Early in 1917 at Ypres I was in charge of part of the advance party
taking over some trenches from another London battalion. After this
task had been completed I was told of a funny incident of the previous
night.
It appeared that the battalion we were due to relieve had been
surprised by a small party of the enemy seeking "information." During
the mêlée in the trench a German "under-officer" had calmly walked over
and picked up a Lewis gun which had been placed on a tripod on top
of the trench some little distance from its usual emplacement. (This
was done frequently when firing at night was necessary so as to avoid
betraying the regular gun position.)
A boyish-looking sentry of the battalion on the left jumped out of the
trench and went after the Jerry who was on his way "home" with the
gun in his arms. Placing his bayonet in dangerous proximity to the
"under-officer's" back, the young Cockney exclaimed, "Hi! Where the
'ell are yer goin' wiv that gun? Just you put the 'coocumber' back on
the 'barrer' and shove yer blinkin' 'ands up!"
The "under-officer" lost his prize and his liberty, and I understand
the young sentry received the M.M.--_R. McMuldroch (late 15th London
Regt., Civil Service Rifles), 13 Meadway, Bush Hill Park, Enfield._