BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,
20th FEBRUARY, 1915.
131 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
Use of the terms Billets and Billeting –
Much confusion and avoidable correspondence continually arise owing to the indiscriminate use of the terms “billets” and “billeting”, applying them to troops in hired premises, as well as to troops billeted under the powers conferred by the Army Act.
In the former case, Troops are not billeted in any correct sense of the expression – they are accommodated in hired buildings or premises, and reference to them as being billeted or in billets should be avoided in all official correspondence.
C.R. No. 44413. Northern Command Order No.232.
Empty Oat Sacks – Return of to No. 3 Main Supply Depot, Leeds.
Oat Sacks being urgently required at Leeds for use overseas, Officers Commanding Units should take immediate steps to return all empties on their charge to the Supply Officer concerned. The larger 168 lbs. Sacks if not returned to suppliers are charged for, and Units not returning these Sacks within a reasonable period, will be charged with the full cost, which in some cases is 2s. per sack.
Attention is also directed to Command Orders No. 1526 and 1709 of the 26th October and 4th December, 1914, and Supply Officers should see that all Sacks are returned in a clean serviceable condition.
C.R. No. 44301 (S.T.). Northern Command Order No.234.
Clothing –
With reference to Command Order No. 1842, dated 29th December, 1914, it has been decided that as soon as men are in possession of a second suit of clothing the provision of a third pair of drawers will cease.
Those men who have been issued with a third pair may retain it.
Authority, War Office letter No. 54General No./1800 (Q.M.G.7.), dated 15th February, 1915.
C.R. No. 38875/48 (a). (O.S.) Northern Command Order No.235.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,
19th FEBRUARY, 1915.
129 – Rations –
On arrival at Alnwick Officers Commanding Units will adopt the following procedure with regard to the granting of money in lieu of rations.
Officers and men who owing to absence on leave or furlough are not provided with food purchased for them by the Battalion will be credited with 1s. 9d. per diem. Men employed as Company Cooks and those employed as Officers’ servants will mess with their Companies. Officers’ Mess servants may be provided with food by the Officers’ Mess, in which case money in lieu of rations at the rate of 1s. 9d. per diem will be drawn for them by the Mess President.
130 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
INOCULATION – ENTERIC FEVER –
Lord Kitchener is of opinion that ay man who is not inoculated against Enteric Fever is a source of danger to his comrades, and, if allowed to proceed on leave, might return with the infection and communicate it to his Unit. It has therefore been decided that non-inoculated officers and men are to be given leave, or furlough, very sparingly.
Authority, War Office letter No. 24/Gen. No./3196 (A.G.3A.), dated 12th February, 1915.
C.R. No. 44100 (a). Northern Command Order No.226
Officers Commanding Units will make the above known to all ranks, and take action accordingly.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,
18th FEBRUARY, 1915.
126 – Night Operations –
The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Section 113, Infantry Training, 1914. Night operations should be practised twice a week. Weekly Programmes of Work should include such work.
127 – Clothing – Supply of –
It has been observed that Officers Commanding Battalions do not appear to take advantage of the supply of clothing available from time to time in the Committee Stores to complete their requirements, and report to this office deficiencies which can be remedied by application to the Store Keeper.
Officers Commanding Units should keep in touch with the Committee Store Keeper and indent on him for stores as they become available.
128 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
“LONDON GAZETTE” –
The Northumberland Fusiliers –
21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish), Temporary Second Lieutenant Leslie R. Raimes to be temporary Lieutenant. Dated 8th January, 1915.
John McRobb Hall to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 13th January, 1915.
22nd Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish), William Mills Herries to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 4th January, 1915.
RETURNS –
All returns rendered to the War Office must be completed as far as possible up to the date they are due and no modification or alteration should be ordered in them without reference being made to the War Office in the first place.
C.R. No. 43733 (A). Northern Command Order No.221.
RETURN OF STORES AND CLOTHING TO A.O. DEPARTMENT –
Considerable difficulty and delay in dealing with consignments are being experienced by the Army Ordnance Department on account of Units when returning Stores and Clothing to York not observing the instructions issued to Units by Chief Ordnance Officer, York, that packages be clearly marked with:-
Name of Unit returning.
Voucher number on which the Stores are charged.
Contents.
And also that a packing note detailing the contents be placed in each package.
Clothing and necessaries should be packed and vouchered separately to other Ordnance Stores.
Owing to the quantity of Stores which are received at the Ordnance Depot at the present time, unless these conditions are observed it is most difficult to deal with receipts.
Northern Command Order No.223.
CLOTHING AND NECESSARIES –
The appended list enumerates the several articles of clothing and kit that, until further orders, should be in possession of every soldier on embarkation to join the Expeditionary Force. In addition, each man should have with him the Service Pay Book (Army Book 64).
As a general rule all the articles required should be in possession of Units, with the possible exception of woollen vests, body bands, field dressings, woollen drawers for mounted services, clasp knives, and boots of regulation Army pattern. When a unit or draft is placed under orders for embarkation the Officer Commanding will at once telegraph to the York Clothing Depot the total requirements to complete the scale, at the same time submitting indents and size-rolls as directed in paragraph 3 of War Office letter A.C.D/Gen. No./4963, of the 24th November, 1914.
Should the Clothing Depot not be in a position to meet the indents, the C.O.O., York, will send a telegram for the balance for the balance to the Chief Ordnance Officer, Royal Army Clothing Department.
It is possible that until stocks increase, vests, woollen or flannel, may not be available. In such cases men will be completed with these articles after arrival at the base.
SCALE OF CLOTHING TO BE IN PIOSSESSION OF TROOPS PROCEEDING TO JOIN THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.
ARTICLES
Mounted Service
Dismounted Services (except kilted Regiments)
Kilted Regiments
Remarks
Boots, ankle Cap, service dress or Glengarry Greatcoat, drab Drawers, cotton “ woollen Jackets, service dress Pantaloons, cord Putties, pair Spurs, Jack, pairs Trousers, service dress Kilt and Apron Waistcoat, cardigan Titles for shoulder straps, set Badge, cap Braces pairs Brush, shaving “ tooth Cap, comforter Comb, hair Disc, identity, with cord Fork Garters, pair Holdall Housewife Hosetops, pairs Knife, clasp, with lanyard “ table Laces, 30-inch, pairs Razor and Case Shirts, flannel Soap, piece Socks, worsted, pairs Spoon Towel, hand Vests, woollen or flannel Body Bands Woollen Gloves, or Mitts, pairs Dressing, field
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,
16th FEBRUARY, 1915.
122 – Appointment –
Captain F.T.V. Dunne, Royal Scots Fusiliers, having reported his arrival, is taken on the strength for special duty and is attached to the Brigade Staff from this date.
123 – Medicine Boxes – Camp, Issue of –
The issue of Camp Medicine Boxes to the Medical Officers, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd (Service) Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tyneside Scottish) has been approved.
In future indents for drugs required by the Medical Officer of the Battalions named will be forwarded by them on A.F.I. 1209 in duplicate to the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Northern Command, York, and not to the Secretary, Tyneside Scottish Committee.
With reference to Circular Memo. (T.S.606) of 12th February, the procedure will be modified as under:-
Non-commissioned Officers and Men who are considered by the Medical Officer attached to a Battalion to be medically unfit for service will be paraded as shewn below for the inspection of Lieutenant-Colonel D.F. Franklin, R.A.M.C., Medical Inspector of Recruits, Northern Area, Northern Command. Army Form B.204 will be carefully filled in for each man and be handed to the Medical Inspector of Recruits at the time of the parade.
23rd(Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Scottish) Thursday, February 18th, 1915, at 10-15 a.m. at All Saints’ Hall Gosforth.
21st (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Thursday, February 18th, 1915, at 2-30 p.m. at Tilley’s Rooms, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
20th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish) – Depot Company, Friday, February 19th, 1915, at 10 a.m. at Masonic Hall, Heaton.
22nd (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Friday, February 19th, 1915, at 2-30 p.m. at Newburn.
125 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
DISCHARGES OF SOLDIERS – FINAL SETTLEMENT FOR PAY, Etc. –
Instructions with a view to obviate delay in the final settlement for pay, etc., of soldiers on discharge are contained in Command Order No. 1551, of 31st October, 1914, and 30/General Number/5023 (Accounts 1), of 18th December, 1914 (circulated to Officers Commanding), but it is still found that discharges are frequently unnecessarily delayed pending the return from the Regimental Paymaster of the statement (A.F.O. 1809) showing the final balance due to the soldier, and that men are being sent on furlough for several days pending discharge while their accounts are being adjusted, instead of being discharged at once, when it has been decided to discharge them.
In many of the cases referred to, the Company Commander is in a position to ascertain from the Pay and Mess Book and other records in his possession the approximate amount of the man’s credit balance, the discharge must not be delayed pending return of Army Form O. 1809, completed by the Paymaster. The soldier should in such circumstances be paid whatever sum is known to be due to him and his discharge carried out forthwith. On receipt of the Army Form O.1809, whatever further payment, if any, is found to be due can then be remitted by Money Order.
In exceptional cases, when the Company Commander is unable to assess approximately the amount of the balance, and hardship would be inflicted upon the man by discharging him without funds in anticipation of the final settlement of his account, the Paymaster should be requested by wire to give the necessary information.
It should be noted that the forgoing instructions do not affect the present practice in the case of men discharged physically unfit for was service whose documents have to be sent to Chelsea ten days before the discharge takes place. In these cases, the discharge is necessarily post-dated.
Authority, War Office letter No. 19/General Number/5308 (F.2.), dated 8th February, 1915.
C.R. No. 43013 Northern Command Order No.205.
MINIATURE RIFLES –
Miniature Rifles in charge of units which have become unserviceable should be returned to the C.O.O., York, for repair or renewal. In some instances rifles have been reported as useless when they only require roughly cleaning or some small repair which could have been carried out locally. Care must be taken that only rifles which are really worn out and which cannot be repaired regimentally are sent to York.
C.R. No. 38629 (O.S.). Northern Command Order No.206.
CORRESPONDENCE –
The attention of all concerned is specially directed to paragraphs 1844 and 1845, King’s Regulations, as regards the method of conducting Official correspondence.
The Central Registry number and date of previous correspondence must invariably be quoted in subsequent letters or telegrams addressed to Command Headquarters.
Correspondence from Officers Commanding Units will be written on sheets of foolscap. Memorandum Forms will on no account be used when corresponding with outside Units.
C.R. No. 42642 (A). Northern Command Order No.209.
POSTINGS –
Lieutenant-Colonel D.F. Franklin, R.A.M.C., has been posted to the Northern Command with effect from the 7th February, 1915, as Medical Inspector of Recruits. Northern Command Order No. 213.
MEDICAL INSPECTION OF RECRUITS ON JOINING DEPOTS –
Attention is directed to the importance of all recruits being Medically examined on joining depots.
This examination should be promptly carried out, and recruits who are not likely to be fit for service should not be passed on to service units.
In accordance with War Office letter No. 27/General Number/2501 (A.G.2.B.), dated 1st December, 1914, Commanding Officers will report to the Recruiting Officers concerned when a recruit is rejected as Medically unfit on joining the depot, to enable the Recruiting Officer to withhold the examination fee of 2/6 from the Medical Officer who passed the recruit as fit. Such recruits will be kept for inspection by the M.I.R.
Northern Command Order No. 215.
WEEKLY RETURN OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES –
Officers in charge of Military Hospitals, Administrators of Territorial Force General Hospitals, Officers in charge of Field Ambulances, Medical Officers in charge of Units and Medical Officers in charge of Detached Troops will render a weekly return to Headquarters, Northern Command, of the infectious diseases that have occurred amongst Troops during the week.
This return will be posted so as to reach York by the first post on Saturday.
Where Civil Medical Practitioners are employed the responsibility for rendering the return will rest with the Commanding Officer.
The following are the diseases to be noted:- Smallpox, Measles, Scarlet Fever, Typhus Fever, Plague, Diphtheria, Cerebro Spinal Fever, Enteric Fever, Mediterranean Fever, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Erysipelas, Puerperal Pyaemia, Puerperal Septicaemia, and Tubercle affecting the Lungs, Larynx, or Intestines, Pneumonia.
IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERIC FEVER, IT WILL BE STATED IF THE CASE WAS INOCULATED, AND IF SO, WHETHER ONE OR TWO INJECTIONS WERE GIVEN.
In reporting cases, the following pro forma will be used:-
Disease.
Locality.
No.
Rank.
Name.
Initials.
Unit.
Army Form A.35 will be rendered direct to Headquarters, Northern Command, as they occur.
Northern Command Order No. 216.
; CLOTHING COMPENSATION –
With reference to Command Orders Numbers 1281, dated 17th September, 1914, 1591, dated 10th November, 1914, and telegram No. 235/Q.M.G.7, of the 4th October, 1914, sent direct to all concerned, regarding the allowance to be paid to recruits who wore their own civilian clothing owing to uniform not being available, as misapprehension has arisen as to the amount of the allowance to be paid in certain cases the following instructions should enable the necessary adjustments to be made:-
Men who enlisted any time after mobilization and who were required to wear their great-coat, suit of clothes, and boots should receive the sum of 10/- (ten shillings).
Men who enlisted after the 12th September, and who were required to wear either of the following articles, the same being their own property, should receive for the use of a great-coat 4/- (four shillings), a suit of clothes 3/- (three shillings), a pair of boots 3/- (three shillings).
Men who enlisted before the 12th September and who receive no allowance under (1) should, if they were still unclothed in uniform on the 12th October, receive: mounted men, 10/- (ten shillings), dismounted men 7/6 (seven shillings and sixpence).
Authority, 54/General Number/1708 (Q.M.G.7.), dated War Office, 10th February, 1915.
C.R. No. 43580 (O.S.). Northern Command Order No.218.
WAR SERVICES – ENTRIES ON SOLDIERS’ DOCUMENTS –
With reference to entries made under the heading “Campaigne” in the Documents of Soldiers who have served during the present War, it has been ruled that the system to be adopted in recording the War Services of such Soldiers should be shown as below:-
In the case of soldiers who, since the 5th August, 1914, have served –
At Home.
Overseas, except India.
The entries should be as follows:-
a “Home” (date to date).
“Expeditionary Force, France, Egypt, East Africa, etc.” (date to date).
Authority, War Office letter No. 35/General Number/1436 (A.G.2.B.), dated 8th February, 1915.
C.R. No. 43012 (A). Northern Command Order No.219.
DISCHARGE OF RECRUITS ON MEDICAL GROUNDS –
Commanding Officers will render to Headquarters, Northern Command, as soon as possible a return shewing the number of Recruits discharged under para. 392 (iii) King’s Regulations, since Mobilization on August the 5th, 1914. The return will be made under the following headings:-
Para. 392 (iii.) c. Numbers…. Percentage…..
Para. 392 (iii.) cc. Numbers…. Percentage……
The percentage should be based on the recruits enlisted.
Returns to reach Brigade Office by first post on Thursday, the 18th instant.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,
15th FEBRUARY, 1915.
121 – Physical Training – Instructional Course of –
With reference to War Office letter numbered 20/Gen. No./3128 A.G.2A, dated the 4th September 1914, it is notified for information that the Sixth Instructional Course will finish on the 26th inst., and that the Seventh Instructional Course for Assistant Instructors in Physical Training will commence at the Headquarter Gymnasium, Aldershot, at 9 a.m. on the 2nd March, 1915.
Non-Commissioned Officers from Out-stations should be despatched in time to report by 9-30 p.m. on 1st March, 1915.
Officers Commanding Units desirous of sending candidates must inform the Inspector of Gymnasia direct not later than the 20th inst., the NUMBER they wish to send. They will be notified as soon as possible after the 20th inst. the number which can be accepted for the course.
Candidates selected should be Non-Commissioned Officers who are quick, intelligent, and active, of at least fair education, have sufficient force of character to make instructors, and been passed as medically fit to undergo the course.
Candidates from Out-stations will be messed on their ration allowance and accommodated in the Headquarter Gymnasium. They should bring one blanket with them.
Documents should not be forwarded unless specially called for, and it will not be necessary to furnish warrants for the return journey.
Army Form N.1510 will not be required, but pay will be issued at the following weekly rates – unless the Inspector of Gymnasia is notified otherwise: – Sergeants, 19s. 10d.; Corporals, 11s. 6d.; Paid Lance Corporals, 8s. 9d.; other Ranks, 7s.
The Eighth Instructional Course of 21 Working Days will commence on 7th April, 1915, at 9 a.m.
Darling. Here I am again with another card. I hope that by the time you get this, you will have had most of the letters which I have sent before. I have not had any letters from you for 6 weeks, but I am hoping that there will be some in the next lot. Give my love to your mother. Look after yourself. I love you Sweetheart. Yours always Ernest
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,
14th FEBRUARY, 1915.
120 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
“LONDON GAZETTE” –
The following extracts from a Second Supplement to the “London Gazette”, of Friday, the 5th day of February, 1915, are published for information:-
The Northumberland Fusiliers –
21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish), Leslie Robinson Raimes to be temporary Second Lieutenant. Dated 7th December, 1914.
22nd Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish). The dates of the appointment of the undermentioned officers are as now shown, and not as stated in the “Gazettes” of 6th and 18th January, 1915:-
Temporary Captain and Adjutant Richard H. T. Jobson. Dated 21st
November, 1914.
Temporary Lieutenant Dudley C. Laing. Dated 14th November, 1914.
Temporary Lieutenant John P. Foster. Dated 18th November, 1914.
Temporary Lieutenant Henry Sibbet. Dated 18th November, 1914.
Temporary Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant Robson W. Rotherford.
Dated 13th November, 1914.
Temporary Second Lieutenant Alfred R. Carr. Dated 19th November, 1914.
The undermentioned to be temporary Second Lieutenants. Dated 7th December, 1914:-
George Robert Purdy.
George William Atkinson.
Matthew Young.
20th Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish). – The undermentioned temporary Second Lieutenants to be temporary Lieutenants. Dated 8th January, 1915:-
Robert B.T. Pinkney.
Arthur L. Young.
Percy Bickerton to be temporary Second Lieutenant. (Dated 29th December, 1914)
22nd Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish). – The undermentioned to be temporarySecond Lieutenants:-
William McIntosh. Dated 15th December, 1914.
G. Charlton. Dated 7th January, 1915.
The undermentioned temporary Lieutenants to be temporary Captains. Dated 8th January, 1915.
Dudley C. Laing.
John P. Forster.
Henry Sibbit.
Godfrey H. Williams.
The undermentioned temporary Second Lieutenants to be temporary Lieutenants:-
David H. Bibby.
G. Charlton.
Northern Command Order No. 198.
MUSKETRY INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT –
Command Order No. 183, of the 9th instant, is cancelled in so far as it refers to tripods.
A large supply has now been received by the Ordnance Department. Indents should be submitted to C.O.O., York, immediately.
Northern Command Order No. 197.
INOCULATION AGAINST ENTERIC FEVER –
With reference to Command Order No. 156, dated February 4th, 1915, it is published for the information of all concerned that in future all men who have been inoculated against Enteric Fever will, except in cases of urgent emergency, be struck off all duties for 48 hours immediately after inoculation, and arrangements should be made for accommodation to be set aside in which the men can lie down and be quiet during this period.
Authority, War Office letter No. 24/Gen. No./3567 (A.G.3.a.) dated 6th February, 1915.
Northern Command Order No. 199.
HUTMENTS – STORES –
In connection with the hutments that have been, are being, or are to be erected for the accommodation of the New Armies, etc., approval has been given for the local provision of ash-bins for cook-houses in hutment camps, where separate dining-huts are not provided, in the following proportions:-
Per Company Cook-house 1
Per Battalion Cook-house 4
For Camps where dining-huts have been provided it is not proposed to increase the present scale of ash-bins viz., 1 per 4 huts, allowed under Hutment Schedule No. 1, but arrangements should be made to distribute them so as to have a certain number near the dining-huts and cook-houses where they are most urgently needed.
Authority, 57/General Number/4063 (Q.M.G.9), dated War Office, 8th February, 1915.
C.R. No. 43126 (O.S.). Northern Command Order No. 200.
RECRUITS – DISCHARGE OF, ON MEDICAL GROUNDS –
It is notified for the information of all concerned that no man under Three Month’s service is in future to be discharged on Medical grounds, under paragraph 392, sub-paragraph (111), King’s Regulations, without the approval of The Medical Inspector of Recruits, Northern Command.
In reference to Command Order No. 1794, of the 19th December last, it has been decided that where the scale of batmen laid down in War Establishment provides a less number of servants than is laid down in the Allowance Regulations, the issue of Servant Allowance will be limited to the War Establishment Scale, and will be subject to the conditions laid down in the Command Order above quoted.
Authority, War Office letter No. 48/General Number/3382 (F.2.), dated 2nd February, 1915.
C.R. No. 30732/16 (Q). Northern Command Order No.202.
The following narrative of the fighting on the Canal is issued for the benefit of the Battalions at EL KUBRI, which it is understood have received no authentic news of the fighting on Feb 3rd or how the rest of the Brigade fared.
Report of Fighting on Canal.
February 2nd to 4th 1915.
KANTARA. (Qantara)
Early on the morning of the 3rd an attack was made on our outposts which was repulsed, the enemy retreating leaving 15 killed & wounded & forty unwounded. Later in the day a partial attack was made from the S.E. but the enemy was stopped 1200 yards from the position.
EL FERDAN
At EL FERDAN, were the 13th Regt Coy. lay & two platoons of the 1st Regt were stationed, the enemy made an attack. At ** a.m. a Turkish Battery of 4 small guns opened fire on the Signal Station, finding the range immediately, they hit the buildings several times. At this juncture H.M.S. “Clio” came up & silenced the batteries. Though she was hit three times in so doing the action was over at 1 p.m.
BATTERY POST.
North of ISMAILIA at the BATTERY POST, there were two platoons of the 12th Nelson Regt. Coy. These men were not actually fired on. But the battery on their left was shelled. Later in the day this post was relieved by two platoons of the 3rd Auckland Regt. Coy. These platoons were shelled on their way out to the post but suffered no casualties.
ISMAILIA FERRY.
By ISMAILIA FERRY POST, where the 2nd South Canterbury Coy were stationed under Major Grant as general reserve, the enemy were found to be entrenching about ½ a mile to the East at Daylight. Two Battalions opened fire & the enemy’s guns engaged the “Hardinge” “Requiem” & our Mountain Artillery. Though no regular attack was made intermittent shelling continued throughout the day. The New Zealand Platoons actually saw no fighting, but they were exposed to shell fire throughout the day. Some of the shells fired at this point fell within half a mile of the ground where the Auckland & Canterbury Battalions were encamped.
The shipping on Lake TIMSAH was subjected to shell fire during the day & also the outskirts of ISMAILIA at various points.
During the night of the 3rd a half hearted attack was made, after which the enemy withdrew the bulk of their forces to KATAIB & KHEIL.
TOUSSUM (Tussum) and SERAPEUM.
At daylight on the 3rd the enemy were found to be close to TOUSSUM & SERAPEUM & their guns opened fire on both posts. At the latter post, where our ships & artillery engaged the enemy, there were two platoons of the 12th Nelson Regt. Coy under Major Brereton, who took up outposts at 5 p.m. on the night of the 2nd on the West bank of the Canal. On his right was a battery of the Lancashire Artillery, & on his left the 62nd Punjabi Infantry. All was quiet until 3.20 a.m. when heavy machine gun fire from the enemy commenced to our North. At this time there was no fire to the New Zealanders front. The Punjabis were reinforced with 30 of our men, who on arrival at once commenced opening fire at a party of Turks attempting to cross the Canal in boats, which movement they effectively stopped. At this the enemy retreated & entrenched on the Eastern bank under our fire. Many of the enemy tried to retreat but were stopped by our fire. We were helped by enfilading fire from the rest of the two platoons on our right, who had the command of the enemy’s trenches for a distance of 1200 yards. There were three distinct attempts made to cross the Canal at this point, all of which failed.
A counter attack by the 62nd Punjabis about midday produced considerable results.
Early in the afternoon orders were received to close on the 22nd Brigade Headquarters. During this move Pte. Ham was severely wounded & afterwards succumbed to his wounds. The only other New Zealand casualty was that of Sergt. Williams who was slightly wounded by Shrapnel. Outpost duty was resumed at 5 p.m. No more fighting took place except for persistent sniping. The enemy having retired leaving many dead & nearly 300 prisoners.
On the morning of the 4th troops from SERAPEUM captured some 150 of the enemy, who were still entrenched on the Canal bank some 1½ miles S. of TOUSSUM, after having been treacherously fired on, the white flag having been raised & signs of surrender made.
During the day H.M.S. “Swiftsure” “Clio” & “Hardinge” the French ships “Requin” & “D’Entrcasteaux” as well as torpedo boats & launches engaged the enemy & rendered valuable assistance. The “Hardinge” was struck by two 6” shells, & had ten men wounded. The “Swiftsure” had one man killed. Military casualties during the day were: – British Officers, killed 1, – wounded 4. British, Indian & Egyptian rank & file killed 17 wounded 79. The enemy along the canal at all points attacked, appear to muster in all some 12,000 men, & at least 6 Batteries. One 6” gun was also located, which is thought to have been silenced by the “Requiem”.
Throughout the fighting two companies were always kept ready to leave camp at a moment’s notice to reinforce any position where they might be required.
Over 500 of the enemy were buried by our troops & afterwards of 500 are prisoners in our hands. It is calculated that on a basis of 3 wounded to 1 killed, the enemy must have suffered a loss of at least 1500 wounded, making total casualties of between 2500 & 3000. The enemy is now in retreat all along the line; whether they will make another **** not yet be determined. It has been ascertained that General Dzermal Pasha was present during the action with a number of German officers, one of whom has been killed.
On February 5th a message of congratulation on the 3 days fighting was received from the General Officer Commanding in Chief & Lord Kitchener.
BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,
COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,
12th FEBRUARY, 1915.
117 – Canteens –
Until further orders all Canteens will be closed at 9 p.m. daily for the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquor.
Authority, C.R.N.C. Number 43165 (a), dated February 11th, 1915.
118 – Dental Treatment –
It has now been arranged that all N.C.O’s and Men of this Brigade requiring dental treatment can be so treated at the Dental Hospital, Newcastle-on-Tyne, free of charge so far as the soldier is concerned.
The Dental Hospital will be open at 2p.m. daily on every afternoon of the week excepting Saturdays and Sundays. The accommodation (20 chairs) admits of 50 men being treated each afternoon. A party of 50 men will be marched down daily until further orders to the Hospital, commencing Wednesday the 17th inst., so as to arrive punctually at 2 p.m. Dr. Maclay, the Convenor of the Medical Sub-committee, Tyneside Scottish Brigade, will inform the Medical Officer of each Battalion on what day the men of their Battalion should attend.
Each Medical Officer of a Battalion will at once hold the necessary dental inspection and make out a list of all men who require dental treatment.
Each man who is sent to the Dental Hospital for treatment will be given a card, which he will hand to the dental surgeon who attends him. This card will show the man’s number, rank, name, and Battalion. The dental surgeon who deals with the case will fill in on the card the details as to the work done, and he will retain the card, which will be the voucher to enable the fees to be subsequently drawn from the Military Authorities.
The work at the Dental Hospital will be restricted to:-
Extraction, with or without local anaesthetic, as the patient may prefer. and
Fillings.
Dentures will not be supplied.
119 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –
MESS ALLOWANCE –
With reference to Army Order 429 of 1914, it has been decided that Mess Allowance at the rate of £6 (Six pounds) a year may be drawn by Battalions of Infantry in respect of each officer in excess of 30 (thirty) who is a member of the mess on the last day of the month.
Authority, War Office letter No. 103/General Number/1351 (F.2), dated 3rd February, 1915.
C.R. No 42407 (Q.).
PAYMENT OF MEN ON FURLOUGH, Etc.
Several cases have recently come to light in which Company officers have sent advances to men on furlough and have remitted the balances due to discharged soldiers by cheque. This practice is contrary to regulations and has caused, in many cases, considerable inconvenience to the men, as they have found great difficulty in cashing the cheques.
The attention of all concerned is directed to paragraph 8 of the “Instructions relating to Pay Duties,” issued with Army Order dated 19th August, 1914, with regard to payments to soldiers on furlough, and to paragraph 5 of Circular Letter No. 30/General Number/5023 of the 18th ultimo, circulated to Officers Commanding, and paragraph 8 of the “Instructions as to how to pay a Company,” issued with Special Army Order XXIX., of the 29th ultimo, with regard to the remittance of the balances due to discharged soldiers. All such payments should invariably be made by Money Order.
Authority, War Office letter No. 30/General Number/5048 (Accounts 1.b.), dated 13th January, 1915.
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