BATTALION ORDERS.

by Colonel A.G. Jeffreys,

Commanding 12^th (LR) Battalion “The Queen’s Own” (Royal West Kent Regiment)

Aldershot,

25^th August, 1916.

PART I

1187. DETAIL           Orderly Officer for 26^th instant, 2^nd Lieut. B.T. Comins.

Supernumerary Orderly Officer 2^nd Lieut. B.W. Ashworth.

Orderly Officer next for duty 2^nd Lieut. B.W. Ashworth.

1188. CASH              Os. C. Companies will render not later than 9 a.m. tomorrow,

REQUISITIONS        Saturday morning, their requisitions for cash for the week-ending 31^st August, 1916.

1189 DISCHARGE. The undermentioned man will be paid to and for 3^rd September, 1916, and discharged “No longer physically fit for War Service”.

(Authority – Colonel I/c Infantry Records Letter, dated 23^rd Aug., 1916 – A.C.I. 1011 of 1916 & A.O. 170 of 1916).

G/10647 Private Thomas Acres “B” Coy.

1190 BOMBING       Brigade Order No. 1425, dated 23^rd instant, is published for information:-

                                    The undermentioned officer and N.C.O. have been detailed

COURSE.                  to attend the Bombing Course, assembling at Claycart Hill at 9 a.m. on Monday Aug. 28^th 1916, lasting 10 days.

2^nd Lieutenant C.H. Dann

G/12323 L/Corpl. Fermer F.

1191. BRIGADE       The undermentioned officers and N.C.O.’s have been selected

SCHOOL OF            to attend the 7^th Rifle Course assembling at the Brigade School

MUSKETRY.             of Musketry, on Monday next 28^th instant and terminating on Monday 11^th September, 1916.  They will report to the Musketry Officer at the Brigade School, Scarlet’s Road, Stanhope Lines, at 8.45 a.m. on Monday 28^th instant.

                                    Each Officer and N.C.O. will take the following:-

Service Rifle and Bayonet.  Oil bottle, pull-through and flannelette.  75 Rounds of .22 R.F. Min ammunition, 6 chargers of cartridges, dummy drill, 2 note-books, 1 fair copy and 1 rough.

Army Book 136 is no use as a fair copy note-book.

A fair copy note-book of at least quarto size must be taken.

            2^nd Lieutenant J.N. Mothersill.

“               A.K. Harding

G/12331 L/Sergt. Scrace C.G.       “E” Coy.

G/14567 Corporal Goddard, W.T. “C”     “

G/13352       “       Owen, G.           “C”      “

G/13327 L/Corpl. Upton, R.D.        “C”      “

1192 BRIGADE        The undermentioned officer, who attended the 6^th Rifle Course,

SCHOOL OF            at the Brigade School of Musketry, qualified as a 1^st Class

MUSKETRY.             Instructor.

                                                2^nd Lieutenant C.T. Mansell

1193. MACHINE      Os. C. Companies will render to the Orderly Room not later than

GUNNERS.               Wednesday next, 30^th instant, a return of all men suitable for transfer to the Machine Gun Training Centre.  Great care should be exercised in selecting these men, as all conditions of Army Council Instructions 1545 of 1916 must be fulfilled.

1194. FUNERAL.     By authority of the Headquarters, 23^rd Res. Infantry Brigade, this unit has been detailed to carry out the Funeral Arrangements of the last Lieutenant J. Simmonds, of the 3^rd Rifle Brigade.

The undermentioned officers will act as Pall Bearers:-

Lieut. R.C. Baylis.

    “     G.N. Bunyard.

    “     L. Hinge.

2^nd Lieut. A.S. Richmond

      “        W.H. Glover

      “        A.J. Cathcart

The firing party will consist of 40 Rank and File from “A” Company, who will be in charge of Lieut, H.C. Hopkins.

The Band and Drums will also attend.

(Sgd). G.D. Meadowcroft, 2^nd Lieut &

A/Adjutant, 12^th (LR) Battalion “The Queen’s

Own” (Royal West Kent Regiment).

Instructions for O’s. C. Trains.

In the case of the “ALARM” being given whilst the train is still in this yard, the O.C., Train will instruct all men to detrain and double to the fields beyond the Y.M.C.A. Rest Camp at the end of the Triage.

No attempt to rejoin the train must be made until the “ALL CLEAR” signal is given.

Os. C., train are responsible that the men are kept together as much as possible and that they all rejoin the train at the same time.

FRENCH ALARM.  All lights go out and all traffic ceases.

BRITISH      “         Several shots fired from A.A. guns.

Abbeville.      ALL CLEAR Bell tolling in the Town.

D.K. C****

Major

D.A.D.R.T.

———————————–

Receiver 20 14 watches

Nos

26700F                      17862F

26085F                      18686F

23554F

26230F                      Number struck through.

21930F                      Number struck through.

25842F                      Number struck through.

18081F                      Number struck through.

23631F                      Number struck through.

23313F                      Number struck through.

23553F

25820F

18303F

22/9/16                       R.M. Beesley 2/Lt. R.E.

——————————-

ALL SERVICES

Inventory of Plant, Tools, Instruments &c issued

for use on the Works (or Record of Requisition).

46 Section

Received 20/8/16

Description

57 Fourways, 2 twoways 2 singleways

Parapet pipes Straight 55 bends 52

                        Tools

25 Box Keys DE

27 Universal with ***

8 L Keys

1 Y    “

2 S.E   “

12 Clamps

85 Staples

                        Signature unreadable

                        23/8/16

France 19^th Jul August 1916

Saturday

My Dear Harry & Ethel

            Thanks very much for your letters I was very glad to hear of your first impressions of Worcester but am afraid you are not exactly charmed with the place.  I hope however it will improve on acquaintance – it must be rather hard and strange for Ethel but I have no doubt you will soon settle down – at least I trust you will.  When you get into a house and sort things out a little it will be a lot more pleasant & then I hope your letters will be more rosy.  I imagine you have quite a lot of trouble & work on your hands getting through the twelve books of Acts of Parliament and Law Cases but feel confident you will soon master them.

            Your letter cheered me very considerably with respect to War news as it was from that that I first learnt that the Italians had taken Gorizia and that the Allies had commenced an offensive from Salonika.  This strong pressure on every front must be very disturbing to Germany & with a little luck should mean the beginning of the end.  There must be some justification for the optimism of so many well known & well informed men.

            I hope to hear that Mother has been up to see you as it would do her good and no doubt be a help to Ethel.

            On Thursday I was told I was to parade at 12.45 p.m. to go to the Rest Camp.  I had all my kit on and was quite ready to go when a message came through that it was cancelled.  It is rumoured that the whole Battery will shortly be going to a Rest Camp for a fortnight.  I don’t know whether there is any truth in the rumour but hope so, as I was very disappointed at not having the three days – I am still without an opportunity of spending money.

            By the bye what does “hoi polloi” mean?  It is rather hard to get hold of a Greek dictionary out here.

            I had a letter from Alan a few days ago: he seems to be having quite a good time and I believe he is as far away from me as it is possible to be on this front.

            Well I have no more news so with love.

            I remain

            Yours,

                        Bernard.

P.S. I forgot to mention that I have been made “full bombardier” – this is very satisfactory and gives me more wealth to spend (an additional 8^d per day).  Oh for the chance of a good bust up.  B.

In On Active Service envelope addressed to Harry R King, Esq., c/o The Surveyor of Taxes, 1 The Avenue, The Cross Worcester, England.

Ans^d  27/8/16

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T 1*.  21 AU 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447.  Signed W.D. Samuel.

France

August 19^th 1916

My dear Ethel,

Thank you for your letter of last Sunday.  I am afraid the Worcester men had not travelled to any alarming extent.  I do hope you will get to use the place but for goodness sake don’t become dowdy as well.  I don’t think you will of course.  I have just been advised to warn you to make enquiries as to whether your house stands a chance of being flooded as the river rises sometimes.  What is the cathedral like?  Your next letter will give me all particulars I expect.  Now for a little off my own bat.  Owing to something of a rush my letter to Harry could not go till yesterday.  We have been busy lately & have come some little distance from the trenches for a considerable time I think.  There is a big town near our billets, which are barns, with plenty of shops.  We went in last night & had some of the best wine (port) we have ever tasted & some very nice pastry.  There is a beautiful church there but we must go in the daytime as the interior was not very distinct in the dusk.  It contains a scrumptious altar and organ & any amount of beautiful paintings.  All the windows are of the same style.  There is none of the gawdiness of the village churches.  The prie-dieus (chairs) are all the same & the panelling is rather sombre.  I don’t think much of the pulpit, which is thoroughly continental.  We are hoping, two or three of us, of going to a service tomorrow called High Mass but I fear a route march will clash with our intention.  Our barn is the best we have ever been in & is quite clean & rain proof.  The farmhouse is the cleanest we have seen also.  The country is beautiful in this neighbourhood.  The hops are in bloom or whatever their condition of bearing hops is called & the plants cover all the poles & wires & hide them.  Hop plants are dark, the hops are light green and they set off well against the cornfields.  Half of each cornfield is cut & the wheat put in sheaves and stubble.  A field containing growing wheat, sheaves and stubble is a picture.  There are any amount of thatched buildings & barns with roofs of red tiles.  In the distance can be seen the tops of the town’s towers, steeples &c which bring back the pictures of fairy yarns.  The avenues of trees are plentiful and every pond is surrounded with willows.  Two prisoners German officers, were marched through this town & they appeared remarkably joyful.  Oh! there is a picture house there showing Mr Charles Chaplin.  It is nearly time to take in letters & it is time for tea, so I will close, remaining

            Yours affectionately,

                        Alan,

I think I had better address this to Harry.

Envelope addressed For Ethel, Ans August 27^th 1916.

On embossed Royal Coat of Arms headed notepaper.

Friday 18^th August 1916.

Dear Sir,

            I am applying for a Commission in the Royal Artillery, and from the enclosed form you will see that a certificate as to moral character is required.  If you will be good enough to fill this in for me I shall be very much obliged.

A certificate regarding education is also required, and enclosed is a letter and envelope addressed to my late Schoolmaster which I should be glad if you would forward on to him together with the application form.

I am sorry to cause you all this trouble, but I know you are always willing to give a helping hand where possible.

The fighting seems to be all in our favour just now, and I think Germany is beginning to realise, at last, that she is up against a very tough proposition.

I have seen a large number of the prisoners, who are a fine well set up lot of men, well fed and clothed, so from this one can judge that the pick of the German Army is trying to repel our attack.

A good deal of rain has fallen this week & the roads are becoming very bad for traffic.  I hope it will soon be fine again, because good weather makes a great deal of difference to us.

I hope you enjoyed & benefitted from your holiday & trust that Mrs Walters and all your family are well.

With best wishes for the progress of your work in our old parish.

I am

Yours most respectfully

J.H. Pegg.

The Rev T.W. Walters.

There is no envelope with this letter.

FIELD SERVICE POST CARD

Addressed Rev T.W. & Mrs. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.  Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE G  22 DE 16.

I am quite well.

Best wishes Christmas 1916.  J.H. Pegg

FIELD SERVICE POST CARD

Addressed Rev T.W. & Mrs. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.  No postmark.

Nothing crossed through.

Best wishes Christmas 1917.  J.H. Pegg

Addressed Rev T.W. & Mrs. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.

France

August 17^th 1916.

My dear Harry,

As expected your letter of Sunday arrived yesterday.  We are out resting today and expect to do plenty of marching and have considerable rest.  I was very interested in your arrival at Worcester but sorry the place is nothing to write home about.  I don’t know which I would prefer, the plenty of hard work or the twelve big books.  I have a distinct dislike for that sort of literature.  I am glad you like the river & hope you will have time to do a little boating.  I expect you will like the place much better when you become used to it.  (Brilliance!)

Madge King married one of the Wythes, a big but poor Worcester family, and lives at Crowle, which I understand contains several old houses with beautiful interiors of the Tudor period.  Dickson went to school at Bromsgrove & was not excited in any way about Worcester’s charms, but for the Cathedral.  Is it far from your place?  You have plenty of people under you & it will be all right to have a room on your own.  When you are accustomed to the work do you think you will be occupied all your time?  We spent an afternoon in the place you mentioned & met with the peculiar waiter & waitress, Jean and Augusta, of whom I wrote I think.  The place is bashed about certainly but not to the extent you would think.  There are still one or two very swagger military shops there, which have appearances of English connections, and any amount of the smaller shops as everywhere.  The small shopkeepers stay & risk the occasional shells for the chance of making money, which they do very well.  There are many lovely houses all of which contain splendid halls, the walls of which seem to be of marble but are of painted plaster.  Generally speaking it is very deserted.  I shall not forget one day.  We were walking through a town & heard a shell.  Shortly afterwards a man came rushing along the main street at a fearful pace pushing a mail cart with baby over the cobbles & making a terrible noise.  We reached the heart of the town & heard another crash which was a hundred yards off.  Everybody chased off at once & you could have entered the estaminets & helped yourself to beer and money very freely if you were not afraid of the shells.  On our way out of the town to the camp we heard the shelling which continued regularly for a little time.  We have a Mrs Gamp who has called the parapet “parfait”, retaliate “repaliate” and a mascot “muskit”.  Yes the news was certainly cheerful.  I think the Russians have done something great since as well.  We are going out this afternoon for a bathe & small outing but will return early to get a good night’s rest prior to tomorrow’s adventures.  You ought to hear some of our rumours.  Tigers are not as wild.  We have had a few showers at night time & water is not so scarce consequently.  It is much cooler also.  Will you tell Ethel I will send her a short note later as it would be such a tremendous amount to censor at one sitting.

            Your affectionate brother,

                        Alan

You had better put your address on your letters for some time.

On Active Service envelope addressed to Harry R King, Esq., c/o The Surveyor of Taxes, The Avenue, The Cross, Worcester.  Ans^d 27/8/16

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 124 19 AU 16.  Hexagonal Passed Field Censor 3274 cachet.  Signed H. Simpson

P Battery

Royal Horse Artillery

Woolwich

Dear Sir,

            Excuse me for taking the liberty with writing to you but still I thought it my duty.

            I don’t suppose you know me by name but you remember the young fellow up the Leicester Road what had the accident with his face well I am the man.

The reason I write is because I was up in London me & my young Lady, Miss Waldram for our holidays I only had two days of it & was called up from here so I had to mobilize at Woolwich with being a Artillery man so therefore I couldn’t say goodbye to any of my Whitwick friends.  We are having a fine time up to now.

We are under orders for the front they are sending troops away all night long, but we cannot get to know where to.  It is quite different to what the S. African war was all moves are done quietly this time, we have the right man in the right place Lord Kitchener.

Well I think we shall come off Victorious in the end all being well & the sooner it is over the better for everyone one of us there will be a great many lives lost.  I have volunteered for the Front & I shall not care how soon I can go.  I am so anxious to see active service & trust in God to bring us safely back again our Maker is the only one to look forward to.  I was so pleased the Doctor & the Nurse got my face better just in time or else I should & have been left behind & that wouldn’t have suited me at all.

Well Sir I must draw this to a close & please give my kind regards to anyone who may ask about me, & say I went away with a good heart like a British Soldier should do & also please Mr Rev Walters the main thing, pray for me good bye for the present

Yours Respectfully

Charles Yearby.

In envelope addressed to Rev. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Leicester Road, Whitwick, Leicestershire.  England.

Letter postmarked WOOLWICH S.E. 17 AUG 14.

France 11^th August ‘16

Friday.

My Dear Harry & Ethel,

            Thanks very much for your letter which I received yesterday.

            I hope that by this time you will be getting fairly settled at Worcester, that your troubles re moving will not be great, and that you will both like the place and get a decent little house there.  I do hope that Ethel will like England and not feel lonely there.  It is fortunate that your first step should take you to one of the prettiest districts in England and the beautiful historic places surrounding Worcester should be a compensation for many disadvantages.  You have as always my very best wishes.

            I am afraid that this time my letter must be very short but as the only things I can think of are – that it has been very hot here recently almost unbearable and that for the past two or three days we have been having a very slack time.

            The sending of our men to the Rest Camp was stopped for a few days but I am glad to say was resumed yesterday and needless to say I am looking forward with great pleasure to my turn, altho’ at present I have no idea when I shall be going.

With love & good wishes,

            Yours,

                        Bernard.

In On Active Service envelope addressed to Mr Harry R King, Esq., c/o The Surveyor of Taxes, The Avenue, The Cross Worcester, England.

Ans^d  20/8

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE R.30.  AU 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447.  Signed H Goole