JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1916
Diary of the War
[Sidenote: 1916. Jan., Feb., March.]
Although no large operations took place at the beginning of 1916, there
was continual fighting in various parts of the line. The Germans made
several attacks on the Yser Canal and at Neuville on the French front,
and also attempted minor operations at Givenchy and on the
Ypres--Comines Canal. In February the great battle of Verdun commenced,
and in spite of heavy losses the Germans made some progress, capturing
Haumont Wood and Village. Large masses of men were employed, and there
was severe fighting at Bethincourt and Le Mort Homme. The Germans
persisted in their attacks and captured Avocourt Wood, but the French
stubbornly held their ground. At the end of March the British Army made
a successful attack at St. Eloi, and penetrated the first and second
German line of trenches, but lost the Vimy Ridge, a position of some
tactical importance.
The Russians won a great victory in the Caucasus and drove the Turks in
disorder towards Erzeroum, which they captured soon afterwards. The
position of the British Force on the Tigris was giving great anxiety,
and the Turks claimed to have completely surrounded it.
In March Portugal joined the Allies, and declared war on Germany and
Austria.
In Africa the Cameroons campaign was completed with the surrender of the
German garrison at Mora Hill.
General Smuts advanced against the Germans in the Kilimanjaro area, and
a week later gained further successes west of Taveta.
The United Kingdom resorted to conscription, and the Military Service
Act was passed in the House of Commons.
[Sidenote: April, May, June.]
On the British front the Germans launched determined but unsuccessful
attacks at Ploegsteert, and there was fighting on the Vimy Ridge and
between Loos and La Bassée. The struggle at Verdun continued with
unabated fierceness, and Mort Homme and Fort Douaumont changed hands
several times.
The battle of Jutland was fought, and the British Grand Fleet had an
opportunity of meeting the German High Seas Fleet. The British Cruiser
Squadron had most of the fighting, as the battleships did not come into
action till late in the evening. The losses were heavy on both sides,
and the German Fleet fled back to harbour claiming the victory.
Serious disturbances broke out in Ireland, and martial law was
proclaimed in Dublin. The headquarters of the rebel Sinn Feiners was
occupied after much street fighting, and the ringleaders were caught,
tried by court-martial, and shot.
In Mesopotamia the troops sent up to relieve the British Force at
Kut-el-Amara failed in their attack on the intervening Turks, and on
April 29 General Townshend and a force of native and Indian troops
surrendered.
President Wilson warned the Germans that if they persisted in their
indiscriminate sinking of neutral vessels, he would have no alternative
but to break off diplomatic relations.
On June 5 H.M.S. _Hampshire_, conveying Field-Marshal Earl Kitchener on
a special mission to Russia, was sunk off the Orkney Islands by a mine,
and all but twelve men were drowned.
On June 12 General Smuts captured Wilhelmstal, the capital of German
East Africa.
[Sidenote: July, Aug., Sept.]
The battle of the Somme commenced at the beginning of July and lasted
until November. Both the British and French Armies were engaged during
these months in systematically capturing the German positions on the
north and south of the River Somme. This was the first battle in which
Tanks were used.
Salonika had now become an important place in the war, and a mixed force
under General Sarrail attempted an offensive movement, which, however,
came to nothing.
The Russians continued their successful operations against Austria, and
captured vast numbers of prisoners. On August 27 Roumania declared war
on Austria, and advanced into Transylvania, in spite of warnings from
the Allies that they had better hold their frontier and join hands with
the Russians.
At the end of August Field-Marshal von Hindenburg was appointed Chief of
the German General Staff.
The 1st Battalion
[Sidenote: 1st Batt. Jan.]
The beginning of 1916 found the 1st Battalion in Brigade Reserve at La
Gorgue, where it had retired after a strenuous time in the trenches, and
where it settled down to steady drill and instruction in bombing.
The list of officers was as follows:
Lieut.-Colonel G. F. Trotter, M.V.O., D.S.O., Commanding Officer.
Major C. R. C. de Crespigny, Second in Command.
Lieut. E. H. J. Duberly, Adjutant.
Lieut. F. E. H. Paget, Lewis Gun Officer.
Lieut. the Earl of Dalkeith, Bombing Officer.
Capt. Lord Stanley, Transport Officer.
Lieut. J. Teece, Quartermaster.
Capt. W. S. Pilcher, King's Company.
Lieut. L. G. Fisher-Rowe, King's Company.
2nd Lieut. R. F. W. Echlin, King's Company.
Capt. F. L. V. Swaine, No. 2 Company.
Lieut. C. D. Baker, No. 2 Company.
2nd Lieut. C. Wilkinson, No. 2 Company.
Capt. Viscount Lascelles, No. 3 Company.
Lieut. G. Inglis, No. 3 Company.
Lieut. A. A. Moller, No. 3 Company.
2nd Lieut. H. V. Cholmeley, No. 3 Company.
Capt. G. B. Wilson, No. 4 Company.
Lieut. the Hon. P. P. Cary, No. 4 Company.
Lieut. R. D. Lawford, No. 4 Company.
2nd Lieut. C. R. Turner, No. 4 Company.
Capt. J. C. B. Grant, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer.
On the 12th it moved to Laventie, and from there went into the trenches
at Picantin every alternate forty-eight hours, taking turns with the 4th
Battalion and the 2nd Battalion Irish Guards. On January 14 Second
Lieutenant C. T. Swift joined, and on the 29th Major de Crespigny left
to take command of the 2nd Battalion.
,sn Feb. The same routine was followed until February 16, when the whole
Guards Division was sent to the coast for some sea air, although
February can hardly be said to be an ideal month for the seaside.
Captain Lord Claud Hamilton and Lieutenant H.R.H. the Prince of Wales
left the Headquarters Staff, and joined the Battalion. On arrival at
Calais the Battalion marched to Beaumaris, where they went under canvas.
High winds and heavy snow followed by a thick fog made life in a canvas
tent a doubtful pleasure, but, in spite of the intense cold, the change
undoubtedly did the men a great deal of good. After ten days by the sea
the Battalion entrained at Calais and proceeded to Kiekenput near
Wormhoudt, in Belgium. Captain Lord Claud Hamilton and Lieutenant H.R.H.
the Prince of Wales went on leave to England.
[Sidenote: March.]
The weather continued to be very bad, and prevented the men from
training, although a certain amount of route-marching was done. On March
5 the Battalion marched to Poperinghe, where it was again put under
canvas. On the 8th Second Lieutenant L. de J. Havard joined the
Battalion, and on the 10th Captain Viscount Lascelles was accidentally
wounded by a bomb whilst instructing his company, but the wound proved
not to be serious, and he was able to rejoin the Battalion a few days
later.
On the 17th Lieut.-Colonel G. Trotter, having been promoted to the rank
of Brigadier-General, left to take up command of the 27th Brigade, and
Major A. St. L. Glyn arrived to take his place.
The Guards Division now went into the Ypres salient, and there it
remained for several months, either in the trenches or in billets in the
neighbourhood. There can be no doubt that this was by far the worst part
of the line, and the constant casualties with no corresponding gain were
somewhat disheartening. On the 16th the 1st Battalion Grenadiers arrived
at Ypres, and on the 20th went into the trenches I.12.a to I.12.c, with
the Canadians on the right and the Welsh Guards on the left. Two
companies were placed in the front line, with one in support and one in
reserve. They immediately came in for a very heavy shelling, and had 6
killed and 14 wounded, mostly in the King's Company.
[Sidenote: April.]
Back to Ypres on the 24th and then to Poperinghe for two days' rest,
after which the Battalion returned to the trench line east of Potidje,
going part of the way by train. The enemy shelled the railway station,
which was unpleasant for those who were starting on their journey, and
also delayed the train. The King's Company and No. 4 occupied the front
line, with No. 2 in support and No. 3 in reserve. On the 4th the enemy's
artillery knocked out one of our machine-guns with a direct hit, killing
one man. On the same day an unfortunate accident caused by the premature
explosion of a Pippin rifle grenade resulted in the death of one
sergeant, while another sergeant was wounded.
The usual procedure was to hold the support line, and to place as few
men as possible in the front trench. The enemy seemed to be perfectly
aware of this, and confined themselves to bombarding the second line,
but our artillery was more than a match for them, and retaliated with
some effect. Whenever the men saw an observation balloon emerging from
the German lines they knew that a violent bombardment was imminent, and
took precautions accordingly. All dug-outs were at once cleared, and the
men were scattered along the bottom of the trench.
On the 7th Lieutenant C. Leeke, 1st Battalion Grenadiers, attached to
the 3rd Guards Brigade, Machine-gun Company, was standing in front of
his dug-out, having completed his rounds, when he was hit in the thigh
by a stray bullet, and although his wound was at once dressed by a
surgeon, he died a few days later in hospital. Second Lieutenant H. V.
Cholmeley, attached to the same Machine-gun Company, was killed
outright, being struck in the chest by a large piece of shrapnel, and
Second Lieutenant C. Wilkinson was wounded in the shoulder by a shrapnel
bullet. Amongst the other ranks the casualties were 1 man killed and 60
wounded.
After these strenuous days in the trenches the Battalion went to
Poperinghe for four days' rest, and on the 12th returned by train to the
trenches at Potidje, with the 3rd Battalion Coldstream on the right and
the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards on the left. It was luckier this time,
and, except for the inevitable shelling, saw very little of the enemy.
An attack was made by the Germans on the Twentieth Division, but
although the 1st Battalion stood to arms, its services were not
required, as the attacks were easily repulsed.
On the 15th the Battalion returned to Poperinghe, where it remained in
billets till the 27th. Although at first the weather was abominable, the
last few days were fine and hot. A short time before the men had been
shivering over braziers, and now they were lying about in their
shirt-sleeves. On the 27th the Battalion went into the trenches at
Rifleman Farm, with the Third Canadian Division on the right and the 1st
Battalion Welsh Guards on the left, and the enemy blew in a mine
gallery, killing some men of the Royal Engineers. The enemy's musketry
was active during these three days, and the German aeroplanes were very
busy.
The following officers joined the Battalion during the month: Major A.
F. A. N. Thorne, as Second in Command, Lieutenant H. G. W. Bradley,
Captain A. C. Graham, Second Lieutenant R. H. P. J. Stourton, Second
Lieutenant E. Hoare, Second Lieutenant J. W. Graham, Second Lieutenant
E. G. L. King. On the 27th Captain Wilson left to take up his duties on
the Divisional Staff, to which he had been appointed.
[Sidenote: May.]
The Corps Commander, Major-General Lord Cavan, came round the trenches
on May 1, and expressed himself pleased with all he saw. That evening
the Battalion retired to Ypres, where it remained for four days. The
weather now was quite hot, with occasional thunderstorms; but, as the
enemy continued to shell the remains of Ypres, the men were unable to
enjoy fully the change, since they spent most of the time under the
ramparts.
Back to Rifleman Farm on the 6th, and on the way up to the trenches, the
Battalion came in for a heavy shelling, which rather delayed matters.
Second Lieutenant J. Graham was wounded, and had his leg broken just
above the ankle as he was going up to the trenches for the first time.
The Engineers feared the enemy would explode a mine in the neighbourhood
of our new crater, but every precaution was taken, and no explosion
occurred at that spot. On the 9th the enemy apparently contemplated an
attack, for at 4 A.M. a mine at the end of Muddy Lane was fired, and
then a heavy bombardment commenced, but when the infantry attack which
usually followed was expected the Germans did not appear anxious to
leave their trenches. Second Lieutenant E. Hoare, who had recently
arrived, was killed, and Lieutenant Bradley wounded. Amongst the other
ranks there were 2 killed and 16 wounded, but Major Thorne was able to
report to Major Glyn that the line remained intact, although in places
it was considerably damaged.
Later in the morning Brigadier-General Heyworth came to see what had
happened, and although Major Glyn warned him that, owing to the parapet
having been blown away in several places, it was a perilous proceeding
to attempt to walk down the line, he insisted on going. Accompanied by
Major Glyn and Captain Warner, the Brigade-Major, he set off and reached
the front trench. As they were going down Muddy Lane, about fifty yards
from the front trench, they came across an obstruction caused by the
parapet having been blown into the trench. It was while crossing this
that Brigadier-General Heyworth was shot through the head by one of the
enemy's snipers. He had always scorned to take even the most ordinary
precautions, and was accustomed to ignore the enemy's snipers. His loss
was mourned not only by his friends in the Guards Division, and he had
many, but also by the whole British Army, who knew him to be a fearless
and capable commander.
On the 10th the men were busily engaged in repairing the gaps in the
trenches, and were in consequence subjected to a certain amount of
sniping and bombing, during which Lord Stanley was wounded by a bomb,
and had five wounds, three in his leg and two in his arm, fortunately
none of them serious. That evening the Battalion was relieved and
retired to Poperinghe, and on the 20th it marched to Kiekenput, where it
remained in billets till the end of the month.
[Sidenote: June.]
On June 1 the officers of the Battalion were as follows:
Major A. St. L. Glyn, Commanding Officer.
Major A. F. A. N. Thorne, D.S.O., Second in Command.
Capt. E. H. J. Duberly, Adjutant.
Lieut. the Hon. P. P. Cary, Lewis Gun Officer.
Lieut. the Earl of Dalkeith, Bombing Officer.
2nd Lieut. D. H. S. Riddiford, Transport Officer.
Lieut. J. Teece, Quartermaster.
Capt. W. S. Pilcher, King's Company.
Lieut. P. M. Spence, King's Company.
2nd Lieut. R. F. W. Echlin, King's Company.
Capt. A. C. Graham, No. 2 Company.
Lieut. R. D. Lawford, No. 2 Company.
2nd Lieut. E. G. L. King, No. 2 Company.
Capt. Viscount Lascelles, No. 3 Company.
2nd Lieut. C. T. Swift, No. 3 Company.
2nd Lieut. L. de J. Harvard, No. 3 Company.
2nd Lieut. R. H. P. J. Stourton, No. 3 Company.
Capt. L. G. Fisher-Rowe, No. 4 Company.
2nd Lieut. P. S. Hope, No. 4 Company.
_Attached_--Capt. J. C. B. Grant.
The Battalion remained in billets at Poperinghe or Kiekenput until the
18th, when it moved up into the trench line. On the 7th a gloom was cast
over the whole of the British Army by the death of Lord Kitchener, who
went down in the _Hampshire_, mined on its way to Russia. This passing
away of a great soldier came as a profound shock to every one in France.
At first no one could realise that he was dead. The men felt that the
mainspring of the whole mechanism of the British Army was gone.
The Battalion remained for ten days in reserve, and although there were
constant alarms, during which the men stood to arms, and news of gas
attacks, its services in the front line were not required. On the 18th
it took over the trench line near Irish Farm, and Nos. 2, 3, and 4
Companies were placed in the firing line, with the King's Company in
reserve. Although the enemy's patrols were very active, nothing worth
recording appears to have happened, but on the 25th a successful raid
was carried out into the German lines, and a new trench north of Forward
Cottage was made. On the 27th the Battalion retired into dug-outs in
Canal Bank and Yperlee, where it remained until the end of the month.
[Sidenote: July 1916.]
On July 1 it returned to the trenches, and on the 3rd the King's Company
was so heavily bombarded that the parapet of the trench and the signal
dug-out were blown in. The Company Sergeant-Major, two sergeants, three
signallers, and four men were completely buried under the debris, but
the remainder of the Company at once set to work to rescue as many as
possible under a heavy shell and machine-gun fire. Owing to the
energetic manner in which the rescue party worked, one sergeant and
three men were brought out alive, but the others were all dead.
On the 9th Major M. E. M. C. Maitland arrived from the 3rd Battalion,
and took over command of the 1st Battalion from Major Glyn, who
proceeded to take up an appointment at the base. On the 10th the
following were selected from the 1st Battalion to attend the National
Fête in Paris on July 14: Sergeant-Major Young, Lance-Corporal Ewell,
Private Upcott, Private Ayres, Private Andrews, and Private Call. On the
12th Captain Viscount Lascelles was appointed second in command of the
2nd Battalion, and on the 13th Lieutenant E. B. Shelley and Second
Lieutenant C. C. T. Sharpe joined from the Entrenching Battalion.
On the 15th the 1st Battalion returned to the trenches, where it
remained until the 24th, with the usual routine of two days in and two
days out of the trenches. On the 27th it left the Ypres salient without
regret, and entrained at Poperinghe for Bollezeele, whence it marched to
Watten. There it remained until the 29th, when it proceeded to
Bavingchove and went by train to Fervent. On the 30th it marched to
Halloy. On the 28th Lieutenant R. P. de P. Trench and Lieutenant M. D.
Thomas joined from the Entrenching Battalion, and on the 30th Captain W.
D. Drury Lowe, D.S.O., arrived. He had been in command of a Territorial
Battery for a year and a half, and had so distinguished himself as a
gunner that he had been awarded the D.S.O. But, being a true Grenadier
at heart, he had decided to sink his rank and return to his old
regiment.
[Sidenote: Aug.]
During August the 1st Battalion only had two days in the trenches at
Beaumont-Hamel, when the King's Company had rather an unpleasant time
with the enemy's trench mortars, and had nine casualties. On the 9th His
Majesty the King, who was making an informal tour round the Front,
visited the Grenadier Camp, but there was no inspection of any sort.
Before leaving France His Majesty sent the following message to Sir
Douglas Haig:
_August 15, 1916._
OFFICERS, N.C.O.'S, AND MEN--It has been a great pleasure and
satisfaction to me to be with my Armies during the past week. I have
been able to judge for myself of their splendid condition for war,
and of the spirit of cheerful confidence which animates all ranks,
united in loyal co-operation to their chiefs and to one another.
Since my last visit to the Front there has been almost uninterrupted
fighting on parts of our line. The offensive recently begun has
since been resolutely maintained by day and by night. I have had
opportunities of visiting some of the scenes of the later desperate
struggles, and of appreciating to a slight extent the demands made
upon your courage and physical endurance in order to assail and
capture positions prepared during the past two years and stoutly
defended to the last.
I have realised not only the splendid work which has been done in
immediate touch with the enemy--in the air, under the ground, as
well as on the ground--but also the vast organisations behind the
fighting line, honourable alike to the genius of the initiators and
to the heart and hand of the workers. Everywhere there is proof that
all, men and women, are playing their part, and I rejoice to think
that their noble efforts are being heartily seconded by all classes
at home.
The happy relations maintained by my Armies and those of our French
Allies were equally noticeable between my troops and the inhabitants
of the districts in which they are quartered, and from whom they
have received a cordial welcome ever since their first arrival in
France.
Do not think that I and your fellow-countrymen forget the heavy
sacrifices which the Armies have made, and the bravery and endurance
they have displayed during the past two years of bitter conflict.
These sacrifices have not been in vain: the arms of the Allies will
never be laid down until our cause has triumphed.
I return home more than ever proud of you.
May God guide you to victory.
On the 6th Second Lieutenant L. G. E. Sim arrived, and on the 15th
Second Lieutenant B. G. Samuelson and Second Lieutenant W. H. Lovell
joined the Battalion. On the 25th the Battalion proceeded by train to
Mericourt, and went into billets in Ville-sous-Corbie.
The 2nd Battalion
[Sidenote: 2nd Batt. Jan. 1916.]
At the beginning of the New Year the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was in
billets at Riez Bailleul, and went up every two days to occupy the
trench line at Ebenezer Farm.
LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE 2ND BATTALION
Lieut.-Colonel G. D. Jeffreys, Commanding Officer.
Major A. St. L. Glyn, Second in Command.
Capt. the Hon. W. R. Bailey, Adjutant.
Lieut. W. E. Acraman, Quartermaster.
Capt. R. H. V. Cavendish, M.V.O.
Capt. A. de P. Kingsmill.
Capt. A. F. R. Wiggins.
Capt. E. W. M. Grigg.
Lieut. A. K. S. Cunninghame.
Lieut. D. A. Smith (Brigade Machine-gun Company).
Lieut. E. H. Noble.
Lieut. F. A. M. Browning.
Lieut. M. A. Knatchbull-Hugessen.
Lieut. the Hon. W. A. D. Parnell.
Lieut. W. H. Beaumont-Nesbitt.
Lieut. H. G. W. Sandeman.
Lieut. the Hon. B. B. Ponsonby.
2nd Lieut. the Hon. A. V. Agar-Robartes (Brigade Machine-gun
Company).
2nd Lieut. T. A. Combe.
2nd Lieut. A. F. Irvine.
2nd Lieut. T. W. Minchin.
2nd Lieut. H. G. Carter.
2nd Lieut. N. McK. Jesper.
2nd Lieut. G. G. M. Vereker.
Capt. J. A. Andrews, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer.
On the 8th it marched to Calonne, and on the 12th to Arrewage, where it
remained until the 25th. On the 14th Lieut.-Colonel G. D. Jeffreys left
to take over temporary command of the 3rd Battalion, but after three
days he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and was appointed
to the 58th Infantry Brigade. On the 21st Second Lieutenant J.
Arbuthnott, and on the 23rd Second Lieutenant D. Harvey joined the
Battalion.
January 27 being the German Emperor's birthday, an attack was expected,
and special precautions were taken, but the German Army were tired of
these Roman holidays. Previous attempts to snatch a victory of some sort
on the birthday of the All-Highest had proved costly and lamentable
failures. This time the Army determined to allow this festival to pass
unnoticed, and consequently no German showed the slightest inclination
to leave his trench.
During the days spent in the trenches there were constant losses: on
some days men were killed, and almost invariably there were a certain
number wounded.
[Sidenote: Feb.]
On February 1 Major de Crespigny took over the command of the 2nd
Battalion from Major Glyn, who had been in temporary command since
Lieut.-Colonel Jeffreys' departure.
The same routine was continued until February 7, when the 2nd Battalion
marched to La Gorgue, where it remained for a week. On the 11th it was
inspected by Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener in a field at Merville, and on
the 14th marched to Godwaersvelde _via_ Merville. On the 16th it reached
Poperinghe after a long march in the teeth of a strong wind and heavy
rain, and was put into huts in a camp, mostly under water.
The following letter from Lieut.-General Haking commanding the Eleventh
Corps was addressed to the Guards Division on its departure:
The Military situation did not permit of my seeing your Division on
its departure from the Corps in order to say Good-bye to you all,
and thank all ranks for the services they have performed during the
time the Division has been in the Corps. I am compelled therefore to
write what I should have liked to speak.
Ever since the Division was formed and posted to this Corps, it has
proved itself to possess the finest military spirit. Lord Cavan, and
since his departure General Feilding, ably assisted by
Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. W. P. Hore Ruthven, G.S.O.I., Lieut.-Colonel
Darrell, A.A.Q.M.G., and a most efficient staff, have carried out
several offensive operations with distinguished success, including
the attacks during the fighting round Loos, the consolidation of a
difficult and unmade line about the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and the
raid into the hostile trenches along the Rue Tilleloy front. The
careful planning of these operations by the Divisional Commander and
his general and administrative staff, the accurate reconnaissance
and detailed organisation of each by the Brigade Commanders,
Brigadier-Generals Heyworth, Ponsonby, and Pereira, and also General
Feilding until he succeeded Lord Cavan in command of the Division,
together with their staffs, has been a model of good fighting.
The infantry operations have been ably seconded by the artillery of
the Division under Brigadier-General Wardrop and his Brigade
Commanders, who have spared no pains, both in the construction of
forward observing posts and the training and organisation of good
observing officers, to secure the success of the infantry.
The Royal Engineers also under Lieut.-Colonel Brough and his field
company commanders have been indefatigable in their work on the
defences, the water drainage in rear of our line, and in assisting
the artillery in the construction of some of the best observing
posts in any part of the British line. The Battalion commanders,
officers, non-commissioned officers and men who have been called
upon to bear the brunt of all this fighting have shown throughout an
offensive spirit which in my opinion surpassed any standard reached
by the Guards or any infantry in past campaigns, and which will be
the admiration of future generations of soldiers. The fine
discipline and soldierly bearing of all ranks is also a matter for
all of you to be proud of. You have been an example to other
Divisions with whom you have been associated, and that example has
produced the best results, and has raised the fighting value and
efficiency of the whole Corps. I am very sorry to say Good-bye to
you, but I am glad you are going to a corps which is commanded by
your old Divisional General Lord Cavan, who has the proud
distinction of being the first General Officer to command a British
Guards Division, and who has so greatly distinguished himself on
every occasion.
I can only hope that the Eleventh Corps will find itself before long
by the side of the Fourteenth Corps with the Guards Division ready,
as it always will be, to lead the way to Victory.
While the 2nd Battalion remained at Poperinghe, it was honoured by the
visit of some German aeroplanes which dropped bombs, but fortunately not
anywhere near the men's billets. On the 22nd a demonstration of German
liquid fire was held, and it was clearly shown that, provided the men
kept their heads low down in the trench, no harm would come to them,
since liquid fire rises in the air about six or eight yards from the
muzzle of the apparatus.
On the 24th the 2nd Battalion proceeded to Cassel, and as the roads were
frozen the transport had several adventures. Down one steep hill several
wagons and cookers skidded into the ditch, from which they had to be
rescued, and there were many accidents. On the 28th the Battalion
entrained, and went by rail to Calais Coulogne station, where it marched
to No. 6 Rest Camp, about four kilometres from the town on the Dunkirk
road. Here it found the 1st Battalion Grenadiers, the 2nd Battalion
Scots Guards, and the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.
[Sidenote: March.]
In this breezy but healthy locality the 2nd Battalion remained for ten
days, and the health of the men improved immensely in spite of the
extreme cold. On March 5 it returned by train to Cassel, and marched
about nine miles to Herzeele, where it went into billets. On the 16th it
moved to Poperinghe, and on the 18th took over the line east of Potidje
village, with Nos. 3 and 4 Companies in the front trench, No. 1 Company
in support, and No. 2 in reserve. Major Glyn left the 2nd Battalion to
take command of the 1st Battalion vice Lieut.-Colonel Trotter.
The trenches that had been taken over turned out to be in very bad
order, with parapets only waist high, and nowhere bullet-proof. There
were no communication trenches, and little or no attention appeared to
have been given to the difficult problem of drainage and sanitary
arrangements, but the men set to work at once, and before long there was
a marked improvement. During the days spent in the trenches by
companies, there were a certain number of casualties--among whom was
Sergeant-Major H. Wood, who was slightly wounded--and the parapet in the
line held by No. 1 Company was blown in by shells from a field-gun not
five hundred yards away. On the 24th the 2nd Battalion went to A Camp at
Vlamertinghe, where they remained for four days, and on the 28th they
returned to the trenches east of Potidje village. Although at first
there was a comparatively quiet time, the shelling increased later, and
a certain number were wounded, including Second Lieutenant H. G. Carter.
On the 30th the shelling increased in intensity, and the trenches of No.
4 Company were completely levelled for about 120 yards. Work was almost
impossible at this spot as the enemy's artillery continued to shell it,
and it was not until the following day that the men were able to erect
another parapet.
[Sidenote: April.]
After ten days' rest at Poperinghe, the 2nd Battalion returned to Ypres,
and went into cellars and dug-outs in the ramparts. On the 11th it took
over the line between Railway Wood and the Menin road, where it found a
large gap in the line on the left between it and the Coldstream. For the
next sixteen days it remained either in this line or in Ypres. Second
Lieutenant J. S. Burton joined the Battalion on the 10th, Lieutenant T.
Parker Jarvis on the 20th, and Second Lieutenant J. C. Cornforth on the
21st. On the 27th the 2nd Battalion went into billets at Poperinghe, and
was inspected by General Sir Herbert Plumer, K.C.B., commanding the
Second Army. It remained for a week in billets, and then returned to
Ypres on 4th May. One of the enemy's aeroplanes flew over one day, and
dropped bombs on Poperinghe, of which one fell about twenty-five yards
from Battalion Headquarters, and wounded two men.
[Sidenote: May.]
On May 5 the 2nd Battalion went into the trenches near Wieltje, and
although it succeeded in relieving the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards
without sustaining any casualties, it came in for a very heavy shelling
the next day. Lieutenant the Hon. B. Ponsonby was wounded, and there
were three N.C.O.'s killed and seven wounded. This shelling continued
every day, and there was in consequence a daily list of men wounded. On
the 9th the 2nd Battalion returned to billets near the Prison at Ypres,
and remained there till the 13th, when it went into the trenches again.
On the 10th Second Lieutenant G. A. Arbuthnot arrived. A considerable
amount of work had to be done in deepening the trenches, heightening the
parapets, and wiring the entanglements, for which eighty-four coils of
barbed wire were used. A systematic shelling by the enemy, not only of
the front line, but also of all roads and communication trenches, was
daily carried out, and on the 16th Second Lieutenant J. S. Burton was
killed, whilst the casualties amongst other ranks were very heavy. On
the 19th the 2nd Battalion went by train to St. Omer, and marched to
billets at Tatinghem, where it remained resting until June 7.
LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE 2ND BATTALION
Lieut.-Colonel C. R. C. de Crespigny, D.S.O., Commanding Officer.
Major E. N. E. M. Vaughan, Second in Command.
Capt. the Hon. W. R. Bailey, Adjutant.
Lieut. W. E. Acraman, Quartermaster.
Capt. R. H. V. Cavendish, M.V.O.
Capt. A. F. R. Wiggins.
Capt. A. K. S. Cunninghame.
Lieut. the Hon. W. A. D. Parnell.
Lieut. W. H. Beaumont-Nesbitt.
Lieut. H. G. W. Sandeman.
Lieut. T. A. Combe.
Lieut. A. F. Irvine.
Lieut. M. H. Macmillan.
Lieut. T. Parker Jarvis.
2nd Lieut. T. W. Minchin.
2nd Lieut. N. McK. Jesper.
2nd Lieut. G. G. M. Vereker.
2nd Lieut. D. Harvey.
2nd Lieut. J. Arbuthnott.
2nd Lieut. G. A. Arbuthnot.
_Attached_--Capt. J. A. Andrews, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer.
[Sidenote: June.]
On June 7 the 2nd Battalion left Tatinghem at 8 A.M. and arrived at St.
Sylvestre _via_ Fort Rouge and Staple after a long and hot march. After
ten days spent in Camp M near Poperinghe, during which time parties of
men were employed in cable laying, it proceeded to Elverdinghe and
remained there till the 20th, when it took over the Lancashire Farm
line. Captain G. C. FitzH. Harcourt-Vernon, Lieut. H. F. C. Crookshank,
Lieutenant the Hon. M. H. E. C. Townley-Bertie, and Lieutenant R. E. H.
Oliver joined the Battalion on the 15th, and Lieutenant P. M. Walker on
the 19th.
The four days spent in the trenches were marked by heavy machine-gun
fire and sniping, but the line was fairly good, and there were in
consequence few casualties. On the 24th an artillery duel took place,
and although our guns did some good work in cutting the enemy's wire,
the German guns retaliated on the front line and support trenches. On
retiring into billets again at Elverdinghe, the men were given
permission to bathe in the lake in the grounds of the château, but this
peaceful pursuit was not without danger, for the German artillery, while
searching about for some target, dropped six shells over the lake, and
later shelled the château itself.
[Sidenote: July.]
After a week's rest the 2nd Battalion returned to Ypres on July 6, and
the next day relieved the 4th Battalion in the Irish Farm line, one of
the worst positions it had been in. The 1300 yards of trenches consisted
for the most part of unconnected and shallow shell-holes, which were
full of water, and there were no communication trenches of any kind. It
took four and a half hours to get round the line by night, and in places
it was necessary to walk above ground, which made the Commanding
Officer's tour very dangerous. Naturally in such a line the daily
casualty list was fairly heavy, but the men worked at the trenches with
so much energy that they soon transformed them. Once Captain Wiggins,
Lieutenant Irvine, and Lieutenant Combe were having luncheon in a hole
in the first line, when a shell from a German trench mortar pitched
quite close to them. With the exception of Captain Wiggins, who was hit
through the knee by a piece of the shell, no one was any the worse. The
Germans, finding that the large shells from the trench mortars could be
seen coming, hit upon the idea of firing salvos of shrapnel at the same
time, which confused our men.
Lieutenant-General Lord Cavan paid a surprise visit to the 2nd Battalion
while it was in the trenches, and made a searching inspection of the
kits, greatcoats, respirators, and rifles. In spite of the men being in
the trenches, everything was complete and clean, but much to the
Sergeant-Major's annoyance two mess-tins and three spoons were found to
be deficient in the whole Battalion. The takings of the regimental
canteen had been greatly augmented by the presence of two Navvy
battalions, and Lieut.-Colonel de Crespigny was therefore able to give
the men certain luxuries, such as French bread and tinned milk, which
were much appreciated.
During the next fortnight the 2nd Battalion remained either in billets
in the Canal bank or in the line in front, and worked unceasingly on the
trenches. The monotony of trench life was relieved by the exciting but
dangerous ventures of patrols. During the night of the 17th Lieutenant
A. Irvine and Lieutenant Parker Jervis took out patrols, and although
they were unsuccessful in securing any prisoners, they managed to pick
up a great deal of useful information. On the 19th Lieutenant M. H.
Macmillan went out with two men and managed to get quite near to the
German line, but a German sentry whom they came across threw a bomb at
them, wounding Lieutenant Macmillan and one of the men slightly. He,
however, obtained the information he wanted, and was later complimented
by General Pereira, who sent the following message:
The Brigadier wishes Lieutenant Macmillan and his patrol on the 19th
inst. to be congratulated on their excellent report and the most
useful information which they brought in.
Lieutenant Irvine also went out with a strong patrol, and on his return
narrowly escaped being bombed by his own company. Captain Wiggins and
ten men lay out on Admirals Road in the hopes of catching some of the
enemy's patrols, but were unsuccessful. On the 22nd Captain M. K. A.
Lloyd joined the Battalion.
The improvement in the trench line did not escape the notice of
Brigadier-General Pereira, who sent the following message to
Lieut.-Colonel de Crespigny:
After visiting your Battalion section of the trenches to-day, I wish
to say how very much I was impressed by the wonderful progress that
has been made in improving and strengthening the line, and I realise
the amount of thought and labour that has been expended on this
work.
(Signed) C. PEREIRA, Brig.-Gen.
Commanding 1st Brigade.
The enemy's artillery now turned its attention to Poperinghe, with the
result that all the civilians had to be cleared out and sent away. In
its search for suitable objectives, it succeeded in landing a big shell
on the 2nd Battalion Headquarters. Two men were buried, one of whom
survived, but the other was dead when dug out. On the 24th Second
Lieutenant G. A. Arbuthnot went out with five snipers, and although they
remained out all night, they saw nothing of the enemy's patrols.
Sergeant Lyon of No. 1 Company went out by himself into No Man's Land,
and returned the next morning with useful information, and also a German
flag which had been taken from a tree near Wieltje.
On the 27th the Guards Division left the Ypres salient, and was relieved
by the Fourth Division of the Eighth Corps.
[Sidenote: Aug.]
The 2nd Battalion left Ypres on the 26th, and went by train to
Poperinghe. On the 27th it marched _via_ St. Jan der Bietzen Watou and
Houtkerque to Herzeele, and on the 30th to Proven, where it entrained
for St. Pol. From St. Pol it went in motor lorries to Bouque Maison, and
then marched on to billets at Neuvillette. After two days' rest it
marched on to Sarton, where it remained from August 1st to the 10th, and
then proceeded to Bertrancourt.
The Guards Division was now approaching the Somme area, and the 2nd
Battalion Grenadiers marched from Bertrancourt through Beaussart,
Mailly, Vitermont, to the right sub-sector of the Beaumont-Hamel line.
The trenches were considerably better than any others the 2nd Battalion
had occupied since Loos, and there were several deep dug-outs in the
line. The enemy's artillery sent over some heavy shells at once, and the
casualties were one N.C.O. killed and six men wounded. After three days
in the trenches, when a certain number of men were wounded, the
Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, and
retired to Bertrancourt. Two days later it marched to Courcelles, where
it remained for a week in billets, and on the 23rd proceeded to Beauval.
On the following days it marched to Flesselles, to Canadles, and to
Méaulte, where it remained till the end of the month. Second Lieutenant
C. C. Cubitt and Second Lieutenant A. Hasler joined the Battalion on the
15th, Second Lieutenant D. W. Cassy, who had been employed as signal
officer at Brigade Headquarters, on the 21st, and Lieutenant A. T. A.
Ritchie on the 25th. Second Lieutenant D. Harvey and ten men were
attached to the 180th Tunnelling Company, R.E.
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Transcriber's Notes:
Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected.
Typographical errors were silently corrected.
Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only when a
predominant form was found in this book.
Text that was in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).
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