113^rd Siege Battery. R.G.A.

Lydd Camp. Lydd.

20^th May 1916.

Dear Harry & Ethel,

            I am answering your letter so quickly as I have some real news.  On Friday last we finished our firing course and on the same day 80 men of the Battery went home for their last leave, upon their return next Thursday morning the remainder of the Battery will take their leave.  On the first of June we proceed to a place near Newbury for a rest and for our equipment as a Battery.  I suppose we will be there for about a month, and then we clear.  We unloaded our four howitzers this morning, they are four beautiful guns of absolutely the latest pattern and with all the latest improvements.  They are 6” how^s and are the guns most favoured by the Authorities at present.  They are fitted for traction by horses but motors will be used.  Amongst the many things of our equipment are no fewer than 17 motor lorries, 8 of them being for ammunition.  it is extraordinary why our guns should have been sent here and also a fearful nuisance as we shall to load and unload them several times before we even leave England and that is no easy task.  They have an exact pattern of the gun here on which we could have done all the training necessary.

            I said above that we had finished our firing course, but Monday we have another practice on 15 pdrs, and that will complete our firing in this country.  How we are going to manage this shoot I don’t know as we have only about 30 men left here who are available and of that number 14 are signallers: they have to lay out telephone wires – possibly four or five miles of it – connecting the Battery to the observation station or stations where the Battery Commander is.  This week I am Battery Orderly.  I have to tell men off for fatigues, keep the roll, and generally make myself objectionable to everyone, but although I have this onerous job I have been warned that on Monday I am to be B.C.A. for the shoot.

You ask whether it is necessary to get as close to the target as 1000 yards, well in many cases at the Front (especially Flanders) the B.C. and B.C.A. are only 100 yds from the German trenches, in fact very often in our own front line trenches.  it is essential that they are in a position to see where their shots are falling and in Flanders, where the ground is so flat, our own trenches afford the only position.  On Friday morning we had a 6” shoot and I was B.C.A. (I believe I before mentioned that B.C.A. is the abbreviation for Battery Commander’s Assistant).  Our Battery was 3260 yards from the target, but the B.C. and I were in a splinter proof shelter only 600 yards from the target and as Lyddite shells were being used we had to keep under cover as splinters were occasionally falling on all sides of the shelter, we were just off the line of fire as shown on the rough diagram on the back of the previous page.  In our shoot we did not do too well.

On the back of the preceding page is a diagram showing a line obliquely across the page with another longer line away at an angle of 70^o.  at one end of the first oblique is X then 2, Target, 1, 600^x and finally B.C’s post.  At the foot of the longer second line is Battery and along this line is 3260^x.  the accompanying text reads.  In this method of ranging the B.C. has to first of all get his rounds falling on the line from his position to X and after that supposing a round falls at 1 (called a -) he has to get another at somewhere near 2 which is a plus.  This is done by giving left deflection either 80’ or 40’ (minutes).  After that he must get a plus and a minus with only 5’ or 10’ deflection between them.  This of course means a lot of juggling with the range as you will see that the distance is further from the Battery to X than from the Battery to any spot on the line from the B.C’s post to the Target.

Two Batteries fired before us on Friday and were using the same shelter, I was there whilst they were shooting.  The target for one of the two was a blackboard representing a machine gun, the range being 3100 yards.  I was watching the fall of the shells and to our amazement the fifth round hit the blackboard clean and made a fearful mess of it.  it was purely luck however as it is almost impossible, without abnormal luck, to get your target in so few rounds.

On Wednesday night last after an average day’s work we again commenced at 5 p.m. and were busy working all night until 5 a.m. the following morning.  We had to get four 8” howitzers into position and dig six dugouts.  We first of all had to load motor lorries with the necessary stores, for two guns only this meant four loads of fearfully heavy stuff, the stores for the other two were not far from our position.  Then we had to haul two of the guns about a mile over soft shingle, they weigh about 7 tons and were consequently sinking into the shingle.  The next job was to put down wooden platforms, one for each gun.  Under normal conditions it takes about it takes about two to three hours to lay a platform but in the shingle it took us twice as long, as while we were digging the shallow trenches to take it the sides would continually fall in.  in the end we got it down by digging a huge hole and filling in with sandbags.  The idea of the platform is to stop to a great extent the recoil, the gun being clamped to the platform.  It was a very hard night’s work especially for me as since I have been in the 113^th it is practically the only time I have had any hard physical work to do.  The following day we made up for it however as we finished our shoot about 11.30 a.m. and did nothing but sleep during the remainder of the day.

With reference to our training, it is not as bad as you imagine.  The majority of men who join the Regular R.G.A. are put in for courses, some signalling and some observing and B.C.A. work, these specialists are drafted into Batteries the remainder of the Batteries being mainly composed of Territorials who have been in some cases on Coast Defence work since the commencement of the War and who after their experience soon fall into the new work.

Thanks very much for sending on Alan’s letters, I am very glad to get them and think them very interesting.  It would be very strange if I should happen to meet him.  I will send the letters back to Mother tomorrow.

I must now come to a close as I have exhausted all my news, with love to all.

            Yours,

                        Bernard.

P.S. You ask if our Camp is near the sea, it is about four miles away and shingle all the way.  B.

Mr

In envelope addressed to Mr & Mrs H.R. King, Esq., Munmore, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin.

Postmark unreadable.  22 MY 16.

France

May 19^th 1916

My dear Harry & Ethel,

Thank you for your postcard and paper.  You have had a time of it and I am glad it is all over & that those blighters have been shot.  They might have chopped their heads off & done the thing in style.  Strange to say they aren’t a bit popular here!

We are now having glorious weather which is a great thing of comfort to life in barns.  We are slacking today as we are doing night operations tonight (naturally).  Yesterday afternoon we did nothing as we had been called up three times in the night.  We didn’t half swear.  First time for an hour’s march with full kit & belongings, second, a trial for an emergency move, and third as a warning for an expected gas attack which failed. 

The day before that we visited the shower baths which are a god-send.  You can leave your underclothes there & they give you clean ones which might be much too big or small but being clean is the main thing.  We are billeted in barns not far from three little villages & are in sound of the heavy guns, which we hear all day and night.  We have seen two enemy aeroplanes, which were being chased by ours & fired at by shrapnel.  Some of our chaps saw two brought down in flames.  We have to lie flat on our stomachs when one is overhead & it is a rotten sensation.  I always (by the way I’ve only had to once) dying to lie on my back & watch the excitement.  Three whistle blasts sound & we lie down at once whatever we are doing.  In this hot weather we don’t mind them coming over as it’s a cheap way of having a lie down that is if they come when we are working.  We can get up when we hear another blast.  We have a fine dry canteen here & I am a constant purchaser of tinned fruit.

Eggs are easily obtained & I am fond of the omelettes.  They are skinny beggars with their butter & have never heard of cake or pastry.  (N.B. This is not a hint).  All the meals we have resemble breakfast or tea mostly.  I am sometimes prepared to give anything for a steak, which I use to despise, or some fish.  I am so hungry that I have actually eaten bread & pickles for breakfast!  Of course we always grouse about the food but we really have sufficient & of course we can’t expect eggs, salmon & that sort of thing although we would like them.  One of my pals has some English butter & I am to go & get some now if I want it so I trot along, remaining with much love.

            Your old

                        Alan.

I have been successful.  Shall be glad to have a line from you soon.

Envelope addressed to Harry R King, Esq., Munmore, Zion Road, Rathgar, Co. Dublin.  Ireland

Postmarked Army PO 4 23 MAY 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 1347 mark.

On back of envelope Pte Alan H. King, B23178 no 16 Platoon, D Coy, 26 Royal Fus B.E.F.

 2559 D Coy

5^th Batt Leic Regt

B.E.F.

France.

Sun May 16/15.

Dear Sir,

            I am writing this letter to you hoping to find you are all in the best of health as it leaves me the same at the present time of writing to you.  I am writing this letter to you before I have had an answer to my last one but as you have kindly sent me a Magazine I know you will not be long before you are sending me a letter so I thought I would write to you while I had the chance as we are due in the trenches again tonight and we are away Blacked out days it makes it along while before you get a letter through if you wait till you come out.  Well thank you very much for the Magazine that you have been so good as to send me as I have something to tell you that will interest you as it deals with a subject in your Magazine.  Well on Friday night we fell in at five o’clock and had to go out trench digging and we went to our destination in motor busses so you see we can still go bin the bus even out here and we were riding for nearly two hours and during our journey we passed the place were Blacked out is as stated in your paper but as we went at night we could not see much of the place but we had a little marching to do next morning to reach the Busses as it was not safe for them to remain where we got off as we were not far from the firing line so on the road back we could see the place I mean as it was then daylight but as it was on our right it was not a very good view as we had no time to stop looking about us as we had a long way to go but it will give you some idea where we are without letting anything out as I do not think the Censor will object to it but I think it is Blacked out as there are shelling every day and often at night we can see it on fire or rather some parts of it.  Well we got back to our huts about 5.30 on Saturday morning and after we had our breakfast we all lay down and though it was on hard boards we all slept till 2 o’clock so you can see how we all felt but we can go to sleep anywhere now.  Well I had to do a quick shift then as I was due at a meeting which our Brigade Chaplain as been holding and he his going to have a confirmation out here and I am very pleased to tell I am going to me confirmed and I know that will please you as well and we are going to be confirmed today at half past two by the Bishop but I could not tell you which Bishop it is but will tell you more about it in my next letter.  Well since I wrote my last letter to you I have been in the trenches again and had have come out safe and sound thanks to the Lord who watches over us and we were relieved a day earlier than usal and we were only in three days but they were the most exciting times of the lot we went in on the Sat night and then on Sunday afternoon we seen a sight that was good for sore eyes as the saying is.  There was a German airship flying just over our lines and taking observations of our trenches then all at once out of the clouds it seemed to come a British aeroplane and soon as the German airman seen him he made off but he was not half fast enough as the Englishman mounted over him and then the next we seen was the German making a head first dive to the ground so we are all over there in the air and it did not seem hardly a minute from us seeing that the Englishman had fetched him to the ground and then we gave him a cheer for it but we had to go through it later as they started to shell us with their big guns and some of the chaps in the fourth were wounded and one or two killed as they nearly landed in there trench but none came near enough to ours to do any damage and then on Monday night and early on Tuesday morning we were attacked by a party of German Bomb throwers and things were a bit exciting for a while but we drove them back and then all was quite again.  We were then relieved on Tuesday night and got back to our huts for a good sleep.  Well I think I shall have to close as I have told you about all there is to be told this time and it time to get ready for our service as we always have a short service before we go in the trenches and it is very nice for us as we have the Band to play the Music for us.  Well I shall now have to close my letter as I have nothing else to say give my Best Wishes to All the Friends at Whitwick hoping this letter finds them all in the Best of Health.

I remain

Your friend

W. Cooke.

Sunday May 16

P.S.  The Preacher at our service this morning was the Bishop of Pretoria South Africa.

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

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE I.M  17 MY 15

PASSED BY CENSOR 405 triangular cachet in red.

1. Corporals acting as guides will be at the respective carry posts before 9.15 P.M. 10.15 P.M.
2. On the arrival of the carrying parties each guide will report to an officer of a party and give him a label of the numbers of the recess to which the party is going.
3. On the arrival of the lorries the carrying party will unload 20 cylinders from the lorry under the direction of the guide corporal.
4. When the party is complete – (1 guide, 1 officer, 60 N.C.O.s and men, 20 cylinders) the whole will move off to the detailed recess.  The greatest care must be taken to keep touch and the necessary halts will be made.
5. On reaching the recess the cylinders will be put in under the direction of the guide and the whole will be earthed in with sand bags.
6. The carrying party will return by the trench detailed to them and the corporal will remain at the recess until recalled by his own officer.

NOTE.  There will be an officer of F Coy RE at each lorry post who will be responsible that the parties are correctly formed and move off when ready.

On back written Mr Beesley

NOTES ON THE USE OF SMOKE.

————————–

Smoke may be employed for two purposes:-

• To simulate gas.  This may be useful when the supply of the latter is limited: intervals of smoke discharge could be interposed, especially under circumstances when it is desired to compel the enemy to wear their respirators continuously.

• To cover movements of Infantry.  The discharge of a smoke cloud will probably always attract immediate attention and hostile fire.

This point should be considered so as to avoid isolated discharges on a short front; as if these are intended to conceal local movements of troops they will only serve to draw the attention of the enemy’s observers to spots on which the concentration of artillery and machine gun fire is likely to be well repaid.

Our present methods of producing smoke are as follows:-

• By Trench Mortar Shells.
• By Smoke Candles.
• By ‘P’ Bombs.
• By other extemporized methods, such as the burning of Phosphorus in open pans.
• For the present, at any rate, the 4” Stokes Mortars will be chiefly used for throwing smoke shells, and one of the Battalions of the Special Brigade has been carefully trained in the formation of smoke barrages in varying wind conditions, and in denying the power of observation to particular sections of the enemy’s position.
• Smoke candles as at present issued are of three types:-
• Pain’s Green Label.  These candles burn well, and give a yellowish-brown smoke.  They are the best at present issued.  Average time of burning, 2 – 3 minutes.
• Wells’ Red Label.  These are similar to pain’s, and burn for the same period, but they do not give such a good smoke: the latter is also of a lighter colour.  The connections between the components of the triple candle are sometimes defective, and one or two sections are occasionally left unburnt.
• ‘Pelagus’ Yellow Label.  These candles are very poor. 

Fortunately there are very few available for issue.

Note:  There may be other types of smoke candles in store – such as Brock’s: but these may be assumed to be similar in all important respects to (1) and (2).

In winds of greater velocity than 10 – 12 m.p.h. the smoke from all types of candles is of very little use, unless mixed with gas, except for obscuring the actual line on which the discharge takes place, and then only if the candles are used in considerable numbers.

• ‘P’ bombs give a very good cloud of smoke, but the greater part of the cloud is created on the bursting of the bomb.  The thick cloud lasts for about one minute: for a minute or two afterwards, a fairly large volume of smoke continues to be produced, but after this the bombs are only about as effective as a Pain’s candle, although smoke continues to be discharged from them for 15 – 20 minutes altogether.

These bombs should not, if it can be avoided, be used on fronts over which Infantry are to advance to the assault, because the burning phosphorus left on the ground is a source of danger to men who may fall wounded; and during the summer months it may also set fire to the grass.  The smoke from ‘P’ bombs is, however, so much better than that from candles that ity might be advisable to accept the risk mentioned under circumstances when it was essential to give infantry assaulting columns cover from view.

Men employed in lighting these bombs (fuzee matches should be provided) should be instructed to throw them as far forward as possible, preferably in front of our wire: otherwise the burning phosphorus may be scattered back into our trenches on the bursting of the bomb, or it may be splashed back, when lying on the ground, by the enemy’s shrapnel fire.  This rule was not observed on October 13, and as a result reports were received from several points in the line to the effect that the Germans were employing incendiary shells against our trenches.

It was also observed on this occasion in some parts of the line that infantry charged with using the bombs had received no previous instruction in their duties, and as a consequence many of the bombs were thrown out unlit.

• Loose phosphorus can be easily ignited by means of safety fuze or safety fuze and detonator.

NUMBER OF CANDLES AND OF ‘P’ BOMBS TO BE EMPLOYED.

———————————–

Smoke Candles.

Numbers should be calculated with a view to producing a smoke cloud in a fairly high wind, namely, 10 – 12 m.p.h.  Four candles per minute at each emplacement 25 yards apart, (i.e. 10 candles per yard of front per hour) should be allowed to give Infantry partial protection from view 200 yards in front of the line of candles.

Two candles per minute at each emplacement would conceal Infantry getting out of their trenches preparatory to the assault, but troops would be visible from in front after advancing 20 or 30 yards.

As the result of a chemical action, when mixed with gas the cloud becomes three or four times as effective as when candles are employed alone, and the number of the latter could be reduced in this proportion.

Of course it would not be necessary to maintain a dense cloud of smoke during the whole period of a gas attack: the smoke should be thickened up just before the time for the assault – and perhaps at one or two periods previously, so as not to disclose the intention.

‘P’ Bombs.

Sixty bombs per hour at each emplacement 25 yards apart (i.e. 2 bombs per yard of front per hour) would give a very effective smoke barrage in a moderate wind, and would conceal our men from the enemy in position 300 yards away until they were close up to them.  Gas produces no appreciable effect on the density of the smoke from ‘P’ bombs.

May 15, 1916

C.W. Foulkes

colonel.

O.C., Special Brigade.

Rfn W.J.C. Brown

24^th (R) KRR B Co

Gloucester Lodge Camp

Blyth

Northumberland

My dear M^r Walters,

            As I have a half hour to spare before my next parade, I thought I could use it to no better advantage than to write to you, as I promised to do, telling you of my first week’s experiences as a Tommy.

I arrived at Skipton quite safely on Monday the 1^st finding Skipton to be a small industrial & market town nestled in a valley of the Pennines.  The scenery was most beautiful, the hills rising from emerald valleys, in which lie pretty farmhouses, with sheep and then lambs grazing nearby.  It appealed to me very much, and reminded me of the Charnwood Forest.

My first night was spent in a schoolroom in Skipton, having the floor for a bed.  The room soon began to fill with men as they came in from their evening stroll, and soon did I begin to see that they were not of the class of man that I had seen about the camps in which I had been.  They were altogether superior to the typical soldier morally and are clean honest, straightforward true Englishmen.  I enjoy their company and get along with them all very well indeed.

The next day I was sent to the camp at Skipton, where preliminary drills were taught to us new recruits.  We lived quite comfortably in hutments, and the food, in comparison with the general standard of Army food was good.

On Friday last we left Skipton and travelled, by train, to Blyth, where I am now stationed.  The camp is about 50 yards from the sea coast, the battalion having been sent on coast defence work here – life here is as comfortable as can be expected, and our officers, both NCO’s & commissioned, are an extremely good selection, although strict disciplinarians they are quits thoughtful, and gentlemanly as possible.

It is quite a new experience for me to be on the sea coast, having lived so far inland all my life.  The coast in this part is well defended, permanent military guards in their dugouts being amongst the sand dunes immediately on the water-line.  The Navy is also very vigilant, submarines, destroyers, warships and aeroplanes being constantly on patrol.  Without doubt, this part of the coast would be one of the most likely, at which invasion would be attempted.

Trusting you are in the very best of health

Believe me

Sincerely & respectfully yours

Cecil Brown

P.S.   I should be delighted to receive a copy of this month’s parish magazine.

P.P.S.  Kindly excuse pencil-writing but I cannot easily use ink.

In envelope addressed to The Rev T.W. Walters, Whitwick, Lester.

Letter postmarked BLYTH 9 MY 16.  7.30 PM.

1. Corporals acting as guides will be at the respective carry posts before 9.15 P.M. 10.15 P.M.
2. On the arrival of the carrying parties each guide will report to an officer of a party and give him a label of the numbers of the recess to which the party is going.
3. On the arrival of the lorries the carrying party will unload 20 cylinders from the lorry under the direction of the guide corporal.
4. When the party is complete – (1 guide, 1 officer, 60 N.C.O.s and men, 20 cylinders) the whole will move off to the detailed recess.  The greatest care must be taken to keep touch and the necessary halts will be made.
5. On reaching the recess the cylinders will be put in under the direction of the guide and the whole will be earthed in with sand bags.
6. The carrying party will return by the trench detailed to them and the corporal will remain at the recess until recalled by his own officer.

NOTE.  There will be an officer of F Coy RE at each lorry post who will be responsible that the parties are correctly formed and move off when ready.

On back written Mr Beesley