1.Scouts.—The origin of the Scout Section can be traced from the earliest days at Liverpool, where the provision of civilian bicycles and the varied nature of their duties made that branch of training popular. With the move to Blackpool they came under the direction of 2nd-Lieutenant G. C. T. Giles, who served with us ungazetted for a time, but was subsequently gazetted to the Divisional Cyclist Company.
From then onwards till the Upstreet days they still continued to exist in an unostentatious fashion; but at Upstreet the scouts and snipers were properly organized under Lieutenant F. O. J. Huntley and Sergeant Fenner. From then onwards till the battalion proceeded overseas their efficiency grew apace, the last few weeks of their training being under Lieutenant Alcock, when Lieutenant Huntley joined Brigade Headquarters Staff. Colonel Fletcher always took the greatest interest in their work, buying them all kinds of snipers' rifle sights, telescopic periscopes, and other valuable aids to their special work. Overseas, under the successive leaderships of Lieutenants Alcock and Royle, 2nd-Lieutenants Little, Noon, and Upward, Lieutenant Burton, and Lieutenant Hazell, the scouts, snipers, and observers more than justified their existence. In addition to Sergeant Fenner, there was Lance-Corporal Peterson and seventeen men in the original contingent, while at Brigade were Corporal Stirrup and three more. After the Armentières gas attack reorganization became necessary,and first Corporal Harper, and later Sergeant Corkill and Lance-Corporal Darcy, were the leading scouts. It is invidious to pick out individuals from such a highly trained and enthusiastic party, but there can be no doubt that, taken all round, Sergeant Corkill was the best of a very good collection of men. The duties of these men varied from patrolling, either collectively or individually with company patrols, leading raiding parties, sniping, manning observation posts, and so forth, in the trenches, to blocking side roads during relief nights, exploring emergency routes, or reconnoitring ordinary routes when the battalion was out of the line.
2.Runners.—It is doubtful if any collection of individuals had to work so consistently hard and under such trying conditions, and managed withal to be so invariably cheerful, as the Battalion and Company Runners. Organized at Woking, and recruited largely from the buglers, they first really came into active existence at Strazeele. Throughout the history of the battalion there appears to have been no occasion when a runner failed to reach his destination, except through being incapacitated by wounds. Always on the move, they were the first in the line and the last out of it, with endless messages going day and night; one day cycling along the ominous Houplines road, another day leaving the safety of a pill-box to make their way across mud and shell-holes in the blackness of the night; or, again, dashing (not once, but again and again) through a barrage. Such were some of the duties of which a runner's life was composed.
Before the gas bombardment the Battalion Runners had no actual N.C.O. in charge of them, but later Lance-Corporal Brown, one of the originals, was appointed to take charge of them.
3.Lewis Gunners.—In training Lewis Gunners at home we were more than fortunate in possessing Lieutenant Bowring and Sergeant Machell, with the result that we went overseas with gunners possessed of an efficiency of which any battalion might be proud. From then onwards was one unceasing struggle to keep up the numbers. Holding as they often did the dangerous posts, thecasualties were not few, and as our numbers dwindled the supply of guns grew steadily greater. The teams generally had to go into the line twenty-four hours before the remainder of the battalion, and, in addition to the ordinary impedimenta of a relief, they had to carry, at any rate along the trenches, their guns and ammunition, which, when conditions were bad, often proved an almost overwhelming burden. Out of the line they had to be cleaning their guns and ammunition unceasingly, while the care of innumerable spare parts was enough to drive anyone crazy. After Lieutenant Bowring, 2nd-Lieutenants Rothwell, Dwyer, Hicks, and Lieutenants Wilson and Drewsen, in turn took charge of their destinies; while Sergeants Bond, Simpson, and Rowlandson acted in succession as Battalion Lewis Gun Sergeants.
4.Battalion Orderly-Room.—After the first days of chaos we soon settled down to a continued period of great efficiency, broken only by one temporary interruption caused by the gas bombardment. At home, the records and administration of the battalion passed successfully through the hands of Colour-Sergeants Robinson, Sutherland, and Evans, and the completeness of their work can be seen at once by anyone who has to deal with the old battalion orders. Overseas we were no less fortunate in our orderly-room sergeants—Ewan, Longridge, Llewellyn, and Myers. It is one thing to keep files complete and records accurate in the comfortable security of a properly organized orderly-room in England. To maintain no less efficiency and accuracy in France is a very different proposition. Space and stationery are limited; half your records are always packed and inaccessible; the orderly-room may be represented by a small "bivvy," a tent lit by one guttering candle, a "lean-to" composed of an old ground sheet, or other commodious habitation. Work under such conditions is trying and difficult, but it always went on; the orders were always issued, the records always kept, no matter what the obstacles. The amount of work which had to be done may be estimated by the fact that two typewriters were fully employed.
5.Quartermaster's Department.—The comprehensive activities of the Quartermaster and his staff would, if adequately dealt with, require a volume in themselves. A few notes on some aspects of their work will only be given.
In England the principal task was, first, to obtain equipment, and, secondly, to account for deficiencies. These difficulties rested in the able hands of Lieutenant Barnett and, latterly, Lieutenant Sutherland. Overseas the responsibilities of an efficient Quartermaster widen out indefinitely. The provision of rations and equipment, no small work in itself, is obviously his main concern; but, apart from that, a zealous Quartermaster regards himself as responsible for everything that conduces to the comfort and welfare of his battalion. He arranges for billets and baths; he acts as commission agent for all kinds of purchases for messes and individuals; he looks after the postal arrangements, obtains money from the field cashier, drinks, cigarettes, and so forth from the Expeditionary Force Canteen; he mends your boots and clothes; he "scrounges" tar felting and oil silk—in a word, he represents to the battalion all the resources of a town, with its shops and its general conveniences of civilization. Lieutenant Sutherland's services to the battalion were beyond all reckoning. He literally slaved day and night to ensure that no battalion was better fed, better clothed, better equipped, and generally better looked after than ours. Captain Smith, who later became Quartermaster, followed in the same tradition, and it is doubtful if we were ever in lack of anything that we seriously wanted. In this work it will be realized that the Quartermaster must have received the whole-hearted support of his staff. Wallas, Heyworth, Cousins, and Benson each in their turn proved most able Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeants. They further controlled an expert staff, each in their different periods supremely efficient in their own particular line—Blackburn, rations; Cooper, coal (he could always "win" an extra hundredweight); Yates, ordnance stores; Handley, mobilization stores; Kessen as a cheese-cutter; andCorporal Bell as understudy to the Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant; and there were many others who at varying times had their place in "Q" Department. For bootmaking, we had first Sergeant Mottram and later Sergeant Cox, a powerful representative of the 1st King's, who was as fine a boxer as bootmaker. For tailoring, we had originally Sergeant Jewers, and then Greenham, under whom worked an efficient band with strange Russian names.
Another most important branch was represented by the cooks, a most hard-working and efficient body of men, who proved their worth again and again, not only in the ordered cook-houses of England and the better billets of France, but still more in the rough and shelled shanties in the line, in the crude trench fires during a battle, or with their field kitchens on the march. Under Sergeant Lane, who had a curious passion for strolling in No Man's Land at night, and later under Sergeant Austin, the cooks attained a high degree of excellence; and in spite of the dwindling scale of rations and of the curious articles of food which used to be issued "in lieu of" ordinary items which the war had made scarce, they provided, in spite of their predilection for stew, a diet of which no one, however fastidious, could seriously complain. Rifleman Anderson probably enjoys the record for length of service as a cook, while Rifleman Frith earned the title of "Rissole King."
In this connection one cannot pass over without mention the self-sacrificing service of the men who went on the nightly pilgrimage of the trenches, carrying the awkward and weighty burden of "hot food containers." As you met them struggling in the dark along the narrow and tortuous ways, now stopping to pass beneath an overhead traverse, now forcing their way through a trench whose sides were almost closed in, you could not but admire the persistence and energy which these men exhibited, and on which the chances of hot tea or hot soup for the front line posts entirely depended.
Of the Pioneers mention has already been made in the narrative of the book. Prior to the formation of the Pioneer Platoon the original establishment of battalion pioneers worked as efficiently and energetically for their limited numbers as their more numerous party did under the later organization.
Two other duties connected with "the Stores" are deserving of mention. The Canteen Corporals—Corporal Hobden for the greater period of our service abroad, and at the latter part Corporal Trapnell—carried out a difficult and arduous task with great ability. Long tramps to distant canteens, and uncomfortable quarters in the line in which to exhibit their wares, constituted their life. The difficulty of reconciling the strict rationing enforced by the Expeditionary Force Canteen with the demands of the battalion made their office no sinecure.
The other duty referred to is that of Post Corporal, the leading exponent being Lance-Corporal A. L. Reade. Endless walking to distant Field Post Offices, long waits for the mail, a long trek home, and innumerable letters to sort—all this was merely a preliminary to the nightly journey up to the line. With all the letters to be re-addressed, and all the registered letters to be handed to their recipients, the task of Post Corporal was full of hard work, responsibility, and often danger.
In conclusion, it must be realized that the Quartermaster's Department enjoyed no immunity from shell fire, with which people are only too apt to connect the lives of those not dwelling in the line itself. Their stores and billets were frequently and—in Armentières, for instance—very heavily shelled. The nightly trip to the line was no sinecure, but often enough a most dangerous performance. Apart from this, their labours were unending. The battalion came out from the line for spells in reserve, or even in rest; the work of the Quartermaster's Department only varied, it did not decrease.
6.Transport.—During the early days at Blackpool, when we first received a few horses and some old civilian waggons, andfrom the time at Upstreet, when we became possessed of the regulation transport, the tradition of smartness and efficiency never wavered. Lieutenant Hutchinson had a genius for mules and horse management in general, and was able to complete and consolidate the work begun by 2nd-Lieutenant Eccles. After his transfer to the R.F.C. in 1917, Lieutenant Freeman took over, with all the experience he had enjoyed during many years with the A.S.C. Consequently one expected not only well-groomed animals and spotless vehicles, but also a sound and efficient organization. The latter was always in evidence, and the former only varied in degree according to the situation presented by circumstances. In England Sergeant Walker and Sergeant Lloyd, and overseas Lloyd and latterly Sergeant McGowan, were the successive Transport Sergeants; while in France mention should also be made of Corporals Davis, Tweddle, Steele, and Raws.
The task of a regimental transport on active service is hard. The hours of work and mileage covered by the vehicles daily were often almost incredible. The transfer of the A.S.C. waggons to duties for which the pre-war regulations had not provided put an enormous strain on battalion transport. The increase in material and equipment also produced a legitimate quantity of stuff far in excess of the capacity of the vehicles, and on occasions when M.T. or G.S. waggons were not forthcoming meant heavy work for our horses.
The supply of rations and water to the battalion, when in the trenches or in a battle, always presented a problem requiring bravery and initiative. Never did our transport fail us, whether limbers or pack mules, no matter the difficulties, no matter the shelling.
7.Signallers.—The first beginning of the Signal Section can be traced to Liverpool; and though there was a section at Blackpool, under 2nd-Lieutenant E. C. Adam, regular training can hardly be said to have begun before the battalion reached Canterbury, when instruction of a very sound nature commenced under SergeantBowman, of the 1/6th K.L.R. 2nd-Lieutenant Rathbone was here made responsible for the section.
When the 43rd Provisional Battalion was formed, Sergeant Haydon became Signal Sergeant, and a large part of the success and efficiency of the section from then up till November, 1917, was due to his efforts. Lieutenant Wyatt had meanwhile followed 2nd-Lieutenant Rathbone as Signalling Officer. Flag wagging had by now been more than mastered; and the intricacies of the "D III" telephone were now being absorbed, and a limited amount of practical work done with this instrument. At Upstreet the first battalion line was laid, connecting Battalion and Brigade Headquarters. A further step in instruction was taken in the systematic and careful schooling of linemen, and the efficiency thereby obtained proved of the utmost value later. Corporal Gillison was particularly conspicuous in this direction.
The Signal Section soon after this came under the command of Lieutenant J. T. Hazell, a really brilliant exponent of the signaller's art. From the time the battalion went to Aldershot till it left for France, the training went on with fewer and fewer interruptions; and the high standard attained may be realized from the fact that at the official tests, held late in 1916, we produced twenty-nine first-class and four second-class signallers out of thirty-three candidates entered, thereby bringing our total up to about fifty first-class signallers, and, further, won easily the signalling in the Aldershot Command Efficiency Competitions, in spite of powerful rivals. The names of the competitors, all of whom received bronze medals, were as follows:—
Officer in chargeLieut. J. T. Hazell.N.C.O. in chargeSergt. H. J. Haydon.Visual senderL./Cpl. S. H. Bell.Visual callerRfn. A. C. Cowie.Visual readerRfn. W. Whitehead.Visual writerRfn. G. Potter.First line layerRfn. W. A. Tomlinson.Second line layerRfn. A. W. Hassall.Third line layerRfn. E. Fryer.Buzzer senderRfn. W. Harrocks.Buzzer readerRfn. W. O. Copland.RunnerRfn. A. Wood.
During the time the battalion was in France the section not only fulfilled all calls upon its activities in a most efficient manner, but it was continually improving on its methods, learning the latest instruments—fuller-phones, power buzzers, Lucas lamps, and so forth. Not only was the system of telephones in every sector we occupied improved and simplified, and communication kept up no matter how often the enemy or wandering individuals smashed the wire, but in raids and periods of fighting, the section, both individually and collectively, showed itself as brave as it was resourceful. In Sergeant Payne was found a worthy successor to Sergeant Haydon. 2nd-Lieutenants Novelle and Thomas in turn acted as Signalling Officers, though the inspiration of Lieutenant Hazell, until he was evacuated shortly before the Armistice, was always present.
Esprit de corps, evident though it was in all ranks, was, if possible, more marked in the case of the signallers; and for their work, of which little can be said here, and of which, by reason of their success, much often passed unnoticed, the battalion owes a great debt.
8.Medical.—The hygienic and medical side of a battalion, whether at home or abroad, is of first-rate importance. As Medical Officer's Orderly, Corporal Lawton, Corporal Stubbs, and Corporal Henderson, each in their turn proved their worth again and again. On the sanitary side Sergeant Lawton and, latterly, Corporal Barwise were regular wizards in detecting anything wrong and providing the means to set things right.
Stretcher-bearers have been referred to in several places already. The work of self-sacrifice of stretcher-bearers has been testified by every unit of the British Army, and our own lived up to thehighest traditions of their calling; and our Medical Officers one and all set them an example which they might well be proud to follow. Lance-Corporal Winstanley, who during the latter part of the campaign was in charge of all stretcher-bearers, deserves a special mention for his admirable work.
The "water duty men," originally R.A.M.C. and later Riflemen, performed a thankless and arduous task with perseverance, often under conditions of great danger.
9.Miscellaneous Instructors.—The branches of knowledge with which the ordinary soldier has to be familiar are so diverse and so manifold that a host of instructors have to be equipped with special knowledge, in order that each may receive at any rate some instruction in special subjects.
In addition, therefore, to Musketry and Physical Instructors—of the latter, Sergeants Taylor, Jones, Hoskyn, and Ashcroft, and of the former Sergeants Beaumont, Griffiths, Kernighan, and Farrington were the principal exponents—we have Gas N.C.Os. (Sergeant Nicholls, Corporals Harvey and Roles) and Bombing Instructors (Corporal Cathrell, Sergeant Kerr, and Sergeant Grahl). The important duties performed by these N.C.Os. and by the officers who were similarly trained—Lieutenant Wyatt (physical drill), 2nd-Lieutenant Clarke and Lieutenant Burton (bombers), and Lieutenant James (Gas Officer)—are often hardly appreciated, and those who hold those special appointments are not infrequently thought to be in "cushy" jobs. That is as it may be; the fact remains that invaluable work was performed, and efficiency and protection obtained in vital branches of warfare.
10.Bugles.—From the earliest days at Blackpool the Bugles commenced to flourish, and throughout our long training in England they were an established part of our unit. In the early days of France they languished, but after the first "rest" their important position was recovered. In England Sergeant Kernighan was Sergeant-Bugler. During the latter part of the time in France Sergeant Cadman filled that office, while Lance-CorporalFrost proved a splendid cornet-player. The addition of five cornets was a great success, and latterly whenever out of the line the bugles sounded the recognized calls and carried out the normal routine of barrack life in England. In Lille the mere sight of the buglers produced an enthusiastic crowd, and there can be no question that their performance was well worth watching.
11.Machine Gunners.—The origin of this section dates from Blackpool in 1914, when the first beginnings were made under 2nd-Lieutenant Royston. After he proceeded overseas it passed under the care of 2nd-Lieutenant Rathbone, and from him again to Lieutenant Bowring. Under the latter, with the able assistance of Sergeant Machell, the section achieved the highest efficiency, and the arrival of a Vickers gun at Margate enabled the men to give practical demonstrations of their skill.
With the formation of the new Machine Gun Corps, instructions came to us, as to other units, for all our trained machine gunners to be transferred. Accordingly, in May, 1916, twenty-two men were discharged from the Territorial Force and were re-enlisted into the Machine Gun Corps, and formed No. 1 Section of "I" Machine Gun Company, at Grantham. After the normal period at Grantham, the major portion of these men proceeded to Mesopotamia in October, 1916, and fought in the principal action connected with the attempted recovery of Kut and the subsequent advance to Baghdad. The following spring they proceeded to Palestine, and took part in the chief operations there, which constituted the final obliteration of the Turk in that country. A further party of five were transferred to the Machine Gun Corps from Bourley Camp in July, 1916. Of these some proceeded to France, and thence to Salonika.
The various experiences of these men would cover many pages, but it is rather beyond the scope of this work. It may, however, be added that the extremely rapid promotion of our drafts speaks not only for their own merit, but also for that of the battalion in which they obtained their training as soldiers. Outof twenty-seven men, eighteen received promotion, including two warrant officers and three sergeants, while two men received commissions.
12.Light Trench Mortar Battery.—In July, 1916, the authorities decided that a Light Trench Mortar Battery should be formed in each of our Brigades, and in due course contingents from each battalion assembled in a corner of our camp to commence instruction in the Stokes trench mortar. Our contribution consisted of Lieutenant D. G. Leonard, one sergeant, two corporals, and nine men, with Lieutenant (later Captain) H. E. Barrow to command the Brigade Battery. The majority of the personnel had previously been sent to a preliminary course at Aldershot. Training accordingly proceeded apace, and the battery was soon firing live ammunition at Pirbright, where it subsequently took up its quarters permanently.
During the various vicissitudes of the Brigade our Trench Mortar Battery took its share of our pleasures and sorrows in full measure. At Houplines it proved more than a match for the German "pineapples." During raids of our own or the enemy's the men proved themselves worthy of the best traditions, while in open warfare they revealed surprising mobility. From time to time many other men were drafted from every battalion to the battery to replace casualties and to form reserves, and several of the men earned distinctions; while Captain Barrow, shortly before his transfer in 1917 to the W.A.F.F., was awarded the Military Cross.