AUTUMN OF 1917--RAMADIE, MENDALI, TEKRIT.
When the summer of 1917 drew towards an end, and the weather began to
grow more suitable for action in the field, General Maude had worked
out his scheme for further operations, and was ready to move.
His force was now facing due north, towards the distant Turkish base
in Asia Minor, and it was evident that this must be the main line of
warfare during the ensuing winter--the line of the Tigris still, but
the Upper Tigris as it comes down from the Northern Highlands. For
the moment, however, the Turks on this line were giving no trouble.
Hard hit by the fighting in April, they had remained for some months
content to hold the river down to Tekrit, more than a hundred miles
above Baghdad; and before committing himself to an advance upon this
position, which was strong and well prepared for defence, General Maude
decided to secure both his flanks so as to be quite free from trouble
when delivering his main blow.
Facing his left, on the Euphrates, the enemy had a considerable body
of troops at Ramadie, a few miles beyond the British advanced posts;
and on his extreme right the Turkish 13th Corps, falling back before
the Russians from Persia, but not closely pressed, seemed inclined to
assume a threatening attitude. In September he struck simultaneously in
both directions.
On the Euphrates a considerable force of Infantry with one of his
Cavalry Brigades, including the Fourteenth Hussars, advanced on
Ramadie and carried out a very successful attack. The end of it was
that the Turkish force was not only beaten but completely surrounded,
the Cavalry getting round into their rear and cutting their line of
retreat. In these circumstances they were forced to surrender, and more
than three thousand prisoners fell into General Maude’s hands.
At the same time another force, with the Cavalry Brigade to which the
Thirteenth belonged, pushed out eastward and seized Mendali, close to
the Persian border. They made no large capture there, for the enemy
did not attempt to hold it, but they drove him off and established
themselves right up to Persian territory.
It will be seen from the map on page 201 that in this part of the
country, to the north-east of Baghdad, a range of hills, the Jebel
Hamrin, cuts across the district lying between the Tigris and the Diala
rivers, and even extends beyond the Diala southward. This range, a mass
of difficult highlands, was held by the Turks, and was a formidable
obstacle to any advance against them, while from its lower spurs issued
a great system of canals upon which depended the fertile tracts below.
To complete the expulsion of the Turks from these tracts, rich in
supplies, and to prepare for a further advance in the future, General
Maude’s right-hand force now pushed on and seized the head works of
the canals, penetrating some way into the Jebel Hamrin. There they
established themselves, opening up the country with great labour by
bridging the canals and making roads. General Marshall, who commanded
the force, writes that “seventy-five bridges of various sizes were
built in this area alone, and the Jebel Hamrin, which prior to our
occupation was a roadless tangle of hills, was gradually pierced by
a very complete and convenient number of roads suitable for wheeled
traffic.”[58]
Thus both on the Euphrates and on the Diala, to left and right, General
Maude had freed himself from immediate enemy pressure. It remained to
deal with the Turks to the north on the Tigris.
These, consisting of his old enemy the 18th Corps, greatly reinforced,
had not been passive spectators of the British movements on the two
flanks. They did not move in time to prevent or hamper these movements,
but in the middle of October 1917 they pushed down the Tigris for a
considerable distance below their strong intrenched position at Tekrit,
and assumed a threatening attitude. General Maude at once struck
at them in front, and bringing in the Cavalry from his wings, tried
at the same time to work round their flanks, the result being that
they retired again to Tekrit, and there gave battle. It was a strong
position--“an intricate system of trenches, many of which had been well
and deeply dug, with numerous machine-gun emplacements”; and, as every
one knows, the Turks in such a position are among the most tenacious
soldiers in the world.
Nevertheless, on the 5th of November they were attacked and completely
defeated, losing 2000 men, of whom 300 were killed and though the brunt
of the trench-fighting fell of course upon the Infantry, the Cavalry
did their share. General Marshall, who was in immediate command,
records that in the afternoon “a spirited attack by the Infantry
coupled with a charge by the Cavalry Brigade on the flank, threw back
the Turks in disorder, who fled panic-stricken.” Most of them got away
under cover of strong rearguard positions, prepared beforehand, which
held up the British pursuit. Still, it was a very successful action,
and during the night the Turks, after burning a large quantity of
ammunition and stores, withdrew the whole of their forces to a point
forty miles up the river.
At Tekrit, for the second time in the Mesopotamian campaign, the
Thirteenth, or two squadrons of them, got an opportunity of attacking
on horseback, sword in hand, which is always the chance the Cavalry
soldier longs to get. They lost an excellent officer, Captain Robinson,
who was commanding the two squadrons concerned, and was killed in
the charge. Another officer, Lieutenant Williams-Taylor, was wounded
and taken prisoner. Their total loss was six killed and twenty-two
wounded--only a fourth of the loss sustained at Lajj eight months
before, but still a sensible one for two weak squadrons. It was a fine
affair, and the Regiment was proud of itself.
After the action, and the rapid retreat of the Turks, the main portion
of the troops on this line were brought back to a better position, but
Tekrit was held and was never again in Turkish hands.
Unhappily, this was the last battle fought by the army of Mesopotamia
while under the command of General Maude. On the 18th of November,
at the height of his success and reputation, he died of cholera in
Baghdad, and not only for the troops he had led to victory, but for
the nation, his death was a real misfortune. Few men have been more
beloved by those who served under him, or more trusted as a bold
and yet careful commander. He was no doubt more fortunate than his
predecessors, in that he was given a large and thoroughly equipped
force to do the work demanded of him, while they had been called upon
to achieve victory with troops insufficient in number and very badly
equipped, but this in no way detracts from his merits. He was not like
them, asked to do impossibilities, but what he was asked to do was not
easy, and he did it thoroughly well.
The following extracts are from papers bearing upon the fight at Tekrit
from the point of view of the Thirteenth Hussars.
_By Lieutenant T. Williams-Taylor._
“TEKRIT, _November 5th, 1917_.
“In the afternoon we advanced under fairly heavy shell-fire, but with
few casualties, and dismounted in a depression of the ground about
half a mile from the Turkish position. There was plenty of firing, but
we were under good cover. The Infantry were attacking on our right
nearer the river and town of Tekrit. At first we were ordered to
attack dismounted, and had just prepared to do so when the order was
countermanded.
“We sat about smoking and watching the progress of the fight to our
right and half right. Then ‘B’ Squadron was ordered to mount. Robinson
told me he had orders to go in with the sword. We formed up under
cover, the composition of the squadron being roughly as follows:--
“Three troops (2nd, 3rd, and 4th) less the Hotchkiss guns and gunners
not armed with the sword.
Captain Robinson Squadron leader.
Mr Hartigan Second troop.
Mr Jones Third troop.
and myself Second in command.
“The total strength could not have been more than forty swords (this
total I have arrived at after discussing it with Sergeant-Major Potter,
who was then S.S.M. of ‘B’ Squadron).
“We trotted out in squadron column, and soon came under heavy but
inaccurate rifle and M.G. fire. We then formed line and extended. It
was impossible to see what was going on in front owing to the smoke
and dust. Captain Robinson brought the squadron to a walk, while
Alston and I went out to see what was in front of us. We had only to
gallop a short way to see the enemy position. It looked formidable
with well-made trenches and machine-guns, and more Turks than we
could count. We also saw our own Infantry to our right. I reported to
Robinson, who galloped off half left to see what was going on there.
He soon disappeared into the dust. Our position was now unpleasant,
advancing at a walk over perfectly flat ground under heavy and
increasing fire from rifles, machine-guns, and guns, so I brought the
right shoulders up until we were following Robinson’s line, and gave
the order to charge. This was the last I saw of the squadron, as I
was a considerable distance in front trying to keep in touch with the
squadron leader.
“I crossed the front-line trench and found that the Turks were very
demoralised, and I could not get near any of them. I then went on and
crossed another trench (a communication trench) and had a go at a Turk
who was half in and half out of the trench. He was very low down,
and my horse jumped, so though I got him I don’t suppose it killed
him. I found Robinson surrounded by some thirty or forty Turks. They
apparently had been paralysed with fear, which was now working off when
they saw only two of us. Robinson turned his horse and galloped at
them, but was shot down point-blank. I followed him when he started to
gallop, but my horse was shot and came down (just by Robinson, who died
almost instantly), pinning me down underneath him. We exchanged shots
with each other for some time at a range of about five yards, and I got
a bullet through the shoulder, and shortly afterwards a clout on the
back of the head from a rifle-butt, and some minor injuries.
“I was unconscious for a time, and came to, to find the Turks looting
me. They got my pistol, glasses, &c., when a Turkish officer came
running up firing his revolver off in the air and shouting at them.
They departed into the trench under a shower of what I suppose was
abuse from the officer, who was now firing at them, but did not seem
to hit anybody. The Turk then came up to me and asked in bad French if
I was an officer. He then made me a long speech, and told me he was a
captain most distinguished of the M.G. Corps, and that he was pleased
to meet me, and that he was a Socialist from Constantinople, &c., &c.
I thanked him and told him I was glad to meet him, and that I was also
very distinguished, but would be able to chat better if he took my dead
horse off me, which he did under a very heavy fire from our people.
He was very good indeed, and had my various damages seen to there and
then in the trench. He subsequently took me back to the Turkish C.O. of
the Regiment, where I had coffee and cigarettes before going on to the
Field Ambulance. I found out that there were some four thousand Turks
at the point where we charged.”
_Lance-Corporal Bowie’s Diary._
“On September 25th we marched out to commence operations again, our
first march being to Conningham Post, some 12 miles distant. The next
day we marched on to Baquba. Here we took the opportunity of giving
our horses a good swim in the Diali river, which runs by the side of
the village. Early the following morning we moved on to Belad-Rus and
after resting here for a few hours we made a night march at about 8.30
P.M. on to Mandali, a village situated right at the foot of
the Jabel Hamrin hills. This place we attacked at dawn, and speedily
discovered that it was held by a very small force of Turkish Cavalry,
about one squadron, who, needless to say, did not waste any time with
us, but took to their heels and succeeded in escaping through the pass
into Persia, where, as we discovered later, they fell into the hands of
the Kurds, those very fierce tribesmen who never lose an opportunity
of revenging themselves for former outrages they have suffered at the
hands of the Turks. Our chief capture here was some 300 camels, which
are the enemy’s chief means of transport in this country.
[Illustration: F.S.M. A. BALD]
[Illustration: R.S.M. S. F. SEEKINS, M.C.]
[Illustration: S.S.M. A. POTTER]
[Illustration: Sgt. W. H. TETHERIDGE, D.C.M.]
[Illustration: Cpl. J. STEVENS, D.C.M.]
[Illustration: Cpl. G. RAYNER, D.C.M.]
“We went into bivouac near this village and remained there for about 14
days, while at the same time we made daily reconnaissances well into
the surrounding country. During this period we were forced to live on
the country, our transport failing to arrive with our much-needed
rations for some unaccountable reason, and our fare consisted mainly of
dates and oranges, which, fortunately for us, were very plentiful in
that district. Even our horses had to be rationed with these dates.
“On October 18th we left Mandali and made a forced march on to
Kizil-Robart, making a short halt at the Salt Water Lake in the Jabel
Hamrin hills, some 23 miles distant, to refresh our horses; we marched
again at dawn and covered another 17 miles at a very fast pace. We
came into contact with the enemy a few miles south of the village. We
at once deployed for action and engaged them, and at the conclusion
of a very severe day’s fighting we had driven them back on to the
village. Renewing our attack early the following morning, we succeeded
in driving them out of it, and finally captured the village at about
11.45 A.M. on the 20th instant. Leaving our Infantry to occupy
this place, the following three days we devoted to reconnoitring the
surrounding country.
“On the 23rd instant the following names appeared in our Regimental
Orders for conspicuous gallantry in our action at Lajj on March 5th:
S.S.M. Brearly, Cpl. Bowie, L.-Cpl. Stevens, L.-Cpl. Watkins, and S.S.
Couch. All were awarded the D.C.M., and a very proud Regiment we were
on this day.
“The following morning we left bivouac and marched through the pass,
leading our horses owing to the very rough nature of the ground.
Mounting at the farther end we marched on to Sharaban, where we
bivouacked for the night. The following day we moved off to Baquba,
where we arrived at about 4 P.M. It was whilst here that
we celebrated the anniversary of the Balaclava Charge, in which the
Regiment took part. Making an early start the next morning, we marched
on to Sadiyah. Crossing the river Tigris at midday, we bivouacked at a
spot which afterwards proved to be the site of our winter camp. We were
not destined to rest here very long, however, as two days later we were
ordered out to take part in some operations on this side of the river.
We marched out on the 29th instant, and bivouacked at Sinajah some 15
miles distant. From this place all our movements had to be made under
cover of darkness. Marching again on the night of the 30th, we rested
at Istabulat, from which we made another night march on to Samarrah,
arriving there at about 10 A.M. on November 1st. Here we
rested until 8 P.M., when we marched again to a point some
12 miles west of Daur. We waited here until dawn, when we commenced
an elaborate demonstration, whilst our Infantry were attacking Daur
from the south. During this day we came under a considerable amount
of shell-fire, and here the Regiment was subjected to a very severe
test, while our Colonel displayed the utmost coolness and courage in
manœuvring us at the walk in the very face of the enemy’s Artillery,
in order to draw their fire and thereby enable our observers to locate
their batteries.
“Our casualties during the demonstration amounted to 1 killed[59] and
5 wounded, whilst later on the same evening an enemy airman tried hard
to inflict further casualties amongst us by bombing, but fortunately
without success.
“On reaching bivouac that night we received the stimulating news that
our Infantry, under General Cobb, had succeeded in capturing Daur;
after attacking a strong trench system of a 9-mile perimetre encircling
Tekrit, they had defeated the Turks after heavy fighting, capturing
some 319 prisoners and the river boat _Julnar_, which was aground near
by. This steamer was captured from us by the Turks in our attempt to
reach Kut with provisions for General Townshend and his heroic force in
April 1915.
“The following day, November 3rd, whilst resting in bivouac, we were
again bombed by the enemy airmen, but, luckily for us, the majority
of our horses were being watered at the river at the time, and this
undoubtedly saved us from a stampede, our casualties this time being 10
of our transport mules which were killed outright, and one man slightly
wounded.
“On the night of the 4th we again moved up, marching on to Tekrit,
which is on the river, some 5 miles north of Daur. Here the Turks
had installed themselves in a very strong position. Whilst ‘standing
to’ at dawn awaiting the order to attack, we were once more bombed
by enemy airmen, but luckily without result. A short time after this
we commenced our attack against the enemy’s right flank, whilst our
Infantry engaged them frontally. We fought our way by a succession of
bounds up to a large hollow, which afforded us excellent cover, and
was situated some 1500 yards from the enemy’s main position. Having
a short breather here to refresh both man and horse, we suddenly
received the order to mount, and galloping over the top we, under a
splendid moving curtain of fire from our Artillery, drew our swords
and charged straight into the enemy’s trenches, passing through our
own Infantry on the way, who cheered us madly. We took their first and
penetrated into their second line of defences, where we dispersed a
considerable number of their reinforcements who were being massed for
a counter-attack, inflicting on them heavy losses. An incident which
enraged us beyond measure was the tactics which the Turks resorted to
on this and previous occasions when we had attacked them in a similar
manner. Immediately on us charging their front line, they would throw
down their arms and cry for quarter, which on us lifting our swords
and granting, thus leaving them to surrender to our supports while we
charged on to their second line, they would deliberately regain their
rifles and fire into our backs. On realising this treachery again, we
wheeled about and literally cut our way through this treacherous mass,
and it is thought that any who may have escaped our avenging swords
were brought down by our Hotchkiss gunners, who maintained a steady
fire on our left flank throughout the action.
“On regaining the deep nullah from which we commenced our charge, the
roll was called and it was found that our total casualties were 6
killed and 22 wounded. Amongst the killed was one of our most popular
officers, Captain S. O. Robinson, the leader of ‘B’ Squadron, whilst
Lt. Williams-Taylor, being wounded, was captured, together with Pte.
Kasper of ‘C’ Squadron.
“Having secured sufficient horses from the native Regiments to replace
our heavy casualties, we rejoined the 6th Brigade and bivouacked some
10 miles back on the right bank of the river, which we were more than
glad to sight again, men and horses having fought and worked for over
70 hours on the desert without any fresh water. We had a well-earned
rest here the following day, and we received many congratulations from
various Corps and Divisional commanders for the work we had done and
its moral effect on the enemy. We commenced our march back to Sadiyah
on the morning of the 7th instant, doing easy marches owing to the
exhausted condition of our horses. We arrived at Sadiyah at noon on the
12th instant, whilst on the 18th the following names appeared in our
Regimental Orders for gallantry in our last engagement: Lts. Norton and
Jones both winning the M.C., Sgt. Tetheridge the D.C.M., whilst Sgt.
Matthews, Pte. Corbyn, and Pte. Mortimer all won the M.M.”
_From Lieutenant Chrystall, October 7, 1917._
“We are out on operations again now, as I expect you will have seen;
a good show has been managed, and Johnny Turk is not feeling too well
just now. We have practically wiped out one of their divisions, and
how he is going to do anything more in this part I don’t know, except
perhaps beyond raids on communications, &c.
“We are living on the country now, and very rough fare it is
too--sand-grouse, dates, and rough grass, with a little bhoosa, sort of
chaff barley.”
_Operations leading up to the battle and capture of Tekrit, November
1917._
_By Colonel J. J. Richardson._
“After continuous trekking since the 17th October, including the
enveloping manœuvres, which resulted in the evacuation by the Turks
of the Jeb-el-Hamrin on the left bank of the Diala river, and of
Kizil Robart, we reached Sadiyah on the Tigris on Friday, October
26th, and encamped on the right bank about a mile from the remainder
of the Division. Owing to smallpox--contracted by men who had been
assisting the L.P.O. at Mandali--having broken out in the Brigade,
we were segregated, and we were looking forward to a well-earned and
much-needed rest, to making up our equipment and to getting our winter
clothing.
“But on Sunday the 28th we received orders to proceed by night marches
to Samarra. We were joined by the Division at Istabulat on the 31st,
and marched that night for Samarra and bivouacked for the day in the
old Izakhi Canal.
“On the night of the 1st-2nd November we marched to a position west of
Daur, co-operating with the 7th Division in driving the enemy out of
this place, and bivouacked that night at Daur.
“Daur is a very strong natural position, being protected by the broken
and undulating ground rising to the plateau some 50 feet high to
the westward, and having, owing to the same ground, a covered way of
retreat to Tekrit, some ten miles to the north.
“At 7 A.M. on the morning of the 3rd the Division marched
out to reconnoitre Aujah-Tekrit, and came under artillery fire at the
former place; the 7th Brigade continued its march to carry out its
task of testing the strength in which the trenches to the west and
north-west were held by the enemy, and drew sufficient fire to enable
the G.O.C. to report them held in strength. The Regiment suffered
some seven casualties, of which one proved fatal, from shell-fire. We
returned to bivouac at Daur that evening, reaching camp about 7.30
P.M.
“On the night of the 4th-5th the Division made a night march to a
position west of Tekrit to co-operate on the 5th with the Infantry in
their assault at that place.
“The Brigade was detailed to work close on the left flank of the
Infantry, and the Regiment was held in reserve all day. This gave us
an opportunity of watching from a good point of vantage the systematic
advances of the Infantry behind an intense artillery barrage, and it
was good to see them (in this case Punjabi Infantry) advancing shoulder
to shoulder, slowly and deliberately, to the assault. What most struck
me as a spectator was the apparent immunity from casualties of this
system, although next day we learnt that they had had their fair share
of casualties.
“The two native Cavalry Regiments of the Brigade--with the exception of
two squadrons--had been operating on foot against the trenches to the
west of Tekrit, and the 6th Brigade had been acting as a flank-guard
some way to the north and north-west, and by its presence there had
prevented an enemy Division, which had been marching presumably from
Khanal Kharninah, from joining hands with the force holding the Tekrit
position.
“About 4.45 P.M. General Norton decided that the time had
come when we could materially assist the Infantry, and ordered me to
send a squadron mounted to find the enemy first-line trench at a point
about 1½ miles to the north-west of Imam Arbain, which was almost
the only conspicuous landmark, and from there to sweep right-handed
up the trench towards the left flank of our Infantry, who appeared
to be assaulting the trenches between them and the Imam, from a
south-westerly direction. I accordingly ordered Captain Robinson to
take his Squadron (‘B’) for this duty, and Lieutenant Norton to hold
his Squadron (‘C’) in readiness to support ‘B.’ When ‘B’ was well under
way, ‘C’ Squadron was ordered out, and soon afterwards the Brigadier
ordered me to take out the two remaining Squadrons in support. This I
did, ‘D’ Squadron leading, and as we approached the trench line swords
were drawn. I had meantime lost sight in the dust, and in the failing
light, of the two leading squadrons, but saw about 100 or 150 men on
foot on some rising ground, whom I took to be Turks who had held up
their hands to the two leading squadrons, and I turned towards them,
intending to round them up and prevent them from taking up their rifles
again, as our experience at Lajj taught me they were apt to do. As I
drew nearer, however, I saw they were our own Infantry, and seeing a
British officer I rode up to him and asked him the situation.
“He told me that the two squadrons had gone on to our left front, and
that there was a party of about 50 or 100 Turks some 200 yards straight
ahead. I decided to go for these, and we passed a squadron of Indian
Cavalry (13th Lancers) on our left as we advanced at a slow gallop with
our left on a communication trench running much in the same direction
I was pursuing. A good deal of rifle fire was being poured into us,
and, from the sound of it at very close range, probably from the
communication trench, but personally I saw no body of Turks nearer than
1000 yards.
[Illustration: Lieut. T. WILLIAMS-TAYLOR
(_Wounded at Shumran Bend, 4th February 1917; wounded and taken
prisoner at Tekrit, 5th November 1917_)]
[Illustration: Lieut. M. G. HARTIGAN, M.C.]
[Illustration: Capt. S. O. ROBINSON
(_Wounded at Shumran Bend, 4th February 1917. Killed at Tekrit, 5th
November 1917_)]
[Illustration: S.S.-M. F. J. TEGG
(_Killed at Tekrit, 5th November 1917_)]
[Illustration: Pte. F. G. JASPER
(_Killed at Tekrit, 5th November 1917_)]
“Meanwhile we had crossed some three lines of fire trenches in which
a few wounded Turks were lying, and on my left I saw the two leading
squadrons returning from their ride. They were then about 400 yards
away, and the light had become so bad that I distinctly saw the flashes
from the enemy artillery some 2000 yards ahead of us. I had already
gone far beyond the objective given us by the Brigadier, and now that I
had found the two leading squadrons, I was chiefly concerned in getting
the Regiment out of action whilst the light remained. I accordingly had
‘Rally to the Right’ sounded on the trumpet, in the hope of drawing ‘B’
and ‘C’ Squadrons to me, but they were too far off to hear the sound
in the din of the firing, so I wheeled to the right again and returned
to the neighbourhood of the first-line trench. I was then in rear
of the squadrons, and seeing a few men struggling back with wounded
comrades and wounded horses, I sent out a message to Major Twist to
retire the horses out of range, then to dismount the men and bring them
up dismounted to cover the retirement of any stragglers who had been
wounded or unhorsed. I myself stayed with the R.S.M. (Seekins), the
Trumpet-Major, and a few men to give a hand to a few men who had got
left with wounded comrades and horses.
“After allowing about half an hour for any stragglers to rejoin,
I retired the men on to their horses and we rejoined the Brigade.
Here I learned that Captain Robinson had been killed, Lieutenant
Williams-Taylor and some seven N.C.O.’s and men were missing. ‘C’
Squadron had 22 horses killed and ‘B’ 9; in addition, we had about 19
men wounded; my orderly was hit in the chin, and his horse through the
neck. One man, Pte. Thomson, died of wounds _en route_ to bivouac at
Aujah Nullah, which we reached about midnight.
“Here I will interpose an account of the doings of ‘B’ and ‘C’
Squadrons, as gathered from reports by officers and men.
“‘B’ Squadron rode straight to the point to which they were directed
without opposition, and Captain Robinson, finding our Infantry in
position, there halted and waited until ‘C’ Squadron came up; then
he explained the situation to Lieutenant Norton, and his decision to
lead the two squadrons against a mass of Turks, 300 to 400 in number
(estimated), who could be seen some 1000 or 1200 yards away to his left
and left front,--and I may say here in parenthesis, that his decision
to go beyond the objective given by the Brigadier was eminently
the right one, if not the only one: our mission was to assist the
Infantry, and that was the only way in which he could do it under the
altered circumstances, so the two squadrons wheeled to the left and
rode to the north-west, one on either side of a long--and I think the
first-line--trench. They went through the Turks, and in this advance
Captain Robinson was killed, shot through the head by one of the four
Turks whom he was trying to take on with his sword. His Trumpeter,
Maguire, claims to have shot this particular Turk with his revolver.
Having gone through the mass of the Turks, they turned about 1200 or
1500 yards from where they started, and rode through the Turks again,
and they claim to have accounted for at least a man per man. It was
soon after this that I saw them returning, and they pulled up near
our Infantry and came under Major Twist’s orders. The men were much
elated with their ‘ride,’ and our losses were, comparatively speaking,
extremely light, as the rifle and machine-gun fire was very heavy, and
as they returned, they came under fire from two or three batteries--at
a low estimate. At one time when I was looking, I saw the sky thick
with bursting shrapnel, but it was all very high, and the gunners must
have been firing wildly. It must be remembered, too, that by this time
the dusk was becoming the dark.
“Next day, the 6th November, we learnt that the Turks had completely
evacuated Tekrit during the night, so I sent an officer’s patrol,
under Lieutenant Stirling, to go over the battlefield and to gather
what information they could about our dead and wounded. On its return
I learnt that our Infantry had buried six dead, presumably belonging
to the Regiment, although they could not be identified, as the Turks
had stripped them completely, even to their identity discs; so on the
following day, the 7th, I obtained permission to take a party for the
purpose of burying all our men together, and succeeded in getting the
Divisional Padre--Ryan--to accompany it. We only succeeded in finding
four bodies--viz., those of Captain Robinson, Sergeants Gray and
Newman, and Private Francomb, and these we collected and buried, and
the Padre read the burial service over them. We also found Lieutenant
Williams-Taylor’s horse, dead, where it fell, and from its position,
and from the report of the man who saw him lying under it, pinned by
its weight to the ground, I felt confident in assuming that he had been
taken prisoner by the Turks.
_Note added on 6th February 1918._--“This assumption has been confirmed
by wire received to-day from London, and I have every hope of hearing
soon that S.S.M. Tegg is also alive, but a prisoner of war.
[Illustration: 13th HUSSARS.
The Charge of Squadrons B and C at Tekrit in Mesopotamia on Monday, the
5th of November, 1917.
S.S.M. F. J. TEGG.
Capt. S. O. ROBINSON.
Sergt. A. S. NEWMAN.
Sergt. JOHN GRAY.
IN
UNFADING
MEMORY
Pte. F. G. JASPER.
Pte. WM. THOMSON.
1914 Staff.
13224 Pte.
MICHAEL MACDONNELL
Served with the 6th Dragoon
Guards in S. Africa,
1900-1902.
(_No portrait available._)
Pte. WM. FRANCOMB.
“Then the cavalry came in on the extreme left. They went in with
the point, jumped the trenches and scattered the Turks who were
fleeing in confusion after being driven from their trenches in the
assaults by the infantry. This charge was carried through 1,000
yards beyond the trench held by our infantry when machine-gun and
field-gun fire was encountered at close range. The cavalry wheeled
about and covered their withdrawal by dismounted action.”
_The Times_, 15th Nov., 1917.
Extract from a letter of one who took part in the charge:
“The most pleasant part was to hear our infantry cheering us as we
cleared the trenches and galloped between them and the Turks.”]
“I will conclude this short account of an incident which deserves a
prominent place in the annals of the Regiment, by giving a list of the
‘immediate rewards’ which were bestowed by the Commander-in-Chief on
individuals for various acts of gallantry performed on the afternoon of
the 5th November. These were:--
Lieutenant D. J. E. Norton }
” H. R. Jones } _The Military Cross._
Sergt. Tetheridge _Distinguished Conduct Medal._
Sergt. Matthews }
Pte. Corbyn } _The Military Medal._
” Mortimer }
LIST OF CASUALTIES FOR THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW.
_Killed._
Captain S. O. Robinson November 5, 1917.
Pte. Tunnicliffe, J. November 3, 1917.
Sergt. Newman, A. S. November 5, 1917.
” Gray, J. November 5, 1917.
Pte. Francomb, A. W. November 5, 1917.
_Died of Wounds._
Pte. Thomson, W. November 5, 1917.
_Missing._
Lieut. T. Williams-Taylor November 5, 1917.
(Who has since been reported Prisoner of War in Turkey.)
S.Q.M.S. (Atg. S.S.M.) Tegg, F. J. November 5, 1917.
Pte. Jasper, F. G. November 5, 1917.
” MacDonnell, M. November 5, 1917.
_Wounded._
November 3, 1917.
L.-Cpl. O’Connor, J.
Pte. Liddle, A.
” Miller.
” Barker, J. H.
” Beales, H. J.
November 4, 1917.
Pte. Bell.
” Bennett, W.
November 5, 1917.
L.-Cpl. Reaves, A. E.
” Lindsey, H.
Cpl. Hudson, H.
Pte. Stubbs, R.
” Jeffrey, J.
” Halstead, C.
” Manby, E.
” Byrne, J.
” Williams, D. G.
Cpl. Leutchford, W.
Tpr. Burder, H. A.
Pte. Viney, A. V.
” Taylor, C. E.
” Delaney, C.
” Ward, A. J. F.
” Andrews, F.
” Hibbett, A.
” Wilson.
” Stewart, H. W.
_Extract from letter from Lieut.-Colonel J. J. Richardson to
General Symons, C.M.G., dated 7th Cavalry Brigade, M.E.F., November
9, 1917._
“DEAR SYMONS,--Altho’ this letter may seem to you to be
rather belated you must make allowances, for we have been on trek ‘on
operation scale’ continually since the 17th of last month.... By great
good fortune we bivouacked at Baghdad on Balaclava Day, and I was able
to get (from the E.F. canteen) a bottle of beer a man and ½ a bottle of
‘pop’ per officer.
“We have just completed, and are returning to our base from, the
operations against Tekrit, where the Rgt. again distinguished itself in
a mounted charge against the Turks entrenched, and enabled the complete
capture of the strong position to be consummated before nightfall.
Our losses, altho’ they include the loss of Bob Robinson (killed),
were extraordinarily--and to me unaccountably--light, being 1 officer
and 5 O.R. killed, 1 officer and 2 O.R. missing, and 16 O.R. wounded.
The missing include Williams-Taylor and S.S.M. Tegg, but I have very
great hopes that the former and possibly the latter will prove to
be prisoners of war. Two days later I was able to collect and bury
together and hold a service over the corpses of Robinson, Sgts. Gray
and Newman, and Pte. Francomb. We claim to have accounted for at least
100 Turks, and Sgt. Gray’s sword was thick with blood up to the hilt.
“Please let General B.P. and as many present and past 13ths know
this, and that I feel confident they will hear nothing but good of
the Rgt. The men were simply splendid, and _ipso facto_ the officers
also.--Yours sincerely,
(Signed)
J. J. RICHARDSON.”
_From Colonel Richardson to Sir Frederick Williams-Taylor._
“7TH CAVALRY BRIGADE, M.E.F.,
_12th November 1917_.
“DEAR SIR FREDERICK,--Many thanks for your kind letter of
August 27th, which has been forwarded to me from home, and reached me
last night; many thanks also for your kind offer to help financially
in the publication of the record of the Regiment in this War; I have
noted this, although I do not--at present--anticipate that any appeal
with this object will be made.
“We arrived back from the operations which resulted in the capture of
Tekrit yesterday, and I was on the point of writing you an account
of our share in them and of the charge in which your son Travers was
wounded. The Army Commander has interested himself personally in the
case of your son, and will, I have no doubt, have cabled you fully and
given you the reasons why we think we are justified in thinking his
fate to be no worse than that of a prisoner of war.
“Well, about 4.45 P.M. on the 5th November, the Regiment was
being held in reserve, so that should an opportunity arise to assist
the Infantry who had been assaulting the Turkish trenches all day, we
might be put in without delay, and our Brigadier evidently thought the
moment had arrived, so he ordered me to send out a squadron to find the
first line of trenches and to sweep up it towards the Imam, which was
the most conspicuous mark; ‘B’ Squadron was the first for duty, so I
gave Captain Robinson his orders, and the squadron went out. No sooner
were they started than I received orders to send a second squadron,
and ‘C’ Squadron, under Lieutenant Norton, was sent out. I at once
received orders to take out the remaining two squadrons in support;
this I did, but the first two squadrons had got such a good start of
me that what followed I had to learn from the survivors of the charge.
It seems that on approaching that point of the first-line trench which
had been given him as an objective, Robinson realised that it had been
evacuated by the enemy, who had retired in a N.W. direction, and that
the left flank of our Infantry were also approaching that point; he
therefore halted his squadron, and when ‘C’ Squadron had overtaken
him, he explained to Norton the situation, and his decision--which
incidentally was the true soldier’s instinct, and from a military point
of view quite correct--to attack the mass of the enemy, a few hundred
in number, who could be seen retiring in the open about 1200 yards to
his left flank. Accordingly the two squadrons wheeled to the left, and
almost in line, galloped along, one on either side of a long trench,
which had several strong points, at one of which Robinson was killed,
shot through the back of the head; and your son was last seen pinned
to the ground by his horse, which had been shot, and trying to load
his automatic pistol, and surrounded by a number of Turks. The man who
saw this said he also thought that Travers was wounded, but there is
only his evidence on this point. When the squadrons had got back to the
neighbourhood of our Infantry line they were dismounted and advanced
about 200 yards, with a view to covering the escape of any of our
men who had been unhorsed or slightly wounded; but it was now almost
quite dark, and after allowing a reasonable time for any stragglers to
rejoin, I ordered a retirement on the Brigade.
“The Turks retired during the night, and our Infantry next morning went
over the ground, and buried six bodies, including Robinson’s; they were
unable to identify these as the Turks had stripped them of everything,
including identity discs; I however sent a party that day, Tuesday,
to ascertain what was possible about our missing, and they identified
the bodies of Captain Robinson, Sergts. Newman and Gray, and Pte.
Francomb. Two bodies, buried by our Infantry, they were unable to find,
and so remained unidentified; but I think we are more than justified
in presuming, under the circumstances, that Travers was made prisoner
of war by the Turks, wounded perhaps but not necessarily so, and
personally I have every hope of hearing in course of time through our
Red Cross and the Red Crescent Associations that he is safe and well in
the hands of the Turks.
“I will say no more at present beyond expressing our universal regret
at losing so popular and so capable an officer, and our great sympathy
with you in the painful suspense which the uncertainty of Travers’ fate
must impose upon you.--Believe me, yours sincerely,
(Signed)
J. J. RICHARDSON.”
_Extracts from letter from Lieutenant Guy Pedder to his Sister, 15th
November 1917._
“At last we are back at rest, so I will try and give you a sort of
account of our doings of late. We have been on the go now for just on 8
weeks, so you can imagine how topping it is to get back into a decent
camp with a tent to yourself, &c. This morning I had a cup of tea and a
biscuit when I was called, followed by a boiling-hot bath and a change
of clothes--what luxury!... The mail goes out to-night....
“Our Brigade left Childari about Sept. 25th, a week after the other
Brigade had gone out on the Ramadie stunt, which was a great success,
the Fourteenth doing very well, but losing their C.O., and Medd Bridges
is now commanding them.
“After four long marches during very hot weather (Robinson went down
with heat-stroke, but rejoined a fortnight later), we took Mandali,
some 100 miles N.E. of Childari up on the Persian boundary, after very
little opposition and no casualties.
“We stayed there almost three weeks, during which time we had a certain
amount of patrol-work, &c., to do. Then, after two long marches N.W.,
we took part in an affair in the right flank to kick the Turks out of
a pass over the Jubal Hamrin--it was quite a relief to get among some
hills, and away from miles and miles of flat desert. We had very few
casualties, and kicked the Turks out more by surprise and rapidity
of movement than by fighting. The last morning the Brigade covered
15 miles in 1¼ hours!!--a pretty hot and uncomfortable pace in full
marching order over rough ground. We then denied Qusil Robart to the
Turks for three days, and got shelled a bit; however, it was all very
chusie until we were suddenly hustled back to the Tigris, _viâ_ Bacuba,
to a more central camp, so we don’t know what happened on the right
flank since we left.
“We took about five days to get here, and were then told that we should
be here for 21 days, the Brigade having covered some 400 miles in under
five weeks. Our three weeks’ rest developed into two days, when the
Division which had reassembled were hustled up N. on the right bank;
we reached Samara after three very cold and unpleasant night marches,
and were very weary, so we lay hidden in a nullah all the fourth day
without any shade. We moved again at 7 P.M. for our fourth
night march, and after covering some 27 miles found ourselves right out
on the left flank [of the Infantry], who captured Daur that day, whilst
we demonstrated only on the flank and got a bit shelled; however, we
underwent a new experience to us, but a very old one to Londoners, as
Fritz came over and dropped some bombs--very unpleasant being bombed by
an aeroplane; you feel so helpless standing in an open desert holding
your horse’s head. We camped just S. of Daur, and next day had to go
right out on the Infantry’s left flank whilst they captured Aujah,
and there we had to reconnoitre the enemy’s position at Tekrit--a
long march there and back; we were shot at a good deal, but were very
lucky, and had under a dozen casualties in the Rgt., and only one man
actually killed. We got back late that night, and were woken up at 7
A.M. next morning by Fritz dropping bombs on our Div. camp,
which he repeated again that evening, when luckily nearly all the
horses were down at the river watering. The Rgt. had only three or four
casualties from these bombs, but it was a horrid sensation hearing the
bomb come tearing through the air, and not knowing where to expect the
crash. That night we moved at 10 P.M. (another night march)
for the battle of Tekrit.
“We were sent well out on the left flank, where we stayed all the
morning, and from where we saw our Infantry take two lines of trenches
under cover of a heavy artillery barrage, and also where we were
bombed again twice. This time I actually could see the bombs leave the
aeroplane, and watch them drop right up to the moment of exploding
on striking the ground. About 3 P.M. we were moved right up
on the Infantry’s flank, and stayed in some hidden ground. At 4.39
the Infantry attacked, and a ¼ hour later we were galloping through
our Infantry, who cheered us like mad, towards the Turks. Robinson’s
squadron led, followed by ‘C’; then about 1000 yards behind ‘C’ the
Colonel took us--‘D’ followed by ‘A.’ ‘B’ and ‘C’ got right into the
Turks and beyond, or as much into them as you can expect, considering
the place was full of deep trenches (we who were some way behind ‘B’
and ‘C’ crossed four lines of trenches), and Bob was killed at the
farthermost point reached by the charge--instantaneously--shot through
the head. We got his body and buried it the next day after the Turks
had cleared off. Williams-Taylor, also in ‘B,’ was last seen lying
wounded under his dead horse. However, as his body was nowhere to be
found next day, we hope, and have reason to, that he is alive and a
prisoner. ‘D’ was the third squadron in the charge, and though we
crossed four trenches we never actually reached the Turks, whom we saw
just in front; and when the Colonel, who was leading us, saw ‘B’ and
‘C’ galloping back, he gave the order to retire and took us some way
back where we got into dismounted action. My horse (not Matches, whom
I was resting) was badly cut through the stifle, just as we got the
order to retire--however, he just managed to get me back and out of it,
altho’ he had to jump four trenches; he was a very good young horse,
and I was sorry to lose him. The Rgt. was again very fortunate, as the
rifle-fire, altho’ of course (why, I don’t know) not at all on the same
scale as at Lajj, was quite unpleasant enough. We only had some 28
casualties and 60 horses. Personally, I don’t think the game was worth
the candle, especially when you think of Bob, the best fellow in the
Rgt.; but other people don’t all seem to agree with me, and the Corps
Commander gave the Division great praise for our assistance all that
night, and the Rgt. got it doubly from the Brigade Division. The most
pleasant part was to hear our Infantry cheering us as we cleared the
trenches, and galloped between them and the Turk.
[Illustration:
SACRED TO THE MEMORY
OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS, MEN
OF THE
13TH HUSSARS
WHO FELL IN ACTION AT THIS SPOT ON THE
5TH NOVEMBER 1917
CAPTAIN S. O. ROBINSON
N^{O.} 6993 SERGT. J. GRAY
-- 4791 -- A. H. NEWMAN.
-- 5882 P^{TE} A. W. FRANCOMBE.
THE GRAVE AT TEKRIT]
“Now we are back in that central position, for a few weeks’ rest, I
hope, I mentioned before on the Tigris.
“We charged at 4.45 P.M. on 5th Nov., exactly three years
since I left for the 11th, and didn’t get back into a camp, having
collected wounded, &c., until 2 in the morning. We took six days to get
back here, and the last night I had a tragedy, as the Arabs came into
our camp and stole my saddle-bags, which were full of kit.
“Robinson was far and away the best fellow in the Rgt., and it’s a
tremendous blow to me....
“Hind has just joined us--also two new officers with a draft.”
_From Colonel Richardson, 7th Brigade, M.E.F., 13th November 1917._
“I must just write you a short line to let you know how your brother,
Captain S. O. Robinson, or Bob as we all loved to call him, died. I
shall hope later on to send you a more detailed account of the action,
but in the meantime an abbreviated account must suffice.
“On November 5th the Cavalry Division was co-operating with the
Infantry in the attack on Tekrit, and at 4.45 or thereabouts in the
afternoon, I received orders to send a squadron to charge the Turkish
trenches on the left of our Infantry. Bob’s squadron, ‘B,’ was the
first for duty, and I sent it, and soon afterwards sent ‘C’ Squadron
in support; these two squadrons rode up to the Turkish front-line
trench, found it evacuated, found the left flank of our Infantry, with
a mass of Turks estimated at 3 or 4 hundred retiring in the open to the
N.W. or left front. Bob at once, with the instinct of a true soldier,
decided to charge these Turks, and proceeded to do so with the two
squadrons.
“When they reached the big mass of Turks, a mêlée naturally occurred.
Bob was seen taking on four Turks with his sword, and was shot through
the head by one of them; he was killed instantaneously (incidentally
his trumpeter, Maguire, from whom we gather this description, claims to
have shot this particular Turk with his revolver). The squadron went
on a couple of hundred yards or so, then turned, and came through the
Turks again, and eventually reached our lines in safety. By this time
it was dusk, and after dark the Turks retired; next day our Infantry
came up, and found several bodies stripped, even of their identity
discs, and buried them lightly in the trenches. We had gone back that
night to bivouac some miles, but on Tuesday (6th) I sent a small party
to go over the ground to ascertain what they could; this party found
and identified Bob’s body and that of three others of our men, and next
day, the 7th, I went myself with the C. of E. Padre, Lt. Stirling, and
5 men, collected all the bodies, buried them deep, and the Padre read
the burial service over them. We could not mark the spot, but we took
records of the exact position where they were buried.
“Major Twist is writing, and will see to his effects in the Regiment.
“In offering you all my deepest sympathy in your loss, I should like
to add that his loss will be most keenly felt in the Regiment, and by
many outside of it. If his brother officers loved him for his kindness
and simplicity of character, his men adored him for the same qualities
and for his justness, and I personally mourn the loss of a true friend;
but he died the death of a gallant soldier fighting sword in hand
against superior odds, a death that few Cavalry officers can ever hope
to meet--to so few is it given,--an end that will live long in the
history of the Regiment, if not in the history of the Army. R.I.P.”
[Illustration: Sergt. JOHN GRAY
(_Killed at Tekrit, 5th November 1917_)]
[Illustration: Lieut. D. J. E. NORTON, M.C.]
[Illustration: Capt. F. NORMAN PAYNE
(_Died of cholera in Baghdad, 14th November 1917_)]
[Illustration: Sergt. A. S. NEWMAN
(_Killed at Tekrit, 5th November 1917_)]
[Illustration: Pte. WM. THOMSON
(_Killed at Tekrit, 5th November 1917_)]
_From Captain Chrystall, 14th November 1917._
“I herewith send you a short account of the part of the battle of
Tekrit, Nov. 5th, 1917, which deals with the Cavalry, and showing
how co-operation with the Infantry can be carried out even in a flat
country.
“Our troops consisted of--
1 Cav. Div. of 2 Brgds.
1 Inf. Div.
1 Inf. Brgde.
The usual division of corps artillery.
“The enemy had--
2 Inf. Div. in trenches round Tekrit.
250 sabres.
1 Inf. Div. in reserve, some 12 miles to the north.
The usual artillery and heavy guns, and 5.9’s and heavy howitzers.
“The Cav. Div. had the task of protecting the W. flank, and early in
the morning of the 5th had gained touch with the whole of the enemy’s
entrenched flank, a distance of some 6 miles. The Infantry, meanwhile,
were marching into position for an assault on the line Z-X. Owing to
the heat, and telephone wires being continually cut, this attack had
not reached farther than the first line of trenches.
“However, at 4.30 P.M., Nth Div., Nth Bde. leading, attacked,
under a heavy barrage by our guns, the trenches Z-X, 2nd and 3rd
lines. Immediately, on Infantry’s left, was the Cav. Div.--2 Regiments
of Nth Bde. at point B in position of readiness (Point B was a deep
water-course, with a bluff on the N. side), and 1 Regt. slightly N.W.
on the left, with the Nth Bde. to the N.
“On the right of these two Regiments was a subsection of M.G.’s, ‘R,’
and on the left one section ‘L.’ These M.G.’s were, until the Infantry
attack came off, firing on enemy’s trench-line X-Y, and covering the
advance of dismounted Cavalry patrols, enabling the latter to approach
to within 800 yds.--1000 yds. of enemy’s trench. During the whole
day the Turkish gunners were busy ranging on the Cavalry with heavy
field-guns, and a number of casualties resulted both in men and horses.
“As the Infantry attacked the ‘R’ section, (sub) ‘R,’ was able to bring
heavy fire in enfilade on trench at point Z, and this had the effect
of completely protecting the flank of our attacking Infantry, and it
was significant that during the whole advance to X-Z, no enemy fire
was opened from Z flank. The Infantry remarked that this co-operation
undoubtedly saved many casualties. A few moments later the Infantry had
carried the 2nd line of trenches, the Hussars and a squadron of Lancers
(Ind. Cav.) having been collected at Point B, emerged from cover, and
proceeded to push in a mounted attack on the left of our Infantry
against the enemy, who appeared to be massing (behind the 3rd and 4th
lines) for a counter-attack.
“The right subsection, M.G.’s ‘R,’ was able to cover the advance of the
Cavalry, until it crossed the trench-line, and a little beyond it. The
two left subsections covered the left flank. Ranges from 1000 to 2000
yards.
“Another subsection, ‘T,’ followed the Hussars, mounted and wheeling to
the left, came into action under very hot fire about 1500 yards from
enemy’s line, and pushed forward, its guns dismounted, the horses being
sent right back. This subsection was able to bring covering fire to
bear on the flanks of the advancing Hussars.
“During the mêlée no fire action was feasible, owing to the large
amount of dust and general compression which was inevitable.
“The whole of this action was carried out on more or less open ground,
and under continuous gun and rifle fire from enemy’s rear positions.
The enemy machine-gun fire was fairly heavy, and fired at extreme
range, as the angle of descent testified, causing casualties behind
fairly good cover to our M.G. subsections.
“No. of rounds fired, 10,500.
“Men and horses were all day without water, and did not obtain same
until midnight, at which time the Infantry had taken over from the
Cavalry. Please find attached sketch of position.”
[Illustration]
_Extract from letter written by Private Hugh H. Mortimer, M.M.,
relating to the charge at Tekrit, 5th November 1917, for which he
received the M.M._
“I must have the luck of the devil, as my horse got a
flesh-wound--bullet--in the leg, but is practically all right again now.
“We’ve got six honours in the Regt., my squadron leader and a Lt. in
B--M.C.’s, a sergt. in my troop D.C.M., 2 M.M.’s in other sqdns.,
and--hold your breath--they’ve given me one--Military Medal. So I
suppose you’ll have to put that in ‘The Times’ now--eh! what! It
seemed to be nothing to me when I was in it. We charged about 300
Infantry on the road and in the trenches, with machine-guns and
artillery behind ’em. We caught ’em weak--just about 100 of us--2 weak
sqdns.--in the mist of dusk--and, my God! it seemed as if we were
riding into Hades. Funny thing tho’, I didn’t have wind up then, was
feeling rather elated cos we’d waited, and moved about, practically all
day, for a real rut at them, and been bombed from aeroplanes, shelled
and sniped, till we were just itching to get at ’em. Well, they got
pukka wind up when we got in amongst ’em, and started firing wildly,
some trying to use bayonets, others holding up their mitts and shouting
‘Kamerad.’ Then we got order to rally as we weren’t strong enough for
pursuit. Starting to come back, I spotted a youngster badly wounded in
the foot and horse shot, so I dismounted and put him up on my steed,
which was too bobbery to carry the two of us. He got back O.K. Then my
fun started. I had my revolver and about 14 rounds and began to think
about getting back somehow myself, when I spotted a chum of mine lying
about 60 yards from the trenches. Well, two of us tried to get him out
of it, but he would not have it--thigh shattered, blood in spurts, mad
with pain. J. Turk, seeing us retiring, heartened up again and potted
at us like blazes, shrapnel, machine-guns, and every bally thing. At
the finish I had to leave him, to my sorrow, altho’ we got him away
afterwards. Still he suffered a hell of a lot from exposure, as the
devils came out and stripped him--he’d be unconscious by then--in the
dark. I hear that he’s very bad in hospital, but likely to recover.
“I haven’t got the gong yet, owing, I suppose, to Gen. Maude’s death,
but they’ve made as much fuss over it as if we were--millions of
V.C.’s. I’ve shaken hands with two Generals, and been in about half a
dozen parades till I’m fairly fed up, and nearly said, ‘Keep the old
gong and let’s have a bit of peace.’
“Well, I’ll think about drying up now. Am in the pink and quite fit;
hope you are all the same, and that you, dear mother, are carrying on.”
[Illustration: BAGHDAD CEMETERY]
[Illustration: CAPT. F. NORMAN PAYNE’S GRAVE IN BAGHDAD CEMETERY]
_Extract of letter from Colonel Richardson, dated 7th Cavalry Brigade,
M.E.F., 15th November 1917._
”... We have just got back into camp for a short rest to re-equip,
reclothe, and rehorse after two months of continuous trekking--we
estimate that we have covered at least 500 miles since September
22nd--which culminated in a big battle on the 5th of this month, in
which the Regiment again charged Turkish trenches, and two of the
squadrons did very brilliant work.
“I have to report with great regret the death yesterday in Baghdad
from cholera of Captain Payne, who last winter, you may remember,
was in Billy’s squadron, and whose letters to his wife were of great
interest.”