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HISTORY OF 1/8th BATTALION
SHERWOOD FORESTERS 1914--1919
[Illustration: LIEUT.-COL. G. H. FOWLER.
Killed in action at Hohenzollern Redoubt, Oct. 15th, 1915.]
[Illustration: Arms]
THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS
IN THE GREAT WAR
1914--1919
1/8th BATTALION
By
CAPTAIN W. C. C. WEETMAN
M.C., CROIX DE GUERRE
With an introduction by
BRIG-GENERAL C. T. SHIPLEY, C.B.
NOTTINGHAM
THOS. FORMAN & SONS
1920
_To_
_Our Fallen Comrades_
"_In truth they were young Gentlemen, Yeomen and Yeomen's Sons,
and Artificers of the most brave sort, such as went voluntarily
to serve of a gaiety and joyalty of mind: all which kind of
people are the Flower and Force of a Kingdom._"
Sir John Smyth To Lord Burleigh
On Our Men In Flanders IN 1589-90.
INTRODUCTION
It is not only a great honour to have been asked to write an
introduction to this book, but it is a real pleasure to me to be
linked in this manner to a Battalion with which I was so intimately
connected for nearly six years and in which I made so many friends, of
whom many, alas, have passed the "great divide."
The Battalion has been lucky in finding in Capt. Weetman an author
with such a ready and amusing pen, and one especially who was in a
position to see the workings of the Battalion in almost every phase of
its career and from every standpoint, first as a Company Officer, then
as Adjutant and finally from Brigade Headquarters.
To me, perhaps naturally, the most interesting part of the book is the
early chapters. From the time, in 1911, when I took over the command
of what, I was informed by a Staff Officer qualified to know, was the
best Territorial Brigade in the Kingdom, I was a firm believer in the
Territorial Force. But I hardly think that the most hardened optimist
would at that time have thought it possible for a Territorial Division
to mobilise and march complete with equipment and Transport to its
Mobilisation area on the sixth day after receiving the order
"Mobilise." The amount of work done by Battalions and Companies was
marvellous and only those who experienced it can have an idea of what
it meant.
As for the Training, I don't believe better work was ever done than
during those weeks at Harpenden. True we were lucky in the weather and
in the Training area, and the 8th Battalion were specially lucky in
their excellent staff of Sergeant-Instructors. All ranks put their
heart into the work. I remember particularly the excellent work done
by the large batch of recruits which joined the Battalion at that
time, including surely as good a lot of young Officers as ever joined
a regiment. The author has described fully the training carried out at
Harpenden and in Essex, and that the time and labour spent in it were
not wasted is proved by the manner in which all ranks so quickly took
on their responsibilities in the trenches, and with such success. That
the Territorial Force was in many ways neglected by the Higher
Authorities during those early days is well known, but that the Force
amply justified itself is proved by its actions and was fully
recognised by those General Officers under whose command it came. The
following extract from a speech made by Lieut-General Sir C.
Fergusson, Commanding II Corps, to the Brigade at Locre, when it left
his command, is worth recording to show the high opinion he held of
our work in front of Kemmel. "No Battalion," he said, "and no Brigade
could have held the lines better than you have done or have done
better work than you have done.... Your work during the last three
months is work of which any Brigade and any Battalion might be proud."
No higher praise could have been given to any troops by an officer of
such standing and repute.
I have written rather at length on this period for I consider the
metamorphosis of a Territorial Battalion into as fine a fighting
Battalion as ever took the field, is well worth the study of all those
who have joined since those days or will join in the future.
It is only fitting that some acknowledgment be made to the memory of
the man who did more than any other to make the North Midland Division
worthy to take its place in line with the Regular Army. I refer to the
late Major-General Hubert Hamilton, who commanded the Division from
1911 to June, 1914, and fell early in the war at Richebourg-St. Vaast.
He foresaw that war with Germany must come and worked with all his
power to make the Division efficient in every way--in Training as in
Organisation. And it was very largely due to his efforts that
Mobilisation was carried out so successfully.
One word more. I am fully convinced that if every Officer and man who
joined up in 1914 _after_ the outbreak of war, had joined the
Territorial Force and made himself efficient _before_ August, 1914,
there would have been no war. If Germany had known that England could
put 1,000,000 men into the field within a few weeks of the declaration
of war, instead of only 160,000, she would never have dared to embark
on her campaign of spoliation. The risk would have been too great.
If this story of the doings of a Territorial Battalion in the Great
War can do anything to bring that Battalion up to strength, to keep it
there, and to encourage all ranks to make themselves thoroughly
efficient, I am sure that the author will consider himself well repaid
for all the time and all the trouble he has spent on it.
C. T. SHIPLEY.
_12th September, 1920._
AUTHOR'S NOTE.
In compiling this history of the 1/8th Sherwood Foresters in the Great
War, I have relied for my main facts on the Official War Diary, but
from many other sources I have received much help. My thanks are due
especially to Lieut.-Col. H. Mellish, C.B., for advice on many general
points; to Lieut.-Col. A. Hacking, D.S.O., M.C., for much help with
"The Salient" and "Lens" chapters, and for kindly revising the whole
of the book; to Capt. A. L. Ashwell, D.S.O., for most of the
"Hohenzollern" chapter, and for much general assistance; to Capt. A.
Andrews, M.C., for much of the detail of the "Gorre and Essars"
chapter, and information on many other points, and to Capt. A. B.
Miners, M.C., for help with the account of the "Battle of Ramicourt"
and subsequent fighting.
I have also to thank Capt. C. Davenport for some details of Transport
work; Capt. R. H. Piggford for a few notes and the sketch dealing with
Mining operations; and Lieuts. C. H. S. Stephenson and E. W. Warner,
M.C., for some Signalling items, and the diagram of Signal
communications. I am also indebted to Capt. J. D. Hills, M.C., of the
5th Leicestershire Regiment, for many hints on the general arrangement
of the work, and to Pvte. A. Hunstone of the 6th Battalion for the
excellent plans. To many others who have supplied me with information
and helped me on various points, I offer my grateful thanks.
The book is not intended in any way to be a literary effort. All that
has been attempted has been a simple narrative of our doings for the
use primarily of persons connected with the Battalion. My main
endeavour throughout, has been to secure accuracy, but it will be
understood that in sifting the mass of material placed at my disposal,
errors may have crept in. I trust, however, that these are few.
W. C. C. WEETMAN.
_Hereford, October, 1920._
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER.
Summary of Events
1. England
2. France
3. The Salient
4. Hohenzollern
5. Richebourg--Marseilles--Candas
6. Vimy Ridge
7. The Battle of Gommecourt
8. Bellacourt
9. The Capture of Gommecourt
10. Lens
11. St. Elie and Hill 70
12. Spring, 1918
13. Gorre and Essars
14. Auchel to Pontruet
15. Bellenglise
16. Ramicourt and Montbrehain
17. The Last Fight
18. Home Again
Appendix.
1. Roll of Honour
2. Honours
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Lieut.-Colonel G. H. Fowler
Officers at Harpenden, Nov. 1914
The Avenue, Kemmel
Major J. P. Becher, D.S.O.
R.S.M. Westerman and N.C.O.'s of A Company
R.S.M. Mounteney and N.C.O.'s of C Company
Lieut.-Colonel B. W. Vann, V.C., M.C.
The Brasserie, Foncquevillers
Air Photograph of Lens and Loos Area
Air Photograph of Part of St. Elie Sector
The Beuvry--La Bassée Road
Gorre Brewery
The Clock Tower, Béthune
St. Quentin Canal, Bellenglise
MAPS AND PLANS.
Sketch of Mine Galleries
Kemmel Sector
Hooge and Sanctuary Wood
Hohenzollern Redoubt
Gommecourt
Lens District
Diagram of Signal Communications
Battle of Ramicourt
Battle of Regnicourt
Battle of Bellenglise
General Map of Western Front
SUMMARY OF EVENTS
1914.
Aug. 4th War declared. Mobilisation ordered.
" 7th Concentration at Newark.
" 10th--
11th Marched via Radcliffe-on-Trent to Derby.
" 15th Entrained at Derby for Luton.
" 21st Moved to Harpenden.
( Sept. 29th--Inspection
" 22nd-- | by Lord Kitchener
Nov. 15th Training in Harpenden | at Luton Hoo.
Area. <
| Oct. 6th--Inspection by
| Lord Roberts at
( Sandridge.
" 16th-18th Marched via Harlow and Dunmow to Bocking.
" 19th--
Dec. 27th Trench digging near Bocking.
" 28th-- By train to Luton for Musketry at Wardown
1915. and Galley Hill Ranges, and Field Firing at
Jan 5th Dunstable, returning to Bocking.
" 6th-- ( Feb. 19th--Inspection
Feb. 24th Training in Bocking Area. < by H.M. The King near
( Bishop's Stortford.
" 25th Entrained at Bocking for Southampton.
" 26th--
Mar. 3rd Crossed by detachments to Havre.
" 3rd--
" 4th By train to Cassel and marched to Oudezeele.
" 9th Marched to Merris.
" 10th Moved to Bac-St. Maur, for First Battle of Neuve
Chapelle. Temporarily attached to 2nd
Cavalry Division.
" 13th Marched to Neuf Berquin for training.
" 24th--
" 26th Moved via Vieux Berquin to Romarin.
" 27th--
" 30th Trench instruction at Ploegsteert and Messines.
" 31st Marched back to Vieux Berquin.
April 2nd Marched to Locre.
" 3rd Took over Kemmel sector.
( April 22nd--Gas used
| against French and
| Canadians in Ypres
| Salient. Traces
| in trenches held by
| Battalion.
|
( In line in Kemmel | April 24--Heavy trench
April 4th--< sector with intervals < mortar bombardment
June 20th | in rest billets at | of front line held by B,
( Locre. | C and D Companies.
|
| June 15th--Enemy blew
| up by mines and
| raided part of front
( line.
" 20th Marched to huts near Vlamertinghe.
( In line at Hooge and )
| Sanctuary Wood, |
" 21st--< with intervals at rest > July 30th--First "liquid
Aug. 28th | in bivouacs near | fire" attack
( Poperinghe. )
( In line at Middlesex ) Sept. 21st--Inspection
| Wood, adjoining | by Gen. Plumer.
" 29th--< Ypres-Comines Canal, > Sept. 25th--Demonstrations
Sept. 30th | near St. Eloi, with | in conjunction
| rest bivouacs near | with attacks on other
( Ouderdom. ) portions of the front.
Oct. 1st Marched from Ouderdom and entrained at Abeele
for Fouquereuil. Billeted in Béthune.
" 3rd Moved to Mont Bernenchon.
" 4th Marched back to Béthune, proceeded by 'bus to
Vermelles, and took over reserve trenches near
Lone Tree, North of Loos.
" 5th Moved back to Mazingarbe.
" 6th Marched to Fouquières.
" 13th--
" 14th Attack on Hohenzollern Redoubt.
" 16th Moved back to Vaudricourt.
" 19th Marched to Lapugnoy for training.
" 26th Marched to Béthune.
Oct. 28th Composite Company with other troops of XI Corps
inspected by H.M. The King at Hesdigneul.
Nov 4th--
" 5th Marched via Epinette to Vieille Chapelle.
Nov. 6th-- In line in Richebourg sector, with rest billets at
Dec. 2nd Vieille Chapelle and Lacouture.
" 3rd Marched from Vieille Chapelle to Haverskerque
for training.
" 19th-- Marched via Wittes to Molinghem and continued
" 26th training.
1916.
Jan. 7th--
" 9th Entrained at Berguette for Marseilles.
" 26th-- Returned by train to Pont Remy. Marched to
" 28th Ergnies for training.
Feb. 10th Marched to Ribeaucourt.
" 20th Moved by motor lorry to Candas.
" 21st-- Training and work for R.E.'s on new railway lines
March 5th in Candas area.
" 6th--
" 9th Marched via Iverny and Maizières to Acq.
" 10th-- In line in Vimy sector, with intervals at rest in
April 20th huts behind Mont St. Eloy. Mining activity.
" 21st By 'bus to billets at Tincques and Bethencourt for
training.
" 29th Moved to Averdoignt.
May 6th-- Marched via Rebreuviette and Gaudiempré to
" 10th Bienvillers.
" 11th--
June 4th In line in front of Foncquevillers.
" 5th Moved back to Humbercamp.
" 6th Marched by night to Le Souich.
" 8th--
" 14th Training in attack practice near Sus-St. Leger.
" 15th Marched to Humbercamp.
" 16th-- Working parties found for digging cable trenches
" 18th and screening approaches near Bienvillers.
" 19th--
" 27th In line in front of Foncquevillers.
" 28th
" 29th Rested at Pommier.
" 30th Moved at night to assembly positions in front of
Foncquevillers.
July 1st Battle of Gommecourt.
" 2nd Moved back to Gaudiempré.
" 3rd Marched to huts at Bavincourt.
" 4th Marched back to Pommier and Bienvillers.
July 10th Moved to Bellacourt.
( In line in front of Bretencourt, with periods
" 11th--< in Support at Bellacourt, and in Reserve at
Oct. 28th | Bailleulval. (Sept. 22nd, Raid by A Company
( near Blairville.)
" 29th-- Marched from Bailleulval via Warluzel, Le Souich
Nov. 3rd and Neuvillette to Maison Ponthieu, for training.
" 22nd-- Marched via Bealcourt and Neuvillette to
" 25th Humbercourt.
Dec. 6th Moved to Support billets at Foncquevillers and
Souastre.
( In line in front of Foncquevillers, with intervals
" 7th--| in Support in posts in and about Foncquevillers,
1917. < and in billets at Souastre. (Feb. 16th-17th,
Feb. 18th | heavy bombardment with gas shells and
( bombs.)
" 19th Moved back to St. Amand.
" 20th Marched to Iverny for training.
" 28th--
March 1st Returned via Grenas to St. Amand.
" 3rd Took over recently evacuated German trenches at
Gommecourt.
" 4th-- Followed up enemy to Pigeon Wood, Brayelle
" 13th Farm and Essarts. (March 4th, heavy counter-attack
against C Company.)
" 17th Moved back to Souastre.
" 20th-- Marched via Bayencourt, Courcelles-au-Bois and
" 24th Contay to Bertangles.
" 25th Moved by 'bus through Amiens to Revelles.
" 28th Entrained at Bacouel.
" 29th Detrained at Berguette and marched to Westrehem
for training.
April 13th--
" 14th Marched via Vendin-lez-Béthune to Houchin.
" 18th Moved up to Support billets in Liévin.
" 19th--
" 22nd Skirmishing in Cité de Riaumont.
" 23rd Attack on Hill 65 by C Company.
" 24th-- Held sectors in front of Liévin and Loos, with
June 30th intervals in Support in Liévin and in Reserve
at Marqueffles Farm and Noeux-les-Mines.
July 1st In Brigade Reserve for attack by 46th Division
West of Lens.
July 4th On relief by Canadians marched to Bully Grenay
and by 'bus to Chelers for training.
" 23rd Marched to Verquin.
" 24th-- In line in St. Elie sector and in Support at
Aug. 15th Philosophe.
" 16th--
" 25th Training in Verquin area.
" 26th-- In line in Cambrin sector and in Support at
Sept. 12th Annequin.
" 13th--
" 19th In Divisional Reserve at Fouquières.
" 20th Marched to Mazingarbe huts.
" 21st-- In line in Hill 70 sector, in Support in trenches
Nov. 14th North of Loos, and in Reserve at Mazingarbe.
" 15th-- In line in St. Elie sector, in Support at Philosophe,
1918. and in Reserve at Verquin. (Jan. 2nd, Raid
Jan. 20th on front held by D Company.)
" 21st Marched from Verquin to Burbure.
" 22nd-- Training at Burbure. Large detachment at Mazingarbe
Feb. 8th digging reserve trenches near Vermelles.
" 9th Marched from Burbure to Laires and Livossart.
" 13th Moved to Enquin-les-Mines for training.
March 5th--
" 6th Marched to Westrehem and by 'bus to Béthune.
" 14th-- Held Annequin Fosse "Locality," in view of
" 19th heavy attacks expected.
" 20th-- In line in Cambrin sector. (March 22nd, Heavy
" 23rd bombardment and raid on A Company.)
" 24th--
" 26th In Support at Beuvry.
" 27th-- In line in St. Emile sector, and in Support in
April 10th St. Pierre.
" 11th On relief by Canadians, moved back to Vaudricourt.
" 18th Moved to reserve trenches in front of Sailly-Labourse.
Unsuccessful attack by enemy near Givenchy.
" 20th Returned to Vaudricourt.
" 23rd Marched to Béthune.
" 24th-- In line in Gorre and Essars sectors, and in Reserve
Aug. 17th at Fouquières, Vaudricourt Park and Verquin.
" 18th Occupied Le Touret after driving out enemy
rear-guard.
" 19th-- In billets at Verquin, Vaudricourt Park,
" 31st Fouquières, Essars and Gorre.
Sept. 1st Took over front line near Richebourg St. Vaast.
" 2nd--
" 3rd Continued to drive back enemy rearguards.
" 4th Attacked and occupied old British Line in front
of Richebourg l'Avoué.
" 5th--
" 7th Moved back via Beuvry to Auchel for training.
" 11th-- By train from Calonne Ricouart via Amiens to
" 12th Corbie and marched to La Houssoye for training.
" 18th Marched to Bonnay and by 'bus to Poeuilly.
" 20th--
" 25th In line about Pontru and Pontruet.
" 26th Moved back to bivouacs near Vendelles.
" 29th Battle of Bellenglise.
" 30th--
Oct. 2nd In dug-outs near Lehaucourt and Magny-la-Fosse.
" 3rd Battle of Ramicourt.
" 5th--
" 7th In line at Sequehart.
" 8th Resting at Lehaucourt.
" 9th-- Moved via Levergies and Mericourt to Jonnecourt
" 12th Farm, near Bohain.
" 17th Battle of Regnicourt.--The Last Fight.
" 18th Moved back to Fresnoy-le-Grand for training.
" 30th Marched to Bohain.
Nov. 3rd--
" 4th Marched via Escaufort to Catillon.
" 5th Crossed Sambre-Oise Canal and advanced to
Mezières.
" 6th Occupied Prisches and Cartignies.
" 7th--
" 9th At Cartignies.
" 10th Marched from Cartignies to Boulogne-sur-Helpe.
" 11th Armistice.
" 14th Marched to Landrecies.
" 15th--
1919 Clearing battlefield in Landrecies area.
Jan 2nd Demobilisation begun.
" 3rd Marched from Landrecies to Prisches and continued
clearing battlefield.
Feb. 19th-- Marched via Bazuel to Bethencourt, near Candry,
" 20th for completion of Demobilisation.
June 23rd Return of Cadre and Colours to Headquarters at
Newark.
CHAPTER I
ENGLAND
_August 4th, 1914._ _February 25th, 1915._
When the 8th Sherwood Foresters concentrated at Hunmanby, at the end
of July, 1914, for their usual annual training, the International
horizon was clouded with the diplomatic conversations which had
followed the murder of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria by
Servians at Sarajevo. Many hoped, no doubt, that the experience of the
Morocco incident of 1905 and the Agadir incident of 1911, would again
be repeated and that once more the clouds of a world war would be
dissipated, but when we reflect upon this period of the world's
history it is easy now to see that war with Germany, sooner or later,
was inevitable.
The atmosphere was so charged with electricity that it was impossible
to settle down to the normal routine of training, and there was little
surprise when on August 3rd, Bank Holiday, Germany declared war on
France, and when on the following day, August 4th, Great Britain
herself, following upon the violation of the neutrality of Belgium,
joined forces with Russia and France.
Territorial Camps were at once broken up and all ranks ordered home,
with instructions to hold themselves in readiness for any emergency.
The Royal Proclamation for the embodiment of the 8th Battalion
Sherwood Foresters (Notts. and Derby Regiment) was issued at 6.45 p.m.
on Tuesday, August 4th, and notified to all units in the briefest
possible telegram--"Mobilise." During Wednesday and Thursday, August
5th and 6th, all Companies were endeavouring to purchase locally and
issue to every man, underclothing and necessaries according to scale.
This was a big undertaking, as the scheme for earmarking such goods
in the case of embodiment had not been completed, and there was,
therefore, some delay in obtaining all requirements. The strength of
the Battalion on mobilisation was 29 officers and 852 other ranks.
On Friday, August 7th, the Battalion concentrated at Newark, under the
Command of Lieut.-Col. C. J. Huskinson, T.D., with Major G. H. Fowler
second in Command, and Capt. E. N. T. Collin, Adjutant, Companies and
their Officers at this time being as follows:--
A Company--Retford.--Lieut. W. R. Smith, 2nd Lieuts.
L. Rose and E. C. A. James.
B " Newark.--Capt. L. C. B. Appleby, Lieuts.
C. Davenport and A. H. Quibell.
C " Sutton-in-Ashfield.--Lieut. M. C. Martyn,
2nd Lieuts. H. G. Wright and R. H. Piggford.
D " Mansfield.--Capt. A. C. Clarke, 2nd Lieut. J. W. Turner.
E " Carlton.--Lieut. F. G. Cursham, 2nd Lieut. H. Kirby.
F " Arnold.--2nd Lieuts. G. Clarke and A. F. O. Dobson.
G " Worksop.--Capt. E. W. E. Tylden-Wright, Lieut. W. H. Allen.
H " Southwell.--Capt. J. P. Becher, Lieut. J. K. Lane,
2nd Lieut. H. B. S. Handford.
Lieut. A. L. Ashwell was Machine-Gun Officer; Capt. F. W. Johnson, and
Surgeon-Capt. H. Stallard, Medical Officers, and Rev. J. P. Hales,
Chaplain; Major W. N. Sarll was Quarter-Master, but, being medically
unfit, at once handed over his duties to Capt. R. F. B. Hodgkinson,
who joined from the Territorial Force Reserve. Capt. R. J. Wordsworth
mobilised with Brigade Headquarters.
The Battalion was billeted for the most part in Schools: B Company
were detailed for various duties in the town, and H Company found
guards on bridges and other points on the Great Northern Railway, the
most important being the Tubular Bridge. Nothing of interest happened
except that a too keen sentry one night loosed off at some suspicious
looking persons, who turned out to be innocent platelayers returning
home from work. Fortunately there were no casualties.
On Monday, August 10th, at 9.30 a.m., we paraded in the Market Place
ready to begin our move to concentration areas. The Mayor (Mr. J. C.
Kew) and Corporation were present, accompanied by Canon Hindley, Vicar
of Newark, and other Clergy, and there was a dense crowd of onlookers.
After an address by the Mayor, who wished us God speed, and a short
service, we marched off via the Fosse Way to Radcliffe-on-Trent,
leaving behind H Company under Capt. Becher, to guard the railway.
For the first time in its history the Battalion had complete First
Line and Train Transport with it, this being under the command of
Lieut. Davenport, who had been appointed Transport Officer. The
vehicles were not exactly regulation pattern, but little fault could
be found with the horses, all of which had been purchased locally.
Floats from Warwick and Richardson's and Hole's formed the majority of
the Small Arm Ammunition and tool carts, whilst Dickens's Mineral
Water drays and Davy's Brewery drays made fairly good General Service
wagons, when fitted with light wooden sides. A furniture van full of
blankets, two Corporation water carts, and a bread cart with a large
red cross on each side, completed the collection. We feel sure that
few Regimental Transports can have looked more like a circus than did
ours as we left Newark.
The march of 14 miles to Radcliffe-on-Trent was completed about 4
p.m., and after a good night's rest we left early on August 11th, and
proceeding via Nottingham, arrived at Derby at 6.30 p.m., after a 23
mile march. This was a very severe test for all, as few were really
"hard" enough at that time for such a long trek. Route marches were
accordingly carried out, on each of the three extremely hot days spent
at Derby, as the main part of our programme.
Whilst at Derby the main subject of discussion was that of Imperial
Service for Territorial units. So far as we were concerned a
considerable number of officers and men had already volunteered. There
were many others who had not actually done so, but there was no doubt
as to what their answer would be. Of the remainder many were
practically disqualified from serving abroad by reason of age,
unfitness, family and business ties, and other reasons, and for them,
in the light of the little we knew then, the decision was most
difficult, and the need for it we hardly thought fair. The demand for
volunteers was in the first instance put rather baldly, with little
notice, and with apparently little realisation of the enormous
difficulties under which so many were labouring, and it was not
surprising that this appeal met with little response. A second earnest
appeal, reinforced by the feeling that the honour, even the existence
of the Battalion was in danger, resulted in over 800 volunteering,
which was eminently satisfactory, though it is impossible to avoid the
feeling that many who volunteered then did so against their better
judgment, and that the decision should have been made for them.
All the other units in the Division having more or less similarly
settled this vital question, training was started in earnest.
The first area allotted to the Division was Hertfordshire, and we
entrained on August 15th, for the first time, and by no means the
last. Hours went by after our scheduled time before there was any sign
of the train. In an adjoining field, however, the various Company
entertainers had full scope and played to large audiences. Eventually
we got off in two trains, and detraining at Leagrave marched the last
three miles to Luton, where we arrived in the early hours of August
16th. Here we stayed for six days and carried out a little training,
mostly at Luton Hoo and Markyate. We cannot say that we regarded this
as the most pleasant of our experiences, as our billets were not of
the best either for Officers, who were mostly crowded into a few
cottages, and took turns at bathing in small tin baths in the
sculleries, or men who were also crowded in somewhat unwholesome
schools, while our menu consisted monotonously of bully beef and
pickle, and army biscuit and cheese.
Better things fortunately were in store, for on August 21st, we moved
on a few miles to Harpenden, where we were destined to stay for three
months, and where we received on all sides the greatest possible
hospitality. We are sure that all who were billeted at Harpenden will
look back with the greatest pleasure to the time spent in that
delightful district. The men for the most part were billeted in small
houses, three or four together, and with the more than ample rations
and billeting allowances then in force, both men and billet owners
were exceedingly well off.
Here we had also the 5th, 6th and 7th Sherwood Foresters, which, with
ourselves, formed the Notts, and Derby Infantry Brigade, under the
Command of Brigadier-General C. T. Shipley, who had Major E. M. Morris
as Brigade Major, and Capt. R. J. Wordsworth as Staff Captain. The
Stafford and Lincoln and Leicester Infantry Brigades completed the
North Midland Division, which was commanded by Major-General The Hon.
E. J. Montagu Stuart-Wortley.
Fortunately the weather for some time was splendid, and the Battalion
soon began to shew the result of constant and regular drill, and the
turnout and smartness improved rapidly. Training comprised almost
every possible form that could be required to make both officers and
men efficient, and went so far as to include the detailing of
Sergt.-Instructor Mounteney to carry out the by no means easy task of
trying to turn Officers into swordsmen. It is no disparagement of his
efforts to congratulate ourselves that we never had to put our lessons
to the test of stern reality. "Infantry Training" and "Field Service
Regulations" were studied and more or less followed out in practice in
all we did. Most of our drill, musketry instruction, bayonet fighting,
physical exercises, and outpost drill were carried out on the splendid
Common at Harpenden, but our training area extended to most of the
surrounding parks and farms, where the bulk of our more advanced work
in attack practice and tactical exercises was carried out. Perhaps
some of the best remembered places are "High Firs," where we first
spent a night in bivouacs, Sandridge, where there was a small range,
Rothamstead Park, Redbourn, Ayre's End, Hammond's End Farm, Annable's
Farm, Mackery End, Thrale's End Farm, where barbed wire entanglements
were put up, the like of which we never saw in France or anywhere
else, and Cold Harbour. At Sundon, not far from Dunstable, we dug and
occupied our first real trench system, which after a preliminary
skirmish at night, when rockets were used to guide the attacking
troops, had to withstand a heavy dawn attack by the Lincoln and
Leicester Brigade.
Classification practices were fired at Wardown and Galley Hill ranges,
near Luton, on thoroughly wet and disagreeable days, with ammunition
not intended for the rifle we were using, and altogether under such
adverse conditions, that good scores were impossible.
In addition to Brigade and Divisional schemes in the neighbourhood of
Harpenden we had big shows on two days at Kinsworth, near Dunstable.
Of our indoor classes, probably the most entertaining were the French
lessons given after mess sometimes by a kind friend from the Y.M.C.A.;
he did his best, but we fear that it was not quite the right time of
day to find a class of Officers in a mood for imbibing instruction.
Meanwhile there were many changes in personnel: Lieut. James took over
A Company from Lieut. Smith, who was unfit; Capt. Appleby and Lieut.
Cursham proceeded to Dunstable to take charge of Home Service men;
Lieut. Quibell went to the Depôt at Newark; Capt. Tylden-Wright being
unfit, G Company was handed over to Capt. Allen; Lieut. Turner took
over the Machine-Gun Section on Lieut. Ashwell becoming Assistant
Adjutant; Lieut. G. Clarke was Musketry Officer; Lieut. H. B. S.
Handford, Signalling Officer; and Lieut. Piggford, Scout Officer.
Subalterns who joined during these early days included 2nd Lieuts. W.
H. Hollins, J. V. Edge, A. Hacking, E. M. Hacking, W. N. Wright, J. R.
Eddison, B. W. Vann, J. M. Gray. J. S. C. Oates, R. E. Hemingway, A.
P. F. Hamilton, and W. C. C. Weetman. Hamilton soon left us to join
the Divisional Cyclists and afterwards served with the Tank Corps,
winning the M.C. In other ranks there were also changes:
Sergt.-Instructors Hancock, Holmes and Walker went to other units, a
number of men went to Dunstable, and a good many were discharged
medically unfit, but our numbers were constantly being swelled by the
arrival of recruits who kept coming in batches at frequent intervals
from the Depôt, and made up our strength practically to establishment.
[Illustration: OFFICERS AT HARPENDEN; Nov., 1914.
_Back Row_: 2nd Lieut. A. F. O. Dobson, 2nd Lieut. J. S. C. Oates, 2nd
Lieut. E. M. Hacking. 2nd Lieut. A. Hacking, 2nd Lieut. W. C. C.
Weetman, Lieut. H. B. S. Handford, Capt. J. K. Lane, 2nd Lieut. J. R.
Eddison, 2nd Lieut. H. Kirby.
_Middle Row_: 2nd Lieut. J. M. Gray, 2nd Lieut. W. N. Wright, Lieut.
H. G. Wright, 2nd Lieut. B. W. Vann, 2nd Lieut. J. V. Edge, Lieut. G.
Clarke, 2nd Lieut. W. H. Hollins, 2nd Lieut. E. C. A. James, 2nd
Lieut. J. W. Turner, Lieut. C. Davenport.
_Front Row_: Capt. and Qtr.-Mtr. R. F. B. Hodgkinson, Capt. W. H.
Allen, Major A. C. Clarke, Rev. J. P. Hales, Capt. and Adjt. E. N. T.
Collin, Lieut.-Col. C. J. Huskinson, Major G. H. Fowler, Capt. J. P.
Becher, Capt. M. C. Martyn, Capt. A. L. Ashwell, Surgeon-Capt. H.
Stallard.
_On Ground_: 2nd Lieut. R. H. Piggford 2nd Lieut. A. P. F. Hamilton.
_Reproduced by permission of H. A. Valentine, Photographer,
Harpenden._]
Lieut.-Col. G. S. Foljambe, who had joined from the Territorial Force
Reserve, was in charge at the Depôt, and later commanded for some time
the 3rd Line, with the unenviable task of getting together and
training in an extraordinarily short space of time, personnel to
replenish the 1st and 2nd Lines. Many young Officers and others who
passed through his hands in those days look back with pleasure and
affection to the happy times spent under his kindly care at Newark and
Belton Park.
Recreations in these early days were run on the usual lines. Padre
Hales had a reading room and organised Battalion Concerts from time to
time, at which much local talent was displayed, but with everyone
living in houses organised entertainment was not so necessary as we
later found it to be in isolated camps, or at out-of-the-way villages
in France.
We were inspected three times during this period; once at Harpenden by
Lieut.-General Sir Ian Hamilton, commanding the Central Force, again
on September 29th, by Lord Kitchener in Luton Hoo Park, when we
thought we made a very creditable display, and lastly, on October 6th,
after we had carried out an attack scheme ending up on the Sandridge
Rifle Range, when the Battalion had the honour of marching past Lord
Roberts.
The air, of course, was full of rumours. As early as September 1st, we
were told that we should be off to France in a month: later the date
was fixed for October 30th, and then November 7th, Bordeaux being
mentioned as the elusive objective. On this last occasion it seemed so
certain that we were going that a farewell sermon was preached, which
turned out to be decidedly premature. We heard with every conceivable
detail the delicious stories of the thousands of Russians who kept
pouring through Nottingham, and like others we had the usual
excitements of spy scares, all of which were very entertaining, and
one at least highly dangerous, when one of our chases took some of us
over the railway embankment armed with loaded revolvers.
Whatever the possibilities of our going out early may have been, one
step was taken which could have had only that object in view, viz.
inoculation against typhoid. We can only hope that the Medical
Officers who operated on us got more fun out of the operation than we
did.
Marching orders came eventually, and as ever, when least expected.
Late on Sunday evening, November 15th, we were told to be ready to
move at an hour's notice. This was presumed to be due to a feared raid
and landing on the East Coast--at any rate one hopes there was some
equally good reason for it, for quite a number of Officers and men had
been allowed to go on week-end leave, and had to be recalled by
telegram, whilst the following day was to have been a holiday.
We shall not easily forget that night--the energy we expended in
packing valises, brows sweating, tempers bad, language beyond
description,--all trying the impossible feat of making the wonderful
collection of kit we had got together on the advice of one friend or
another keep within the allotted allowance of 35lbs.
Apart from our own individual troubles, we had the additional enormous
task set of issuing new equipment to everybody. The 1908 bandolier
pattern had been withdrawn, and new leather equipment (pattern 1914)
had arrived on the previous Friday and Saturday, and the
Quarter-Master's staff had been busy marking it and getting it ready
for issuing. This all had to be issued during the Sunday night, and
was carried round to billets in blankets. The language of something
like 900 men all trying to put together an entirely new set of
equipment, the like of which they had never seen, may well be
imagined. We were the first Battalion to be issued with this
equipment, which on the next day's march proved very unsatisfactory,
many buckles and straps pulling right out of the webbing of the packs
and haversacks. We were glad when a month later it was all withdrawn,
and we were issued with the much more popular and lasting web
equipment.
Eventually the Battalion paraded at 9 a.m. on November 16th, one hour
late, and in consequence instead of leading the Brigade we had to
march in rear. We got to Harlow, a distance of something like 26
miles, about 8 p.m. This was a very trying march, and as many men had
only been issued with new boots during the night, it was not
surprising that several fell out. On this march we first realised what
a difficult and technical job "supply" can be. The supply and baggage
wagons appear to have been hopelessly overloaded, and in consequence
both rations and blankets failed to reach us that night. It was
largely owing to the extreme kindness and hospitality of the
inhabitants of the delightful little village of Harlow, amongst whom
was the evergreen veteran Sir Evelyn Wood, V.C., that we were fed and
breakfasted and able to continue the march the following day, 14 miles
to Dunmow. This proved more trying than the previous day, and the
Medical Officer and stretcher-bearers had a busy time attending to
those who fell out.
On the 18th, we finished the journey by a nine mile march to Bocking,
and there settled down into billets for the rest of our time in
England. Though we were spoilt at Harpenden, we are sure that all
ranks have nothing but pleasant recollections of the time spent at
Braintree and Bocking, where one and all treated us with the greatest
kindness, and we hope were sorry to lose us. Where all were so kind it
is almost invidious to mention names, but one feels (though they
themselves would be the first to deny it) that a special debt of
gratitude is owed to the Nuns of the Convent at Booking, whose
kindness and care for those who were billeted at the Convent, and for
all with whom they came in contact, were beyond all praise.
In order to prepare for any possible German landing on the Essex coast
orders had been issued for a series of trenches to be dug to form
defensive lines for the protection of London, and we were at once set
on to this work, which was pushed on as rapidly as possible, systems
of trenches, redoubts, gun positions, and other defensive works being
put in hand. Our work was mainly at Panfield, Marks Farm and Black
Notley. It was not an ideal season for trench digging, especially in
the clay of Essex, which was the "genuine" article, and we were glad
when the bulk of it was finished by Christmas. This work was carried
out under Royal Engineers' supervision and was in some ways
instructive, although we thought that the principles we had been
taught in the Military Manuals were frequently violated by the siting
of trenches along the sides of prominent hedgerows. Nevertheless, what
we did was more after the nature of what we were to meet in France,
and therefore of considerable practical value. That our work was
satisfactory was testified to by the insertion in Central Force Orders
of January 23rd, 1915, of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief's
keen appreciation of the soldierly spirit and enthusiasm shewn for the
work by all ranks. All the same, we have no regrets that it was never
necessary to occupy the trenches for actual warfare.
Owing to another scare Christmas leave was cancelled. Scarborough had
been bombarded on December 22nd, and there was apparently a bit of a
"breeze." According to one writer this was due to a little lack of
liaison between our Naval and Military authorities. The former had
apparently spread a rumour that an invasion of the German Coast was to
take place, and the enemy concentrated numbers of troops there in
case it happened. This concentration came to the knowledge of our
military spies, who, however were not told of the cause, and their
report appears to have caused our War Office to think that an invasion
of England was contemplated. We were not, however, by any means dull
at Christmas. On December 24th, we beat the 6th Battalion 2--1 in the
first round of the Divisional Football competition, Vann being
skipper, and in the evening the Warrant Officers and N.C.O.'s had a
dance at Braintree Corn Exchange. On Christmas Day there was Church
Parade at Braintree, when the Bishop of Derby preached. Later, dinners
were issued on a sumptuous scale, and in the evening the Officers were
entertained at the White Hart by the Colonel and Major Fowler.
In a later round of the Divisional Cup Competition, we beat the
Divisional Mechanical Transport Column 3--0, and got into the
semi-final, when, however, we were badly beaten by the 4th Leicesters
at Bishop's Stortford, by 3 goals to nil. In a Brigade paper chase
which was held on December 26th, Pvte. Allen of E Company came in
first.
On December 28th, we returned to Luton by train to carry out final
firing practices at the Wardown and Galley Hill Ranges, and field
firing practice at Dunstable in appalling weather, when frost, snow
and rain made accurate shooting perfectly impossible, and we were glad
indeed to get back to Bocking on January 6th, 1915.
The rest of our time was spent in final training, mainly carried out
at Gosfield Park and Abbot's Hall, and in preparations for going out,
in which the inspection and completion of equipment of all kinds
played a prominent part. This was not too easy a job for the young
Company or Section Commanders, as the men by this time were up to all
the "old soldier" tricks, and were very clever at making one article
appear almost simultaneously in half-a-dozen different kits. Drill
included a certain amount of new bayonet fighting and other exercises
under Major A. C. Clarke, who had attended a course at Chelsea. Mules
arrived in January and were objects of much interest; our
miscellaneous transport vehicles were discarded and replaced by new
ordnance pattern issues, to which were added two Lune Valley Cookers,
kindly presented by the ladies of Nottinghamshire. At the end of
January the Battalion had to be completely reorganised in order to
come into line with the regular Battalions: the old 8-Company system
was abolished, and the 1914 Double Company organisation introduced,
entailing an immense amount of work and keeping us busy right up to
the time of our departure. The situation was not helped by the absence
of Major Fowler with eight Subalterns and 407 recruits, who were away
carrying out musketry classification practices at Luton from February
3rd to 20th.
Our chief relaxation at Bocking in the early part of 1915 was night
searching for elusive spies, who were supposed to carry on lamp
signalling; more often than not when these were tracked down they
turned out to be innocent stable guards doing their nightly rounds. At
other times we picketed the roads to hold up motor cars which were
supposed to be acting as guides to Zeppelins, but it is doubtful
whether either of these occupations did a great deal towards bringing
about the more rapid conclusion of the war.
One also remembers the excitement caused by the first Boche aeroplane
dropping bombs within a mile of the village, which we, of course,
imagined had been dropped for our especial benefit. One of the Scouts
secured a "dud," which was the object of much interest to everyone,
up to the Divisional Commander.
It was about this time that the first distinguishing patches were
allotted to Battalions. Our first was a square green patch worn behind
the cap badge, undoubtedly very smart, and the envy of the other
Battalions in the Brigade. When we got to France the Officers of the
Battalion had to wear two short vertical green stripes at the top of
the back of the jacket, to enable them to be picked out from behind,
as all ranks were more or less similarly dressed and Officers' swords
were discarded. Later still these marks were worn by all ranks in the
Battalion, and the practice was continued up to the end of the war.
On February 15th, confidential orders were received that we were to
proceed abroad at a very early date. Final preparations were put in
hand, equipment, stores and clothing were issued to complete, and
everything was made ready for a move.
On February 16th, Col. Huskinson received notice of his appointment as
Commander of Base Details on Lines of Communication with Capt. G.
Clarke as his Adjutant. Col. Huskinson had been to a great extent
responsible for the recruiting of the Battalion to full strength
before the war, and his keenness and enthusiasm throughout the
difficult times of reorganisation and training during these first six
months of the war, contributed largely to the high standard of morale
and general efficiency reached in England. One and all were sorry to
lose him, but we were glad indeed to find that Major Fowler was to
succeed him in Command of the Battalion.
On February 19th, we had the honour of being inspected with the rest
of the Division by H.M. the King, at Hallingbury Place, near Bishop's
Stortford.
Into the last few days was crowded an immense amount of work, for the
final arrangements never seemed to finish, and changes took place
right up to the last. We were made up to establishment in Officers by
the arrival of Lieuts. G. S. Heathcote and F. B. Lawson, and 2nd
Lieuts. C. L. Hill and T. H. F. Adams, whilst large reinforcements
from the 2/8th Battalion on February 22nd, brought us up to full
strength, and when we left Bocking on February 25th, we were 31
Officers and 996 other ranks. Second Lieut. R. E. Hemingway was left
behind with 100 men as the First Reinforcement, and the Orderly Room
was handed over to the care of Col.-Sergt. Instructor F. Kieran. We
left by two trains at 7.50 and 9.15 a.m., and by 4.0 p.m. had all
detrained at Southampton Docks.
On the whole the Battalion was well equipped, and physically everyone
was fit. The chief drawback appeared to be that we had rather a large
percentage of young and inexperienced Officers and N.C.O.'s, but as
all had much to learn of the kind of warfare actually going on, this
was no great disadvantage. With so many late additions and the very
recent reorganisation, few Commanders had had the opportunity of
getting to know their men. So far as training was concerned we had
covered in a way the whole of what the books had to say, and were
fairly well acquainted with ordinary methods of fighting. There was a
tendency towards staleness at the moment, and it is doubtful whether
prolongation of our training in England would have been beneficial. We
felt somewhat ignorant of many practical points affecting trench
warfare, into which the fighting on most of the Western front had
degenerated, and though we had received useful hints from Major Hume,
who had been out, we yet had a great deal to learn; this we did in
France, in the hard school of bitter experience. Whatever our
shortcomings, we felt proud indeed to belong to the first complete
Territorial Division to embark for France.
At this time the personnel of Battalion and Company Headquarters were
as follows:--
Commanding Officer.--Lieut.-Colonel G. H. Fowler.
Second-in-Command.--Major A. C. Clarke.
Adjutant.--Capt. E. N. T. Collin.
Medical Officer.--Surg.-Captain H. Stallard.
Chaplain.--Rev. J. P. Hales.
Quarter-Master.--Capt. R. F. B. Hodgkinson.
Transport Officer.--Lieut. C. Davenport.
Machine-Gun Officer.--Lieut. A. F. O. Dobson.
A Company--(formerly E and F Companies).
Capt. A. L. Ashwell; Lieuts. G. S.
Heathcote, H. Kirby, and F. B. Lawson;
2nd Lieuts. J. V. Edge, and E. M. Hacking;
Comp. Sergt.-Major A. Mabbott; Comp.
Quar.-Master Sergt. E. Haywood.
B " (formerly B and H Companies).
Capt. J. P. Becher; Capt. J. K. Lane;
Lieut. J. W. Turner; 2nd Lieuts. W. H.
Hollins, J. R. Eddison and B. W. Vann;
Comp. Sergt.-Major W. Mounteney; Comp.
Quar.-Master Sergt. S. C. L. Shelton.
C " (formerly C and D Companies).
Capt. M. C. Martyn; Capt. H. G. Wright;
Lieuts. H. B. S. Handford and R. H.
Piggford; 2nd Lieuts. A. Hacking and
T. H. F. Adams; Comp. Sergt.-Major
E. Hopkinson; Comp. Quar.-Master Sergt.
J. R. Dench.
D " (formerly A and G Companies).
Capt. W. H. Allen; Lieuts. E. C. A. James
and W. C. C. Weetman; 2nd Lieuts.
J. M. Gray, C. L. Hill and J. S. C. Oates.
Comp. Sergt-.Major F. Spencer; Comp.
Quar.-Master Sergt. F. A. Pritchard.
Acting Regimental Sergt.-Major.--E. A. Westerman.
Regimental Quar.-Master Sergt.--D. Tomlin.
Armourer Quar.-Master Sergt.--R. A. G. Loughman.
Signalling Sergt.--W. Burton.
Machine-Gun Sergt.--F. Parker.
Transport Sergt.--C. Green.
Sergt. Drummer.--W. Clewes.
Provost Sergt.--G. Phillipson.
Sergt.-Cook.--S. Wiffen.
Pioneer Sergt.--J. Caddy.
Acting Sergt.-Tailor.--H. A. Huckerby.
Sergt.-Shoemaker.--G. H. Fletcher.
Orderly Room Sergt.--F. Torrance.
Orderly Room Sergt. (Base).--E. Kirkby.
Orderly Room Clerk.--Corpl. R. Harvey.
Non-Commissioned Officer i/c Stretcher Bearers.--Corpl. R. F. Bescoby.
Medical Orderly.--Corpl. B. Sissons.