THE VALE OF ACQUIN
We now commenced that early rising and continuous training with which we
soon became heartily "fed up."
"June 19th.
"I rose at 3.30 this morning, made a hurried breakfast, and went on
parade at 4.15. We marched about three miles to the training area. Our
dress on this occasion was without tunics, but Sam Brown and other
articles of equipment over our shirts; shirt-sleeves rolled up. When we
reached very open country, high up on the moorland, a thunder-storm came
on and we were drenched! It was splendid. As we were wet through, we
marched back to our village again when it got fine! It was quite fine
again when we got back. It is just a little cooler now, but is quite
fine and warm.
"At 11 we had a conference at Battalion Headquarters. The Colonel
informed us that we are moving again, after all, to-morrow! We are going
to another village eighteen miles away. I expect the reason is because
the selected training area for us while here is not satisfactory. I am
sorry we are moving again so soon, because I like this village...."
"June 20th.
" ... An order came round yesterday evening to the effect that we might
move to the new place by bus, it might be by march; in case it should be
the latter we must be prepared to move off at 2 in the morning. Later in
the evening Regimental Sergeant-Major Hoyle came to see us in B Company
Officers' Mess, as he frequently does by invitation, and told us that it
was now official that we were to move by motor-bus at 7 this morning; so
we all decided to go to bed. We got up at 4.30 this morning and had
breakfast. We were then informed that the move was 'washed out' for
to-day, and that we were to carry on with training. A parade was
ordered, and took place at 6.30, for the purpose of proceeding to the
training area as per yesterday; but it rained, and the parade was
dismissed with orders to stand by until further orders. Then a
box-respirator inspection in billets, with drill on same, was ordered
and took place; it was, I may incidentally remark, the second they had
already had during the day. This kind of thing went on for some time;
the weather cleared up; and then another parade was ordered and took
place at 9.15. We then marched off to the training area. We went four or
five miles this time, further than we went yesterday. We passed through
that village where the padre and I lost the Battalion on the march here
on Saturday! We halted in a field beyond that village. Then Colonel
Best-Dunkley asked for all officers. We all sat round him on the grass
for about a quarter of an hour while he explained to us a tactical
scheme which the Battalion was now to carry out in the district. We then
carried out the tactical scheme which took place over potato fields and
fine crops--it seemed a great pity for the farmers! We all had to move
our platoons across country to a certain position, each platoon
proceeding separately, but, of course, keeping its correct distance from
the others, and, by means of scouts and runners, keeping in
communication. On the front along which I had to proceed with my platoon
there were numerous fields enclosed by thick hedges and awkward
obstacles; but I got it along all right, without either map or compass.
In one lane I encountered Major Brighten, sitting on horseback. He asked
me various questions about the position, and gave me a word or two of
advice. I really like Major Brighten very much; he is the nicest, as
well as one of the most capable, officer in the Battalion. When the
scheme was over, Halstead told me that my platoon was in exactly the
right position. That information was a pleasant surprise!
"We then marched back. Some of the way I rode on Halstead's horse,
'Peter.' He must be a very good horse, because I got along all right; he
did not play any pranks. We got back at 3.45.... We had a kind of lunch
at 4 p.m. At 5.30 we attended a conference of all officers at Battalion
Headquarters. The Colonel discussed the scheme, and criticized most
officers very roundly; fortunately he had nothing whatever to say about
me! While we were there the Adjutant opened an order from Brigade to the
effect that the move is now cancelled altogether; so we are remaining
here for our training. I am glad."
"June 21st.
"We were up at 4 again this morning. I am becoming very 'fed up' with
this stupidly early rising. I have no particular objection to shells or
to route marches in themselves; but I do object to being awakened from a
pleasant sleep and having to get up at 4 every morning! It makes one
feel so washed out.
"At 5 we marched off on a Battalion route march. We went round about
nine miles, and got back at 9.45. Then there was a kit inspection; then
gas drill. This afternoon I had a stroll in the woods. There was a foot
inspection at 4; there is a battle-order inspection at 5.40; and this
evening there is to be bayonet fighting and bombing! The men are, quite
naturally, not pleased."
"June 22nd.
"We marched off at 6 this morning to a range about seven miles away (at
Cormette). When we had been going about twenty minutes it began to rain.
It rained all the way, but we went on just the same. I had no coat, so
was thoroughly wet. When we got to the range it was still raining. We
had lunch there and discussed whether to fire or not. We got there at 9.
At 11 it was decided to return without firing."
This, I remember, was the occasion upon which I first met John
Bodington, who had just returned to the Battalion, from leave I suppose.
He was then second-in-command of D Company, and did not possess a single
ribbon. Few could have guessed what a remarkable military future lay
before him. "I should guess he's about the luckiest fellow that ever
dodged a 5.9," remarked a friend, now on the Rhine, who wrote to me the
other day (August 11, 1919).
"It simply poured on the way back. I was drenched to the skin. I do not
think I have ever had such a drenching before. The ground was thick with
mud and slush. We were all horribly dirty. It was 2 p.m. when we got
back. I took off my things and had them dried by the fire. The people in
this billet are really very decent indeed. I went to bed for an hour.
Then tea. At 6 we had a lecture on the compass, by Major Brighten."
"June 23rd.
"Reveille was not quite so early as usual this morning. We did not march
off from here until 8 a.m. We then went, in battle-order, to the
training area. While there I saw, through my field-glasses, General Sir
Hubert Gough, Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Watts, Major-General
Jeudwine, and Brigadier-General Stockwell, on horseback, together with a
whole crowd of staff-officers, on the crest of a hill some distance
away. They were too far off for their faces to be distinguishable; but I
knew that they were the above-mentioned generals because Major Brighten
told us yesterday that they were coming. They were inspecting the
training.
"The weather to-day has been very nice--sunshine, yet neither too hot
nor too cold. We got back at 2. Then lunch. I then went to the farm the
other side of the hill for some milk. Then tea. Then bombing. Then
dinner. Then letter-writing. Now bed!
"Would you mind sending me a Lancashire Fusilier cap badge? Excuse me
asking for something fresh in every letter, but Colonel Best-Dunkley has
conceived the brilliant idea that our battalion should set an example to
the rest of the Brigade--'lead the way,' as he calls it--by having cap
badges in our steel helmets as well as in our soft hats. Of course with
such devices we cannot fail to defeat the enemy next time we encounter
him! What a life!
"We are hoping, but scarcely daring to expect, that a somewhat easier
day will be ours to-morrow, Sunday!"
"June 24th.
"I did not get up until 9 this morning. Church parade was at 10. The
service was, of course, taken by Newman.... The service was held in the
field which is the Battalion parade ground. After the service the padre
had a communion service in a corner of the field for those who wished to
stay. About twenty men stayed, and the following officers--Colonel
Best-Dunkley, Allen, Gratton, Giffin and myself. The padre had a
miniature oak altar, containing a crucifix, with two lighted candles, on
a table.
"After this Colonel Best-Dunkley walked down the lane with us and
accepted Giffin's invitation to come inside B Company's Mess. He had a
drink with us there, and stayed a minute or two. He remarked that it was
a dirty mess, pointed out a match on the floor, and, with his customary
blink and twitch of the nose, asked how we dare ask him into such a
dirty mess; but he also paid us the compliment of saying that B Company
was the best working company in the Battalion! Then we walked up to
Headquarters with him as he wanted us there. He told us that Sir Hubert
Gough expressed himself pleased with the Battalion yesterday. When we
got to Headquarters he gave us a paper to answer--an account of an
operation upon which we were each to write a report. We then returned
and wrote out the reports. Then lunch.
"The weather has been glorious to-day--bright sunshine, with a
refreshing breeze, not too hot. This afternoon I had a walk in the
country beyond this village, and strolled about a thickly-clustered
wood, plucking wild strawberries and eating them. Then back for tea.
Then letter censoring.
" ... We are supposed to do an hour's reading per day of military
text-books, and have to send in to Orderly Room a certificate to that
effect every evening!"
"June 25th.
"We have been to the range again to-day. A and B Companies went later
than the others, so we did not leave here until 8.45. It was 11.45 when
we got there. The weather was glorious as usual; and, since there was a
slight breeze, it was not too hot. We got the men into details of eight
and fired this time. We had taken our lunch with us, and so we had it
there. The ground there (at Cormette) is very high, and there is a
splendid view. I put my glass on it. We remained there until 4. Then we
marched back....
"I had three sergeants with my platoon to-day--Sergeant Clews, the
platoon-sergeant, Sergeant Dawson, and Sergeant Baldwin. The latter I
like very much; he is a very pleasant youth; he was a corporal in 7th
Platoon when I first joined the Battalion. My four section commanders in
8th Platoon are Corporal Pendleton (Bombers), Lance-Corporal Morgan
(Rifleman), Lance-Corporal Flint (Rifle Grenadiers, and Gas N.C.O.), and
Lance-Corporal Riley (Lewis Gunners). Lance-Corporal Topping, of 7th
Platoon, lives in Oldham Road, Middleton; he is a nice easy-going boy; I
like him very much. He told me, when we were out on that working party
on June 9, that he knew my face.
"Since I am on this subject I might mention that there are the following
sergeants in B Company: Sergeant-Major Preston, Quartermaster-Sergeant
Jack, Sergeant Donovan, Sergeant Butterworth, Sergeant Williams, and the
three I have mentioned above. I think the most competent N.C.O. in my
platoon, apart from Dawson, who does not command a section, and Baldwin,
who really belongs to 7th Platoon, is Corporal Pendleton. My servant is
Critchley. He is, of course, in my platoon. He is a very obliging man. I
am perfectly satisfied with him. Officers' servants also act as runners.
I think it is a bit thick on the part of the Colonel making them go on
parade; it means that they have very little time to themselves.
"The B Company officers are: Captain Andrews (Officer Commanding),
Lieutenant Halstead (Second-in-Command) who is Company Commander while
Captain Andrews is on leave, Lieutenant Giffin (a Rossall boy who, with
the traditional Rossall touch, tries to play the 'senior sub'
part--always ticking one off and making personal remarks),
Second-Lieutenant Allen, Second-Lieutenant Gratton, and myself. Gratton
was a private in Gallipoli, and so is a decent sort. Allen is very
orthodox and proper, and gets very 'windy' about being on parade in
time; but he is a good sort and we are great friends. He comes from
Buxton way somewhere. Gratton comes from the south; he was in the Royal
Fusiliers as a Tommy. Halstead comes from Haslingden; he is a very
decent, calm, fellow. He is married. Giffin comes from Burnley. He is
about my age. Gratton is twenty-seven. The two latter were on leave when
I arrived.
"Two new officers have recently arrived from Scarborough--Walsh and
Hickey. They arrived there from cadet battalions just before I came out
here. They are in A Company, which is at present commanded by Captain
Briggs, Captain Cochrane being on leave. Lieutenant Ronald, an Argyll
and Sutherland Highlander attached to this Battalion--a decent sort--is
also in A Company; he has just been on leave. Leave comes round in turn
throughout the officers of the Battalion; it will be a long time before
my turn comes: perhaps when the war is over! Horace Beesley of D Company
is very nice with me; he is an awfully decent sort. Lieutenant Joye, who
is in command of Headquarters Company, is an amusing fellow; he is large
and fat, with yellow hair and a smiling face. Colonel Best-Dunkley is
always going for him; he had him under open arrest for something paltry
the other day! Lieutenant West is Assistant Adjutant and also physical
training officer. Captain Bodington is in command of D Company while
Captain Blamey is on leave. Reggie Andrews, the Adjutant, amuses me. He
does not seem to worry much, though the Colonel gives him a deuce of a
time; he is very short-sighted, but does not wear glasses. He is very
young.
"I am Orderly Officer to-day and have not performed a single duty
appertaining thereto! It was too late to mount the guard when I got back
from the range; and the Colonel had a conference of all officers this
evening at the time when staff parade was being held. These conferences
are a bore. The Colonel blinks and twitches his nose, and the thing
dawdles on. The subject of the conference on this occasion was to
discuss a Brigade scheme taking place on the training area on
Wednesday."
"June 27th.
"We have had hardly a moment to ourselves during the last two days. At 9
yesterday morning we walked to the training area, as all officers and
N.C.O.'s had to reconnoitre the area in which the Brigade stunt was to
take place to-day. When we got a little beyond the aerodrome, Allen,
Verity, Barker and I got a lift in a Flying Corps tender as far as
(Cormette), the little village where we had to assemble at 10. We then
went over the area using maps, and the scheme was explained. The area
was exactly the same in dimensions as that with which we shall have to
deal in the great battle, and positions were named by the names of
positions which we shall attack then; strong points were marked by rings
of flags. We spent a terribly long time up there; we sat down waiting
for company commanders to return for about two hours. The whole thing, I
am sure, could have been done in much less time. The position of advance
allotted to our Battalion was on the extreme left of the Brigade, B
Company on the left of the Battalion, and 8th Platoon, therefore, on the
extreme left of the Brigade....
"It was nearly 5 p.m. before we got back, having had no lunch. We had
some then. At 6.30 we had to attend a conference at Battalion
Headquarters. It was 8 when we got back to B Company Mess, so then
dinner; and at 9.15 we were on parade for marching off on this Brigade
stunt! It was midnight when the Battalion reached the village where we
had assembled in the morning; we felt very tired and sleepy. The first
thing we did was to get all the dispositions of the Battalion (the same
happened throughout the whole Brigade) effected under darkness, every
section in its correct place. The dew had fallen very thickly and the
long grass and corn were wringing wet; consequently we all got our feet
and legs soaked. Then dummy ammunition was distributed. At about 2 a.m.
we had permission to lie down where we were and get some sleep if we
could! I lay down in the dirt at the roadside and had an hour or two's
sleep. At about 3.30, when it was becoming light, I was awakened, my
teeth chattering horribly, hearing the Brigadier-General strafing
somebody! General Stockwell and his Staff seemed to be walking up and
down all night. I saw them just before I went to sleep, and the first
object which I saw on opening my eyes again was General Stockwell. I
hear that poor Best-Dunkley got it hot again from the Brigadier about
something during the night! The fiery young General seemed to be on the
war-path.
"At 5.15 we had breakfast, cooked in the travelling cook-waggons. We
had to keep going up and down the line most of the time, explaining the
scheme to the section commanders. Then Colonel Best-Dunkley went along
the line asking questions. The first section commander he dropped on was
poor Topping, who had only been put on the particular job last night; he
had been somewhere else yesterday when it was all explained. The Colonel
asked him what was the interval between his section and the section on
his right; he did not know! 'You see, your section commanders don't know
their orders,' blinked the Colonel.
"7th and 8th platoons were merged into one under Giffin. I commanded the
left wing, consisting of the sections of Lance-Corporal Topping and
Lance-Corporal Heap. We were the fourth wave, supporting the two
platoons of Gratton and Allen who were in the third wave. The idea was
that another brigade had taken all the strong points, and our brigade
had to push forward past them and penetrate the enemy's lines to a
certain distance, consolidate, and repel counter-attacks. The other
brigades were supposed to have gone over the top at dawn. So we went
over at 7 a.m. We went forward very nicely, under cover of a 'creeping
barrage' which was represented by drums rumbling and flags waving. At
the little village of (Noir Carme) Giffin went to the right, and I took
Topping's and Heap's sections through the village and round to a field
the other side where I turned half-left and awaited Giffin's arrival on
the right. When he came up we all advanced to our final objective which
was in advance of the Battalion's objective. We have to go to the
outpost line. Then we sent off flares to signal to the aircraft that we
had reached our objective; and then we were supposed to be digging in
and putting out wire, patrolling, and resisting counter-attacks! As a
matter of fact we sat there for a an hour or two. My two sections were
on the extreme left of the whole Brigade.
"At 11.30 the stunt was declared over and the men went home; but General
Stockwell wished to see all the officers in the Brigade. So we assembled
near the aerodrome. The General was very agreeable; he was in a most
agreeable and accommodating mood; he seemed very pleased indeed with
everything. He spoke for about twenty minutes on the operations. He is
really a brilliant speaker. He said that on the whole the advance was
carried out very well indeed, that the right was not quite so good, but
that the left was very good indeed; we kept our dressing splendidly!
Giffin and I exchanged glances of satisfaction. At the close of his
speech General Stockwell said that we must do the scheme once or twice
again, and asked the colonels (Best-Dunkley, Hindle, Heath, and
Balfour) whether 9.30 to-morrow morning would be agreeable on the
training area. Colonel Best-Dunkley said that it would do quite well;
but Colonel Heath objected that the men were all tired and would require
some sleep--would not Friday be better? 'Very well then; I'm quite
agreeable to have it on Friday; you can do what you like to-morrow,'
replied the General in a jovial tone. We were all very pleased. The
conference over we set off back. Thus ended our first 'dress rehearsal'!
"When we got back we had some lunch. Then, at 2 in the afternoon we went
to bed. At 5.30 Critchley wakened me with the information that there was
a conference of all officers at the aerodrome at 6. Allen immediately
got the 'wind up,' but I pointed out to him that even if it were
correct, which I doubted, the thing was now out of the question so far
as we were concerned; so we might as well remain in bed and get up at
our leisure. As a matter of fact, the information turned out to be
incorrect: it was merely company commanders who were required--Halstead
had gone.
"We got up for dinner at 8. Captain Andrews had then returned from
leave. When Halstead got back he was jolly glad to find that he was
relieved from the responsibilities and worries of a company commander.
But Captain Andrews is going to be second-in-command of the Battalion
in the forthcoming battle, as Major Brighten, who is now home on leave,
may not be there; so Halstead will have to command B Company in the
operations, and this scheme is to hold good, with regard to all schemes
and rehearsals concerning the operations."
"June 29th.
"We are working very hard just now, and it is all I can do to find time
to write letters; one's natural inclination is to sleep when one has an
afternoon free after a strenuous morning, but some letters must be
written, so I must write.
"Yesterday morning we rose at 8.30 and had breakfast. Then we received
notification that all officers and N.C.O.'s were to parade at the
aerodrome at 10.30 for a lecture. So we walked there. There was not much
of a lecture. A Royal Flying Corps officer explained some aeroplane
signals to us, and then an aeroplane went up and exhibited them. Then we
were told that we could dismiss. So we walked back again. We all thought
it a 'wash out' having us up there just for that. Colonel Best-Dunkley
stayed behind to have a fly. I will not repeat the hopes which were
expressed by certain of his battalion! He flew over our village and
dropped a message at Battalion Headquarters. All went off without any
accidents!
"We had lunch when we got back. Then I censored two hundred letters. We
had a thunder-storm and a heavy fall of rain in the evening. I went to
bed soon after dinner. There was no mail yesterday.
"This morning we rose at 5.30. We marched off at 6.30 and did the
Brigade stunt again on the training area. I am getting rather fed up
with Giffin on parade. He nearly landed me in the soup this morning by
his dictatorial interference; he seems to like to make one realize that
he is a full lieutenant! When I had got Topping's section down on to the
road just before the village he signalled for me to bring it back again.
The result was a 'box-up,' and we got right behind our wave, whereas if
we had gone straight on we would have kept in line; but, fortunately, I
got right again in a few minutes. We finished at 12.40. Then all
officers had to attend a conference with the General again. General
Stockwell was very pleased with the show, and had no complaints. I am
getting to like General Stockwell very much; his face is not unlike that
of the great Sir David Beatty.
"We felt jolly tired after it all. It was hot and tiring walking back.
We got back at 3 p.m. Then lunch. Giffin had the decency to apologize
for his nastiness. 'I hope you did not mind me cursing you this morning,
Floyd,' he said. I replied that I did not, but said that I thought that
it would have been better for me to go on when I had got on the road.
Of course, he did not agree! When on the march if I call out a step he
washes it out and says that it is the wrong one. And he is always
criticizing one. Halstead is very different; he does not interfere with
one; in fact, he has complimented me on all occasions of these schemes.
After the General had mentioned that the left did so well the other day
Halstead said in the Mess: 'Yes, our left flank was fine, thanks to
Floyd; he managed it like a general!' That is, of course exaggeration in
the opposite direction; I make no claim to any talents of that kind: but
it is encouraging for one's company commander to talk like that, more
encouraging than the way the second-in-command, Giffin, behaves. Giffin
is quite agreeable generally, but I do not like his patronizing air.
"We have packed and sent off our kit-bags this evening, as we are
returning to the trenches in a day or two. So if you do not get any
letters for a few days shortly, do not get the wind up; I will write
whenever I have time....
"I am rather surprised to hear of the change in the Mediterranean
Command. I gather that Sir Archibald Murray, towards whom I entertained
such complete confidence, is sharing the fate of his famous predecessor,
Sir Ian Hamilton; for I learn that Sir Edmund Allenby, the victor of
Arras, is leaving France to take command in Egypt. Sir Julian Byng has
been appointed to command the Third Army in his place, and General Byng
is succeeded by General Currie as commander of the Canadian Corps.
Things have certainly been very quiet in Palestine lately; but I think
that is the fault of Sir William Robertson in taking Douglas' 42nd
Division away from Murray; but poor Murray gets sacked because he fails
to get on when supplied with insufficient troops! I am sorry. I had
pictured Sir Archibald Murray leading a victorious wing at Armageddon,
but that, apparently, is not now to be: Sir Edmund Allenby reigns in his
stead. Perhaps the new general will have more troops sent out to him;
perhaps we shall now get a move on in Palestine, so important a theatre
of operations; the arrival of Sir Edmund Allenby in the East may prove
the signal for a fresh offensive out there.[3] Sir Stanley Maude has
been very quiet lately; but I suppose the weather will be adverse to
operations in Mesopotamia at present. I wonder why something is not done
with Sir George Milne's force at Salonica. Apparently all is not even
yet plain sailing in Greece. There is still intrigue going on. I do not
think Venizelos is going to have everything his own way, even now King
Constantine has gone to Switzerland. Switzerland is now, I think, the
theatre of important diplomatic intrigues. I think King Constantine's
abdication is only temporary; I think King Alexander only reigns for the
period of the war. Do not fret--King Constantine knows what he is doing!
"What about Holland? There seems to be trouble there. And, as Father
remarks, Ireland is troublesome again; but Sir Bryan Mahon ought to be
able to deal with the insurgents, even though Lord Wimborne is still
Viceroy; and Duke is a better Chief Secretary than Birrell!
"How is Lord Rhondda going on as Food Controller? Are things any better
than they were under Devonport? Lloyd George seems to be declining in
popularity. And the people seem determined not to have Churchill in
office! So what will happen? Things are very quaint at present.
"Well, darkness has descended upon the country-side; it is time I was
retiring to rest; I therefore lay down my pen. Good night!"
My diary, under date June 30, states: "A quiet morning. Inspections.
Then went to see relief plan of area of our forthcoming attack in a
field at Boisdinghem."
Thus ended our long rest. The evening of June 30--our last at
Westbecourt--is one which is still well remembered by those who were
there, and still much spoken of by those who were not there! It was a
lively evening in the various company messes. Champagne was much in
demand, and "all went merry as a marriage bell." I will never forget the
fun we had in B Company Mess that evening. I laughed for two hours
without ceasing. At 11 p.m. I returned to my billet whence the staid and
quiet Allen had already preceded me. I talked volubly to him for about a
quarter of an hour, apparently causing him considerable amusement, and
then would insist on going back to the mess for my _Church Times_ which
I had left there. When I got there the mess was locked up, so I had to
return without it! The most amusing point about this episode is that an
officer who was in another company mess at the time has always professed
to know more about the happenings in B Company Mess that evening than
any B Company officers who were present!
FOOTNOTE:
[3] See Appendix I.