During the past few days the Battalion has passed through experiences
which have tested the soldier-like qualities of all ranks to the
utmost degree.
You have stood the test in the finest possible way, and the fact that
our line still remains intact and stronger than ever, and that very
heavy casualties have been inflicted on a brave and resolute enemy,
redounds very greatly to the credit of all concerned.
I wish to mention the magnificent defence put up by D Company during
two days of very great stress and difficulty.
Five times a determined enemy, supported by all means at his disposal,
has attempted to drive in our post, and five times he has been thrown
back with heavy losses.
I also wish to mention the very excellent work done by all ranks of C
Company: first in capturing the positions from the enemy which we now
hold; secondly, for re-establishing our post when a strong attack by
the enemy had temporarily driven it in; and lastly, for the very
gallant manner in which the successful raid was carried out by them in
co-operation with D Company on the afternoon of September 26.
All the companies have done a tremendous amount of work in
consolidating the new positions and in daring patrol work.
A and B Companies on the right have been subjected to the trial of
heavy shelling in their posts on several occasions. I know that the
Officers Commanding and all ranks of A and B Companies will be the
first to join me in congratulating D and C Companies for their
magnificent work.
With the certain knowledge that soldier-like qualities of the highest
order exist throughout all the companies, we can look forward
confidently to the future. Whatever tasks lie in front of you will be
carried out to the utmost of your powers.
The fine work of the past few days is worthy of the very best
traditions of our magnificent regiment, and the Queen’s Own will
always be proud of the officers, N.C.O.s, and men, many of whom have
laid down their lives, who have done such sterling work during this
week of stress.
H. J. WENYON, _Lieut.-Col._,
Commanding 8th Service Battalion
Royal West Kent Regiment.
Battalion Headquarters,
_September 27, 1918_.
On the right company front during these days the enemy artillery fire
had been very heavy, particularly in the vicinity of a post known as the
Zeppelin. This was in the ruins of some dilapidated factory, the twisted
iron of which stood up very much in the shape of the framework of a
large airship.
On the night of the 27th/28th, after shelling this neighbourhood heavily
for twenty minutes with 5·9’s, the enemy attempted to raid the post on
the right of the Zeppelin. The post was held by B Company, and when the
shelling started, about midnight, 2nd Lieut. C. P. H. Manley, who was
the platoon commander, got his men into a dug-out for shelter.
Immediately the artillery fire lifted, 2nd Lieut. Manley got the men
into position, and seeing a party of the enemy at very close quarters,
he got the Lewis gun into action himself, while the men used their
rifles. Immediately after this, bombs and rifle fire came from the
north, and 2nd Lieut. Manley saw another party of the enemy approaching
him from that flank. He at once moved his post a few yards further south
to a point from which he could command both raiding parties. From this
point he brought rifle and Lewis-gun fire to bear on the enemy, who,
after throwing one sulphur bomb into the now unoccupied dug-out,
scattered and withdrew in considerable disorder. Just at this minute 2nd
Lieut. Manley was badly wounded in the neck, but the enemy, who were in
much greater strength than our post, had already been defeated. On
searching the ground afterwards, one German rifle and five mobile
charges were discovered near the post, and it is believed casualties
were inflicted on the enemy, but the night was very dark and nothing
definite could be seen. The men supported 2nd Lieut. Manley splendidly,
and the next post also joined in with rifle fire during the enemy’s
retirement.
2nd Lieut. Manley handled the position with great resource, and by his
quick grasp of the situation and fearless leadership undoubtedly
frustrated a very dangerous attempt to capture his post. He was awarded
the Military Cross, but never heard of his honour, as he died of wounds
six days after the raid. Very quiet in his manner, he was a most
excellent officer, and was very popular. His death was a great loss to
his company, and to the Battalion.
It was at about this time that we lost the services of our Adjutant,
Capt. R. P. Baker, M.C. He seems to have developed some form of blood
poisoning, and had to go into hospital. We all expected him back in a
week or two, but it was more serious than we supposed, and he never
rejoined the Battalion. He came out as a Platoon Commander after the
Battle of the Somme, assumed the duties of adjutant in November 1916,
and held the appointment for over eighteen months. A general officer
once called him “a b—— half-baked civilian,” because their views on some
point did not quite agree, and Baker declined to alter his to suit the
general’s but it was in reality a very erroneous estimation of his
military qualities. He was a good disciplinarian and a hard worker, and,
unlike some adjutants, did not confine his activities when in the line
to an office in a safe dug-out. His chief hobby was salvage. He was
awarded the Military Cross in 1918 for consistently able and gallant
work over a long period. 2nd Lieut. C. F. C. Mackaskie, who had been
acting as assistant-adjutant, took over the duties of adjutant.
We had just previously said good-bye to our Padre, who was promoted to
be senior chaplain to the Naval Division. Rev. G. D. Barlow-Poole joined
the Battalion at Blackdown Camp just before we sailed for France, and he
remained with us for three years. He was not exclusively our own
property, as he was also padre to the East Surreys, but he always took a
very keen interest in all phases of the life of our Battalion, and his
departure was keenly felt by all ranks. He was indefatigable in his work
for the comfort and welfare of the troops, and was very popular, which
is perhaps the criterion by which a padre’s work can be best judged. He
was frequently to be found wandering about the front line, and performed
most gallant service throughout the March Retreat, for which he was
awarded the Military Cross.
From the 27th onwards the enemy commenced to blow up his dug-outs. He
had finally given up all idea of ejecting us from our advanced
positions, and he could see that we intended to advance still further.
Such a clear instance of the enemy being defeated utterly in a straight
fight is difficult to imagine, and it was all done by the matchless
gallantry of a mere handful of men. Our whole Division was on the point
of being relieved, but before we left Lens for the last time at the end
of September, it was obvious that the enemy was preparing rapidly for a
retirement all along this front. His shelling at close range ceased
entirely, and the destruction of his defences on all sides went on
continually.
On the night of September 29/30 we were relieved by the 2/24th London
Regiment, who had just arrived from Palestine.
It was a dog-tired but triumphant Battalion that marched down the old
Fosse 11 road to Bully-Grenay that night.
We expected, correctly, that we should soon be in the fight again,
assisting in the hunt of a retreating enemy further south. All this
would be new to us, yet we looked forward with confidence to anything
that might come along. The Battalion had been tried in the fire for a
full month, and in a perfect inferno for a week. It had come out
tempered and steeled.