1916

1^st August 1916.  “D” Company left Gharial Spur for Peshawar.

2^nd August 1916.  “A” Company arrived at Gharial Spur from Peshawar.  One officer and 70 other ranks,  “D” Company, took over the duties of the Peshawar Fort.

26^th August 1916.  A draft of 3 officers and 243 other ranks arrived at Gharial Spur from the 3/4^th Border Regiment, England.

All the notebooks were written on the right hand page and additions, photos, cartoons or other documents were added to the left hand page.

1^st Aug. 1916.           In the early morning the Norfolks came to relieve us.  My headquarters had been in the cellar at X, soon after we left a shell set all the woodwork on fire and they had to hurriedly vacate.

We moved back to Pommiers redoubt.  Our casualties were Lts. Marshall and Gossen Killed.  Capt. Nottidge Lts. Mulligan, Jones, Haye, Mattey & Roeber wounded, also 185 other ranks killed & wounded.  That afternoon some casualties occurred from shelling which was most annoying after reaching comparative safety.

2^nd Aug. 1916.          We moved back to ……

On the opposite page is a photograph of Lt Col Allason taking the sandbag wall on Angelface at the Bde Horse Show Gen Stevens judging.

3^rd Aug. 1916.           The men all had a bath and change.  Gen Turner, Gen Stephens and Gen Horne all came round with congratulations and praise.  The thunder of the guns continued night & day but we were beyond range of all but the biggest guns.  Transport left by road.

4^th Aug. 1916.           The Bⁿ moved off at 5 a.m. and marched to Dernacourt where we entrained about midday.  We detrained near Longpre and marched to ….here we stayed the night in a field, the transport arriving in time to get out our valises.

The next day we marched to Tailly, accommodation was skimpy but the situation magnificent, a chateau in large wooded grounds.  There was a small stream flowing through, not deep enough for bathing but by making shallow excavations along the bank and pegging in ground sheets a large number of improvised baths were soon made.  The rest from gun fire, the green grass and shady trees, the twittering of birds made it seem like paradise.  The suspect was at hand. 

On the opposite page is a postcard of Chateau Tailly and a group photograph outside same.

One afternoon a middle-aged rather stout French lady drove up while a boxing competition was being held on the lawn in front of the chateau.  She at once demanded to see me and for what seemed like an hour she overwhelmed me with reproaches and complaints.  I agreed that her remarks were very just but that we had just been fighting rather hard for “La Belle France” and needed some recreation.  I offered her a cup of tea and suggested that afterwards she should view “La Boxe” she agreed after some demur and quite enjoyed herself.  Finally I asked her to present the prizes and when the men gave three cheers for her for doing so she called out in a shrill treble “Vive l’Angleterre” and from that time on we could do no wrong.

On the opposite page is a group photo outside a chateau.  Probably Chateau Tailly.

Still it was not quite the same as it had been before.  We had several boxing competitions and sports, men & officers were granted 48 hrs leave to the sea side in turn there were several sing-songs, the Whiz-bangs gave a performance, there was a Bde horse show with numerous competitions in fact with fine weather throughout we had a most enjoyable time.  Training was steadily continued and a large number of Lewis gunners and Bombers were put through a course, this proved invaluable later.

On the opposite page are two photographs, one of the horse show and the other a group outside chateau Tailly.

23/24^th Aug. 1916.   We marched off at 1.15 p.m. to Longpre where we were to entrain at 5 p.m.  The trains were late and we waited weary hours in a field.  The Officers managed to get some food in a semi private house but it was 1.15 a.m. before we actually got away.  We arrived at 5 a.m. and reached a bivouac by 6.  The Bosh were shelling some cross roads about 1000 yards from us.  We moved on about 2 p.m. to another camp.

25^th Aug. 1916          We moved about 6 miles to near the Citadel.  There were very few tents available and it was pouring with rain but a large dump of empty ammunition boxes was soon requisitioned and with the aid of waterproof sheets made good shelters.

On the opposite page are three photographs of officers.

26^th Aug. 1916.         We moved on again to Broufay farm, here again ammunition boxes were in great request.

27^th Aug. 1916.         Went up with Coy Com to reconnoitre the “Crucifix” and “Assembly trench”.  Very wet day.

28^th Aug. 1915.         An aeroplane passed over the bivouac & dropped two bombs almost simultaneously an airship (sausage) broke loose and rising rapidly drifted towards the German line.  Suddenly a parachute dropped from it and swaying a pendulum the observer eventually reached ground in our lines.  I heard he was violently sick.

29^th Aug. 1916.         A sudden storm arose during the afternoon two sausages were struck by lightning and came down in flames one other was blown away, the observer came down in a parachute.

On the opposite page is a Bainsfather cartoon The Communication Trench and below two photographs..

30^th Aug. 1916.         It rained steadily all day.  I went forward with Coy Com to look at Falfemont farm but it was impossible to move up communication trenches the mud was so thick.  Two crumps dropped very close to the camp that night.

31^st Aug. 1916.         We moved forward to Silesian trenches which we took over from the 10^th Gloucesters (Col Archer Shue M.P.).  They were in a horrible state flies and filth everywhere and no shelters for officers or men.  The headquarters dug out consisted of a piece of corrugated iron in the entrance to a German dug out.  This latter had 3 beds recently constructed but the smell was musty & I preferred to sleep in the very cramped quarters above on the floor.

On the opposite page is a photograph two officers.  Oswald Beale and H Williams who died on A[ctive].S[ervice]. as a Major General.  It is recorded below Two great friends Williams married Beale’s sister.  He wrote **** when I was recovering from wounds through stomach.

August 27 1916

My dear Moughli,

Just a line to tell you that I am on the way home to resume my former duties at the War Office.  There was nothing for me to do in Egypt and the W.O. people sent word that if I was no longer wanted out there I had better return as they were very short handed.  Hence the above address.  I trust it will not be long ere we meet.

I saw Arthur one day much to my joy.  He was looking very fit & in good form.  He spoke of taking home leave in October & I hope he will.  He had a truly rotten time on the Peninsula.  You may be glad to know that I heard from an outside but very reliable source that he has done very well indeed.

Have you finished your harvesting.  Arthur & I chuckled over you as a male Ruth!

I expect to arrive in London about the first of September, go home for a day or two – my people have taken a place between Fullerton & Stourbridge for six months – & then return to London about the 7^th to regular work.

Have you seen the letter Beatty wrote Mrs F about Leo!  If not I’ll send you the copy she gave me to read.  It is indeed a fine testimonial & applies to all the boys.  She seems quite heartbroken but writes bravely poor thing.

All other news when we meet which I hope will be soon.  Bless you

Y^rs ever

Pat

With cover addressed to E.V. Culme-Seymour Esq.,

Glenville, Bitterne, Hants. Angleterre.  Postmarked Marseille Bouche Du Rhône 31 8 16.

Annotated “Answered – Sept 4.

France

August 27^th 1916

Sunday.

My dear Harry,

Your letter of last Sunday arrived on Friday, probably owing to our having moved, and I have not been able to reply before.  We left our good old barn, had an eight hours train journey, marched (this includes many rests) about four hours and arrived at a beautiful little village.  This time we are billeted in a school-room and it is very nice.  Our village possesses a beautiful modern church, a chateau (a much nicer establishment would have been built in England for the money), several very nice houses, whitewashes cottages, two shops, apple trees and a very big pond.  I very much doubt whether the pond is not the most important of the whole lot.  It is used for all sorts of things (the water is filthy and we have to wash in it) and its banks are the gossiping depots for the village ladies.  It is a pretty pond as on two sides there are trees & behind the trees the church.  The country round-about is slightly hilly & the land is mostly devoted to raising crops.  When we are out on a march we can see hundreds of little patches in the distance, triangular & square, with all sorts of colours.  Our village looks very pretty too in the midst of plenty of trees.  The only other trees are those at the road-side – every road is an avenue unless it is only three or four yards wide.  They have no hedges at the road-side (nor wire &c) nor between the crop fields, only where they are necessary, as round grazing fields.  We are not in the land of estaminets now.  They are called “cafes”.  The country people are very clean & are out in all their Sunday glory today.  All sorts of funny drinks can be obtained at the cafes & cottages.  Many new drinks have been discovered by our fellows, sampled and approved of.  We do a short parade before breakfast, a long one in the morning, and another in the afternoon, for drills, route marches, physical training and so on.  We are delighted to have the evenings free & a full night’s sleep – they are appreciated now.  Being a reserve machine-gunner (lately appointed with no extra salary) I have to spend my afternoons with the machine gun people & find the work very interesting & the names of the sixty-four parts very difficult to remember.  Today we had a late breakfast, a route march in loose dress with the object of having a swim this morning, and a church parade about six (which beautifully wrecks the evening) this evening.  Before we went for the swim they asked “How many couldn’t swim”.  Half way there was some talk of having the best swimmers out, so we anticipated a beautiful place.  We arrived & discovered a stream a few yards wide & not more than two feet deep.  We were all very tickled but enjoyed the humour of the affair.  The water was fine and clear & the spot was magnificent so it was worth the stunt.  I don’t know what is my trouble lately.  Both Bernard and you tell me the censor has been busy with my letters.  I can’t understand it as I have not suddenly become mad.  I don’t like the tea tablets at all.

I hope your work is not giving you too much trouble and that the house question will soon be settled to your satisfaction.  You say my letters turn up regularly on Mondays.  I am afraid this one won’t, but the moving hither is responsible.  I had a letter from Bernard yesterday & he is quite all right.  Mother told me you gave her a stamp issued by the Irish rebels for me.  Thank you very much.  They are very scarce indeed.

Well I had better close.  Remember me to Ethel and tell her I will write in a day or two and tell her all about a very big cathedral town two or three miles away.  We are absolutely safe here (except from Zeps I suppose)

            Yours

                        Alan.

On Active Service envelope addressed to Harry R King, Esq., c/o The Surveyor of Taxes, The Avenue, The Cross, Worcester.  Ans^d 3/9/16.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 124 28 AU 16. Hexagonal Passed Field Censor 3274 cachet.  Signed WJ Shaw

France 26^th August 1916

Saturday.

My Dear Harry & Ethel,

            Thanks very much for your letters.  I am afraid you are both very disappointed with Worcester, but hope that in the near future your opinion of the place will improve.  I hope by this time you have secured a house and are on the way to being more settled.

            I have not been to the rest camp about which I wrote as I am sorry to say that just as I was going the camp was closed down.  This was very disappointing but I don’t think the fact that some of us have not had a rest has been overlooked & I am still looking forward to a few days off.

            It has been quite quiet with us just recently very little doing and time hangs very heavily.  The weather is rather mixed at present, but it is a blessing having it a little cooler.

            I am absolutely broke for news so close with love.

            Yours,

                        Bernard.

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

Ans^d 3/9/16

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE T.17.  27 AU 16.  Hexagonal PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3447.  Signed J.W. England

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.