IN THE ARMY
_Ever the faith endures,
England, my England:
"Take and break us, we are yours,"
England, my own._
W. E. HENLEY.
In the first flush of enthusiasm for the War in 1914 Paul wanted to
join the Public Schools Battalion, but I induced him to postpone doing
so, pointing out that he had been preparing hard for an Oxford
Scholarship, and that there would be ample time for him to join the
Army after the examination early in December. My reasons were
reinforced by his own desire to carry out his duties as Captain of
Football. After winning the Balliol Scholarship, and with the
knowledge that the number of recruits for the Army at that time was
far in excess of the provision of equipment, he was persuaded to stay
at Dulwich College till the end of the football season. But he became
very restless in the early months of 1915. He had never cared for
military exercises, much preferring free athletics, but in 1914 he had
joined the O.T.C. at the College. He assiduously applied himself to
drill and took part in many marches and several field-days. Meanwhile
he followed every phase of the War with fascinated interest. He read
all the War books he could get and began a War diary, which he entered
up every week-end, giving a succinct account of the War's progress on
land and sea and in the air. This diary he continued until he entered
the Army, and at his request I have kept it up since.
From copious entries by my son under the dates named the appended
excerpts are taken. They indicate with what intelligence and
comprehension he followed every phase of the War.
_August 18, 1914._--The British Expeditionary Force has landed
safely in France: embarkation, transportation and debarkation
carried out with great precision and without a single casualty.
Our men have made a magnificent impression on the French people
by their athletic demeanour, cheerfulness and orderly discipline.
Their arrival a source of great moral strength to France.
The Belgian King and Staff have left Brussels for Antwerp.
_August 30._--News filtering through of the retreat from Mons.
After the battle of Charleroi and the collapse of the French on
our right, the British troops fought stubbornly, but had to fall
back before enormous forces of the enemy, which sought to
annihilate them by sheer weight of numbers. In most difficult
circumstances the ten days' retreat was carried out with
wonderful skill.
_September 3 and 4._--The Germans now within forty miles of
Paris. Note, however, these important considerations: (1) The
German losses are terrific; (2) the whole Allied forces are
absolutely intact and in good order. The situation is very
different from that of 1870, when the French field armies were
destroyed before the war had been in progress a month.
The French Government has quitted Paris for Bordeaux.
_September 14-16._--It is now evident that the battle of the
Marne was a great victory for the Franco-British forces. On
September 6 the German advance southwards reached its extreme
points at Coulommiers and Provins. This movement was covered by a
large flanking force west of the Ourcq watching the outer Paris
defences. The southward movement left the enemy's right wing in a
dangerous position, as the Creil-Senlis-Compiegne line, by which
the Germans had advanced, had been evacuated. The Allies attacked
this wing in front and flank on September 8, and a French Army
was hurried from Paris to attend to the flanking force. The
frontal attack carried out by French and British. The enemy
retreated skilfully to the line of the Ourcq, and from here tried
to crush the French by a counter-attack. This failed utterly,
and the enemy right wing-fell back over the Marne on September
10, pursued by the French and the British. Large captures of
German prisoners and guns.
_September 16._--Official report of the Belgian Commission on
German atrocities too awful to read. The horrible things done by
the Kaiser's brutal soldiery in Belgium must remove every vestige
of respect for the Germans.
_September 19-21._--Conflict on the Aisne continues. No decisive
advantage to either side: both armies now strongly entrenched.
_September 29-Oct. 2._--The pater came in very gloomy one night
this week saying he had got information that could not be
published to the effect that Antwerp must fall in a few days, and
that the military situation in Belgium is as bad as it can be.
_October 12-15._--Ostend evacuated by the Belgian Government,
which has moved to Havre. Germans have occupied Ghent and Bruges
and are attempting a sweeping cavalry movement to and along the
coast. This coincident with an infantry advance on Calais, which
was skilfully checked by a British force that had lain concealed
near Ypres.
_October 18._--German troops in Belgium are now in contact with
von Kluck's army; that is, they are on the right of the force
that invaded France, roughly on a line drawn from a point a few
miles north of Lille to Ostend. The Allies still occupy part of
Belgium including Fleurbaix, Ypres and the surrounding portion of
the right bank of the Lys. It was feared that the German force
liberated by the fall of Antwerp would be able to combine with
von Kluck, so as to effect a great turning movement on the
Allies' left. Thanks, however, to the excellent railways in
north-east France, skilful disposition of British and French
forces, and the stubborn courage of our troops, this danger was
averted. We have not only checked the movement, but have
ourselves advanced, and the Allies' line to the sea is secure.
_November 15-22._--Lord Roberts died of pneumonia. He breathed
his last at St. Omer in sound of the guns. He had gone to France
to greet his beloved Indian soldiers. A fitting end for this
really great man.
_December 13-20._--On Wednesday morning, December 16, German
warships bombarded Scarborough and Hartlepool. This incident of
no military value, but (1) it is a distinct "buck-up" for the
Germans, as no hostile shots had struck any part of English soil
before since the days of de Ruyter; (2) it may arouse unpleasant
misgivings among unthinking people as to the functions and
efficiency of our Navy. A tip-and-run bombardment only possible
because the Germans can concentrate on any selected point of our
coast, whereas we have to guard its whole length. Scarborough an
undefended town, and the bombardment a gross breach of
international law; but we are getting used now to that sort of
thing.
England has formally taken over Egypt, which hitherto had only
been in our occupation, Turkey's suzerainty being recognised. The
old Khedive, who is absent from the country and intriguing with
the enemy, deposed, and Hussein Ali appointed Sultan.
_December 20-27._--Full story of the Falkland Islands victory now
published. This swift, clean and sure naval stroke appears to
have been planned from London by Sir John Fisher, the First Sea
Lord. Von Spee, the German Admiral, with his two sons and other
officers, went down on the _Scharnhorst_, refusing to surrender.
_January 3, 1915._--A rather blunt note from the U.S.A.
complaining that American merchant vessels have been stopped and
searched by our warships without justification, that serious
delays have been caused, and that American commercial interests
have suffered. Specific instances quoted, and freedom of American
ships from molestation in the future demanded. It is the old
question of the right of search come up again.
_January 17-24._--On Tuesday the famous Zeppelins made their
first appearance on the English scene. Several of the airships
appeared over Yarmouth, King's Lynn, Sheringham, and Sandringham.
Many bombs dropped, but absolutely no military damage; total
result, a number of innocent people killed and injured. This
marvellous achievement said to have given vast joy to Berlin.
Well, they are easily pleased. The destructive power of the Zepps
has been greatly overrated.
_February, 1-8._--Early in the week von Tirpitz avowed Germany's
intention to torpedo or otherwise destroy every British ship on
the sea, whether a vessel of war or a merchant trader--this to
be done without warning. Our Admiralty countered this declaration
by announcing their intention of using neutral flags for
non-combatant British vessels--a permissible _ruse de guerre_.
Thus the _Lusitania_ has set sail from New York flying the
American flag. "Diamond cut diamond" with a vengeance!
_February 8-14._--U.S.A. warn Germany that any attack on a vessel
flying the American flag before it is ascertained whether the
flag is or is not fictitious will be "viewed as a serious
matter."
_February 14-21._--The Germans have gained an immense victory
over the Russians along a front extending from the Niemen to the
Bzura, and Warsaw is as much in danger of capture as Paris was
last September. With marvellous accuracy and skill Hindenburg
seized the opportunity of using his railways in East Prussia to
outflank the Russians on both sides. One fact stands out clear in
the war--the British are the only troops who have as yet held
their ground against the Germans. Of what use are our Allies?
_March 14-20._--Neuve Chapelle battle not the success for us that
the first reports suggested. I fear some disagreeable facts are
being concealed. The reticence imposed by the Censor is
deplorable. We have suffered heavy casualties in winning a sector
of two miles wide by one mile long: our gains disproportionate to
our losses. We ought to have shaken the German position right up
to Lille.
_March 21-28._--Fall of Przemysl to the Russians after a siege of
203 days. The garrison that surrendered comprised nine Generals,
ninety-three superior officers, 2,500 subalterns and officials,
117,000 rank and file. This great success frees a large Russian
force for active work elsewhere.
Our Commander-in-Chief in France, Sir John French, in his last
communique talks of a protracted war and warns us against
over-sanguineness. "The protraction of the war depends entirely
upon the supply of men and munitions. Should these be
unsatisfactory the war will be accordingly prolonged."
In Alsace the French have captured the position of
Hartmannsweilerkopf; they have penetrated twelve miles into
German territory.
_March 29-April 4._--The Dardanelles operations are fizzling out
in melancholy fashion. Owing to the fact that we began the naval
bombardment before our land forces had arrived, the Turks have
been able to repair nearly all the damage. However, now that Ian
Hamilton has arrived to direct operations in Gallipoli, things
ought to begin to move.
_April 5-12._--The French have gained a position which overlooks
and commands the whole of the Woevre Plain; they are now fighting
like demons. This district (Lorraine) is very near to the French
heart. The first substantial advance that the French have made
since the battle of the Marne.
No official news of any value from the British front (the Censor
is hard at work), but for the last six days our casualties have
been terrible. It is maddening to see this long catalogue of
brave men killed or wounded and yet to have all information
withheld.
The Americans, having fallen out for a short time with us, are
now quarrelling with the Germans, the cause being a very insolent
message to the White House from the German Ambassador. In frantic
tones Count Bernstorff demands that America shall cease to supply
munitions of war to England and her Allies, his object being to
neutralise the effect of our sea-power.
Paul joined the Army on April 15, 1915, within a month of his 19th
birthday. His application for a commission in the Infantry was refused
point-blank because of his defective vision. The War Office
authorities, much impressed by his school and athletic record, had
requested him to undergo a special examination by an oculist; and on
receipt of the oculist's report showing how extreme was his short
sight, wrote to me on March 26, "It is quite impossible to think of
passing him for a commission, as his sight is so very much below the
necessary standard." Subsequently at an interview at the War Office he
admitted that if his spectacles were lost or broken he would be
helpless; but he said he would equip himself with several pairs to
provide against such emergencies. It was pointed out to him that in
wet weather rain-spots on the lenses of his glasses would obscure his
vision.
"I am willing to take the risk," was his reply.
"Yes," came the rejoinder, "but as an officer you would be
jeopardising other lives and not merely your own."
He was constrained to admit the force of this reasoning. Nevertheless,
his rejection for the Infantry was a grievous disappointment to him.
Eventually he obtained a commission in the Army Service Corps. He was
very proud to don the King's uniform. On April 15 he reported himself
for duty at a home port which is the principal centre of supply for
our armies abroad. There he remained for over three months. As his
nature was in taking up any work, he got absorbed in his new duties,
and, I am informed, executed them with the utmost efficiency. To keep
himself physically fit he gave some of his leisure to golf and to long
walks, some days tramping twenty miles and more. Looking forward
impatiently to the prospect of going abroad, he used to worry himself
by the thought that he, an athlete, had no more useful work to do than
to superintend the unloading of railway trucks and the loading of
vessels and seeing that supplies were up to specification. At
Whitsuntide his mother, brother and I spent a week-end in the vicinity
of the port where he was employed. One day we visited a little country
town, where he had arranged to join us after his duty was done. Near
to the town was a huge camp, also a hospital for wounded soldiers. We
met Paul on his arrival by train and walked with him to the hotel. On
the way he was kept busy acknowledging the salutes of soldiers who
passed us. At tea he was grave and preoccupied--for him a most unusual
mood. I rallied him on it, and asked whether he was in trouble with
his C.O.
"Certainly not," was his reply, "I get on excellently with the
Colonel."
Then a moment or two later he exclaimed with emotion, "Dad, I simply
can't stand it."
"Stand what!" I exclaimed.
"I can't stand receiving the salutes of men who have fought or are
going out to fight while I spend my time about wharves and
warehouses."
As he spoke his eyes filled with tears. To appease him was not easy.
This outburst was indicative of something more than a fugitive mood.
To his intense delight he received orders to go abroad a couple of
months later. On July 27, 1915, he left England for France, in which
country and Flanders the next two years of his life were to be spent.
His first appointment abroad was that of Requisitioning Officer to the
9th Cavalry Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division--a Brigade that took
part in the severe fighting of the early months of the War and was now
waiting eagerly for a fresh opportunity to display its prowess. Our
Cavalry officers are a distinct type, with traditions and modes of
life and thought of their own. Paul, to whom nothing human was alien,
studied them with keen curiosity. He found them gay-hearted,
chivalrous gentlemen, and soon shared their enthusiasm for horses. His
experiences with the 9th Brigade are described in his letters. The
psychology of the French peasantry and tradespeople with whom he came
into contact also vastly interested him. It was very responsible work
he had to do for a lad of 19, but he did it ably and zealously. He
liked the work for its variety; it involved a great deal of riding on
horseback and much motoring, and gave opportunities for practising his
French.
Yet from time to time he heard voices from the trenches calling him.
He was always contrasting his lot with the hardships that were being
patiently endured in the front line by, as he would say, "better men
than myself." He received his promotion to lieutenant in the spring
of 1916. His pleasure at that step upward was soon dashed by his
appointment to a Supply Column. This "grocery work," as he
characterised it, was most distasteful to him; he thought of throwing
up his commission and trying to enlist as a private, but finally
decided to seek a commission in the Royal Field Artillery. After two
unhappy months in the Supply Column he was appointed in command of an
ammunition working-party at an advanced railhead in the Somme
battlefield. How he enjoyed this work his letters will show. It
involved, however, the hanging up of his application for transfer to
the R.F.A. In October, 1916, he was appointed Requisitioning Officer
to the 2nd Cavalry Brigade. He rejoiced at his escape from the
inglorious, albeit necessary, work of the Supply Column, and was soon
at home with his new comrades.
As time went on, it became more and more evident that our cavalry
would not have much opportunity in the War. The enforced inaction
preyed upon Paul's spirits, and in December he determined to do his
utmost to exchange into a unit in the front line. In his application
for transfer he put his preferences in this order: 1st, Infantry; 2nd,
M.G.C., heavies; 3rd, Artillery. The authorities, realising that his
extreme short sight disqualified him for the Infantry, assigned him to
the Tank Corps, which he joined on February 13, 1917.
Paul's delight at the change of employment was unbounded. His letters
from the time he joined the Tank Corps sing with happiness. Having
pushed all obstacles aside in order to walk the sacrificial road, he
found great gladness in breasting its steeps. A singular change is
discernible in his letters in the last seven months of his life. No
longer was there any reference in them to political affairs at home or
to international events. He who used to follow the progress of the
world with so much intentness had not a word to say about the change
in the Premiership of Great Britain, or any comment to offer on such
momentous events as the overthrow of the Tsardom in Russia, and the
entry into the war of the United States of America. He was either too
absorbed in his new duties to continue his old habit of observation
and comment, or else his gaze was now turned otherwhere, and he was
following the gleam.
A few weeks before his death I wrote to him suggesting that, as he was
then twenty-one, a joint banking account in his name and my own might
now be transferred to him so that he would have the money under his
own control. His reply was: "I have a large number of serious
questions, coupled with much hard work, engrossing my attention at
present and would prefer to leave all subsidiary matters severely
alone." This letter was a sign, and not the only one, that he was
liberating himself from mundane ties.
Brother officers have told me of my son's happiness in the Tank Corps.
His youthful love of engines had returned in full measure. For his
Tank--a "male," carrying Lewis guns and two six-pounders--he had a
positive affection, and would spend hours pottering about it after his
crew had knocked off for the day. Captain Gates, M.C., who had charge
of the section to which Paul's Tank belonged and who was wounded in
the battle in which my son was killed, came to see us in London in
September. From him we had a full account of the last three months of
Paul's life. Among other things, Captain Gates spoke of his _joie de
vivre_, infectious gaiety, hearty appetite, liberal contributions to
the mess funds. Paul, he said, was the life and soul of the section.
When they were out of the battle-line he used to begin his day by a
plunge in the adjacent river. He would come into breakfast looking
radiant, and even then was ready for a frolic. "Some of us would be a
bit down at times," said Captain Gates, "but Paul never. He was
always merry. He had immense strength. In frolicsome moods he would
lift a brother officer in his arms like a child, hold him helpless,
and then drop him gently on the ground; but it took three or four of
us to get him down. To see him come down a village in his Tank was a
sight; his gaiety was so great, and he had a shout or a greeting for
every passer-by. A braver boy I have never met; he was quite calm and
unruffled under shell-fire. If anything, he was too keen. He always
wanted to be in the danger zone, and was most eager to get into
personal touch with the Boches. I told Major Haslam that whenever Paul
would be in battle it would be a case of the V.C. or death; for him
there could be no medium course. On the morning of 31st July, when he
was thrilling at the prospect of the coming attack, I said to him
before we set out: 'Now, don't be too rash; remember that the lives of
your crew are in your keeping.' Unfortunately he was killed quite
early in the fight by a sniper's bullet. His death cast a gloom over
the whole company. In our own mess we shall miss him dreadfully."
On New Year's Day, 1918, Gunner Phillips, of "C" Battalion, Tank
Corps, called at our house in London, and told us a great deal about
Paul from the standpoint of the men in the battalion. Mr. Phillips, a
young craftsman of high intelligence, spoke with intense affection of
our son, whom he knew almost from the first day Paul joined the Tanks.
He said: "Lieutenant Paul Jones was sociable and most considerate. He
was a grand officer and treated his men like brothers. He would never
ask the men to do what he would not do himself. The result was that we
would all have done anything for him. There are a few rough chaps in
our battalion--men who know the guard-room--but even these yielded
gladly to his influence, and liked him very much. No officer in the
battalion was so loved and respected by the men. One day last summer,
when a number of Tanks had assembled in a wood, our whereabouts were
discovered by the Germans, who at daybreak simply peppered the place
with shells. The order was given to go to the dug-outs. Lieut. Jones,
aroused from sleep, came out half-dressed, but he was as cool as if he
was on parade, and insisted on every man going into the dug-outs
before he himself would take shelter. His merry spirits made him a
great favourite with us all. My own relations with him were
particularly cordial, because I was a Welshman and an athlete."
It was comforting to have these accounts at first-hand of our son's
unalloyed happiness in the last seven months of his life. Countless
brave men, gifted and simple, eminent and obscure, have sacrificed
their lives in this War, none with more complete self-surrender than
Paul Jones. In War as in Peace, he bore himself like Wordsworth's
"Happy Warrior."
Whose powers shed round him in the common strife,
Or mild concerns of ordinary life,
A constant influence, a peculiar grace;
But who, if he be called upon to face
Some awful moment to which Heaven has joined
Great issues, good or bad for humankind,
Is happy as a Lover; and attired
With sudden brightness, like a man inspired.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Whom neither shape of danger can dismay,
Nor thought of tender happiness betray,
Who, not content that former Worth stand fast,
Looks forward, persevering to the last,
From well to better, daily self-surpast:
Who, whether praise of him must walk the earth
For ever, and to noble deeds give birth,
Or he must fall, to sleep without his fame
And leave a dead, unprofitable name--
Finds comfort in himself and in his cause:
And while the mortal mist is gathering, draws
His breath in confidence of Heaven's applause.