ARRIVAL OF THE 2ND BATTALION IN FRANCE
[Sidenote: 2nd Batt. Aug. 1914.]
To any neutral not completely blinded by German sympathies it must have
been only too palpable that the last thing we were prepared for was a
European war, for not only had we no men to speak of, but there appeared
to be no competent organisation for dealing with a _levée en masse_.
Relying on the warlike instinct of our race, we had clung tenaciously to
the voluntary system, under the impression that it was best suited to
our needs. Even if conscription had been politically possible, it was
out of the question, since we had neither rifles, clothing, nor barrack
accommodation. The Territorial Associations, which were expected to cope
with the masses of men who at once began to flock to the colours, were
found so inadequate that Lord Kitchener decided to improvise an entirely
new organisation.
In the inevitable confusion which occurred after the declaration of war,
there were, however, two factors which stood the test successfully, and
which may be said to have saved the country from disaster in the initial
stages of the war. The first was the equipment and despatch of the
Expeditionary Force, which was perfect in every detail, and the second
was the assembly of the Territorial Forces, originally designed to repel
invasion, but now utilised to garrison India and the Colonies.
When war was declared, the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards was at
Wellington Barracks, the rest of the Expeditionary Force being mostly at
Aldershot. The speed with which the Battalion was mobilised reflected
the greatest credit on all concerned. Its equipment was all ready;
reservists arrived from all parts of the country with a promptitude that
was truly remarkable. It was on August 4 that mobilisation orders were
received, and the Battalion was soon ready to start on active service.
Meantime, while the preparations were still in progress, there occurred
an unrehearsed little incident, typical in its way of the unspectacular,
practical side of modern war. As the 2nd Battalion was returning to
Wellington Barracks from a route march, the King and Queen came down to
the gates of Buckingham Palace, quite informally, to see the troops pass
by. There was neither pageantry nor gorgeous uniforms, but those who
were privileged to be present on the occasion will not easily forget the
business-like body of men of splendid physique, clad in dull khaki, who
marched past in fours, and saluted the King, their Colonel-in-Chief, as
they returned to barracks.
[Sidenote: Aug. 12.]
The start for France was made on August 12. The First Army Corps, under
the command of General Sir Douglas Haig, consisted of:
FIRST DIVISION. MAJOR-GENERAL LOMAX
_1st Brigade._ Brigadier-General MAXSE.
The 1st Batt. Coldstream Guards.
The 1st Batt. Scots Guards.
The 1st Batt. Black Watch.
The 2nd Batt. Munster Fusiliers.
_2nd Brigade._ Brigadier-General BULFIN.
The 2nd Batt. Royal Sussex Regiment.
The 1st Batt. North Lancashire Regiment.
The 1st Batt. Northamptonshire Regiment.
The 2nd Batt. King's Royal Rifles.
_3rd Brigade._ Brigadier-General LANDON.
The 1st Batt. West Surrey Regiment.
The 1st Batt. South Wales Borderers.
The 1st Batt. Gloucestershire Regiment.
The 2nd Batt. Welsh Regiment.
SECOND DIVISION. MAJOR-GENERAL MONRO
_4th Brigade._ Brigadier-General SCOTT-KERR.
The 2nd Batt. Grenadier Guards.
The 2nd Batt. Coldstream Guards.
The 3rd Batt. Coldstream Guards.
The 1st Batt. Irish Guards.
_5th Brigade._ Brigadier-General HAKING.
The 2nd Batt. Worcestershire Regiment.
The 2nd Batt. Oxfordshire Light Infantry.
The 2nd Batt. Highland Light Infantry.
The 2nd Batt. Connaught Rangers.
_6th Brigade._ Brigadier-General DAVIES.
The 1st Batt. Liverpool Regiment.
The 2nd Batt. South Staffordshire Regiment.
The 1st Batt. Berkshire Regiment.
The 1st Batt. King's Royal Rifles.
The Second Army Corps, under General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, consisted
of the Third Division, under Major-General Hamilton, and the Fifth
Division under Major-General Sir Charles Fergusson, Bart. (an old
Grenadier).
THE ROLL OF OFFICERS, 2ND BATTALION GRENADIER GUARDS, EMBARKED FOR
ACTIVE SERVICE ON THE 12TH OF AUGUST
_Headquarters_--
Lieut.-Colonel N. A. L. Corry, D.S.O., Commanding.
Brevet-Lieut.-Colonel Lord Loch, M.V.O., D.S.O., Senior Major.
Lieut. and Adjutant I. McDougall (Adjutant).
Lieut. Hon. W. A. Cecil (Machine-Gun Officer).
Hon. Lieut. and Quartermaster J. H. Skidmore (Quartermaster).
_Company Commanders_--
No. 2 Company. Major Lord B. C. Gordon-Lennox.
No. 1 Company. Major G. C. Hamilton.
No. 4 Company. Captain the Hon. E. M. Colston, M.V.O.
No. 3 Company. Captain D. C. L. Stephen.
_Captains_--
No. 2 Company. Captain E. G. H. Powell.
No. 4 Company. Captain E. J. L. Pike.
No. 3 Company. Captain A. B. R. R. Gosselin.
No. 1 Company. Captain C. Symes-Thompson.
_Lieutenants_--
Lieut. Hon. F. E. Needham.
Lieut. C. F. A. Walker.
Lieut. A. K. Mackenzie.
Lieut. R. W. G. Welby.
Lieut. F. W. Des Voeux.
Lieut. R. Wolrige Gordon.
Lieut. H.H. Prince Alexander of Battenberg, G.C.V.O.
Lieut. Hon. J. N. Manners.
Lieut. M. G. Stocks.
_2nd Lieutenants_--
2nd Lieut. F. W. J. M. Miller.
2nd Lieut. G. C. Fitz H. Harcourt Vernon.
2nd Lieut. G. G. B. Nugent.
2nd Lieut. J. R. Pickersgill Cunliffe.
2nd Lieut. R. H. M. Vereker.
2nd Lieut. A. K. S. Cunninghame.
2nd Lieut. G. E. Cecil.
Lord Loch was appointed to the Staff after the Battalion landed in
France, and Major Jeffreys took his place as senior Major on August 18.
Queen Alexandra came to see the Battalion off and wish it God-speed when
it paraded at Chelsea Barracks that afternoon. With Her Majesty, to whom
all the officers were presented, were Princess Victoria and Princess
Beatrice. Headed by the band of the regiment, the Battalion then marched
to Nine Elms and entrained for Southampton Docks, where it embarked on
the _Cawdor Castle_, and finally sailed at 8 o'clock for France.
Strictest secrecy had been observed about its destination, and the
captain of the ship himself did not know where he was bound for until
she was actually under way. It was lucky that it was a lovely night and
the sea quite calm, for the vessel was crowded to its utmost capacity.
The following message from Lord Kitchener had been handed to each man
when the Battalion embarked:
You are ordered abroad as a soldier of the King to help our French
comrades against the invasion of a common enemy. You have to perform
a task which will need your courage, your energy, your patience.
Remember that the conduct of the British Army depends on your
individual conduct. It will be your duty, not only to set an example
of discipline and perfect steadiness under fire, but also to
maintain the most friendly relations with those whom you are helping
in the struggle. The operations in which you are engaged will, for
the most part, take place in a friendly country, and you can do your
own country no better service than in showing yourself in France and
Belgium in the true character of a British soldier.
Be invariably courteous, considerate, and kind. Never do anything
likely to injure or destroy property, and always look upon looting
as a disgraceful act. You are sure to meet with a welcome and to be
trusted; your conduct must justify that welcome and that trust. Your
duty cannot be done unless your health is sound. So keep constantly
on your guard against any excesses. In this new experience you may
find temptations in wine and women. You must entirely resist both
temptations, and while treating women with perfect courtesy you
should avoid any intimacy.
Do your duty bravely.
Fear God.
Honour the King.
KITCHENER, _Field-Marshal_.
[Sidenote: Aug. 13.]
Next morning the ship was found to be nearing Havre, and the men were
full of curiosity to see what manner of land France was. Meanwhile, from
French fishing-boats and trawlers came loud cheers at the welcome sight
of the arrival of the forces of Great Britain. A still more enthusiastic
greeting awaited the Battalion when it landed, and marched through the
numerous docks on the outskirts of the town to a camp about five miles
away. The inhabitants crowded round the men, and threw flowers at them
as they marched by, while from all sides came welcoming shouts of "Vive
les Anglais," "Vive l'Angleterre," and "Eep-eep-ooray."
When the 2nd Battalion arrived in France, the German Army had already
overrun Belgium. For nearly ten days the Belgian Army had held up the
Germans, but Liége had fallen, and there was nothing now to prevent the
enemy from pouring into France. The French Army, as soon as it was
mobilised, had begun a general offensive towards Alsace and Lorraine,
but after some small successes had been checked at Morhange. A complete
alteration in the French plan of campaign was rendered necessary by the
advance of the German Army through Belgium, and troops were now being
hurried up towards the North from every part of France.
The original disposition of the British Expeditionary Force was as
follows: The Headquarters of the First Corps (the First and Second
Divisions) under Sir Douglas Haig, at Wassigny; the Headquarters of the
Second Corps (the Third and Fifth Divisions), under Sir Horace
Smith-Dorrien, at Nouvion; while the Cavalry Division, under General
Allenby, was sent to Maubeuge.
[Sidenote: Aug. 14.]
It was a scorching, airless day, and the march to camp was a very trying
one. But after a good sleep and a bathe in the sea the men were
thoroughly refreshed and fit. Then, after the usual inspections, they
were formed up on parade, and the King's message was read out to them:
MESSAGE FROM THE KING TO THE TROOPS OF THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
You are leaving home to fight for the safety and honour of my
empire.
Belgium, whose Country we are pledged to defend, has been attacked
and France is about to be invaded by the same powerful foe.
I have implicit confidence in you, my soldiers. Duty is your
watchword, and I know your duty will be nobly done.
I shall follow your every movement with deepest interest and mark
with eager satisfaction your daily progress, indeed your welfare
will never be absent from my thoughts.
I pray God to bless you and guard you and bring you back victorious.
GEORGE R.I.
The whole population of Havre seemed to have come out to see the
Battalion when it marched the same evening to the entraining point. The
crowd cheered and shouted, and the men responded with "The
Marseillaise." When they reached the siding the disappointing news met
them that the train would not start for another four hours. It began to
rain heavily, but fortunately there were large hangars available, into
which the men crowded for shelter.
[Sidenote: Aug. 15.]
Eventually when the train arrived at 2 A.M., the men were packed into
it, and very crowded they were. Sleep was difficult, as the horse-wagons
attached to the train were loosely coupled, and there was a succession
of bumps whenever the train stopped or slowed down. The first real stop
was at Rouen, where provisions were obtained for the men, and then the
train bumped on to Amiens.
[Illustration: Route of the Second Battalion, 1914.]
Fervent scenes of welcome went on all along the line. Each little
wayside station, every bridge and level-crossing held a cheering throng.
At Arras the Mayor turned out in state with a number of local magnates,
and presented three large bouquets, for which Colonel Corry returned
thanks on behalf of the officers, in his best French.
A touch of humour was not wanting at the little ceremony--if any one had
been in the mood to seize hold of it. For, caught unawares, Colonel
Corry, Lord Loch, and Lord Bernard Gordon-Lennox were anything but
arrayed for a function, in fact, in a state of decided deshabille. But
such was the enthusiasm of the inhabitants that a trifle like this
passed unnoticed or unconsidered.
The stationmaster here said he was passing trains through at the rate of
one every ten or fifteen minutes, which gives some idea of the great
concentration of troops that was going on.
Slowly the train went on through Cambrai, Busigny, and Vaux Andigny to
Flavigny, where, in pouring rain, the Battalion detrained and went into
billets--surprisingly well arranged; but then Flavigny had plenty of
experience in that way, and only a few days before had lodged the French
troops.
[Sidenote: Aug. 16-20.]
Next morning parade was at 7 o'clock for the march to Grougis, about
seven and a half miles off, where four days were spent in billets, and
Colonel Corry took advantage of the breathing space to have his officers
and men inoculated against typhoid.
The concentration of the British Force in the Busigny area was now
completed, and the advance towards Mons was to begin the next day.
[Sidenote: Aug. 20-22.]
Off again on the 20th, the Battalion marched to Oisy (where it was again
billeted), and on the following days to Maroilles and La Longueville.
Here for the first time it heard the guns, and realised that very soon
it would be getting to work.
On the 21st, following the plan concerted with General Joffre, Sir John
French took up a defensive position from Condé on the west to Binche to
the east--a front of about twenty-five miles. The British Army was thus
on the extreme left of the French lines. To the First Corps was assigned
the easterly position from Mons to Binche, while the Second Corps lined
the canal from Mons to Condé, the whole front being covered by the 5th
Cavalry Brigade.
Originally the scheme appears to have been to await the enemy's
onslaught on the Charleroi--Mons line, and then to assume the offensive
and advance into Belgium.
How far-reaching the German preparations had been was at that time
hardly recognised, and neither the French nor the British
Commander-in-Chief seems to have had any conception of the overwhelming
force which the Germans had been able to concentrate against them.
[Sidenote: Aug. 23.]
From La Longueville the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers marched on August 23,
during the last stages of its journey, across the field of Malplaquet,
where more than 200 years before the regiment had fought with
distinction, through Blaregnies and Genly to the outskirts of Mons,
where it bivouacked. There it received orders to advance, which were
countermanded before they could be carried out, and the Battalion was
told to remain where it was. There was nothing to do but have breakfast
and an hour's sleep by the roadside, with showers falling at intervals.
All the time heavy firing could be heard from the direction of Mons, and
shells bursting could be observed in the distance.
Orders then came for the Battalion to march back to Quevy le Petit,
about five miles off, where the men fondly imagined they would again be
comfortably billeted. But hardly had they arrived there when they were
sent forward again. As they were marching down a dusty track General
Scott-Kerr rode up, and directed the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers and the
Irish Guards to move up close behind the ridge east of Spiennes in
support of the Irish Rifles. At the same time the two Coldstream
battalions were ordered to entrench themselves just east of Harveng,
presumably as a precaution in case the Brigade should have to retire.
Heavy firing was now going on all round, and the ridge which overlooked
St. Symphorien to the north was being vigorously shelled by the Germans,
who had got the range to a nicety, and were bursting their shells over
it with accuracy. It was about 6 P.M. when the Battalion, advancing
through Harveng, proceeded in artillery formation for about one and a
half miles to the hill near Spiennes. The men huddled close together
under the banks on the reverse slope of the hill just over the railway
line, while bullets and shells whistled over their heads. As they were
lying there they were amused to see the signalman walk slowly down the
line as if nothing in particular was happening. He had to light the
lamps, and saw no reason why the ordinary routine which he had carried
out probably for many years should be interfered with. One of the
officers called out to him in French, and explained that the Germans
were advancing, but he merely murmured "ça m'est égal," and continued
his work, apparently unconscious of the bullets that were striking the
line.
Meanwhile, Colonel Corry and Major Jeffreys went up to the position
occupied by the Irish Rifles, who were holding their own well under a
heavy rifle fire.
When they returned to their men it was getting dark, and at 10.30 a
message came from the O.C. Irish Rifles, that his battalion was
retiring. It appeared therefore to Colonel Corry that the position was
becoming untenable, since the Irish Rifles on his left had already
retired, and both flanks of the Battalion were exposed. He consulted
Colonel Morris of the Irish Guards, and they both came to the conclusion
that the best course would be to retire to Harveng.
The difficulty was to communicate with the Brigadier. The telephone to
Brigade Headquarters had been cut by shell-fire, and so Colonel Corry
rode back to find General Scott-Kerr. He could not be discovered, and
was reported to have gone to Divisional Headquarters. There seemed no
prospect whatever of finding him, and it was now past midnight.
Thereupon Colonel Corry determined to take upon himself the
responsibility of ordering the retirement of the two battalions. His
impression was that in a case like this, when local conditions could not
be known to the Divisional Staff, it was for the man on the spot to make
his own decision.
Superior authority, however, afterwards held that while under
exceptional circumstances such powers might well be delegated to the man
_in mediis rebus_, in a case like this it could not be admitted that an
officer in actual touch with the enemy was the best judge of how long a
position should be held. It was felt that there were many considerations
in a decision of this sort, of which the officer in the front line could
know very little. Colonel Corry was therefore severely blamed for his
action, and was a fortnight later relieved of his command.
[Sidenote: Aug. 24.]
At 1 o'clock in the morning the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers and the Irish
Guards retired, but they had only gone a couple of miles towards Harveng
when they were ordered to go back and occupy the ridge they had just
left. Back they went, and got as far as the foot of the hill, only to
receive another order to retire to Harveng. By this time the men were
absolutely tired out. They had started at 3.30 the previous morning, and
had been on the move for twenty-four hours, with only occasional halts
by the roadside.
It was just at this point in the engagement that Sir John French
received what he described in his despatch as a most unexpected message.
It came from General Joffre, who informed him that the French Forces had
been compelled, by superior numbers, to retire, and that consequently
the Fifth French Army, which was immediately on our right, had vacated
its line. Two German corps were advancing on the British position, while
a third corps was engaged in a turning movement in the direction of
Tournai. Divisions of French Territorials had been promised in support
of the left flank, but, except for a Brigade at Tournai, no French
troops arrived from the west. There was therefore no alternative for Sir
John French but to retire.