_Senlis--last parade under Col. Morton--Bombing raid north of
Ovillers--Move to Bethune--1st Army Area--inspection by General
Munro--depleted ranks--trench warfare about Hulluch--Cambrin
Sector._
In the sadness and stress of the first days after the Somme, there
came messages round to say the Battalion was saying "Good-bye" to its
Colonel. Worn out with fatigue he had been reluctantly persuaded by
the Brigadier and the doctors that if he wished to live and serve his
country more in the war he must retire from the dreadful strain of
command. In a field at Senlis, on the afternoon of 8th July, the
remnants of the Battalion, on their last parade under Colonel Morton,
were drawn up, silent and deeply moved. In a few words the Colonel
told the Battalion what he was going to do and all stood there with
their losses and their heartbreaks, hardly able to keep down the
tears. Addressing the men he congratulated them in warm and feeling
terms for their devotion while under his command and wished them well
in the uncertainties of the future.
Colonel Morton had started them, trained them, and cared for them;
fought Brigade and authorities for them; led them and loved them--and
now they were to lose him. He said little, for much of a speech would
not come, but he knew their memories and he knew what they felt. Major
Paul, on behalf of the Battalion, expressed the profound regret of all
ranks in losing the guidance and leadership of Colonel Morton, who had
raised the 17th to such a high state of proficiency, and to wish him a
well merited rest and all happiness. Just these few words of
"Good-bye," then they cheered him and, with a lump in their throats
they were not ashamed of, they dismissed. All said good-bye in their
hearts and wished him God-speed. It is sad to part with a loved C.O.
who, too, feels the parting.
Major Paul then took over command of the 17th and that evening once
more they moved into the trenches in support at Quarry Post, Authuille
Wood.
On the 13th July a bombing party of about 100 men were ordered to
attack the German Line, north of Ovillers, linking up with the
Inniskillen Fusiliers, and this party at midnight under Captain
Ferguson, Lieuts. Herron and Kirk and Sergeant Stewart, in conjunction
with the Inniskillens and a party of Engineers, carried out the raid.
The greatest credit was due to the initiative shown by Captain
Ferguson, in making excellent dispositions under very difficult
conditions. Owing to the strength of the German wire, a frontal attack
was impracticable, and after much thought, it was decided to attack
obliquely. The attack was most successful, a considerable number of
Germans being killed, while at least 16 were taken prisoners. The
objectives were all taken in a few minutes, but unfortunately the
raiders' losses were heavy. Captain Ferguson was mortally wounded,
eight other ranks were killed, and the other two officers and about 35
other ranks were wounded.
Writing of this incident, one of the Battalion officers says that
after the patrol had gone out those who were not taking part in it
heard the firing and the clamour of the small battle while they waited
eagerly for news of its progress. "News came in that the front was
safe, and proud of the efforts of our Battalion, we waited for their
return. The waiting was hard to bear, but the return sadder to
witness. They came back. On the right they had succeeded. On the left
they had died. A triumph and a disaster in one. On that small field
were left yet more of the (oh! so sadly few) gallant men of the
Seventeenth who, though exhausted and battle-worn, had in their own
true and fine spirit responded to the uttermost to the call for
gallant work. Later the body of Captain Ferguson was found right up to
the German lines grasping an empty revolver, far ahead in the charge
of even his gallant followers."
For this action, the Battalion received thanks and congratulations
from the Corps and Division. A counter-attack drove the raiders out of
the captured trench; but the object of the raid--to create a diversion
from a major operation on the right--had been successfully
accomplished.
This particular week, which was the last the Battalion saw of the
Somme fighting until later in the year, was one of the most strenuous
times which the unit had experienced. The available men for defensive
purposes were only too few and as new assembly trenches had to be dug
every night and all night, and also owing to the difficulties of
rationing and watering, the men were unable to get any rest.
The Brigade commenced a move to Ampliers on 16th July, and on the road
the Battalion was met by Lieut.-General T.L.N. Moreland, commanding
the X Corps. He expressed to the Commanding Officer his appreciation
of the good work done by the Battalion while under his command, and
his deepest sympathy in their losses. On the 26th the Brigade moved
into Bethune and two days afterwards paraded in full marching order,
including "tin hats," on a sweltering afternoon, to be inspected by
General Munro, G.O.C., 1st Army. A very warm day. Owing to the calls
on an Army Commander's time, this inspection was considered to be a
great honour and a mark of appreciation by the authorities of the fine
spirit shown by the Division during the Somme battle.
August saw the unit leave Bethune to take over the Cambrin right
sub-sector from the Northamptons, after putting in some fine shooting
on the old French Government Rifle Range at Labeauvriere. The strength
of the unit in the trenches apart from the officers, at the taking
over (August 5th) was 199--tragic testimony to the Somme. Immediately
on taking over the trenches they were subjected to trench mortar
bombardments and sniping raids. On 12th August Lieut. and Adjutant
Paterson became Captain and Adjutant, Major Paul became
Lieut.-Colonel, and 2nd Lieuts. Morrison and Marr, Captains.
The following weeks of August, September and October were marked with
much moving about with various spells of that sort of uneventful
trench warfare which is perhaps in some respects more trying on the
nerves and strength of a unit than actual operations. On August 23rd
they were in the Hulluch Section. In this Section there was a good
deal of mining going on and there were two big craters which required
special watching, but the Battalion soon set to and trained in
grappling hook work to be ready for any kind of crater fighting that
might be demanded of them. On August 31st a move was made to Annequin
via Beuvry and Bethune, and ultimately by bus journey to the trenches
at Guinchy left sub-section, and in this area the unit remained during
September. On the 11th of the month a night raid was attempted, but
was frustrated owing to the Germans bombing the party as it was on the
point of entering their trenches. Unfortunately the two N.C.O.s who
fired the torpedo were missing, and it is presumed that they were
blown to bits by the explosion.
[Illustration: COOKHOUSE AT BECOURT.]
[Illustration: OBSERVATION POST, HULLUCH SECTOR.]
[Illustration: WAR'S DESTRUCTION.
_To face page 50._]
[Illustration: LIEUT.-COLONEL W.J. PAUL.
_To face page 51._]
On October 4th the Battalion took over "Village Trench" in the Cambrin
Sector (Maison Rouge), taking over the front line from the 11th Border
Regiment. The next move saw the 17th leave Beuvry and proceeding to
Labeauvriere on October 16th; to Hardinval, on the 19th; to Rubempre,
on the 21st; to Bouzincourt, on the 23rd; back by Rubempre and on to
Canaples on the 31st via Talmas and Navurs. This treking was done in
weather that was oftener wet than dry, exceedingly cold at night, and
the living was under canvas. At Val-de-Maison on November 1st, the
unit moved to Vadencourt after a fortnight, and then into the
Martinsart Valley on the 15th, where they were ordered to go into
action at Beaumont-Hamel, for by this time several drafts had brought
up the strength of the Battalion.