CHAPTER X_The History of the 2/6th (Rifle) Battalion, "the King's" (Liverpool Regiment) 1914-1919

ARMISTICE--LILLE--ARRAS--FINALE

With the cessation of hostilities began what was really the most

difficult period of the war. Training, always irksome, had now lost

its one stimulus--the prospect of battle. No one supposed for a moment

that hostilities could ever be resumed. The question of demobilization

immediately sprang to the front; and though most men realized clearly

enough that the delay would necessarily be long, yet it was impossible

not to chafe a little, and to feel that at the best you were merely

killing time. It was evident from the outset that everything possible

must be done to prevent boredom and stagnation. Training could

clearly be reduced to a minimum, and that only retained which would

insure fresh air and exercise. Athletics and amusements could now be

freely cultivated, as men could be spared more generously than during

hostilities. Education was also likely to be of great assistance

in occupying the men's minds and assisting them to restore their

thinking powers, which in many cases soldiering had greatly weakened.

Unfortunately, no preparations for the commencement of this form of

occupation had been possible, and it was not till the battalion reached

Arras that our arrangements were sufficiently advanced to commence

operations.

In the meantime the daily routine consisted of a march with the

"bugles" to the Divisional Football Ground, some battalion drill,

physical training, musketry, and rifle bombing. These were varied by

an occasional route march to Roubaix, Mons en Baroeuil (an outwork of

the defences of Lille, where British prisoners had been confined under

appalling conditions), and a weekly field day, often interfered with by

a heavy mist. The afternoons were taken up with football and visits to

Lille, which, after first being guarded like some sacred shrine, was

soon accessible to all.

Considerable attention was devoted to messing arrangements, and before

long a fine Central Mess was provided in the covered yard of a large

brewery. Here the whole battalion, except Headquarters, sat down

together for meals. Cookers and field kitchens were installed in the

yard, and the whole staff of cooks worked under the eye of Sergeant

Austin, the Sergeant-Cook. Similar quarters were arranged for Battalion

Headquarters.

Except for the factories, where millions of pounds' worth of machinery

had been stolen or wrecked, Fives had suffered structurally very little

damage from the Germans. It is true none of our beds had brass knobs,

and similar articles of that metal had been everywhere removed, but

that, after all, was not a very serious matter. The treatment of the

inhabitants is a very different story, but that is rather beyond the

scope of this book. Anyhow, we were most hospitably received, and it is

doubtful whether in all the history of the battalion the men had better

billets.

The concert party took on their self-appointed tasks with great

vigour and success. Costumes of brown canvas, with ruffs of "four

by two," made an excellent show; and the party contrived to make

their performances regular and varied, which speaks well for their

industry. They were composed of Riflemen Brookes (piano), Evans

(baritone), Beesley, Frith, and Lance-Corporal Snowden (comedians),

and Lance-Corporal Henderson. The latter was the life and soul of the

party, and a host in himself. Later Rifleman McConnell (ragtime),

Lance-Corporal Hassall (comedian), and Company Sergeant-Major Lane

(baritone) were added to the party, Sergeant Stevenson taking over

the duties of pianist. Lieutenant Drewsen and the Padre gave active

assistance, while Rifleman Cooper proved a great attraction as a

Chinese Magician on one occasion, and variety was also introduced in

the form of local French talent. There can be no question but that the

"Cheerios" were a great success.

In addition, the Divisional Concert Party, "The Dons"--a very efficient

and amusing company--established themselves close to us. This was a

great convenience, and enabled many, who had had no chance of seeing

them during the war, to attend their performances.

The "bugles" improved daily, and proved a great attraction in the

streets of Fives during "Retreat" and "First Post." A small party of

children became very attached to the drummers, and accompanied the

battalion on one route march, which proved so long and so wet that the

poor little mites had to be dragged along by the hand, till a passing

lorry could be obtained to take them home.

Further additions were made to our strength during this month. Major

D. Grant-Dalton, C.M.G., D.S.O., West Yorkshire Regiment, came as

Second-in-Command, the Adjutant, who was performing that duty, taking

over the work of P.R.I, and O.C. Amusements; and the following other

officers also joined--viz., Lieutenant Lutz, M.C., who had fought

for the Boers against us at Spion Kop, Lieutenants Beavan and Fry,

2nd-Lieutenant Bardsley, and Lieutenant Royle, who returned after

six months in England. This sudden influx of officers--ten in one

month--was rather overwhelming, and was less valuable than it would

have been a month previously, when we were very short-handed.

Our stay in Lille was all too short. We felt we were far too

comfortable to be left alone, and before the month was out rumours of a

move, either forward or back, filled the air. Eventually we found that

Arras was to be our destination, and as there were reputed to be only

fifty houses or so intact in that ill-used town, the prospect was none

of the brightest, especially as there was every indication of a wet

winter.

At 8.30 a.m. on December 2nd the battalion moved off to join the

Brigade group, Major Grant-Dalton in command. Colonel Gathorne-Hardy

had proceeded to England on November 24th, whence, to our very great

regret, he never returned, having while on leave been transferred to

the Home Establishment. He had been a most popular Commanding Officer,

and during his command of the battalion during many days of fighting

had won the respect and confidence of all ranks.

The route was viâ Lezennes, Ronchin, Lesquin, Templemars, and Seclin.

Carvin, our destination, was reached at 1.30 p.m., and we found

ourselves accommodated in huts for the night. Most of these were of

German construction, and sunk in the ground by the roadside with

wonderful skill from the point of view of concealment. Carvin itself is

a dismal and depressing spot.

We were off again the next day (December 3rd, 1918) at 7.45 a.m.,

and in spite of the weather the march was interesting enough, as the

route lay past Lens and the Vimy Ridge. The former place is probably

the largest ruined town in France. Without being absolutely levelled

to the ground, it yet possesses no building that can be described as

anything but a ruin. Shattered masonry and woodwork are heaped in the

wildest chaos in every direction, mingled with broken machinery and all

kinds of interior fittings. There is not one single roof in position,

not a wall that is not pierced or shattered. Standing as the place

does on the slope of a hill, the effect of the annihilation which has

visited the town is very striking. The Vimy Ridge is a bold, upstanding

piece of ground, bare as bare can be, and dotted now with graves and

monuments. In this part of the country it forms a very marked eminence,

though in reality of no great height.

It rained steadily as we tramped along the slippery _pavé_, and the

aspect of our billets, with the rain pouring through the rents in roof

and wall, was enough to dismay the boldest heart. As may be imagined,

after the comforts of Lille these quarters were hardly popular, but the

men accepted the situation nobly. It was 4.15 p.m. when we got in, and

there was little enough time to make their billets habitable. The next

and subsequent days the job was tackled with the utmost energy, while

caustic reports were forwarded to the Higher Command.

Company route marches accompanied by limbers--"scrounging parades,"

we called them--were instituted, and the material was soon collected

from derelict huts and trenches to repair the most serious damage. So

strong were our protests that we were informed that we were to move

to Warlus Camp, a few miles away, at an early date. This was out of

the frying-pan into the fire. Warlus Camp had not been used for some

time. Most of the fittings had been removed to another camp, and what

little was left had been "borrowed" by the civilians. There was not a

duck-board or a stove in the camp. All the huts were Nissen, and from

these most of the lining had already vanished.

In the meanwhile our houses in Arras were assuming quite a habitable

appearance, and the change was viewed with considerable dismay.

Fortunately, there was no water at the camp--or, rather, there was

no drinking water; in the huts themselves there was enough and to

spare--so the move was postponed till after Christmas; though an

advance party, under Lieutenant Beavan, composed mainly of pioneers,

moved over there to begin the work of rebuilding the camp.

The question of education now began to excite more attention. Letters

from the Higher Command were full of schemes and exhortations, and in

view of the eminently desirable results which our educational programme

might be hoped to achieve, the problem was carefully considered.

The results hoped for were--first, a new, and therefore to a certain

extent an attractive, form of employment for the men during the

mornings; and, secondly, the sharpening of their thinking powers,

which, as has been mentioned above, had become somewhat blunted. The

difficulties of the task became apparent at the outset. We had to begin

in profound ignorance as to the educational standards of the men, who,

of course, were drawn from every rank of life. Then we had no qualified

teachers, no educational books, no note-books or paper, no class-rooms,

and no syllabus of work. These were the initial difficulties; there

were others to follow later.

[Illustration: Official Photograph by permission of The Imperial War

Museum.

HÔTEL DE VILLE, ARRAS.]

To overcome the first difficulty, each company in turn was set a

simple examination paper, which consisted of a short précis, a short

piece of dictation, the interpretation and correct use of half a

dozen four-syllable words, and some simple questions in arithmetic.

From the results obtained--and it should be stated that but for the

cordial co-operation of all ranks the results would have been nil--we

were able to grade the battalion into three classes in English and

arithmetic, "N," "Y" and "Z." From this, again, we were able to divide

the battalion into three main groups: the General Education Group,

subdivided into elementary and intermediate classes for English

subjects and arithmetic respectively; the Commercial Group, who did

book-keeping, commercial correspondence, shorthand, and languages,

in addition to a restricted programme of general subjects; and the

Preliminary Group, who were instructed in reading and writing.

The organization required to work this rather ambitious scheme was

not inconsiderable. Large supplies of note-books and text-books were

ordered from England, and many books were sent for by members of the

battalion and loaned to the educational staff. Volunteer instructors

were called for, and stepped nobly into the breach. Syllabuses for all

the subjects were drawn up and timetables prepared, which had to be

reconciled with parades, guards, leave, etc., both as regards teachers

and pupils. Our Battalion Comforts Fund in Liverpool and other friends

of the battalion subscribed generously to the considerable expense

of the venture, which but for the sudden rapidity of demobilization

that soon set in would have proved valuable in its results.

Regimental Sergeant-Major Heyworth, Company Sergeant-Major Griffiths,

Sergeant-Major Lane, and many other N.C.Os. and men, not to mention

some of the officers, worked very hard to make the scheme a success.

It should in passing be noted that, apart from technical classes, which

were well organized by the Higher Command, the assistance received from

the Army Authorities was negligible. The Director of Education for

Liverpool, on the other hand, to whom application was made for advice,

proved most helpful in the selection of suitable text-books and in

drawing up of syllabuses.

Throughout this last chapter of the battalion's history the work of

education was carried on under the most bewildering and irritating

difficulties, and the results cannot be really appraised, but it must

be admitted that at the worst they cannot have been harmful, and in

some cases were distinctly beneficial.

On December 12th Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. Stapledon, of the Manchester

Regiment, arrived and took over the command of the battalion.

From this time till Christmas the daily life of the battalion varied

but little. A certain number of parades and route marches, frequent

football matches, latterly education classes in the Y.M.C.A. hut, an

occasional concert in the same place, varied by motor-lorry trips to

Lille, Cambrai, Armentières, and other places of interest, made up

our daily round. The fact that we were in a town, dilapidated though

it might be, helped to relieve the monotony, as there were some

shops open, and a certain number of things to be seen. The departure

of thirty-five coal-miners for demobilization about this time also

stimulated the hope of early dissolution, albeit some feeling was

caused by the fact that the total war service of some of these men

amounted to about as many days as the war had lasted years.

Preparations for Christmas were an important part of our work at

this period. Our unexpected rest at Christmas, 1917, had caught us

unprepared, and we could do but little; but this time the funds

received from home, which included a handsome contribution from the 5th

(Territorial Force) Reserve Battalion Private Fund, made it possible

for us to arrange an entertainment almost regardless of expense. The

Army provided us with excellent plum-puddings, and we took care to

have these delivered early. Enormous quantities of turkeys were ordered

from the Expeditionary Force Canteen, and the country was scoured for

fruit, vegetables, and beer. The "Cheerios" set to work on a most

excellent programme for Christmas night, and the prospect of a really

good Christmas seemed assured. But, alas! for the hopes of the men.

The Expeditionary Force Canteen, on whom we had relied, were lavish

in their promises, and that was all. Up till 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve

they assured us that the turkeys, like John Gilpin's hat and wig,

were "upon the road," and, indeed, expected every moment. They never

came. A number of pheasants, however, which arrived at the eleventh

hour and fifty-ninth minute, were purchased, and the town was scoured

in every direction for pork. In the end, two companies only had their

Christmas dinner on Christmas Day, the other two on Boxing Day. It was

a great disappointment, especially after the valiant exertions of our

Quartermaster's staff and others.

However, that Christmas Day was a success few will deny, and the

"Cheerios," filled with the good food and (possibly) drinks suitable to

the day, produced an excellent programme, which was highly appreciated.

On the following day the Officers played the Sergeants at football; but

the Sergeants were so overcome, apparently, by the proceedings of the

previous day that the Officers won by five goals to nil. The rest of

the day was occupied with the usual activities connected with a move

which had to be made on December 27th to Warlus Camp, a distance of

about five miles.

At 10.30 a.m. on December 27th we set off for Warlus Camp. The prospect

of our new abode was not enhanced by the cold wind and steady drizzle

which we encountered _en route_. We arrived at 12.30 p.m. and proceeded

to settle in. All things considered, the camp was far better than we

had anticipated in our most sanguine moments a week ago. Lieutenants

Beavan and Hooper, with the most able support of Sergeant Patterson

and the pioneers and company working parties, had wrought wonders.

Duck-board paths were installed nearly everywhere in place of lanes

of thick mud; huts had windows, most had stoves and floor-boards, and

generally the camp was now in a state which made one feel considerably

less hopeless as to its possible amenities.

The scheme of operations which had to be worked out now fell under

three headings--camp improvement, salvage, and education. To this end

companies were allotted time during mornings in succession to put their

own huts in order, with the assistance of one or two experts from

the Pioneer Platoon. As regards salvage, a very large area--covering

ground till recently in our close vicinity at Arras, and now several

miles away--had been allotted to us, and for this two companies and a

great deal of transport was required daily. Their task was to clear

ammunition dumps and convey the material either to a central dump or

to a light railway siding for removal, or else to clear barbed-wire

defences. Education had to be fitted in with these two demands for

men, and very difficult was the problem how to arrange for the right

instructors to be available for the right classes.

In recreation some ambitious schemes had been formulated at Arras,

but the scarcity of suitable ground put a very effective damper on

these. We had one football field just behind the camp, but wet weather

and frequent use very soon reduced it to a quagmire. There was a fine

hospital hut for a general recreation-room, but it had very little

flooring, was very draughty, and impossible to keep warm and too big to

light with the means at our disposal. However, some flooring was put in

and some stoves obtained. The stage which had been removed from Warlus

to Dainville, where French troops were billeted, was boldly removed

without opposition, and in due course, through the kindness of an

Australian Special Works Company, the whole place was lit by acetylene

light, including footlights for the stage.

Thanks again to the great generosity of our Comforts Fund, and also

to Mr. A. Percy Eccles, we had a lot of money to spend on newspapers,

novels, and games. A good supply of these was put in the recreation

hut, in the Sergeants' Mess--two Nissen huts fixed end on with great

skill by Sergeant Patterson--and also the Corporals' hut.

The main event of importance at this time was the Divisional Race

Meeting, held on the Arras Race Course on January 1st and 2nd. A large

and varied programme had been arranged for both these days, and in

addition various sideshows to while away the intervals between the

races had been devised. The weather was cold and grey, but there was

little rain, and the great crowd of officers and men who assembled

pointed clearly to the success of the venture. Lord Derby was present,

and many other distinguished people; but the event that interested us

most was the winning of the Divisional Commander's Cup (three furlongs

flat race) by Colonel Stapledon on his horse Zloazel. Captain Bowring,

on Bean, was third. The Commanding Officer, with a red football jersey

over his tunic, looked a fine sight; but the amusing thing was that

neither he nor anyone else had backed him on the Totalizator for a

penny. However, he got a silver cup, and everyone in the battalion was

highly pleased. The horse in question had been exchanged by Colonel

Gathorne-Hardy with the Brigade Signalling Officer for a pack-pony!

For the next two months there is little enough to say. Salvage went

on slowly and unenthusiastically; education, which the arrival of

text-books, etc., should have made easier, was made more complicated by

departures; the camp got steadily better, and the weather got steadily

colder.

Boxing, cross-country running, and football were the mainstay of those

athletically inclined. Once each week our Concert Party, now attired in

real costumes, performed with great _éclat_, and an interchange with

other units' parties was effected.

Company whist drives were organized under considerable difficulty in

the darkness of the recreation hut before the acetylene arrived; and in

every way all ranks tried their best to fill in those rather irksome

days which had to be gone through before each man left for civilian

life once more. Demobilization was proceeding, in fact, faster than had

been expected. Drafts departed two or three times a week, and several

officers and men on leave in the United Kingdom had benefited by that

unfortunate order allowing of demobilization from leave.

All horses and mules were carefully examined and checked, with the

result that Divisional, Corps and Army Orders became full of notices

as to animals "found." Spare animals are excellent things on active

service, but awkward at official inspections.

Motor-lorry trips were organized to different places, of which Lille

was by far the most popular; and once a week a full load of cheery

people would drive off from Warlus at 8 a.m. in the morning for several

hours' journey through a land covered with frozen snow. The weather was

like at our first initiation into active service--bitterly cold with

heavy snow and hard frost, but generally a bright sun, though a biting

wind.

On January 19th, like a bolt from the blue, Lieutenant-Colonel

Macdonald, D.S.O., Manchester Regiment, arrived to take over command.

Needless to say, no one had heard any tidings of his impending arrival,

but a few days later Colonel Stapledon was ordered off to the 2nd

Manchesters, and Colonel Macdonald assumed command. We were sorry to

lose Colonel Stapledon. He had been with us but a short while, but he

was universally popular, as, indeed, his successor became in a very

short time.

During the month of January 7 officers and 148 men were demobilized,

and our ration strength was down to 20 officers and 382 men, enabling

two company cook-houses to be closed.

The month of February saw even further reduction, as, in addition to

demobilization, 1 officer and 96 men were sent on February 26th up to

the Army of Occupation. This rapid disintegration of the battalion

brought most activities to a standstill. The railway piquets which

we had had to maintain at Arras to keep order and stop looting were

recalled; education died for want of instructors; football teams,

concert parties faded in their time away. The battalion was rapidly

approaching its cadre strength, and its days as a unit were numbered.

There is one event that occurred during this month that cannot be

passed over in silence. On February 14th, the second anniversary of

the departure of the battalion to France, our old Commanding Officer,

Colonel Fletcher, died from pneumonia following upon a sudden attack

of influenza. It is difficult for one who knew him so intimately, and

worked in such close touch with him for so many months, to write of

him with becoming restraint. As a Commanding Officer many found him

hard and exacting, but he was even more exacting and hard on himself.

His whole mind and his whole energy were devoted to his battalion

to a degree that only those who saw most of him could ever realize.

Wonderfully strong himself, he impressed others with his own strength;

lofty in ideals, he led others to a higher plane. Nothing that was mean

or selfish, that was not strictly true and honest, would he tolerate

for a moment; and never was a man more outspoken in his condemnation of

anything that was not right in the highest sense. By his devotion to

his battalion he worked himself beyond the measure of human endurance,

and there can be no doubt that his death was due to the havoc wrought

on his frame by the endless work, physical and mental, which he

accomplished for his battalion even after the gassing at Armentières,

the severe physical effects of which he refused to recognize. Colonel

Fletcher represented the highest type of British gentleman, and it was

with thoughts of pride as well as sorrow that we learnt that in his

last hours his mind ran unceasingly on the comfort and safety of "his

boys."

The last days of the battalion require but a brief telling. More drafts

left for the Army of Occupation; more officers and men went off to

complete the tour of rest camps, "delousing camps," demobilization

camps, and finally dispersal camps _en route_ for civilian life. From

Christmas onwards the melancholy break-up of our old battalion, of

which we had been such proud and happy members, had been proceeding

apace. Friendships that had seemed the normal part of our existence

were now rudely rent asunder. Men whom we had grown to admire and love

vanished one by one, perhaps never to be seen again. The memories of

the past grew daily more distant and more unreal as the prospect of

civilian life came steadily nearer.

On March 18th the fragments of the battalion, now one company strong,

moved to the Brigade Concentration Camp at Maroeuil; and here the

gradually diminishing force remained till May 11th, ever expecting to

move, only to be disappointed again.

At last, after one or two false alarms, the party, having handed over

all its animals, proceeded at 9.5 p.m. on May 11th, with all its

transport vehicles, by train for the Base.

At 10.45 p.m. the engine did its best still further to delay matters

by leaving the train on a downward slope and coming back to meet it

when the train had gathered a good speed. Several vehicles of ours were

destroyed, and several men of other cadres injured. A bridge party,

consisting of the Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Quartermaster, and

Lieutenant Wilson, seated on plush chairs in a cattle truck, was indeed

slightly disarranged, but beyond the destruction of the whisky bottle

only slight injuries were inflicted.

At 2.35 p.m. on May 12th Havre was reached, and Harfleur Reception

Camp was the home for the night. Thence next day the cadre joined No.

2 Wing Despatch Division, and after many formalities embarked on May

15th for Southampton in s.s. _Lydia_. From Southampton to Felixstowe,

and thence to Prees Heath, took a few days more, and much man-handling

of vehicles and stores; but by 12 noon on May 22nd, 1919, the 2/6th

(Rifle) Battalion "The King's" Liverpool Regiment had ceased to exist.

[Illustration: LT.-COL. C. L. MACDONALD, D.S.O. LT.-COL. C.C.

STAPLEDON.]

But in the hearts of those who were numbered among its members the

memory of it, and of those who lie buried in the cemeteries of France,

will live for ever; and when in years to come, in the different

quarters of the world, men meet each other, how gladly will they cast

back their minds to the good old days in the "Second Sixth"!

FINIS.

APPENDICES

APPENDIX I

BRIEF NOTES ON SPECIALISTS

1. _Scouts._--The origin of the Scout Section can be traced from the

earliest days at Liverpool, where the provision of civilian bicycles

and the varied nature of their duties made that branch of training

popular. With the move to Blackpool they came under the direction of

2nd-Lieutenant G. C. T. Giles, who served with us ungazetted for a

time, but was subsequently gazetted to the Divisional Cyclist Company.

From then onwards till the Upstreet days they still continued to

exist in an unostentatious fashion; but at Upstreet the scouts and

snipers were properly organized under Lieutenant F. O. J. Huntley

and Sergeant Fenner. From then onwards till the battalion proceeded

overseas their efficiency grew apace, the last few weeks of their

training being under Lieutenant Alcock, when Lieutenant Huntley joined

Brigade Headquarters Staff. Colonel Fletcher always took the greatest

interest in their work, buying them all kinds of snipers' rifle sights,

telescopic periscopes, and other valuable aids to their special work.

Overseas, under the successive leaderships of Lieutenants Alcock and

Royle, 2nd-Lieutenants Little, Noon, and Upward, Lieutenant Burton,

and Lieutenant Hazell, the scouts, snipers, and observers more than

justified their existence. In addition to Sergeant Fenner, there was

Lance-Corporal Peterson and seventeen men in the original contingent,

while at Brigade were Corporal Stirrup and three more. After the

Armentières gas attack reorganization became necessary, and first

Corporal Harper, and later Sergeant Corkill and Lance-Corporal Darcy,

were the leading scouts. It is invidious to pick out individuals from

such a highly trained and enthusiastic party, but there can be no doubt

that, taken all round, Sergeant Corkill was the best of a very good

collection of men. The duties of these men varied from patrolling,

either collectively or individually with company patrols, leading

raiding parties, sniping, manning observation posts, and so forth, in

the trenches, to blocking side roads during relief nights, exploring

emergency routes, or reconnoitring ordinary routes when the battalion

was out of the line.

2. _Runners._--It is doubtful if any collection of individuals had to

work so consistently hard and under such trying conditions, and managed

withal to be so invariably cheerful, as the Battalion and Company

Runners. Organized at Woking, and recruited largely from the buglers,

they first really came into active existence at Strazeele. Throughout

the history of the battalion there appears to have been no occasion

when a runner failed to reach his destination, except through being

incapacitated by wounds. Always on the move, they were the first in the

line and the last out of it, with endless messages going day and night;

one day cycling along the ominous Houplines road, another day leaving

the safety of a pill-box to make their way across mud and shell-holes

in the blackness of the night; or, again, dashing (not once, but again

and again) through a barrage. Such were some of the duties of which a

runner's life was composed.

Before the gas bombardment the Battalion Runners had no actual

N.C.O. in charge of them, but later Lance-Corporal Brown, one of the

originals, was appointed to take charge of them.

3. _Lewis Gunners._--In training Lewis Gunners at home we were more

than fortunate in possessing Lieutenant Bowring and Sergeant Machell,

with the result that we went overseas with gunners possessed of an

efficiency of which any battalion might be proud. From then onwards

was one unceasing struggle to keep up the numbers. Holding as they

often did the dangerous posts, the casualties were not few, and as

our numbers dwindled the supply of guns grew steadily greater. The

teams generally had to go into the line twenty-four hours before

the remainder of the battalion, and, in addition to the ordinary

impedimenta of a relief, they had to carry, at any rate along the

trenches, their guns and ammunition, which, when conditions were bad,

often proved an almost overwhelming burden. Out of the line they

had to be cleaning their guns and ammunition unceasingly, while the

care of innumerable spare parts was enough to drive anyone crazy.

After Lieutenant Bowring, 2nd-Lieutenants Rothwell, Dwyer, Hicks, and

Lieutenants Wilson and Drewsen, in turn took charge of their destinies;

while Sergeants Bond, Simpson, and Rowlandson acted in succession as

Battalion Lewis Gun Sergeants.

4. _Battalion Orderly-Room._--After the first days of chaos we soon

settled down to a continued period of great efficiency, broken only

by one temporary interruption caused by the gas bombardment. At home,

the records and administration of the battalion passed successfully

through the hands of Colour-Sergeants Robinson, Sutherland, and Evans,

and the completeness of their work can be seen at once by anyone who

has to deal with the old battalion orders. Overseas we were no less

fortunate in our orderly-room sergeants--Ewan, Longridge, Llewellyn,

and Myers. It is one thing to keep files complete and records accurate

in the comfortable security of a properly organized orderly-room in

England. To maintain no less efficiency and accuracy in France is a

very different proposition. Space and stationery are limited; half

your records are always packed and inaccessible; the orderly-room may

be represented by a small "bivvy," a tent lit by one guttering candle,

a "lean-to" composed of an old ground sheet, or other commodious

habitation. Work under such conditions is trying and difficult, but it

always went on; the orders were always issued, the records always kept,

no matter what the obstacles. The amount of work which had to be done

may be estimated by the fact that two typewriters were fully employed.

5. _Quartermaster's Department._--The comprehensive activities of the

Quartermaster and his staff would, if adequately dealt with, require a

volume in themselves. A few notes on some aspects of their work will

only be given.

In England the principal task was, first, to obtain equipment, and,

secondly, to account for deficiencies. These difficulties rested in the

able hands of Lieutenant Barnett and, latterly, Lieutenant Sutherland.

Overseas the responsibilities of an efficient Quartermaster widen out

indefinitely. The provision of rations and equipment, no small work

in itself, is obviously his main concern; but, apart from that, a

zealous Quartermaster regards himself as responsible for everything

that conduces to the comfort and welfare of his battalion. He arranges

for billets and baths; he acts as commission agent for all kinds

of purchases for messes and individuals; he looks after the postal

arrangements, obtains money from the field cashier, drinks, cigarettes,

and so forth from the Expeditionary Force Canteen; he mends your boots

and clothes; he "scrounges" tar felting and oil silk--in a word, he

represents to the battalion all the resources of a town, with its shops

and its general conveniences of civilization. Lieutenant Sutherland's

services to the battalion were beyond all reckoning. He literally

slaved day and night to ensure that no battalion was better fed, better

clothed, better equipped, and generally better looked after than ours.

Captain Smith, who later became Quartermaster, followed in the same

tradition, and it is doubtful if we were ever in lack of anything

that we seriously wanted. In this work it will be realized that the

Quartermaster must have received the whole-hearted support of his

staff. Wallas, Heyworth, Cousins, and Benson each in their turn proved

most able Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeants. They further controlled

an expert staff, each in their different periods supremely efficient in

their own particular line--Blackburn, rations; Cooper, coal (he could

always "win" an extra hundredweight); Yates, ordnance stores; Handley,

mobilization stores; Kessen as a cheese-cutter; and Corporal Bell as

understudy to the Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant; and there were

many others who at varying times had their place in "Q" Department.

For bootmaking, we had first Sergeant Mottram and later Sergeant Cox,

a powerful representative of the 1st King's, who was as fine a boxer

as bootmaker. For tailoring, we had originally Sergeant Jewers, and

then Greenham, under whom worked an efficient band with strange Russian

names.

Another most important branch was represented by the cooks, a most

hard-working and efficient body of men, who proved their worth again

and again, not only in the ordered cook-houses of England and the

better billets of France, but still more in the rough and shelled

shanties in the line, in the crude trench fires during a battle, or

with their field kitchens on the march. Under Sergeant Lane, who had

a curious passion for strolling in No Man's Land at night, and later

under Sergeant Austin, the cooks attained a high degree of excellence;

and in spite of the dwindling scale of rations and of the curious

articles of food which used to be issued "in lieu of" ordinary items

which the war had made scarce, they provided, in spite of their

predilection for stew, a diet of which no one, however fastidious,

could seriously complain. Rifleman Anderson probably enjoys the record

for length of service as a cook, while Rifleman Frith earned the title

of "Rissole King."

In this connection one cannot pass over without mention the

self-sacrificing service of the men who went on the nightly pilgrimage

of the trenches, carrying the awkward and weighty burden of "hot food

containers." As you met them struggling in the dark along the narrow

and tortuous ways, now stopping to pass beneath an overhead traverse,

now forcing their way through a trench whose sides were almost closed

in, you could not but admire the persistence and energy which these

men exhibited, and on which the chances of hot tea or hot soup for the

front line posts entirely depended.

Of the Pioneers mention has already been made in the narrative of

the book. Prior to the formation of the Pioneer Platoon the original

establishment of battalion pioneers worked as efficiently and

energetically for their limited numbers as their more numerous party

did under the later organization.

Two other duties connected with "the Stores" are deserving of mention.

The Canteen Corporals--Corporal Hobden for the greater period of our

service abroad, and at the latter part Corporal Trapnell--carried out a

difficult and arduous task with great ability. Long tramps to distant

canteens, and uncomfortable quarters in the line in which to exhibit

their wares, constituted their life. The difficulty of reconciling the

strict rationing enforced by the Expeditionary Force Canteen with the

demands of the battalion made their office no sinecure.

The other duty referred to is that of Post Corporal, the leading

exponent being Lance-Corporal A. L. Reade. Endless walking to distant

Field Post Offices, long waits for the mail, a long trek home, and

innumerable letters to sort--all this was merely a preliminary

to the nightly journey up to the line. With all the letters to

be re-addressed, and all the registered letters to be handed to

their recipients, the task of Post Corporal was full of hard work,

responsibility, and often danger.

In conclusion, it must be realized that the Quartermaster's Department

enjoyed no immunity from shell fire, with which people are only too

apt to connect the lives of those not dwelling in the line itself.

Their stores and billets were frequently and--in Armentières, for

instance--very heavily shelled. The nightly trip to the line was no

sinecure, but often enough a most dangerous performance. Apart from

this, their labours were unending. The battalion came out from the line

for spells in reserve, or even in rest; the work of the Quartermaster's

Department only varied, it did not decrease.

6. _Transport._--During the early days at Blackpool, when we first

received a few horses and some old civilian waggons, and from the time

at Upstreet, when we became possessed of the regulation transport,

the tradition of smartness and efficiency never wavered. Lieutenant

Hutchinson had a genius for mules and horse management in general, and

was able to complete and consolidate the work begun by 2nd-Lieutenant

Eccles. After his transfer to the R.F.C. in 1917, Lieutenant Freeman

took over, with all the experience he had enjoyed during many years

with the A.S.C. Consequently one expected not only well-groomed animals

and spotless vehicles, but also a sound and efficient organization. The

latter was always in evidence, and the former only varied in degree

according to the situation presented by circumstances. In England

Sergeant Walker and Sergeant Lloyd, and overseas Lloyd and latterly

Sergeant McGowan, were the successive Transport Sergeants; while in

France mention should also be made of Corporals Davis, Tweddle, Steele,

and Raws.

The task of a regimental transport on active service is hard. The

hours of work and mileage covered by the vehicles daily were often

almost incredible. The transfer of the A.S.C. waggons to duties for

which the pre-war regulations had not provided put an enormous strain

on battalion transport. The increase in material and equipment also

produced a legitimate quantity of stuff far in excess of the capacity

of the vehicles, and on occasions when M.T. or G.S. waggons were not

forthcoming meant heavy work for our horses.

The supply of rations and water to the battalion, when in the trenches

or in a battle, always presented a problem requiring bravery and

initiative. Never did our transport fail us, whether limbers or pack

mules, no matter the difficulties, no matter the shelling.

7. _Signallers._--The first beginning of the Signal Section can be

traced to Liverpool; and though there was a section at Blackpool, under

2nd-Lieutenant E. C. Adam, regular training can hardly be said to have

begun before the battalion reached Canterbury, when instruction of a

very sound nature commenced under Sergeant Bowman, of the 1/6th K.L.R.

2nd-Lieutenant Rathbone was here made responsible for the section.

When the 43rd Provisional Battalion was formed, Sergeant Haydon became

Signal Sergeant, and a large part of the success and efficiency of

the section from then up till November, 1917, was due to his efforts.

Lieutenant Wyatt had meanwhile followed 2nd-Lieutenant Rathbone as

Signalling Officer. Flag wagging had by now been more than mastered;

and the intricacies of the "D III" telephone were now being absorbed,

and a limited amount of practical work done with this instrument. At

Upstreet the first battalion line was laid, connecting Battalion and

Brigade Headquarters. A further step in instruction was taken in the

systematic and careful schooling of linemen, and the efficiency thereby

obtained proved of the utmost value later. Corporal Gillison was

particularly conspicuous in this direction.

The Signal Section soon after this came under the command of Lieutenant

J. T. Hazell, a really brilliant exponent of the signaller's art. From

the time the battalion went to Aldershot till it left for France, the

training went on with fewer and fewer interruptions; and the high

standard attained may be realized from the fact that at the official

tests, held late in 1916, we produced twenty-nine first-class and

four second-class signallers out of thirty-three candidates entered,

thereby bringing our total up to about fifty first-class signallers,

and, further, won easily the signalling in the Aldershot Command

Efficiency Competitions, in spite of powerful rivals. The names of the

competitors, all of whom received bronze medals, were as follows:--

Officer in charge Lieut. J. T. Hazell.

N.C.O. in charge Sergt. H. J. Haydon.

Visual sender L./Cpl. S. H. Bell.

Visual caller Rfn. A. C. Cowie.

Visual reader Rfn. W. Whitehead.

Visual writer Rfn. G. Potter.

First line layer Rfn. W. A. Tomlinson.

Second line layer Rfn. A. W. Hassall.

Third line layer Rfn. E. Fryer.

Buzzer sender Rfn. W. Harrocks.

Buzzer reader Rfn. W. O. Copland.

Runner Rfn. A. Wood.

During the time the battalion was in France the section not only

fulfilled all calls upon its activities in a most efficient manner,

but it was continually improving on its methods, learning the latest

instruments--fuller-phones, power buzzers, Lucas lamps, and so forth.

Not only was the system of telephones in every sector we occupied

improved and simplified, and communication kept up no matter how often

the enemy or wandering individuals smashed the wire, but in raids and

periods of fighting, the section, both individually and collectively,

showed itself as brave as it was resourceful. In Sergeant Payne was

found a worthy successor to Sergeant Haydon. 2nd-Lieutenants Novelle

and Thomas in turn acted as Signalling Officers, though the inspiration

of Lieutenant Hazell, until he was evacuated shortly before the

Armistice, was always present.

_Esprit de corps_, evident though it was in all ranks, was, if

possible, more marked in the case of the signallers; and for their

work, of which little can be said here, and of which, by reason of

their success, much often passed unnoticed, the battalion owes a great

debt.

8. _Medical._--The hygienic and medical side of a battalion, whether

at home or abroad, is of first-rate importance. As Medical Officer's

Orderly, Corporal Lawton, Corporal Stubbs, and Corporal Henderson, each

in their turn proved their worth again and again. On the sanitary side

Sergeant Lawton and, latterly, Corporal Barwise were regular wizards in

detecting anything wrong and providing the means to set things right.

Stretcher-bearers have been referred to in several places already.

The work of self-sacrifice of stretcher-bearers has been testified

by every unit of the British Army, and our own lived up to the

highest traditions of their calling; and our Medical Officers one and

all set them an example which they might well be proud to follow.

Lance-Corporal Winstanley, who during the latter part of the campaign

was in charge of all stretcher-bearers, deserves a special mention for

his admirable work.

The "water duty men," originally R.A.M.C. and later Riflemen, performed

a thankless and arduous task with perseverance, often under conditions

of great danger.

9. _Miscellaneous Instructors._--The branches of knowledge with which

the ordinary soldier has to be familiar are so diverse and so manifold

that a host of instructors have to be equipped with special knowledge,

in order that each may receive at any rate some instruction in special

subjects.

In addition, therefore, to Musketry and Physical Instructors--of the

latter, Sergeants Taylor, Jones, Hoskyn, and Ashcroft, and of the

former Sergeants Beaumont, Griffiths, Kernighan, and Farrington were

the principal exponents--we have Gas N.C.Os. (Sergeant Nicholls,

Corporals Harvey and Roles) and Bombing Instructors (Corporal

Cathrell, Sergeant Kerr, and Sergeant Grahl). The important duties

performed by these N.C.Os. and by the officers who were similarly

trained--Lieutenant Wyatt (physical drill), 2nd-Lieutenant Clarke and

Lieutenant Burton (bombers), and Lieutenant James (Gas Officer)--are

often hardly appreciated, and those who hold those special appointments

are not infrequently thought to be in "cushy" jobs. That is as it may

be; the fact remains that invaluable work was performed, and efficiency

and protection obtained in vital branches of warfare.

10. _Bugles._--From the earliest days at Blackpool the Bugles commenced

to flourish, and throughout our long training in England they were

an established part of our unit. In the early days of France they

languished, but after the first "rest" their important position was

recovered. In England Sergeant Kernighan was Sergeant-Bugler. During

the latter part of the time in France Sergeant Cadman filled that

office, while Lance-Corporal Frost proved a splendid cornet-player.

The addition of five cornets was a great success, and latterly whenever

out of the line the bugles sounded the recognized calls and carried out

the normal routine of barrack life in England. In Lille the mere sight

of the buglers produced an enthusiastic crowd, and there can be no

question that their performance was well worth watching.

11. _Machine Gunners._--The origin of this section dates from Blackpool

in 1914, when the first beginnings were made under 2nd-Lieutenant

Royston. After he proceeded overseas it passed under the care of

2nd-Lieutenant Rathbone, and from him again to Lieutenant Bowring.

Under the latter, with the able assistance of Sergeant Machell, the

section achieved the highest efficiency, and the arrival of a Vickers

gun at Margate enabled the men to give practical demonstrations of

their skill.

With the formation of the new Machine Gun Corps, instructions came

to us, as to other units, for all our trained machine gunners to be

transferred. Accordingly, in May, 1916, twenty-two men were discharged

from the Territorial Force and were re-enlisted into the Machine

Gun Corps, and formed No. 1 Section of "I" Machine Gun Company, at

Grantham. After the normal period at Grantham, the major portion of

these men proceeded to Mesopotamia in October, 1916, and fought in the

principal action connected with the attempted recovery of Kut and the

subsequent advance to Baghdad. The following spring they proceeded

to Palestine, and took part in the chief operations there, which

constituted the final obliteration of the Turk in that country. A

further party of five were transferred to the Machine Gun Corps from

Bourley Camp in July, 1916. Of these some proceeded to France, and

thence to Salonika.

The various experiences of these men would cover many pages, but it is

rather beyond the scope of this work. It may, however, be added that

the extremely rapid promotion of our drafts speaks not only for their

own merit, but also for that of the battalion in which they obtained

their training as soldiers. Out of twenty-seven men, eighteen received

promotion, including two warrant officers and three sergeants, while

two men received commissions.

12. _Light Trench Mortar Battery._--In July, 1916, the authorities

decided that a Light Trench Mortar Battery should be formed in each

of our Brigades, and in due course contingents from each battalion

assembled in a corner of our camp to commence instruction in the Stokes

trench mortar. Our contribution consisted of Lieutenant D. G. Leonard,

one sergeant, two corporals, and nine men, with Lieutenant (later

Captain) H. E. Barrow to command the Brigade Battery. The majority

of the personnel had previously been sent to a preliminary course at

Aldershot. Training accordingly proceeded apace, and the battery was

soon firing live ammunition at Pirbright, where it subsequently took up

its quarters permanently.

During the various vicissitudes of the Brigade our Trench Mortar

Battery took its share of our pleasures and sorrows in full measure.

At Houplines it proved more than a match for the German "pineapples."

During raids of our own or the enemy's the men proved themselves worthy

of the best traditions, while in open warfare they revealed surprising

mobility. From time to time many other men were drafted from every

battalion to the battery to replace casualties and to form reserves,

and several of the men earned distinctions; while Captain Barrow,

shortly before his transfer in 1917 to the W.A.F.F., was awarded the

Military Cross.

APPENDIX II

COMMANDING OFFICERS.

Colonel G. A. Wilson, V.D.

Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. L. Fletcher, D.S.O.

Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. N. C. Gathorne-Hardy, D.S.O., Rifle

Brigade.

Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. Stapledon, Manchester Regiment.

Lieutenant-Colonel C. L. Macdonald, D.S.O., Manchester

Regiment.

SECONDS-IN-COMMAND.

Major J. Howard Temple.

Major H. K. Wilson.

Major C. W. Wilson, M.C.

Major D. Grant-Dalton, C.M.G., D.S.O.

ADJUTANTS.

Captain W. A. L. Fletcher, D.S.O.

Captain J. Barnett.

Captain C. E. Wurtzburg, M.C.

Captain C. W. Wilson, M.C.

Captain F. C. Bowring.

Captain F. E. Evans.

QUARTERMASTERS.

Lieutenant J. Barnett.

Lieutenant T. Sutherland.

Lieutenant T. Jackson.

Captain F. V. Smith.

COMPANY COMMANDERS (OVERSEAS).

_"A" Company._

Captain F. G. Gilling.

Captain C. T. A. Wyatt.

Captain F. C. Bowring.

Captain J. McWilliam, M.C.

Lieutenant S. E. B. Sage.

Lieutenant C. James, M.C.

Captain J. C. Carr.

Captain R. E. Noon, M.C.

_"B" Company._

Captain C. T. Steward.

Lieutenant W. Penrice.

Lieutenant E. C. Adam.

Captain A. H. Broad.

Captain A. G. Eccles, M.C.

Captain T. Robinson, M.C.

Captain E. D. Kissan.

_"C" Company._

Captain A. G. Eccles, M.C.

Captain H. Ormrod.

Captain T. A. Williams, M.C.

_"D" Company._

Captain C. W. Wilson, M.C.

Captain K. H. Burton.

Captain T. K. Fell.

Captain J. Beavan.

WARRANT OFFICERS (OVERSEAS).

Regimental Sergeant-Majors {R. Smith.

{J. L. Heyworth, M.C.

{T. Wallas.

Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeants {J. L. Heyworth, M.C.

{G. Cousins.

{J. A. Benson.

_"A" Company._

{W. C. Bowman.

Company Sergeant-Majors {J. A. Benson.

{H. Morrall, M.M.

{N. E. Jenner.

Company Quartermaster-Sergeants {H. M. Griffiths.

{A. L. Beaumont.

{F. J. Fenner.

_"B" Company._

{A. Kelly.

Company Sergeant-Majors {C. J. Pennington.

{T. R. Machell.

{H. Gedd.

{C. J. Pennington.

Company Quartermaster-Sergeants {C. W. Walter.

{J. L. Tipping.

{R. Batson.

_"C" Company._

{J. L. Heyworth, M.C.

Company Sergeant-Majors {R. J. Woodward.

{G. Lane.

{R. D. Jackson.

Company Quartermaster-Sergeants {G. Cousins.

{J. T. Pollitt.

_"D" Company._

Company Sergeant-Majors {R. Barker, D.C.M.

{H. M. Griffiths.

{R. Batson.

Company Quartermaster-Sergeants {G. Lane.

{R. F. Farrington.

APPENDIX III.

NOMINAL ROLL.

NOTE.--This Roll has been compiled from the battalion's Part II Orders,

and though every effort has been taken to make it accurate, the author

feels that for various reasons--in particular the somewhat scanty

records of the early period of 1914-15--some errors of fact and date

may be present. It is hoped that, as some 4,000 names are recorded,

those who suffer from inaccuracies will accept in extenuation the

magnitude of the task.

It had been intended to give, where applicable, some record of service

done with other units, but it has been found impossible to obtain

a complete record of this, and the Roll in consequence is confined

to details of service, distinctions, etc., in the battalion. This

restriction is the more to be regretted as so many members of the

battalion gained high rank and honours with other units, among them

being Rifleman G. G. Coury, who shortly after obtaining his commission

won the Victoria Cross.

A ✠ has been placed against the name of every officer and man who

was killed in action or died of wounds or disease.

ROLL OF OFFICERS.

| | | | |

|ADAM, E. C. |13/11/14--11/5/15, |Lieut |-- |--

| |11/8/17--9/1/18, | | |

| | | | |

|ALCOCK, P. F.|5/2/15--30/7/17, |Lieut. |Int. |--

| | | | |

|ALLEN, L. S. |28/4/15--14/1/17, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

✠|ALTY, H., |18/9/18--30/9/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|K.L.R. | | | |

| | | | |

|ANDERSON, |8/11/17--6/9/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|W. R. |wounded | | |

| | | | |

|BARDGETT, J. |17/6/18--29/3/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|V. |demobilized | | |

| | | | |

|BARDSLEY, |26/11/18--10/4/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|K.L.R. | | | |

| | | | |

|BARNETT, J. |1/11/14--3/11/16, |Captain |Q.M., |--

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|BELK, W. A. |23/10/18--21/3/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|BILSLAND, J. |28/5/15--2/3/16, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|BIRKETT, G. |1/10/14--11/5/15, |Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|BLAKE, J. N. |25/4/17--24/3/19, |Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|BOULT, R. H. |13/11/14--16/2/15, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|S. |posted 1/6 K.L.R. | | |

| | | | |

|C. |demobilized |(A./Capt.) |L.G.O., |in D.

| | | |Coy. |

| | | | |

|BRETTEL, I. |11/11/18--10/4/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|BRIGGS, H. |31/3/17--15/4/17, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|BRIGHOUSE, |23/8/17--14/1/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|T. J. |wounded | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|BROCKLEBANK, |27/11/14--17/6/15, |Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|BUCKLEY, E. |20/11/14--11/5/15, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|K. |posted 1/6 K.L.R. | | |

| | | | |

|BURTON, G. B.|12/3/15--11/7/15, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

✠|BURTON, K. H.|14/5/15--16/6/18, |Lieut. |Company |--

|W. |posted 3/6 K.L.R. | | |

| | | | |

✠|CARR, J. C. |15/9/17--21/10/18, |2/Lieut. |Company |--

| | | | |

|CLARKE, C. W.|20/8/15--4/2/18, |Lieut. |-- |M.C.

| | | | |

✠|COLLINGE, W. |21/6/15--7/8/17, |Lieut. |-- |--

|R. |died of wounds | | |

| | | | |

|CUFFLIN, |2/11/18--21/3/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|C. A. |trsfd. A. of O. | | |

| | | | |

|DAVIDSON, W. |13/11/14--30/4/15, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|H. H. |posted 1/6 K.L.R. | | |

| | | | |

|DREWSEN, |17/6/18--18/2/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|J. B. R. |demobilized | | |

| | | | |

|D. (4th | | | |

| | | | |

|DWYER, W. J. |22/10/17--29/4/18, |2/Lieut |L.G. |--

| | | | |

|EASTWOOD, D. |19/8/15--8/11/15, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

| |5/1/18--5/1/19, | |Company |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| |3/10/18--22/5/19, | |Adjutant |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| |K.L.R. | | |

| | | | |

|A. L., D.S.O.|wounded |(T./Lt./ | |in D.,

| |10/9/17--23/7/18, |Col.) |C.O. |Brevet

| | | | |

|FORSHAW, |1/11/18--9/4/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|A. F. |demobilized | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|FRY, A. J. |29/11/18--8/4/19, |Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|GATHORNE- |23/7/18--24/11/18, |Major |C.O. |D.S.O.,

|Hon. N. C. | |Col.) | |in D.

| | | | |

|C.M.G., | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|GOFFEY, W. |29/4/15--23/5/15, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|GOULDING, E. |14/2/17--6/2/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|A. |tour of duty in Eng. | | |

| | | | |

|GREEN, H. G. |17/6/18--13/9/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|GROOME, A. |28/5/15--20/7/16, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|K.L.R. | | | |

| | | | |

|HARDY, F. |21/9/18--8/3/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|HARPER, |5/9/17--15/9/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|C. R. |trsfd. R.A.F. | | |

| | | | |

|HARRIS, J. K.|23/4/18--13/2/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |M.C.

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|HICKS, J. E. |7/12/17--5/9/18, |2/Lieut. |L.G. |--

| | | | |

|HODGKINSON, |17/3/17--5/11/17, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|W. |trsfd. R.F.C. | | |

| | | | |

|HOLLAND, L. |31/10/14--24/8/16, |Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

| | | | |

|HOWARD, W. R.|13/11/14--15/8/15, |Lieut. -- | |--

| | | | |

|HUGHES, E. V.|23/11/14--11/7/15, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|O. J. | | |Int. O. |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|R. | |Q.M. | |

| | | | |

|JACOBS, A. |1/2/18--25/8/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

| | | | |

|JOHNSON, F. |5/6/15--1/5/16, |2/Lieut. |-- |

|J. (15th |trsfd. | | |

|K.L.R. | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|JONES, W. J. |13/11/14--11/5/15, |Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|KELK, A. E. |14/5/15--18/10/15, |Lieut. and |-- |--

| | | | |

|K.L.R. | | |Int. |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|LEONARD, D. |27/5/16--17/11/17, |Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|LEVER, T. |5/9/17--25/1/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |M.C.

| | | | |

|LITTLE, J. |15/10/15--30/7/17, |2/Lieut. |Int. |--

| | | | |

|LOUDEN, T. H.|8/7/17--2/4/19, |Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|LUTZ, |15/11/18--16/2/19, |Lieut. |-- |--

|F., M.C. |demobilized | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|MACDONALD, |20/1/19--22/5/19, |T./Lieut./ |C.O. |--

|C. L., |demobilized |Col. | |

|D.S.O. | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|MATHER, P. D.|4/6/15--23/8/15, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|MOSELEY, |15/11/16--30/7/17, |Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

| | | | |

|NOVELLE, F. |5/9/17--6/2/19, |2/Lieut. |Sig. |--

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|PARKINSON, |4/2/17--30/7/17, |Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|PATERSON, |3/8/18--5/9/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|J. (N.F. |wounded | | |

| | | | |

|PAUL, E. E. |15/11/16--24/6/17, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|PAUL, J. R. |12/6/15--29/7/17, |Lieut. |-- |--

| |7/12/17--4/7/18, | | |

| | | | |

|PEGGE, W. J. |25/4/17--30/7/17, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|PENRICE, W. |13/7/17--5/10/18, |Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

✠|PROFIT, L. |5/9/17--3/11/17, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|T. (3rd |wounded | | |

|K.L.R. |6/4/18--20/6/18, | | |

| | | | |

✠|PURDIE, D. |3/12/17--30/9/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|S. (9th |died of wounds | | |

|K.L.R. | | | |

| | | | |

|RATHBONE, R. |15/10/14--15/8/15, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|R. |trsfd. | | |

| | | | |

|REID, W. |24/12/14--6/2/15, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|RIGBY, A. W. |23/11/17--23/3/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|H. J. | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|ROGERS, G. P.|13/11/14--15/8/15, |Capt. |-- |--

| | | | |

|ROTHWELL, G. |7/2/17--30/7/17, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|ROYLE, H. H. |7/2/17--30/7/17, |Lieut. |Int. |

| |17/10/17--13/3/18, | | |

| |15/11/18--25/1/19, | | |

| | | | |

|ROYSTON, J. |13/11/14--11/5/15, |Lieut. |-- |--

|W. |posted 1/6 K.L.R. | | |

| | | | |

|RULE, |4/2/17--2/7/17, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|R. (4th |trsfd. | | |

| | | | |

|RYCROFT, |5/9/17--22/1/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|J. A. |trsfd. | | |

| | | | |

✠|SAGE, S. E. |1/2/18--13/9/18, |Lieut. |Company |--

| | | | |

|SHIRT, R. |18/9/18--1/10/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|SIMPSON, H. |1/10/18--24/3/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|SMITH, F. |13/12/17--22/5/19, |Capt. and |-- |--

| | | | |

|STAPLEDON, |13/12/18--26/1/19, |Major |C.O. |--

|C. C. |trsfd. |(A./Lt./ | |

|(Manch. R. | |Col.) | |

| | | | |

| |14/10/17----/1/19 |-- |Attd. |

| | | |H.Q. 171 |

| | | |Bde. |

| | | | |

|T. |wounded |Q. M. | |

| | | | |

|SUTTON, A. |7/12/17--14/5/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|E. B. |trsfd. | | |

| | | | |

|TEBBUT, J. |19/2/18--25/9/18, |Lieut. |-- |--

|L. (5th |sick | | |

|K.L.R. | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

✠|VAUGHAN, D. |5/9/17--30/10/17, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

✠|WALN, E. A. |7/12/17--21/10/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|WILLIAMS, |15/8/18--26/2/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|D. J. |trsfd. A. of O. | | |

| | | | |

|WILLIAMS, |22/9/18--27/2/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|D. R. |demobilized | | |

| | | | |

|K.L.R. | | | |

| | | | |

✠|WILLIAMS, |5/9/17--1/9/18, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|T. L. |killed in action | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|WILSON, D. |31/8/18--24/1/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|WILSON, G. |25/9/14--6/8/15, |Colonel |C.O. |--

|A., V.D. |resigned command | | |

| |31/10/14--30/7/17, | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|K.L.R. | | | |

| | | | |

|WITHERS, H. |21/5/15--8/11/15, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

|R. |posted 3/6 K.L.R. | | |

| | | | |

|WOODWORTH, |2/11/18--8/3/19, |2/Lieut. |-- |--

| | | | |

|C. E. |sick. | | |

| |7/12/17--16/5/18, | | |

| |26/9/18--20/2/19, | | |

| | | | |

|WYATT, C. T. |14/5/15--26/9/17, |Lieut. |Sig. |--

MEDICAL OFFICERS.

UNITED KINGDOM.

LIEUT. T. ATKINS, R.A.M.C.

CAPT. R. J. ROGERS, R.A.M.C.

CAPT. J. LIVINGSTON, R.A.M.C.

LIEUT. L. A. WILSON, R.A.M.C.

OVERSEAS.

LIEUT. L. A. WILSON, R.A.M.C.

CAPT. T. MCHUGH, R.A.M.C.

CAPT. H. ROBINSON, R.A.M.C.

CAPT. A. G. G. PLUMLEY, R.A.M.C.

LIEUT. W. H. GORDON, M.O.R.C., U.S.A.

MAJOR N. W. KIDSTON, R.A.M.C.

LIEUT. N. A. SULLO, M.O.R.C., U.S.A.

LIEUT. N. S. REED, M.O.R.C., U.S.A.

CAPT. O. H. BULLOCK, R.A.M.C.

CHAPLAINS--OVERSEAS.

REV. M. J. ELAND.

REV. S. WEAVER.

REV. F. H. SIMMS.

REV. S. J. HUGHES.

ROLL OF WARRANT OFFICERS,

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, AND MEN.

A † after date of leaving indicates that service in battalion was

not continuous.

The History of the 2/6th (Rifle) Battalion, "the King's" (Liverpool Regiment) 1914-1919 · 第 10 / 13 章