Part 3 (16 December 1916 – 8 December 1917)
1918
Feb 7
Left TINCOURT Station to proceed on leave at 6.05 a.m.; on arriving at CHAULNES about 7.30 a.m. I had to wait until 6.00 bp.m. owing to the train in which I was to travel running off the line just outside the station. It was rather cold waiting about but the refreshments we were able to obtain at the YMCA hut cheered me up a bit.
Eventually I arrived at BOULOGNE about 11.00 p.m., and was marched to Choppings Rest Camp which was a disused factory of four stories high each floor being made into a kind of dormitory with wire beds in tiers of four high. On entering I was given a ticket for dinner and one for breakfast. The dinner consisted of Irish stew and potatoes with rice and custard and a pint of cocoa, after this I went to bed tired out after a long day of travelling etc.
Feb 8
Woke up about 5.30 a.m. and began to smarten things up a bit before proceeding to the Boat. Had breakfast consisting of ham and eggs, bread and butter, and a pint of tea at 8.00 a.m., after which I got into marching order for the 10.00 a.m. boat but, unfortunately, owing to being on the top floor of the billet and also that the number sailing was cut down owing to a lot of French heads going over on the Mail Boat, I had to wait until the 2.00 p.m. boat. Before leaving I was given a jolly good dinner, and on the quay was supplied with a quart of tea and two bath buns for the voyage. The water was very calm and had a good trip across to Folkestone where a train was waiting and set off immediately, travelling to Victoria without a stop where I arrived at 7.00 p.m.
I set off at once for a tram., without stopping to change any money, and arrived home at 7.20 p.m. and was unfortunate enough to find everybody out but it did not take long to find somebody from No.9 where I enjoyed a jolly good tea. Eventually Nellie arrived at 10.00 p.m. having been to Balham. with a friend and not being aware of my homecoming.
Feb 9
Had a very quiet day being rather tired after the long day on the 8th.
Feb 10
Had dinner at No.9 and in the evening called on Jim at Bermondsey; had a jolly good evening arriving home at 10.30 p.m.
Feb 11
Looked them up at the fire station in the morning, met Nellie afterwards at Blackfriars strolled up Fleet Street, had light refreshments at Crane Court, continued our stroll down the Strand and on to The Oxford where we booked seats, walked along Oxford Street and up the Edgware Road where we had dinner at Lyons Restaurant. Walked back to the Coliseum where we also booked seats and then proceeded home arriving about 6.00 p.m., had tea and went to Lodge having a very enjoyable evening it being the first session I had had the pleasure of attending since that fateful night August 4th 1914.
Feb 12
Had a quiet morning at home and after dinner went for a stroll returned home to tea and went to The Oxford in the evening to see The Better O’le which was very real and good; arrived home at 12.30.
Feb 13
Feeling very queer my head being very bad stayed at home all day and having promised to attend Stockwell’s Hope Lodge in the evening bucked myself up and kept that promise having under the circumstances a good evening.
Feb 14
Had a stroll round West in the morning, had dinner at the ABC Charing Cross and went home to tea and smarten up the parade for the Coliseum in the evening, arriving home about midnight.
Feb 15
Out all day: had tea in Fleet Street and went to the Empress with Ma and Dad in the evening the programme being very good including the Lads of the Village after which we went straight home and got an early night.
Feb 16
Stayed at home all the morning had early dinner and went out about midday and after visiting Tree’s in Great Dover Street proceeded to Harrow Wealdstone by Underground to visit an old friend where we arrived at 2.30 p.m. We had a jolly good time talking of days gone by and of places and events we had seen during the War, stayed the night and owing to this was fortunate enough to miss an Air Raid on London .
Feb 17
Left Harrow by the 11.05 a.m. train and arrived home about 2.30; had dinner and tea at No.9 which was followed by a Musical Evening which lasted until midnight. On this night I experienced my first Air Raid on London which to my mind was nothing very awful.
Feb 18
Spent the day at home doing little odd jobs. It being Lodge night it was my intention to be at the session but owing to an Air Raid being expected no members turned up so we had another sing song and behold the birds arrived about 10.00 p.m.
Feb 19
Started going round visiting, went to Minnie’s, from there to Jenny, Stacey’s and Jim’s and while there the Air Raid warning was sounded so at once made tracks for home but before we arrived the guns were in action. We arrived home about 9.00 p.m. and at once started a sing song to drown the noise of the guns.
Feb 20
Another day visiting: went to the Fire Station in the morning, from there to the City, had lunch at Crane Court and from there to Bermondsey – home to tea in case sing song at No.9 in the evening.
Feb 21
Being the last day of my leave I had a quiet time at home but nevertheless had a good time – Ma came to tea and we went over to No.9 about 7.00 left again at 10.30 to get to bed early.
Feb 22
Got up at 5.30 a.m. had a good breakfast and left for Victoria at 6.00 where I hung about until the 8.20 train for Folkestone; but on arriving at Shorncliffe about 10.00 a.m. we were told to get out and we marched along the sea front to a rest billet at Folkestone where the refreshments I was able to get at the Soldiers Home were very acceptable. We were given a jolly good dinner at midday and we marched straight on to the boat at 1.00 p.m. where owing to such a rough sea we were held up until 4.30 p.m.
The trip across was extraordinarily rough and I arrived at BOULOGNE about 6.30 p.m. we were then marched up the Hill a distance of three miles to the rest camp where we were given a jolly good tea and at 9.00 p.m. we marched back again to the station, the train leaving at 10.00 p.m. I travelled all night and arrived at CHAULNES about 5.30 a.m. on the 23rd.
Feb 23
Here I had to wait until 7.30 a.m. for a train to PERONNE arriving there at 8.15 – here again I had to wait until 11.50 for a train to TINCOURT during which time I had a walk round the town and obtained a good breakfast at the YMCA. Arrived at TINCOURT about 12.30 and got back to Camp just in time for dinner which I done justice to after which I slept for the rest of the day.
Feb 25
Went for a load of bricks for the stables to BUIRE.
Feb 26–27
Normal routine.
Feb 28
I turned out for the Mail on the 28th.
Feb 29 – Mar 4
Ordinary routine of duty and building stables and huts.
Mar 5
Moved at 9.00 a.m. to VRAIGNES passing through BUIRE and HANCOURT, arriving at 1.30 p.m. Turned out for Rations at 2.30 p.m. the dump being in the big gun line near POEUILLY.
Mar 6–9
Ordinary routine on the 6, 7, 8 & 9th there being great aerial activity on the above days and we were bombed at 9.00 p.m. on the 9th – no casualties.
Mar 10
Had a fairly easy day and a grand football match in the afternoon.
Mar 11
I turned out at 9.00 a.m. and went to ROISEL, TINCOURT & BUIRE returning at 3.30 p.m.
Mar 12–14
Grand weather, great aerial activity.
Mar 15
Moved at 9.00 a.m. passing through ESTREES, MONS and several other small villages arriving at our billet at ST. CHRIST about midday.
Mar 16
Cleaning up etc.
Mar 17
Moved off at 10.00 a.m. passing through ENNEMAIN, DEVISE, MONTECOURT arriving in our billet at MONTECOURT about 1.00 p.m. – very good billet.
Mar 18
Turned out for Rations went about five miles across country arriving back at 12.30 p.m.
Mar 19
Cleaning up etc.
Mar 20
German offensive expected on this day and we turned out at 8.00 a.m. passing through VRAIGNES and then across country towards the line where we stood-to for some hours eventually returning to our billet about 5.00 p.m. the expected attack not taking place.
Mar 21
The German offensive started at 4.00 a.m. the weather being very misty and one could not see more than 20 yards.We were awakened by the bombardment and stood-to ready to move at a minute’s notice, the Division being then in reserve. Several shells dropped round our billet and one 5.9 dropped right into the stable next to mine killing six horses and wounding one machine gunner.
The attack being successful owing to the great mist, the Division was ordered up into action. At 2.00 p.m. we passed through POEUILLY and the Battery went into action on a hill to the left front of the village at 5.00 p.m. I went up to replenish ammunition at 9.00 p.m. and, while unloading, a 5.9 dropped about 20 yards in front of my team, getting a piece of it hitting my tin hat and also getting smothered in mud. Went straight back to refill at the Dump returned to wagon line under the cover of the hill the Battery was in action on, we stood-to all night – no sleep, it was bitter cold.
Mar 22
Supplied ammunition to the guns at 5.30 a.m. and went to Dump to refill. On returning we found that the Battery had retired to the outskirts of VRAIGNES. It was bitter cold all the morning but turned warm about midday. Went to Battery with more ammunition at 2.00 p.m. Battery retired just beyond ESTREES about 6.00 p.m. where we got into a hollow and were told to get as much sleep as possible the guns being put into action for immediate use if required.
Mar 23
At 1.30 a.m. we were woke up by the guns firing, there were also three other Batteries in the same hollow; they also opened fire. We were told that we were nearly surrounded and was to get out as quick as possible. Needless to say everybody was ready to move in 15 minutes, one Battery being told off to cover the retirement of the others. Eventually we got out and went through MONS and crossed the Somme at ST. CHRIST about 6.00 a.m.
After getting out of the village we went to our left and took up a position on the flanks at 11.00 a.m. In this position we had two gunners wounded and it was not a very healthy spot as I found out in going up with ammunition at 2.00 p.m., after which I went back to the Column to refill returning to the wagon line about 5.30 p.m. Went up twice with ammunition during the night and first thing in the morning.
Mar 24
The Battery retired about five kilometres at 2.00 p.m. and we made our wagon line in an old American RE Dump here we found plenty of food kit etc.
Mar 25
The Battery retired at 10.00 a.m. going into action at CHAULNES and we had our wagon line about five kilometres to the rear. Here we were shelled at 11.30 p.m. and moved to just outside ROSIERES – here we stayed for the rest of the night; it was raining all the time and we had no cover.
Mar 26
A casualty clearing station near us cleared out and we were told to help ourselves to what was left and we stored our carts with plenty of food and drink which came in very handy as no rations could find us. We retired at 10.00 a.m. going through ROSIERES and CAIX halting just outside CAIX in the same place as we stopped for a night on our retirement in 1914. Here we stayed until 6.30 p.m. when we retired to CAYEAUX staying the night.
Mar 27
Stood-to until 10.00 a.m. when we got the order to stand easy as things were going on well and we were holding the enemy.
Mar 28
Moved about 4.00 p.m. to DEMUIN.
Mar 29
Left wagon line to join Battery in action at 11.00 a.m. As soon as we arrived the Battery retired (Here Archer got hit) about 200 yards to the edge of a wood and remained until 2.00 p.m. when we retired out of action for a few hours rest into a wood. The night was very wet and rough and I got no sleep.
Mar 30
We stood-to at 4.00 a.m. and advanced at 9.00 a.m. about two miles along the AMIENS road and came into action at the edge of a wood on the left near CAYEUX; we had our wagon line about 20 yards behind the guns. Here we were shelled heavily but only got one gunner hit. I had a narrow squeak while making feeds out: a large piece of a 5.9 went right through the sack and several pieces hit my wagon.
The German infantry came over a ridge just in front of us at 3.15 p.m. and the Battery gave them hell for 15 minutes not being able to see them fall in batches. After we had stayed as long as we dared, we had to get out of it very quick and retired further on the flank and took up a position about a mile north of the Somme. Left gun line and rejoined the wagon line at 11.00 p.m. in the village of GUILLAUCOURT.
Mar 31
Had a fairly easy day and I had a good sleep in the afternoon – it rained nearly all day.
Apr 1
Very showery all day moved at 11.00 a.m. stopped for lunch in a field and resumed our march to a hut just outside the village of DAOURS (Somme).
Apr 2
Second day of rest fairly warm but showery.
Apr 3–5
Very wet all the time and very heavy firing along the front. It was here that with the help of the French we were able to stop the German advance. The Battery had to come out of action owing to them only having one gun that they could fire.
Apr 6
Moved off about 9.00 a.m. passing through DAOURS and several other places stopping on the north-east side of AMIENS. Here we stayed for a few days during which time I had a walk round the town and a look at the Cathedral which was then all sand bagged up.
Apr 10
Got a quick move at 2.30 p.m. and we marched until 11.00 p.m. passing through TALMAS, FROHEN-LE-GRAND and halting for the night at BOFFLES.
Apr 11
Moved off at midday and halted for the night at CONCHY.
Apr 12
Left CONCHY at 2.00 p.m. we passed through FILLIEVRES, CROISETTE, ST MARTIN, HESTRUS, FLECHIN and several other smaller villages, arriving at ESTREE BLANCHE at 10.00 p.m.
Apr 13
Stood-to all day but stayed the night. The cause for our quick move being that the Germans had started an offensive against the Portuguese who ran away and had it not been for the 51st Division who stopped their rush they would have broken right through our line.
Apr 14–17
Very cold and windy with a little rain, still standing-to, very heavy firing on the 17th. From this date the stand-to was cancelled.
Apr 18–30
From 18th to 30th the weather was very cold and changeable and we were on our usual routine of exercise and grazing with plenty of inspections.
May 1
Weather very wet and cold.
May 2
Turned out at 9.00 a.m. to fetch ammunition from the Column who met us half way got back at 2.00 p.m.
May 3–7
3rd to 7th things as usual.
May 8–9
Packed up and stood-to at half an hour’s notice. Grand weather. The stand-to was ordered for four days but owing to the German attack failing on the 8th & 9th it was cancelled at 4.00 p.m. on the 9th – the weather was again very wet and cold.
May 10
Very warm all day strolled round ESTREE BLANCHE in the evening.
May 11–15
Weather rather warm – usual routine.
May 16–18
At 10.00 p.m. on the 16th we were bombed – one dropping in our lines killed four horses and wounding two others – no other casualty.
May 19
Left ESTREE BLANCHE at 9.30 a.m. and stopped at DELETTES only one hour’s march. Weather rather warm – usual routine.
May 20
Cleaning up etc. all day.
May 21
Got a quick move at 10.00 a.m. ????. passing through FRUGES.
May 22
Moved at 8.30 a.m. and marched to a small village near RAYE SUR AUTHIE, passing through HESDIN. Here we stayed until July 1st passing time away as usual polishing etc. and a lot more unnecessary work which is called resting.
Jun 17–25
I went to the Column which was near AUXI LE CHATEAU to change some horses. Returning in the afternoon I was taken queer and was admitted into hospital at 7.00 a.m. on the 18th and discharged on the 25th.
Jun 30
At 1.00 p.m. the Mobile Section were ordered to pack up at once and proceed to the Column where we had to hand over our horses and wagons and returned to the Battery by motor. The reason for this was that the Battery were so short-handed having 80 men in hospital with fluJul 1
The Battery moved at 9.00 a.m. passing through AUXI LE CHATEAU and halting for the night at BEAUVOIR RIVIERE.
Jul 2–4
Continued our march and halted at CANAPLES. Here we stayed all day on the 3rd and continued the march on the 4th – I being detailed to be orderly to the Captain and to continue on that job during my stop in the Battery. We halted at ACHEUX about 2.00 p.m. here we took over a wagon line for a few days.
Jul 5
Went out with Capt. and reconnoitred the Red and Brown lines of defence.
Jul 6
Owing to another Battery requiring the lines we were in, the Battery had to move to RAINCHEVAL arriving about 4.00 p.m.
Jul 7
Went out with Capt. to the right front of ENGLEBELMER; here we got into rather a warm corner there being a heavy artillery duel in progress. We were held up for about an hour not being able to move one way or the other from shells – eventually things quietened down and the Capt. decided to gallop for it and we got out safe and sound and made straight for home where we arrived about 4.00 p.m.
Jul 8
Had another ride out and went right up to the support line some distance to the left of ENGLEBELMER; to get there we had several lines of trenches to cross which we had to jump and at one we were warned not to go any further by our Infantry Officer, but the Capt. not being very fond of walking kept going until within a few yards of the top of the crest, when we dismounted and he walked on to the top. I stayed just under cover with the horses, they happened to neigh and then the Infantry shouted for me to clear out on account of showing fire. We arrived home at 4.30 p.m. having been out since 9.00 a.m.
Jul 9
Went for another ride in the afternoon but this time behind the line, it was very wet and cold.
Jul 10
The men that were left behind by the Battery sick rejoined by motor so unfortunately the Mobile men had to return by motor to the Column, who were at VILLEROY where we arrived about 8.00 p.m. having stopped for tea and to see a boxing contest at AUXI LE CHATEAU.
Jul 13–25
Moved with the Column to GEZAINCOURT; here we stayed until the 25th.
Jul 25 – Aug 4
The weather still being very wet, the Mobile Section left to join the Battery at SARTON.
Here we stood-to until 4th Aug in reserve in case of a German attack that was expected.
Aug 5–6
We moved at 9.30 p.m. and marched to BONNEVILLE arriving at 1.45 a.m. on the 6th leaving here at 11.30 p.m. We marched through CANAPLES, VIGNACOURT and ST. VAAST stopping for the day at ARGOEUVES.
Aug 5–6
We moved at 9.30 p.m. and marched to BONNEVILLE arriving at 1.45 a.m. on the 6th leaving here at 11.30 p.m. We marched through CANAPLES, VIGNACOURT and ST. VAAST stopping for the day at ARGOEUVES.
Aug 7–8
Leaving here again at 10.30 p.m. we passed through AMIENS, RIVERY, LAMOTTE and GLISY halting just outside VILLERS-BRETONNEUX at 3.30 a.m. on the 8th.
Aug 8
Our offensive started prompt at 4.30 a.m. and it was a fine sight to see the guns open out all together just as it was breaking dawn.
The attack was a great success and we was going over the original front line about 8.00 a.m. The advance continued to be very quick, the Cavalry getting into action about 9.30 a.m. and before noon we had passed through BAYONVILLERS and WEINCOURT seeing plenty of German dead lying all over the place.
By 1.00 p.m. we had captured GUILLAUCOURT – here the 1st Cavalry Brigade captured a train load of reinforcements as they drew up into the Station; here also was the remains of a complete German Battery that our Cavalry caught ???? their horses in, not even one man or horse getting away.
At 6.00 p.m. we halted for the night just outside CAIX after a good day’s fight and an advance of over 7½ miles. About 8.00 p.m. an aeroplane paid us a visit and dropped eight bombs in a line about 50 yards in front of us, no other event disturbed us during the night.
Aug 9
We were relieved by the 2nd Div. at 4.30 a.m. and moved back about ½ a mile in reserve. At 4.00 p.m. we were ordered up the line again and moved up in sight of the German observation balloons and stopped just outside ROSIERES – here we stayed for about two hours under cover when we went back by another route to our old camp, on the way back we were spotted by Hun aircraft and followed to the camp – they returned about 11.00 p.m. and dropped about 20 bombs without doing any damage.
Aug 10
We moved back at 4.30 a.m. to the 2nd reserve passing through CAIX. We halted for about four hours behind a wood in front of GUILLAUNCOURT. Here we were spotted and had a ???? 5.9 sent over but the only damage they done was to wound two horses; fortunately for one of our teams they had just gone to water when a shell dropped on the exact spot that they had been standing on.
Moving again we went to the other side of GUILLAUCOURT where we stayed until 4.30 p.m. when we moved up the line passing through VRELEY and stopped behind a wood to the right of ROSIERES, moving back to CAIX at 9.00 p.m. – here we stayed the night being kept awake all night by bombs.
Aug 11
After having a good days rest we moved off at 9.30 p.m. just as it was getting dark; the bombing started before we all moved off and was kept up by relays of aeroplanes all the way back to LAMOTTE, but luck was with us and we did not get a casualty. This night was the worst that ever I had with bombs dropping quite close on either side and at the rear I being in the rear team.
Aug 12
We moved out of the village into a plantation by the side of the River Aure where we had a jolly good time in the water.
Aug 13
Ordinary routine cleaning up etc.
Aug 14
Inspection by the GOC Sir D. Haig.
Aug 15
Inspection by the Brigade General who thanked us for the good work we had done and told us that the Brigade averaged one prisoner per man for the ????
Aug 16–17
Moved at 9.30 a.m. passing through AMIENS, CANAPLES, BONNEVILLE and several other small villages arriving at FROHEN-LE-PETIT at 6.03 a.m. on the 17th and we rested all day.
Aug 18–21
Moved at 9.30 p.m. and marched to SARTON arriving at 3.30 a.m. on the 19th. Here we rested until 3.30 a.m. on the 21st when we moved up for the attack passing through PAS, SOUASTRE, halting about a mile from the village. For this attack the Division was in reserve.
About 1.00 p.m. we advanced to the right of GOMMECOURT when we got the news through that our attack was a success and that a heavy counter-attack had been beaten off. We returned to near SOUASTRE where we stayed until 6.00 p.m.
Everything being successful we went back to just outside DOULLENS passing through SOUASTRE, HENU, PAS, ORVILLE and several other small villages arriving at 11.50 p.m.
After a good day, our advance was of about 7½ miles carrying with it several villages and the ALBERT – BAPAUME Railway and about two miles past ACHIET LE GRAND.
Aug 22
Rested all day and was visited at night by aeroplanes who dropped us a few bombs to remind us that the War was still in progress.
Aug 23
Another day of rest until 6.00 p.m. when we got a quick order to move; all was ready by 6.10 p.m. but owing to the report coming in that the roads were congested we did not move until 7.15 p.m. and then we travelled as fast as we could all night, passing back through SOUASTRE, HENU, PAS and GOMMECOURT. From here we went to our left along the line, being fired at most of the time by machine gun from aeroplanes but luckily we had no casualties.
Aug 24
We halted at BOYELLES at 4.00 a.m. on the 24th. Here we were just in front of our reserve line and at the time of us arriving the Infantry were just having their breakfast before moving up to the attack.
At this point we were just behind CROISILLES. Here we stood-to until 2.00 p.m. when we moved forward into a hollow presumably for the night, but at 6.00 p.m. an aeroplane came over and spotted us; owing to this we had to move again just after dark which was 8.30 p.m. Exactly at 8.40 p.m. six planes came over and dropped their load on the exact spot that we had left – this we found out in the morning by going over the ground and learning to dodge the holes.
Aug 25
We got down to it for the night but was up again at 1.00 a.m. on the 25th. and moved off at 1.45 a.m. passing through GOMMECOURT, PAS, HENU, SOUASTRE and ORVILLE, halting at FRESCHEVILLERS about 1½ miles from DOULLENS at 5.45 a.m. – here we slept most of the day expecting a move in the evening but at 6.00 p.m. the order for moving was cancelled and we got in a fairly good night’s rest although it rained all night and we were lying in the open.
It will be seen that out of 21 days we had 17 night marches and only one full night’s sleep.
Aug 26 – Sep 1
Raining hard all day so we took things easy until 4.30 p.m. when we moved to BROUILLY near FREVENT passing through DOULLENS and several other villages that owing to it being a very dark night I was unable to get their names.
Here we rested until 1st Sept. sleeping in a large house and having our horses on the side of the road, and of course we had to clean our harness. At 1.00 p.m. we got a quick order to move owing to Infantry requiring our billet and we went to ESTREE-WARMIN a small village not very far away.
Sep 2–4
At 10.30 a.m. we were ordered to stand-to at ½ an hour’s notice and we eventually moved at 2.00 a.m. on 4th Sept. – it was a very dark night and owing to German aircraft being about we were unable to have any lights.
It We passed through WANQUETIN, WARLUS, BERNEVILLE, WAILLY, FICHEUX, HENIN, HENINEL and WANCOURT all of which were practically in ruins. We halted about 11.00 a.m. at CHERISY, on arrival we were told that orders had been altered and that we were a day too soon so we rested until 4.00 p.m. and moved back to AGNY.
Sep 5
Leaving AGNY at 2.30 p.m. on 5th Sept. we passed back through WAILLY, BERNEVILLE, WARLUS, WANQUETIN and halted for the night at LATTRE ST. QUENTIN.
Sep 6
Leaving here again at 9.00 a.m. we marched to FREVENT. Here we rested until the 18th it being rather wet all the time. I had a few trips into the town and had one or two good feeds.
Sep 18
On the 18th we got up at 3.00 a.m. – it was then raining very hard and was that dark that one could not see your hand in front of you; how we managed to get harnessed up is a thing that none of us could tell as it was still very dark when we moved off at 5.30 a.m. As daylight broke so the weather got fine and at 7.30 a.m. we reached our rendezvous – here we were told that we were going to fight out a scheme for our next advance. We fought our way into AUXI LE CHATEAU passing through a lot of villages and finally rested for the night at LE BOISLE after a very successful day’s fighting.
Sep 19
Moved off at 2.30 p.m. and went into billet at LANNOY a small village just outside AUXI LE CHATEAU. During our stay here I had a few trips into the town for the purpose of having a good feed, which I may say here was a hobby of mine to get a good feed whenever possible regardless of cost and that is what I put my good health down to.
Sep 24
I attended the Harvest Thanksgiving Service at the YMCA which was very good – I little knew then that on the next day I should be leaving to take part in the final Battle of the War.
Sep 25–26
We moved at 8.00 p.m. to AMPLIER via AUXI and DOULLENS arriving at 1.00 a.m. on the 26th leaving again at 7.30 p.m.
We marched to MARTINSART, a place I remembered well, we travelled via ORVILLE, THIEVRES, BUS, BERTRANCOURT and HAMEL arriving about midnight, it was rather cold but being very tired we rolled ourselves up in our blankets and slept behind our horses.
Sep 27–28
Leaving MARTINSART at 7.30 p.m. on the 27th we marched to MANANCOURT passing through ALBERT, GINCHY and COMBLES – during the march the continued hum of the Bosch aeroplanes made things a bit uneasy but nothing unusual happened and we arrived at our destination at 1.00 a.m. on the 28th.
Sep 29–30
We rested until 2.00 p.m. on the 29th when we got a quick order to saddle up but did not move until 6.00 p.m. when we marched to TINCOURT passing through CARTIGNY and BUIRE arriving about 11.00 p.m. We found TINCOURT looking very different to what it was when we left it in March. It rained all night but was fine on the 30th during which time we rested as much as we could.
Oct 1
Moved into stables and huts at 11.00 a.m. in CARTIGNY.
Oct 2
Done a bluff move up the line at 9.30 a.m. passing through TINCOURT, HAMEL and HAMELET and rested for two hours just behind the line after which we returned to CARTIGNY.
Oct 3
Leaving again at 9.30 a.m. on the 3rd we went up the line in the same direction and had a try to get into action but was unsuccessful so we again had to return to CARTIGNY.
Oct 4
Rested all day.
Oct 5–7
Moved to a billet in TINCOURT. Rested here on the 6th and left at 3.00 p.m. on the 7th passing through HAMEL and HAMELET – we halted for the night just in front of LE VERGUIER.
Oct 8
At 5.00 a.m. sharp the fun started and with it we moved up, passing through NAUROY, JONCOURT, ESTREES, and halting just outside PREMONT at about midday. Here we were observed by a Hun balloon and had to keep shifting up and down dodging the shells; the Cavalry had a good day’s fighting. After dark we retired for the night to MONTBREHAIN.
Our retirement was hindered by bombs all the way: the Hun, as we afterwards found out, was covering his retirement by aerial bombardment and as it happened we got into the thick of it and was constantly under it for eight hours. Such a night I had never experienced before and do not want to again; my two horses got slightly wounded and my tin hat stopped me from getting the same. The ???? was awful as one could plainly see the planes as they were throwing out lights to light up the ground below.
Oct 9
Leaving MONTBREHAIN at 7.30 a.m. we travelled about two miles and halted for further orders. Leaving again at 10.30 a.m. we passed through VAUX LE PRETRE on to the main road leaving PREMONT on the right and SERAIN and ELINCOURT on the left, halting at noon about a mile from MARETZ. Leaving here again at 6.00 p.m. we moved towards the line encountering on the way twelve Hun planes who used their machine guns on us but without effect.
We advanced under cover of darkness to within 200 yards of the German trenches and halted on the edge of Le Tabliese Wood for the night. Here three Cavalry Divisions congregated for a big ???? in the morning.
Oct 10
We were astir again at 3.00 a.m. on the 10th only to find that Jerry had done a nip in the night. We marched at 5.00 a.m. and went through MARETZ, MAUROIS and REUMONT, halting just outside TROISVILLES. During the march it was a very pitiful sight to see the civilians who we had liberated all congregated together in each place some crying with joy, and others frightened nearly out of their lives, it made us thank God that our own people were safe at home away from the tortures of the Hun.
At 2.00 p.m. a section of the Battery went into action and made a fine ???? just outside LE CATEAU. On their return we retired to just outside MARETZ.
Oct 11–19
The Cavalry handed over to the Infantry, the Cavalry staying at MARETZ until the 20th in reserve.
On the nights of 19th & 20th a Hun plane came over and dropped a bomb about 50 yards from my dug out. He was brought down directly after by machine gun fire and on hitting the ground the four bombs that were on it exploded and blew the three occupants to pieces.
Oct 20
We moved at 12 noon to a large farm at BUSIGNY – here we stayed until 24th Oct. when we were ordered in reserve to the 3rd Army.
Oct 24.
Moving at 8.30 we arrived at LESDAIN at about 12.30.
LESDAIN was captured by us on 21st Oct. after hard fighting, so was in ruins. We found a lot of dead Huns laying about and had to help bury them. We stopped here in reserve until 7th Nov each night being visited by Hun planes.
Nov 7
We moved at 9.00 a.m. on the 7th to AUBIGNY AU BAC on the main CAMBRAI – DOUAI Road travelling all the way across country.
Nov 8
Moved at 9.00 a.m. passing through BUGNICOURT, CANTIN, ROUCOURT, LEWARDE, MARCHIENNES, BOUVIGNIES and ORCHIES stopping for the night at AUCHY on the main LILLE Road.
Nov 9
Moved at 5.00 p.m. passing through ORCHIES, AIX and SAMEON and halting for the rest of the night at RUMEGIES.
Nov 10
Here we got a quick order to move at 10.00 a.m. It was a very trying march and at dusk we halted in the first large Belgian town – PERUWELZ. Here the streets were gaily decorated and the people as joyful as school children at play.
The first person I spoke to was a lady who spoke English. She treated me well asking me into her Mansion and I was none too clean after such a long march. I felt rather out of place walking on pile carpets and sitting on a nice soft armchair with a down cushion put behind my head and to cap it all the Maid brought me in coffee in a silver cup and saucer and some nice biscuits. Needless to say, she was all talk and after asking me how long I had been at the War and where I had been and also what the outside World had been doing all the time, she thanked me for my information, wished me the best of luck and then I had to go again to start on another weary night march. We eventually stopped at BASECLES for the night at 11.30 p.m.
Nov 11
We were astir at 4.00 a.m. and marched off at 5.00 a.m. travelling as fast as our horses could take us in the direction of the line – we passed to the left of MONS just an hour after it had been taken. The Cavalry got into action at 6.30 a.m. but only two sections of the Battery managed to get in action.
We got the order to stand fast at 11.00 a.m. in the small village of LENS in Belgium and at 12.30 p.m. we were told officially that the Armistice was signed; such good news was hardly believable and was taken by the troops as all bluff at first. The civilians in the village were very good to us and if coffee would have made one drunk everybody would have been drunk as you could not pass a house but what they came out and pulled you inside for coffee.
At 12.30 we moved forward for about two miles when we were halted by the General who cancelled the order and at 2.00 p.m. we moved back into LENS where we eventually stayed the night. At 6.00 p.m. it started to rain and continued all night
Troops were walking about in ones and twos almost miserable thinking that the news was too good to be true, and all night could be heard large mines exploding. We slept in a cold barn with the rain coming through the roof on us.
Nov 12
Moved at 9.00 a.m. – we passed back through BASECLES and several small villages and halted in the town of PERUWELZ where we were again made welcome by the civilians, who also decorated our horses with little flags. We eventually went into billet in the town and stayed until the 15th when the Mobile Section rejoined the Column just outside the town.
Nov 15
On this day the Division had a large Thanksgiving Service in the square at PERUWELZ which was a grand sight.
Nov 16
Had orders to polish up for the march through Belgium, which took us all day.
Nov 17
Moved off at 9.00 a.m. on our victorious march through Belgium to the Rhine. Our first stop was to have been HOUDENG but at 7.00 p.m. we were halted by our Infantry outposts about 15 kilometres from there and we had to put up in a field for the night, it was very cold and a heavy frost all night so one may guess we were not very comfortable.
Nov 18
Moved off at 9.30 a.m. and marched to HOUDENG. Here the streets were gaily decorated and we were met by crowds of people who cheered themselves hoarse and altogether they gave us the first English troops in the town a jolly good welcome. We pulled into what had been in pre-war days a large British motor works but all that was left was the bare building and had that had been moveable the Huns would have taken it.
After we had fed and made our horses comfortable we were allowed to stroll round the town and my first job was to get something to eat as we had had nothing since the night before. I managed to get some steak at an enormous price and then walked into a shop for some bread but was unable to get any but the woman dished out some good coffee and a piece of cake and almost cried when I insisted on paying for it. I eventually got my steak cooked at a house while getting a wash and on returning found the woman had cooked some potatoes and greens also coffee. Here, again she would not accept payment.
In the evening I was walking along the chaussée when a young lady caught hold of my arm and walked me into her house. On entering I found an old lady and gentleman sitting by the fire; they at once got up, the old boy insisting on taking off my boots and gave me a pair of slippers and then took me upstairs to a very comfortable bedroom where he told me I was to sleep, also telling me to have a wash and come downstairs again. On arriving at the kitchen I found the table laid for four and I had a good tuck in, after which they bombarded me with questions about the War and the outside world in general. They were very much surprised to hear that I was at Mons in 1914 as they had been told by the Huns that all England’s contemptible little army had been wiped out. They kept me talking until midnight when I returned to bed and I can assure you I done justice to the good bed.
Nov 19
Had a fairly easy day polishing up etc. and the stable as I will call it was bombarded with civilians all day and they told us that they could hardly believe their own eyes when they saw our horses and also the brass buckles on our harness and the brass caps on all the wagon wheels. Our own eyes showed us that the Huns had stolen everything that was brass from the houses as well as church bells and any brass that was in the Churches.
I spent another evening talking to the people at the house and they turned out to be the proprietors of a large opera company and had travelled all over the world except England; the reason they had not visited England being that French operas did not make a hit in London.
Nov 20
Another easy day.
Nov 21
Got up at 5.00 a.m. and was invited to the house to breakfast and on leaving I enquired how much my bill was and the old people were greatly upset at my asking such a question and told me that they could never repay me for what I had helped to do for them. They also told me that if I cared to spend a holiday in Belgium after I had left the Army I should be made very welcome at their house, my wife also.
We moved off at 9.30 a.m. amid great cheering and marched to the small mining village of FLEURUS. Here we were also made very welcome but at first the people were half afraid of us owing to what the Huns had told them Tommy would do. I slept in a farm house for the night.
Nov 22
Moved at 9.00 a.m. and marched into NAMUR which is rather a large and nice place. We passed right through the town which was more or less decorated with bunting and flags, went along the River Meuse, passed the famous forts which made a fine sight away up on the hill,. We then crosse the river by a bridge that the Huns had built – the old one having been blown up by the Belgians in 1914, and halted in what had been before the War a large storage but the Huns had used it for a motor workshop. In and outside were hundreds of motors and guns which were in for repairs; being unable to finish them Jerry had to leave them also a large amount of stores etc.
We all slept in a large mansion nearby. The people of NAMUR treated us with indifference and I formed the opinion that being so near the frontier and being in German hands for so long they were half German.
Nov 23
Had a good cleaning up and a stroll round the town in the evening.
Nov 24–27
Moved at 10.30 a.m. – it was a very cold morning and we marched along the east bank of the Meuse – here there is grand scenery and looking across the river one sees the bank rising to a good height with patches of green and woods and a factory dotted here and there. On the east side it rises to a great height and is all wooded. We halted at the small village of BEN-AHIN on the Meuse – myself finding comfortable quarters for self and horses in a farm.
Here we rested until the 27th when we marched at 8.00 a.m. continuing our way along the bank of the river as far as HUY. Here we turned off through the town to the right and passed through several small villages halting at ANTHISNES.
Nov 28
Rested all day.
Nov 29
Moved off at 9.00 a.m. and marched along the bank of a tributary of the Meuse which ran between very high wooded hills, the scenery being grand. Passing several small villages we arrived at SPA – here was the Headquarters of the International Armistice Commission and we saw a good many Germans and needless to say there were very long faces. We halted just outside the town and I got into a billet that had been occupied for some months by a Hun Officer.
Nov 30
Spent the day cleaning up and spent a very enjoyable evening in SPA which is a very nice place and noted for its scenery and mineral waters.
Dec 1
It was freezing cold and a very cold wind blowing. We moved at 8.00 a.m. and proceeded towards the frontier, the going being all uphill. On reaching the top we got into the low clouds and the wind and cold was awful and we got wet through to the skin with sleet and snow. Here we halted for an hour owing to us being that time in front of time as no British troops were to cross the frontier until 11.00 a.m. From this point the going was all up and down the scenery being grand. I only wished the Huns had thrown up the sponge in the summer.
I crossed the frontier at 11.16 a.m. on 1st Dec. which at that point was a small winding stream. On looking about me I could not help thinking that had we have had an Army big enough to have put on the frontier in 1914 the Germans would never have crossed it, but they was well aware of the fact and that was their reason for rushing their Army over so quick.
The first German greeting we got was “Good morning how do you do” in good English which very much surprised us. The first Hun town we went through was MALMEDY [now in the Belgian province of Liège] – here our greetings varied as the population was a mixture of Belgians and Huns but we got our fair amount of black looks.
The next place was WIESMES here it was all black looks, from here we continued along the road and did not arrive at another village until after dark. We marched far into the night eventually halting at KALTERHERBERG; we were not as one may guess given a very warm welcome at first but the people got better as time wore on.
Dec 4
We marched from here at 8.00 a.m. and halted at a small village just outside DUREN – here the people made us fairly welcome.
Dec 6
Leaving here at 6.00 a.m. it was very cold and frosty at first – we marched along the bank of a small river and then turning to the left the road ran through a fir tree forest. To the right there was a drop of about 150 feet then a stretch of pasture for about 200 yards then a small winding stream; the other side of this rising even higher. There was nothing else but fir trees that completed the scene on the right. On the left the hill rose to between 400-500 feet and was also covered with large fir trees. The road continued straight for about two miles at the bottom turning sharp to the right with a large white house at the corner. This put the final touch to one of the best pictures I have seen.
Not very far from here we passed through a very quaint old village, the houses being built entirely of wood with thatched roof – the road was just wide enough to allow our wagons to pass and there was no pathway. Leaving this behind we started on a winding road uphill and on two occasions the front of the Column was as one would say at the rear. On reaching the top we could see DUREN about two miles in front of us.
DUREN is a fairly large town and all the people had assembled in the square for some reason or other and we had to pass right through them; one could see by their faces that it was a great surprise for them to see our fine horses and the amount of brass that was on our harness and wagons. From here we passed through several small villages on the main DUREN-COLOGNE Road finally halting at BLATZHEIM.
Here the people were very good to us and gave us a good welcome so much so that we could hardly realise that we were in Germany. I got a good stable for my horses and accepted the offer of a good bed in the house, the woman at once setting before me coffee, which I afterwards found to be wheat roasted and ground up, and a large dish full of boiled potatoes which were very plentiful. The woman’s two sons were at home just demobilised from the Army – they both held the Iron Cross – they both tried to tell me that Germany was not beaten but in the end I got them down and they had to admit they were down and out, they also informed me that on demobilisation they received the large amount of 40 Marks which at that time was valued at 7d. a Mark.
Dec 11
We moved away from BLATZHEIM at 9.00 a.m. on the 11th passing through FRECHEN and several small villages, also the west side of COLOGNE where we halted for the night in the German artillery mobilisation stores just outside Cologne West Station.
Dec 12
Leaving here at 9.30 a.m. on the 12th we went right through Cologne which is a fairly large town and passed the Cathedral which on the outside is a fine piece of art building. From here we proceeded towards the Rhine and went over the famous HOHENZOLLERN BRIDGE at 11.45 a.m.
At the fort we were inspected by Gen. Plumer and here was the finest sight I ever saw. The Saluting Point was just under the Statue of the Kaiser under where now flew the Union Jack with General Plummer who wore five rows of ribbons standing in front with all his Staff and the 1st Cavalry Division General and Staff. On the opposite side of the road our Divisional Band was playing and as my section got nearer to them they started playing “There’s a long long trail a’winding” – it was very appropriate as all the men in the section wore the 1914 Star and it was the end of a trail that had lasted 4 years and 4 months. To complete the picture there were crowds of civilians lining the roads and all who had got cameras had obtained permission to take photographs. Standing near the Saluting Point was a cinematograph operator taking a film of the first British troops passing over the Rhine. On arriving at the other side of the Bridge we halted at the Bon Barracks previously the quarters of German Cavalry.
Dec 13
Rested all day and at night out of the windows was to be seen a fine sight of the Rhine and Cologne by night. It was one mass of lights along both sides of the river and over it on either side of us by the two bridges, and with a very quick tram service on either side of the river and over both Bridges all helped to make a grand sight. By day one could see the Cathedral which was on the opposite side, also the Museum and several other fine buildings.
Dec 14
Another day’s rest – had a walk round the town in the evening.
Dec 15
Left Cologne at 10.00 passing over the H Bridge through the town and several small villages finally halting at KENTEN – here we were found good billets – myself getting into a widow’s home who had lost her husband in the War. She was very good to us at once showed me my bedroom and made me coffee which I afterwards found to be a substitute it being made of wheat soaked and baked.
Here we stopped and waited for demobilisation.
Dec 25
Xmas was spent very quiet. We had our usual breakfast and arranged to have dinner at 5.00 p.m. That being a long time to go without any food the three of us in our billet arranged to have 12 o’clock dinner with the woman – her supplying the vegetables and we found the chickens and custard.
I slept all the afternoon till 4.00 p.m. and then smartened the parade up for dinner which consisted of Roast Pork and Beef, cabbage and potatoes with Xmas pudding – after this we were invited to a Concert at BERGHEIM with the Column – this not being very grand I returned to bed at 9.30 p.m.
1919
Jan 28
Spent a day at Cologne – Visited the interior of the Cathedral which is a fine building but not what I expected to see by the accounts I had heard of it.
Feb 2
How we were treated and what I saw in Germany surprised me very much.
In the first place the population had treated the German Army as a victorious army and were greatly surprised to see us marching through their country until they became aware of the truth which was a great shock to them.
During the War they had been told what brutal things Tommy would do to them if we entered Germany so at first they kept out of our way but as time worn on they got better towards us and began to trust us in their houses alone but up till now which is 2nd Feb they cannot make us out being so happy after the long war. Moreover they cannot make out why we are so kind hearted to the children and polite to the women, which everybody knows is an Englishman all over – it does not matter how bad he has been treated or how brutal he feels towards the German Army – he cannot be brutal towards women and children.
What I saw told me that Germany was not starving, everybody looked fit and well and there was plenty of foodstuffs to be bought but the prices were extraordinarily high and providing one had got plenty of money you could get anything.
What surprised me most was the amount of jewellery that was exhibited in the shop windows for sale – gold was plentiful.
Mar 3
The little boy at my billet was suddenly taken ill and the woman being all on her own I did whatever I could for her. She sat up for four days and nights with the boy and at 9.30 p.m. on the 7th she fell, exhausted. I happened to be handy and caught her before she touched the floor, and one can imagine my plight with a woman in a crying fit all on my own. I managed to get her round and persuaded her to go to bed promising to sit up with the boy all night. This I did alone for three nights.
Mar 12
At 6.30 a.m. the boy seemed to be a little better but at 9.30 he was unconscious and came to at 3.30 p.m. He then cried for his mother and me, and again at 6.30 p.m. At 8.30 p.m. he was sinking fast and he passed away at 8.40. His mother had sent for me two minutes beforehand. In the room were six women all crying except the mother but when he died she broke down completely and thus being the only man in the house I had a nice job with her.
Mar 16
The boy was buried at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday 16th.
Mar 19
On Wednesday 19th I was transferred to Y Battery at MULLENDORF for demobilisation. On arrival I found that I had got to sleep in a pig sty and that was against the grain after a good bed for three months so I made up my mind to sleep at KENTEN. I was able to get a train at night but had to get up at 4.00 a.m. and walk 10 kilometres back in the morning but that was worth a good bed.
Mar 22–23
I got weekend leave on Saturday 22nd and went to COLOGNE returning to KENTEN at night and stopped all day Sunday and returned Monday morning.
Apr 7
The Battery moved from MULLENDORF at 9.00 a.m. and marched to ICHENDORF so as to be nearer the railhead at HORREM, this was better for me as it was only 15 minutes walk from Kenton. While here we were always getting sermons of going home but were told that it was the horses that was keeping us.
Apr 14–15
On Monday went to Cologne with 50 horses and on Sunday 15th the remainder of horses went away at 10.00 a.m. This left us with nothing to do. Quite a change after nearly five years with horses.
Apr 18
On Good Friday the Demob party – 89 in all left ICHENDORF at 9.00 a.m. by motor to HORREM where we arrived at 9.30. We went to one place and had our papers checked and changed ???? and then to the Pay Office for pay and were all on the train by 11.00 a.m. Arriving at COLOGNE at about 12.00 we marched to the Barracks where we stopped the night.
Apr 19
Leaving at 9.00 a.m. we embarked at COLOGNE and sailed at 11.00 a.m. It was cold and misty so could not get a good view of the country (factories etc.).
We travelled at a good rate and passed DUSSELDORF at 1.15 p.m., DUISBURG 2.15 p.m., MULHEIM 2.30 p.m., HAMBORN 2.45 p.m. and halted for the night at EMMERICH the last German town on the Rhine where we slept in barges.
Apr 20
Left at 6.30 a.m. stopping at the first Dutch village [TOLKAMER] to pick up an Officer who took charge of the boat to ROTTERDAM. where we arrived at 2.30 p.m.
What do I think of Germany?
Germany or Rhineland is a fine country and the air is grand, so also is the scenery.
Small villages are scattered all over the place with a system of railways connecting them all up; these run for the most part along the side of the road. Each village, no matter how small, is supplied with electric light – there are also one, two or more factories to each village to encourage people to inhabit the place as well as land for cultivation – also each householder has his or her allotment for growing vegetable etc. There was also a pig sty built with every house to encourage pig breeding and save waste.
Altogether my opinion of the German system is great.