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LIEUT.-GKXKKAL  SIR  HUBERT  DE  LA  FOER  GOUGH,  G.C.M.G.,  K.C.B.,  K.CA'.O. 


HISTORY 


OF   THE 


SIXTEENTH,   THE   QUEEN'S, 
LIGHT  DRAGOONS 

(LANCERS), 
1912    TO    1925. 


BY    COLONEL    HENRY    GRAHAM. 

PRIVATELY     PRINTED. 

Printed  by  George  Simpson  &  Co.,  Devizes,  Ltd. 
1926. 


AUTHOK'S   PREFACE. 

At  the  request  of  the  Officers  of  the  Eegiment  I  have  in  lliis  voliuiie  brought 
down  the  History  of  the  16th  Lancers  from  191'2  to  1925. 

Tlie  period  includes  two  important  episodes  in  the  Kegimental  record — one, 
the  Ulster  affair  in  1914,  when  the  Officers  of  the  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  by  their 
honourable  and  unselfish  conduct  averted  the  imminent  danger  of  a  Civil  War  ; 
the  other  the  Great  War,  in  which  the  Regiment  displayed  its  usual  valour 
and  discipline,  and  gained  its  usual  honour  and  distinction.  Its  long  Roll  of 
Casualties  and  rewards  is  sufficient  testimony  to  the  way  in  which  its  duties 
were  performed  in  the  Field.  In  writing  the  record  of  the  Regiment  during 
the  war  I  have  only  entered  into  the  details  of  those  actions  in  which  the  16th 
themselves  took  part.  For  the  rest  enough  only  is  given  to  enable  a  reader  to 
follow  the  general  course  of  the  campaign. 

I  am  indebted  to  Colonel  Cecil  Howard  for  the  account  of  the  Regiment  in 
India  and  Egypt  and  for  the  Polo  Appendix. 

The  maps  are  those  given  in  the  official  History  of  the  War,  and  have  been 
supplied  to  me  by  the  Director  General  of  Ordnance  Survey,  and  have  been 
used  by  special  permission  of  the  War  Office. 

HENRY  GRAHAM. 


TABLE   OF  CONTENTS. 

PkEEACE  PAOEiii. 

Page  1-15.     (1912  to  1914). 

Chapter  XXXI.— 1912-1914.— Norwich.  The  Regiment  sent  to  Wigau.  Heturns  18tli  Ajnil 
The  Eastern  Counties  manoeuvres.  The  Regiment  moves  to  Ireland  and  joins  the  dvd 
Cavalry  Brigade  at  the  Curragh.  The  Home  Rule  Bill.  Unrest  in  Ireland.  Ulster  and 
the  Army.  Speech  of  Mr.  \\  in.ston  Churchill.  A  fleet  sent  to  Lamlash.  The  Military 
Plan  of 'Campaign.  Sir  Arthur  Paget's  interview  with  General  Officer.s  m  Dublin 
Second  interview  with  Cavalrv  and  Artillerv  Officers  at  the  Curragli.  Resignations  ot 
officers.  Brigadier-General  Gough,  Lieut.-Colonels  Parker  and  MacEwen  ordered  to 
London.  General  Gough  telegraphs  to  Lord  Roberts.  Interview  with  the  Adjutant- 
General  at  the  War  Office.  Intervention  of  Lord  Roberts.  His  audience  by  the  King. 
General  Gough's  interviews  with  Sir  John  French  and  Colonel  Seely  at  the  War  Office. 
Complete  surrender  of  the  Government.  Reinstatement  of  Brig. -General  Gough  and 
the  Commanding  Officers.     Memorandum  of  assurance  given  to  General  Gough. 

Appendix  to  Chapter  XXXI. — Speech  of  Lord  Roberts  in  the  House  of  Lords.  Some 
accounts  of  the  Commander-in-Chief's  speech  to  the  officers  at  the  Curragh  on 
March    21st. 

Page  15-22.     (28th  .June  to  6th  August,  1914). 

Chapter  XXXII.— The  War  with  Germany.  Causes  of  the  War.  Murder  of  Archduke 
Ferdinand.  Temperate  dtnnands  of  Austria.  Germany's  secret  preparations.  Designs 
of  Germany.  Austrian  Ultimatum  to  Servia.  Diplomatic  efforts  to  avoid  war.  Con- 
ference proposal  abortive  owing  to  refusal  of  Germany  to  participate.  German  High 
Sea  Fleet  recalled.  Russian  mobilisation.  German  terms  for  British  neutrality.  Their 
rejection.  German  troops  enter  Luxembourg.  Belgian  rejection  of  German  terms  and 
subsequent  mobilisation.  German  Army  invades  IJelgium  on  August  3rd.  Sir  Ed. 
Goschen  demands  explanation  ;ind  is  handed  his  passports  on  4th.  Siege  of  Liege 
begins  on  5th.  British  Declaration  of  War  as  from  11  p.m.  August  4th.  Fleet  and 
Armv  mobilised  and  Lord  Kitchener  appointed  Secretary  for  W'ar,  August  5th.  The- 
Expeditionary  Force  sent  to  France.     Composition  of  the  Expeditionary  Force. 

Appendix  I. — Staff  and  details  of  the  Expeditionary  Force. 

Appendix  II. — Comparative  Tables  of  Organisation.  British,  French,  Belgian,  and 
German   Armies. 

Summary  of  Events,  .Tune  28th  to  August  6th,  1914. — June  28th,  Murder  of  Archduke 
Ferdinand.  July  23rd,  Austrian  Ultimatum  to  Servia.  25th,  Servian  reply  received. 
28th,  Austria  de'clares  AVar  on  Servia.  29th,  Russia  begins  to  mobilise.  August  1st, 
Germany  declares  War  on  Russi.a;  France  begins  to  mobilise.  2nd,  Germans  enter 
Luxembourg.  3rd,  (German  invasion  of  Belgium ;  Great  Britain  orders  mobilisation  ; 
State  of  War  declared  between  France  and  Germany.  4th,  British  Declaration  of 
W'ar.  5th,  Austria  declares  war  on  Russia;  Siege  of  Liege  begins.  6th,  Three  of  Liege 
forts  destroyed. 

Page  22-27.     (14th  August  to  22nd  August,  1914). 

Ch.\pter  XXXIIl. — Embarkation  of  the  Regiment  at  Dublin,  16th  August.  Disembarkation 
at  Havre.  18th,  Entrains  for  .Jeumont,  Detrains  19th  August.  March  to  Consolre. 
Positions  of  the  British,  French,  and  (jerman  Armies  The  progress  of  the  w-ar  in 
Belgium.  The  Kaiser's  Order  as  to  tlie  "  Contemptibles".  Plans  of  General  Joffre 
and  Von  Moltke.  Mistakes  of  Von  Kluck.  The  Regiment  joins  the  3rd  Cavalry 
Brigade.  Dispositions  of  Sir  J.  French.  Movements  of  the  Cavalry  Brigades.  The 
first  shot  of  the  Campaign.  Encounter  at  Casteau.  The  Greys  at  Peronnes.  The  16th 
at  Peronnes  in  support.     The  march  of  the  16th  to  Elouges. 

Summary  op  Events,  August  7th  to  August  22nd,  1914. — August  7th,  The  Germans  enter 
town  of  Liege;  French  enter  Mulhouse ;  Russians  invade  East  Prussia.  9th,  First 
troops  of  British  Expeditionary  Force  land  in  France.  15th,  Remaining  forts  of  Liege 
destroyed.  19th,  Retreat  of  Belgian  Army  to  Antwerp.  20tli,  Brussels  taken  by 
Germans;  Siege  of  Namur  begins.  21st.  Japan  declares  war  on  Germany;  Retirement 
of  French  in  Alsace  and  Lorraine ;  Namur  forts  destroyed.  22nd,  Defeat  of  the  French 
at  Charleroi. 


Page  27-36.     (August  2;ird  to  August  26th,  l'JJ4). 
•Chapter  XXXIV. — Battle  of  Mons,  August  23id.     Action  begun  by  German  Artillery  at 

10  a.m.     Infantry   attack  by  9th  German   Corps  along  the   Canal  north  of  Mons  at 

11  a.m.  The  attack  well  held,  lletirenient  from  Mons  and  hinche.  Action  ceases  at 
night-fall.  British  Casualties.  German  losses.  Condition  of  the  enemy.  News  received 
of  disasters  to  ihe  French  Ainiies.  Decision  to  retreat.  August  24tli.  The  Retreat  of 
the  l.st  Corps.  Retirement  of  the  2nd  Corjis.  German  attack  on  the  left  flank.  .Severe 
fighting  at  I'rameries.  The  5th  Division  reinforced  by  the  Cavalry.  Charge  of  the  9th 
Lancers.  Retirement  effected.  Moves  of  the  16th.  General  position  at  night-fall. 
Heavy  losses  of  the  9ih  Lancers,  Cheshires,  and  Xorfolks.  Continued  retreat  of  Krench 
.5th  Army.  Orders  issued  for  retreat  to  Le  Gateau.  Difficulties  of  retreat.  The  Forest 
of  Mormal.  The  1st  Corps  to  move  by  the  east  and  2nd  Corps  by  west  of  Forest. 
Arrival  of  the  4th  Division,  which  is  sent  to  Solesmes.  Positions  of  the  Cavalry 
Brigades.  Movements  of  the  IGtli.  Unmolested  march  of  the  1st  Corps.  Comljats  at 
night  at  Landrecies  and  Maroillos.  Diffictdt  position  of  the  2nd  Corps.  Orders  to  con- 
tinue the  retreat  on  the  26l1i.  Sir  H  Smith-Dorrien  finds  this  impossible.  His  decision 
to  stand  and  fight.     Reluctant  acquiescence  by  the  Commander-in-Chief. 

Stimmauy  op  Events,  August  23rd  to  August  26th,  1914. — August  23rd,  Battle  of  Mons; 
Germans  enter  Namur ;  Austrians  driven  out  of  Servia ;  Japan  declares  war  on  Ger- 
many.    24th,  Retreat  from  Mons  begins.    26th,  Battle  of  Le  Cateau ;  Battle  of  Tannen- 


berg  begins. 


Pages  36-52.     (August  26th  to  September  5th,  1914). 


Chapter  XXXV. — Continuation  of  the  Retreat  from  Mons.  The  Battle  of  Le  Cateau. 
Position  of  the  2nd  Corps.  Von  Ivluck's  strength  and  dispositions.  The  battle  move- 
ments of  the  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade.  Heavy  losses  on  the  left  flank.  The  Lancasters. 
The  line  successfully  held.  Retirement  at  2  p.m.  Many  detached  parties  left  in  the 
firing  line.  Heavy  losses  of  the  Gordons.  Cavalry  movements.  Lieut. -Colonel  Mac- 
Ewen  badly  wounded.  Losses  of  guns.  Casualties  of  the  2nd  Corps.  Retreat  of  the 
1st  Corps.  Rear-guard  action  at  Le  Fayt.  The  Connaughts  cut  off.  Further  retreat 
of  the  1st  Corps  on  the  27th.  Rear-guard  action  at  Fesmy.  Death  of  Major  Charrier. 
The  gallant  fight  of  the  Munsters.  Retreat  of  the  2nd  Corps  on  the  27th  covered  by 
the  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  and  crossing  of  the  Somme.  Position  of  the  Army  28th  August. 
The  retreat  continued.  The  3rd  and  5th  Cavalry  Brigades.  Their  combats  at  Essigny 
and  Cirizy.  Charge  of  the  12th  Lancers.  The  German  1st  and  2nd  Armies.  The 
French  5th  and  6th  Armies.  Casualties  from  23rd  to  27th  August.  Battle  of  Guise. 
Further  retreat  on  29th  covered  by  the  Cavalry.  .  The  16th  at  Chauny.  Retreat  on 
30th  to  the  line  Soissons-Compiegne.  Formation  of  the  3rd  Corps.  Further  retreat  30tli 
August,  and  September  1st.  Orders  for  the  march  September  1st.  Actions  at  Nery 
and  Taillefontaine.  Sir  J.  French  in  Paris.  Interview  with  Lord  Kitchener.  Retreat 
resumed  September  2nd  to  the  line  Metix-Dommartin.  Further  retreat  September  3rd. 
The  Marne  crossed  and  retirement  to  the  Grand  Morin  on  the  4th  September.  Further 
and  final  retirement  on  September  5th.  The  end  of  the  Retreat  from  Mons.  Marches 
and  Casualties. 

.•Summary  of  Evknts,  August  28th  to  September  5th,  1914. — August  28th,  Naval  battle  off 
Heligoland.  31st,  Defeat  of  the  Russians  at  Tannenberg.  September  3rd,  Lemberg 
taken  by  Russians.     5th,  End  of  the  Retreat  from  Mons. 

Appendices  to  Chapter  XXXV. — I.  ;   Mons  and  Afterwards.     II.  :   Table  of  Marches 
Page  52-58.     (September  6th  to  September  9th,  1914). 

•Chapter  XXXVI. — Situation  on  September  6th.  French  and  German  Armies.  Position  of 
Von  Kluck.  New  (srders  of  the  H.Q.  German  Staff.  Action  of  Von  Billow.  Obstinacy 
of  \'on  Kluck.  Orders  by  General  Joftre.  Orders  of  Sir  J.  French  for  the  6th.  Battle 
of  the  Marne.  September  6th,  Attack  by  General  Maunoury.  Attack  by  French  5th 
Army.  Position  at  night-fall.  September  7th,  Advance  of  the  British  Army.  Cavalry 
comliats.  Advance  of  the  French  Armies.  Heavy  fighting  in  front  of  Paris  all  day  with 
no  decisive  results.  September  8th,  Continuous  fighting  between  Von  Kluck  and 
General  Maunoury.  The  French  left  thrown  back.  Advance  of  the  British  Army. 
Comliats  along  the  line  of  the  Petit  Morin.  Position  at  night-fall.  German  defeat 
at  Xancy.  Retreat  of  Von  Bi^ilow.  Von  Molke's  peremptory  order  to  Von  Kluck, 
who  is  placed  under  command  of  Von  Billow.  September  9th,  Retreat  of  Von  Kluck. 
British  advance.  Crossing  of  the  Marne.  General  retreat  of  the  1st  and  2nd  German 
Armies  and  end  of  the  Battle  of  the  Marne. 

Summary  of  Events,  September  6th  to  September  9th,  1914. — September  6th,  Battle  of 
the  Marne  begins.  7th,  Capitulation  of  Maubeuge ;  Battle  of  Nancv.  8th,  Retreat  of 
Von  Kluck.     9th,  End  of  Battle  of  the  Marne. 


1'a(.k  58-03.     (Si'i)te  iibrr  Uth  to  SepteiiilKT  3(Jlh,  liJl4). 

CiiAi-iEU  XXXVII.— September  lOtli,  'llio  pursuit.  The  Cavalry  liivision  at  Latilly. 
Capture  of  a  convoy.  JIalt  at  Uicn.v  and  Ko.set.  Tlio  1st  Infantry  Division  combat 
near  Courchamps.  GiMieral  (ionyb's  Brigade.  Action  no^ar  Cbe/.y,  rout  of  the  enemy, 
capture  of  pri.sonors  and  wagons.  The  line  of  positions  at  niKbt-fall.  The  3rd  and  4th 
Brigades  at  I'assy.  Casualties  and  taptures.  .September  11th,  Pursuit  continued.  No 
fighting.  Crossing  of  the  Ourci).  September  12lh,  Insti-uetioiis  of  General  Joffre. 
Special  Orders  of  Sir  .) .  French.  Advance  of  the  Cavalry.  I'assage  of  the  Vesle  forced 
at  Braisne,  Courcelles,  and  Chassemy.  Failure  of  attempt  to  cross  the  Aisne.  Position 
at  night-fall.  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  at  Ciry.  French  positions  along  the  Vesle  and 
Aisne.  Geography  of  valicy  of  the  Aisne.  Designs  of  General  .Joffre.  Positions  of 
German  1st  and  2nd  Armies.  September  13th,  Orders  of  Sir  J.  French.  The  eros.sing 
of  the  Aisne  at  Venizel  by  the  11th  Infantry  Brigade.  Ileconnaisance  by  Cavalry 
Division.  Position  at  night-fall.  September  14th,  Battle  of  the  Aisne.  German  rein- 
forcements from  Belgium  and  Maulieuge.  Failure  of  attack  on  the  Aisne.  Position  at 
night-fall.  The  Kith  billeted  at  Lime.  The  French  Armies.  Definite  failure  of  plan  of 
General  .Joffre.  The  casualties.  September  16th,  The  arrival  of  the  6th  Division.  Its 
distribution.  Beginning  of  Trench  Warfare.  September  16th  to  28th,  Indecisive 
attacks  and  counter-attacks.  Formation  of  2nd  Cavalry  Division  under  General  Gough. 
Extension  of  the  battle  line  northward. 

Summary  of  Events,  Septkmber  10th  to  September  30th,  1914. — September  10th,  Final 
defeat  of  Austrians  in  Galicia.  13th,  1st  Battle  of  the  Aisne  begins.  17th,  Belgian 
Army  retires  to  Antwerp.  18th,  l'"nd  of  First  Battle  of  the  Aisne;  Commencement  of 
"  Tri?nch  Warfare  "  ;  Bombardment  of  Rheims.  28th,  Siege  of  Antwerp  begins.  29th, 
Battle  of  Albert. 

Page  63-68.     (October  1st  to  December  31st,  1914). 

Chapter  XXX\'11I. — Octolier  1st,  Extension  of  Allied  line  northwards.  Movements  of  the 
British  to  the  North.  The  16th  march  to  Hazebrouck.  Situation  in  Belgium.  Landing 
of  the  Naval  Brigade  at  Antwerp.  Bombardment  and  capitulation  of  Antwerp.  Land- 
ing cf  the  3rd  Cavalry  and  7th  Infantry  Divisions.  Attempt  to  extend  the  line  to 
Bruges.  Advance  of  the  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade.  Death  of  Lieut.  Macneil.  The  combat 
at  Mont  des  Cats.  The  action  at  \\'arneton  and  failure  of  attack.  Arrival  of  the 
Infantry  Corps.  New  position  from  Albert  to  Nieuport  and  distribution  of  the  troops. 
The  Regiment  in  the  trenches.  November  5th,  The  French  shelled  out  of  their  trenches. 
Major  Dixon's  gallant  effort  to  rally  them.  Casualties  of  the  Regiment  on  November 
5th.  First  Battle  of  Ypres.  October  15th-21st.  Heavy  losses.  December  2nd,  Inspec- 
tion by  the  King.  The  16th  in  billets.  Formation  of  two  Armies.  Distribution  of  the 
troops. 

Summary  of  Events,  Octoher  1st  to  December  31st,  1914. — October  1st,  Southern  forts  of 
Antwerp  destroyed.  3rd,  Movement  of  the  British  Army  to  the  North.  8th,  Bombard- 
ment of  Antwerp.  9th,  Capitulation  of  Antwerp.  19th,  Transfer  to  Flanders  com- 
pleted. 21st,  First  Battle  of  Ypres  begins.  November  7th,  Capitulation  of  Kiaochau. 
23rd,  Basra  taken.  December  6th,  Defeat  of  Austrians  by  Servians.  15th,  Belgrade 
retaken  by  Servians. 

Page  68-74.  (.January  1st  to  December  31st,  1915). 
Chapter  XXXIX. — Plans  for  winter  campaign  discussed.  This  decided  to  be  impossible 
Visit  of  Sir  .1.  French  to  London.  The  Government  per.sists  in  the  refusal  to  send  more 
men  or  munitions.  Description  of  "  Trench  Warfare  ".  The  Gallipoli  expedition. 
February  13th,  The  Regiment  returns  to  the  trenches.  February  21st,  Mine  explosion 
under  trench,  followed  bv  enemy's  attack  in  force.  Severe  fighting.  Heavy  loss  by 
the  16th.  February  26th,  Regiment  back  to  billets.  March  12th,  Battle  of  Neuve 
Chapelle.  The  Brigade  moved  up  to  front  but  sent  back.  April  17th,  General 
Kavanagh  takes  over  command  of  the  2nd  Cavalry  Division  from  General  Gough. 
April  20th,  Second  Battle  of  Ypres.  Bombardment  of  the  town.  April  22nd,  "  Poison 
gas  "  used  for  first  time.  April  24th,  The  Regiment  returns  to  the  trenches.  "  Stink 
shells  "  first  used.  May  2nd,  the  16th  trenches  gassed.  May  3rd,  the  16th  hack  to 
billets.  Ma.y  24th,  the  Regiment  returns  to  trenches.  Disaster  at  Ypres  sally-port. 
French  attack  in  Artois  witli  partial  success.  .July  15th,  Genei-al  Sir  Philip  Chetwode 
takes  over  command  of  the  2nd  Cavalry  Division.  The  shortage  of  shells.  Mr. 
Asquith's  denial.  Sir  .J.  French's  appeal  to  the  Press  foi-  publicity.  Mr.  LI.  George 
made  Minister  of  Munitions.  Supply  of  munitions  largely  increased.  Division  of  Allied 
line  into  .Sectors.  Disposition  of  Allied  Aimies.  September  22nd,  Battle  of  Nancy 
and  French  victory.  .September  24th,  Battle  of  Loos.  Capture  of  Vimy  Ridge  and 
Loos,  Init  with  great  loss.  December  18th.  Resignation  of  Sir  J.  French,  who  is  suc- 
ceeded by  Sir  D.  Haig.     The  casualties  of  the  Allies  during  .September. 

Summary  of  Events,  January'  1st  to  December  31st,  1915. — .January  1st,  Decisive  defeat 
of  Turks  in  the  Caucasus.     8th,  Battle  of  Soissons.     February  PJth,  Allied  attack  on 


VIU 

Dardanelles  begins.  Mai-cli  lOlli,  Uattle  of  Neuvo  Chapellc.  18th,  Failure  of  Naval 
Attack  on  Dardanelles  definilc'.  i!2nd,  Capitulation  of  Prezni.vsl,  April  22nd,  Second 
Battle  of  Yprcs;  German  gas  attack  27t!i,  Army  landed  at  Gallipoli.  28tli,  beginning 
of  Mackensen's  offensive  against  Kussia.  May  7tli,  Lusitania  torpedoed.  I'Jtli,  Coali- 
tion Ministry  formed.  June  1st,  Prezmysl  retaken  by  Germans.  3rd,  Amara  (Mesopo- 
tamia) taken.  20th,  Defeat  of  Russians  at  Rava  Russka.  22nd,  Lemberg  retaken 
liy  Austrians.  August  5tb,  Germans  occupy  Warsaw.  10th,  Germans  take  Xovo 
Georgievsk.  25th,  Germans  take  lirest  Lito'vski.  September  25th,  Battle  of  Loos. 
29th,  Kut  el  Amara  taken  by  General  Townshend.  October  3rd,  Allies  land  at 
Salonika.  5th,  Bulgaria  joins  Germany;  Resignation  of  Veuizelos,  the  Greek  Prime 
Minister.  Ttli,  Austrians  and  Germans  again  invade  Servia.  9th,  Belgrade  taken. 
11th,  Bulgarians  invade  Servia.  13th,  Murder  of  Miss  Cavell.  15th,  War  declared 
on  Bulgaria.  November  22nd,  Battle  of  Ctestiphon.  December  8th,  Kvacuation  of 
Gallipoli  begins.  15th,  Resignation  of  Sir  John  French  and  appointment  of  Sir  Douglas 
Haig  to  succeed  him  as  Commander-in-Chief. 

Pace  74-83.  (January,  1916,  to  December  31st,  1917). 
CJh.^pter  XL. — 191G,  January  2nd,  The  Regiment  at  Wavrans.  Trenches.  February  9th, 
Return  to  Ijillets  at  Wavrans.  Line  extended  by  relief  of  French  10th  Army.  Now 
from  Boesghe  on  north  to  C'orlu  eight  miles  N.W.  Peronne.  February  21st,  (jreat 
(German  offensive  at  Verdun  begins.  July  1st,  Beginning  of  1st  Battle  of  the  Somme. 
Attack  by  4th  Army.  Formation  of  5th  Army.  .June  i9th.  The  3rd  Brigade  at  Sec 
Bois.  Novemljcr  18tli,  Battle  of  Somme  ends.  The  results.  The  Cavalry  not  engaged. 
September  6th,  Regiment  to  Bray.  November  8th,  To  billets  at  Petits  Preaux  for 
winter.  1917. — No  serious  fighting  during  winter.  Cierinan  retirement  to  new  Hinden- 
burg  line  in  February.  Retreat  followed  up.  The  new  position.  April  5tli,  The  Regi- 
menc  on  reconnaisance.  April  19th,  To  liillets  Villeroy.  Preiiarations  for  new  attack 
by  1st  and  3rd  Armies  east  of  Arras.  April  9th,  Attack  begins.  June  6th,  Battle 
ceases.  Results  of  Battle  of  Arras.  French  attacks  on  the  Aisne.  French  line  ex- 
tended. May  23rd,  The  Regiment  to  trenches  at  Lempire.  June  27th,  Move  to  Epehy 
in  support  to  2nd  Army.  Preparations  for  attack  on  the  north.  Movements  of  4th  and 
5th  Annies.  June  7th,  Third  Battle  of  Vpres.  Operations  impeded  by  bad  weather. 
Results.  The  16th  in  billets  July,  August  and  September.  Preparations  for  new- 
attack  by  3rd  Army.  Objectives  Bourlon  and  break  through  bj'  Cavalry  at  Camljrai. 
November  20tli,  Battle  of  Camlirai.  Initial  success  at  Bourlon.  Failure  on  Schelde 
Canal.  November  20th,  German  Reserves  come  up.  German  counter-attack.  The 
Break  through  near  Gonnelieu.  Letter  descriptive  of  action.  The  3rd  Brigade  in 
support  at  Masnieres.  November  23rd,  Cavalry  withdrawn.  November  25th,  The 
3rd  Brigade  to  Fins  and  Ribecourt.  Dismounted  party  at  Bourlon.  December  4th, 
Camp  bombed.     December  6th,  To  billets  round  Bovelles. 

Summary  of  Events,  January  1st,  1916,  to  December  31st,  1917. — January  9th,  1916, 
Final  evacuation  of  Gallipoli  F^ebruary  21st,  Great  attack  on  Verdun  liegins.  March 
loth,  Germany  declares  war  on  Portugal.  April  29tli,  Capitulation  of  Kut.  May  30th, 
Battle  of  Jutland.  June  5th,  Lord  Kitchener  drowned.  July  1st.  Allied  offensive  on 
Somme  begins.  6th,  Mr.  Lloyd  George  Secretary  for  War.  August  6th,  Battle  of  the 
Isonzo ;  Italian  victory.  27th,  Roumania  declares  war  on  Austria;  Germany  declares 
war  on  Roumania.  30tli,  \.  Hiiidenhurg  succeeds  V.  Falkenhayn  as  Chief  of  General 
Staff.  September  3rd,  Invasion  of  the  Dobruja  by  Germany,  (jctober  5th,  Retreat  of 
Roumanians  from  Transylvania.  12th,  Germans  invade  Roumania.  November  11th, 
Death  of  Emperor  of  Austria.  December  5th,  Resignation  of  Mr.  Asquith.  6th, 
Mr.  Lloyd  George  Prime  Minister.  8th,  Blockade  of  Greece.  12th,  Tentative  pro- 
posals for  peace  Ijy  Germany  ;  General  Nivelle  succeeds  General  Joffre.  20th,  Peace 
Note  from  President  Wilson.  30th,  Allies  reply  to  German  Peace  Proposals.  January 
11th,  1917,  Allies  reply  to  President  Wilson.  31st,  Germany  announces  unrestricted 
submarine  warfare.  February  3rd,  Submarine  sinks  United  States  steamer  Housatonic  ; 
Diplomatic  relations  broken  off  with  Germany.  March  10th,  Russian  Revolution 
begins.  11th,  Baghdad  taken.  26th,  Inva.sion  of  Palestine.  April  Cth,  United  States 
ileclares  war  on  Germany.  9th,  Brazil  declares  war  on  Germany;  Vimy  ridge  taken  by 
Canadians.  October  24th,  Defeat  of  Italians  at  Caporetto.  November  18th,  Death  of 
Sir  S.  Maude  in  Mesopotamia.  20th,  Battle  of  Cambrai.  26th,  Germans  evacuate  East 
Africa.  December  22nd,  Brest  Litovski  negotiations  opened  between  Berlin  and  revolu- 
tionary Russia. 

Page  83-95.     (January,  1918.  to  July,  1918). 

"Chapter  XLI. — January  20th,  the  move  of  the  5th  Army  to  the  Soutli.  .January  1st.  the 
16th  goes  into  the  trenches.  .January  28th,  the  3rd  Brigade  sent  to  Amiens.  March 
1st,  to  camp  at  Brie.  March  4th,  to  trenches  at  Vermand.  March  11th,  the  Brigade 
returns  to  Brie.  March  13th,  the  Brigade  moves  to  Grandru.  General  position  at 
resumption  of  hostilities.  The  3rd  and  5th  Armies.  German  Armies  and  plans.  March 
21st,  Second  Battle  of  the  Somme  opens.     March  22nd,  Crozat  Canal  crossed  by  enemy. 


Orders  of  General  (Joujili.  (ieneial  retreat  of  3rd  and  otli  Annic^s.  iMarcli  'J4tli,  Allied 
Council  at  Doulens.  General  Foch  appoint*,>d  C.-in-C  March  2olli,  Formation  of 
Carey's  Force.  March  26th,  Attack  renewed.  Further  retreat.  The  2nd  Cavalry 
Division  engaged  west  of  Noyon.  March  27tli,  Withdrawal  to  Coinpiegne.  March  27th, 
the  2nd  Division  to  Montdidier  area.  March  29tli,  the  Division  to  Cattenchy.  March 
28th,  the  5th  Armv  hrokeii  up.  General  Gough's  command  ceases.  His  place  taken  by 
General  Rawlinsoii  and  4th  Army.  March  3Uth,  Renewal  of  Battle.  The  2iid  Division 
at  Moreville.  March  31st,  Fighting  between  tiie  Avre  and  Luce.  The  line  re-estab- 
lished. April  1st  the  withdrawal  of  the  2nd  Cavalry  Division.  April  5th,  Final 
German  attack  fails.  The  line  stabilised.  Fnd  of  Second  JSattle  of  the  Sonimo.  April 
7th,  the  Battle  of  the  Lys.  Successes  of  the  enemy.  April  21st  l'"ighting  suspended. 
April  23rd,  Tank  fighting  Ijetween  the  Somme  and  Ancre.  Ajiril  25tli,  the  Lys  battle 
renewed.  Loss  of  Mount  Kemmel.  April  29th,  German  attack  finally  defeated.  Close  of 
Battle  of  the  Lys.  The  2nd  Cavalry  Dix'ision  during  the  Batlh;  <if  the  Lys.  April  29th, 
March  of  the  2nd  Division  to  Clety.  May  5th,  the  Regiment  moves  into  billets  at 
Longvillers.  May  27th,  the  attack  on  the  French  along  the  Ailette  river  and  Third 
Battle  of  the  Aisne.  June  9th,  Attacks  on  the  Montdidier  section  and  at  Rheims.  Juno 
18th,  Termination  of  major  operations.  The  line  stabilised.  General  result  of  the 
fighting  from  March  21st  to  June  18th. 

Summary  of  Events,  Febiiuary  to  June,  1918. — February  24th,  Brest  Litovski  Treaty 
signed;  final  withdrawal  from  the  war  by  Russia.  March  5th,  Roumania  makes  peace. 
21st,  Second  Battle  of  the  Somme  begins.  April  7th,  Battle  of  the  Lys.  22nd, 
Zeebrugge  harbour  blocked.  May  9th,  Ostend  harbour  blockod.  27th.  Commence- 
ment of  offensive  by  Allies;  3rd  Battle  of  the  Aisne.  June  loth.  Defeat  of  Austrians 
on  the  Piave. 

Page  95-122.     (July  18th  to  Xovemlier  15th,   1918). 

Chapter  XLII. — Xew  plans  for  offensive.  July  18th,  Attack  of  French  on  the  southern 
salient.  Success  of  attack.  Aug.  8th,  Attack  by  4tli  Army.  Disposition  of  Troops. 
The  old  Amiens  Defence  Lines  regained.  Attack  by  1st  French  Army.  August  9th, 
Attack  by  3rd  Corps.  Fighting  by  the  Cavalry.  Attack  by  3rd  French  Army.  August 
10th,  Advance  continued.  August  18th,  Attack  by  10th  French  Army.  General  retreat 
of  enemy.  September  1st,  Peronne  regained.  September  5th,  1st  and  4th  French 
Armies  cross  the  Somme.  September  12th,  Attacks  by  General  Byng  and  1st  U.S. 
Army.  Further  advance  by  3rd  and  4th  Armies.  September  24th,  Advance  resumed. 
Position  of  Allied  Armies.  September  26th,  Attack  by  4th  French  and  1st  U.S.  Armies. 
September  27th,  Attack  on  Cambrai  front.  September  28th,  Belgian  attack.  October 
2nd,  La  Bassee  taken.  October  3rd,  General  Pershing  drives  enemy  over  the  Suippe. 
October  8th,  Attack  by  3rd  and  4th  Armies.  Cambrai  taken.  September  4th  to  8th, 
Le  Cateau,  Laon,  and  Douai  taken.  Belgian  and  French  attack.  September  19th, 
General  Allenby's  victory  in  Palestine.  September  20th,  Belgians  occupy  Bruges. 
Lille  evacuated.  September  23rd,  Austrian  defeat.  October  26th,  Von  Ludendorff 
resigns.  November  .3rd,  Valenciennes  taken.  November  9th,  Landrecies,  Catillon  and 
Quesnoy  taken.  October  10th,  Ghent  re-occupied.  October  4th,  March  of  the  3rd 
Cavalry  Brigade  to  Hasju'es.  October  8th,  The  16th  sent  to  22nd  Corps.  1st  Army. 
October  10th,  The  16th  cover  advance.  German  attempts  to  procure  armistice.  Appji- 
catious  to  President  Wilson.  Revolution  in  Germany.  November  9tli,  .-Vbdication  and 
flight  of  Kaiser.  German  delegates  meet  Marshal  Foch.  Terms  of  Armistice.  Novem- 
ber 11th,  Armistice  signed.  Surrender  of  Mons.  The  fighting  early  in  the  morning 
of  the  11th.  The  last  charge  of  the  16th.  Fighting  ceases  at  11  a.m.  and  end  of  the 
War.  The  Regiment  withdrawn  to  Harmignies.  November  loth.  The  state  entrance 
into  Mons. 

Summary  of  Events,  July-November,  1918.— July  ISth  Second  Battle  of  the  Marne. 
September  19th,  Decisive  defeat  of  Turkey  in  Palestine.  26th,  Bulgaria  sues  for  peace. 
October  24th,  Decisive  defeat  of  Austria  by  Italy.  29th,  Austria  sues  for  peace! 
November  10th,  Mons  retaken.     11th,  The  Armistice  signed.     End  of  the  War. 

Appendices  to  Chapter  XLII.— I.  :  Summary  of  Services  of  the  2nd  Cavalrv  Division. 
II.  :  List  of  Officers  commanding  Regiment,  1914-1918.  III.  :  Casualty  Lists  ;  Officers 
killed  in  action  during  the  War;  Officers  wounded;  X'ames  of  other"  ranks  killed  in 
action,  or  died  from  wounds  or  other  causes.  IV.  :  Honours  and  Awards  to  Officers  and 
other  ranks.     V.  ;   Names  of  Officers  and  other  ranks  mentioned  in  despatches. 

Page  122-125.  (24th  June,  1919,  to  24th  November,  1920). 
Chapter  XLIII.— Syria  and  Palestine.  Embarkation  at  Liverpool.  24th  June.  Landing  at 
Port  Said.  Kantara.  Port  Said.  Beyrout.  March  to  Ravak.  The  Regiment  sent 
by  tram  to  Homs.  I  nhealthy  conditions  at  Horns.  The  camp  moved.  Evacuation  of 
Syria.  The  march  to  Sarona.  The  Regiment  sent  bv  train  to  Belbeis  Emliarkation 
at  Suez,  24th  November,  1920.    Roll  of  the  Officers.     " 


Page  125-13G.     (Dccviiil)Oi-  12tli,  H)2(),  to  .laimar.v  17t)i,  1925). 

Chapter  XLIV. — India  aiui  Egypt.  Tlie  Regiment  at  Luoknow.  Retirement  of  Lieut. - 
Colonel  St.  John,  D.S.O.  Lieut. -Colonel  Howard,  C.M.G.,  to  command  viee  St.  Jolin. 
Visit  of  the  Prince  of  Wales.  Visit  of  Kield-Marshal  .Sir  W.  Roljertson.  Amalgaina- 
tion  ivith  the  5th  Lancers,  April,  1922.  Roll  of  the  Officers.  Favourable  Inspection 
Reports.  Inspection  by  the  C.-in-C.  India,  General  Lord  Rawlinsoii.  Grders  to  move 
to  Egypt.  The  horses  given  over,  February,  1924.  .McMiorial  tablet  placed  in  the 
Church.  The  general  health  of  the  Regiment  compared  nith  189U-96.  The  Regiment 
leaves  for  Egypt,  relieved  by  4th  Hussars.  Farewell  Orders  by  G.O.C.  U.P.  District 
and  others.  Disembarkation  at  Suez,  19th  March,  1924.  Arrival  at  Cairo.  Abbasia 
Barracks  taken  over  from  9th  Lancers.  The  Regiment  remounted.  Political  disquiet 
in  Cairo.  Murder  of  Sir  Lee  Stack.  His  funeral.  The  Cavalry  Brigade  Horse  Show. 
Visit  of  Lieut. -General  Sir  J.  M.  Babington.  Retirement  of  Lieut. -Colonel  Howard. 
His  farewell  order,  January  17th,  1925.  Lieut. -Colonel  G.  F.  H.  Brooke,  D.S.O,  M.C., 
to  command  vice  Howard  to  H.P. 

Appendix  I. — The  Officers  of  the  Regiment. 

Appendix  II. — Roll  of  X.C.O.'s  and  Privates  of  the  Regiment  who  obtained  Commissions 
during  the  War. 


XI 


LIST   Ui'    PLATES. 

1. — Page  35:    Brigadior-Goneral  MacEwen. 
2. — Page  61 :   Lieutenant-Colonel  Eccles. 
3. — Page  122  :   Lieut. -Colonel  Harris-St.  John. 
4. — Page  124  :   Lieutenant-Colonel  Howard. 
.5. — Pago  133  :   Lieutenant-Colonel  Brooke. 

Groups  of  Officers. 

Page  126.— Inspection  by  H.K.H.  The  Prince  of  Wales. 

Page  129. — Visit  of  Lord  Hawlinson. 

Page  134.— Officers,  Luclmow,  Marcli,  1!)23. 

Page  137. — Officers,  Lucknow,  Fehruary,  li)24. 

W.\R  Memorial. 

Pai;e  131. — War  Menioiinl,  Cnntcrlmv.v. 


LIST  OF  MAPS. 

1. — N.E.  France  and  X.W.  Belgium. 

2. — Part  of  France  to  illustrate  Line  of  Retreat  from  Mons. 

3. —Part  of  France  to  illu.strat<?  the  Second  Battle  of  tjie  Somme. 

4.— Battle  Field  of  Mons. 

5. — Battle  Field  of  Le  Cateau. 

■6. — Battle  Field  of  the  Ai.sne. 


The  History  of  the  16th,  The  Queen's 

kneers. 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 

1912 — 1914. — Norwich.  The  Regiment  sent  to  W'igan.  Returns  18th  April. 
The  Eastern  Counties  nianrouvres.  The  Regiment  moves  to  Ireland  and 
joins  the  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  at  the  Curragh.  The  Home  Rule  Bill. 
Unrest  in  Ireland.  Ulster  and  the  Army.  Speech  of  Mr.  Winston 
Churchill.  A  fleet  sent  to  Lamlash.  The'  Military  Plan  of  Campaign. 
Sir  Arthur  Paget's  interview  with  General  Officers  in  Dublin.  Second 
interview  with  Cavalry  and  Artillery  Oflicers  at  the  Curragh.  Resigna- 
tions of  officers.  Brigadier-General  Gough,  Lieut. -Colonels  Parker  and 
MacEwen  ordered  to  Ijondon.  General  Gough  telegraphs  to  Lord  Roberts. 
Interview  with  the  Adjutant  General  at  the  War  Office.  Intervention  of 
Lord  Roberts.  His  audience  by  the  King.  General  Gough's  interviews 
with  Sir  John  French  and  Colonel  Seely  at  the  War  Office.  Complete 
surrender  of  the  Government.  Reinstatement  of  Brig. -General  Gough 
and  the  Commanding  Officers.  Memorandum  of  assurance  given  to 
General  Gough. 

Appendix  to  Chapter  XXXI. — Speech  of  Lord  Roberts  in  the  House  of  Lords. 
Some  accounts  of  the  Commander-in-Chief's  speech  to  the  officers  at  the 
Curragh  on  March  'ilst. 

In  April  a  strike  of  the  Coalminers  in  Lancashire  took  place  which  was  re- 
garded by  the  Government  with  some  apprehension  and  the  16th  were  ordered 
to  Wigan.  Sixteen  officers  and  -273  N.C.O.'s  and  men  were  sent  by  train  from 
Norwich  under  the  command  of  Lieut. -Colonel  MacEwen  and  four  officers  and 
133  N.C.O.'s  and  men  from  Weedon.  There  was,  however,  no  disturbance  of 
any  consequence,  and  on  the  18th  the  Regiment  returned  to  quarters. 

In  August  the  Regiment  was  detailed  to  take  part  in  the  manoeuvres  and  on 
the  8th  A  and  C  Squadrons  left  Norwich  by  march  route  for  Salisbury  Plain, 
arriving  at  their  destination  on  the  17th,  having  camped  at  Diss,  Ipswich, 
Colchester,  Warley,  Woolwich,  Aldershot,  Hounslow  and  Overton.  D  Squad- 
ron, five  officers  and  132  N.C.O.'s  and  men,  came  in  the  same  day  from 
Weedon,  having  billeted  en  route  at  Buckingham,  Oxford,  and  Newbury. 
From  the  18th  August  to  the  2nd  September  the  Regiment  was  engaged  in 
Brigade  Training.  On  the  2nd  September  the  Division  moved  towards  the 
manoeuvre  area  via  Newbury,  Henley,  Berkhanipstead,  Hitchin,  to  Linton. 
The  manoeuvre  area  covered  Norfolk,  Suffolk,  and  Cambridge,  and  the  opera- 
tions ceased  on  the  20th  September,  when  the  Squadrons  returned  to  their 
respective  quarters.  On  the  16th  Captain  Lord  Holmpatrick  was  appointed 
Adjutant  from  17th  August,  1912. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  mananivres  the  Regiment  was  ordered  to  Ireland, 
and  on  October  1st  proceeded  by  four  trains  from  Norwich  and  one  from 
Weedon  to  Holyhead  for  embarkation.  The  troops  left  Holyhead  the  same 
night  on  two  cargo  ships,  strength  23  officers,  670  N.C.O.'s  and  men,  470 
horses,  under  command  of  Major  Leny,  and  after  disembarking  at  Dublin 
arrived  at  the  Curragh  on  the  evening  of  October  2nd. 

B 


The  16th  were  posted  to  tlie  ■iix\  Cavah'y  Brigade,  the  other  regiiiient.s  of 
this  being  the  4th  Hussars  and  the  5th  Jjancers,  the  last  being  quartered  at 
Dublin.  The  l^rigade  was  connuaiided  by  Brigadier-General  Hul)ert  de  la  P. 
(4oHgh,  formerly  Jjieut. -Colonel  commanding  the  regiment. 

There  were  no  events  of  importance  during  191.'i  outside  the  usual  loiitme 
duties.  Several  drafts  were  sent  to  the  17th  Lancers  in  Jndia,  amounting  in 
all  to  eight  sergeants  and  '299  other  ranks. 

In  March,  1914,  however,  the  Sixteenth  became  involved  in  one  of  ilie  most 
remarkable  transactions  in  their  whole  history. 
1914  In  1914  Mr.  Asquith  found  that  he  was  entirely  dependent  in  the  House  of 
Commons  on  the  votes  of  the  Irish  Home  liule  members  for  his  majority, 
as  the  Conservatives  and  Ijiberals  in  the  House  were  about  equal  in  number. 
He  therefore  found  it  expedient  to  bring  in  a  Bill  conferring  Home  Rule  on 
Ireland.  The  people  of  the  Northern  Counties,  being  loyal,  law-abiding  and 
prosperous,  naturally  objected  very  strongly  to  being  handed  over  to  the  tender 
mercies  of  a  Dublin  Parliament  where  they  would  be  in  a  permanent  minority. 
The  great  majority  of  the  population  of  Ulster  did  not  wish  to  sever  their 
political  connection  with  Great  Britain,  and  finding  their  peaceful  protests 
ignored  by  the  Government,  determined,  if  driven  to  it,  to  resist  the  applica- 
tion of  the  provisions  of  the  Home  Rule  Bill  by  force. 

Large  quantities  of  arms  therefore  were  inii)orted  by  the  ^'olunteer  Associa- 
tions in  Ulster,  and  a  formidable  force  was  raised,  armed,  drilled,  and  orga- 
nised, the  headquarters  of  the  movement  being  at  Belfast.  The  Home  Rule 
party  was  equally  active  in  Southern  Ireland,  where,  under  the  laame  of 
"  Hibernians,"  Volunteer  Associations  were  also  armed  and  drilled  with  the 
avowed  intention  of  being  used  against  Ulster  if  that  province  resisted  the 
imposition  of  Home  Rule  for  a  United  Ireland. 

Early  in  1914  the  Government  began  to  realise  the  difficulties  of  the  situa- 
tion. The  original  Bill  had  been  so  far  modified  that  a  clause  had  been  inserted 
excluding  Ulster  from  its  provisions  for  six  years  from  the  passing  of  the  Act. 
Further  amendments  were  pi'omised,  but  Mr.  Asquith  refused  to  divulge  what 
these  were  before  the  second  reading  was  passed  in  the  Commons.  Meanwhile 
the  Government  received  repeated  warning  that  any  attempt  to  coerce  Ulster 
by  the  use  of  the  Army  would  probably  be  met  by  a  refusal  of  the  troops  to 
slaughter  loyal  Ulstermen  for  the  benefit  of  disloyal  Dublin. 

With  the  Liberal  Government  now  it  was  neck  or  nothing.  To  drop,  or 
even  to  alter,  the  Bill  by  excluding  Ulster  would  certainly  result  in  their 
immediate  expulsion  from  office  by  the  votes  of  the  Home  Rulers,  and  this 
was  to  them  a  calamity  of  vastly  more  weight  than  the  danger  of  a  possible 
or  even  probable  Civil  War  in  Ulster. 

On  the  16th  March  the  First  Lord  of  the  Admiralty,  Mr.  ^^'inston  Churchill, 
delivered  himself  at  Bradford  of  a  very  provocative  speech.*  He  .said  in  it  that 
nnless  Ulster  agreed  to  accept  the  Home  Rule  Bill,  coupled  with  the  exclusion 
of  the  province  from  its  [)rovisions  for  six  years,  troops  would  be  used  to  compel 
acceptance,  and  further,  "  that  bloodshed  no  doubt  is  lamentable,  but  there 
are  worse  things  than  bloodshed,  even  on  an  extensive  scale."  Occupying  as 
he  did  a  comparatively  independent  position  with  regard  to  the  Fleet,  he  pro- 
ceeded to  take  steps  at  once  to  insure  that  "  bloodshed  "  if  the  opportunity 
was  afforded.  On  the  19th  he  ordered  the  3rd  Battle  Squadron,  less  the 
"  Britannia,"  to  proceed  at  once  to  Lamlash,  and  two  destroyers  to  Carrick- 

*  It  wa.s  this  speech  that  caused  Mr.  Churchill  to  be  con-sidered  the  instigator  of  tlie 
whole  trouble. 


fergus,  and  the  next  day  two  divisions  of  destroyers  were  ordered  also  to  [)ro-  19U 
ceed  to  Lamlasli  and  to  n^port  there  to  the  Vice-Adniiral  connnanding.    On  the 
same  day  the  leaders  of  the  Volunteer  movement  were  threatened  with  arrest 
if  they  did  not  cease  their  activities. 

A  plan  of  campaign  against  Ulster  was  prepared  by  the  Government.  The 
3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  was  to  be  sent  from  Dublin  and  the  Curragh,  and  the 
infantry  of  the  5th  Infantry  Division  from  the  same  places  was  to  follow.  This 
force  was  to  occupy  the  bridges  and  general  line  of  the  lioyne  Kiver.  The 
6th  Division  was  to  be  moved  from  the  South  of  Ireland  to  Dublin  and  the 
Curragh.  The  Army  in  Ireland  was  to  be  reinforced  by  10,000  men  from 
England,  and  Belfast  was  to  be  blockaded  by  the  Fleet.  Orders  were  given  for 
reinforcing  the  garrisons  at  various  depots  of  arms,  especially  at  Carrickfergus, 
Omagh,  and  Dundalk  ;  finally  General  Macready  was  detailed  to  take  over  the 
military  command  at  Belfast,  and  the  Chief  Constable  there  was  ordered  to 
report  to  him. 

The  ostensible  reason  for  these  warlike  preparations  was  the  necessity  of 
guarding  the  arms  and  stores  from  possible  attacks  by  the  Hil^ernians  and 
Ulster  Volunteers,  but  these  pretended  fears  were  entirely  without  justification. 
The  Volunteers  had  a  good  supply  both  of  arms  and  annnunition  which  was 
being  daily  augmented  by  fresh  importations,  and  moreover  then-  leaders  were 
doing  all  they  could  to  restrain  their  followers  from  any  overt  act  of  violence, 
while  the  Hibernians  were  naturally  unwilling  to  do  anything  to  embarrass 
the  Government. 

But  there  was  a  further  and  much  more  sinister  design  behind  these  move- 
ments. There  was  a  wish  to  provoke  the  Volunteers  to  some  act  of  violence 
that  would  justify  the  Government  in  using  the  Army  to  crush  once  for  all  the 
resistance  of  Ulster  to  the  Home  Rule  Bill. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  in  Ireland,  who,  not  being  aware  of  these  secret 
intentions,  was  really  anxious  to  avoid  an  outbreak,  was  much  disquieted  by 
the  provocative  measures  which  were  forced  upon  hinr,  and  particularly  by  the 
appointment  of  General  Macready,  who  was  by  no  means  a  "  persona  grata  " 
in  Ulster,  and  at  his  request  it  was  not  publicly  disclosed.  As  General 
Macready  was  fortunately  detained  for  the  time  in  London,  he  sent  Major- 
General  Friend,  one  of  his  own  staff,  to  Belfast  in  his  place,  who  reported  that 
everything  was  quiet. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  also  was  very  doubtful  as  to  the  possible  attitude 
of  the  Army  in  the  event  of  active  operations  bemg  undertaken  in  Ulster.  A 
memorandum  had  been  already  issued  defining  the  duties  and  responsibilities 
of  soldiers  in  times  of  Civil  Commotion,  which  indeed  fully  justified  the  ensu- 
ing action  of  the  officers,  and  by  the  end  of  March  he  was  so  convinced  that 
these  provocations  would  infallibly  result  in  war  that  in  his  communications 
with  the  officers  which  followed  he  several  times  asserted  that  "  by  Saturday 
(March  iSth)  the  whole  country  w"ould  be  in  a  blaze." 

By  this  time  the  Government  itself  was  evidently  beginning  to  have  mis- 
givings as  to  the  attitude  of  the  Army  towards  the  projected  Civil  War  in 
Ulster,  and  in  the  third  week  of  March  Sir  A.  Paget  was  instructed  by  the 
War  Office  to  ascertain  exactly  what  the  officers  would  do  if  such  an  event 
came  about.  He  thei-efore  ordered  the  following  officers  to  meet  him  in  Dublin 
on  Friday,  March  iOth  : — 

Lieut. -General  Fergusson,  Commanding  5th  Division. 
Brigadier-General  Bolt,  Commanding  Infantry  Brigade,  5th  Division. 
,,  Cuthbert,        ,,  ,,  ,,  ,, 

,,  Gough,  Commanding  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade. 


19U  Major-General  Friend,  i/c  Administration  H.Q.  Staff. 

Walker,  C.G.S.,  H.Q.  Staff. 
Colonel  Plill,  Commanding  Northern  Depots. 
General  Poultney,  6th  Division  (not  present). 

Note. — The  5th  Division  was  quartered  partly  in  Dublin,  partly  at  the 
Curragh,  where  the  Headquarters  were.  The  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  consisted 
of  the  16th  Lancers  and  4th  Hussars,  with  Headquarters  at  the  Curragh,  and 
the  5th  Lancers  at  Dublin. 

The  16th  were  commanded  by  Lieut. -Colonel  MacEwen,  the  5th  Lancers 
by  Lieut. -Colonel  Parker,  and  the  4th  Hussars  by  Lieut. -Colonel  Hogg. 

At  this  interview  the  Commander-in-Chief  made  the  following  remarkable 
and  unprecedented  statements  to  the  assembled  officers  : — 

That  active  operations  were  to  be  begun  against  Ulster.  That  he  had  the 
following  instructions  from  the  War  Office  and  the  Chief  of  the  Staff  to  convey 
to  the  officers,  namely — that  officers  domiciled  in  I'lster  would  be  '"allowed 
to  disappear  "  and  would  be  reinstated  without  detriment  at  the  end  of  the 
operations  in  Ireland,  but  they  must  give  their  word  of  honour  not  to  fight  for 
Ulster.  Officers  not  prepared  to  engage  in  active  operations  against  Ulster 
from  conscientious  or  other  scruples  were  to  send  in  their  resignations  at  once 
and  would  be  dismissed  the  Army.  Eesignations  to  be  sent  in  that  evening. 
All  the  Brigadiers  were  ordered  to  go  down  and  deliver  this  message  to  the 
units  of  their  Brigades  and  to  collect  and  forward  the  results. 

Some  conversation  followed  in  the  course  of  which  the  G.O.C.  said  that  the 
Fleet  was  in  Belfast  harbour,  and  in  reply  to  a  question  by  Brigadier-General 
Gough  he  insisted  that  the  clause  about  officers  domiciled  in  Ulster  was  the 
only  concession  that  would  be  granted.  The  General  concluded  by  saying  that 
he  was  going  to  meet  General  Poultney*  and  the  other  General  Officers  of  the 
6th  Division  at  2  p.m.,  when  he  would  explain  his  plans,  and  that  any  officers 
who  were  not  prepared  to  carry  out  his  orders  were  not  to  attend  this  meeting. 

Generals  Fergusson,  Bolt,  and  Gough  then  left.  There  was  some  conver- 
sation between  them  as  to  what  course  each  would  pursue.  Finally  General 
Fergusson  said  that  he  should  obey  any  orders  which  he  might  receive  to  act 
against  Ulster,  Bolt  said  nothing,  and  Gough  said  he  should  refuse  to  go. 

General  Gough  then  went  to  the  Mess  of  the  5th  Lancers.  A  number  of  the 
officers  were  collected,  including  Colonel  Parker,  to  whom  the  situation  %vas 
explained.  General  Gough  then  returned  to  the  Curragh  and  issued  an  order 
for  all  the  officers  of  the  Cavalry  Brigade  to  attend  at  the  Mess  of  the  16th 
Lancers  at  3.30  p.m. 

When  the  officers  were  assembled  General  Gough  made  a  brief  statement  of 
what  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  Ireland  had  said  at  the  Dublin  meeting.!  He 
said  that  he  himself  intended  to  resign  his  commission,  but  that  he  declined  to 
give  any  advice  to  anyone.  The  officers  nmst  decide  each  for  himself  according 
to  the  dictates  of  his  own  conscience.  He  then  dismissed  the  officers  to  their 
own  quarters  with  a  request  that  their  decision  might  be  sent  in  to  the  Brigade 
Office  before  5.30  p.m. 

In  the  evening  (4eneral  Gough  sent  the  following  report  to  Dublin  :  — 

"  With  reference  to  the  communication  from  the  War  Office  conveyed  to  me 
verbally  by  the  Commander-in-Chief  this  morning,  I  have  the  honour  to  report 
the  result  of  my  interviews  with  the  officers  of  my  Brigade. 

"  The  officers  are  of  unanimous  opinion  that  further  information  is  essential 

*  G.O.C.  6th  Division. 

t  General  Gough  had  said  exactly  the  same  things  to  the  officers  of  the  -jth  Lancers. 


before  they  tire  called  upon  at  hucIi  short  notice  to  take  decisions  so  vitally  1-^M 
affecting  their  whole  future,  and  especially  that  a  clear  definition  should  be 
given  of  the  terms  '  duty  as  ordered,'  and  '  active  operations  '  in  Ulster. 

"  If  such  duty  consists  of  the  maintenance  of  order  and  the  ])reservation  of 
property,  all  the  officers  in  this  Brigade,  including  myself,  would  be  ])re])ared 
to  carry  out  that  duty,  but  if  the  duty  involves  the  initiation  of  active  opera- 
tions against  Ulster,  the  following  numbers  of  officers  by  regiments  would 
respectfully  and  under  protest  prefer  to  be  dismissed  :  — 

"  Brigade  Staff,  2  ofticers. 

"  4th  Hussars,  17  out  of  19  doing  duty. 

"  5th  Lancers,  17  out  of  '20  doing  duty. 

"  16th  Lancers,  16  out  of  16  doing  duty. 

"  3rd  Brigade  R.H.A.,  6  out  of  13  doing  duty,  '  including  R.M.' 

"  3rd  Signal  Troop  R.E.,  1  out  of  1  doing  duty. 

"  In  addition  the  following  are  domiciled  in  leister  and  claim  protection  as 
-  such  : — 

"  4th  Hussars,  2  officers. 

"  5th  Lancers,  1  officer. 

"  3rd  Brigade  E.H.A.,  2  officers." 

The  number  of  resignations  apparently  somewhat  discomforted  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief for  he  went  to  the  Curragh  himself  the  next  morning,  Satur- 
day, March  21st. 

All  the  officers  of  the  Cavalry  Brigade  then  at  the  Curragh  were  ordered 
to  meet  the  Commander-in-Chief  at  the  Divisional  Head(iJ.iarters  at  11  a.m. 
About  35  officers  presented  themselves,  including  Brigadier-deneral  Gough, 
Major  Kearsley  (Brigade  Major),  Colonel  Breeks,  commanding  the  R.H.A. 
Brigade,  Colonel  MacEwen,  16th  Lancers,  and  Colonel  Hogg,  4th  Hussars. 

The  Commander-in-Chief*  then  made  a  long  rambling  sort  of  speech.  He 
asked  the  officers  to  reconsider  their  decisions,  and  stated,  in  flat  contradiction 
to  wliat  he  had  said  to  the  officers  at  the  Dublin  meeting  on  the  previous  day, 
that  the  resignations  would  not  be  accepted  and  that  officers  who  declined  to 
go  against  Ulster  would  be  tried  by  Court-martial. 

The  General  then  made  a  series  of  disconnected  statements  to  the  effect  that 
the  troops  were  being  sent  into  Ulster  solely  to  preserve  order,  that  the  talked- 
of  fighting  would  be  merely  a  sham,  that  the  Cavalry  would  not  be  used  if 
any  fighting  did  take  place,  and  finally  emphatically  declared  that  all  this  was 
done  by  the  direct  order  of  the  King,  and  concluded  his  speech  by  asking  the 
officers  if  they  thought  he  would  obey  the  orders  of  mere  politicians — a  remark- 
able observation  which  led  his  hearers  to  conclude  that  he  was  himself  not 
particularly  pleased  at  the  part  which  he  was  obliged  to  play.  Colonel  Breeks 
was  the  only  officer  who  made  any  direct  reply  to  the  sijeech  and  his  remarks 
were  anything  but  encouraging.  General  Gough  contented  himself  with  say- 
ing that  he  did  not  see  how  the  resignations  could  be  refused  as  these  had  been 
demanded  by  the  Conunander-in-Chief's  own  order.  As  no  one  else  said  any- 
thing the  officers  were  ordered  to  talk  the  matter  over  among  themselves  and  to 
convey  their  final  decisions  to  General  Fergusson,  G.O.C.  of  the  5th  Division, 
in  the  course  of  the  day.    The  Commander-in-Chief  then  left  the  room. 

The  officers  then  considered  the  speech,  which  was  generally  thought  to  be 
unsatisfactory  both  from  the  point  of  view  of  assurances  that  no  organised 

*  As  no  notes  were  made  on  tlie  spot  it  is  not  easy  to  he  certain  of  the  C.-in-C.'s  exact 
words.  Two  accounts  by  separate  officers  are  given  in  tlie  Appendix.  Tliey  are  in  sub- 
stantial agreement. 


G 

1914  attack  was  intended  on  Ulster.  Nevertheless  some  of  the  officers  of  the  Artillery 
and  the  4th  Hussars,  including  Colonel  Hogg,  thought  it  possible  that  some 
pacific  arrangement  might  still  be  arrived  at  if  any  guarantee  could  be  given  as 
to  the  strictly  defensive  nature  of  the  projected  operations.  The  16th  officers, 
however,  and  the  others  did  not  think  that  this  was  possible  and  decided  not 
to  withdraw  their  resignations. 

Greneral  (Jough,  with  Colonels  Breeks,  MacEwen  and  Hogg,  then  went  to 
see  General  Fergusson. 

The  General  was  sympathetic,  but  insisted  that  the  officers  must  give  a 
definite  decision  at  once.  He  also  reiterated  the  statement*  previously  made  by 
the  Commander-in-Chief  that  ' '  every  movement  projected  had  been  expressly 
sanctioned  by  the  King."  Finally  the  commanding  officers  agreed  to  go  out 
and  consult  their  officers  again.     This  they  did,  with  the  following  result  :  — 

Cireneral  Gough  and  the  officers  of  the  IGth  and  5th  Lancers  refused  to  with- 
draw their  resignations.  Colonel  Hogg  and  some  of  the  officers  of  the  4th 
Hussars  and  the  R.H.A.  officers  expressed  their  readiness  to  withdraw  provided 
that  General  Gough  was  satisfied  with  the  validitv  of  the  guarantee  that  the 
troops  were  only  to  be  used  for  the  preservation  of  law  and  order  and  were 
not  to  initiate  Civil  War  in  Ulster.  This  of  cour.se  was  not  so,  but  all  the 
officers  ottered  to  withdraw  their  resignations  if  the  War  Office  endorsed  the 
guarantee  in  writing.  Brigadier-General  Gough  and  the  commanding  officers, 
except  Colonel  Hogg,  were  then  ordered  to  go  to  London  and  to  report  them- 
selves personally  at  the  War  Office  on  the  next  day. 

Brigadier-General  Geugh  then  sent  a  telegram  to  Lord  Eoberts.  This  was 
as  follows  : — 

"  All  officers  Ireland  offered  alternative  instant  dismissal  or  undertaking 
active  operations  against  Ulster.  1  accepted  instant  dismissal.  Practically  all 
officers  Cavalry  Brigade  have  done  the  same,  and  total  about  100  officers  in 
Dublin  and  Curragh.  What  is  situation  in  England.   What  do  you  advise?  " 

Brigadier-Creneral  Gough  arrived  in  London  early  on  the  morning  of  the 
'2'2nd.  There  he  received  private  information  that  the  War  Office  people  in- 
tended to  take  up  the  line  that  there  had  been  a  misunderstanding  ;  that  the 
alternatives  were  not  intended  to  be  put;  and  that  he  and  the  other  C.O.'s 
were  to  be  reinstated. 

On  arriving  at  the  War  Office  the  General  found  Colonels  MacEwen  and 
Parker  there.  After  some  conversation  it  was  agreed  to  maintain  their  position 
and  to  refuse  to  withdraw  their  resignations  unless  they  received  a  positive 
assurance  that  they  should  not  be  again  placed  in  such  a  situation  or  ordered 
to  take  part  in  a  war  against  Ulster. 

General  Gough  was  then  taken  alone  into  the  Adjutant-General's  room, 
where  he  was  received  by  Sir  Spencer  Ewart,  who  was  accompanied  by  General 
Macready,  who  had  not  yet  gone  to  Belfast.  He  was  then  asked  to  give  an 
account  of  the  proceedings  at  Dublin  and  the  Curragh.  After  hearing  his  state- 
ment General  Ewart  asked  if  he  thouglit  an  officer  had  any  right  to  question 
when  he  should  go,  or  should  not  go,  in  support  of  the  Civil  Power  to  main- 
tain law  and  order.  To  this  question  the  General  replied,  "  None  whatever," 
adding  that  if  Sir  A.  Paget  had  simply  ordered  the  Brigade  to  go  to  Belfast 
they  would  all  have  gone  without  demur,  not  knowing  why  they  should  be 
wanted  there.    The  interview  then  closed. 

*  The  wording  of  this  statement  is  somewhat  ambiguous.  It  might  be  construed  to  mean 
only  that  the  King  had  sanctioned  the  projected  military  operations,  but  the  officers 
certainly  understood  that  it  applied  also  to  the  alternative  presented  to  them  by  the  C.-in-C. 
and  the  subsequent  tlireats. 


Colonels  AlacKweii  and   i'aikcr  then  came  m  and  ;;avc  llieir  evidence,  as  1914 
also  did  Colonel  Hill. 

All  the  officers  were  ordered  to  remain  in  London  and  recjuired  to  arrange  to 
be  within  reach  of  a  telephone.  Jjater  in  the  afti^rnoon  tlie  officers  received  an 
order  to  leport  theni.selves  at  the  \\'ar  Office  at  11  a.rn.  the  next  day,  the  -I-kd. 

Now,  when  Jjord  ]-!oi)erts  received  Geneial  (iough's  telegram  sent  on  the 
■Jlst  he  perceived  at  once  that  the  dangerous  situation  of  which  he  had  pre- 
viously warned  the  Prime  Minister  and  Sir  J.  ]<'rench  had  really  arisen.  He 
lost  no  time  in  endeavouring  to  deal  with  it,  but  wrote  at  once  to  Lord  Stam- 
fordham  asking  for  an  immediate  audience  with  the  King.  He  had  no  i)revious 
conununication  with  General  Gough,  but  suppo.sed  that  he  w^as  api)ealed  to 
because  he  was  the  Senior  Officer  in  the  Army,  and  because,  from  his  speeches 
in  the  House  of  L/ords,  he  appeared  to  be  in  sympathy  with  the  officers. 

His  Majesty  was  pleased  to  accord  the  audience  asked  for,  and  Lord  Roberts 
went  at  once  to  l^uckingham  Palace,  where  he  w-as  received  by  the  King. 

When  the  King  learned  the  nature  of  fjord  Roberts'  business  Colonel  Seely 
was  sent  for,  it  being  the  constitutional  usage  that  the  Sovereign  discusses 
political  questions  only  in  the  presence  of  a  Minister. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  audience  Lord  Roberts  went  to  the  War  (Jffice, 
where  he  had  an  interview  with  Colonel  Seely  on  his  return  from  the  Pala'^e. 
Some  conversation  and  explanations  ensued,  and  finally  Lord  Roberts  left  an 
open  letter  with  Colonel  Seely  for  Lrigadier-General  Gough. 

What  passed  between  the  various  members  of  the  Government  during  the 
afternoon  and  night  of  the  '2'2nd  will  probably  never  be  divulged,  but  at  any 
rate  the  -JBrd  found  the  War  Office  in  a  very  chastened  frame  of  mind. 

Cxeneral  Gough  went,  as  directed,  to  the  War  Office  at  11  a.m.  and  found 
Colonels  Parker  and  MacEwen  already  there.  The  three  officers  had  some 
conversation  and  agreed  among  themselves  to  refuse  any  offer  of  reinstatement 
unless  they  received  a  written  statement  that  they  w'ould  not  be  called  upon 
to  undertake  operations  against  I'lster.  General  (jough  was  then  shown  alone 
into  Sir  John  French's  room.  Sir  Spencer  Ewart,  the  Adjutant  General,  was 
present  at  the  interview. 

Sir  J.  French  began  by  saying  that  there  had  been  a  great  misunderstanding. 
To  this  General  Gough  re[)lied  that  there  had  been  none  on  his  part.  Sir  J. 
French,  continuing,  said  that  as  there  had  been  a  misunderstanding,  all  the 
officers  were  to  return  to  their  commands  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 

Here  was  indeed  a  change  from  the  threats  of  the  previous  day  !  The  lion 
roaring  Court-martials  and  dismissals  had  become  the  gentle  dove,  softly 
cooing  reconciliation  and  kiss  and  be  friends  all  round. 

General  Gough  easily  perceived  that  this  foreshadowed  a  com[)lete  surrender 
on  the  [lart  of  the  (Tovernment,  and  he  was  encouraged  to  persevere  in  his 
l)revious  determination  to  have  this  surrender  in  writing.  He  replied  that  he 
w'as  quite  willing  to  return  to  his  command,  but  that  such  a  grave  crisis  had 
arisen  that  neither  he  nor  the  other  officers  could  return  unless  they  received 
a  definite  assurance  that  they  should  not  be  asked  again  to  enforce  the  present 
Home  Rule  Bill  on  Ulster. 

Sir  .1.  French  then  said  that  he  could  assure  them  that  no  such  thing  was 
intended  and  that  the  Prime  Minister  had  himself  given  a  similar  assurance 
in  the  House  of  Commons. 

A  long  conversation  then  followed  in  the  course  of  which  Sir  John  French 
said  that  his  word  ought  to  Ije  sufficient,  suggested  "  wiping  everything  otf 
the  slate  "  and  going  back  to  Thursday  evening.  But  General  Gough  adhered 
firmlv  to  his  condition,  saving  that   Sir  J.  French's  word  was  of  course  good 


8 

1914  enough  lor  liiiii,  Inil  Ihal  lie  iiiusi  liavc  somelliing  in  writing  lo  show  lo  the 
officers,  and  asked  what  was  the  ohjection  to  putting  the  assurance  in  writing 
that  the  Governnient  had  given  verhally.  Finally  Sir  J.  French  said  it  was 
impossible  and  that  the  CTOvernment  would  not  give  it,  to  which  Cieneral  (rough 
replied  equally  firmly  that  he  was  very  sorry  hnt  that  he  could  not  return 
without  it. 

After  a  long  silence  Sir  -I.  French  said  to  Sir  S.  Ewart,  "  Well,  we  can't 
do  anything  more  for  him.  You  will  bear  me  out  that  I  have  done  my  best 
for  him.  He  will  never  know  how  much  1  have  done  for  him.  Very  well, 
there  is  nothing  for  it  but  to  take  him  before  the  Secretary  of  State." 

They  then  all  left  the  room  and  |n'oceeded  to  that  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
where  they  found  Colonel  Seely  with  Sir  A.  Paget. 

Colonel  Seely  received  them  with  considerable  "  hauteur."  He  requested 
all  the  four  officers  to  seat  themselves  at  his  table,  taking  the  chair  at  the  head 
of  it  himself.  He  then  delivered  a  discourse  explanatory  of  the  relation  of 
the  Militai-y  to  the  Civil  Power  which  seemed  to  be  mostly  a  repetition  of  the 
Manual  of  Military  Law,  and  then  went  on  to  explain  that  the  action  taken 
in  Ireland  had  merely  been  aimed  at  the  security  of  stores,  etc.,  and  that  the 
Government  had  reason  to  fear  that  grave  disorders  might  break  out  at  any 
moment  in  the  West  and  South.  Finally  he  said  that  the  questions  put  by  the 
Commander-in-Chief  Ireland  arose  out  of  a  misunderstanding,  that  the  putting 
of  hypothetical  questions  to  soldiers  was  illegal,  and  that  all  the  officers  con- 
cerned were  to  return  to  their  commands. 

General  Gough  at  once  replied  that  he  would  gladly  return,  but  that  both 
he  and  the  two  Colonels  concerned  felt  that  they  could  not  again  run  the  risk 
of  finding  themselves  in  the  very  grave  situation  that  had  been  forced  upon 
them,  and  therefore  that  they  must  have  an  assurance  that  they  should  not  be 
asked  to  enforce  the  present  Home  Rule  Bill  on  Ulster. 

To  this  Colonel  Seely  replied  that  the  Prime  jMinister  had  made  a  statement 
already  that  it  was  not  and  never  had  been  the  intention  of  the  Government 
to  coerce  Ulster,  and  that  the  assurance  already  given  liy  the  Army  Council 
ought  to  be  sufficient,  but  General  (iough  remained  immovable  and  insisted 
on  having  the  "  assurance  "  in  writing  before  he  consented  to  return  to  his 
command. 

This  Colonel  Seely  said  was  impossible — no  Government  would  allow  itself 
to  be  dictated  to. 

A  complete  deadlock  now  seemed  to  have  been  reached  when  Sir  J.  French 
intervened  to  ease  the  situation  by  saying  that  (Tcneral  (4ough  had  perhaps  not 
made  it  clear  that  he  felt  that  he  would  not  be  able  to  reassure  his  officers  and 
regain  their  confidence  unless  he  could  show  them  the  authority  of  the  Army 
Council,  feeling  that  his  own  assurance  would  not  be  sufficient  now  that  so 
much  feeling  had  been  aroused. 

This  extremely  diplomatic  suggestion  evidently  seemed  to  present  a  way  of 
escape  to  Colonel  Seely,  and  General  Gough  hastened  to  say  that  this  was 
precisely  what  did  actuate  him  in  making  his  request  for  a  written  assurance. 
Colonel  Seely  then  said  at  last,  "  Oh,  T  see,"  and  in  turning  to  Sir  A.  Paget, 
"  I  think  it  only  a  reasonable  request."  To  this  Sir  A.  Paget  assented.  He 
then  went  on  to  say  that  the  Adjutant  General  would  draw  up  a  draft  contain- 
ing the  assurance  asked  for,  and  that  General  Gough  and  the  two  Colonels 
would  then  return  to  their  commands  with  the  full  concurrence  of  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief in  Ireland. 

The  conference  then  broke  up  and  General  Gough  went  back  to  the  waiting 
room  to  talk  matters  over  with  Colonels  Parker  and  MacEwen. 


9 

The  three  officers  returned  tu  the  War  Office  at  4  p.m.,  and  half  an  lioiir  1914 
afterwards  General  Gough  was  shown  into  Sir  John  French's  room.  Sir  .John, 
who  was  attended  by  Sir  S.  Ewart,  handed  him  the  memoranchim,  which  was 
initialed  i)y  the  Secretary  of  State,  himself,  and  the  Adjutant  (ieneral.  After 
reading  the  document  General  Gough  asked  his  permission  to  show  if  to 
Colonels  Parker  and  MacEwen,  and  for  a  short  time  to  consider  it.  Leave  to 
do  this  having  been  given  (very  reluctantly  and  after  much  hesitation),  the 
General  left  the  room  and  rejoined  the  Colonels  in  the  waiting  room. 

The  memorandum  was  addressed  to  Brigadier-General  Gough,  and  was  as 
follows  :  — 

"  1.  You  are  authorised  b\  the  Army  Council  to  inform  the  oflicers  of  the 
3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  that  the  Army  Council  are  satisfied  that  the  incident 
which  has  arisen  in  regard  to  their  resignations  has  been  due  to  a  misunder- 
standing. 

"  '2.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  soldiers  to  obey  lawful  connnands  given  to  them 
through  the  proper  channel  by  the  Army  Coimcil,  either  for  the  protection  of 
public  pro[)erty  and  the  support  of  the  Civil  Power  in  the  event  of  disturbances, 
or  for  the  protection  of  the  lives  and  property  of  the  inhabitants. 

"  3.  This  is  the  only  point  it  was  intended  to  be  put  to  the  officers  in  the 
questions  of  the  G.O.C.,  and  the  Army  Council  have  been  glad  to  learn  from 
you  that  there  never  has  been,  and  never  will  l)e,  in  the  Brigade  any  question 
of  disobeying  such  lawful  orders. 

"  4.  H.M.'s  Government  must  retain  their  right  to  use  all  the  forces  of  the 
Crown,  in  Ireland  or  elsewhere,  to  maintain  law  and  order  and  to  support  the 
civil  power  in  the  ordinary  execution  of  its  duty. 

"  5.  But  they  have  no  intention  whatever  of  taking  advantage  of  this  right 
to  crush  political  opposition  to  the  policv  or  principles  of  the  Home  Rule  Bill. 

"23rd  March,  1914." 

This  memorandum  was  initialed  by  the  Secretary  of  State  for  ^^'ar,  Sir  John 
French,  and  Sir  S.  Ewart. 

With  paragraphs  2,  3  and  4  everyone  concerned  had  always  been  in  perfect 
agreement,  and  the  last  seemed  to  concede  in  a  few  words  everything  that  the 
officers  had  been  contending  for.  Nevertheless  the  officers  were  not  completely 
satisfied  with  the  wording  of  the  phrase  "crush  [lolitical  opposition,"  which 
seemed  somewhat  ambiguous,  and  knowing  by  experience  the  facility,  acquired 
by  long  practice,  with  which  the  War  Office  could  wriggle  out  of  its  engage- 
ments, and  the  importance  of  having  their  attitude  clearly  defined,  a  statement 
was  made  out  in  writing  which  described  exactly  what  the  officers  understood 
to  be  the  meaning  of  paragraph  No.  5  of  the  memorandum,  and  with  this 
General  Gough,  accompanied  this  time  by  the  two  Colonels,  returned  to  Sir 
Jolm  French. 

Sir  John  read  the  paper  carefully  and  after  some  consideration  wrote  at  the 
foot  of  it,  "  That  is  how-  I  read  it,"  and  initialed  it  "  J.F." 

The  officers  then  thanked  Sir  J.  French  and  Sir  S.  Ewart  for  their  kindness 
and  assistance  and  withdrew. 

The  paper  initialed  by  Sir  John  ran  as  follows  : — 

"  We  understand  the  reading  of  the  last  paragraph  to  be  that  the  troops 
under  our  command  will  not  be  called  upon  to  enforce  the  present  Home  Rule 
Bill  on  Ulster,  and  that  we  can  so  assure  our  officers." 

Thus  the  officers  by  their  steadfast  determination,  supported  as  they  had 
been  throughout  by  the  patriotic  assistance  of  Lord  Roberts,  effectually  gained 
the  point  for  which  they  had  contended  and  fully  vindicated  their  conduct 
under  the  most  difficult  circumstances.    Incidentally  they  averted  the  danger  of 


lU 

1914  Civil  War  in  Ulster,  for  all  liie  jirojectt'il  ijioves  o!  the  troops  were  cancelled, 
and  orders  were  given  countermanding  the  sending  of  the  Fleet  to  Jjanilash. 
^Moreover,  the  Home  Kule  Bill  was  practically  killed,  for  though  the  second 
reading  was  carried  by  a  majority  of  77  in  the  House  of  Commons  on  May  -JSth, 
nothing  more  was  ever  heard  of  that  ill-omened  measure. 

The  position  of  the  officers  all  through  the  controversy  had  ind("ed  been 
unimpeachable.  They  had  disolieyed  no  order,  for  no  order  had,  in  fact,  been 
given,  except  the  order,  afteiwaids  admitted  by  the  Kecretary  for  War  himself 
to  be  illegal,  to  state  what  their  conduct  would  be  on  a  purely  hypothetical 
occasion.  For  answering  this  in  accordance  with  what  they  conceived  to  be 
the  dictates  of  their  honour  and  their  conscience  they  were  accused  of  mutiny 
and  threatened  with  Court-martials  and  dismissal,  though  they  had  committed 
no  ott'ence  against  either  Civil  or  Military  Law. 

The  defence  of  the  officers  is  admirably  set  out  in  the  speech  made  by  J^ord 
iioijerts  in  the  House  of  Lords  on  March  3Uth,  which  is  given  in  full  in  the 
Ajopendix  to  this  Chapter. 

There  were  some  heated  debates  in  Parliament  about  the  transaction  in  the 
course  of  which  the  Government  tried  to  shuttle  out  of  their  responsibility  by 
reiterating  the  excuse  that  what  the  Connnander-in-Chief  Ireland  had  said  to 
the  officers  was  not  in  accordance  with  his  instructions.  Attempts  were  made, 
but  without  success,  to  force  a  disclosure  of  what  these  instructions  really  were, 
ijut  nothing  was  ever  discovered  as  to  even  how  and  when  they  were  given  by 
the  (lovernment  to  its  unhappy  tool  and  scapegoat. 

On  the  26th  Mr.  Asquith  repudiated  the  "  assurance  "  memorandum  given 
to  General  Gough  altogether,  on  the  groimd  that  it  had  not  been  shown  to  the 
Cabinet,  an  assertion  flatly  contradicted  by  Ijord  Morley.  This  final  act  of 
duplicity  was  too  much  for  even  a  War  Office  conscience,  and  Colonel  Seely, 
Sir  John  French,  and  Sir  Spencer  Ewart  all  resigned.  Some  attempts  were 
made  to  induce  Colonel  Seely  to  withdraw  his  resignation,  but  he  persisted 
in  it,  and  finally,  as  Mr.  Asquith  could  not  find  anyone  who  would  consent  to 
till  the  office  of  Secretary  for  War  under  these  invidious  circumstances,  he  was 
forced  to  undertake  it  himself,  and  thus  this  sordid  conspiracy  came  to  an 
ignominious  end.  The  officers  and  Lord  Roberts  w-ere  subjected  to  the  most 
venemous  vituperation  by  the  supporters  of  the  Government  both  in  Parlia- 
ment and  the  Press,  being  accused  of  mutiny,  insubordination,  and  disloyalty 
to  the  King.  Of  course,  these  people  could  not  understand  that  the  officers, 
not  being  politicians,  had  not  bartered  away  their  honour  and  consciences  in 
return  for  their  pay,  l)ut  anyone  would  have  thought  that  even  the  bitterest 
partizan  would  have  found  something  to  admire  in  gentlemen  who  were  ready 
to  resign  their  profession  and  livelihood  rather  than  do  an  act  which  they 
thought  to  be  wrong. 


APPENDIX  TO   CHAPTER   XXXI. 

Ulster  and  the  Army. 

Speech  of  Lord  Roberts. 

During  the  week  iiSrd-SOth  March,  little  else  than  Ulster,  the  Government, 
and  the  Army  were  talked  or  written  about,  and  on  Monday,  30th,  Lord 
Roberts  made  the  following  s]ieech  in  the  House  of  Lords  : — 


11 

'■  My  Lords, — We  nvv  discussing  a  subjccl  of  I  he  very  gnivcsl  iiii))ortaii(-e —  1914 
graver  indeed  as  regards  [HjU^ntial  disaster  to  the  nation  tiian  anything  that  has 
occurred  for  generations.  Is  is  then  with  a  very  real  sense  of  the  seriousness 
of  the  situation  that  I  rise  to  make  an  appeal  to  your  Lordships,  and  through 
you  to  the  people  of  this  country — regardless  of  class  or  political  creed — to 
make  an  end  of  all  these  idle,  but  dangerous  and  mischievous  assertions,  that 
the  Army  is  imi)licated  in  any  political  conspiracy,  and  that  it  is  allowing  itself 
to  be  used  as  the  tool  of  one  Party  in  the  State.  These  baseless  assertions  are 
being  freely  made  in  the  Press  and  in  speeches  by  politicians,  and  it  is  sought 
to  substantiate  them  by  equally  wild  and  slanderous  charges  of  disobedience  of 
orders  and  disregard  of  discipline. 

"  My  Lords,  there  is  not  the  smallest  justification  of  any  sort,  kind,  or 
description,  for  a  single  one  of  these  indictments  of  the  Army.  Where  they 
are  not  inspired  by  a  reckless  desire  to  secure  a  Party  score,  or  by  a  malicious 
disregard  of  truth,  they  have  their  origin  in  complete  ignorance  of  the  Army 
— its  sentiments,  feelings,  and  conditions  of  life. 

"  I  can  fairly  claim  to  have  some  knowledge  of  these  things,  and  I  can  tell 
you,  my  Lords,  with  all  the  conviction  produced  by  (y2  years  of  service  in  the 
Army — and  I  am  sure  that  those  of  your  Lordships  who  have  had  the  honour 
of  serving  His  Majesty  will  bear  me  out  in  this — that  the  soldier  does  not 
trouble  himself  about  Party  politics  ;  indeed  he  dislikes  politics,  his  indifference 
is  even  tinged  with  contempt  for  the  unfortunate  people  engaged  in  political 
warfare,  as  men  who  are  perforce  bereft  of  individuality. 

"  That,  believe  me,  My  Lords,  is  the  general  feeling  in  the  Army,  and  if 
you  add  to  that  the  sense  of  '  esprit  de  corps  '  and  almost  inordinate  pride  in 
the  Army,  is  it  ever  conceivable  that  soldiers  would  consent  to  engage  in  a 
political  "plot,  or  to  assist  one  Party  to  secure  a  political  advantage  over  its 
opponents'?  The  thing  is  an  absurdity.  The  man  is  not  living  who  could  seduce 
the  Army  to  play  so  despicable  a  part.  And,  My  Lords,  what  are  those  charges 
of  indiscipline  and  disobedience  of  orders? 

"Your  Lordships  are  fully  aware  of  the  facts  of  the  deplorable  situation 
produced  by  the  ultimatum  which  was  suddenly  hurled  at  the  troops  in  Ireland 
the  week  before  last.  1  defy  anybody  to  give  me  a  solitary  instance  of  indisci- 
pline or  disobedience. 

"  At  the  instigation  of  the  Government — or  so  we  nnist  presume  until  it  has 
been  proved  to  be  otherwise — the  officers  were  asked  to  nuike  their  choice  be- 
tween two  terrible  alternatives.  This  option  was  unsought  liy  them.  It  was 
deliberately  given  to  them  by  the  Government,  acting  through  General  Sir 
Arthur  Paget  as  its  mouthpiece,  and  they  were  given  but  the  scantiest  time  in 
which  to  consider  the  momentous  choice  that  they  were  commanded  to  make. 

"  Now,  My  Lords,  the  all-important  fact  of  what  I  have  said — and  it  cannot 
be  stated  too  often — is  that  in  exercising  the  option  thus  forced  upon  them, 
there  was  obviously  no  semblance  of  disobedience  of  orders.  But,  My  Lords, 
what  of  the  choice  that  was  put  before  these  officers'?  Dismiss  from  your 
minds  the  ridiculous  fallacy  that  officers  of  the  Army  are  a  wealthy  and  privi- 
leged class,  and  consider  the  nature  of  the  option  unexpectedly  placed  before 
them.  They  were  to  be  ready  to  operate  against  the  men  of  Ulster — loyal 
subjects  of  the  King,  flying  the  I'nion  Jack— or  to  send  in  their  resignatioiis 
and  be  dismissed  from  the  Army  with  consequent  loss  of  their  careers  and  their 
pensions.  This  latter  meant  to  all  the  break-up  of  a  home,  the  sundering  of 
ties  which  had  bound  them  for  years — the  ties  of  comradeship,  love  of  regi- 
ment, and  pride  in  the  Army.  It  meant  to  all  the  loss  of  occupation  and  the 
waste  of  manv  vears  of  strenuous  endeavour — it  meant   to  many,   and,   My 


12 

1914  Lords,  I  would  draw  U)ur  p.irlicular  attention  to  this — the  ainioHt  total  loss  of 
the  means  of  livelihood — and  yet,  My  Jjords,  the  finger  of  scorn  is  [)ointed  at 
the  officers  who  chose  this  latter  alternative.  They  are  made  the  subjects  of 
false  charges,  are  accused  of  wishiiig  t(j  dictate  to  the  (jovernment,  and  are 
branded  as  conspirators. 

"  My  Lords,  it  is  higli  time  for  the  sake  of  the  nation — no  less  than  foi'  the 
.sake  of  the  Army — that  these  perversions  of  the  truth  should  cease,  and  that 
the  Army  should  be  allowed  to  disappear  from  the  |)olitical  arena  into  whitdi 
it  has  been  thri'ist — much  against  its  own  wish  or  expectation. 

"I  know  what  1  am  speaking  about  when  I  tell  your  Lordships  that  the 
Army,  as  a  whole,  had  so  little  considered  the  political  situation,  and  the 
atmosphere  in  which  it  has  its  being  is  so  devoid  of  political  elements,  that  it 
has  never  conceived  the  possibility  of  finding  itself  entangled  in  this  manner. 

"  My  Loi'ds,  it  has,  indeed,  often  surprised  me  to  mark  the  air  of  personal 
detachment  with  which  the  Army  has  regarded  this  great  political  struggle  ; 
but  so  it  lias  been,  and  1  say  no  more  than  the  truth  when  I  state  that  the 
•Government's  ultimatum  was  like  the  springing  of  a  mine  to  the  Army. 

"My  Lords,  I  need  say  little  more.  My  desire  has  been  to  nail  to  the 
counter  once  and  for  all  the  lies  that  are  being  told  as  to  officers  having  dis- 
obeyed orders.  If  any  further  justification  of  their  action  were  needed,  surel}' 
it  is  to  be  found  in  the  unexampled  and  unprecedented  course  taken  by  the 
Oovernment  in  offering  alternatives  to  the  officers.  For  wiiat.  My  Lords,  does 
this  portend?  What  is  the  irresistible  implication  arising  from  this  course? 
Why  this  departure  from  custom?  Surely  the  only  reason  and  true  reason  is 
that  the  Government  realised  that  they  were  going  to  make  demands  on  the 
Army  which  they  had  no  right  to  make,  and  which  the  constituted  authorities, 
iis  revealed  in  the  Army  Act  and  the  King's  Regulations,  gave  them  no  excuse 
for  making.  These  authoritative  works  lay  down  in  the  most  detailed  manner 
what  the  duties  of  the  military  forces  are.  They  are  very  precise  as  to  the 
manner  in  which  those  duties  are  to  be  performed  and  the  penalties  for  non- 
])erformance,  they  cover  the  whole  field  of  the  possible  and  even  improbable 
uses  to  which  the  Army  can  be  put.  ^^'hat  duties  then  did  the  Government 
intend  asking  of  the  Army,  that  led  to  this  novel  step?  What  was  contem- 
plated? Obviously  something  that  was  not  legislated  for  in  the  Army  Act  or 
the  King's  Regulations. 

"  My  Lords,  I  can  discover  only  one  answer  to  this  (juestion,  and  that  is  in 
Chapter  I.  of  the  ^Manual  of  Military  Ijaw,  where  the  following  words  will 
be  found  :  '  English  Law  never  presup])oses  the  possibility  of  Civil  War  and 
makes  no  express  provision  for  such  contingencies.' 

•20th  April,  1914.  E. 


Speech  of  Gener.al  Sir  A.  P.\get. 

BRKiADIER-GENER.AL    GoIGH'S    ACCOUNT. 

29th  March,  1914. 

Notes  of  interview  lietween  the  Connnander-in-Chief  Ireland  and  Officers 
3rd  Cavalrv  Brigade  (less  5th  Lancers),  at  the  Curragh  Camp,  on  Saturday, 
21st  March,  1914. 

Present  :   The  Connnander-in-Chief  and  A.D.C.    (Lieut.   Mackintosh),  all 


13 

officers   3rd   Cavalry    Hi'igadu    in    barracka    uboul    35j,   iiicliuliiig   self,    Major  iyi4 
Kearsley,  Colonel  iireeks,  Colonel  MacEweii,  Colonel  Hogg,  Major  CiilJson, 
Major  Compbell,  Major  Howell,  etc. 

At  11  a.m.  the  Connnaiuler-in-Chief  entered  the  loom  and  sat  at  the  only- 
table,  asking  us  to  sit  down,  which  we  did  as  best  we  could  on  available 
accommodation. 

He  commenced  by  saying  that  he  was  om-  friend  and  asked  us  to  trust  him 
as  our  General  and  our  Chief,  and  he  would  see  that  we  were  not  placed  in  any 
positions  which  we  might  object  to.  He  said  he  did  not  know  why  so  many 
officers  had  resigned,  because  he  had  no  intention  of  nuiking  war  on  Ulster, 
and  to  prove  it  he  would  take  us  into  his  conhdence  and  divulge  some  of  his 
plans.  Only  moves  had  been  ordered  that  were  necessary  to  protect  stores, 
etc.,  and  even  these  moves  were  precautions  mainly  directed  against  the 
"  Hibernians."  The  depot  at  Enniskillen  was  dangerously  e.xposed  to  Hiber- 
nians ;  the  guns  in  Dundalk — a  low-lying  town  surrounded  by  hills  peopled  by 
Hibernians — were  very  exposed,  and  every  soldier  would  know  that  guns  must 
have  the  protection  of  other  arms. 

He  had  moved  some  troops  by  sea  (he  now  thought  it  was  a  mistake) — 
merely  to  avoid  their  marching  through  the  streets  of  Belfast.  Why  should 
we  think  military  operations  were  intended  against  Ulster  when  everywhere 
his  troops  had  been  received  with  ovation  in  Ulster? 

As  far  as  the  Cavalry  were  conceined  they  would  not  be  re(juired  to  take 
any  serious  part  in  any  fighting — not  more  than  one  regiment  would,  anyhow, 
be  employed — he  would  send  one  regiment  south  to  maintain  order  there.  A 
squadron  or  two  might  be  employed  on  the  lines  of  communication. 

He  then  went  on  to  say  that  it  was  necessary,  of  course,  "'  to  hold  the  line  of 
the  ]-5oyne,"'  while  ■2.5,000  troops  were  being  brought  over  from  England.  He 
said  he  had  expected  that  only  a  few  religious  fanatics  would  accept  dismissal. 

He  said  that  if  officers  liked  to  "  indulge  in  the  luxury  of  sentiment  they 
must  pay  for  it,  like  other  things."  He  .said  that  no  resignations  would  be 
accepted.  He  said  that  senior  officers  would  be  tried  by  CM.  He  said  that 
we  must  clearly  understand  that  this  was  the  direct  order  of  "  the  Sovereign," 
and  asked  us  "  if  we  thought  he  would  obey  the  orders  of  mere  politicians." 

Then,  as  no  move  took  place,  he  said  we  must  decide  again  and  let  (General 
Fergusson  know,  and  if  there  was  no  change,  that  I  and  the  C.O.'s  would 
■'  hand  over  command,"  cross  to  I^ondon  that  night  and  rejiort  to  the  War 
Office  next  morning. 

Some  of  these  statements  were  made  in  the  presence  only  of  myself.  Major 
Kearsley,  Colonels  Breeks,  MacEwen,  and  Hogg. 

Colonel  Breeks  had  some  words  with  the  Commander-in-Chief,  but  I  have 
forgotten  exactly  what  they  were  ;  they  were  mainly  expressing  the  resent- 
ment felt  at  the  grave  decision  demanded  from  officers,  apparently  for  no  cause, 
in  a  very  short  time,  and  with  "  practically  a  pistol  at  one's  head." 

I  remarked  that  I  did  not  see  how  resignations  could  be  refused,  as  they 
had  been  demanded  from  officers  by  the  Chief's  own  order.  Also  that  though 
sentiment  might  be  a  Inxurv,  men  had  died  for  it. 


14 
li»li  Account  (Iivkx  m  niii  O.C,  li.ll.A. 

"  I  received  aii  onler  tliat  the  C'oinniamlei-iii-Chief  Iieland  wished  to  adch^ess 
ail  officers  of  the  Cavalry  Brigade  at  1!  a.m.  The  gist  of  his  statement  was 
as  follows  : — 

"  He  earnestly  desired  us  to  reconsider  our  decisions.  These  resignations 
would  not  be  accepted  and  that  otticers  who  declined  to  go  against  Ulster  would 
be  tried  by  (ieneral  Court  Martial.  That  though  operations  were  about  to  be 
initiated  against  Ulster  we  were  to  trust  to  him  that  they  would  be  of  a  purely 
defensive  nature.  That  in  proof  of  this  he  called  our  attention  to  the  moves 
that  had  already  taken  place,  which  were  merely  necessary  strengthening  of 
exposed  garrisons  in  view  of  the  danger  of  their  ijeing  rushed  by  either  Party. 
That  he  was  about  to  mass  or  was  making  arrangements  to  mass  at  least  ■20,000 
men  on  the  Boyne.  He  also  stated  that  he  could  do  without  cavalry  and  w'as 
willing  to  give  a  guarantee  to  the  Cavalry  Brigade  that  they,  except  for 
scouting  purposes,  would  not  be  used  offensively,  merely  on  the  lines  of  com- 
munications. The  Commander-in-Chief  was  most  emphatic  that  any  disobedi- 
ence of  these  orders  was  disobeying  the  King.  The  officers  were  then  dismissed, 
and  (reneral  (iough  and  myself.  Colonel  Hogg  and  Colonel  MacEwen,  left  with 
the  Commander-in-Chief.  He  reiieated  some  of  his  arguments  and  elucidated 
some  points. 

'■  I  must  confess  that  the  speech  was  absolutely  unconvincing  and  incon- 
clusive . 

"  I  then  went  out  and  consulted  with  the  Ct.O.C.  Cavalry  Brigade  and  O.C. 
Regiments,  telling  my  officers  to  meet  me  later  in  our  Mess. 

'■  Then  some  differences  of  opinion  arose.  Some  R.H.A.  officers  and  the  O.C. 
4th  Hussars  and  some  of  his  officers  hoped  that,  in  spite  of  the  unconvincing 
nature  of  the  Commander-in-Chief's  speech,  all  officers  might  be  able  to  take 
his  statements  as  to  the  strictly  defensive  nature  of  the  operations  at  their  full 
value,  but  others  thought  that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  give  such  a  guar- 
antee. General  Gough  and  the  O.C.'s  then  went  to  see  General  Fergusson, 
who  had  been  deputed  to  receive  the  decisions.  We  saw  a  copy  of  what  we 
understood  to  be  the  War  Office  instructions,  in  which  no  mention  was  made 
of  a  choice  of  action  being  given  to  any  officers  except  those  domiciled  in 
Ulster.  General  Fergusson  again  put  the  case  against  resignation  before  us 
very  fairly  strongly,  but  insisted  that  a  definite  decision  had  to  be  given  at 
once  to  the  choice  put  before  us  by  all  officers. 

■■  He  said  that  he  had  received  from  Sir  A.  Paget  his  word  that  every  move- 
ment projected  and  made  had  been  expressly  sanctioned  by  the  King,  and  that 
he  thought  this  statement  was  the  deciding  point.  But  he  had  to  acknowledge 
that  the  massing  of  20,000  men  on  the  borders  of  Ulster  was  certainly  moral 
coercion  to  say  the  least,  ^^'e  agreed  to  go  out  and  consult  our  officers  again. 
General  Gough  and  the  officers  of  the  16th  and  5th  Lancers  could  not  see  their 
way  to  alter  their  decisions.  Colonel  Hogg  and  some  officers  of  the  4th  Hussars 
were  undecided  as  to  the  validity  of  Sir  A.  Paget's  guarantee.  General  Gough 
and  the  other  officers  commanding  went  over  to  the  War  Office,  being  super- 
seded in  their  commands  (except  Colonel  Hogg)  and  handing  over  to  the  next 
senior.  I  saw  my  officers  and  explained  the  situation  up  to  date.  ]\Iy  officers 
were  of  opinion  (with  the  exception  of  those  domiciled  in  Ulster)  that  they 
were  prepared  to  withdraw  their  resignations  on  General  Sir  A.  Paget's  guar- 
antee, if  General  Crough  was  satisfied  with  it,  which  he  was  not.  Also  they 
were  quite  prepared,  as  were  all  the  cavalry,  to  withdraw  their  resignations, 
if  tlip  War  Office  endorsed  the  covering  letter  mentioned  above  in  the  sense  of 


15 

giving  u  guaiantee  liial  tlic  upL'iatioiis  wcri'  ut  llic  lancly  legal  nature  oi'  pre-  1914 
serving  law  and  order  and  properly  and  not  to  initiate  Civil  War  in  Ulster. 
We  decided  to  wait  in  hopes  tiiat  (■cnerai   Gongli   would  he  able  to  arrange 
matters  at  the  War  Otlice. 

"  I  deeply  regret  to  say  that,  now  the  matters  are  a  good  deal  worse.  We 
all,  even  myself  and  the  ol'lic'ers  who  tlunight  with  me,  think  that  the  King's 
name  has  been  used  to  deceive  us." 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

'28th  JiiiNE  TO  Gth  August,  1914. 
The  W.^e  with  Germany. 

Causes  of  the  War.  Murder  of  Archduke  Ferdinand.  Temperate  demands  of 
Austria.  Germany's  secret  preparations.  Designs  of  Germany.  Austrian 
Ultimatum  to  Servia.  Diplomatic  efforts  to  avoid  war.  Conference  pro- 
posal abortive  owing  to  refusal  of  Germany  to  partici[>ate.  Cierman  High 
Sea  Fleet  recalled.  Russian  moljilisation.  (lerman  terms  for  British 
neutrality.  Their  rejection.  German  troops  enter  Jjuxendjourg.  Belgian 
rejection  of  German  terms  and  subsequent  mobilisation.  German  Army 
invades  Belgium  on  August  3rd.  Sir  Ed.  Goschen  demands  explanation 
and  is  handed  his  i>assports  on  4th.  Siege  of  Liege  begins  on  5th.  British 
Declaration  of  War  as  from  11  p.m.  August  4th.  Fleet  and  Army  mobi- 
lised and  Ijord  Kitchener  appointed  Secretary  for  ^^'ar,  August  .5th.  The 
Expeditionaiy  Force  sent  to  France.  Composition  of  the  Expeditionary 
Force. 

Appendix  I. — Staff  and  details  of  the  Expeditionary  Force. 

Appendix  II. — Comparative  Tables  of  Organisation.  British,  French,  Belgian, 
and  German  Armies. 

Sunnnary  of  Events,  June  '28th — August  Gth,  1914. — .June  28th,  Alurder  of 
Archduke  Ferdinand.  .July  23rd,  Austrian  Ultimatum  to  Servia.  25th, 
Servian  reply  received.  28th,  Austria  declares  War  on  Servia.  29th, 
Russia  begins  to  mobilise.  August  1st,  Germany  declares  War  on  Russia  ; 
France  begins  to  mobilise.  2nd,  Germans  enter  Luxendjourg.  3rd,  Ger- 
man invasion  of  Belgium  ;  Great  Britain  orders  mobilisation  ;  State  of 
War  declared  between  France  and  Germany.  4th,  British  Declaration  of 
War.  5th,  Austria  declares  war  on  Russia  ;  Siege  of  Ijiege  begins.  Gth, 
Three  of  Liege  forts  destroyed. 

But  Irish  affairs  were  speedily  relegated  to  oblivion  by  the  advent  of  the 
war  with  Germany. 

This  had  been  meditated  and  prepared  for  by  the  Kaiser  and  his  Government 
for  years,  with  the  full  approval  of  the  German  nation.  Indeed  no  attempt 
was  made  at  concealment  of  their  intentions,  and  "  Der  Tag,"  as  they  were 
pleased  to  term  the  day  for  the  beginning  of  the  great  war,  which  was  to  end 
by  the  humiliation  of  Britain  and  the  final  removal  of  the  last  obstacle  in  the 
way  of  German  World  Power,  was  anticipated  with  eager  exultation,  though 
it  suited  the  majority  of  the  people  here,  and  particularly  our  (iovernment,  to 
ignore  what  was  impending. 


16 

1914  Some  few  there  were,  like  Lord  R()l)erts,  who  endetivoured  to  awaken  their 
country  to  a  sense  of  the  danger,  but  tliey  were  roundly  abused  by  Ministers 
and  their  subservient  oi-gans  in  the  Press  as  alarmists  and  would-be  disturbers 
of  the  peace.  Lord  Eoberts  himself  being  assailed  with  a  coarseness  and  viru- 
lence both  in  Parliament  and  in  the  newspapers  which  sup])orted  the  Govern- 
ment that  one  can  only  term  simply  disgraceful  to  those  who  indulged  in  it, 
many  of  whom  ought  to  have  known  better. 

There  were  two  men,  however,  in  the  Ministry  who  did  recognise  the 
coming  danger.  Lord  Haldane  and  Sir  E.  Grey.  Both  repeatedly  warned  their 
colleagues  of  it,  and  did  their  best  to  prepare  for  it,  but  unfortunately  neither 
imparted  their  apprehensions  to  the  public,  and  both  were  subsequently  made 
the  scapegoats  for  the  Government  apathy,  though  it  was  owing  entirely  to 
Lord  Haldane's  ability  in  previously,  as  Secretary  for  \\'ar,  perfecting  the 
organisation  of  an  Expeditionary  Force  that  the  country  was  enabled  to  send 
out  the  "  Contemptible  "  Army  that  really  decided  the  issue  of  the  war. 

The  Kaiser  was  driven  into  the  fateful  path  he  followed  by  both  fear  and 
ambition.  His  colossal  self-sufficiency  saw  himself  the  master  of  the  world, 
and  he  feared  the  growing  power  of  the  Slav  States  that  threatened  to  block 
his  road  to  the  Empire  of  the  East.  The  three  gi'eat  obstacles  to  the  realisa- 
tion of  his  hopes  were  Great  Britain,  France  and  Russia,  particularly  the  first. 

The  Kaiser  and  his  Government  appear  to  have  decided  to  begin  the  war  in 
the  spring  of  1915,  with  a  surprise  attack  on  England.  It  was  fortunate  for 
us  that  this  plan  was  changed.  Though  the  German  Fleet  was  certainly  no 
match  for  ours  once  our  whole  naval  strength  was  concentrated  against  it,  it 
would  ]n-obably  have  been  able  to  cover  the  embarkation  and  transport  of  a 
German  Army  secretly  assembled  at  Hamburg  and  the  neighbouring  ports  for 
a  time  sufficient  to  enable  it  to  effect  a  landing,  even  though  its  owai  destruc- 
tion was  in  the  end  certain.  If  a  force  of  even  three  Army  Corps  had  been 
so  landed  it  is  easy  to  imagine  the  confusion  that  would  have  followed,  and 
we  might  have  been  treated  to  something  unpleasantly  like  a  real  "  Battle  of 
Dorking  "  before  any  sort  of  adequate  mobilisation  had  been  accomplished. 

Though  the  war  was  probably  inevitable,  it  was  brought  on  prematurely  by 
the  same  cause  that  has  brought  on  all  our  wars  for  the  last  hundred  years, 
namely,  the  belief  that  whatever  happened  Great  Britain  would  not  fight ;  for 
the  Kaiser,  like  the  Emperor  Nicholas  of  Crimean  fame,  Arabi  Pasha,  Mr. 
Kruger,  and  other  mistaken  potentates,  believed  in  the  froth}"  protestations 
of  pacificist  politicians  and  their  venal  supporters  in  the  Press,  to  their  own 
eventual  undoing. 

The  trouble  in  Ireland,  and  above  all  the  ditliculty  with  the  Army  over  the 
coercion  of  Ulster,  which  the  Government  falsely  called  a  mutiny  of  the 
troops,  seemed  fui'ther  deterrents  to  intervention,  and  in  truth  it  is  very 
possible  that  if  the  German  Grovernment  had  avoided  the  fatal  error  of  violating 
the  neutrality  of  Belgium,  which  it  had  guaranteed  itself  in  the  famous  "  Scrap 
of  Paper,"  Mr.  Asquith's  Cabinet  would  have  kept  Great  Britain  out  of  the 
war  for  the  time  being,  for  there  were  plenty  of  short-sighted  and  selfish 
people,  both  in  the  Ministry  and  outside  it,  who  shamelessly  advocated  stand- 
ing aside  and  profiting  by  the  coTumercial  exhaustion  of  the  combatants. 

These  things  being  so,  the  Kaiser  merely  waited  for  the  inevitable  pretext 
which  was  unfortunately  soon  afforded  by  the  shocking  murder  of  the  Arch- 
duke Ferdinand,  the  heir  to  the  Austrian  throne,  and  his  morganatic  wife,  the 
Duchess  of  Hohenberg,  by  one  Prinsep  at  Serajevo,  the  capital  of  Bosnia,  on 
the  28th  of  June. 

The  Austrian  Emperor,  justly  exasperated  at  the  cruel  death  of  his  heir,  at 


17 

once  charged  the  yervian  Government  with  having  engineered  the  assassina- 1914 
tion.  The  only  real  evidence  against  Servia  was  tiiat  the  bomhs  used  had  cer- 
tainly come  from  the  Servian  Arsenal,  and  indeed  it  is  difficult  to  see  what 
object  there  could  have  been  for  the  murder  so  far  as  Servia  was  concerned. 
There  were  two  parties  in  Austria.  One  led  by  Von  Hoetzendorft'  and  the 
Hungarian  Tisza,  advocated  the  suppression  by  force  of  the  political  aspiration 
of  the  Austrian  Slavs,  whereas  the  Archduke  on  the  contrary  desired  to  content 
them  by  giving  them  a  measure  of  local  autonomy. 

Austria  at  first  was  reasonable  enough,  and  after  the  first  burst  of  indigna- 
tion only  demanded  that  Servia  should  take  steps  to  guard  against  similar 
outrages  for  the  future,  and  as  nothing  further  was  done  apparently,  for  the 
next  three  weeks  it  looked  as  if  the  storm  would  blow  over.  The  British 
Government  was  fully  occupied  with  its  troubles  in  Ireland.  France  was  busy 
with  the  domestic  difliculties  resulting  from  the  Caillaux  scandal,  and  the 
President  had  escaped  from  the  consequent  turmoil  by  going  on  a  tour  in  the 
North  of  France,  while  the  Kaiser  ostentatiously  absented  himself  by  embark- 
ing on  his  yacht  for  a  cruise  in  the  Baltic. 

But  this  was  only  a  blind.  Germany's  sinister  influence  was  at  work  on  the 
senile  Austrian  Emperor,  and  the  interval  was  secretly  and  quietly  occupied 
in  completing  the  preparations  for  the  impending  war.  The  foreign  Consuls 
and  governors  of  Colonies  were  warned  of  what  was  coming,  the  already  large 
garrisons  along  the  French  and  Belgian  Frontiers  were  quietly  strengthened, 
and,  short  of  actual  mobilisation,  the  military  machine  was  made  ready  for 
the  stroke. 

The  plan  of  compaign  was  very  simple.  England  would  be  neutral.  Austria 
was  to  keep  Russia  at  bay  while  Germany  overwhelmed  France  by  a  surprise 
attack  through  Belgium,  and  when  France  was  finally  disposed  of,  then  would 
come  the  turn  of  Great  Britain  ;  after  Great  Britain  had  been  dealt  with  the 
united  forces  of  Germany  and  Austria  would  be  able  to  compel  Russia  to  accept 
terras  that  would  effectually  check  for  the  future  the  Slav  aspirations  in  the 
near  East. 

The  universal  complacency  was  shattered  in  a  moment  on  July  23rd 
by  the  sudden  presentation  of  an  Ultimatum  to  Servia,  a  definite  reply 
being  demanded  within  48  hours,  while  the  German  Ambassadors  notified  the 
approval  of  Germany  of  the  Austrian  demand  to  all  the  Great  Powers. 
By  the  advice  of  the  Russian  Government  Servia  notified  the  acceptance  of 
all  the  terms  of  the  ultimatum  luit  two,  which  she  wished  to  be  reserved  for 
further  considei'ation,  but  no  sort  of  reply  would  have  averted  her  fate,  for 
war  had  been  decided  on  both  by  Austria  and  Germany,  and  at  10  p.m.  the 
.^ustrian  Ambassador  at  Belgrade  asked  for  his  passports. 

Six  days  of  feverish  efforts  to  avert  war  by  the  diplomatists  of  Great  Britain, 
France,  Russia  and  Italy  followed.  Sir  E.  Grey  proposed  a  conference  of  the 
Great  Powers  in  London,  but  this  was  rendered  nugatory  by  the  flat  refusal 
of  Germany  to  take  part  in  it,  and  on  the  29th  July  Austria  declared  war  on 
Servia  and  inmiediately  after  the  declaration  began  the  bombardment  of 
Belgrade. 

After  this  things  moved  with  cyclonic  celerity.  Germany  recalled  her  High 
Sea  Fleet  and  Russia  ordered  the  mobilisation  of  her  Southern  Commands. 
After  a  midnight  Council  of  War  held  at  Potsdam,  at  which  the  Kaiser  pre- 
sided, the  Imperial  Chancellor  made  a  proposal  to  Sir  E.  Goschen,  the  British 
Ambassador,  which  was,  in  etfect,  that  we  should  remain  neutral  in  the  im- 
pending war,  Germany  in  return  promising  that  if  victorious,  which  seemed 
to  be  taken  for  granted,  France  should  not  be  deprived  of  any  European  terri- 

D 


18 

1914  tory,  aud  that  the  neutrality  ol  Jielgiuni  should   be  respected  utter  the   war, 
provided  she  had  not  sided  with  France. 

The  liussian  Foreign  IMinister  had  already  warned  our  Government  that  the 
one  and  only  chance  of  averting  war  was  to  declare  at  once  that  we  would 
stand  by  France  and  Kussia,  and  on  the  'iyth  the  French  Government  asked 
for  a  specific  declaration  of  Jiritish  intentions,  but  only  obtained  an  evasive 
reply  from  our  "  Wait  and  See  "  Prime  Minister,  and  a  personal  letter  from  the 
French  President  to  King  George  met  with  no  better  fate.  On  the  3Uth  the 
British  Government  rejected  the  proposal  made  to  it  on  the  29th. 

On  the  31st  the  Kaiser  declared  a  "  State  of  War  "  in  Germany  and  issued 
an  ultimatum  to  liussia  requiring  instant  demobilisation.  On  the  1st  -August 
Germany  declared  war  on  liussia.  On  the  ^nd  the  German  troops  entered  the 
Grand  Duchy  of  Luxemburg,  another  country  whose  neutrality  had  been 
guaranteed,  and  some  cavalry  patrols  crossed  the  French  frontier.  On  the  3rd 
the  German  mobilisation  began  officially. 

Meanwhile  Belgium  had  rejected  categorically  the  German  demand  for  a 
free  passage  of  her  armies  and  had  begun  to  mobilise,  and  on  the  3rd  the 
German  advance  guard  entered  Belgium  and  occupied  Genniiich. 

In  the  evening  Sir  E.  Goschen  asked  for  explanations  and  was  promptly 
handed  his  passports  and  the  next  day,  August  5th,  the  siege  of  Liege 
began. 

This  decisive  action  by  the  German  Government  settled  the  question  of 
peace  or  war.  The  rising  indignation  of  the  country  at  the  unprovoked  inva- 
sion of  Belgium  and  the  nnpudent  proposal  that  Great  Britain  should  connive 
at  the  violation  of  a  Treaty  to  which  she  was  a  party  silenced  the  pacificist 
members  of  the  Ministry.  Mr.  Asquith  himself  was  no  doubt  not  ill  pleased 
at  the  chance  of  getting  rid  of  the  Irish  mess  which  he  knew  the  war  would 
give  him,  and  with  the  willing  consent  of  the  King  and  the  full  approval  of 
Parliament,  a  "  State  of  War  "  was  declared,  to  begin  at  11  p.m.  on  Tuesday, 
the  4th  August,  this  being  the  exact  time  at  which  Sir  E.  Goschen  received 
his  passports. 

Both  the  Admiralty  and  the  War  Office  had  already  made  full  preparations 
for  the  outbi'eak  of  war.  The  Fleet,  which  had  been  practically  mobilised  for 
review  and  manoeuvres,  had  been  sent  direct  from  the  review  to  its  stations 
in  the  North  Sea,  and  the  Army  had  been  mobilised  on  the  3rd.  On  the  5th 
Lord  Kitchener  was  appointed  Secretary  of  State  for  War,  and  on  the  next 
day  the  first  of  the  Expeditionary  Force,  the  Aldershot  Division,  sailed  for 
France.  This  Army,  which  consisted  of  two  Army  Corps  and  a  Cavalry  Divi- 
sion of  five  Brigades,  was  placed  under  the  command  of  Field-Marshal  Sir 
John  French,  aud  its  composition  was  as  follows  :  — 
1st   Corps. — 1st   and    ^nd    Divisions,    l-5th    Hussars,   Lieut. -General    Sir   D. 

Haig. 
2nd   Corps. — 8rd   and   5th   l^ivisions,    19th   Hussars,   Lieut. -Creneral    Sir  H. 
Smith-Dorrien. 

To  these  a  third  Corps  was  afterwards  added,  under  command  of  Major- 
General  Pulteney,  consisting  at  first  of  the  4th  Division  only.  This  was  in- 
creased by  the  addition  of  the  19th  Infantry  Brigade  of  four  Battalions, 
originally  detailed  for  the  line  of  communications,  which  did  not  join  up  until 
August  25th. 

The  Cavalry  Division  was  commanded  by  Major-General  Allenby.  Its 
composition  was  as  follows  : — 

1st  Brigade. — Brigadier-General  Briggs.     2nd  Dragoon  Guards,  5th  Dragoon 
Guards,  11th  Hussars. 


19 

'2nd  Brigade. — Biiga(liei--(jenerul  de  Inslu.     Jth  Dragoon  Guards,  Ulli  Lancers,  191* 

18th  Hussars. 
3rd  Brigade. — Brigadier-General  H.  Goiigli.     5th  Ijuncers,  Kith  Ijancers,  4th 

Hussars. 
4th  Brigade. — Jkigadier-Generai  Hon.  C.  Jiinghani.     3rd  Hussars,  Gth  Dra- 
goon Guards,  Life  Guards  Composite  Regiment. 
Five  Batteries  Royal  Horse  Artillery. 

In  addition  there  was  another  Brigade  not  at  first  numbered  under  lirig.- 
General  Sir  Philip  Chetwode,  Bart.,  consisting  of  the  Greys,  20th  Hussars, 
and  the  I'ith  Lancers.     This  was  afterwards  the  5th  Brigade. 

In  all  about  75,000  men  and  "250  guns,  exclusive  of  the  3rd  Corps.  The 
Expeditionary  Force  of  all  arms  mustered  100,000  men,  but  more  than  half 
of  these  had  not  reached  the  battle  line  when  the  fighting  at  Mons  began. 


APPENDICES  TO  CHAPTER  XXXII. 


St.\ff  British  Expedition.ary  Force. 
August,  1914. 

Commander-in-Chief,  Field-Marshal  Sir  J.  D.  P.  French,  G.C.B.,  etc. 
Chief  of  General  Staff,  Lieut. -General  Sir  A.  J.  Murray,  K.C.B. 
Major-General,  Major-General  H.  H.  Wilson,  C.B. 
Adjutant-General,  Major-General  Sir  C.  F.  N.  Macready,  K.C.B. 
Quarter-Master-General,  Major-General  Sir  W.  R.  Robertson,  K.C.V.O. 

C.4V.ALRY  Division. 
G.O.C.,  Major-General  E.  H.  H.  Allenby,  C.B. 

1st  Cavalry  Brigade. 
G.O.C.,  Brigadier-General  C.  J.  Briggs,  C.B. 

2nd  Dragoon  Guards  (Queen's  Bays). 

5th  Dragoon  Guards. 

11th  Hussars. 

2nd  Cavalry  Brigade. 
G.O.C.,  Brigadier-General  H.  de  B.  de  Lisle,  C.B. 

4th  Dragoon  Guards. 

9th  Lancers. 

18th  Hussars. 

3rd  Cavalry  Brigade. 
G.O.C.,  Brigadier-General  H.  de  la  P.  Gough,  C.B. 

4th  Hussars. 

5th  Lancers. 

16th  Lancers. 

4th  Cavalry  Brigade. 
G.O.C.,  Brigadier-General  Hon.  C.  E.  Bingham,  C.V.O. 

Composite  Regiment  Household  Cavalry. 

fith  Dragoon  Guards  (Carabineers). 

3rd  Hussars. 


20 

1914  5th  Cavalry  Jiiigade. 

G.O.C.,  Brigadier-General  Sir  V.  W.  Chetwode,  Bart. 
2nd  Dragoon  Guards  (Scots  Grej's). 
12th  Lancers. 
20th  Hussars. 

G.O.C.,  Lieut. -General  Sir  D.  Haig,  K.C.B. 

1st  Division. 
G.O.C.,  Major-General  S.  H.  Lomax. 
Divisional  Cavalry,  A  Squadron,  15th  Hussars. 

2nd  Division. 
G.O.C.,  Major-General  C.  C.  Monro,  C.B. 
Divisional  Cavalry,  B  Squadron,  15th  Hussars. 

II.  Corps. 
1st  G.O.C.,  Lieut. -General  Sir  J.  M.  Grierson,  K.C.B. 

He  died  in  the  train  between  Rouen  and  Amiens,  17th  August,  1914. 
2nd  G.O.C.,  General  Sir  H.  L.  Smith-Dorrien,  G.C.B. 

Took  over  command  at  Bavai,  21st  August. 

3rd  Division. 
G.O.C.,  Major-General  Hubert  I.  W.  Hamilton,  C.V.O. 
Divisional  Cavalry,  C  Squadron,  15th  Hussars. 

5th  Division. 
G.O.C.,  Major-General  Sir  C.  Ferguson,  Bart.,  C.B. 
Divisional  Cavalry,  A  Squadron,  lyth  Hussars. 

HI.  Corps. 
Formed  in  France  31st  August,  1914. 
G.O.C.,  Major-General  W.  P.  Pulteney,  C.B. 

4th  Division. 
Landed  in  France  22nd  August. 
G.O.C.,  Major-General  T.  d'O.  Snow,  C.B. 
Divisional  Cavalry,  B  Squadron,  19th  Hussars. 

6th  Division. 
Embarked  for  St.  Nazaire  8th-9th  September,  1914. 
G.O.C.,  Major-General  J.  L.  Keir,  C.B. 
Divisional  Cavalry,  C  Squadron,  19th  Hussars. 

Line  of  Communication  Troops. 
2nd  Royal  Welsh  Fusiliers. 
1st  Cameronians. 
1st  Middlesex. 
2nd  Argyl  and  Sutherland. 
These  four  battalions  were  formed  into  the  19th  Brigade  at  Valenciennes, 

22nd  August,  1914. 
1st  Devonshire  Regiment. 

Infantry  BRifL-vDEs. 
1st  Division.     1st,  2nd,  3rd  I3rigades  1        j    p 

2nd        ,,  4th  (Guards),  5th,  6th  Brigades       /  ^^P^' 


3rd 
5th 

4th 
6th 


7th,  8th,  9th  Brigades  )  -rj    r 

13th,  14th,  1.5th  Brigades  /  ^^-  ^°^P^- 

10th,  11th,  12th  Brigades  />  „.    ^ 

16th,  17th,  ISth  Brigades  /  ^^^-  ^'^^^^- 


•21 

APPENDIX  II.  1914 

comi'akative  tables  of  organisation. 

British. 

Airplane  Squadron. — I'J  Airplanes. 

Cavalry.  —  Division,  4  J^rigades,  'J.UUU  all  ranks,  1U,U'J()  horses  20  13-pdr. 
guns,  24  machine  guns. 
,,  Brigade,  3  Eegiments. 

,,  Regiment,  3  Squadrons. 

,,  Squadron,  4  Troops. 

Artillery. —  (Horsej — Brigade,  2  Batteries. 
,,  Battery,  six  13-pdr.  Q.F.  guns. 

'.Field j — Brigade,  3  Batteries. 
,,  Battery,  six  18-pdr.  Q.F.  guns,  or  six  4.5  in.  howitzers. 

,,  (Heavy) — Battery,  four  60-pdr.  guns. 

Infantry. — Corps,  two  Divisions. 
,,  Division,  3  Brigades. 

,,  Brigade,  4  Battalions. 

,,  Battalion,  4  Companies. 

,,  Company,  4  Platoons. 

Machine  guns. — Two  to  each  Regiment  of  Cavalry  and  Battalion. 
Each  Cavalry  Brigade  had  1  H.A.  Battery. 

Each  Infantry  Division  iifty-four  18-pdr.  guns,  eighteen  4. .5  in.  howitzers, 
four  60-pdr.,  and  one  Squadron  Cavalry. 

A  Division  mustered  18,730  all  ranks  and  5, .592  horses,  12,165  being 
Infantry,  and  in  column  of  route  occupied  fifteen  miles  of  road. 

French. 
Cavalry. — Division,  3  Brigades. 

,,  Brigade,  2  Regiments  and  a  Machine  Gun  Section. 

,,  Regiment,  4  Squadrons,  32  otficers,  651  men,  687  horses. 

,,  Squadron,  5  officers,  145  other  ranks,  143  horses. 

Artillery. — Regiment  (Divisional),  3  Groupes. 
,,  Regiment  (Corps),  4  Groupes. 

,,  Ciroupe,  3  Batteries. 

,,  Battery,  4  Guns. 

Infantry. — Corps,  two  Divisions. 
,,  Division,  2  Brigades. 

,,  Brigade,  2  Regiments. 

,,  Regiment,  3  Battalions. 

,,  Battalion,    4   Companies,    22   officers,    1,030   other   ranks,   and 

machine  gun  section. 
,,  Company,  2  Pelotons. 

,,  Peloton,  2  Sections. 

Each  Cavalry  Division  had  1  H.A.  Brigade  attached  of  two  4-gun  Batteries. 
The  strength  of  a  Division  of  Infantry  was  15,000  of  all  ranks,  with  36  guns 
and  24  machine  guns. 

A  Corps  had,  in  addition  to  the  two,  or  in  the  case  of  a  Colonial  Corps 
three.  Divisions  of  Infantry,  1  Cavalry  Regiment,  1  Field  Artillery  Regiment, 
1  Groupe  155c. m.  howitzers,  and  a  Reserve  Infantry  Brigade  of  4  Battalions. 

Belgian. 
The  Belgian  Field  Army,  as  distinct  from  the  garrisons  of  Antwerp,  Li^ge 
and  Namur,  was  organised  in  Divisions.     Of  these  there  were  6  Infantry  and 
1  Cavalry  Division. 


2-2 

1014      Cavalry.  —  JJivisioii,  2  Brigades. 
,,  Brigade,  2  Regiments. 

Artillery. — Battery,  4  guns. 
Infantry. — Division,  3  Brigades. 
,,  Brigade,  2  Regiments. 

,,  Regiment,  3  Battalions. 

Each  Infantry  Brigade  had  G  machine  guns  and  each  Division  3  Batteries 
of  Artillery  and  1  Cavalry  Regiment. 

The  strength  of  the  Cavalry  Division  was  4,500  of  all  ranks,  3,400  horses, 
and  12  guns. 

The  strength  of  the  J)ivisions  of  the  Field  Army  varied  from  25,000  to 
32,000  of  all  ranks  owing  to  many  reserve  men  not  having  been  able  to  join 
their  own  units,  with  (iO  guns  and  18  machine  guns,  and  the  entire  Field 
Army  may  be  i)ut  down  as  about  120,000  men  at  the  most. 

German. 
Flying  Detachment. — 12  Airplanes. 

Cavalry.  —  Division,  3  Brigades,  5,200  all  ranks,  12  guns,  G  machine  guns. 
Brigade,  2  Regiments,  30  officers,  68G  others,  7G5  horses. 
,,  Regiment,  4  Stjuadrons. 

,,  Squadron,  6  ollicers,  LG3  others,  178  horses. 

Artillery. — Field — Brigade,  2  Regiments,  72  guns. 
,,  Regiment,  2  Abteilungen. 

,,  Abteilungen,  3  Batteries. 

,,  Battery,  6  guns. 

,,  Heavy  (Foot) — Regiment,  2  Battalions. 

Battalion,  4  Batteries. 
Artillery. — Battery,  4  guns  5.9  in.  (15  cm.)  howitzers. 

,,  Horse — Battery,  4  guns. 

Infantry. — Corps,  2  Divisions. 

Division,  2  I^rigades. 
,,  Brigade,  2  Regiments. 

,,  Regiment,  3  Battalions,  7  machine  guns. 

A  Cavalry  Corps  contained  2  or  3  Divisions. 

A  Cavalry  Division,  1,  2  or  3  Jiiger  Battalions,  each  with  G  machine  guns 
and  a  mounted  machine  gun  battery,  and  an  Abteilung  of  H.A.,  that  is  3 
four-gun  batteries. 

An  Infantry  Division,  1  Cavalry  Regiment  and  a  Field  Artillery  Regiment. 
An  Infantry  Division  had  17,500  men,  4,001)  horses,  72  field  guns,  and  24 
machine  guns. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

14th  August  to  22nd  August,  1914. 

Embarkation  of  the  Regiment  at  Dublin,  16th  August.  Disembarkation  at 
Havre.  18th,  Entrains  for  .leumont,  Detrains  19th  August.  March  to  Con- 
solre.  Positions  of  the  British,  French,  and  German  Armies.  The  progress 
of  the  war  in  Belgium.  The  Kaiser's  Order  as  to  the  "' Contemptibles." 
Plans  of  General  .Toffre  and  Von  Moltke.  Mistakes  of  Von  Kluck.  The 
Regiment  joins  the  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade.     Dispositions  of  Sir  J.  French. 


23 

Movements  of  the  Cavalry  l^rigades.  The  first  shcjt  of  the  Campaign.  1914 
Encounter  at  Castean.  Tlie  Greys  at  Peronnes.  The  KJth  at  Peronnes 
in  support.  The  inarch  of  the  Kith  to  Eiouges. 
Summary  of  Events,  August  7th  to  August  -J-ind,  PJl-L — Augu.st  7th,  The 
Germans  enter  town  of  Liege ;  French  enter  Mulhouse  ;  Russians  invade 
East  Prussia.  9th,  Eirst  troops  of  British  E.xpeditionary  f^'orce  land  in 
France.  15th,  Remaining  forts  of  Liege  destroyed.  19th,  Retreat  of 
Belgian  Army  to  Antwerp.  -lOth,  Brussels  taken  by  (jermans  ;  Siege  of 
Namur  begins.  -Jlst,  Japan  declares  war  on  Germany  ;  lietirement  of 
French  in  Alsace  and  Ijorraine  ;  Namur  forts  destroyed.  -J-ind,  Defeat  of 
the  French  at  Charleroi. 

The  Army,  by  arrangement  with  the  French  (iovernment,  was  to  have  con- 
centrated at  Amiens,  but  owing  to  the  rapid  advance  of  the  Germans  the 
greater  part  of  the  troops  were  sent  by  train  direct  to  the  neighl)()urhood  of 
Mons. 

The  16th  left  the  Curragh  on  August  the  14th  for  Dublin,  billeting  at 
Castleknock  en  route,  with  the  exception  of  J^  Squadron,  the  machine  gun 
section  and  Headquarters,  who  started  at  5  a.m.  and  did  the  march  in  one  day. 
On  the  15th  the  Regiment  embarked  on  the  I^eyland  S.S.  Indian  at  the  North 
Wall.  The  embarkation  commenced  at  11  a.m.,  but  it  was  not  completed 
until  4  a.m.  the  next  day,  Sunday  the  16th,  as  the  horses  had  to  be  slung  on 
to  the  lower  deck,  which  had  no  side  ports.  The  ship  sailed  as  .soon  as  the 
embarkation  was  comp)lete. 

After  a  good  voyage  in  tine  weather  the  ship  arrived  at  Havre  at  4  a.m.  on 
August  18th,  and  was  berthed  at  9  a.m.,  the  delay  being  caused  by  there  being 
no  pilot  obtainable.  The  disembarkation  was  accomplished  without  any  diffi- 
culty. The  Regiment  remained  on  the  pier  till  10  p.m.,  when  Headquarters 
and  A  Squadron  were  entrained  and  left  for  Jeumont.  C  Squadron  and  the 
Gun  Section  followed  at  midnight,  and  D  Squadron  at  4  a.m.  the  ne.xt  day. 
At  8  p.m.  on  the  19th  the  first  detachment  reached  Jeumont,  the  others  at 
short  intervals  afterwards,  and  the  whole  Regiment  bivouaced  outside  the 
town  in  a  village  square. 

Jeumont  was  a  station  on  the  INIaubeuge-Charleroi  Railway,  ai)out  l-J  miles 
S.E.  of  Mons.  On  the  ^Oth  the  Regiment  marched  to  Con.?olre,  about  five 
miles  farther  on  the  Charleroi  road,  where  it  went  into  billets. 

By  August  '21st  the  general  situation  was  developed  sufficiently  to  permit 
the  strength,  positions,  and  objectives  of  the  se\eral  Armies  to  be  determined 
with  some  approach  to  accuracy. 

Field-Marshal  French's  Army  was  distributed  as  follows  : — 

General  Allenby  was  holding  the  line  of  the  Conde-Mons  Canal  with  four 
Brigades  of  Cavalry. 

Two  Brigades  of  Horse  Artillery  were  in  reserve  at  Harmignies,  five  miles 
S.E.  of  Mons. 

Sir  P.  Chetwode's  Cavalry  Brigade  was  at  Binche,  with  patrols  out  towards 
Soignies  and  Nivelles. 

Sir  D.  Haig's  1st  Corps  was  in  cantonments  N.  of  Maubeuge  between  Mons 
and  Givey. 

Sir  H.  Smith-Dorrien's  •2nd  Corps  was  stationed  N.W.  of  Maubeuge  and 
Sars  la  Bruyeres. 

The  19th  Infantry  Brigade  was  concentrating  at  Valenciennes. 
The  4th  Division  was  en  route  from  England. 


24 

1914  The  French  Armies,  which  were  not  yet  completely  organised,  were  distri- 
buted as  follows  : — 

The  1st  and  2nd  Armies  were  across  tlie  frontier  in  front  of  Luneville  and 
Nancy,  from  near  Sarrebourg  to  near  Delme,  36  miles  N.W.  of  Sarrebourg. 

The  3rd  and  4th  Armies  were  close  to  the  Belgian  frontier,  astride  the  river 
Chiers,  from  near  Longwy  to  Sedan. 

The  Army  of  Lorraine  observed  Metz. 

The  Army  of  Alsace  was  at  Mulhausen. 

The  5th  Army,  under  General  Lanrezac,  was  on  the  immediate  right  of  the 
British  line.     Its  disposition  was  as  follows  : — 

1st  Corps  on  the  Meuse,  near  Dinant,  facing  East. 

10th  and  13th  Corps  along  the  Sambre,  facing  North. 

18th  Corps  echeloned  to  the  left  rear  on  the  line  Gozee-Thuin,  0  and  9  miles 
South-West  of  Charleroi. 

Two  Reserve  Divisions  N.E.  of  Maubeuge  on  the  left  of  the  18th  Corps. 

To  the  north  of  the  left  flank  of  the  British  were  3  Divisions  of  Territorial 
troops  under  General  D'Amade.  Two  of  these  Divisions  were  distributed  as 
follows  : — 

Sixth  and  Seventh  Divisions  at  Dunkirk,  Cambrai,  La  Capelle,  and  Hirson. 

Three  Divisions  of  Cavalry,  under  General  Sordet,  were  posted  behind  the 
left  of  the  5th  Army,  but  they  had  been  operating  in  Belgium  and  were  in  a 
very  exhausted  condition. 

General  Gallieni  was  organising  a  new  Army  in  Paris,  but  its  formation  was 
not  completed  until  the  first  week  of  September. 

The  German  force  was  organised  in  six  Armies  under  the  supreme  command 
of  the  Kaiser  with  General  Von  Moltke  as  Chief  of  his  Staff,  which  were  thus 
distributed  : — 

Von  ^Nlarwitz  with  three  Divisions  of  Cavalry  covered  the  extreme  right  of 
the  advance. 

Von  Kluck's  1st  Army  lay  between  Grammont  and  Lille,  W.  of  Brussels, 
Enghien,  Hal,  Braine  I'Allund,  and  was  moving  on  Paris. 

A^on  Biilow,  with  the  'ind  Army,  was  North  of  the  Meuse  by  Gembloux, 
and  moving  on  Charleroi. 

The  Saxons,  under  Von  Hansen,  extended  from  Namur  to  Dinant. 

The  3rd  Army,  under  Duke  Albrecht  of  Wurtemburg,  from  Dinant  to  Sedan. 

Then  came  the  4th  Army  commanded  by  the  Crown  Prince,  the  5th  Army 
under  the  Crown  Prince  of  Bavaria,  the  6th  Army  under  Von  Heeringen, 
which  lay  in  front  of  Strasburg,  and  lastly  a  detached  force  opposing  the 
French  in  Alsace. 

The  average  strength  of  each  Army  was  about  200,000  men,  and  the  total 
probably  about  1,300,000  of  all  ranks. 

The  1st  Army,  with  which  the  British  Army  was  chiefly  concerned,  origin- 
ally numbered  something  like  320,000  of  all  arms,  but  was  now  reduced  con- 
siderably by  the  Corps  left  in  Belgium.  The  exact  strength  of  his  battle-line 
at  Mons  is  difficult  to  estimate,  but  on  September  4th — 6th  Von  Kluck  cer- 
tainly had  5  Corps  and  2  Cavalry  Divisions  when  his  Army  crossed  the  Ourcq 
and  Petit  Morin  rivers.  At  Mons  therefore  the  attack  must  have  been  made 
with  at  least  200,000  men  and  600  guns. 

In  Belgium  the  war,  as  was  only  to  be  expected,  was  going  badly  enough. 
The  Belgians  began  to  mobilise  on  the  28th  July,  but  the  enemy  were  upon 
them  long  before  the  mobilisation  was  completed,  for  on  the  2nd  of  August  the 
German  vanguard  was  in  Ijuxembourg.  On  the  3rd  Von  Emmich  was  over  the 
frontier  with  30,000  men  and  the  next  day  saw  his  army  in  front  of  Liege. 


Liege  was  taken  on  tlie  l.jlli,  utter  its  gallant  tleleiider,  (ieiieral  J  .email,  1914 
had  been  buried  under  the  ruins  of  the  last  remaining  fort,  ^nd  the  Belgian 
Field  Ai'uiy  had  been  compelled  to  fall  back  from  the  line  of  the  Dyle  on 
Antwerp.  Naniur,  with  its  garrison  of  ■2(),i)00  men  under  General  Michel,  was 
still  intact,  but  the  bombardment  by  the  heavy  (ierman  gims  began  on  the 
20th,  and  the  next  day  the  line  of  trenches  connecting  the  circle  of  forts  was 
evacuated  by  the  garrison. 

The  siege  of  Liege  only  lasted  eleven  days  in  all.  It  conmu-'nced  on  the  4th 
August  and  in  two  days  the  southern  forts  had  been  reduced  to  heaps  of  ruins 
by  the  tire  of  the  Gernum  heavy  field  batteries  alone,  for  Brialmont's  elaborate 
system  of  "  Cupola  "  forts,  now  tried  for  the  first  time,  proved  quite  unable 
to  withstand  the  fire  of  modern  artillery,  and  the  Germans  never  even  brought 
up  their  heavy  siege  guns  at  all.  The  town  was  entered  by  the  enemy  on  the 
6th,  but  the  northern  forts  held  out  until  the  15th. 

Short  as  this  period  was,  it  was  of  incalculable  value  to  the  Allies.  The 
guns  of  Liege  conunanded  the  nucleus  of  the  chief  railways  into  the  north  of 
France,  and  though  the  lines  running  through  Luxemburg  were  undamaged 
and  were  used  to  their  full  capacity,  the  block  at  Liege  was  a  very  serious 
hindrance  to  the  concentx'ation  of  the  armies  moving  into  France. 

The  wrath  and  astonishment  of  the  Germans  at  the  unexpected  and  partially 
successful  resistance  of  Belgium  was  almost  ludicrous.  That  such  an  insig- 
nificant nation  should  dare  for  a  moment  to  think  of  withstanding  the  will  of 
the  Imperial  Kaiser  and  his  invincible  Armies  was  quite  inconceivable  to  the 
German  mind,  and  the  delay  caiised  by  it  greatly  disconcerted  the  Headquarter 
Staff  and  materially  affected  the  plan  of  a  surprise  attack  on  northern  France 
before  the  British  Expeditionary  Force  could  effect  a  junction  with  the  French 
Army. 

The  British  intervention  and  the  advent  of  the  relatively  small  force  sent 
into  France  was  resented  in  much  the  same  way,  and  on  the  19th  the  Kaiser 
issued  his  famous  Army  Order*  directing  his  generals  to  wipe  General  French's 
"  Contemptible  little  Army  "  off  the  face  of  the  earth.  The  original  design 
of  General  Joffre,  who  was  in  supreme  command  of  the  Allied  Armies  in 
France,  was  to  maintain  the  positions  which  he  held  from  Namur  to  the  Swiss 
frontier,  and  to  wheel  his  left  wing,  consisting  of  the  5th  Army  and  the  British 
Corps,  to  the  right,  pivoting  on  Namur,  against  the  right  flank  of  the  CTerman 
advance,  and  to  join  up  with  the  Belgian  Army  along  the  line  of  the  Schelde. 

The  German  plan  of  campaign  was  to  effect  a  great  wheel  of  their  right, 
pivoting  upon  Thionville,  and  after  rolling  up  the  French  line  to  attack  Paris. 

The  command  on  each  side  was  equally  ignorant  of  the  real  strength  and 
position  of  their  respective  opponents.  Sir  John  French,  who  was  obliged  at 
first  to  depend  on  the  French  Staff  for  information,  was  informed  that  he  had 
only  two  Corps  in  front  of  him,  whereas  he  had  in  reality  at  least  four,  with 
Von  Marwitz  and  three  Divisions  of  Cavalry  in  addition  threatening  his  left. 

On  the  other  hand,  Von  Kluck,  who  commanded  the  1st  Army,  on  the  right 
of  the  German  battle  line,  was  equally  ignorant  of  the  actual  position  and 
strength  of  the  Expeditionary  Force.  The  German  Staff  had  accm-ate  infor- 
mation of  its  strength  and  composition  and  the  date  of  embarkation,  but  did 
not  know  the  ports  at  which  it  had  been  landed,  thinking,  indeed,  that  the 
troops  had  been  disembarked  at  Calais,  Boulogne,  and  Dunkirk,  with  the 


*  The  text  of  this  Order  ran  as  follows:  — "  It  is  my  Royal  and  Imperial  command  that 
you  concentrate  your  energies  for  the  immediate  present  upon  one  single  purpose,  and  that 
is  that  you  address  all  your  skill  and  all  the  valour  of  my  soldiers  to  exterminate  the 
treacherous  English.      Walk  over  the  contemptiWe  little  army  of  General  French." 

E 


26 

1914  intention  of  joining  up  with  tlie  Jielgian  l*'ield  Army.  Even  as  late  as  the 
morning  of  August  'I'lnd  Von  Kluck  thought  that  the  liritish  Vvere  north-west 
of  his  right,  and  he  was  confirmed  in  that  opinion  when  he  heard  that  troops 
of  some  sort  were  detraining  at  Tournai.  The  general  direction  of  the  march 
of  his  columns  was  then  south-west,  and  supposing  that  these  were  British 
troops  from  Lille,  he  halted  until  he  had  ascertained  that  they  were  really  two 
French  Battalions  retiring  in  front  of  V'on  Marwitz,  and  it  was  not  until  the 
evening  of  that  day  that  he  learnt  from  a  report  of  a  patrol  at  Casteau  that 
he  had  the  British  Army  in  front  of  him.  On  the  night  of  the  '22nd-2yrd  his 
left  Corps,  the  9th,  halted  with  its  head  just  south  of  Soignies,  his  3rd  Corps 
half-way  between  Enghien  and  Ath,  and  the  head  of  the  -ind  Corps  five  miles 
north-east  of  Grammont,  while  Von  Marwitz  with  at  least  two  Divisions  of 
Cavalry  was  west  of  Ath.  Von  Kluck's  march  had  been  conducted  with  great 
celerity,  some  of  his  troops  having  covered  140  miles  in  eleven  days.  One 
Corps  also  of  Von  Billow's  Army  lay  north  of  Charleroi  on  Von  Kluck's  left, 
so  Sir  John  French  had  within  striking  distance  of  his  position  not  two  Corps 
as  he  had  been  told  by  the  French  Stall',  but  tour  Corps,  numbering  at  least 
150,000  men  and  GOt)  guns,  against  his  own  force  of  two  Corps  and  one  Ikigade 
with  five  Cavalry  Brigades,  totalling  about  70,000  men  and  300  guns. 

On  the  '21st  the  Sixteenth  joined  the  other  two  regiments  of  the  3rd  Cavalry 
Brigade.  A  Squadron  was  sent  on  to  Binche  at  5  a.m.  and  put  out  patrols  in 
the  direction  of  Fontaine  I'Eveque.  The  Brigade  marched  soon  after  6  a.m., 
the  remainder  of  the  Regiment  acting  as  advance  guard,  and  moved  by  Merbes 
St.  Marie  to  Estinne  au  Val,  where  it  was  billeted  for  the  night. 

On  the  22nd,  as  the  various  reports  brought  in  rendered  it  evident  that  the 
enemy  was  certainly  advancing  in  force,  the  troops  were  moved  into  their 
positions  and  occupied  an  entrenched  line  extending  from  Binche  on  the  right, 
where  it  was  in  touch  with  the  5th  French  -Army,  through  Mons  to  Conde  on 
the  left.  The  right  was  held  by  the  1st  Corps  (Haig's),  which  extended  from 
Binche  to  the  Eastern  suburbs  of  Mons,  the  left  by  the  2nd  Corps  (Smith- 
Dorrien),  the  line  being  along  the  ^lons-Conde  Canal  from  i\Ions  to  Conde, 
which  was  occupied  by  a  French  Territorial  Division,  but  the  19th  Infantry 
Brigade  came  up  in  the  course  of  the  day  and  took  over  the  position  on  the 
left  of  the  2nd  Corps.  Further  away  the  left  flank  was  covered  by  General 
d'Amade's  three  divisions  of  French  Territorials. 

The  Canal  ran  nearly  due  West  and  East  from  Conde  to  Mons,  through  a 
line  of  small  mining  villages.  On  each  side  were  many  slag  heaps,  some  of 
considerable  height,  intersected  by  a  great  number  of  small  wet  ditches  and 
water-courses.  There  were  seven  bridges  over  the  canal,  the  two  principal  ones 
being  at  Pommeroeul  and  Ghislain,  and  except  for  the  slag  heaps  there  was 
no  rising  ground  within  three  miles  on  either  side.  The  bridges  were  mined, 
but  not  destroyed,  with  the  view  of  a  possible  counter-attack. 

The  position  of  the  2nd  Corps  was  tlierefore  a  good  defensive  one,  except 
that  it  offered  few  good  Artillery  positions,  a  disadvantage  common  to  both 
sides,  and  the  country  to  the  north  being  very  wooded  the  movements  of  the 
enemy  were  well  concealed.  The  left  flank,  however,  was  more  or  less  "  in 
the  air,"  for  the  French  Territorials  were  not  in  a  condition  to  give  much 
protection,  and  the  Cavalry  Brigades  could  not  be  spared  to  cover  it. 

The  British  Army  thus  had  a  battle  front  of  about  30  miles,  along  which 
the  whole  of  the  troops  were  deployed,  for  Sir  John  French  had  no  reserve 
whatever  except  Allenby's  Cavalry.  This  was,  with  the  exception  of  the  3rd 
Brigade,  now  posted  behind  the  left  of  the  2nd  Corps. 

At  5  a.m.  on  the  22nd  the  3rd  Brigade  moved  to  Bray  and  Chetwode's 


27 

Brigade  to  Biiiche,  one  Squadron  of  the  Greys  being  sent  on  to  I'eronnes,*  to  1914 
watch  the  bridges.     This  was  afterwards  reinforced  by  a  second  Squadron. 

The  first  shot  of  the  campaign  was  actually  fired  by  a  patrol  of  the  4th 
Dragoon  Gruards  which  had  moved  out  from  Oburg  in  the  direction  of  Soignies 
at  daybreak,  and  had  met  witli  a  picquet  of  the  enemy.  About  the  same  time 
there  occurred  the  encounter  at  Casteau  which  gave  Von  Ivlnck  tlie  first  inti- 
mation that  the  British  Army  was  confronting  him. 

Soon  after  this  the  Greys  at  Peronnes  were  attacked  by  a  mixed  force  of 
Cavalry  and  Jagers,  but  the  Greys  held  the  place  until  they  were  ordered  to 
retire  at  2  p.m.,  after  killing  or  wounding  40  of  the  enemy,  their  only  casualty 
being  1  officer  wounded. 

A  troop  of  the  16th  under  Captain  Tempest  Hicks  was  sent  up  to  support 
the  Greys.  It  was  ambushed  by  a  party  of  the  enemy  t  hiding  among  some 
wheat  stocks  and  Captain  Tempest  Hicks  had  his  horse  shot.  The  troop  then 
charged  and  the  Germans  bolted.  Two  of  the  men  were  slightly  wounded, 
this  being  the  first  casualty  of  the  16th. 

The  Brigade  then  came  under  artillery  fire,  which  was  replied  to  l)v  the 
H.A.  Battery  of  the  Brigade. 

A  strong  mixed  force  of  the  enemy  then  occupied  the  village  of  Peronnes, 
which  was  set  on  fire,  and  at  5  p.m.  the  Brigade  was  withdrawn  to  Binche 
and  Bray,  the  16th  being  rear-guard.  At  7  a.m.  the  Brigade  received  orders 
to  march  to  Elouges,  a  place  about  five  miles  south  of  the  Conde  Canal  and 
half-way  between  Conde  and  Mons.  This  was  a  most  trying  march  of  over  20 
miles  along  country  roads  paved  with  cobble  stones.  The  Brigade  did  not  get 
in  until  3  a.m.,  the  men  having  then  been  22  hoars  in  the  saddle.  The  troops 
then  bivouaced  in  the  fields. 


CHAPTER   XXXIV. 

August  23rd  to  Augtst  26th,  1914. 

Battle  of  Mons,  August  23rd.  Action  begun  by  German  Artillery  at  10  a.m. 
Infantry  attack  by  9th  German  Corps  along  the  Canal  north  of  Mons  at 
11  a.m.  The  attack  well  held.  Retirement  from  Mons  and  Binche.  Action 
ceases  at  night-fall.  British  Casualties.  German  losses.  Condition  of 
the  enemy.  News  received  of  disasters  to  the  French  Armies.  Decision 
to  retreat,  August  24th.  The  Retreat  of  the  1st  Corps.  Retirement  of 
the  2nd  Corps.  German  attack  on  the  left  flank.  Severe  fighting  at 
Frameries.  The  5th  Division  reinforced  by  the  Cavalry.  Charge  of  the 
9th  Lancers.  Retirement  effected.  Moves  of  the  16th.  General  position 
at  night-fall.  Heavy  losses  of  the  9th  Lancers,  Cheshires,  and  Norfolks. 
Continued  retreat  of  French  5th  Army.  Orders  issued  for  retreat  to  Le 
Cateau.  Difficulties  of  retreat.  The  Forest  of  Mormal.  The  1st  Corps 
to  move  by  the  east  and  2nd  Corps  by  west  of  Forest.  Arrival  of  the  4th 
Division,  which  is  sent  to  Solesmes.  Positions  of  the  Cavalry  Brigades. 
Movements  of  the  16th.     Unmolested  march  of  the  1st  Corps.     Combats 

*  Peronnes  was  a  village  four  miles  North  of  Binche. 
t  The.se  were  a  party  of  Jager  attached  to  the  Cavalrv. 


28 

1914  iif  iiiglit  at  Landrecies  and  Alaroilles.     Difficult  position  of  the  i^nd  Corps. 

Orders  to  continue  the  retreat  on  tlie  2(^11.  Sir  H.  Sniith-Dorrien  finds 
this  impossihle.  His  decision  to  stand  and  tight.  Keiuctant  acquiescence 
by  the  Commander-in-Chief. 
Summary  of  Events,  August  23rd  to  August  -IGth,  1914. — August  23rd,  Battle 
of  Mons  ;  Germans  enter  Namur  ;  Austrians  driven  out  of  Servia  ;  Japan 
declares  war  on  Germany.  24th,  Ketreat  from  Mons  begins.  2()tli,  Battle 
of  Le  Cateau  ;  Battle  of  Tannenberg  begins. 


Aujr 


Von  Kluck  spent  very  little  time  in  reconnoitring  the  British  position.  He 
was  no  doubt  eagerly  desirous  of  carrying  out  to  the  letter  the  injunction  of 
his  Imperial  master  to  wipe  out  Sir  J.  French  and  his  contemptibles  now  that 
he  had,  as  he  thought,  the  chance,  and  without  waiting  to  form  his  jjattle-line 
he  hurled  his  divisions  into  the  fight  as  they  came  up.  He  elected  to  deliver 
the  brunt  of  his  attack  on  the  Bi'itish  right,  probably  desiring  to  join  hands 
with  Von  Billow,  who  he  knew  was  engaged  with  the  5th  French  Army  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Charleroi. 
23ra  At  10  a.m.  on  the  morning  of  the  23rd  the  batteries  of  the  9th  Corps,  posted 
■'^"S-  along  the  ridge  north  of  ()l)urg  opened  the  battle  and  the  line  of  guns  was 
extended,  first  with  those  of  the  3rd  Corps  and  then  with  others  as  the  several 
batteries  came  up,  until  the  whole  25  miles  of  the  British  position  was  sub- 
jected to  a  furious  cannonade  from  a  line  of  fully  600  guns. 

The  German  ranging  was  at  first  bad,  but  gradually  improved  until  l)y  1.30 
p.m.  a  superiority  of  fire  had  been  established.  But  our  men  were  well  covered 
in  the  trenches  and  there  were  few  casualties. 

At  11  a.m.  Von  Kluck's  9th  Corps  came  up  and  made  a  determined  attack 
in  mass  formation  on  the  loop  of  the  Canal  north  of  Mons.  The  attacking 
columns  suffered  very  heavily  from  the  steady  and  well  aimed  rifle  fire  with 
which  they  were  met,  and  were  kept  well  in  check  until  late  in  the  afternoon, 
but  Sir  J.  French  had  never  intended  to  hold  Mons  and  T^inche  except  as  an 
advanced  position,  and  when  "\"on  Billow's  7th  Corps  came  into  action  against 
Binche,  Sir  D.  Haig  abandoned  the  place  and  retired  to  a  prepared  position 
behind  it.  This  movement  necessitated  a  corresponding  withdrawal  from 
Mons  of  the  3rd  Division,  which  was  effected  after  some  very  stiff'  fighting  in 
which  the  4th  Middlesex  and  Eoyal  Irish  suffered  severely.  West  of  Mons 
also  the  5th  Division,  which  had  been  keeping  at  bay  the  greater  part  of  two 
of  Von  Kluck's  Corps,  the  3rd  and  4th,  was  also  withdrawn  to  an  entrenched 
position  south  of  the  Canal. 

Along  the  line  of  the  rest  of  the  Canal  as  far  as  Conde  the  fighting  had  been 
practically  confined  to  a  struggle  for  the  possession  of  the  several  bridges,  for 
in  view  of  a  possible  advance  in  accordance  with  the  original  plan  of  General 
Joff're,  these  had  not  been  destroyed,  though  they  had  been  mined  and  prepared 
for  destruction,  but  late  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  superior  strength  of  the 
enemy  clearly  demonstrated  the  hopeless  improbability  of  any  oft'ensive  move- 
ment, the  greater  number  of  them  were  blown  up.  As  darkness  came  on  the 
firing  gradually  ceased  and  the  troops  prepared  to  bivouac  on  the  ground  thev 
held. 

So  far  the  day  had  gone  well  for  Sir  John  French.  His  Army  had  main- 
tained its  positions  and  repulsed  the  repeated  attacks  of  the  enemy,  for,  though 
Mons  and  Binche  had  been  relinquished,  the  retirement  had  been  made  for 
tactical  reasons  only,  and  the  Huns  had  acquired  such  a  salutary  respect  for 
the  rifle  fire  of  their  opponents  that  they  did  not  venture  to  follow  them  beyond 
the  outskirts  of  the  two  towns.    The  troops,  too,  had  imbibed  a  supreme  con- 


tempt  both  lor  tliu  tield  tactics  iind  the  sliooting  of  tlic  enemy,  and  looked  1914 
forward  with  confidence  to  the  expected  counter-attack  the  next  day. 

The  British  casualties,  notwithstanding  the  tremendous  shelling  to  which 
the  line  had  been  subjected  during  the  whole  of  the  day,  only  amounted  to  just 
over  1,600  of  all  ranks,  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing.  Of  these  40  only 
were  lost  by  the  1st  Corps,  and  of  the  remainder  half  were  incurred  by  the 
two  battalions  of  the  8th  Infantry  Brigade  at  the  Mons  Salient  where  the  most 
severe  fighting  took  place.  Two  guns  only  were  lost.  These  could  not  be  re- 
moved from  a  very  exposed  position  on  the  Canal  at  St.  Ghislain. 

No  official  account  of  the  German  losses  can  be  obtained,  but  Von  Kluck's 
staff  tacitly  admitted  defeat  by  preparing  to  meet  a  counter-attack  on  the 
next  day. 

]3loem,  a  Company  Coumumder  in  the  Brandenburg  Cirenadiers,  who  wrote 
a  description  of  the  battle,  writes  that  he  lost  all  his  five  company  officers  and 
half  his  men,  and  that  he  was  the  only  surviving  Company  Commander  in  his 
battalion,  which  was  a  mere  wreck,  and  that  the  whole  Regiment  had  been 
shot  down,  smashed  up,  only  a  handful  being  left.  ]3loem  concludes  with  these 
pregnant  words  :  — "  Our  first  battle  is  a  heavy,  unheard  of  heavy  defeat,  and 
against  the  English,  the  English  whom  we  laughed  at !  " 

On  the  German  side,  too,  there  was  considerable  confusion.  The  'Jth  and 
the  3rd  Corps,  which  had  been  chiefly  engaged,  had  suffered  enormous  loss, 
and  had  lost  all  stonuich  for  the  fight.  Von  Kluck"s  2nd  Corps  was  contiiming 
its  march  through  Granunont  and  his  -Ith  iieserve  Corps,  less  a  Brigade  left  at 
Brussels,  was  at  Hal,  while  Von  Hiilow's  7th  Corps  had  not  ventured  to  move 
out  of  Binche. 

But  late  in  the  evening  the  Field-Marshal  received  the  news  of  a  series  of 
disasters  that  completely  changed  the  situation.  Namur  had  succumbed  to  the 
fire  of  the  heavy  German  artillery.  On  the  21st  the  trenches  connecting  the 
circle  of  forts  had  been  abandoned.  On  the  22nd  the  eastern  forts  were  re- 
duced to  ruins,  and  the  garrison,  or  what  was  left  of  it,  to  the  number  of  about 
12,000  men,  had  evacuated  the  place,  and  Von  Biilow's  troops  had  occupied 
the  town,  though  a  few  hundreds  of  detei'mined  men  gallantly  held  some  of 
the  western  forts  for  two  days  longer.  Then  the  Field-Marshal  received  a 
belated  message  from  General  Joffre  telling  him  that  Von  Kluck  was  bringing 
up  four  Corps  instead  of  two,  with  ^'on  Biilow's  7th  Corps  in  addition,  and 
finally  he  learnt  that  the  5th  French  Army  had  been  driven  by  Von  Biilow  and 
Von  Hansen's  Saxons  from  its  positions  on  the  Sambre,  and  was  then  actually 
five  miles  behind  the  British  right.  In  face  of  this  accumulation  of  misfor- 
tunes there  was  no  alternative  but  immediate  retreat. 

To  make  the  situation  worse  the  offensive  of  all  the  French  Armies  south 
of  the  5th  Army  had  failed,  though  as  yet  this  was  not  known  to  Sir  John 
French.  The  First  and  Second  Armies  were  retreating  after  the  battles  of 
Sarrebourg  and  Morhange  ;  the  Third  and  Fourth  had  been  compelled  to  fall 
back  towards  the  Meuse  after  the  fighting  at  Virton  and  the  Semoy. 

The  order  to  retreat  was  received  late  at  night  by  the  Division  Commanders, 
greatly  to  the  disgust  and  astonishment  of  the  rank  and  file,  who  were  of  course 
not  aware  of  the  reasons  for  it. 

The  Field-jNIarshal  had  already  selected  a  new  position  to  move  to  in  case  a 
retreat  should  be  forced  upon  him.  The  right  of  this  new  line  rested  on  the 
great  fortress  of  Maubeuge  and  extended  through  Bavai  to  Jeulain. 

As  soon  as  Sir  John  French  decided  on  the  retreat  late  on  the  night  of  the  23rd  -•'?-24 
the  movement  of  the  heavy  transport  and  hospital  equipment  to  the  rear  began  ■'^"S- 
and  continued  during  the  night,  the  troops  being  ordered  to  be  ready  to  move 


30 

1914  at  dawn.  To  cover  the  retirement  the  Jst  C'or|).s  was  ordered  to  make  a  demon- 
stration on  the  right  towards  Jiinche,  wliile  the  i^ind  Corps  fell  back  from  its 
position  along  the  Cond^  Canal. 
24tli  Accordingly  at  sunrise  on  the  ■24th  the  ist  Divison,  covered  by  the  fire  of 
Aug.  120  guns,  moved  forwards  along  the  Mons  road  towards  Bray  and  Binche. 
This  threat  took  the  enemy  completely  by  surprise,  and  \'on  Kluck  thought 
that  the  British  must  have  been  strongly  reinforced  during  the  night  and  that 
a  general  counter-attack  all  along  the  line  was  impending.  Meanwhile  the 
2nd  Division  was  well  on  its  way  to  the  south  and  the  '2nd  Corps  had  fallen 
back  to  a  new  line  five  miles  from  the  Canal  before  the  enemy  had  realised 
that  a  retreat  and  not  a  counter-attack  was  in  progress.  The  1st  Division 
then  in  its  turn  retired,  coveretl  by  tiie  fire  of  the  whole  artillery  of  the  1st 
Corps. 

By  this  time  the  2nd  Corps  and  the  19th  Brigade  had  formed  a  fresh 
battle-line  with  the  right  at  Frameries  and  the  left  resting  on  Quarouble,  near 
Valenciennes.  It  was  a  good  position  with  a  clear  field  of  fire,  and  the  advance 
of  the  4th  German  Corps  which  had  crossed  the  Canal  in  pursuit  was  inunedi- 
ately  checked.  Von  Kluck  had  now  adopted  the  plan  of  battle  which  he  ought 
to  have  brought  into  operation  on  the  previous  day,  which  was  to  use  his  great 
superiority  of  strength  to  turn  the  left  flank  of  the  British  position.  Accord- 
ingly he  began  the  action  with  a  bombardment  by  the  guns  of  his  9th  and  3rd 
Corps,  and  sent  his  4th  Corps,  which  had  not  been  heavily  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  the  preceding  day,  against  Smith-Dorrien's  Corps. 

This  4th  Corps  advanced  in  two  columns  between  Pommereul  and  Conde 
against  the  extreme  left  of  the  line  which  waslield  by  the  5th  Division  and 
the  19th  Brigade,  with  AUenby's  Cavalry  in  support.  The  attack  here  w-as 
beaten  oft'  after  a  stitt'  fight  in  which  the  enemy,  who  attacked  as  usual  in  mass 
formation,  suffered  very  severely,  the  German  5th  Division  being  practically 
destroyed  ;  but  the  right  of  the  line  at  Frameries,  which  was  attacked  by 
practically  the  whole  of  the  German  9th  Corps,  was  very  hard  pressed,  and 
between  7  and  8  a.m.  Sir  C.  Ferguson,  the  General  Commanding  the  5th 
Division,  sent  an  urgent  request  for  support.  General  Allenby  was  ordered  to 
send  two  Brigades  to  the  threatened  flank.  The  first  to  come  up  were  the  three 
regiments  of  the  2nd  Brigade,  the  4th  Dragoon  Guards,  9th  Lancers,  and  18th 
Hussars,  which  began  a  dismounted  action  against  the  enemy's  infantry  at 
Audrignies  at  1,000  yards  range.  Then  General  de  Lisle,  who  commanded 
the  Brigade,  ordered  the  9th  Lancers  to  charge  the  flank  of  the  advancing 
mass  of  infantry  with  the  other  two  regiments  in  support.  Unfortunately  there 
had  been  no  time  to  reconnoiti'e  the  ground,  and  the  9th  were  brought  up  by 
some  wire  fences  within  500  yards  of  the  enemy  under  a  heavy  fire  of  all  arms. 
The  9th  were  shot  down  in  all  directions  and  what  was  left  of  the  two  leadmg 
squadrons  were  forced  to  take  shelter  under  cover  of  a  railway  embankment, 
where  there  were  already  a  few  men  of  the  119  Battery  K.F.A.,  with  their 
limberless  guns,  which  they  had  been  unable  to  get  aw-ay,  all  the  horses  having 
been  shot. 

The  third  squadron  of  the  9th,  commanded  by  Captain  F.  Grenfell,  had  not 
suffered  so  severely  as  the  others,  having  been  brought  up  earlier  in  the  charge 
by  a  wire  fence,  and  had  halted  and  dismounted.  Captain  Grenfell,  though 
badly  wounded  himself  in  the  hand  and  leg,  determined  to  save  the  guns,  and 
with  the  few  gunners  left  alive  and  his  own  men  he  managed  to  man-handle 
them  under  a  heavy  fire  under  cover  behind  the  firing  line.  Unsuccessful  as 
this  charge  was,  it  nevertheless  took  off  some  of  the  pressure  on  the  5th  Divi- 
sion, and  enabled  it  to  continue  the  retirement,  which  was  begun  by  the  whole 


31 

Corps  about   noon,   being    tliun   engaged   willi   three   oi    \'on    Kliick's   Corps,  1914 
covered  by  the  Cavalry.    The  retreat  was  not  seriously  followed  up  by  the 
enemy,  and  by  5  p.m.  the  -Ind  Corps  was  halted  in  the  new  position  in  line 
with  the  1st  Corps. 

The  3rd  Cavalry  J^rigade  was  not  in  action  during  this  engagement.  The 
Brigade  left  Elounges  early  in  the  morning  after  a  halt  of  less  than  three  hours, 
and  moved  to  a  village  about  two  miles  south  of  that  place.  At  11  a.m.  the 
16th  were  moved  again  to  near  Audrignies  in  support  of  the  5th  Division,  and 
thence,  on  the  general  retirement  to  Bry,  where  the  regiment  formed  a  line 
of  outposts  by  Wargnies  le  Grand. 

The  position  at  night-fall  was  as  follows  : —  •24-26 

The  84th  French  Division  was  retreating  from  Valenciennes  to  Cambrai,  Aug- 
and  D'Amade  had  drawn  back  and  was  covering  a  line  from  Cambrai  to  Douai. 

The  1st  Corps  held  a  line  from  La  Longueville  to  Bavai. 

The  Snd  Corps  from  Bavai  to  Bry. 

The  19th  l^rigade  from  Bry  to  Jeulain. 

Von  Marwitz  was  JO  miles  east  of  Douai. 

Von  Kluck's  Corps  were  halted  generally  on  a  line  about  6  miles  from  the 
British  outposts. 

Von  Billow's  '2nd  Army  was  still  driving  Lanrezac's  5th  Army  southward, 
of  which  the  left  Corps  was  near  Solre  le  Chateau  12  miles  south-west  of 
Haig's  right,  with  two  Divisions  at  Maubeuge,  which  last  had  orders  to  retire 
at  daybreak. 

Sordet's  Cavalry  ])ivision  was  trying  to  move  to  the  left  flank  of  the  J^ritish 
line,  but  was  greatly  hampered  by  the  block  of  heavy  transport  which  choked 
the  roads. 

Behind  the  centre  of  the  British  position  was  the  Forest  of  Mormal. 

The  casualties  on  the  24th  were  considerably  greater  than  those  of  the 
previous  day  and  were  distributed  thus  : — 

Cavalrv,  250.  5th  Division,  1,G50. 

1st  Corps,  100.  19th  Brigade,  40. 

3rd  Division,  500. 

Of  these  the  losses  in  the  Cavalry  were  chiefly  incurred  liy  the  Oth  Lancers ; 
those  of  the  5th  Division  in  the  fighting,  at  the  close  of  the  engagement,  near 
Audrignies,  where  the  Cheshires  lost  800  men  out  of  1,000  who  went  into 
action,  and  the  Norfolks  over  250  of  all  ranks.  The  order  to  retreat  did  not 
reach  the  Cheshires,  so  the  regiment  continued  to  hold  its  position  long  after 
the  rest  of  the  Division  had  retired,  and  though  a  part  of  the  reserve  companies 
were  withdrawn  in  time  and  made  good  their  retreat,  the  remainder  were  sur- 
rounded and  after  lighting  to  the  last  the  few  survivors,  40  in  number,  were 
made  prisoners.  As  intelligence  was  received  that  the  5th  Army  continued  its 
retreat,  the  Field-Marshal  decided  to  retire  again  on  the  25th  to  a  new  position 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Le  Gateau. 

The  arrangement  of  the  routes  for  the  retirement  of  the  Army  presented  -'oth 
some  difficulties,  for  close  behind  the  centre  of  the  position  was  the  Forest  of -^"S- 
Mormal.  This  forest,  mostly  large  oak  and  beech,  was  nine  miles  long  and 
three  to  four  miles  broad,  and  there  were  no  made  roads  through  it,  nothing 
but  narrow  forest  tracks.  To  move  the  wdiole  Army  to  the  west  of  the  forest 
entailed  a  long  flank  inarch  across  the  enemy's  front,  while  the  retreating 
columns  of  the  French  5th  Army  were  so  close  to  the  east  side  that  there  would 
not  have  been  enough  space  for  it.  The  Field-Marshal  therefore  decided  to 
pass  the  1st  Cor])s  to  the  East  and  the  2nd  Corps  to  the  we.st  of  the  wood. 
The  orders  for  the  march  were  as  follows  : — 


32 

r.»l  (       1st  t'orps  to  move  in  two  coluiiiiis. 

1st  J  )ivision  to  cross  the  Sanil)re  at  Hautaionl  and  thence  to  1  )onii)ierre. 

•2nd  Division  to  cross  at  Pont  sur  Sainbre  and  Berlainiont,  and  thence  to 
Leval  and  Landrecies. 

5th  Cavalry  Brigade  to  cover  the  retirement. 

2nd  Corps  to  move  west  of  the  forest  by  three  roads  to  the  line  Le  Cateau, 
Caudry,  Haiicourt. 

Cavalry  Division,  two  Brigades  and  Divisional  Cavalry  to  cover  the  retreat 
of  the  Corps. 

Two  Brigades  and  lUth  Infantry  Brigade  to  cover  the  west  flank. 

The  4th  Division  arrived  at  Le  Cateau  on  the  24th  from  FJngland,  and  was 
detrained  there  and  the  neighl)oiiring  stations.  It  consisted  of  eleven  battalions 
of  infantry  and  a  brigade  of  field  artillery,  General  Snow  being  in  command. 
It  was,  however,  anything  init  comi)lete,  as  it  had  no  divisional  cavalry  or 
any  of  its  auxiliary  equipment.  This  J  )ivision  was  ordered  to  move  at  once  to 
Solesmes  to  assist  in  the  withdrawal  of  the  2nd  Corps,  and  further,  when  the 
retirement  was  completed,  to  move  to  the  left  of  the  Cateau  position. 

Solesmes  was  a  very  inqiortant  point,  being  at  the  junction  of  four  main 
roads,  and  the  Headipiarter  Staff  rightly  feared  that  there  would  be  great  diffi- 
culty in  dealing  with  the  congestion  of  the  transport,  with  which  every  road 
was  blocked,  at  the  place.  This  in  fact  did  happen  and  it  took  over  24  hours 
of  hard  work  to  get  the  place  cleared.  The  retirement  of  both  Corps  was 
effected  with  little  serious  fighting,  the  enemy  being  probably  quite  as  tired 
out  as  were  the  British  troops.  The  German  Cavalry  in  particular  showed,  as 
usual,  very  little  enterprise,  though  Von  Marwitz  had  three  Divisions  where- 
with to  oppose  General  Allenby's  one. 

The  1st  and  2nd  Cavalry  Brigades  were  posted  at  Wagnies  near  Jeulain, 
with  the  3rd  and  4th  Brigades  in  support  behind  their  left ;  the  19th  Infantry 
Brigade  being  placed  well  to  their  left  rear  again  between  Sepmeries  and 
Querenaing.  As  the  retreat  proceeded  the  3rd  and  4th  Brigades  were  moved 
to  A'erchain  about  eight  miles  south  of  Valenciennes,  and  at  noon  the  16th 
were  sent  to  Hasi)res,  a  village  on  the  Selle  Eiver,  to  help  some  French  Terri- 
torials who  had  got  into  difficulties  there.  These  troops  were  part  of  one  of 
D'Amade's  Divisions  which  were  retreating  from  Valenciennes  to  Cambrai. 

One  squadron  went  on  to  Haspres  and  found  that  the  enemy  were  attacking 
a  French  convoy.  The  other  two  remained  in  support  at  Saulzoir,  but  both 
parties  came  under  such  a  heavy  shell  fire  that  the  Regiment  could  do  nothing 
and  eventually  the  16th  rejoined  the  Brigade.  In  this  affair  the  machine  gun 
was  lost,  and  Captain  Belleville  and  four  men  w-ounded,  all  being  eventually 
made  prisoners.  The  3rd  Brigade  then  moved  to  Catillon,  where  it  was  billeted 
for  the  night,  getting  in  at  10  p.m.,  after  detaching  tw'o  squadrons  of  the  4th 
Hussars  with  orders  to  gain  touch  with  the  1st  Corps.  The  Brigades  of 
Allenby's  Cavalry  Division  were  much  scattered  at  the  close  of  the  retreat. 
Part  of  the  2nd  Brigade  followed  the  3rd  to  the  neighbourhood  of  Catillon,  the 
1st  was  still  south-east  of  Solesmes,  and  the  4th  remained  close  to  the  town. 

The  retreat  of  the  1st  Corps  was  practically  unmolested  and  the  troops 
reached  their  billets  in  and  about  Landrecies  and  Maroilles  and  the  line  of 
villages  west  of  Avesnes  by  6  p.m.  The  march,  however,  was  a  very  fatiguing 
one,  as  the  day  was  exceedingly  hot  and  there  were  constant  halts  on  account 
of  the  congested  state  of  the  roads,  which  were  used  also  by  parts  of  the 
French  .5th  Army. 

Everyone  was  hoping  to  have  a  good  night's  rest  in  quarters,  particularly  as 
orders  had  been  received  to  march  at  2  a.m.  for  Busignv,  seven  miles  south- 


33 

west  of  Le  Cateaii,  but  soon  alter  iii^ht-fall  tlic  iiicijuels  in  irout  of  Laiulre-  1914 
cies  and  Maroilles  were  driven  in.  This  was  preceded  l)y  a  general  flight  of 
the  inhabitants,  and  the  supports  had  great  difliculty  in  getting  through  to  the 
firing  line.  The  enemy's  advance  parties  actually  effected  a  lodgement  in 
Landi-ecies  itself,  and  were  only  ejected  by  the  (iuards  Ikigade  alter  some  hand 
to  hand  fighting  in  the  streets. 

Though  this  skirmish  was  really  nothing  more  than  an  affair  of  outposts, 
nevertheless  it  caused  much  disquietude  to  the  Headquarters  Staff,  as  there  was 
a  quite  disproportionate  amount  of  firing  which  was  kept  up  until  daybreak, 
and  it  was  impossible  to  be  certain  what  number  of  the  enemy  might  be  hidden 
in  the  Mormal  Forest.  It  had  therefore  the  unfortunate  result  of  keei)ing  the 
1st  Corps  under  arms  all  night  and  depriving  the  weary  troops  of  their  much 
required  rest. 

It  was  afterwards  found  that  the  attack  on  Landrecies  was  made  by  the 
advance  guard  of  the  German  7th  Division,  which  had  marched  along  the 
western  side  of  the  Forest  and  which  actually  intended  to  billet  for  the  night 
in  the  town,  the  G.O.C.  being  quite  unaware  that  it  was  occu[)ied  by  the 
British.  The  attack  on  Maroilles  was  made  under  similar  circumstances  by 
the  advance  guard  of  the  5th  Division,  which  had  marched  through  the  Forest. 

But  though  things  were  uncomfortable  with  the  1st  Corps,  they  were  much 
worse  with  the  2nd  Corps.  It  was  not  until  9  p.m.  that  Solesmes  was  reported 
clear  and  the  covering  troops  withdrawn  from  the  town,  which  was  immedi- 
ately occupied  by  the  enemy.  The  4th  Division,  which  had  been  posted  south 
of  Solesmes,  received  orders  to  march  at  once  to  the  extreme  left  of  the  line 
and  to  take  up  a  position  from  Fontaine  au  Pire  to  Wambaix,  with  its  reserve 
Brigade  at  Haucourt. 

The  l'2th  Brigade  moved  soon  after  9  p.m.  and  the  11th  at  10  p.m.,  but  the 
10th  was  not  able  to  march  until  midnight  owing  to  the  congeited  state  of  the 
roads  and  did  not  arrive  at  its  destination  imtil  6  a.m.  on  the  morning  of  the 
26th,  after  a  weary  march  in  torrents  of  rain  of  12  miles,  while  the  block  of 
vehicles  at  Solesmes  had  merely  been  transferi'ed  to  Le  Cateau  and  the  neigh- 
bouring roads. 

At  7.80  p.m.  Sir  John  French  sent  orders  from  St.  Quentin,  where  his  head- 
quarters then  were,  for  the  retreat  to  be  continued  on  the  26th  10  to  15  miles 
further  to  the  south-west,  the  1st  Corps  to  Busigny,  the  2nd  Corps  to  Fremont 
and  Beaurevoir,  and  the  4th  Division  to  Ije  Catelet.  These  orders  did  not 
reach  Sir  H.  Smith-Dorrien  till  10  p.m.,  and  General  Allenby  an  hour  later. 

The  latter  went  at  once  to  General  Smith-Dorrien,  and  represented  to  him 
that  if  the  troo]is  did  not  march  before  daybreak  the  enemy  would  be  on  them 
before  they  could  move  oft'.  The  other  Divisional  Commanders  all  agreed  when 
communicated  with,  that  it  would  be  quite  impossible  to  move  before  9  a.m. 
as  it  was  then  2  a.m.,  and  many  of  their  units  were  even  then  only  just 
marching  in. 

Sir  H.  Smith-Dorrien  decided  that  there  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  stand  fast 
and  fight  in  his  present  positions.  Orders  were  issued  at  once  to  countermand 
the  retreat,  but  it  was  not  easy  to  get  these  delivei'ed  to  the  Brigade  and  Regi- 
mental Commanders  in  the  darkness  and  general  confusion,  and  some  of  the 
units  were  formed  uj)  in  column  of  march  before  they  were  received.  The 
immediate  consequence  was  that  the  positions  were  very  hurriedly  taken  up, 
and  there  was  little  time  for  entrenching.  Moreover,  many  regiments  had  no 
tools  beyond  their  "  grubbers,"  the  regimental  equipment  having  been  lost  in 
the  course  of  the  retreat  from  Mons.  Under  these  circumstances  the  Battle 
of  Le  Cateau  was  fought  under  very  disadvantageous  conditions  to  the  2nd 

F 


34 

1914  Corps,  especially  as,  llujii^'li  the  I'^ield-Marslial  Coininaiidin^'  reluctantly 
acquiesced  in  Sir  H.  Smitii-Dorrien's  decision,  he  warned  iiiiii  that  lie  must 
not  expect  to  receive  any  help  from  the  1st  Corps. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

August  -Itrvn  to  September  5th,  TJ14. 

26tli  Continuation  of  the  Retreat  from  Mons.    The  Battle  of  Le  Cateau.     Position 
Aug.  of  the  -Jnd  Corps.     Von  Kluck's  strength  and  dispositions.     The  battle 

movements  of  the  3rd  Cavalry  ]3rigade.  Heavy  losses  on  the  left  flank. 
The  Ijancasters.  The  line  successfully  held.  Retirement  at  2  p.m.  Many 
detached  parties  left  in  the  firing  line.  Heavy  los.ses  of  the  Gordons. 
Cavalry  movements.  Lieut. -Colonel  MacEwen  badly  wounded.  Losses 
of  guns.  Casualties  of  the  -ind  Corps.  Retreat  of  the  1st  Corps.  Rear- 
guard action  at  Le  Fayt.  The  Connaughts  cut  off.  Further  retreat  of  the 
1st  Corps  on  the  -JTth.  Rear-guard  action  at  Fesmy.  Death  of  Major 
('harrier.  The  gallant  fight  of  the  Munsters.  Retreat  of  the  '2nd  Corps  on 
the  ^Tth  covered  by  the  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  and  crossing  of  the  Somme. 
Position  of  the  Army  '28th  August.  The  retreat  continued.  The  3rd  and 
5th  Cavalry  Brigades.  Their  combats  at  Essigny  and  Cirizy.  Charge  of 
the  12th  Lancers.  The  German  1st  and  2nd  Armies.  The  French  5th 
and  6th  Armies.  Casualties  from  23rd  to  27th  August.  Battle  of  Guise. 
Further  retreat  on  29th  covered  by  the  Cavalry.  The  IGth  at  Chauny. 
Retreat  on  30th  to  the  line  Soissons-Comi)iegne.  Formation  of  the  3rd 
Corps.  Further  retreat  30th  August,  and  September  1st.  Orders  for  the 
march  September  1st.  Actions  at  Nery  and  Taillefontaine.  Sir  J.  French 
in  Paris.  Interview  with  Lord  Kitchener.  Retreat  resumed  September 
2nd  to  the  line  Meux-Dommartin.  Further  retreat  September  3rd.  The 
Marne  crossed  and  retirement  to  the  Grand  Morin  on  the  Jth  September. 
Further  and  final  retirement  on  Septeml)er  5th.  The  end  of  the  Retreat 
from  Mons.  Marches  and  Casualties. 
Summary  of  Events,  August  28th  to  September  5th,  1914. — August  28th, 
Naval  battle  off  Heligoland.  31st,  Defeat  of  the  Russians  at  Tannenberg. 
September  3rd,  Lemberg  taken  by  Russians.  5th,  End  of  the  Retreat 
from  Mons. 

The  Divisional  Commanders  of  the  2nd  Corps  had  but  small  choice  in  the 
matter  of  selecting  positions  for  the  fighting  line,  for  it  was  so  late  when  orders 
countermanding  the  retreat  reached  the  Brigadiers  that  the  troops  practically 
were  obliged  to  stand  and  fight  on  the  ground  which  they  then  occupied. 
Indeed,  some  battalions  did  not  get  the  order  until  they  had  actually  moved 
oft'  in  Column  of  Route.  The  19th  Brigade,  which  had  bivouaced  in  Le  Cateau, 
were  well  on  their  way  to  Reumont,  having  left  the  town,  which  was  at  once 
occupied  by  the  enemy,  before  6  a.m.,  and  part  of  the  14th  Ii5rigade,  which 
had  passed  the  night  on  the  hill  east  of  Le  Cateau,  were  also  formed  up  ready 
to  march  near  the  south-east  corner  of  the  town.  When  the  line  was  eventu- 
ally formed  the  5th  Division  held  the  ground  from  Le  Cateau  to  Troisvilles, 
the  3rd  Division  from  Troisvilles,  Audenconrt,  Caudry,  the  4th  Division 
Beauvois,  Fontaine  au  Pire,  Longsart,  with  its  reserve  at  Haucourt. 


l.ikii,.\DlEk   GENERAL   iMacEW  EX, 
Lieut. -Colonel,  1910  tu  1914. 


35 

Of  the  Cavalry  l)ivi.sioii,  the  •iud  and  ;3rcl  Htii^ades  were  sent  to  J\laziiij,'liien  1914 
and  Ba/uel  respectively  to  guard  the  right  flank,  the  4th  Brigade  to  Ligny, 
and  the  1st  to  Escaufourt  to  support  the  '2nd  and  3rd. 

On  the  evening  of  the  -JSth  Von  Ivluck  liad  the  i2nd  Cavalry  Corps  and  his 
4th  and  3rd  Corps  in  close  touch  with  the  British  line  and  ready  to  strike  in 
the  early  morning,  with  three  other  Corps  within  a  short  march.  His  design 
was  to  hold  the  centre  and  envelope  both  fianks  of  his  opponents'  line  simul- 
taneously. His  ■2nd  Corps  was  to  have  joined  in  the  attack  on  the  left  flank, 
but  fortunately  C4eneral  d'Amade  had  been  able  to  concentrate  three  of  his 
Territorial  Divisions  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Cambrai,  while  (Jeneral  Sordet's 
Cavalry  had  by  this  time  been  able  to  cross  to  Serauvillers,  and  though  his 
men  and  horses  were  in  a  very  exhausted  condition,  his  force  could  not  be 
altogether  ignored.  Von  Kluck's  2nd  Corps  was  therefore  fully  occupied  in 
shei)herding  the  French,  though  one  of  his  Divisions  did  manage  to  reach  the 
l)attle-tield  a  short  time  before  the  action  came  to  an  end. 

Von  Kluck  seems  to  have  been  very  badly  served  by  his  Intelligence  Depart- 
ment and  his  Cavalry.  It  appears  from  his  own  Despatches  that  he  thought 
that  the  1st  Corps  was  to  the  west  of  the  Belle  also.  In  this  he  was  probably 
misled  by  the  extension  of  the  line  by  the  4th  Division,  of  whose  arrival  he 
was  ignorant,  though  he  thought  that  the  6th  Division  which  had  not  left 
England  was  also  juesent,  and  being  still  obsessed  with  the  notion  that  the 
Expeditionary  Force  was  based  on  Boulogne  and  Dunkirk  he  concluded  that 
the  battle  line  lay  North  and  South,  instead  of  its  being  practically  nearly  East 
and  West. 

The  morning  of  the  26th,  the  anniversary  of  the  Battle  of  Crecy,  was  warm 
and  misty,  the  rain  having  ceased  before  dawn.  The  German  artillery,  which 
had  been  placed  in  position  during  the  night,  opened  fire  all  along  the  line  as 
it  became  light  enough  to  see  their  targets  and  before  many  of  the  battalions 
had  been  able  to  dig  themselves  in.  The  German  batteries  posted  about  Forest,, 
three  miles  N.-N.East  of  Le  Gateau  were  the  first  to  open  fire,  followed  by 
others  which  were  placed  in  a  carefully  hidden  position  some  two  miles  W.- 
N.West  of  Ije  Gateau,  which  practically  enfiladed  the  line  between  Le  Gateau 
and  the  Eoman  road.  Meanwhile  Le  Gateau  was  evacuated  and  the  place  was 
at  once  entered  by  the  advance  parties  of  the  enemy.  The  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade, 
which  had  been  moved  to  Bazuel  early  in  the  morning,  with  the  H.A.  Battery, 
were  moved  up  to  support  the  right  flank,  now  thrown  back  nearly  to  Bazuel 
itself.  The  enemy's  advance  from  Le  Gateau  down  the  valley  of  the  Selle  was 
checked,  and  though  the  right  of  the  line  was  subjected  to  a  very  heavy  and 
continuous  bombardment  and  an  ejitilade  fire,  both  from  the  heights  on  the 
east  side  of  Le  Gateau  and  from  guns  which  had  been  dragged  up  to  the  hill 
south  of  Montay,  as  well  as  repeated  frontal  attacks,  it  maintained  its  position 
for  six  hours,  notwithstanding  its  heavy  casualties. 

In  the  centre,  though  the  3rd  Division  was  subjected  to  an  intense  and 
destructive  cannonade  from  daybreak  to  midday,  the  infantry  attack  was  kept 
in  check  with  comparative  ease  all  through  the  day,  but  on  the  left  flank  the 
attack  began  badly  for  the  4th  Division. 

The  Division  having  no  Cavalry  of  its  own,  liad  to  depend  on  General 
Bordet's  patrols  for  information  as  to  the  enemy's  movements,  and  was  also 
much  hampered  by  having  no  field  telegraph.  Divisional  Signallers,  or  Field 
Ambulances. 

The  French  patrols  had  reported  the  front  to  be  clear.  The  troops  were 
formed  up  preparatory  to  entrenching,  when  suddenly  a  number  of  machine 
guns  opened  fire  on  the  Battalion  of  the  Lancaster  Regiment  from  a  well- 


36 

1914  concealed  position.  'J'liis  was  inuueiiiatcly  followed  by  the  advent  of  three 
batteries,  which,  galloping  into  the  ojjen  ground  between  Wambaix  and  Calli- 
nieres,  unliinbered  and  deluged  the  unlucky  Lancasters  with  a  hail  of  shells. 
The  men  lay  down,  and  returned  the  fire  as  well  as  they  could,  for  some  twenty 
minutes  and  silenced  most  of  the  machine  guns,  when  the  enemy's  fire  having 
somewhat  slackened,  the  survivors  were  gradually  withdrawn  under  cover, 
leaving  some  400  men  on  the  ground  killed  or  wounded. 

The  attack  on  the  left  of  the  -Ith  Division  was  made  by  the  "ind  Cavalry 
Corps  and  their  Jager  battalions,  but  after  the  first  surprise  the  enemy  made 
little  progress,  the  dismounted  Cavalry  being  very  half-hearted  fighters,  and 
by  11  a.m.  it  had  been  practically  beaten  oif,  though  their  guns  kept  up  a  heavy 
and  continuous  cannonade.  Further  east,  between  Wambaix  and  Caudry,  the 
Germans  brought  up  battery  after  battery  until  the  line  of  guns  extended 
from  north  of  Fontaine  to  Wambaix,  but  though  the  artillery  fire  necessitated 
various  small  retirements  here  and  there  to  less  exposed  positions,  the  infantry 
attack  was  not  pressed  home  in  the  face  of  the  rapid  and  accurate  rifle  fire  with 
which  it  was  met. 

On  the  right  about  Cateau  the  conditions  were  much  less  satisfactory.  The 
casualties  were  very  heavy  and  many  guns  were  smashed  up  by  direct  hits, 
being  now  for  the  most  part  actually  in  the  firing  line  owing  to  the  impossi- 
bility of  bringing  up  the  horses  to  remove  them,  and  at  1  p.m.  General  Fergu- 
son reported  to  Headquarters  that  he  doubted  if  he  could  maintain  the  position 
much  longer  in  the  face  of  the  enfilade  tire  to  which  the  right  of  his  line  was 
subjected  and  the  pressure  of  the  fresh  Division  of  the  3rd  German  Corps  which 
was  now  being  thrown  into  the  fight.  General  Smith-Dorrien  therefore 
ordered  the  retirement  of  the  whole  three  Divisions  by  the  roads  previously 
allotted  in  his  original  orders,  namely,  the  5th  Division  and  the  19th  Brigade 
by  Bertry  and  Maretz  to  Vermand,  and  by  Beumont  and  Bussigny  to  Estrees ; 
the  3rd  Division  by  JNfontigny  to  Beaurevoir ;  the  4th  Division  by  Selvigny  to 
Le  Catalet,  Vendhuille  and  Elincourt ;  the  Cavalry  Division  to  withdraw  by 
any  roads  west  of  the  4th  Division.  The  4th  and  3rd  Divisions  were  withdrawn 
gradually  from  the  firing  line  with  little  difficulty,  but  it  was  not  so  with  the 
5th  Division,  particularly  on  the  right  flank  about  Le  Cateau,  for  here  the 
enemy  was  still  pressing  his  attack  with  considerable  determination. 

At  2  p.m.  the  extreme  right  was  reinforced  by  two  battalions  from  the 
reserve,  and  by  3.30  p.m.,  as  the  attack  somewhat  slackened,  the  troops  were 
gradually  withdrawn  from  their  positions  and  the  retreat  commenced. 

Unfortunately  it  was  next  to  impossible  to  convey  orders  to  many  of  the 
company  commanders  in  the  firing  line,  and  as  these ^  with  the  usual  obstinacy 
of  the  British  soldier,  never  thought  for  a  moment  of  quitting  their  position 
till  they  got  them,  numerous  platoons  and  even  companies  were  left  behind, 
and  these  fought  on  until  they  were  surrounded  and  the  few  unwounded  sur- 
vivors overwhelmed  and  made  prisoners.  The  Gordon  Highlanders  were  the 
worst  sufferers  in  this  respect,  for  some  500  with  their  commanding  officer  were 
surrounded  and,  after  a  desperate  attempt  to  fight  their  way  through,  were 
eventually  obliged  to  surrender  near  Bertry. 

Colonel  Gordon  had,  however,  prolonged  his  fight  until  1.30  a.m.,  and  the 
resistance  of  these  isolated  parties  effectually  checked  the  advance  of  the  enemy 
until  nightfall,  and  very  materially  facilitated  the  general  retreat,  which  was 
practically  unmolested,  as  Von  Kluck,  as  usual,  made  no  use  whatever  of  his 
Cavalry  Divisions. 

The  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade,  with  the  1st,  remained  at  Bazuel  until  about 
1'2.30  p.m.,  when  the  two  Brigades  retired  leisurely  up  the  valley  of  the  Selle 


37 

towards  St.  Soiii)i)lt't ,  alter  ihe  tirst  atteiu[)t  of  the  enemy  to  turn  the  light  l!J14 
had  been  stopped.  Thence  the  3rd  moved  to  Bussigny,  covering  the  retreat  of 
part  of  the  5th  Division.  Thence,  having  marched  by  Elincourt  and  Maiin- 
coiirt,  it  reached  Beaurevoir  about  midnight,  where  it  was  joined  by  two  regi- 
ments of  the  1st  and  2nd  Brigades,  and  finding  the  road  blocked  by  infantry 
the  five  regiments  moved  east  of  Estrees  to  Beaucourt,  Monbrclian,  and 
Eamicourt.  Tlie  IGtli  then  moved  by  Manbrun  to  Kt.  (^)llelltin,  and  after 
marching  all  night  arrived  there  at  midday  on  the  27th.  After  drawing  rations 
and  forage  at  St.  Quentin,  it  was  hurried  off  to  Itancourt  in  consequence  of  a 
false  alarm  and  finally  billeted  there  for  the  night.  The  Regiment  did  no  actual 
fighting  at  Le  Cateau,  and  though  it  was  under  shell  fire  most  of  the  day  there 
were  only  three  casualties,  Colonel  MacEwen  and  two  men  being  wounded.* 

The  total  losses  of  the  2nd  Corps  on  the  26th  amounted  to  7,812  of  all  ranks, 
killed,  wounded  and  missing,  and  38  guns,  including  one  60-pdr.  which  had  to 
be  abandoned.  Of  the  guns,  some  had  been  wrecked  by  direct  hits,  but  most 
had  to  be  left  on  the  ground  owing  to  the  impossibility  of  removing  them,  the 
teams  being  shot  down  one  after  another  in  making  the  attempt.  According 
to  German  accounts  the  prisoners  taken  were  2,(3UU,  which  is  confirmed  by  ^'on 
Kluck  himself.  This  includes  wounded,  very  many  being  left  on  the  ground 
by  the  4th  Division,  which  had  no  field  ambulances. 

The  1st  Corps  was  on  the  move  long  before  daybreak,  and  retiring  by  alter-  26th 
nate  Brigades  to  Etreux  and  the  adjacent  villages.  The  march  was  compara-  Aug. 
tively  unmolested  by  the  enemy  except  for  an  unfortunate  rearguard  affair  at 
Le  Grand  Fayt.  Here  the  5tli  Infantry  Brigade  was  held  up  for  some  hours 
by  the  movement  of  the  French  Eeserve  Divisions  across  the  line  of  march, 
and  the  2nd  Connaught  Rangers,  which  formed  the  rearguard,  came  to  a  halt. 
About  6  p.m.  the  battalion  became  engaged  with  the  enemy,  and  the  greater 
part  of  it  being  deployed  in  a  cramped  country  covered  with  small  copses  and 
high  hedges  did  not  receive  the  order  to  I'etire  when  the  main  body  moved  off. 
Le  Fayt  was  then  occupied  by  the  Germans  and  the  retreat  of  the  Connaughts 
effectually  intercepted,  with  the  result  that  their  commanding  officer.  Colonel 
Abercrombie,  and  nearly  300  other  ranks  were  found  to  be  missing  when  the 
scattered  parties  that  got  away  rejoined  the  Brigade,  which  finally  went  into 
billets  at  Bai'zy,  five  miles  north-east  of  the  2nd  Division. 

The  5th  Cavalry  Brigade  retired  to  Hannapes,  on  the  Oise  two  miles  south- 
west of  Etreux,  where  it  rested  for  the  night.  Beyond  suffering  some  slight 
casualties  from  long-distance  shell  fire  its  march  had  not  been  molested. 

By  arrangement  with  the  Staff  of  the  French  5th  Army,  which  was  still  in  27th 
retreat  on  the  east  of  the  1st  Corps,  the  road  to  Ciuise  was  left  to  the  British.  Aug. 
At  4  am.  the  2nd  Division  marched  off,  covered  by  the  1st  Division,  the 
Cavalry  Brigade  being  sent  west  of  the  Oise  to  guard  the  left  flank  as  an  attack 
was  expected  from  St.  Quentin,  which  was  falsely  i-eported  to  be  occupied  by 
the  enemy  in  force.  The  retreat  was  attended  by  another  rearguard  disaster 
precisely  similar  to  that  of  the  previous  day. 

The  Munster  Fusiliers  and  two  guns,  which  formed  the  rearguard  of  the  1st 
Division,  under  Major  Charrier,  of  that  regiment,  was  cut  off  and  surrounded 
at  Fesmy,  and  after  a  gallant  fight  of  12  hours,  in  which  Major  Charrier  was 

*  Colonel  MacEwen  had  heen  already  hit  by  a  piece  of  shell  dining  the  retreat,  but 
remained  on  duty.  At  Le  Cateau  he  was  struck  by  a  bullet  in  his  leg  while  taking  up  a 
position  to  cover  the  retirement  of  General  Rolfs  Brigade  from  the  firing  line.  He  was 
removed  with  some  difficulty,  and  eventually  taken  in  a  horse-box  to  Rheims,  contracting 
pluro-pneumonia  from  tlie  exposure  on  the  way.  His  loss  was  greatly  regretted  by  all 
ranks,  as  he  never  was  able  to  rejoin  for  .service  in  the  field. 


litl  1  killed  and  the  guns  wrecked,  some  250  aieii  who  survived  were  obliged  to  sur- 
render after  a  final  bayonet  charge,  their  anuuunition  being  exhausted.  They 
had  kept  no  less  than  nine  battalions  of  the  enemy  at  bay  for  six  hours  before 
they  were  overwhelmed  and  effectually  [)ut  a  stop  to  aiiy  further  pursuit  of 
the  1st  Division. 

The  troops  arrived  at  their  appointed  positions  for  the  night  about  10  p.m. 
after  a  slow  and  fatiguing  march,  for  the  day  was  hot  and  sultry  and  the  single 
road  was  choked  not  only  by  their  own  transport  but  also  by  the  usual  multi- 
tude of  refugees. 

The  retreat  of  the  'ind  Corps  was  also  continued  on  the  21lh,  the  3rd  Cavalry 
Brigade  forming  a  covering  screen  to  the  north  of  St.  Quentin.  At  10  a.m. 
the  3rd  was  joined  by  part  of  the  2nd  Brigade.  At  2.30  p.m.  the  approach  of 
the  enemy's  Cavalry  was  reported  by  the  patrols  and  the  Brigade  retired  to 
Itancourt,  the  1st  Brigade  being  in  support  at  Grrand  Seraucourt. 
i>8tli  The  retreat  was  not  pressed  by  the  enemy,  except  on  the  extreme  left,  where 
A"g.  the  4th  Division  had  some  rearguard  skirmishing,  and  by  dawir  on  the  28th 
the  whole  of  (ieneral  Smith-Dorrien's  Corps  was  practically  south  of  the 
Sonime,  35  miles  from  Le  Cateau. 

The  position  of  the  whole  British  Force  on  the  morning  of  the  28th  August 
was  as  follows  :  — 

2nd  Corps. — 1st,  2nd,  3rd  Cavalry  Brigades  in  a  semi-circle,  four  miles 
south  of  St.  Quentin,  from  Itancourt,  through  Urvilliers  and  (i-rand  Serau- 
court to  Savy. 

4th  Cavalry  Brigade,  on  the  left  of  the  4th  Division  at  Eouy. 

5th  Division  and  19th  Brigade  at  Ollezy  and  Eaucourt,  near  the  junction  of 
the  Crozat  Canal  and  the  Somme,  south-west  of  the  Cavalry  Brigades. 

3rd  Division,  on  the  left  of  the  5th,  at  Ham. 

4th  Division,  on  the  left  of  the  3rd  at  Voyenne  on  the  Somme. 

All  the  Divisions  had  rearguards  north  of  the  Somme. 

1st  Corps. — The  1st  Corps,  on  the  high  ground  south  of  Guise,  from  Long- 
chauips  to  Mont  d'Origny,  with  the  Cavalry  and  5th  Brigade  west  of  the  Oise 
abt)ut  Hauteville  and  Bernot. 

By  this  time  it  was  evident  that  as  far  as  the  2nd  Corps  was  concerned  the 
German  pursuit  had  practically  come  to  an  end,  and  that  Von  Kluck,  thinking 
probably  that  the  British  Contemptibles  had  been  finally  disposed  of,  had  now 
diverted  his  attention  to  the  French  forces  collecting  on  his  right.  Neverthe- 
less, General  Joft're  had  not  yet  completed  his  preparations  for  the  counter- 
attack which  he  meditated,  and  the  Field-Marshal  ordered  the  retreat  to  be 
continued  on  the  28th.  The  day's  march,  which  began  at  4  a.m.,  was  con- 
ducted in  a  leisurely  manner  with  frequent  halts,  and  as  many  men  as  possible 
were  either  sent  off  by  train  or  carried  on  carts,  all  spare  ammunition  and  such 
equipment  that  was  not  immediately  required  being  discarded. 

The  5th  Division  halted  at  Pontoise,  the  3rd  at  Crissolles  and  Givry,  close 
to  Noyon,  and  the  4th,  which  had  covered  the  rear  of  the  Corps  at  Bussy, 
Freniche  and  Campagne,  a  little  to  the  north  of  the  3rd  Division. 

Of  the  Cavalry,  the  3rd  Brigade  was  sent  to  Jussy  with  instructions  to  gain 
touch  with  the  1st  Corps,  the  1st  to  Berlancourt,  the  2nd  to  Le  Plessis,  and 
the  3rd  to  Cressy  near  Nesle  four  miles  north  of  the  4th  Division. 

The  1st  Corps  marched  off  at  dawn,  leaving  the  2nd  Infantry  Brigade  and 
a  Brigade  of  Field  Artillery  at  Mont  d'Origny  to  cover  the  movement.  About 
midday  a  half-hearted  attack  was  made  by  the  enemy,  which  was  easily  beaten 
off,  and  shortly  afterwards  the  arrival  of  infantry  of  General  Valabrfeque's 
Keserve  Divisions  enabled  the  rear-guard  to  be  withdrawn.     The  whole  Corps 


3'J 

crossed  the  Oise  at  Jja  Fere  and  late  in  the  utlernoun  iciiciicd  llu-ir  billets,  the  1914 
1st  Division  south  of  La  Fere  at  Fressancourt  and  (lobaiii,  ihc  -Jnd  tint  her 
west  at  Audelain  and  Armigny. 

In  the  course  of  the  day  both  the  3rd  and  5th  Cavah-y  Brigades  were  engaged 
with  the  German  Guards  Cavah-y  Division.  At  4  a.m.  an  outpost  of  the  Ifitli 
was  attacked  by  a  troop  of  the  enemy,  which  was  easily  beaten  off  after  losing 
an  otticer  and  tour  men  killed  and  one  man  taken  prisoner.  Soon  after  dawn 
the  Brigade  took  up  a  position  about  six  miles  south  of  St.  Quentin  between 
Cerizy  and  Es.signy.  About  10  a.m.  General  Gough  learnt  from  a  \rdr\y  of 
French  Infantry,  which  was  retiring  southwards  from  St.  Quentin  through 
Essigny,  that  they  had  been  suri)rised  at  Ikllenglise  by  German  Cavalry  and 
Artillery,  and  shortly  afterwards  his  own  patrols  reported  that  a  Brigade  of 
Uhlans  was  advancing  on  Essigny  and  another  column  with  artillery  on  Cerizy. 
About  1  p.m.  the  advance  guard  of  the  former  fell  into  an  ambush  of  the  4th 
Hussars,  who  had  been  moved  to  Benay  to  cover  the  retreat  of  the  French. 
The  Germans  were  dispersed  with  some  loss,  whereupon  their  main  body  tried 
to  work  round  the  right  flank  of  the  Brigade,  but  it  was  stopped  by  the  guns 
of  the  H.A.  ]-!attery,  whereu[)on  the  column  retired.  The  3rd  Jirij^ade  remained 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Jussy  during  the  night. 

The  aft'air  at  Cerizy  between  the  5th  Cavalry  Ikigade  and  the  eastern  column 
of  the  German  Cavalry  was  more  serious.  The  5th  Brigade  had  been  posted 
on  the  west  bank  of  the  Oise,  and  at  10.30  a.m.  General  Chetwode  moved  to 
Moy,  a  village  two  miles  east  of  Cerizy.  Here  the  Scots  Greys  furnished  a 
line  of  outposts  on  the  high  ground  in  front  of  the  village  with  the  ^Oth 
Hussars  as  support,  the  l'2th  Lancers  and  guns  being  in  reserve  at  Moy. 

About  midday  the  enemy  came  into  sight  on  the  main  road  from  St.  Quentin. 
The  advance  troop  of  the  Greys  was  driven  in  by  superior  numbers,  but  the 
tire  of  the  support  stopped  any  further  advance,  until  about  2  p.m.  two  squad- 
rons came  on  in  close  formation  along  the  eastern  side  of  the  road.  These, 
being  met  by  the  fire  of  the  Greys,  and  of  two  guns  that  had  been  sent  up 
from  Moy,  dismounted.  But  the  burst  of  the  shells  stampeded  the  horses,  and 
the  men  after  a  little  wild  firing  followed  them. 

General  Chetwode  then  sent  his  other  four  guns  into  action  and  ordered  the 
l'2th  Lancers,  with  two  squadrons  of  the  Careys  in  support,  to  move  round  the 
left  flank  of  the  enemy  and  the  •20th  Hussars  to  advance  along  the  St.  (Juentin 
road  against  the  German  right.  The  leading  squadron  (C)  of  the  12th  then 
came  on  a  Brigade  of  Cavalry  advancing  on  Moy,  but  their  fire  obliged  the  men 
to  dismount,  and,  the  guns  coming  into  action,  their  horses  also  were  stam- 
peded. C  Squadron  then  mounted  and,  led  by  Colonel  Wormald,  charged. 
Their  lances  did  deadly  execution  among  the  Germans,  who  fled  in  all  direc- 
tions, leaving  80  dead  and  wounded  on  the  ground.  The  guns  then  opened  fire 
again  with  such  good  effect  that  the  enemy  lost  another  200  men  before  they 
got  under  cover,  and  the  advance  of  the  brigade  was  effectually  stopped. 

In  this  spirited  little  action  the  12th  lost  one  officer  and  four  men  killed,  and 
Colonel  Wormald  and  four  men  wounded,  the  other  casualties  of  the  Brigade 
being  about  20  in  all.  General  Chetwode,  having  collected  his  wounded,  re- 
tired to  Sinceny  and  Autreville,  on  the  left  of  the  1st  Corps,  where  he  halted 
for  the  night. 

The  position  of  the  German  1st  and  2nd  Armies  on  the  night  of  the  2Sth 
were  as  follows  : — 

On  the  right  cavalry  and  field  guns  were  in  pursuit  of  General  d'Amade. 
The  rest  of  the  1st  Army  had  moved  south-west  and  across  the  British  front. 
The  3rd  Corps  was  at  Bellenglise  close  to  St.  Quentin,  the  lieads  of  three  other 


40 

1914  Corps  were  on  the  Soirinie  on  a  front  six  miles  on  either  side  ol'  Peronne,  the 
9th  Corps  a  march  behind  on  the  left. 

Of  the  '2nd  Army  (Yon  Biilow)  the  two  Corps  on  his  left  were  halted  in  front 
of  the  5th  French  Army.  The  1st  Cavalry  Corps  were  moving  south  of  St. 
Quentin,  the  7th  Corps  was  marching  to  St.  Quentin,  and  the  10th  Reserve 
Corps  six  miles  south-west  of  Etreux.  Subsequently  Von  Biilow  ordered  the 
10th  Reserve  Corps  and  the  7th  Corps  to  march  westward  to  Ham  and  St. 
Simon . 

Thus  on  the  28th  touch  with  the  British  Army  was  practically  lost  as  the 
gap  between  the  two  German  Armies  was  gradually  increasing  until  they  were 
some  14  miles  apart.  Furthermore,  the  two  Generals  received  orders  from  the 
Headquarter  Staff  directing  the  1st  Army  and  'Jnd  Cavalry  Corps  to  march  west 
of  the  Oise  towards  the  lower  Seine  and  the  Snd  Army  and  1st  Cavalry  Corps 
towards  Faris,  which  in  fact  confirmed  their  present  movements. 

The  French  5th  Army  after  the  fighting  about  Charleroi  and  the  Samb're 
had  retreated  before  the  ^nd  German  Army  to  the  south-west  with  the  inten- 
tion of  reforming  its  front  on  the  line  Laon-La  Fere.  On  the  evening  of  the 
28th  the  5th  Army  was  facing  north  and  north-west  behind  the  Oise  from 
Vervins  to  near  La  Fere,  the  2nd  Crennan  Army  being  in  contact  with  the 
whole  front  and  in  possession  of  the  bridge  at  Guise. 

The  new  French  6th  Army  under  General  Maunoury  was  being  rapidly 
formed  on  the  British  left,  with  the  Headquarters  at  Montdidier,  and  now 
comprised  six  Divisions  of  Infantry  and  a  Provisional  Cavalry  Division. 

The  casualties  of  the  British  .\rmy  from  the  23rd  to  the  27th  August  in 
killed,  wounded  and  missing  of  all  ranks  were  14,546,  and  were  distributed 
as  under : — 


August 

23rd 

24th 

25th 

26th 

27th 

(Mons) 

(Le  Cateau) 

Cavalry           

6 

252 

123 

15 

14 

1st  Corps  :  — 

1st  Division 

9 

42 

32 

61 

826 

2nd  Division 

35 

59 

230 

344 

48 

2nd  Corps : — 

3rd  Division 

1185 

557 

357 

1796 

50 

5th  Division 

38(; 

1656 

62 

2366 

76 

4th  I)ivision 

— 

— 

65 

3158 

58 

19th  Brigade     ... 

17 
1638 

40 
2606 

36 
905 

477 
8217 

108 

1180 

29th  Tn  order  to  delay  the  advance  of  Von  Biilow,  (Teneral  Joft're  ordered  his  5th 
Aug.  Army  to  attack  towards  St.  Quentin  on  the  29th,  but  the  change  of  direction 
had  caused  the  right  wing  of  the  German  2nd  Army  to  be  strengthened, 
the  enemy  had  also  crossed  the  Oise  on  the  evening  of  the  28th  in  force,  and 
after  driving  back  General  A^alabregue's  Reserve  Divisions  were  now  threaten- 
ing the  right  flank  of  the  5th  Army.  The  attack  in  the  direction  of  Peronne 
was  then  broken  off,  and  though  a  counter  attack  drove  the  Germans  back  over 
the  Oise  no  further  progress  was  made.  This  action  the  Germans  call  the 
Battle  of  Guise,  and  though  in  reality  it  was  quite  indecisive,  Von  Biilow,  for 
some  reason,  imagined  that  he  had  inflicted  a  crushing  defeat  on  his  opponents, 
and  as  Von  Kluck  himself  had  reported  that  he  had  effectually  disposed  of  Sir 
J.  French,  Von  Biilow  asked  him  to  join  up  with  the  2nd  Army  and  wipe  out 
the  French  altogether.     Von  Kluck's  right  had  been  engaged  all  the  morning 


41 

witli  (leiicral  Maiinoury's  Army,  iiiul  tlicic  liad  l)een  soiiit!  seveic  liyliliiig  al  iDlf 
Proyart,  lU  miles  south-west  ot  i'eioune,  and  at  liosieies,  six  miles  south  of 
Proyait,  but  he  now  changed  the  direction  of  the  march  of  his  cohimns  with 
the  view  of  complying  with  Von  Biilow's  request. 

This  move  had  two  effects.  It  relieved  the  pressure  on  Maunoury,  freeing 
him  from  the  danger  of  having  his  left  flank  turned,  and  it  again  threatened 
the  line  of  retreat  of  Sir  J.  French. 

The  'iUth  had  been  a  day  of  much  needed  rest  for  the  iirilish,  as  far  at  least 
as  the  infantry  vs'ere  concerned,  but  late  in  the  afternoon  reports  of  Von 
Kluck's  new  movement  reached  the  Field-Marshal,  and  orders  were  given  to 
General  Smith-lJorrien  to  withdraw  the  whole  of  the  '2nd  Corps  south  of  the 
Oise.  At  6  p.m.  the  march  began.  The  troops  reached  their  destinations 
between  9  p.m.  and  midnight,  tiie  3rd  Division  moving  to  Cuts,  the  5th  to 
Carlepont,  the  4th  to  the  north  of  Carlepont,  a  Brigade  being  left  north  of  the 
Oise  as  rear-guard.     The  1st  and  2nd  Cavalry  Brigades  followed. 

But  though  the  Infantry  were  not  engaged,  the  enemy  showed  considerable 
activity  all  along  the  front.  At  5  a.m.  the  16th  were  driven  out  of  Jussy  by 
a  strong  force  of  infantry  and  machine  guns,  but  were  able  to  keep  the  enemy 
off  until  the  bridge  over  the  Crozat  Canal  had  been  destroyed.  The  whole  of 
the  3rd  Brigade  then  retired  slowly  to  Chauny,  6|  miles  south-west  of  La 
Fere.  The  16th  casualties  this  day  were  two  men  wounded  and  one  missing. 
Between  8  and  9  a.m.  the  2nd  Cavalry  Brigade  was  engaged  with  a  force  of 
all  arms  coming  from  Ham,  and  the  Brigade  retired  to  Guiscard.  As  reports 
came  in  that  strong  columns  of  the  enemy  were  crossing  the  Somme  at  Pargny 
and  Bethencourt,  the  4th  Division  sent  up  a  battalion  of  infantry  to  support 
the  Cavalry,  but  the  enemy  made  no  attempt  to  advance,  and  the  fighting 
gradually  died  down. 

In  the  afternoon  General  Joffre  had  a  conference  with  Sir  J.  French  at 
Compiegne,  whither  Headquarters  had  been  moved  from  Noyon.  As  he  desired 
to  make  a  stand  on  the  Rheims- Amiens  line  he  asked  that  the  British  Army 
should  remain  in  line  with  his  5th  and  6th  Armies,  but  the  Field-Marshal 
represented  strongly  that  his  men  were  tired  out  and  in  urgent  need  of  rest,  and 
were  not  in  a  condition  to  attack.  The  French  Commander-in-Chief,  after 
hearing  the  report  of  the  ill  success  of  the  5th  Army,  reluctantly  gave  orders 
for  a  further  retreat  to  the  line  Soissons-Compiegne,  behind  the  Aisne,  and 
abandoned  his  intention  to  hold  Rheims. 

This  day  the  4th  Division  and  the  19th  Infantry  were  formally  made  into  a  30th 
3rd  Corps  under  General  Pulteney,  who  had  joined  from  England.  Aug. 

The  1st  Corps  moved  off  at  3  a.m.  covered  on  the  east  Ijy  the  5th  Cavalry 
Brigade  and  on  the  west  by  the  3rd,  and  halted  for  the  night  at  Allemnnt  (eight 
miles  north  of  Soissons)  and  Passy.  The  2nd  and  3rd  Corps,  marching  later, 
halted  on  the  Aisne  about  Attichy.  The  5th  and  3rd  Cavalry  Brigades  liilleted 
at  Vauxailion  and  Fontenoy,  and  the  1st,  2nd  and  4th  i-ound  Compiegne. 

The  retreat  was  unmolested,  as  also  was  that  of  the  5th  Army,  but  General 
Maunoury  had  some  considerable  fighting  before  he  got  his  army  away.  He 
halted  eventually  on  the  line  Estrees  St.  Denis  (five  miles  from  Compiegne) 
— (,)uiry. 

On  the  31st  the  retreat  was  resumed.     The  1st  Corps  halted  at  Missy  and  sist 
Laversine,  the  2nd  at  Coyolles,  south-west  of  Villers-Cotterets,  and  Crepy  en  Aug. 
Valois,  the  3rd  about  Verberie  at  the  south-western  corner  of  the  Forest  of 
Compiegne.    The  5th  and  3rd  Cavalry  Brigades  halted  near  the  1st  Corps,  the 
16th  being  billeted  in  Chelles,  the  4th  at  Verberie,  and  the  2nd  west  of  it  at 
Chevrieres  in  touch  with  the  French  6th  Army,  now  on  the  hne  Chevrieres- 

G 


42 

1914  Bciuiviiis,  tlie  Ist  aiul  l>  llatl(u-y  li.H.A.  at  Nery,  uliicli  it  did  not  reach  until 
alter  night-fail,  having  made  a  wide  sweei)  frcjni  Conipiegne  and  Verberie 
without  seeing  any  sign  of  the  enemy. 

There  was  no  figliting  this  day,  except  a  rear-guard  sliirmish  between  the  3rd 
Hussars  (Jtli  Cavalry  Brigade)  and  the  German  3rd  Hussars  (the  Divisional 
Cavalry  of  the  German  3rd  Corps),  in  which  the  latter  suffered  somewhat 
severely.  The  left  of  the  5th  Army  was  now  at  Vauxaillon,  12  miles  north  of 
the  ]^ritish  right. 

The  wheel  of  Von  Kluck  to  the  south-west  was  now  fully  developed,  and 
General   Maunoury's  front  was  practically  clear  of  the  enemy.      Von  Biilow 
remained  halted,  apparently  waiting  for  Von  Kluck  to  come  up  on  his  right. 
1st  On  the  night  of  the  31st  August  orders  were  issued  to  resume  the  march 

Sept.  early  the  next  morning,  the  1st  Corps  to  La  Ferte  Milon — Betz,  the  2nd  to 
Betz — Nanteuil,  the  3rd  to  Nanteuil — Baron,  the  Cavalry  Division  to  Baron — 
■Mont  I'Eveque. 

There  had  been  little  fighting  on  the  two  previous  days,  but  on  the  1st  Sep- 
tember the  enemy  fully  made  up  for  their  previous  inaction,  for  the  day  began 
with  the  extraordinary  combat  of  Nery,  where  the  4th  German  Cavalry  Divi- 
sion and  the  1st  Cavalry  Brigade  had  actually  encamped  within  a  mile  of 
each  other,  neither  being  in  the  least  aware  of  this  close  proximity,  the 
Germans,  after  a  long  march,  not  having  arrived  at  their  halting  place  until 
late  at  night.  The  1st  lirigade  was  to  have  marched  off  at  4.30  a.m.,  but  when 
the  troops  paraded  there  was  such  a  dense  fog  that  the  Brigadier  postponed 
the  start  hoping  that  this  might  clear  off  when  the  sun  rose.  The  men  were 
busy  preparing  breakfast  and  watering  their  horses  when  a  patrol  of  the  11th 
Hussars  galloped  in  with  the  intelligence  that  a  large  body  of  the  enemy's 
Cavalry  was  coming  up,  and  immediately  afterwards  a  heavy  fire  of  all  arms 
swept  the  village  from  the  high  ground  overlooking  it.  What  with  the  fog  and 
the  surprise  the  greatest  confusion  prevailed  for  some  moments.  The  horses 
of  the  Bays  broke  away  and  stampeded,  and  there  was  great  difficulty  in  bring- 
ing the  H.A.  Battery  into  action  as  it  was  formed  up  on  the  road  in  column  of 
route,  ready  to  march,  when  the  shells  began  to  drop  on  it.  Tn  a  few  minutes 
half  the  officers  went  down,  and  five  of  the  guns  were  put  out  of  action,  one 
only  escaping  the  fate  of  the  rest,  and  continuing  to  fire.  The  three  regiments 
held  the  outskirts  and  approaches  to  the  village  dismounted,  and  a  report  of 
the  situation  brought  up  the  4th  Cavalry  Brigade  from  St.  Vaast  just  as  the 
mist  began  to  clear,  followed  by  a  battalion  of  infantry  from  Verberie  and 
another  from  Saintines.  The  guns  (I  Battery)  came  into  action  and  speedily 
silenced  the  enemy,  but  not  until  the  one  remaining  gun  of  L  Battery  had 
ceased  fire,  having  exhausted  all  the  amnumition  within  reach.  The  11th 
Hussars  then  mounted  and  charged  into  the  enemy's  line  of  guns,  only  to  find 
that  the  gun-crews  had  run  away  into  the  woods  after  dragging  off  four  out 
of  the  original  12,  and  that  the  Cavalry  had  followed  their  example.  The  11th 
continued  the  ])ursuit  for  another  mile,  when  they  were  recalled  after  taking 
7-5  prisoners  belonging  to  various  regiments  of  the  4th  Cavalry  Division.  The 
whole  Division  had  in  fact  been  completely  routed,  for  the  Brigades  fled  in 
all  directions,  and  the  Corps  was  only  got  together  after  days  of  wandering 
about  in  the  woods,  where  the  four  missing  guns  were  afterwards  picked  up 
and  brought  in. 

The  casualties  of  the  1st  Brigade  in  all  were  about  130  of  all  ranks  only,  but 
the  unlucky  L  l^attery  suffered  very  severely,  losing  five  officers  and  49  men, 
among  them  being  their  gallant  Commander,  Captain  Bradbury,  who  was 
awarded   the   V.C.,   l)ut   died  of  his   wounds  before   he   actually   received   it. 


43 

Colonel   AiisrII,  of  111.'  TjIIi   I  )iaj^ooii  (iii;iiils,  was  also  killed.     TIr'  action  was  1!*14 
over  shortly  before  9  a.m. 

The  5th  Division  had  delayed  its  march  until  the  issue  of  the  combat  of  Nery 
was  decided,  and  its  outposts  and  subsequently  its  rear-guard  were  attacked  by 
the  five  .lager  battalions  of  Von  Marwitz,  but  these  were  easily  beaten  ofl'  and 
the  remainder  of  the  march  was  unmolested. 

The  1st  Corps  marched  at  4  a.m.  by  two  roads  through  the  forest  of  Villars 
Cotterets,  covered  on  the  right  by  the  5th  Cavalry  I^rigade  and  on  the  left  by 
the  3rd,  both  brigades  operating  outside  the  forest.  The  3rd  had  assembled  at 
RIalefontaine.  The  Brigade  came  into  contact  with  the  enemy's  advance-guard 
at  Taillefontaine.  Tlie  4th  Hussars,  being  rear-guard,  were  engaged  all  the 
morning  among  the  scattered  woodlands  and  had  several  casualties,  including 
their  commanding  officer,  Lieut. -Colonel  Hogg,  who  was  killed.  Eventually 
the  enemy  was  shaken  oft'  and  the  Brigade  reached  Antilly,  where  it  billeted 
for  the  night. 

East  of  'Taillefontaine  there  was  a  somewhat  serious  rear-guard  action  where 
the  4th  Guards  Brigade  became  involved  in  a  combat  in  the  fcrest  with  very 
superior  numbers.  Eventually  the  Brigade  was  withdrawn,  but  the  action 
lasted  until  G  p.m.  The  Irish  Guards  lost  heavily,  and  their  commanding 
officer,  Lieut. -Colonel  the  Hon.  G.  Morris,  was  killed.  Brigadier-General 
Scott-Kerr  was  also  severely  wounded.  The  Guards  Brigade  lost  over  300  of 
all  ranks,  two  platoons  of  the  Grenadiers  being  surrounded  and  destroyed  after 
fighting  till  every  man  of  them  was  down,  and  the  6th  Infantry  Brigade,  which 
was  also  engaged,  lost  another  100. 

Later  on  it  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy's  loss  far  exceeded  that  of  the 
British,  and  that  at  the  close  of  the  action  all  further  pursuit  had  to  be 
abandoned. 

Covered  by  their  rear-guards  the  main  columns  of  all  three  Corps  reached 
their  respective  halting  places  late  in  the  evening  without  hindrance,  after  a 
toilsome  march  averaging  20  miles. 

The  Field-Marshal  returned  to  Dammartin  from  Paris  at  6.45  a.m.  after  an 
interview  with  Lord  Kitchener,  in  which  he  successfully  asserted  his  own 
independence  as  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army  in  the  Field.  Orders  had 
already  been  given  out  for  the  retreat  to  be  resumed  at  7  a.m.  on  the  •2nd,  but 
Sir  J.  French  was  disquieted  by  the  reports  which  he  received  which  not  only 
showed  that  strong  forces  of  the  enemy  were  closing  in  upon  him,  but  that 
some  of  the  German  Cavalry  had  worked  their  w-ay  through  the  woods  and 
■were  then  actually  in  rear  of  the  British  line.  He  therefore,  fearing  a  night 
attack,  gave  fresh  orders  for  his  weary  troops  directing  them  to  move  off  at 
1  a.m.  The  fact  was  that  Von  Kluck,  having  left  Von  Marwitz  and  his  4th 
Reserve  Corps  to  watch  General  Maunoury,  whose  army  was  at  Senlis  and 
south  of  it,  was  moving  south-east  with  the  intention  of  sweeping  up  what  he 
thought  to  be  the  broken  remnant  of  the  British  Army  before  joining  Von 
Biilow.  Von  Kluck,  being  entirely  ignorant  of  the  true  position,  was  march- 
ing right  across  the  front  of  the  British  line,  and  but  for  the  shortened  marches 
which  tlie  fatigue  of  the  troops  necessitated,  would  not  have  come  into  contact 
at  all.  As  it  was  his  flanking  Cavalry  patrols  encountered  the  British  Cavalry 
rear-guards  only.  Some  of  the  enemy's  Cavalry  that  were  reported  to  be  behind 
the  line  were  probably  troops  which  had  wandered  away  in  the  woods  after  the 
combat  at  Nery,  for  the  four  guns  that  had  been  got  away  were  picked  up  near 
Ermononville.  These  scattered  parties  made  off  in  various  directions  and  a 
considerable  quantity  of  abandoned  equipment  was  found  littered  about  the 


44 

1914    roads.    There  was  no  further  contact  witii  llie  enemy  during  the  retreat  except 

some  trifling  skirmishes  by  Cavalry  patrols. 
2n(l         The  position  on  the  evening  of  the  'Ind  Se|)teniber  was  as  I'luier  :  — 
Sapt.      g^jj  Cavalry  Brigade  and  1st  Corps  in  the  villages  just  riorih  oi  Meanx. 
3rd  Cavalry  Brigade,  Isles  les  Villenoy,  S.S.W.  of  Meaux. 
'2nd  Corps,  Monthyon — Montge — Villenoy. 
3rd  Corps,  Eve^Dammartin. 

Cavalry  Division,  Thieux — Moussy  le  Vieux — Le  Mesnil  Amelot. 
The  front  therefore  extended  from  Meaux  to  Dammartin.  On  the  right  the 
5th  Army  was  a  march  to  the  north,  the  left  of  the  infantry  being  25  miles 
away  south-west  of  Fere  en  Tardinois,  and  the  Cavalry  north  of  Chateau 
Thierry.  From  Dammartin  the  French  Provisional  Cavalry  Division  covered 
the  line  to  Senlis  and  thence  north-west  through  Creil  to  Mouy.  Behind  it 
lay  Maunoury's  6th  Army. 

After  a  consultation  with  the  French  General  Staff,  the  Field-Marshal  issued 
orders  for  the  retreat  across  the  Marne,  and  to  avoid  closing  in  upon  the  de- 
fences of  Paris,  the  line  of  march  was  directed  to  the  south-east. 
3i(l  The  troops  marched  off  between  3  and  4  a.m.  covered  by  the  3rd  and  5th 
*^'^*-  Cavalry  Brigades.  The  1st  Division  crossed  the  Marne  at  Trilport,  the  2nd 
and  3rd  at  Meaux,  the  5th  at  Isles  les  Villenoy,  the  3rd  Corps  and  the  Cavalry 
Division  at  Lagny,  and  by  evening  the  Army  had  crossed  to  the  south  of  the 
river  and  was  distributed  along  the  villages  from  Juarre  westward  to  Xogent, 
after  destroying  all  the  bridges.  The  3rd  Brigade  had  no  fighting,  but  the  5th 
had  a  short  combat  north  of  Lizy  on  the  Ourcq,  but  was  not  followed,  and 
crossed  the  Marne  at  La  Ferte  sous  Jouarre.  The  8rd  passed  through  the 
infantry  and  billeted  at  Mont-Guichet,  crossing  the  Marne  at  Germigny. 

The  5th  Army  had  also  continued  its  retreat,  and  after  a  combat  at  Chateau 
Thierry  had  fallen  back  across  the  Marne  and  was  now  in  line  with  the  British, 
its  left  being  about  ten  miles  distant.  Von  Ivluck  was  now  rapidly  closing  in 
on  the  5th  Army,  the  heads  of  two  of  his  Corps  having  crossed  the  Marne  at 
Chezy  and  La  Ferte  sous  Jouarre. 

The  Army  expected  to  have  a  rest  on  the  4th,  but  Joffre  was  not  yet  ready 
for  his  meditated  attack,  and  orders  were  issued  for  a  further  retirement  to  the 
line  of  the  Grand  Morin. 
4th  At  daybreak  the  5th  Cavalry  Brigade,  with  the  3rd  in  support,  advanced 
Sept-  eastward  to  Done.  The  patrols  of  the  5th  came  into  contact  with  the  enemy 
about  midday,  and  a  troop  of  the  Greys  which  had  been  sent  to  Eebais  with 
the  expectation  of  finding  French  Cavalry  there,  found  it  occirpied  by  the 
enemy  and,  being  taken  by  surprise,  the  whole  troop  was  wiped  out,  only  five 
men  escaping.  Some  skirmishing,  principally  artillery  fire,  was  kept  up  until 
late  in  the  afternoon,  when  both  Brigades  were  withdrawn,  the  3rd  to  Chailly 
en  Brie,  where  it  billeted  for  the  night.  Meanwhile  the  1st  Corps  had  marched 
to  Aulnoy  and  Colomniers,  Mouroux  and  Girmoutiers.  The  2nd  and  3rd 
Corps,  with  the  Cavalry  ]])ivision,  did  not  march  until  after  dark. 

This  day  a  new  French  Army,  commanded  by  General  Foch,  came  officially 
into  being.  This  Army  was,  however,  no  addition  to  the  strength  as  it  had 
been  merely  formed  out  of  Divisions  brought  from  the  left  of  the  3rd  and  the 
right  of  the  4th  Armies. 
Cth  In  accordance  with  the  original  directions  of  the  French  Commander-in- 
Sept.  Chief,  Sir  John  French  ordered  a  further  retirement  for  the  5th  This  march 
was  made  in  order  to  give  the  6th  Army  more  room  for  deployment,  but  in 
view  of  the  intended  counter-attack  planned  to  take  place  on  the  6th  the  move 
was  superfluous.     However,  the  notification  of  this  last  was  not  received  by 


45 

the  Field-Maislial  imlil  tlie  lioups  liad  cojjqilcli'il  ihcir  iiiaicli.  Tlic  Isl  Corps  1!H( 
halted  at  Rosoy,  the  '2nd  Corps  in  and  east  of  Tournau,  and  the  3rd  Corps  on 
the  left  of  the  Snd  from  Ozoir-la-Ferriere  to  Brie-Comte-Kobert,  where  it  was 
toucliing  the  outer  defences  of  I'aris.  The  Cavalry  Division  moved  to  (he  right 
rear  of  the  Army  to  Mormant  and  (he  villages  nor(h  of  it.  During  this  move 
the  3rd  Brigade  ac^led  as  rear-guard  and  the  5th  as  last  flank  guard.  The  two 
Brigades  encamped  at  Vilbert.  This  day  the  3rd  and  5th  Brigades  were  placed 
under  the  command  of  Brigadier-General  Hubert  Crough,  though  they  were 
not  formally  constituted  a  Division  in  Orders  until  September  16th.  Brigadier- 
General  J.  Vaughan  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  3rd  Brigade,  and 
so  the  memorable  Retreat  from  Mons  came  at  last  to  an  end.  The  retreat  had 
lasted,  with  only  one  halt,  thirteen  days,  and  the  troops  had  marched  some 
200  miles,  though  the  actual  distance  in  a  straight  line  is  130.  On  the  average 
the  Cavalry  and  Artillery  only  had  three  hours  and  the  Infantry  four  hours' 
rest  in  24  hours. 

During  the  4th  and  5(h  Se|>teniber  the  Army  was  reinforced  l)y  drafts  of 
men  from  England,  but  very  little  new  equipment  came  up.  l-ioih  the  men 
and  stores  were  only  forwarded  under  great  difficulties  owing  to  the  change 
of  the  sea  Base,  which  had  been  transferred  to  St.  Nazaire  from  Havre  and 
Boulogne  at  the  end  of  August.  Between  the  1st  and  5th  no  less  than  60,000 
tons  of  stores,  15,000  men,  and  1,500  horses  had  been  removed  from  Havre  to 
St.  Nazaire,  but  the  landing  and  sorting  of  the  stores  had  hardly  begmi  on  the 
5th  notwithstanding  the  utmost  efforts  of  the  Base  Staff',  and  the  lost  guns 
were  not  replaced. 

On  the  5th  September  there  were  some  20,000  men  wanting.  Of  (hese  about 
5,000  stragglers  afterwards  rejoined  their  units,  leaving  a  total  of  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing  of  15,000,  together  with  49  guns.  By  far  the  greater 
portion  of  these  losses  were  suffered  by  the  2nd  and  3rd  Corps,  for,  with  the 
exception  of  the  combats  at  Landrecies  and  Maroilles  and  the  three  disastrous 
rear-guard  actions  at  Le  Fayt,  Etreux  and  Yillers  Cotterets,  the  Corps  had 
done  no  serious  fighting  (the  casualties  at  Mons  for  the  23rd  and  24th  August 
were  imder  150  of  all  ranks),  and  it  had  lost  only  two  guns,  and  the  loss  of 
the  Munsters  at  Etreux  was  now  made  good  by  the  transfer  of  the  Cameron 
Highlanders  to  the  1st  Brigade. 

The  new  drafts  could  by  no  means  sufficiently  replace  (he  losses  of  the  2nd 
and  3rd  Corps,  wliich  in  addition  to  the  guns  was  deficient  of  transport  wagons, 
entrenching  tools,  and  other  equipment  which  had  been  lost  or  abandoned 
during  the  first  four  days  of  the  retreat. 

The  Cavalry  had  on  the  whole  escaped  with  comparatively  few  casualties. 
They  amounted  altogether  to  little  over  400  of  all  ranks,  and  of  these  252  were 
accounted  for  on  the  24th  August,  the  9th  Lancers  being  the  chief  sufferers. 
The  16th  themselves  were  fortunate,  for,  though  the  regiment  had  been  under 
shell  fire  nearly  every  day  during  the  retreat,  its  casualties  (^nly  amounted  to 
two  officers  and  13  other  ranks  wounded. 

Generally  all  the  horses  were  in  fair  condition  considering  what  they  had 
gone  through,  but  were  in  want  of  horse-shoes  and  shoeing. 

On  the  three  last  days  of  August  the  Russians  were  decisively  defeated  by 
Von  Hindenburg  at  Tannenberg,  and  in  consequence  their  invasion  of  North 
Cirermany  came  to  a  sudden  end.  This  disaster  came  at  a  time  verv  inoppor- 
tune to  the  Allies  in  France,  for  the  Kaiser  had  been  so  agitated  by  the  invasion 
of  his  beloved  Prussia  that,  relying  on  the  sanguine  re]iorts  he  received  of  the 
alleged  victories  over  the  British  and  French,  he  had  given  ]ieremptory  oi-ders 
to  transfer  six  Corps  from  the  Westein  to  (he  Eastern  Front,  and  one  Corps 


46 

1914  was   ;u:lii;illv    lu-in;,'   fiiliaiiied    at    'J'liionvillf    wlit'ii    fresli    oniers    wen-    issued 
counteruianiliiiij  the  move. 


APPENDICES  TO   CHAPTEK   XXXV. 

1. — Mons  and  Afterwards. 
2.— Table  of  Marches. 

APPENDIX   I. 
Moxs  .^MJ  Afterwards. 

Fortune  liad  |iresented  \'on  Kluck  with  one  of  those  golden  opportunities 
that  so  seldom  fall  to  the  lot  of  a  General  in  the  field,  and  he  threw  it  away 
by  his  precipitate  action  in  connnencing  the  battle  without  any  knowledge  of 
the  actual  position.  Either  he  was  in  too  great  a  hurry  to  fulfil  the  instructions 
of  his  lm[)erial  master  to  wi[)e  out  the  Contemptible  British,  or  he  was  himself 
actuated  by  a  lordly  contempt  for  his  opponents ;  probably  by  a  mixture  of  both 
motives,  for  instead  of  acting  in  unison  with  Von  Biilow  and  the  2nd  German 
Army,  and  also  utilising  his  great  superiority  of  force  by  making  a  flank  attack, 
he  began  the  battle  without  any  reconnaisance  of  the  position  and  the  action 
speedily  developed  into  a  simple  frontal  attack  on  the  'ind  Corps  and  the  19th 
Brigade. 

Now  the  moment  that  A'on  Biilow  and  the  Saxons  of  Von  Hansen  drove  the 
French  5th  Army  from  their  positions  on  the  Sambre,  all  fear  of  a  counter- 
attack on  the  part  of  the  British  Army  disappeared.  It  is  clear  that  Von  Kluck 
might  have  held  the  front  of  the  2nd  Corps  with  even  one  of  the  four  Corp3 
that  were  in  his  battle-line,  and  if  he  had  massed  the  other  three  on  the  left 
of  Sir  John  French's  weak  line,  he  could  have  created  a  position  that  not  even 
the  fighting  qualities  of  the  British  soldier  could  have  prevented  from  ending, 
at  the  best,  in  a  most  serious  strategic  disaster,  for  the  Field-Marshal  would 
have  had  inevitably  to  choose  between  either  taking  refuge  behind  the  forts  of 
Maubeuge,  or  being  driven  pell-mell  on  to  the  flank  of  the  retreating  French 
5th  Army.  In  either  case  the  way  to  Paris  would  have  Iteen  open  to  Von 
Kluck. 

The  whole  force  of  the  attack  fell  upon  the  2nd  Corps,  for  the  1st  Corps  was 
hardly  engaged  at  all,  its  total  casualties  on  the  23rd  and  24th  being  less  than 
200  of  all  ranks.  Two  and  a  half  Divisions  therefore,  some  30,000  bayonets, 
extended  over  a  front  of  16  miles,  less  than  2,000  men  per  mile,  with  170 
guns,  met,  and  defeated,  the  attack  of  three  German  Corps,  the  3rd,  4th  and 
9th,  with  at  least  430  guns,  after  12  hours'  fighting,  inflicting  great  loss  on 
the  enemy  with  only  1,600  casualties  to  themselves.  Surely  one  of  the  finest 
achievements  in  the  long  and  glorious  history  of  the  British  Army. 

The  victory  showed  clearly  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  the  superior  qualities 
of  the  British  soldier,  and  disposed,  once  for  all,  of  the  boasted  invincibility 
of  the  (Tern)an.  The  battle  was  won  by  discipline,  coolness,  and  above  all  by 
good  shooting.  When  it  came  to  rifle  fire  the  German  troops  had  no  chance 
at  all.  Their  shooting  was  bad  in  the  extreme,  and  their  mass  attack  was  help- 
less under  the  cool,  deliberate,  yet  rapid,  fire  with  which  it  was  met.  It  was 
indeed  so  rapid  and  so  accurate  that  the  German  accounts  of  the  battle  always 
attribute  it  to  machine-gun  fire. 


47 

The  (lennan  Ciivaln',  too,  imidv  a  vriy  [>oor  show.  Tlie  iiifii  liad  not  been  11)14 
tiiught  to  fight  on  foot.  It  depended  in  that  respect  on  the  regiments  ot  -Jiiger 
infantry  that  formed  part  of  every  Cavalry  Division.  These  were  dragged 
about  with  the  mounted  troops  on  motor  lorries,  carts,  or  any  wheeled  vehicle 
that  could  lie  got  together,  and  as  they  were  of  course  restrii:ted  to  the  I'oads 
the  Cavalry  had  to  conform  to  their  movements.  The  Cavalry,  therefore,  were 
slow,  and  their  reconnaisance  feeble.  The  men's  riding  was  bad,  their  attack 
without  dash,  and  in  the  whole  history  of  the  war  on  no  single  occasion  was 
there  an  encounter  between  the  British  and  German  Cavalry  in  which  the 
latter  were  not  completely  worsted.  The  German  also  is  the  worst  horse-master 
in  the  world,  as  the  Englishman  is  the  best,  for  the  German  treats  his  horse 
with  the  same  callous  brutality  that  he  metes  out  to  every  living  thing  that  is 
unlucky  enough  to  come  under  his  domination.  Possibly  the  inaction  of  the 
German  Cavalry  after  Mons  and  Le  Cateau  was  to  be  partly  attributed  to  the 
condition  of  the  horses.  Probably  Von  Marwitz  had  scarcely  a  horse  without 
at  least  a  sore  back  by  August  •24th. 

The  Artillery  was  the  best  arm  the  Germans  ])ossessed,  and  next  to  that  the 
nuichine  gun,  to  which  last  a  great  deal  more  attention  had  been  paid  than  had 
been  the  case  in  the  British  Army.  Certainly  the  German  machine  guns  were 
more  effectively  used,  for  after  all  there  was  no  very  great  disparity  in  num- 
bers when  the  war  began. 

The  battle  of  Le  Cateau  on  August  ■26th  was  fought  under  somewhat  sirjiilar 
conditions,  for  here  again  the  2nd  Corps  had  to  resist  the  attack  of  six  {rernian 
Divisions.  The  2nd  Corps  had  certainly  been  reinforced  by  the  4th  Division, 
but  this  was  without  its  artillery  and  without  its  auxiliary  services,  while  to 
set  against  it  Von  Kluck  had  also  been  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  four 
Cavalry  Divisions  on  the  right  of  his  line.  Furthermore,  the  position  had  been 
taken  up  in  haste,  there  had  been  no  time  to  prepare  any  adequate  defences, 
both  flanks  were  uncovered,  the  right  by  the  retreat  of  the  1st  Corps,  and  the 
left  by  that  of  the  French  under  d'Amade,  though  late  in  the  afternoon  this 
last  was  in  some  respect  qualified  liy  the  arrival  of  the  French  Cavalry  Corps 
of  General  Sordet. 

Under  these  circumstances  the  2nd  Corps  fought  under  every  sort  of  disad- 
vantage ;  nevertheless,  it  held  its  ground  successfully  for  six  hours,  and  eventu- 
ally succeeded  in  breaking  off  the  action  and  effecting  a  retreat  which  the  heavy 
loss  that  had  been  inflicted  on  the  enemy  rendered  practically  unmolested. 

Here  again  the  fight  put  up  by  the  German  Cavalry,  which  made  a  dis- 
mounted attack,  aided  by  its  Jagers,  was  of  the  poorest  description,  and  after 
a  brief  initial  success  it  was  beaten  off  by  the  4th  Division  with  heavy  loss,  and 
for  the  rest  of  the  day  remained  in  hiding.* 

Von  Kluck  was,  as  at  Mons,  completely  ignorant  of  the  true  situation.  He 
thought  that  the  British  line  faced  the  East,  instead  of  nearly  North,  that  he 
had  against  him  the  whole  British  Army,  reinforced  by  the  6th  Division,  still 
in  England,  and  that  the  Army  was  based  on  Calais  and  Dunkirk.  Again,  as 
at  Mons,  in  consequence  of  this  mistake,  his  intended  flank  attack  developed 
into  a  frontal  one,  and  again  the  cool,  rapid,  and  accurate  rifle  fire  of  the  British 
soldier  proved  too  much  for  the  courage  of  the  German  troops. 

Neither  Von  Kluck,  nor  any  other  of  the  German  authorities,  give  any  details 
of  the  Battle  of  Le  Cateau,  which  they  style  the  "  Battle  of  St.  Quentin," 
beyond  claiming  a  complete  victory.  The  German  losses  are  carefully  con- 
cealed, while  those  of  the  British  are  grossly  exaggerated.    The  German  troops 


■"  "  Cmverinp  aiiioiiK  the  hnu.ses  of  Waniliaix  and  CattoniiTes,"  says  Haiiptman  Wirth. 


48 

lyil  were  told  tl:at  1-J,IM)(.)  priHonci'.s  liad  been  (ukt'ii,  with  ei^^lil  iKillei-ies  of  artil- 
lery, but  \'on  Kluck  himself  contirms  the  otilicial  report  of  \".  Zwehl  that  the 
prisoners  did  not  exceed  "2,600,  including  wounded,  many  of  these  last  having 
been  perforce  left  on  the  battlefield.  Thirty-eight  guns  in  all  were  abandoned, 
of  which  the  greater  number  had  been  smashed  up  by  direct  bits. 

Though  the  retreat  was  not  followed  up  by  the  enemy  it  was  made  under 
great  difliculties.  The  transport  had  been  sent  away  in  good  time  to  the  rear, 
but  every  road  was  blocked  with  ever  increasing  streams  of  the  hapless  inhabi- 
tants who  were,  with  well-founded  apprehension,  flying  from  the  threatened 
barbarities  of  their  savage  invaders,  and  who  took  with  them  as  much  of  their 
cherished  belongings  as  could  be  heaped  on  any  sort  of  wheeled  vehicle  that 
could  be  obtained  from  a  farm  wagon  to  a  perambulator.  Through  this  con- 
gested mass  the  retreating  troops  had  to  thread  their  way,  but  though  on  each 
flank  and  at  the  rear  of  every  column  there  might  be  a  ragged  fringe  of  strag- 
glers who  had  lost  theii  units,  the  solid  core  of  eacb  Brigade  maintained  its 
discipline  and  order,  the  men  tramping  stolidly  on  in  sultry  heat  or  drenching 
rain,  their  hearts  filled  only  with  sullen  re-sentment  at  having  to  retreat  before 
an  enemy  whom  they  knew  they  had  beaten  in  fair  fight,  and  a  longing  for  the 
moment  when  the  word  should  be  given  for  them  to  turn  and  face  him  again. 

To  an  onlooker  the  retreat  certainly  did  look  unpleasantly  like  a  rout,  for  as 
the  evening  closed  in  the  formed  columns  could  hardly  be  distinguished  among 
the  crowd  of  fugitives,  while  the  roadside  was  strewn  with  broken  vehicles  of 
all  sorts,  great-coats,  valises  and  equipment  that  had  been  discarded  by  the 
hot  and  weary  men,  and  here  and  there  mounds  of  provision  boxes  which  the 
Quartermaster-General,  finding  it  impossible  in  the  prevailing  confusion  to 
issue  rations,  had  dumped  on  the  road  side  so  that  the  troops  could  help  them- 
selves as  they  passed. 

But  order  was  soon  evolved  out  of  this  seeming  chaos.  The  roads  were 
gradually  cleared,  and  by  the  time  St.  Quentin  was  reached  on  the  morning 
of  the  'iTth,  where  rations  and  forage  were  obtained,  all  semblance  of  disorder 
had  come  to  an  end.  Thus  the  British  Expeditionary  Force,  small  as  it  was, 
had  played  a  decisive  part  in  the  campaign,  for  it  had  undoubtedly  saved  the 
5th  French  Army  from  an  attack  by  Von  Kluck  on  its  line  of  retreat  which  must 
have  inevitably  resulted  in  irretrievable  disaster,  it  had  saved  Paris  for  the 
present,  and  it  had  given  the  French  Conanander-in-Chief  the  nmch-needed 
time  which  he  required  to  mature  his  plans. 

Up  to  this  time  the  British  nation  at  large  had  by  no  means  realised  the 
serious  nature  of  the  war.  The  general  expectation  was  that  the  war  w-ould  be 
over  in  three  months.  Indeed  it  was  not  unusual  to  hear  ultra-sanguine  people 
saying  that  when  peace  terms  were  settled  we  must  not  be  too  hard  on  the  poor 
Germans,  who  had  been  unwillingly  di'agged  into  the  wai  by  the  Kaiser  and 
his  entourage  ! 

But  on  the  Sunday  after  the  battle  of  Mons  the  "  Times  "  published  a  special 
edition  purporting  to  give  a  full  account  of  the  battle  and  the  retreat.  This, 
embellished  as  it  was  by  the  lurid  pen  of  the  writer,  gave  a  \ery  rude  shock 
to  the  public  complacency,  and  its  effect  was  enhanced  by  the  verification  of 
the  report  of  the  fall  of  Namur  to  which  a  quite  undue  importance  was  attached. 

The  military  censors  had  cut  out  a  good  deal  of  the  worst  of  this  report,  and 
there  was  some  surprise  at  the  Government  giving  permission  to  publish  it  at 
all,  but  the  authorities  were  probably  by  no  means  averse  to  giving  the  nation 
a  tonic  that  might  make  it  take  the  war  a  little  more  seriously  and  do  some- 
thing to  dispel  the  "  business  as  usual  "  folly.  This  it  most  certainly  did  with 
most  salutarv  results. 


49 

APPENDIX  II. 

mons  and  the  retreat. 

Lencth  of  Marches,  20th  August  to  6th  September. 


1914 


Advance — 

Aug.  20  . 

„      21  . 

„      22  . 

Battle  of  Mons- 

Aug.   23  . 

Retreat — 

Aug.   24  . 

Le  Gateau — 
Aug.   2(5 
Retreat — 

Aug.  27  . 

Aug.  28  . 

„      29  . 

M      30  . 

,,      31  . 

Sept.    1  . 

o 

3  . 

,,        4  . 

,,        5  . 


1st  Corps.  2rul  Corps.  3rd  Cor[)S. 

1st  Div.    2ndl)iv.    3rdl)iv.    StliDiv.    l',)(h  Bgde.  4th  Div. 


Miles 


8.1r 

13 

221 


17 


15 

23 
21 
Rest 
10 
18 
19 
18.1 

i6i 

lU 
15" 

244 


Note  that  nianv 


20 

22 

14 
24 

10 

15 
20 

2 

23 
12 
19 
21 
18 
8 
16 

250 


2 
21 
17 


15 
25 

14 

17 

27 

25 

15 
15 
13 
10 
Rest 
16 

237 


2 
21 
17 


10 
24 

15 


216 


13 
19 


40 


23 

20   . 

17 

12   . 

15 

4   . 

.  Rest 

15 

.   19 

12   . 

14 

14   . 

.   IS 

18   . 

.   22 

Rest  . 

..  Rest 

16   . 

14 

193 


0 

10 

21 
20.1 
14 
121 
15 
ll.i 
9.} 

17^ 

Rest 

14 

ISIJ- 


units  much  exceeded  these  distances. 


CHAPTER   XXXVI. 

September  6th  to  September  9th,  1914. 

Situation  on  September  6th.  French  and  German  Armies.  Position  of  Von 
Kluck.  New  orders  of  the  H.Q.  German  Staff.  Action  of  Von  Biilow. 
Obstinacy  of  Von  Kluck.  Orders  by  General  Joffre.  Orders  of  Sir  J. 
French  for  the  6th.  Battle  of  the  Marne.  September  6th,  Attack  by 
General  Maunoury.  Attack  by  French  5th  Army.  Position  at  night-fall. 
September  7th,  Advance  of  the  British  Army.  Cavalry  combats.  Advance 
of  the  French  Armies.  Heavy  fighting  in  front  of  Paris  all  day  with  no 
decisive  results.  September  8th,  Continuous  fighting  between  Von  Kluck 
and  General  Maunoury.  The  French  left  thrown  back.  Advance  of  the 
British  Army.     Combats  along  the  line  of  the  Petit  Morin.     Position  at 


50 

1914  night-l'all.      (ici'iiiaii    defeat    at    >Jancy.      Jletreat   of    \'<jn    ]^ulow.      Von 

Molke's  perciii[)toiy  order  to  Voii  Tvliick,  who  is  placed  under  command  of 
Von  Biilow.  September  'Jtli,  Jietreat  of  Von  Xliick.  British  advance. 
Crossing  of  the  Marne.  General  retreat  of  the  1st  and  ■Jnd  (ierman  Armies 
and  end  of  the  Battle  of  the  Marne. 
Summary  of  Events,  September  6th  to  September  9th,  1914. — September  6th, 
Battle  of  the  Marne  begins.  7th,  Capitulation  of  j\Iaui)euge  ;  Battle  of 
Nancy.    8th,  Ketreat  of  Von  Kluck.    9th,  End  of  Battle  of  the  Marne. 

6th  The  situation  on  the  morning  of  the  6th  September,  1914,  was  as  follows  :— 
Sept.  French  Armies. — 1st  Army,  General  iJubail.  Facing  nearly  due  east  from 
Bel  fort,  on  the  south,  to  Nancy. 

'2nd  Army,  General  de  Castelnau.     Nancy  to  opposite  St.  Mihiel. 

3rd  Army,  General  Sarrail,  disposed  on  a  salient  of  which  the  apex  was 
Verdun,  the  right  wing  facing  N.E.  and  the  left  bent  back  facing  N.W. 

4th  Army,  General  de  Langle  de  Gary.    Across  the  Marne  facing  Chalons. 

9th  Army,  General  Foch,  facing  the  St.  Gond  Marshes. 

5th  Army,  General  Franchet  d'Esperey  (who  had  replaced  I^anrezac),  facing 
north,  Sezanne  to  Provins. 

6th  Army,  General  Maunoury,  Meaux  to  five  miles  north  of  Dammartin. 

British  Army. — Mormant  to  Brie  Comte  Robert,  facing  north-east. 

German  Armies. — 7th  Army,  V.  Heeringen,  facing  General  Dubail. 

6th  Army,  Prince  Ruprecht  of  Bavaria,  facing  de  Castelnau. 

5th,  German  Crown  Prince,  facing  Sarrail. 

4th,  Grand  Duke  Albrecht,  facing  de  Langle  de  Carey. 

3rd,  V.  Hausen,  facing  Foch. 

•2nd,  V.  ]3ulow,  facing  Franchet  d'Esperey,  on  a  line  from  Vertus,  half-way 
between  Epernay  and  Gond  and  Montmirail,  on  the  Petit  Morin. 

1st  Army,  V.  Kluck.  The  outpost  line  of  the  1st  German  Army  extended 
in  a  wide  semi-circle  from  Esternay  on  the  Grand  Morin  through  Villieres  St. 
George,  'S'audoy  and  Montcerf  to  Crecy,  and  thence  northwards  through  Meaux 
and  St.  Soupplets  to  Nanteuil.  The  4th  Reserve  Corps  and  a  Cavalry  Division 
were  posted  north  of  Meaux  and  left  in  observation  of  the  French  6th  Army, 
while  the  other  Corps  were  now  on  the  march  nearly  due  south,  with  the  heads 
of  their  columns  crossing  the  Grand  Morin.  South  of  the  river  covering  the 
advance  were  the  1st  Cavalry  Corps  and  part  of  the  4th. 

Thus  the  1st,  2nd,  3rd,  4th,  and  even  part  of  the  5th  German  Armies  were 
inside  a  salient.  Von  Kluck  with  the  1st  Aimy  being  in  an  especially  danger- 
ous position,  for  Sir  J.  French's  refusal  to  stand  and  fight  sooner  had  really 
materially  favoured  the  plan  of  the  French  Commander-in-Chief,  and  had 
brought  him  well  within  the  trap  that  the  latter  had  set  for  him. 

On  the  4th  some  understanding  of  the  true  position  seems  to  have  been 
arrived  at  by  Headquarter  German  Staff,  which  appears  to  have  been  better 
served  by  its  Intelligence  Department  than  were  the  Generals  in  the  Field. 
Von  Molke  did  not  share  Von  Kluck 's  obstinate  obsession  that  he  had  broken 
up  the  British  Anuy,  and  that  it  might  be  now  a  negligable  factor  as  far  as 
any  offensive  action  went.  A  new  set  of  orders  were  issued  in  which  the  1st 
and  2nd  Armies  were  directed  to  cease  their  advance  southward  and  to  remain 
facing  Paris  and  the  French  6th  Army,  the  1st  between  the  Oise  and  the 
Marne,  the  2nd  between  the  Marne  and  the  Seine.  The  4th  and  5th  Armies 
were  ordered  to  attack  in  a  south-easterly  direction,  and  the  6th  and  7th  to  take 
the  offensive  as  soon  as  possible. 

On  receipt  of  this  order.  Von  Biilow,  who  had  shown  more  capacity  so  far 


51 

lluui  any  otiiei-  (ii.Tiiian  (icneial,  and  who  tlistnislcd   N'on    Kliick's  opliiuisai,  I'-Ui 
at  once  began  to  change  front  to  the  west,  partly  by  moving  his  left  forward, 
and  partly  by  throwing  his  right  back. 

Von  Ivluck  had  obstinately  persisted  in  his  advance  south-east  u|i  to  the  last 
moment.  On  the  morning  of  the  5th  Seiitember  his  'ind  Corps  was  crossing 
the  Crrand  Morin  between  Crecy  and  Mourou.x,  his  1st  Corps,  moving  from 
Kebais,  had  crossed  the  river.  He  had  placed  his  'ind  Corps  and  9th  Corps  at 
the  disposal  of  Von  Biilow  in  anticipation  of  the  intended  attack  on  the  5th 
French  Army,  and  with  the  exception  of  his  4th  Cavalry  J3ivision  on  his  ex- 
treme left,  the  whole  of  his  Cavalry  was  across  the  Grand  Morin.  He  there- 
fore hesitated  to  ol)ey  Von  Molke's  order,  which  indeed  it  was  not  easy  in  his 
present  position  to  comply  with. 

Bat  the  French  6th  Army  was  daily  gaining  strength,  and  by  the  5th  Sep- 
tember General  Gallieni,  who  commanded  the  Paris  garrison,  and  General 
Maunoury  had  between  them  upwards  of  ]5U,0(I()  men  within  striking  distance 
of  Von  Kluck's  right  flank. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  5th  Septend^er  there  was  a  collision  between  the 
opposing  forces  north  of  Meaux,  and  the  reports  that  reached  Von  Kluck  of 
the  French  strength  there  were  very  disquieting.  This  coming  on  the  top  of 
the  new  orders,  at  last  induced  him  to  desist,  at  any  rate  for  the  time,  from 
his  move  to  the  south. 

On  the  5th  General  Jort're's  orders  to  begin  the  offensive  on  the  next  day  '"'tli 
were  received  at  the  British  Headquarters.  These  were,  in  brief,  that  the  6th  ^'^I*- 
Army  should  move  on  Meaux;  the  British,  facing  east,  was  to  attack  in  the 
general  direction  of  Montniirail,  on  the  front  Changis — Coulommiers.  The  '2nd 
Cavalry  Corps  (French)  was  to  connect  the  British  right  with  the  5th  Army. 
The  5th  Army  was  to  attack  to  the  north,  the  9th  Army  to  cover  the  right  of 
the  advance  of  the  5th,  behind  the  St.  Goud  Marches,  the  4th  and  3rd  Armies 
were  to  act  in  concert,  the  4th  to  hold  the  enemy  while  the  3rd  attacked  any 
German  troops  moving  west  along  the  east  side  of  the  Argonne. 

The  Field-Marshal  in  the  evening  then  issued  the  operation  orders  for  the 
next  day  as  follows  : — 

The  Army  will  advance  eastward  with  the  view  of  attacking.  The  left  will 
be  covered  by  the  6th  French  Army  also  moving  east,  the  right  by  the  5th 
Army  moving  north. 

The  1st  Corps  will  march  by  GUiignes— Chaumes — Fontenoy — Maries  to 
Lumigny,  with  the  left  on  Lumigny,  the  right  on  La  ChapUe  Iger. 

The  2nd  Corps  by  Coubert — Tournau  to  Villenouve  le  Comte,  with  left  on 
Villeneuve,  right  on  La  Houssaye. 

The  3rd  Corps  iiy  all  roads  west  of  'Jnd  Corps  to  neighbourhood  of  Bailly, 
facing  east. 

Cavalry. — Cavalry  Division  to  guard  left  flank  and  front  of  1st  Corps  on  line 
Jouy  le  Chatel,  connecting  with  5th  Army,  and  Coulommiers  in  contact  with 
the  3rd  and  5th  Brigades.  The  3rd  and  5th  Brigades  will  act  independently 
under  Brigadier-(4eneral  H.  Gough,  covering  the  Snd  Corps,  in  contact  with 
the  Cavalry  Division  on  the  right,  and  6th  French  Army  on  left 

Early  on  the  6th,  therefore,  the  memorable  Battle  of  the  Marne  began  with  *Jtli 
an  attack  all  along  the  line.  Maunoury  attacked  with  seven  Divisions  of  ^®P''- 
Infantry  along  the  line  Crecy,  Meaux,  Douy,  Nanteuil,  and  Von  Kluck,  now 
fully  alive  to  the  danger  to  his  right,  issued  orders  for  his  ^nd  and  4th  Corps 
to  march  at  once  to  the  assistance  of  the  4th  Eeserve  Corps  and  for  the  Cavalry 
now  south  of  the  Grand  Morin  to  recross  the  river  and  cover  the  movement. 
Meanwhile  the  5th  Army  attacked  Von  Kluck's  3rd  and  9th  Corps,  driving 


52 

1914   them  in  confusion  across  the  Grand  Morin,  and  but  lor  tiie  intervention  of 
Von  Biilow  the  two  Corps  would  have  been  entirely  routed. 

The  result  of  these  movements  was  that  a  wide  and  increasing  gap  was 
created  between  the  1st  and  2nd  German  Armies,  and  into  this  gap  was  thrust 
the  British  Army,  and  though  contact  was  established  soon  after  the  march 
began  it  was  only  with  the  German  Cavalry  screen,  for  away  behind  it  the 
airplane  reconnaisance  reported  the  main  columns  to  be  moving  north.  The 
gap  between  the  1st  and  Snd  German  Armies  was  found  to  be  covered  only  by 
Cavalry  and  their  attached  Jager  battalions.  The  British  Cavalry  Brigades 
were  at  first  met  by  some  opposition,  chiefly  artillery  fire,  and  the  march  of 
the  1st  Corps  was  held  up  for  a  time  about  Vaudoy,  when  the  3rd  and  5th 
Brigades  were  sent  in  support  of  the  left  rear  of  the  Corps,  but  the  enemy  made 
no  serious  attack,  and  on  the  Gnd  and  3rd  Corps  coming  up  into  line  the  march 
was  resumed.    The  final  position  taken  up  for  the  night  was  : — 

Cavalry  I3ivision,  Jouy  le  Chatel. 

1st  Corps,  Vaudoy — Toncjuin — Pezarches. 

3rd  and  5th  Cavalry  Brigades,  Pezarches — Lumigny. 

2nd  Corps,  Lumigny — Faremoutiers — Mortcerf — La  Celle  sur  Morin. 

3rd  Corps,  Villiers  sur  Morin — Villeneuve  Le  Comte — Villeneuve  St.  Denis. 

The  heads  of  the  2nd  and  3rd  Corps  were  thus  at  the  Grand  Morin,  and  the 
1st  Corps  and  Cavalry  a  little  behind  the  line  on  the  right  rear. 

No  orders  for  a  further  move  were  issued  on  the  6th  pending  the  receipt  of 
further  instructions  from  General  Joffre,  but  the  troops  were  ordered  to  be 
formed  in  column  of  route  and  ready  to  march  at  8  a.m. 
7tli  The  Cavalry,  however,  were  early  in  the  field,  and  reported  that  the  enemy 
Sept.  were  still  in  retreat.  There  were  a  few  trilling  skirmishes,  the  only  two  of  any 
note  being  a  charge  of  30  men  of  the  9th  Lancers  on  a  Squadron  of  Cavalry 
met  with  near  Dagny.  The  9th  rode  right  through  the  enemy's  line,  and  then 
back  again.  Colonel  Campbell,  who  led  the  charge,  was  wounded,  but  the 
troop  retired  to  Moncel  without  being  followed.  And  another  combat  near 
Faujus,  between  a  squadron  of  the  18th  Hussars  and  a  weak  squadron  of  Guard 
Dragoons,  which  was  practically  wiped  out,  63  being  killed  and  wounded,  and 
only  three  getting  aw'ay. 

At  11  a.m.  a  message  came  in  from  General  Joffre  to  the  effect  that  the  5th 
Army  had  been  successful  in  the  engagement  of  the  6th  and  directing  a  fur- 
tlier  advance,  which  was  immediately  commenced  in  the  general  direction  of 
Rebais,  covered  by  the  Cavalry.  The  3rd  Brigade  met  with  some  opposition, 
the  bridges  over  the  Grand  Morin  east  of  Coulommiers  being  held  by  parties 
of  the  enemy,  but  these  were  soon  driven  ofl'  by  the  guns,  and  the  3rd  and  5th 
Brigades,  supported  by  a  Guards  Brigade,  crossed  the  river,  and  halted  for  the 
night  on  the  west  side  of  Rebais. 

The  2nd  and  3rd  Corps  also  crossed  the  river  and  halted  just  north  of  it. 

During  the  6th  there  liad  been  heavy  fighting  between  the  6th  French  Army 
and  the  1st  German  Army  on  the  north,  and  the  5th  Army  and  Von  Kluck's 
two  Corps,  supported  by  Von  Biilow,  on  the  south-east,  and  both  had  been 
more  or  less  successful.  The  5th  Ai-my  had  by  the  evening  got  three  Corps 
across  the  Grand  Morin  and  these  were  now  on  the  line  Charleville,  seven  miles 
south-east  of  Montmirail,  while  General  Maunoury  had  advanced  after  a  hard 
fight  to  some  five  miles  west  of  the  Ourcq  River  and  was  on  the  line  Penchard 
— Etreprilly — Betz,  while  the  enemy  was  moving  his  guns  to  the  west  bank 
of  the  river.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th  Von  Kluck  seems  to  have  begun  to 
realise  that  a  victory  over  Maunoury  was  not  so  easy  a  matter  as  he  expected, 
for  he  sent  an  urgent  message  to  Von  Biilow  asking  him  to  send  back  the  two 


53 

Corps  which  he  had  left  under  hit-  mders  iii  the  direction  La  Ferle  Milon  (on  ]9]4 
the  Ourcq)  and  Crouv.  This  request  Von  Buiow  complied  with,  and  the  two 
Corps,  which  had  hoth,  and  especially  the  Dth,  been  very  severely  handled  by 
the  French  in  the  tif^dilinf,^  on  the  jirevious  day,  marched  accordingly.  Von 
Bulow,  who  was  now  getting  anxious,  went  on  with  his  movement  of  wheeling 
his  line  to  the  west.  These  movements  combined  to  widen  the  gap  between 
the  1st  and  '2nd  Armies,  to  clear  the  way  for  the  advance  of  the  French  5th 
Army,  and  to  bring  his  left  into  collision  with  Foch  and  the  9th  Army.  Von 
Bulow  also  sent  several  messages  to  Von  Kluck  urging  an  immediate  retreat 
across  the  Ourcq  in  order  to  reduce  the  gap  between  them. 

To  all  this  Von  Kluck  paid  no  attention.  A  furious  battle  between  his  Army 
and  the  French  raged  all  the  7th  September,  each  side  being  continually  re- 
inforced, the  French  by  General  Gallieni  from  Paris,  and  the  Germans  by  the 
troops  withdrawn  from  the  south,  each  General  throwing  the  Brigades  and 
battalions  into  the  fight  as  they  came  up.  No  progress  was  made  by  either 
Army,  and  at  night  both  were  much  in  the  same  positions  as  they  were  in  the 
morning. 

The  battle  re-commenced  under  similar  conditions  on  the  morning  of  the  isth 
8th  and  continued  all  day  with  varying  fortunes,  the  front  of  both  armies  being  Sept. 
gradually  extended  northwards  as  fresh  troops  came  up  ;  but  m  the  afternoon 
one  of  Von  Kluck's  Ihigades  which  had  been  left  in  Brussels  unexpectedly 
arrived  on  the  left  flank  of  the  French  line  and  Maunoury  was  obliged  to  throw 
back  his  left  wing  to  meet  this  new  attack.  This  greatly  encouraged  Von 
Kluck  and  again  he  took  no  heed  of  Von  Billow's  repeated  messages  of  warn- 
ing that  the  British  were  now  across  the  Marne,  not  only  between  the  two 
armies,  but  well  behind  the  left  of  the  1st. 

Orders  had  been  issued  on  the  evening  of  the  7th  for  the  advance  to  be 
resumed  at  daybreak  on  the  following  morning,  and  the  Cavalry  moved  off  at 
4  a.m.,  covering  the  front  of  the  1st  and  -ind  Corps,  the  3rd  and  5th  Brigades' 
objective  being  that  part  of  the  Petit  ^Morin  between  La  Tretoire  and  St.  Cyr. 
The  Cavalry  advance  drove  in  the  enemy's  outpost  line  without  any  difficulty, 
but  the  line  of  the  Petit  Morin,  which  afforded  good  defensive  positions,  was 
found  to  be  strongly  held  by  dismounted  Cavalry  and  Jager,  with  a  plentiful 
supply  of  artillery  "and  machine  guns,  and  no  further  advance  was  possible 
until  the  Infantry  Divisions  came  up. 

The  fight  for  the  river  lasted  all  day.  The  German  Cavalry  for  once  fought 
well,  their  positions  were  well  chosen,  and  it  was  not  until  late  in  the  afternoon 
that  the  action  came  to  a  close  in  torrents  of  rain  with  the  British  Army  well 
across  the  river  and  the  enemy  in  full  retreat. 

The  troops  halted  for  the  night  south  of  the  :Marne  in  the  following 
positions  : — 

Cavalry  Division,  Replouges. 

1st  Corps,  Basseville — Hondevillers — Boitron. 

'2nd  Corps,  Les  Feuchieres — Rougeville — Orly. 

3rd  Corps,  Grand  Glairet  (one  mile  west  of  Jouarre). 

3rd  Cavalry  Brigade,  Grand  Glairet. 

5th  Cavalry  Brigade,  between  Gibraltar  and  Rebais. 

The  casualties  in  this  action  amounted  to  about  600  of  all  ranks  killed  and 
wounded.  The  16th  did  no  actual  fighting  during  the  day,  but  were  extensively 
shelled,  particularly  between  8.30  and  10  a.m.,  and  were  fortunate  in  getting 
off  with  only  three  "casualties,  two  killed,  1  wounded.  Five  hundred  prisoners 
and  12  machine  guns  were  taken. 

On  the  right  the  5th  French  Army  had  continued  to  make  good  progress. 


54 

1914    the  most  ot  it  having  crossed  the  river,  INlontniirail  and  Marcliais  h(Mn<,'  now 
occupied. 

The  German  Headquarter  Staff  had  heen  more  concerned  for  some  days  with 
the  hattle  going  on  in  front  of  Nancy  than  with  affairs  on  the  western  front, 
this  indifference  being  confirmed  by  Von  Kluck's  sanguine  reports. 

The  German  6th  and  7th  Armies  had  been  engaged  in  a  most  determined 
attempt  to  break  the  French  line  between  St.  Mihiel  and  ?jpinal  since  the  3rd 
September.  The  l)atti('  lasted  five  days,  and  being  fought  under  the  personal 
observation  of  the  Kaiser  himself,  who,  confident  of  victory,  had  made  pre- 
parations for  a  triumphant  entry  into  Nancy,  it  was  pressed  to  the  utmost  re- 
gardless of  losses.  By  the  8th,  however,  the  attack  had  been  finally  repulsed 
by  General  de  Castlenau  and  the  2nd  French  Army  with  frightful  slaughter. 

The  Headquarter  Staff'  then  had  more  leisure  to  attend  to  the  proceedings 
of  the  1st  and  "ind  Armies.  Von  Billow,  now  thoroughly  alarmed  by  the  in- 
creasing dangers  of  the  situation,  decided  on  an  immediate  retreat  on  his  own 
part.  Having  notified  Von  Kluck  of  this,  and  finding  him  still  obstinate,  he 
sent  an  urgent  message  direct  to  Von  Molke,  who  both  agreed  to  the  retreat 
of  the  'ind  Army,  ordering  the  3rd  and  4th  to  conform,  and  sent  a  peremptory 
order  to  Von  Kluck  to  In-eak  off  the  battle  with  Maunoury  and  to  retire  at  once 
to  the  line  of  the  Aisne,  while  to  make  certain  he  was  i)laced  directly  under 
the  command  of  Von  Billow,  who  was  his  senior  in  the  Army, 
sitli  In  the  afternoon  of  the  9th,  therefore.  Von  Kluck  commenced  his  prepara- 
^^P^'-  tions  for  a  retreat  in  the  direction  of  Soissons  by  giving  orders  for  a  withdrawal 
first  of  his  left,  then  his  centre,  and  lastly  his  right,  which  was  to  cover  the 
movement.  On  the  lUth  Von  IMUow,  now  in  command  of  both  the  1st  and 
2nd  Armies,  issued  the  following  order  : — "  The  1st  Army  on  the  11th  Sep- 
tember will  retire  behind  the  Aisne  and,  covered  by  the  Aisne  Valley,  will  close 
on  the  right  of  the  2nd  Army.  The  passages  over  the  Vesle  Valley  at  Braine 
and  Fismes  are  being  blocked  by  the  2nd  Army  with  a  mixed  brigade  at  each 
place." 

Orders  had  been  issued  on  the  previous  evening  for  the  advance  to  be  con- 
tinued at  5  a.m.,  and  early  in  the  morning  the  1st  Cavalry  Brigade  moved  to 
Charly  and  Nogent,  where  it  seized  the  bridges  over  the  Marne,  while  the  4th 
Cavalry  Brigade  occupied  the  bridge  at  Azy,  further  east,  and  three  miles  below 
Chateau  Tliierry.  This  being  effected  without  any  ojjposition,  the  two  Brigades 
crossed  the  river  and  moved  to  Mont  de  Bounal,  three  miles  north  of  Nogent, 
where  it  took  up  a  position  to  cover  the  passage  of  the  1st  Corps.  This  having 
been  effected  by  10  a.m.,  after  a  short  halt,  the  1st  Corps  continued  the  march 
to  Le  Thiolet  and  Coujiru.  The  2nd  Corps  crossed  the  Marne  at  Nanteuil  and 
Saacy  without  fighting,  but  a  mile  further  north  at  La  Limon  the  German 
rear-guard  offered  a  strong  opposition  to  a  further  advance  and  considerable 
fighting  ensued.  But  little  progress  was  made  and  when  night  came  on  the 
troops  had  only  reached  the  Chateau  Montreuil  road,  where  the  heads  of  the 
columns  halted.  The  3rd  Corps  met  with  even  more  effective  opposition,  for 
it  found  the  enemy  holding  the  north  bank  of  the  Marne  in  force,  and  all  the 
bridges  destroyed  excejit  the  railway  viaduct  near  La  Ferte  sous  Jouarre.  Some 
pontoon  bridges  were  with  difficulty  thrown  over  the  river  under  a  destructive 
fire,  and  eventually  some  battalions  were  got  across,  but  at  night-fall  ten  of  the 
sixteen  battalions  of  the  3rd  Cor])s  were  still  on  the  south  side. 

The  positions  at  night  were  as  follows  :  — 

Cavalry  Division,  Lucy  le  Bocage — Domtin. 

5th  Cavalry  Brigade,  La  Baudiere,  just  west  of  Domtin. 

1st  Corps,  Tjc  Thiolet — Domtin — Coupru. 


2nd  Corps,  Bezii — Cauinont.  1914 

3rd  Cavalry  Brigade,  Grand  JMoiil  Merrin  (south  of  Marno). 

3rd  Corps,  Luzancy — Juarre — Chainigny. 

The  line  therefore  extended  from  Chateau  Thierry  through  Bczu  and  Ija 
Ferte  sous  Jouarre  to  Jouarre.  The  left  of  the  French  r)tli  Amiy  had  icacdied 
Chateau  Thierry  and  was  in  line  with  the  British. 

This  day  C  Squadron  of  the  IGth  was  attached  to  the  llli  Infantry  Division 
as  Divisional  Cavalry. 

And  so  ended  in  victory  the  memorable  i^attle  of  the  Marne,  which  may  be 
said  to  have  commenceii  with  the  retuin  to  the  offensive  on  the  (Jth  of 
September. 

Tactically  the  end  was  unsatisfactory,  but  strategically  the  results  of  the 
victory  were  of  such  importance  as  to  rank  it  among  the  decisive  battles  of  the 
world,  for  with  it  the  German  surjirise  attack  on  France  came  to  an  ignomi- 
nous  end,  and  all  fear  of  another  siege  of  Paris  vanished  once  and  for  ever. 

The  brunt  of  the  battle  fell  on  General  Maunoury  and  the  (ith  French  Army, 
which  had  maintained  a  desperate  struggle  for  three  days  against  Von  Kluck. 
The  British  Army  did  little  actual  fighting,  comparatively  speaking,  during 
the  action,  its  influence  being  more  moral  than  physical,  but  it  was  its  appear- 
ance on  Von  Kluck's  left  rear  that  compelled  him  to  break  off'  his  battle  with 
Maunoury  and  begin  a  retreat  that  ended  on  the  line  of  the  Aisne. 

Here,  as  before  at  Mons  and  Le  Cateau,  the  Ikitish  Army  played  a  decisive 
part,  a  part  altogether  out  of  proportion  to  its  insignificance  compared  with 
the  other  forces  engaged.  On  the  5th  September  the  battle  line  of  the  Allies 
from  Verdun  to  the  Oise  covered  a  front  of  nearly  200  miles.  Of  this  the 
British  front  occupied  but  '2(J,  yet  it  was  the  J-iritish  Army  that  was  the  de- 
ciding factor  in  the  Jiattle  of  the  INIarne,  a  .striking  example  of  what  can  be 
accomplished  by  discipline,  training  and  efficient  leading. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

September  IIth  to  SErTEMBER  30th,  1914. 

Septeml)er  10th,  The  pursuit.  The  Cavalry  Division  at  Latilly.  Capture  of 
a  convoy.  Halt  at  Breny  and  Roset.  The  1st  Infantry  Division  combat 
near  Courchamps.  General  Gough's  Brigade.  Action  near  Chezy,  rout  of 
the  enemy,  capture  of  prisoners  and  wagons.  The  line  of  positions  at 
night-fall.  The  3rd  and  4th  Brigades  at  Passy.  Casualties  and  captures. 
September  11th,  Pursuit  continued.  No  fighting.  Crossing  of  the  Ourcq. 
September  12th,  Instructions  of  General  Joffre.  Special  Orders  of  Sir  J. 
French.  Advance  of  the  Cavalry.  Passage  of  the  Vesle  forced  at  Braisne, 
Courcelles,  and  Chassemy.  Failure  of  attempt  to  cross  the  Aisne.  Position 
at  night-fall.  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  at  Ciry.  French  positions  along  the 
Vesle  and  Aisne.  Geography  of  valley  of  the  Aisne.  Designs  of  General 
Joffre.  Positions  of  German  1st  and  2nd  Armies.  September  13th.  Orders 
of  Sir  J.  French.  The  crossing  of  the  Aisne  at  Venizel  by  the  11th 
Infantry  Brigade.  Reconnaisance  by  Cavalry  Division.  Position  at  night- 
fall. September  14th,  Battle  of  the  .Msne.  German  reinforcements  from 
Belgium   and   Maubenge.    Failure  of  attack  on  the  Aisne.    Position  at 


56 

1914  night-fall.     Tlie  IGth  billeted  at  Lime.     The  French   Annies.     Definite 

failure  of  plan  of  General  Jott're.  The  casualties.  September  16th,  The 
arrival  of  the  6th  Division.  Its  distribution.  Beginning  of  Trench  War- 
fare. September  16th  to  "iSth,  Indecisive  attacks  and  counter-attacks. 
Formation  of  '2nd  Cavalry  Division  under  General  Gough.  Extension  of 
the  battle  line  northward. 
Summary  of  Events,  September  10th  to  September  30th,  1914. — September 
10th,  Final  defeat  of  Austrians  in  Galicia.  13th,  1st  Battle  of  the  Aisne 
begins.  17th,  Belgian  Army  retires  to  Antwerp.  18th,  End  of  First 
Battle  of  the  Aisne;  Commencement  of  "  Trench  Warfare  "  ;  Bombard- 
ment of  Kheims.     -JSth,  Siege  of  Antwerp  begins.    '29th,  Battle  of  Albert. 

Sir  J.  French  did  not  wait  for  further  instructions  from  the  French  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, but  on  the  evening  of  the  9th  gave  orders  for  the  troops  to 
pursue  the  I'etreating  enemy  with  the  utmost  vigour. 
10th  The  forward  march  began  at  5  a.m.  and  by  8  a.m.  reports  came  in  that  the 
P  Germans  had  vacated  the  Ourcq  and  Marne  valleys.  The  Cavalry  Division 
met  with  some  opposition  at  Latilly,  but  the  enemy  retired  when  the  guns  came 
into  action.  Again  at  11  a.m.  the  Division  came  up  with  a  strong  German 
rear-guard  escorting  some  500  w-agons,  which  were  captured  after  a  brief 
artillery  duel.  After  this  encounter  the  Division  advanced  without  further 
fighting  to  Breny  and  Roset,  billeting  for  the  night  at  these  two  places. 

On  the  left  of  the  Cavalry  the  1st  Infantry  Division  found  the  enemy  in 
position  just  beyond  Priez,  two  miles  north  of  Courchamps.  After  a  rather 
sharp  combat  lasting  over  four  hours  the  Germans  were  driven  off  and  retired 
through  Chouy. 

Further  west,  General  (4ough's  Brigades  located  a  strong  force  of  the  enemy 
moving  north  from  Brumetz  upon  Chezy.  This  was  at  once  attacked,  and  the 
advance  guard  of  the  1st  Division  coming  up  the  Grermans  were  routed  with 
the  loss  of  150  killed  and  wounded  and  350  prisoners.  The  12th  Lancers  cap- 
tured another  300,  with  30  wagons  and  four  machine  guns,  and  the  advance 
guard  of  the  3rd  Division  600  more. 

West  of  the  3rd  and  5th  Divisions  the  3rd  Corps  met  with  no  opposition. 
The  Army  halted  for  the  night  generally  on  the  line  La  Ferte — Milon — Neuilly 
— St.  Front — Rocourt,  the  3rd  and  4th  Cavalry  Brigades  being  billeted  about 
Passy. 

The  casualties  for  the  10th  amounted  in  all  to  about  350,  most  of  them 
having  been  incurred  in  the  combat  at  Priez.  Eighteen  hundred  prisoners 
were  taken  and  a  considerable  amount  of  transport. 

The  general  position  found  Conneau's  Cavalry  Corps  at  Fere-en-Tardinois 
on  the  right  of  the  British  Cavalry,  one  Corps  of  the  6th  Army  abreast  of  the 
1st  Corps,  the  remainder  near  the  Marne,  and  the  6th  Army  engaged  in  wheel- 
ing to  the  north  with  its  right  flank  near  Milon. 
11th       The  orders  for  the  11th  were  to  continue  the  pursuit  north-westward.     The 
Sept.  troops  marched  off  at  5  a.m.  covered  by  the  Cavalry.     Some  wounded  and 
stragglers  were  picked  up,  but  the  whole  Army  reached  its  positions  for  the 
night  without  any  fighting.     These  were  across  the  Ourcq  for  the  three  centre 
Divisions  with  the  1st  and  4th  Divisions  in  echelon  behind  each  flank,  covered 
by  the  Cavalry,  which  halted  about  five  miles  short  of  the  Yesle.    The  3rd  and 
5th  Brigades  billeted  about  Villemoutoire. 
12tli       Instructions  were  received  from  General  Joifre  on  the  evening  of  the  11th 
l^*"  to  continue  the  pursuit  on  the  front  Bazoches — Soissons.     The  advance  to  be 
supported  on  each  flank  by  the  5th  and  6th  Armies,  Genei'al  Maunoury  being 


57 

ordered  to  eiideiivoiir  to  outflank"  llie  (icrniiui  li^dit   winj,'.     Sir  .loliii  Freiicli's  1914 
special  orders  were  to  seize  the  bridges  ovi'r  llic  Aisiie  and  lo  oinipy  the  high 
ground  north  of  that  river. 

It  had  rained  heavily  the  wliolc  of  the  lllii  iitid  the  \'2i\\  was  even  worse. 
The  roads  were  in  consequence  in  terribly  bad  condition.  The  low  clouds  and 
mist  made  air  reconnaisance  nearly  ini[iossible,  nevertheless  there  were  signs 
that  the  German  retreat  was  nearing  its  end  wnA  thai  masses  of  troops  were 
being  concentrated  on  the  line  of  the  Aisne. 

The  Cavalry  moved  off  early  with  the  intention  of  pushing  forward  beyond 
the  Vesle.  The  French  Cavalry  had  already  got  possession  of  the  bridge  at 
Bazoches,  but  the  only  one  on  this  i)art  of  the  British  front  which  remained 
undestroyed  was  one  of  the  two  at  Biaine,  and  this  was  held  by  Cavalry  and 
Infantry.  The  whole  three  regiments  of  the  1st  P)rigade  were  dismounted  and 
made  a  vigorous  attack  on  the  place  and  succeeded  in  driving  the  enemy  out 
of  it  after  a  two  hours'  tight.  Meanwhile  the  1st  Infantry  Division  had  crossed 
at  Bazoches,  and  the  advance  guard  of  the  '2nd  Division  had  contrived  to  get 
across  the  river  at  Courcelles,  and  the  retreating  Germans,  being  caught  be- 
tween the  two  fires,  were  all  either  killed  or  captured,  130  unwounded  being 
taken  prisoners. 

Meanwhile  the  3rd  and  5th  Cavalry  J^rigades  further  to  the  left  had  crossed 
by  the  bridge  at  Chassemy,  which  was  intact.  It  was  held  by  a  small  party 
of  the  enemy  who  were  easily  cleared  out  of  the  way  by  the  4th  Hussars.  The 
3rd  Brigade  then  moved  to  the  higher  ground  north-east  of  Chassemy,  whence 
the  4th  Hussars  were  sent  with  two  guns  to  seize  the  bridge  over  the  Aisne  at 
Yailly,  but  found  it  destroyed  and  Conde  was  found  to  be  strongly  held  by  the 
enemy.  While  the  Hussars  were  thus  employed  the  5tb  and  16th  Lancers  fell 
in  with  two  companies  of  German  infantry  moving  south  from  Brenelle,  of 
whom  70  were  killed  and  the  remainder,  about  100  in  number,  made  prisoners. 

The  march  had  been  much  delayed  by  the  weather  and  the  bad  condition  of 
the  roads,  and  finally  the  troops  were  obliged  to  halt  for  the  night  on  the  line 
Longueval — Courcelles — Chassemy — Braine — Buzancy.  The  3rd  Brigade  was 
billeted  round  Ciry.  The  16th  had  two  casualties  this  day — 1  killed,  1  wounded. 

The  French  5th  Army  had  now  reached  the  line  of  the  Vesle  from  Beau- 
mont, 10  miles  west  of  Rheims,  to  Fismes,  where  there  had  been  some  severe 
fighting  before  the  town  was  taken.  On  its  left  flank,  in  contact  with  the 
British  right,  was  Conneau's  '2nd  Cavalry  Corps.  On  the  left  Maunoury's  6th 
Army,  along  the  line  of  the  Aisne  from  Soissons  to  Compiegne,  and  preparing 
to  force  a  passage  across  the  river. 

The  geography  of  the  valley  of  the  Aisne  offered  many  advantages  to  the  13tl» 
defence,  and  more  difficulties  to  the  attack.  The  river  slow  and  sluggish,  and  ^®P 
about  '200  yards  wide,  and  now  swollen  to  its  full  capacity  by  a  week's  almost 
continuous  rain,  flowed  with  many  bends  along  a  valley  from  one  to  two  miles 
wide.  This  valley  was  bounded  by  a  succession  of  .steep  promontories  between 
which  ran  deep  ravines  bordered  by  woods  and  dense  copses.  These  heights 
afforded  excellent  positions  all  along  the  north  bank,  which  commanded  and 
in  places  enfiladed  the  whole  valley,  where  the  flat  meadows,  mostly  grass, 
afforded  no  cover,  and  offered  no  positions  for  artillery.  The  guns  of  the  attack 
therefore,  which  were  compelled  to  find  their  positions  on  the  heights  of  the 
south  bank  of  the  river,  were  too  distant  for  effective  fire,  whereas  the  guns  of 
the  defence  swept  at  their  ease  the  whole  extent  of  the  valley  and  the  river  at 
short  range.  The  spur  or  ]5romontory  at  Chivres,  i-eally  the  key  of  the  German 
position,  dominated  Conde  and  its  bridge,  and  gave  a  flanking  fire  along  the 
river  both  east  and  west.     On  this  sjnir  the  enemy  had  placed  18  heavy  guns, 

I 


58 

1914  uiid  it  was  the  failure  to  storm  this  position  whicii  really  decided  the  battle 
of  the  Aisne. 

General  Joti're's  plan  was  for  the  Gth  Army  to  extend  along  the  west  bank 
of  the  Oise,  which  joins  the  Aisne  at  Oompiegne,  and  with  General  Bridoux's 
Cavalry  Division  on  his  left  flank,  to  turn  Von  Kluck's  right.  But  Maunoury 
was  also  ordered  to  keep  in  close  touch  with  the  British  left,  and  unless  the 
enemy  could  be  driven  some  way  back  above  Soissons  the  two  orders  w"ere 
incomi)atable  as  he  had  not  enough  men  to  occupy  a  line  as  extensive  as  this 
movement  required. 

There  was  now  a  gap  of  16  miles  between  the  1st  and  'Ind  German  Armies, 
from  Berry  au  Bac  to  Ostel.*  Von  Biilov*,  fearing  that  Von  Kluck  was  placing 
his  Army  in  exactly  the  same  difficulty  that  he  got  into  on  the  Ourcq,  wished 
the  latter  to  retire  to  the  east  and  so  to  reduce  the  distance  between  the  two 
Armies,  but  Von  Kluck,  with  his  usual  obstinacy,  ignored  these  orders  and 
determined  to  fight  where  he  was.  And  indeed  it  looked  as  if  history  w'as  in 
this  instance  really  going  to  repeat  itself,  for  the  advance  of  the  British  on 
the  present  front  would  have  brought  Sir  J.  French's  Army  directly  into  the 
gap  between  the  1st  and  •2nd  German  Armies  and  on  the  left  rear  of  the  former, 
just  as  it  did  during  the  battle  of  the  Marne. 

The  Field-Marshal's  orders  for  the  13th  were  that  the  heads  of  the  three 
Corps  should  attain  a  line  about  five  miles  beyond  the  Aisne,  namely,  Lierval 
(seven  miles  north-east  of  Vailly) — Chavigny  (five  miles  north  of  Vailly) — 
Terney  (4i  miles  north  of  Soissons). 

The  11th  Infantry  Brigade  (3rd  Corps;  had  contrived  with  much  difficulty 
to  cross  the  river,  on  the  left  of  the  line,  at  Venizei  during  the  night  of  the 
12th-13th  over  the  bridge  at  that  place  which  had  only  been  partially  destroyed, 
and  at  daybreak  occupied  a  position  on  the  edge  of  the  plateau  north  of  St. 
Marguerite  to  Crouy. 

The  Cavalry  Division  moved  off  at  daybreak,  and  soon  afterwards  the 
advance  patrols  reported  that  the  bridges  at  Villers  and  Bourg  were  destroyed, 
but  that  those  over  the  Aisne  Canal  to  the  south  of  it  were  intact,  and  that 
the  aqueduct  which  carries  the  canal  over  the  Aisne  was  practicable  though 
damaged.  Eventually  after  considerable  fighting,  during  which  an  attack  on 
the  Chivres  position  was  repulsed  with  loss,  part  of  the  Army  managed  to  get 
across  the  river,  by  pontoons,  rafts  and  half-destroyed  bridges. 

The  position  at  night-fall  was  unsatisfactory.  On  the  north  bank  were  the 
Cavalry  Division,  1st  Division  and  5th  Infantry  Brigade,  between  Paissy  and 
Vernauil  ;  then  after  a  gap  of  five  miles,  two  Brigades  of  Infantry  near  "\"ailly, 
then  another  gap  of  three  miles  to  Missy,  occupied  by  two  battalions,  and  the 
4th  Division  and  two  Brigades  at  St.  Marguerite  and  Crouy.  On  the  south 
bank  were  two  Brigades  at  Vieil  Arcy,  Dhuizel,  St.  Mard  :  the  3rd  and  5th 
Cavalry  Brigades  and  a  Brigade  of  Infantry  about  Braisne,  and  the  13th 
Brigade,  less  the  two  battalions  across  the  river,  south  of  Missy.  The  16th 
had  been  left  at  Ciry,  but  were  shelled  out  of  it  and  had  to  take  cover  at  a  farm 
near  by.    Casualties,  one  wounded. 

On  the  right  the  5th,  9th,  and  4th  French  Armies  had  made  fair  progress, 
but  on  the  left  the  fith  Army  had  met  with  difficulties  similar  to  those  with 
which  the  British  had  been  confronted,  though  some  Divisions  were  able  finally 
to  cross  the  river  at  Soissons,  Vic,  and  Berneuil. 

Orders  were  issued  in  the  evening  directing  a  further  advance,  to  the  line 
Laon,  Fresnes,  12  miles  west  of  Laon,  the  Cavalry  Division  to  cover  the  right 

*  Eleven  miles  north-east  of  Soissons. 


59 

and  tlie  3rd  iind  /jth  Brigades  Ihc  left.     The  :inl  iind  'illi  were  I'm  t  her  ordered  19II 
to  follow  tile  •Jnd  Corps,  and  to  cross  tiie  river  as  soon  as  tlie  bridges  were  clear 
beliind  tliern. 

The  14th  September  was  a  day  of  hard  fighting,  heavy  loss,  and  great  dis-  ]4th 
appointment.  Though  it  was  not  yet  known  by  tlie  British  Headcjuarter  Staff',  Sept. 
the  gap  between  the  1st  and  2nd  German  Armies  had  been  filled  by  the  arrival 
on  tfie  battlefield  of  fresh  troops.  Maubeuge  had  capitulated  on  the  7th  Sep- 
tember, and  the  German  7th  Eeserve  Corps,  which  had  been  besieging  the 
place,  less  five  battalions  left  as  a  garrison  and  prisoners'  guard,  were  sent  off 
as  soon  as  possible  to  the  assistance  of  Von  Biilow.  These,  after  a  march  of 
40  miles  in  24  hours,  arrived  at  Laon  on  the  night  of  the  13th.  This  Corps 
was  intended  to  be  the  nucleus  of  a  new  Army. 

On  the  13th  September  the  Belgian  sortie  from  Antwerp  had  come  to  an 
end,  and  tlie  Belgian  Field  Army  had  been  obliged  to  retire  within  the  defences 
of  the  city.  Thus  a  number  of  the  troops  operating  in  Belgium  were  set  free, 
and  these,  with  what  men  could  be  spared  from  the  armies  on  ihe  extreme  left, 
were  at  once  sent  to  the  assistance  of  Von  Biilow.  Tlius  in  the  afternoon  of 
the  13th,  in  addition  to  the  7th  Reserve  Corps  from  Maubeuge,  the  equivalent 
of  two  full  f^rigades  joined  the  new  7tli  Army.  On  the  14th  two  more  battalions 
from  Maubeuge  came  in  with  three  batteries,  and  on  the  17th  a  Brigade  from 
the  12th  Corps.  Other  reinforcements  followed  until  the  gap  between  the  1st 
and  2nd  Armies  was  filled  up.  The  Cavalry  were  withdrawn  behind  the  battle 
line  soon  after  the  fighting  began.  The  1st  Corps  alone  made  any  progress, 
and  that  only  at  a  great  cost,  its  casualties  amounting  to  3,500.  The  other 
Corps  on  the  left  failed  comjjletely  in  their  attacks  and  gained  no  gi'ound  at 
all,  but  the  losses  were  less  severe,  those  of  the  4th  and  5th  Divisions  being 
slight,  and  of  the  3rd  Division  under  1,000. 

The  positions  at  the  close  of  the  day  were  : — 

1st  Corps. — Right  resting  on  the  Chemin  des  Dames  ;  left  close  to  the  Aisne 
near  Chavonne. 

4th  Cavalry  ]5rigade. — Paissy  in  rear  of  the  point  of  contact  with  the  French 
5th  Army. 

1st  and  2nd  Cavalrj'  Brigades  between  Chavonne  and  ^'ailly. 

2nd  Corps. — Two  Brigades  in  front  of  Vailly.  Then  came  a  gap  of  3A  miles 
in  front  of  Conde  and  the  Chivres  promontory,  from  Missy  to  Crouy.  The  gap 
was  covered  by  a  battalion,  a  battery  of  Gin.  howitzers,  and  the  3rd  and  5th 
Cavalry  Brigades,  on  the  Chassemy  heights  opposite  Conde. 

The  16th  moved  into  billets  at  Lime  in  the  evening,  where  the  Regiment 
remained  until  October  2nd.  The  casualties  this  day  w-ere  one  killed  and 
Captain  Tempest-IIicks  wounded. 

On  the  right  the  5th  Army  had  made  some  progress  but  not  much,  the  left 
having  been  checked  by  strong  counter  attacks  when  attempting  to  effect  a 
lodgement  on  the  Chemin  des  Dames,  but  the  1st  Corps  on  the  right  had  re- 
occupied  Rheims,  and  the  battle  line  ran  straight  from  Rlieims  to  Craonille, 
being  everywhere  in  close  contact  with  the  enemy.  On  the  left  Maunoury  was 
across  the  Aisne  from  Soissons  to  Attichy,  witli  his  extreme  left  at  Nampcel, 
but  the  enemy  was  well  entrenched  all  along  his  front  and  he  was  unable  to 
make  further  |irogress.  Thus  the  plan  of  outflanking  Von  Kluck  had  definitely 
failed,  for  on  the  15th  the  Cierman  right  was  extended  by  the  arrival  of  the  7th 
Cavalry  Division  from  Alsace  and  the  '.)th  Reserve  Corps  from  Antwerp. 

The  total  of  the  casualties  during  the  Battle  of  the  Aisne,  from  the  12th  to 
the  28th  September,  amounted  to  561  officers  and  12,980  other  ranks  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing. 


CO 

1914  Thus  by  this  unlucky  reiniorceiiieiil  Von  Kliick  was  saved.  Had  the  arrival 
of  these  fresh  troops  l)een  even  a  day  later  the  Jst  (lernian  Army  would  cer- 
tainly have  been  compelled  to  leave  its  position  on  the  Aisne  and  the  Battle  of 
the  iVIarne  would  have  been  exactly  repe^.ted.  Such  a  retreat  might  have  had 
the  most  far  reaching  consequences  and  might  easily  have  led  to  the  enforced 
retirement  into  Belgium  of  both  Wm  Klnck  and  \'on  Biilow  and  a  considerable 
change  in  the  conduct  of  the  war. 
16th  ^^11  the  16th  September  the  6th  Division,  which  had  been  delayed  by  the 
Sept.  change  of  Base  from  Havre  to  St.  Nazaire,  came  up  in  rear  oi  the  3rd  Corps, 
and  was  temporarily  broken  up  and  distributed  by  brigades  among  the  first 
five  Divisions.  The  17th  and  18th  Brigades  went  to  the  1st  Corps,  the  16th 
to  the  Snd  Corps.  The  17th  Brigade  became  Corps  Reserve,  thereby  replacing 
the  1st  Cavalry  Division  which  had  daily  sent  500  dismounted  men  into  the 
trenches  at  Chavonne. 

The  fighting  had  by  the  16th  September  really  become  the  "  Trench  War- 
fare "  that  was  destined  to  last  for  so  many  weary  years,  though  as  yet  no  one 
recognised  its  true  nature.  Both  sides  were  hard  at  work  entrenching  them- 
selves, and  for  this  the  Germans  were  better  prepared  than  the  Allies,  for, 
warned  by  the  events  of  the  Russian-Japanese  War,  they  had  done  some  peace 
practice  in  the  art.  The  British  soldier  had  so  far  not  got  beyond  field  en- 
trenching, and  the  Army  was  unprovided  with  barbed  wire,  except  what  could 
be  collected  locally,  periscopes,  telephones  or  indeed  any  of  the  accessories  of 
trench  warfare,  and  the  French  were  even  worse  oft'  as  their  trench  work 
afforded  little  protection  even  against  rifle  fire. 

From  the  16th  to  the  28th  there  were  a  succession  of  attacks  and  counter- 
attacks, none  of  which  gave  any  decisive  advantage  to  either  side  or  in  any 
way  changed  the  situation,  and  a  great  deal  of  artillery  pnictice  with  no  great 
results.  Nevertheless  there  were  over  2,000  casualties  during  these  days.  The 
Cavalry  did  no  fighting  beyond  some  dismounted  work  in  the  trenches,  with 
the  exception  of  the  2nd  Cavalry  Division,  which  was  sent  to  assist  the  French 
-5th  Army  on  the  20th  with  two  brigades  of  the  1st  Corps.  The  16th  had  no 
casualties  since  those  of  the  14th. 

On  the  16th  the  3rd,  4th  and  5th  Brigades  were  formally  constituted  the 
2nd  Cavalry  Division  under  connnand  of  Major-General  Hul)ert  Gough,  Init 
the  4th  Brigade  did  not  join  until  October  12tl3.  On  tlie  17th  Captain  Riddell 
came  in  with  185  men  and  226  horses,  and  on  the  15th  C  Squadron  rejoined. 

Both  the  French  and  the  Germans  were  busily  engaged  in  extending  the 
hattle  line  northwards.  A  new  French  Army,  the  10th,  was  being  rapidly  got 
together  under  General  Maudhui  at  Arras,  while  the  Germans  moved  up  two 
Corps  from  their  left  to  oppose  it.  There  was  some  hard  fighting  in  this  quarter 
for  some  days  but  without  any  advantage  to  either  side,  and  eventually  both 
became  stationary  and  entrenched  in  the  positions  they  w-ere  holding. 

Meanwhile  Von  Marwitz  with  his  Cavalry  had  reappeared  on  the  extreme 
north  flank,  but  his  work  proved  as  inefficient  as  usual  and  he  was  so  severely 
handled  lietween  Lens  and  Dille  that  the  14th  Corps  had  to  be  sent  to  extricate 
him.  The  4th  German  Cavalry  Corjis  did  indeed  get  as  far  as  Ypres,  but  were 
forced  to  retii-e  to  Bailleul  the  next  day  (8th  October). 

The  whole  front,  which  now  extended  from  the  Swiss  frontier  to  within  30 
miles  of  Dunkirk,  had  in  fact  become  "  stabilised,"  a  word  of  evil  portent 
destined  to  be  used  but  too  often  in  succeeding  years.  The  actual  trenches 
from  the  right  of  the  British  Army  near  Craonne  ran  along  the  valley  of  the 
Aisne  to  Ribecourt  on  the  Oise  and  thence  northward  by  Arras  and  Lens  to 
Bethune. 


LIEL'T.-COLONKI.  CUTHBERT  JOHN  ECCLES. 
19 14-191 S. 


(11 

CJLM'TKH    XXX VI II. 
Oct(ibi;k  Iht  tu  Dkckmber  ;ilsT,  l'J14. 

October  1st,  Extension  of  Allied  line  noitlnvaids.  Movements  of  tiie  J)nti<^ii  1914 
to  the  North.  The  16th  march  to  Hiizebrouck.  Bitiuition  in  Belgium. 
Landing  of  the  Naval  Brigade  at  Antwer[).  I^ombardment  and  capitula- 
tion of  Antwerp.  Ijanding  of  the  3rd  Cavalry  and  7th  Inf.nitry  Divisions. 
Attempt  to  extend  the  line  to  ]3ruges.  Advance  of  the  .'iid  Cavalry  Bri- 
gade. Death  of  Lieut.  Macneil.  The  combat  at  Mont  des  Cats.  The 
action  at  Warneton  and  failure  of  attack.  Arrival  of  the  Infantry  Corps. 
New  position  from  Albert  to  Nieuport  and  distribution  of  the  troops.  The 
Regiment  in  the  trenches.  November  5th,  The  French  shelled  out  of  their 
trenches.  Major  Dixon's  gallant  ett'ort  to  rally  them.  Casualties  of  the 
Regiment  on  November  5th.  First  Battle  of  Ypres,  October  15th--ilst. 
Heavy  losses,  l^ecember  '2nd,  Inspection  by  the  King.  'J'lie  Kith  in 
billets.     Formation  of  two  Armies.     Distribution  of  the  troops. 

Summary  of  Events,  October  1st  to  December  31st,  1914. — October  1st, 
Southern  forts  of  Antwerp  destroyed.  3rd,  JNIovement  of  the  British  Army 
to  the  North.  8th,  Bombardment  of  Antwerp.  Uth,  Capitulation  of 
Antwerp.  19th,  Transfer  to  Flanders  completed,  -list,  First  Battle  of 
Ypres  begins.  November  7th,  Capitulation  of  Iviaochau.  •23rd,  Basra 
taken.  December  6th,  Defeat  of  Austrians  by  Servians.  I5th,  Tielgrade 
retaken  by  Servians. 

Both  the  Germans  and  the  Allies  now  turned  their  attention  seriously  to  the  1st 
urgent  necessity  of  occupying  the  Channel  ports  and  the  neighbouring  .sea-  Oct. 
board.  The  Germans  indeed  would  have  done  this  before,  but  the  unexpected 
resistance  of  the  Belgians  had  locked  up  so  many  troops  in  Belgium  that  none 
could  be  spared  for  this  purpose.  The  German  Staff  also,  for  some  weeks  after 
the  war  began,  being  under  the  delusion  that  the  British  Army  was  based  on 
Boulogne  and  Ostend,  naturally  thought  that  these  ports  would  be  occupied 
and  protected  in  such  strength  that  it  would  be  useless  to  attempt  to  seize  them 
except  with  a  force  much  stronger  than  could  be  spared. 

To  foster  this  idea  there  had  been  some  demonstrations  made  by  the  British 
Government  along  the  coast  in  compliance  with  a  request  of  General  Joffre. 
Thus  on  the  night  of  Se[)tember  19th  a  Brigade  of  Marines  and  the  Oxfordshire 
Yeomanry  had  been  disembarked  at  Dunkirk,  and  there  were  other  minor 
landings  made  from  time  to  time  at  various  places  along  the  coast.  These  did 
at  first  cause  some  alarm  to  the  German  Staif,  but  the  futile  nature  of  the 
operations  were  soon  recognised  and  they  were  disregarded. 

Sir  John  French  perceived  very  clearly  the  very  great  importance  of  pre- 
venting the  seizure  of  the  Channel  ports  by  the  enemy,  and  as  the  jiosition  on 
the  Aisne  was  now  stationary,  he  represented  to  lioth  his  own  and  the  French 
Crovernment  the  advisability  of  transferring  his  Army  to  the  northern  flank 
of  the  battle-line,  where  it  could  be  directly  based  on  a  seaport,  thereby  verj" 
materially  shortening  his  lines  of  communications. 

.\fter  some  discussion  the  transfer  was  agreed  to,  and  on  the  night  of  the  1st 
October  the  move  began.  Every  ]iossible  precaution  was  taken  to  conceal  the 
movement  from  the  enemy.  The  troojis  marched  by  night,  and  the  men  were 
strictly  confined  to  their  billets  during  the  day.  The  'ind  Corps  was  the  first 
withdrawn,  the  1st  Corps  extending  its  line  to  Vailly  and  the  3rd  to  Missy. 
The  -ind  Cavalrv   revision  marched  bv  road  on  the  night  of  the  ^nd,  the  1st 


62 

1914  Division  oil  the  night  of  the  ;Jr(i.  Tlif  -h-d  Corps  gave  ovei'  its  tieiiclies  fo  the 
French  on  the  tith,  and  the  1st  Corps  on  the  night  of  the  f-ith,  the  whole 
evacuation  being  completed  on  the  15th.  The  infantry  were  entrained  at  Coni- 
gne  and  the  three  neigiil)ouring  stations.    The  whole  movement  was  so  ablv 


pie, 


'to 


conducted  that  it  remained  entirely  undiscovered  by  the  enemy  for  days,  and 
indeed  was  not  realised  by  the  Germans  until  the  Cavalry  Divisions  were 
encountered  on  the  Lys. 

The  16th  marched  by  Courcelles  to  Thezy,  having  joined  up  with  the  Brigade 
at  Rubescourt  en  route.  The  3rd  Brigade  reached  Thezy  on  the  5th,  and  after 
halting  there  for  the  Gth,  marched  again  by  Vaux  (just  north  of  Amiens), 
Maisecourt,  St.  Hillaire  to  Hazebrouck,  where  the  Brigade  halted  for  the 
night.  During  the  8th  and  9th  the  -Jnd  Corps  detrained  at  Abbeville  and 
marched  towards  Bethune.  On  the  11th  the  3rd  Corps  detrained  and  marched 
towards  Bailleul  and  Armentieres.  On  the  19th  the  1st  Corps  detrained  and 
marched  towards  Ypres.  The  Headquarter  Start'  on  the  13th  arrived  at  St. 
Omer. 

Witli  the  move  of  the  British  Army  to  the  northern  flank  of  the  Allied  line 
the  war  entered  into  an  entirely  new  phase.  The  Germans  were  now  in  full 
occupation  of  the  whole  of  Belgium  south  of  the  Schelde,  and  the  Belgian 
Army  had  been  withdrawn  within  the  circle  of  the  outer  line  of  the  defensive 
works  protecting  Antwerp. 
29tli  At  the  end  of  September  the  siege  of  the  city  began  to  l.)e  [>ressed  in  earnest 
Sept.  l,y  General  Von  Besseler,  and  by  the  -iQth  two  of  the  outer  ring  of  forts  had 
been  silenced.  As  it  was  evident  that  under  the  fire  of  the  German  heavy 
artillery  Antwerp  would  inevitably  speedily  share  the  fate  of  Liege  and  Mau- 
beuge,  the  l^elgian  Government  began  to  prepare  a  new  base  at  Ostend  with 
the  intention  of  moving  the  five  Divisions  of  the  Field  Army  to  the  west  of 
the  Schelde.  The  British  Government  was  then  officially  informed  that  the 
Field  Army,  65,000  men,  would  retire  on  Ostend  as  soon  as  the  outer  ring  of 
forts  was  lost  unless  immediate  assistance  was  afforded  by  either  England  or 
France.  The  War  Office  had  at  this  time  only  one  Division,  the  7th,  and  two 
weak  Brigades  of  Cavalry  to  dispose  of,  and  Lord  Kitchener  w^as  not  at  all 
inclined  to  allow  this  small  force  to  be  shut  up  in  Antwerp.  There  were,  how- 
ever, a  certain  number  of  untrained  troops,  designated  the  "  Naval  Division," 
at  the  disposal  of  the  Admiralty,  and  the  First  Lord,  Mr.  Winston  Churchill, 
suggested  that  these  should  be  sent  direct  to  Antwerp,  and  that  the  Brigade  of 
Marines  already  in  Belgium  should  join  them  there. 

As  it  was  of  the  utmost  importance  that  Antwerp  should  hold  out  as  long 
as  possible  in  order  to  give  Sir  J.  French  and  his  Army  time  to  take  up  the 
new  positions  in  front  of  Ypres,  Mr.  Churchill's  suggestion  was  adopted. 

Lord  Kitchener  had  previously  sent  Colonel  H.  G.  Dallas  (formerly  of  the 
16th)  to  Antwerp  on  special  duty  as  his  representative,  and  that  officer  now 
received  instructions  to  press  upon  the  Belgian  Ministry  the  urgent  necessity 
of  delaying  the  withdrawal  of  the  Field  Army  to  the  last  moment  consistent 
with  its  safety,  promising  at  the  same  time  that  the  7th  Division  and  two 
Brigades  of  Cavalry  should  be  sent  to  its  assistance.  These  representations 
induced  the  Belgian  Command  to  delay  the  final  withdrawal  for  upwards  of  a 
week  and  two  of  the  Divisions  were  detailed  to  take  part  in  the  actual  defence 
of  the  forts  in  conjunction  with  the  Kaval  Division,  which,  if  too  weak  to  be 
of  any  material  assistance,  would,  it  was  expected,  encourage  the  Belgians  to 
prolong  the  defence. 

Ultimately  it  was  decided  to  send  the  7th  Division  to  Bruges  with  the  in- 
tention of  co-operating  with  the  French  and  Belgians  in  an  attempt  to  force 


Von  Besselcr  to  laisc  {\\c  sie^'e  or,  al  llic  irast ,  lo  rciiiovt'  his  heavy  yuns.  1914 
(jleneial  Joii'ie,  lor  his  \ydii,  agreed  to  send  a  Division  ot  'I'enitcjrials,  a  JHrigade 
of  Fusiliers  Marins,  and  ii,0(JU  Zouaves.  Altogetiier,  tiiis  force  made  up  the 
respectable  total  on  paper  of  53,0U0  men,  and  if  it  had  really  been  got  together 
in  time  might  very  well,  by  threatening  Xon  Ik^sseler's  left  flank,  have 
compelled  tlie  (jeniums  to  raise  the  siege,  and  Ijy  so  doing  luive  materially 
changed  the  course  of  the  war,  as  Yon  ]5esseler  had  only  the  ('(|uivaient  of  five 
Divisions  himself.  Meanwhile  the  siege  was  vigorously  pressed  and  by  (Jctober 
2nd  four  more  of  the  forts  had  fallen.  Mr.  Winston  Churchill  had  i)reviously 
arranged  to  go  to  Dunkirk  on  some  Admiralty  business,  but  he  was  now  directed 
to  proceed  to  Antwerp  with  instructions  to  encourage  the  Belgian  authorities 
to  prolong  their  resistance  for  at  least  another  ten  days.  He  arrived  at  .\ntwerp 
on  October  4th,  and  the  same  day  the  ^Marine  Brigade  und(>r  comuumd  of 
General  Paris  came  in  from  Ghent. 

On  the  Gth  October  the  Belgian  troops  were  driven  across  the  Nethe  closely 
followed  up  by  the  enemy,  and  as  the  German  guns  now  being  brought  over 
that  river  were  within  five  miles  of  the  city,  the  surrender  of  Antwerp  became 
only  a  matter  of  days.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  the  two  Brigades  of 
the  Naval  Division  which  had  landed  at  ]^unkirk  detrained  at  Antweri),  and 
were  at  once  sent  into  the  trenches.  On  the  morning  of  the  7tli  the  7tb  J)ivi- 
sion  disembarked  at  Zeebrugge. 

Mr.  W.  Churchill,  with  characteristic  modesty,  now  asked  to  be  placed  in 
command  of  the  whole  force  engaged  in  the  Antwerp  operations,  but  his  re- 
quest was  curtly  refused  by  Ijord  Kitchener,  who  doubtless  thought  it  wiser  to 
give  that  office  to  a  professional  soldier  in  preference  to  a  gentleman  whose 
only  knowledge  of  military  matters  had  been  acquired  in  the  dubious  position 
of  newspaper  correspondent  during  the  Boer  War.  Mr.  Churchill  was  informed 
that  Sir  A.  Eawlinson,  who  had  been  already  sent  to  Bruges,  was  in  supreme 
command  of  the  relieving  force,  and  that  General  Paris  was  in  command  of 
the  troops  actually  in  Antwerp. 

The  general  situation  on  the  evening  of  the  7th  October  was  as  follows  : — 7th 

At  Antwerp  the  garrison  with  two  Belgian  Divisions  and  the  British  Naval  ^'^*" 
Division  were  holding  the  line  of  the  inner  forts. 

The  rest  of  the  Belgian  Field  .\rmy  was  moving  away  from  .\)itwerp  between 
the  coast  and  Ghent. 

The  7th  Division  was  at  I^ruges. 

Of  Sir  John  French's  Army,  the  2nd  Corps  was  nearing  .Milieville,  the  3rd 
Corps  entraining  at  Soissons,  and  the  1st  still  on  the  Aisne. 

The  Allied  Cavalry  Divisions  covered  a  line  from  Lens  to  Hazebrouck, 
opposed  to  three  German  Cavalry  Divisions. 

On  the  8th  the  3rd  Cavalry  Division,*  under  ]\Ia]or-General  the  Hon.  J. 
Byng,  disembarked  at  Ostend  and  Zeebrugge,  and  the  same  day  the  Marins 
Fusiliers  from  Paris  reached  Ghent,  this  being  the  only  part  of  the  promised 
French  contingent  that  arrived  before  the  capitulation  of  Antwerp. 

Von  Besseler  had  summoned  the  city  to  surrender  on  the  Gth  under  a  threat 
of  bombardment,  and  this  was  commenced  at  11  p.m.  on  the  7th. 

On  the  8th  October  three  more  forts  of  the  inner  circle  were  destroyed,  and 

*  The  7th  Division,  under  command  of  Major-General  T.  Capper,  comprised  three 
Brigades  of  Infantry  and  the  usual  Divisional  troops.  The  3rd  Cavalry  Division  consisted 
of  two  Brigades,  of  which  one,  the  6th,  had  only  two  Regiments,  the  1st  Royals  and  the 
10th  Hussars.  The  other,  the  7th,  was  made  un  from  the  three  Regiments  of  the  Hoii.'.ehold 
Cavalry.  Brigadier-General  Kavanagh,  who  afterwards  commanded  the  2nd  Cavalry 
Division,  was  in  command  of  the  7th  Brigade. 


64 

1914  as  tlif  uluilc  ol'  (he  Helffian  i''i('l(i  Army  was  tuiw  salVly  out  ol'  llie  [ilace,  with 
the  exct'|)tioii  of  one  J)ivision,  and  it  was  evident  that  tiie  defence  couhi 
not  be  maintained  more  than  a  few  hours  longer,  tliis  Division  was  ordered 
to  follow  the  rest  of  the  Army  and  (jeneral  Paris  gave  orders  for  the  Naval 
Brigades  to  be  withdrawn  across  the  Scheide  in  the  evening  in  conformity 
with  his  instruction  he  had  received  when  he  took  over  connnatid. 

The  roads  and  the  streets  were  everywhere  blocked  by  crowds  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Antwerp,  who,  terrified  by  the  bombardment,  and  realising  that  the 
surrender  of  the  city  was  imminent,  were  seeking  safety  either  by  crossing  into 
Holland  or  by  following  the  troops  into  France.  The  Belgian  Division 
got  away  safely,  but  the  Naval  Brigades  were  not  so  fortunate.  In  the  dark- 
ness and  confusion  it  was  next  to  impossible;  to  get  the  orders  and  dii'ections 
for  the  march  to  the  several  lirigade  and  Regimental  Commanders.  In  the 
end  some  1,500  men  of  the  Jst  Brigade  were  obliged  to  cross  the  frontier  into 
Holland.  The  rear  guard  lost  300  men  who  were  cut  off  and  made  prisoners, 
together  with  some  600  others,  mostly  stragglers  from  the  1st  Brigade,  and 
400  Belgians.* 

The  greater  part  of  the  Belgian  garrison  troops  got  across  the  Scheide  during 
the  night  of  the  8th  and  the  morning  of  the  9th  and  followed  the  Field  Army, 
but  18,000  were  forced  to  cross  into  Holland.  On  the  morning  of  the  10th  the 
city  formally  capitulated. 

The  7th  Division  (with  the  3rd  Cavalry  Division)  was  placed  under  the  com- 
mand of  Sir  J.  French  on  the  9th, t  who  gave  it  the  designation  of  the  4th 
Corps.  General  Rawlinson  covered  the  left  flank  of  the  Belgian  Army  during 
its  move  to  the  area  Dixmude — Nieuport — Furnes,  and  arrived  at  Ypres  on  the 
14th.  Those  troops  of  the  Naval  Division  that  had  escaped  from  Antwerp 
were  re-embarked  and  sent  back  to  England.  Mr.  Churchill  himself  left 
Antwerp  on  the  6th  and  returned  to  England,  and  Colonel  Dallas  escaped  in 
the  very  last  hour. 

This  Antwerp  enterprise,  the  first  "  side  show-  "'  attempted  by  the  War 
Cabinet,  cannot  be  called  a  success.  Though  the  arrival  of  the  Naval  Brigade 
certainly  encouraged  the  civil  population  to  hope  for  further  help  from  Eng- 
land, the  Military  Command  had  no  such  illusion  and  carried  out  the  evacua- 
tion of  the  Field  Army,  already  decided  on,  without  any  delay,  knowing  that 
General  Rawlinson  had  strict  orders  not  to  enter  Antwerp.  The  presence  of 
INIr.  Churchill  and  his  levies  did  not  indeed  delay  the  capitulation  for  a  single 
hour. 

Sir  J.  French  was  anxious  to  extend  his  line  so  as  to  cover  the  ports  of 
Zeebrugge  and  Ostend,  and  made  urgent  representations  both  to  the  War  Office 
and  to  the  French  Government  as  to  the  desirability  of  doing  this,  pointing 
out  that  the  Germans  could  easily  send  the  parts  of  submarines  to  Zeebrugge 
and  put  them  together  there,  but  this  probability  was  scoffed  at  by  the  War 
Office,  and  the  suggestion  also  was  coldly  received  by  the  French.  Nevertheless, 
the  Field  Marshal  persevered  in  his  design  and  as  soon  as  the  Cavalry  Divisions 
arrived  these  were  directed  to  reconnoitre,  and  if  possible  to  occupy,  the  line 
of  the  Lys  River  pending  the  completion  of  the  move  of  the  Infantry  Corps. 

On  the  11th  October  the  16th  was  on  outpost  covering  the  line  Morbeque — 

*  The  casualties  of  the  Royal  Naval  Division  were  altogether :  — 7  officer.'?,  50  other  ranks 
killed;  .3  officers,  135  others  wounded;  37  officers,  1,442  others  interned;  5  officers,  931 
others  prisoners. 

+  General  Rawlinson  had  been  operating  independently  under  orders  from  the  War 
Office.  Indeed,  the  first  intimation  of  the  landing  of  the  7th  Division  was  given  to  Sir  J. 
French  bv  General  JofFre. 


65 

Hazebrouck.     Early  next  nioiiiinj^  the  lirigadc  moved  tbiward  to  Borre,  the  1914 
16th  forming  the  Advance  Guard. 

The  Brigade  came  into  contact  with  tlie  enemy  sliortly  after  leaving  Haze- 
brouck, and  the  16th  had  a  rather  busy  day.  On  reaching  Boore  two  officers' 
patrols  were  sent  out,  one  on  to  Mont  des  Cats,  the  otiier  to  Godevwaers-Velt. 

The  first  of  these,  which  was  in  charge  of  Lieutenants  Aris  and  MacNeil, 
was  ambushed,  and  in  the  fight  that  followed  Lieut.  MacNeil  was  shot  by  a 
German  officer  who  had  been  knocked  oil  his  horse.  Lieut.  Aris  drew  his 
revolver  and  tried  to  shoot  the  German  but  his  weapon  missed  fire,  and  in  the 
struggle  that  followed  he  was  himself  shot  before  the  German  was  disposed  of. 
MacNeil  died  shortly  afterwards,  but  Aris  recovered.  Another  pati'ol  which 
was  sent  to  Fletre  was  also  ambushed  and  lost  two  men  killed. 

The  Brigade  halted  at  Caestre  to  water  and  feed  and  then  moved  off  to  attack 
the  Mont  des  Cats,  which  was  reported  to  be  held  by  the  enemy,  the  16th 
moving  to  Thienhook,  and  the  rest  of  the  Brigade  to  Fletre.  From  Thienhook 
the  16th  rode  across  country  to  Kruystraete,  coming  under  a  heavy  fire  while 
crossing  an  open  space. 

The  enemy  were  found  to  be  holding  the  Trai>pist  monastery  and  the  woods 
on  either  side.  Two  squadrons  were  sent  to  attack  the  place,  the  third  being 
kept  in  reserve,  but  the  fire  from  the  windows  of  the  building  was  too  heavy 
and  continuous  for  much  to  be  done  without  serious  loss  and  the  assault  was 
held  up  pending  the  arrival  of  the  guns.  When  these  came  up  a  bombardment 
of  half  an  hour  drove  the  garrison  out  of  the  place,  which  was  immediately 
occupied.  Inside  three  dead  Germans  were  found  and  a  wounded  officer,  who 
turned  out  to  be  Prince  Max  of  Hesse.  He  died  the  same  night.  The 
16th  then  moved  off  and  bivouaced  for  the  night  at  Fletre,  Thiancourt, 
and  Caestre. 

By  the  evening  of  the  15th  the  outpost  line  was  establi-shed  south  of  Mes- 
sines.  There  were  several  small  encounters  with  the  enemy  during  these  two 
days  and  a  few  casualties,  Ijieut.  Cross  and  two  men  being  wounded  on 
the  15th. 

At  11  a.m.  on  the  16tli  orders  were  received  to  send  a  squadron  with  the 
machine  gun  to  Warneton,  and  for  the  Regiment  to  join  the  rest  of  the  Brigade 
at  Gapaard.  At  4  p.m.  the  Regiment  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Warneton 
and  to  clear  out  the  enemy  in  order  I  hat  the  Engineers  could  build  a  bridge 
over  the  river  Lys. 

On  arriving  at  the  place  late  in  the  afternoon  D  Squadron  with  the  machine 
gun  was  found  to  be  holding  the  south-west  corner  of  the  village,  but  unable 
to  make  any  further  progress  as  the  place  was  prepared  for  defence  and  strongly 
held.  C  Squadron  was  then  sent  up  dismounted,  but  was  also  held  up  by  a 
barricade  at  the  cross-roads  in  the  centre  of  the  village. 

The  road  down  which  the  attack  had  to  l)e  made  was  slightly  curved  about 
150  yards  from  the  barricade,  which  could  not  be  seen  until  the  curve  was 
passed. 

Eventually  a  gun  was  sent  up  from  E  Battery  which,  when  it  got  dark,  was 
man-handled  down  to  the  curve,  while  three  troops  were  formed  in  column  on 
the  road  behind  it. 

Everything  being  ready,  the  gun  was  shoved  round  the  curve  and  had  fired 
six  shots  at  the  barricade  when,  without  waiting  to  see  the  effect,  the  storming 
party  rushed  forward,  and  finding  the  barricade  still  standing  began  to  pull  it 
down  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  cross-roads  and  houses. 

The  following  account  of  what  followed  is  taken  from  the  diary  of  an  officer 
of  C  Squadron  :  — 

K 


66 

1914  "  As  soon  as  we  startcil  piillin;^  it  down  tlic  (ieniians  opeiu'd  tire  from  the 
liouses.  We  pushed  a  niaxim  u|>  into  the  window  of  a  house,  some  of  us  stood 
in  the  street  and  fired,  others  tried  to  break  into  the  houses  on  either  side,  and 
the  noise  and  crackling  of  a  burning  house  was  appalling.  After  about  10 
minutes  of  this  the  (jermans  retired  round  the  corner  towards  the  bridge.  On 
looking  round  the  corner  we  found  another  barricade  about  70  yards  away. 
They  opened  on  us  with  a  maxim  and  started  throwing  flares,  while  our  gun 
began  shelling  from  over  our  heads." 

The  attack  was  unable  to  take  the  second  barricade  though  the  fight  wag 
prolonged  until  orders  to  retire  were  received  at  11.30  p.m. 

It  was  then  found  that  two  wounded  men  had  been  left  in  the  square 
behind  the  first  barricade.  Three  men  volunteered  to  go  back  and  bring  them 
in,  F.S.S.  (Ilasgow,  Lance-Corporals  Chapman  and  Boynton,  which  they 
managed  to  do,  though  the  square  was  swept  by  the  fire  from  the  enemy's 
maxim  in  addition  to  rifle  fire.  The  rest  of  the  wounded  were  brought  off  safely 
by  the  troops  engaged  who  retired  by  the  side  lanes. 

By  this  time  General  Gough  had  arrived  with  the  4th  Hussars  and  a  Squad- 
ron of  the  5th  Lancers,  but  information  had  been  obtained  that  the  whole  line 
of  the  Lys  was  strongly  held  by  the  enemy,  with  an  Army  Corps  in  support, 
so  the  attack  was  broken  oiT  and  the  ICth  retired  to  ]\Iessines,  which  was 
reached  at  2  a.m.  The  enemy  began  shelling  the  outside  of  the  village  just  as 
the  Regiment  moved  off. 

The  casualties  were  slight  considering  the  amount  of  firing,  being  only  one 
man  killed  and  Lieut.  Clarke  and  six  men  wounded.  F.S.S.  Glasgow  and 
Lance-Corporals  Chapman  and  Boynton  received  the  D.C.M.  Three  men  who 
were  too  severely  wounded  to  be  removed  had  to  be  left,  in  charge  of  Captain 
Johnson,  R.A.M.C. ,  and  his  orderly.  Corporal  Ridman. 
17th  On  the  17th  the  Brigade  marched  to  Kemmel,  where  the  16th  remained  in 
^"^  billets  till  the  19th,  when  the  Regiment  moved  to  Comines,  forming  a  line  of 
outposts  along  the  Canal  to  Houthem.  The  1st  and  '2nd  Cavalry  Divisions 
were  now  holding  the  enemy,  who  were  apparently  concentrating  for  an  attack 
in  force,  along  the  line  Frelingham — \Yervieq,  the  4th  Brigade  being  near 
Warneton,  the  .3rd  at  Comines,  and  the  5th  at  Wei'vieq. 

During  the  last  week  the  Infantry  Corps  had  been  coming  into  line,  the  1st 
Corps  being  the  last  to  do  so  on  the  left  flank.  The  1st  Corps  was  only  just 
in  time  and  only  occupied  the  positions  alloted  to  it  after  some  hard  fighting. 
The  1st  Corps  had  orders  to  march  through  Ypres  to  Bruges,  but  having  met 
with  very  strong  opposition  were  finally  compelled  to  retire  to  the  position 
given  below.  On  the  failure  of  this  movement  the  Field-!Marshal  abandoned 
his  attempt  to  extend  his  line  to  Zeebrugge,  this  being  clearly  impossible  with 
the  force  he  had. 
21st  On  the  21st  October  the  position  of  the  Allied  line,  from  Albert  on  the  south 
Oct.  fo  Nieuport  on  the  north,  was  as  follows  : — 

Albert,  Arras,  Vermelles  to  La  Bassee,  the  French  10th  Army  (3rd  Corps), 
under  General  Maudhui. 

La  Bassee  to  Ijaventie  (six  miles),  2nd  Corps,  Sir  H.  Smith-Dorrien. 

Laventie  to  Messines  (one  mile),  French  Cavalry  Corps,  under  General 
Conneau. 

Armentieres  to  Messines  (12  milesK  3rd  Corps,  Genernl  Pulteney. 

Messines  to  Zandevoorde  (foiu-  miles).  Cavalry  Corps  and  3rd  Division, 
General  Allenby. 

Zandevoorde  to  Zonnebeke  (six  miles),  4th  Corps,  General  Rawlinson. 

Zonnebeke  to  Bixchoote  (.seven  miles),  1st  Corps,  Sir  D.  Haig. 


G7 

North  uf   ]ii\c-lK>ole   to  Nieuj^)orl   on   llic  sfii    (-Jl)  miles)   weie  llic    l>i'lgi;ui.s,  I914 
1;}  Corps,  and  a  mixed  force  ot  J^'rerlch,  e([nailirig  about  eight  Divisions. 

Opposite  the  British  3^  Corps  were  massed  6.^  German  Corps. 

This  line  was  entrenched  and  prepareci  for  defence,  and  the  Cavalry  were 
dismounted  and  sent  into  the  trenches  along  their  own  front. 

On  the  •J-Jnd  the  7th  Indian  J^rigade  came  in,  and  was  posted  as  reserve  to 
the  Cavalry  Corps. 

Trench  duty  as  far  as  the  IGth  were  concerned  mu}  be  considered  to  have 
connnenced  on  the  -JOth.  On  the  -Jlst  one  man  was  killed,  and  from  that  time 
there  were  daily  casualties  in  the  trenches.  From  the  -Jiind  to  the  -J'Jth  con- 
tinuous attacks  were  made  by  the  enemy,  which  were  beaten  off  with  com- 
parative ease,  but  on  the  3Uth  the  enemy  attacketl  in  force  and  there  was  very 
severe  fighting' all  along  the  front  held  by  the  Cavalry  Corp  of  five  Brigades, 
which  in  fact  had  to  keep  at  bay  no  less  than  four  Divisions  of  Cavalry  and  a 
Jager  Brigade  of  the  enemy  for  some  48  hours.  On  this  day  Major  Campbell, 
Lieut.  Lord  Wodehouse  and  eight  men  were  w-ounded,  and  one  num  killed. 
On  the  81st  part  of  the  line  was  taken  over  by  Conneau's  Cavalry. 

The  fighting  continued  without  cessation  from  November  1st  to  the  5th,  1st 
when  the  trenches  were  subjected  all  day  to  intense  shelling.  The  trench  on  ^'"^• 
the  left  of  the  IGth  was  held  by  the  French  Cavalry.  This  trench  was  prac- 
tically destroyed  by  the  shell  fire  and  the  French  driven  out  of  it.  A  gallant 
attempt  to  rally  them  was  made  by  Major  Dixon,  who  was  killed  while  doing 
so,  but  the  line  was  restored  by  the  liays,  who  came  up  and  replaced  the 
French.  At  11  p.m.  the  16th  were  relieved  by  the  9th  Jjancers  and  went  into 
billets,  where  the  Regiment  remamed  until  the  tlth.  The  casualties  on  the 
5th  were  Major  Dixon,  Captain  Onslow  and  10  men  killed,  and  Lieut.  Davies 
and  13  men  wounded. 

On  November  1st  the  enemy  launched  a  determined  attack  on  the  1st  and 
2nd  Corps  and  the  9th  French  Corps.  The  battle,  known  officially  as  the  First 
Battle  of  Ypres,  culminated  on  the  iOth  in  an  assault  made  by  the  Prussian 
Guard  Division  under  the  personal  observation  of  the  Kaiser.  The  1st  Corps 
was  very  hardly  pressed  and  had  to  be  from  time  to  time  reinforced  from  the 
3rd  Cavalry  Division.  Ultimately  the  attack  was  defeated  with  great  loss  to 
the  enemy,  and  on  the  I'ith  the  fighing  died  out.  The  casualties  in  this  battle, 
which  extended  from  the  15th  October  to  the  'ilst  Novendjer,  were  heavy,  for 
the  1st  and  "ind  Corps  alone  had  517  ofticers  and  13,U(X)  other  ranks  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing,  of  whom  VIl  ofbcers  and  1,GGG  men  were  killed. 

The  7th  Division  also  had  some  very  severe  fighting  between  Zonnebeke  and 
Zandevoorde  before  the  1st  Corps  came  up,  losing  over  8,000  Infantry  out  of 
the  original  strength  of  1-2,000.  Indeed,  but  for  its  most  fortunate  presence 
there  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  line  would  have  been  broken  at  this  point. 

This  was  the  last  serious  action  of  the  winter,  and  beyond  the  incessant 
shelling  of  the  trenches  the  front  remained  quiet  until  the  attack  on  Neuve 
Chapelle  on  the  11th  March,  1915. 

On  the  13th  November  the  IGth  were  moved  to  Dramoutre,  where  the  horses  13th 
were  left  and  the  men  sent  on  foot  to  Wolvergheim.     Hei'e  they  did  duty  in  Nov. 
the  tienches  until   the  'lOth,   when  they  were   relieved  by  the  French   and 
marched  through  Ypres  to  Brisleu,  where  they  met  the  horses. 

On  the  '2nd  December  the  Brigade  was  inspected  by  the  King.  On  the  7th  I'lid 
the  Regiment  went  into  billets  at  Vieux  Berquin,  where  it  remained  until  ^^*-'- 
February  l'2th,  1915. 

On  the  ^Ith  December  the  Army,  which  had  now  been  brought  up  to  its  full  ip^*^ 
strength  by  drafts  from  England,  was  re-organised,  two  Armies  being  formed.     ^*^' 


08 

1914  The  1st  Army,  under  Sir  I),  ilaiy,  coiiipiiseil  the  Lst  and  4th  Corps  and  the 
Indian  Corps;  the  2nd  Army,  under  Sir  H.  Smith-Dorrien,  the  3rd,  4th  and 
5th  Corps.*  The  Cavahy  Corps  under  General  Ailenby  remained  independent. 

The  front  in  Flanders  and  Northern  France,  which  remained  practically 
unchanged  until  March,  1915,  was  now  established  as  follows  : — 

On  the  extreme  left  to  Dixmude,  the  Belgian  Army. 

South  from  Dixmude,  the  9th  French  Corps  and  AUenby's  Cavalry  Corps. 

South  of  these  Sir  H.  Plumer's  5th  Corps. 

Then  just  west  of  Whytechaete  and  Messines,  the  2nd  Corps. 

Then  astride  of  the  Lys  in  front  of  Armentieres,  Pulteney's  3rd  Corps. 

Then  from  Estaire  to  west  of  Neuve  Chapelle  liawlinson's  4th  Corps,  the 
Indian  Corps  being  between  Estaire  and  La  Bassee. 

The  total  casualties  of  the  British  Army  incurred  during  the  period  14th 
October — 30th  November,  1914,  were  2,368  officers  and  50,529  other  ranks,  of 
whom  614  officers  and  6,794  other  ranks  were  killed.  In  addition  the  Indian 
Corps  lost  4,627  other  ranks,  of  whom  552  were  killed. 

The  grand  total  of  casualties  from  the  commencement  of  the  campaign 
amounted  to  8,627  officers  and  86,237  other  ranks. 

The  greater  part  of  this  loss  fell  on  the  infantry  of  the  lirst  seven  Divisions, 
which  originaly  numbered  only  84,000. 

The  re-inforcements  sent  out  up  to  the  10th  November  were  about  110,000 
of  all  ranks. 

The  losses  of  the  enemy  are  not  known  with  accuracy,  but  are  reckoned 
officially  at  135,000  of  all  ranks  diuing  the  period  15th  October — 24th  Novem- 
ber. This  was  probably  much  under  the  actual  numbers.  It  certainly  does  not 
include  wastage  of  troops  not  actually  engaged  in  the  fighting. 


CHAPTEE  XXXIX. 

January  1st  to  December  31st,  1915. 

Plans  for  winter  campaign  discussed.  This  decided  to  be  impossible.  Visit 
of  Sir  J.  French  to  London.  The  Government  persists  in  the  refusal  to 
send  more  men  or  munitions.  Description  of  "Trench  Warfare."  The 
Gallipoli  expedition.  February  13th,  The  Eegiment  returns  to  the 
trenches.  February  21st,  Mine  explosion  under  trench,  followed  by 
enemy's  attack  in  force.  Severe  fighting.  Heavy  loss  by  the  16th. 
February  26th,  Eegiment  back  to  billets.  March  12th,  Battle  of  Neuve 
Chapelle.  The  Brigade  moved  up  to  front  but  sent  back.  April  17th, 
General  Kavanagh  takes  over  command  of  the  2nd  Cavalry  Division  from 
General  Gough.  April  20th,  Second  Battle  of  Ypres.  Bombardment  of 
the  town.  April  22nd,  "Poison  gas"  used  for  first  time.  April  24th, 
The  Eegiment  returns  to  the  trenches.  "  Stink  shells  "  first  used.  May 
2nd,  the  16th  trenches  gassed.  May  3rd,  the  16th  back  to  billets.  May 
24th,  the  Eegiment  returns  to  trenches.     Disaster  at  Ypres  sally-port. 

*  The  5th  Corps,    commanded  by  Sir   H.   Plumer,  had  been  sent  out    at    the  end  of 
November. 


G'J 

French  attack  in  Artois  with  partial  success.  -Jul}  l;jtii,  General  Sir  1915. 
I'liilip  Chetwode  takes  over  command  of  the  'ind  Cavalry  Division.  The 
shortage  of  shells.  Mr.  Asquith's  denial.  Sir  J.  French's  appeal  to  the 
Press  for  publicity.  Mr.  LI.  George  made  Minister  of  Munitions.  Supply 
of  munitions  largely  increased.  Division  of  Allied  line  into  Sectors. 
Disposition  of  Allied  Armies.  September  22nd,  Battle  of  Nancy  and 
French  victory.  September  •J4th,  fiattle  of  Loos.  Capture  of  Vimy  liidge 
and  Loos,  but  with  great  loss.  December  18th,  Eesignation  (jf  Sir  J. 
French,  who  is  succeeded  by  Sir  D.  Haig.  The  casualties  of  tbr  Allies 
during  September. 
Summary  of  Events,  .January  1st  to  December  31st,  1915. — January  1st, 
Decisive  defeat  of  Turks  in  the  Caucasus.  8th,  Battle  of  Soissons. 
February  19th,  Allied  attack  on  Dardanelles  begins.  March  lUth,  Battle 
of  Neuve  Cha|)elle.  18th,  Failure  of  Naval  Attack  on  Dardanelles  definite. 
22nd,  Capitulation  of  Prezmysl.  April  22nd,  Second  Battle  of  Ypres ; 
German  gas  attack.  27th,  Army  landed  at  Gallipoli.  28th,  Beginning 
of  Mackensen's  offensive  against  Russia.  May  7th,  Ijusitania  torpedoed. 
19th,  Coalition  Ministry  formed.  June  1st,  Prezmysl  retaken  i)y  Germans. 
3rd,  Amara  (Mesopotamia)  taken.  20th,  Defeat  of  Russians  at  Rava 
Russka.  22nd,  Lemberg  retaken  by  Austrians.  August  5th,  Germans 
occupy  Warsaw.  10th,  Germans  take  Novo  Georgievsk.  25th,  Germans 
take  Brest  Litovski.  September  25th,  Battle  of  Tjoos.  29th,  Ivut  el 
Amara  taken  by  General  Townshend.  October  3rd,  Allies  land  at  Salonika. 
5th,  Bulgaria  joins  Germany  ;  Resignation  of  Venizelos,  rhe  Greek  Prime 
Minister.  7th,  Austrians  and  Germans  again  invade  Servia.  9th,  Belgrade 
taken.  11th,  Bulgarians  invade  Servia.  13th,  Murder  of  Miss  Cavell. 
15th,  AYar  declared  on  Bulgaria.  November  22nd,  Battle  of  Clesiphon. 
December  8th,  Evacuation  of  Gallipoli  begins.  15th,  Resignation  of  Sir 
John  French  and  appointment  of  Sir  Douglas  Haig  to  succeed  him  as 
Commander-in-Chief. 

There  was  considerable  discussion  at  the  Allied  Headquarters  about  [ilans 
for  a  winter  campaign,  but  it  had  to  be  finally  recognised  that  without  more 
men,  and  especially  more  munitions,  such  as  guns  and  their  ammunition,  any 
further  advance  in  the  north  was  impossible  in  the  face  of  the  superior  forces 
massed  by  the  enemy  in  front  of  the  allied  line.  General  Joffre  then  turned  his 
attention  to  his  armies  in  the  south,  meditating  an  attack  in  I  he  Rheims  area. 

On  the  20th  December  Sir  John  French  went  to  London,  and  was  then 
definitely  informed  that  at  present  he  could  not  hope  to  receive  any  further 
reinforcements  and  that  any  troops  that  could  be  spared  were  to  be  employed 
in  making  diversions  on  other  fronts.  The  Field-Marshal  strongly  protested 
against  these  ideas,  pointing  out  that  one  of  the  first  principles  of  military 
strategy  was  to  concentrate  the  whole  available  strength  at  the  decisive  point, 
now  certainly  the  Western  Front.  He  also  pressed  upon  the  Government 
the  urgent  necessity  of  increasing  the  supply  of  shells,  heavy  guns,  and 
machine  guns,  but  to  all  these  requests  a  flat  refusal  was  returned,  and  he  was 
told  that  he  was  to  further  economise  his  expenditure  of  shells  and  to  confine 
himself  to  "  Trench  Warfare."  About  this  time  also  came  into  use  the  silly 
catchword  "  War  of  Attrition.""  Unfortunately  the  "  attrition  '"  was  by  no 
means  confined  to  the  enemy,  who  could  afford  it  much  better  than  the  Allies, 
for  in  addition  to  the  daily  long  list  of  casualties  from  shell  and  rifle  fire  the 
malady  known  as  "  Trench  Feet  "  now  made  its  appearance,  and  over  20,000 
men  were  invalided  from  this  cause  alone  during  the  first  three  months  of  1915. 


70 

1915  ■'  Trench  W'aiiiiri;  "  in  I'ai-t  consisfi'd ,  as  lar  as  llie  troops  Wfie  concerned, 
in  crouching  in  shallow  trenches  and  dismal  dujj;-onts,  waist  deep  in  mud  and 
water,  in  one  of  the  most  detestable  counlries  and  vilest  climates  in  Europe, 
under  an  incessant,  rain  of  shells  to  which  it  was  impossible  to  make  any 
effective  reply  on  account  of  the  shoitage  of  sliells,  of  which  the  enemy  had 
an  apparently  inexhaustible  supply.  The  guns  had  to  be  carefully  rationed, 
and  at  first  were  allowed  '20  lounds  per  gun  per  day.  But  this  proved  far  in 
excess  of  the  supply  and  had  to  be  soon  reduced  to  10,  and  ultimately  actually 
to  six,  for  a  reserve  had  to  be  kept  to  meet  a  possible  attack. 

It  was  in  vain  that  the  Field-Marshal  addressed  complaints,  remonstrances, 
and  requests  to  the  War  Office.  Not  only  was  no  attention  paid  to  these,  but 
he  got  no  reply  even  until  the  19th  January,  when  he  receiv3d  a  fiat  refusal 
to  increase  the  supjily  accompanied  by  an  accusation  of  i)ermitting  a  too  lavish 
waste  of  ammunition. 

The  fact  was  that  the  War  C'al)inet  was  now  occupied  solely  with  [)repara- 
tions  for  the  projected  exiiedition  to  (iallipoli,  an  insane  scheme  which  appar- 
ently originated  in  the  fertile  brain  of  the  same  amateur  strategist  who  was 
at  the  head  of  the  Antwerp  fiasco,  and  a  project  which  was  foredoomed  to 
failure  as  the  folly  of  its  conception  was  fully  eijualled  hy  the  fatuity  of  its 
e.xecution,  and  which  eventually  cost  the  country  the  equivalent  of  more  than 
two  Army  Cor^js. 
]i2tli  On  February  I'ith  the  liegiment  received  orders  to  return  to  the  trenches, 
^^'^-  and  next  day  '20  oBicers  and  "291  other  ranks  were  sent  to  Ypres  on  motor  lorries 
to  relieve  the  3rd  Cavalry  Division,  the  remainder  being  left  with  the  horses. 
The  Regiment  remained  in  billets  in  Ypres  until  the  19th,  when  the  men  went 
into  the  trenches,  the  squadrons  being  lined  up  with  J)  Squadron  on  the  left, 
A.  Squadron  centre,  C  Squadron  on  the  right,  each  with  one  troop  in  the  rear 
as  support.  During  the  19th  and  20th  nothing  particular  happened  except  the 
usual  shelling,  from  which  there  were  several  casualties,  Lieut.  Thornton  and 
three  men  being  wounded  and  one  man  killed,  but  the  '21st  was  an  unusually 
disastrous  day  for  the  Regiment. 

The  enemy's  trenches  ran  parallel  to  those  of  the  IGth  at  a  distance  varying 
from  15  to  5U  yards  only.  In  front  of  the  right  of  D  Squadron  was  a  deep 
ditch  which  ran  from  the  German  trench  to  that  occupied  by  the  Squadron. 
It  had  been  suspected  for  some  days  that  the  enemy  was  running  a  sap  at  the 
bottom  of  this  ditch,  and  a  close  observation  had  been  kept  on  it,  but  no  sign 
of  anything  of  the  sort  had  been  discovered.  It  turned  out  afterwards  that 
the  enemy  had  really  run  a  sap  half  way  down  it,  but  had  turned  off  at  a  sharp 
angle  and  continued  the  sap  underground  until  it  ran  under  the  centre  of  the 
trench  of  D  Squadron,  and  that  three  mines  had  been  placed  at  the  end  of  it. 

It  was  afterwards  ascertained  from  prisoners  that  the  mines  had  been  laid 
some  days  before  the  16th  took  over  the  trench,  but  that  the  explosion  had 
been  delayed  with  the  intention  of  catching  the  relief  when  they  were  taking 
over  on  the  18th,  but  the  opportunity  had  fortunately  been  missed. 

At  6  a.m.  on  the  21st  one  mine  was  fired,  followed  immediately  afterwards 
by  the  other  two,  with  the  result  that  the  trench  was  completely  destroyed. 
The  enemy  followed  this  up  with  a  strong  attack  on  the  trenches  on  each  side 
of  that  held  by  D  Squadron.  There  was  of  course  much  confusion  and  a  hand 
to  hand  combat,  in  which  the  enemy  was  finally  driven  back  by  A  Squadron 
and  the  reserve  troop  of  D  with  a  machine  gun.  A  counter-attack  was  made 
by  the  three  reserve  troops.  They  were  unable  to  regain  the  lost  trench,  and 
a  request  for  help  was  sent  to  two  com]ianies  of  French  Infantry  which  were 
in  support  of  the  left  section  of  the  trench,  but  these  refused  to  move  without 


71 

orders  from  tlu'lr  (jvvn  (•oniiii;iii(iin;4  (il'ticcr,  and  ulicii  he  i-aiiic  ii|i  lie  was  iin-  l''l'> 
fortunately  killed  while  giving  the  order  to  advance,  ^^o  finUier  attack  was 
made  until  9  a.m.,  wlien  the  line  was  reinforced  by  a  squadron  of  the  •20th 
Hussars  and  another  Company  of  French  infantry  from  the  supporting  line. 
The  French  were  stopped  at  once  by  the  heavy  tire  they  were  met  witli,  all 
their  officers  and  half  their  men  being  shot  down  in  a  few  minutes.  The  -lOth 
got  a  little  further  when  they  were  brought  up  Ijy  an  enfilade  fire  and  the 
attack  was  broken  otf.  No  further  attein])t  was  made  lo  regain  Ihe  lost  trench, 
but  a  new  one  was  dug  in  rear  of  it. 

This  was  the  worst  day  which  the  IGth  had  during  the  whole  of  the  war. 
When  the  roll  was  called  it  was  i'ound  that  Major  Neave,  Captain  Nash, 
Lieuts.  Beech,  King  and  Cross,  and  seven  men  were  killed,  and  Lieut.  Patrick 
and  29  men  wounded.  Tn  addition  Lieut.  Ryan*  and  11  men  were  missing, 
in  all  seven  officers  and  47  other  ranks  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 

r)n  the  22nd  the  trenches  were  repaired  under  a  continuous  rifle  fire,  three  t-'i'iid 
men  being  wounded.  On  the  23rd  the  Bays  took  over  the  trenches  and  the  ^®^- 
troops  returned  to  Ypres  and  then  went  into  billets.  On  the  26th  the  Regiment 
rejoined  the  3rd  Brigade  at  Hazebrouck  and  went  into  billets,  where  it  re- 
mained until  the  28rd  April,  for,  though  the  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  was  sent  up 
in  support  on  the  12th  March  during  the  attack  on  Neuve  Eglise,  it  was  sent 
back  to  Estaires  by  General  Rawlinson  and  replaced  by  the  .^)th  Brigade,  as 
the  action  was  over. 

The  attack  on  Neuve  Chapelle  was  made  during  the  10th,  11th  and  r2th 
March.  Neuve  Chapelle  itself  was  captured  and  held,  but  the  ridge  of  the  hill 
looking  over  Lille,  which  was  the  chief  olijective,  was  recovered  by  the  enemy. 
The  fighting  was  of  a  very  determined  description  and  the  casualties  on  both 
sides  great.  Those  of  the  British  amounted  to  close  on  13,000,  of  whom  190 
officers  and  2,300  other  ranks  were  killed.  The  enemy's  loss  was  estimated  at 
not  less  than  20,000,  including  2,000  jirisoners.  The  partial  failure  of  this 
attack  w^as  attributed  to  the  reserves  being  brought  up  too  late  to  consolidate 
the  first  successful  advance,  and  the  Staff  were  much  blamed  in  consequence; 
but  in  this,  as  in  many  future  attacks,  the  enemy  put  up  such  a  heavy  artillery 
barrage  behind  the  first  line  that  it  was  next  to  impossible  to  bring  the  reserves 
up  closer,  and  in  addition  the  supply  of  shells  was  completely  exhausted  hours 
before  the  end  of  the  action. 

There  was  no  further  fighting  of  consequence  after  this  until  the  17th  .April, 
when  the  second  battle  of  Ypres  may  be  said  to  have  begun  by  a  German  attack 
en  the  place  known  as  "  Hill  60."  This  was  beaten  off  after  some  hard 
fighting. 

On  the  15th  April  General  Kavanagh  took  over  command  of  the  2nd  Cavalry 
Division,  vice  Gough. 

On  the  20th  y]-)res  was  bombarded  and  much  damage  was  done  to  the  town,  20th 
and  on  the  22nd  the  Germans  used  poison  gas  for  the  first  time.  The  French  April 
troops  between  Pilkem  and  the  Canal  w-ere  the  first  sufferers  from  this  bar- 
barous invention  and  were  driven  out  of  their  trenches  on  to  the  Canadians  at 
Langemark  Road.  This  caused  a  gap  of  nearly  four  miles  in  the  line  through 
which  the  enemy  broke,  but  the  Canadians  soon  stopped  the  advance  and  on 
the  uext  day  the  line  was  re-established. 

On  the  24th  the  3rd  Brigade  returned  dismounted  to  the  trenches  along  24th 
the  Canal  north-west  of  Yjires,  where  they  had  their  first  experience  of  "  stink  April 


*  Lieut.  Ryan  was   blown  up,  and  landed  in  a  German   trench,   where  he  wa.s   made  a 
prisoner. 


72 

191.")  shells,"  which  lortiinalelv  proved  more  disagreeahh'  than  deadly,  tlieir  chief 
effect  being  lo  piodiic-e  a  teiii[)orary  blindness.  This  day  Ypres  was  again  bom- 
barded and  another  attack  made  on  the  Canadians  at  St.  J  alien  preceded  by 
gas.     This  was  again  repulsed. 

1st  The  Brigade  was  still  in  the  trendies  at  Wiltge.  This  day  Jjieiit.  JJrown 
y  was  severely  wounded  by  shrapnel.  On  the  2nd  at  5  p.m.  the  trenches  in  front 
of  the  16th  were  first  gassed  and  then  attacked,  but  the  enemy  were  driven 
back  as  the  gas  took  effect  principally  on  the  supports,  who  were  obliged  to 
vacate  their  shelters.  The  gas  fortunately  for  the  most  part  passed  away  on 
the  flank  of  the  16th.  This  was  followed  up  by  very  heavy  shelling,  and  the 
5th  and  4th,  who  were  sent  forward  to  occupy  the  trenches  abandoned  by  the 
infantry,  had  over  100  casualties.  The  16th  had  one  killed  and  one  woimded 
only. 

3''<l        On  the  ;Jid  the  Kegiment  left  the  trenches  and  went  into  ijillets,  where  it 
'^  remained  till  the  \-2th,  when  it  returned  to  the  trenches  north  of  Ypres.     On 
the  'iOth  the  Kegiment  again  went  into  billets.     The  casualties  from  the  15th 
to  the  20th  were  one  man  killed  and  three  wounded. 

iL'th      On  the  12th  the  line  had  been  somewhat  shortened  and  reinforced  by  the 

May  1st  and  3rd  Cavalry  Divisions.  The  next  day  the  line  held  by  the  lOth  Hussars, 
the  Life  Guards  and  the  Sussex  Yeomanry  was  so  severely  shelled  that  the 
troops  W'ere  driven  out  of  their  trenches.  The  shelling  was  followed  up  by  an 
attack  in  force,  which  was  repulsed  by  a  bayonet  charge,  and  the  enemy's 
trenches  were  taken  by  the  yeoman,  who  passed  the  night  in  thoroughly  loot- 
ing them,  but  they  returned  at  daybreak  to  their  own  trenches.  The  3rd 
Cavalry  Division  suffered  very  heavily  in  this  fighting,  losing  90  officers  (out 
of  150i  and  1,20(1  other  ranks.  The  1st  Division  got  off'  comparatively 
lightly. 

24th      On  the  24th  another  gas  attack  was  made  and  though  the  trenches  were 

May  successfully  held  there  were  considerable  losses,  the  9th  Lancers  being  the 
chief  sufferers.  The  16th  were  sent  up  to  Ypres,  and  when  crossing  the  pon- 
toon bridge  from  the  sally-port  in  order  to  get  to  the  trenches  the  Regiment 
was  badly  shelled  by  two  guns  which  the  enemy  had  trained  on  the  bridge  as 
soon  as  the  head  of  the  column  came  into  view.  Colonel  Eccles,  Lieutenant 
Lord  Holmpatrick,  and  Captain  Macglashan,  the  surgeon,  and  nine  men  were 
wounded  and  two  killed  before  the  troops  could  be  withdrawn  behind  the 
shelter  of  the  ramparts.  \Yhen  it  was  dark,  about  9  p.m.,  the  Regiment  suc- 
ceeded in  crossing  the  bridge  and  marcbed  via  Zillebeke  to  Hooge  Woods, 
where  it  took  over  the  trenches  of  the  11th  Hussars. 

The  next  two  days  were  occupied  in  trench  digging  under  continuous  shell- 
ing, during  which  five  men  were  killed  and  three  wounded.  On  the  29tli  the 
Regiment  was  relieved  by  the  Blues  and  went  back  to  Ylamertinghe  and 
thence  to  Ste.  Marie  Cappel. 

During  May  there  had  lieen  much  fighting  on  other  sections  of  the  Allied 
line.  On  the  9th  I\Iay  the  French  made  an  attack  in  force  in  Artois,  the  ob- 
jectives being  Ijens,  Douai,  and  Soissons,  and  in  order  to  hold  the  enemy  to 
his  positions  other  attacks  w'ere  made  between  Festubert  and  Bois  Greniers. 
Some  of  the  enemy's  front  trenches  were  taken  after  much  fighting  and  heavy 
loss,  but  the  gains  were  inconsiderable  and  few  were  held. 

After  the  24th  May  the  fighting  died  out  and  the  usual  "  Trench  ^Yarfare  " 
re-conimenced.  No  offensive  movements  of  any  consequence  were  made  by 
either  side  until  the  24th  September. 

The  16th  remained  in  billets  at  Ste.  Marie  Cappel  until  July  1st,  when  seven 
officers  and  200  men  were  detailed  to  dig  trenches  near  Dickebushe,  the  party 


73 

being  relieved  every  week.     On   llic    lllli    I  le;iil(|u;irlcis  moved  to    liroxelles.  liJl-'i 
The  Kegiment  were  billeted  in  various  places  until  the  yOth  September. 

On  July  15th  Major-General  Sir  l'hili[)  Clietvvode  took  over  tonunand  of 
the  "ind  Cavalry  Division. 

During  the  winter  military  operations  had  been  greatly  hampered  by  the 
increasing  scarcity  of  munitions,  shells  and  high  ex[>losives  and  the  want  of 
heavier  guns  and  machine  guns,  while  the  troops  were  disheartened  and 
exasperated  by  the  incessant  shelling  that  they  were  subjected  to,  to  which  no 
adequate  reply  could  be  made. 

Not  only  were  the  remonstrances  and  requests  of  Sir  J.  French  entirely  dis- 
regarded by  the  \A'ar  Office,  but  he  had  the  further  mortification  of  seeing  every 
day  train-loads  of  anununition  ])assing  behind  his  lines  on  the  I'oad  to  Marseilles 
for  shi[)nient  to  Gallipoli.  The  climax  was  reached  when  an  order  was  sent 
from  the  ^^'ar  Office  on  May  •JOth  to  send  away  "itJ  per  cent,  of  the  reserve  of 
sliells  which  had  been  with  difficulty  accumulated  for  use  in  the  expected 
summer  offensive. 

Some  of  the  facts  about  tlie  shortage  of  shells  had  already  leaked  out  not- 
withstanding the  censorship,  and  the  public  was  getting  a  little  uneasy  about 
the  situation.  On  April  iOth  Mr.  Asquith  made  his  extraordinary  speech  at 
Newcastle,  in  which  he  flatly  denied  that  there  was  any  want  of  ammunition 
at  all.  It  is  impossible  to  conjecture  what  could  possibly  have  induced  even 
the  most  hardened  politician  to  make  such  a  statement.  The  Prime  Minister 
could  not  plead  ignorance,  as  Sir  Jolin  French  had  repeatedly  brought  the  facts 
to  his  knowledge  both  personally  and  by  letters.  It  was  indeed  equivalent  to 
saying  that  he  did  not  believe  that  the  Field-^Iarslial  was  speaking  the  truth. 

The  Field-Marshal  now  took  the  unprecedented  course  of  seeking  the  aid  of 
the  Press,  which  he  did  through  the  medium  of  Colonel  Repington,  the 
"  Times  "  Correspondent,  though  he  was  well  aware  that  he  was  risking  his 
professional  future  by  doing  so.  The  result  was  that  such  a  storm  was  raised 
in  the  country  that  the  Cabinet  was  compelled  to  take  action — the  Ministry  of 
Munitions  was  created  to  take  over  the  responsilulity  for  all  war  material  and 
Mr.  Lloyd  George  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  new  department.  Whatever 
the  faults  of  that  gentleman  may  be,  a  lack  of  energy  is  certainly  not  one  of 
them,  and  by  September  the  weekly  supply  of  shells  was  fully  30  times  greater 
than  it  had  been  in  May. 

The  Allied  line  was  now  divided  into  three  sectors,  each  under  the  command  Sept. 
of  a  French  General.     The  northern  sector,  which  ran  from  the  sea  to  Com- 1^'^- 
piegne  sur  Oise,  was  commanded  by  General  Foch  ;  the  central  sector,  from 
Compiegne  to  Vei'dun,  by  General  de  Castelnau  ;  the  right  sector,  from  Verdun 
to  the  Swiss  frontier,  by  General  Dubail. 

The  dis|5osition  of  the  Armies  on  the  northern  sector  was  as  follows,  from 
left  to  right  : — 

From  the  sea  to  Boesinghe,  on  the  Ypres  Canal,  the  Belgian  Army  and  a 
French  Corps  under  Creneral  Hely  d'Oissel. 

From  Boesinghe  to  Armentieres,  the  Snd  Army  under  General  Plumer. 

From  Armentieres  to  Grenav,  west  of  Lens,  the  1st  Army  under  General 
Sir  D.  Haig. 

From  Grenav  to  Arras,  the  French  10th  Army  under  General  d'Urbal. 

From  Arras  to  the  Somme,  the  3rd  Army  under  General  Monro. 

The  strength  of  the  British  battle  line  now  amounted  to  about  600,000 
bayonets,  that  of  the  French  about  2,000,000. 

It  was  decided  that  an  attack  should  be  made  by  de  Castelnau  in  the  Cham- 
pagne area,  the  objective  being  the  (iernian  railway  communications  at  the 

L 


74 

1915   junction  at  Voiisiers,  while  I  lie  Hrilisli  wcic  to  iiiakc  :i,  siibsidiiiry  attack  in  the 

Loos  area  in  order  to  liold  tile  (iernian.s  in  llieir  positions. 
22ik1      The  attack  of  de  Castelnau   began  on   the   -i-ind   and   hislcd    till    the   -JUtli. 
Sept.  Though   the  objective   was   not    fully   attained   still    a   considerable   e.\tent   of 
ground  was  gained  and  very  heavy  losses  were  inflicted  on  the  enemy,  'JSjOIJO 
prisoners  and  150  guns  being  taken. 

The  battle,  known  as  the  ISattle  of  Loos,  in  the  northern  sector  began  on 
the  •24th.  The  main  attack  was  made  by  the  Frencdi  10th  Army  and  the  1st 
Army,  by  the  first  upon  tlie  Viniy  Kidge,  by  the  hitlci'  on  the  line  I  ,a  T-Jassee, 
Haines,  Hulloch,  Loos. 

Subsidiary  attacks  were  also  made  by  the  '2nd  Division  from  Givenchy,  by 
the  Indian  Corps  from  Neuve  Chapelle,  by  the  3rd  Corjjs  from  Bois  Greniers, 
and  the  5th  Corps  from  Ypres.  The  Cavalry  Corps,  less  the  3rd  Division,  were 
kept  in  reserve  at  St.  Pol  and  Bailleul  les  Pernes.  The  3rd  l^ivisicn  was  posted 
beliind  the  4th  Corps  as  reserve  to  the  1st  Ai'my. 

The  battle  lasted  over  six  days.     The  general  results  were  as  follows  : — 

The  French  10th  Army  captured  and  held  the  Vimy  llidge. 

The  1st  Army  captured  Loos  after  very  severe  fighting  and  heavy  loss, 
taking  3,000  prisoners  and  '25  guns. 

The  other  attacks,  which  were  not  pressed,  accomplished  nothing  of  im- 
portance. 

The  16th  were  not  engaged  in  this  action,  but  the  ;ird  Division  was  sent 
dismounted  into  the  firing  line. 
1st  On  the  1st  October  Colonel  Eccles  rejoined  the  Regiment.  On  the  2nd 
^''*-  Captain  Graham  and  33  men  per  squadron  were  sent  dismounted  to  Yermelles 
to  clean  up  the  battlefield.  The  detachment  rejoined  on  the  4th,  and  the  same 
day  Colonel  Camjjbell  was  promoted  Brigadier-General  to  command  the  5th 
Cavalry  Brigade. 

The  Regiment  remained  in  Ijillets  at  various  places  until  the  2nd  Januarv, 
1916. 

After  the  Battle  of  Loos  the  enemy  made  several  counter-attacks  at  various 
points  of  the  Allied  line,  which  were  defeated,  chiefly  by  artillery  fire,  with 
considerable  loss,  but  the  line  as  established  after  Loos  remained  practically 
unchanged  during  the  rest  of  the  winter  and  fighting  was  confined  to  the  usual 
"  Trench  Warfare." 
15tli  On  the  15th  December  Sir  John  French  resigned  the  command  and  returned 
Dec.  to  England.  He  was  succeeded  by  Sir  D.  Haig,  who  was  replaced  by  Sir  C. 
Monro  in  the  connnand  of  the  1st  Army. 

In  December  the  Indian  Infantry  Corps  left  France,  and  the  Cavalry  Bri- 
gades were  broken  up  and  formed  into  battalions  of  infantry. 

The  casualties  in  the  fighting  during  September  were  very  great.  The 
British  lost  upwards  of  45,000  men  up  to  October  1st,  and  the  French  about 
120,000. 


CHAPTER   XL. 

J.^ND.VRV,  1916,  TO  December  31st,  1917. 

1916. — January  2nd,  The  Regiment  at  Wavrans.  Trenches.  February  9th, 
Return  to  billets  at  Wavrans.  Line  extended  by  relief  of  French  10th 
Army.    Now  from  Boesghe  on  north  to  Corfu  eight  miles  N.W.  Peronne. 


75 

February  -JJsl,  (heat  Cienuaii  offensive  nt  N'erdnn  begins.  .July  1st,  Be-  19H; 
ginning  of  Jst  JJuttle  of  tbe  Sonmie.  Attaeic  bv  4th  Army.  J'orniation 
of  5th  Army.  June  lUtii,  The  8rd  Brigade  at  Sec  J3ois.  November  18th, 
-Battle  of  Sonnne  ends.  The  results.  The  Cavalry  not  engaged.  Septem- 
ber Gth,  Kegiment  to  Bray.  November  8th,  To  billets  at  Petits  Preaux 
for  winter.  1U17. — No  serious  fighting  during  winter,  (ierinan  retire- 
ment to  new  Hindenburg  line  in  February.  Retreat  followed  up.  The 
new  position.  April  yth,  The  lieginient  on  reeonnaisaiice.  April  19th, 
To  billets  MUeroy.  Preparations  for  new  attack  bv  1st  and  3rd  Annies 
east  of  Arras.  April  9th,  Attack  begins.  June  Gth,  Battle  ceases.  Results 
of  liattle  of  Arras.  French  attacks  on  the  Aisne.  French  line  extended. 
May  23rd,  The  Regiment  to  trenches  at  Lempire.  June  -JTth,  Move  to 
Epehy  in  suppori  to  'ind  Army.  Preparations  for  attack  on  the  norih. 
Movements  of  4th  and  5th  Armies.  June  7th,  Third  Battle  of  Ypres. 
Operations  impeded  by  l)ad  weather.  Results.  The  Kith  in  billets  July, 
August  and  September.  Preparations  for  new  attack  by  3rd  Army.  Ob- 
jectives Bourlon  and  break  through  by  Cavalry  at  Cambrai.  November 
•20th,  Battle  of  Cambrai.  Initial  success  at  Bourlon.  Failure  on  Schelde 
Canal.  November  •20th,  (lerman  Re.serves  come  up.  (Jerman  counter- 
attack. The  break  through  near  (ionnelieu.  Better  descriptive  of  action. 
The  3rd  Brigade  in  support  at  Masnieres.  November  23rd,  Cavalry  with- 
drawn. November  25th,  The  3rd  Brigade  to  Fins  and  Ribecourt'.  Dis- 
mounted party  at  Bourlon.  December  4th,  Camp  bombed.  December  6th, 
To  billets  round  Bovelles. 
Summary  of  Events,  January  1st,  191(5,  to  December  31st,  1917.— January 
9th,  191(5,  Final  evacuation  of  (hillipoli.  Februarv  21st,  Oreat  attack  on 
\erdun  begins.  March  lOth,  Germany  declares  war  on  Portugal.  April 
•29th,  Capitulation  of  Kut.  May  30th,  Battle  of  Jutland.  June  5th,  Lord 
Kitchener  drowned.  July  1st,  Allied  offensive  on  Somme  begins.  6th, 
Mr.  Lloyd  George  Secretary  for  War.  August  (Sth,  Battle  of  the  Isonzo  ; 
Italian  victory.  27th,  Roumania  declares  war  on  Austria  ;  Germany  de- 
clares war  on  Roumania.  30th,  Y.  Hindenburg  succeeds  V.  Falkenhayn 
as  Chief  of  General  Staff.  September  3rd,  Invasion  of  the  Dobruja  by 
Germany.  October  Sth,  Retreat  of  Roumanians  from  Transylvania.  12th, 
Germans  invade  Roumania.  November  11th,  Death  of  Emperor  of 
Austria.  December  5th,  Resignation  of  Mr.  Asquith.  Gth,  Mr.  Lloyd 
George  Prime  Minister.  Sth,  Blockade  of  Greece.  P2th,  Tentative  pro- 
posals for  peace  by  Germany  ;  General  Nivelle  succeeds  General  Joffre. 
20th,  Peace  Note  from  President  ^^'ilson.  30th,  Allies  leplv  to  German 
Peace  Proposals.  January  11th,  1917,  Allies  reply  to  President  Wilson. 
31st,  Germany  announces  unrestricted  submarine  warfare.  February  3rd, 
Submarine  sinks  United  States  steamer  Housatonic  ;  Diplomatic  relation.s 
broken  off  with  Germany.  March  10th,  Russian  Revolution  begins.  11th. 
Baghdad  taken.  26th,  Invasion  of  Palestine.  April  6th,  United  State.s 
declares  war  on  Germany.  9th,  Brazil  declares  war  on  Germany;  Vimy 
ridge  taken  by  Canadians.  October  24th,  Defeat  of  Italians  at  Caporetto" 
November  18th,  Death  of  Sir  S.  Maude  in  Mesopotamia.  20th,  Battle  of 
Cambrai.  26th,  Germans  evacuate  East  Africa.  December  2'2nd,  Brest 
Litovski  negotiations  oiiened  between  Berlin  and  revolutionary  Russia. 

On  the  2nd  January,  19 IG,  the  Regiment  was  sent  to  Wavrans,  where  the  Jan. 
horses  were  left,  one  man  being  detailed  to  look  after  three  horses.     The  2nd 
Cavalry  Division  was  posted  at  and  about  Yermelles  and  the  dismounted  troops 


76 

1916  went  into  tlie  trenches.  The  Kith  louk  tlicir  turn  in  tlie  trenches  until  the  'Jth 
February,  when  the  Keginicnt  went  into  billets,  tirst  at  Vernielles  and  iinally 
at  Wavrans,  where  it  remained  until  the  J9th  June. 

During  January  and  February  a  niunber  of  minor  attacks  were  made  by  the 
enemy  at  various  places  with  the  intention  of  diverting  attention  from  the 
preparations  that  were  being  made  for  the  impending  great  offensive  against 
Verdun.  The  16th  casualties  during  this  period  were  one  man  killed,  and 
Lieuts.  Hays  and  Davies  and  five  men  wounded. 

During  the  third  week  in  February  the  ground  hitherto  held  by  the  French 
lUth  Army  was  taken  over.  The  British  line  then  e.xtended  uninterruptedly 
from  Boesinghe,  five  miles  north  of  Ypres,  to  Corlu,  eight  miles  north-west  of 
Peronne. 

On  the  -Jlst  February  the  attack  on  Verdun  began.     The  Germans  had 
massed  an  army  of  230,000  men  and  an  enormous  number  of  guns  for  this 
attack,  and  these  were  continuously  reinforced  by  Divisions  drawn  from  the 
reserves  on  other  sections  and  from  the  P^astern  front  during  <he  battle,  which 
^p,,il  lasted  without  intermission  until  the  lOth  April,  and  resulted  in  the  complete 
defeat  of  the  Germans.     The  lighting  was  of  the  most  desperate  description, 
for  the  enemy  pressed  the  attack  quite  regardless  of  losses,  and  the  French 
fought  with  even  more  than  their  usual  courage  and  determination.   The  losses 
on  both  sides  reached  unprecedented  numbers,  the  German  casualties  amount- 
ing to  at  least  -200, 000  and  those  of  the  French  to  quite  half  that  numljer. 
May       Oil  the  3rd  May  the  lighting  at  Verdun  was  recommenced  and  lasted  until 
the  30th  June,  by  which  time  the  French  counter-attack  had  finally  regained 
all  the  ground  that  had  been  previously  lost  and  the  German  attack  came  to 
an  end. 
1st         On  the  1st  July  the  first  battle  of  the  Sonnne  began  with  a  general  bombard- 
Jo'y  ment  along  the  whole  line.     Great  preparations  had  been  made  in  the  rear 
of  the  line  for  the  attack  by  Sir  H.  Eawlinson's  4th  Army  with  Sir  Hubert 
Gough's  5th  Army,  then  in  process  of  formation,  in  reserve.     This  last  Army 
at  this  date  consisted  chiefly  of  the  Cavalry  Corps.     The  16th  joined  up  with 
the  rest  of  the  3rd  Brigade  at  Sec  Bois  on  the  19th  June. 

The  battle  lasted,  with  occasional  breaks  for  the  purpose  of  consolidating 
gains,  until  November  18th,  tanks  being  used  for  the  first  time.  The  result 
was  the  gain  of  a  great  semi-circle  the  base  line  of  which  extended  from  Beau- 
mont Hamel  on  the  north  to  Chilly  on  the  south,  a  distance  of  25  miles,  with 
a  maximum  depth  of  eight  miles  in  the  centre.  In  addition  38,000  prisoners 
were  taken,  with  29  heavy  and  96  field  guns,  136  mortars,  and  514  machine 
guns.  The  Cavalry  Corps  took  no  part  in  the  action,  and  the  only  casualty 
which  the  16th  had  during  these  months  was  on  the  26th  September,  when 
Captain  Tempest  Hicks  was  wounded. 

On  September  6th  the  Regiment  marched  to  Bray  sur  Somme,  and  eventu- 
ally on  November  8th  went  into  billets  at  Petits  Preaux  for  the  winter. 
Jan.  During  January  there  was  no  serious  fighting  in  the  northern  sector,  though 
1917.  there  were  some  minor  local  attacks  made  to  rectify  the  line  in  several  places, 
and  the  Regiment  remained  in  billets  until  5th  April.  On  February  9th  a 
Pioneer  Battalion  was  formed  and  sent  to  Bethune  under  the  command  of 
Lieut.  Allen.  On  March  1st  Tjieut. -Colonel  Eccles  was  invalided  home  and 
Captain  Cheyne  took  command  of  the  Regiment,  but  was  replaced  the  next 
day  by  Captain  Shannon  when  the  Pioneers  rejoined. 

The  results  of  the  Somme  battle  and  the  fighting  at  Verdun  had  caused  much 
disquiet  to  the  German  Staff'.  In  addition  to  the  heavy  loss  in  men  and  guns, 
sections  of  the  German  line  from  Arras  to  Soissons  had  been  rendered  unten- 


77 

able  and  a  new  set  of  ('iilrcncliiiifiils  behind   il   had  been  roiisl  i  ucteil  in  (;ase  1917 
of  a  possible  retreat.     This  new  line  was  caUed  by  tlie  (iernians  the  Siegfried, 
and  by  tlie  British  the  Jdindenbiirg  line,  as  it  was  supposed  to  have?  Ijeeii  made 
under  the  supervision  of  that  hero. 

At  the  beginning  of  Fcliruary  it  became  evident  that  a  retirement  to  tfie  new  Feb. 
line  was  being  commenced  and  a  general  advance  in  pursuit  was  ordered. 

A  series  of  rear-guard  actions  followed,  but  the  advance  was  greatly  retarded 
by  the  state  of  the  roads,  which  had  not  only  been  destroyed  by  the  enemy  as 
far  as  the  time  permitted,  but  were  also  brol^en  up  by  a  thaw  and  wef  following 
a  prolonged  frost. 

Under  these  circumstances  the  enemy's  withdrawal  to(jk'  ])lace  without 
serious  molestation,  a.nd  by  April  7th  the  German  Armies  were  established  on 
the  new  line  and  the  retreat  came  to  an  end. 

The  new  line  ran  from  just  east  of  Arras,  which  was  littl(>  moie  than  a  mile 
within  the  British  lines,  by  Bapaume  and  Soissons,  lieing  al)out  five  miles  east 
of  the  two  towns  and  a  mile  west  of  St.  Quentin. 

The  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  marched  from  their  billets  on  the  5th  April  and  April, 
was  employed  in  a  reconnaisance  of  the  enemy's  line.  Beyond  some  shelling 
there  was  no  actual  lighting,  but  the  weather  was  atrocious,  with  frequent 
snowstorms,  and  shelter  was  difficult  to  find  as  every  village  had  been  carefully 
destroyed.  On  the  11th  April  the  Regiment  invouaced  in  a  held  in  a  snow- 
storm. Neither  rations  or  water  could  be  obtained  and  the  horses  were  two 
days  without  any,  with  the  result  that  19  died  and  '28  had  to  be  left  behind 
when  the  Begiment  moved  off.  On  the  19th  the  Regiment  again  went  into 
billets,  finally  at  Villeroy,  where  it  remained  until  the  I'ith  of  May.  The 
casualties  in  this  operation  were  two  men  wounded. 

Meanwhile  preparations  were  being  made  for  an  attack  by  the  3rd  and  1st 
Armies  on  the  German  positions  east  of  Arras  between  Croisilles,  south-east 
of  Arras,  and  Givenchy  en  Gobelle  at  the  northern  end  of  Yimy  ridge,  on  a 
front  of  15  miles.  The  German  position  included  about  five  miles  of  the  new 
Hindenburg  system  of  trenches. 

The  French  were  to  begin  the  attack,  called  the  second  iiattle  of  the  Aisne, 
on  the  16th  April,  and  the  battle  of  Arras  was  intended  to  snp))ort  this  action. 

To  ensure  secrecy  the  greater  part  of  the  troops  and  their  supplies  were 
massed  for  the  attack  in  the  great  catacombs  and  cellars  under  the  city  of 
Arras,  where  they  were  secure  from  observation,  and  for  three  weeks  before 
the  infantry  attack  the  enemy's  trenches  were  bombarded  by  the  heavy  artil- 
lery. On  the  9th  April  the  infantry  attack  began  with  the  cajituie  of  that  part 
of  the  Vimy  ridge  still  held  by  the  enemy  by  the  Canadians  commanded  by 
Sir  J.  Byng.  The  Battle  of  Arras  continued  until  the  6th  June  and  resulted  June, 
in  a  gain  of  front  extending  for  18  miles  with  an  average  depth  of  four  miles. 
Twenty  thousand  prisoners,  257  guns,  '227  trench  mortars,  4G4  machine  guns, 
and  a  large  amount  of  stores  of  all  kinds  were  taken.  The  French  attack  on 
the  Aisne  was  also  successful,  the  Craonne  plateau  and  the  Chemin  des  Dames 
being  taken.  On  the  20th  May  the  French  line  was  again  extended  to  the 
Omignon  River,  thus  re-occupying  the  line  vacated  in  February. 

On  the  12th  May  the  Regiment  marched  by  Peronne  to  the  camp  at  Mar-  May. 
quais,  whence  11  officers  and  317  men  were  sent  dismounted  into  the  reserve 
trenches  at  Epehy.  On  the  23rd  the  Regiment  moved  to  camp  at  Bouchy  and 
the  dismounted  troops  went  into  the  trenches  at  Lempire.  On  the  21st  June  June, 
the  trench  occu))ied  by  A  Squadron  was  blown  in,  one  man  being  killed  and 
two  wounded.  On  June  27th  the  Regiment  returned  to  Epehy  in  support  of 
the  2nd  Armv. 


78 

11U7  The  action  at  Anas  having  accomplished  its  (jbjective,  tlie  CoiiiniaiHler-iii- 
Chief  now  letiuned  to  his  original  intention  to  undertake  a  vigorous  oU'ensive 

June  in  the  northern  flank  of  the  line.  \  er}  careful  preparations  were  made  for 
this,  and  the  disposition  of  the  several  Armies  was  materially  altered.  (Jenerai 
Rawlinson's  4th  Army  was  moved  from  Peronne  to  Nieuport,  Sir  Hubert 
Gough's  5th  Army  to  Ypres,  and  General  Plumer's  'ind  Army  to  the  Lys. 
The  Belgian  Army  was  at  Dixmude,  and  the  1st  French  Army  between  the 
Belgians  and  the  5th  Army.  The  primary  objectives  of  the  coming  attack  were 
the  Messines  and  ^^'yteshaete  Jlidges. 

What  is  known  as  the  Third  _Battle  ol  Ypres  began  at  daybreak  on  the 
morning  of  the  7th  June  with  the  firing  of  nineteen  great  mines  which  had 
been  laid  along  the  front  from  Hill  GO  to  the  northern  end  of  the  Messines 
Ridge.  The  explosion  was  at  once  followed  by  an  infantry  attack  on  the  nine 
miles  of  trenches  between  St.  Yves  and  ]Mount  Sorrel,  which  resulted  in  the 
capture  of  (_)ost-taverne  and  (iai)aard  and  the  evacuation  in  consequence  of  all 
the  forward  positions  of  the  enemy.     Sojne  successful  minor  operations  fol- 

L'Ttli   lowed,  and  on  the  'iTth  -Jidy  the  French  and  the  5th  Army  crossed  the  Yser 

J"lv   Canal. 

31st        On  the  31sl  July  the  French  and  the  5th  Army  renewed  the  attack  on  a 

July  front  of  15  miles  between  Steenstraat  and  the  J^ys.  The  result  was  the  advance 
of  the  whole  line,  0,000  prisoners  and  "25  guns  being  taken.  Further  operations 
were  held  up  for  two  weeks  by  a  succession  of  storms  and  heavy  rains. 

Aug.  On  the  15th  August  the  Canadians  attacked  and  took  Hill  70  with  1,700 
l)risoners,  and  on  the  next  day  a  second  attack  was  made  from  Ypres  in  which 
Langemarck  was  taken  with  '2,000  prisoners  and  30  guns. 

After  some  minor  operations  a  further  advance  was  attempted  by  both  the 

ggpt  5th  and  'ind  Armies.  Operations  were  greatly  impeded  by  the  continuous  rain 
which  turned  the  whole  front  into  a  sea  of  mud,  but  on  the  'iGth  Polygon  Wood 
was  taken  and  held  notwithstanding  repeated  counter-attacks  by  the  Germans, 
who  had  been  reinforced  by  Divisions  transferred  from  the  Russian  front. 

Nov.  Finally  on  the  6th  November  Paschendaele  was  taken  by  the  Canadians  after 
some  very  severe  fighting  and  the  operation  came  to  an  end.  From  the  31st 
July  to  the  6th  November  24, 000  prisoners  were  taken  with  74  guns,  138 
trench  mortars,  and  940  machine  guns. 

The  16th  remained  in  billets  at  various  places  during  July,  August,  Sep- 
tember and  October  with  the  exception  of  the  week  from  July  1st  to  the  8th, 
when  the  Regiment  went  into  the  trenches  from  Epehy,  and  had  no  casualties. 
On  the  Kith  Major-General  Greenly  took  over  the  command  of  the  2nd 
Cavalry  Division.  On  the  20th  November  the  Brigade  marched  to  Villers- 
Faucon . 

Though  it  was  so  late  in  the  season,  and  the  troops  had  been  much  tried, 
both  by  hard  fighting  and  the  unusually  bad  weather,  it  seemed  to  the  Allied 
command  to  be  of  the  utmost  importaTice  to  continue  the  operations  on  the 
Western  Front  in  order  to  prevent  reinforcements  being  .sent  from  the  German 
Armies  to  the  Italian  front,  where  affairs  were  going  very  badly  for  the  Italians 
after  their  decisive  defeat  at  Caporetto.  Furthermore,  as  it  was  known  that 
the  enemy  was  being  reinforced  from  the  Russian  front  it  was  desirable,  if  an 
attack  was  to  be  made  at  all,  to  make  one  as  soon  as  possible.  As  the  enemy 
had  been  compelled  to  concentrate  most  of  his  reserve  troops  in  front  of  Pas- 
chendaele Sir  D.  Haig  decided  to  attack  in  the  direction  of  Cambrai,  where  he 
would  have  the  advantage  of  dryer  ground  where  tanks  could  co-operate  with 
the  infantry  without  the  difficulties  that  hampered  their  action  in  the  muddy 
valleys  in  front  of  Ypres. 


7'J 

Opposed  to  Sir  J.   H\  iig  in  liic  area  selected  i'oi-  the  oiieialioii ,  fioiii    I'liillc-  1917 
court  to  the  Oise,  was  the  lind  (ierinan  Anuy  coiiiinanded  \>\  \'on  Marwitz.* 
This  consisted  of  eleven  Divisions;  of  these  there  were  three  Divisions  in  the 
front  line  in  the  area  about  to  be  attaci^ed,  with  three  more  in  reserve. 

The  attack  was  limited  to  a  front  of  six  miles,  from  the  east  of  Gonnelieu 
on  the  south  to  the  Canal  du  Nord  opposite  Hermies,  while  subsidiary  attacks 
were  to  be  made  east  of  Epehy  and  between  Bulleconrt  and  I'^ontaine  les 
Croisilles.  It  was  to  be  made  by  the  3rd  Army,  now  commanded  l)y  Sir  J. 
}5yng,  who  had  replaced  Sir  E.  AUenby  when  he  was  transferred  to  Palestine 
in  June.  Sir  J.  liyng  had  nine  Divisions  of  Infantry,  of  which  six  were  in 
line  on  the  front  of  the  main  attack,  two  on  the  left  in  the  BuUecourt  area, 
and  one  in  reserve,  together  with  a  large  force  of  tanks.  As  there  was  a  possi- 
bility, and  indeed  an  expectation,  of  effecting  a  breach  in  the  enemy's  line  by 
means  of  the  tanks  sutticient  to  allow  of  the  passage  of  the  Cavalry,  four 
Divisions,  the  1st,  •Jnd,  -ith,f  and  5th  Cavalry  Divisions,  were  placed  at 
General  Byng's  disposal. 

The  principal  objective  was  to  capture  the  connnanding  position  of  Bourlon 
Wood  and  village  on  the  north,  and  after  forcing  the  passage  of  the  Canal 
and  covering  the  right  flank  of  the  advance  Ijy  the  capture  of  Crevecceur  and 
Rumilly,  to  wheel  the  line  to  the  north-east.  The  Cavalry  Corps  was  then  to 
move  as  quickly  as  possible  on  Cambrai  with  the  view  of  raiding  the  enemy's 
lines  of  communication. 

Sir  D.  Haig  reckoned  that  it  would  take  about  48  hours  for  the  enemy  to 
bring  his  reserves  into  action,  and  that  in  that  time  he  might  be  able  to  accom- 
plish his  objective,  which  was  a  combination  of  the  seizure  and  holding  of  the 
Bourlon  position  and  a  Cavalry  raid. 

Every  precaution  was  taken  to  prevent  any  warning  being  given  of  the  im- 
pending attack.  The  troops  were  assembled  by  night  in  the  trenches  and  the 
tanks  concealed  behind  woods  and  copses,  chiefly  under  cover  of  the  Havrin- 
court  Forest,  and  there  was  no  preliminary  bombardment.  At  6.20  a.m.  on 
the  ^Oth  November  the  Infantry  Divisions,  preceded  by  a  long  line  of  tanks,  L'Oth 
attacked  on  a  front  of  six  miles  east  of  Gonnelieu  to  the  Canal  du  Nord  oppo-  ^'^^■ 
site  Hermies,  subsidiary  attacks  being  made  from  Epehy,  BuUecourt,  and 
Croisilles.  The  attack  was  so  far  successful  that  at  noon  the  5th  Cavalry 
Division  was  sent  forward  to  cross  the  canal  at  Masnieres  and  Marcoing,  but 
the  enemy's  resistance  was  still  unlnoken  at  these  points,  and  being  unable  to 
get  further  the  troo])ers  were  dismounted  and  joined  the  infantry  line. 

The  results  of  the  day's  fighting  were  the  capture  of  the  German  first  line, 
the  Siegfried  line  and  its  reserve  trenches,  and  parts  of  the  last  line  to  a  depth 
of  4t^  miles  on  a  front  of  five  miles  with  5,000  prisoners.  But  neither  Eumilly 
or  Crevecoeur  were  taken,  nor  were  the  crossings  of  the  Scheldt  Cnnnl  made 
good. 

The  next  morning  the  attack  was  resumed.    Flesqirieres  and  the  ridge  there,  -J^t 
Anneux,   and   Cantaing  were   taken   and   held,   and   the  outskirts  of  Bourlon  ^  "^'' 
Wood  reached,  and  late  in  the  afternoon  Fontaine-notre-Dame.   The  Canadian 
Cavalry  Brigade  tried  to  cross  the  Canal  at  Masnieres  but  failed,  though  a 
squadron  of  Fort  Garry  Horse  did  manage  to  cross  by  a  temporary  brudge  and 
breaking  through  the  enemy's  line  charged  and  captured  a  field  battery.    The 


*  Formerly  Commandant  of  the  Cavalry  Corps.  Tliis  seeni.s  to  have  been  broken  up  and 
the  troopers  drafted  into  Infantry  Corps.  There  were  no  signs  of  any  German  Cavalry 
during  the  fighting  at  Cambrai. 

t  The  4th  Cavahy  Division  was  comprised  of  the  Mliow,  Lucknow,  and  .Sealkote  Brigades. 
The  .itli  of  the  Canadian,  .Xmljala,  and  Serunderabad  Brigades. 


80 

1917  squadron  was  eventually  withdrawn  after  most  of  the  horw.s  had  been  killed. 
The  1st  Cavalry  Division  and  the  And)ala  Brigade  were  held  u[)  at  Xoyelles, 
where  they  fought  on  foot  with  the  Infantry,  and  at  night  the  5th   Division 
was  withdrawn  as  the  liuniilly  attack  was  abandoned. 
22iul      The  '22nd  was  occupied  in  consolidating  the  gains  and  in  bringing  up  reliefs. 
Nov.  On  the  23rd  the  battle  was  renewed.     Bourlon  Wood  was  finally  cleared  of 
the  enemy,  but  little  progress  was  made  elsewhere,  and  all  ho[)e  of  a  "  break- 
through "  by  the  Cavalry  was  given  up,  to  the  great  disap))ointment  of  the 
troops. 
24th      l^y  the  24th  the  Gernuin  Keserves  were  coming  up  in  force  and  there  were 
Nov.  strong  counter-attacks.     Bourlon  village  was  taken  but  afterwards  retaken  by 
the  enemy  after  severe  fighting;  the  Wood,  however,  was  held,  and  also  the 
hill.  There  was  now  a  pause  in  the  battle  of  a  week.   The  general  results  of  the 
operations  so  far  were  the  occupation  of  the  Bourlon  heights,  the  clearing  of 
GU  square  miles  of  territory,  and  the  capture  of  10, ()()()  prisoners  and  142  guns. 

But  the  German  Staff  was  by  no  means  disposed  to  allow  Sir  1).  Haig  to 
retain  his  gains  without  a  further  struggle.  Sixteen  fresh  Divisions  were 
brought  up  to  reinforce  Yon  Marwitz,  and  on  the  30th  he  attacked  all  along  his 
line  with  24  Divisions,  the  chief  weight  of  the  attack  being  directed  against 
the  flanks  of  the  British  line,  at  Bourlon  and  Mcruvres  on  the  north  and  on  the 
southern  flank  on  the  line  Masnieres — Bonavis — Gonnelieu — Villers-Guislain. 

On  the  northern  .section  the  German  attack  was  fairly  well  held  and  the 
enemy  had  no  success,  though  the  fighting  was  severe  and  the  casualties  heavy, 
but  on  the  southern  flank  the  British  line  was  driven  in  from  Masnieres  to 
Vendhuille.  There  was  a  thick  fog  early  in  the  morning  which  covered  the 
advance  of  the  enemy,  and  the  situation  was  only  saved  by  the  valour  of  the 
29th  Division  which  held  Masnieres.  Nevertheless  the  Bonavis  Eidge  was 
lost,  and  with  it  La  Vacquerie,  with  18  field  guns,  Gonnelieu,  Villers  Guislain 
and  Gouzencourt,  and  Gauche  Wood,  three  miles  north-west  of  Vendhuille. 

The  4th  Cavalry  Divisien  had  been  withdrawn  to  Athies  and  the  .5th  to 
Monchy,  and  these  were  at  once  sent  back  to  fill  the  gap  in  the  line  between 
Gouzeaucourt  and  Vendhuille,  which  they  succeeded  in  doing,  and  a  Brigade 
of  Guards  with  a  number  of  tanks  retook  the  St.  Quentin  ridge  and  Gonnelieu, 
but  on  the  1st  December  the  29th  Division  evacuated  Masnieres  after  beating 
off  nine  attacks  in  succession  as  the  loss  of  the  Bonavis  position  made  the  place 
untenable.  There  was  much  fighting  on  the  2nd  and  3rd,  but  the  occupation 
of  La  Vacquerie  necessitated  the  evacuation  of  Marcoing,  and  on  the  4th  Sir 
D.  Haig  gave  up  Bourlon  and  retired  to  the  Fles(]uieres  ridge.  By  the  7th  the 
new  line  was  estalilished.  The  front  now  ran  from  the  Canal  du  Nord  1^  miles 
north  of  Havrincourt,  north  of  Flesquieres  and  Eibecourt,  along  Welsh  ridge 
to  a  point  Ih  miles  north-east  of  La  Vacquerie,  thence  west  of  Gonnelieu  and 
Villers  Guislain  to  Vendhuille,  where  it  rejoined  the  original  line. 

It  was  fortunate  that  the  Germans  either  did  not  recognise  the  extent  of  the 
success  of  their  attack  south  of  Gouzeaucourt  or  had  no  reserves  at  hand  to 
push  their  advantage  further,  for  there  was  nothing  to  stop  them  until  the 
Cavalry  Brigades  came  up. 

The  following  letter,  written  by  an  officer  of  one  of  the  Indian  Lancer  Regi- 
ments that  had  been  sent  back  to  near  Peronne  to  rest  after  the  failure  of  the 
attack  on  the  23rd,  shows  that  the  German  counter-attack  might  have  had  very 
serious  consequences,  for  it  is  certain  that  if  the  enemy's  Cavalry  had  been 
effectively  used  a  real  "break-through"  of  the  line  would  have  been  quite 
feasible,  and  though  no  doubt  it  would  have  been  soon  held  up  by  the  reserves, 
much  damage  might  have  been  done  before  it  was  checked.     Fortunately  the 


81 

enemy  did  not  realise  the  extent  of  the  success  tiicy  iiad  ^'iiined  and  the  o[)[ior-  1917 
tunity  vanished  very  speedily. 

The  account  referred  to  begins  :  — 

"  It  was  an  awful  rush  that  morning.  At  about  8  a.m.,  after  having  lieard 
the  most  awful  bombardment  going  on  towards  the. north,  we  suddenly  got 
the  order  to  march  at  once.  Half  the  regiment  was  out  at  exercise,  but  we 
managed  to  collect  things  and  got  off.  We  trotted  oH'  full  bat  for  about  12 
miles  without  stopiiing,  not  knowing  in  the  least  what  had  happened  except 
that  the  Huns  had  done  a  proper  break-through  somewhere  to  the  north. 

"  After  going  for  IJ  hours  in  the  direction  of  the  noise  we  had  orders  to  stop, 
and  the  Brigade  halted  for  a  short  time  in  a  ravine.  While  there  we  saw  one 
of  our  balloons  brought  down  over  our  heads  by  a  Hun  airplane,  and  a  lot  of 
rather  panic-stricken  wounded  Tonnnies  began  coming  through  going  west. 
None  of  them  knew  what  was  going  on,  but  we  didn't  wait  there  long  as  we 
got  orders  almost  at  once  to  mount  and  ride  north-west  and  drive  back  any 
Huns  we  met.  That  was  the  first  news  we  had  really  that  they  had  got  right 
through  with  no  one  in  front  of  them. 

"  The  British  Regiment  of  the  Brigade  was  told  oit  to  clear  a  wood  and  we 
were  told  to  work  on  their  left  and  till  the  gap  between  them  and  the  Guards, 
who  were  told  off  to  counter-attack  a  village  about  two  miles  from  the  left  of 
the  wood,  ^^'e  then  went  off  and  after  going  about  a  mile  we  came  on  the 
tanks,  which  were  on  their  way  to  join  the  Guards. 

Things  now  began  to  get  unpleasant  and  at  the  top  of  a  rise  we  came  on 
a  belt  of  wire.  The  leading  squadron  got  through  all  right,  but  the  second  had 
a  bad  time  getting  through  from  shell-tire,  which  they  were  able  to  get  on  just 
in  time  to  catch  them.  The  remaining  squadron  found  another  place  and  got 
through  w'ithout  much  damage. 

"  In  front  of  us  was  a  long  valley  on  the  right  of  which  was  the  wood  before 
mentioned,  and  on  the  left  the  Guards'  village.  We  set  off  down  there  as  fast 
as  we  could  go,  jumping  some  small  trenches  in  wkich  was  what  seemed  the 
last  of  the  British  Army,  consisting  of  a  Director  of  Ordnance  stores  and  his 
clerks. 

"  It  was  good  clear  going  down  the  valley,  but  at  the  end  of  it,  about  a  mile 
off,  was  a  deep  sunken  road  full  of  huts  and  dug-outs  into  which  the  Hun  had 
just  arrived.  It  wasn't  nice  riding  down  here,  but  the  men  were  wonderful, 
although  they  were  losing  a  lot  from  rifle  and  machine  gun  fire  and  a  certain 

amount  of  shells.   A was  killed  here  by  a  shell  which  landed  almost  under 

his  horse.  Both  the  C.O.'s  horses  were  shot  under  him,  one  after  the  other, 
but  we  got  down  in  the  end  all  right. 

"  F who  was  leading,  finding  that  he  couldn't  get  over  the  sunk  road, 

which  extended  1,000  yards  each  way  with  a  railway  on  the  far  side,  dis- 
mounted and  led  his  squadron  off  on  foot  towards  the  railway.  He  was  killed 
here  while  getting  his  Hotchkiss  gun  going.  The  rest  of  the  Regiment  now 
came  up,  and  the  Hun  having  legged  it  out  of  the  road  to  behind  the  railway 
where  it  was  quite  impossible  to  get  at  him  mounted,  we  lined  the  road  on 
foot  and  prepared  to  .stop  any  further  attempt  on  his  part  to  advance. 

' '  There  was  no  one  visible  on  our  right ;  on  our  left  we  could  see  the  Guards 
and  tanks  going  for  the  village.  The  Guards  took  it  in  fine  style,  but  the  tanks 
had  a  bad  time  as  there  was  a  rotten  little  gun  that  kept  getting  direct  hits 
on  them  and  they  went  off  like  a  firework. 

"  It  was  getting  dark  now,  and  after  a  bit  our  British  Regiment  came  up 
on  our  right,  which  made  things  more  secure  and  made  a  more  or  less  con- 
tinuous line,  however  thin,  in  front  of  the  victorious  Hun,  who  were  a  rotten 

M 


82 

19\7  lot  really  with  the  excejilion  ol  their  machine  gunners.  A  whole  crowd  of  them 
were  coming  out  of  the  wood  when  we  arrived,  hut  they  thought  better  of  it 
at  the  last  moment  ami  melted  away. 

"  We  stayed  there  for  the  night,  it  freezing  about  20  degrees,  but  the  road 
had  apparently  been  occupied  by  some  K.E.  who  had  run  away  early  in  the 
day  and  had  left  their  rations  and  vast  quantities  of  coats  and  blankets,  which 
we  were  very  glad  of.  We  sent  the  horses  away  during  the  night  and  became 
Infantry. 

"  The  Guards  attacked  on  om-  left  at  G.30  a.m.  the  next  morning,  and  the 
Huns  on  our  front  ran  into  our  trenches — a  most  miserable  crowd.  We  stuck 
there  all  day,  and  the  next  night  odds  and  ends  Ijegan  to  arrive  to  strengthen 
the  line,  and  during  the  night  we  were  relieved  by  another  Brigade  after  a 
very  nasty  dose  of  shelling." 

19th      On  the  19th  November  the  -Ind  Cavalry  Division  had  been  moved  up  to  the 

^°^-  front.  The  3rd  Brigade  bivouaced  at  Villers  Faucon  for  the  night,  and  at 
1  p.m.  on  the  •20th  advanced  to  the  Hindenburg  support  line  about  two  miles 
west  of  Masnieres  in  readiness  to  follow  the  5th  Brigade  over  the  Canal,  with 
the  4th  Brigade  in  reserve,  but  night  came  on  without  any  crossing  having 
been  effected.  The  Brigade  remained  in  this  position  until  4.30  p.m.  on  the 
21st,  when  the  Cavalry  advance  was  abandoned  and  it  returned  to  Villers 
Faucon.  On  the  23rd  the  Brigade  moved  to  Fins  and  on  the  morning  of  the 
25th  to  Eibecourt.  Here  200  men  were  left  dismounted  under  command  of 
Captain  Tempest-Hicks,*  and  the  remainder  of  the  Regiment  returned  to  Fins. 
There  was  no  actual  fighting  except  by  the  dismounted  party,  but  the  Brigade 
was  under  shell  fire  most  of  the  day,  the  casualties  of  the  16th  being  five  men 
wounded  and  three  horses  killed. 

The  Regiment  remained  at  Fins  until  the  6th  December,  the  dismounted 
party  having  rejoined  on  the  30th  November.  This  had  been  badly  shelled 
while  in  the  trenches  at  Bourlon  and  had  lost  three  men  killed  and  six 
wounded.  « 

Dec.  On  the  4th  the  Regiment  had  the  unpleasant  experience  of  having  the  camp 
bombed  by  airplanes,  the  casualties  being  Lieutenant  Pargeter  and  six  men 
wounded.     Five  horses  were  killed  and  11  others  badly  damaged. 

On  the  6th  Deceralier  the  Regiment  marched  to  the  camp  at  Bouchy  and 
tlience  to  billets  round  Bovelles,  where  it  remained  for  the  rest  of  the  month, 
there  being  no  military  operations  beyond  the  usual  trench  fighting  during  the 
winter. 

On  the  20th  a  dismounted  ]iarty  of  eight  officers  and  201  men  was  sent  to 
Hermilly. 

Captain  Cheyne  was  in  command  of  the  Regiment  with  the  acting  rank  of 
Lieut. -Colonel,  vice  Lieut. -Colonel  Eccles  temporarily  invalided  from  Novein- 
ber  16th. 


*  A  dismounted  Brigade  was  formed  from  the  2nd  Cavah-y  Division  and  sent  to  assist 
the  defence  of  Bourlon  Wood. 


83 
CHAPTER   XLI.  1918 

January,  1U18,  tu  Jllv,  i'Jlb. 

January  -iOth,  the  move  of  the  5th  Army  tu  the  South.  January  1st,  the  IGth 
goes  into  the  trenches.  January  'JSth,  the  3rd  lirigade  sent  to  Amiens. 
March  1st,  to  camp  at  Brie.  March  4th,  to  trenches  at  V'ermand.  March 
11th,  the  Brigade  returns  to  Brie.  March  13th,  the  Brigade  moves  to 
Grandru.  General  position  at  resumption  of  hostilities.  The  3rd  and  5th 
Armies.  German  Armies  and  plans.  March  '21st,  Second  Battle  of  the 
Somme  opens.  March  '2-2nd,  Crozat  Canal  crossed  hy  enemy.  Orders  of 
General  Gough.  General  retreat  of  3rd  and  5th  Armies.  March  ^^th. 
Allied  Council  at  Doulens.  General  Foch  appointed  C.-in-C.  March  ^oth, 
Formation  of  Carey's  Force.  March  -JGth,  Attack  renewed.  Further  re- 
treat. The  ^nd  Cavalry  Division  engaged  west  of  Noyon.  March  ^Tth, 
Withdrawal  to  Compiegne.  March  27th,  the  ^nd  Division  to  Montdidier 
area.  March  29th,  the  Division  to  Cattenchy.  March  28th,  the  5th  Army 
broken  up.  (ieneral  Gough's  command  ceases.  His  place  taken  by 
General  Rawlinson  and  4th  Army.  March  30th,  Renewal  of  battle.  The 
2nd  Division  at  Moreville.  March  31st,  Fighting  between  the  Avre  and 
Luce.  The  line  re-established.  April  1st,  the  withdrawal  of  the  2nd 
Cavalry  Division.  April  5th,  Final  German  attack  fails.  The  line  stabi- 
lised. End  of  Second  Battle  of  the  Somme.  April  7th,  the  Battle  of  the 
Lys.  Successes  of  the  enemy.  April  21st,  Fighting  suspended.  April 
23rd,  Tank  lighting  between  the  Somme  and  Ancre.  April  25th,  the  Lys 
battle  renewed.  Loss  of  Mount  Kemmel.  A]iril  291h,  German  attack 
finally  defeated.  Close  of  Battle  of  the  Lys.  The  2nd  Cavalry  Division 
during  the  Battle  of  the  Lys.  April  29th,  March  of  the  2nd  Division  to 
Clety.  May  5th,  the  Regiment  moves  into  billets  at  Longvillers.  May 
27th,  the  attack  on  the  French  along  the  Ailette»river  and  Third  Battle  of 
the  Aisne.  June  9th,  Attacks  on  the  Montdidier  section  and  at  Rheims. 
June  18th,  Termination  of  major  operations.  The  line  stabilised.  General 
result  of  the  fighting  from  March  21st  to  June  18th. 

Summary  of  Events,  February  to  June,  1918. — February  24th,  Brest  Litovski 
Treaty  signed  ;  final  withdrawal  from  the  war  by  Russia.  March  5th, 
Roumania  makes  peace.  21st,  Second  Battle  of  the  Somme  begins.  April 
7th,  Battle  of  the  Lys.  22nd,  Zeebrugge  harbour  blocked.  May  9th, 
Ostend  harbour  blocked.  27th,  Commencement  of  offensive  by  Allies; 
3rd  Battle  of  the  Aisne.    June  15th,  Defeat  of  Austrians  on  the  Piave. 

On  the  20th  January  the  5th  Army  was  moved  from  the  Ypres  section  to  Jan. 
the  south  end  of  the  front  on  the  right  of  the  3rd  Army,  and  took  up  the  line 
from  Gouzecoiu't  to  the  Oise.  This  move  was  made  by  order  of  the  British 
Government  in  response  to  the  urgent  request  of  the  French  for  an  extension 
of  the  British  line  regardless  of  the  remonstrances  of  Sir  D.  Haig,  whose  re- 
peated requests  for  reinforcements  fi'om  England  were  entirely  ignored.  The 
battle  front  to  the  extreme  right,  where  the  British  line  joined  that  of  the 
French  at  Barisis  some  eight  miles  south  of  the  Oise,  was  125  miles  in  length, 
and  of  this  Sir  H.  Gough's  5th  Army  held  no  less  than  42  miles. 

On  the  1st  January  the  Regiment  again  went  into  the  trenches,  nine  officers 
and  200  men  being  sent  into  the  front  line  east  of  Villaret.  On  the  6th  the 
3rd  Brigade  was  relieved  by  the  5th  Brigade  and  the  16th  went  into  reserve 
at  Vendelles,  where  the  Regiment  remained  until  the  Gth,  when  it  went  into 


84 

1918  the  inteniiediatf  line.  This  area  was  heavily  shelled  from  the  Gth  to  the 
i7th,  two  men  heing  killed  and  six  wounded.  Trench  service  continued  in 
one  or  other  of  the  lines  until  the  :i8th  January,  when  the  3rd  Brigade  was 
relieved  by  the  Lucknow  Brigade  and  sent  by  train  to  the  back  area  south- 
west of  Amiens.  The  casualties  during  this  period  were  two  killed  and  two 
wounded. 
Mar.  On  the  1st  March  the  Kegiment  moved  to  the  camp  at  Brie.  On  the  4th' 
the  dismounted  party  went  into  the  trenches  at  Vermand  in  relief  of  the  Cana- 
dian Dragoons.  Though  the  trenches  were  subjected  to  considerable  shelling 
and  airplane  bombing  there  were  no  casualties,  and  on  the  lUth  the  party  was 
relieved  by  infantry  and  returned  by  train  to  Brie.  On  the  13th  the  Brigade 
moved  to  Grandru  in  reserve  to  the  3rd  Corps  on  the  extreme  right  of  the 
British  line.  This  place  was  a  village  five  miles  north-east  of  Noyon  and 
15  miles  due  west  of  Barisis.  This  day  Major  Brooke  took  over  the  command 
of  the  Eegiment  from  Captain  Cheyne. 

The  inevitable  resumption  of  active  hostilities  in  the  coming  spring  was 
regarded  with  considerable  uneasiness  by  Sir  D.  Haig  and  his  Generals.  But 
scanty  reinforcements  had  been  received  from  England,  for  the  Government, 
obsessed  by  the  fear  of  a  possible  invasion,  persisted  in  keeping  a  large  Army 
in  the  country  ;  the  line  had  been  unreasonably  extended,  and  it  was  known 
that  the  Ciermans  were  daily  being  reinforced  by  Divisions  drawn  not  only 
from  the  Eastern  front,  where  the  Bussian  collapse  was  complete,  but  even 
from  Italy,  Eoumania,  and  Bulgaria.  Sir  D.  Haig  expected  that  the  attack 
would  be  made  against  the  point  of  junction  with  the  French,  but  he  did  not 
venture  to  weaken  the  northern  flank,  for  he  could  not  be  certain  of  this.  As 
a  defeat  on  that  section  would  have  had  most  disastrous  consequences,  the  3rd 
and  5th  Armies  were  left  to  meet  the  possible  offensive  in  the  certainty  of 
receiving  little  help  from  outside. 

In  March  the  3rd  Array,  under  Sir  J.  Byng,  lay  from  just  north  of  the  Arras- 
Douai  road  to  near  Gouzeaucourt,  with  four  Corps  (15  Divisions),  the  front 
extending  over  about  40,000  yards.  Sir  H.  Gough,  with  the  5th  Army,  had 
to  cover  a  front  of  72,000,  or  41  miles,  with  14  Infantry  Divisions  and  two 
Divisions  of  Cavalry.     The  details  of  his  position  were  as  follows  : — 

From  Gouzeaucourt  to  Roussoy  lay  the  7th  Corps  under  Sir  W.  Congreve, 
four  Divisions,  covering  14,000  yards. 

From  Eoussoy  to  Maissemy,  covering  the  valley  of  the  Omingnon,  lay  the 
19th  Corps  under  Sir  H.  E.  Watts,  holding  a  front  of  10,000  yards  with  three 
Divisions. 

In  front  of  St.  Quentin,  from  the  Omignon  to  the  Sorame,  was  the  18th 
Corps  under  Sir  S.  Maxse,  four  Infantry  Divisions  and  the  1st  Cavalry  Divi- 
sion covering  18,000  yards. 

From  the  Somme  to  Barisis,  south  of  the  Oise,  lay  the  3rd  Corps,  under  Sir 
R.  H.  Butler,  with  three  Infantry  J^ivisions  and  the  'ind  Cavalry  Division  in 
reserve,  thus  covering  no  less  than  30,000  yards,  nearly  20  miles,  with  a  scanty 
force  giving  an  average  of  scarcely  one  bayonet  per  yard  !  It  was  true  that 
some  11  miles  of  this  front,  between  Moy  and  the  Oise,  were  supposed  to  be 
covered  by  maishes,  but  the  spring  had  for  once  been  dry,  and  these  were 
everywhere  passable  for  infantry  and  in  many  places  for  field  guns. 

The  vital  positions  on  the  front  of  the  5th  Army  were  the  high  ground  at 
Essigny  covering  the  Crozat  Canal,  at  Holnon  covering  the  valley  of  the 
Omignon,  and  at  Roussoy,  covering  the  valley  of  the  Cologne. 

The  Generals  commanding  both  the  3rd  and  the  5th  Armies  fully  realised 
the  danger  that  threatened  them,   and  exceptional  defences  were   prepared 


85 

along  Iheir  front.  Tlu'sc  were  organised  in  three  zones.  J'irst,  the  "  forward  "  1918 
zone,  a  "  line  of  resistance,"  piotected  l)y  harljcd  wire  and  covered  hy  a  line 
of  outposts.  The  line  of  resistance  was  strengthened  at  intervals  of  -2,000  yards 
by  redoubts  armed  with  machine  guns,  the  spaces  between  them  being  covered 
by  artillery.  Further  behind,  at  a  distance  varying  from  half  to  three  miles, 
came  the  "  battle  "  zone,  prepared  on  the  same  principle  as  the  line  of  resist- 
ance. Further  back  still  lay  the  final  defensive  zone,  but  this  had  not  been 
fully  completed  when  the  battle  began.  A  strong  bridge-head  was  in  progress 
of  construction  covering  Peronne.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  5th  Army 
did  not  come  into  the  new  position  until  the  end  of  January  and  that  the  time, 
six  weeks  only,  was  far  too  short  to  permit  of  the  comjiletion  of  these  elaborate 
defences,  the  third,  the  final,  defensive  line  being  especially  weak. 

The  Germans  had  now  on  the  Western  front  19'2  Divisions,  of  which  more 
than  half  were  concentrated  on  the  British  front,  and  6-1  of  these  were  massed 
for  the  attack  on  the  50  miles  covered  by  the  3rd  and  5th  Armies.  For  the 
first  time,  as  Helferich  told  the  Reichstadt,  the  whole  German  manhood  was 
united  in  a  single  theatre  of  war,  ready  to  strike  witli  the  strongest  army  that 
the  world  has  ever  known. 

Ludendorff's  plan  was  to  attack  the  junction  between  the  French  and 
British  Armies.  Then  having,  as  he  confidently  expected,  made  a  breach,  he 
intended  to  drive  the  British  Army  northward,  holding  the  French  meanwhile 
to  their  ground,  and  then  having  pinned  Sir  D.  Haig  into  a  corner  with  the 
sea  behind  him,  to  strike  at  the  exposed  French  left  flank,  and  rolling  up  their 
line  to  open  the  way  to  Paris.  It  was  of  the  greatest  importance  to  the  German 
Command  that  this  success  should  be  gained  before  the  American  Army  was 
in  a  condition  to  take  the  field,  and  Ijudendorff  told  the  Reichstadt  that  he 
was  prepared  to  sacrifice  a  million  men  to  ensure  victory. 

The  British  Commander-in-Chief  was  fairly  well  informed  as  to  the  move- 
ments of  the  enemy  and  knew  that  a  very  large  force  was  being  assembled 
along  his  front.  By  the  end  of  February  it  was  evident  that  these  prepara- 
tions were  being  es]jecially  intensified  along  the  front  of  the  3rd  and  5th 
Armies  ;  by  the  end  of  the  third  week  of  ?^Iarch  it  became  certain  that  an  attack 
on  this  section  of  the  line  was  at  liand,  and  every  possible  effort  was  made  to 
meet  it,  12  Divisions  drawn  from  other  parts  of  the  line  being  held  in  readi- 
ness to  be  sent  at  a  moment's  notice  if  necessary  to  the  threatened  position 
and  means  for  their  rapid  conveyance  arranged  for.  Eight  of  these  Divisions 
were  in  fact  sent  before  the  end  of  March  and  the  other  four  before  the  9th 
April.* 

At  2  a.m.  on  the  21st  Sir  J.  Byng  and  Sir  H.  Gough  were  warned  that  the 
attack  would  probably  be  made  that  day.  The  forward  zone  was  always  ready, 
and  at  4.30  orders  were  sent  out  to  man  the  battle  zone.f  There  was  a  dense 
fog  which  had  come  on  during  the  afternoon  of  the  20th,  and  under  cover  of 
this  the  Germans  had  been  moving  troops  up  to  the  front.  By  dawn  37  Divi- 
sions had  been  assembled  within  3,000  yards  of  the  British  outpost  line  along 
the  front  of  over  50  miles  between  Croisilles  and  the  Oise,  and  at  5  a.m. 
a  tremendous  bombardment  was  opened  upon  the  whole  Allied  line  from 
Rheims  to  the  sea,  and  at  eight  the  infantry  attack  began. 

The  fog,  which  lasted  with  scarcely  a  break  for  the  next  four  days,  entirely 

*  The  5th  Arniv  only  received  two  of  these  Divisions,  the  8th  Division  on  the  24th.  and 
the  3.5th  on  the  26th.  " 

t  These  orders  had  heen  foreseen  and  even  rehearsed  in  the  otli  Army,  and  the  order 
"  Prepare  for  Battle  "  was  issued  on  the  19th. 


80 

1918  paralysed  the  defence.    The  guniicis,  miiible  to  see  5U  yards  to  their  front,  fired 

aimlessly  into  the  mist,  while  the  enemy's  artillery,  firing  at  registered  targets 

by  the  ma[),  were  but  little  ineonunoded,  and  the  rifle  fire,  which  by  its  rapidity 

and  accuracy  had  done  so  mucii  to  bring  victory  in  previous  actions,  was  made 

ineffective.     The  outpost  line  was  overwhelmed  before  the  posts  could  even 

send  back  warning,  the  enemy  being  in  many  cases  through  their  line  and 

behind  them  before  the  men  were  even  aware  of  his  approach.     In  the  same 

way  the  attack  burst  through  the  intervals  between  the  redoubts  of  the  second 

line,  and  without  pausing  to  assault  them,  pressed  forward  to  the  attack  of  the 

battle  zone,  leaving  them  to  be  dealt  with  by  the  reserves.    The  redoubts  main- 

•  tained  a  stubborn  defence  as  long  as  it  was  possible,  but  by  night-fall  nearly 

all  of  them  had  been  silenced  and  taken. 

''1st       ^\y  ^^  a.m.  the  enemy  was  through  the  forward  zone  opposite  ija  Fere  on 

Mar.  the  right,  and  further  north  at  Langicourt  and  Bullecourt. 

By  midday  Hargicourt  and  \'illaret  had  been  lost  and  the  battle  zone  [jierced 
at  Ronzoy,  Kssigny,  Maisseniy,  and  Henay.  In  the  afternoon,  south  of  St. 
Quentin,  t^)uessy  had  been  taken,  and  north  of  the  last  place,  though  the  battle 
zone  was  still  held  between  Benay  and  the  Somme  Canal,  the  troops  were 
forced  back  to  its  last  defences.  On  the  north  the  battle  zone  of  the  3rd  Army 
had  been  entered  at  Noreuil  and  Longatte,  but  the  Flesquiere  ridge  was  still 
held. 

The  fighting  continued  far  into  the  night,  and  it  was  evident  that  the  enemy 
was  concentrating  masses  of  fresh  troops  for  a  renewal  of  the  attack  on  the 
next  day.  The  general  result  was  that  the  Flesquiere  salient  was  abandoned 
during  the  night,  and  the  3rd  Army  line  reformed  on  the  old  Siegfried  line  to 
Havrincourt  and  Hermies,  while  Sir  H.  Gough  was  obliged  to  withdraw  his 
3rd  Corps  behind  the  Crozat  Canal,  and  the  right  of  the  18th  Corps  to  the 
Sonune  Canal,  the  bridges  over  both  being  destroyed  after  the  troops  had 
crossed. 

The  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  had  been  billeted  in  and  about  Grandru,  as  has  been 
already  stated,  since  the  13th,  the  remainder  of  the  '2nd  Division  being  in 
reserve  further  north.  The  troops  had  already  been  warned  to  expect  an  attack 
on  the  Slst,  and  a  dismounted  |)arty  had  been  told  off  and  held  in  readiness  to 
move.  This  party  consisted  of  Major  Cheyne,  Captain  Allen,  Lieuts.  Archer, 
Cox-Cox,  \Vodehouse,  Ste]>hens,  Drabble,  Pilkington,  and  ^^'atson,  and  '208 
other  ranks. 

The  bombardment  began  at  10  p.m.  on  the  night  of  the  -iOth,  and  at  4.30 
a.m.  on  the  '21st  its  increased  intensity  showed  that  the  attack  was  impending. 
At  2.30  in  the  afternoon  orders  were  received  to  send  off  the  dismounted 
party  which  marched  to  La  Bretelle,  from  which  place  it  was  taken  by  motor 
cars  to  Le  Pateau,  the  rest  of  the  Regiment  and  the  led  horses  remaining  at 
Grandru.  The  enemy's  attack,  however,  was  made  further  to  the  north  and 
the  16th  were  not  engaged  during  the  day.  The  dismounted  party  were  posted 
in  some  old  reserve  trenches  on  the  railway,  and  during  the  night  the  infantry 
in  front  of  these  was  moved  away  further  to  the  north. 
2-2nd  The  enemy's  attack  was  renewed  at  dawn  on  the  22nd,  the  fog  being  as  thick 
Mar.  as  on  the  previous  day.  In  the  southern  sector  the  enemy  reached  the  canal 
at  Jussy,  where  an  attempt  was  made  to  cross  by  means  of  rafts.  At  1  p.m. 
a  crossing  was  effected  at  Quessy  and  later  at  La  Montague  and  Jussy,  but  the 
further  advance  here  was  kept  in  check.  In  the  centre  Ste.  Emilie  and  Her- 
villy  were  lost,  but  the  latter  was  afterwards  retaken,  and  here  the  attack  was 
well  held.  Further  north  the  enemy  met  with  more  success  for  Le  Verquier, 
Villers  Faucon,  and  Epehy  were  lost  and  the  troops  were  withdrawn  in  the 


87 

evening  to  the  Ihinl  defensive  line,  Bernes — Jtouchy — Nurlu  aiid  ivjuaiicouit,  1918 
where  the  right  of  the  3rd  Army  rested. 

The  right  of  the  3rd  Army  was  heavily  engaged  all  (hiy  and  Croisilles  and 
St.  Leger  had  to  be  abandoned  late  in  the  afternoon,  but  generally  little  ground 
was  lost.  South  of  St.  Quentin,  however,  the  tliird  defensive  line  was  [jene- 
trated,  several  gaps  created,  and  practically  all  the  attenuated  line  had  been 
forced  out  of  the  third  defensive  zone  by  night-fall.  'J'li(>  whole  of  the  re.serves 
had  to  be  thrown  into  the  fight  and  the  troops  were  withdrawn  to  the  last  and 
final  defences  with  the  greatest  difficulty.  The  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  was  not 
engaged  during  the  day,  though  the  rest  of  the  -Ind  Division  had  some  stiff 
lighting  about  Jussy  in  conjunction  with  the  18th  Infantry  J3ivision. 

The  led  horses  and  the  remainder  of  the  16th  were  not  moved  from  Grandru, 
but  at  6  p.m.  a  squadron  was  sent  to  support  the  dismounted  parties  as  it  was 
reported  tliat  some  of  the  enemy's  advanced  troops  had  got  over  the  canal  in 
the  fog.  There  was  considerable  firing  in  the  outjMst  line,  but  the  night  passed 
quietly  with  this  exception  and  no  attack  was  made.  The  IGth,  however,  had 
the  misfortune  to  lose  two  officers,  Lieut.  Stephens  and  Second  Lieut.  Sir  J. 
Watson,  who  were  killed  in  the  outpost  line,  though  this  was  not  known  until 
the  'lith.     Six  other  ranks  were  wounded,  but  none  killed. 

Sir  H.  Gough's  first  orders  for  the  •23rd,  issued  at  11  p.m.  on  llie  •2'2nd,  were 
to  hold  the  Peronne  inidge-head  and  the  line  of  the  Somme,  but  later,  when 
the  full  reports  of  the  day's  results  came  in,  coupled  with  the  intelligence  that 
large  numbers  of  fresh  troops  were  being  massed  in  front  of  his  shattered  line, 
he  decided  not  to  run  the  risk  of  a  defeat,  which  might  easily  be  disastrous, 
Ijy  fighting  in  this  exposed  position.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  '23rd,  there-  o.Snl 
fore,  he  gave  orders  for  a  general  retirement  of  the  19th  Corps  behind  the  Mar. 
Sonnne.  The  7th  Corps,  further  north,  was  directed  to  confoim  and  to  retire 
to  the  general  line  Doigt — Nurlu.  This  movement  necessitated  the  abandon- 
ment of  the  Peronne  bridge-head. 

The  3rd  Army  line  was  also  re-adjusted  in  conformity,  contact  being  still 
maintained  with  the  left  of  the  5th  Army  at  Equancourt. 

Early  in  the  morning  the  enemy  renewed  the  attack  by  crossing  the  Crozat 
Canal  in  force,  and  there  being  now  a  gap  in  the  line  near  Ham  the  town  was 
occupied  at  once  by  the  German  troops.  Further  north  the  withdrawal  to  the 
west  bank  of  the  Somme  was  successfully  accomplished  and  the  bridges  having 
been  previously  destroyed  all  attemj^ts  to  cross  the  river  were  repulsed  with 
loss. 

On  the  3rd  Army  front  the  attack  was  on  the  whole  well  held  though  Le 
Bucquieres  and  Beugny  were  lost,  but  at  the  point  of  junction  near  Equan- 
court a  gap  was  opened  between  the  5th  and  7th  Corps  into  which  the  enemy 
pushed  troops  in  s])ite  of  vigorous  efforts  to  close  it,  and  the  7th  Corps  was 
forced  back  from  Peronne  across  the  Tortille  Eiver,  being  obliged  to  retire 
because  the  5th  Cor])s  (3rd  Army)  had  been  driven  from  its  positions  by  a  strong 
attack  and  this  had  uncovered  its  left  flank.  Every  man  that  could  be  scraped 
up  was  pushed  into  the  gap,  including  the  cooks  and  the  crews  of  derelict  tanks. 

Early  on  the  23rd  advance  parties  of  the  enemy  began  to  make  their  appear- 
ance along  the  Crozat  Canal,  and  six  Hotchkiss  guns  were  sent  off  with  an 
escort  of  30  men  to  reinforce  the  20th  Hussars.  At  3.30  ]i.m.  the  Regiment 
and  the  led  horses  marched  via  Baboeuf  to  Carlepont  wood,  where  it  bivouaced 
for  the  night. 

Owing  to  the  fog,  which  was  denser  than  ever,  there  was  great  difficulty  in 
maintaining  contact  between  the  various  dismounted  detached  parties.  During 
the  earlv  morning  there  were  numerous  iiatrol  encounters  and  much  machine  gun 


88 

1918  fire.  liefoie  10  a.m.  tlie  eneiuy  had  forced  a  crossing  of  the  Canal  at  Menessis 
notwithstanding  the  desperate  resistance  of  the  dismounted  parties  of  the  3rd 
Brigade,  which  were  forced  to  retire  tirst  to  Faillouel  and  finally  to  \'illequier 
Auniont,  five  miles  north  of  Chauny.  By  night-fall  the  IGth  detachment  had 
broken  up  into  three  parties.  These  were  not  got  togetlier  again  until  the  next 
morning  when  they  eventually  were  collected  at  Bethencourt.  The  party  was 
24th  ordered  to  remain  at  this  place  in  support  of  the  French,  who  were  being  moved 
*''•  up  to  the  relief  of  General  (lough's  3rd  Corps.  When  the  roll  was  called  only 
87  rank  and  lile  answered  to  their  names,  and  it  was  discovered  that  Lieuts. 
Watson  and  Stephens  had  been  killed  on  the  -J-ind.  The  Headquarters  and 
led  horses  moved  in  the  afternoon  to  Bailly,  and  before  marching  75  led  horses 
with  an  escort  of  '25  men  were  sent  back  to  pick  up  the  dismounted  men.  The 
casualties  on  the  23rd  were  21  killed  and  20  wounded. 

In  the  area  between  the  Sonnne  and  the  Oise  the  attack  re-commenced  at 
dawn  in  a  dense  fog,  and  the  20th  and  36th  Divisions  were  driven  out  of 
Eaucourt  and  Cugny  and  obliged  to  fall  back  first  to  Villeselve  and  finally  to 
Guiscard.  Chauny  also  was  lost  in  the  afternoon,  and  during  the  night  the 
French  and  British  north  of  the  Oise  were  withdrawn  to  the  ridge  above 
Crepigny  covering  Noyon. 

The  2nd  Cavalry  Division  was  moved  this  day  to  Appilly,  in  the  valley  of 
the  (Jise,  five  miles  due  east  of  Noyon. 

North  of  the  Somme  the  German  attack  w-as  pressed  with  great  energy  all 
day,  and  though  the  35th  Division  and  some  composite  battalions  collected 
from  the  Albert  district  were  coming  up  to  reinforce  the  7th  Corps  at  Bray,, 
the  day's  fighting  resulted  finally  in  a  general  retirement  of  the  7th  Corps  and 
the  right  and  centre  of  the  3rd  Army.  Though  the  line  of  the  Somme  was  still 
held  north  of  Ham,  Peronne  and  Clery  were  gone,  and  by  night-fall  the  4th, 
5th  and  7th  Corps  were  holding  with  difficulty  an  irregular  line  with  several 
gaps  in  it  from  Hem  on  the  Somme  to  Bazentin,  and  thence  north,  by  Grevil- 
lers,  west  of  Bapaume,  to  Ervillers  on  the  Bapaume-Arras  road. 

The  casualties  of  the  16th  on  the  24th  were  seven  men  wounded  among  the 

scattered  dismounted  parties  retiring  from  the  Crozat  Canal. 

,       On  the  25th  the  7th  Corps  was  placed  under  General  Byng's  command,  and 

jyia^j,  as  the  3rd  Corps,  which  was  being  relieved  by  the  French  was  now  under  the 

command  of  General  Fayolle,  the  5th  Army  conmiand  w'as  reduced  to  two 

Corps  only — the  18th  and  19th. 

The  main  German  attack  this  day  was  between  Hem,  on  the  Somme,  on 
the  7th  Corps,  and  further  north  to  Ervillers,  on  the  left  and  centre  of  the  3rd 
Arm}',  and  its  result,  after  a  day  of  hard  fighting,  was  that  the  line  was  forced 
back  to  the  Ancre  river.  The  7th  Corps  fell  back  to  positions  between  Bray 
on  the  Somme  to  just  east  of  Albert,  the  5th  Corps  lay  along  the  Ancre  from 
Albert  to  Beaumont  Hamel,  the  4th  Corps  from  Bucquoy  and  Ablainzevelle 
in  touch  with  the  fith  Corps  at  Boyelles,  thus  leaving  a  gap  between  Beaumont 
Hamel  and  Serre. 

This  withdrawal  uncovered  the  left  of  the  5th  Army,  which  was  compelled 
to  retreat  also.  In  the  course  of  the  day  Noyon,  Guiscard,  Nesle  and  Chaulnes 
were  lost  and  the  19th  Corps  driven  back  to  the  line  Hallencourt — Estrees — 
Frise,  and  at  night-fall,  though  still  fighting  obstinately,  the  line  was  prac- 
tically broken  into  several  pieces  with  numerous  gaps,  the  point  of  junction 
with  the  French  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Eoye  being  dangerously  weak. 

The  retreat  of  the  troops  north  of  the  Oise  necessitated  the  withdrawal  of  the 
Cavalry  also,  and  at  dawn  the  2nd  Division  was  ordered  from  Appilly  to  Pon- 
toise,  fom-  miles  south-east  of  Nojon.     The  led  horses  had  been  sent  up  from 


89 

Bailiy  and  the  (iisuHiuiilcd  paiiicH  were  collected  here  and  iiioiinted  a/^aiii  and  a  1918 
squadron  I'onned  with  them,  ihe  '25  men  for  whom  no  horses  had  lieen  provided 
being  sent  back  on  toot  to  Hailly.      In  the  evening  the  s(|uadron  marched  to 
Chiry  on  the  Oise,  where  it  remained  for  the  night.    'I'he  casualties  of  the  Uith 
this  day  were  16  wounded. 

The  untoward  events  of  the  past  week  greatly  disijuieled  both  the  Allied 
Governments.  On  the  -Jith  Lord  Milner  was  sent  fi'om  London  to  I'aris.  On 
the  'iSth  a  conference  was  held  at  Doulens  at  which  M.  Ck'nienceau,  Sir  H. 
Wilson,  and  Ijord  Milner  met  General  Petain,  the  French  Connnander-in- 
Chief,  and  Sir  D.  Haig.  Both  Loz'd  Milner  and  M.  Clemenceau  were  of 
opinion  that  it  was  absolutely  necessary  to  appoint  a  single  Commander-in- 
Chief  for  the  whole  of  the  Allied  Armies  on  the  Western  front.  To  this  both 
Sir  D.  Haig  and  (General  Petain  assented,  and  after  some  discussion  General 
Foch  was  selected  for  the  post.  The  appointment  was  at  once  approved  and 
ratified  by  the  two  CTOvernments. 

Meanwhile  Sir  H.  Gough  had  begun  to  collect  from  the  Jjine  of  Commimi- 
cation  details  of  all  kinds  a  new  force  tor  the  protection  of  Amiens,  which  was 
now  in  inmiinent  danger  of  attack.  This  was  placed  in  the  command  of 
Major-General  Grant,  C.R.E.  of  the  5th  Army,  who  at  once  connnenced  the 
repair  of  the  line  of  the  old  defences  running  from  Hamel,  on  the  Sonmie,  by 
Marceleave  and  Mezieres  to  Moreuil  on  the  Avre  river.  The  command  of  this 
force  was  subsequently  transferred  to  Brigadier-General  Carey  of  the  Field 
Artillery  as  General  Grant's  services  at  C.R.E.  could  not  be  dispensed  with. 
The  19th  Corps  was  then  ordered  to  retire  to  the  line  Ije  Quesnoy — Rosieres — 
Proyart — Bray,  at  which  last  place  it  was  to  link  up  with  the  3rd  Army. 

On  the  morning  of  the  'iGth  the  attack  was  renewed  all  along  the  line.  26th 
North  of  Albert  the  enemy  were  held,  for  though  Colincourt  was  lost  it  was  Mar. 
retaken  in  the  afternoon,  but  further  south,  owing  to  a  mistake  as  to  the  mean- 
ing of  an  order,  the  7th  Corps  fell  back  to  the  line  of  the  Ancre,  the  right 
resting  in  the  evening  at  Sailly-le-Sec  on  the  Somme,  thereby  uncovering  the 
left  of  the  19th  Corps  north  of  Proyart. 

Further  south  the  attack  was  vigorously  pressed  all  day  from  Nesle,  the 
enemy's  objective  being  the  capture  of  Montdidier,  where  there  was  an  mi- 
portant  railway  junction  now  being  used  for  detraining  the  French  troops 
which  were  being  brought  up  as  quickly  as  possible  to  reinforce  General 
FayoUe's  Army.  Though  much  ground  was  lost  during  the  day  the  Germans 
were  still  five  miles  east  of  ]\Iontdidier  at  night-fall,  and  the  French,  in  con- 
junction with  what  was  left  of  the  3rd  Corps,  were  beginning  to  make  them- 
selves felt  from  the  south-west  on  the  flank  of  the  attack,  though  they  had  been 
forced  away  from  Roye  where  there  was  now  a  dangerous  gap  in  the  Allied  line. 

The  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  at  Chiry  received  orders  to  move  to  Porquericourt. 
near  Noyon,  to  stop  the  enemy's  advance  west  from  the  town.  The  Brigade 
was  engaged  all  day  in  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  check  the  advance.  The 
country  was  close,  there  being  much  wood  and  many  wire  fences.  The  enemy 
was  well  provided  with  machine  guns,  which  were  used  with  deadly  effect,  and 
the  16th  were  forced  eventually  to  withdraw  to  Cuy.  After  this  the  Regiment 
was  split  up  into  two  parties,  one  under  Captain  Tempest-Hicks  retiring  to 
Ellincourt,  and  the  other  under  Colonel  Brooke  to  Chetry.  Eventually  the 
Brigade  was  ordered  to  reform  at  Compiegne  and  in  the  course  of  the  next  day 
most  of  the  scattered  parties  were  got  together  there. 

The  whole  of  the  'Jnd  Cavalry  Division  were  hotly  engaged  during  the  '25th 
and  26th,  and  there  were  many  casualties.  The  16th  casualties  on  the  25th  and 
26th  were  Second  Tjieut.  Martin-Holland  killed  and  Tjieut.  Hayes  woimded, 

x 


90 

1918  together  with  three  other  ranks  killed  and  37  wounded.     There  were  a  n umber 

also  missing,  but  the  greater  part  of  these  rejoined  at  Compiegne. 
27th  During  the  night  the  enemy  had  occupied  Albert  after  driving  out  the  ruar- 
^'"■-  guard  troops  in  the  town,  but  were  unable  to  debouch  from  the  [)laee,  and 
further  north  Ablainzevelle  and  Ayette  were  lost,  but  elsewhere  the  line  of  Ihe 
3rd  Army  was  well  maintained.  South  of  the  Somme  the  attack  recommenced 
about  8  a.m.  on  the  front  held  by  the  two  remaining  Corps  of  the  5th  Army 
and  the  French.  Proyart,  Framerville,  and  Morcourt  were  lost,  and  though 
the  important  point  of  Rozieres  was  held  and  the  line  maintained  as  far  as 
Arvillers,  i^avenscourt  and  Montdidier  itself  were  taken  in  the  afternoon. 

In  the  section  innnediately  west  of  Noyon  the  French  reinforcements  had 
now  become  strong  enough  to  deal  with  the  attack,  which  indeed  was  not  there 
very  vigorously  pressed,  the  main  efforts  of  the  enemy  being  directed  against 
the  junction  of  the  Allied  Armies  about  Roye  and  at  Montdidier.  The  whole 
of  the  2nd  Cavalry  Division  was  withdrawn  during  the  day  to  Compiegne, 
where  the  scattered  parties  of  dismounted  men  were  collected  and  the  led 
horses  remounted . 
L»^th  **'i  the  'ISth  the  i2nd  Division  and  the  Canadian  l^rigade  left  Compiegne  at 
Mar.  daybreak  and  made  a  forced  march  of  30  miles  to  the  south-west  of  Montdidier, 
but  on  arriving  it  was  found  that  the  French  had  made  a  successful  counter- 
attack and  retaken  the  town.  The  3rd  Brigade  halted  for  the  night  at  Plain- 
villers  and  Chedoix.  On  the  ^Qth  the  Division  marched  to  Cattenchy,  in  the 
valley  of  the  Avre  river,  about  12  miles  south-east  of  Amiens. 

The  chief  event  of  the  fighting  on  the  28th  was  the  determined  effort  made 
by  the  enemy  on  the  line  of  the  3rd  Army  covering  Arras.  But  the  fog  had 
now  gone,  the  attack  suffered  very  severely  from  the  British  Artillery  at  the 
outset  of  the  battle,  and  after  a  hard  day's  fight  the  enemy  was  everywhere 
finally  repulsed  with  very  heavy  loss.  This  action  ended  the  attack  on  the  3rd 
Army,  and  for  the  next  week  there  was  nothing  but  some  local  fighting  north 
of  the  Somme. 

On  the  Amiens  front,  however,  the  situation  was  still  very  critical  and  much 
ground  was  lost.  By  night-fall  the  troops  had  been  compelled  to  fall  back  to 
the  line  of  the  old  Amiens  defences,  now  manned  by  General  Carey's  force, 
which  covered  the  city  from  Vaire,  on  the  Somme,  to  Moreuil  on  the  Avre. 

Further  south  the  French  were  forced  back.  Montdidier  was  again  lost,  and 
the  line  of  the  Avre  only  held  with  difficulty,  the  enemy  having  even  gained 
a  footing  in  the  outskirts  of  Moreuil.  But  south  of  Montdidier  the  French 
troops  held  their  own  and  even  regained  some  of  the  ground  lost  during  the 
previous  day. 

The  British  line  by  this  time  had  been  so  much  shortened  that  it  was 
possible  to  withdraw  some  of  the  Divisions  that  had  suffered  most  severely. 
The  5th  Army  was  now  definitely  broken  up  and  Sir  H.  Gough  and  his  Staff 
were  nominally  sent  back  to  superintend  the  construction  of  new  defence 
lines,*  his  place  at  the  front  being  taken  by  Sir  H.  Rawlinson  and  the  Staff 


*  This  was  only  a  poHte  suhterfiige  on  the  part  of  the  C.-in-C  and  a  step  to  the  recall  to 
England  that  was  impending. 

The  responsibility  tor  the  disaster  to  the  5th  Army  rested  entirely  with  the  War  Cabinet 
in  London,  which  had  not  only  refused  to  heed  the  repeated  demands  of  Sir  D.  Haig  for 
more  troops  but  had  weakly  yielded  to  the  request  of  the  Frencli  for  the  extension  of  the 
British  line  south  of  the  Somine,  notwithstanding  his  remonstrance.  But  it  was  necessary 
to  find  a  scapegoat,  and  there  were  members  of  the  Cabinet  who  had  neither  forgotten 
or  forgiven  Sir  H,  Gough  f(n-  the  part  he  had  taken  in  the  Ulster  affair  in  1914. 

The  despatch  of  the  C.-in-C.  of  the  20th  July,  1918,  forms  the  liest  vindication  of  Sir  H. 
Gough.     It  gives  the  following  reasons  for  the  retreat  of  the  5th  Army  :  — 


91 

of  llif  old    till  Army.     The  3i(l  Corps  also  hail  Iuhii  wilhdrawii  I'roiii  (ieneral  1918 
Fayolle's  conmiaiul  and  ordcreii  to  Amiens,  hut   the  loss  ol'  Montdidier  had 
necessitated  a  wide  detour  and  it  had  not  yet  arrived. 

The  Cierman  attack  was  renewed  on  the  'iOth  and  Mezieres  was  lost,  thus  29th 
bringing  the  enemy  close  up  to  the  Amiens  defence  line.  Elsewhere  the  French  Mar. 
maintained  their  positions. 

During  the  night  the  enemy  occupied  the  wood  at  Moreuil,  and  as  a  break- 
through at  this  point  threatened  to  turn  the  right  of  the  defence  line  it  was 
urgently  necessary  to  dislodge  them.  The  'Jnd  Cavalry  Division  and  the 
Canadian  Brigade  were  hurried  up  from  Cattenchy  at  daybreak,  and  the  16th, -''Oth 
4th  Hussars,  and  the  Canadians  were  sent  on  to  drive  the  Germans  out  of  the  '^'*''- 
wood.  Supported  l)y  a  company  of  infantry  A  and  C  Squadrons  and  the  4th 
attacked.  A  Squadron  cleared  the  eastern  edge  of  the  wood,  but  C  and  the 
Hussars  were  held  u[)  by  a  heavy  machine  gun  fire,  and  no  further  progress 
was  possible.  The  enemy,  however,  were  prevented  from  making  any  further 
advance  and  the  position  was  held  until  10  p.m.,  when  the  16th  and  4th  were 
relieved  and  sent  back  to  Thennes  on  the  Amiens-Montdidier  road,  where  they 
remained  during  the  night.  The  Kith  casualties  this  day  were  Lieuts.  Maxwell 
and  Wodehouse  and  one  other  ranks  killed,  C'aptain  Allen*  and  18  others 
wounded. 

On  the  31st  the  Germans  attacked  again  between  the  Avre  and  the  Luce.  .3Ist 
The  ^nd  Cavalry  Division  was  again  engaged  all  day  and  had  much  lighting.  Mar. 
Hangard  was  lost  in  the  morning,  but  retaken  in  the  afternoon.  The  fighting 
on  this  section  continued  all  the  next  day,  and  finally  the  line  was  firmly  re- 
established, the  enemy  being  driven  out  of  Moreuil,  while  further  south  the 
French  not  only  held  their  own,  but  re-captured  much  of  the  ground  lost  during 
the  two  previous  days. 

In  the  evening  the  British  were  relieved  by  the  French,  who  took  over  the  1st 
line  from  Theunes  southward,  and  the  2nd  Cavalry  Division  was  withdrawn,  Apr. 
the  3rd  Brigade  to  Paraclet. 

The  casualties  of  the  IGth  on  March  31st  and  April  1st  were  five  killed  and 
nine  wounded. 

The  Snd  Division  suffered  very  heavy  losses  during  this,  the  second,  Battle 
of  the  Somme,  the  total  casualties  from  March  Gist  to  April  1st  amounting  to 
70  officers  and  2,000  other  ranks  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The  16th  lost 
five  officers  and  30  other  ranks  killed,  and  three  officers  and  109  other  ranks 


1. — The  forces  at  the  disposal  of  the  5th  Army  were  inadequate  to  meet  and  hold  .so  strnn<j; 
an  attack. 

2. — The  time,  seven  weeks,  it  had  wherein  to  complete  the  scheme  of  defence,  was  fai- 
too  short. 

3. — The  thick  fog  of  the  21st  and  22nd  March  masked  the  fire  of  tlie  guns,  rifles,  and 
machine  guns,  and  this  allowed  the  enemy  to  penetrate  and  turn  the  flanks  of  important 
localities. 

4. — The  dry  weather  had  rendei'ed  the  marshes  of  the  Oise  and  the  Somme  useless  as  a 
protection  to  the  over-extended  line  as  w-as  contemplated  by  the  .scheme  of  defence. 

5. — It  was  impossible  to  reinforce  the  line  of  the  5th  Army  as  an  attack  on  other  parts 
of  the  front  might  take  place  at  any  moment,  the  French  in  particular  expecting  one  at 
Rheims. 

(This  last  did  take  place  later,  with  most  disastrous  results  to  their  weakened  line.) 

Under  these  circumstances  no  Army  Commander  could  have  done  more  than  Sir  H. 
Gough.  He  maintained  a  losing  battle  with  forces  four  times  as  numerous  as  bis  own  for 
seven  days  with  undaunted  coolness,  and  the  end  of  the  action  found  his  battle  line  still 
unbroken. 

It  «  as  Mons  and  its  retreat  over  again  on  a  larger  scale,  and  under  consideralily  greater 
difficulties. 

*  Captain  Allen  was  severely  wounded  while  attempting  to  take  a  machine  gun  liy  himself, 
and  afterwards  died. 


92 

1918  wounded.  The  fighting  was  very  severe,  both  about  Noyon  and  Moreuii,  and 
the  Kegiment  displayed  great  gallantry  under  very  ditlicult  circumstances, 
many  distinctions  being  gamed  both  by  oflicers  and  men.  In  the  course  of  it 
the  Kegiment  was  practically  destroyed  as  far  as  dismounted  fighting  was  con- 
cerned, and  at  the  end  only  one  man  to  four  led  horses  could  i)e  left  mounted. 
The  Snd  Cavalry  Division  remained  in  billets  in  the  Amiens  area  for  the 
next  ten  days  until  it  was  moved  north  to  the  support  of  the  1st  Army  on 
April  10th. 

On  the  8rd  the  IGth  moved  to  Camon,  and  on  the  next  day  the  Leicester 
Yeomanry  came  in  as  a  draft  for  the  8rd  Cavalry  Brigade,  one  squadron  being 
sent  to  each  of  the  three  Regiments.  Five  oflicers  and  48  men  were  posted  to 
C  squadron,  but  eventually  this  squadron  was  made  up,  both  as  regarded  the 
oiificers  and  other  ranks,  entirely  by  the  yeomen. 

On  the  10th  the  Brigade  marched  by  Le  Boile,  Hesdin,  Coyecque  and 
Therouannes  to  Lynde,  arriving  there  on  April  13th. 

4th        No  further  attack  was  made  until  April  4th,  when  the  fighting  re-cornnienced 

Apr.  between  the  Somme  and  Hangard,  and  with  the  French  to  the  south  of  that 
place.  This  attack  was  repulsed  with  considerable  loss  to  the  enemy,  though 
a  little  ground  was  lost  by  the  French  along  the  Avre. 

5th        On  the  5th  an  attack  was  made  north  of  the  Somme,  but  without  any  result. 

Apr.  The  line  was  in  effect  now  completely  stabilised,  the  reserves  having  come  up 
and  the  place  of  the  old  5th  Army  taken  by  the  4th  and  the  French,  and  the 
Second  Battle  of  the  Sonune  came  to  an  end.  Except  that  it  was  on  a  larger 
scale,  the  battle  had  followed  the  stereotyped  lines,  with  the  usual  result — ^the 
utter  exhaustion  of  the  attacking  troops  and  the  gain  of  a  quantity  of  perfectly 
useless  territory,  which  was  destined  to  be  again  lost  in  the  inevitable  counter- 
attack which  followed. 

7th        The  new  line  had  scarcely  been  established  before  Von  Ludendorff's  second 

Apr.  attack  commenced.  This  was  made  on  the  front  extending  from  about  10  miles 
north  of  Ypres  to  about  10  miles  north  of  Lens  covered  by  the  •2nd  and  1st 
Annies,  with  the  intention  of  effecting  a  break  between  La  Bassee  and  Armen- 
tieres.  Then  after  taking  Bethune  and  forming  a  defensive  flank  along  the  La 
Bassee  Canal  to  take  Hazebrouck  and  Bailleul,  thereby  effectually  separating 
the  British  and  French  and  exposing  the  left  flank  of  the  last. 

The  attack  was  opened  on  the  evening  of  April  7th  by  the  6th  German  Army 
under  Von  Quast  on  a  line  extending  from  the  Lys  to  La  Bassee  (held  by  Sir 
H.  Home's  1st  Army)  with  an  intense  bombardment,  chiefly  with  gas  shells. 
This  continued  without  cessation  until  7  a.m.  on  the  morning  of  the  9th,  when 
the  infantry  attack  was  launched  in  a  dense  fog.  The  first  shock  fell  on  the 
two  Portuguese  Divisions  which  were  in  course  of  being  withdrawn  from  the 
front  line.  These  were  overwhelmed  in  a  moment  and  the  enemy  at  once 
pushed  through  the  gap.  The  result  of  the  day's  fighting  left  the  Germans  in 
possession  of  all  the  ground  up  to  the  rivers  Lawe  and  Lys,  the  last  being 
crossed  at  Bac  St.  Maur.  The  important  point  of  Givenchy  was,  however, 
held  firmly. 

On  the  lOtli  the  line  of  attack  was  extended  north  of  the  Lys  from  Armen- 
tieres  to  Hollebec  by  A^on  Arnim's  4th  Army.  The  day's  fighting  left  the 
enemy  in  possession  of  Estaires,  Ploegstreet  and  Armentieres,  and  well  across 
the  Lys,  but  Givenchy  and  the  Messines  Ridge  were  still  intact. 

On  the  11th  both  Von  Quast  and  Von  Armim  attacked  on  the  whole  of  the 
salient  from  Givenchy  to  HoUebeke  and  made  a  further  advance,  Nieppe  and 
Messines  being  lost. 

On  the  12th  the  German  reserves  were  thrown  into  the  battle  and  the  British 


93 

reinl'orceinents  also  began  (o  conic  up.  These  last  consisted  of  six  Australian  |1}18 
Divisions,  but  as  they  could  only  come  gradually  into  the  line  the  situation 
continued  to  be  very  critical  and  the  enemy's  attack  was  barely  checked  after 
very  severe  fighting.  On  the  13th  the  attack  was  again  vigorously  pressed, 
particularly  on  the  section  o|>posite  Bailleul.  On  the  14th  Neuve  Eglise  was 
lost,  on  the  15th  Bailleul.  On  the  KJth  Meteren  and  Wyteschaete  were  lost, 
but  on  the  17th  an  attack  on  Mount  Kenmiel  was  beaten  off. 

Fighting  continued  during  the  18th,  lUth  and  -llat,  but  the  enemy  met  with 
little  success,  and  by  the  -list  French  trooi)s  had  come  up  at  Meteren  and  taken 
over  ])art  of  the  line  which  had  become  stabilised,  and  there  was  no  further 
fighting  of  consequence  until  the  25th  in  this  sector. 

On  the  •J3rd  April  an  attack  was  made  on  the  4th  Army  between  the  Soiume  JSrd 
and  the  Ancre.     The  attack  was  made  with  four  Divisions  supported  by  the  Apr. 
new  Gernuin  tanks,  and  for  the  first  time  British  and  German  tanks  fought 
each  other.     Fnder  cover  of  the  usual  fog  the  enemy  broke  through  the  line 
and  captured  Villers  Bretonneux,  but  here  the  advance  was  checked,  and  on 
the  following  day  the  place  was  retaken  and  the  line  restored. 

On  the  -Joth  a  new  attac'k  was  made  on  the  line  in  front  of  Mount  Keniniel  -jrtth 
at  the  junction  between  the  French  and  the  British.  The  action  began  with  Apr. 
a  heavy  bombardment  on  the  whole  front  between  Meteren  and  the  ^'pres- 
Comines  Canal,  which  was  followed  by  the  attack  of  nine  Divisions,  the  cap- 
ture of  Kemmel  being  the  objective.  Mount  [vemmel  was  lost  by  the  French 
in  the  morning  and  the  whole  line  forced  back  over  a  mile.  On  the  ■26th  art 
attempt  was  made  to  retake  Kennnel,  which  failed,  and  fighting  continued  all 
the  next  two  days  without  any  great  change  in  the  situation.  On  the  2yth, 
after  another  bombardment,  the  enemy  attacked  again  with  eleven  Divisions 
in  mass  formation,  and  after  an  initial  success  were  finally  repulsed  with  the 
loss  of  fully  20,000  men.  This  brought  the  Battle  of  the  Lys  to  a  close,  though 
local  combats  continued  all  through  the  month  of  ]\Iay.  A'on  Ludendorff's  plan 
had  definitely  failed  for,  notwithstanding  his  lavish  expenditure  of  men,  he 
had  only  succeeded  in  estalilishing  a  quite  useless  salient  and  had  taken  neither 
Hazebrouck  nor  Bethune,  the  capture  of  which  was  essential  to  its  success. 

The  2nd  Cavalry  Division  was  on  the  march  northward  when  the  Lys  battle 
began  on  April  7th,  and  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Blaringhem,  eight  miles 
south-west  of  Hazebrouck,  in  support  of  the  1st  Army.  The  3rd  Brigade  was 
sent  to  Lynde,  two  miles  further  north,  where  it  remained  until  the  18th,  when 
it  moved  to  Eecke.  The  three  Regiments  were  stationed  at  several  places  in 
the  neighbourhood  until  the  24th,  relieving  each  other  in  turn  in  the  occupa- 
tion of  the  more  exposed  positions.  There  was  some  shell  fire  and  airplane 
bombing,  but  no  fighting,  and  the  16th  had  no  casualties.  On  the  24th  the 
Brigade  returned  to  Ijvnde,  and  the  16th  was  sent  to  Blaringhem.  On  the  29th 
the  2nd  Division  marched  to  Clety,  which  was  Ijeing  evacuated  by  the  French. 

On  the  5th  Mav  the  Regiment  inarched  to  Longvillers,  where  it  went  into 
billets. 

From  the  end  of  A|iril  to  the  27th  May  there  were  no  operations  of  any  im- 
portance. Both  the  Allies  and  the  Germans  were  engaged  in  making  good  the 
losses  incurred  in  the  battles  of  INIarch  and  April  and  consolidating  their  new 
positions.  But  by  the  end  of  May  Yon  Tjudendorff  had  been  able  to  fill  up 
some  70  per  cent,  of  the  gaps  in  his  depleted  ranks,  partly  with  men  returned 
from  hospital,  and  partly  with  fresh  troops  from  Germany,  and  on  the  27th 
Mav  he  began  a  new  attack,  this  time  on  the  line  of  the  Ailette,  from  a  point 
eight  miles  south  of  Chauny  to  Craonne,  and  thence  by  Berry  au  Bac  and 
Bermericourt  to  north  of  Rheims. 


94 

191H  Tlie  line  of  the  Ailette  was  held  by  the  French  Gth  Army,  tour  Divisions, 
to  Craonne,  thence  south-east  to  Berniericourt  by  the  British  'Jth  Corps,  four 
Divisions,  which  had  been  withdrawn  from  Flanders,  "to  rest!".  Round 
Rheims  was  the  French  5th  Army  and  on  its  right  again  the  4th,  extending 
into  Champagne.  Thus  30  miles  from  near  Chauny  to  Bermericourt  was  held 
by  eight  Divisions  only,  and  against  them  25  German  Divisions  were  massed 
for  the  attack. 
27th  There  was  no  warning  of  what  was  impending  beyond  some  vague  state- 
May,  ments  of  prisoners  taken  on  the  2Gth.  At  1  a.m.  on  the  morning  of  the  27th 
a  bombardment  of  the  line  of  the  river  began  which  was  extended  to  the  out- 
skirts of  Rheims,  and  at  4  a.m.  the  infantry  attack  commenced.  With  such 
a  disparity  of  force  the  result  was  inevitable  ;  the  weak  French  line  was  over- 
whelmed in  a  moment,  and  before  night-fall  it  had  been  driven  across  the 
Vesle.  The  f^ritish  9th  Corps  withstood  the  assault  better  and  the  enemy  was 
held  for  some  hours,  but  the  retreat  of  the  French  had  uncovered  the  left  flank 
at  Craonne,  and  though  liermericourt  was  held,  the  left  was  forced  back  to 
Fismes,  where  it  linked  up  with  the  French. 

The  attack  was  carried  on  without  a  pause  during  the  next  three  days.  On 
the  29th  Soissons  was  taken,  and  on  the  30th  the  enemy  was  across  the  Marne. 
Chateau-Thierry,  however,  was  held  and  Rheims  and  its  defences  remained 
intact.  Thus  in  72  hours  the  whole  of  the  gains  of  months  of  hard  fighting 
were  swept  away.  The  Germans  had  made  an  advance  of  30  miles,  occupied 
ten  miles  of  the  Marne,  and  taken  over  30,000  prisoners  and  400  guns.  The 
new  front  extended  south-west  from  Rheims  to  Dormans  on  the  Marne,  along 
the  river  to  Chateau  Thierry,  then  turning  sharply  to  the  north  to  Poutoise. 
gj.]j  The  line  was  now  to  some  extent  stabilised,  but  fighting  continued  until  the 
June.  9th  without  any  great  advantage  to  either  side.  On  that  day  a  fresh  attack 
was  made  by  the  enemy  on  25  miles  on  the  Montdidier  section  with  18  Divi- 
sions which  resulted  in  an  advance  of  about  three  miles  on  part  of  the  front, 
and  on  the  18th  Rheims  was  attacked  on  a  front  of  10  miles,  but  this  last  attack 
was  defeated  with  compai-ative  ease.  With  this  the  major  operations  came  to 
an  end  for  nearly  a  month,  though  a  number  of  small  local  attacks  were  made 
from  time  to  time  both  by  the  British  and  the  French  which  met  with  some 
success. 

The  general  result  of  these  actions  were  that  the  Germans  had  gained  three 
great  salients.  On  the  northern  flank  the  salient  extended  from  a  point  10 
miles  north  of  Ypres  to  10  miles  north  of  Lens.  It  had  a  base  line  of  30  miles 
with  a  greatest  depth  at  a  point  10  miles  east  of  Hazebrouck. 

The  centre  salient  had  a  base  of  60  miles  running  from  Arras  to  a  point  12 
miles  west  of  Laon.  The  apex,  just  north  of  Montdidier,  had  a  depth  of  40 
miles,  the  front  running  from  Arras  by  Albert  by  Montdidier  to  the  Aisne 
west  of  Soissons. 

The  southern  salient  ran  from  the  Aisne  to  Chateau  Thierry,  the  apex, 
thence  north-east  along  the  Marne  to  Dormans,  and  thence  to  Rheims.  The 
base  line  from  west  of  Laon  to  Rheims  was  25  miles,  and  the  depth  to  Chateau 
Thierry  40  miles. 

This  represented  a  vast  gain  in  territory,  including  the  important  points  of 
Albert,  Montdidier,  Soissons,  and  Peronne.  In  addition  a  great  number  of 
prisoners  and  guns  had  been  taken  and  the  unfortunate  5th  Army  practically 
destroyed. 

But  these  gains  were  much  more  apparent  than  real.  The  German  front 
had  been  greatly  extended  and  was  now  no  longer  covered  by  an  intricate  line 
of  entrenchments.     The  southern  salient  was  peculiarly  difficult  to  hold  as 


'Jo 

there  were  few  railways  and  the  greater  [larl  of  the  supplies  iunl  to  ije  sent  by  1918 
a  road  from  Soissons  tliat  lan  parallel  to  the  front.  The  losses  in  the  field,  too, 
had  been  enormous,  reaching  a  total  of  at  least  a  million  men,  and  the  troops 
were  weary  and  dispirited,  for  the  Allied  line,  though  bent,  was  nowhere 
broken.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Allies  were  now  thoroughly  roused  to  a  due 
sense  of  the  danger.  The  Armies  were  for  the  first  time  united  under  the 
connnand  of  a  single  general  of  unquestionable  ability  in  the  [)erson  of  Marshal 
Fouh  ;  all  fears  of  invasion  were  abandoned  and  every  available  man  was  sent 
from  England,  upward  of  400,000  being  sent  out  in  the  course  of  July  and 
August,  and  lastly  every  possible  exertion  was  made  to  expedite  the  training 
of  the  United  States  Armies,  twelve  JJivisions  being  now  in  the  fighting  line, 
though  not  yet  formed  into  a  distinct  Army.  Little  as  it  then  seemed  to  be, 
the  battles  of  the  Somme,  the  Ijys,  and  the  Marne  were  destined  to  be  the 
beginning  of  the  end  and  the  final  defeat  of  Germany. 


CHAPTER  XLII. 
July  18th  to  November  15th,  1918. 

New  plans  for  offensive.  July  18th,  Attack  of  French  on  the  southern  salient. 
Success  of  attack.  Aug.  8th,  Attack  by  4th  Army.  Disposition  of  Troops. 
The  old  Amiens  Defence  Lines  regained.  Attack  by  1st  French  Army. 
August  9th,  Attack  by  3rd  Corps.  Fighting  by  the  Cavalry.  Attack  by 
3rd  French  Army.  August  10th,  Advance  continued.  August  18th,  Attack 
l)y  10th  French  Army,  (xeneral  retreat  of  enemy.  Se|)tember  1st,  Peronne 
regained.  September  5th,  1st  and  4th  French  Armies  cross  the  Somme. 
September  12th,  Attacks  by  General  Byng  and  1st  U.S.  Army.  Further 
advance  by  3rd  and  4th  Armies.  September  24th,  Advance  resumed. 
Position  of  Allied  Armies.  September  26th,  Attack  by  4th  French  and 
1st  U.S.  Armies.  September  27th,  Attack  on  Cambrai  front.  September 
28th,  Belgian  attack.  October  2nd,  La  Bassee  taken.  October  3rd,  General 
Pershing  drives  enemy  over  the  Suippe.  October  8th,  Attack  by  3rd  and 
4th  Armies.  Cambrai  taken.  September  4th  to  8th,  Le  Cateau,  Laon, 
and  Douai  taken.  Belgian  and  French  attack.  September  19th,  General 
Allenby's  victory  in  Palestine.  September  20th,  Belgians  occupy  Bruges. 
Lille  evacuated.  Se])tember  23rd,  Austrian  defeat.  October  26th,  Von 
Ludendorff  resigns.  November  3rd,  Valenciennes  taken.  November  9th, 
Tjandrecies,  Catillon  and  Quesnoy  taken.  October  10th,  Ghent  re-occupied. 
Octol)er  4th,  March  of  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  to  Haspres.  October  8th,  The 
16th  sent  to  22nd  Corps,  1st  Army.  October  10th,  The  16th  cover  advance. 
German  attempts  to  procure  armistice.  Applications  to  President  Wilson. 
Revolution  in  Germany.  November  9th,  Abdication  and  flight  of  Kaiser. 
German  delegates  meet  Marshal  Foch.  Terms  of  Armistice.  November 
11th,  .'\rmistice  signed.  Surrender  of  Mons.  The  fighting  early  in  the 
morning  of  the  11th.  The  last  charge  of  the  16th.  Fighting  ceases  at  11 
a.m.  and  end  of  the  War.  The  Regiment  withdrawn  to  Harmignies. 
November  15th,  The  state  entrance  into  Mons. 

Summary  of  Events,  July-November,  1918. — July  18th,  Second  Battle  of  the 
Marne.     Se)itember  19th,  Decisive  defeat  of  Turkey  in  Palestine.     26th, 


9(i 

1918  Bulgaria  sues  for  peace.     October  ii4tli,   Decisive  defeat  of  Austria  by 

Italy.   29111,  Austria  sues  for  peace.   November  lOth,  Mous  retaken.    11th, 
The  Armistice  signed.     End  of  the  \\'ar. 

Hitherto  the  offensive  both  of  the  Allies  and  tlie  Germans  had  been  con- 
ducted on  similar  lines  and  with  the  same  futile  results.  Each  attack  had  been 
made  with  the  "  break-through  "  as  the  objective.  Each  attack  had  been  an 
initial  success  in  that  the  hostile  front  line  trenches  had  been  first  partially 
destroyed  by  artillery  fire  and  then  crossed  by  the  assaulting  infantry,  and  each 
attack  had  been  eventually  held  up  by  the  hostile  reserves.  The  further  the 
attack  was  pressed  the  more  difficult  it  was  to  bring  its  own  reserves  into  action 
and  the  stronger  became  the  opposition.  Then  followed  the  counter-attack 
and  the  loss  of  part  of  the  ground  gained.  The  attacks,  too,  were  made  inde- 
pendently of  each  other,  without  any  combined  objective  and  at  long  intervals. 

The  offensive  designed  by  the  new  Commander-in-Chief  on  the  contrary  was 
to  make  a  constant  succession  of  attacks  at  various  selected  points,  each  on 
limited  front  and  for  a  definite  objective,  and  to  keep  these  going  until  he  had 
got  the  enemy  fairly  on  the  move  all  along  his  line.  The  series  of  battles 
begun  by  Von  Ijudendorff  in  March  had  been  originally  devised  on  somewhat 
the  same  lines,  but  he  made  the  vital  mistake  of  making  each  attack  on  too 
great  a  scale  and  of  not  limiting  his  objectives.  Thus  he  was  only  able  to  make 
four  in  all  at  comparatively  long  inteiwals.  Each  broke  down  by  what  may 
be  termed  its  own  weight,  and  ended  in  nothing  more  than  the  gain  of  quite 
useless  territory  and  a  great  extension  of  the  battle  line. 

The  German  attacks  in  the  north  were  really  far  more  dangerous  than  those 
on  the  Somme  because  they  were  on  a  smaller  scale  and  delivered  at  shorter 
intervals.  Had  they  been  continued  they  might  have  had  serious  consequences, 
but  his  great  offensive  on  the  Somme  had  entirely  used  up  Yon  Ludendorft's 
reserves  and  he  was  unable  for  the  time  to  initiate  new  attacks.  The  result, 
therefore,  was  that  the  Allies  were  able  to  stabilise  their  battle  line,  which, 
notwithstanding  the  practical  destruction  of  the  unlucky  oth  Army,  was  no- 
where broken,  but  merely  dented,  while  the  victors  not  only  incurred  an  enor- 
mous loss  of  men,  but  were  left  in  an  especially  dangerous  position.  Thougli 
tactically  successful.  Von  Ludendorft'  was  left  at  the  close  of  his  great  offensive 
in  a  far  worse  strategic  position  than  he  was  when  he  began  it. 

The  new  Commander-in-Chief  then  began  his  offensive  on  that  part  of  the 
German  position  which  he  considered  the  most  vulnerable,  the  southern  salient, 
and  he  attacked  with  confidence,  knowing  that  the  German  Command  had 
reached  the  end  of  their  resources,  while  he  himself  grew  daily  stronger  as  the 
United  States  Divisions  and  the  reinforcements  from  England  came  into  line, 
isth  Ti^p  attack  on  the  southern  salient  began  on  the  18th  July  on  both  its  flanks 
"^'by  the  10th  and  6th  French  Armies.  It  was  immediately  successful.  By 
August  Ith  the  salient  was  wiped  out  and  the  Germans  driven  back  to  the 
Vesle,  the  new  front  stretching  from  just  east  of  Soissons  to  north  of  Rheims. 

Meanwhile  both  the  French  and  British  had  been  engaged  in  local  actions 
all  along  the  line  north  of  the  Somme  and  at  several  points  had  materially 
improved  their  positions,  while  it  became  evident  that  the  German  Command 
was  making  preparations  for  a  general  retirement. 

On  the  8th  August  the  next  attack  commenced.    This  was  made  by  General 

Rawlinson  with  the  4th  Army  and  the  left  wing  of  the  French  1st  Army  on 

a  fi'ont  of  14  miles. 

5tli        The  1st,  2nd  and  3rd  Cavalry  Divisions  were  ordered  to  Amiens  to  support 

Aug.  the  attack,  and  the  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  was  reconstituted,  the  three  regiments 


97 

being  assembled  at  \'rc)n  on  the  5th  August.    Thence  tlie  Brigade  marched  to  I'JlS 
Pequinv,   wliere   tlic    tlncc    Divisions   were   concentrated,   arriving  there  on 
the  6th. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  ofticers  who  were  with  the  Regiment  when  the 
final  operations  of  the  war  began  : — 

Staff— Lieut. -Colonel  Brooke,  D.S.O.,  M.C. 
Adjutant,  Capt.  Callender. 

Capt.  Macdonald,  Leicester  Yeomanry. 
Medical  Officer,  Capt.  Storey. 
Signal  Officer,  Lieut.  Carlisle. 
Quartermaster,  Capt.  Connel. 
A  Sqdn.— Capt.  Evans,  M.C.  J)  Sqdn.—Capt.  Tempest-Hicks,  M.C. 

Lieut.  Thornton.  Lieut.  Archer. 

,,      Pargeter,  M.C.  ,,       Mowbray. 

,,      Pilkington,  M.C.  ,,       Eyan. 

2nd  Lieut.  Morris.  ,,       Deans. 

,,  Alexander.  ,,       Noakes. 

C  Sqdn. — Capt.  Hay,  Leicester  Yeomanry. 
,,      Pait  ,,  ,, 

Lieut.  Browne     ,,  ,, 

,,      Brooke       ,,  ,, 

M     Pym 
,,      Greig 

,,      Oldham      ,,  ,, 

The  plan  of  advance  was  for  the  1st  and  3rd  Divisions  to  lead,  with  the  i^nd 
in  reserve.  The  3rd  Brigade  formed  the  reserve  of  the  2nd  Division.  On  the 
night  of  the  7th  the  Brigade  marched  via  Amiens  to  Longeau  and  Glissy, 
taking  position  between  these  places,  where  they  halted  at  4  a.m.  on  the 
morning  of  the  8th. 

General  Eawlinson's  force  was  distributed  as  follows  : — 
On  his  right  the  3rd,  1st  and  2nd  Canadian  Divisions,  with  the  4th  in 
support. 

In  the  centre  the  2nd  and  3rd  Australian  Divisions,  with  the  5th  and  4th  in 
support. 

On  his  right,  north  of  the  Somme,  the  3rd  Corps,  with  two  Divisions  in  line 
and  one  in  support. 

The  three  Divisions  of  tlie  Cavalry  Corps  under  General  Kavanagh  were 
massed  east  of  Amiens,  and  in  addition  there  was  a  special  force  of  motor 
machine  guns  and  cyclists  with  orders  to  operate  along  the  Amiens-Roye  road 
and  a  large  number  of  tanks. 

Every  precaution  had  been  taken  to  hide  the  movement  of  the  troops  into 
their  positions,  and  there  was  no  preliminary  bombardment. 

x\t  4.30  a.m.  on  the  morning  of  the  8th  an  intense  artillery  fire  was  opened  8th 
on  the  whole  front  between  the  Ancre  and  the  Avre  rivers.     This  only  lasted  -^"S- 
for  five  minutes,  but  it  was  sufficient  to  wipe  out  most  of  the  enemy's  defences. 
When  the  firing  ceased  the  infantry  advance  began  preceded  by  a  long  line 
of  tanks. 

The  enemy  was  completely  sur])rised  and  at  first  there  was  little  resistance. 
By  mid-day  Demuin  and  Marceleave  had  been  taken  and  the  line  was  beyond 
the  Albert-Montdidier  main  road  ;  the  Canadian  Cavalry  had  even  passed 
through  the  infantry  and  captured  a  train  near  Chaulnes.  On  the  flanks,  how- 
ever, there   was  some  hard   fighting  at   Chipilly,  Morlancourt.  and  Moreuil. 

0 


98 

1918  Neverthckiss  by  niglil    tlu'   wliok-  ol'  the  old  Aiiiiciis  (lel'eiice   lines  bad   been 
cleared. 

Meanwhile  the  3rd  ]3rigiide  had  moved  up  t(j  the  Hois  de  Blangy  at  10  a. in., 
and  at  12.30  p.m.  to  Hangard,  and  thence  to  a  valley  south  of  Ciuillancourt, 
where  the  horses  were  watered  and  led,  after  which  the  Eegiment  moved  to 
the  hill  north  of  Caux.  At  8.45  the  Brigade  returned  to  Guillancourt  and 
bivouaced  there  for  the  night. 

More  than  13,000  prisoners,  400  guns  and  a  great  quantity  of  stores  and 
annnunition  were  taken  during  the  day. 

The  1st  French  Army  had  been  equally  successful.  The  French  attack 
began  at  5  a.m.  on  a  three  mile  front,  and  by  night  the  line  Pierrepoint, 
Plessier,  and  Fresnoy  had  been  gained,  with  3,300  prisoners  and  many  guns, 
and  the  left  was  in  touch  with  the  cyclist  corps  on  the  Amienss-Eoye  road  near 
Le  Quesnoy. 
«tli  On  the  next  day  a  new  attack  was  made  by  the  3rd  Corps,  together  with  a 
Aug.  regiment  of  United  States  troops.  This  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Morlancourt 
on  the  Ancre  and  of  Chipilly,  which  had  been  retaken  by  the  enemy  in  a 
counter-attack  on  the  previous  afternoon. 

A  further  advance  was  made  in  the  centre  and  in  this  the  Cavalry  Divisions 
took  a  prominent  part.  All  three  Divisions  passed  through  the  infantry  line. 
The  8th  Hussars  (1st  Division)  took  Mehariconrt  at  a  gallop,  and  a  number  of 
prisoners  were  rounded  up  and  taken.  The  KJth  were  unlucky.  In  the  after- 
noon A  Squadron  attempted  to  capture  50  machine-gunners  in  a  wood  between 
Vrehy  and  Beaufort,  but  were  held  up  by  a  wired  trench  and  being  fired  on 
by  a  number  of  machine  guns  from  Harvillers  were  forced  to  come  back  after 
losing  three  horses. 

At  6  p.m.  the  Kegiment  went  forward  through  Warvillers,  but  after  passing 
through  the  village  it  came  under  a  heavy  shell  fire  and  further  on  between 
Warvillers  and  Rouvroy  machine  gun  fire,  and  could  make  no  progress.  Ulti- 
mately the  Regiment  returned  to  Warvillers  and  remained  there  for  the  night. 

This  day  the  16th  had  the  misfortune  of  losing  Captain  Tempest-Hicks.  He 
was  riding  at  the  head  of  his  squadron  when  a  shell  struck  the  ground  in  front 
of  him.  The  shell  failed  to  explode,  but  as  it  ricocheted  struck  him  full  on 
the  body  killing  him  instantly.  Captain  Tempest-Hicks  was  one  of  the  best 
officers  in  the  Regiment.  He  had  greatly  distinguished  himself  on  many 
occasions,  and  had  already  been  three  times  wounded.  His  death  was  much 
regretted  by  the  whole  Regiment. 

The  other  casualties  this  day  were  one  private  and  two  more  were  wounded. 
The  village  was  badly  bombed  during  the  night  but  there  were  no  casualties. 

In  the  afternoon  the  3rd  French  Army  also  attacked  between  Montdidier 
and  Matz,  and  during  the  night  reached  Faverolles  and  cut  across  the  Roye 
road,  thus  isolating  Montdidier,  which  surrendered  next  morning.  A  large 
quantity  of  stores  and  ammunition  was  found  in  the  town. 
10th  On  the  10th  the  advance  was  continued  along  the  whole  front  in  co-operation 
Aug.  with  the  French.  In  the  morning  the  16th  moved  to  the  Caux-Cayeau  valley, 
but  were  again  sent  back  to  Warvillers.  Here  the  Regiment  was  shelled  by 
the  enemy's  heavy  guns  at  long  range,  and  three  shells  dropped  right  into  it 
with  the  result  that  three  men  were  killed  and  12  wounded.  At  8  p.m.  it  was 
sent  back  to  a  wood  north  of  Beaufort,  where  10  machine  guns  were  taken, 
and  bivouaced  there  for  the  night.  The  bivouac  was  again  bombed  at  intervals 
during  the  night,  but  there  were  no  casualties. 

Fighting  continued  during  the  next  two  days  without  intermission,  and  by 
the  evening  of  the  12th  the  infantry  had  reached  the  old  German  Somme  de- 


99 

fences  of  1916  on  a  line  west  of  Damery,  east  of  MIkjms,  east  of  I'royart,  and,  1^18 
north  of  the  Sonune,  the  west  edge  of  Bray,  while  tiie  French  were  on  the  line 
of  the  old  Roye-Chaulnes  defences.  Attacks  on  the  i:Jth  showed  that  the 
enemy  had  been  strongly  reinforced  and  was  prepared  to  fight  on  this  line,  so 
the  Field-Marshal  broke  oft'  the  battle,  having  gained  his  immediale  objective 
on  this  front. 

The  3rd  Brigade  did  no  fighting  during  these  days,  but  the  Regiment,  which 
remained  in  the  Caix-Cayeux  valley  were  bombed  night  and  day  by  airplanes. 
On  the  11th  a  bomb  fell  into  the  middle  of  the  Regiment  wounding  five  men 
and  knocking  over  18  horses.  On  the  13th,  this  bombing  having  become  an 
unbearable  nuisance,  shelters  were  dug  for  the  men.  On  the  15th  the  3rd 
Brigade  marched  via  St.  Vaast  to  Le  Pouchet,  arriving  there  on  the  17th. 
Here  the  Regiment  remained  in  billets  until  the  21st. 

The  result  of  this  battle  was  a  general  advance  of  V2  miles  on  the  whole  front. 
Twenty-three  thousand  prisoners  and  400  guns  w'ere  taken,  and  the  enemy  were 
in  addition  forced  to  evacuate  a  large  extent  of  ground  further  south. 

A  series  of  attacks  on  all  parts  of  the  Allied  front  followed  in  rapid  succession,  isth 

On  the  18th  an  attack  was  made  between  the  Oise  and  the  Aisne  by  the  10th  A."g- 
French  Army,  which  advanced  the  line  to  within  five  miles  of  the  Ailette, 
10,000  prisoners  and  200  guns  being  taken. 

On  the  21st  General  Byng  with  the  3rd  Army  attacked  and  recovered  com- 
mand of  the  Arras-Albert  railway. 

The  next  day  the  left  wing  of  the  4th  Army  attacked  and  re-took  Albert. 

The  enemy  were  now  retreating  all  along  the  line  and  the  advance  was 
continued. 

On  the  25th  the  1st  Army  attacked  on  each  side  of  the  Scarpe. 

On  the  29th  August  Bapaume  was  taken  and  a  great  depot  of  stores  found 
in  the  place. 

On  September  1st  Peronne  was  regained  and  in  the  course  of  the  next  two  1st 
days  the  enemy  was  driven  across  the  Canal  du  Nord  five  miles  west  of  Cam-  Sept. 
brai.     On  the  5th  the  4th  Army  and  the  French  1st  Army  were  across  the 
Somme  south  of  Peronne.   During  the  following  week  the  Oerman  retreat  was 
continued  followed  closely  by  the  Allies,  without  any  fighting  beyond  rear- 
guard actions,  the  one  hope  left  to  the  German  Staff  being  to  establish  their 
line  for  the  winter  along  their  old  Siegfried  defences,  but  on  September  12th 
the  retreat  slackened  and  it  became  necessary  to  drive  the  enemy  from  his 
forward  positions  about  Havrincourt  and  Epehy.     General  Byng  therefore  j^th 
attacked  these  with  two  Corps  on  the  12th  and  occupied  Trescault  and  Havrin-  Sept. 
court.    On  the  same  day  the  United  States  Army  made  its  first  appearance  in 
the  field  as  a  separate  force.*  The  1st  Army,  commanded  by  General  Pershing, 
attacked  the  St.  Mihiel  salient  south  of  Verdun  and  after  a  battle  of  three  days 
drove  the  enemy  from  all  his  positions,  taking  15,000  prisoners  and  200  guns. 

During  the  five  days  following  there  were  further  advances  made  by  the  3rd 
and  4th  Armies  terminating  in  the  re-capture  of  Moeuvres.  After  this  there 
was  a  pause  in  the  operations  until  the  24th  in  order  to  bring  up  supplies  and 
to  prepare  for  what  was  expected  to  be  the  final  blow.  The  final  collapse  of 
Germany  was  indeed  now  evidently  at  hand.  On  the  19th  General  Allenby 
decisively  defeated  the  Turks  in  Palestine  and  in  the  ensuing  operations  de- 
stroyed the  Turkish  Army  opposed  to  him  by  a  brilliant  use  of  his  Cavalry, 

*  Three  Corps  had  been  so  far  engaged — one  on  the  Maine  and  Ourcq,  one  on  the  Somme, 
and  one  on  the  Vesle. 


lUU 

1918  and  on  the  17th  the  debacle  in  Bulgaria  coninienced,  teinunatiiig  on  the  '26th 
by  an  armistice. 

During  these  operations  there  had  been  many  attempts  made  by  the  Cavalry 
to  break  through  the  enemy's  intantry  line,  but  these  had  been  invariably  frus- 
trated by  the  hre  of  the  machine  guns,  of  which  the  Germans  seemed  to  have 
an  unlimited  supply  and  which  they  used  very  liberally  to  cover  their  retreat. 
The  German  troops  were  still  cajDable  of  making  a  good  resistance  when 
brought  to  bay,  and  this  was  especially  the  case  with  the  machine-gun  crews, 
though  when  actually  retiring  a  great  luunljer  of  prisoners  were  taken,  detached 
parties  surrendering  freely  and  there  being  many  stragglers. 

During  September  the  lind  Cavalry  Division  was  broken  up  and  the  Brigades 
distributed  among  the  several  Corps.    At  the  end  of  the  month  the  3rd  Brigade 
was  in  reserve  to  the  1st  Army  and  in  camp  at  Inchy. 
24th       When  the  advance  was  resumed  on  the  'ilth  the  general  position  was  as 
.Sept.  follows  :  — 

The  Belgian  Army  was  north  of  Ypres.  On  the  right  of  the  Belgians  was  the 
3rd  French  Army  and  General  Plumer's  'ind  Army  extending  to  the  Lys  river. 
Then  came  General  Bird  wood's  5th  Army  facing  Lille  and  Lens,  General 
Home's  1st  Army  opposite  Douai,  General  liyng's  3rd  Army  opposite  Cam- 
brai.  General  Eawlinson's  4th  Army  facing  St.  Quentin. 

Then  came  the  French  1st  Army  under  General  Debeney  extending  the  line 
to  the  Oise,  General  Mangin's  lUth  Army  along  the  Marne  and  Ailette  river, 
General  Guiliemat's  5th  Army  covering  Kheims,  General  Gourand's  4th  Army 
Champagne  west  of  the  Argonne,  General  Pershing's  1st  United  States  Army 
between  the  Argonne  and  the  Meuse  river,  the  2nd  Army  being  near  Briey. 

The  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  was  then  at  Inchy  in  reserve  to  the  1st  Army. 

Marshal  Foch's  plan  was  briefly  for  the  Belgians  to  sweep  the  coast  line  to 
Ghent,  the  British  to  break  the  Siegfried  line  towards  Cambrai,  and  the  4th 
French  Army  and  the  United  States  Annies  to  attack  west  of  the  Meuse  in 
the  direction  of  Mezieres.  In  pursuance  of  this  last  design  General  Pershing's 
Army  w'as  secretly  moved  to  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse  and  its  place  taken 
by  the  2nd  Army. 
l?6tli  On  the  26th  Generals  Gourand  and  Pershing  attacked  on  a  front  of  40  miles 
>^e\^t.  a,i;,(]  niade  an  advance  of  from  three  to  seven  miles  in  depth. 

The  next  day  the  1st  and  3rd  Armies  attacked  on  the  Cambrai  front  and  drove 
the  enemy  across  the  Canal  du  Nord,  taking  10,000  prisoners  and  200  guns. 

On  the  28th  the  King  of  the  Belgians,  part  of  the  3rd  French  Army,  and 
two  Corps  of  General  Plumer  attacked  on  a  front  of  20  miles  south  of  Dixmude, 
making  an  advance  of  six  miles  and  taking  Comines  and  10,000  prisoners. 
The  same  day  the  10th  and  5th  French  Armies  attacked. 

On  the  29th  the  4th  Army  attacked  on  the  line  Marcoing-St.  Quentin  and 
crossed  the  Schelde  Canal,  and  following  up  the  eitemy  the  next  day  broke 
through  the  Hindenburg  line  at  Bellenglise,  Thorigny  and  Le  Trouquoy. 

From  the  15th  of  July  to  the  30th  of  September  the  Allies  had  taken  in  all 
250,000  prisoners,  3,600  guns,  and  13,000  machine  guns. 
2iiil  On  the  2nd  October  the  enemy  began  an  extensive  retreat  along  the  whole 
Oct.  front  south  of  Lens  to  Armentieres.  This  was  closely  followed  during  the  next 
two  days,  but  on  the  evening  of  the  4th  the  resistance  strengthened  and  it 
seemed  as  if  a  stand  was  intended,  but  the  development  of  the  further  opera- 
tions at  St.  Quentin  and  Cambrai  obliged  the  Germans  to  resume  the  with- 
drawal. The  final  phase  of  the  .Mlied  offensive  may  be  said  to  have  now  begun. 
On  the  2nd  La  Bassee  was  taken  by  General  Birdwood.  On  the  3rd  General 
Pershing  drove  the  enemy  opposed  to  him  over  the  Suippe  river.     On  the  8th 


lUl 

the  3id  and  llli  Aiiiiics  attacked  on  a  lioiit  of  17  iiiilrs  Iroiii  Si-ijiu'liart  lo  the  1918 
south  of  Caiiibrai  in  conjunction  witli  the  Fiencli  Army  on  tiicir  light.  The 
enemy  made  a  good  resistance  at  tirst,  but  was  eventually  (hiveii  t'rom  ail  his 
positions  in  disorder.  Kamilies,  Cambrai,  and  iiohain  were  taken,  and  by  the 
evening  of  the  Uth  the  troops  were  within  two  miles  of  Jje  Gateau.  The 
Cavalry  were  at  last  able  to  operate  with  advantage  on  this  section  and  were 
able  to  greatly  harass  the  (uieiiiy's  retreat,  and  to  prevent  llu;  destruction  of 
the  railways. 

On  the  loth  the  Ghemin  des  IJames  was  seized  by  the  French  and  Americans. 

During  the  next  three  days  the  advance  was  pressed  all  along  the  front  and 
Le  Gateau,  Laon,  and  Douai  were  occupied.  On  the  14th  the  Belgians,  in 
conjunction  with  the  French  3rd  Army  and  the  2nd  Army,  attacked  along  the 
whole  front  from  JJixmude  to  Goiniiies.  This  attack  was  most  successful,  and 
by  the  18th  Ostend,  Koubaix,  and  Turcoing  were  in  the  hands  of  the  Allies, 
and  Lille  was  evacuated  by  the  enemy.  By  the  -JOtli  the  lielgians  were  in 
Bruges  and  had  extended  their  line  to  the  Dutch  frontier.  The  same  day 
Denain  was  taken  by  General  Byng. 

On  the  23rd  Gennany's  last  remaining  ally  was  eliminated  by  ilu'  total 
defeat  of  Austria  on  the  Piave  river. 

The  retreat  of  the  German  Armies  was  now  rapidly  degenerating  into  a  rout, 
while  the  Allied  attacks  were  pressed  with  the  utmost  vigour  along  the  whole 
front  in  order  to  give  the  enemy  no  time  to  establish  a  new  entrenched  line 
for  another  winter  campaign.  On  the  26th  the  disheartened  Von  Ijudendorff, 
unable  to  face  the  storm  of  indignation  roused  by  his  failure  to  justify  his  con- 
fident assurances  of  victory,  resigned  his  post  of  Chief  of  the  Stall. 

During  these  operations  the  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  had  been  obliged  to  merely 
watch  the  line  of  the  infantry  advance  and  remained  in  camp  at  Inchy  until 
the  27th  October,  when  a  move  was  made  to  Buissy. 

The  advance  continued  to  be  pushed  all  along  the  line  and  the  preparations  4th 
for  what  proved  to  be  the  final  blow  were  completed  by  the  capture  of  Valen-  Nov. 
ciennes  by  the  4th  Canadian  Division  on  the  1st  November  and  the  crossing  of 
the  Ehonelle  by  the  17th  Corps  and  the  22nd  Corps  after  some  considerable 
fighting. 

After  this  defeat  on  the  3rd  November  the  enemy  withdrew  some  miles  on 
the  Le  Quesnoy- Valenciennes  front,  and  on  the  next  day  the  decisive  attack 
was  commenced  by  the  4th,  3rd,  and  1st  Armies  on  a  line  of  30  miles,  from 
the  Sambre,  north  of  Oisy  to  Valenciennes.  In  the  centre  of  this  line  was  the 
Forest  of  Mormal,  and  on  the  north  the  fortified  town  of  Quesnoy.  The  attack 
was  everywhere  successful,  and  by  the  9th  the  enemy  was  in  full  retreat. 
Landrecies,  Gatillon  and  Quesnoy  were  taken  and  the  Sambre  river  was  crossed 
at  several  places.  On  the  9th  Maubeuge  surrendered,  and  on  the  10th  the 
Belgians  regained  possession  of  Ghent.  The  French  1st  Army  moved  in  unison 
on  the  right  of  the  British  line  and  advanced  as  far  as  Guise.  Twenty-five 
thousand  prisoners  and  over  500  guns  were  taken.  The  5th  Army  also  captured 
Tournai,  and  the  2nd  Army  crossed  the  Schelde  on  its  entire  front  during  these 
days. 

On  the  4th  November  the  Brigade  marched  by  Marquion  and  Blecourt  to 
Thun  I'Eveque  and  thence  by  Haspres  to  Maing.  On  the  8th  the  Brigade  was 
broken  up.  The  16th  was  attached  to  the  22nd  Corps,  1st  Army,  and  marched 
to  Montigny.  The  next  day  an  officers'  patrol  which  had  been  sent  to  Camp 
Perdu  to  find  the  11th  Division  reported  that  there  seemed  to  be  a  possibility 
of  using  the  Cavalry,  and  at  12.30  p.m.  the  Regiment,  with  a  machine-gun 
squadron  and  D  Battery  R.H.A.,  proceeded  by  Eugenies  to  Camp  Perdu,  but 


102 

1918  owing  to  the  bad  state  of  the  roads  did  not  get  there  until  after  it  was  dark. 
A  message  was  then  sent  on  to  the  li-ind  Oorj)S  Headijuarters  to  say  that  the 
detachment  intended  to  pass  tluough  the  infantry  line  if  possible,  and  orders 

lOtli  were  sent  l)ack  to  cover  the  advance  of  the  -I'lnd  Corps  in  the  morning.     On 

Nov.  thf.  loth,  therefore,  the  Regiment  moved  off  in  advance  of  the  infantry,  C 
Squadron  oovering  the  11th  Division,  A  the  56th,  and  D  the  63rd.  A  machine- 
gun  section  went  with  each  squadron  and  the  remainder  with  the  guns  followed 
the  centre  column,  the  objectives  being  Havay-Maladrie  and  Villers  St. 
Ghislain.  There  was  little  opposition,  but  the  enemy  were  found  to  be  holding 
the  river  with  a  line  of  machine  guns  placed  at  intervals  of  300  yards. 

Eventually  A  Squadron  forced  a  passage  over  the  bridge  at  Haveng  but 
was  stopped  at  the  cross  roads  just  beyond  it.  Later  on  D  Squadron  got  across" 
the  river  and  ejected  the  Germans  from  a  sugar  factory  on  the  Bavai-Givry 
road,  but  was  unable  to  advance  over  the  higher  ground  beyond  it.  C  Squad- 
ron was  held  up  by  enfilade  fire  but  got  over  with  the  help  of  the  guns.  The 
Infantry  tlien  came  up  and  the  Cavalry  were  withdrawn.  After  a  preliminary 
bonU)ardment  an  attack  was  made  by  the  18Gth  J5rigade  and  the  enemy  driven 
off.  The  troops  then  halted  for  the  night  and  at  4  p.m.  the  Regiment  with- 
drew to  L'Hermitage.  The  16th  lost  16  men  killed  and  wounded  in  the  day's 
operations. 

11th      The  next  day  was  destined  to  see  the  end  of  the  war  though  this  was  un- 

Nov.  known  to  the  troops.  The  destruction  of  the  Hindenburg  line  at  the  end  of 
September  had  convinced  the  German  Staff'  of  the  hopelessness  of  continuing 
the  war  and  representations  were  made  to  the  Berlin  (jovernment  urging  it  to 
negotiate  an  Armistice  as  soon  as  possible  at  any  cost.  The  Imperial  Chan- 
cellor and  the  Foreign  Secretary  both  resigned  on  the  30th  September  and  the 
Kaiser  appointed  Prince  Maximillian  of  Baden  Chancellor.  Pi-esident  Wilson 
was  chosen  as  the  mediator,  probably  because  he  was  thought  to  be  what 
schoolboys  would  call  the  "  softest  "  of  the  Allied  chiefs.  On  the  4th  October 
a  Note  was  sent  to  the  President  asking  him  to  take  in  hand  the  restoration  of 
peace  and  the  conclusion  of  an  Armistice  pending  a  discussion  of  terms.  The 
Note  further  stated  that  Germany  accepted  the  President's  famous  "  Fourteen 
Points  "  as  a  basis  of  the  proposed  discussion.  The  Austrian  Government  also 
sent  an  identical  Note.  On  the  14th  President  Wilson  replied  to  the  effect  that 
the  conditions  of  any  Armistice  must  be  settled  by  the  judgment  and  advice 
of  the  military  advisers  of  the  Allied  Governments.  Further  correspondence 
followed  and  on  the  23rd  October  the  President  closed  the  discussion  by  re- 
fusing to  take  a  separate  position  in  these  negotiations  and  re-iterating  what 
he  had  already  said  in  his  Note  of  the  14th. 

8th        Meanwhile  events  of  the  utmost  importance  were  taking  place  in  Germany. 

Nov.  The  rapid  advance  of  the  Allies,  the  demoralised  condition  of  the  German 
Army,  the  mutiny  of  the  fleet  at  Kiel,  and  the  terrible  losses  in  the  field  had 
thoroughly  awakened  the  nation  to  a  true  appreciation  of  the  dangers  of  the 
situation.  The  shutHing  diplomacy  of  the  Government  was  swept  aside  in  a 
burst  of  popular  indignation,  and  on  the  Sth  a  "  Workmen's  and  Soldiers' 
Council,"  as  it  was  termed,  decreed  the  abolition  of  the  Bavarian  dynasty. 
Similar  Councils  were  formed  in  most  of  the  larger  towns  and  on  the  9th 
Berlin  followed  the  example  and  declared  a  Republic.  The  Imperial  Chan- 
cellor issued  a  decree  the  same  day  announcing  the  decision  of  the  Kaiser  to 
abdicate  and  resigned  his  office  after  appointing  Ebert  his  successor. 

The  next  day  the  Kaiser  himself  left  the  Army  Headquarters  at  Spa  and 
took  refuge  in  Holland  and  the  Crown  Prince  followed  his  father's  example. 
On  the  6th  November  the  Rheichstag  had  nominated  four  delegates  at  the 


103 

request  of  the  Army  lleadc^uaiters  to  discuss  terms  for  an  Armistice.    Marshal  1918 
Foch  was  appointed  to  represent  the  Allies  with  full  powers.     The  German 
delegates  met  the  Marshal  in  the  Forest  of  Compiegno  on  the  8tli  and  were 
presented  with  the  Allied  terms. 

The  terms  of  the  Armistice  were  set  out  in  ;55  clauses.     The  priiici])al  slipu- 
lations  as  far  as  the  Western  front  was  concerned  were  as  follows  : — 
1. — Cessation  of  fighting  six  hours  after  the  signing  of  the  Armistice  (1.1  a.m. 

on  the  11th  November). 
2. — Evacuation  of  Belgium,  France,  Alsace,  Lorraine,  and  1  jii\(  inhiirg  wiihin 

14  days. 
3. — Repatriation  of  all  inhabitants  of  the  above  countries  wiihin   II  days. 
4. — Surrender  of  military  e(jiu[unent  :  5,(J00  guns,  30,UUU  ma(-hinc  guns,  3,000 

minenwerfer,  "2,000  airplanes. 
5. — Evacuation  of  all  country  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Rhine  and  the  creation 

of  a  neutral  zone  six  miles  in  width  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river 

within  31  days. 
6. — Occupation  by  the  Allied  troops  of  ]\Iayence,  Cologne  and  Coblentz  with 

bridge-heads  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Rhine  at  each  ])lace  of  a  19  mile 

radius. 
7. — The  Armistice  to  be  accepted  or  refused  by  Germany  within  72  hours  of 

notification. 
The  German  delegates  at  first  remonstrated  about  the  severity  of  the  terms 
and  asked  for  a  provisional  suspension  of  hostilities  while  they  consulted  the 
Berlin  Government,  but  this  was  at  once  refused  by  Marshal  Foch,  and  the 
terms  were  eventually  sent  by  a  courier  to  the  Army  Headquarters  at  Spa. 
Thence  they  were  telegraphed  to  Berlin  and  the  delegates  were  instructed  by 
the  German  Provisional  Government  to  accept  them.  At  5  a.m.  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  11th  November  the  Armistice  was  signed  and  Marshal  Foch  sent 
an  order  to  the  Generals  in  the  field  as  follows  : — 

"  Hostilities  will  cease  on  the  whole  front  as  from  the  11th  of  November  at 
eleven  o'clock.  The  Allied  Troops  will  not,  until  a  further  order,  go  beyond 
the  line  reached  on  that  date  and  that  hour." 

The  morning  of  the  11th  was  cold  and  foggy.  The  Cavalry  continued  their 
advance  at  daybreak,  covering  the  infantry  columns.  The  3rd  Canadian  Divi- 
sion had  been  fighting  all  night  round  ]Nlons  and  at  daybreak  the  town  was 
taken,  the  whole  of  the  garrison  being  either  killed  or  captured. 

During  the  night  of  the  10th  orders  were  received  by  the  16th  and  the  R.H.A. 
to  cover  the  advance  of  the  63rd  Division,  the  Advance  Guard  of  the  22nd 
Corps,  and  to  move  off  at  daybreak.  Accordingly  the  advance  was  continued 
to  the  line  Villers  St.  Ghislain — Estinne  au  Val.  There  was  little  opposition 
up  to  this,  but  the  enemy  was  found  to  be  holding  Estinne,  and  points  on  the 
Bray — Yillers  St.  Ghislain  road,  and  when  driven  from  these  retired  to  the 
north-east  of  St.  Ghislain,  where  the  advance  was  held  up  by  artillery  and 
machine  guns.  About  10  a.m.  the  R.H.A.  Battery  came  into  action.  Lieut. 
Johnson  then  charged  the  machine  guns  with  his  patrol,  but  the  enemy's  guns 
opened  fire  on  him  at  point  blank  range  and  every  man  and  horse  went  down, 
though  fortunately  the  actual  casualties  were  limited  to  Lieut.  Johnson  and 
four  men  wounded.  This  spirited  little  affair  was  the  final  combat  of  the  war 
as  shortly  afterwards  orders  were  received  to  cease  fighting  at  11  a.m.  just  as 
the  right  squadron  was  preparing  to  charge  the  guns. 

The  D  Battery,  then  with  the  16th,  were,  however,  ordered  to  fire  a  final 
salvo  at  half  a  minute  before  11  o'clock.  This  battery  of  Horse  Artillery  was 
in  action  with  the  16th  on  the  morning  of  the  dav  before  the  f-iattle  of  Mons, 


101 

191H  and  thus  fired  the  tirst  and  hist  shell  ol  the  war  within  a  slioit  distance  of  the 
same  place. 

At  mid-day  the  lleginient  withdrew  to  Harmignies,  where  it  was  hilleted  and 
hospitahly  entertained  by  such  of  the  inhabitants  as  liad  survived  the  (iernian 
opcupation. 

On  the  15th  two  composite  squadrons  were  sent  to  Mons,  one  of  which, 
under  command  of  Capt.  Moubray,  formed  a  special  escort  to  General  Home, 
the  Commander  of  the  1st  Army,  who  was  presented  with  the  freedom  of  the 
city.  The  remainder  of  the  Regiment  marched  to  Grand  Keng,  where  the  two 
squadrons  rejoined  in  the  afternoon. 

Here  the  3rd  Brigade  was  reformed. 

On  the  17th  the  general  advance  to  the  lihiue  began,  the  3rd  Cavalry 
Brigade  acting  as  advance  guard,  each  regiment  marching  by  a  separate  road. 

The  Brigade  marched,  with  occasional  halts,  by  Montignies,  Charleroi, 
Warnant,  Erzee,  and  Comblain  to  "S'ille,  where  it  went  into  billets.  Head- 
quarters being  at  Ville,  A  Squadron  at  Fen-ieres,  C  at  Filot,  and  D  at  Mye. 
Here  the  Eegiment  left  the  Brigade  as  it  was  now  placed  on  the  Roster  for 
foreign  service.  There  was  much  trouble  with  the  transport  during  this  march 
as  the  roads  and  bridges  had  been  systematically  destroyed  by  the  retreating 
Germans.  The  roads  were  everywhere  strewn  with  abandoned  arms  and 
equipment,  and  the  inhabitants  reported  that  great  disorder  and  insubordina- 
tion was  apparent  among  the  troops  of  the  enemy,  who  were  al>out  two  days' 
march  ahead  of  the  British  Army.  The  Regiment  marched  into  Ville  from 
Comblain  on  the  '2-2nd  December,  1918,  and  remained  in  billets  in  that  area 
until  INIarch  8th,  1919.  During  this  period  demobilisation  was  completed  and 
the  spare  horses  sold  or  transferred.  On  the  8th  March  the  Regiment,  now 
reduced  to  a  cadre  only,  marched  to  Ensival,  near  Liege,  and  on  the  IGth  pro- 
ceeded by  train  to  Antw-erp,  where  it  was  sent  to  the  Reception  Camp.  On 
the  •2-2nd  March  the  remnant  of  the  Regiment  with  50  horses  embarked  at 
Antwerp  on  the  S.S.  Menominee  together  with  the  Greys,  20th  Hussars,  5th 
Lancers,  3rd  and  7th  Dragoon  Guards,  and  the  3rd  Brigade  R.H.  Artillery, 
and  sailed  for  England  under  command  of  Lieut. -Colonel  Brooke,  the  other 
officers  being  Capt.  Callander,  Adjutant;  Capt.  McConnell.  Quartermaster; 
and  Lieuts.  Browne,  Archer,  and  Pargeter. 

After  disembarkation  the  16th  were  sent  to  Canterbury,  where  Lieut. - 
Colonel  Bi-ooke  gave  over  the  command  to  Lieut. -Colonel  St.  John  on  the  25th 
March. 

In  June  the  Regiment  received  orders  to  proceed  to  Syria.  By  this  time  the 
16th  had  been  reduced  to  13  officers  and  50  other  ranks,  and  to  bring  the  nimi- 
bers  up  to  something  approaching  full  strength  about  400  men  were  drafted 
into  the  Regiment.  Of  these  about  100  were  officially  styled  "  Cavalry,"  but 
it  was  afterwards  found  that  their  only  claim  to  the  designation  was  that 
they  had  originally  enlisted  for  that  arm,  but  had  eventually  been  posted  to 
Infantry.  After  the  war  ended  they  were  permitted  to  join  the  Cavalry  if  they 
wished  to  do  so.    The  rest  of  the  drafts  were  half-trained  recruits. 

To  make  things  worse,  owing  to  the  short  notice,  the  men  had  to  be  sent  on 
furlough  at  once,  and  as  they  did  not  rejoin  until  a  few  days  before  leaving 
Canterbury,  when  the  Regiment  embarked  all  the  men,  except  the  original  50, 
were  unknow-n  to  the  officers  and  to  each  other. 


105 

APPENDICES   'i'O    L'llAP'ri';i;    XLll. 

1. — Suniiiiarv  of  Services  of  the  '2nd  Cavalry  Division. 

2. — List  of  Ofticers  coniiuanding  liegiuient  I'JJ  i-1918. 

3. — Casualty  Lists.  Officers  liilled  in  action  during  tlie  War.  Ofticc'rs  wounded. 
Xanies  of  otlier  ranks  i\illed  in  action,  or  died  from  wounds  or  otlier 
causes. 

4. — Honours  and  Awards  to  Officers  and  other  ranl<s. 

5. — Names  of  Officers  and  other  ranlcs  mentioned  in  despatches. 


APPENDIX  I. 

'JVi  All  Kamvs  ok  the  Seco.nd  Cav.-\lrv  Division. 

Now  that  tilt'  Division  is  about  to  bo  broken  up  after  a  period  of  4i  years  since  its 
formation,  t  wisli  to  offer  each  one  of  you  my  lieartfelt  thanks  for  your  services  both 
individually  and  collectively.  1  do  so,  not  only  in  my  own  name  but  in  the  names  of  the 
Divisional  Commanders  who  preceded  me. 

While  some  of  you  enter  into  civil  life,  others  remain  at  the  helm,  but  wherever  you  may 
go,  I  would  like  you  to  keep  with  you  a  remembrance  of  the  great  part  which  has  been 
played  by  your  Division  in  the  greatest  of  all  Hars.  The  Division  has  come  through  4^ 
years  of  war  without  a  stain  on  its  character  or  a  single  regrettable  incident,  and  as  you 
will  see  by  the  account  of  its  doings  overleaf,  it  has  come  to  the  rescue  of  the  Army  at 
many  a  critical  moment. 

1  lioiJe  that  each  one  of  you  will  always  remember  the  good  feeling  which  has  kept  us 
together  during  these  years  and  carry  the  same  into  home  life  in  England.  Let  us  do  this 
in  memory  of  those  we  have  unfortunately  been  compelled  to  leave  behind;  may  their  names 
never  be  forgotten. 

THOMAS  T.  PITMAN,  Major  General, 

Coiniiiandiiui  ^'iid  Cavahy  Division. 

lltli  :\rarch,  1919. 

The  2nd  Cavalry  Division  was  formed  on  16tli  September,  1914,  on  the  Aisne.  It 
originally  lonsisted  of  the  3rd  and  .jth  CavaU'y  Brigades  under  command  of  Major-General 
H.  de  la  V.  Gough,  C.I5.  The  4th  Brigade  joined  the  Division  shortly  after  the  capture 
of  tlie  Mont  des  Cats.  This  brilliant  operation  by  the  combined  action  of  the  3rd  and  5th 
Brigades  first  brought  the  Division  to  a  ])rominent  position  as  a  fighting  unit. 

The  Units  in  the  Division  have  remained  the  same  throughout  the  war  with  the  exception 
of  the  Composite  Household  C'avahy  Regiment  in  the  4th  Cavalry  Brigade,  who  were 
replaced  by  the  (>)ueen's  Own  O.xfordshire  Hussars  on  19th  November,  1914. 

The  Division  distinguished  themselves  in  a  contest  against  overwhelming  numbers  on 
the  Wytscliiiete — Messines  line  from  October  20th  to  Xovend^er  1st,  and  later  in  the 
vicinity  of  Wulvergwhem  until  the  end  of  the  First  Battle  of  Ypres. 

In  January  and  Kelnuary,  1915,  the  Division  had  their  first  experience  of  regtdar  trench 
warfare  in  the  Ypres  Salient,  the  first  big  mine  of  the  war  exploding  under  one  of  the 
trenches  held  by  them. 

In  March  they  were  in  support  at  the  Battle  of  Neuve  Chapelle,  the  5th  Cavalry  Brigade  1915 
making  the  first  attempt  of  Cavalry  to  break  through  the  enemy's  trench  system. 

Shortly  after  returning  to  billets  the  Division  was  again  hurried  up  to  the  Salient  to  take 
part  in  the  .Second  Battle  of  Ypres.  where  the  enemy  launched  poisoned  gasses  against  us. 

On  loth  April,  Major-General  C.  T.  McM.  Kavanagh.  C.V.O.,  D.S.O.,  took  over  command. 

Throughout  the  stuumer  of  1915  large  working  parties  were  found  for  constructing 
defences  in  the  vicinity  of  Kemmel. 

On  the  15th  July,  Major-General  Sir  P.  AY.  Chetwode,  Bart..  C.:M.G.,  D.S.O.,  took  over 
command. 

In  September  and  October  the  Division  was  in  support  at  the  Battle  of  Loos. 

The  Division  spent  the  first  two  months  of  the  year  in  the  trenches  at  Vermelles,  when  \q\Q 
mining  and  countermining  were  of  almost  nightly  occurrence. 

P 


JUG 

]9](i       From  June  to  September  they  were   iu  support  of  the  Second  Army,   wliicli    had   been 
considerably  weakened  to  find  troojis  for  the  Battle  of  the  Somme. 

In  September  the  J)ivisi(}n  moved  South  to  the  Somme,  where  they  remained  in  vicinity 
of  Dernancourt  until  the  Ijeginning  of  November. 

On  16th  November,  Major-General  W.  H.  Greenly,  C.M.G.,  D.S.O.,  took  over  comnjand 
of  the  Division. 
1917      Early  in  the  year  the  Division  furnished  strong  working  parties  for  railway  construction, 
and  in  the  begining  of  Ainil  took  part  in  the  Battle  of  Arras  under  very  trying  conditions 
for  the  horses. 

From  there  they  went  into  the  trenches  in  front  of  Ronssoy.  \  most  successful  raid 
was  carried  out  at  Gillemont  Farm,  and  a  few  days  later  a  stubborn  defence  was  put  up 
when  the  Germans  counter-raided  the  same  position. 

On  November  ]Oth,  after  a  short  spell  in  billets,  the  Division  moved  East  to  take  part 
in  the  Battle  of  Cambrai.  The  mounted  .scheme  having  failed  to  materialise,  a  dismounted 
Brigade  was  formed,   which  had  very  heavy  fighting  in  the  defence  of  Bourlon  Wood. 

On  the  3Uth  November,  when  tlie  Germans  made  their  big  counter-attack,  the  Second 
Cavalry  Division  assisted  the  (iuards  in  restoring  the  situation. 

They  ended  up  the  year  by  going  once  again  into  the  trenches  near  Hargicourl. 

There  tliey  remained  until  the  end  of  January,  and  afterwards  moved  into  the  area 
around  Athies. 

In  March,  in  order  to  meet  the  thieatened  German  attack,  the  Division  moved  to  the 
vicinity  of  Grandrue  in  .support  of  the  3rd  Corps. 
191 S       "\Vhen  the  attack  came  on  21st  March,  tlie  Division  was  immediately  sent  up  in  motor 
lorries  to  try  and  restore  the   situation.      All   units  of  the   Division   were  engaged  in   very 
heavy  fighting,  especially  on  the  J  ussy  canal,  suffering  heavy  casualties. 

On  March  25th,  the  mounted  Division  was  again  reformed  under  command  of  Brigadier- 
General  Pitman. 

On  the  26th  they  made  a  combined  mounted  and  dismounted  attack  on  the  Bois  des 
Essarts.  This  attack  .succeeded  in  lioldiiig  up  the  Germans  until  the  arrival  of  large  French 
reinforcements. 

From  there  the  Division,  to  which  was  attached  the  Canadian  Cavalry  Brigade,  made  a 
forced  march  to  Montdidier  to  support  a  reported  break  in  the  French  line,  and  thence 
by  another  forced  march  to  vicinity  of  Amiens,  where  the  situation  of  the  5th  Army  was 
critical. 

On  the  3()th  March,  the  British  line  having  liroken.  the  Canadian  Cavalry  Biigade  and 
3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  made  a  mounted  attack  at  Moreuil  Wood  and  restored  the  situation. 

On  the  1st  April,  the  line  having  again  broken,  the  whole  Division  carried  out  a  brilliant 
dismounted  attack  at  Rifie  Wood  under  cover  of  their  own  artillery  and  machine  gun 
barrage.  The  objectives  were  gained  and  the  line  restored,  heavy  casualties  being  inflicted 
on  the  enemy. 

The  losses"  of  the  Division  from  21st  March  to  1st  April  were  70  officers  and  2,000  other 
ranks. 

The  appointment  of  Brigadier-General  T.  T.  Pitman,  C.B.,  C.M.G..  to  command  the 
Division  with  the  temporary  rank  of  Major-General  was  confirmed  (dated  March  29th). 

From  Amiens  the  Divi-sion  was  moved  North  to  vicinity  of  Blaringhem  and  Fletre  to 
support  the  2nd  Army. 

On  9th  and  10th  August  the  Second  Cavalry  Division  took  part  in  the  successful  opera- 
tions in  front  of  Amiens,  which  started  the  final  battle  of  the  war. 

As  soon  as  the  war  of  movement  commenced  there  was  a  general  outcry  for  Cavalry, 
and  the  Division  was  split  up  on  a  front  of  three  .\rmies.  Playing  a  prominent  part 
throughout  the  final  operations,  they  liad  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  nearly  every 
squadron  of  the  Division  «as  well  in  front  when  the  cease  fire  sounded  on  November  lltli ; 
one  regiment  taking  part  in  the  final  attack  on  Mens,  entered  the  town  at  the  head  of 
the  Canadian  Corps. 

During  the  advance  through  Belgium  after  the  armistice  was  signed,  the  Second  Cavalry 
Division  acted  as  Advanced  Guard  to  the  4th  Army. 


107 


APPENDIX  II. 

16tii  (The  Queen's)  Lancers. 
List  of  Officers  who  have  Commanded  the  Eegiment  during  the  War 

AND   GIVING    APPROXIM.'VTE  PERIODS   OF  COMMAND. 


Substantive 

Name. 

Acting  Rank. 

Period. 

Rank. 

Lieut. -Colonel    ... 

MacEwen,  M.  L.    (Period  of 
Conniaiid  terminated  Dec. 

19th    1914.)            

15-8-14   to   2r.-8-14. 

Major 

Eccles,  C.  J 

Acting  ... 

26-8-14  to  13-11-14. 

Major      

Campbell,    C.    L.   K.     (Died 

Acting  ... 

Mar.   31st,  1918.) 

14-11-14  to  3-2-15. 

Lieut. -Colonel    ... 

Eccles,  C.  J.,  D.S.O.  (Gazet- 

ted  Dec.    19th,    1914.)     ... 

4-2-15  to  25-5-15. 

Bi-vt.-Lt. -Colonel 

Campbell,  C.   L.   K.       (Died 

Mar.  31st,   1918.) 

Acting  ... 

26-5-15  to  30-9-15. 

Lieut. -Colonel    ... 

Eccle.s,  C.  J.,  D.S.O. 

1-10-15  to  25-2-17. 

Major       

Shannon,  W.  J.,  D.S.O.     ... 

A/Lt.-Colonel... 

26-2-17  to  4-4-17. 

Lieut. -Colonel    ... 

Eccles,  C.  J..  D.S.O. 

5-4-17  to  26-11-17. 

Captain 

Chevne,  J.  L.,  M.C. 

A/Lt.-Colonel ... 

27-11-17   to   12-3-13. 

Bt. -Major 

Brooke,   G.    F.    H.,    D.S.O., 

13-3-18  to  2.5-.3-19. 

M.C 

A /Lt. -Colonel... 

26-3-19   and    onwards. 

Lieut. -Colonel    ... 

Harris-St.   John,    C.    E.    St. 

J.,  D.S.O 

Ante-dated  to  19-12-18. 

C.  E.  HARRIS  ST.  JOHN,  Lieutenant-Colonel, 

Commanding    IGth    Lancers. 


Canterbury  ;  May  27th,  1919. 


108 


APPENDIX  III. 

16th  (The  Queen's)  Lancers. 

Statement  of  Casualties — 17th  At;GUST,  1914,  to  11th  KovE.Misicii,  1918. 

OFFICERS  KILLED  IX  ACTION',   WITH  REGIME.N'I'. 


Kank. 

Name. 

Date  of  Casualty. 

1914. 

Second  Lieutenant  ... 

Macneill.  \V.  M 

Octoljer   12th. 

*Major  ... 

Dixon,   C.  M 

No"pniber   .Sth. 

Captain 

Macartliur-Onslow,   A.   W. 

Ditto. 
1915. 

Captain 

.N'eave,   A. 

February  21st. 

Lieutenant 

Beech,  R.  A.  J 

Ditto. 

Lieutenant 

King,  N.  W.  R 

Ditto. 

Lieutenant 

Cro.ss,  D.  R 

Ditto. 

Captain 

Xasli.  E,  R 

February  22nd. 
19i8. 

Captain            

Allen,  J.   E.   R 

April  8th. 

Second  Lieutenant  ... 

Martin-Holland,  C.  R 

March   26th. 

Lieutenant 

Perceval-Maxwell,   R.    N. 

March  30th. 

Second  Lieutenant  ... 

Wodeliouse,  Hon.  E 

Ditto. 

Lieutenant 

Stephen,   .1.   S 

March  22nd. 

Second  Lieutenant  ... 

Watson,   Sir  J.,   Bart 

Ditto. 

Captain            

Tempest-Hicks,  C.   E.   H. 

August  10th. 

K 

IDLED  (ATTACHED  R.F.C.). 

1916. 

Lieutenant     

O'Brien,  T.   D 

March  3rd, 

Lieutenant 

Arbuthnot.  R.   G.  V 

DIED  IN  ENGLAND. 

Brigadier-General    . . . 

Campbell,  C.   L.   K. 

Captain 

Adams,  F.  E 

Lieutenant 

Arbtithnot,  M.   A.           

Lieutenant     

Russell,  G.  C 

Lieutenant     

Prosser,    J.            

*  Major  Dixon  had  rejoined  for  .service  during  the  war  and  was  second  in  command  when 
killed. 


109 


KoLL  OF  Officers  who  h.-we  been  Wounded  during  the  War  of 

1914  TO  1918. 


Bank. 

Name. 

Date  of  Casualty. 

1914. 

Colonfl              

MacKwen.  M.   L. 

August  25th. 

*Captaiu            

Bellville,  G.  E 

Aufiust  2.")tli. 

Lieutenant 

Tempest-Hicks,    C.    E.    H. 

Septemlier  14th. 

Lieutenant 

Cross,  D.  R 

October  16th. 

Second  Lieutenant  ... 

Aris,   C.   .J. 

Octol)er  12th. 

Lieutenant      

Clarke,  .1.    G.    AV 

October  lOth. 

Major               

Campl)ell,   C.   L.   K 

Octol)er  30th. 

-     Second  Lieutenant  ... 

Wodeliouse,    Lord            

Ditto. 

Lieutenant 

Beech.  R.  A.  J 

October  lOtli. 

Second  Lieutenant  ... 

Dayies,  R.   R 

Xovemlier   .5th. 

Lieiitenant 

Tliornton,    F 

1915. 
Feliruary  20th. 

Captain 

Eyans,    H.    L 

February  23rd. 

Lieutenant 

Allen,  .T.   E.   R 

Ditto. 
February  22nd. 

Ditto. 
April  27th. 
May  .3rd. 
May  24th. 
■  Ditto. 

Ditto. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  ... 

Campbell,    C.   L.  K 

Lieutenant      

Patrick,  CM 

Second  Lieutenant  ... 

McBraj'ne,    .J.    0.            

Lieutenant-Colonel  ... 

Eccles,  C.  J.,  D.S.O 

Second  Lieuteiuint    .. 
Lieutenant 

Bro\yne,   J.    B. 

Holmpatrick,  Lord          

Captain 

MacGlashan,  K.  (R.A.M.C.  att.) 

Second  Lieutenant  ... 

Hayes,   W.   W 

191  fi. 
Jantiary  20th. 

Lieutenant 

Dayies,  R.    G.  R 

February  4tli. 

Captain            

Captain           

Tempest-Hicks,    C.    E.   H. 
Aris,   C.   J.,   D.S.O 

September  26th. 

Xovember  16th. 

1917. 

Lieutenant      

Hayes,    W.    W 

Xoyember  29th. 

Lieutenant      

Carli.sle,  C.   V 

Ditto. 

Lieutenant      

FarKeter.   F. 

December   4th. 
1918. 

Lieutenant 

.Tohnson    E.  S.   T 

Marcli  29th. 

Second  Lieutenant  ... 

Cox-Cox,   G.   G 

Ditto. 

Lieutenant 

Haves,  W.  W 

Ditto. 

Captain 

Allen,  J.   E.   R 

April   1st. 

Lieutenant     

Johnson,   E.  S.  T 

Xovember  10th. 

SUMMARY  OF  CASUALTIES— OFFICERS. 

Killed                 ...              ...              ...              ...              ...  15 

Wounded           ...              ...              ...             ...             ...  25 

Died   of   Wounds            ...             ...              ...             ...  2 

Died  of  Other  Causes  ...              ...             ...              ...  5 


*  Captain  Bellville  was  dangerously  ^vounded  on  the  2.3th  August  in  tlie  combat  at 
Haspres,  when  tlie  regiment  rescued  a  French  Convoy,  losing  the  macliine  gun,  smashed 
by  a  direct  hit,  and  Captain  BelKille  and  four  men.  He  could  not  be  removed  as  the 
surgeon  considered  so  doing  would  he  fatal.  He  was  therefore  left  in  the  village  and  made 
prisoner. 


no 

Roll  of  \\arr.\.\t  Om-iceks,  X.C.O.'s  and  Me.\  who  iiavk  ijkkn  Kili-ed  in- 
action ui  RiNd  THK  War  of  1U14  to  1U18. 


Regtl.  No. 

Rank  and  Name. 

Date  of  Casualty. 

1914. 

3621     ... 

Private 

Kemp,  E.  D.     ... 

Septeml)er  6th. 

2583     ... 

Corpl. 

Kerry,    \V.   B.   ... 

September  8th. 

5482     . . . 

Private 

Leacli,  F.   C.     ... 

September  12th. 

2563     . . . 

,, 

Deadman,   E.   T. 

Ditto. 

4683     ... 

,, 

Harvey,    W.   H.                

September     15th. 

710     ... 

Lce.-Sgt 

Cooper,  G. 

October   12th. 

5011     ... 

Private 

Jones,    E. 

Ditto. 

4968     ... 

1 ) 

Richardson,    E. 

Ditto. 

6133     ... 

Gibbons,    J. 

October  16th. 

1572     .  . 

,, 

Standing,  A. 

October  21st. 

1454     ... 

,, 

Linfleld,  .] 

October   23rd. 

4525     . . , 

, 

Conlan,  P. 

October  30th. 

668     ... 

Private 

AViegold 

Ditto. 

53336     . . . 

Sergt. 

Docwra,  F. 

Ditto. 

3227     ... 

Lce.-Cpl 

Topple,    W. 

November   5th. 

4481     ... 

,, 

Brvant,    W. 

Ditto. 

3092     ... 

yy 

Sturdy,   R. 

Ditto. 

3225     ... 

Chapman,   H.    H. 

Ditto. 

3077     ... 

Private 

Syrett,  H. 

Ditto. 

5995     ... 

J » 

Hughes 

Ditto. 

1389     ... 

Birmingham,  G. 

Ditto. 

6258     . . . 

^  J 

Davison,  T. 

Ditto. 

4752     ... 

Sergt. 

McDormott,   H. 

November  21st. 

1234     ... 

Private 

Ramsay,   H. 

Ditto. 
1915. 

5920     . . . 

Lce.-Cpl 

Parsons,  E. 

Februarv  18th. 

3270     ... 

Private 

Basson,    W. 

February  21st. 

3838     . . . 

>» 

Adam,  C 

Ditto. 

6006     ... 

Cutfield,    T 

Ditto. 

1017     ... 

Corpl. 

Annett,   G. 

Ditto. 

5714     ... 

Private 

Alderson,  C. 

Ditto. 

5685     . . . 

Lce.-Cpl. 

White,  W. 

Ditto. 

6302     ... 

Private 

Smith,  T. 

Ditto. 

4937     ... 

^, 

Giles 

Ditto. 

4529     . . . 

Jones,  G.  H.     ... 

Ditto. 

316     ... 

Act'.'-Cpl 

Jackson,   A. 

Ditto. 

5402     ... 

Corpl. 

Liggins,  P. 

Ditto. 

5.595     ... 

Lce.-Cpl 

Futrill,  W. 

Ditto. 

5045     ... 

Private 

Lindsay,   C. 

Ditto. 

7465     ... 

,, 

Rettie"... 

Ditto. 

3904     ... 

Private 

Brashier,   H.      ... 

April  27th. 

5182     ... 

^^ 

Welbourn,  E.     ... 

Februarv  19th. 

4165     ... 

Bannister,  R.  G. 

May  2nd. 

2973 

Corpl. 

Tuddenham,  R. 

Mav  20th. 

5064     ... 

Private 

Stratford,  C.   W 

May  19th. 

2730     ... 

Mitcheal,  J.  L. 

Mav  25tli. 

6749     ... 

Langdale.  G. 

Ditto. 

1318     ... 

Haggar,  C.  R.  ... 

Ditto. 

5680     ... 

Lce'.'-Cpl 

Hill,  A.                 

Mav  26th. 

6844     ... 

Private 

Berry,   B. 

Octolier  3rd. 
1916. 

18043     . . . 

Axford,  F    R.    ... 

January  20th. 

3060     ... 

" 

Newborne,  G.     ... 

January  26th. 
1917. 

5202     ... 

Lce.-Cpl 

Davies.  S. 

April  11th. 

8485     ... 

Private 

Jones,  J. 

Ditto. 

7277     ... 

^_ 

Butler,  G. 

Ditto. 

5237     . . . 

Lce'.'-Cpl 

Prvtherch.  S.     ... 

Novenil)er  29th. 

5076     ... 

Private 

Hill,  S.  G 

November  28th. 
1918. 

1135     ... 

Frost,  G. 

January   13th. 

13176     ... 

" 

Neale,  A. 

Ditto. 

Ill 

Roll  of  Warkant  Offickrs,  N.C.O.'s  a\d  :\Ikn  who  tiavi-:  iskk.n  Killed  in 
Action  durinc  the  War  of  1914  to  1918  (Continued). 


Regtl.  No. 

Rank  and  Name. 

j     Date  of  Ca.snalty. 

5213     ... 

Private      Callow,   B. 

Januar.v  21st. 

598     . . . 

Mar.shall,  J 

Januarv  23rd. 

7786     ... 

Trmptr.     White,  G.  W.     ...              ...              .!.' 

March  '21st. 

G467     ... 
C563     . . . 

Private     Flowers,    M. 
Lce.-Cpl.  Panter.   G. 

Marcli  22nd. 
Mairii   23r<L 

4843     ... 

Garn,  T. 

Ditto. 

4733     ... 

Private     Halls,    A.            ...              ...              '.'.'. 

Ditto. 

13071      ... 

,,           Mc-Donalcl,  J.     ... 

Ditto. 

4635    ... 

,,          Flanagan,  W.     ... 

Ditto. 

13090     ... 

,,          Andrews,  H. 

Ditto. 

48;.W     ... 

Lce.-Cpl.  Sliipj),  T.  J.       ... 

Ditto. 

9942     ... 

Fewster,  E.  A.  ... 

Ditto. 

50G8     . . . 

Private     Clark,  G. 

Ditto. 

13198     ... 

Chiek,  F.  C 

Ditto. 

6692     . . . 

Holibs,  A.  R.     ... 

Ditto. 

10141     ... 

,,           Channing,    S.   C. 

Ditto. 

6461      ... 

Rnssell,  H. 

Ditto. 

5040     . . . 

,,          Galvin,  J. 

Ditto. 

5965    ... 

Read,  F.  H. 

Ditto. 

10938 

Valder,  E.   W '.'. 

Ditto. 

12523     . . . 

Webb,  R.  J.       ... 

Ditto. 

5088     ... 

Ambler,  B. 

Ditto. 

2801      ... 

Corpl.        Tillman,    F. 

Ditto. 

5281     . 

Private     Hale.   T.   J. 

Ditto. 

11613     ... 

Private     Simnionds,  H.   ... 

Ditto. 

10157     ... 

Corpl.        Gale,    G. 

March  26th. 

4944     ... 

Lce.-Cpl.  Owen,  A. 

Ditto. 

10103     ... 

Private     Cantollow,   R.    ... 

Ditto. 

7541     ... 

,,           Sliep))ard,  F. 

March  30th. 

11637     ... 

Oabbs,  H. 

March  31st. 

10647     ... 

Finch,  J. 

Ditto. 

11456     ... 

,,           Goodson,   G.  H. 

Ditto. 

11466     ... 

Jackson.  J.  W. 

Ditto. 

11628     ... 

Theobald,  W.  A. 

Ditto. 

30322     ...     1 

Phime,   J. 

Augnst  9th. 

11070     ... 

Private      KiKhtle.v,  H.  T. 

Ditto. 

11438     ... 

Rol]inson,  J. 

Angnst  10th. 

926     ...     ' 

Corpl.        Baldr.v,  A. 

Ditto. 

6135     ... 

,,           Chenerv,   A. 

November  10th. 

5025     ... 

Trmptr.     Friglit,"  E.  J.     ... 

November  11th. 

KILLED  IN 

ACTION  WHILST  SERVING  AWAY  FROM  T 

HE  REGIMENT. 

3861     ... 

Private     Mead,  F. 

October  28th.  1914. 

3026     ... 

Lce.-Cpl.  Clover,  E.  W'.     ... 

April  23rd.  1916. 

112 


EoLL  or  Waiirant  Officeks,  N.C.O.'s  and  AIen  who  have  Died  of  Wounds 

IN  THE  Wak  of  1914  TO  1918. 


Regtl.  No. 

Rank   and  Name. 

Date  of  Casualty. 

3287     ... 

Lce.-C'pl 

Kemp,  H. 

1914. 
Octoher  23rd. 

371     ... 

Private 

Martin,  G.  A.  ... 

Octoiier  27th. 

4536     ... 

>» 

Arnold,  W. 

October  31st. 

2538     , , , 

Lce.-Sgt 

Page,  F.  J. 

November  5tli. 

3831      . . 

Lce.-Cpl. 

House,   E. 

November  6tli. 

7306     . . . 

Private 

Martin,   D. 

November  23rd. 

40C3     . . . 

Private 

XiRhtingale,  A. 

November  2.5th  (whilst 
prisoner  of  war). 
1915. 

283     ... 

Private 

Devine,  W. 

Februarv  24tli. 

3884     ... 

,, 

Copsev,  T. 

Mav  25th. 

638     ... 

Lce.-Cpl 

Smith,  T. 

Ditto. 

3749     ... 

>» 

Smith,   J.   T.      ... 

May  30th. 
1916. 

5372     ... 

„ 

Reed,  A. 

July  11th. 

6427     ... 

„ 

Hay,  J. 

October  7tli. 

4935     ... 

Baker,  H. 

September  12th. 

898     ... 

" 

Dumper,  R. 

November  8th. 
1917. 

1438     ... 

S.S. 

Jackson,    R. 

April  12th. 

6589     ... 

Private 

Elderkin,  D.       ... 

April  14tb. 

6255     ... 

"Ward,  H.  J.       ... 

April  17tb. 

5032     . . . 

Lce'.-Cpl 

Purvis,   J. 

June  8th. 

5363     ... 

Private 

Bulpitt,  H.  S.  G 

June  21.st. 

6564     . . . 

Lce.-Cp] 

Russell,   F. 

July  2nd. 

2857     ... 

Private 

King,  B. 

Novemlier   28th. 

7572     ... 

J  r 

Johnson,  G. 

Ditto. 

5303     ... 

Green,    A. 

December  5tli. 
1918. 

5101      . . . 

,, 

Barradell,  A. 

Marcji  25th. 

9839     . . . 

,, 

Hislop,   N.    J.    ... 

April   9th. 

2938     ... 

)) 

Hayden,  A. 

Marcli  24tli. 

5236     ... 

Corpl. 

Humphries,  E.  ... 

April    3rd    (whilst 
pri.soner  of  war) 

13061     ... 

Lce.-Sgt 

Maidment,  C.     ... 

November  11th 

3591     ... 

Private 

Hargiove,  C.     ... 

Ditto. 

.5000     ... 

^ 

AVybrow,  J.  E.  ... 

May  22nd. 

.5143     ... 

Hannaford,  E.   ... 

April  2nd. 

11897     ... 

, , 

Aldred,  J. 

June  2nd. 

DIED 

OF 

WOUNDS  AAVAY 

FROM  THE  REGIMENT, 

ON  SERVICE. 

328     .. 

Private 

Crow ,   ^ 

V. 

November 

1st 

1914. 

4996     .. 

Wardle 

A 

November 

6th, 

1914. 

4873     .. 

R.S.M. 

Bell,   J. 

Septembei 

6th 

1916. 

24075     .. 

Private 

Brown, 

W. 

H 

July  9th, 

1917 

113 


DIED  FROM  OTHKR  CATSES  DURING  THE  WAR  OF  1914  TO  1918. 


Regtl.  No. 

Rank  and  Name. 

Date  of  Casualty. 

1914. 

2809     ... 

Private 

Redding,  C.  (Unnffirial  Rei)ort)  ... 

Octolior  16tli. 

4192     ... 

, , 

Greiner,  C.   W.  H. 

(on  or  sincel 

Octohcr  3]  St. 

3839     ... 

,, 

Kitfhen,    W. 

ditt<i 

Ditto. 

4503     . . . 

,, 

Jordan,  A.  A. 

ditto 

Ditto. 

3837     . . . 

J) 

Stephen.son.  F. 

ditto 

Ditto. 

5756     ... 

Mews,  W.  J. 

ditto 

Ditto. 

4602     ... 

^^ 

Carver,  E. 

ditto 

Ditto. 

3638     . . . 

» J 

Smith,   C. 

ditto 

August  29tli. 
1917. 

11415     ... 

Hollister,  C.       ... 

.lanuar.v   17tli. 

5214     ... 

Private 

Wiolcwar,  T.  G.  A. 

August  23rd. 
1918. 

31207     ... 

Sergt. 

Hall,  J. 

Novend)er   14th. 

5187     ... 

Lce.-Cpl 

Blissitt,  A.  S. 

ditto 

Marcli  23rd. 

5059     ... 

Private 

Walsh.    D. 

October  25tli. 

10905     ... 

»? 

Dunning,  A.  J. 

Novenilier  17th. 
1919. 

2225     ... 

'J 

Morris.s,  H.  G.  ... 

February  27th. 

DIED  AFTER  DISCHARGE. 

5060     . . . 

Private 

Elston,  J. 

9901     . . . 

^, 

Southani,  J.  A. 

4516      .. 

Fitzharris,  M.M. 

6602     ... 

,, 

Spink,  C.  H. 

10425     ... 

)) 

Bartley,  F. 

SUMMARY   OF    CASVALTIES- 


Killed   in  aotion 

Died  of  'Wounds 

Died  of  Disease  and  Other 

Wounded  with    lU-giment 

Missing 


WARRANT  OFFICERS,    N.C 

with  Regiment 

Causes 


O.'S,    AND   PRIVATES. 

100 

37 

211 
368 

14 


114 


APPENDIX   IV. 

IGtii  (Tm  (^)rKKx's)  Lancers. 

Officers.         Honoi  hk  and  .Vwakds.        191 1  to  1919. 

PROMOTIONS. 

Rank.  Name.  Promotion. 

T/Majoi-Goneral       ...         BaliiiiRton,  Sir  J,  M.,  K.C.M.G.,  C.B. 


T/Major-Genoral 
Lt.-General     (T/Gen.) 


To  he  Major-Gpneral. 
Restored  to  the  Ac- 
tive Li.st,  .Tune  3, 
1917. 


K.C.M.G. 

Babington,  J.  M.,   C.H.,  C.M.G Jan.      1,   1917. 

GouRh,     H.     do     la     Poer,     K.C.B., 

K.C.V.O.  ...  ...  ...         .hine    3,  1919. 


T/ Brig. -General 
Lient. -Colonel 


C.B. 

Canipholl,  C.   L.  K.     (i'osthunioiis) 
MarEwen,  M.  L. 


Aug.   18,  1915. 


Major    (T/Brig.-Gen.) 
T/Lieut. -Colonel 
Bvt.-Lieut. -Colonel  ... 
Bvt. -Lieut. -Colonel  ... 


C.M.G. 

Campl)ell,  C.  L.   K.  ...  ...  Jan.      1,   1917. 

Shannon,  W.  .1..  D.S.O.       ...  ...  .Tune     3,  1919. 

Beddington,  E.  H.  L..  D.S.O. ,  M.C.  ...  Ditto. 

Howard,  H.  C.  h.,  D.S.O.  ...  ...  Ditto. 


Lieut.  A /Major 


O.B.E. 
Loyd,  R.  L.,  M.C.  ... 


Jan.      1,  1919. 


General 
General 


K.C.B. 

Babington,  Sir  J.  AT.,  TC. C.M.G..  C.B. 

Gougb,  Sir  H.  de  la  Poer     ... 


Lieut. -General 


K.C.V.O. 
Gough,  Sir  H.  de  la  Poer 


Ijieut. -General 


G. C.M.G. 

Gongli,  Sir  H.  ile  la    Poer 


Capt.   and  Bvt. -Major 

A /Lieut. -Colonel 
Major 


BAR  TO  D.S.O. 

Howard,  H.  C.  L.    D  SO.   ... 
Brooke,  G.  F.  H.,  D  S.O.,  M.C. 
Shannon.  W.  J.,  D.S.O.       ... 


Aug.  24,  1917. 
June  25,   1918. 


115 

BREVETS. 


Rank  and  Name. 

To  be. 

Date  of  Award. 

Major  Campbell,  C.  L.  K. 

Bvt. -Lieut. -Colonel 

Feb.  18,  1915. 

Captain  Howard,  H.  C\  L. 

Uvt. -Major 

Jan.    4,  1916. 

Captain  Betldington,   E.  H.  L 

Ditto    ... 

June   3,      ,, 

Captain  Brooke.  G.   P.  H. 

Ditto    ... 

May    3.  1917. 

Bvt. -Major  Boddington,  JO.  H. 

L.,  D.S.O'. 

M.C 

Bvt. -Lieut. -Colonel 

Jan.    1,  1918. 

Bvt.-Major  Howard,  H.  C.  L. 

... 

Ditto    ... 

June   3,      ,, 

Captain  Graham,   M. 

Bvt.-Major 

Sept.   4,      ,, 

Bvt.-Jtajor    Brooke,    G.    V.    H 

,'  i).s.():; 

M.C.         

Bvt. -Lieut. -Cciloncl 

Jiine    3,   1919. 

Lieutenant  Ari.s,  C.  J.,  D.SO 

Bvt.-Major    on    promotion 

to  Captain    ... 

Ditto. 

Captain   CT/Lt.-Col.)  Graham. 

M. 

Bvt.-Lt. -Colonel  on  promo- 

tion from  Bvt.-Major... 

Ditto. 

PAY 


Capt.  and  Qrtr.-Mstr.         McConnell,  J. 


Second   I>ieutenant  ... 

Lieut. -Colonel 

Major 

Captain 

Major 

Bvt.-Major 

Capt.   and  Bvt.-Major 

Captain      (T/Lt.-Col.) 

Captain 

Major  


Lieut.   (T;  Major) 
T/ Major 


Captain 

Lieutenant 

Ijieutenant 

Captain 

Lieutenant 

Captain 

Lieutenant 

Lieutenant 

Captain 

Second   Lieutenant   ... 

Lieutenant 

Lieutenant    (T/Capt.) 

Captain 

Second   Lieutenant   ... 

Captain 

Captain 

Lieutenant 

Lieutenant 

Lieutenant 

Lieutenant 

Captain 

Second    Lieutenant   ... 


D.S.O. 

Aris,   C.   J. 

Eccles,   C.  J. 

Shannon,  W.  J. 

Brooke,  G.  F.  H.,  M.C.       ... 

Earl  of  Dunmore,  A.  E.,  V.C,  M.V.O. 

Howard,  H.  C.  L.  ... 

Beddington,   E.   H.  L.,  M.C. 

Graham,  M. 

Holmpatrick,  H.   W.,  Lord,  M.C.     ... 

Macalpine  Leny,  R.  L. 

BAR  TO  M.C. 

Clark,  J.  G.  \\.,  M.C 

Cheyne,  J.  L.,   M.C. 

M.C. 

Beddington,   E.  H.  L. 

Brooke,  G.  F.  H 

Cros.s,    D.   R. 

Holmpatrick,  H.  \V.,  Lord  ... 

Archer,  H.  C. 

Eraser,  W    A.  K.  (C.I.H.,att.  16th  L.) 

Lovd,  R.   L. 

Tempest-Hicks,   C.   E.  H.     ... 

Chi'vno,  .T.  L. 

Robertson,  J.  H.  (att.  16th  L.) 

Arbuthnot,  M.  A.   ... 

Clark,  J.  G.   W.      ... 

Horn,  T.  L. 

Hollis,  R.  C. 

Storev,  T.  C. 

Evans,  H.  L 

Pargeter,   F. 

W"delio\ise. 

.Tolmson,  E. 

.Tohnson,  E 


(att.  M.G.C.)  ... 
(R.A.M.C,  att.  lOtli  L.) 


J..  Lord 

S.  T. 

S.  T.  ... 
Orr-Ewing,  J.  (late  16th  L.) 
Wodehouse,  Hon.  E. 


Granted  tiext  higher 
rate  of  pay  under 
the  provisions  of 
R.W.,  June  3.  1919. 

Nov.  9,  1914. 
Feb.  18,  1915. 
June  3,  1916. 
Jan.      1,  1917. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 
June     4, 
Jan.      1,  1918. 
Jan.      1,  1919. 

Ditto. 


June  22,  1918. 
Sept.  3,  1918. 


Jan.      1,  1915. 

Ditto. 
Feb.  18. 
June  23, 
June  26,      .. 
Jan.    14,  1916. 

Ditto. 
Mar.    15,      ,, 
Jan.      1,   1917. 
June     4, 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 
Jan.      1,   1918, 
Feb.      4,      ,. 
Apr.    21,      ., 
Sept.     3,      ,, 

Ditto. 
Mav   31, 
Nov.    11,      .. 
Jan.      1,   1919. 

Ditto. 
Feb.      1.      ., 


11(5 


FOREIGN   DECORATIONS. 


Major-General 
Colonel  (T/Biig. -Gen.) 


LEGION  D'HOxNNEUR. 
CUOIX    l)K  COMMANDEUR. 

Baljington,  Sir,  .J.  M.,  K.C.M.G.,  C.B. 
MacEwen,  M,  L.,  C.B. 


1917. 

Jan.    19,  1916. 


CROIX    J)E  CHEVALIER. 

Captain  Noave,  A.  ...  ...  ...         Oct.     11,  1914. 

T/Lieut.-Colonel        ...         Beddington,  E.  H.  L.  ...  ...         July    14,  1917. 


Lieut. -General 


CROIX  DE  GRAND  OFFICER. 

GoukIi,  H.   de  la  Peer,  and  Croi.x  de 
Guerre 


Lieut. -General 


CRAND  CROIX  l)K  MCOPOLD. 

Goiifili,    H.   di'   la    Poer^   and   Croix   de 
(Juerre 


Capt.   and  Bvt. -Major 

T/ Lieut. -Colonel 

Captain 

Lieutenant 

Lieutenant 

Second   Lieutenant 

Major-General 

Lieutenant 


CROIX  DE  GUERRE. 

Howard,  H,  C.  L.  ... 
Brooke,  G.  F.  H.  ... 
Tempe.st-Hicks,  C.  E.   H.     ... 
Cox-Cox,  G.   G. 
Brooke,  G.  T. 
Miles,  J.  J.   A.       ... 
Babinnton,  Sir,  J.  M. 
Arbutlinot,  M.  A.  ... 


Dec.    8,  1916. 
Mav    11,  1918. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 
Nov.   26,      „ 

Ditto. 


Alajor-General 


ORDER   OF  SAVOY   (Militar.v). 
Bal)iiiKton.  Sir,  J.  M.,  K.C.M.G.,  C.B. 


1918. 


Major-General 

Major-Bvt.-Lt.-Col. 

Lieutenant 


CROCI  DI  GTJERRA. 

BaWngton.  Sir  J.  M..  K.C.M.G..  C.B.  1918. 

Howard,  H.  C.  L.  ...              ...  ...  Nov.    29.   1918. 

Wodehouse,    J.,    Lord            ...  ...  1918. 


COMMANDER  OF  THE  MILITARY  ORDER  OF 


Bvt. -Lieut. -Colonel 


Beddington,   E.   H.   L.,   D.S.O.,    M.C. 


AVIS. 

Oct.    24.  1919. 


T/Lieut. -Colonel 


ORDER  OF  THE  NILE,  THIRD  CLASS. 

Macalpine  Leny,  R.  L.,  D.S.O. 


Nov.    26.  1919. 


Lieut. -General 


ORDER  OF   WHITE  EAGLE. 
Gougli,  H.  de  la  Poer 


Lieut. -Colonel 


ORDER  OF  CROWN  OF  ITALY  (OFFICER). 
Howard.  H.  C.  L.,  C.M.G..  D.S.O.  ... 


1922. 


117 


j\Ii;iiALS    AMI    |)i;('()l; ATKiNS,    lUJI-lUl',). 

Warrant  Olliinns,  Non-Coiinnissioned  Officers  and  Men. 


Regtl.  No. 


5043 
3225 

866 
4621 
1818 
1809 

302 
2538 
3831 
1909 
5487 
5063 

973 


3217 


1590 
1463 
1481 
5491 
6180 
3217 
4828 
4801 
4919 
4956 
2818 
6479 
4190 
1622 
1085 
7166 

13114 

13221 
4065 
4610 
1030 
3215 
5103 
6768 
4621 
5077 
5036 
8580 

13104 

541 S 

298 

13215 


Rank  and  Name. 


Fan-. -Staff- 
Lce.-C'orpl. 

Piivato 

Lce.-Sergt. 

Sergea  nt 

Lce.-Sergt. 

Lce.-Corpl. 

R.Q.M.S. 

Sergeant 

S.S.M. 

Sergeant 


D.C.M. 

Sergt.   Glasgow, 
Chapman,  H. 
Bovton,   B.     ... 
Larkin,   R.      ... 
Waldron,  S. 
Carr,  K. 
Lawrence, 
Page,  F.  .1. 
House,    E. 
Crocker,   S. 
BroHii,   D. 
CJroonihridge,   W. 
Howes,  C.  S. 


E. 


A. 
H. 


B.\R  TO  M.M. 

Lce.-Corpl.  Hanser,  K.,  M.M. 


Corpoi-al 

Lce.-Corpl 

Sergeant 

Private 

Lce.-Corpl 
Private 

Lce.-Corpl 

Private 


Sergeant 
Lce.-Sergt, 
Corporal 
Private 


Corporal 
Sergeant 
Lce.-Corpl. 


MM. 

Bullock,  R,    .. 
Cain,    W. 
Fuller,    G.       ... 
(ioodheart,  O. 
Graham,   J.    ... 
Hanser,  E.     ... 
Swannell,  S.  ... 
AVade,   C. 
Norris,    .T. 

Barrett,  R 

Beere.   L. 
Slv,    G. 
Best    H. 
Deacon,   W.    ... 
Gunston,  H.  ... 
Horwood,  S.  ... 
Xeelv,    S. 
Howard,    F.   ... 
Cutts,   W.       ... 
Trentield,  R. 
Wetherhead.   E. 
l''itzgerald,  E. 
Whvment.    G. 
Pegnan,    L.    ... 
Larkin.    R.,   D.C.M. 
Llovd,   R.       ... 
Richmond,    J. 
Ford,   H. 
r.,angford,   E. 
Anderson.    J. 
Abbott,   W.  N.  J. 
Cliestnev,    AV. 


Date  of  Award. 


Nov.     3,   1914. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 
June     .-J,   1915. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 
Apr.     4,      ,, 
Apr.     1. 

Ditto. 
Jan.    14,   1!)1G. 
July    14,   1917. 
Jan.      1,   1918. 
Sept.     3,      ,, 


Jur 


Oct. 


1918. 


Mar. 


10,   1916. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 

Ditto. 

12.  1918. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 

June  25,  1918. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
21,      ,, 

13,  1919. 


Nov 
]Mar 


Aug.   20, 


118 

FOREIGN    DECORATIONS. 

RUSSIAN  CROSS.     OUDIOH  OK  SI'.  tiKOIUiK      'IIITIi  I)  CLASS. 
7061     ...         Privato  Waldnin,   R.    S.  ...  ...         Aup;.   25,  1915. 

RUSSIA.N  CROSS.    ORDER  OF  ST.  CKOROK.     i'Ol  RTH  CLASS. 


5063 
5237 


689 


302 

5578 


61? 


3840 


125G 
330 

(;825 
1308  J 
13117 


Sergeant        Collyer,  G.  A. 

I'rivnto  Prytliorcli,    S. 

BEl.OIA.N    DECORATION   M  I  MI'AIRK. 
Sergeant        Cough.   C.   B. 

MEDAILLE  MILITAIRE. 

Sergeant       Lawrence,    E. 

Clarke,  J 

BELGIC.M  CHOIX  I)E  GfKRRE. 

Sertii'ant         Keen,     K.         ...  ...  ...  Apr.     12,    1918. 

MEDAILLE   D'HONXECR.        (aveo  Glaive.s  en  Argent.) 

Sergeant        Wright,    G.    ...  Jan.    28.   1919. 


Aug.   25,  1915 
Ditto. 


Apr.    12,   1918. 


Oct.     11,   1911. 
June  25.   1918. 


M.S.M. 

Sergeant        Sniitli,    H, 

Bancroft,   H. 
Private  Vnuglian,   M. 

R.S.M.  Wilson,  A.     . 

S.S.M.  Lindsay,   W.   ... 


June  17.  1918. 

Ditto. 
Jan.      1,  1919. 
June     3, 

Ditto. 


ROYAL  HLMANE  SOCIETY.     TESTIMONIAL  ON    VKLU  M. 
5150     ...         Private         Samuels,  G.   ...  ...  ...         Apr.    18,   1916. 


APPENDIX  V. 

IGni  (Thk  (^)rEEN's)  Ij.vncers. 
Officers  Menticixeu  in  J)i;sp.\tches  during  the  W.\r  of  1914  to  1919. 


Ranli 


Name. 


Maj.-Gen.  Babington,  Sir  J.  M.,  K.C.M.G. 

C.B 

Lt.-Col.  MacEwen,  M.  L. 

Ma.ior  Ecclcs,   C.  J. 

Major  CaTupbell.  C.  L.  K. 

Capt.  Neave.   A. 

Capt.  Howard,  H.  C.  L.  ... 

Lieut.  Beddington.  E.  H.  L. 

Lieut.   Na.sh,  E.   K. 

Lieut.  Clieyne.   J.   L. 

Lieut.  Beerli,  R.  H. 

Lieut.  Tempe.st-Hicks,  C.  E.  H.  ... 


Date  of  Mentit 


Eight  times  mentioned. 

Mentioned    in    Despatches    liv    the    C.-in-C. 
the  Forces,  Oct.  8,   1914.' 


Oct.  8,  1914. 


London  Gazette,  Dec.  9,  1914. 


ll'J 


Ob'I'ICKRS    MUNTIOXKD  IN    DESPATCHES   UlKl.Nd   THE  \V.\K   UK    I'JI  1  TO   1919 

(Continued). 


Rank  and  Name. 

Date  of  Mention. 

Lieut.  Cress,  D.  B. 
Lieut.  Davies.  B.  G.  R.  ... 
Lieut.  Holnipatiick,  H,  W.,  Lord 

2ncl  Lieut.  InIumu  (luil.  L.  C.  H 

2nd  Lieut.   W dilt'liouse,  ,).,  Lord  ... 
Lt.-CoL  Eccles,  C.  J 

Mentioned    in    Dcspatclies    l)y    tlie    C.-in-C. 
the  Briti.sli  Armv  in  tlie  Field,  Nov.  20, 
1014. 

Major  Campbell,  C.  1 
C'apt.  Dixon,  C.  M. 
Capt.  Onslow,  A.   W. 
Lieut.  Cross,  D.   B. 
2nd  Lieut.   Aris,  C.   .T. 
Major  Shannon,   \V.  .L 


.  K. 
M. 


L 


C'apt.   Beddiugton.    E.    H. 

Capt.  Howard,  H.  C.  L.  ... 

Capt.   Horn.    P.   L. 

Capt.  Hutton-Hiddell,  G.,  M.V.O. 

Lieut.  Holmpatrick,  H.  AV.,  Lord 

Lieut.   Loyd,   B.   L. 

Major  Macalpine-Leny,  B..  L. 

Capt.   HoMard.   H.   C.   L. 

Lieut.   Loyd,   B.   L. 

Lieut.  McBrayne,  J.   O. 

Major  Shannon,   W.  .J.   ... 

Capt.   Graham,   M. 

Lieut.  Callander,  G.  D.  ... 

2nd  Lieut.   Hornvold,  R.  G. 

Capt.  Brooke,  G.'F.  H.,  M.C.       ... 

Brig.-CJen.  Campbell,  C.  L.  K.     ... 

Major  Earl  of  Dunniore,  V.C,  M.V.O.  (late 

16th  Lancers) 
Major  Howard,  H.  C.  L. 
Lieut.  Wodehonse,  J.,  Lord 
Lieut.  Davies.  B.  G.  B.  ... 
Lt.-Col.   Beddiugton,    E.   H.  L..   M.C. 


V.C, 


Major  Earl  of  Dunmore 

IGth  Lancers) 
General  Gough.  Sir.   H.    de  da   1 
Major  Howard,  H.  C.  L..  D.S.O. 
Lt.-Col.  Beddington,  E.  H.  L.,  D.S.O 


M.V.O.  (late 

kcb! 
M.c! 


Lieut.  (T/Capt.)  Clark,  .T.  G.  W.,  M.C.   ... 
Capt.   (T/Lt.-Col.)  Graliam.   M.    ... 
Major  Harris-St.  .John.  C.  E.  St.  .T..  D.S.O. 
Bvt.-Lt.-Col.  Howard,  H.  C.  L..  D.S.O.   ... 
Major  ^laralpine-Lenv,  B.  L. 
Lieut.  Ccdrington,  W.  M. 

2nd  Lieut.  Patrick,  CM. 

Major  Shannon.  W.  .L.  D.S.O.     ... 

Lieut.  (T/Major)  Aris,' C  J..  D.S.O. 

Capt.  and  Bvt.-Lt.-Col.  Beddington,  E.  H. 

L..  D.S.O..  M.C 
Maior     and     Bvt.-Lt.-Col.      (T /Brig-Gen.) 

Campbell,  C  L.  K,,  C.M.G.   . 
Major  (T /Lt.-Col.)  Howard.  H.  C  L.,  D.S.O. 
Capt.   (T/Lt.-Cfll.)  Graham.  M.   ... 


Mentioned    in    Dcsijatchcs    liv    thi'    C-in-C. 
tho   Forces   in  the    h'ielil, 'May   ,11.    191.5. 


Mentioned   in   De.spatclies    by    the    C.-in-C. 
the  Forces  in  the  Field. 


London  (iazetti'.   Dee.   31,    101.5. 

London  Gazette.  Juno  lo,  1016. 

London  Gazette,  Jan.  31,  1915. 
Mentioned   in   Despatches    by    the    C.-in-C 
the  Forces  in  tho  Field,  .Tan.  4,  1917. 


Mentioned   in   Despatches    bv    the    C.-in-C. 
the  Forces  in  the  Field,  Mav  15,  1917. 


Mentioned   in   Despatches    by    the    C.-in-C. 
the  Forces,  Dec.  7,  1917. 


Mentioned    in    Despatches    by    tho    C.-in-C 
the  Forces,  Dec.  7,  1917. 


Mentioned  in  Despatches  by  the  G.O.C  the 
British  .Armies  in  France,  Apr.  7.  1918. 


June  1.  1918,  bv  C.-in-C.  Italv. 
London  Gazette,  Dec.  20,  1918. 


120 

(Ji  KicKKs  Mentioned  in  Despatches  di  hini;  the  Wai;  of  1914  to  1919 

(Continued). 


Uauk   juul  Name. 


Major  Tii.son,  0.   E.,  D.S.O.  (late  16th  L.) 

Lieut.  .Mien.  .1.  K,  R.     ... 

Lieut.    (T/Capt.)    Davies,    R.    0.    11.    (att, 

M.G.C.)  

T/Lieut.  Hornvold,  R.  O. 

Capt.   Holinpatiiok.   H.   W.,  Lord 

Capt.      n'/Ll.-CoI.)     Brooke,     G.     F.     H., 

D.S.O.,   M.C. 
Lt. -A/Major  Loyd.  R.  L. 
Capt.   Miiirav.    K.   M.      ... 
Bvt.-Lt.-Col."  Hinvard,  H.  C.  L.,  D.S.O. 
T/Lt.-Col.   .Shannon,   W.  J.,  D.S.O. 
Bvt. -Major  Brooke,  (i.  F.  H.,  D.S.O.,  M.C. 
Lieut.  Aris.  C.  .1.,  D.S.O. 
Bvt.-Lt.-Col.   IVddington,  E.  H.  L.,  D.S.O.. 

M.C. 
Capt.  (T/Lt.-Col.)  Graham,  M..  D.S.O.     .  . 
Lieut.  (T/. Major)  Clark,  .1.  G.  ^\'.,  M.C.  . 
Lieut.  (A /Capt.)  Allen,  J.  E.  R.  ... 
Lieut.    (T/Capt.)    Ram.sl)ottom    Isherwood, 

L.   C.  

Lieut.  (A /Capt.)  Davies.  R.  B.  ... 
Lieut.  (.A /('apt.)  Thointon,  F.  ... 
Bvt.-Lt.-Col.  Howard,  H.  C.  L.,  D.S.O.   ... 


Date  of  Mention. 


London  (lazette.    Dec.  20,   1918. 


Jan.  1.  lillii.  l>y  C.-in-C.  Italy. 


Mentioned  in  Despatches,  Mar.  10.  1919. 
London  Gazette,  July  5,  1919. 


.June  1,   1919,   hv  C.-in-C.  Italv. 


SUMMARY  OF  AWARDS. 


Promotions 

...       1 

Brevets    ... 

10 

K.C.M.G                 

...       2 

Legion  D'Honneur 

5 

C.M.6 

...       4 

Croi.x  de  Guerre   ... 

8 

C.B 

...       2 

Order  of  Savov  (Militarv)  ... 

1 

O.B.E 

...       1 

Croei   di  Guerre    ... 

3 

Bar  to  D.S.O. 

...       3 

Mentions 

81 

D.S.O.      ... 

...     10 

Order  of  Avis 

Bar  to  M.C 

...       2 

Order  of  the  Nile  ... 

M.C 

...     22 

Croix  de  Guerre   (Belgium) 

K.C.B 

...       2 

AVIiite  Eagle 

K.C.V.O.                

...       1 

Order    of  Leopold 

G.C.M.G.                

...       1 

Crown  of  Italv 

121 


Kor.L  01'  \\'\i;i!A\T  Officers,  Non-Commissionku  Oi'-i-iciais  and  Men 
Mentio.nkd  i.\  Despatches  during  tiik  Wau  oi-  lui  I  10  1919. 


Regtl.   No.,   K:\iik   and  Name. 


4524  S.S.M.    Pargeter,    F. 

4271  .S..S.M.    AicIkt,    H. 

5121  Sevg,t.    Liiidsav.    E. 

302  St'i't^t.   Lawroiice,   E. 

2538  Corpl.    Page,   F. 

710  C'orpl.  Cooper,  G. 

2682  Lce.-Sergt.   Roberts,  A.    . 

5487  Sadd.-Coipl     Brown,   D.  H 

1129  Lee. -Corpl.   .Te»  kes,   W. 

1481  Lee. -Corpl.   Fuller,  0. 

1256  Lre. -Corpl.    Smith,    H. 

1601  Lce.-Corpl.   Holden,   W. 

1869  Lce.-Sergt.    Carr,    R. 

3228  Lce.-Cor])l.    Beaumont,   "W 

2638  Lce.-Sergt.   Page,    F.  J.   .. 


3831     Lce.-Corpl.  House,  E. 
4539     S.S.M.  Norton,  N.  F. 


5122  Farr.-Sergt.    Crossland,   T 

4963  Sergt.  Paidev,  AV. 

510  Sergt.    Wakefield,    F. 

1645  Lce.-Corpl.   Barton,  A. 

3870  Lce.-Corpl.    Brooks,    W. 

377S  Lce.-Corpl.  Kennett,  W. 

5556  Private  Adams,    A. 

1589  Private  Loscombe,  J. 

5237  Private  Prvtberch,  S. 

5578  Lce.-Cpl.  Clark,  J.  W. 


3285  Private  Taylor.  G.  C. 

5470  Private  Thompson,   J. 

5121  S.S.M.   Lindsav,   W. 

973  Sergt.  Howes,  "C    S. 

298  Corpl.  Abbott,  W.  N.  .T. 

8  Farr.-Sergt.    Arthev.   T. 

13097  S.Q.M.S.   Paulev,   W. 


Date  of  Mention. 


Mentioned   in   Despatches    bv   the    C.-in-C. 
the  Forces  in  the  Field,  Oct.  8,  1914. 


London  Gazette.  Dec.  9,  1914. 


Mentioned  in  Despatches  bv  the  C.-in-C. 
the  Forces  in  the  Field,  "Nov.  20,  1914. 
London  Gazette,   Feb.   16,   1915. 

Mentioned  in  Despatches  bv  the  C.-in-C. 
the  Forces  in  the  Field.  Mav  31,  1915. 
London  Gazette,  June  18,  1915. 


Mentioned  in  Despatches  bv  the  C.-in-C. 
the  Forces  in  the  Field,  Dec.  31,  1915. 
London  Gazette.  .Jan.  4,  1917. 


London  Gazette.  Ma.v  15.   1917. 
London  Gazette,  Dec.  7.  1917. 
London  Gazette,  May  20,  1918. 
London  Gazette,  .Tnlv  5,  1919. 
London  Gazette,  ,Iulv  5,  1919. 


SUMMARY  OF  AAVARDS. 


D.C.M.   ... 
Bar  to  MM. 
M.M.       ... 
M.S.M. 


13 
1 

32 
5 


Russian  Cross  of  Order  of  .St.  George 

(3rd  Cla.ss)     ... 
Russian  Cross  of  Order  of  St.  George 

(4th  Class)      ...  ... 

Belgian  Decoration    Militaire 
French   Medal   Militaire   . 
French  Medaille  D'Honneur 
Belgian  Croix  de  Guerre  ... 
Royal   Humane  Society  Medal 
Mentions    in    Despatches 


122 
l<)l!»  CHAPTBK  XLllI. 

24th    JUiNE,    lUlU— 1^-iTH    NOVKMBKK,    ly-JU. 

Syria  and  Palestine. 

Embaikation  at,  Liverpool,  ■lUh  June.  Landing  at  Port  Said.  Eantara.  Port 
Said.  Beyrout.  March  to  Kayak.  The  Regiment  sent  by  train  to  Horns. 
Unhealthy  conditions  at  Horns.  The  camp  moved.  Evacuation  of  Syria. 
The  marcli  to  Sarona.  The  liegimeut  sent  by  train  to  Belbeis.  Embarka- 
tion at  Suez,  24th  November,  1920.     Roll  of  the  officers. 

iMtli  (jn  the  24th  June  the  Regiment  embarked  at  Liverpool  in  the  S.S.  Oxford- 
''"""  shire  together  with  the  Queen'.s  J5ays,  both  regiments  being  under  orders  to 
relieve  Yeomanry  in  Syria,  these  being  about  to  be  demobilised. 

The  ship's  orders  were  to  land  the  troops  at  Beyi-out,  but  the  destination 
was  subsequently  changed  by  a  wireless  telegram  to  Port  Said. 

The  Regiment  disembarked  at  Port  Said  on  the  6th  of  July,  12  officers  and 
463  other  ranks,  and  on  the  next  day  the  16th  were  sent  to  the  Base  Depot 
at  Ivantara,  where  there  were  still  a  large  number  of  trooijs. 

The  Regiment  remained  in  camp  at  Kantara  for  10  days  in  order  to  draw 
horses  and  equipment  to  complete. 

From  Kantara  the  Regiment  returned  l)y  train  to  Port  Said,  where  it  was 
inspected  by  Field-Marshal  Lord  Allenby  previous  to  embarkation.  After  the 
inspection  the  officers  and  men  embarked  on  the  S.S.  Abyssinia,  the  horses 
leaving  by  another  ship  in  charge  of  a  detached  party,  and  sailed  for  Beyrout. 
There  the  Regiment  went  into  camp  on  some  waste  land  just  south  of  the 
town.    The  horses  arrived  three  days  later. 

On  August  7th  the  Regiment  moved  by  route  march  to  Rayak,  where  it 
arrived  on  August  5th,  the  heavy  baggage,  with  the  advance  party,  having  been 
sent  to  Homs,  in  Syria,  direct  by  train  in  advance.  On  the  next  day  one 
.squadron  and  one  troop  proceeded  by  train  to  Homs,  and  by  the  9th  the  whole 
Regiment  had  arrived  there  and  joined  the  10th  Cavalry  Brigade,  which  was 
connnanded  by  a  Brigadier-General  of  the  Indian  Army.  The  10th  Brigade 
l)elonged  to  the  4th  Cavalry  Division  mider  Major-General  Sir  H.  W. 
Hodgson.  The  other  regiments  of  the  Brigade  were  the  2nd  Bengal  Lancers, 
the  38th  Central  India  Horse,  and  the  Staffordshire  Yeomanry,  which  the  16th 
was  to  replace. 

The  16th  went  into  camp  on  some  low  lying  ground  about  three  miles  west 
of  the  town  of  Homs.  This  was  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  river  (Jrontes,  and 
on  the  east  by  an  irrigation  canal. 

The  district  round  Homs  w'as  well  known  to  be  one  of  the  most  unhealthy 
])laces  in  Syria,  yet  by  some  strange  perversity  it  was  selected  as  a  Cavalry 
Camp.  The  heat  was  not  excessive  as  a  cool  land  wind  blew  all  day  from  the 
Lebanon,  but  it  was  infested  by  malarial  mosquitoes  to  such  an  extent  that 
within  two  months  65  per  cent,  of  the  men  and  seven  out  of  13  officers  were 
in  hospital  with  fever  and  had  to  be  sent  to  the  Casualty  Clearing  Hospital 
at  Rayak,  whence  the  more  serious  cases  were  sent  to  the  Base  Hospitals  in 
Egypt.  Very  few  of  these  men  rejoined  until  after  the  Regiment  was  moved 
to  Palestine. 

Owing  to  this  sickness,  the  shortage  of  officers  and  experienced  jST.C.O.'s, 
and  the  very  indifferent  horses  issued  to  the  Regiment,  there  was  much  diffi- 
cultv  in  training  the  manv  recruits.     There  were  also  numerous  guards  to  be 


LIKUT.-CULOXKL  C.  E.  St.  J.  I1.\RIUS-St.  JOHN,   D.S.O. 
191S-1921. 


123 

fuuinl  tor  H)rifia(li'  I  lra(l(|ii;i:tcis,  'I'liikisli  luisoncis  ol'  war,  and  llic  caiui)  itHt-lt.  1919 
The  hist  had  to  be.  p;utieiilaily  Ktioiig  on  accoiiiit  of  the  local  iiihahitants  being 
most  skilful  thieves  and  constantly  oa  the  look  out  for  rities.  One  method  they 
tried  was  the  tiring  of  their  rifles  and  guns  in  the  direction  of  the  camp  night 
after  night,  apparently  in  the  endeavour  to  distract  attention,  while  their 
picked  men  stole  into  camp  under  cover  of  darkness.  Some  rifles  stolen  from 
the  Regiment  while  at  Homs  were  recovered  in  Mesopotamia.  It  was  very 
difficult  indeed  to  prevent  the  Arabs  getting  into  the  camp  at  night,  as  no  wire 
was  available  for  use,  and  if  they  were  caught  and  handed  over  to  the  local 
authorities  they  had  very  little  to  fear,  as  Homs  was  under  Arab  jurisdiction. 
As  an  instance,  just  before  the  Regiment  arrived  there,  two  men  were  caught 
who  had  burgled  an  otlicer's  tent,  and  stabbed  the  officer  in  bed  when  he 
woke  up.  Luckily  he  was  not  seriously  hurt.  Their  punishment  was  a  fine 
of  Ml  Is.  each  !  During  the  latter  part  of  our  stay,  guards  for  the  ciuup  were 
found  by  the  Hedjaz  Army,  and  these  proved  trustworthy. 

In  October,  1919,  the  camp  was  moved  to  another  site  immediately  to  the  Oct. 
north  of  Homs.  The  reasons  for  this  were  the  unhealthy  nature  of  the  first 
camp  and  the  danger  of  its  being  flooded  when  the  rains  broke.  This  second 
camp  was,  however,  little  better  than  the  first  from  the  point  of  view  of  the 
health  of  the  liegiment,  and  everyone  was  greatly  pleased  when  .the  news 
arrived  that  Syria  was  to  be  evacuated  in  November.  All  ranks  of  the  Regi- 
ment disliked  Homs  intensely.  There  were  few  British  troops  in  the  Garrison 
with  whom  the  men  could  fraternise,  and  there  were  no  organised  entertain- 
ments for  them.  There  was  some  sand-grouse  shooting  and  a  little  duck  shoot- 
ing on  the  lake  of  Homs,  of  which  the  officers  took  advantage,  and  some  polo 
on  troop  horses  was  started,  bul  the  difficulties  in  the  way  of  organised  games 
or  sport  were  very  great. 

On  November  'i^nd  the  Brigade  marched  out  of  Homs  in  accordance  with  L'-'nd 
the  scheme  for  the  evacuation  of  Syria,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Hewlett  ^''"'. 
of  the  38th  Central  India  Horse. 

For  the  march  the  strength  was  six  officers  (of  whom  one  was  a  chaplain) 
and  143  other  ranks;  it  was  necessary,  therefore,  to  call  upon  the  two  other 
cavalry  regiments  of  the  Brigade  for  assistance,  so  100  horses  were  transferred 
to  each  of  them,  and  in  addition  they  provided  the  whole  of  the  drivers  for  the 
transport.    Even  then  the  majority  of  the  men  led  one  or  two  horses. 

The  16th,  under  command  of  Lieut. -Colonel  St.  John,  with  the  other  regi- 
ments of  the  Brigade  marched  at  7.30  a.m.  on  the  '2-2nd  November.  The 
rains  had  begun  and  roads  had  become  nearly  impassable.  Even  before  the 
Regiment  had  reached  the  Brigade  rendezvous  all  the  tents  but  five  had  to  be 
thrown  away. 

The  line  of  march  ran  parallel  to  the  Aleppo-Damascus  railway,  and  the 
troops  did  not  get  to  Kosseir,  the  halting  place  for  the  night,  until  7  p.m., 
though  it  was  only  a  17  miles  march.  The  16th  then  went  on  outpost,  bivou- 
acing  in  the  wet,  for  it  rained  hard  all  the  night. 

The  next  morning  the  Brigade  marched  to  Ras  Baalhec,  the  16th  doing  rear- 
guard to  the  Brigade.  The  next  day's  march  to  Letwe  was  done  in  compara- 
tive comfort  as  the  road,  being  close  under  the  Lebanon  mountains,  was  stony 
instead  of  the  usual  sea  of  mud,  and  the  16th,  being  advance  guard,  got  into 
camp  at  Letwe  at  noon,  but  the  following  day's  march  of  17  miles  to  Baalbec 
was  worse  than  ever  as  it  rained  in  torrents  the  whole  day,  and  when  the 
troops  crawled  into  the  place  after  a  march  which  took  nine  hours  to  accom- 
plish, they  had  to  bivouac  in  mud  and  water,  and  to  make  things  worse  the 
horses  kept  breaking  loose  as  the  picket  pegs  would  not  hold  in  the  soft  ground. 


124 

1919  Oil  the  -iGth  the  ]}rigailc  arrived  at  Said  Nail,  where  the  troops  liaUed  for 
26th  a  much  needed  rest  until  J)ecenil)er  .'ird,  when  the  Brigade  marched  to  Ain 
^'Y'  Hofar.  The  road  crossed  the  Lehaiion  Range  and  was  a  steep  climb,  lising  to 
Y)Q^.  a  height  of  over  4,000  feet.  Several  columns  of  French  troops  were  passed  on 
the  way  which  were  moving  eastward. 

Ain  Sofar  was  quite  a  good  town,  possessing  a  good  hotel  and  a  number  of 
substantial  houses,  and  the  Regiment  had  a  comfortable  night  in  billets. 

The  following  day's  march  brought  the  troops  to  Beyrout.  The  town  was 
full  of  plague  at  the  time  and  the  Brigade  "  camped  "  three  miles  south-east 
of  the  place,  that  is  to  say  the  troops  lay  down  in  the  mud  in  their  wet  clothes, 
for  it  rained  without  ceasing  the  whole  night,  their  only  covering  being  l)ivouac 
sheets  that  were  too  short  to  cover  them. 
Wh  They  remained  in  this  place  until  the  8th,  when  they  marched  18  miles  to 
I*6c.  a,  new  camp,  crossing  on  the  way  a  stream  three  miles  short  of  their  destination 
by  a  very  dangerous  bridge.  Here  the  horses  were  watered  as  there  was  no 
water  nearer  to  the  camping  ground. 

From  this  place  the  Jkigade  marched  to  Acre  via  Saida,  Ain  el  Burak,  Tyre, 

and  Raisul  Nakura,  a  distance  of  62  miles,  arriving  there  on  the  12th.     The 

Regiment  halted  for  two  days  at  Acre,  where  it  rained  without  cessation  the 

14th  whole  time,  and  on  the  14th,  still  in  rain  and  wind,  marched  along  the  shore 

^^'-'-  to  Haifa,  where  it  was  to  entrain  for  Ludd. 

The  work  of  entraining,  in  dirty  cattle  trucks,  began  at  6.30  p.m.  When 
entrained  it  w'as  discovered  that  no  engine  had  been  provided,  and  the  train  did 
not  get  away  until  7.30  a.m.  on  the  16th.  When  Ludd  was  at  last  reached 
there  was  no  shunting  engine,  and  the  horses  remained  another  12  hours  in 
the  trucks  without  food  or  water  before  they  could  be  detrained.  A  few  tents 
were  served  out,  but  tlie  night  was  both  wet  and  windy  and  most  of  them  ivere 
blown  down  before  morning. 
I8th  On  the  18th  the  Regiment  marched  via  Jaffa  to  Sarona.  The  weather  was 
Deo.  as  atrocious  as  ever,  and  on  arriving  at  the  camping  ground  it  was  discovered 
that  no  preparations  whatever  had  been  made  for  the  troops  though  a  detach- 
ment of  Engineers  and  the  Advance  Parties  had  been  there  six  weeks. 

Altogether  the  way  in  which  this  march  was  conducted  was  most  discredit- 
able to  the  General  Staff  all  through,  Intt  notwithstanding  the  quite  needless 
hardships  to  which  the  men,  and  the  horses,  had  been  subjected  on  the  26  days' 
march,  only  two  men  reported  sick,  and  the  horses  came  in  in  good  condition 
and  with  only  one  sore  back  in  the  Regiment. 

Many  of  the  officers  and  men  were  still  suffering  from  the  malarial  fever 
contracted  at  Homs.  This  fever  was  of  so  virulent  a  description  that  the 
medical  authorities  were  afraid  that  it  might  spread  to  the  other  troops  at  the 
camp,  and  in  June  it  was  thought  advisable  to  send  the  Regiment  away  to 
another  station  where  there  were  no  other  troops.  The  Regiment  was  then 
crdered  to  move  to  Belbeis,  to  wdiich  place  it  proceeded  by  train  from  Ludd. 
1920  Belbeis  is  on  a  branch  line  some  40  miles  from  Cairo.  There  was  a  perma- 
'^""''  iient  camp  there,  the  place  having  been  used  during  the  war  as  a  remount 
depot,  and  there  were  covered  stables,  consisting  of  lean-to  sheds,  for  the 
horses,  but  the  officers  and  men  were  in  tents.  Here  the  Regiment  had  a  much 
wanted  rest  for  six  months,  and  the  place  being  dry  and  healthy,  though  very 
uninteresting,  the  effects  of  the  fever  were  gradually  got  rid  of  and  most  of 
the  convalescents  rejoined  from  hospital. 

In  August  orders  were  received  for  the  Regiment  to  move  to  India  during 
the  next  trooping  season.  This  was  very  unexpected  intelligence,  as  it  was 
generallv  believed  that  no  trooiis  were  to  be  sent  out  that  year.     The  move 


I.IEUT.-COLONEL  H.  C.  L.  HOWARD,  C.M.G.,  D.S.O. 
i9->i-i925. 


was  originally  intciuU'd  lo  take  placf  in  St-plenilicr,  Iml  owiiij^  lo  (In-  j^cueral  1920 
disorganisation   caused   by   a   strike  of   tiie   coal-miners   it    was   delayed    until 
November. 

On  November  '2;ird  the  Scots  Greys  came  into  liclhcis.     'i'lu;  next  day  the  Nov. 
horses  and  equipment  were  handed  over  and  the  Jlegiment   went  by  train  to 
Suez,  where  it  cmljarked  on  the  'J'ransport  "  Field  Marshal."    A  draft  of  time- 
expired  men  were  left  at  Belbeis.     These  were  sent  to  England  later  on. 

Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel  H.  0.  Ij.  Howard,  C'.M.d.,  J).S.().,  was  in  command 
of  the  Regiment  ;  strength,  eight  oflicers  and  '&!()  other  rank's.  The  names  of 
the  officers  were  as  follows  : — 

Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel  Howard,  Commanding. 
Capt.   J.   L.   Cheyne,   M.C.  2nd  Lieut.  K.  M.  Marter. 

,,      G.  C.  Barker.  ,,  A.  L.  Leaf. 

Lieut.  G.  G.  Cox-Cox.  ,,  W.  H.  F.  l^runskill. 

,,      J.  A.  MacArthur-Onslow. 
The  2nd  Royal  Dublin  Fusiliers  were  also  on  the  ship.     The  shi|)  sailed  on 
the  26th  for  Kurachee,  where  the  Fusiliers  were  disembarked,  and  continued 
the  voyage  in  the  evening  to  I^ombay,  arriving  there  on  December  11th.     The 
16th  were  disembarked  and  left  by  train  for  Lucknow  the  same  day. 


CHAPTER  XLIA'. 

December  12th,  1920 — J.4nu.\ry  17th,  1925. 

Indu  and  Egypt. 

The  Regiment  at  Lucknow.  Retirement  of  Lieut. -Colonel  St.  John,  D.S.O. 
Lieut. -Colonel  Howard,  C.M.G.,  to  command  vice  St.  John.  Visit  of  the 
Prince  of  Wales.  Visit  of  Field-Marshal  Sir  W.  Robertson.  Amalgama- 
tion with  the  5th  Lancers,  April,  1922.  Roll  of  the  officers.  Favourable 
Inspection  Reports.  Inspection  by  the  C.-in-C.  India,  General  Lord 
Rawdinson.  Orders  to  move  to  Egypt.  The  honses  given  over,  Februarj', 
1924.  Memorial  tablet  placed  in  the  Church.  The  general  health  of  the 
Regiment  compared  with  1890-96.  The  Regiment  leaves  for  Egypt,  re- 
lieved by  4th  Hussars.  Farewell  Orders  by  G.O.C.  U.P.  District  and 
others.  Disembarkation  at  Suez,  19th  March,  1924.  Arrival  at  Cairo. 
Abbasia  Barracks  taken  over  from  9th  Lancers.  The  Regiment  remounted. 
Political  disquiet  in  Cairo.  Murder  of  Sir  Lee  Stack.  His  funeral.  The 
Cavalry  Brigade  Horse  Show.  Visit  of  Lieut. -General  Sir  J.  M.  Babing- 
ton.  Retirement  of  Lieut. -Colonel  Howard.  His  farewell  order,  January 
17th,  1925.  Lieut. -Colonel  G.  F.  H.  Brooke,  D.S.O. ,  M.C,  to  command 
vice  Howard  to  H.P. 

The  Sixteenth  relieved  the  8th  Hussars  at  Lucknow,  but  that  regiment  had  19-'l 
already  left  the  station  and  gone  to  Mesopotamia,  taking  their  horses  with  •^^"• 
them,  and  in  consequence  of  this  there  were  none  to  take  over.     On  January 
16th  the  first  lot  of  new  animals  came  in.     These  were  200  Australians  from 
the   Sehore  Remoinit    ne]iot  and   were  what   were  called    "  Trained   remount 


126 

lid'l  ndcis,"  wliicli  uii'iiiil  tlial  lln'V  liad  licrii  ridden,  IjiiI  willioiil  bils  or  spurs, 
and  iiad  no  training  with  urniss.  As  most  of  the  men  were  young  and  tlieiii- 
selves  untrained,  and  there  were  lew  instructors,  a  very  dillicuit  situation  was 
created,  particukuly  us  many  of  the  horses  were,  to  put  it  mildly,  rather 
"  wild."  Men  and  horses  had  to  be  trained  together  at  the  same  time,  and  the 
results  were  not  over  satisfactory,  a  good  many  animals  being  sj)oilt  in  the 
j)rocess.  On  the  'Jyth  the  Reginu^nt  was  ins[)ected  by  Lieut. -General  Sir  11. 
Hudson,  Ct.O.C.  Eastern  Conunand.  The  troops  were  paraded  mounted,  but 
without  arms  or  spurs,  the  horses  being  ridden  in  snattles  only  and  not  moving 
out  of  a  walk.  On  the  31st  General  Lord  llawlinson,  C.-in-(J.  India,  inspected 
the  Kegiment  under  similar  conditions. 

On  the  17th  Feliruary  Lieut. -Colonel  Harris  St.  John,  ]J).S.O.,  was  placed 
on  retired  pay  on  the  expiration  of  his  period  of  command.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel  H.  C.  L.  Howard,  C.M.G.,  D.S.O. 

From  time  to  time  more  drafts  of  horses  were  received  until  the  establish- 
ment w'as  complete.  All  these  were  untrained  with  the  exception  of  30,  mostly 
pack  animals,  which  came  from  a  disbanded  machine-gun  squadron  at  Meerut. 

Up  to  October  the  Regiment  was  fully  occupied  with  the  individual  train- 
ing of  the  men  and  horses.  During  this  period  many  new  ofticers  joined  and 
drafts  were  received  from  England  and  from  the  dislianded  5th  Lancers,  lUth 
Hussars  and  'Jlst  Lancers,  so  that  by  the  end  of  Octolier  the  Regiment  was  up 
to  its  full  strength  again. 

On  the  yth  December  H.R.H.  the  Prince  of  Wales  arrived  at  Lucknow. 
The  Regiment,  together  with  "  K  "  Battery  R.H.A.,  formed  his  escort;  the 
procession  started  from  the  railway  station  and  proceeded  to  the  Council 
Chamber,  where  H.R.H.  received  the  address  of  welcome,  after  which  H.R.H. 
was  escorted  to  Government  House,  where  he  was  received  by  H.E.  Sir  S. 
Harcourt  Butler,  G.C.I.E.,  K.C.S.I.,  Governor  of  the  United  Provinces. 

After  H.R.H.  had  inspected  the  Guard  of  Honour  of  the  Queen's  Royal 
Regiment,  all  the  officers  of  the  Regiment  who  were  on  parade  were  presented 
to  him  by  the  Commanding  Officer,  Lieut. -Colonel  H.  C.  Ij.  Howard, 
C.M.G.,  D.S.O. 

On  the  10th  December  the  Lucknow  Garrison  was  reviewed  by  H.R.H.  the 
Prince  of  Wales. 

During  the  three  days  which  H.R.H.  spent  at  Lucknow  there  were  various 
functions  and  entertainments,  among  them  being  a  Gymkhana  Race  Meeting 
and  a  one  day  Polo  Tournament. 
1922  After  Christmas  the  Regiment  went  into  camp  at  Ximsar,  remaining  there 
till  the  middle  of  January  :  this  camp  was  four  days'  march  from  Lucknow, 
and  three  weeks'  regimental  training  was  carried  out.  This  was  the  first  regi- 
mental training  which  the  Regiment  had  had  an  op[iortunity  of  carrying  out 
since  the  war. 

Owing  to  the  horses  not  yet  being  fully  trained,  fast  work  could  not  be 
carried  out,  but  the  three  weeks  in  camp  was  very  useful  experience  for 
everyone. 

On  the  1st  February,  19'2'J,  two  squadrons  under  Lieut. -Colonel  Howard 
railed  to  Delhi ;  .strength — officers  9,  other  ranks  215,  horses  225.  These  two 
squadrons  formed  part  of  the  escort  to  H.E.  the  Viceroy,  the  Earl  of  Reading, 
Ct.C.B.,  G.C.V.O.,  on  the  occasion  of  the  visit  of  H.R.H.  the  Prince  of 
Wales.  The  remainder  of  the  escort  consisted  of  the  19th  Lancers,  H.E.  the 
Viceroy's  Bodyguard,  and  a  battery  of  Field  Artillery.  The  functions  in  which 
the  two  squadrons  took  part  included  the  escourt  to  H.E.  the  Viceroy  from 
the  station  near  the  Delhi  Fort,  back  to  the  Viceregal  Ijodge  after  H.E.  had 


I 


1:27 

received  JI.K.II.  the  i'liiicf  ol  Wales,  and  cscorling  11.10.  the  \'iceroy  lu  llie 
Durbar  wliicli  took  place  inside  the  Fort.  The  squadrons  also  lined  the  streets 
at  Kaisina,  A'ew  JJelhi,  on  the  occasion  of  H.K.H.  the  Prince  of  Wales  laying 
the  foundation  stone  of  the  Lord  J\itcliener  Memorial  College. 

The  two  squadrons  wei'e  in  camp  at  Kingsway,  and  one  morning  at  about 
nine  o'clock  H.iv.Ji..  rode  to  the  camp  and  walked  roimd  the  lines  witii  the 
Commanding  Oflicer,  and  the  oHicers  were  presented  to  H.R.H. 

There  was  a  ball  at  tlie  Viceregal  Jjodge  at  which  the;  ruling  Princes  in  their 
nuignificent  robes  and  jewellery  made  a  very  fine  siglit. 

The  final  of  the  Pi'ince  of  Wales  Commemoration  Polo  Tournament  was 
perhaps  one  of  the  finest  matches  that  has  ever  been  seen,  being  between 
Jodphur  and  Patiala.  At  the  beginning  of  the  last  chukka  Patiala  were  lead- 
ing by  two  goals,  but  Jodphur  made  this  up  and  scored  the  winning  goal  just 
before  time;  it  was  a  very  fast  game,  and  most  exciting  to  watch. 

On  the  'i3rd  February  the  two  squadrons  rejoined  at  Lucknow. 

On  the  28tb  February,  Field-Marshal  Sir  William  E.  Robertson,  Bart., 
G.C.B.,  G.C.M.O.,  K.C.V.O.,  D.S.O.,  came  to  Jjucknow  to  stay  for  a  few 
days  with  the  Commanding  Officer.  It  was  a  great  pleasure  to  the  Regiment 
to  welcome  the  Field-Marshal,  who  had  spent  the  first  ten  years  of  his  service 
in  the  Regiment.  As  bis  visit  was  entirely  private,  no  special  parades  took 
place,  but  the  Field-Marshal  addressed  the  Regiment  one  morning  in  the 
Regimental  Theatre. 

Army  Order  No.  133  of  April,  I'Jiiii,  announced  amalgamations  of  various 
cavalry  regiments,  amongst  these  l)eing  that  of  the  IGth  Lancers  and  the  5th 
Lancers,  the  latter  to  form  one  squadron,  and  the  Regiment  in  future  to  be 
known  as  the  16th/5th  Lancers. 

The  detailed  instructions  for  this  amalgamation  were  contained  in  Army 
Council  Instruction  No.  281  of  the  '25th  May,  19-22.  By  this  instruction  the 
12th  Lancers  were  to  form  a  complete  squadron,  less  any  5th  Lancers  then 
serving  with  the  16th  Lancers,  at  home  to  be  despatched  to  Ijucknow  to  form 
the  5th  Lancer  Squadron.  However,  presumably  owing  to  the  expense  which 
it  would  have  entailed,  i.e.,  the  despatch  of  about  140  of  all  ranks  from  Eng- 
land, and  the  return  to  England  of  a  corresponding  number  of  16th  Lancers 
who  would  have  become  surplus,  this  first  instruction  was  modified. 

In  the  end,  32  other  ranks  of  the  5th  Lancers  arrived  at  Lucknow  on  the 
28th  Septeml)er,  1922.  These,  together  with  21  other  ranks  who  had  previously 
served  in  the  5th  Lancers,  were  posted  to  "  D  "  Squadron,  the  remainder  of 
the  squadron  being  made  up  of  99  Kith  Tjancers  then  in  the  s(iuadron,  which 
then  became  the  5th  Lancer  Squadron. 

On  the  29th  September  the  Regiment  became  the  16th/5th  Lancers. 

The  5th  Lancer  officers  who  joined  then  or  later  were  as  follows  : — Major 
H.  A.  Cooper,  Captain  J.  C.  Miles,  Lieut.  J.  C.  Biggs,  M.C.,  Lieut.  J.  N. 
Bailey,  Lieut.  W.  M.  F.  Bayliss. 

During  the  period  between  the  issue  of  the  Army  Order  and  the  end  of 
1922  all  officers  were  reposted  to  the  amalgamated  regiment  in  the  London 
Gazette,  with  the  exception  of  certain  surplus  officers  who  were  retired  or 
transferred  under  Anny  Council  instructions  to  other  regiments. 

At  the  end  of  1922  the  roll  of  officers  of  the  Regiment  was  as  follows  : — 
Lieut. -Col.  H.  C.  L.  Howard,  C.M.G.,  D.S.O. 
Major  H.  A.  Cooper. 

Major  and  Bt. -Lieut. -Col.  G.  F.  H.  Brooke,  D.S.O. ,  M.C. 
S.  Major  and  Bt. -Lieut. -Col.  M.  Graham,  D.S.O. 
S.C.S.  Major  .1.  L.  Chevne,  M.C. 


Cai)laiii  T.  J,,   lloin,  M.C. 

CaplM.in  J.  C.  ililcs. 

Captain  ii.  G.  li.  Davies,  Al.C. 

S.  Captain  J.  GI-.  W.  Clark,  M.C. 

S.  Captain  F.  Thornton. 

Captain  R.  Moubray. 

Captain  J.  B.  Browne. 

Captain  A.  C.  Macintyre. 

Captain  A.  W.  M.  S.  Pilkington,  M.C. 

Captain  C.  Nicholson,  Adjutant. 

Captain  C.  F.  T.  O'B.  ffrench. 

Captain  and  Q.M.  J.  McConnell. 

Lieut.  J.  C.  Biggs,  M.C. 

Lieut.  J.N.  Bailey. 

Lieut.  G.  G.  Cox-Cox. 

Lieut.  A.  C.  Byard. 

Lieut.  F.  G.  C.  Noakes. 

Lieut.  F.  Collins. 

Tjieut.  W.  M.  F.  Bayliss. 

Lieut.  A.  L.  Leaf. 

Lieut.  H.  K.  Moon. 

•2nd  Lieut.  G.  J.  R.  Tonikin. 

2nd  Lieut.  E.  Wadham. 

2nd  Lieut.  R.  N.  Fawcett. 

2nd  Lieut.  J.  A.  H.  Jephson. 

2nd  Lieut.  A.  B.  Sullivan. 

2nd  Lieut.  W.  J.  D.  G.  Johnston. 
Gn  the  23rd  Octol)er,  1922,  the  District  Commander,  Major-General  C.  J. 
Deverell,  C.B.,  inspected  the  Regiment  on  the  conclusion  of  individual  train- 
ing; he  expressed  his  great  satisfaction  at  what  he  had  seen,  and  noted  a 
marked  improvement  since  his  last  inspection. 

A  great  deal  of  work  had  been  carried  out  by  all  ranks  during  the  summer 
to  improve  the  training  of  horses  and  men,  and  by  the  end  of  this  period  the 
horses  were  fully  trained  and  were  fit  to  carry  out  galloping  drill,  which  it  had 
not  been  possible  pi'evioiisly  to  do. 

The  scheme  for  camp  this  winter  was  the  formation  of  a  camp  at 
Mohanlalganj  (about  13  miles  from  Lucknow)  in  November,  each  squadron 
proceeding  there  in  turn  for  ten  days'  squadron  training,  and  the  whole  Regi- 
ment going  out  on  the  lUth  Lecendier  and  returning  on  the  21st. 

During  the  period  the  Regiment  was  in  camp  it  was  inspected  by  Major- 
General  R.  A.  Cassels,  C.B.,  C.S.I. ,  D.S.O.,  Major-General  of  Cavalry. 

At  the  conclusion  of  regimental  training  on  the  14th  February  the  Regi- 
ment was  insjiected  by  General  Sir  Havelock  Hudson,  K.C.B.,  K.C.I.E., 
G.O.C.-in-C.  Eastern  Command.  He  made  the  following  remarks  at  the  con- 
clusion of  his  inspection  : — 

"  I  was  much  pleased  with  what  I  saw  of  the  Regiment  this  morning. 
There  was  a  nuirked  absence  of  noise.  The  horses  were  in  a  hard  condition, 
well  in  hand  at  all  paces,  consequently  the  drill  was  smooth  and  steady.  T 
fully  recognise  the  difficulties  under  which  the  Regiment  has  laboured  in  the 
past,  young  soldiers  on  partly  trained  remounts,  constant  changes  in  personnel 
due  to  fluctuating  conditions  of  service,  disbandments  of  some  units  and  amal- 
gamation of  others.  All  the  moi-e,  therefore,  I  congratulate  all  ranks  on  the 
manner    in    which    fhese   difficulties   have   been   overcome,    and    the    state    of 


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iciency  wliicli  lliey  luivc  now  icaclicd  ;  a  stale  wliicli   augurs  well   lor  the 


lilt  are  of  this  line  regiment." 


In  the  spring  of  ]9'23  Jjieut. -Colonel  Brooke  i)roceedecl  to  Weedon  to  be 
Chief  Instructor  at  the  Equitation  Hchool.  Captain  Davies  proceeded  home 
for  employment  at  the  Cavalry  Depot  at  Canterbury,  but  after  a  short  period 
there  he  was  posted  as  Adjnlant  to  the  Officers'  Training  Corps  at  Cambridge. 

At  the  end  of  October,  IU'23,  H.E.  the  Viceroy,  the  Earl  of  Heading, 
Gr.C.B.,  G.C.V.O.,  visited  Lucknow.  He  arrived  on  the  '29th  October,  when 
the  Eegiment  lined  the  road  from  Hazratgunj  to  the  Durbar  at  the  Kaiser- 
Bagh. 

At  the  end  of  November  H.E.  the  Commander-in-Chief,  General  the  Lord 
Rawlinson,  G.C.B.,  G.C.S.I.,  G.C.V.O.,  K.C.M.G.,  arrived  at  Lucknow  and 
stayed  for  a  week  with  the  Commanding  Officer.  On  one  morning  H.E. 
walked  round  the  lines,  inspected  the  horses,  men  and  stables,  visited  the 
institutes,  etc. 

A  review  was  held  on  the  •24th  Noveml)er  by  H.E.  the  C.-in-C.  in  which 
the  Regiment  took  part. 

A  camp  on  the  same  lines  as  the  previous  year  was  held  at  Banthra  (about 
12  miles  from  Lucknow)  ;  squadrons  each  going  out  for  ten  days,  and  the 
Regiment  from  the  6th  to  the  20th  December. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  orders  had  been  received  that  the 
Regiment  would  leave  India  during  the  next  few  months.  This  move  was 
caused  by  the  recommendations  of  the  Inchcape  Committee,  as  a  result  of 
which  the  number  of  Cavalry  Regiments  in  India  was  reduced  from  eight 
to  six. 

It  was  not  until  late  in  the  winter  that  it  was  known  definitely  that  the 
Regiment  would  proceed  to  Cairo  to  relieve  the  9th  Ijancers  at  Abbassia  at  the 
end  of  the  trooping  season. 

On  the  1st  and  ^nd  February,  1924,  the  Regiment  was  inspected  by  Major-  19:24 
General  C.  A.  C.  Godwin,  G.M.G.,  D.S.O.,  Major-General  of  Cavalry. 

After  this  inspection  the  horses  of  the  Eegiment  were  broken  up,  and  the 
bulk  sent  to  the  Remount  Depots  at  Babugarh  and  Saharanpur,  and  a  certain 
number  sent  to  other  regiments.  The  reason  tor  this  was  that  the  4th  Hussars, 
who  were  ordered  to  take  the  place  of  the  Kegiment  at  Lucknow,  brought  their 
own  horses,  Muttra  being  done  away  with  as  a  Cavalry  station.  The  horses 
of  the  Regiment  therefore  became  surplus. 

On  the  25th  February  a  memorial  tablet  to  seven  N.C.O.'s  and  men  who 
died  at  Lucknow  1920-24,  and  to  four  officers,  .51  N.C.O.'s  and  men,  three 
women  and  nine  children  who  died  at  Ijucknow  1890-96,  was  unveiled  by 
Colonel  A.  E.  McNamara,  C.M.G.,  D.S.O.,  Commanding  19th  Indian  Infan- 
try Brigade.  As  no  memorial  to  those  who  died  during  the  previous  tour  of 
the  Regiment  at  Lucknow  was  in  existence,  it  was  decided  to  include  them  in 
this  memorial,  erected  in  the  Garrison  Church. 

A  comparison  of  the  numbers  of  deaths  during  these  different  periods  is  in- 
structive, and  shows  great  improvement  has  been  made  in  medical  science 
during  recent  years.  In  the  old  days  in  India  the  great  scourge  was  enteric, 
but  out  of  the  seven  deaths  during  the  recent  tour  only  one  could  be  attributed 
in  any  way  to  enteric  fever,  the  others  being  from  heat  stroke,  accidents, 
pneumonia  and  cholera.  The  most  noteworthy  fact  was  that  not  a  single  man 
was  left  behind  sick  when  the  Regiment  left  India. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3rd  March  the  4th  Hussars  arrived  at  Lucknow  and 
took  over  the  barracks,  and  on  the  same  day  the  Regiment  left  in  two  trains 

s 


130 

for  Deolali,  wlieie  it  reinaincd   lor  two  days  aiul  I  lien  proceeded  to  Bornl)ay 
and  embarked  on  H/r.  "  Braeiiuir  Castle." 

On  the  departure  of  the  Eeginient,  the  following  farewell  order  from  the 
G.O.C.  U.P.  District  was  published  :— 

"  I  wish  to  express  to  all  ranks  of  the  lCth/5th  Lancers  my  sincere 
regret  at  their  departure  from  the  United  Provinces  District,  in  which 
the  Regiment  has  at  all  times  set  a  high  standard  of  all  round  efficiency 
in  work  and  in  sport.  The  Regiment  will  be  much  missed.  I  wish  all  in 
the  Regiment  the  best  of  luck,  and  I  hope  that  it  may  be  my  good  fortune 
to  serve  with  the  Regiment  again. 

"  Sd.,  C.  J.  Deverell,  Major-General," 

A  private  letter  to  the  Commanding  Officer  from  General  Deverell  reads  as 
follows  : — 

"  Your  Regiment  will  be  a  great  loss  to  India,  and  the  United  Provinces 
District  in  particular.    It  has  been  a  great  pleasure  to  have  had  the  Regi- 
ment in  my  District,  and  I  shall  aways  be  greatly  interested  in  its  future 
•doings." 

Extracts  from  other  letters  received  by  the  Commanding  Officer  at  various 
times  may  be  of  interest,  and  some  of  them  are  as  follows  : — 

From  Colonel-Comdt.  L.  C.  Jones,  who  was  our  Brigade  Commander  at 
Lucknow,  and  who  also  commanded  the  cavalrv  at  Delhi  during  the  visit  of 
H.R.H.  the  Prince  of  Wales  :— 

"Delhi,  21-2-22. 
"  Dear  Howard, — Before  we  leave,  I  should  like  to  tell  you  that  your 
Regiment  has  made  an  excellent  impression  here.     Their  turn  out  and 
horsemanship  was  all  that  could  be  desired. — Yours  sincerely, 

"  Sd.,  L.  C.  Jones." 

From  H.E.  Sir  S.  Harcourt  Butler,  G.C.I.E.,  K.C.S.L,  Governor  of  the 
United  Provinces,  who  left  in  December,  1922,  to  take  up  the  appointment  of 
Governor  of  Burma  : — 

"  I  think  that  one  of  my  greatest  griefs  in  leaving  Lucknow  has  been 
leaving  all  my  kind  friends  in  the  16th.  I  never  met  a  nicer  Regiment, 
and  I  do  hope  that  we  may  meet  again.  I  shall  never  forget  your  kind 
thought  in  sending  the  band  to  the  station  to  play  me  off. 

"  I  won't  say  good-bye.  It  is  au  revoir,  I  am  sure,  and  thank  you  ever 
so  much." 

From  General  Sir  Havelock  Hudson,  K.C.B.,  K.C.I.E.,  who  was 
G-.O.C.-in-C,  Eastern  Command,  during  the  first  three  years  of  the  Regi- 
ment's stay  at  Lucknow,  and  who  wrote  on  relinquishing  his  command  in 
November,  1923  :  — 

"5-11-23. 
' '  It  has  always  been  a  great  pride  and  pleasure  to  me  to  have  your 
Regiment  in  my  command.     They  are  all  '  triers,'  and  I  was  always  sure 
of  a  real  welcome  whenever  I  came  to  see  you.    With  all  good  wishes  for 
all  good  luck  to  you  and  your  fine  command." 

All  ranks  were  very  sorry  to  leave  Lucknow,  where  they  made  many  friends, 
but- as  the  move  was  made  just  liefore  the  hot  weather  the  regrets  were  perhaps 


IHK    REGIMENT'S    WAR    MEMORIAL 
In  Cantkruuuy  Cathedral. 


lyi 

not    s()   greal    iis    llicy    woiilil    liavc    hccii    li;i(l    I  lie    iiiovf    Iteen    made    in    tlie 
autijinn. 

The  cavalry  lint's  in  Ijucknow  had  not  bft'ii  njodfiniscd ,  and  were  exactly 
the  same  as  wlien  the  Regiment  was  there  in  the  early  nineties;  no  electric 
light  or  fans  luul  been  installed,  and  each  year  it  was  said  that  it  was  going 
to  be  done  the  following  year,  Init  when  the  following  year  came  the  situation 
was  still  the  same. 

After  the  continual  moves  in  191'J  and  1920  it  was  a  great  advantage  to  be 
settled  somewheie  for  a  few  years,  as  it  then  became  possil)le  for  training  to 
be  carried  on  without  interruption  and  for  the  KegimenI  to  be  brought  to  a 
state  of  efticiency  and  fitness  for  active  service. 

At  the  same  time,  owing  to  the  need  for  econonis ,  in  India  there  were  no- 
big  mana-uvres  or  training  cani])s  during  the  period  which  the  Jiegiment  could 
take  part  in.  It  was  not  possible  to  keep  up  to  date  as  regards  the  latest 
modern  developments  ;  but  at  the  same  time  the  stay  at  Lucknow,  anyhow  for 
the  first  three  years,  fulfilled  the  first  object  of  the  unit  becoming  efficient. 
After  the  war  most  units  had  to  be  almost  completely  built  up  again,  but  this 
fact  was  recognised  by  the  Commander-in-Chief  and  the  various  conuBanders, 
who  devoted  all  their  efforts  for  the  first  period  after  the  war  towards  bringing 
units  of  all  arms  up  to  a  proper  state  of  efficiency. 

During  the  stay  in  Lucknow  the  Regiment  look  [)ai1  in  all  the  various 
sports,  polo,  racing,  football,  and  shooting. 

The  polo  is  dealt  with  sei)a,ra,tely  :  the  most  noteworthy  success  in  football 
was  the  Regiment  winning  the  Lahore  Trades  Cup  in  Febni;iry,  l'.)'24,  beating 
the  following  units  in  successive  rounds  : — 

1st  round     ...     2nd  Battalion  The  Devonshire  Regt.     ...     1 — 0. 

•3nd  round    ...     2nd         ,,  K.O. Y.L.I 2—1. 

Semi-final    ...     1st  ,,  Black  Watch        2—0. 

Final  ...     2nd         ,,  Notts  A-  Derbyshire  Regt.     1—0. 

The  Regiment  arrived  at  Suez  on  the  19th  March,  and  proceeded  to  Cairo 
on  the  20th,  taking  over  the  new  cavalry  barracks  at  Abbassia  from  the  9th 
Lancers.  Once  again  the  Regiment  found  that  it  \vas  not  taking  over  a  regi- 
ment of  horses  (this  was  owing  to  the  9th  Ijancers  proceeding  to  Palestine  and 
taking  their  hor.ses  with  them).  The  Regiment  was  horsed  by  postings  from 
three  other  cavalry  regiments,  the  3rd  Hussars,  9th  Lancers,  and  15th/19th 
Hussars  ;  these  were  old  horses  which  had  taken  part  in  the  war,  and  were  of 
an  average  age  of  nearly  14  years.  As  they  probably  had  been  in  many  different 
units,  and  also  never  properly  trained  when  they  were  sent  out  during  the 
war,  they  were  not  as  a  whole  a  highly  trained  regiment  of  horses. 

About  .500  horses,  all  Waters,  had  been  received  in  January  from  .Australia, 
and  the  Regiment  was  issued  with  105  of  these.  During  the  summer  the 
principal  training  carried  out  was  the  training  of  these  remounts  and  the  im- 
provement, as  far  as  it  could  be  done,  of  the  older  horses. 

On  June  7th,  1921,  a.  Regimental  War  Memorial  was  unveiled  at  Canter- 
bury Cathedral,  where  there  were  already  two  others,  one  to  the  officers  and 
men  of  the  Regiment  who  died  during  the  Sikh  Wars  Rnd  the  other  to  those 
who  fell  in  the  Boer  War  in  South  Africa. 

A  short  service  was  conducted  by  the  Dean  of  Canterbury  in  the  presence 
of  many  of  the  officers,  N.C.C).'s  and  men  of  the  Regiment,  in  the  course  of 
which  the  Memorial  was  unveiled  bv  Lieut. -General  Sir  J.  M.  Babington, 
K.C.B.,  K.C.M.G. 

The  sumnu^r  of  1921  was  uneventful  in  Egypt,  but  all  the  time  the  intrigues 
of  Zaghloul  Pasha   and  his  Government  against  the  British  Authority  were 


132 

going  on.     The  culniinulion  of  this  was  tin:  assassination  of  the  rin-dar,  who 
died  on  the  '20th  November  from  wounds  received  the  day  previous. 

On  the  '2'2nd  November  the  Regiment  took  part  in  the  funeral  of  H.E. 
Major-General  Sir  Lee  0.  FitzM.  Stack,  G.B.E.,  C.M.G.,  Governor  General 
of  the  Sudan  and  Sirdar  of  the  Egyptian  Army,  lining  the  road  between  the 
north  and  south  Koda  Island  Canal  Bridges,  between  Cairo  and  Old  Cairo. 
At  about  10  a.m.,  before  the  procession  had  passed,  the  Commanding  Officer 
was  informed  by  a  Staff  Ofiicer  that  the  Regiment  was  not  to  return  to 
Abbassia  after  the  funeral,  but  to  go  to  the  barracks  of  the  2nd  Battalion  the 
Duke  of  Wellington's  Regiment,  water  and  feed  the  horses,  and  await  orders 
to  escort  H.E.  the  High  Commissioner,  Field-Marshal  the  Viscount  AUenby, 
G.C.B.,  G.C.M.G.,  Colonel  of  the  Regiment,  later  in  the  day.  The  Regiment 
reached  Kasr-el-Nil  Barracks  at  about  1  p.m.,  and  was  later  ordered  to  be 
ready  to  move  at  3.30  p.m.  It  was  not  until  a  little  later  that  the  Commanding 
Officer  received  the  following  letter  : — 

"  The  Residency,  Cairo  ; 

"  22nd  Nov.,  1924. 
"  Dear  Colonel, — Will  you  very  kindly  parade  your  Regiment  in  front 
of  the  Residency  at  4.80  p.m.  this  afternoon — to  escort  H.E.  the  High 
Commissioner  to  the  office  of  the  Prime  Minister. 

"  Yours  sincerely, 

"  Colin  Hindley,  Major,  A.D.C." 

At  4.30  p.m.  the  Regiment  was  formed  up  outside  the  gates  opposite  the 
Residency,  but  there  was  a  quarter  of  an  hour's  delay,  and  at  4.4-5  p.m.  H.E. 
the  High  Commissioner,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Clark-Kerr,  the  Counsellor,  and 
a,n  A.D.C,  drove  out  in  a  motor  car.  The  procession,  moving  at  a  trot,  pro- 
ceeded to  the  offices  of  the  Prime  Minister,  opposite  the  Houses  of  Parliament, 
where  His  Excellency  got  out  and  went  in  to  interview  Zaghloul  Pasha. 

The  interview  was  short,  and  there  was  just  time  to  re-form  the  escort  when 
His  Excellency  came  out  and  w-as  escorted  back  to  the  Residency.  On  arrival 
at  the  Residency  the  Commanding  Officer  was  ordered  to  go  in  and  see  H.E. 
the  High  Commissioner,  who  gave  him  orders  to  communicate  his  remarks'  to 
the  Regiment ;  the  gist  of  these  remarks  was  published  as  a  Regimental  Order 
as  follows  : — 

•H.E.  Field-Marshal  the  Viscount  AUenby,  G.C.B.,  G.C.M.G., 
Colonel,  16th/5th  Lancers,  has  ordered  the  Commanding  Officer  to  inform 
all  ranks  that  he  was  extremely  pleased  with  the  turn  out  and  bearing  of 
the  Regiment  when  escorting  him  to  the  Prime  Minister's  House,  and 
also  to  express  his  pleasure  at  being  escorted  by  his  own  Regiment  on  such 
a  historical  occasion. 

' '  The  Commanding  Officer  has  much  pleasure  in  connnunicating  this 
message,  and  wishes  to  add  his  own  congratulations  and  appreciation." 

The  Regiment  did  not  reach  barracks  till  late  in  the  evening,  having  been 
■out  for  about  13  hours. 

The  occasion  was  a  sad  one — the  funeral  of  a  distinguished  soldier  and  public 
servant  who  was  brutally  murdered, — but  it  was  felt  by  all  ranks  that  the 
Regiment  had  taken  part  in  a  historical  incident  which  without  doubt  did 
more  to  raise  the  prestige  of  Great  Britain  than  anything  that  had  taken  place 
in  Egypt  during  the  last  few  years,  and  which  also  without  doubt  had  an  effect 
-all  over  that  \rdvt  of  the  Eastern  world  which  was  ruled  by  Great  Britain. 


l.ll.L  1.  LUl.UXEL  L.KOl'l  KKY  F.  H.  BKOUKH,  D.b.O.,  Mx. 


133 

It  \vu.s  nulcnvoitliy  the  iiianacr  in  uliicli  JI.J-:.  ilie  Iligii  Commissioner  was 
received  going  to  and  from  the  liouse  of  the  Prime  Minister;  he  was  greeted 
with  marked  respect  l)y  aJI  the  P]uro))ea.ns  Cniaiiy  of  w  honi  were  foreio-ners)  in 
the  streets.  '  " 

The  following  orders  were  published  : — 

"  The  G.O.C.  has  expressed  his  complete;  satisfaction  at  the  smart  I  inn 
out  and  bearing  of  the  troops  at  the  funeral  of  II. E.  the  Sirdar  on  the 
22nd  instant,  and  at  tlie  snioolhness  witli  wiiich  the  arrangements  made 
were  carried  out." 

The  following  extracts  from  a  letter  from  His  Excellency  the  High  Com- 
missioner to  the  G.O.C.  with  reference  to  the  funeral  of  H.'E.  the  sTrdar  :  — 

"I  was  much  impressed  with  the  arrangements  m  ihe  Church  and  m 
the  streets,  the  bearing  of  the  troops  and  the  dispositions  at  the  cemetery. 
My  views  are  shared  by  all  sections  of  the  liritish  and  foreign  communities 
represented.  The  conduct  of  to-day's  ceremony  reflects  the  greatest  credit 
on  all  concerned.  Please  connnunicate  tliis  to  the  troops  under  your 
command." 

On  the  liGth  and  27th  November  the  Cavalry  Brigade  Horse  Show  was  held 
at  Abbassia.  This  show  comprised  a  number  of  skill-at-arms,  jumping,  etc., 
events  for  other  ranks.  The  Eegiment  was  very  successful,  winning  the 
following  events  : — 

Men's  Jumping. — 1st,  L/Cpl.  Church. 

Eemounts.— 1st,  Trooper  Ogden  ;  2nd,  Trooper  Bemmer. 

Eemount  Eide. — 1st,  Team. 

Men's  Lance,  sword  and  revolver. — 1st,  Trooijer  EUwood  :  2nd    Trooner 

Fletcher.  ^ 

W.O.'s  and  Sergts.  JJunimv  Thrusting,  sword.— l.st,  S.S  M  11  I    Puller 

M.M.  ■  .   .  , 

Men's  Dummy  Thrusting,  sword.— 1st,  Trooper  Fletcher;  2nd,  Trooper 

Eead. 
Champion  Man-at-Arms.— 1st,  S.S. M.E.I.  Fuller,  M.M. 
Dununy  Thrusting,  lance.— 3rd,  E.8.M.  Eiddiford. 

At  the  end  of  November  Lieut. -General  Sir  J.  M.  Babington,  K.C.B., 
K.C.M.G.,  and  Lady  Babington,  arrived  to  stay  the  winter  in  Cairo.  He  was 
heartily  welcomed  by  everybody  and  took  part  in  many  events,  riding  at  the 
head  of  the  Eegiment  again  after  29  years  in  a  march  through  the  streets  of 
Cairo.  He  also  played  polo  on  remounts  in  training  chukkas  and  pla\ed  goal 
for  the  officers  against  the  sergeants  at  football. 

On  the  11th  January  J3t. -Lieut. -Colonel  G.  F.  H.  Brooke,  D.S.O.,  M.C., 
arrived  from  England  to  take  over  command  from  Lieut. -Colonel  u'.  C.  L.' 
Howard,  C.M.G.,  D.S.O. ,  on  the  18th  January.  Lieut. -Colonel  Howard,  on 
handing  over  command,  published  the  following  order  : — 

Special  Orders. 
16th/5th  Lancers. 
Saturday.  Cairo.  January  17th,  192.5. 

On  handing  over  command,  I  desire  to  tender  to  all  ranks  my  apprecia- 
tion of  their  work,  and  my  thanks  for  the  splendid  way  in  wiiich  I  have 
been  supported. 


134 

1  am  cuiilidL-iil  lliaL  llie  present  excelleiil  s[)iril  and  discipline,  boll]  in 
work  and  play,  and  your  fine  reputation,  will  be  maintained. 

I  shall  always  be  interested  to  hear  of  yom-  doings,  and  to  see  anyone 
belonging  to  the  llegiment. 

I  wish  Lieut. -Colonel  Brooke  and  the  iteginiciil  ihe  best  of  luck  in  the 
future. 

Sd.,  H.  C.  L.  Howard,  Lieut. -Col., 

Commanding  16th/5th  Lancers. 


APPENDIX   TO   CHAPTER   XLIV. 
Polo. 

The  question  as  regai'ds  ponies  on  ihe  arrival  of  the  Kegiment  in  India  was 
a  difficult  one,  and  practically  all  the  best  tournament  ponies  were  pre-war 
and  consequently  on  the  old  side.  During  the  war,  naturally,  very  few  ponies 
had  been  made. 

The  Kegiment,  like  most  others,  had  very  few  players  with  any  experience. 
The  cost  of  these  tournament  ponies  was  very  high,  and  if  they  had  been 
bought  it  would  have  meant  that  by  the  time  a  team  was  really  got  going  the 
ponies  would  be  too  old.  As  many  old  beginners'  ponies  as  could  be  found 
were  bought,  but  they  were  not  very  plentiful.  A  number  of  green  ponies 
were  bought  and  trained,  but  here  again  there  were  few  people  available  with 
sufficient  experience  to  train  them. 

However,  the  Polo  Club  was  started  again  and  a  stud  of  ponies  got  together, 
either  old  beginners'  ponies  or  green  ones. 

By  the  time  the  Regiment  left  India  in  i'J'2I  a  fair  number  of  very  good 
ponies  had  been  trained  and  the  best  were  taken  on  to  Egypt. 

The  Club  was  wound  up  early  in  1924,  and  on  balancing  the  accounts  it  was 
found  that  the  total  loss  in  capital  was  only  £80  ;  this  result,  considering  that 
the  club  had  to  be  wound  up  at  an  unsatisfactory  time,  i.e.,  before  some  of 
the  young  ponies  had  been  fully  made,  was  very  satisfactory. 

For  the  smaller  tournaments  which  took  place  in  various  places  before 
Christmas  the  policy  w'as  to  try  to  make  up  as  many  teams  as  possible,  so  as 
to  give  the  young  players  a  chance  of  gaining  tournament  experience. 

In  Xovend)er,  19'2-2,  the  Regiment  won  the  first  tournament  since  arrival 
in  India,  this  being  the  Royal  Dragoons'  Cup  in  the  Lucknow  Autiunn 
Handicap. 

At  Christmas,  19'22,  a  team  went  to  Calcutta.  This  team  consisted  of 
Captains  Pilkington  and  Moubray  and  Lieut. -Colonels  Brooke  and  How-ard. 
In  the  Ezra  Handicap  Tournament  this  team  was  beaten  in  the  third  round 
by  the  Queen's  Bays  (receiving  four  goals)  by  six  goals  to  five. 

In  the  I. P. A.  Championship,  in  which  were  seven  entries,  the  Regiment 
beat  the  4th  Dragoons  in  the  first  round  by  nine  goals  to  two,  and  the  Queen's 
Bays  in  the  semi-finals  by  six  goals  to  four.  In  the  final  the  Regiment  was 
beaten  by  the  Viceroy's  Staff  by  three  goals  to  one,  after  a  very  good  game  ; 
the  Viceroy's  Staff  had  beaten  the  "  Tigers,"  consisting  of  three  Patiala 
players  with  a  handicap  of  nine  each,  and  Count  de  Madre  in  the  semi-final 
bv  eight  goals  to  four. 


135 

For  ihe  ('awnpuic  Tournaiiiciil  in  Jauuai},  JU'jy,  the  Kegiiiient  entered 
three  teams,  and  the  subaherns,  consisting  of  JMessrs.  W'adham,  Bailey, 
Tomkin  and  Cox-Cox,  were  beaten  in  the  final  by  the  15th  Jiancers. 

Later  in  January,  1923,  the  Regiment  won  the  15th  Hussar  Cup  in  (he 
Lucknow  Tournament. 

At  Meerut  in  the  Inter- Kegniiental  Tournauiciit  tlie  lieginient  was  defeated 
by  the  P.A.V.O.  in  the  tirst  round.  The  team  consisted  of  Mr.  Bailey, 
Captains  Moubray  and  Macintyre,  and  Lieut. -Colonel  Brooke. 

In  the  Subalterns'  Cup  the  subalterns  were  defeated  in  the;  sc^mi-final  l)y 
Hodson's  Horse. 

In  November,  1U'J3,  for  the  Royal  Dragoons'  Cup  at  Lu(;know,  two  learns 
of  the  Regiment  reached  the  final,  one  team  consisting  of  Messrs.  Bailey, 
Wadhara  and  Tomkin,  and  Captain  Biggs,  and  defeating  the  other  team  con- 
sisting of  Captains  Pilkington  and  Browne,  Major  Horn,  a,nd  Lieut. -Colonel 
Howard  after  extra  time.  In  this  tournament  the  Connnander-in-Chief, 
General  the  Lord  Rawlinson,  G.C.B.,  G.C.S.I.,  G.C.V.O.,  K.C.M.G., 
brought  his  team  to  play,  but  they  were  beaten  by  the  eventual  winners. 

At  Christmas  two  teams  went  to  Calcutta,  one  entering  for  the  I. P. A. 
Championship  and  both  for  the  Ezra  Handicap  Tournament.  The  team  was 
defeated  in  the  I. P. A.  in  the  first  round  by  the  Viceroy's  Staff,  who  eventually 
won  the  tournament.  This  team  consisted  of  Captains  Biggs  and  Pilkington, 
Mr.  Bailey  and  Lieut. -Colonel  Howard.  The  other  team,  consisting  of  Messrs. 
Cox-Cox  and  Tomkin,  Captain  Nicholson  and  Major  Horn,  won  the  Ezra  Cup. 

In  January,  1924,  the  Regiment  won  the  Cawnpore  Tournament,  the  team 
consisting  of  Messrs.  Bailey  and  Johnston,  Captains  Pilkington  and  Browne. 

For  the  15th  Hussar  Cup  in  January  at  Lucknow,  the  Regimental  team, 
consisting  of  Messrs.  Bailey,  Tomkin,  Cox-Cox,  and  Lieut. -Colonel  Howard, 
were  beaten  in  the  final  by  the  4th  Hussars.  Two  extra  chukkas  had  to  be 
played,  and  it  was  not  until  just  at  the  end  of  the  second  that  the  4th  Hussars 
got  away  and  scored  a  goal  ;  our  team  had  at  least  ten  shots  at  the  4th  Hussars' 
goal,  but  without  any  success. 

This  ended  the  Polo  in  India  as  far  as  the  Regiment  was  concerned. 

From  a  beginning  of  practically  nothing  the  polo  ponies  had  been  gradually 
improving,  and  the  re.sult  of  the  past  season  was — three  tournaments  won  and 
the  team  just  l)eaten  in  the  final  of  the  4th.  As  in  these  four  tournaments  the 
finalist  teams  composed  12  different  ])layers,  the  results  can  l)e  considered  as 
satisfactory,  and  if  the  Regiment  had  remained  in  India  for  a  longer  period 
there  is  no  reason  why  the  results  should  not  have  improved. 

The  first  tournament  after  arrival  in  Egypt  was  the  Alexandria  Summer 
Tournament  in  June.  This  tournament  consisted  of  an  open  cup,  which  was 
won  by  the  R.H.A.,  and  a  Handicap  Tournament  in  two  divisions,  "A"' 
Division  being  won  by  the  R.H.A.,  and  the  runners-up  being  the  Regimental 
team  consisting  of  Messrs.  Wadham,  Bailey,  Captain  Pilkington  and  Lieut. - 
Colonel  Howard. 

The  Alexandria  Autumn  Handicap  Tournament  in  September  was  won  by 
the  Regimental  team,  consisting  of  Mr.  Tomkin,  Captain  Pilkington,  Major 
Horn  and  Lieut. -Colonel  Howard. 

The  first  tournament  in  Cairo  was  that  for  the  Yousory  Cup  ;  teams  limited 
to  a  handicap  of  not  more  than  eight.  In  this  tournament  two  Regimental 
teams  reached  the  final,  Mr.  Moon,  Captain  Pilkington,  Major  Horn  and 
Lieut. -Colonel  Howard  defeating  Mr.  Jephson,  Mr.  Bailey,  Mr.  Tomkin  and 
Mr.   Cox-Cox   in  the  final  after  exti'a  time.     This  match  was  practically  the 


136 

same  as  that  played  at  Lucknow  the  year  previous,  with  thicc  players  diil'erent, 
and  the  result  was  just  the  reverse. 

For  the  Public  Schools  Tournament  in  November,  the  ()kl  Etonians,  Mr. 
Tomkin,  Captain  Pilkington,  Lieut. -Colonel  Howard,  with  Major  Curtis 
(K.E.R.),  defeated  I  lie  Old  Harrovians  in  the  final,  5 — 4  (the  Old  Etonians 
received  four  goals). 


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APPENDIX    I. 

The  Officers  of  ■i-ni:  1;i:(.i.ment. 
Continued  from  Vol.  I.     I'JLl  to  1925. 

L. — The  Colo.nels. 
II. — Roll  of  the  Lieut. -Coloxels  Commanding. 
III. — The  Annual  Army  Lists,  1911  to  1925. 
IV. — Nominal  Roll  of  the  Officers,  1911  to  1925. 

Colonel  oi''  the  Regiment. 

BABINCTON,  James  Melville,   K.C.B.,   K.C.M.C.,   Lieut. -General.     (Continued  from  Vol. 

I.)  Served  in  the  uar  with  (ifiiuaiiy,  liH4  to  1!J18,  in  coniniand  of  the  23rd  Division 
from  September,  li)14,  to  October,  I'J18,  being  promoted  Major-General  and  restored 
to  the  Active  List  for  Service  in  the  l""ield.  Served  in  Italy  October,  1918,  to  January, 
1919,  in  command  of  the  XIV.  Corps.  Was  present  at  the  decisive  Battle  on  the 
Piave  when  the  Austrians  were  finally  defeated,  where  his  suggestion  of  the  occupation 
of  the  Island  Grave  di  Papadopoli.  carried  out  by  troops  under  his  command,  materially 
contributed  to  the  victory.  Commanded  the  British  Army  in  Italy  from  .January. 
1919,  until  demobilisation  in  March,  1919.  Lieut. -General  1919.  Eight  times  mentioned 
in  despatches.  K.C.B.,  K.C.M.G.,  Commander  Legion  of  Honour  and  Croix  de  Guerre 
(France),  Military  Order  of  Savoy  1st  Class  and  Croce  di  Guerra  (Italy),  1914  Star, 
War  Medal  and  Victory  Medal. 

LlEI'T.-CciLONELS    COMMANDING. 

COUCH,  Sir  Hubert  de  La  Poer,  Lieut. -General,  C.C.M.C,  K.C.B. ,  K.C.V.O. ;  Lieut. - 
Colonel  Commanding  Regiment,  1906 — 1911.  (Continued  from  Vol.  I.,  p.  2.53.)  Com- 
manding 3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  in  Irehuul  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war  with  Germany  in 
August,  1914.  Ser\ed  in  France  and  Flanders,  Augu.st,  1914,  to  April,  1918.  (jom- 
manded  3rd  Cavalry  Brigade  at  the  Battles  of  Mons  and  Le  Cateau  and  the  subsequent 
Retreat.  Commanded  2nd  Cavalry  Division,  September,  1914,  to  April,  1915.  Present 
at  the  Battles  of  the  Marne  and  Aisne  and  the  capture  of  Mont  des  Cats.  Commanded 
7th  Infantry  Division,  April,  1915,  to  August,  1915.  Present  at  the  Battle  of  Festubert, 
May  17th,  where  his  division  broke  the  German  lines.  Commanded  1st  Army  Corps, 
August,  1915,  to  April,  1916.  Present  at  the  Battle  of  Loos,  September,  1915.  Com- 
manded the  5th  Army,  April.  1916,  to  April,  1918.  \\  ith  5th  Armv  at  first  Battle 
of  the  Somme,  July  1st  to  Xovember  18th,  1916,  the  third  Battle  of  "Vpres,  July  7tli, 
1917.  and  the  Battle  of  Cand)rai,  November  20th.  Comnmnded  the  5th  Army  at  the 
second  Battle  of  the  Somme,  March  and  April,  1918.  Promoted  firstly  Major-General 
and  secondly   Lieut. -General,   for  Distinguished  Service  in  the   Field.' 

Ten  times  mentioned  in  despatches,  C.B.  1914,  K.C.B.  1915,  K.C.V  O  1917 
G.C.M.G.  May,  1919;  1914  Star  with  Bar,  War  Medal,  Victory  Medal  with  Palm, 
French  Croix  de  (iuerre,  Belgian  Croix  de  (luerre  and  Order  of '  Leopold  2nci  Class, 
\\  bite  Eagle  with  Swords,  Order  of  the  Sword  1st  Class  (Sweden). 
MacEWEN,  Maurice  Lilburn,  C.B.,  Brigadier-General;  Lieut. -Colonel  commanding  Regi- 
ment, 1910  to  1914.  (Continued  from  Vol.  I.,  p.  253.)  Served  in  command  in  the  war 
with  Germany,  1914.  Present  at  the  Battles  of  Mons  and  Le  Cateau,  where  he  was 
severely  wounded,  being  incapacitated  for  further  service  iu  the  field.  Mentioned  in 
despatches.  Legion  of  Honour,   1914  Star  and  Clasp,  War  Meclal,  Victory  Medal. 

Employed  during  the  remainder  of  the  war  in  command  of  three  .several  Brigades. 
While  in  cominaiid  of  the  Thames  and  Medway  Brigade  at  Chatham  trained  the 
detadinients  from  the  Battle  and  Ci  uiser  Fleets  and  reliearsed  operations  for  the 
landing  at  Zeebrugge.  Retired  pay  1918,  with  rank  of  Brigadier-General.  Three  times 
mentioned  in  despatches,  C.B.,  Commander  Legion  of  Honour  (France),  Cabalero 
Military  Merit  and  of  the  Order  of  Isabella  Catholica   (Spain). 

With  regard  to  the  operations  at  Zeebrugge  the  following  extract  from  the 
Despatch,  ]May  9th,  1918,  of  Vice-Admiral  Keyes,  commanding  Dover  Patrol  shows 
the  value  of  General  MacEwen's  services  :  — 

"  To  Brigadier-General  MacEwen  and  his  staff  at  Chatham,  who  supervised  the 
training  of  the  officers  and  men  from  the  Grand  Fleet  as  if  for  the  Royal 
Xaval  Division  in  France,  is  due  much  of  the  credit  for  the  success,  which 
resulted  in  great  part  from  their  whole-hearted  co-operation." 


138 

tCCLES.    Cuthbert,    John,    D.S.O.;    LiLHit.-Coloiifl   commanding   the   Regiment     1914    to 

1918  Son  of  Major-tJeiuTal  Ciithbeit  Kccles ;  lioi  ii  1870.  Gazetted  Second  Lieutenant 
16tli' Lancers  1894,  Lieutenant  1S96,  Captain  1891),  Major  1909,  Lieut. -Colonel  to  com- 
mand vice  MacEwen  1914.  Served  in  France  and  Uander.s  in  the  war  with  Gennan.y, 
1914  to  31st  December,  1917.  Lieut. -Colonel  Kccles  was  twice  wounded,  firstly  in 
Xovemher  1914,  when  he  wa.s  .severely  wounded  in  the  foot.  Secondly  on  the  24th 
May  1915  at  the  Sally  Port  at  Ypres,  when  he  wa.s  again  severely  wounded  in  the 
side  and  hack.  He  rejoined  October  1st  the  same  year,  but  was  again  invalided  to 
Kngland  in  March,  1917.  He  rejoined  in  April,  but  he  never  fully  recovered  from  the 
effects  of  the  wounds,  and  in  December  he  was  jilaccd  on  the  sick  list  and  was  finally 
invali<lctl  out  of  the  Service  in  December.  1918.  He  died  on  the  10th  January,  1922. 
I)  SO  1914  Star,  War  .Medal,  \'i(tory  Medal. 
HARRIS-ST.  JOHN,  Charles  Edward  St.  John,  D.S.O.;  Lieut-Colonel  commanding  the 
Re<>-iment  1918  to  1921.  Son  of  Charles  Edward  Harris-St.  John  of  West  Court, 
Fim-hampstead  :  born  1873.  Gazetted  Second  Lieutenant  16th  Lancers  1895,  Lieutenant 
1899  Captain  and  Adjutant  1902,  Major  1910,  Lieut. -Colonel  to  command  vice  Kccles, 
1918!  Served  with  the  Regiment  in  the  lioer  War,  South  Africa,  1899  to  1902. 
D  S  O  Queen's  Medal  with  five  clasps.  King's  Medal  with  two  clasps.  Served 
in  France!  with  the  Regiment  February  to  April,  1915.  Invalided  home  Aprd,  1915. 
Served  again  in  France  as  Assistant  Military  Secretary  5tli  Army  July,  1916,  to  April, 
1918,  and  4th  Army  to  May,  1918.  Attached  Staff  9th  Corps  May,  1918,  to  July,  1918, 
being  present  at  tlie  third  Battle  of  the  Aisne.  ,,    ,  ,       •  ,     ^  ,  ,     i- 

Mentioned  in  despatches,  1914  Star.  War  Medal,  ^  ictory  Medal  with  Oakleat. 
Holds  also  the  Order  of  Military  Merit  of  Spain.  Commanded  the  Regiment  in  Syria 
and    Palestine    June,    1919,   to  June  20th,    1920.        Retired  on   account   of   ill-health 

HOWARD,'  Henry  Cecil  Lloyd;  Lieut.-Colonel  commanding  the  Regiment  1921  to  1925. 
Son  of  Colonel  Henry  R.  Lloyd  Howard,  C.B.,  formerly  Major  16th  Lancers,  of 
Wytrfair  St  Asaph  N".  Wales.  Born  1882.  Gazetted  Second  Lieutenant  16th  Lancers 
190f,  Lieutenant  1902.  Adjutant  1906,  Captain  1914,  Bvt. -Major  1916,  Major  1918, 
Bvt  -Lt  -Col  1918,  Lt. -Colonel  to  command  \  ice  Harns-St.  John,  retired,  1921.  Colonel 
1922.  i'assed  Staff  College  1911.  On  War  Office  Staff  1913  to  1914.  Served  in  Boer 
War,  South  Africa,  with  the  Regiment  ^lay,  1901,  to  May,  1902.  Queen's  Medal^with 
four'cla.sps.  Served  in  war  with  Germany  in  France  and  Belgium  1914  to  1917,  on 
Cavalrv  Corps  Staff,  and  in  Italy  as  G.S'.O.  48th  Division  1917  to  1918.  AVounded 
November,  1919.  Nine  times  mentioned  in  despatches,  D.S.O.  and  bar  for  Conspicuous 
Gallantry  at  Messines  ;  C.M.G.  1919,  Croce  di  Guerra  and  Croix  d'  Officier  Crown  of 
Italy,  1914  Star,  War  Medal,  Victory  Medal. 

A.A.G    G.H.Q.  Great  Britain  February,  1919.  G.S.O.  1st  Cavalry  Division  Army  of 
Rhine  May  to  August,  1919,  and  to  British  Military  Mission.  Constantinople,  August, 

1919,  to  Aju-il,  1920.  To  command  Regiment  January,  1921,  vice  St.  John,  retired. 
Colonel  1922.     To  half-pay  1925.     Asst. -Commandant  R.M.C.,  Sandhurst,  Sept.,  1925. 

BROOKE,  Ceoffry,  F.  H.,  OiS.O.,  M.C.;  Lieut.-Colonel  commanding  the  Regiment  1925. 
Stm  of  John  Monck  Brooke,  of  Elm  Green,  co.  Dublin,  Ireland.  Born  1884.  Gazetted 
Second  Lieutenant  16th  Lancers  1903.  Lieut. -Captain  1914,  Brevet-Major  1917,  Major 

1920,  Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel  1919,  Lieut.-Colonel  to  command  vice  Howard  to  half-pay 
1925.  Served  in  France  and  Flanders  through  the  war  with  Germany.  Staff  Captain 
3rd  Cavalrv  Brigade  1914.  Brigade-Major  2nd  Cavalry  Brigade  1915,  Brigadf^Major 
Canadian  Cavalry  Brigade  1918.  Commanded  16th  Lancers  March.  1918.  to  March, 
1919,  in  the  field,  being  in  command  during  the  severe  fighting  at  Moreuil  in  front  of 
Amiens  at  the  close  of  the  second  Battle  of  the  Somme. 

Five  times  mentioned  in  despatches.  Brevets  of  Major  and  Lieut.-Colonel,  D.S.O. 
with  clasp,  M.C.,  French  Croix  de  Guerre,  1914  Star,  Victory  Medal,  and  War  Medal. 
Passed  Staff  College  1920,  Chief  Instructor  Cavalry,  Weedon,  1923. 


1.39 


LIST  oi'  TiiK  ()Fi'ic;i<;i;.s  ok 


I'UIIMENT. 


The  following  Rolls  of  the  Offirers  have  hcoii  coiiipilocl  liom  the  riunithl.v  Armv  Lists,  and 
are  not  actual  copies  of  them.  Cure  has  hecn  taken  to  <'iisiii-e  accui-acy  as  far  as  possiljlc,  hut 
the  official  Lists  issued  during  the  wai-  are  not  always  correct  as  to  <Iales  and  full  Christian 
names.  The  dates  after  the  names  f^ivi 
are  not  repeated. 

The  full  Christian  names,  where  they 
to  the  Regiment. 

The  letters  given  after  the  names  have  the  following  meanings  :  - 
I).,  Depot;  S.S.,  Signal  Service;  R.C.,  Reserve  R^-giment  of  Cavalry;  M.G.',  employed  wi'tli 
Machine  Gun  CorpD  ;  C.C.,  Divisional  Cyclst  Corps;  T.C.,  employe<rw  ith  'J'ank  Corps;  K.C., 
serving  under  Air  Ministry;  CO.,  .s<'rving  under  Colonial  Office;  F.O.,  serving  under 
Foreign  Office. 


the  date  of  promotion  to  the  rank  then  held,   and 
can   he  ascertained,  are  given  on  lirst  ap])ointment 
-S.,  Staff;  v.,  Yeomanry; 


1911-12. 

CoIonel-in-Chiet. 

H.M.  Alfonso  XIII..  King 
of  Spain.  K.G..  G.C.V.O., 
Gen. 

Colonel.  c^olonel. 

J.    IVI.    Babington,   C.B.,         j  .T.   M.   Babington.  C.B., 
C.M.G..   Hon.  Maj.-Gen.  '         C'.M.G.,  Hon.  Maj.-Gon. 


1912-13. 

<.'olonoI-in-Cliiff. 

H.M.  Alfonso  XIII..  King 
of  Spain,  K.G..  G.C.V.O., 
Gen. 


Lieut.-Colonel. 

Lieut.-Colonel. 

M 

L.   .MacEwen 
-Major.-i. 

1910 

M 

L,    MaoEwen 
Major?. 

R. 

L.    Macalpine-Len\ 

K. 

L.    Macalpine-Leny 

C. 

.1.    Eccles 

C. 

J.  Eccles 

C. 

L.   K.  Campbell 

C. 

L.  K.  Campbell 

C. 

E.  St..T.  Harris-St.  John, 

C. 

E.  St..T.  Harris-St.  .lohi 

D.S.O.. 

1910 

D.S.C 

Captains. 

Captains. 

C. 

F.    Vanderbyl 

A. 

Neave 

A. 

Neave 

G. 

E.    Bellville 

G. 

E.   Hpllvllle 

A. 

W.    Macarthiir-Onslow 

A. 

W.    Macarthur-Onslow 

F. 

E.  Adams 

F. 

E.   Adams 

Lieutenants. 

Lieutenants. 

W 

.1.  Shannon 

W 

.T.  Shannon 

H. 

C.   L.   Howard 

H. 

C.    L.    Howard 

G. 

D.  Hall.  S. 

H. 

A.    Reddle 

E 

H.  L.  Beddington 

G. 

D.    Hall,    S. 

G. 

P.   H.   Brooke,   S. 

E. 

H.    L.    Beddington 

,T. 

Orr-Ewing,   Y. 

G. 

F.  H.  Brooke.  S. 

M 

Graham.   Y. 

.7. 

Orr-Ewing.   Y. 

E. 

Copland-Grlffitlis 

M 

Graham.   Adit, 

E. 

R.   Nash 

E. 

Copland-GrifRths 

r.o 

rd    Holmpatrick.    Adjt. 

E. 

K.    Nash 

.1. 

L.  Cheyne 

Lord   Holmpatrick 

T, 

L.    Horn 

J. 

L.    riievne 

H. 

L.   Evans  D. 

T. 

L.   Horn 

R. 

A.  .T.  Beech 

H. 

L.    Evans 

C. 

E.   II.  Tempest-Hicks 

R. 

A.  J.   Beech 

Second-Lieutenants. 

C.    E.    H.    Tempest-Hicks 
M.    Daffarn 

Robert  Lindsay  Loyd    1911 
David   Ronald   Cross 
,Tohn  George  Walters  Clark 


Second-Lieutenants. 

R.  L.  Loyd 

D.   R.   Cross 

Reginald  George   Reyo- 

nalds  Davies,  1911 
John  George  Walters  Clark 


Specul  Reservk. 

Second-Lieutenants, 

R.    B.   Longridge 
W.  M.   Macneill 
M.    A.   Arbuthnut 
J.   R.   Collins 

Quarter-Master. 
C.  J.   Aris 


Specul  Reserve. 
Second-Lieutenants. 
R.  B.  Longridge 
W.   M.  Macneill 
M.  A.   Arbuthnot 
J.   R.  Collins 
1911     E.    H.    Barchiv 


Quarter-Master. 
C.   J.  Aris 


I9i3-ia. 

Colonel-iu-Cliief. 

H.M.  Alfonso  XIII.,  King 
of  Spain.  K.G..  G.C.V.O., 
Gen. 

Colonel, 

J.   M.    Babington,    C.B.. 
C.M.G.,  Hon.  Maj.-Gen. 

Lieut.-Colonel. 
M.    L.    MacEvven 

Majors, 

R.   L.   Macalpine-Leny 
C.  J.   Eccles 
C.  L.  K.  Campbell 
C.  E.  St.J.  Harris-St.  John. 
D.S.O. 
Captains. 

A.   Neave 

G.   E.   Bellville 

F,  E.    Adams 

W.    J.    Shannon.    Adjt. 
H.  C.  L.  Howard 
E    H.  L  Beddington,  S. 
Bertram    Douglas 

Macculloch 

Lieutenants. 

G.  F.  H.  Brooke,  S. 
M.   Graham,   Y. 

E.   Copland-Griffiths,   Y. 

E.   R.   Nash 

T.    L.   Cheyne 

T.   L.   Horn 

H.    L.   Evans 

R.    A.   J.    Beech 

C.  E.  H.   Tempest-Hicks 
R.  L.  Lovd.   S.S. 

D.  R.    Cross 

R.  G.   R.   Davies 
J.  G.  W.  Clark 

Second-Lieutenants. 

John    Eric    Russell    Allen 
fjionel  Chas.  Ramsbottom- 
Isherwood 
Richard  Rees  Davies    1915 
Frank   Thornton 
Robert   Moubray 
James   Bernard   Browne 
Terence    Donough   O'Brien 
Richard   Nigel    Percival- 

Maxwell 
George   Douglas   Callander 
Oswald  Ernold  Mosley 
C.  J.  Aris.   D.S.O. 
William  Warburton  Hayes 

Attached. 
A.    C.    Stewart 
James  Gourlie 


SPEciAi,  Reserve. 

Captains. 

(1    Hutton-Riddell,  M.V.O. 
C.    M.    Dixon 

Lieutenants. 

Lord  Holmpatrick 

A.   E.   K.   Henderson,   D. 

N.    W.    R.    King 

Second-Lieutenants. 
R.   B.   Ix)ngridge 
M.   A.  Arbuthnot 
A.  P.  Mead,  on  prob. 
C.   V.  Carlisle,  on   prob. 
Wm.    Meville    Codrington, 

on  prob. 
O.   C.   Skinner,  on   prob. 
C.  M.  Patrick,  on  prob. 
A.  C.  M.   Pym,  on  prob. 
R.    G.    U.    Arbuthnot, 

on  prob. 
Lord  Wodehouse.  on  prob. 
H.   P.   Conwav.  on   prob. 
F.   de   F.    England. 

on  prob. 


140 

List  of  Officers. 


Colonel-ln-Chlef. 

H.M.  Alfonso  XIII.,  King 
of  Spain,  K.G..  G.C.V.O., 
Gen. 

Colonel. 
J.   M.    Babington,  C.B., 
C.M.G.,    Hon.     Maj.-Gen. 
(temp.   Maj.-Gen.) 

Lieut. -Colonels. 

M.  L.  MacEwen,  Col.,  1914 
■C.  J.  Eccles,  D.S.O. 

Majors. 

R.   L.    Macalpine-Leny,   S. 

C.   L.  K.  Campbell 
(temp.   Lt.-Col.)    (Bt.-Lt.- 
Col.)    (temp.    Brlg.-Gen.) 

C.  E.  St.J.  Harrls-St.  John, 
D.S.O. 

A.  Neave  1914 

W.  J.   Shannon,   Adjt.  1915 


Captains. 

G.  E    Bellville 

H.   C.  L.   Howard,   S. 

E.  H.   L.   Beddington, 

B.  D.  Macculloch 

•G.  F.  H.  Broolie 

M.   Graham 

E.   Copland-Griffiths 

E.   R.   Nash 

J.  L.  Cheyne 

T.  L.  Horn 

H.   L.    Evans 


1914 

S. 

1914 


R.    A. 

€.  E. 

R.    L. 

D.  R. 
R.  G. 
J.  G. 
€.   J. 

E.  G. 
John 
L.  C. 

R.  R. 
W.  M 


Lieutenants. 

J.    Beech 
H.  Tempest-Hicks, 

S.S. 
Loyd,    S.S. 
Cross 

R.   Davies  1914 

W.  Clark 

Aris,   D.S.O.,  S.      ,. 
Case,  R.  of  O. 
E.  R.   Allen 
Ramsbottom- 

Isherwood,   D.    ,, 
Davies  1915 

Codrington,   D.     ,, 


Second-Lieutenants. 

Frank  Thornton,  R.C.  1914 

Lord  Wodehouse,  S.         „ 

R.   Moubray  ,, 

J.    B.    Browne  ,, 

T.    D.   O'Brien  „ 

R.  N.  Perclval-Maxwell  „ 

G.   D.   Callander 

C.   V.   Carlisle 

R.   G.  U.   Arbuthnot 

O.  E.  Mosley  ., 

W.   W.   Haves 

H.   C  Archer  „ 

Frederick  Pargeter  ,, 

Frank    Siblev    Allen 

Sibley,  R.C.    ,, 
W    M.  Reeves.  R.C.  „ 

H.   F.    Boles 

Lord   Killeen  ,, 

Ralph    Grandolph 

Hornvold,   S.     ,, 
Oeorge    C.    Barker,    R.C. 

1915 
<3.   T.   Brooke  „ 

John  Prosser 


R.   G.  U.   ArbulUnot      1915 
John  Stephen   Stephen, 

R.C.    „ 
John  Clement  Ryan 

(temp.)    „ 
Lord   Holmpatrick,   Adjt., 
Capt.   Spec.  Res.    1914 

Attached. 

A.  C.   Stewart,  Maj. 

J.   Gourlie,   Capt. 

W    A.  K.  Fraser,  Capt. 

J.  Leslie,  Lieut. 

G.   H.   Rhodes   (temp.   Lt.) 

John    O.    MacBravne 

(temp.   2nd-Lt.)     1914 

J.  J.  Ryan  (temp.  2nd-Lt.) 

1914 


Special  Reserve. 
Captains. 

G.   Hutton-Riddell,   M.V.O. 

1914 
C.    M.    Dixon  „ 

Lord  Holmpatrick.  Adjt. 

1914 

Lieutenants. 

n.  B.  Longridge  R.C. 
M.   A.   Arbuthnot.   S.     1914 
A.  E.  K.  Henderson,  D.  ,, 
N.   W.   R.   King,  D. 

Second-Lieutenants. 

A.  P.  Mead,  R.C.  1914 

C    V.   Carlisle 

O.   C.    Skinner,   R.C. 

C.   M.    Patrick,   R.C. 

A.  C.  M.  Pym,  S. 

H.    P.   Conway.   R.C. 
I  F.   de   F.    England    (on 
I  prob.).   R.C.     ,. 

F.  St.  L.  Greer  (on  prob.) 
1915 
:  G    T.   Brooke 

1).  G.  Greig  (on  prob.), 
R.C.    ,. 

Quarter-Master. 

.1    McConnell.  Hon.  Lt. 

1914 


Colonel-in-Chiet. 

H.M.  Alfonso  XIII.,  King 
of  Spain,  K.G.,  G.C.V.O., 
Gen. 

Colonel. 

J.    M.    Babington,   C.B., 
C.M.G.,     Hon.     Maj.-Gen. 
(temp.   Maj.-Gen.) 

Lieut. -Colonels. 
M.  L.   MacEwen 
C.  J.   Eccles,  D.S.O. 

Majors. 

R.    L.    Macalpine-Leny,    S. 
C.  L.  K.  Campbell  (temp. 

Lt.-Col),    Bt.-Col.    (temp. 

Brig.-Gen.) 
C.  E.  ,St.J.  Harris-St.  John, 
D.S.O.,  S. 
W.  .1.   Shannon,  D.S.O. 

Captains. 

G    E.    Bellville 

H    C.  L.  Howard,  Bt.-Maj. 

E.    H.    L.    Beddington, 

Bt.-Maj. 
G    F.    H.    Brooke,   M.C. 
M.  Graham,   S. 

E.  Copland-Griffiths 
J.    L.    Chevne 

T.  L.   Horn 

H.    L.   Evans   (temp.  Maj.) 

('.    E.    H.    Tempest-Hicks, 

M.C.    1916 

Lieutenants. 

R.  L.   Loyd,  M.C,   S.S. 
R.    G.    K.    Davies,    M.G. 
J.  G.  W.  Clark,  S. 
C.   J.   Aris,    D.S.O.,   S. 
J.   E.  R.   Allen 
L.  C.  Ramsbottom- 

Ishervvood,   S. 
R.   R.   Davies 
W.   M.  Codrington,  S.S. 

F.  Thornton  1915 
Lord  Wodehouse,  S.         ,, 
It.    Moubrav  „ 
J.    B.    Brow'ne                  1916 
R     N.    Percival-Maxwell 

1916 

G.  D.  Callander 
A.  P.   Mead 

C.  V.   Carlisle 
O.   E.   Mosley 

W.   W.   Hayes,  R.C. 

Second-Lieutenants. 

F.   de   F.   England 
H.   C.    Archer 
F.    Pargeter 

F.  S.    A.    Sibley    (temp. 

Lieut.) 
R.  G.  Hornvold  (temp.)  S. 
G    C.    Barker,   R.C. 

G.  T.   Brooke 
.T.    Prosser 

R.   G.   U.   Arbuthnot.   M.G. 

J.   S.   Stephen 

J.  C.   Rvan   (temp.) 

D.  G.    Greig 

Eric    Seymour    Tliewlis 

Johnson    1916 

Arthur  William   Milborne- 

Swinnerton-Pilkington, 

R.C.    1916 

C.   M.   Patrick 


Claude  Nicholson,  R.C. 

1916 
Gordon    Gerard    Cox-Cox, 
R.C.    1916 
Francis   Noakes  ,, 

Hon.   Edward   Wodehouse, 
R.C.    1916 
Stuart   Maxwell   Deans, 

R.C.    „ 
Geoffrey    Robert    .Martin- 
Holland,    K.C.    1916 
Lord    Holmpatrick,     M.C, 
Adjt.,  Capt.   Spec.  Res. 

Attached. 

J.  Gourlie,  Capt. 

W.   A.  K.   Fraser,  M.C, 

Capt. 
J.   H.   Robertson    (temp. 

Lieut.)    1914 
J.   J.   Ryan    (temp.   2nd- 

Lieut.) 
C.    M.    Lazenby    (temp. 

2nd-Lieut.)    1915 


Special  Reserve. 
Captains. 
G.    Hutton-Riddell, 

M.V.O.,   S. 

C.  M.   Dixon 

Lord    Holmpatrick,    M.C, 
Adjt. 

Lieutenants. 

R.   B.   Longridge,   S. 

M.  A.   Arbuthnot,   S. 

A.  E.  K.  Henderson,  D. 

A.  P.  Mead  1916 

C   V.    Carlisle 

O.   C.   Skinner,   R.C. 

A.  C.  M.  Pym,  S. 

Second-Lieutenants. 

H.  P.  Conway,  C.C. 

F.  de  F.   England 

G.  T.   Brooke' 

D.  G.   Greig 

Quarter-Master. 
J.  McConnell.   Hon.  Lt. 


141 

List  ok  Offickks. 


Colonel-in-Chief. 

H.M.  Alfonso  XIII..  King 
of  Spain,  KG.,  G.C.V.O., 
Gen. 

Colonel. 

Sir  J.   M.   Babington, 

K.C.M.G.,    C.B..    Maj.- 
Gen.,  S. 

Lieut. -Colonel. 
C.  J.  Eccles,   D.S.O. 

Majors. 

R.   L.    Macalpine-Leny 

C.  L.   K.  Campbell   (temp. 

Lt.-Col.),   Bt.-Col.    (temp. 

Brig. -Gen.) 

C.   E.    St.J.  Harris-St.  .John, 

D.S.O. 

W    ,1.   Shannon,   D.S.O.,   S. 

Captains. 

G.   E.    Bellville 
H.    C.    L.    Howard,    D.S.O., 
Bt.-Maj. 
E.    H.    L.    Beddington, 

D.S.O.,    M.C.,   Bt.-Maj. 
G.   F.   H.    Brooke.   D.S.O., 
M.C. 
M.    Graham,    S. 

E.  Copland-Griffiths 
.1.  L.  Chevne.  M.C. 
T    L.  Horn 

H.   L.   Evans 
C.   E.   H.   Tempest-Hicks, 
M.C. 

Lieutenants. 

H.   L.   Lovd,   M.C,   S.S. 
R.  G.  R.   Davies,  M.G. 
,1.    G.   W.   Clark.   M.C,   S. 
C.  .1.  Aris,  D.S.O. 
J.  E.  R.  Allen  (Act.  Capt.) 
L.    C    Ramsbottom- 

Isherwood,   S. 
R.    R.    Davies,    Adjt.,    R.C 
1917 
W.  M.  Cndrington.  S.S. 

F.  Thornton 

Lord   Wodeliouse,   S. 

R.    Moubray 

T.   B.   Browne 

R.    N.    Percival-Maxwell 

G.  D.  Callender 
A.    P.    Mead,    M.G. 

C.  V.    Carlisle 

O.   E.    Mnsley    (Empld. 

Comd.    Depot) 
W.  W.  Haves 

F.   de  F.   England  1917 

H.  C   Archer 

Second-Lieutenants. 

F.    Pargeter 

F.  S.    A.    Sibley    (temp. 

Lieut.) 
R.  G.  Hornvold  (temp.),  S. 
<j.  C.   Barker 

G.  T.    Brooke 
.T.   Prosser 

R.  G.   U.   Arbutbnot.  M.G. 

.T.    S.    Stephen 

C  M.   Patrick 

.1.   C.  Ryan   (temp.),   R.C 

D.  G.   (jreig 

E.  S.  T.   .Johnson 
A.    W.    Milborne- 

Swinnerton-Pilkington 
C.   Nicholson 


G.   G.   Cox-Cox 

F.  Noakes 

Hon.    E.    Wodehouse 
S.    M.    Deans 

G.  R.    Martin-Holland 
Robert    Christmas    Hollis, 

.VI  .(i.    1916 
Fred    Sparkes,    CO.  ,. 

George   Albert  Collyer     ,, 
Guy   Campbell  Russell, 

R.C.    1917 
Gerald   Archibald   Drabble 

n.C.    1917 
Sir   .Tolin    Watson,    Bt., 

R.C.      ,. 
Richard   Carr  ,, 

Attached. 

W.   A.   K.   Eraser,  M.C, 

Capt. 
J.   H.   Robertson,   M.C, 

Lieut. 
J.    J.    Ryan    (temp.    2nd- 

Lieut.^ 
C   M.    Lazenby    (temp. 

2nd-Lieut.) 
A.   C   G.   Sparrow   (temp. 

2nd-Lieut.)    1916 

T.    F.    Arnott    (temp.    2nd- 

Lieut.)    1917 


Special  Reserve. 

Captains. 

G.    Hutton-Riddell, 

M.V.O.,    R.C. 
Lord   Holmpatrick,  M.C. 

Lieutenants. 

K.    B    Longridge.   R.C 
M.   A.  Arbuthnot,  M.C,  S. 
A    E.    K.    Henderson, 

Empld.    Comd.    Depot 
A.   P,   Mead,   M.G.  1916 

C    V.    Carlisle 
O.   C    Skinner,    S. 
A.    C.    M.   Pym,   S. 
F    de  F.   England.  R.C. 

1917 
E.   M.   Murrav 
G.  T.   Brooke' 
D    Cr.   Greig 

Second-Lieutenant. 
H.   P.   Conwav,  R.C   (attd. 
Oxf.  Yeo.)    1914 

(Juarter-Master. 

J.    McConnell,    Hon.    Capt. 
1917 


19I7-1S. 

Colonel-in-Chief. 
H.M.    Alfonso    ,X1II.,   King 
of  Spain,  KG.,  G.C.V.O., 
Gen. 

Colonel. 
Sir  .T.  M.  Babington, 

K.C.M.G.,    CB.    (temp. 
Lt.-Gen.),    S. 

Lieut. -Colonel. 
C    J.   Eccles,    D.S.O. 

Majors. 

R    L.   Macalpine-Leny, 

D.S.O.    (Spec.    Appt.) 

C    L.   K.   Campbell   (temp. 

Lt.-CoL),  Bt.-Col.   (temp. 

Brig. -Gen.) 

C  E.  St..r.  Harris-St.  John, 

D.S.O..  R.C. 

W.   ,T.    Shannon,  D.S.O.,  t.c. 

H.    C    L.    Howard,   D.S.O. 

1918 

Captains. 

G.    E.    Bellville    (0£fr. 

Cadet   Bn.),   S. 

E.  H.    L.    Beddington, 
D.S.O..  M.C   (Bt.-Col.).  S. 

G.   F.   H.    Brooke.   D.S.O., 
M.C    (Bt.-Maj.) 
M.    Graham,    D.S.O.    (Bt.- 
Maj.),   S. 
J.   L.   Cheyne,    M.C.    (Act.- 
Maj.) 
T    J.  Horn.  M.C. 
H.   L.    Evans,   M.C 
C    E.   H.   Tempest-Hicks, 
M.C. 

Lieutenants. 
K.   L.    Loyd,    M.C,   S.S. 
R.   G.    R.    Davies.   M.G. 
.'    G.  W.  Clark,  M.C,  S. 
C    J.    Aris,   D.S.O..   S. 
•T.  E    R.  Allen  (Act.  Capt.) 
L.    C.    Ramsbottom- 

I Sherwood,  S. 
R.  R.  Davies,  Adjt.,  R.C. 
W.   M.  Codrington,   S.S. 

F.  Thornton 

Lord  Wodehouse,  M.C,  S. 

R.-  Moubray 

.1-    B.    Browne 

R.    N.    Percival-Maxwell 

G.  D.   Callander    (Act. 

Capt.   &   Adjt.) 

0.  E.  Mosley    (Empld.  ) 

Min.   of  Munitions) 
W.  W.  Haves 
H.  C  Archer.   M.C. 

(Act.-Capt.) 
F    Pargeter.   M.C.  1917 

F.  8.    A.    Siblev    (Act. 
Capt.)   (OfTr.  Cadet  Bn.), 

1917 
R.    G.    Hornvold    (temp.), 
S.    1917 

G.  C   Barker 

R.   G.    U.    Arbuthnot. 

f.c.     „ 
.T.   Prosser  ,, 

1.  S.    .Stephen 
C   M.    Patrick 

E.    S.   T.   .lohnson 
A.    W.    Milborne-Swinner- 
ton-Pilklngton,  M.C.  1917 
C   Nicholson  1918 

G.  G.  Cox-Cox 


F.  Noakes  1918 
S.    M.    Deans  „ 
R.   C    Hollis,    M.C,    M.G 

1918 
F    Sparkes,  CO. 
a.   A.   Collyer 
G    A.    Drabble 

Second-Lieutenants. 
Hon.  E.  Wodehouse 

G.  R.    Martin-Holland 
G.   C   Russell,   R.C. 

Sir  .T.    Watson,   Bt.,   R.C. 
R.  Carr 

.Tames    Arthur   Macarthur- 
Onslow    1917 
.Tulien  .lames  A.  Miles    ,, 
K.  Collins,   R.C.  1918 


Speci.1L  Reserve. 

Captains. 

G.    Hutton-Riddell, 

M.V.O.,  R.C. 
Lord   Holmpatrick,    .M.C 
K.   M.   Murray  1917 

Lieutenants. 

R.    B.   Longridge,   i.e. 
il.   A.    Arbuthnot,   M.C, 

R.C. 
A.   E.    K.   Henderson,   R.C. 
A.    P.    Mead.    M.C.   M.G. 
C    V.   Carlisle 
O.  C  Skinner,  f.c. 
A.   C    M.    Pym 

F.  de  F.  England,  R.C. 

G.  T.    Brooke 

J.   C.   Ryan    (attd.    Res. 

Regt.  2nd   K.E.   Horse) 
D.  G.   Greig 

A.   C   K.   Lindsav-Stewart 
1917 

Second-Lieutenants. 

H.  P.  Conwav,  R.C.  (attd. 
Oxf.   Yeo.) 
O.   H.   Eustace-Duckett. 

R.C.    1918 

Quarter-Master. 
J.    McConnell,    Hon.    Capt. 


142 

List  of  Officers. 


1918-19. 

1919-20. 

1920-21. 

Colonel-in-Cliief. 

Second-Lieutenants. 

Colonel-in-Chief. 

Colcmel-in-Chief. 

H.M.    Alfonso   XIII..   King 

E. 

Collins 

H.M.    Alfonso   XIII.,   King 

H.M.   Alfonso    XIII..   King 

of  Spain.  KG..  Ci.C.V.O., 

G. 

D.   Callander,    Lt.    & 

of  .Spain,  K.G..  G.C.V.O., 

of  Spain,  K.G.,  G.C.V.O., 

Gen. 

Act.-Capt.,   Adit.    1918 

Gen. 

Gen. 

Richard    Maurice    Marter 

Colonel. 

1919 
Alfred   Lister   Leaf 

Colonel. 

Colonel. 

Sir   .1.    M.   Babington. 

Sir  J.   M.   Babington, 

Sir  J.    M.    Babington. 

K.C.M.G  ,   C.B„    Uon. 
Lt.-Gen. 

SPECIAL  RESERVE. 

Captains. 

K.C.B.,    K.C.M.G.,   Hon. 
Lt.-Gen. 

K.C.B.,    K.C.M.G.,   Hon. 
Lt.-Gen. 

Lieut.-Colonel. 

G. 

Hutton-Riddell. 

Lieut.-Colonel. 

Lieut.-Colonel. 

C.  E.  St..T.  Harris-St.  .lohn, 
D.S.O,    J918 

M.V.O..    R.C 
Lord   Holmpatrick, 

D.S.O,,  M.C. 

C.  E.  St..T.  Harris-St.  John, 
D.S.O. 

H.   C   L.   Howard,  C.M.G  , 
D.S.O.    1921 

E. 

M.   Murray 

Majors. 

Majors. 

Lieutenants. 

W.   J.    Shannon,   C.M.G., 

-Majors. 

R.    I,.     Macalpine-Leny, 

D.S.O..    Bt.-U.-Col. 
(Spec.   Appt.) 
W.   .7.    Sliannon,   C.M.G., 

T).S.O..   t.c. 
H.   C.    L.    Howard.   C.M.fi., 
D.S.O.    (Bt.-Lt.-C'ol.),    S. 
E.    H.    L.    Beddington, 

C.M.G.,   D.S.O.,   M.C. 

R. 
A. 
A. 

C 

B.   Longridge,   I.e. 
E.  K.  Henderson,  R.C 
P.   Mead,   M.C,   M.G. 
V.  Carlisle 

D.S.O. 

H.   C.   L.   Howard,  C.M.G., 

D.S.O.    (Bt.-Lt.-CoL),    S. 

G.   F.   H.    Brooke,   D.S.O., 

W.   J.    Shannon,   C.M.G. , 

D.S.O.,  t.c. 
G     F.   II.    Brooke,    D.S.O., 
M.C    (Bt.-Lt.-Col.) 

O. 
A. 
F. 
G. 

C  Skinner,  f.c. 
C   M.    Pvm 
de  F.   England 
T.   Brooke 

M.C.   1920    (Bt.-Lt.-Col), 
1919 
M.   Graham,    D.S.O..  1920 
(Bt.-Lt.-Col.),    S.     1920 

M.  Graham,  D.S.O.   (Bt.- 
Lt.-Col.),   S. 
.1.    L.    Cheyne,   M.C.       1921 

(Bt.-Lt.-CoT.),    S.     1918 

J. 

C.    Rvan 

D. 

G.   G'reig 

Captains. 

CaiJtalns, 

A 

C   K.   Lindsay-Stewart 

Captains. 
J.    L.   Chevne.   M.C. 

T    L.    Horn,   M.C    (Instr. 
Cav.  Sch.) 
H.   L.    Evans,    M.C,   t.c. 

G.   E.    Bellville.  S. 

Second-Lieutenants. 

T.  L.   Horn.   M.C    (Instr. 

G     F.    H.    Brooke.    D.S.O., 

0. 

H.   Eustace-Duckett, 

Cav.   Seh.) 

It.  G.   R.   Davies,   M.C 

M.C.    (Bt.-Maj.) 

R.C. 

H.   L.   Evans 

J.  G.   W.   Clark,   M.C 

M.    Graham.    D.S.O.    (Bt.- 

A. 

.1.   L.  Hopkins           1919 

R.  G.  R.   Davies,  M.C,   S. 

L.   C.   Ramsbottom- 

Maj.),   S. 

1919 

Isherwood 

.T.   I,.    Cheyne,   M.C. 

Quarter-Master. 

.1.  G.  W.  Clark,  M.C,  Adjt 

F.  Thornton,  t.c. 

T.    L.    Horn.  M.C. 

1919 

R.   Moubray 

H.   L.   Evans,   M.C. 

J. 

McConnell,   Capt. 

L.  C  Ramsbottom- 

Isherwood    „ 
F.  Thornton 

.7.    B.    Brow'ne 
W.    W.    Hayes 
G    C   Barker                   1920 

Lieutenants. 

Lord    Wodehouse.    M.C. 

Alastair  Campbell 

R     L,    Lovd,   O.B.E.,   M.C, 

1920 

Macintyre    „ 

S.S. 

R.  Moubray 

.Arthur  Henry  Talbot 

R.   G.    K.    Davies,   M.C. 

J.   B.  Browne                     ,, 

Chetwvnd,  O.B.E.,  M.C. 

M.G. 

W.    W.    Hayes 

1921 

J.  C    W.  Claris.  M.C. 

Alec  Clegg  Smith,  M.B.E., 

C.  ,1.   Aris,   D.S.O. 

M.C.    1921 

.1.  E.  E.  Allen  (Act.  Capt.) 

Lieutenants. 

A.    W.    Milborne-Swinner- 

L.    C.    Ramsbottom- 

G.  C   Barker 

ton-Pilkington,  M.C.  1921 

Isherwood.   S. 

A.    W.    Milborne-Swinner- 

C    Nicholson,    Adjt. 

R.    R.    Davies,   S. 

ton-Pilkington,    M.C. 

W.  M.  Codrington 

C   Nicholson 

F.   Thornton    (Act.   Capt.) 

G.  G.   Cox-Cox 

Lieutenants. 

Lord   Wodehnuse.   M.C.   S. 
R.    Moubray 

F.    Noakes    (Empld. 

Hugh    Allan    Heber-Percv 

Record   OfBce) 

G.   G.   Cox-Cox 

.1.    R.    Browne 

G.    D.    Callander    (Act. 

Capt.   &  Adjt.) 
W.   \V.  Hayes 
H.    C.    Archer,   M.C. 
E.    Pargeter.   M.C. 

S.   M.   Deans 

J.    A.    Macarthur-Onslow 

E.   Collins                         1919 

Second-Lieutenants. 

H.    F.    Kendrick.    M.C. 

Arthur  Charles  Bvard  1918 

F.   Noakes 

S.    M.    Deans 

.T.    A.   Macarthur-Onslow 

E.    Collins 

R.   M.   Marter                   1921 

F.   S.   A.   Sibley    (Act. 
Capt.)   (Offr.  Cadet  Bn.) 

n.  M.  Marter 

R.   G.    Hornvold    (temp.) 

A.  L.  Leaf 

G     C     Barker 

Wm.    Hubert    Favvcett 

C   M.   Patrick 

Brunskill    1919 

Second-Lieutenants. 

E.   S.   T.  .lohnson.  M.C. 

Harold  Rosslyn  Moon  1920 

A.   L.   Leaf 

A.    W.    Milliorne-Swinner- 

W.  H.   F.   Brunskill 

ton-Pilkington,  M.C. 

H.   R.    Moon 

C    Nicholson 

Spechi.  Reserve. 

Gerald  .losselvn   Royce 

G.    G.   CoxCo.t 
F.   Noakes 

Lieutenant. 

Tomkin    1920 
Edward    Wadhara           1921 

S.   M.    Deans 

R.   B.  Longridge 

R.    C.    Hollis.    M.C.    M.G. 

F.   Sparkes.  CO. 

Quarter-Master. 

Quarter-Master. 

G.  A.  Collyer 

G.   C   Russell                  1918 

.7.  McConnell,  Capt. 

.7.    McConnell,   Capt. 

G.   A.  Drabble 

.T.  J.  A.  Miles 

J.    A.    Macarthur-Onslow 

1919 

143 

List  of  Ofvickks. 


1921-22. 

1922-23. 

1923-24. 

I6T11/5TI1    ],ANCERS. 

L.   C.  Ramsbottom- 

Colonol-in-Chief, 

Colonel-in-Chief. 

Colonel-in-Chiel. 

H.M.    Alfonso   XIII.,   King 
of  .Spain.  K.G.,  G.C.V.O., 
Gen.                              1922 

Isherwood 
.1.   B.    Browne 
G.  C.  Barker 
A.   H.  T.   Chetwynd, 

O.B.E..  M.C,  J.o. 
Conrad  Fulke  Thomand 

H.M.    Alfonso    XIII.,   King 
of  Spain,  K.G..  G.C.V.O., 
Gen. 

Colonels. 

H.M.    Alfonso    XIII.,   King 
of  Spain,  KG..  G.C.V.O., 
Gen. 

Colonels. 

O'Brien   flrench     1920 

Sir  .1.    M.    Babinglon, 

Si 

•  J.    M.    Babington, 

Colonels. 

K.C.B. .    K.C.M.G.,   Hon. 

K.C.B.,    K.C.M.G.,   Hon. 

Sir  .1.    M.    BabinRton. 

Lt.-Gen. 

Lt.-Gon. 

K.C.B.,    K.C.M.G.,   Hon. 

Viscount    Allenby,    G.C.B., 

Viscount    Allenby,    G.C.B., 

U.-Gen. 

G.C.M.G.,    Col.    L.G., 

G.C.M.G.,    Col.    L.G., 

Viscount    Allenby.    G.C.B., 

Field-Marshal,  S. 

Field-Marshal,  S. 

G.C.M.G..    Col.    L.G., 

Field-M.irshal    1917 

Lleut.-Colonel. 

Lleut.-Colonel. 

H.    C.   L.   Howard.  C.M.G., 

H 

C.    L.    Howard,  C.M.G.. 

T,ieut. -Colonel. 

D.S.O. 

D.S.O. 

H    C.   L.   Howard,   C.M.G., 

n.s.o. 

Majors. 

Majors. 

H.   A.   Cooper 

H. 

A.    Cooper 

Majors, 

G.    F.    H.    Brooke,    D.S.O., 

G. 

F.    H.    Brooke.    D.S.O., 

W.  .T.  C.   Shannon,  C.M.G., 
D.S.O.,    t.c. 

M.C.    (Spec.    Appt.)    (Bt.- 
Lt.-Col.) 

.T 

M.C.    (Bt.-Lt.-Col.) 
L.  Chevne,   M.C. 

,T.   L.  Chevne,   M.C. 

T. 

L.   Horn.   M.C. 

Henry   Alexander   Cooper 
1919 

T.  L.   Horn,   M.C.           1923 

G.    F.    H.    Brooke,    D.S.O., 

Captains. 

M.C.    (Bt.-Lt.-Col.) 

Captains. 

J. 

C.    Miles 

M    Graham,    D.S.O.    (Bt.- 
Lt.-Col.) 

.1.    C.    Miles 

R. 

G.   R.    Davies,   M.C,   S. 

R.  G.   R.    Davies,   M.C  ,   S. 

.1. 

G.    W.   Clark,   M.C,   S. 

J.  L.  Cheyne,  M.C. 

J.   G.    W.    Clark.   M.C,   S. 

F. 

Thornton 

F.  Thornton 

R. 

Moubray  (Equitn.  Sch.) 

Captains. 

R.    Moubray 

.1. 

B.    Browne 

J.    B.    Browne                  1920 

A. 

C.    Macintyre 

T.   L.   Horn.   M.C.    (Instr. 

A.    C.    Macintyre 

A. 

W.    Milborne-Swinner- 

Cav.   Sch.) 

A.    W.    Milborne-Swinner- 

ton-Pilkington,   M.C. 

J.  C.  Miles                       1917 

ton-Pilkington,   M  C 

C 

Nicholson,   Adjt. 

R.    G.    R.    navies,    M.C. 

C.    Nicholson,    Adjt. 

C 

F.   T.   O'B.   ilrench 

,T.   G.   W.   Clark,   M.C. 

C.  P.  T.  O'B.  ffrench    1922 

J. 

C   Biggs,   M.C.  CO. 

F.   Thornton,   t.c. 

.T.   C.    Biggs,   M.C.           1923 

R.  Moubray 

A.   C.   Macintyre 

Lieutenants. 

A.    W.    Milborne-.Swinner- 

Lieutenants. 

.1. 

N.   Bailev 

ton-Pilkington,  M.C. 

J.   N.    Bailey 
G    G.  Cox-Cox 

G 

G.  Cox-Cox 

C.    Nicholson,    Adjt. 

A. 

C    Bvard 

A.   C.    Bvard 

F. 

Noakes   (Garr.    Adjt.   & 

F.    Noakes 

Qr.-Mr.) 

Lieutenants. 

E.    Collins 

E. 

Collins 

.Jervis  Crosbie  Biggs.  M.C. 

W.   M.   F.    B.avllss 

W 

M.   F.   Bavliss 

1917 

A.    L.    Leaf      ' 

4- 

L.   Leaf 

James   Nowell    Bailey     „ 

H.    R.    Moon 

H 

R.    Moon 

G.   G.   Cox-Cox 

G.  J.  R.  Tomkin            1922 

G. 

.T.  R.   Tomkin 

A.  0.   Byard 

E.    Wadham                      1923 

E. 

Wadham 

F.  Noakes 

A. 

W.  R.  de  T.   Mackeson 

E.   Collins 

Wm.  Murray  Forbes 

Second-Lieutenants. 

(attd.  mh/2Ist  Lrs.)  1923 
R.    N.    Fawcett 

Bavliss    1919 

R.  N.   Fawcett 

.T.         ^"    " 

A.  H.  .Tephson 

R.   M.   Marter 

,T.   A.  H.   .Teohson 

A. 

B.  Sullivan                 1924 

A.  h.  Leaf                        1921 

Anthony  Wm.   Richard  de 

W 

J.  D.   G.  .Tohnston     „ 

H.   R.   Moon                     192Q 

Terrieres  Mackeson 

W.   H.  F.   Brunskill       1921 

A.   B.    Sullivan 

W.   .T.    D.   G.   .Johnston 

.Second-Lieutenants. 

Geoffrey    Babington       1923 

G. 

Babington 

Second-Lieutenants. 

Robert    Macanley    Fan- 

G.   J.   R.   Tomkin 

Quarter-Master. 

shawe   (attd.   17th/21st 
Lrs.1     1924 

E.   Wadham 

.1.   A.   H.   .lephson           1921 

J.  McConnell.  Capt. 

Ravlton    Dixon   (attd.  12th 
T.rc  1     Tr>i 

Adam   Burns  Sullivan  1922 

Walter   .Tohn    Duncan 

Goring  .Tolinston     ,, 

Mtiiti 

Quarter-Master. 



Captain. 

.1. 

McConnell,   Capt. 

Militia. 

J.  M.   Gordon-Dill 

Captain. 

■J.  M.  Gordon-Dill           1919 

16th  The  Queen's  Lancers. 

Militia. 
Captain. 

16th  Thb  Queek's  Lancers. 

Captain. 

J. 

M.   Gordon-Dill 

Captains. 

H.  L.   Evans,  M.C 

H.  L.  Evans,  M.C,  t.c. 

144 

INDEX  LIST  OF  THE  OFFICERS  W  HO  JOINED  THE  REGIMENT 

AFTER  1910. 

Ill  this  li.st  the  names  are  given  alphabetically  as  far  as  the  initial  letter  of  the  name  is 
coiKerned.     Subject  to  this  the  names  are  given  in  succession  as  they  were  first  gazetted. 

The  date  after  the  name  is  the  date  of  the  Army  List  in  which  the  name  first  appears. 

If  an  officer's  name  for  any  reason  ceases  to  appear  on  the  Roll  of  the  Regiment  and  again 
he  rejoins  the  name  is  given  again  under  the  date  of  rejoining. 


A. 

Allen    J.  E.  R.,  1913-4. 
Arbuthnot,  R.  O.U.,  1913-4. 
Archer,  H.  C,  1914-5. 
Arnott,  F.  F.,   1916-7. 
Allenby,  Viscount,  1921-2. 

B. 

Habinjiton,  C,    1922-3. 
Barclay,   E.  H.,  1912-3. 
Browne,  J.  B.,  1913-4. 
Boles,  H.  F.,  1914-5. 
Barker,  G.  C,  1914-5. 
Brooke,  G.  T.    1914-5. 
Brunskill,  \V.  H.  F.,  1919-20. 
Byard,  A.  C,  1920-1. 
Biggs,  J.  C,  1921-2. 
Bavliss.  AV.  M.  F..  1921-2. 
Bailey.  .1.   X..   1921-2. 

C. 

Cross,  D.  R.,  1911-2. 
Clark,  J.  G.  yV.,  1911-2. 
Collins,  J.  R,  1911-2. 
Callander.  G.   D.,   1913-4. 
Carli-sle,   C.   V.,   1913-4. 
Codrington,  W.  M.,   1913-4. 
Conwav,  H.  P..  1913-4. 
Case,  E.  G.,  1914-5. 
Cox-Cox,  G.  G..  1915-6. 
Collver,  G.  A.,  1916-7. 
Collins.  E..  1917-8. 
Carr,  R..  1916-7. 
Chelwvnd,  A,  H.  T.,  1920-1. 
Coopei-.  H.  A..  1921-2. 

D. 

Davies,  R.  G.  R...  1911-2. 
Davies    R.  R.,  1913-4. 
Oixon,  C.  M.,  1913-4. 
Deans,  S.  M.,  1915-6. 
Drabble.  G.  A.,  1916-7. 
Dixon.  R.,  1923-4. 

E. 

England,  F.  de  F,,  1913-4. 
Eustace-Duckett,      O.      H., 

1917-8. 
Evans,  H.  L.,  1921-2. 

F. 

Fraser.  W.  A.  K.,  1914-5. 
Ffrench,     C.     F.     T.     O'B.. 

1921-2. 
Fawcett,  R.  N.,  1922-3. 
Fanshaw,  R.  M.,  1923-4. 


G. 

Gourlie,  J..  1913-4. 
Greer,  F.  St.  L.,  1914-5. 
Greig,  D.  G.,  1914-5. 
Gordon-Dill,  J.  M.,  1921-2. 

H. 

Haves.  W.  W.,  1913-4. 
Hu'lton-Riddell,  G.,  1913-4. 
Holmpatrick,  Lord,  1913-4. 
Henderson,  A.E.  K.,  191.3-4. 
Hornvold,  R.  G.,  1916-7. 
Hollis,  R.  C,  1916-7. 
Hopkins,  A.  .T.  L.,  1918-9. 
HoTier-Percv,  H.  A..  1920-1. 


Johnson,  E.  S.  T..  1915-6. 
Jephson,  J.  A.  H.,  1921-2. 
.Johnston,     W.     J.     D.     G. 
1921-2. 


King,  N.  W.  R.,  191.3-4. 
Killeen,  Lord.  1914-5. 
Kendrick,  H.  F.,  1920-1. 

L. 

Llovd,  R.  L.,  1911-2. 
Leslie,  J.,  1914-5. 
Lazenbv.  C.  M.,  1915-6. 
Leaf,  A.  L.,  1918-9. 
Lindsay-Stewart.   A.   C.   K. 


1917 


M. 


:MacCulloch.  B.  D..  1913-4. 
Moubrnv.  R.,  1913-4. 
Moslev.'O.  E..  1913-4. 
Mead,"  A.  P.,  1913-4. 
MacBravne,  .T.  O.,  1914-5. 
McCnnnell,  J..  1914-5. 
Martin  -  Holland.      G.      R.. 

1915-6. 
Murrav,  E.  M..   1916-7. 
Martef.  R.  M.,  1918-9. 
MacArthur-Onslow,     J.     A. 

1917-8. 
Miles,  .T.  J.,  1917-8. 
Moon,  H.  R.,  1919-20. 
Macintvre.  A.  C,  1920-1. 
Miles,  J.  C,  1921-2. 
Mackeson,  A.  AA  .   R.  de  F. 

1922-3. 


N. 

Nicholson,  C,  1915-6. 
Noakes,  F.,  191.5-6. 

0. 
O'Brien.  T.  D.,  1913-4. 


Percival  -  Maxwell,    R.     N., 

1913-4. 
Patrick,    C.   M.,   1913-4. 
Pym,  A.  C.  M.,  1913-4. 
Pargeter,  F..  1914-5. 
Prosser,  J.,   1914-5. 

R. 

Ranisbottom-Isherwood,    L. 

C,  1913-4. 
Reeves,  W.  N.,  1914-5. 
Rvan,  J.  C,  1914-3. 
Rhodes,  G.  H.,  1914-5. 
Ryan,  J.  J.,  1914-5. 
Robertson,   J.   H..    191.5-6. 
Russell,  G.  C,  1916-7. 


Stewart.  A.  C,  1913-4. 
Skinner,  O.   C,  1913-4. 
Siblev,  F.  S.  A.,  1914-5. 
Stephen,  J.  S.,  1914-5. 
Sninnerton  -  Pilkington.    A. 

W.  M.,   1915-6. 
Sparkes,  F.,  1916-7. 
Sparrow,  A.  C.  G..  1916-7. 
Smith,  A.  G.,  1920-1. 
Sullivan,  A.   B.,  1921-2. 


Thornton,  F.,   1913-4. 
Tomkin,  G.  J.  R.,  1920-1. 

W. 

Wodehouse,  Lord.   1913-4. 
Wodehouse,  Hon.  E.,  1915-6. 
Wat-son,  Sir  J.,  Bt.,  1916-7. 
Wadham,  E.,  1920-1. 


145 


APPEXDIX    II. 


Retobn  of  Warrant  Oi^ficers,  N.C.  Officers  and  Men  granted 
Commissions  from  16th  Lancers,  1914-18. 


1 

Datr  of 

Hugimcnt  to  which          „ 

R<-gtl.  Xo.  ! 

i 

Nnmc. 

Commission. 

Commissioned. 

Itemarks. 

2602     ... 

Andrews,  W.  N. 

28—  6—18 

3rd  Essex  Regt. 

4271     ... 

Archer,  H.  C. 

12—11—14 

16th  Lancers. 

1141     ... 

Armstrong,  C.  Mc.  T>. 

9—  9—16 

10th  K.O.Y.L.I. 

6145     ... 

Baillie,  A 

23—10—15 

R.F.A. 

803      ... 

Bareham,  ¥ 

6—  2—16 

R.F.A. 

3046     , . . 

Barrow,  H.  H. 

6—  9—15 

8th  Royal  Fusiliers. 

2817     ... 

Beaumont,  N.  A. 

24—  9     18 

3rd  Manchesters. 

.5009     . . . 

Brill,  F.  AV 

15—  1—15 

5th  Lancers. 

.3021      ... 

BrvKc,  C.  D 

26—  2—17 

23rd  Manchesters. 

5566     ... 

Budd,  T 

28—  6—18 

3rd  Hants. 

3043     ... 

Brooke,  G.  T. 

8—  3—15 

16th  Lancers. 

7475     ... 

Cargill,  H.  D. 

8—  2—15 

Not  known. 

1869     ... 

Carr,  R 

8—  5—17 

16th  Lancers. 

4490     ... 

Clements,  F.  W.       ... 

14—  4     17 

3rd  Royal  Welsh  Fns. 

5663     ... 

Collyer,  G.  A. 

24     12     16 

16th  Lancers. 

4629     ... 

Cooper,  F 

6_  2—10 

5th  Berks. 

5716     ... 

Farley,  H.  W. 

24—  1     15 

8th  West  Kents. 

4854     ... 

Fitzpatrick,  J. 

12—  2—15 

Manchesters. 

6878     ... 

Ford,  W.  E 

24—  9     18 

Oxford  and  Bucks. 

5043     ... 

Glasgow,  F 

2.5—  9—16 

1st  Gloucesters. 

3722     ... 

Gardiner,  G.  C. 

1—10—15 

Royal  Irish. 

.3119     ... 

Gaml.le.  W.  R. 

6—  2—10 

Yorksliires  (P.W.O.) 

5491      ... 

Goodheart,  ().  F. 

12—  6—16 

1st  East  Kents. 

7699     ... 

Harvey,  W 

28—  5—18 

3rd  Dorsets. 

5672     ... 

Haynes,  J. 

6—  2—16 

Xorthuniherland    Fus. 

1414     ... 

Hoilis,  R.  C 

5_12— 16 

16th  Lancers. 

4088     ... 

Hawkins,  J 

10—  7—17 

12th  Xorfolks. 

157     ... 

Johnson,  G.   P.   S.    ... 

5—  3—16 

1st  Royal  West  Kents. 

302     ... 

Lawrence,  C 

6—  2—16 

Northumherland    Fus. 

636     ... 

Lloyd,  J 

25—  9—16 

8th  Gloucesters. 

.5105     ... 

McConnell,  J. 

1—10—14 

16th  Lancers. 

7060     ... 

Magoris,  P.  .J. 

10—10—15 

R.F.A. 

2612     ... 

Martin,  R.  H. 

3_  7—15 

Not  known. 

492     ... 

Miles,  .J.  J.  A. 

20—  9—17 

loth   Fiancers. 

1632     ... 

Mills,  G.  C 

6—  2—16 

11th  West  Yorks. 

5111     ... 

MuUins,  F 

29—10—15 

R.F.A. 

5682     ... 

Noakes,   E 

26—  8—16 

16th  Lancers. 

1673     ... 

Nunn,  F.  J 

6—  2—16 

17th  Middlesex. 

4.539     ... 

Norton,  P.  J. 

6—  2—16 

R.F.A. 

3690     ... 

i  Norris,  F 

21—11—17 

l.st/4th  Gloucesters 

5118     ... 

Parker,  G.  H. 

29—10—15 

R.F.A. 

4521     ... 

i  Pargeter,  F 

12—11—14 

16th  Lancers. 

1 

6265     ... 

i  Picker,  L.  C.  ... 

30—10—17 

Essex. 

3851     ... 

Pitts,  .T.   P 

13—  8—16 

2nd  Bedfords. 

146 


Date  of 

Regiment  to  which 

Regtl.  No 

.Viuiio. 

Commission. 

Commissioned. 

Remarks. 

13177     .. 

Finder,  W 

27—  3—18 

3rd  Somerset  L.I. 

3406     .. 

Pilley,  E.  C 

&—  9—16 

10th  K.O.Y.L.I. 

4036     .. 

Prosser,  J 

10—  3—15 

Kith  Lancers. 

3136     .. 

Reeve,  W.  N. 

12—11—14 

IGtli  Lancers. 

7472     .. 

Roscorla,  P 

15-  7—15 

R.F.A. 

5504     .. 

Richards,  W. 

s 

Territorial    Force. 

Not  known. 

5087     .. 

Ross,  J.          

26—  2—16 

Royal  Fusiliers. 

4451     .. 

Seal,  E.  J 

18—  7—16 

Yorks  and  Lanes. 

7218     .. 

Slaughter,  T.  G.       ... 

4—11—15 

R.F.A. 

7210     .. 

Sills,  E 

2.5—  5—15 

S.  Res.  of  Officers. 

5104     .. 

Sil.ky,  F.  H.  A.       ... 

12—11—14 

16th  Lancers. 

1968     .. 

Short,  J.  M 

19—11—16 

2nd  East  Lanes; 

4678     .. 

Smith,   H 

18—10—16 

R.F.A. 

13148     .. 

Spoil,  E.  J 

9      4—18 

A.O.  Corps. 

3632     .. 

Spendlove,  AV.  H.     .. 

11—15 

R.F.A. 

228     .. 

Spearing,  J.  G. 

26—  2—17 

9th  Cheshires. 

758     .. 

i  Sparkes,  F 

16—12—16 

16th  Lancers. 

5568     .. 

Strugnell,  A.  C. 

14—  6—16 

2nd  Yorkshires. 

5252     .. 

Taylor,  F.  J 

6—  2—16 

R.F.A. 

7054     .. 

Waldron,  R 

10—10—15 

R.F.A. 

7061     .. 

AValdron.  R.  S. 

10_10— 15 

R.F.A. 

6941     .. 

Ward,  H.  S 

8—  3—15 

A.V.C. 

3955     .. 

Webb,  E.  A 

19—  2—16 

3rd /1st  W.  Somersets 

13206     .. 

West,  S.  R 

9      4—18 

6th  Wilts. 

5852     ... 

i  Wharrie,  W 

29—  5—17 

Lincolns. 

13103     ... 

Williamson,  C. 

30—  1—18 

3rd  Esses  Regt. 

5276     ... 

Willis,  G 

15—10—17 

3rd  Worcesters. 

5564     ... 

i  Woodham,  E.  R.       ... 

1 

6—  2—16 

1 

Norfolks. 

147 


INDEX. 


A. 


Advance,  Final, _99-103 

Aisne,   River,  57-9 

Albert,  H.M.  King  of  the  Bel- 
gians, 100 

Allenby,  Major-Gen.  E.  H.  H., 
18  23.  30,  32,  95,  99,  122, 
132 

Amalgamation,  16th  and  5t)i 
Lancers,  127 

Ammunition,  Shortage  oi',  09, 
73 

Antwerp,  Siege  of,  62-4 

Armies,  Distribution  of,  before 
Battle  of  Mons,  2.-?-4 

Armistice,    102-4 

Aris,    Lieut.,    65 

Asnuith,  Rt.  Hon.  H.  H.  ;  his 
Home  Rule  Bill,  2  ;  his  repu- 
diation of  Gough  Memo.,  10  ; 
his  Cabinet,  16,  18 ;  speecli 
re  shell  shortage,  73. 


B. 

Bases:  Amiens,  23;  Havre, 
23 ;  St.  Nazaire  change  to, 
45 

Battles:  Mons,  28-9;  Le 
Cateau,  33-7;  Tannenberg, 
43 ;  Marne,  49-55 ;  Aisne, 
56-60 ;  Nancy,  54  ;  1st  Ypres, 
67  ;  Neuve  Chapelle,  71 ;  2nd 
Ypres,  71;  Loos,  74;  Ver- 
dun. 70;  1st  Somme,  70; 
Arras,  77 ;  3rd  Ypres,  78 ; 
Caporetto.  78;  Cambrai,  79- 
82  ;  2nd  Somme,  84-91 ;  Lys, 
92-3  ;  Ailette,  93-4  ;  Amiens, 
97-9 

Beech.  Lieutenant,  Death  of, 
71 

B.E.F.  (Britisli  Expeditionary 
Force) :  Composition  and 
staff,  19-20 ;  embarkation 
and  landing,  18;  Retreat, 
from  Mons,  29-49;  move  to 
North,  61 

Belgian  Armv,  Organisation 
of,  21-2  ;  at  Anwerp,  62-4 ;  at 
Dixmude,  68;  part  in  final 
advance,  100-1 

Besseler.  V.,  at  Antwerp.  62 

Breeks,  Col.,  R.H.A.,  5.  6,  13, 
14 

Bulow,  v..  at  Mons,  28;  Char- 
leroi,  31 ;  Mons  Retreat 
from,  40-50 ;  his  orders  to  Y. 
Kluck.  52-3 

Byng,  Sir  J.,  Gen.,  at  Vimy 
Ridge.  77;  Cambrai,  79;  his 
3rd  Army.  2nd  Somme,  84- 
90 ;  in  final  advance,  99 


C. 

Ca.sualty  Rolls:    Mons,  29-31; 
Le  Cateau,   37;    Aug.   23rd- 
27th,      40-45:      Aisne,      59; 
Naval    Division.    04;    Petit 
Morin,   53  ;   total  of    I5.K.F. 
Oct.  to  Dec,  1914,  68;  mine 
explo.sion    (16th     L.).     70-1  ; 
Neuvo     Chapelle,     71  ;     3i-d 
Cav.     Div.,     72;     2nd    Cav. 
Div.,  2nd  Somme,  91  -total 
during  war.  ^Ye.stcrn  Front, 
108-13 
Cavalrv    Brigades,     1st.    2nd, 
3rd,"  4th,    5th,    19;    1st    at 
Nerv.  42  ;  4th  at  Nerv,  42 ; 
3rd.  formation  of,  26,  89,  97 
Cavalrv  Divisions,  1st,  18,  97, 
42"       _ 
2nd  Division,   formation  of, 
Gen.  H.  Gough,  60;  Gen. 
Kavanagh,    71  ;    Gen.    Sir 
P_.     Clietwode,     73 ;     Gen. 
Pitman.  95 
Cavalry  Regiments,  4th  D.Gs., 
first  shot  of  the  war,  27 
Grevs  at  Peronnes,  27 
15th  Hussars.  30 
9th  Lancers,  charge  of.  30 
Grevs  at  Cerizv,  39 
12th  Lancers  at  Cerizv,  39 
20th  Hussars  at  Cerizy,  39 
3rd  Hussars  at  Nery,  42 
11th  Hussars  at  Nei-y,  42 
Bays  at  Nery,  42 
12th  Lancers,  charge  of,  56 
4th  Hussars  at  Chassemy,  57 
16th  Lancers  at  Chassemy,  57 
5th  Lancers  at  Chassemy,  57 
16th  Lancers  at  Norwich,  1  ; 
Dublin.  2  ;  Curragh.  4  ;  the 
Ulster     affair.     4-15 ;     at 
Dublin.    23 ;    embarkation 
and  landing  at  Havre.  23  ; 
at   Jeumont.    22 ;   Binche. 
26 ;    Perronnes   and   Elou- 
ges,   27  ;  B.attle  of  Mons. 
27-31  ;  Le  Cateau.   34-37  ; 
the  Retreat.  38-49  ;  Marne. 
52-5;     Aisne,     58-60;     at 
Lime.  69 ;  move  to  line  of 
tlie    Lys,    62 ;    Mont    des 
Cats,    65 ;   Warneton,   65  ; 
Mount        Kemmel,        66; 
trench  fighting,  67  ;  deatlis 
of  Major  Dixon  and  Cant. 
On.slow,    67 ;    mine    explo- 
.sion.      21st     Feb..     1915; 
deaths    of    Major    Neave, 
Capt.  Nash.  Lieuts.  Beech, 
King  and  Cross.  71  ;  affair 
at  Ypres  sally  port.  72 ;  to 
billets    at    Petits   Preaux. 
76 ;     at     Epehy.     77 ;     at 
Battle     of     Cambrai     and 


Bourlon  Uood,  82  ;  at  2nd 
Battle  of  ,Somme,  84-92; 
deaths  of  I,ieuts.  Stepliens 
and  Sir  .f .  AVatson.  87 ; 
death  of  Lieut.  Martin 
Holland,  88;  fighting  at 
Moreuil ;  deaths  of  Capt. 
Allen  and  Lieuts.  Maxwell 
and  AVodehouse ;  the 
Leicester  Yeomanry,  92 ; 
billets  at  Longvillffs,  93; 
reas.seml)ly  of  3rd  Brigade 
for  final  advance,  96 ;  roll 
of  officers,  97 ;  combats 
near  Warvillers,  98 ;  at 
Inohy,  100;  combat  at 
Haveng,  102;  at  Estinne, 
103;  the  last  charge  and 
Armistice,  103;  entry  into 
]Mons.  104 ;  to  Antwerp 
and  Canterbury.  104 :  to 
Port  Said.  Syria  and 
Horns,  122 ;  march  to 
Sarona,  123;  to  Belbeis, 
124;  to  Lucknow,  125; 
amalgamation  with  5th 
Lancers,  127 ;  to  Cairo, 
121 
Cerizy,  Combat  at,  39 
Charrier,     Major,     Death     of, 

37-8 
Chetwode,  Sir  P.,  Brig. -Gen., 

19,  20    73 
Churchill,     Right     Hon.     AY., 

Ulster  and  Armv,  2 ;  at  Ant- 
werp, 62-3 
Combats:   Le  Grand  Favt,  37; 

Lesing,     37-8 ;     Cerizv,     39 ; 

Nery,  42  ;  Taillefontaine.  43  ; 

Villers  Cotterets,  43  ;  Chezv, 

56;     Mont    des     Cats,     65; 

Warneton,  65-6 
Contemptiblps,  Origin  of  name. 
Corps.    British:     i.    ii.    iii,    18; 

iii,  41;  iii,  vii,  88;  iv,  v,  vi, 

xix.  89 
Cross,  Lieut..  Death  of,  71 

D. 

Dallas,  Col.  A.  G.,  at  Antwerp 

62 
D'Amade,  Gen.,  24-5.  and  fol- 

low-ing. 
Doulens.  Conference  at.  89 
Dixmude,  68 

E. 

Eccles,  Col.,  at  Ypres.  woun- 
ded. 72.  74 

Elouges.  27,  31 

Embarkations  for  Dublin.  1  ; 
for  Havre,  23 ;  for  England, 
104  ;  Egvpt,  Palestine.  Svria, 
122;  India,  125;  Egypt,'  130 


148 


1''. 

Focli,  Cieii.,  inadf  CdiMiriamliT- 
in-Chiet,  89 

Frameries,  Fighting  at   30 

FreiK-li,  Sir  .Inlin,  Field-Mar- 
shal, C.-in-C.  B.K.K..  18-74; 
his  remonstranc-eis  to  War 
Cahinot.  6!),  70,  73;  his  in- 
terview in  I'aris  with  fiiird 
Kitchener,  43;  liis  resigna- 
tion, 74 

French  Arniic's,  Organisation 
and  tlistrihution  of,  24 

G. 

Gallieni,  Commandant  Paris, 
51 

Gas,  Poison,  71,  72 

German  Army,  Organisation 
of,  22 ;   distribution,  24 

Gough,  Sir  Hubert,  Gen., 
Brigadier  3rd  Cavalry  Bri- 
gade at  Curragh.  Ulster  and 
Army,  2-15 ;  Mons,  Le 
Cateau,  and  Retreat,  25-55; 
to  command  2nd  Cav.  Div., 
60;  7th  Infantry  Div.,  1st 
Armv  Corps,  71  ;  5tli  Army, 
76 ;  at  2nd  Battle  of  Somnie, 
84-92  ;  to  England,  91 

Grierstni,  Sir  J.,  Gen.,  his 
death,  20 


H. 
Haig,  Sir  D.,  Gen.  comniand- 
ing  1st  Corps,  20;  C.-in-C, 

Hesse,     Prince    Max    of ;     his 

death,  65 
Hindenburg  Line,   77 
Hindenburg,  V.,  Chief  of  Staff, 

75 
Hogg,   Lt.-CoL,   4th   Hussars, 

2-14 ;    (Ulster    and    Army) ; 

his  death,  43 
Horns,  Regiment  at,  122-3 


Indian  Armv,  68 

Indian  Cavalry,  79,  80-2 

Infantry  Regiments  : 

4th    Middlesex     and    Royal 

Irish  at  Mons,  28 
Cheshires    and    Norfolks    at 

Audrignies,  31 
Lancasters  at  Le  Cateau,  35 
Gordons  at  Le  Cateau,  36 
Connaught    Rangers    at    Le 

Grand  Fayt,  37 
Munsters  at  Fesmv,  37-8 


J. 

.Jolfre,  (jlen.,  Frencli  C.-in-C, 
22,  25,  63 ;  succeeded  hv 
Nivelle,  75 

K. 

Kaiser,  Wilhelm,  16,  25 
Kavanagh,  Gen.,  to  command 

2nd  Cav.  Div.,  71 
King,  The,  Inspection  Ijy,  67 
King,  Lieut.,  Death  of,  71 
Kitchener.     Lord,     Field-Mar- 
shal, 18,  62,  63 ;  death  of,  65 
Kluck,     v.,    commanding    1st 
German  Army,  24-60 

L. 

Lanrezac,  Gen.,  French  5th 
Army,  24 

Le  Cateau,  33-7 

Le  Grand  Fayt,  37 

Leman,  Gen.,  at  Liege,  25 

Lloyd-George,  Rt.  Hon.,  Min- 
ister of  Munitions,    73 

Longvillers,  Regiment  at,  93 

Ludendorf,  V.,  Chief  of  Staff, 

Lucknow,  Regiment  at  125-9 

Luxembourg,  24 

Lvs,  Fight  for  Hue  of,  61-8 ; 
"Battles  of.  92-3 

M. 

MacEwen.    Col.,    1-9;    (Ulster 

and  Army) ;  wounded,  37 
Macueil,  Lieut.,  Death  of,  65 
Marne,  Battle  of,  49-55 
Marwitz,      V.,      Comm.anding 

German  Cav.  Corps,  24-55 
Maubeuge,  Siege  of,  59 
Memorials,  AVar :   Canterbury, 

131  ;  Lucknow,  129 
Molke.    v..    Chief    of   German 

Staff,  22,  27,  58 
Mons,   Battle   of,    28-9;   entry 

into,  104 
Mont  des  Cats,  Combat  at,  65 
Moreuil,  Fighting  at,  91 
Mormal.  Forest  of,  31 

N. 

Namur.  Siege  of,  29 
Nash.  Capt.,  Death  of,  71 
Naval  Division,  62-4 
Neave,  Major,  Death  of,  71 
Ner.v,  Combat  at,  42 
NeuVe  Chapelle,  Battle  of,  71 
Norwich,  1 

O. 

Officers,  Rolls  of.  97,  104,  125, 
127 


P. 

Paget,    Sir   A.   (Jen.,    C.-in-C. 

Leland  (Ulster  and  Armv), 

3-15 
Parker,  Lt.-Col.,  5th  Lancers, 

4-9;  (Ulster  and  Army) 
Polo ;     India,     134-5 ;     Cairo, 

135-6 
Pulteney,  Major-Gen.,  41 

R. 

Rawlinson,  Sir  A.  Gen.,  at 
Bruges,  63  j  2nd  Somme,  90 

Robertson.  Sir  W.  R.,  Qrtr.- 
Mastr.-Genl.,  B.E.F. 

S. 

St.  John,  Harris-,  Lt.-Col., 
16th  Lancers 

Seely,  Rt.  Hon.,  Col.,  Secre- 
tary for  War,  7,  8,  10; 
(Ulster  and  Army) 

Smith-Dorien,  Sir  H.  L..  Com- 
mander 2nd  Corps,  B.E.F. 

Sieges  :  Liege,  18  ;  Namur,  29  ; 
Maubeuge,  59;  Antwerp, 
62-64 

Sordet,  Gen.,  24 

Stephens,  Lieut.,  Death  of.  88 

T. 
Tempest-Hicks,    Capt.,    Death 

of,  98 
Tanks,  76,  79,  84 ;  German,  93 
Trench  Warfare,  Beginning  of, 

60-7  ;  Flanders,  69  ;  Attrition 

by,  72 

u. 

United  States  Armies  95,  99, 
100 

V. 

Villars  Cotterets,  Combat   at. 

43 
Vim.v  Ridge,  77 

W. 

"War,  Causes  of,  15 ;  Declara- 
tion of,  16 

Watson,  Sir  J.,  2nd  Lt.,  Death 
of,  87 

Wormald,  Lt.-Col.  Death  of. 
39 


Yeomanry.   Leicestershire.  92, 

97 
Ypres,   Battles,   62,   67,   78 


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