HISTORY OF 1/8th BATTALION
ST. ELIE AND HILL 70
July 4th, 1917.— January 21st, 1918.
After nearly three months' strenuous fighting, it was a great relief to us to
find ourselves back once more in the quiet regions, and the change was
thoroughly appreciated by all. The weather was delightful and the country was
looking its best, and altogether the 18 days spent at Chelers were extremely
enjoyable. There was not much in the way of amusement, as there was little
opportunity for it, and we were so far in the heart of the country that visits
to towns were impossible, except for the few lucky ones with horses, for whom
the journey to St. Pol and back was a pleasant afternoon's ride. Billets were
quite comfortable, and Battalion Headquarters were certainly in clover at the
Château, where it was one of their pleasures to bask in the delightful garden
and regale themselves on peaches brought by the small daughter of the house.
Otherwise there was little attraction in the village, though in "Lizzie
Five-Nine," it possessed a pearl of great price. Major Lane was in command for
part of the time, as Col. Blackwall was on leave. The latter on his return, not
being fortunate enough to be met at Boulogne by a car—Battalion Commanders only
got cars when they were not wanted by the gilded Staff—found, as so often
happened, that Railway Transport Officers knew nothing of our movements, and
sent him off to quite the wrong place, about 30 miles from Chelers, to which he
had to get as best he could. On a hot summer day this was not a nice experience
to pile on to that "end of leave feeling" that most of us had at getting back.
and to make matters still worse he found on his arrival that the supply of
lime-juice at the Headquarter Mess had run out! The truth of course was that not
being in demand during his absence, it had not been replenished!
In training special stress was laid on bayonet fighting, taken by Comp. Sergt.-Major
Lowe of the Canadian Army Gymnastic Staff, musketry, and firing practice on the
Rocourt Range, where a two days' Divisional Rifle Meeting was held on July 19th
and 20th, at which our representatives shot remarkably well, and carried off
amongst other prizes two silver bugles, which now repose with the Battalion
Plate at Newark. A large marquee was erected on the ground, where refreshments
could be obtained, and a band was in attendance each day. All the arrangements
were admirable, and the programme was carried out without a hitch. Teams from B
Company won the Inter-Company Snap-Shooting and Rapid-Firing competition, and
the Lewis Gun competition, whilst a knock-out competition for Officers was won
by our team composed of Lieut.-Col. Blackwall, Capt. A. Bedford and 2nd Lieuts.
Tomlinson and Martelli. In the final round this team beat the one from
Divisional Headquarters, which included Major-General Thwaites. In the General
Officer Commanding's Cup competition for revolver shooting for Officers, our
team won second prize. On the whole the results from this competition and the
practice leading up to it, were extremely good, and had a marked effect on the
shooting all round, both with rifle and Lewis gun. Two ceremonial inspections
were carried out, one by the Brigadier on July 11th, and another by the
Divisional Commander on July 17th, both of which went off successfully.
Our stay at Chelers came to an end on July 23rd, when we started back once more
to the forward area, marching that day to Verquin, where we billeted for the
night. The next night we relieved the 1st Leicesters (6th Division) in the St.
Elie Left sub-sector trenches. We were not very strong at this time, about 650
all told. Four new subalterns who had just joined, were 2nd Lieuts. J. H.
Hofmeyr, C. J. Elly, W. H. Sutton, and R. W. Clarke. Second Lieut. White
rejoined from duty in England, and further Officer reinforcements who came up
shortly afterwards, included 2nd Lieuts. H. G. Kirby, F. C. Tucker, C. J. Wells,
D. Tanner, and J. A. Pearce.
We now entered on what was to be the longest continuous period of trench warfare
that it was ever our lot to take part in, for we were destined to remain in the
forward area, holding trenches with but short reliefs, for a whole six months,
and there was little to break the monotony except one or two changes of trench
areas and the interspersal, now and then of raids carried out either by
ourselves or the enemy. Raids had now become part and parcel almost of trench
warfare routine. The Divisional Commander's wishes were that they should be
carried out frequently, and he was strongly supported by General Carey, who
insisted on each Battalion preparing a scheme for a raid, either large or small,
as soon as it took over the line, so that no time should be wasted in
preliminary arrangements after the order was given for a raid to be carried out.
The drawback, perhaps, was that raids were apt to be of much the same type, for
it was not easy to introduce variations. In the normal raid there was always the
cutting of gaps in the enemy wire, which was almost bound to give them the
intimation that something was going to happen, the bombardment about "Zero" of
the area to be raided, and the forming of a "Box Barrage" round it, to prevent
the enemy bringing up reinforcements, whilst our men dealt with any enemy found
within the barrage.
This sub-sector of trenches, "St. Elie Left," was named after the village of St.
Elie, the remains of which were in the enemy lines opposite. This sector was
just South-East of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and was entirely overlooked by that
old enemy of former days "The Dump," which had now for some reason changed its
name to "Slag Heap." It was difficult at first to recognise the front lines, so
changed was their appearance. Instead of a more or less level tract between the
front line trenches, No Man's Land consisted of a chain of whitish chalk peaks,
the sides of huge mine craters, which had entirely changed the aspect of the
area. There were not so many, perhaps, in the sector in which we were
immediately interested, as there were opposite Hohenzollern itself, but the
general appearance of the so-called front line was much the same in both. All
this part of the front had remained practically unmoved since the finish of the
fighting in the Autumn of 1915. The withdrawal of the enemy further South early
in 1917, and our attacks later at Messines and other parts to the North, had not
affected this portion. Mining had been begun and carried on pretty regularly by
both sides so long as that kind of warfare was thought worth while,—a method in
which the Boche, who was a nervous miner, had been completely beaten—but for
some time before our arrival it had lapsed, and the only visible signs of it
were the craters, on each lip of which sentry posts had been established by
ourselves and the enemy respectively. A certain amount of excavation was still
going on underground, under the supervision of Australian Tunnellers, but this
was mainly connected with the somewhat complicated system of "listening" in
vogue. Apparatus was fitted up, and men were always on duty so as to notify at
once any indication of mining operations being started by the enemy. Nothing
more as a matter of fact did happen in the way of mining, which had already had
its day.
Behind the chain of craters all along this area was another feature peculiar to
this part of the line, an extraordinary system of tunnels. It is believed that
these first originated owing to the necessity for finding ways up to the front
line by day, without using the communication trenches, which were mostly
overlooked from the Slag Heap, and other prominent points, from which the enemy
could get an excellent view over most of our forward area. Behind the trench
system attempts had been made to obviate this drawback by the erection of long
lengths of camouflage screens, which were a great feature of this part of the
front. In the trench system itself underground passages were dug some 15 to 25
feet deep, from about the Reserve Line up to the front. These in due course got
connected with the mine levels and shafts, and eventually rooms were excavated
off the passages, timber and wire beds put up, electric light plant installed,
cook houses and cooking apparatus fixed, wells sunk, and in fact a sort of
underground barracks was formed, and all within 100 to 400 yards of the Boche
front line. It was a remarkable development.
The posts in the so-called front line were arranged almost entirely round about
the craters, and were reached by flights of steps from the tunnels. These posts
were some distance apart, the system of holding these trenches being a thin
front line of posts well wired in, with No Man's Land protected by active
patrolling, and a strong, well-built, and well-wired support line or "Line of
Resistance," where every effort would be made to hold up any big attack which
might develop. An elaborate arrangement of doors and gas blankets fixed at
entrances, and at various intermediate points in the tunnels, was made to
protect them in case of gas attack, and a carefully arranged system of electric
bells was fitted up from the sentry posts to the garrison living in the tunnels,
so that warning could be given immediately in case of an enemy attack. These
tunnels served an excellent purpose, but there is no question that had they been
in use to any extent they might easily have become a great source of weakness,
as they undoubtedly had a very demoralising effect on the troops who had to live
in them.
The Battalion sector extended from "Fosse" and "Stansfield Posts" on the right,
through "Hairpin Craters," "North" and "South Craters," "Border Redoubt" and
"Rat Creek" to "Hulluch Alley" and "Russian Sap" on the left. Communication
trenches in this sector were the best we ever met, floorboarded and revetted
practically throughout their entire length. The support trench was also fairly
good, and the front posts not too bad, though they frequently got knocked in
with heavy trench mortars, and required constant repairing. Work in the
trenches, therefore, normally consisted more of general upkeep, than of any
extensive new work. Three companies were in the line, with the fourth in
support, living mostly in "Stansfield Tunnel." Battalion Headquarters was in a
dug-out in "Stansfield Road." Company Commanders were:—(A) Capt. Andrews, (B)
Lieuts. Tomlinson, Lomer and Day in succession, followed a little later by Capt.
Turner, (C) Capt. A. Bedford, (D) Capt. Simonet. We only had two tours in these
trenches at this time, one of six days, and one of four, during which the enemy
were active mainly with trench mortars, including a large number of "Wing Bombs"
or "Pineapples." A raid which we were ordered to carry out during this period
was left in the capable hands of Capt. Simonet, and fixed to take place at 11.30
p.m. on August 4th. It was all carefully rehearsed beforehand, on ground near
the support billets at Philosophe. In addition to his own Company, Simonet had
the help of B Company under Lieut. Tomlinson. The raid was made against the
enemy's first and second line trenches nearly opposite North Crater, and was
intended in addition to inflicting casualties to obtain identification, and
destroy suspected trench mortar emplacements and dug-outs. Unfortunately success
did not attend their efforts on this occasion, for, though B Company reached the
enemy trenches, and a few men got as far as the second line, they had to be
recalled, as D Company were unable to make any headway owing to heavy machine
gun fire from the flanks. Both Companies suffered a few casualties in
withdrawing.
It was on the following day, August 5th, when the Battalion was in Brigade
support in Philosophe, that we got what was probably the heaviest shelling of
billets that we ever experienced, for the Boche deliberately shelled the village
without a break from 6 to 10 p.m. with 4.2's and 5.9's. As soon as the
bombardment began, everyone withdrew to the open fields behind the village, and
remained there until it was over. We were fortunate in escaping without a single
casualty. Some of the billets were badly knocked about, but we saved our skins,
which after all was the main thing. We must confess to having felt on this
occasion almost a suspicion of satisfaction in seeing Brigade Headquarters get a
full share of this shelling. Their mess was so shaken and upset that the
Brigadier had to dine at a much later hour than usual off cold bully beef. It is
perhaps difficult to understand exactly the reason, but there is no shadow of
doubt that in every formation there was a feeling almost of delight when a unit
saw the Headquarters of the next higher unit being "straffed!"
On the night August 10/11th, we moved back into support with Battalion
Headquarters, A and C Companies at Noyelles, and B and D Companies in support
trenches. On August 14th, the half Battalion at Noyelles handed over to the 5th
Leicesters, and moved back to billets at Fouquières, and on the 16th to Verquin,
where they were joined by B and D Companies.
By a brilliant attack on the previous day, August 15th, the Canadians finally
captured Hill 70, which had so often been a bone of contention, but was now to
remain always in our hands.
We now had ten very enjoyable days in comfortable and homely billets at Verquin.
Some of the Officers were fortunate enough to be invited to play tennis at the
château, both there and at Fouquières, and owe a great debt of gratitude to the
kind ladies at both those places, for many acts of kindness and hospitality. It
was almost like being at home to be playing "mixed doubles," and after dinner to
have music in the drawing room. The men, too, had a very nice time in the
miners' cottages in Verquin, and other mining villages. Shops and village life
always had their attraction, and we felt very much at home in this part of
France, which in the end we came to know almost by heart. The French miner was
always particularly kind to us all. It may be that many of our miners, by
exchanging views on their calling, enlisted the sympathies of the Frenchmen in
the Battalion as a whole. Whether this is so or not, in no part of France did
the inhabitants behave to Officers and men with such invariable kindness and
courtesy, as that exhibited in the various French colliery districts, in which
we were so fortunate as to be billeted at this time. In addition to the village
attractions, we were getting splendid shows given by the "Whizz-bangs," who were
now in good form once more, and did much to liven things up, whilst Béthune with
its many attractions, was within easy walking distance, and always a popular
resort for all ranks.
There were several training grounds within easy reach, and pleasantly situated.
Training consisted mainly of musketry and attack practice, whilst the usual
Ceremonial was introduced in the shape of a Brigade Parade, at Vaudricourt Park
on August 18th, when the General Officer Commanding distributed medal ribbons.
On August 24th, Regimental sports were held in a field at Drouvin, in
conjunction with the 139th Machine Gun Company, and 139th Trench Mortar Battery.
Perhaps the most entertaining and amusing feature of a most successful day, was
the winning of the Victoria Cross race on a pack pony by "Doc" Johnstone, whom
we found stationed at Verquin.
We now entered on the second phase of this long trench warfare period, relieving
the 23rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (2nd Division) in Cambrin Left sub-sector on
August 26th. There we remained until September 13th, with the exception of a
short interval in Brigade support, when Battalion Headquarters were in billets
in Annequin, and Companies in dug-outs in the reserve trenches in front of
Cambrin. It was here that we first came across our Portugese Allies, who were
holding the trenches North of the La Bassée Canal.
This sector extended from just North-West of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, nearly to
the Béthune-La Bassée Road, and was of a similar nature to the St. Elie sector
we had recently held, except that it was not so much overlooked by the enemy.
Familiar names in the front line, are "Railway Craters," "Twin Sap," "Minehead
Sap," and "Fusilier Sap." The support trench was named "Old Boots." There were
two main tunnels, "Munster" on the right, and "Wilson" on the left. The main
communication trenches were "Railway Alley," "Lewis Alley," "Munster Parade,"
and "Dundee Walk." After a little rearrangement on first taking over, all
Companies were in the line, finding their own supports, Battalion Headquarters
being in dug-outs just off Railway Alley. The first tour was very quiet, but was
marred by the unfortunate loss on patrol of 2nd Lieut. D. Tanner, and Corpl.
Wright on August 30th. Tanner very gallantly undertook to reconnoitre a Boche
post, and took out with him Corpl. Wright and two men. The two men got back
safely, but Tanner and the N.C.O. were missing, and were reported later to have
either been killed or to have died of wounds. Another misfortune occurred in our
next trench tour on September 11th, when a raid was attempted by Capt. Martelli,
in command of a party consisting of C Company and half A Company. The raid was
to be carried out against enemy trenches opposite Railway Craters, at 11.45 p.m.
It was carefully practised beforehand over a taped model. Unfortunately, the
enemy were evidently aware of our intentions, probably divining that a raid was
in prospect from the fact of our having cut gaps in the wire, and whilst our men
were forming up in No Man's Land, they suddenly opened an intense bombardment,
mostly of gas bombs, which fell right amongst them. Our men immediately put on
their box respirators, but in the dark it was quite impossible to advance with
them on, and seeing that progress was impossible, Martelli, who was himself
wounded, withdrew his party, suffering in casualties during the whole operation,
three other ranks killed, and 30 wounded. C Company were again unfortunate the
following night, when they were bombarded with heavy trench mortars, and
suffered nine more casualties.
On September 13th, we left this sector on being relieved by the 7th Battalion,
and moved back to Fouquières, where we spent a very enjoyable week training and
refitting. Leaving there on September 20th, we marched to Mazingarbe, where we
spent a night in huts, and the following day took over the support trenches in
the Hill 70 sector, just North of Loos. Shortly after its capture by the
Canadians, Hill 70 had been handed over to the 6th Division to consolidate, and
it now fell to the lot of the 46th Division to complete the consolidation.
Just before the change, we had been joined by a new Medical Officer, Lieut. St.
G. L. M. Homan, who replaced Capt. Gavin, and three new subalterns, Lieut. C.
Cursham, and 2nd Lieuts. S. Bridden and E. W. Hartle; but on the other hand, we
lost Lieut. Michie, and 2nd Lieut. Orton, invalided to England, and 2nd Lieut.
Pearce, who joined the 139th Trench Mortar Battery. Comp. Sergt. Major Haywood
had also gone home to train for a commission, only to be killed later when
serving with another Battalion.
It was an agreeable change for us to occupy such a position as Hill 70, as
observation could be got from there over the enemy country for many miles, and
it was pleasant after having almost invariably been overlooked, to be able now
to see something of the other side of the picture. The enemy, however, had good
observation from Hulluch and Wingles, over our approaches through Loos, in the
valley, and movement was mainly by that never-ending communication trench
"Railway Alley," running from the top of the ridge behind Loos, through the
outskirts of that village up to Hill 70, where it joined up to "Humbug Alley,"
the main communication trench of the left sector. The front line which was in
none too good order, was known mainly as to its position with regard to the
remnants of woods in its neighbourhood, "Bois de Dix-huit" opposite the right,
"Bois Rasé" in the centre, and "Bois Hugo" on the left. All the forward trenches
bore names beginning with H, two of which were "Heaven" and "Hell," but the
former was not quite the Paradise one might expect from its name. Such dug-outs
as were usable, were deep, but small. Many had been blown in, and practically
all the entrances faced the wrong way, which was a distinct drawback.
For seven weeks, probably the most monotonous in the history of the Battalion's
trench warfare, we helped to hold Hill 70, relieving in the line with the 7th
Battalion. When in Brigade support, we lived in dug-outs in the old British and
German front line trenches in front of and behind the Loos-Hulluch Road, with
Battalion Headquarters in "Tosh Alley." When in Divisional Reserve, we lived in
the Mazingarbe huts, which were fairly comfortable, but capable of much
improvement. Battalion Headquarters occupying a house in the aristocratic street
known as "Snobs' Alley." Tours in the trenches, in support and reserve were each
of six days. Life in the trenches was of a most humdrum nature. There was not
even a raid of any kind, so far as our Battalion was concerned. We simply
slogged on week after week at real trench work, making fire-bays and fire-steps,
thickening the barbed wire in front, improving dug-outs, and making good the
communication trenches and reserve line, by revetting and trench gridding. The
latter was probably the most important work carried out, and many were the "A"
frames that were fixed, and trench grids that were placed in position during
those tedious times, to say nothing of the tons of earth that were dug out in
order that this might be done, for the trenches had mostly been flattened out by
our bombardment before the hill was captured, and needed the expenditure of
untold energy and hard work to get them in good order. Great keenness in
connection with this work was shewn by Capt. E. J. Grinling, M.C., of the
Lincolns, who had recently succeeded that most energetic Officer Capt. Buckley,
as Brigade Major, when the latter left to take up a higher appointment.
The weather during the early part of October was fine, hot and dry, but with the
inevitable rain which set in later, the trenches, where not cleaned and
floorboarded, soon became in an almost impassable state, for the mud and chalk
together made a sort of paste, two or three feet deep, of an extraordinarily
sticky nature, almost impossible to get through, so that the carrying of all
kinds of stores was extremely exhausting work. Fortunately we got some slight
assistance by the use of Tump Lines—a leather arrangement by which the load was
carried on the back, but the weight taken by a broad leather across the
forehead—and Yukon packs—a kind of wooden framework covered with canvas, on
which the material was fastened with thin rope, and the whole carried on the
back, and held in position by straps round the shoulders. Constant practice in
their use was carried out when back at the Mazingarbe huts, and in the end a
number of men became quite expert, and could carry big loads with either of
these devices, with much less fatigue, and in a much shorter time than was
possible in any other way.
Water was supplied here, as in the Cambrin sector, by a system of pipes. These
were the only two instances we met with where this system of supply was in
vogue. To supply the Hill 70 sector, Australian Engineers had tapped the water
from the mine at the end of the Loos "Crassier," and pumped it up to tanks fixed
at different points in the trenches. The chief drawback of course was that the
pipes were apt to get broken by shells. It was a drawback to be short of water
for more reasons than one, as an essential part of trench discipline was to
shave regularly, and the visitor to Battalion Headquarters must have noticed on
more than one occasion a petrol tin labelled "Shaving Water," put in a prominent
position so as to catch the eye (of the Brigadier!) Two of General Carey's pet
orders in connection with trench routine, were that all ranks as far as
reasonably possible should shave every day, and that tea leaves should not be
deposited in or on the sides of the trenches.
Rations and supplies were mainly brought up by pack mules, the only sector in
which this method was used regularly. The mules were taken from the Transport
lines at Sailly-Labourse by road to Fosse 3, thence over a cross-country track
past Brigade Headquarters at Prèvite Castle, to the Battalion dumps at Tosh
Alley, and the old British front line. This was a perfectly silent method, and
one which, with little practice, soon became a very expeditious one. During our
stay, work was begun on the laying of tramlines up to Hill 70, but whilst we
were there they were not used to any great extent.
There was a normal amount of shelling in the area, and an uncomfortable amount
of heavy trench mortaring, particularly of the Left-Company front, whilst
machine gun bullets along the front line, and about the Tosh Alley dump, which
was enfiladed from Hulluch, often took much dodging. Otherwise the sector so far
as we were concerned was fairly quiet. Our most unpleasant experience
undoubtedly was on October 4th, when we got caught in the bombardment connected
with an attempted Boche raid on the 7th Battalion, whom we were relieving. They
had been very heavily shelled and trench mortared, and suffered numerous
casualties, the clearing of which caused the relief to be a long and difficult
business. Several dug-out entrances were blown in, and the front line in many
parts was almost unrecognisable. B Company unfortunately got mixed up with some
of the shelling, and lost several men, including Sergt. Drabble, who was killed.
Pvte. Frank Green did very good work on this occasion, in rescuing buried men,
working for five hours on end, though severely shaken as a result of the trench
mortaring, and L.-Corpl. Stewart did excellent work in repairing broken
telephone wires.
A very good daylight patrol was carried out on November 11th, by 2nd Lieut. A.
C. Fairbrother, a newly joined Subaltern, who managed to get into the enemy
trenches, shoot a Boche, and return with the two men who were with him without
casualty. For this he was awarded the M.C. A decoration of a different kind
ought to have been awarded to another Officer, who on a perfectly quiet night in
the line, when we had nothing to disturb our peace of mind, boldly sent off the
cryptic message "G.A.S."—only to be used in case of cloud gas attack, and likely
to cause every Officer and man, horse and mule, back almost to General
Headquarters to have their box respirators or gas masks put on! Not content with
that, he turned on a Strombos Horn, which was also to be used only on occasions
of cloud gas, but fortunately it could not rise to anything more than a painful
kind of wheeze. The cause of all his excitement apparently was that he imagined
he heard another Strombos Horn some miles away!
Whilst we were in the Hill 70 sector, the 59th Division (our second line
Territorials) took over a portion of the line about Avion, just South of Lens,
and it was a great pleasure to welcome some old friends who came over to see us,
including A. C. Clarke commanding the 2/6th Battalion, M. C. Martyn commanding
the 2/7th Battalion, and F. W. Johnson, commanding a Field Ambulance in the 59th
Division. Over an excellent little dinner, at Béthune, arranged by our good
friend Col. Barron of the 1/1st North Midland Field Ambulance, we were able to
compare notes, and go over many items of interest.
We were not sorry when news came that the Divisional General had decided that,
as the Hill 70 sector was the most unpleasant one of the three held by the
Division, an inter-Brigade relief should be carried out with a view to giving
another Brigade a chance of "doing its bit" there as well. The lot fell on the
138th Brigade, and on November 15th, we were relieved by the 5th Leicesters, and
moved back once more to support in the St. Elie sector, with Battalion
Headquarters and two Companies at Philosophe, and two Companies in trenches, one
in support to each of the two Battalions holding the line. This was the
beginning of the last phase of this trench warfare period.
Much to the regret of all ranks we now lost Major Lane, who left us for a tour
of duty at home, and was succeeded as Second-in-Command by Major E. M. Gingell,
of the Wiltshires. Capt. A. Bedford also went to England for a rest at the
beginning of November, and Capt. Geary then took command of C Company. Lieut.
Lomer went to Brigade Headquarters, where he later became Intelligence Officer.
Second Lieut. Hofmeyr unfortunately had been killed whilst we were at Hill 70,
and Capt. Vann after holding various appointments during the summer, had finally
left to take command of the 6th Battalion at the end of September. Several
reinforcement Officers, however, had arrived, including 2nd Lieuts. T. Saunders,
W. B. Newton, A. D. Sims, N. Martin and C. M. Bedford, and our strength in
Officers was consistently kept up to something over 30, and in other ranks to
about 650.
Our second period in the St. Elie Left sub-sector lasted until the middle of
January, 1918. We continued the old system of six days in the line, six days in
Brigade support at Philosophe, and after a further six days in the line the same
period in Divisional reserve at Verquin. The weather was now getting very bad,
and as few troops as possible were kept on duty in the front line, which as
usual was held by posts at considerable intervals, the defence of the line being
assured by the activity of patrols which were out in No Man's Land much of the
night, and did some excellent work, on several occasions getting right inside
the enemy lines.
We were lucky in being out of the line for Christmas, which was spent at Verquin
with much feasting and merriment. There seemed to be no shortage of good things,
and we feel sure that the inhabitants of Verquin will not think that at any rate
at Christmas time we take our pleasures seriously. Of course tales of all kinds
are told of our doings, and though perhaps some of them may have been
exaggerated, there is no doubt we did ourselves proud. It was a memorable sight
to see the four Company Commanders slogging back to the trenches on December
28th, to relieve the 7th Battalion in the line. Jack White in temporary command
of A, John Turner of B, Geary of C, and "Simmy" of D. Passing Brigade
Headquarters at Philosophe they wore a look that seemed to say "another little
drink wouldn't do us any harm," and after a refresher there, they went on
looking as if they didn't care two straws if the Boche attacked or not. As a
matter of fact on January 2nd, 1918, the enemy did actually attempt a raid on
our front, but thanks mainly to much careful planning by Simonet, and
supervision by Major Hacking, who was in temporary command of the Battalion, the
raid was successfully beaten off. The first intimation of anything of the kind
being likely to happen, was a message received from Col. Vann of the 6th
Battalion, on our right, at 3.30 p.m. on that day stating that an obvious gap
had been cut by the enemy in their wire opposite "Breslau Sap," on the 6th
Battalion front, and asking for co-operation in the event of a raid at that
point. Steps were accordingly taken to cover the front between Breslau and
Hairpin Craters with Lewis gun fire, whilst trench mortar co-operation was also
arranged, and all Companies warned to be particularly alert. The raid was
attempted as anticipated, the intention apparently being to surround Hairpin
Crater post. The barrage began at 9.30 p.m. with heavy trench mortars and
whizz-bangs, opening South of Breslau and gradually extending North. A barrage
was also put down on the front of the Battalion on our left. The heaviest
bombardment was on Hairpin Craters. Lewis gun fire was at once opened by us
along the whole of the front, from Breslau to Border Redoubt. Various groups of
the enemy attempted to push through to our posts when their barrage lifted, but
it was evident that they had lost direction, and got very disorganised, and we
had no difficulty in driving them off with rifle and Lewis gun fire and bombs,
and eventually things quietened down. Our casualties were only one Officer, and
seven other ranks wounded, all slight, whilst we captured two unwounded
prisoners, and a third was brought in dead. For his excellent preliminary
arrangements, and for his wise judgment and control of the situation during the
attack, Capt. Simonet was awarded the M.C. Great gallantry was shewn on the same
occasion by Sergt. W. H. Martin, L.-Sergt. Turner, and Pvte. Wildsmith, and good
work was also done by L.-Corpl. Rowley, and Pvte. Crouch.
During our stay in the St. Elie sector, much more use was made than on any
previous occasion of trench light railway and tram systems. At first rations and
stores were brought up nightly by our own Transport to the "Mansion House" at
Vermelles, and there transferred to small trench trams, which were taken up to
forward dumps by pushing parties found by the Battalion. As we were so short of
men, however, mules were requisitioned for this purpose. Later on, stores were
brought up all the way from Sailly-Labourse on the light railway. The larger
trucks on this railway were also available on one or two occasions to take the
Battalion on relief to Sailly, a ride which was much appreciated, and saved some
part, at any rate, of the weary tramp back to billets.
The chief recreation in these days was as usual football. A "league" was formed,
including practically every Unit in the Division. So that the notices of matches
might not give direct evidence of our identity, each Unit was allotted a code
name. We rejoiced in the name of "County," whilst teams we played included those
having such aristocratic names as "Dragons," "Miners," "Tigers," "Wyverns," and
"Maconochies." We were not very fortunate and occupied a somewhat humble
position in the final league table.
Our losses in personnel during the last two months of this period included Capt.
Turner, who after a wonderfully successful and lengthy period in command of B
Company, left to take a commission in the Indian Army. He was succeeded by
Lieut. Day. Second Lieuts. Tucker, Bridden, Sims, Wells, and E. A. Palmer (a
newly joined Subaltern) were wounded, and Lieut. Cursham went to the Machine Gun
Corps. We were also constantly losing N.C.O.'s on transfer to England to train
for commissions. Fresh Subalterns who joined were 2nd Lieuts. C. P. O. Bradish,
T. R. Christian, H. L. Kennett, A. S. Judd, A. Spinney, J. S. Whitelegge, A. B.
Miners, C. G. Druce, A. Jewell, E. H. Seymour, J. Bloor, M.M., V. L. Morris and
L. Bromham.
On January 17th, we were relieved in the St. Elie sector and moved to billets at
Verquin, where we spent a few days cleaning, and were lectured on the
all-absorbing topic of "War Savings." Leaving there on January 21st, we marched
to Burbure preparatory to a long period of training, the 46th Division having
been relieved in the line by the 11th Division.