DURHAM LIG

■
 THE KING’S
OF 18th BATTALION DURH
Laid up in the Chapter Hous
 HUMPHREY
OXFORD UNIV
LONDON EDINBURGH

TORONTO MELBOURNE CAPE

19
18TH (S.) BATTALION DURH
unfailing memory and re
every page.
To the few who respond
and letters, and especially to
and to Lieutenant W. A
grateful, and trust that th
desired, received their pape
All proceeds from the s
immediate cost of printing,
will be handed to the Batt
those who have suffered fo
It is difficult in this type
mean between writing fo
Battalion. I have not atte
therefore described, very
vi
 In case a later edition
very glad of any correctio
occur to the reader.
My sister, Miss L. A. L
by reading through the pro

The Castle,
Durham.

V
tion requires to be drawn
to the arrangement of the
Typical of the men
regiment may be, it is sa
was more thoroughly repr
than that dealt with her
sively from the entire co
of a County Committee, it
similarly raised within the
the war. That its incept
by the fact that its perso
strange to training and to
to fighting, and in the ab
the Regular Army, later s
proportion of its strength
grave or gay, and bring ba
gild some half-forgotten b
in memory recall some erst
Throughout the volum
ease trace the life history o
chrysalis state, later, as or
gressed and developed tha
so essential to its well-bei
strong fighting spirit whic
characterised the Battalio
good name wherever it we
tice, still keeping to the fo
qualities, and finally retu
birth, laying up its King’s C
of the Diocese, forming its
servedly so, its Command
to end the Battalion was
pass from success to su
labour of love in compi
can offer to him is the m
did so much to create, an
with the comradeship w
amongst all those who
Battalion.
I have been asked by
D.S.O., M.C., to write
accepted his invitation n
am the right and proper
do so, but because in in
18th Battalion The Dur
Service Abroad in Egypt, 19

CHAP
France and the Preparations

CHA
The Battle of the Somme, 1

CHAP
Festubert, Neuve Chapelle,

CHAP
Back to the Somme, 1916-17

CHAPT
The Spring of 1917
The Last Advance and the En

APPEN
I. List of Subscribers to
Durham Light Infantry

II. Telegrams and Messages o

III. Roll of Officers and Wa

quarters . .

IV. Roll of Officers .

V. List of Non-Commissioned
left the Battalion af
proceed to England fo

VI. List of Decorations .

VII. Casualty Lists .

x
Nieppe Forest . .

Bailleul Church

Crater of Ammunition Dump

Ploegsteert Wood . .

The Lys and Warneton .

The Lys and German Pill-box

Wrecked Tanks . .

Map ....
 began.
„ 15. First Battle of the Aisne
began.
Oct. 9. Fall of Antwerp.
„ 20. First Battle of Ypres
began.

1915-

Mar. 10. British took Neuve

Chapelle. *
Apr. 22. Second Battle of Ypres
began. Gas used for
the first time.

x
Apr. 6. America declared war on
Germany.
„ 9. Battle of Vimy Ridge
began.
May 4. French took Craonne.
June 7. British victory on Messines
Ridge.
July 31. Third Battle of Ypres
began.
Oct. 9. Allied attack in Flanders.

Nov. 1. German retreat on Chemin

des Dames.
„ 6. British stormed Passchen-
daale Ridge.
„ 20. British victory at Cambrai.
„ 30. German counter-attack at
Cambrai.
D

1918. 1

Mar. 21. German offensive in the

West and Second Battle
of the Somme.
„ 24. Bapaume and Peronne
lost.
XVlll
Oct. 9. Cambrai regained.
„ 10. Battle of Le Cateau.
„ 17. Battle of the Selle.

Nov. i. Battle of the Sambre began.

,, 3. Kiel Mutiny.
,, 9. Abdication of the Kaiser.
,, xo. British at Mons.
,, 11. Armistice with Germany.

1919
June 28. Peace signed.

xi
.
County of Durham, makin
ham, Darlington, the Har
Stockton, Sunderland and
raising of such a Battalion
by Major F. T. Tristram
Burdon, and it was broug
outcome of their strenuo
Lieutenant-Colonel H. Bow
by the Lord-Lieutenant of
conceived and carried into
equip a Battalion in the C
of subscribers, and it shou
Battalion was the only unit
so raised, the initial expe
formation of other Battalion
Government.
Appeals were at once
1
obtaining official sanction to
Curiously enough, after fi
project, the War Office
highly the success achieve
Kitchener summoned Colon
expressed the thanks of the
having presented the nation
Composed, as it was, of
the Battalion was unquest
any county and any count
proud.
On September 24, 1914,
rapidly at Cocken Hall, the
contingent marching from
were soon joined by contin
Sunderland, Hartlepool and
outset a very high standard
2
soldiers among them was
Companies soon settled down
By early October the Battali
establishment, and in the be
increased to six Companie
Lieutenant-Colonel H. Bowes
about the end of October.
action the Battalion was soon
ment began to be issued. D
the training had consisted lar
this was continued and laid th
earned reputation of the Batta
powers.
Gradually the organisatio
built up, and the transport
employments of the Battalion
and all were most carefully se
3
W. L. Allen, and T. W. Pi
these instructors had its fruit
results at Ripon and Fova
squad drill and close order
show signs of distinct pro
and entrenching were star
now taken out of the hand
and undertaken by the Comp
J. D. Moscrop. It would
any other branch of the a
Battalion which has worke
excellent results than the c
of the Battalion appreciate
owed to them.
In Sports the football te
and doing well, and it w
matches that the order w
4
its work.
The Bombardment of Har
at Middlesbrough.—Orders
afternoon of November 16
proceed to Hartlepool that
Coast Defence Duty. Th
selected the non-commissi
from those who had fired a
These were then formed i
placed under the command
The detachment entrained
ceeded to Hartlepool, whe
Hart Road. Later one C
Hartlepool. The work co

1 There was some disappointment ca

unofficially reported that a considerable nu
ment on the way to the station.

5
The German ships, the D
guns, the Von der Tann
guns, and possibly a light c
of the mist and opened f
Our small craft gallantly
the invaders, but were very
enemy ships drew near th
coast batteries.
‘ Then began the first
a foreign foe since the Fr
1690, the first on British s
guard 1797/ Most unfo
rounds burst near one of o
relieved, and the Battalion
losing five killed and eleve
died shortly after. The D
burst in and round the ba
6
building yards damaged,
yards were not touched. C
houses, and schools were a
going to school and babies i
killed. The total death-roll
over 300 ; 600 houses we
and three steamers that nig
the invaders had laid off t
with much loss of life.’
The inhabitants behaved
girls in the Hartlepool Tel
steadily through the can
aim had been to create such
as would prevent the despa
the Continent, and to com
the Grand Fleet to move
Coast.’ Both hopes comple
7
Hartlepool detachment rejo
companies were reorganised, a
was begun. Battalion close
became a very distinctive fe
parade, precision of movem
were most marked and were
those who took part in
Training gradually went fa
schemes were carried out.
In early December the B
with the 16th, 18th, 19th
land Fusiliers into 122nd In
command of Brigadier-Gene
who, with his Brigade-Majo
took a keen and personal i
the Battalion. This Brigad
Division.
8
for several days delayed the
On April 26, after near
the Battalion returned to C
brough, as at Hartlepool,
had done everything that la
the discomfort of the men.
In less than a month the
move, and, less E and F
May 3 joined the remainde
camp at Cramlington. Wh
miserably cold, and the s
entirely unsheltered. One
received to prepare for a Z
was issued and the Battal
creditably short time ; the
south of the Tyne. A lar
at Cramlington was devote
9
were present, and Major-
Commanding Newcastle Ar
parade. Lord Kitchener
Lieut.-Colonel H. Bowes o
steadiness of the Battalion
on the Town Moor, and the
being one of the smartest on
and Tyneside Irish Battali
inspection.
In the latter part of May
from 122nd Infantry Brigad
Infantry Brigade at Ripon.
sent to Lieut.-Colonel H. B
Hunter, C.B., 122nd Infant

On the departure of the 18

Brigadier-General Commanding
appreciation of the exemplary d
IO
Regiment, and 12th King
Infantry, the Divisional Pio
command of Major-General
a fortnight later handed ove
General Wanless O’Gowan,
During June the Regim
pleted with mules up to estab
Officer, Lieutenant F. S. B
for the Division as they arriv
were an uncommonly fine ba
America, and rising 17 ha
very wild and intractable
of trouble in the lines, bre
wildly through the town.
of six grey mules, almost p
fine animals.
Training at South Camp
1
officer his powers of instru
gift of turning out non
character. His presence w
four months was of the g
officer, non-commissioned
into contact with him.
In the first week of
officially taken over by the
mittee refused to accept a
cost of raising and equip
£10,000, which was thus
the nation. Similarly, L
compensation for the use
the country the expenditu
£7000.
The townspeople of Ri
to the men during their st
1
that the King would inspect t
was concluded, but this was p
illness. About this time th
Regimental patches were pro
of Durham green flannel two
one inch wide with a scarlet
inches by half an inch : one
half an inch below the should
Towards the end of Nove
proceeded to France with a
move there and the troops w
gas helmets. These were iss
The Thirty-second Division
farther advanced in training
Division on the assumption
proceed to France on Nov
moment, however, sun helm
14
l5
Light Infantry under the
General H. B. Kirk on the
of about 15,000 tons. We
escort of two destroyers.
There were in addition t
on board, and the men’s qua
crowded, and they suffered
The food also was totall
prepared. To add to the
in the voyage every one was
Physical drill and life-belt d
out by companies at a tim
condition of the decks.
caused us to follow a very
addition the ship took a zig
voyage. This, combined w
Bay of Biscay, made us take
16
the crew of sixty-two from th
with the wife of the French
were taken on board. Two o
killed in the engine-room by th
gun look-out in the bows an
duty had seen the French ves
four minutes before the accid
warned, but apparently neithe
the other was going to do.
as this, one of our cruisers
torpedoed twice, though not
about thirty miles north of u
fortunate to escape any undes
the incident.
The next day the sea becam
roughish until Gozo and Ma
following morning, where H.M
17
looked beautiful in the go
strange chequer in black an
turrets being our first expe
camouflage. The next day
sighted a submarine, and
6-inch naval gun in the ste
but did not hit her, though
this time we had crammed
this combined with a lum
submarine off. Apparently
at us and we passed betwe
stern very narrowly.
We now steered north-ea
our destination was Salonika
18 we came in sight of the
and Dicte, the twin queens
Crete. They were thirty to
18
was a church parade, with a
deliverance from danger.
reached Port Said, and after a
marched to a tent camp just
town. While there we had
pany close order drill, ple
including a voluntary one on
was very warm; and the men
tunities to go into Port Said,
shows could be seen, thoug
out of bounds. Unfortunate
supplies had arrived and,
Christmas dinner was out of
were on hard rations owing to
ships and the submarining o
the Persia among others bei
l9
a great deal of work to be d
and building light railway tra
One of our subalterns came
miscellaneous collection of A
goats and dogs, who had com
On January 2 D Compan
ment to hold an outpost lin
to protect Bir Abu Raidhar
Australians on their right
Company began to build a
portion of C Company was s
was two-thirds of the way to
building of the light railway
into touch with both these d
a home-made heliograph. D
deal of football was played
meeting was held. Major P
20
which were now in Kantara, m
eight miles to Hill 108 ove
Nearly all stores and all wat
brought up on camels. T
to carry 400 lb., but very few
half the load, or twenty-fou
fantassies, many of which l
serious shortage of water.
loaded up with corrugated ir
scantling on the other, not
effect in the desert, but fre
effect on the infantry escort
loose and fell off.
At Hill 108 the men beg
the general defensive system
This system was as follows
in the loose sand, lined w
21
 I am extremely pleased wit
and think that the officers and
on their energy. I was ext
cheerful way in which they wo
they had evidently put in to ac
in such short time.

In addition to the actual p

it was essential to prevent
passing between the widely
crossing the Suez Canal, fr
bank which separated it fr
This latter was a brackish
Port Said and was there s
then sent down the Canal in
practically the only supply o
If the intervening bank was
the salt water of the Suez C
22
Land. Later when they we
our lines they would sweep
horse-lines or any scrap o
were then passed farther bac
and rationed by the British.
At Hill 108 Major C.
regimental canteen, and Ser
in charge, carried it on very
and France. Here again w
had an occasional Taube ov
a certain number of small d
form of amusement was to
kangaroo-rat with its bus
numerous warrens in the
quickly, and after three w
February, the Battalion w
Lancashire Regiment, and
23
their strike. At Spit Post
regular bathing parades, a
time practically the whole o
many venturing as far as fro
Here Major C. W. Tilly’s
known to the Battalion as
Cheyne’s magpies later in
the quail was eaten and
cat the night before it s
Marseilles.
At Spit Post we first h
warning order which had b
parture to Mesopotamia was
Thirteenth Division, which
Mudros, passed Spit Post
and took much of our Regi
at Kantara, where it had re
2
 The time in Egypt had
of hard work, plenty of digging
in the heavy sand and a not
very limited choice, or rath
drinks had combined to mak
generally speaking, the Batta
for itself, make itself comf
quickly under new and some
conditions.
There were also many
lighter nature*—the Turkish
queer broken English of the
cried their papers or their wa
stomachic properties to th
ingenious tuition of the Britis
one who ever saw Sandbag
erection of one unit, with even
25
 The voyage in the Iv
able than the outward jo
crowded and the feeding
however, was bad most o
was entirely uneventful e
of the low-built, wallow
built for the bombardme
waited off Malta for orde
the Straits of Messina a
Bonifacio, where we recei
marines were active in the
Marseilles in bad weather
our voyage by running fo
dock where we were to b
the full the sulphurous
lineage and ancestry of ou
The remnants of the
27
about 3 a.m. on March 1
the French authorities loo
hot coffee with rum in it
was composed of the ordin
covered trucks and proce
men who fell out of a tru
miles from Orange reac
minutes after the train.
The detraining at P
3 a.m. on a bitter morni
Citerne, a small villag
Abbeville. The billets w
disused sties and hen-ho
and cleaned out. A goo
men found the bitter wea
sun-helmets of Egypt.
route-marching, as the d
played almost continuously an
end of each day’s march. T
trek through Hallencourt to Lo
were good ; then followed tw
Flesselles, where the party for in
joined us in a snowstorm, and
be Sir Douglas Haig’s advanc
Somme battle a few months a
Beaussart via Louvencourt, t
day’s march being done at n
by enemy aircraft. 10th Roy
us by sending out their
billets.
On the following day, M
suffered its first casualty overs
coming over and dropping a b
9.2 howitzers at the west end
29
unpleasant. The 94th I
left, 15th West Yorkshi
The most noticeable featu
with which our snipers
Hawdon got the upper h
and any one who lived in
Maxim Street South m
them.
On April 3 the Batt
York and Lancaster Regim
Beaussart, and on April 4
hut camp in the wood a
had no windows, no door
and no furniture of any de
on a period of training for
gas chambers, threw bom
watched the Light Trench
at Bertrancourt, where there
camp. At this time in our
activity was slight, and ther
very little long-range shelling
of the later billet life in th
improving, and the training,
morning, was interesting a
coming operations.
On May 14 the Battalio
lying just north of the Ser
11 th East Yorkshire Regim
Lancashire Fusiliers being o
sector and 16th W7est Yor
left. Lieutenant-Colonel H
of the Brigade, as General F
latter, to the genuine regret
one and all were very fond o
3i
 One incident relieved t
We received our first bask
Higher Staff being anxious
was carried out properly
quarters to observe the re
in charge of the pigeon-lof
then know all there was t
instead of sending two co
one of each. On their
clipped on their wings, the
their military duties entire
Serre and, lighting on an ol
and cooing, wholly oblivi
they ever were pricked by
their own pigeon-loft is
patience and went home to
On May 19 we wer
trenches for the attack and
building mined dug-outs and
out all the thousand-and-one
success of a great assault.
Battalion had to march at nigh
often under heavy fire, carry
and return seven miles under
endured, they only can know
night, and they never say^
over, ‘A bit rough last nigh
wind up ’—and all the time
longer.
During off-days from wor
to-trench attack was practise
trenches by Companies, B
Officers and non-commission
33
and in these we lived m
the same time a beginn
the French civilians, wh
remained at work. On
Gezaincourt to join 16t
to whom they were to
July 1, it being intended
the leading waves a we
back area. Meanwhil
Courcelles practised the
torpedoes. These are
ammonal and fitted with
laterally and vertically
wards and not at all ba
most useful in destroyin
by a bombardment. T
The strong front German line on the
west of the barrage are clearly seen.
strong points, dum
ally, assisted by observation f
’planes, and every day thick
gas could be seen rolling grea
line. Unfortunately the we
week in June was so bad tha
fixed for June 29, was put bac
unfortunately for Thirty-first D
was learnt from German pris
the enemy gun - power round
Gommecourt being very hea
numerous reinforcing batterie
during the last two days of
batteries were wisely kept silen
the morning of July 1.
Prior to the end of the mo
Aylmer Hunter-Weston, Comm
addressed the Brigade and po
35
36
down by 4.50 a.m. on the
glad of a rest after the
up.
The Division was disp
Infantry Brigade on the left
in reserve. The disposition
placed D Company on the
with 2nd West Ridings, 16
ment in centre, 15th and
respectively on the left and
less D Company being in
reaching our assembly tr
parties, under 2nd Lieuten
torward to report to 15th W
at Sap A, one of the adv
T-heads, in which 93rd Lig
had placed their Stokes mor
37
our trenches, crowded wit
the point of climbing out.
Russian saps and advanced
literally disappeared, and w
of the two leading Battalio
tew of our men broke past o
No Man’s Land, and only a
German lines. Some of D
and vanished into Pendant
again, and a very few stu
Serre ; and these stout heart
one of the prominent war-
termed ‘The Gommecourt E
go no further. Our men
in front enough German
fate of our principal and ou
on the south. They died
38
get forward. About this tim
began to pour in from the
from flank units, to our Reg
Lieutenant J. W. Macfarlan
been recently attached to the B
orderly and staff, did heroic
fire ; above all, the stretch
themselves, many unfortunat
as they did not reveal what th
and there was no other witnes
bravery and devotion.
At 9.20 a.m. the Battalio
forward to Monk trench
Yorkshire Regiment. A C
9.47 a.m., B Company at 1
due to the depth of the tre
of the ladders by shell fire.
39
the troops there, as the Co
and 18 th West Yorkshire
and the Commanding Offi
Regiment was badly wou
by Brigade to carry out
by nightfall, after vary
manned what was to be f
more probably, a new as
immediately in rear of it
Yorkshire Regiment in
reinforce the Brigade.
Yorkshire Regiment wer
survivors of 16th West Y
Dunmow, together with
Yorkshires in Maitland
suffered appalling losses
inferno of fire. A and B
4
From 3 to 3.30 p.m. and 6.30
ments were carried out by
minor operation to the so
retaliation on C Company
wounded and a considerable
The enemy used a good
the following nights. On
Company collected over 40
shires, and every night resc
burial of dead continued, 12
Light Infantry coming up to
weather rendered it essentia
as soon as was possible.
to be wired in, at least in fro
On the early morning
and Twenty-ninth Division
from the river Ancre north t
4i
 At 11 a.m. of the sam
received that a battalion of
ment of 144th Infantry Bri
the night 4th-yth July, and
Louvencourt and thence to
Second Corps and coming
By 10 p.m. the relief was
on yth our weary Battalio
Our losses were, 12 officers
other ranks, out of the
with which we had gone up
of the Brigade were about 2
On July 6 the Battalio
Corps Commander again sp
thanked them heartily for th
ordeal in the line. See App
On 7th the Brigade m
42
mine-heads of Berguette and
and from this time onward,
moved into new billets, bom
had to be arranged for by th
notified of their location befor
the Battalion vacated billets a
were sorry to leave, and had
march over very inferior roa
billets were poor, but these w
Solid training was started
throwing, bombing tactics
for the late reinforcements.
During the week Gener
G.O.C. First Army, reviewed
and welcomed us to the Firs
Lieut.-General Sir R. C. B
Ninth Corps, spoke to all offi
43
breastworks in place of t
we found them, as they
and liable to flood.
During the early part
opened out a heavy bomba
trench mortars, of which we
ing 9 inches in diameter, a
100 yards of the breastwor
this bombardment ceased
Battalion was well settled d
the runners had learned th
when at 9.30 p.m. a fur
on our front and, to our r
West Yorkshire Regiment
ment on our left receiving
The zone of the enemy f
trench, where complete b
4
shot another, driving off
the same time Lance-Serg
was in charge of the C
the left flank, had the targ
party of about 50 Boche w
work to his flank ; he enfil
blank range with his gun
them, the remainder jump
but were at once thrown
unit on our right reporte
between Hun Street and
counter-attack was being p
eject them. A Company
in this counter-attack. At
Battalion bomb-store, was i
bombers, under Corporal
danger managed to extinguis
4
in the raid, or rather mino
intention had been to stay
line. Our total casualties
80 German dead alone w
front of our line, apart from
Man’s Land and accounted
casualties were estimated
Among these dead were
bayonets with jagged edge
and split noses both in rifl
pouches. At this time ou
ten rounds a week per bat
as usual, they gave us the
Shortly after, however, th
worse, owing to the destruc
the huge ammunition dump
The rest of this tour w
46
still practically undamaged,
the scene of havoc and desol

47
after nearly two years’ comm
accompanied by the best w
which he had worked so lon
On August 9 we left L
and dusty march moved i
Le Hamel and Essars, and
into the line east of Festube
Hampshire Regiment on o
Yorkshire Regiment on our
the line at Neuve Chapelle
sector far worse : the fron
consisted of island breastwo
posts at considerable interva
repair and with hardly a
island to island, unless one
knees along a gutter about
municators were also falling
48
tive lines. On the opening
18-pounders and trench mor
quickly on the front line, mo
support trenches, George and
effect on the Old British Lin
quarters, blowing in several b
No. 11 Island was blown in and
but, owing to the withdrawal
had three casualties. On Aug
in No Man’s Land, believed
snipers and perhaps also as a ra
up by mobile charges, and la
gramme of August 15 was r
precautions. The Boche repl
‘ hate ’. After the demolition
the Boche fired a dud bomb in
49
Yorkshire Regiment and
fortable billets at Le Tou
heavy and increasing host
into the billeting areas in re
Headquarters staff to ta
the fields together with t
activity was not reduced
cordingly, in the evening
platoons to reinforce the f
from Brigade the Battalion
11.30 p.m. At 8.40 p.m.

party was repulsed with

and 12 Islands ; the Isla
On 22nd, C Company re
British Line ; the latter j
Touret. On 26th we reli
5
 For the next week a cons
was devoted to training a ra
tour and to reconnoitring
inforcing the Festubert sec
we relieved 13th York and
our Old Neuve Chapelle secto
shire Regiment on the righ
hamshire Regiment of 61st
Our horse lines were again ne
tour was quiet but very wet a
ling was done by our left C
finding gaps in the German
ordinarily strong, high and
to take place on the last
unexpectedly relieved by 2
Regiment side-slipping south
51
our retention of Givench
for denying the enemy
command of the low-lying
value of this system fully
up the great German assa
strong points, though at f
managed to disintegrate
to counter-attack and win
demoralised foe. Battali
a Heath Robinson ruin
panelled room, which wa
and mottoes of the b
quartered there. Our tra
stores moved to Gorre.
quarters at Givenchy we
able lines :
be compared with the small shell-ho
diameter, and with the crater oppo
had to be taken lest the B
mines eating into our line, a
and consolidation parties wit
wire and bombs were always in
The mining situation when
dangerous, as the deep German
our old shallow-level mines,
did not yet give us any real
gradually the situation impro
on the part of the indefatig
Company in our sector. M
posts in the sapheads, pushe
craters, were in a somewhat c
to be isolated and cut out at
mined enemy raiding-party.
generally a quiet one exce
especially mediums, in respon
53
sector, but nothing came o
those curiously sharp lines
of the barrage. During
the Regimental Canteen,
May, always came up in
siderably to the comfort o
On 26th, 18th West Y
us, and the Battalion less A
in the Village line, mar
Chateau, where every on
able, the baths especially b
During the rest-period g
enforced, as it was believ
stalled cylinder gas just
than one occasion the alar
being released well outsid
once caused one of our se
on to our former comfortab
shortly after mid-day. Lf
brief stay amid the luxuries
and milk, we marched on a
and, entraining there, reach
After two hours’ most tr
roads we reached Orville a
and were allotted very infe
and billets being both ba
now in Thirteenth Corps i
Army. On the arrival o
the Battalion moved into
and the weather at once b
we were all cold and mise
Officer at once resumed h
wood facilities the Compan
in wood fighting in addition
5
to re-enter the utter desola
hen-houses, cattle-byres b
some shelter from the rai
glad to move again on t
quarters, and we made
Coigneux to Sailly-au-Bois
shire Regiment in suppo
Sadly, though largely dest
than St. Leger, the chief
of the Boche for using it a
especially at night. A an
out of billets on the seco
bivouacking in the ope
occasional ‘ strafes ’, wh
moving out three times in
on in the remnants of the
shelling. It usually rain
call a moment his own.
On October 26 we relieve
Regiment in the Hebuterne
our first acquaintance with
Suicide Corner, where it was
traffic control policeman was n
West Yorkshire Regiment ha
gas-shell bombardment of th
the ground occupied by D C
with it. The trenches were
and in spite of every effort c
and passable in patches, the
the upper hand everywhere ;
trenches on the forward slo
were deplorable, and the on
the Boche trenches were in
our bombardments of his line
57
and pop out of their burrow
but rather fewer of them w
at each succeeding burst f
still nothing will happen,
will go back to their burr
at last, when we have tr
tame, and not even the s
burst except to duck dow
find him still in his burrow
come out or stop up his
This policy was carefully
for a fortnight or more prio
13, and was in the main s
On October 27 the un
a raid, but the state of No
honeycomb of water-logge
success. In continuatio
5
 On 30th we were relie
Lancaster Regiment, hand
went into comfortable billet
resumed living. This yea
improvements in the storage
under Divisional arrangeme
haphazard handling of them
Whale oil and foot rubbin
the daily limited toilette in th
bearer being responsible tha
rubbed his feet and change
a day ; the results were m
foot and frost-bite being pr
Battalion. Rossignol Farm
for the whole Battalion, and
spicuously on a hill, was nev
area was not very good, but
59
really comfortable, but m
to these until towards the
for dilapidations was no
first place, the very olde
used, the doors were bul
and were frequently torn o
trains carelessly loaded w
slipped. In one case w
side of a compartment w
officer narrowly escaped
another case within the B
a steep incline, and owin
entire back-end of a carr
the occupants still seated
the danger of the war was
Again, with regard to the
was not often wilful. In
ten days was a much later and
innovation ; it did not int
England and there were alwa
for it.
On November 7 we returne
relieving 14th York and La
finding the trenches worse t
communicators being neck-hig
of extraordinary tenacity ; eve
a gum-boot, once securely su
deep, was as good as lost.
of the previous tour was rep
discharged. Headquarters w
but we had luck, and no r
Nothing of interest happened,
to 18th West Yorkshire Regim
61
column moves on slowly
double-banking is not only
owing to the returning str
The majority of us will p
had two wishes: first, tha
firing across the road wou
to clear our heads ; secon
a check at Hebuterne C
there would be, in addition
line troops in Hebuterne
moving forward towards t
and-one duties, and at the
code word for ‘ wind fa
gas ’, would be received at
of the units from which th
At once, mounted orderlie
at full speed into Hebuter
6
ammunition there, and the v
unhealthy reputation. The
were the crossroads at the w
frequently hit, the pond wh
went up in the air, and the chu
communication trenches, was
thick walls remaining. Be
cemetery with its graves gas
the debris of the school ha
school register of 1891, and
of which was written as an
demande de grands sacrifices.'
those words more than a quar
made the sacrifice!
The increased artillery ac
clear that the guns were cu
63
taining 25,000 lb. of amm
fruits in July, succeeded,
whelmed and the site of
92nd Infantry Brigade
third German line, found
the impregnable heights
by the Corps Commander
line that night. See Appe
On November 14, He
panies moved into bivoua
west of Courcelles, C and
Rossignol Farm. The B
minutes’ notice to reinfo
now in the line, in case th
The weather for open b
was bitter, and ice had to b
possible. On 17th there
 J
The Mousetrap Post. Taken f

GOMMECOURT SA
The German wire belts in front of and
snow. The snow shows up clearly wh
both in our lin
camouflaged iron apple tree,
of green cloth. This was u
Post and was a much better
than the rough-and-ready iro
Chapelle and near Neuville
had a very clever imitation tr
roads which was indistingui
shell-shattered tree-stumps on
used by him as a machine-gun
Towards the end of this to
ber 25, two L.Y.G. enemy
our F.E.2b, a long-distance,
which had separated from the
They forced it to land be
found later that Lieutenant J
observer in it, and that he
65
Regiment, and on 9th, a
time, again handed over
leaving B and C Compani
Keep, went into Brigade s
Companies were relieved
15th we relieved 18th W
Our artillery began now
salient preparatory to our
was done. The enemy retal
a dug-out and bursting i
Phorson and Second Lie
Second Lieutenant G. H.
escape with only a few
the next two days the ene
bursts of artillery, and on
place, though everything
plan and the party penet
6
preparations for Christmas, a
made the dinners a complete
did very fine work in parading
seventy turkeys well dressed
exact to time. The Division
the men’s messes and wished
day was wound up by a show g
Ammunition Column.
On January 2, 1917, we m
Reserve, going via Pas and C
to Bayencourt. The billets we
After three days of working p
we relieved 18 th West Yo
Hebuterne north. The tren
passable, all movement was ove
were the only tolerable porti
rain still increased in violence,
67
home in the Divisional
race ; our platoon team
Middleton and W. Chr
Divisional boxing, and
was second. Our best
was the very easy victory
No. 8 Platoon under Sec
in the Divisional combi
competition : this plato
the Division in the C
pany Platoon won the
petition.
On February 4 train
the despatch of 300 m
Company and several Ba
on trench-to-trench atta
already been carried ou
69
accommodation was mos
Battalion moved into sup
Companies in Hebutern
days of rest the Battalio
25 to be ready to move
to take part in a general
reported to be retiring
southwards. At 7.40 a.m

but operations were cance

relieved 18th West York
line.
On February 26 our
standing about in the neig
a trench on the crest of th
and second trench syste
movement from our line
shelled No Man’s Land a
was an exceptionally daring
crossing No Man’s Land th
mysterious maze of Gomme
not then known to be em
until they reached the fringe
on the east side of the villa
Lieutenants C. G. Findlay a
Platoons from the Mousetrap
taking up a line on the east
28th Second Lieutenant C.
Gommecourt village to 4th L
our left, obtaining with true
receipt from them for this tr
tenant G. H. Lean then pus
and got into touch with 4th
by noon. Before 7.30 p.m.

was occupied by the Battal

7i
and again after midnight
18th West Yorkshire R
formidable strong point R
right without any oppo
6 a.m. Second Lieutena
worked up Pionier Grabe
and a strong block west o
7.25 a.m. Sergeant F. H
Company forced a footi
and bombed his way to h
up with another Platoon w
Becker Graben. These tw
left and got into touch
with 5th Sherwood Fore
Leicestershire Regiment.
all efforts by B and D Co
along Garde Stellung and
whom Brigadier-General B
Commander Bradford gai
Captain Bradford the Dist
and Second Lieutenant Bra
At 5.25 p.m. a German coun
Garde Stellung was repulse
the offensive at once and assa
and consolidated it. Both t
Stellung were now firmly in
we handed over the new po
and Lancaster Regiment a
Rossignol Farm. Our ca
28 wounded ; our gains :
second German systems fo
both flanks secured, and t
which blocked all enemy
Hebuterne plain and ga
73
known battlefield of Serr
our lines from the enemy
how he was able to remain
used to stand on the top o
tion of all our trenches an
was to be had from its
had been cut up and sca
incessant bombardment—
1917. All old landmarks
trenches, once so familia
tinguished. Serre was no
even a brick-heap, it was m
Copse no trees, only a few
remained. The rest was
meaningless desolation
derelict tanks, weather-b
slime craters.
75
but there was a general fe
and on April 9 the attac
Ridge. On April 12 the
south ; we went to Hai
Caucourt, and thence on 20
the Thirteenth Corps. A w
the Arras-Bailleul railway f
there, about 5 p.m. on a c
clouds about, two enemy
spotted and attacked by on
They at once turned and fle
and, while in the mist, cra
coming down in very small
by the propeller of the oth
propeller smashed off shor
and finally crashed. The
and was captured.
7
position. Our attack starte
but was absolutely overwhel
ment, and the enemy rega
left was then refused in or
by the enemy counter-attac
bitten deeply into the uni
Company, under Lieutenan
M.M., now reattacked th
second attempt captured it,
arily by our own barrage,
having been warned of ou
thus again reached the Wi
thrown out by C Compa
retained it, thereby linking
Battalion front.1 The 4th
the position and reorganis
of the night attack was t
and to cover the right fl
Company on the right, D
up before Zero with a bar
4 minutes. Prior to and e
was killed and 4 officers
both Company Commande
by volleys of hand-grenade
time, got in ; they were
both flanks and came unde
and were finally forced bac
to reach Gavrelle trench; o
totally destroyed and they
the left they were held up
manned machine-gun nest,
in the trench. The first p
trench and bombed to th
7
at night. From May 28 t
working parties on the new
tinued. On June 3 we retu
began working on roads and
of Arras - Gavrelle road. O
relieved 188th Infantry Brig
Brigade on the right and a u
on our left. We were in re
finding working and carrying
night I5th-i6th we relieved
Regiment in the front line
Regiment being on our rig
Lancaster Regiment on our l
quiet but exceedingly hot, a
burying all the fallen made t
B Company, which was on th
shot down in the early morn
79
raid near the Windmill w
materialise ; our trenches
The night 3rd~4th was
that the Germans also w
handed over to the Howe
Marine Light Infantry, and
a very hot and long tour.
resumed work on the R
railway on July 6 and con
on 16th to rather poor hutm
in a stiff clay swamp ben
abbey of Mont St. Eloi.
towers of this abbey are a
round, peering even over
Douai and south to Monch
The Brigade was now in
first Division having take
8
were heavily shelled from tim
had plenty of room in the old
ground quarry-workings, wh
distances, but were very col
This usually happened whe
howitzers in Thelus started fi
From the top of the Vim
our Headquarters there was
west, and from this Ridge the
the whole country from the
Arras to the high-perched a
Roclincourt, Ecurie and Neuv
lie at one’s feet with the grea
of white chalk near La Folie F
Canadian Cross in honour
Vimy and Thelus in the fo
81
had hidden for two years up
capture of the Ridge by t
looked, the ruins of Lens
great smoke eddies and w
red dust from houses co
a thick pall lying over the
or a firework display flas
activity of the Canadian
untiring: they shelled, th
raiders in No Man’s Land
bomb and bayonet to the
had come.
On July 29 we left the
to the Mericourt front li
was quiet, but a great dea
linking up posts and in
Yorkshire Regiment relie
30 lb. of gas. These projec
soon to come to know too we
burning oil, were dug in at the
ground in deep tiers and could
taneously or in any desired nu
volume of gas could thus be
effective, while it was also far s
and far more economical in la
and installing the old gas cyli
where they were liable to be ex
a lucky enemy shell and when p
only be used once. Still ga
popular, they drew too much re
large carrying parties.
About this time official do
which warned the enemy div
83
torpedo were taken by o
German officer and seve
casualties.
Rain now fell for sev
became very greasy. On
slight epidemic in the Batta
This was very unfortunate
of 4*5 howitzers had been
in making much apprecia
a size most convenient for
this case it was probably
Maconochies in the pies.
reached an extraordinarily
food for the trenches ; as
in special containers, steak
up ; in place of the chees
savoury paste, scones, jam
8
clay oven. Twenty minut
the clothing. The advant
disinfector was that it could
the men could bring the artic
themselves.
The 2nd and 3rd of Se
On 4th a Nieuport Scout bro
seater, which at a very great
the tank and finally lost a wi
into flames on reaching the g
Gerard trench, which had to
to the intense heat. Both
killed. The Boche then sh
men salving it, and at night t
on it with so accurate a ran
which was burying the two
Just about the same period
85
evacuation and complete
on the ground and may
the sun warms the groun
The liquid gas or any ar
bad burns. It was now
mix high explosive and
order by the loud detona
the unmistakable whirr
shell. At first this was
was soon discovered, thou
was often, from the enem
for the moment. Howe
incessant gas drill been s
casualties even under he
perties of the gas were
individual, who refused t
because he had not turne
up Boche messages and g
of his impending operatio
had his listening apparatus,
the war picked up message
mission from steel rails, wi
earth-line laid carefully by h
be our probable position a
and parallel to our approxim

87
Bray, where we found bil
railways, worked sometim
sometimes by motor engin
and Arleux sectors and in
invaluable for saving the
out of the trenches. The
in the distribution of Brig
and this ensured safer an
By this time in the year
building covered horse-sta
sounds a simple task, bu
owing to constant changes
built two or three at least,
nearly completed ; more
had to be salvaged as ver
this system was no doubt
great deal of expense in new
 The maintenance of th
importance that early in A
systems of defence was bu
Ridge. Behind the front sy
a very fine trench strongly
with deep-shaft machine-gu
on Willerval and Bailleul a
and in rear by covering fire
the Brown Line just east of
embankment and pivoting
behind the embankment an
of the Ridge numerous de
emplacements strongly wired
laid out to split up and divert
them directly into the zon
West of the crest of the Rid
places the old German line a
89
he was more active than
handed over to 11th Ea
marching out by the ap
endless trench with very
entrained at Daylight rai
on the reverse slope and r
This camp was now a
rather a series of camps,
four concert-party huts f
the inimitable Ouarante-S
and plenty of canteens.
Quartermasters’ stores w
disadvantage was the saus
which was sent up wet
and was heartily ‘ strafed
5‘9’s and caused showers
a few duds all over this en
retaliation we shelled Fres
especially their headquarters
also cut their wire systemat
them to retaliate along our
south to north. On Octob
1 ith East Yorkshire Regim
light railhead to Ecoivres,
but near a cinema and ba
ground. This village wa
quarters. In spite of incess
and battalion schemes wer
with a good deal of musketry
re-inoculated. An inter-pl
was arranged, which was
Company under the comm
J. Pattison.
During the latter portio
9
which he did not know
he could not—they had
him. The raid was an u
number of prisoners were
At this time it was th
leg. On November 5
displayed in German un
iron cross complete. T
incident. A Polish des
said that many of his com
A large board with a no
No Man’s Land. This
probably Poles, to collec
themselves. The Light
had apparently not been
an excellent target, let fly
certain points of view un
believed that the enemy force
relieved, and their trenches h
cane fire on them, and the cr
were shrapnelled. As a matt
of 19th through the mists
seen in the open in marching
well into them.
During this tourwork on th
localities was begun, prepara
winter. It had been realise
owing to the weakness of ba
of men, to maintain long, co
with endless communicators
Large self-contained and se
therefore constructed at inte
with strong entanglements,
93
 On November 23, after
shire Regiment, we move
The artillery was very acti
carrying out frequent hurr
the enemy did destructive
batteries, and on Arleux a
29th, after relief by 15th
we returned to the front lin
Regiment went out. T
activity, and we retaliated
his bombardment on com
localities became very p
accordance with a set schem
dusk our patrols, as had bee
wiring parties. The patro
white light, and the machi
on the gaps in daytime im
9
a very fair number were fo
not far from our lines.
On December 7 we were
force from 8th Middlesex R
Regiment, and moved by l
York Camp, Ecoivres. W
cut down kit, become mob
move. It was understood t
to going to the Cambrai
however, the move was canc
and our visit there was del
when we arrived in much
stances. Ordinary training
tactical schemes for officers
officers, in which officers f
Battalion and 93rd Light Tre
part. There was also plen
95
on the supposition that the
On January 15 we rel
Regiment with two compa
two in Arleux Loop. The
and trenches began to col
the next two days became im
of January 19 we reliev
Regiment in the front line
took over Tommy, Arleu
system of defended localitie
Strong fighting patrols we
shell-holes, consolidated by
listening posts, and also C
alone was found occupied.
15th West Yorkshire Reg
Camp and provided the u
9
rifles and bombs behind t
daylight patrols again becam
No Man’s Land freely at a
carried out some very use
going out of the line we got a
the enemy suspected the pre
intended shortly to make a ra
tion. This warned the 4th
relieved us February 17, an
of four officers and sixty
with complete success, and
fact that 4th Guards Brig
Thirty-first Division was obta
entrained and reached Bray a
With reference to the
Brigade to our Division, ow
keep battalions in the field
97
Thus 94th Infantry Br
Guards Brigade took th
Infantry Brigade.
During our period of
18 to 27, an enemy
night near Ecoivres, but
This was a common
gence, the spy then ma
neutral countries, after
by carrier-pigeon. One
to have landed intelligen
lines successfully at nig
times.
We then moved into
Aubigny, and Frevillers
march to Magnicourt ; th
the floors of the lofts in wh
M.C., commanded the Batta
for a short period by Lieut.-C
M.C., of King’s Own Yorksh
had until lately commanded
Regiment.
On March 11 we took o
Frevillers. On March 15
Reserve Battalion in a Brigad
Vert. Ceremonial parades f
and on 20th, at the Brigad
Tincques, Major-General W
thirty-two months’ command
us farewell, handing over h
General R. J. Bridgford, C.M

99
been communicated to u
we marched to the emb
and Tincques to move t
St. Pol, Frevent, Doulle
hot and dusty day reach
to the increased pressur
ordered to move straight
to Blaireville, which we
debussing, packs were
less first reinforcements e
by Boisleux St. Marc,
through Boyelles, not
Army Line lay to the
yards west of the Ar
position was well wired,
and very shallow, and th
pleted portions of the sy
Hamelincourt. Orders wer
dusk to this position, but
panied by shelling of the
of areas to the south, caused
After things had quietened d
Guards had relieved us, w
Arras - Bapaume road and
east and west across the ro
on the west side, B and C
early part of the day we had
a convoy of lorries travell
through our lines towards t
did not stop in spite of shou
into Boche-land, where no
with open arms, as they we
managed to head off the r
1 Eleven S.O.S. signals went up on our im
IO
shire Regiment just wes
York and Lancaster Re
Divisional line was now
as it lay in a sharp sa
south, the northern part
budged, while the sou
pelled to conform to t
thus our right rear was
time our left was in d
striking for Boyelles. D
we relieved 2nd Irish Gu
On 25th, 92nd Infa
relieve the pressure on th
attack retook Ervillers,
their right which was u
the flank of the Divisio
of the re-entrant in the
to withdraw to Hamelinco
moment this too was cance
to take us to a new positi
Hamelincourt-Courcelles r
ing, and were finally given
cutting about a mile south
soon as this move was resu
which sounded like an R.
and killed six men of othe
and acting as a flank-guard
ment along the railway. W
and dug slits under the
edge of the cutting, with
yards east of the railway.
touch with 92nd Infantry
object of the move being to
of the enemy who had now
1
realise how seriously thin
of us. By great luck, in
daylight, we effected the
casualties, and the men b
heavy shelling. We reac
Moyenville, and had begu
Colonel H. F. G. Carte
Company, under Captain
wounded about the sam
Allbeury, was covering
severe rearguard action,
on magnificent targets o
wards a Staff-Officer, w
suffering from severe sh
a general retirement had
Adinfer-Ficheux, and th
Lancaster and 15th Wes
farther down the forward
they dug in on the right
Meanwhile the above or
Moyenville had not reach
Regiment.
On the night 2 6th-2 7t
made by 13th York and
18th Durham Light Infantr
lines 200 yards west of
progress was made owing
shortness of the night, and
parties were ordered to ret
B Company 18 th Durha
however, found old trenche
these ; they therefore rem
ville and linked up wit
Regiment on their right.
io5
command of the Battal
details which had moved
south-west of Adinfer W
west of Bienvillers. Wh
encamped at Bienvillers an
had galloped into Bienvil
through of the Germans
the ridge running south
facing Hebuterne from t
a line to be dug to refuse
to move off at once to
We then sent patrols
north of Hebuterne, an
while, the 142nd Infantr
General J. Campbell, C
was shortly to be our
been ordered up to fill
up any attack, though the
weak. To prolong the rig
13th York and Lancaster
and A Company of our B
the south with the other
depth, the remaining Batt
providing only one weak
enemy made two violent
entering the line, but we
counter-attack of D Com
from support to reinforce t
Colonel R. D. Temple,
Infantry Brigade, ordered u
to the rear of 2nd Irish G
Ridge to be used for cou
the Germans got a footi
Company was then sent up
10
Ayette road. The Briga
straightened out and arran
On the right of the Divis
neighbouring Division.
fantry Brigade was flung in
south of our flank betwee
velle. During the day 9
their outpost line four ti
time. Finally, fighting th
Guards Brigade which wa
formed and held a line on
Wood. By 6 p.m. 4th G
line to the south and foun
who lay west of Ablainze
linked up the line again.
G. Girling of A Compan
aeroplane in No Man’s
1
was violent firing througho
quiet at night for the re
complete, we were to have
the repair of the old Ger
but the darkness hinderin
relief, and orders being r
was to be west of Monch
the latest, no real work co
entered comfortable billets
of exhausting fighting, ha
digging. Our last marc
Ridge to Bienvillers over
was most interesting, but
to realise where they were
deserved the high credit g
grip on the Ayette Ridg
chief hinges on which t
1
time, the cooks, brakesme
way in a most creditable
to off-load us in the Liller
countermanded in view o
tion, and they drove thr
Berquin, a run of 11 hou
trouble, ditched lorries, e
Battalion was short of fi
signallers and many Lew
on the road ; these me
hearted way, started to m
equipment, Lewis guns,
what not, and ultimately
having had as much as
their heavy loads.
Brigadier - General S.
1 See App
I
little time as the starting-point
and the day was very hot,
extra S.A.A. had to be brou
men. By dint of strenuous
were in position in time, C a
wave from right to left, with
support. At 7.10 p.m. the
C Company had easy and op
were in somewhat enclosed
Battalion moved forward in
drill attack. Officers of an
watching, asked how long w
this attack. C Company m
work of La Rose Farm, wh
took La Becque Farm ;
garrisoned by the enemy.
then to the second objective
111
had the utmost difficulty
and it was due to his ind
panied by very considerab
ever received them at all.
About 7.30 a.m., on A
in quick succession repo
front ; immediately after
the Battalion on the righ
right, which lay open to
turned. C, our right Co
time, until it was obvio
would involve the whol
detail. No artillery supp
for, was forthcoming, but
rifle and Lewis gun fire
moreover, our machine-g
excellent work in suppo
1
observation balloons were
away and could see everyt
ment of showing Very l
had enveloped and turne
artillery was kept closely
of his infantry. Orders
hold the railway line south
steene. This was a most
no cover to the men firing
machine-gun fire, and it w
forces which had crossed t
The Brigade was, however
lost two-thirds or more of
Brigade was again attacke
forced to fall back once
envelopment. We retired
Yorkshire Regiment, 13th
11
support. We reported
for orders and rations, and
by different routes to info
quarters of our position, c
supplies of food and water
from abandoned farmhous
At first a series of rifl
these during the night and
deepened, improved, and
continuous and well - tra
13 at 10 a.m. an intens
heavy calibres opened on
necessarily on a forward s
this lasted for an hour ;
peated at 3.30 p.m. and
Orders were issued for
Rifles, but they were too w
1
now returned, coming up
and they gave us invaluable
by their indefatigable wo
14th between noon and 1
Tilly, in command of 15th
was killed instantaneously
the heart ; we thus lost
until quite lately, had bee
its formation. All the e
back. Meanwhile G.O.C
had arranged for our re
April 16 by a portion of
and sent Lieut. - Colonel
who was now in comman
Brigade, a letter of very
assistance of 93rd Infantry
juncture. About 6.30 a.

11
the Company was ordered
advanced posts to the main
Merris ; at the last mom
was taking place, it was dis
had remained in the Conve
day, in spite of shells an
which caused the Company
men continued to improve t
tion of Merris our artiller
by 7 p.m. the town was i
the Transport, which had
locating the Company, had
rations right up to the firing
shelled our trenches repeat
before dawn on 15th, aft
Battalion, the Company mo
It was the stubborn r
11
1
ised and temporarily ama
Yorkshire Regiment unde
tenant-Colonel W. D. Lowe
opened on Borre, and we m
west of La Kreule : late
(composite) Battalion mov
and work on the merely sp
Hazebrouck. On April 18
a battalion of 2nd Australi
front line. After all arran
this was cancelled, and on
the north-west of Hazeb
camp at Le Grand Hasard
deal of aeroplane bombin
Battalion was detached fro
92nd Infantry Brigade to
of Hazebrouck - Strazeele
11
we handed over to 1st Bo
long and much protracted r
near Sercus.
Tours in the line were
for the large amount of fre
obtainable. There was al
eggs. During the enemy
stock had been removed b
though this was gradually
to a kind of Divisional p
get it all away at once. T
favour, as many animals w
wounded and then drowned
parties had hard and unp
to wear box respirators wh
At Sercus the Battalion
and found very large workin
1
of Wallon Cappel and
Caestre, moving via Ha
Cappel. At 11.30 p.m.

through Caestre and Fletr

west of Meteren, relievin
of Australians being on o
Regiment French on our
up was a hot one, the ene
and overland routes. C
the French Regimental H
and combined internati
The enemy artillery now
French 75’s opened wi
In this sector the trenche
were no communicators
reduced to a minimum,
under direct Boche obse
.
enemy lay up chiefly in rifle pits c
21 st we handed over to 1 ith
and took over the centre su
from 10th East Yorkshire
a series of fighting patrols
preparatory to raiding them, b
well into his supposed line
They appeared to be holdin
few observation parties or
intervals, and these, movin
every night, could not be de
a raid ; the thick mists also
of our patrols. The enemy s
heavy and accurate, and he
the trench line, Company an
Our trench cow, which was
a trench store from battalion
wounded by a splinter but
121
Cappel, Cassel, and Arq
there and marched int
Campagne, where, the w
extensive ammunition du
had been badly bomb
concussion had spread
were enormous craters ;
side were battered and b
we were repeatedly visit
a large number of bomb
very close, within thirty
these were only 25 or 30
On May 26 the D
lecture to all officers a
of the Brigade at R
Brigade ceremonial par
Plumer, commanding
to all those who had rece
and to others whose deeds in
of recognition. This dec
enamelled laurel wreath o
enamelled red and white r
whole badge was about o
diameter and was to be wo
just below the regimental sh
On June 14 there was a
for a Divisional scheme to
sudden orders were received
Camp, south of Hondeghem
a camp near Bois des Huit
moved east of the Morbecq
Lancashire Fusiliers of Twe
reserve line west of Grand S
held the Swartenbrouch, an
123
the night of 2 6th-2 7th
vacated their trenches a
order to make room f
placed spare footbridges
for the assault troops.
the line advanced in sm
barrage. By 12.55 A,M
Lancaster Regiment wa
half of No. 11 Platoon u
reached their position o
a sharp struggle captu
prisoners. See Append
In the evening of 2
Platoon of A Company
relieved C Company pr
Yorkshire Regiment on
Farm and of 92nd In
enemy down until the final
At 7.2 a.m. both Brigades ha
and taken many prisoners and
field artillery. The nibbling
it was undoubtedly effective
the enemy. See Appendix I
During the night June 2
south to relieve 15th West
very difficult move owing to
shelling. At 3.10 a.m. our
counter-preparation to dispe
massing east of the stream n
July 1 there was persisten
Swartenbrouch Headquarter
This continued with occasio
shells on Headquarters, whic
and eyes, until 4th, when w
I25
machine-gun from a pa
had lost their way, whi
forward posts ; this
Caudescure road near
tinued active patrolling
nights later a corporal
own to silence a machin
their post. They atta
took the gun, the rest
heels. It was about t
incident occurred. In
of our F.E.2b was dis
Vieux Berquin ; then s
our 6-inch howitzer she
behind the Forest, and
yards east of one of o
there was an explosion
The whole forest was criss-c
of July 19. The intention
panies and two Companies o
Regiment to advance under
ground of the enemy as far a
La Becque Farm southwards
On 1 8th, preparatory to this o
front line from 13th York a
At the last moment, entirely
tions, the barrage was cance
insisted that resistance woul
most unfortunate, as from
was found that a new, har
the day before come in to rel
held the front far more st
definite orders not to lose La
6 a.m. Immediately after s
127
parties of the enemy
standing corn. A Co
but the enemy worked
of the corn, past our rig
A Company had to figh
then isolated, managed g
the men through by de
severe, being upwards o
enemy shell-fire in the o
the enemy were known t
On night July i9th-
right carried out a small
this and to co-operate wi
all might yet have gone w
barrage. On 22nd, 11t
relieved the Battalion, an
west of Morbecque. On
cancelled his last and expiri
On August 1 we relieved
Regiment in the front lin
Sector, but on the night 3r
Norfolk Regiment and 23rd
took over the front line
Regiment, crossing over
Sector. In both this and t
indiscriminate and sometime
deal of work was now done
Nieppe system, which wer
water was reached on digg
fighting patrols went out,
clear, and the enemy suspic
or lethargic. On August 6
ated, preparatory to a disch
from 600 projectors just in
129
Companies to advance
was ordered, as our or
incurved bow and tend
Our day and night p
enemy more alert, and
Man’s Land by perpet
gun fire, which showed
On the night of Aug
by 1 ith East Yorkshire
camp. During the tem
Commander, Major D.
command. On 15th
in co-operation with a c
22, Fortieth Division
in the Nieppe sector, a
afternoon, via Hazebr
originally to some Aust
he opened fire, apparently
the signal for starting an a
shelling with numerous cas
and the weather continued w
On the night 2 6th-2 7th
1st King’s Own Scottish B
Scots Fusiliers. D Comp
Bailleul-Meteren road wit
right, C Company in suppo
B Company in reserve in Ph
and trench repair took p
2 9th-3oth it was decided to s
a chord of posts across th
Meteren. Each front line
three posts and occupied the
the preceding day and nigh
J3
de Lille, which command
and was the key to a furth
berg Ridge. Major D. E
the position and found th
on our right had failed. A
the Mont de Lille and dug
of the unit which had fai
covered their Lewis guns.
pany formed a right defen
1st King’s Own Scottish
on their left filled in the g
Yorkshire Regiment. D
a number of simple boob
grenades on cords across
bombs behind doors, curt
been warned, and we ha
after the Battalion had
1
Companies from right to
formation with scouts well f
in support, and C Comp
holding their trenches on M
in spite of hot opposition f
gun fire from houses and p
companies were digging i
east of their objective. A C
a Battalion of the Inniskillin
Yorkshire Regiment having
advance, B Company lay a
tieres road with a platoo
trap crater on the road,
right flank, as they were fa
of touch with, the next un
patrols pushed forward and
at Pegasus, Bolus and Blon
13
Divisional front, which wa
only, and at 3.45 a.m. S
taken over from us by 1st B
ninth Division. Our cas
twenty, but the number of
etc., made us think ourselv
We moved along rathe
road back to a tent and
Bailleul. This camp agai
booby-traps, all of which
Battalion was then put on
from debris. Meteren h
Meteren was only a village;
flourishing town of 14,000
and now there was not a h
On September 5 we m
east of the town and just u
1
as the sentries could not p
once, and the first storm
violence. This was the on
war that we had so large
Fortunately very few prov
Company then moved forw
Yorkshire Regiment, and C
York and Fancaster Reg
Nieppe system and lying r
of Fe Romarin. This Nie
Armentieres and not to
Forest, south-east of Hazeb
On the afternoon of
quarters, two lorries on
were hit direct by 4-2’s
quickly pulled out by ano
leading one, which was ful
l3
salvage working-parties, a
Lecture System was start
later in the year, when
greater continuity, and it
those who took part in it,
accountancy, and shortha
rifle range near the camp a
of successful double-com
which were especially int
in the attack and cheque
the attack. While we we
of flame was seen near, o
was either a dump goin
trap being blown.
On September 27 we
11th East Yorkshire R
sector, and came under
was a series of shallow co
in pairs, with Lewis guns w
had got a footing deep into t
with 11th East Yorkshire
extreme left, which was th
change of direction, the hos
edge of the wood being very
had got beyond their obj
Berthe Farm farther to the
by a hurricane bombardme
evacuate it, as, at the same
veloped by two counter-att
Brigade ordered the whole
dawn on 29th. Our Comp
tion, drove deeper into th
objective, which ran north-e
Bunhill trench. They th
13
farthest point with complet
of 30th we advanced w
principles of infiltration, as
and reached our second an
linked up with 12th Roya
our right being thrown
this exposed flank, as the
yet advanced after the c
fighting. On the mornin
ordered to swing up our
Lys in co-operation with th
our left as a pivot. This u
did not advance until late
became still more exposed
the advance was continued
after another to protect the
was absolutely in the ai
1
wood. Armentieres lies just outside
left o
rt >
church towers which he had
and which our artillery had
In the new camp we wer
naval guns and 6-inch howi
shelled badly with high-velo
morning of the first day ; fo
was a dud. There were m
escapes; one shack had four
So we side-slipped our camp a
west. Up till the time of
transport was at Le Romari
German dug-outs with not
Unterstand ’ (cTo the dug
the transport at once chal
Zum Don’t.’ The transpo
work, certainly extracted a g
of life. On one occasion
T3
Brigade since 1915, was
On October 4 we relie
Regiment and a compa
Infantry on the Warnet
west bank of the Lys. P
across the river and foun
as they were either broke
the Boche. He had al
useless. Brigadier-Gene
now took command of the
over to 12th Royal Sco
tents at De Seule, sout
training began, including
and rifle-grenade firing,
company schemes. Ma
temporary command, as
on leave.
fortunately, for it was very da
traps. On 17th Headquarte
This town, after being burnt
been partly rebuilt by the e
shells of the walls as a fr
buildings. On 18th we we
called Bondues. Here the co
and a few civilians welcome
we went on to Tourcoing,
kilometres. During 19th
Tourcoing and Roubaix to L
with the wildest enthusia
covered with flags ; some
represented the combined fla
therefore, comparatively new
told us that the Germans h
141
During this week there wa
little training. On October
Walton, M.C., from 1 /6t
took over command of the
On October 26 we mov
and on 28th to Steenbrugg
where the people were inh
While we were there, the
Courtrai and Steenbrugge
in this uncomfortable spot
moved into Divisional re
town there was a woollen
The Germans had gone
one cog out of every cog-w
was also an enemy soda-w
soda-water bottles full! T
1
in support while we attacke
us. The march had been v
roads eighteen miles was qu
was undamaged, but practica
there, our transport joining
the Battalion moved to Re
where we again had a ver
was the first place where th
intact, and gas was being use
having to leave the town so
no time to devote to wanton
At 8 a.m. on November
that the Armistice was to c
We moved east to Ouene
Belgium, but there the pe
though farther west in man
no French and used only Fle
143
liveable, and reminded us ho
those in England were with
Colonel R. Burdon, V.D.,
Roberts, who looked after th
failed to give us any assist
and supervising the accoun
trouble to themselves, more
in the midst of his Parliamen
On New Year’s Day 1
and during the first week in
team lost by one pull to two
Regiment in the Divisiona
team was second both in the
Cross Country, Second Lieu
being first man home in th
members of the Brigade fif
Divisional Rugby, and in
H5
decreasing again. Dem
The only work done by
sion of the concrete fact
On January 16 Lieut.
M.C., returned to the Ba
About midnight 2 8th-
entrain for Calais. Bot
Divisions were ordered
turbances among the R
moved off at 5 a.m., and
vans, arrived 1 p.m. on
given a tent camp ; th
and the weather was bi
by road. 105th Infant
prevent disorder sprea
storehouses which had
Negotiations took place
rades’ Association, with oc
chief towns of the country.
enthusiastically, and a large n
It was hoped after the fir
Durham to form a Commi
rules of the Association.
Association is a plan to adm
funds of the Battalion, a
donations, under a small ex
benefit of those members o
been seriously disabled by th
loans without interest, or, in
need, by gifts.1
On February 19 the Co

1 The first General Meeting was held a

Old Comrades’ Association was formed.
tion should be made to Captain W. T. Ric

H7
of the month we were
for the cadre to proce
and mules had been ha
made up to the mobil
began to hang very hea
material was obtained.
On April 24 we mo
camp at Blendecques, a
School. This camp w
Arques, and the surrou
was also a very fair cri
number of sporting mat
last, on May 16, the Sto
a field near Wizernes St
entrained, with Major D.
and started at 5.30 p.
8.15 p.m. and proceedin
decorated streets to the Mar
a large crowd awaiting the
had lunch, they formed u
marched out with Colours
Town Hall, many old mem
ing up in rear of the cadr
in number. Mrs. C. D.
laurel wreath to the pole.
were made from the balcony
The Mayor said that D
opportunity to give a hearty
of the 18th Durham Lig
‘ Pals ’ had been a househ
Battalion had been more
glorious service in Egypt an
followed, their successes ad
mourned by every citizen
14
trades and professions
almost all classes. H
united talents of the m
to build a battleship, o
Department economica
Battalion’s splendid p
France, his Lordship a
was erected for the co
with more reverence,
Colours of the 18th D
Alderman A. Pat
addressed words of we
that he would mourn
fellow, whose acquainta
to make, and whose fac
Colonel Rowland Bu
one who had perhaps
18th Durham Light Infan
occasion filled a gap, wh
similar circumstances coul
had thereby saved the coun
The records of the 18th B
to those of their great Cou
Major Ince, M.C., o
returned thanks for the h
them, and for the kind
men while on service. Th
societies, and committees t
grateful for the supply o
helped to make life wor
elsewhere.
The cadre, Colour par
the Battalion, followed b
the Mayor, Lord Durham
l
has desired that this m
the house of God. W
here. With deep rever
pray with confidence an
coming years and the c
upon these Colours, m
expressible gratitude th
it was by their lives, an
to serve and save their
the world.’
After the address
Colours from Major D
them on the altar, and
the National Anthem.
place, the cadre proceed
and Major D. E. Inc
cadre remained overni
l5
Mrs. Matthew Gray.
Sir Lindsay Wood, Bart., Th
The Executors of the late
Chambers, West Hartlepo
Colonel H. Doughty, J.P., S
C. E. Hunter, Esq., Wemme
Colonel Sir Robert Ropne
Stockton-on-T ees.
A. F. Pease, Esq., J.P., Midd
The Right Hon. H. Pike Pea
Colonel J. H. Ropner, V.D., J
Colonel C. W. Darwin, C.B.
R. Hutton Wilson, Esq., Eg
F. Fenwick, Esq., J.P., Fores
W. O. Wood, Esq., J.P., Sou
Colonel Roberts, Hollingside,
W. Sewell, Esq., Manor
Sunderland.
John Feetham, Esq., Whinfie

r
J. E. Rogerson, Esq., J.P.,
George Jones, Esq., Mead
Henry Salvin, Esq., Burn
A. R. G. Thompson, Esq.
His Honour Judge Greenw
Miss B. Baker, Elemore H
Sir F. Brown, J.P., Norto
Miss Allgood, The Herm
J. M. Watson, Esq., Gisb
J. H. B. Forster, Esq., J.P
C. Wynn Tilly, Esq., Sna
B. M. Brough, Esq., Seato
J. H. H. Clarke, Esq., J.P
C. R. Barrett, Esq., J.P.,
J. Harrison, c/o Seaham H
W. Clarke & Son, Cheste
Colonel W. H. Challone
le-Spring.
A. B. Horsley, Esq., Hurw
during the bombardment should
infantry.’

From G.O.C. Eighth Corps,

‘ My greetings to every offi
and man of Thirty-first Divisio
in the battle. Stick it out, p
and you will win a glorious vi
I rejoice to be associated with yo

From G.O.C. R.A., Thirty-

‘ The G.O.C. R.A. and all gu
wish you good luck and intend
power to-day.’

From G.O.C. Eighth Corps,

‘ Well done, my comrades of
discipline and determination wer
luck that temporarily robbed you
made to fulfil it.
‘Train, troop and other m
of the enemy on our front, w
regard themselves threatened
to bring up heavy reinforc
inflicted by the Eighth Corps
‘The prisoners taken on
and British now total upwar
guns have also been secured.
‘ This, considered togethe
heavy casualties inflicted on
stantial Allied success even at

From G.O.C. Eighth C

Eighth Corps :
‘ In so big a command as
it is impossible for me to com
and all billets to see every m
1 Not incl
many months. They had kep
had assembled north, east, and
collection of artillery and machin
‘ By your splendid attack you
in the north and so enabled o
British and French, to achieve
had. Therefore, though we di
you have more than pulled your
more glorious comrades, who
Great Divide, have nobly done t
‘ We have got to stick it out
time we attack, if it please God, w
but pull off a big thing. With
determined to succeed, we are c
a glorious victory.
‘ I salute each officer, non-co
Fourth, Twenty-ninth, Thirty-f
in arms, and I rejoice to have the
a band of heroes as Eighth Corps
elaborated with advantage lat
the veil on a scene, which h
people at home most intimate
‘ “ The Thirty-first Divis
the Eighth Corps, and had
Division, two Brigades, the
with the 92nd in reserve.

* “ How the

‘“The 93rd, which con

Yorkshires and the 18th Du
advance was made upon a fron
with a front of two platoons,
interval. . . .
‘ “ These grand North-co
Land, dressed as if on parad
remaining Battalions. ‘ I ha
imagined, such a magnificen
and determination,’ said a Ge
to add his own on their fine per
dead Germans lying in front of t
of their fighting powers.’

From G.O.C. 93rd Infantry B

‘ I congratulate all ranks of
fight put up after such a severe bo
in which they drove off the enem
obtain a single identification.’

(3a) Page 64. Attack

The following gracious teleg

Majesty the King by General Sir
‘ I heartily congratulate you up
by my gallant troops during the p
on both sides of the Ancre. T
enemy’s front line trenches, unde
the recent wet weather, redounds
161
to the utmost of their power.
and the Army Commander
troops under his command h

From Commander-in-
15.11.16 :
‘The Commander-in-
and your troops on the grea
last few days. Under such
ment is all the greater. T
artillery fire, and the full ad
were admirable.’

Following message rece

manding Fifth Army :
* Please congratulate Thi
work during the past week,
the Garde Stellung.’
country, both on the Boche side
all our side out of view for transp
far more rapidly than he ever mea
bombardments and burning of wa
‘ We are only out, I expect, fo

‘ Brigade, Division, Corps, A

the Colonel most pleasing message

Extract from the Times, dated

‘ There was, for example, s
Gommecourt and Puisieux. In
forced to continue his retreat. N
of Gommecourt, was the scene
We now occupy part of it. It wa
action.’

The following is an extract fro

‘ Headquarters, Wednesday.—
Serre was the same brave Nor
lost so heavily upon July 1
front. On entering the villag
of some of their own brave com
seven months before.’

Records of messages of c
to 2.4.18 cannot be traced.

(3^) Page 77

[From Sir Arthur C

‘ On May 3, 93rd Infantr

reached its objective, but the
north exposed their flank to pr
For a time things were very c
commanded the village was re
Company of 18th Durham L
Hitchin was sent to retake the
1
identity. The Eighth Division
work and had to bear the brunt
attacks. The Thirty-first had t
divisions, and held and beat them
‘ These incidents have already
narrative of the battle as I have
to be immortal. And again I
before, that these things are only
of exaggeration to call the abso
men everywhere. You alread
has gone on for days in the t
north of Bapaume, and the Ger
tesimal progress. With three d
make any headway against one
that same Division elements of
put in during the last thirty-six
* After having lost and retak
1 Actua

16
feeling that perhaps you p
correspondent talks too muc
that valour ends always in w
when all is known, will be a
done here in the last five d
which has not borne itself b
in terms other than those of
for his men. The mere p
but men come out of the l
definite notion that their bu
Germans.
‘ In the north there h
round Boisleux, Boiry, Abl
it will be noticed that this
fighting for three days now
made here.
‘ Between Ablainzeville
ground before Ayette, whic
mand. The portion of the Co
was a very important one. I
is due to the tenacity with whic

From G.O.C. Third Ar

5.4.18:
‘ G.O.C. Third Army wis
on their leaving his command,
in the battles near Arras. By t
they helped to break up the
have been subjected to during
noble share in preventing the e
victory.’

From G.O.C. 93rd Infantry

‘ The Brigadier-General in
wishes to join in the expressio
the Battalion under your comma

16
good that day, and many a
pieces by it. The Division
could hardly stand for exh
thought that the last glimpse
eyes had of their enemy
streamed away from the
break. . . .
‘ Upon the 30th, 31st Div
established a record which m
have been surpassed by any
German divisions, mth
Reserve, 239th and 16th B
had been wholly or partia
Both sides had lost heavily a
near Ervillers, that a Germa
how he saw the long line
lying upon either side of the
attacks.
(5) Page 117. Ba

Sir Douglas Haig’s Order of

the Lys :
‘ Three weeks ago to-day
attacks against us on a fifty-m
separate us from the French, t
destroy the British Army.
‘ In spite of throwing alread
and enduring the most reckless
as yet, made little progress towa
the determined fighting and self-
‘ Words fail me to express th
the splendid resistance offered b
the most trying circumstances.
c Many amongst us are now
that victory will belong to th
longest.

16
 From G.O.C. Second Ar
‘ The Army Commande
troops that have been engag
on their stubborn and determ
severe test that they have be
they have displayed reflects th

From G.O.C. 19th Infan

‘ I thank you most hear
which you so willingly gave
fight, and ask you to tell t
gallant conduct and indefatiga

From G.O.C. British Ar

General Plumer, G.O.C. Sec
‘ The magnificent perfo
in holding up the enemy’s a
Lys battle has already been
 From G.O.C. Fifteenth Co
23.4.18 :
‘ The Corps Commander
Commanders on April 18 express
congratulations on the fine w
especially on April 13, in saving
to thank this Division personall
done really magnificent. The t
by their stout defence covere
Australian Division and saved
the British Army can contain n
the action April 12 and 13.’

General de Lisle command

history of the British Army can
story of 4th Guards Brigade on A

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

fighting. There had alread
as two of those now nam
Thirty-first Divisions1—had
fifteen, the total now honou
seven Divisions. Of these,
from the British Isles, three
Zealanders.
‘ The Thirty-first had
Commander-in-Chief for th
24 onwards in the Abla
about Mory and Ervillers.
they were, as you have no
Nieppe, where the centre o
The Commander-in-Chief
ment, and it is worth remark
of the forest of Nieppe.
1 Almost immediately afterwards
third time.
troops came into battle tired
and since then they have foug
stoutness and gallantry.
* The desperate attempts to b
and Meteren were equally futil
the places mentioned and positi
of them.
‘ One post of Durhams espec
the advance and killing great nu
a mere remnant of them fough
waves which already encircled th
‘ In the area south of Meteren
Strazeele, mixed English and Sco
Light Infantry and Scottish R
from noon on April 12 until mi
a yard, though we know that
imperative orders three days
Bailleul-Meteren road, and tha
long ago. In the fighting her

17
where did they get any ne
heavy.
‘ Late last night they tried
as if in the confusion of th
positions in the Meteren a
again they were driven back,
‘ During the night the a
long, and throughout this
shelling of all this front. Ou
and the German has no adv
forenoon the enemy concentr
on the Bailleul-Meteren fro
and no attack followed.

* Bitter Fig

‘ Still north of here, I be

The essential fact, however,

1 Just sout
may be, and whatever may hav
or company or battalion or bat
hardly stagger, full of pride and
man than the enemy, and th
war.
‘ That those who are in high
should think this is intelligible,
vision, that every individual
unfailing cheeriness and imm
marvel at.
‘ The enemy in the course o
to get to Mont Kemmel. T
once more vouch for by the fa
sister hills in that region that
what it is possible to see of the
but the flat land lies before yo
villages of Bailleul and Meter
Our line this morning ran on th
through Meteren.

l7
there, but no infantry advan
moderately heavy on his sid
very dispersed and random
alike. Our guns were mor
and the whistle of the shells
of German shell-bursts.
* The German attacks o
heavy and pushed with de
division appeared in the line
other divisions formerly wi
been pushed in again. In a
and perhaps seventeen, hav
Hollebeke to Merri:*, on w
northwards—the enemy had
the attack began on April
made in successive waves, an
whole front than three separ
ward towards Kemmel from
north-westward between B
ordered to do a counter-attack in
another battalion. The counter
advanced 2000 yards deep on a f
prisoners, and machine-guns be
morning the Boche had his reveng
up a series of defences on a tw
paid very heavily for all he gained.
and mounted men all took part, and
pace, while his numbers were ab
and a half divisions against our one
the right of the unit on our right
Well, our Brigade hung well togeth
while our other Brigade was driv
rearguard action throughout the
the rear party and the Battalion
got into a good position on the
especially defending Meteren. T
at once dug rifle-pits and Boche
177
in his heart, while gallantly
buried him in a farm-garde
work in trying to prevent his
West Yorks liked him very m
17.4.18.

(6) Page 124. From G.O

‘ Please congratulate all tr
operations last night.’

From G.O.C. Fifteenth C

‘ Hearty congratulations
Please convey my appreciation

From G.O.C. 93rd Infan

‘ The Brigadier-General
gratulations on the success of

1 M
eastern edge of the forest of N
Plate Becque running almost pa
yards away. For various reaso
ground up to the stream and hol
This is what we did, with light c
* It was a fine morning, w
we have had for a long time.
a short bombardment, the troop
from Yorkshire, Lancashire,
counties, with some Southern En
‘ The advance was equally
enemy’s trench line in the ground
with the bayonet, and the mach
in it were turned on the enemy.
over 250 prisoners were taken,
the hands of the troops who atta
‘ The prisoners taken were par

1 These hamlets are n

r79
which took place yesterday-
under your command.’

From G.O.C. Eleventh C

‘ G.O.C.’s First and Seco
of congratulation on yesterd
Corps Commander has mu
congratulations.’

From G.O.C. Thirty-fir

‘ I wish to thank you an
officers, and men under you
that has been done during t
gratulate all ranks on the
difficulties which had to be c
owing to the short time ava
the keenness and goodwill of
‘ I have not forgotten th
Meteren, and have seen the
night and to-day, the horizon
which the enemy has started in
in the north to south of Arme
from a score of other points a
drifted before the wind, the w
hidden behind the veil. The
of destroying everything whic
of military justification for the
them in this northern country
as they left in their retreat aft
year and a half ago, and few
me as did the ruins of the beau
‘ What five months ago w
to-day is a ruin as complete as
in the British armies in Franc
square of Bailleul, with the ha
tower, and the Cathedral behin
14,000

l
 ‘ Meteren differs from B
a smaller place, and, theref
is less impressive. But Me
of a town, but only so m
with raw, broken building
the area which the German
in his savage and brutal he
watched to-day and the fire
testify.’

(9) Page 138. From

29.9.18 :

‘G.O.C. Fifteenth Cor

asked me to convey his
engaged yesterday. He sa
in yesterday on his south
evacuate the Messines-Wy
the fighting here was as h
 Lieutenant-Colonel
Lieutenant-Colonel

Acting during Absence

Major D. D. Ander
Major T. G. Gibso
Major T. A. Headl
Major W. G. Hutch
Major D. E. Ince,
Major C. G. Killic
fMajor C. W. Tilly
Major W. B. Twist
Lieutenant-Colonel

Second i
Major G. Barry-D
Major J. C. Hartle
Major W. G. Hutc
Major D. E. Ince, M
 Second Lieutenant W. L
Second Lieutenant J. Pa
Captain W. T. Richard
Lieutenant R. Robson.
Lieutenant T. Wilson.

Transport

Captain F. S. Beadson,
Captain W. L. Oldfield

Medical O

Captain W. Bain, R.A.M

Captain F. P. Evers, R.
Lieutenant J. W. Macf
Lieutenant R. R. McHe
Lieutenant L. G. Moor
•(•Lieutenant A. S. Taylo
Captain E. A. Upcott G
185
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C.S.M. P. Balmer.
Sergeant W. Barker.
Sergeant J. E. Bell.
Sergeant R. G. Bird.
Sergeant A. Bradley.
L.-Corporal W. C. Carling.
Sergt.-Major J. H. Chaplin.
Sergeant J. J. Christison.
Sergeant A. Crierie.
L.-Corporal T. Darling.
Sergeant W. Dickinson.
Corporal W. J. Dodsworth.
L.-Corporal G. V. Duckett.
Sergeant G. Dyer.
Sergeant D. E. Ellwood.
Private L. Ellwood.
Sergeant C. Farrar.
L.-Sergeant H. V. Ferrier.
Corporal A. Frazer.
19
 Second Bar to

Captain J. W. Macfarlan

Bar to Mil

Captain J. W. Macfarlan
Captain A. W. Summerbe

Militar

Second Lieutenant W. Al
Captain F. S. Beadon.
Second Lieutenant F. Ble
Second Lieutenant J. B. B
Lieutenant J. W. Carrol
Lieutenant-Colonel H. F.
Second Lieutenant A. Ev
19
Second Lieutenant E. W.
Captain A. W. Summerbe
Second Lieutenant R. R. T
Captain A. H. Waton.
Captain E. T. Weddell.
Major G. White.

Distinguished

Lieutenant J. Parke, R.A

Mentioned in

Captain F. S. Beadon.
Lieutenant-Colonel H. Bo
Lieutenant and Quarterma
Lieutenant-Colonel R. E.
Captain L. A. Dick.
Captain W. Fenwick.
Captain H. E. Hitchin.
20
 Second Lieuten
Lieutenant F.
Captain W. L.
Captain W- T

Bar to Distinguishe
Sergeant-Major E. O

Distinguished Co

Private J. Atkinson.
Sergeant W. Barker.
C.S.M. W. T. Benneworth.
Private R. W. Cowling.
C.S.M. F. Curry.
C.S.M. B. Dolan.
Sergeant H. Goldsborough.
Sergeant I. Harbron.
Private W. Harper.
Corporal C. Lloyd.
201
Private W. Curry.
L.-Cpl. T. Davison.
L.-Cpl. W. Dickinson.
L.-Cpl. J. Dunning.
Corporal C. G. Forster.
L.-Cpl. A. Frazer.
Private S. Gibson.
Private W. Grant.
Corporal G. E. Hawkins.
Sec. Lieut. H. E. Hitchin.
Private T. S. Hutchinson.
Private I. W. Iliffe.
Private G. H. Jacob.
Private J. W. Jobling.
L.-Cpl. J. Kennick.
Private F. King.
Private H. W. Lawer.
L.-Cpl. G. C. Lawson.
Sergeant E. R. Little.
C.S.M. W. T. Benneworth. S
A.O.S. C. B. Boyce. C
Sergeant O. Burdon. S
Sergeant C. G. Dixon. C
Sergeant W. C. Harrison. S
Sergeant G. Horner.

Foreign Dec

Lance-Sergeant F. G. Allison, C
Corporal J. As pin, Croix de Gue
Company Sergeant-Major W. T.
l’Ordre Leopold II.
Private H. Brailey, Croix de Gu
Lance-Corporal T. Cook, Croix
Private G. H. Jacob, Russian Ord
Private N. Ogle, Croix de Guerr
Company Sergeant-Major W. A.
(French).
203
L.-Cpl. J. Harrison.
Private T. H. Harrison.
Sergeant W. C. Harrison.
Corporal W. Haw.
Prisoners of War, died after ca
Later reported kille
Presumed kille

II

Prisoners of War (of whom at a

wounded before capture a
after captu

IV

Reported Missing (including 90

reported killed in action a

Escaped as Prisoner of War (i

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