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30^th June 1916

SOLDIERS of the 19^th DIVISION.

            On the eve of a great battle with a treacherous and detestable enemy whose greed of power brought about this bitter war, I wish to remind all ranks of the great things expected of them in the strenuous days before us.

            Never before has the military situation been so favourable.  Not only our own Army in France, but the Armies of our Allies on both Eastern and Western Fronts are combining in operations which may well prove decisive, and result in the expulsion of the enemy from the territory he has for so long occupied and oppressed.  He is now nearing the end of his resources: his material and his manhood are alike on the high road to exhaustion.  But victory will never be ours until a decisive and overwhelming blow has been dealt to his military forces.  That blow it is now our purpose to deal him.  It is for this moment that we have trained hard and waited patiently.

Let us make full use of our opportunity and fulfil the expectations of our leaders, our friends and our country.

I rely with confidence on your courage and grit to uphold the glorious traditions of the British Army and of the fine old regiments to which you belong, and to make the name of the 19^th Division famous in history.

Remember we are fighting for the ideal of freedom and the honour of England.

Let each put forth his maximum endeavour and let us advance to victory imbued with the determination to win and strengthened by the righteousness of our cause.

T. Bridges

Major-General,

Commanding 19^th Division.