>A Camp, Winnezeele</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.10.17.</td> - <td>Farms near Steenvoorde</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>9.11.17.</td> - <td>Canal Area, near Ypres</td> - <td></td> - <td>By motor bus.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>12.11.17.</td> - <td>Swan Area, near Ypres</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>19.11.17.</td> - <td>Anzac Ridge (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/7th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>23.11.17.</td> - <td>Molenaarelsthoek Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.11.17.</td> - <td>Gordon House Area</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/5th Bn. K.O.Y.L.I.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>28.11.17.</td> - <td>Vancouver Camp</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>6.12.17.</td> - <td>Dragoon Camp</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>7.12.17.</td> - <td>Keerselaarhoek Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 4th Bn. Suffolk Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>10.12.17.</td> - <td>Dragoon Camp</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="2"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="2">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>15.12.17.</td> - <td>Keerselaarhoek Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>17.12.17.</td> - <td>Argyle Camp</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/7th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.12.17.</td> - <td>Halifax Camp</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>23.12.17.</td> - <td>Molenaarelsthoek Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>By train to Hellfire Corner; by march route to trenches. -Relieved 1/5th Bn. K.O.Y.L.I.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>29.12.17.</td> - <td>Garter Point (Bde. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>4.1.18.</td> - <td>Infantry Barracks, Ypres</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/8th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>12.1.18.</td> - <td>Devonshire Camp</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>26.1.18.</td> - <td>St. Silvestre Cappel</td> - <td></td> - <td>By train from Brandhoek to Caestre; by march route to billets.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>5.2.18.</td> - <td>Moulle</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route to Ebblinghem; by train to Watten; -by march route to billets.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>10.2.18.</td> - <td>Buysscheure</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.2.18.</td> - <td>St. Silvestre Cappel</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>21.2.18.</td> - <td>Infantry Barracks, Ypres</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route to Caestre; by train to Ypres.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>22.2.18.</td> - <td>Reutel Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1st Bn. Otago Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>2.3.18.</td> - <td>Maida Camp</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="4"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:6em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="4">Inter-relieving with 1/5th Bn. Y. and L. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>10.3.18.</td> - <td>Reutel Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.3.18.</td> - <td>Westhoek and Railway Wood Dugouts</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>27.3.18.</td> - <td>Reutel Sector</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>3.4.18.</td> - <td>Maida Camp</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>9.4.18.</td> - <td>Camp near Reninghelst</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>10.4.18.</td> - <td>Erquinghem</td> - <td></td> - <td>By motor bus to La Crèche; by march route, via Le -Veau, to Erquinghem.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>10.4.18.</td> - <td>Nieppe</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="6"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:8.5em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="6">By march route. (Battle of the Lys).</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.4.18.</td> - <td>S.E. of Bailleul</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>12.4.18.</td> - <td>Bailleul</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>15.4.18.</td> - <td>S. of St. Jans Cappel</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.4.18.</td> - <td>St. Jans Cappel</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>20.4.18.</td> - <td>Mont Noir<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>21.4.18.</td> - <td>Mont des Cats</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>21.4.18.</td> - <td>Poperinghe</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>25.4.18.</td> - <td>Ouderdom</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="4"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:7em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="4">By march route. (Battle of Kemmel.)</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>25.4.18.</td> - <td>Millekruisse (Bde. Res.)</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>1.5.18.</td> - <td>Millekruisse (Front Line)</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>3.5.18.</td> - <td>Camp S. of Poperinghe</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>4.5.18.</td> - <td>Road Camp, St. Jans ter Biezen</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>14.5.18.</td> - <td>Camp near St. Martin-au-Laert</td> - <td></td> - <td>By motor bus.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>19.5.18.</td> - <td>Road Camp, St. Jans ter Biezen</td> - <td></td> - <td>By motor bus.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>22.5.18.</td> - <td>Penton Camp, Proven</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>26.5.18.</td> - <td>Road Camp, St. Jans ter Biezen</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>3.6.18.</td> - <td>Zillebeke Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>By light railway to Vlamertinghe; by march route to -trenches. Relieved 15th Bn. K.R.R.C.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.6.18.</td> - <td>Bde. Res. near Goldfish Chateau</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/7th Bn. D. of W. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>20.6.18.</td> - <td>Siege Camp (Divl. Res.)</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/5th Bn. Y. and L. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>29.6.18.</td> - <td>Sector N. of Menin Road</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/7th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>15.7.18.</td> - <td>Siege Camp</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/5th Bn. Y. and L. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>23.7.18.</td> - <td>Bde. Res. near Goldfish Chateau</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/6th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>1.8.18.</td> - <td>Zillebeke Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 2nd Bn. 118th American Inf. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>7.8.18.</td> - <td>Brielen Line</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 3rd Bn. 117th American Inf. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>8.8.18.</td> - <td>Siege Camp</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/4th Bn. K.O.Y.L.I.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>16.8.18.</td> - <td>Menin Road Sector</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/5th Bn. Y. and L. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>20.8.18.</td> - <td>Wood near Oosthoek</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 5th Bn. Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>23.8.18.</td> - <td>Nielles-lez-Ardres</td> - <td></td> - <td>By light railway to Proven; by train to Audruicq; by -march route to billets.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>28.8.18.</td> - <td>Siracourt and Beauvois</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route to Nortkerque; by train to Wavrans; -by march route to billets.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>1.9.18.</td> - <td>Camblain L’Abbé</td> - <td></td> - <td>By motor bus.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>13.9.18.</td> - <td>Wakefield Camp, near Roclincourt</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>23.9.18.</td> - <td>Feuchy</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>6.10.18.</td> - <td>Bivouacs near Buissy</td> - <td></td> - <td>By motor bus.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>9.10.18.</td> - <td>Sunken road S. of Haynecourt</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>10.10.18.</td> - <td>Railway embankment near Escaudœuvres</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.10.18.</td> - <td>Assembly positions on Iwuy—Rieux Road</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>11.10.18.</td> - <td>Ridge S.E. of Iwuy</td> - <td></td> - <td>Captured in battle.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>12.10.18.</td> - <td>Vordon Wood, W. of La Selle River</td> - <td></td> - <td>Following up retreating enemy.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>14.10.18.</td> - <td>Area S.W. of Avesnes-le-Sec</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1/7th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>16.10.18.</td> - <td>Vordon Wood</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved 1/7th Bn. W. Yorks. Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>18.10.18.</td> - <td>Naves</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by 1st Bn. Warwickshire Regt.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>21.10.18.</td> - <td>Le Bassin Rond</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">By march route.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td>27.10.18.</td> - <td>Douchy</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td>28.10.18.</td> - <td>Thiant—Moncheaux Road</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td>31.10.18.</td> - <td>Sunken Road S. of Maing</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td>1.11.18.</td> - <td>Bde. Support near La Rhonelle River</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>2.11.18.</td> - <td>Haulchin</td> - <td></td> - <td>Relieved by units of 169th Inf. Bde.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>3.11.18.</td> - <td>Douchy</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>4.11.18.</td> - <td>Auby</td> - <td></td> - <td>By motor bus.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>20.3.19.</td> - <td>Douai</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>7.6.19.</td> - <td>A Camp, near Dunkerque</td> - <td></td> - <td>By train.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>8.6.19.</td> - <td>No. 3 Camp, near Dunkerque</td> - <td></td> - <td>By march route.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>16/17.6.19.</td> - <td>Southampton</td> - <td></td> - <td>By S.S. “St. George”; transport on S.S. “Clutha.”</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>17.6.19.</td> - <td>London</td> - <td class="brckt" rowspan="3"><img src="images/big_right_bracket.png" alt="big right bracket" - style="height:4em;padding:0 0em 0 0em;" /></td> - <td class="cht2" rowspan="3">By train.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td>18.6.19.</td> - <td>Halifax</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td>19.6.19.</td> - <td>Ripon Dispersal Camp</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span></p> - -<h2>APPENDIX II.<br /> -<span class="subhed">NOMINAL ROLL OF OFFICERS WHO SERVED WITH THE BATTALION ABROAD.</span></h2></div> - -<p>In compiling the list of officers, the following rules have been -adhered to:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. In the case of officers who went out with the original -Battalion, the rank stated was that held on April 14th, 1915.</p> - -<p>2. In the case of officers who joined the Battalion after April -14th, 1915, the rank stated was that held at the date the -officer reported for duty.</p> - -<p>3. Decorations, a list of which will be found in Appendix V., -have been omitted, except the following:—</p> - -<p> -(<i>a</i>) Territorial Decoration. -(<i>b</i>) Decorations won by officers before they joined the Battalion. -</p> - -<p>4. This record is a Battalion record. Hence, only service with -the Battalion is shown.</p> - -<p>5. The names of the officers of the original Battalion are -marked *.</p> -</div> - -<ul class="smaller"> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Akroyd</span>, F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.11.17. Wounded near -Bailleul, 12.4.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Anderton</span>, W. L., Sec.-Lieut. Bn. Bombing Officer -(May–August, 1915). Killed in action near Ypres, 21.8.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Anderton</span>, R., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 14.8.16. Transferred -to 2nd Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Andrews</span>, M. P., Capt. O.C. A Coy. (May–August, 1915). -Killed in action near Ypres, 14.8.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Applewhaite</span>, C. T., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Norfolk -Regt.). Joined, 20.8.17. To hospital sick, 16.6.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Atkinson</span>, H. S., Lieut.-Col. (T.D.). O.C. Bn. -(August, 1914–May, 1915). To hospital sick, 24.5.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Atkinson</span>, R. B., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Wounded -near Reutel, 16.3.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Aykroyd</span>, H. H., Sec.-Lieut. Bn. I.O. -(January–September, 1916). 147th Inf. Bde. I.O. (September, -1916–July, 1917). To hospital sick, 12.7.17. Rejoined, -24.6.18. Adjt. (June, 1918–January, 1919). Second in Command -(January–February, 1919). Left Bn. for demobilisation, 6.2.19.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 30.5.16. Capt., 1.6.16. A/Major, 22.1.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Baldwin</span>, S., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Transferred to 8th -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.10.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Bales</span>, P. G., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Bn. I.O. -(March–September, 1917 and May–November, 1918). A/Adjt. (September, -1917–May, 1918). Adjt. (January–June, 1919). Demobilised with Cadre of -Bn., 19.6.19.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 1.6.16. A/Capt., 22.1.19.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span></li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Balme</span>, S., Lieut. Bn. Signalling Officer (1915). O.C. D Coy. -(February–November, 1918). Left Bn. for demobilisation, 29.1.19.</li> - <li class="i2">Capt., 10.4.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Bamforth</span>, H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Demobilised on -leave, 3.12.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Bell</span>, B. A., Lieut. Wounded near Fleurbaix, 26.5.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Benson</span>, G. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 4.1.16. Transferred to -R.F.C., 10.7.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Bentley</span>, J. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Killed in action -near Roeux, 11.10.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Beswick</span>, N.S., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 22.6.15. Bn. M.G.O. To -hospital sick, 15.8.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Biddle</span>, V., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 16.10.18. Transferred to 13th -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Binns</span>, C. E., Sec.-Lieut. Promoted from the ranks; joined as -an officer, 16.2.17. Wounded (gas) near Hulluch, 28.6.17. Rejoined, -9.10.18. Left Bn. for demobilisation, 7.2.19.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 16.8.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Blackwell</span>, F. V., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 7.1.16. Transferred to -147th T.M.B., 12.8.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Blakey</span>, E. V., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.17. Wounded -at Johnstone’s Post, 4.7.16. Rejoined, 21.9.16. O.C. C Company -(October–December, 1917). Wounded near Molenaarelsthoek, 27.12.17.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 1.6.16. A/Capt., 20.7.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Booth</span>, W. S., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.5.15. Bn. Bombing Officer -(1916). Killed in action near Thiepval, 8.7.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Brabham</span>, J. R. S., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Norfolk Regt.). -Joined, 20.8.17. Struck off strength of Bn. (sick in England), 27.1.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Bradley</span>, W. G., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 21.3.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Brice</span>, A. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 16.10.18. Transferred to -13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Broomhead</span>, W. N., Hon. Lieut. and Q.M. (T.D.). Joined Bn. from -6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, 15.2.17. Demobilised with Cadre of Bn., -19.6.19.</li> - <li class="i2">Capt., 23.12.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Broster</span>, R. B., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 1.3.17. O.C. C Coy. -(May–October, 1918). Killed in action near Roeux, 11.10.18.</li> - <li class="i2">A/Capt., 30.12.17. Lieut., 19.6.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Burgoyne</span>, H. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Wounded near -Zillebeke, 20.6.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Butler</span>, A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 8.8.16. Bn. and 147th Inf. -Bde. Bombing Officer. Wounded (gas) near Nieuport, 10.8.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Campbell</span>, G., Sec.-Lieut. (4th Bn. East Yorks, Regt.). Joined, -18.9.17. Struck off strength of Bn. (sick in England), 30.8.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Chambers</span>, E. P., Major. Second in Command (August, 1914–May, -1915 and September, 1915–April, 1916). O.C. Bn. (May–September, 1915). -Appointed Claims Officer, 49th Div., 3.4.16.</li> - <li class="i2">T/Lieut.-Col., 24.6.15.–15.9.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Charlesworth</span>, A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Wounded near -Vlamertinghe, 26.6.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Chippindale</span>, F. D., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 19.5.17. Killed in -action near Erquinghem, 10.4.18.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span></li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Chisnall</span>, F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 13.1.16. Transferred to -147th M.G. Coy., 4.2.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Clarke</span>, E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 18.3.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Copeland</span>, J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. To hospital sick, -19.11.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Court</span>, G. B., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.12.15. Shell shock, -5.7.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Crickmer</span>, B., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Transferred to 13th -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 22.4.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Crowther</span>, G., Sec.-Lieut. Promoted from the ranks; joined as -an officer, 14.3.16. Bn. I.O. and A/Adjt. (September, 1916–Mch. 1917). -Killed in action near Hulluch, 28.6.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Denby</span>, I. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.16. Killed in action -near Hulluch, 27.6.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Denning</span>, W. F., Capt. O.C. D Coy. (June–December, 1915). To -hospital sick, 9.12.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Donkersley</span>, P., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 19.5.17. Wounded near -Vlamertinghe, 29.11.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Drew</span>, E. B., Hon. Lieut, and Q.M. Joined, 25.11.16. To -hospital sick, 31.1.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Eade</span>, W. M., Hon. Capt. and Q.M. (6th Bn. Suffolk Regt.). -Joined, 18.5.18. Transferred to 1/4th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders, 20.7.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Edwards</span>, A. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.10.17. Attached to -147th T.M.B., 6.5.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Entwhistle</span>, J. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. To hospital -sick, 25.9.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Everitt</span>, W. N., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 13.9.15. O.C. A Coy. -(December, 1915–September, 1916). Killed in action N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16.</li> - <li class="i2">T/Lieut., 31.12.15. T/Capt., 24.6.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Farrar</span>, N. T., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 17.2.16. O.C. B Coy. (June, -1917–February, 1919). Second in Command (February–April, 1919). Left -Bn. for demobilisation, 3.4.19.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 1.6.16. A/Capt., 12.7.17. A/Major, 7.2.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Fenton</span>, W. C., Sec.-Lieut. Wounded near Fleurbaix, 30.4.15. -Rejoined, 8.1.16. Adjutant (February, 1916–June, 1918). Wounded on -Belle Vue Spur, 9.10.17. Rejoined, 23.10.17. Second in Command (June, -1918–January, 1919). Left Bn. for demobilisation, 21.1.19.</li> - <li class="i2">T/Lieut., 10.2.16. Capt., 1.6.16. A/Major, 4.6.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Fenton</span>, D. H., Sec.-Lieut. Promoted from the ranks; -accidentally killed before commission announced, 8.9.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Fielding</span>, T., Hon. Lieut, and Q.M. To hospital sick, 21.8.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Flatow</span>, E. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 15.11.15. Wounded near -Nieuport, 9.8.17.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 1.6.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Fleming</span>, F. W. O., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.15. Gassed near -Ypres and died in hospital, 19.12.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Fletcher</span>, J., Lieut. Joined, 25.11.18. Transferred to 13th Bn. -D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span></li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Geldard</span>, N., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.). Joined, -25.9.16. O.C. D Coy. (October, 1916–October, 1917). Wounded at -Nieuport, 4.8.17. Rejoined, 11.9.17. Wounded on Belle Vue Spur, -9.10.17. Capt., 30.11.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Gilroy</span>, T. T., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 15.10.17. Wounded (at duty) -near Kemmel, 25.4.18. Transferred to 13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 22.4.19. -Lieut., 1.2.19. A/Capt., 13.2.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Grantham</span>, W., Lieut. Joined, 9.12.17. Wounded and missing near -Roeux, 11.10.18. Died of wounds, a prisoner in enemy hands.</li> - <li class="i2">A/Capt., 29.4.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Gumby</span>, L., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 9.9.17. A/Adjt. (May–September, -1918). Attached to 147th Inf. Bde. H.Q., 13.9.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Hanson</span>, H., Capt. (5th Bn. D. of W. Regt.). Joined, 23.5.17. -Wounded near Vlamertinghe and died of wounds, 1.12.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Hartley</span>, J. A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 22.6.15. Gassed near Ypres -and died in hospital, 19.12.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Hatch</span>, H. S., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 8.8.16. To hospital sick, -3.12.17. Rejoined, November, 1918. Left Bn. for demobilisation, 3.4.19. -Lieut., July, 1918.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Hill</span>, G.M., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Transferred to 2nd -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Hinton</span>, W. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 20.11.15. Wounded near -Ypres, 11.12.15. Rejoined, 8.6.16. To hospital sick, 24.7.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Hirst</span>, C., Lieut. Bn. T.O. (April–August, 1915). O.C. B Coy. -(December, 1915–September, 1916). Killed in action N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16.</li> - <li class="i2">T/Capt., 22.1.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Hirst</span>, A. E., Sec.-Lieut. Promoted from the ranks; joined as -an officer, 26.3.16. Killed in action N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Hirst</span>, W. L., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.11.16. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 1.2.19.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 1.7.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Holme</span>, R. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Transferred to -147th T.M.B., 18.7.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Holt</span>, J. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.16. Transferred to 8th -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.10.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Horsfall</span>, V. A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 15.7.16. Killed in action -N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Hothersall</span>, T., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 16.10.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 28.1.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Huggard</span>, B. H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 2.11.17. Wounded near -Nieppe, 11.4.18. Rejoined, 4.5.18. Left Bn. for demobilisation, 2.3.19. -Lieut., February, 1919. A/Capt., February, 1919.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Hutton</span>, T., Lieut. (M.C.). Joined, 19.8.18. O.C. D Coy. -(November, 1918–February, 1919). Re-posted to 2nd Bn. D. of W. Regt., -12.2.19. A/Capt., 26.10.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Hyland</span>, J. L., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Transferred to -R.O.D., 31.12.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Illingworth</span>, A. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 14.4.16. To hospital -sick, 26.10.16.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span></li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Innes</span>, F. A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.15. Wounded near Ypres, -16.10.15. Rejoined, 23.10.15. Attached to 147th Inf. Bde. H.Q., 9.8.16. -Killed in action in Thiepval Wood, 3.9.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Irish</span>, F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.3.17. Bn. T.O. (October, -1917–May, 1919). Left Bn. for demobilisation, 5.5.19.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 25.7.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Jessop</span>, T. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.5.18. Wounded in action -near Roeux, 11.10.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Johnson</span>, L. L., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Norfolk Regt.). Joined, -20.8.17. Wounded near St. Jans Cappel, 17.4.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Jones</span>, R. E., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Manchester Regt.). Joined, -15.5.18. Transferred to 13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Jury</span>, R., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 19.5.17. Wounded by enemy bomb -at Dunkerque and died of wounds, 6.10.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Kelsall</span>, F. H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 7.12.15. Wounded near -Authuille, 29.2.16. Rejoined, 28.5.16. To hospital sick, 22.7.17.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 25.6.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">King</span>, M. H., Lieut. Went to France as 147th Inf. Bde. I.O. -and was extra-regimentally employed continuously from that time.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Kirk</span>, A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. A/Adjt. -(September–December, 1916). O.C. A Coy. (October, 1917–January, 1919). -Demobilised on leave, March, 1919.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 1.6.16. A/Capt., 28.10.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Kitson</span>, J. H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Killed in action -near Bailleul, 14.4.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Learoyd</span>, G. W. I., Lieut. Bn. M.G.O. (July, 1915–February, -1916). Transferred to 147th M.G. Coy., 4.2.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Leddra</span>, R. M., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Transferred to -13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Lee</span>, E., Lieut. Bn. M.G.O. (April–July, 1915). Killed in -action near Ypres, 10.7.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Loudoun</span>, H. A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 8.2.18. Wounded at -Bailleul, 13.4.18. Rejoined, 24.5.18. Bn. Signalling Officer (June, -1918–February, 1919). Transferred to 13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19. -Lieut., 28.9.18. A/Capt., 6.2.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Lumb</span>, J. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 2.11.17. Wounded near -Bailleul, 14.4.18. Rejoined, 27.4.18. Wounded near Villers-en-Cauchies, -18.10.18. Died of wounds, 30.10.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Luty</span>, A.M., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 8.1.17. O.C. C Coy. (December, -1917–April, 1918). Wounded near Bailleul, 14.4.18.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 25.4.18. A/Capt., 20.3.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Machin</span>, B. M., Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Wounded near Bailleul, -12.4.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Mackie</span>, W. G., Lieut. Joined, 8.2.18. Wounded near Kemmel, -26.4.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Mackintosh</span>, J. D. V., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Transferred -to 2nd Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Maley</span>, F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 30.4.18. Killed in action near -Villers-en-Cauchies, 14.10.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Mallalieu</span>, A. H. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 30.8.18. Wounded near -Villers-en-Cauchies, 18.10.18.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span></li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Mander</span>, A. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.12.15. Wounded near -Thiepval, 11.7.16. Rejoined, 8.8.16. Bn. T.O. (September–November, -1916). O.C. A Coy. (June–October, 1917). Killed in action on Belle Vue -Spur, 9.10.17.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 1.6.16. A/Capt., 10.7.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Mander</span>, P. G., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 8.11.15. To hospital sick, -12.12.15. Rejoined, 16.6.16. Wounded near Thiepval, 17.8.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Marsden</span>, H. M., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Killed in action -near Roeux, 11.10.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Marshall</span>, E. N., Lieut. Wounded (at duty) near Ypres, -16.10.15. O.C. A Coy. (October–December, 1915). Wounded (gas) near -Ypres, 19.12.15. Rejoined, 14.8.16. O.C. C Coy. (August, 1916–December, -1917). Appointed Chief Instructor XXII. Corps Lewis Gun School, 15.12.17.</li> - <li class="i2">T/Capt., 20.11.15. Capt., 1.6.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">McGuire</span>, G. P., Sec.-Lieut. Adjt. (August, 1915–February, -1916). Attached 147th Inf. Bde. H.Q., 9.2.16. Returned to duty, 2.8.17. -Attached Second Army H.Q., 19.11.17.</li> - <li class="i2">T/Lieut., 18.12.15. Lieut., 1.6.16. Capt., 12.9.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Mee</span>, E. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.12.15. Killed in action N. -of Thiepval, 3.9.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Mellor</span>, N., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Transferred to -R.F.C., 7.12.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Milligan</span>, V. A., Capt. Joined, 14.4.16. Returned to England, -24.6.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Morrison</span>, J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 30.9.17. To hospital sick, -25.4.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Mowat</span>, A. L., Capt. O.C. D Coy. (April–June, 1915). Wounded -near Fleurbaix, 3.6.15. Rejoined, 28.12.15. O.C. D Coy. (December, -1915–October, 1916). Second in Command (October, 1916–June, 1918). O.C. -Bn. (June, 1918–June, 1919). Demobilised with Cadre of Bn., 19.6.19.</li> - <li class="i2">A/Major, 13.11.16. A/Lieut.-Col., 18.6.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Mowat</span>, J. G., Sec.-Lieut. Bn. T.O. (August, 1915–September, -1916). O.C. B Coy. (September, 1916–June, 1917). Killed in action near -Hulluch, 27.6.17.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 14.8.15. Capt., 1.6.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Nevile</span>, A. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 17.9.17. Transferred to -147th T.M.B., 29.10.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Newman</span>, H. R., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 2.11.17. Transferred to -13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Norton</span>, S. R., Sec.-Lieut. Joined 29.10.17. To hospital sick, -16.6.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">O’Dowd</span>, M. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Wounded near -Erquinghem, 10.4.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Oldfield</span>, W., Sec.-Lieut. (M.M.). Joined, 20.9.17. Wounded -near Bailleul, 14.4.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Oldroyd</span>, W. L., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.16. Transferred to -8th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.10.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Pickering</span>, E. J., Lieut.-Col. O.C. Bn. (September–October, -1915). Wounded near Ypres, 20.10.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Pohlmann</span>, H. E., Sec.-Lieut. Promoted from the ranks; joined -as an officer, 26.3.16. Wounded N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Pollard</span>, H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Wounded in Thiepval -Wood, 14.7.16. Rejoined, 14.11.16. Wounded near Hulluch, 27.6.17.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span></li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Pratt</span>, L. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 9.9.15. Wounded near -Thiepval, 25.7.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Pratt</span>, T. D., Sec.-Lieut. O.C. D Coy. (June–August, 1916). -Wounded near Thiepval, 18.8.16.</li> - <li class="i2">T/Lieut., 10.7.15. T/Capt., 29.12.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Purvis</span>, R. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 6.9.16. Transferred to -R.F.C., 30.4.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Rawnsley</span>, E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 3.8.16. Transferred to 2nd -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16. Rejoined, 9.12.17. Appointed Instructor, -XXII. Corps Bombing School, 15.2.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Rawnsley</span>, G., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 9.9.16. Killed in action -near Berles-au-Bois, 22.1.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Rhodes</span>, C. N., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Bn. Signalling -Officer (September–October, 1916). To hospital sick, 20.10.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Riley</span>, J. T., Lieut. Accidentally wounded, 11.10.15. -Rejoined, 29.5.16. Killed in action N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Robb</span>, A. J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 1.3.17. Wounded (gas) -near Nieuport, 17.8.17. Rejoined, 14.10.17. O.C. D Coy. (October, -1917–February, 1918). Wounded near Reutel, 19.2.18.</li> - <li class="i2">A/Capt., 14.12.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Robertshaw</span>, G. F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Wounded N. of -Thiepval, 3.9.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Robins</span>, P. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 2.11.17. Wounded near -Ypres, 15.11.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Robinson</span>, J. H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.11.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 21.4.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Robinson</span>, O., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Wounded near -Zillebeke, 5.8.18. Rejoined, 21.11.18. Transferred to 147th T.M.B., 27.1.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Rodgers</span>, G., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.16. Transferred to 2nd. -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Rosendale</span>, H., Sec.-Lieut. (4th Bn. East Yorks. Regt.). -Joined, 18.9.17. Wounded (at duty) in Bailleul, 12.4.18. Killed in -action near Roeux, 11.10.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Scholes</span>, W. T., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Left Bn., for -demobilisation, 25.1.19.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 1.7.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Shaw</span>, A., Lieut. Joined, 19.8.18. O.C. C Coy. (October, -1918–January, 1919). Demobilised on leave, February, 1919.</li> - <li class="i2">A/Capt., 10.11.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Sherlock</span>, S. P., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.11.15. To hospital -sick, 1.12.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Siemssen</span>, G. H., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 2.11.17. Wounded near -Berthen, 17.4.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Skelsey</span>, R. M., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.9.16. Accidentally -wounded, 5.11.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Smets</span>, L. J., Lieut. Joined, 9.12.17. Bn. Signalling Officer -(February–June, 1918). Certified unfit for service while on a course in -England, June, 1918.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Smith</span>, W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Wounded near Thiepval, -3.9.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Somervell</span>, A., Capt. (M.C.) (6th Bn. D. of W. Regt.). -Joined, 29.11.18. O.C. C Coy. (January–March, 1919). Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 20.3.19.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span></li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">St. Aubyn</span>, E. G., Lieut.-Col. Joined, 22.11.15. O.C. Bn. -(November, 1915–September, 1916). To hospital sick, 1.9.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Stansfield</span>, S. P., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 26.3.17. Killed in -action near Richebourg L’Avoue, 30.4.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Stanton</span>, H. A. S., Capt. (Royal Scots Regt.). Adjt. (August, -1914–August, 1915). Appointed Brigade Major, 147th Inf. Bde., 19.8.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Starkey</span>, T. P., Lieut. Joined, 28.11.18. Transferred to 1/7th -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 5.12.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Steele</span>, J. A., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.4.18. Demobilised with -Cadre of Bn., 19.6.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Stubington</span>, R. E., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Norfolk Regt.). -Joined, 20.8.17. Wounded on Belle Vue Spur, 9.10.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Sugden</span>, R. E., Major. O.C. A Coy. (April–May, 1915 and -September–November, 1915). Second in Command (May–September and -November–December, 1915). Wounded near Ypres, 12.12.15. Rejoined, -5.9.16. O.C. Bn. (September, 1916–June, 1918). Appointed G.O.C., 151st -Inf. Bde., 7.6.18.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut.-Col., 1.6.16. T/Brig.-Genl., 7.6.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Sullivan</span>, G. K., Lieut.-Col. Joined, 9.11.15. O.C. Bn. -(November, 1915). Wounded near Ypres, 20.11.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Sykes</span>, E. E., Capt. O.C. C Coy. (April–November, 1915 and -May–July, 1916). To hospital sick, 26.11.15. Rejoined, 23.5.16. Killed -in action at Johnstone’s Post, 4.7.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Sykes</span>, B., Lieut. Joined, 28.11.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 21.3.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Taylor</span>, E., Sec.-Lieut. Wounded near Ypres and died of -wounds, 16.10.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Taylor</span>, H. N., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 11.10.15. O.C. A Coy. -(January–June, 1917). Certified medically unfit for service, July, -1917. Rejoined 9.12.17. Bn. L.G.O. (December, 1917–January, 1919). Left -Bn. for demobilisation, 22.1.19.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 1.6.16. Capt., 29.8.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Tomlinson</span>, C. W., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 28.5.16. Killed in -action N. of Thiepval, 3.9.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Turner</span>, J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. To hospital sick, -1.8.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Turner</span>, J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, October, 1918. Transferred to -13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Walker</span>, J., Capt. O.C. B Coy. (April, 1915–April, 1916). -Second in Command (April–October, 1916). Appointed Second in Command -of 1/5th Bn. D. of W. Regt., January, 1917. T/Major, 22.1.16. Major, -1.6.16. A/Lieut.-Col. (1/5th Bn.), 26.9.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Walker</span>, F., Sec.-Lieut. To hospital sick, 6.9.15. Rejoined, -15.2.16. O.C. A Coy. (September–October, 1916). To hospital sick, -19.10.16. Lieut., 26.1.16. A/Capt., 4.10.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Walker</span>, E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 1.3.17. Bn. Signalling Officer -(April, 1917–January, 1918). Transferred to R.F.C., 15.1.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Waller</span>, H. N., Capt. To hospital sick, 7.6.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Walton</span>, P. B., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 13.3.16. Wounded in -Thiepval Wood, 7.7.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Walton</span>, J. C., Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Bn. I.O. -(February–April, 1918). Killed in action near Kemmel, 29.4.18.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span></li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Watson</span>, J. S., Sec.-Lieut. (4th Bn. East Yorks. Regt.). -Joined, 18.9.17. Killed in action near Molenaarelsthoek, 26.11.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Wenham-Goode</span>, A. F., Sec.-Lieut. (6th Bn. Manchester Regt.). -Joined, 15.5.18. Left Bn. for demobilisation, 3.2.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Whittaker</span>, J. C., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 29.1.18. Killed in -action near Kemmel, 28.5.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Wilkinson</span>, H. S., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 21.9.16. Instructor -Third Army S.O.S. School (December, 1916–May, 1917). Rejoined, 16.5.17. -Bn. I.O. (September–October, 1917). Wounded on Belle Vue Spur, 9.10.17.</li> - <li class="i2">Lieut., 1.7.17.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Williams</span>, H. E., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 15.4.16. Transferred to -2nd Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Williamson</span>, R. J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 19.10.18. Transferred -to 13th Bn. D. of W. Regt., 26.2.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Wimbush</span>, R. M., Lieut. Joined, 29.11.18. Left Bn. for -demobilisation, 24.4.19.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Winter</span>, D. B., Capt. O.C. C Coy. (April, 1915). To hospital -sick, 24.4.15.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Woodward</span>, F., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 25.5.18. Wounded near -Zillebeke, 11.6.18.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">*<span class="smcap">Yates</span>, W. B. B., Lieut. To England as Instructor at Cadet -School, 16.9.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Yelland</span>, E. J., Sec.-Lieut. Joined, 6.9.16. Transferred to 2nd -Bn. D. of W. Regt., 23.10.16.</li> - <li class="hangingindent2"><span class="smcap">Young</span>, E. M., Lieut. Joined, 3.11.16. Bn. T.O. (November, -1916–October, 1917). Transferred to A.S.C., 13.10.17.</li> -</ul> - - -<p class="p1 center"><i>Medical Officers.</i></p> - - -<ul class="smaller"> - <li>*<span class="smcap">Griffiths</span>, A. T., April–May, 1915.</li> - <li class="ih"><span class="smcap">Greaves</span>, S. S., June, 1915–December, 1916.</li> - <li class="ih"><span class="smcap">Scott</span>, D. C., December, 1916–July, 1917.</li> - <li class="ih"><span class="smcap">Anderson</span>, J. M., July–October, 1917.</li> - <li class="ih"><span class="smcap">Farie</span>, J. G., October, 1917–January, 1918.</li> - <li class="ih"><span class="smcap">Allen</span>, W. B. (V.C., M.C.), January–March, 1918.</li> - <li class="ih"><span class="smcap">Harrison</span>, F. C., March–October, 1918.</li> - <li class="ih"><span class="smcap">Wright</span>, A., November, 1918–March, 1919.</li> -</ul> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span></p> - -<h2>APPENDIX III.<br /> -<span class="subhed">NOMINAL ROLL OF WARRANT OFFICERS AND COMPANY QUARTER MASTER SERGEANTS.</span></h2></div> - -<table summary="officers" class="smaller"> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"><i>Regimental Sergeant Majors</i>:—</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">J. McCormack.</td> - <td>Killed in action, 12.8.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">E. Bottomley.</td> - <td>Reverted to C.S.M. on return to the Battalion of -C.S.M. C. C. MacKay who had been wounded, 18.10.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">C. C. MacKay.</td> - <td>Killed in action, 19.12.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">W. Lee.</td> - <td>Reverted to C.S.M. on arrival from England of R.S.M. J. Graham, 30.1.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">J. Graham.</td> - <td>Evacuated sick, 25.5.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">F. P. Stirzaker.</td> - <td>Reverted to C.S.M. on arrival from England of R.S.M. T. Glover, 16.11.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">T. Glover.</td> - <td>Wounded in action, 27.1.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">F. P. Stirzaker.</td> - <td>Killed in action, 11.4.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">T. S. Sherwood.</td> - <td>Transferred to 1/7th Bn. Duke of Wellington’s (W.R.) Regt., 17.9.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">W. Lee.</td> - <td>Wounded in action, 18.10.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">B. Harrison.</td> - <td>Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 14.2.19.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">S. Flitcroft.</td> - <td>Demobilised with the Cadre of the Battalion, 19.6.19.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="header1" colspan="2"><i>Regimental Quarter Master Sergeants</i>:—</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">F. J. Cooke.</td> - <td>Returned to England time-expired, 31.3.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">W. Lee.</td> - <td>Promoted R.S.M., 17.9.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">B. Harrison.</td> - <td>Promoted R.S.M., 19.10.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">P. Barker.</td> - <td>Demobilised with the Cadre of the Battalion, 19.6.19.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="header1" colspan="2"><i>Company Sergeant Majors</i> (<i>A Company</i>):—</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">E. Bottomley.</td> - <td>Promoted R.S.M., 13.8.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">A. McNulty.</td> - <td>Appointed Sergt. Instructor at the 49th Divisional -Technical School, 20.8.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">E. Walsh.</td> - <td>Wounded in action (Gas), 19.12.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">A. Stirzaker.</td> - <td>Killed in action, 3.9.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">A. McNulty.</td> - <td>Appointed Instructor at the 147th Infantry Brigade -School, 11.2.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">A. Day.</td> - <td>Wounded in action (Gas), 20.11.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">T. S. Sherwood.</td> - <td>Promoted R.S.M., 11.4.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">F. Gledhill.</td> - <td>Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 8.2.19.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="header1" colspan="2"><i>Company Sergeant Majors</i> (<i>B Company</i>):—</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">A. Parkin.</td> - <td>Wounded in action, 10.7.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">W. Lee.</td> - <td>Promoted R.S.M., 20.12.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">L. Greenwood.</td> - <td>Reverted to Sergeant when C.S.M. W. Lee returned -to the Company, 30.1.16.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span></td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">W. Lee.</td> - <td>Promoted R.Q.M.S., 1.4.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">W. Medley.</td> - <td>Evacuated sick, 20.7.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">H. Haigh.</td> - <td>Demobilised while on leave in England, 22.1.19.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">F. Birtwhistle.</td> - <td>Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 3.4.19.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="header1" colspan="2"><i>Company Sergeant Majors</i> (<i>C Company</i>):—</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">E. Lumb.</td> - <td>Evacuated sick, 8.8.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">V. S. Tolley.</td> - <td>Killed in action, 16.10.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">E. Bottomley.</td> - <td>Evacuated sick, 12.11.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">T. H. Greenwood.</td> - <td>Killed in action, 17.9.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">J. Parkinson.</td> - <td>Reverted to Sergeant on the transfer of C.S.M. -A. L. Lord from D Company, 16.11.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">A. L. Lord.</td> - <td>Proceeded to G.H.Q. Cadet School for a commission, 6.3.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">J. Parkinson.</td> - <td>Wounded in action, 27.12.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">C. Naylor.</td> - <td>Reverted to Sergeant on the arrival from England -of C.S.M. N. Hobson, 29.1.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">N. Hobson.</td> - <td>Wounded in action, 10.4.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">J. E. Yates.</td> - <td>Proceeded to England for a commission, 1.6.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">B. Harrison.</td> - <td>Promoted R.Q.M.S., 17.9.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">S. Flitcroft.</td> - <td>Promoted R.S.M., 14.2.19.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">J. Widdop.</td> - <td>Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 7.3.19.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="header1" colspan="2"><i>Company Sergeant Majors</i> (<i>D Company</i>):—</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">C. C. MacKay.</td> - <td>Wounded in action, 7.8.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">T. S. Sherwood.</td> - <td>Wounded in action, 30.10.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">F. P. Stirzaker.</td> - <td>Promoted R.S.M., 26.5.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">A. Howarth.</td> - <td>Killed in action, 13.7.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">J. N. Flather.</td> - <td>Wounded in action, 27.7.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">J. C. Walker.</td> - <td>Killed in action, 3.9.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">A. L. Lord.</td> - <td>Transferred to C Company, 15.11.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">F. P. Stirzaker.</td> - <td>Promoted R.S.M., 27.1.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">L. Greenwood.</td> - <td>Proceeded to England for a commission, 21.5.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">T. S. Sherwood.</td> - <td>Transferred to A Company, 20.11.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">W. Brooke.</td> - <td>Wounded in action, 25.2.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">C. Naylor.</td> - <td>Wounded in action, 11.10.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">F. Wood.</td> - <td>Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 2.2.19.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="header1" colspan="2"><i>Supernumerary Warrant Officers</i>:—</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">F. Spencer.</td> - <td>Joined the Battalion in France with the first reinforcement -and was posted to A Company. Evacuated sick, 22.9.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">H. J. Wylde.</td> - <td>Orderly Room Sergeant. Promoted Warrant Officer, Class II., 22.6.18.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="header1" colspan="2"><i>Company Quarter Master Sergeants</i> (<i>A Company</i>):—</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">C. Southern.</td> - <td>Returned to England time-expired, 12.3.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">J. C. Walker.</td> - <td>Promoted C.S.M. D Company, 28.7.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">S. Mackenzie.</td> - <td>Wounded in action (Gas), 14.8.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">H. Haigh.</td> - <td>Promoted C.S.M. B Company, 16.9.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">E. Walsh.</td> - <td>Killed in action, 13.10.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">P. J. Davenport.</td> - <td>Demobilised while on leave in England, 22.1.19.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="header1" colspan="2"><i>Company Quarter Master Sergeants</i> (<i>B Company</i>):—</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">D. McKeand.</td> - <td>Proceeded to England for a commission, 10.11.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">E. Midgley.</td> - <td>Returned to England time-expired, 17.3.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">C. L. Johnson.</td> - <td>Evacuated sick, 21.1.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">A. Hodgson.</td> - <td>Wounded in action (Gas), 14.8.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">B. Little.</td> - <td>Killed in action, 13.10.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">F. Wood.</td> - <td>Demobilised while on leave in England, 26.1.19.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">L. Rodgers.</td> - <td>Transferred to 13th Bn. Duke of Wellington’s (W.R.) Regt., 26.2.19.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="header1" colspan="2"><i>Company Quarter Master Sergeants</i> (<i>C Company</i>):—</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">W. Lee.</td> - <td>Promoted C.S.M. B Company, 11.7.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">A. L. Lord.</td> - <td>Promoted C.S.M. D Company, 4.9.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">H. Fitton.</td> - <td>Evacuated (accidental injury), 23.2.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">E. Midgley.</td> - <td>Reverted to Sergeant on return from England of C.Q.M.S. H. Fitton, 4.7.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">H. Fitton.</td> - <td>Evacuated sick, 1.8.17.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">E. Midgley.</td> - <td>Left the Battalion for demobilisation, 28.1.19.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="header1" colspan="2"><i>Company Quarter Master Sergeants</i> (<i>D Company</i>):—</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">G. Jackson.</td> - <td>Evacuated sick, 3.7.15.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">J. W. Siddall.</td> - <td>Returned to England time-expired, 17.3.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">G. Edmonson.</td> - <td>Transferred to England, 20.9.16.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">P. Barker.</td> - <td>Promoted R.Q.M.S., 19.10.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">A. Whitaker.</td> - <td>Evacuated sick, 14.11.18.</td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="cht3">E. Elsey.</td> - <td>Demobilised with the Cadre of the Battalion, 19.6.19.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span></p> - -<h2>APPENDIX IV.<br /> -<span class="subhed">SUMMARY OF CASUALTIES.</span></h2></div> - -<table summary="casualties" class="smaller"> - <tr> - <td class="chttrb" rowspan="2">Period.</td> - <td class="chttrb" rowspan="2">Sector.</td> - <td class="chttr" colspan="3">Officers.</td> - <td class="chtt" colspan="3">Other Ranks.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtb">K.</td> - <td class="chtb">W.</td> - <td class="chtrb">M.</td> - <td class="chtb">K.</td> - <td class="chtb">W.</td> - <td class="chtb">M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr1">1915.</td> - <td class="chtr"></td> - <td class="right"></td> - <td class="right"></td> - <td class="rightr"></td> - <td class="right"></td> - <td class="right"></td> - <td class="right"></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">April 18-June 25</td> - <td class="chtr">Fleurbaix</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">3</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">14</td> - <td class="right1">38</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">July 8-Dec. 20</td> - <td class="chtr">Ypres</td> - <td class="right1">7</td> - <td class="right1">7</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">116</td> - <td class="right1">206</td> - <td class="right1">4</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr1">1916.</td> - <td class="chtr"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="rightr"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Feb. 28-Mch. 6</td> - <td class="chtr">Authuille</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Mch. 7-Mch. 29</td> - <td class="chtr">Mailly-Maillet</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - <td class="right1">4</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">June</td> - <td class="chtr">Aveluy Wood</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">2</td> - <td class="right1">7</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">July 1-Sept. 24</td> - <td class="chtr">Battle of the Somme</td> - <td class="right1">10<a id="FNanchor_24" href="#Footnote_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></td> - <td class="right1">10</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">91</td> - <td class="right1">453</td> - <td class="right1">155</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Sept. 29-Oct. 16</td> - <td class="chtr">Hannescamps</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">3</td> - <td class="right1">13</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Oct. 24-Dec. 5</td> - <td class="chtr">Fonquevillers</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">10</td> - <td class="right1">12</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr1">1917.</td> - <td class="chtr"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="rightr"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Jan. 7-Jan. 30</td> - <td class="chtr">Berles-au-Bois</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">18</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Feb. 2-Feb. 28</td> - <td class="chtr">Riviére</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">6</td> - <td class="right1">27</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Mch. 13-May 16</td> - <td class="chtr">Ferme du Bois</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">4</td> - <td class="right1">22</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">May 27-June 15</td> - <td class="chtr">Cordonnerie</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">June 25-July 3</td> - <td class="chtr">Hulluch</td> - <td class="right1">3</td> - <td class="right1">2</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">7</td> - <td class="right1">24</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Aug. 3-Aug. 16</td> - <td class="chtr">Nieuport</td> - <td class="right1">1<a id="FNanchor_25" href="#Footnote_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a></td> - <td class="right1">4</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">19</td> - <td class="right1">84</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Oct. 4-Oct. 10</td> - <td class="chtr">Belle Vue Spur</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - <td class="right1">4</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">20</td> - <td class="right1">117</td> - <td class="right1">2</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Nov. 19-Jan. 4 1918</td> - <td class="chtr">Keerselaarhoek and Molenaarelsthoek</td> - <td class="right1">2</td> - <td class="right1">3</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">16</td> - <td class="right1">75</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr1">1918.</td> - <td class="chtr"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="rightr"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - <td class="right1"></td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Feb. 22-April 3</td> - <td class="chtr">Reutel</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">3</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">18</td> - <td class="right1">60</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">April 9-April 20</td> - <td class="chtr">Battle of the Lys</td> - <td class="right1">2</td> - <td class="right1">13</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">47</td> - <td class="right1">261</td> - <td class="right1">83</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">April 25-May 3</td> - <td class="chtr">Battle of Kemmel</td> - <td class="right1">2</td> - <td class="right1">2</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">32</td> - <td class="right1">121</td> - <td class="right1">4</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">June 3-Aug. 20</td> - <td class="chtr">Ypres</td> - <td class="right1">—</td> - <td class="right1">4</td> - <td class="rightr">—</td> - <td class="right1">9</td> - <td class="right1">77</td> - <td class="right1">1</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtr2">Oct. 11-Oct. 18</td> - <td class="chtr">Villers-en-Cauchies</td> - <td class="right1b">7</td> - <td class="right1b">3</td> - <td class="rightrb">1<a id="FNanchor_26" href="#Footnote_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a></td> - <td class="right1b">55</td> - <td class="right1b">377</td> - <td class="right1b">12</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chtrb"></td> - <td class="chtr3">Totals</td> - <td class="right1b">37</td> - <td class="right1b">60</td> - <td class="rightrb">1</td> - <td class="right1b">471</td> - <td class="right1b">1998</td> - <td class="right1b">264<a id="FNanchor_27" href="#Footnote_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a></td> - </tr> - -</table> - -<p class="center">K.—Killed. W.—Wounded (includes Gassed). M.—Missing.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2>APPENDIX V.<br /> -<span class="subhed">LIST OF HONOURS AND AWARDS.</span></h2></div> - -<p>In compiling this list of Honours and Awards the following rules have -been adhered to:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. The Rank and Regimental Number given are those held by the -individual at the time the decoration was won. It thus follows -that, in several cases, the same name occurs more than once but -with a different rank and sometimes with a different regimental -number.</p> - -<p>2. Only Honours and Awards conferred on officers, warrant -officers, non-commissioned officers and men for services -rendered <i>while actually serving with the Battalion</i> have -been included.</p> -</div> - -<p class="p-left">The length of the list might be considerably increased by -including such names as Brig.-General R. E. Sugden, who was awarded -the C.M.G. while he was G.O.C., 151st Infantry Brigade; Lieut.-Col. J. -Walker, who received the D.S.O. and Bar and the French Legion d’Honneur -while he was in command of the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s -Regt.; and several other officers. Many N.C.O.’s and men, such as -Sergt. F. E. Lumb, D.C.M., also won decorations whilst attached to -such units as the 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q., the 147th Machine Gun -Company, and the 147th Light Trench Mortar Battery.</p> - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Victoria Cross (1).</p> - -<p class="p-min center">24066 Pte. A. Poulter.</p> - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Distinguished Service Order (2).</p> - -<p class="p-min center">Capt. (A/Lt.-Col.) A. L. Mowat, M.C. Major R. E. Sugden.</p> - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Bar to Distinguished Service Order (1).</p> - -<p class="p-min center">Lt.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O.</p> - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Military Cross (27).</p> - -<ul> - <li>Sec.-Lt. H. H. Aykroyd</li> - <li>Lt. P. G. Bales</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. F. V. Blackwell</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. E. V. Blakey</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. W. N. Everitt</li> - <li>Lt. (A/Capt.) N. T. Farrar</li> - <li>Lt. (A/Capt.) W. C. Fenton</li> - <li>Capt. N. Geldard</li> - <li>Lt. T. T. Gilroy</li> - <li>Capt. S. S. Greaves (R.A.M.C.)</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. L. Gumby</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. B. H. Huggard</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. F. A. Innes</li> - <li>Lt. F. Irish</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. T. E. Jessop</li> - <li>Lt. (A/Capt.) A. Kirk</li> - <li>83 C.S.M. W. Lee</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. J. W. Lumb</li> - <li>Lt. (A/Capt.) A. M. Luty</li> - <li>Lt. W. G. Mackie</li> - <li>Capt. E. N. Marshall</li> - <li>200441 C.S.M. W. Medley, M.M.</li> - <li>Capt. A. L. Mowat</li> - <li>Lt. (A/Capt.) J. G. Mowat</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. H. R. Newman</li> - <li>2353 R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker</li> - <li>Lt. (T/Capt.) E. E. Sykes</li> -</ul> - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Bar to Military Cross (2).</p> - -<p class="p-min center">Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C. Capt. (A/Major) A. L. Mowat, M.C.</p> - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Distinguished Conduct Medal (28).</p> - -<table summary="medals"> - <tr> - <td class="right">355</td> - <td>Cpl. E. Ashworth</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200453</td> - <td>Sgt. J. Bancroft, M.M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">3060</td> - <td>Cpl. W. Bancroft</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">235519</td> - <td>Sgt. W. H. Binns</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">235227</td> - <td>Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) W. Brooke</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200298</td> - <td>Sgt. F. J. Brown</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1597</td> - <td>Pte. W. Brown</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">2040</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) T. H. Clarke</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203129</td> - <td>Sgt. F. Constable</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200143</td> - <td>Sgt. N. Downes</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203340</td> - <td>L/Sgt. F. J. Field</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200055</td> - <td>Sgt. S. Flitcroft, M.M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203252</td> - <td>Sgt. W. D. Foster</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200135</td> - <td>C.Q.M.S. H. Haigh</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">202936</td> - <td>Pte. (A/Cpl.) R. A. Hudson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200352</td> - <td>Cpl. E. Jackson, M.M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203285</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) H. Kane, M.M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1495</td> - <td>Cpl. C. Landale</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">15805</td> - <td>Sgt. A. Loosemore, V.C.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203229</td> - <td>Sgt. J. Mann</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203351</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) A. Moon</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">6750</td> - <td>Sgt. G. Moscrop</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200598</td> - <td>C.S.M. J. Parkinson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">242274</td> - <td>Sgt. J. Redpath, M.M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">2353</td> - <td>C.S.M. A. Stirzaker</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">3406</td> - <td>Pte. H. Sykes</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203305</td> - <td>Sgt. R. Wilson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201191</td> - <td>Sgt. F. Wood, M.M.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Military Medal (132).</p> - -<table summary="medals"> - <tr> - <td class="right">200471</td> - <td>Pte. C. Andrews</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203501</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) J. T. N. Atkinson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203414</td> - <td>Pte. J. H. Atkinson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1605</td> - <td>Cpl. G. A. Bailey</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1995</td> - <td>Sgt. J. Bancroft</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">26498</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) G. W. Barber</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200096</td> - <td>Pte. S. Barker</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">306365</td> - <td>Sgt. W. Barnes</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203178</td> - <td>Pte. J. T. Berridge</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200053</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) A. Beverley</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200331</td> - <td>Pte. H. Bibby</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">16465</td> - <td>Pte. H. G. Binns</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201886</td> - <td>Cpl. G. Birkinshaw</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">26010</td> - <td>Pte. A. Bishop</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203336</td> - <td>Sgt. A. A. Bolt</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201893</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) C. Bolton</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">202042</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) E. Booth</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">6596</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) J. Bowers</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203177</td> - <td>Pte. S. R. Brabben</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1775</td> - <td>Pte. E. Braithwaite</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">202787</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) G. Broadbent</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">202410</td> - <td>Pte. J. W. Brookes</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">202579</td> - <td>Pte. N. W. Brooksbank</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200298</td> - <td>Sgt. F. J. Brown, D.C.M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">242271</td> - <td>Sgt. W. Brown</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">24960</td> - <td>Pte. S. Brummit</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200653</td> - <td>Sgt. R. G. Brunt</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203595</td> - <td>Pte. W. Buckley</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203217</td> - <td>Cpl. A. Buie</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203433</td> - <td>Pte. T. Burfoot</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201125</td> - <td>L/Sgt. T. Chilton</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">5792</td> - <td>Sgt. F. Johnson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">33014</td> - <td>Pte. J. E. Johnson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200920</td> - <td>Pte. A. G. Jones</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203285</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) H. Kane</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">10737</td> - <td>Sgt. S. Kay</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201783</td> - <td>Sgt. T. Knowles</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1645</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) R. Knox</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200139</td> - <td>Pte. J. Lancaster</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200488</td> - <td>Pte. O. Lee</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200504</td> - <td>Pte. J. Limb</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203188</td> - <td>Pte. H. Louth</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">238181</td> - <td>Pte. W. Lowe</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201012</td> - <td>Sgt. P. McHugh</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">601</td> - <td>Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) A. McNulty</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1967</td> - <td>Cpl. W. Medley</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201923</td> - <td>Pte. T. Meneghan</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200396</td> - <td>Sgt. A. Meskimmon</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">6520</td> - <td>Pte. W. Metcalfe</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201013</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) A. R. Mitchell</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200681</td> - <td>Cpl. W. H. Mitchell</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">73</td> - <td>Sgt. P. Moran</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200153</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) C. Mortimer</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1603</td> - <td>Pte. W. H. Murray</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201689</td> - <td>Pte. J. H. Naylor</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203352</td> - <td>Pte. T. Nicholls</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203371</td> - <td>Cpl. G. North</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">202669</td> - <td>Pte. T. North</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203193</td> - <td>Pte. G. Pearson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201336</td> - <td>Pte. F. F. Pettit</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">306873</td> - <td>Pte. T. Proctor</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">242274</td> - <td>Pte. J. Redpath</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">202120</td> - <td>Pte. T. Conroy</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">26815</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) A. Cresswell</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">30</td> - <td>Sgt. J. W. Crossley</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">26524</td> - <td>Pte. H. S. Davies</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203647</td> - <td>Pte. H. B. Dawson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203650</td> - <td>Pte. A. Denham</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200172</td> - <td>Pte. N. Dennis</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203649</td> - <td>Pte. J. Dewar</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203451</td> - <td>Pte. V. T. Dobson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">267198</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) H. Driver</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201437</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) J. A. Ellis</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">242874</td> - <td>Pte. R. Emmett</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200146</td> - <td>Pte. J. Ennis</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201535</td> - <td>Pte. C. Firth</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">242821</td> - <td>Pte. P. Firth</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1002</td> - <td>Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) J. N. Flather</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200055</td> - <td>Sgt. S. Flitcroft</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203513</td> - <td>Pte. G. A. Foster</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201879</td> - <td>Pte. J. Galloway</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200127</td> - <td>Pte. R. Gledhill</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">235253</td> - <td>Pte. G. Green</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203728</td> - <td>Pte. E. Haggas</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200135</td> - <td>C.S.M. H. Haigh, D.C.M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203517</td> - <td>Pte. T. Hartley</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">12682</td> - <td>Pte. H. Henderson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203315</td> - <td>Pte. B. Hinchcliffe</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1485</td> - <td>Sgt. A. Hodgson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">2108</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) G. H. Holt</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203480</td> - <td>Pte. F. A. Hookham</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201687</td> - <td>Pte. F. Howarth</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203551</td> - <td>Pte. W. Howker</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203072</td> - <td>Pte. W. Inman</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1747</td> - <td>Cpl. E. Jackson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">202664</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) B. Jennings</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201219</td> - <td>Cpl. (L/Sgt.) S. Jessop</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">202746</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) F. Rhodes</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1889</td> - <td>Pte. S. Royals</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">242202</td> - <td>Pte. G. Ryder</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200134</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) J. W. Ryder</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">32897</td> - <td>Pte. E. Sambrookes</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203390</td> - <td>Pte. F. Scales</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">202888</td> - <td>Pte. W. A. Scruton</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">2481</td> - <td>Cpl. H. Shackleton</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">2413</td> - <td>L/Sgt. J. S. Sheard</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">242567</td> - <td>Sgt. A. Smith</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200192</td> - <td>Sgt. H. Smith</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">2716</td> - <td>Pte. L. Stead</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201883</td> - <td>Pte. A. Sutcliffe</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">6606</td> - <td>Pte. R. Swinburne</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">202142</td> - <td>Pte. J. W. Taylor</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201186</td> - <td>Cpl. (A/Sgt.) V. Taylor</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">242371</td> - <td>Pte. J. Tebb</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">13014</td> - <td>Sgt. W. P. Thompson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">1455</td> - <td>Cpl. A. L. Thornton</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200101</td> - <td>Sgt. E. Turner</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">238031</td> - <td>Cpl. J. W. Varley</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200204</td> - <td>Cpl. H. Wainwright</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">2164</td> - <td>Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) J. C. Walker</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">34005</td> - <td>Cpl. A. Wall</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200320</td> - <td>Pte. C. Walsh</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">34007</td> - <td>Pte. M. Webster</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200753</td> - <td>Sgt. A. Whitaker</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200529</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) H. Whiteley</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">16075</td> - <td>Sgt. J. Widdop</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201295</td> - <td>Cpl. B. Wilson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">2346</td> - <td>Sgt. J. Wilson</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">235120</td> - <td>Pte. W. F. Witts</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">201191</td> - <td>Sgt. F. Wood</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">235524</td> - <td>Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) J. E. Yates</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">26271</td> - <td>Pte. J. Young</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Bar to Military Medal (5).</p> - -<table summary="medals"> - <tr> - <td class="right">200096</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) S. Barker, M.M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200146</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) J. Ennis, M.M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">34005</td> - <td>Pte. (L/Cpl.) A. Wall, M.M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200529</td> - <td>Pte. (L/C.) H. Whiteley, M.M.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">203285</td> - <td>Pte. (A/Cpl.) H. Kane, D.C.M., M.M.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Meritorious Service Medal (4).</p> - -<table summary="medals"> - <tr> - <td class="right">200264</td> - <td>Sgt. H. Deane</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200483</td> - <td>Sgt. F. Firth</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">200688</td> - <td>Sgt. E. Jones</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="right">242695</td> - <td>Sgt. F. Smith</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Italian Bronze Medal for Military Valour (1).</p> - -<p class="center">1535 Cpl. J. Walker.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span></p> - - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Medaille Militaire (1).</p> - -<p class="center">200441 C.S.M. W. Medley, M.M.</p> - - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Belgian Croix de Guerre (1).</p> - -<p class="center">200064 Sgt. C. Naylor.</p> - - -<p class="smcap p1 center">Mentions in Despatches (39).</p> - -<div class="parent"> -<ul class="left p0"> - <li>Lt. (T/Capt.) M. P. Andrews</li> - <li>Lt. P. G. Bales</li> - <li>202027 C.Q.M.S. P. Barker</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. E. V. Blakey</li> - <li>235227 Sgt. W. Brooke</li> - <li>Capt. & Q.M. W. N. Broomhead</li> - <li>2492 Pte. (L/Cpl.) D. Dow</li> - <li>Lt. & Q.M. T. Fielding</li> - <li>Capt. S. S. Greaves (R.A.M.C.)</li> - <li>200036 R.S.M. B. Harrison</li> - <li>2108 Pte. (L/Cpl.) G. H. Holt</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. F. A. Innes, M.C.</li> - <li>1687 C.S.M. A. L. Lord</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. (T/Capt.) E. N. Marshall</li> - <li>Lt. G. P. McGuire (twice)</li> - <li>601 C.S.M. A. McNulty</li> - <li>200441 C.S.M. W. Medley, M.M.</li> - <li>204733 C.Q.M.S. E. Midgley</li> - <li>Lt.-Col. A. L. Mowat, D.S.O., M.C.</li> - <li>200598 C.S.M. J. Parkinson</li> - <li>Major (T/Lt.-Col.) C. J. Pickering</li> - <li>Sec.-Lt. T. D. Pratt</li> - <li>2481 Cpl. H. Shackleton</li> - <li>2400 Pte. J. Shelley</li> - <li>2716 Pte. L. Stead</li> - <li>2353 Sgt. (A/C.S.M.) F. P. Stirzaker</li> - <li>Lt.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O. (5 times)</li> - <li>Lt. (T/Capt.) E. E. Sykes</li> - <li>Major J. Walker (3 times)</li> - <li>2164 Sgt. J. C. Walker</li> - <li>2346 Sgt. J. Wilson</li> - <li>1234 Pte. (L/Cpl.) C. Wood</li> -</ul> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span></p> - -<h2>APPENDIX VI.<br /> -<span class="subhed">THE BATTALION CANTEEN.</span></h2></div> - -<p>A thoughtful enemy provided the Battalion with most of its excitement, -and a deal of its amusement, during the Great War. An equally -thoughtful War Office arranged for rations, and a limited supply of -such luxuries as tobacco and cigarettes for the men. But it was left -to the Battalion to supply itself with a canteen. And it was Sergt. F. -Smith who made that institution such a great success.</p> - -<p>The Canteen had its beginning in a small affair, started for the -benefit of the transport men, in August, 1915. Lieut. J. G. Mowat, who -was Transport Officer at the time, provided the necessary capital. Pte. -F. Smith, then employed in the Q.M. Stores, managed the Canteen in his -spare time. From the very first, the new departure was a great success. -Goods were sold out almost as soon as they were displayed, and the -small library which was opened was also very popular.</p> - -<p>Early in its history, this first Canteen nearly came to an untimely -end. One night the roof was found to be in flames, which rapidly spread -to the wooden supports of the building. The “proprietor” alone knew -that a store of petrol and bombs was lying in the hut. But, largely -through the energy of that trained fireman, Cpl. E. Ashworth, the fire -was put out before it reached them.</p> - -<p>In September, 1915, the transport canteen developed into a battalion -institution. Plenty of money was forthcoming to start it, and it soon -“set up shop” in a dugout on the Canal Bank. This was not an ideal spot -for business, and there is no doubt that it was the first canteen to be -set up in that area. When the Battalion went back into rest the Canteen -accompanied it, and, before long, it was looked upon as a permanent -institution.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 1916, the Canteen closed down for a time. Lance-Cpl. -F. Smith had been evacuated sick, and no one else was deemed suitable -to carry on the business. He returned to the 147th Infantry Brigade -late in the Battle of the Somme, but was posted to the 1/5th Battalion -Duke of Wellington’s Regt. However, shortly after, through the courtesy -of that battalion, he returned to his old unit, and the Canteen was -immediately restarted.</p> - -<p>At Fonquevillers it did excellent service. Stationed in a broken-down -building in the village, and frequently annoyed by enemy shelling, it -soon became the admiration of all units in the neighbourhood. At first -it had only been intended for the use of men of the Battalion, but -it was now thrown open to all comers. Within less than a mile of the -firing line, it provided such luxuries as fresh fish, eggs, butter, -fruit and vegetables. Needless to say, it did a “roaring” trade.</p> - -<p>During the rest at Halloy, it was much to the fore, and its activities -were greatly extended. In addition to an enormous retail business, it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span> -catered for all the Christmas dinners and for many smaller parties. It -also became a buying agency, through which officers and other ranks -could obtain goods which they required but which were not ordinarily -kept in stock.</p> - -<p>When the Battalion went into the line near Berles-au-Bois, the Canteen -was set up as usual. There it narrowly escaped a violent death. A -shell entered by the roof one day and blew out a side of the shelter, -wounding a man who was there, and scattering the cash which was being -counted at the time. During the terribly cold weather of that period, -hot coffee and rum were supplied free to many a half-frozen man.</p> - -<p>Senechal Farm and the Ferme du Bois Sector provided plenty of scope for -the Canteen’s initiative. Good shopping centres were plentiful in the -district, and supplies easily procurable. “Hawking” goods in the front -line became quite an institution there, and it was continued in the -Cordonnerie Sector. In the line near Hulluch the facilities were not so -good. A Canteen was set up near Battalion H.Q., but it was difficult to -get goods up to it; and twice the staff was gassed out.</p> - -<p>Little could be done in the Nieuport Sector, though the Canteen still -acted as a buying agency. But while the Battalion was training on the -coast it was very active. There, whole-day training schemes were not -uncommon, and it became customary for a limber to accompany the troops -and set up a stall on the ground.</p> - -<p>The winter of 1917–18 was a very difficult period. There was never -accommodation for a canteen when the Battalion was in the front line; -but it was always at work during rest periods. Its presence in the -Westhoek Dugouts was a great success; beer was never lacking during -that rest period.</p> - -<p>The sudden order to move from Maida Camp, early in April, 1918, caused -much consternation, for the Canteen was particularly well stocked at -the time. However, the stock was somehow cleared, and the takings on -the last day in that area amounted to 4,500 francs—a Battalion record.</p> - -<p>Little business was possible during the Battles of the Lys and Mont -Kemmel, but an increase in trade followed the Battalion’s return to the -neighbourhood of Ypres. Trade again declined when the Battalion went -into battle in the autumn; but the indefatigable Sergt. Smith succeeded -in getting a large supply of cigarettes up to the Battalion in Vordon -Wood—at a time when there was not a cigarette to be had for miles -around.</p> - -<p>During the Armistice, trade was good at Auby, in spite of the -competition of a number of estaminets and shops which were soon opened -in the village. There Sergt. F. Smith laid down his duties and devoted -himself to education for the short period before he was demobilised. -Yet, right up to the end, the Canteen survived at Douai.</p> - -<p>In its long and chequered history the Canteen had many homes. Dugouts -and shelters, within easy range of the front line, were occupied on -many occasions. Barns, stables, even a pig-sty, did duty in various -places when the Battalion was in rest. But, whatever its surroundings -might be, it always proved a source of much comfort to the men. There -were many rumours of the “row of houses” which was being built in -Halifax, for few people were well acquainted with current prices. But -actually, the profit was never more than 5 per cent. Out of this profit -all expenses had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span> to be paid; the whole of the balance was then spent -on the men of the Battalion, who were the chief customers. When the -demobilisation of the Battalion was complete, the surplus funds were -handed over to the Old Comrades’ Association.</p> - -<p>The Canteen staff had many duties besides those of buying and selling. -The Battalion library, which was run almost continuously for about -three and a half years, was in its charge. When billets were available, -reading and recreation rooms were organised. Sports material was looked -after. Concerts, whist drives, and other social functions were catered -for. In all these activities, the efforts of Sergt. Smith were ably -seconded by his faithful henchmen, “Jack” Baines and “Johnny” Jackson.</p> - -<p>The Battalion was particularly fortunate in having so many good friends -at home. Chief among these should be mentioned Mr. W. E. Denison and -the <i>Halifax Courier</i> Fund. Books, periodicals, whist drive -prizes, lamps, and countless other articles, which helped to make life -happier for the men at the “Front,” were provided by them.</p> - -<p>The Battalion had several different Seconds-in-Command and all took -great interest in, and spent much time over, the Canteen. But it had -only one Sergt. F. Smith. To him was mainly due the reputation of the -4th Battalion Canteen as the most successful institution of its kind in -the 49th Division. Everyone was delighted when the Meritorious Service -Medal rewarded his great services.</p> - - -<p class="center xs p6"><span class="smcap">Stott Brothers Limited</span>, Printers, Mount Street Works, Halifax.</p> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_endpiece_1"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_endpiece_1.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center u p0">Flanders.</p> - </div> - - <div class="figcenter" id="i_b_endpiece_2"> - <img - class="p2" - src="images/i_b_endpiece_2.jpg" - alt="" /> - <p class="center p0 smcap">Fifth and Third Army Areas.</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">1916–1917</p> - <p class="center p-min smaller">—·—·—Approximate Front Line 1.7.16.</p> - </div> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h2>FOOTNOTES:</h2> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> The following Officers mobilised with the Battalion on -August 4th:—</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut.-Col. H. S. Atkinson, T.D. (C.O.).</li> - <li>Major E. P. Chambers (Second in Command).</li> - <li>Capt. H. A. S. Stanton (Adjutant).</li> - <li>Capt. A. T. Griffiths, R.A.M.C. (Medical Officer).</li> - <li>Lieut. T. Fielding (Quartermaster).</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">Captains</p> - -<ul> - <li>W. A. Laxton,</li> - <li>D. V. Fleming,</li> - <li>J. Walker,</li> - <li>V. A. Milligan,</li> - <li>D. B. Winter,</li> - <li>R. H. Goldthorp,</li> - <li>C. E. Kirby.<a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">Lieutenants</p> - -<ul> - <li>E. P. Learoyd,</li> - <li>E. E. Sykes,<a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></li> - <li>A. H. Helliwell,</li> - <li>A. L. Mowat,</li> - <li>A. H. Richardson,</li> - <li>D. A. Sutcliffe,</li> - <li> M. P. Andrews,</li> - <li> W. F. Denning.<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">Second-Lieutenants</p> - -<ul> - <li>J. T. Riley,</li> - <li>C. Hirst,</li> - <li>S. Balme.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="hangingindent">Capt. R. E. Sugden and Lieut. H. N. Waller had gone away with -the Special Service Section two days previously.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> From the T.F. Reserve.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[3]</a> Company Commanders and Seconds-in-Command were as -follows:—</p> - -<p class="p-left">A Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Major R. E. Sugden;</li> - <li>Capt. M. P. Andrews.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">B Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. J. Walker;</li> - <li>Capt. H. N. Waller.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">C Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. D. B. Winter;</li> - <li>Capt. E. E. Sykes.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">D Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. R. H. Goldthorp;</li> - <li>Capt. A. L. Mowat.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[4]</a> The following were the billets occupied in Doncaster:—</p> - -<table summary="billets"> - <tr> - <td>Battn. H.Q. and Q.M. Stores:</td> - <td>Oxford Place Schools.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>A Company:</td> - <td>Hexthorpe Schools.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>B Company:</td> - <td>Wheatley Road and St. James’ Schools.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>C and D Companies:</td> - <td>Hyde Park Schools.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>Transport:</td> - <td>Turf Hotel Stables and Wood Street Hotel.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="label">[5]</a> The hotels used were:—</p> - -<table summary="hotels"> - <tr> - <td>Nos. 1 and 7 Companies:</td> - <td>Red Lion Hotel.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>No. 2 Company:</td> - <td>Salutation Hotel.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>No. 3 Company:</td> - <td>Thatched House Hotel.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>Nos. 4 and 8 Companies:</td> - <td>Burns Hotel.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>Nos. 5 and 6 Companies:</td> - <td>Danum Hotel.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>Battalion H.Q. Details:</td> - <td>Good Woman Hotel.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td>Transport:</td> - <td>Wood Street Hotel.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="label">[6]</a> The names of the men who made up this party, representing -as they did the pick of the “original” Battalion, are worth recording. -They were:—</p> - -<p class="center">Lieut. E. N. Marshall.</p> - -<p class="p-left">A Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. Walsh,</li> - <li>Sergts. Stirzaker and Green,</li> - <li>Cpl. Harrison,</li> - <li>Lance-Cpl. Payne,</li> - <li>Pte. Pamment.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">B Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. Lee,</li> - <li>Lance-Cpl. Brown,</li> - <li>Ptes. Brown, Helliwell, Whiteley and Harkness.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">C Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. Greenwood,</li> - <li>Sergts. Flather, Robertshaw and Moran,</li> - <li>Cpls. Hoyle and Barraclough.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">D Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. Sherwood,</li> - <li>Lance-Cpls. Asquith and Walsh,</li> - <li>Ptes. Sykes, Bentley and Braithwaite.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">Transport:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Sergt. Crossley.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="label">[7]</a> The following Officers and Warrant Officers went into -action with the Battalion on September 3rd, 1916:—</p> - -<p class="p-left">Battalion H.Q.:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Major J. Walker (C.O.);</li> - <li>Lieut. W. C. Fenton (Adjt.);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. H. Aykroyd, M.C. (I.O.);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. N. Taylor (L.G.O.);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. N. Mellor (Bombing O.);</li> - <li>Capt. S. S. Greaves, R.A.M.C. (M.O.).</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker, M.C.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">A Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut. W. N. Everitt, M.C.;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. A. E. Hirst;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. G. F. Robertshaw.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. A. Stirzaker, D.C.M.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">B Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. C. Hirst;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. V. A. Horsfall;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. E. Pohlmann.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. W. Medley.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">C Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. E. N. Marshall;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. F. Walker;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. W. Smith.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. T. H. Greenwood.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">D Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut. J. T. Riley;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. E. C. Mee;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. C. W. Tomlinson.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. J. C. Walker.</li> -</ul> - -<p>Fighting strength of the Battalion on the afternoon of September 2nd:—</p> - -<table summary="strength"> - <tr> - <td class="nowrap">Battalion H.Q.</td> - <td>Officers (including M.O.)</td> - <td class="right">6</td> - <td class="ctr nowrap">Other ranks</td> - <td class="right">121</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="nowrap">A Company</td> - <td>   „</td> - <td class="right">3</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="right">127</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="nowrap">B Company</td> - <td>   „</td> - <td class="right">3</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="right">127</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="nowrap">C Company</td> - <td>   „</td> - <td class="right">3</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="right">127</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="nowrap">D Company</td> - <td>   „</td> - <td class="right u">3</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="right u">127</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="nowrap"></td> - <td class="cht4">Total</td> - <td class="right">18</td> - <td class="ctr"></td> - <td class="right">629</td> - </tr> -</table> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="label">[8]</a> At that time O.C., 1/5th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s -Regt.; formerly Adjutant of the 1/4th Battalion.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="label">[9]</a> 7 killed, 24 wounded.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="label">[10]</a> Marked X on map.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11" class="label">[11]</a> The following Officers and Warrant Officers went into -action with the Battalion on October 9th, 1917:—</p> - -<p class="p-left">Battn. H.Q.:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O. (C.O.);</li> - <li>Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C. (Adjt.);</li> - <li>Lieut. H. S. Wilkinson (I.O.);</li> - <li>Lieut. W. T. Scholes;</li> - <li>Capt. J. M. Anderson, R.A.M.C. (M.O.).</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker, M.C.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">Lieut. G. P. McGuire (Liaison Officer at 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q.).</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">A Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. A. E. Mander;</li> - <li>Lieut. A. Kirk;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. R. S. Brabham.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>Sergt. H. Gidley (A/C.S.M.)</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">B Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. S. Balme;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. L. L. Johnson;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. S. Watson;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. R. E. Stubington.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. H. Haigh.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">C Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut. E. V. Blakey;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. A. M. Luty;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. A. W. Nevile.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. J. Parkinson.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">D Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. N. Geldard;</li> - <li>Lieut. W. L. Hirst;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. L. Gumby;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. W. Oldfield, M.M.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>Sergt. W. Brooke (A/C.S.M.)</li> -</ul> - -<p>Fighting Strength of the Battalion on the morning of October 9th:—</p> - -<table summary="strength"> - <tr> - <td class="nowrap">Battn. H.Q.</td> - <td class="right">5</td> - <td class="ctr">officers</td> - <td class="right">59</td> - <td class="ctr nowrap">other ranks.</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="nowrap">A Company</td> - <td class="right">3</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="right">101</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="nowrap">B Company</td> - <td class="right">4</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="right">86</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="nowrap">C Company</td> - <td class="right">3</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="right">106</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="nowrap">D Company</td> - <td class="right u">4</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="right u">108</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="cht4">Total</td> - <td class="right">19</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - <td class="right">460</td> - <td class="ctr">„</td> - </tr> -</table> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12" class="label">[12]</a> This man did not long remain a prisoner. Certified by a -combined board of Dutch and German medical men as unfit for further -service, he was repatriated through Holland.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13" class="label">[13]</a> While the Battalion was holding the Keerselaarhoek -Sector the gridded track was continued as far as the crest of the -Passchendaele Ridge.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14" class="label">[14]</a> Before the Battalion left the sector, a third had been -built.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_15" href="#FNanchor_15" class="label">[15]</a> The following Officers and Warrant Officers went into -action with the Battalion on April 10th, 1918:—</p> - -<p class="p-left">Battn. H.Q.:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O. (C.O.);</li> - <li>Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C. (Second in Command);</li> - <li>Lieut. P. G. Bales (A/Adjt.);</li> - <li>Lieut. J. C. Walton (I.O.);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. A. Loudoun (Sig. O.);</li> - <li>Capt. F. C. Harrison, R.A.M.C. (M.O.).</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>R.S.M. F. P. Stirzaker, M.C.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">Sec.-Lieut. H. Rosendale (Liaison Officer at 147th Infantry Bde. H.Q.).</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">A Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. A. Kirk;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. B. H. Huggard;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. E. Clarke;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. C. Whitaker.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. T. S. Sherwood.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">B Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. N. T. Farrar;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. L. L. Johnson;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. S. R. Norton;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. F. Akroyd.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>Sergt. A. Smith (A/C.S.M.).</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">C Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. A. M. Luty;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. F. D. Chippindale;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. M. C. O’Dowd;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. E. Burgoyne.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. N. Hobson.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">D Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut. B. M. Machin;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Lumb;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. Turner;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. H. Kitson;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. W. Oldfield, M.M.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. C. Naylor.</li> -</ul> - -<p>Owing to casualties and fresh officers coming up from B Echelon, many -changes took place in the personnel during the next ten days. The -Battalion went into battle so hurriedly that no record of the exact -strength was made, but it was approximately 650 other ranks.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_16" href="#FNanchor_16" class="label">[16]</a> Extract from the 6th Supplement to the “London Gazette,” -dated June 25th, 1918:—“24066 Pte. Arthur Poulter awarded Victoria -Cross.</p> - -<p>For most conspicuous bravery when acting as a stretcher-bearer. On -ten occasions Pte. Poulter carried badly wounded men on his back to -a safer locality, through a particularly heavy artillery and machine -gun barrage. Two of these were hit a second time whilst on his back. -Again, after a withdrawal over the river had been ordered, Pte. Poulter -returned in full view of the enemy who were advancing, and carried -back another man who had been left behind wounded. He bandaged up over -forty men under fire, and his conduct throughout the whole day was a -magnificent example to all ranks.</p> - -<p>This very gallant soldier was subsequently seriously wounded when -attempting another rescue in the face of the enemy.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_17" href="#FNanchor_17" class="label">[17]</a> Throughout the operations in April, 1918, Major A. L. -Mowat, M.C, was attached to 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q. as Assistant -Brigade Major.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_18" href="#FNanchor_18" class="label">[18]</a> The following Officers and Warrant Officers went into -action with the Battalion on April 25th, 1918:—</p> - -<p class="p-left">Battn. H.Q.:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut.-Col. R. E. Sugden, D.S.O. (C.O.);</li> - <li>Capt. W. C. Fenton, M.C. (Second in Command);</li> - <li>Lieut. P. G. Bales (A/Adjt.);</li> - <li>Lieut. J. C. Walton (I.O.);</li> - <li>Lieut. L. J. Smets (Sig. O.);</li> - <li>Capt. F. C. Harrison, R.A.M.C. (M.O.).</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>R.S.M. T. S. Sherwood.</li> - <li class="hangingindent">Capt. H. N. Taylor (Liaison Officer at 147th Infantry Brigade H.Q.).</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">A Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. A. Kirk (O.C.);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. E. Clarke;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. C. Whitaker;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. G. Campbell.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>Sergt. W. D. Foster (A/C.S.M.).</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">B Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. R. B. Broster (O.C.);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. C. T. Applewhaite;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. S. R. Norton.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. B. Haigh, D.C.M.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">C Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut. W. G. Mackie (O.C.);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. A. C. Edwards.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. J. E. Yates.</li> -</ul> - -<p>D Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. S. Balme (O.C.);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. Rosendale;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. E. Turner;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. L. Gumby, M.C.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. C. Naylor.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_19" href="#FNanchor_19" class="label">[19]</a> The following Officers and Warrant Officers took part in -the raid:—</p> - -<p class="p-left">Advanced Battn. H.Q.:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat, M.C. (C.O.);</li> - <li>Lieut. P. G. Bales.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">Rear Battn. H.Q.:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Major W. C. Fenton, M.C.;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. L. Gumby, M.C.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">A Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. B. H. Huggard (O.C. Company).</li> - <li>C.S.M. P. Gledhill.</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. A. Charlesworth (No. 1 Platoon).</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. E. Bentley (No. 2 Platoon).</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. R. M. Leddra (No. 3 Platoon).</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. M. Marsden (No. 4 Platoon).</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Entwhistle (No. 14 Platoon).</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">B Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. N. T. Farrar, M.C. (O.C. Company).</li> - <li>C.S.M. H. Haigh, D.C.M.</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. R. Newman (No. 5 Platoon).</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. R. E. Jones (No. 6 Platoon).</li> - <li>Sergt. F. J. Field (No. 7 Platoon).</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. W. G. Bradley (No. 8 Platoon).</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. Rosendale (No. 16 Platoon).</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">C Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. B. Crickmer (No. 10 Platoon).</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. E. Burgoyne (No. 12 Platoon).</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_20" href="#FNanchor_20" class="label">[20]</a> The following Officers and Warrant Officers went into -action with the Battalion in October, 1918:—</p> - -<p class="p-left">Battn. H.Q.:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat, M.C. (C.O.);</li> - <li>Capt. H. H. Aykroyd, M.C. (Adjt.);</li> - <li>Lieut. P. G. Bales (I.O.);</li> - <li>Lieut. H. A. Loudoun (Sig. O.);</li> - <li>Capt. F. C. Harrison, R.A.M.C. (M.O.).</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>R.S.M. W. Lee, M.C.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">A Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. A. Kirk, M.C. (O.C. Company);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. E. Bentley;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. T. E. Jessop;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. M. Marsden.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>Sergt. W. D. Foster (A/C.S.M.).</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">B Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. W. Grantham (O.C. Company);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. Bamforth;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. R. E. Jones;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. A. F. Wenham-Goode.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. H. Haigh, D.C.M.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">C Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. R. B. Broster (O.C. Company);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. R. Newman, M.C.;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. F. Maley;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut J. L. Hyland.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">D Company:</p> - -<ul> - <li>Capt. T. Hutton, M.C. (O.C. Company);</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Lumb;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. A. H. W. Mallalieu;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. H. Rosendale.</li> -</ul> - -<ul> - <li>C.S.M. C. Naylor.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_21" href="#FNanchor_21" class="label">[21]</a> The Colour Party consisted of</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut. P. G. Bales;</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. T. T. Gilroy;</li> - <li>C.S.M. H. Haigh, D.C.M., M.M.;</li> - <li>Sergt. A. Meskimmon, M.M.;</li> - <li>Sergt. T. Chilton, M.M.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_22" href="#FNanchor_22" class="label">[22]</a> 4 Firsts; 1 Second; 1 Third.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_23" href="#FNanchor_23" class="label">[23]</a> The cadre of the Battalion consisted of the following -officers and other ranks:.—</p> - -<ul> - <li>Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat, D.S.O., M.C. (C.O.).</li> - <li>Capt. W. N. Broomhead, T.D. (Q.M.).</li> - <li>Capt. P. G. Bales, M.C. (Adjt.).</li> - <li>Sec.-Lieut. J. A. Steele.</li> - <li>R.S.M. S. Flitcroft, D.C.M., M.M.</li> - <li>R.Q.M.S. P. Barker.</li> - <li>C.Q.M.S. E. Elsey.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">Sergts.</p> - -<ul> - <li>E. Ashworth, D.C.M.;</li> - <li>E. L. Collinson;</li> - <li>C. H. Shaw.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">Cpls.</p> - -<ul> - <li>J. W. Rider, M.M.;</li> - <li>S. Barker, M.M.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">Lance-Cpls.</p> - -<ul> - <li>C. Walsh, M.M.;</li> - <li>F. E. Thompson;</li> - <li>A. Cobbold.</li> -</ul> - -<p class="p-left">Privates</p> - -<ul> - <li>N. Crowther;</li> - <li>T. Langan;</li> - <li>C. Charnock;</li> - <li>C. Hipwood;</li> - <li>H. B. Nelson;</li> - <li>H. Pope;</li> - <li>A. Tordoff;</li> - <li>W. Steele;</li> - <li>T. Walton;</li> - <li>H. Wilkinson;</li> - <li>H. Whiteley;</li> - <li>W. H. Redman;</li> - <li>F. Wade;</li> - <li>F. Everett;</li> - <li>E. Newsome;</li> - <li>J. E. Walker;</li> - <li>N. Rawson;</li> - <li>S. J. Hawkes;</li> - <li>H. Waite;</li> - <li>C. Andrews.</li> -</ul> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_24" href="#FNanchor_24" class="label">[24]</a> Includes several, at first reported “Missing,” since -“Assumed to be Dead.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_25" href="#FNanchor_25" class="label">[25]</a> Sec.-Lieut. R. Jury, mortally wounded by an enemy bomb at -Dunkerque.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_26" href="#FNanchor_26" class="label">[26]</a> Includes all since reported “Prisoners of War.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_27" href="#FNanchor_27" class="label">[27]</a> Capt. W. Grantham, since reported “Died of wounds a -Prisoner in Enemy Hands.”</p> - -</div> -</div> - - -<p class="transnote">Transcriber’s Notes:<br /> - -1. Obvious printers’, punctuation and spelling errors have been corrected silently. - -2. Some hyphenated and non-hyphenated versions of the same words have been -retained as in the original.</p> - - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE 1/4TH BATTALION DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S (WEST RIDING) REGIMENT, 1914-1919. ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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