CHAPTER XXII

APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JULY 1917

_Diary of the War_

[Sidenote: 1917.]

The British offensive operations still continued with great success, and considerable progress was made on the famous Vimy Ridge. An advance on a 50-miles front was undertaken in the direction of Cambrai, and 19,343 prisoners were taken, in addition to 257 guns and 227 trench mortars. The Germans made fierce counter-attacks, but were not sufficiently strong to check the advance, and even the Hindenburg switch line was broken through. A further offensive from Ypres to Armentières was commenced, and there was some very stiff fighting on the Messines-Wytschaete ridge. The French were equally successful, and having gained positions between Soissons and Craonne they pushed forward on a 100-miles front, taking 20,000 prisoners. In May they succeeded in capturing Craonne, and the important position on the Chemin des Dames. During the Allied offensive 52,000 Germans were taken prisoner, and 446 guns and 1000 machine-guns fell into our hands.

The Italians made good progress on the slopes of Monte Santo and on the heights of Gorizia, and there was some fierce fighting on Monte Vodia. Later San Giovanni was taken and the Timavo crossed, when there was more fighting on the Corso Plateau. In Russia the war was at a standstill, although a certain amount of fighting still continued in isolated places. In Greece the situation was still so unsatisfactory that the Allies agreed to let France undertake the whole Greek question. M. Jonnart was accordingly sent to Athens, where he at once demanded the abdication of King Constantine. Two days later King Constantine abdicated in favour of his second son Alexander, who was proclaimed King.

In Mesopotamia General Sir Stanley Maude gained two victories over the retreating Turks near Deltawa and Istabulat.

The following nations severed relations with Germany and joined the Allies: Cuba, Brazil, Bolivia, Liberia, and Honduras.

THE 1ST BATTALION

[Sidenote: 1st Batt. April.]

The officers of the 1st Battalion on April 1, 1917, were:

Lieut.-Colonel M. E. Makgill-Crichton- Maitland, D.S.O. Commanding Officer. Major E.N.E.M. Vaughan D.S.O. Second in Command. Capt. P. J. S. Pearson-Gregory Adjutant. Lieut. W. J. Dashwood Signalling Officer. Lieut. R. P. le P. Trench, M.C. Bombing Officer. Lieut. T. P. M. Bevan Lewis Gun Officer. Lieut. D. H. S. Riddiford Transport Officer. Lieut. and Quartermaster J. Teece Quartermaster. Capt. L. G. Fisher-Rowe King’s Company. Lieut. C. Wilkinson ” ” Lieut. R. F. W. Echlin ” ” 2nd Lieut. F. T. Maurice ” ” 2nd Lieut. R. H. Rolfe ” ” Capt. C. D. Baker No. 2 Company. 2nd Lieut. S. Y. P. Gardner ” ” Capt. P. M. Spence No. 3 Company. Lieut. P. G. Simmons ” ” 2nd Lieut. J. F. Eastwood ” ” 2nd Lieut. H. Bird ” ” 2nd Lieut. O. F. Stein ” ” Capt. R. D. Lawford No. 4 Company. Lieut. N. G. Chamberlain ” ” 2nd Lieut. W. H. Lovell ” ” Capt. J. C. B. Grant, R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.

The whole of April was spent by the 1st Battalion in working on the railway and in training. Second Lieutenant A. S. Chambers joined on the 11th; Lieutenant E. G. L. King, Second Lieutenant H. G. Johnson, and Second Lieutenant J. W. Chapple on the 30th. On the 26th Captain C. V. Fisher-Rowe arrived to take up the duties of Second in Command, but did not remain long, as he was appointed a week later Brigade-Major to the 51st Infantry Brigade.

[Sidenote: May.]

May was spent in very much the same way, with three companies on railway fatigue and one company training. The Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Colonel Maitland, started competitions in all the various arts of war, and there seems no doubt that these competitions made the men keen and fostered a spirit of friendly rivalry between the various teams. There were also tactical schemes in open warfare, so that if by any chance the German line should break, the men would know how to act. The latter part of the month was devoted solely to training, and the Commanding Officer was able to assemble the whole Battalion. Captain Viscount Lascelles arrived on the 2nd, and a few days later was promoted to the rank of temporary Major, and appointed Second in Command. Lieutenant G. F. Pauling, M.C., joined on the 2nd. On the 31st the Battalion went by train to St. Omer, and subsequently to Campagne.

[Sidenote: June.]

For the first fortnight in June it remained training at Campagne, and then proceeded to Zudausques. On the 18th it moved to Herzeele, where it remained until July 13.

[Sidenote: July.]

The officers of the 1st Battalion on July 1, 1917, were:

Lieut.-Colonel M. E. Makgill-Crichton- Maitland, D.S.O. Commanding Officer. Major H. G. C. Viscount Lascelles Second in Command. Capt. P. J. S. Pearson-Gregory Adjutant. 2nd Lieut. O. F. Stein Bombing Officer. Lieut. W. H. Lovell Lewis Gun Officer. Lieut. D. H. S. Riddiford Transport Officer. Lieut. and Quartermaster J. Teece, M.C. Quartermaster. Capt. L. G. Fisher-Rowe, M.C. King’s Company. Lieut. G. F. Pauling, M.C. ” ” Lieut. T. P. M. Bevan ” ” Lieut. M. Thrupp ” ” Capt. C. D. Baker No. 2 Company. Lieut. B. L. Lawrence ” ” Lieut. E. G. L. King ” ” 2nd Lieut. S. Y. P. Gardner ” ” Capt. P. M. Spence No. 3 Company. Lieut. W. J. Dashwood ” ” Lieut. P. G. Simmons ” ” Capt. R. D. Lawford No. 4 Company. Lieut. N. G. Chamberlain ” ” Lieut. R. P. le P. Trench, M.C. ” ” Lieut. R. F. W. Echlin ” ” 2nd Lieut. F. W. Chapple ” ” 2nd Lieut. A. S. Chambers ” ” Capt. J. C. B. Grant, R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.

The 3rd Guards Brigade now moved up into the line in order to take part in the attack by the Guards Division on the 31st. The Battalion Headquarters were at Boesinghe Château, and all four companies had two platoons in the front line. The two days spent in the trenches were uncomfortable and noisy, but there were no casualties. The Germans raided the 1st Battalion Irish Guards which was on the right, and the platoon on the right of the Grenadiers’ line was involved, but Second Lieutenant Johnson, who was in command, succeeded in preventing the enemy reaching our lines.

On the 15th the 1st Battalion came out of the line, and retired to de Wippe Cabaret, where for ten days it was employed in carrying up ammunition and war material to the front line. This necessitated constant visits to the front trenches always under shell-fire, and there were in consequence many casualties. On the 22nd Lieutenant E. G. L. King was killed by a shell close up to the front trench while in command of a fatigue party. The loss of so promising and keen an officer just before the attack was most unfortunate for the Battalion. On the 24th Second Lieutenant R. H. Rolfe, who had only just rejoined from hospital, was wounded in the same way. Second Lieutenant L. de J. Harvard joined the Battalion on the 15th, and on the 28th the Battalion moved up to Forest Camp so as to be ready to take its place in the line for the attack on the 31st.

THE 2ND BATTALION

[Sidenote: 2nd Batt. April.]

The officers of the 2nd Battalion on April 1, 1917, were:

Lieut.-Colonel C. K. C. de Crespigny, D.S.O. Commanding Officer. Major the Hon. W. R. Bailey, D.S.O. Second in Command. Lieut. A. H. Penn Adjutant. Lieut. G. G. M. Vereker Transport Officer. Quartermaster and Hon. Lieut. W. E. Acraman, D.C.M. Quartermaster. Capt. J. N. Buchanan No. 1 Company. Lieut. F. A. M. Browning ” ” Lieut. J. C. Cornforth ” ” 2nd Lieut. R. G. Briscoe ” ” 2nd Lieut. T. Smith ” ” Lieut. A. T. A. Ritchie, M.C. No. 2 Company. Lieut. the Hon. F. H. Manners ” ” Lieut. F. H. G. Layland-Barratt, M.C. ” ” Lieut. T. A. Combe ” ” Lieut. R. G. C. Napier ” ” Capt. C. F. A. Walker, M.C. No. 3 Company. Lieut. A. W. Acland ” ” Lieut. K. O’G. Harvard ” ” 2nd Lieut. Lord I. B. G. T. Blackwood ” ” 2nd Lieut. H. M. Wilson ” ” 2nd Lieut. I. FitzG. S. Gunnis ” ” Capt. G. C. FitzH. Harcourt-Vernon, D.S.O. No. 4 Company. Lieut. R. A. W. Bicknell ” ” Lieut. J. H. Jacob ” ” Lieut. J. Tabor ” ” Lieut. R. E. H. Oliver ” ” Capt. J. A. Andrews, M.C., R.A.M.C. Medical Officer. Hon. Captain A. Williams, with Regimental Band.

During the first week in April the 2nd Battalion remained in camp at Ginchy, and was employed in road-making. Later it moved to Rocquigny for a week, and then on to Bronfay to train. The monotony of company training was relieved by brigade competitions, and No. 11 Platoon under Lieutenant Gunnis succeeded not only in winning the prize, but also in being first in every event――a very remarkable performance.

[Sidenote: May.]

On May 9 the Battalion marched _via_ Maricourt, Guillemont, and Ginchy to a camp near Lesbœufs, and three days later moved to Le Mesnil, where it worked on the railway. On the 20th it returned to Bronfay, and on the way halted for half-an-hour to enable the men to view the memorial to officers and men of the Regiment who had been killed there in September 1916. It consisted of an oak cross about ten feet high, made out of wood collected from the ruins of Lesbœufs. On May 22 the Battalion went to Sailly-le-Sec, where it remained till the end of the month, when it went by train _via_ Cassel and Bavinchove to Renescure.

[Sidenote: June.]

During the first fortnight in June the 2nd Battalion remained at Renescure training and going through a course of musketry, and on the 16th marched to Winnezeele. The weather was fine, and though the heat was great the men stood the marching well. On the 18th the Battalion marched into Belgium, and went into bivouacs at Proven, where it remained for two days and then moved to Herzeele. On the 20th it attended a parade at which General Antoine, commanding the First French Army, presented crosses of the Legion of Honour and medals to officers of the Fifth British Army. At the conclusion of the parade the Battalion marched past followed by the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, and then returned to billets. On the 24th it marched to de Wippe Cross-roads, where it remained a week. The enemy’s big guns carried out some long-distance shelling, chiefly on the roads at night, but fortunately the 2nd Battalion suffered no casualties. On the 28th it marched to Cardoen Farm.

[Sidenote: July.]

The officers of the 2nd Battalion on July 1, 1917, were:

Lieut.-Colonel C. R. C. de Crespigny, D.S.O. Commanding Officer. Major the Hon. W. R. Bailey, D.S.O. Second in Command. Lieut. A. H. Penn Adjutant. Lieut. G. G. M. Vereker Transport Officer. Hon. Lieut. W. E. Acraman, M.C., D.C.M. Quartermaster. Capt. J. N. Buchanan No. 1 Company. Lieut. F. A. M. Browning ” ” Lieut. J. C. Cornforth ” ” 2nd Lieut. P. A. A. Harbord ” ” 2nd Lieut. R. G. Briscoe ” ” Capt. A. T. A. Ritchie, M.C. No. 2 Company. Lieut. A. S. L. St. J. Mildmay ” ” Lieut. the Hon. F. H. Manners ” ” Lieut. F. H. G. Layland-Barratt, M.C. ” ” Lieut. R. G. C. Napier ” ” Capt. C. F. A. Walker, M.C. No. 3 Company. Capt. Sir A. L. M. Napier, Bart. ” ” Lieut. K. O’G. Harvard ” ” Lieut. A. W. Acland ” ” 2nd Lieut. H. M. Wilson ” ” 2nd Lieut. Lord I. B. G. T. Blackwood ” ” 2nd Lieut. I. FitzG. S. Gunnis ” ” Capt. G. C. FitzH. Harcourt-Vernon, D.S.O. No. 4 Company. Lieut. J. H. Jacob ” ” Lieut. R. E. H. Oliver ” ” Lieut. J. Tabor ” ” 2nd Lieut. F. H. J. Drummond ” ” Capt. J. A. Andrews, M.C., R.A.M.C. Medical Officer. Capt. C. F. Lyttelton Chaplain of the Forces.

On July 2 the 2nd Battalion relieved the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards in the Boesinghe Sector, which was soon to become the site selected for an offensive. The Belgians at the time were on the right, and were subsequently relieved by the French. The trenches occupied by the Battalion were extended for about 1500 yards along the western bank of the Yser Canal. The first day was spent in improving the position, and as soon as it became dark the men were mostly employed in carrying up material of all kinds to the front area. At 11.30 P.M. orders were received from the Brigadier to make two raids into the enemy’s lines, with a view to obtaining identification of the German regiments employed there, as well as information as to the whereabouts of the German trench. Lieut.-Colonel de Crespigny decided to send out two parties: the first consisting of No. 11 Platoon, under Second Lieutenant I. FitzG. S. Gunnis, whose task it was to capture, if possible, a prisoner; and the second under Second Lieutenant Lord Basil Blackwood with a party of five men from No. 10 Platoon, who received orders to reconnoitre in a certain direction. It was a very dark night, and this was all in favour of the enterprise, but on the other hand the difficulties of crossing the canal and advancing into “No Man’s Land,” where the exact disposition of the German defences were unknown, in absolute darkness, were only too obvious. The first obstacle to be overcome was the passage of the Yser Canal, and this was accomplished by means of 5-feet mats made of canvas and wire netting, nailed to wooden slats. Two of these were used, being placed in position by two specially detailed parties, and proved most effective in providing a foothold over the muddy bed of the canal. Thus the two parties succeeded in crossing without detection by the enemy.

On arrival on the east side of the canal, Lord Basil Blackwood led his party on into the darkness, but instead of the trench which they had expected to find from a previous study of the aeroplane map, there was nothing but a mass of shell-holes with heavy wire entanglement, which made it difficult for the party to keep together. After going a considerable distance over rough and broken ground, rifle-fire was suddenly opened on them from a dug-out. Lord Basil Blackwood’s orderly was wounded, while a sapper from the Royal Engineers, who formed one of the party, was killed. The remainder at once lay down in shell-holes, and as they waited bombs were thrown at them from the same direction. Owing to the two men who originally followed him having become casualties, the party now became scattered. Beyond this point little is known. A corporal of the Royal Engineers who accompanied the party, and who was wounded, said that he saw Lord Basil Blackwood crawl forward after the shots were fired, but subsequently lost sight of him. The two remaining men of the Grenadiers assert that they saw him fall, but that owing to the darkness they completely lost touch with him, and after crawling about for some time they returned to the canal bank. Unfortunately they omitted to report all this to their Company Commander, Captain Walker, who with Colonel de Crespigny and Major Bailey was waiting on the canal bank for any news of the raiding party. It did not at first occur to Captain Walker that anything was amiss, but when time wore on, and Lord Basil Blackwood failed to return, he became uneasy. The difficulty was, however, that no one could be found to give any information which would enable a patrol to go out with any hope of tracing the missing party.

The movements of the other party under Second Lieutenant Gunnis are even more obscure. After crossing the canal, one portion of the party went on to form a block on the north side, whilst the remainder worked south in search of a prisoner. Eventually they found a German trench and walked down it, until an obstruction of barbed wire made farther progress impossible. As the sides were too steep to admit of egress, Second Lieutenant Gunnis gave the order to turn about, with the intention of retracing his steps and getting out farther back. The order was apparently misunderstood, and some of the men became detached. Second Lieutenant Gunnis then entered another trench. He went along it until he was suddenly fired at, at very close range. Undeterred by this, he retired a short distance and returned again outside the trench. Having passed the point from which he was fired at, he appears to have lost direction, for he went on until he came upon the dead body of a British soldier, most probably that of the Engineer, who had accompanied Lord Basil Blackwood’s party. He told the two men next to him to carry the body back. He intended the remainder of the party to follow him, but, owing to the darkness, combined with the broken state of the ground, the orders were misunderstood. At that moment several bombs were thrown. The men took what cover they could in shell-holes. When the bombing ceased Second Lieutenant Gunnis was no longer with the party. Whether he walked on under the impression that the others were following him, or whether he was killed by a bomb it is impossible to say. The enemy about this time sent up S.O.S. signals which brought down a heavy barrage on the British lines, and this no doubt prevented the survivors of the party returning in time to enable a patrol to go out before daylight.

During the following day the shelling continued intermittently, but it was not until the 5th that the Germans began to search the ground in earnest. Two heavy Minenwerfers were firing from the left front, and the bombs were falling near the support line. The range was gradually lengthened until the Battalion Headquarters were reached. Then came a gas alarm, but the discipline was so good, and gas helmets were put on so promptly, that although a large number of gas shells pitched on our front line, there were no casualties. On the 6th the shelling continued, and one shell pitched in the support line, wounding Lieutenant Hermon-Hodge and three sergeants, one of whom subsequently died.

On the 7th the Battalion was relieved, and retired into billets at Roussel Farm, where it remained until the 11th, ostensibly for a rest, though the men were constantly employed in carrying material to the front line. On the 11th they went up into the support system, where they were employed in repairing the trenches which were being constantly blown in by shell-fire. All available officers and N.C.O.’s were taken over the ground which had been selected as the forming-up area of the Battalion in the coming offensive, and were shown objectives and landmarks. On the 13th the Battalion was relieved and marched to Elverdinghe, where it entrained for Proven. On the following day it marched to Honflond, where it remained for a fortnight, carefully practising every stage of the attack over ground exactly representing the German lines, until even the men knew by heart the lie of the land and the position of the strong points and farmhouses. On the 15th Lieutenant F. A. Magnay arrived, and on the 16th Lieutenant G. R. Westmacott and Second Lieutenant S. H. Pearson joined the Battalion. On the 28th the Battalion moved up to Roussel Farm, and then to the Forest Area, preparatory to taking part in the offensive on the 31st.

THE 3RD BATTALION

[Sidenote: 3rd Batt. April.]

The officers of the 3rd Battalion on April 1, 1917, were:

Lieut.-Colonel A. F. A. N. Thorne, D.S.O. Commanding Officer. Major G. E. C. Rasch, D.S.O. Second in Command. Lieut. the Hon. F. O. H. Eaton Adjutant. Lieut. K. Henderson Intelligence Officer. Lieut. M. Duquenoy Transport Officer. Lieut. G. H. Wall Quartermaster. Capt. J. C. Craigie, M.C. No. 1 Company. Lieut. the Hon. A. G. Agar-Robartes ” ” Lieut. F. J. Siltzer ” ” 2nd Lieut. A. G. Elliott ” ” Lieut. G. F. R. Hirst No. 2 Company. Lieut. E. R. M. Fryer ” ” Lieut. F. W. R. Greenhill ” ” Lieut. C. A. Hall ” ” 2nd Lieut. A. H. S. Adair ” ” 2nd Lieut. L. Holbech ” ” Capt. W. W. S. C. Neville No. 3 Company. Lieut. N. Thornhill ” ” Lieut. J. C. D. Tetley ” ” 2nd Lieut. the Hon. A. M. Borthwick ” ” 2nd Lieut. G. A. I. Dury ” ” Capt. R. W. Parker No. 4 Company. Lieut. F. J. Heasman ” ” Lieut. J. F. Worsley ” ” 2nd Lieut. C. W. Carrington ” ” Capt. J. N. L. Thoseby, R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.

April was spent by the 3rd Battalion in road-mending, loading trucks, and other fatigues. As a rule half the Battalion was engaged on these works, while the other half, with the exception of those men required for the ordinary duties, was occupied in training.

[Sidenote: May.]

During May the Battalion continued training at Clery, Billon, Ville, and Wardrecques.

[Sidenote: June.]

On June 5 Lieut.-Colonel A. F. A. N. Thorne was obliged to go to hospital with a strained leg, and Captain Craigie temporarily commanded the Battalion until the 10th, when Major Rasch returned. On the 17th the Battalion relieved the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in the support line with their headquarters at Bluet Farm, and although at first there was not much firing the shelling increased in intensity each day, with the result that there were quite a number of casualties. On the 22nd the Battalion was relieved, and returned to Roussel Farm, where it remained until the end of the month. There were a great number of hostile aeroplanes over this part of the line, and the men had constantly to be warned to keep under cover. The Battalion spent another two days in the trenches on the 26th, and came in for a great deal of shelling. Second Lieutenant B. J. Dunlop had a lucky escape; he had just been called away from the bomb-store, where he had been all day, when a high-explosive shell pitched on it, killing the men to whom he had been speaking.

[Sidenote: July.]

The officers of the 3rd Battalion on July 1, 1917, were:

Lieut.-Colonel G. E. C. Rasch, D.S.O. Commanding Officer. Capt. E. D. Ridley, M.C. Second in Command. Lieut. the Hon. A. G. Agar-Robartes Adjutant. Lieut. M. Duquenoy Transport Officer. Lieut. G. H. Wall Quartermaster. Lieut. K. Henderson Bombing Officer. Capt. J. C. Craigie, M.C. No. 1 Company. Lieut. E. R. M. Fryer ” ” Lieut. F. J. Siltzer ” ” 2nd Lieut. A. G. Elliott ” ” 2nd Lieut. E. G. A. Fitzgerald ” ” Capt. the Hon. F. O. H. Eaton No. 2 Company. Lieut. G. F. R. Hirst ” ”. Lieut. C. A. Hall ” ” 2nd Lieut. L. Holbech ” ” 2nd Lieut. F. W. R. Greenhill ” ” Capt. W. W. S. C. Neville, M.C. No. 3 Company. Lieut. J. C. D. Tetley ” ” Lieut. N. Thornhill ” ” 2nd Lieut. the Hon. A. M. Borthwick ” ” 2nd Lieut. B. J. Dunlop ” ” Capt. R. W. Parker No. 4 Company. Lieut. F. J. Worsley ” ” 2nd Lieut. C. W. Carrington ” ” 2nd Lieut. L. E. Dunlop ” ” 2nd Lieut. H. R. Ogle ” ” 2nd Lieut. G. V. G. A. Webster ” ” Lieut. H. Dearden, R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.

On July 1 the 3rd Battalion went to Wylders, and the following day moved on to Herzeele. Every detail of the projected attack on the 31st was carefully rehearsed over specially prepared trenches, and every officer and N.C.O. was made familiar with the plan of the German lines and the prominent landmarks. On the 12th Lieut.-Colonel Thorne resumed command of the Battalion, and Major Rasch went to hospital, his place as Second in Command being taken by Captain Ridley. On the 13th the Battalion moved up to the Forest Area and was bivouacked in two fields. The enemy’s aeroplanes were so busy overhead that the greatest attention had to be paid to “camouflage,” and everything had to be hidden as far as possible. The men were constantly employed in carrying up ammunition and war material to the front trenches, an arduous and dangerous task since they were continually under shell-fire. Private Bignell of No. 4 Company behaved with great coolness and gallantry in carrying from a dug-out a box of Véry lights which had been set on fire by a pineapple bomb. For this he received the Military Medal.

On the 18th Second Lieutenant W. H. S. Roper joined, and on the 21st the Battalion took over the right Brigade Sector near Boesinghe, with Nos. 1 and 2 Companies in the front trench. For five days the Battalion remained in the trenches, during which time it suffered much from shell-fire. Second Lieutenant H. R. Ogle was wounded but remained at duty, and the casualties among other ranks were 27 killed, 11 died of wounds, 45 wounded, 10 gassed, 7 to hospital from concussion. Second Lieutenant G. Webster made an excellent reconnaissance of the Canal, and discovered four places where it could be crossed without the men getting very wet. No. 4 Company was to have carried out a raid to ascertain the strength of the enemy, but at the last moment the order was cancelled. On the night of the 26th the Battalion was relieved by the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards, and retired again to the Forest Area to rest before the attack by the Division on the 31st.

THE 4TH BATTALION

[Sidenote: 4th Batt. April.]

The officers of the 4th Battalion on April 1, 1917, were:

Lieut.-Colonel G. C. Hamilton, D.S.O. Commanding Officer. Major W. S. Pilcher Second in Command. Capt. R. S. Lambert, M.C. Adjutant. Lieut. I. H. Ingleby Act.-Quartermaster. Lieut. J. B. M. Burke Intelligence Officer. 2nd Lieut. C. E. Benson Transport Officer. Capt. C. G. Keith, M.C. No. 1 Company. Lieut. J. N. F. Pixley ” ” 2nd Lieut. E. H. Tuckwell ” ” 2nd Lieut. G. R. Green ” ” Capt. the Hon. F. E. Needham No. 2 Company. Lieut. G. H. T. Paton ” ” Lieut. the Hon. A. H. L. Hardinge ” ” 2nd Lieut. M. P. B. Wrixon ” ” Capt. C. H. Greville No. 3 Company. Lieut. R. Farquhar, M.C. ” ” Lieut. G. C. Sloane-Stanley. ” ” Lieut. C. S. Nash ” ” 2nd Lieut. T. T. Pryce, M.C. ” ” Capt. E. G. Spencer-Churchill No. 4 Company. Lieut. E. R. D. Hoare ” ” Lieut. R. H. G. Leveson-Gower ” ” Lieut. C. E. Irby ” ” 2nd Lieut. B. J. Hubbard ” ” 2nd Lieut. N. A. Pearce ” ” Capt. N. Grellier, M.C., R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.

Lieut.-Colonel G. Hamilton, having been given a command in England, left to take up his duties and was succeeded by Captain (Brevet Major) the Viscount Gort, D.S.O., M.V.O., M.C. After a fortnight at Clery the 4th Battalion moved to Cartigny, where it remained for six weeks. On arrival it had to pitch camp on sodden ground. Though it was snowing hard and almost dark, the men managed in an incredibly short time to collect timber from the ruined houses, bring up braziers and pitch tents, so that a tolerably habitable camp soon sprang up. On the 14th Captain M. Williams assumed temporary command of the 58th Prisoners of War Company. The greater portion of the Battalion worked on the railway, but each company in turn remained behind to do steady drill.

By degrees the Battalion made itself very comfortable, and a canteen with a recreation room was built, two football grounds were made, and a cricket-ground begun. The pioneers of the Battalion collected the debris from the neighbouring ruins and erected stables and various other buildings. On the 23rd the work on the railway ceased, and all the companies were left at the disposal of the Commanding Officer.

[Sidenote: May.]

The 4th Battalion remained at Cartigny until May 18, practising all the latest developments of the attack, but the work on the railway again claimed three companies, and it was only occasionally that the Commanding Officer had the whole Battalion at his disposal for training purposes. Second Lieutenant R. G. West joined the Battalion on the 1st of May, Second Lieutenant R. C. Denman on the 2nd, Second Lieutenant H. W. Windeler on the 16th, and on the 12th Second Lieutenant N. A. Pearce was appointed Transport Officer. On the 18th the Battalion marched to Bronfay, and on the way was inspected by Major-General Feilding commanding the Guards Division. The following day it proceeded to Corbie, where it remained training until the end of the month.

[Sidenote: June.]

At the beginning of June it moved on by train to Le Rons. Second Lieutenant J. M. Chitty joined the Battalion on the 4th, and Second Lieutenant F. R. Oliver and Second Lieutenant J. J. M. Veitch on the 7th. Company training and musketry were carried out during the fortnight spent at Le Rons, and on the 17th the Battalion moved to Herzeele, where the whole Brigade manœuvred together. On the 21st Captain E. O. Stewart joined the Battalion, and on the 29th Second Lieutenant D. J. Knight arrived.

[Sidenote: July.]

The officers of the 4th Battalion on July 1, 1917, were:

Lieut.-Colonel the Viscount Gort, D.S.O., M.V.O., M.C. Commanding Officer. Major W. S. Pilcher, D.S.O. Second in Command. Capt. C. R. Gerard Adjutant. Lieut. I. H. Ingleby Act.-Quartermaster. Lieut. Lord E. D. J. Hay Intelligence Officer. 2nd Lieut. N. A. Pearce Transport Officer. Capt. C. G. Keith, M.C. No. 1 Company. Lieut. J. N. F. Pixley ” ” 2nd Lieut. E. H. Tuckwell ” ” 2nd Lieut. G. R. Green ” ” 2nd Lieut. G. C. Burt ” ” 2nd Lieut. J. M. Chitty ” ” Capt. the Hon. F. E. Needham No. 2 Company. Capt. E. O. Stewart ” ” Lieut. R. G. West ” ” 2nd Lieut. T. T. Pryce, M.C. ” ” 2nd Lieut. R. C. Denman ” ” 2nd Lieut. W. H. Windeler ” ” Capt. C. H. Greville, D.S.O. No. 3 Company. Lieut. R. Farquhar, M.C. ” ” Lieut. J. B. M. Burke ” ” Lieut. G. C. Sloane-Stanley ” ” Lieut. C. S. Nash ” ” 2nd Lieut. D. J. Knight ” ” Capt. G. H. T. Paton No. 4 Company. Lieut. R. H. G. Leveson-Gower ” ” Lieut. C. E. Irby ” ” Lieut. B. J. Hubbard ” ” 2nd Lieut. J. J. M. Veitch ” ” 2nd Lieut. F. R. Oliver ” ” 2nd Lieut. C. E. Benson ” ” Capt. N. Grellier, M.C., R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.

The 4th Battalion now made its way to the area opposite the portion of the German line which had been selected for an attack on July 31. The camp consisted of a few bivouac sheets in a wood, and was well within the range of the German shells; almost as soon as the Battalion arrived some shells fell in the Transport lines, but fortunately did no damage. Lieut.-Colonel Lord Gort went up to the line to make himself acquainted with the trenches from which the Battalion would attack, and took with him Captain Paton, Lieutenant Pixley, and Lieutenant Burke. During the first week in July the Battalion had to find between 500 and 600 men for fatigues in the forward area. On the 5th the camp was again shelled, but luckily there were no casualties. Lord Gort made a second visit to the front line, and took with him this time Captain the Hon. F. E. Needham, Captain Greville, Captain Keith, and Lieutenant Lord E. Hay. During these days there were constant gas alarms, and on one occasion the men were ordered to sleep with their helmets in the ”alert” position.

July 14 was a red-letter day for the 4th Battalion, as it was the second anniversary of its formation, but owing to the large number of men required for fatigue work Lord Gort decided to keep this anniversary on the 15th. The celebrations consisted of a football match, a tug-of-war, and a sergeants’ dinner, followed by a Battalion concert, and last, but not least, a free issue of beer to all the men. The Corps Commander, Lord Cavan, attended the sergeants’ dinner, and made a speech which aroused the greatest enthusiasm. Major-General G. Feilding also attended.

The fatigue parties worked day and night, and as the work necessitated going up into the front trenches there were almost daily a number of men wounded. On the 16th the Battalion moved up nearer to the front line and received orders to raid the German trenches on the whole Divisional front in eight different places. The men selected for this were trained separately, and for three days the raid was rehearsed so that every man knew exactly what to do.

On the 18th the Battalion moved up into the front line of the Boesinghe Sector, and was unlucky enough to come in for considerable artillery fire while the relief was being carried out, as the enemy put up the S.O.S. signal, when he was being raided by the neighbouring Brigade. As soon as the relief was completed, gas was discharged from our Stokes mortars, while the enemy’s artillery put down a heavy barrage on our front line. No. 1 Company was placed in the front line; No. 2 Company placed two platoons in S line and two platoons in Y line; and X line was occupied by No. 4 Company. The raiding parties from No. 3 Company were posted at Paradou Farm.

At 1 A.M. on the 20th the raids took place, and in accordance with the orders received the German front line was penetrated in four places. No. 1 party started off, and had nearly reached the German line when it found that the mat which had been provided to help it over the mud was too short. There was nothing to be done but to plunge into the Canal, and in spite of being up to their knees in mud the men succeeded in entering the German trench at the right place. After moving down the trench for 100 yards, they came upon a German double sentry post which was engaged in sending up Véry lights. They determined to work round this post, but one of the raiders lost his head, and fired point-blank at the Germans. This would in any case have raised the alarm, but in addition to this another of the raiders dropped a bomb, killing his neighbour and wounding himself, so that all attempt at surprise was at an end. The German sentries rushed off yelling, but had not gone far when one of them dropped dead. Showers of Véry lights were soon sent up by the Germans in rear, and men were seen advancing with bombs and hand grenades in all directions. This raiding party therefore withdrew, bringing with it the body of the man who had been killed by the bomb. They were able to see a good deal of the German trench, and reported it to be badly knocked about.

No. 2 party under Second Lieutenant T. T. Pryce was more successful. The mat in this case was the right length, and enabled the men to cross over the mud quickly. They saw five Germans, who immediately ran over the Yperlee into Crapouillot Wood. They visited two German dug-outs, but found them unoccupied and empty, and reported that they had some difficulty in moving along the trench, which was badly damaged. No. 3 party arrived at its destination without difficulty, but the Germans who had bolted across the Yperlee opened fire on it from the opposite bank. The raiders afterwards claimed that they had silenced this fire with bombs, but there was no evidence to prove that they succeeded in killing any of the enemy. However, they were able to make a tolerably accurate report on the state of the trench.

No. 4 party was heavily handicapped, as the part of the parapet over which it had to start was on the sky-line, and therefore clearly visible to the enemy. No sooner had the men started than the alarm was given, and they found the Germans waiting for them. Again the mat proved too short, and the men were obliged to advance knee-deep in mud. Bombs were thrown at them from the start, and one bomb reached the covering party, wounding all three men. Sergeant Waterfall was hit as he topped the parapet, but continued to advance, and succeeded in effecting an entry into the German line. Then a regular bombing fight took place, during which Sergeant Waterfall was again wounded and knocked down into a shell-hole. The Germans determined to catch this raiding party, and commenced an outflanking manœuvre on each flank, but this attempt was stopped by the covering party and mat men. There was no object in pursuing the enterprise any further, and the raiders therefore returned bringing back with them the eight wounded men.

On the whole the result of these raids was very satisfactory, and a great deal of valuable information was obtained, but none of the parties succeeded in bringing back a live prisoner. It had been proved that the enemy only held his front line in posts, all of which had been located, and that the concrete dug-outs or pill-boxes were what the Germans mostly relied on for protection. The wire on the whole length of the trench, although not continuous, was passably good, and formed an obstacle difficult to pass.

On the 23rd the Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, and retired to Battle Area Camp, having lost 3 men killed, 1 died of wounds, and 10 wounded during the three days it had been in the front line. In this camp it remained until the 31st.