PREPARATION FOR OVERSEAS--BOURLEY CAMP--INKERMAN BARRACKS, WOKING
On arrival at Aldershot we detrained at the military siding and marched
off over the switchback road across the edge of Laffan's Plain to
Bourley Bottom, some two miles from the town in the direction of Fleet.
The camp, which was on the site of one of the usual summer camping
grounds, was from the picturesque point of view delightfully situated.
It lay in the centre of a ring of low, wooded hills which sheltered
it from all wind, and the white tents stood out in pleasing contrast
to the surrounding browns and greens of the background. As a place of
habitation, however, it could not compare with Gore Street; the canvas
was poor, and the general arrangements by no means so modern. Moreover,
by its very situation the camp was damp, and in continued bad weather
would probably have proved unhealthy. However, we had come there with
a purpose--viz., to complete as quickly as possible our military
knowledge--and we were in no mood to cavil at details.
From the moment of our arrival we realized that every moment would
be precious. A musketry course had to be fired, and the outline of a
tactical training programme had already been issued. Musketry commenced
on July 17th, two days after arrival, and we fired on alternate days
on Cæsar's Camp ranges, hardly a mile away, and on Ash ranges, a
good six miles away. As firing was always to commence at 7 a.m. when
not prevented by an early morning mist, as frequently happened, we
used to rise very early for Ash ranges, and the "butt party" still
earlier. Away we would tramp over the rough road to Aldershot, through
the silent streets, past the many barracks when "Reveillé" was just
sounding, and so out of the town again towards the Fox Hills and our
destination at Ash ranges.
Throughout the musketry course the weather was brilliant, but the heat
tremendous. Home we would come after a cold ration for lunch, and
sing ourselves hoarse as we marched through Aldershot. Many were the
comments passed on our singing powers, and truly the men sang well, and
marched even better. Our musketry also proved good, and we came out top
of our Brigade and second in the Division.
On August 6th Lieutenant-Colonel H. D. Spencely, T.D., Honorary Colonel
of the battalion, came and paid us a visit, to our great delight, and
we think that he was more than satisfied with what he saw.
We were now embarked on a series of the field operations of which
brigade training mainly consists. Each day saw us marching off towards
the Long Valley, for ever famous in military annals, there to practise
attack formations, advance and rear guards, outposts, fire control,
and so forth. Some days we joined battle with the other battalions of
the Brigade, one against three or two against two. Norris and Eelmoor
Bridges frequently figured somewhere in the scheme of operations, or,
again, Cocked Hat Wood or Outridden Copse. Many of the battles were of
the most determined description, and casualties were caused, if not
by enemy action, at any rate by order of the supervising staff, which
consisted frequently of several distinguished soldiers, including
General Sir Archibald Hunter, G.O.C.-in-C. Aldershot Command, and Sir
Francis Howard, Inspector-General of Troops for overseas. The work was
hard and the conditions variable. Sometimes the dust stirred up seemed
almost too choking to be endured; at other times one waded through mud
and slush well over the boots, to the great detriment of black puttees.
Sandy Lane, the euphemistic name for the track to our camp, was
notorious for its depth of mud, which the constant passing of vehicles
churned up into a paste of most vile consistency.
Many were the amusing incidents of these training days, but one cannot
detail them here. Still, they helped us to carry through the long days
of strenuous physical exercise.
A pleasant respite, however, was ahead. On August 19th the whole
battalion, less a small party left to guard the camp, proceeded to
Liverpool for its "last leave," reassembling on August 24th on St.
George's Plateau for the return. Great was the enthusiasm that welcomed
the battalion and again sent it on its way.
On August 18th fifteen men, too young for foreign service, had been
dispatched to the 5th Territorial Force Reserve Battalion K.L.R. at
Oswestry, and on August 22nd we said good-bye to nine more machine
gunners who were transferred to Grantham. Moreover, a light trench
mortar battery was in course of formation in each brigade, and to this
we contributed Lieutenant H. E. Barrow to command, 2nd-Lieutenant D. G.
Leonard, and twenty-three men. The battery proceeded on September 3rd
to Pirbright, returning again after some range practice on September
10th, when they occupied a corner of our camp. Later in September they
finally left us for Pirbright, and we saw them no more till we met in
the trenches in France.
Another important part of our training took place in the trenches
constructed in the vicinity of the Foresters Public-House (or "P.H.,"
as the maps described it, and as, in fact, it was generally called),
which was situated about two miles north of our camp on the far side
of the race-course. Here an elaborate set of trenches had been dug,
and these the battalions occupied in turn for varying periods not
exceeding thirty-six hours, relieving each other in the approved
fashion, and carrying on in the trenches as far as possible as they
would do in France. An enemy was generally provided in the enemy front
line opposite, and silent raids occurred at uncertain intervals. Major
Geddes, the Brigade Major, and 2nd-Lieutenant Bevir, the Brigade
Bombing Officer, even worked a gas attack on us; but as the sentry
thought it was only smoke from an adjacent rubbish destructor the
efforts of our enthusiastic staff fell somewhat flat. That these
practices were valuable no one can doubt; added to which we learnt
something of night-working parties, ration carrying, patrolling, laying
of telephones, S.O.S. alarms, and so on; but it must be admitted that
nights in the Foresters P.H. Trenches were vastly more uncomfortable
than those in any trench sector we held in France in similar weather.
Apart from mere practice in trench routine, we carried out some
elaborate attacks across these trenches in the "wave" method then
in vogue, such an operation on September 19th being performed under
the eye of Sir John French, who made some flattering comments on the
Division.
Three days before this we had a practice alarm, followed by a
concentration of the whole Division in the Long Valley, where our
Divisional Commander, Major-General Forster, carried out his final
inspection before giving up command. On September 23rd the Division
had the honour of being inspected by His Majesty the King. It was a
brilliant day, and the scene was one that will long live in the memory
of those who took part in it. The Division was drawn up in review order
on the Review Ground facing the Pavilion, and after a Royal Salute the
King rode round the ranks. It was a pretty severe test of discipline
and steadiness, but, as a regular officer was heard to remark in the
Aldershot Club that evening, "the men were magnificent, and the march
past first rate. You would have thought it was a regular division."
The battalion gained great credit for their share in the march past,
though the pace set by the band was almost too quick even for riflemen.
After this Commanding Officers were introduced to His Majesty, and we
set off for home, feeling more than satisfied with our turn out, our
discipline, and our drill.
We had all this while been confident of our early departure for
overseas. We had had our last leave and been inspected by the King, we
had lent our rifles to a draft of men from the Home Counties Division
to enable them to complete their musketry before joining us, and we
had all been recently inoculated and vaccinated. How near we were
then to going abroad only those in the secret know, but gradually the
suspicion spread that our time had not yet come, and it proved only
too true. Our draft, or what we called "our draft," proceeded overseas
direct, and we learned to our dismay that we were shortly to proceed to
Woking for winter quarters. It was a terrible disappointment. Everyone
had felt that at last the promised day was come, and here were our
hopes dashed to the ground once more. The battalion behaved splendidly,
however, and only those who knew the men intimately realized how severe
was the blow. For two long years had we been training, and now, when
our hopes were all but realized, we found ourselves condemned once more
to the old grind and the old routine for an indefinite period. Men were
almost ashamed to go on leave and face the heartless gibes of those who
did not know the facts; but they settled down again to the old tasks
with grim determination, feeling that one day they would really be
allowed to go, and that the more efficient they made themselves, and
the quicker they trained the promised drafts of raw men, the sooner
would their ambition be realized.
Our stay at Aldershot, although it had not proved the final prelude
to our move overseas, had not been without its value. During the
long period of training in the different stations where we had been
quartered work had to a certain extent suffered either from lack of
facilities or from the special attention that had to be paid to drafts,
and also from the changes necessitated by the latters' departure.
Consequently an undue proportion of time had perforce been devoted to
certain special aspects of training, such as physical drill, rifle
exercises, bombing, and so forth; little scope being provided, except
occasionally, for the more practical side of training of which field
operations mainly consist. During the period at Aldershot we had for
the first time worked daily not only as a self-contained unit with all
the specialists cooperating according to their particular functions,
but also as part of an active field force, represented by not only the
whole Brigade, but by the various arms of the service, which nominally
work in unison during active operations. The experience gained was
therefore very valuable, and the instruction in trench routine gave
every man some inkling, at any rate, of what the real life in the line
was like.
On September 27th the battalion set off on a fine, sunny day to march
to Woking, a halt being made about 12.30 p.m. in a pleasant wood for
dinner, which had been cooking in field kitchens as we marched along.
We arrived at our destination in comfortable time for tea. Inkerman
Barracks in normal times must be a very pleasant spot. They stand well
on high ground above Woking and close to the hamlet of St. John's, and
are well laid out. Unfortunately, owing to a lack of space we shared
these barracks with the 2/5th K.L.R., and in addition a squadron of
Bedfordshire Yeomanry and a company of A.S.C. were also accommodated
in the outbuildings. We had half the barracks, together with the
guard-room and the orderly-room at the entrance to the barrack square,
while the officers had the officers' quarters. The 2/5th K.L.R. had the
other half of the barracks and most of the married quarters for their
officers. We had also one or two of these small cottages. The mess we
shared jointly.
For training there was a large field next the barracks, and some rough
ground behind, where final assault courses were constructed. There
were several pieces of common land in the near vicinity, and some four
miles away was the splendid piece of country known as Chobham Common.
On the whole, therefore, we were well off; while the barrack square was
admirably suited for close order drill, there being just room to move a
whole battalion _en masse_.
The barracks were very dirty when we took them over, but before long
they became spotless under the keen eye of the Commanding Officer at
his weekly inspection. The men were accommodated in large dormitories,
the majority on beds; and though the rooms were apt to be somewhat
cold and draughty, there was no real cause of complaint. There was a
Y.M.C.A. hut in the barrack square, and another one nearer Woking.
The morning after our arrival the Commanding Officer read out the
message from His Majesty the King, in which he expressed himself most
satisfied with the appearance of the Division at the review, and his
confidence that when the time came the men would fight as Lancashire
men always fought. He added, however, that he would reserve his final
message until definite orders were received to proceed overseas. On
October 3rd General Broadwood inspected the battalion in the barrack
square, and all officers were introduced to him. We now commenced a
further General Musketry Course at Pirbright Ranges, the weather being
on the whole good, though intensely cold.
The promised drafts now began to arrive, and between October 10th
and 23rd 229 men arrived, bringing the strength of the battalion up
to 1,116 men. On their first arrival the new-comers created no very
favourable impression, but by the time that we proceeded overseas
they had grown and broadened out almost beyond recognition. After
considerable discussion all the drafts of the Division were sent to
Training Reserve Battalions at Aldershot for six weeks--an arrangement
which certainly had some points in its favour, but in the light of
experience probably more against it.
On October 6th the Signal Section competed in an efficiency
competition, open to all battalions in the Aldershot Command, and
finished a good winner over a large number of competitors. This was
the prelude to further victories in similar competitions won by the
battalion, to which we shall refer later.
On October 14th an elaborate mine explosion took place at Frith Hill
under the most realistic conditions, including an occupation of the
crater by a large force from the adjoining model trench system. The
proceedings were admirably stage-managed, and were witnessed by a
most imposing display of General and other Officers from all parts
of the country. The detonation was expected to be such that even as
far as Woking all windows had to be left open for fear of damage from
concussion. However, so heavy was the charge, and apparently so light
the soil, that, so far from anything very spectacular occurring, a
small quantity of earth was flung almost silently into the air, and the
greater portion of it fell back into the place from which it had been
dislodged. In spite of this misfortune, the occupation party dashed
forward, and, regardless of the heavy fire from the enemy trenches,
consolidated the position and constructed wire entanglements with great
vigour and determination.
As another form of instruction suitable for men about to proceed
overseas, we commenced, under R.E. supervision, deep dug-outs on
Dawney's Hill. These were worked in the first instance by the 2/5th
K.L.R. and ourselves in continuous forty-eight hour shifts. Other men
were meantime engaged in such exercises as construction and capture
of a strong post, wiring and revetting, throwing live bombs (each man
throwing one by day and one by night), and instruction in gas-helmet
drill, including the standard tests; and in addition there was the
usual rapid loading, bayonet fighting, and drill.
On November 3rd Captain Barnett was examined by a Medical Board and
found to be permanently disabled by the injury to his head which
had been caused by the accident previously mentioned. He proceeded,
accordingly, the next day on leave, pending the _Gazette_ notifying the
relinquishment of his commission; and Captain Wurtzburg took over his
duties, being subsequently gazetted Adjutant.
To any battalion, however well trained, Captain Barnett, by reason of
his vast experience of every side of military training, would have
been invaluable. It is therefore quite impossible to over-estimate the
benefit that a young battalion like ours derived from his knowledge and
efficiency. The Commanding Officer had just previously left us for a
few weeks to undergo a slight surgical operation, and the Command had
devolved on Major C. W. Wilson, in the absence of Major H. K. Wilson,
who was attending the Senior Officers' Course at Aldershot.
On November 15th a draft of four officers--Lieutenant Ormrod,
2nd-Lieutenants McCormick, E. E. Paul, and Moseley--from the 6th
Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers arrived, and their arrival was most
timely. We were being absolutely swamped with courses of every possible
description; in addition, we had to maintain and relieve regularly
an officer with the deep dug-out party; there were numerous courts
of inquiry and courts-martial on foot, and the result, of course,
was that the shortage of officers had become acute. Moreover, to
stimulate efficiency, the Divisional Commander had devised four
competitions--route marching by a battalion; bayonet fighting and
physical training, each by a company; and wiring by a platoon.
Preliminary Brigade competitions were held, and we were selected to
compete in the Division for the first three events.
On November 21st the Division organized a concentration march and
billeting scheme for our Brigade, involving a march of some eight
miles to Chertsey. Coming as this did only two days before the final
of the Divisional Route Marching Competition it was rather a severe
handicap. However, on November 24th the whole battalion (except about
half a dozen men required to guard our quarters), accompanied by a full
regimental transport, set off on a fifteen mile march, which was to be
done in five hours. Marks were given for accurate timing in passing the
starting and finishing posts, for appearance of the men at the end of
the march, for march discipline, and for correct contents of vehicles
and packs. Hidden judges watched us at different parts of the march;
others checked our halts, ten minutes every hour; and the contents
of one platoon's packs were duly examined. The battalion marched
magnificently, and although a cooker horse dropped a shoe and had to
be shod by the cold shoer and regain the column without trotting, and
although during the latter part of the march the road was inches deep
in sand along a steep gradient, the last vehicle was clear of the
finishing point with five seconds to spare. Our casualties were only
two or three men, and but for the concentration march would never have
occurred. After some discussion over the case of another battalion,
who, contrary to the rules of the competition, had marched all the way
headed by a band who did not wear packs, we were declared the winners,
which we should have been in any case had we not forfeited a large
number of points. We lost these because one man had no boot-laces in
his pack; he remembered afterwards that they were in his pocket after
all; and another man was also apparently deficient of some small
article of kit. However, the battalion had every reason to be proud
of itself, and the result certainly served to remind the Divisional
Headquarters that other battalions existed besides the two Brigades
in their close vicinity at Blackdown. "B" Company trained for the
bayonet fighting, and, under Captain Moon, put up a display on November
29th, before the Chief Instructor of the London District School, which
astonished him, and in due course they were declared the winners. "D"
Company, under Captain Parker, also produced a splendid exhibition
of physical training, and were proclaimed joint winners with the
company of another battalion. In these last two competitions Company
Sergeant-Major-Instructor McLelland, A.G.S., deserved the very greatest
credit; he had been indefatigable in his exertions, and his methods
proved most efficient.
For the continued successes of the battalion we were awarded a richly
deserved twenty-four hours off parade.
All this time the specialists were receiving what may be described
as intensive training. Apart from the ordinary work under their own
instructors, they attended lectures and demonstrations of various
descriptions with the object of increasing their efficiency and
familiarizing them with the conditions under which they would have to
work. The snipers in particular received great attention, and were not
infrequently proceeding to Aldershot in connection with training. A
splendid model miniature range was also constructed by them in one of
the huts in the barrack square.
On December 11th Captain Moon left us to join the Portuguese
Expeditionary Force as an interpreter; and on Christmas Eve Major C.
W. Wilson proceeded overseas for a tour of instruction in the Ypres
Salient. On Boxing Day the battalion proceeded on a final three days'
last leave, receiving an even warmer welcome and send-off than before
from the good people of Liverpool, who realized that the departure of
the battalion for the front was imminent at last.
From Christmas till our actual departure was a period of intense
activity. Travelling Medical Boards came and examined our "Category
men," who were dispatched to various units according to their medical
fitness; others were earmarked, by reason of special knowledge, for
munition works, and so forth. Nominal rolls had to be completed
and checked, casualty forms filled up for every man, the N.C.O.
establishment completed, and a hundred other items of detail to be
foreseen and provided for.
On February 4th we had a further welcome addition of
officers--2nd-Lieutenants Royle, Goulding, Evans, and Rothwell, all of
whom had seen considerable active service with the 1/6th K.L.R., and
Lieutenant Parkinson and 2nd-Lieutenants Dugdale and Rule, from the
"King's Own." Of the latter, Lieutenant Parkinson was a fully qualified
R.F.C. pilot resting after a "crash."
On February 17th Major Turner, now convalescent after a serious wound
received while serving with the 1/6th K.L.R., arrived as O. i/c
Details, and began to take stock of everything; and on January 22nd
the battalion appeared for the first time in khaki puttees, a sure
sign that a real move overseas was intended. All the animals were
examined and "duds" replaced, and all vehicles completed in all items
of equipment. The distinguishing patch first approved at Aldershot, and
originally consisting of a small rectangle of black and green cloth in
two equal triangular sections (later divided by a thin red strip), was
now abolished, and we found our new mark was a green diamond worn on
each sleeve between the elbow and the shoulder.
In spite of our manifold activities, we managed to have some really
good entertainments, to which our newly formed orchestra, Rifleman
Kessen, the conjurer, and another rifleman, a superb banjo artiste
(unfortunately, in a low medical category), added talent of the highest
order; and the Divisional Band,--the old 6th it was--which had been
selected from all the bands to accompany the Division overseas, came
from time to time to give us the benefit of their music.
On February 3rd, 1917, we were inspected at Woking by H.R.H. the Duke
of Connaught, who in a short speech wished us all God-speed.
On February 12th the transport and Lewis gunners, with their respective
officers, under the command of Major H. K. Wilson, entrained at
Brookwood at 9.30 a.m. for Southampton. The Battalion was to proceed on
February 14th viâ Folkestone. The long years of training were over; the
memories of Blackpool, Margate, Canterbury, Bourley were fast fading
away. Only the future concerned us now. All that could be done by
training had been done, and it now rested with each individual whether
the battalion maintained its reputation and assisted the Division to
justify the confidence placed in it by His Majesty the King, who had
sent us the following most gracious message:--
* * * * *
"OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 57TH DIVISION,
"On the eve of your departure for active service I send you my
heartfelt good wishes.
"West Lancashire Regiments have earned a high reputation on the field
of battle, and from the impression I formed on the occasion of my
inspection of your Division last September, I am confident that you,
too, will equally uphold the traditions of the fine regiments whose
names you bear.
"Your period of training has been long and arduous, but the time has
now come for you to prove at the front the results of your instruction,
and with your comrades now in the field to maintain the unceasing
efforts necessary to bring this war to a victorious ending.
"Good luck and God speed.
"GEORGE R.I."
"_February 2nd, 1917._"