APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JULY 1917
_Diary of the War_
[Sidenote: 1917.]
The British offensive operations still continued with great success,
and considerable progress was made on the famous Vimy Ridge. An
advance on a 50-miles front was undertaken in the direction of
Cambrai, and 19,343 prisoners were taken, in addition to 257 guns and
227 trench mortars. The Germans made fierce counter-attacks, but were
not sufficiently strong to check the advance, and even the Hindenburg
switch line was broken through. A further offensive from Ypres to
Armentières was commenced, and there was some very stiff fighting on
the Messines-Wytschaete ridge. The French were equally successful, and
having gained positions between Soissons and Craonne they pushed
forward on a 100-miles front, taking 20,000 prisoners. In May they
succeeded in capturing Craonne, and the important position on the
Chemin des Dames. During the Allied offensive 52,000 Germans were
taken prisoner, and 446 guns and 1000 machine-guns fell into our
hands.
The Italians made good progress on the slopes of Monte Santo and on
the heights of Gorizia, and there was some fierce fighting on Monte
Vodia. Later San Giovanni was taken and the Timavo crossed, when there
was more fighting on the Corso Plateau. In Russia the war was at a
standstill, although a certain amount of fighting still continued in
isolated places. In Greece the situation was still so unsatisfactory
that the Allies agreed to let France undertake the whole Greek
question. M. Jonnart was accordingly sent to Athens, where he at once
demanded the abdication of King Constantine. Two days later King
Constantine abdicated in favour of his second son Alexander, who was
proclaimed King.
In Mesopotamia General Sir Stanley Maude gained two victories over the
retreating Turks near Deltawa and Istabulat.
The following nations severed relations with Germany and joined the
Allies: Cuba, Brazil, Bolivia, Liberia, and Honduras.
THE 1ST BATTALION
[Sidenote: 1st Batt. April.]
The officers of the 1st Battalion on April 1, 1917, were:
Lieut.-Colonel M. E. Makgill-Crichton-
Maitland, D.S.O. Commanding Officer.
Major E.N.E.M. Vaughan D.S.O. Second in Command.
Capt. P. J. S. Pearson-Gregory Adjutant.
Lieut. W. J. Dashwood Signalling Officer.
Lieut. R. P. le P. Trench, M.C. Bombing Officer.
Lieut. T. P. M. Bevan Lewis Gun Officer.
Lieut. D. H. S. Riddiford Transport Officer.
Lieut. and Quartermaster J. Teece Quartermaster.
Capt. L. G. Fisher-Rowe King’s Company.
Lieut. C. Wilkinson ” ”
Lieut. R. F. W. Echlin ” ”
2nd Lieut. F. T. Maurice ” ”
2nd Lieut. R. H. Rolfe ” ”
Capt. C. D. Baker No. 2 Company.
2nd Lieut. S. Y. P. Gardner ” ”
Capt. P. M. Spence No. 3 Company.
Lieut. P. G. Simmons ” ”
2nd Lieut. J. F. Eastwood ” ”
2nd Lieut. H. Bird ” ”
2nd Lieut. O. F. Stein ” ”
Capt. R. D. Lawford No. 4 Company.
Lieut. N. G. Chamberlain ” ”
2nd Lieut. W. H. Lovell ” ”
Capt. J. C. B. Grant, R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.
The whole of April was spent by the 1st Battalion in working on the
railway and in training. Second Lieutenant A. S. Chambers joined on
the 11th; Lieutenant E. G. L. King, Second Lieutenant H. G. Johnson,
and Second Lieutenant J. W. Chapple on the 30th. On the 26th Captain
C. V. Fisher-Rowe arrived to take up the duties of Second in Command,
but did not remain long, as he was appointed a week later
Brigade-Major to the 51st Infantry Brigade.
[Sidenote: May.]
May was spent in very much the same way, with three companies on
railway fatigue and one company training. The Commanding Officer,
Lieut.-Colonel Maitland, started competitions in all the various arts
of war, and there seems no doubt that these competitions made the men
keen and fostered a spirit of friendly rivalry between the various
teams. There were also tactical schemes in open warfare, so that if by
any chance the German line should break, the men would know how to
act. The latter part of the month was devoted solely to training, and
the Commanding Officer was able to assemble the whole Battalion.
Captain Viscount Lascelles arrived on the 2nd, and a few days later
was promoted to the rank of temporary Major, and appointed Second in
Command. Lieutenant G. F. Pauling, M.C., joined on the 2nd. On the
31st the Battalion went by train to St. Omer, and subsequently to
Campagne.
[Sidenote: June.]
For the first fortnight in June it remained training at Campagne, and
then proceeded to Zudausques. On the 18th it moved to Herzeele, where
it remained until July 13.
[Sidenote: July.]
The officers of the 1st Battalion on July 1, 1917, were:
Lieut.-Colonel M. E. Makgill-Crichton-
Maitland, D.S.O. Commanding Officer.
Major H. G. C. Viscount Lascelles Second in Command.
Capt. P. J. S. Pearson-Gregory Adjutant.
2nd Lieut. O. F. Stein Bombing Officer.
Lieut. W. H. Lovell Lewis Gun Officer.
Lieut. D. H. S. Riddiford Transport Officer.
Lieut. and Quartermaster J. Teece, M.C. Quartermaster.
Capt. L. G. Fisher-Rowe, M.C. King’s Company.
Lieut. G. F. Pauling, M.C. ” ”
Lieut. T. P. M. Bevan ” ”
Lieut. M. Thrupp ” ”
Capt. C. D. Baker No. 2 Company.
Lieut. B. L. Lawrence ” ”
Lieut. E. G. L. King ” ”
2nd Lieut. S. Y. P. Gardner ” ”
Capt. P. M. Spence No. 3 Company.
Lieut. W. J. Dashwood ” ”
Lieut. P. G. Simmons ” ”
Capt. R. D. Lawford No. 4 Company.
Lieut. N. G. Chamberlain ” ”
Lieut. R. P. le P. Trench, M.C. ” ”
Lieut. R. F. W. Echlin ” ”
2nd Lieut. F. W. Chapple ” ”
2nd Lieut. A. S. Chambers ” ”
Capt. J. C. B. Grant, R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.
The 3rd Guards Brigade now moved up into the line in order to take
part in the attack by the Guards Division on the 31st. The Battalion
Headquarters were at Boesinghe Château, and all four companies had two
platoons in the front line. The two days spent in the trenches were
uncomfortable and noisy, but there were no casualties. The Germans
raided the 1st Battalion Irish Guards which was on the right, and the
platoon on the right of the Grenadiers’ line was involved, but Second
Lieutenant Johnson, who was in command, succeeded in preventing the
enemy reaching our lines.
On the 15th the 1st Battalion came out of the line, and retired to de
Wippe Cabaret, where for ten days it was employed in carrying up
ammunition and war material to the front line. This necessitated
constant visits to the front trenches always under shell-fire, and
there were in consequence many casualties. On the 22nd Lieutenant E.
G. L. King was killed by a shell close up to the front trench while in
command of a fatigue party. The loss of so promising and keen an
officer just before the attack was most unfortunate for the Battalion.
On the 24th Second Lieutenant R. H. Rolfe, who had only just rejoined
from hospital, was wounded in the same way. Second Lieutenant L. de J.
Harvard joined the Battalion on the 15th, and on the 28th the
Battalion moved up to Forest Camp so as to be ready to take its place
in the line for the attack on the 31st.
THE 2ND BATTALION
[Sidenote: 2nd Batt. April.]
The officers of the 2nd Battalion on April 1, 1917, were:
Lieut.-Colonel C. K. C. de Crespigny, D.S.O. Commanding Officer.
Major the Hon. W. R. Bailey, D.S.O. Second in Command.
Lieut. A. H. Penn Adjutant.
Lieut. G. G. M. Vereker Transport Officer.
Quartermaster and Hon. Lieut. W. E. Acraman,
D.C.M. Quartermaster.
Capt. J. N. Buchanan No. 1 Company.
Lieut. F. A. M. Browning ” ”
Lieut. J. C. Cornforth ” ”
2nd Lieut. R. G. Briscoe ” ”
2nd Lieut. T. Smith ” ”
Lieut. A. T. A. Ritchie, M.C. No. 2 Company.
Lieut. the Hon. F. H. Manners ” ”
Lieut. F. H. G. Layland-Barratt, M.C. ” ”
Lieut. T. A. Combe ” ”
Lieut. R. G. C. Napier ” ”
Capt. C. F. A. Walker, M.C. No. 3 Company.
Lieut. A. W. Acland ” ”
Lieut. K. O’G. Harvard ” ”
2nd Lieut. Lord I. B. G. T. Blackwood ” ”
2nd Lieut. H. M. Wilson ” ”
2nd Lieut. I. FitzG. S. Gunnis ” ”
Capt. G. C. FitzH. Harcourt-Vernon, D.S.O. No. 4 Company.
Lieut. R. A. W. Bicknell ” ”
Lieut. J. H. Jacob ” ”
Lieut. J. Tabor ” ”
Lieut. R. E. H. Oliver ” ”
Capt. J. A. Andrews, M.C., R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.
Hon. Captain A. Williams, with Regimental Band.
During the first week in April the 2nd Battalion remained in camp at
Ginchy, and was employed in road-making. Later it moved to Rocquigny
for a week, and then on to Bronfay to train. The monotony of company
training was relieved by brigade competitions, and No. 11 Platoon
under Lieutenant Gunnis succeeded not only in winning the prize, but
also in being first in every event――a very remarkable performance.
[Sidenote: May.]
On May 9 the Battalion marched _via_ Maricourt, Guillemont, and Ginchy
to a camp near Lesbœufs, and three days later moved to Le Mesnil,
where it worked on the railway. On the 20th it returned to Bronfay,
and on the way halted for half-an-hour to enable the men to view the
memorial to officers and men of the Regiment who had been killed there
in September 1916. It consisted of an oak cross about ten feet high,
made out of wood collected from the ruins of Lesbœufs. On May 22 the
Battalion went to Sailly-le-Sec, where it remained till the end of the
month, when it went by train _via_ Cassel and Bavinchove to Renescure.
[Sidenote: June.]
During the first fortnight in June the 2nd Battalion remained at
Renescure training and going through a course of musketry, and on the
16th marched to Winnezeele. The weather was fine, and though the heat
was great the men stood the marching well. On the 18th the Battalion
marched into Belgium, and went into bivouacs at Proven, where it
remained for two days and then moved to Herzeele. On the 20th it
attended a parade at which General Antoine, commanding the First
French Army, presented crosses of the Legion of Honour and medals to
officers of the Fifth British Army. At the conclusion of the parade
the Battalion marched past followed by the 2nd Battalion Coldstream
Guards, and then returned to billets. On the 24th it marched to de
Wippe Cross-roads, where it remained a week. The enemy’s big guns
carried out some long-distance shelling, chiefly on the roads at
night, but fortunately the 2nd Battalion suffered no casualties. On
the 28th it marched to Cardoen Farm.
[Sidenote: July.]
The officers of the 2nd Battalion on July 1, 1917, were:
Lieut.-Colonel C. R. C. de Crespigny, D.S.O. Commanding Officer.
Major the Hon. W. R. Bailey, D.S.O. Second in Command.
Lieut. A. H. Penn Adjutant.
Lieut. G. G. M. Vereker Transport Officer.
Hon. Lieut. W. E. Acraman, M.C., D.C.M. Quartermaster.
Capt. J. N. Buchanan No. 1 Company.
Lieut. F. A. M. Browning ” ”
Lieut. J. C. Cornforth ” ”
2nd Lieut. P. A. A. Harbord ” ”
2nd Lieut. R. G. Briscoe ” ”
Capt. A. T. A. Ritchie, M.C. No. 2 Company.
Lieut. A. S. L. St. J. Mildmay ” ”
Lieut. the Hon. F. H. Manners ” ”
Lieut. F. H. G. Layland-Barratt, M.C. ” ”
Lieut. R. G. C. Napier ” ”
Capt. C. F. A. Walker, M.C. No. 3 Company.
Capt. Sir A. L. M. Napier, Bart. ” ”
Lieut. K. O’G. Harvard ” ”
Lieut. A. W. Acland ” ”
2nd Lieut. H. M. Wilson ” ”
2nd Lieut. Lord I. B. G. T. Blackwood ” ”
2nd Lieut. I. FitzG. S. Gunnis ” ”
Capt. G. C. FitzH. Harcourt-Vernon, D.S.O. No. 4 Company.
Lieut. J. H. Jacob ” ”
Lieut. R. E. H. Oliver ” ”
Lieut. J. Tabor ” ”
2nd Lieut. F. H. J. Drummond ” ”
Capt. J. A. Andrews, M.C., R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.
Capt. C. F. Lyttelton Chaplain of the Forces.
On July 2 the 2nd Battalion relieved the 3rd Battalion Coldstream
Guards in the Boesinghe Sector, which was soon to become the site
selected for an offensive. The Belgians at the time were on the right,
and were subsequently relieved by the French. The trenches occupied by
the Battalion were extended for about 1500 yards along the western
bank of the Yser Canal. The first day was spent in improving the
position, and as soon as it became dark the men were mostly employed
in carrying up material of all kinds to the front area. At 11.30 P.M.
orders were received from the Brigadier to make two raids into the
enemy’s lines, with a view to obtaining identification of the German
regiments employed there, as well as information as to the whereabouts
of the German trench. Lieut.-Colonel de Crespigny decided to send out
two parties: the first consisting of No. 11 Platoon, under Second
Lieutenant I. FitzG. S. Gunnis, whose task it was to capture, if
possible, a prisoner; and the second under Second Lieutenant Lord
Basil Blackwood with a party of five men from No. 10 Platoon, who
received orders to reconnoitre in a certain direction. It was a very
dark night, and this was all in favour of the enterprise, but on the
other hand the difficulties of crossing the canal and advancing into
“No Man’s Land,” where the exact disposition of the German defences
were unknown, in absolute darkness, were only too obvious. The first
obstacle to be overcome was the passage of the Yser Canal, and this
was accomplished by means of 5-feet mats made of canvas and wire
netting, nailed to wooden slats. Two of these were used, being placed
in position by two specially detailed parties, and proved most
effective in providing a foothold over the muddy bed of the canal.
Thus the two parties succeeded in crossing without detection by the
enemy.
On arrival on the east side of the canal, Lord Basil Blackwood led his
party on into the darkness, but instead of the trench which they had
expected to find from a previous study of the aeroplane map, there was
nothing but a mass of shell-holes with heavy wire entanglement, which
made it difficult for the party to keep together. After going a
considerable distance over rough and broken ground, rifle-fire was
suddenly opened on them from a dug-out. Lord Basil Blackwood’s orderly
was wounded, while a sapper from the Royal Engineers, who formed one
of the party, was killed. The remainder at once lay down in
shell-holes, and as they waited bombs were thrown at them from the
same direction. Owing to the two men who originally followed him
having become casualties, the party now became scattered. Beyond this
point little is known. A corporal of the Royal Engineers who
accompanied the party, and who was wounded, said that he saw Lord
Basil Blackwood crawl forward after the shots were fired, but
subsequently lost sight of him. The two remaining men of the
Grenadiers assert that they saw him fall, but that owing to the
darkness they completely lost touch with him, and after crawling about
for some time they returned to the canal bank. Unfortunately they
omitted to report all this to their Company Commander, Captain Walker,
who with Colonel de Crespigny and Major Bailey was waiting on the
canal bank for any news of the raiding party. It did not at first
occur to Captain Walker that anything was amiss, but when time wore
on, and Lord Basil Blackwood failed to return, he became uneasy. The
difficulty was, however, that no one could be found to give any
information which would enable a patrol to go out with any hope of
tracing the missing party.
The movements of the other party under Second Lieutenant Gunnis are
even more obscure. After crossing the canal, one portion of the party
went on to form a block on the north side, whilst the remainder worked
south in search of a prisoner. Eventually they found a German trench
and walked down it, until an obstruction of barbed wire made farther
progress impossible. As the sides were too steep to admit of egress,
Second Lieutenant Gunnis gave the order to turn about, with the
intention of retracing his steps and getting out farther back. The
order was apparently misunderstood, and some of the men became
detached. Second Lieutenant Gunnis then entered another trench. He
went along it until he was suddenly fired at, at very close range.
Undeterred by this, he retired a short distance and returned again
outside the trench. Having passed the point from which he was fired
at, he appears to have lost direction, for he went on until he came
upon the dead body of a British soldier, most probably that of the
Engineer, who had accompanied Lord Basil Blackwood’s party. He told
the two men next to him to carry the body back. He intended the
remainder of the party to follow him, but, owing to the darkness,
combined with the broken state of the ground, the orders were
misunderstood. At that moment several bombs were thrown. The men took
what cover they could in shell-holes. When the bombing ceased Second
Lieutenant Gunnis was no longer with the party. Whether he walked on
under the impression that the others were following him, or whether he
was killed by a bomb it is impossible to say. The enemy about this
time sent up S.O.S. signals which brought down a heavy barrage on the
British lines, and this no doubt prevented the survivors of the party
returning in time to enable a patrol to go out before daylight.
During the following day the shelling continued intermittently, but it
was not until the 5th that the Germans began to search the ground in
earnest. Two heavy Minenwerfers were firing from the left front, and
the bombs were falling near the support line. The range was gradually
lengthened until the Battalion Headquarters were reached. Then came a
gas alarm, but the discipline was so good, and gas helmets were put on
so promptly, that although a large number of gas shells pitched on our
front line, there were no casualties. On the 6th the shelling
continued, and one shell pitched in the support line, wounding
Lieutenant Hermon-Hodge and three sergeants, one of whom subsequently
died.
On the 7th the Battalion was relieved, and retired into billets at
Roussel Farm, where it remained until the 11th, ostensibly for a rest,
though the men were constantly employed in carrying material to the
front line. On the 11th they went up into the support system, where
they were employed in repairing the trenches which were being
constantly blown in by shell-fire. All available officers and N.C.O.’s
were taken over the ground which had been selected as the forming-up
area of the Battalion in the coming offensive, and were shown
objectives and landmarks. On the 13th the Battalion was relieved and
marched to Elverdinghe, where it entrained for Proven. On the
following day it marched to Honflond, where it remained for a
fortnight, carefully practising every stage of the attack over ground
exactly representing the German lines, until even the men knew by
heart the lie of the land and the position of the strong points and
farmhouses. On the 15th Lieutenant F. A. Magnay arrived, and on the
16th Lieutenant G. R. Westmacott and Second Lieutenant S. H. Pearson
joined the Battalion. On the 28th the Battalion moved up to Roussel
Farm, and then to the Forest Area, preparatory to taking part in the
offensive on the 31st.
THE 3RD BATTALION
[Sidenote: 3rd Batt. April.]
The officers of the 3rd Battalion on April 1, 1917, were:
Lieut.-Colonel A. F. A. N. Thorne, D.S.O. Commanding Officer.
Major G. E. C. Rasch, D.S.O. Second in Command.
Lieut. the Hon. F. O. H. Eaton Adjutant.
Lieut. K. Henderson Intelligence Officer.
Lieut. M. Duquenoy Transport Officer.
Lieut. G. H. Wall Quartermaster.
Capt. J. C. Craigie, M.C. No. 1 Company.
Lieut. the Hon. A. G. Agar-Robartes ” ”
Lieut. F. J. Siltzer ” ”
2nd Lieut. A. G. Elliott ” ”
Lieut. G. F. R. Hirst No. 2 Company.
Lieut. E. R. M. Fryer ” ”
Lieut. F. W. R. Greenhill ” ”
Lieut. C. A. Hall ” ”
2nd Lieut. A. H. S. Adair ” ”
2nd Lieut. L. Holbech ” ”
Capt. W. W. S. C. Neville No. 3 Company.
Lieut. N. Thornhill ” ”
Lieut. J. C. D. Tetley ” ”
2nd Lieut. the Hon. A. M. Borthwick ” ”
2nd Lieut. G. A. I. Dury ” ”
Capt. R. W. Parker No. 4 Company.
Lieut. F. J. Heasman ” ”
Lieut. J. F. Worsley ” ”
2nd Lieut. C. W. Carrington ” ”
Capt. J. N. L. Thoseby, R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.
April was spent by the 3rd Battalion in road-mending, loading trucks,
and other fatigues. As a rule half the Battalion was engaged on these
works, while the other half, with the exception of those men required
for the ordinary duties, was occupied in training.
[Sidenote: May.]
During May the Battalion continued training at Clery, Billon, Ville,
and Wardrecques.
[Sidenote: June.]
On June 5 Lieut.-Colonel A. F. A. N. Thorne was obliged to go to
hospital with a strained leg, and Captain Craigie temporarily
commanded the Battalion until the 10th, when Major Rasch returned. On
the 17th the Battalion relieved the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in the
support line with their headquarters at Bluet Farm, and although at
first there was not much firing the shelling increased in intensity
each day, with the result that there were quite a number of
casualties. On the 22nd the Battalion was relieved, and returned to
Roussel Farm, where it remained until the end of the month. There were
a great number of hostile aeroplanes over this part of the line, and
the men had constantly to be warned to keep under cover. The Battalion
spent another two days in the trenches on the 26th, and came in for a
great deal of shelling. Second Lieutenant B. J. Dunlop had a lucky
escape; he had just been called away from the bomb-store, where he had
been all day, when a high-explosive shell pitched on it, killing the
men to whom he had been speaking.
[Sidenote: July.]
The officers of the 3rd Battalion on July 1, 1917, were:
Lieut.-Colonel G. E. C. Rasch, D.S.O. Commanding Officer.
Capt. E. D. Ridley, M.C. Second in Command.
Lieut. the Hon. A. G. Agar-Robartes Adjutant.
Lieut. M. Duquenoy Transport Officer.
Lieut. G. H. Wall Quartermaster.
Lieut. K. Henderson Bombing Officer.
Capt. J. C. Craigie, M.C. No. 1 Company.
Lieut. E. R. M. Fryer ” ”
Lieut. F. J. Siltzer ” ”
2nd Lieut. A. G. Elliott ” ”
2nd Lieut. E. G. A. Fitzgerald ” ”
Capt. the Hon. F. O. H. Eaton No. 2 Company.
Lieut. G. F. R. Hirst ” ”.
Lieut. C. A. Hall ” ”
2nd Lieut. L. Holbech ” ”
2nd Lieut. F. W. R. Greenhill ” ”
Capt. W. W. S. C. Neville, M.C. No. 3 Company.
Lieut. J. C. D. Tetley ” ”
Lieut. N. Thornhill ” ”
2nd Lieut. the Hon. A. M. Borthwick ” ”
2nd Lieut. B. J. Dunlop ” ”
Capt. R. W. Parker No. 4 Company.
Lieut. F. J. Worsley ” ”
2nd Lieut. C. W. Carrington ” ”
2nd Lieut. L. E. Dunlop ” ”
2nd Lieut. H. R. Ogle ” ”
2nd Lieut. G. V. G. A. Webster ” ”
Lieut. H. Dearden, R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.
On July 1 the 3rd Battalion went to Wylders, and the following day
moved on to Herzeele. Every detail of the projected attack on the 31st
was carefully rehearsed over specially prepared trenches, and every
officer and N.C.O. was made familiar with the plan of the German lines
and the prominent landmarks. On the 12th Lieut.-Colonel Thorne resumed
command of the Battalion, and Major Rasch went to hospital, his place
as Second in Command being taken by Captain Ridley. On the 13th the
Battalion moved up to the Forest Area and was bivouacked in two
fields. The enemy’s aeroplanes were so busy overhead that the greatest
attention had to be paid to “camouflage,” and everything had to be
hidden as far as possible. The men were constantly employed in
carrying up ammunition and war material to the front trenches, an
arduous and dangerous task since they were continually under
shell-fire. Private Bignell of No. 4 Company behaved with great
coolness and gallantry in carrying from a dug-out a box of Véry lights
which had been set on fire by a pineapple bomb. For this he received
the Military Medal.
On the 18th Second Lieutenant W. H. S. Roper joined, and on the 21st
the Battalion took over the right Brigade Sector near Boesinghe, with
Nos. 1 and 2 Companies in the front trench. For five days the
Battalion remained in the trenches, during which time it suffered much
from shell-fire. Second Lieutenant H. R. Ogle was wounded but remained
at duty, and the casualties among other ranks were 27 killed, 11 died
of wounds, 45 wounded, 10 gassed, 7 to hospital from concussion.
Second Lieutenant G. Webster made an excellent reconnaissance of the
Canal, and discovered four places where it could be crossed without
the men getting very wet. No. 4 Company was to have carried out a raid
to ascertain the strength of the enemy, but at the last moment the
order was cancelled. On the night of the 26th the Battalion was
relieved by the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards, and retired again to
the Forest Area to rest before the attack by the Division on the 31st.
THE 4TH BATTALION
[Sidenote: 4th Batt. April.]
The officers of the 4th Battalion on April 1, 1917, were:
Lieut.-Colonel G. C. Hamilton, D.S.O. Commanding Officer.
Major W. S. Pilcher Second in Command.
Capt. R. S. Lambert, M.C. Adjutant.
Lieut. I. H. Ingleby Act.-Quartermaster.
Lieut. J. B. M. Burke Intelligence Officer.
2nd Lieut. C. E. Benson Transport Officer.
Capt. C. G. Keith, M.C. No. 1 Company.
Lieut. J. N. F. Pixley ” ”
2nd Lieut. E. H. Tuckwell ” ”
2nd Lieut. G. R. Green ” ”
Capt. the Hon. F. E. Needham No. 2 Company.
Lieut. G. H. T. Paton ” ”
Lieut. the Hon. A. H. L. Hardinge ” ”
2nd Lieut. M. P. B. Wrixon ” ”
Capt. C. H. Greville No. 3 Company.
Lieut. R. Farquhar, M.C. ” ”
Lieut. G. C. Sloane-Stanley. ” ”
Lieut. C. S. Nash ” ”
2nd Lieut. T. T. Pryce, M.C. ” ”
Capt. E. G. Spencer-Churchill No. 4 Company.
Lieut. E. R. D. Hoare ” ”
Lieut. R. H. G. Leveson-Gower ” ”
Lieut. C. E. Irby ” ”
2nd Lieut. B. J. Hubbard ” ”
2nd Lieut. N. A. Pearce ” ”
Capt. N. Grellier, M.C., R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.
Lieut.-Colonel G. Hamilton, having been given a command in England,
left to take up his duties and was succeeded by Captain (Brevet Major)
the Viscount Gort, D.S.O., M.V.O., M.C. After a fortnight at Clery the
4th Battalion moved to Cartigny, where it remained for six weeks. On
arrival it had to pitch camp on sodden ground. Though it was snowing
hard and almost dark, the men managed in an incredibly short time to
collect timber from the ruined houses, bring up braziers and pitch
tents, so that a tolerably habitable camp soon sprang up. On the 14th
Captain M. Williams assumed temporary command of the 58th Prisoners of
War Company. The greater portion of the Battalion worked on the
railway, but each company in turn remained behind to do steady drill.
By degrees the Battalion made itself very comfortable, and a canteen
with a recreation room was built, two football grounds were made, and
a cricket-ground begun. The pioneers of the Battalion collected the
debris from the neighbouring ruins and erected stables and various
other buildings. On the 23rd the work on the railway ceased, and all
the companies were left at the disposal of the Commanding Officer.
[Sidenote: May.]
The 4th Battalion remained at Cartigny until May 18, practising all
the latest developments of the attack, but the work on the railway
again claimed three companies, and it was only occasionally that the
Commanding Officer had the whole Battalion at his disposal for
training purposes. Second Lieutenant R. G. West joined the Battalion
on the 1st of May, Second Lieutenant R. C. Denman on the 2nd, Second
Lieutenant H. W. Windeler on the 16th, and on the 12th Second
Lieutenant N. A. Pearce was appointed Transport Officer. On the 18th
the Battalion marched to Bronfay, and on the way was inspected by
Major-General Feilding commanding the Guards Division. The following
day it proceeded to Corbie, where it remained training until the end
of the month.
[Sidenote: June.]
At the beginning of June it moved on by train to Le Rons. Second
Lieutenant J. M. Chitty joined the Battalion on the 4th, and Second
Lieutenant F. R. Oliver and Second Lieutenant J. J. M. Veitch on the
7th. Company training and musketry were carried out during the
fortnight spent at Le Rons, and on the 17th the Battalion moved to
Herzeele, where the whole Brigade manœuvred together. On the 21st
Captain E. O. Stewart joined the Battalion, and on the 29th Second
Lieutenant D. J. Knight arrived.
[Sidenote: July.]
The officers of the 4th Battalion on July 1, 1917, were:
Lieut.-Colonel the Viscount Gort,
D.S.O., M.V.O., M.C. Commanding Officer.
Major W. S. Pilcher, D.S.O. Second in Command.
Capt. C. R. Gerard Adjutant.
Lieut. I. H. Ingleby Act.-Quartermaster.
Lieut. Lord E. D. J. Hay Intelligence Officer.
2nd Lieut. N. A. Pearce Transport Officer.
Capt. C. G. Keith, M.C. No. 1 Company.
Lieut. J. N. F. Pixley ” ”
2nd Lieut. E. H. Tuckwell ” ”
2nd Lieut. G. R. Green ” ”
2nd Lieut. G. C. Burt ” ”
2nd Lieut. J. M. Chitty ” ”
Capt. the Hon. F. E. Needham No. 2 Company.
Capt. E. O. Stewart ” ”
Lieut. R. G. West ” ”
2nd Lieut. T. T. Pryce, M.C. ” ”
2nd Lieut. R. C. Denman ” ”
2nd Lieut. W. H. Windeler ” ”
Capt. C. H. Greville, D.S.O. No. 3 Company.
Lieut. R. Farquhar, M.C. ” ”
Lieut. J. B. M. Burke ” ”
Lieut. G. C. Sloane-Stanley ” ”
Lieut. C. S. Nash ” ”
2nd Lieut. D. J. Knight ” ”
Capt. G. H. T. Paton No. 4 Company.
Lieut. R. H. G. Leveson-Gower ” ”
Lieut. C. E. Irby ” ”
Lieut. B. J. Hubbard ” ”
2nd Lieut. J. J. M. Veitch ” ”
2nd Lieut. F. R. Oliver ” ”
2nd Lieut. C. E. Benson ” ”
Capt. N. Grellier, M.C., R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.
The 4th Battalion now made its way to the area opposite the portion of
the German line which had been selected for an attack on July 31. The
camp consisted of a few bivouac sheets in a wood, and was well within
the range of the German shells; almost as soon as the Battalion
arrived some shells fell in the Transport lines, but fortunately did
no damage. Lieut.-Colonel Lord Gort went up to the line to make
himself acquainted with the trenches from which the Battalion would
attack, and took with him Captain Paton, Lieutenant Pixley, and
Lieutenant Burke. During the first week in July the Battalion had to
find between 500 and 600 men for fatigues in the forward area. On the
5th the camp was again shelled, but luckily there were no casualties.
Lord Gort made a second visit to the front line, and took with him
this time Captain the Hon. F. E. Needham, Captain Greville, Captain
Keith, and Lieutenant Lord E. Hay. During these days there were
constant gas alarms, and on one occasion the men were ordered to sleep
with their helmets in the ”alert” position.
July 14 was a red-letter day for the 4th Battalion, as it was the
second anniversary of its formation, but owing to the large number of
men required for fatigue work Lord Gort decided to keep this
anniversary on the 15th. The celebrations consisted of a football
match, a tug-of-war, and a sergeants’ dinner, followed by a Battalion
concert, and last, but not least, a free issue of beer to all the men.
The Corps Commander, Lord Cavan, attended the sergeants’ dinner, and
made a speech which aroused the greatest enthusiasm. Major-General G.
Feilding also attended.
The fatigue parties worked day and night, and as the work necessitated
going up into the front trenches there were almost daily a number of
men wounded. On the 16th the Battalion moved up nearer to the front
line and received orders to raid the German trenches on the whole
Divisional front in eight different places. The men selected for this
were trained separately, and for three days the raid was rehearsed so
that every man knew exactly what to do.
On the 18th the Battalion moved up into the front line of the
Boesinghe Sector, and was unlucky enough to come in for considerable
artillery fire while the relief was being carried out, as the enemy
put up the S.O.S. signal, when he was being raided by the neighbouring
Brigade. As soon as the relief was completed, gas was discharged from
our Stokes mortars, while the enemy’s artillery put down a heavy
barrage on our front line. No. 1 Company was placed in the front line;
No. 2 Company placed two platoons in S line and two platoons in Y
line; and X line was occupied by No. 4 Company. The raiding parties
from No. 3 Company were posted at Paradou Farm.
At 1 A.M. on the 20th the raids took place, and in accordance with the
orders received the German front line was penetrated in four places.
No. 1 party started off, and had nearly reached the German line when
it found that the mat which had been provided to help it over the mud
was too short. There was nothing to be done but to plunge into the
Canal, and in spite of being up to their knees in mud the men
succeeded in entering the German trench at the right place. After
moving down the trench for 100 yards, they came upon a German double
sentry post which was engaged in sending up Véry lights. They
determined to work round this post, but one of the raiders lost his
head, and fired point-blank at the Germans. This would in any case
have raised the alarm, but in addition to this another of the raiders
dropped a bomb, killing his neighbour and wounding himself, so that
all attempt at surprise was at an end. The German sentries rushed off
yelling, but had not gone far when one of them dropped dead. Showers
of Véry lights were soon sent up by the Germans in rear, and men were
seen advancing with bombs and hand grenades in all directions. This
raiding party therefore withdrew, bringing with it the body of the man
who had been killed by the bomb. They were able to see a good deal of
the German trench, and reported it to be badly knocked about.
No. 2 party under Second Lieutenant T. T. Pryce was more successful.
The mat in this case was the right length, and enabled the men to
cross over the mud quickly. They saw five Germans, who immediately ran
over the Yperlee into Crapouillot Wood. They visited two German
dug-outs, but found them unoccupied and empty, and reported that they
had some difficulty in moving along the trench, which was badly
damaged. No. 3 party arrived at its destination without difficulty,
but the Germans who had bolted across the Yperlee opened fire on it
from the opposite bank. The raiders afterwards claimed that they had
silenced this fire with bombs, but there was no evidence to prove that
they succeeded in killing any of the enemy. However, they were able to
make a tolerably accurate report on the state of the trench.
No. 4 party was heavily handicapped, as the part of the parapet over
which it had to start was on the sky-line, and therefore clearly
visible to the enemy. No sooner had the men started than the alarm was
given, and they found the Germans waiting for them. Again the mat
proved too short, and the men were obliged to advance knee-deep in
mud. Bombs were thrown at them from the start, and one bomb reached
the covering party, wounding all three men. Sergeant Waterfall was hit
as he topped the parapet, but continued to advance, and succeeded in
effecting an entry into the German line. Then a regular bombing fight
took place, during which Sergeant Waterfall was again wounded and
knocked down into a shell-hole. The Germans determined to catch this
raiding party, and commenced an outflanking manœuvre on each flank,
but this attempt was stopped by the covering party and mat men. There
was no object in pursuing the enterprise any further, and the raiders
therefore returned bringing back with them the eight wounded men.
On the whole the result of these raids was very satisfactory, and a
great deal of valuable information was obtained, but none of the
parties succeeded in bringing back a live prisoner. It had been proved
that the enemy only held his front line in posts, all of which had
been located, and that the concrete dug-outs or pill-boxes were what
the Germans mostly relied on for protection. The wire on the whole
length of the trench, although not continuous, was passably good, and
formed an obstacle difficult to pass.
On the 23rd the Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Battalion Scots
Guards, and retired to Battle Area Camp, having lost 3 men killed, 1
died of wounds, and 10 wounded during the three days it had been in
the front line. In this camp it remained until the 31st.
[Illustration:
_W. & D. Downey photographs_ _Emery Walker ph. sc._
_Brigadier-General G. F. Trotter, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O._]