_Arrival at Havre--March to the forward area--Bouzincourt and
Millencourt--instructional tour of front line
trenches--condition of trenches--first casualties--Molliens._
The Battalion arrived at the Port of Le Havre, disembarked in high
spirits, and in the morning of 23rd November, 1915, part of the troops
left the docks for a three mile trek to a rest camp; but soon the
Battalion set out on its first journey "up the line" in cattle trucks.
Travelling through the night of the 24th, via Rouen and Amiens, the
unit reached Pont Remy, some twelve miles east of Abbeville, in the
early hours of the following day, and soon had commenced their first
route march into the battle-ways of France, and, incidentally, at the
first resting place, Mouflers, made cheerily light of what was their
first experience of faulty billeting arrangements. One billet, for 150
men, at the Folie Auberge was uninhabitable, and the appearance of the
billets in general was greeted with good-natured growls of amazement
and disgust. The weather, however, was mild and sunny, and after about
eight hours' work all the troops were more or less under cover. When
every incident was an experience novel and suggestive, such minor
discomforts did not trouble anyone seriously; but considered in
retrospect it must be admitted that these, their first billets, were
very poor for a village so far behind the line. If it was an
unpromising beginning for the companies, it proved a delusion and a
snare for headquarters, for they scored on this occasion in having at
the Chateau the most comfortable billets they ever were fated to
enjoy.
The next day was spent in resting, and on the 27th the march was
continued along the magnificent Amiens Road, through Felixcourt and
Belloy-sur-Somme to La Chaussee. This was a day of keen frost and
bright sunshine, and headed by the band, the 17th stepped out through
the various villages in the best of spirits. Following the same column
was the 17th Northumberland Fusiliers and two A.S.C. Companies. That
night the billets were good, everyone felt somehow in holiday mood,
helped perhaps by the successful bargaining for eggs, chickens and
wine, for to make purchases at all was even at that early date a
matter for rejoicing. The pipers delighted with their playing the
heart of Madame la Comptesse at her chateau at Turancourt where
Brigade headquarters were stationed.
On the 28th, a bitterly cold day, the Battalion marched eleven miles
via Coisy and Ranneville to Molliens-au-Bois, and there they stayed
until the morning of December 1st, when they were joined by M.
Duchamps, interpreter. Molliens-au-Bois lies about eight miles north
of Amiens, but the outstanding feature was that, from the high ground
above there was got the first glimpse of the illuminations provided
nightly by the Bosche, all along the battle front.
On 1st December they left at 8.15 a.m., in company with the 16th
H.L.I., and on the way a Company of the 17th Northumberland Fusiliers
joined the column, which now was moving into the front area.
During the afternoon of that day, the Officers and N.C.O.s of "A" and
"B" Companies went from Bouzincourt into the front line trenches, just
north of Albert, and were attached for instruction to the 7th Gordons
and the 7th Black Watch of the 51st Division, and on the following day
these two Companies joined their Officers in the front line for one
night. The trenches were in a very bad condition after hard frost and
heavy rain. Parts of the trenches were collapsing under the severe
conditions and cases were reported from neighbouring units of men
being drowned in the mud and water.
On the 3rd and 4th December "C" and "D" Companies from Millencourt
went through a similar programme. On the 6th the front line only of
Sectors F1 and F2 were taken over, and then on the 8th the whole
Battalion took over Sector F1--some 2,000 yards of system from just
north of La Boisselle towards Authuille (Blighty) Wood. The front line
and communication trenches were knee deep in water and the trench
shelters were poor. Rats galore and of enormous size added to the
amenity of the district.
[Illustration: HAVRE.]
[Illustration: RUINS OF BETHUNE.
_To face page 28._]
On the 4th of December the 17th suffered their first casualty by enemy
action, Pte. J.M. Harper, "A" Company, being wounded by a rifle
grenade.
The next day Ptes. A. Taylor and R. Cross, of "D" Company, were
wounded while bringing up rations. On the afternoon of the 11th, the
Battalion, having completed its course of practical instruction, was
relieved, and returned, two Companies to Bouzincourt, two to
Millencourt. During the relief the enemy shelled the position heavily,
and the Battalion was fortunate in escaping with only one casualty,
Pte. R. M'Kelvie of "B" Company. The next day the Battalion marched
back to Molliens-au-Bois, via Senlis and Beaucourt, to recuperate
after their opening experience of active trench warfare conditions.
The mud and water and the delapidated condition of the trenches were
indeed an eye-opener to the men, as much as the comparative absence of
"enemy activity." As they tramped back to Molliens, they passed some
Companies of the 15th H.L.I. en route for their first spell, and their
blank astonishment at the muddy appearance of the returning 17th
Battalion was much appreciated by the war-worn veterans!
All ranks received a good reception from the villagers, and the next
few days were spent in resting, inspections and training. Considerable
time was taken up in making duck-boards from the smaller trees of a
wood near the village until this exercise was stopped by the forester.
A few secured the grant of leave to Amiens, a privilege greatly
enjoyed. The work of the organisations home in Glasgow and the
interest taken in the Regiment and the men of the 17th Battalion soon
became manifested by the arrival of parcels to such an extent that the
postal arrangements were severely strained!