War Diary of AA Laporte Payne 9 June 1919

EXTRACTED FROM.

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda
Correspondence
—————–

June 9th 1919.
BRIGADE SPORTS.
76th Army Brigade R.F.A.

Whit Monday
Programme. 11, a.m. to 7 p.m.

Flat Races, Tug-of-war, Long jump, 440 yds, 120 yds hurdles.
High Jump, Relay race.
Officers’ jump
V.C. Race, Alarm Race, N.C.O.’s jumping, Lloyd Lindsay Race,
Led Horse jumping, Wrestling on horseback, Band Race.

(I acted as judge of mounted events.)

June 12 1919
We have moved and I have been away on business for one or two days. Our time is spent in a round of parades, inspections, training and sports.

Our sports which we have just held were a great success. Our battery was second on points. It was a lovely day. We had a band and large tents in which lunch tea and supper were served.

Yesterday we were inspected by the G.O.C. Division and the C.R.A. The former is an excellent fellow and was most agreeable. He seemed satisfied, and all he wanted me to do was to whitewash the kitchen. I turned the whole population of the village under the Burgomaster to clean up the streets of the place in the early morning, so I am not exactly popular.

Robertson inspects us this week end. The battery was photographed the other day, but the prints are not very good.

Dinner parties are the order of the evening now. The Colonel is in bed with a bad leg caused by a fall at jumping.

The Left half of the Battery beat the Right at cricket this afternoon.

Letter to Mrs Springett 27 May 1919

MEMORANDUM

From Regtl Paymaster Preston II
Loyal North Lancs Regt.
To Mrs Springett
Tabors Cottages.
Date 27-5-19

……………………………………………………………………………………….

30403 Springett

Please note that the army book, of allowances forms, issued in respect of the above soldier, have been forwarded to Horsmonden Post Office to day, made payable from 6/5/19

REGIMENTAL PAYMASTER PRESTON

Letter to Miss Dillon 24 May 1919

E.F.C.
OFFICERS REST HOUSE
AND MESS
Troop Train in Italy
24th May 1919

My dearest Lillie,
To-morrow we shall arrive at Taranto after nearly a week in the train. I have got quite used to it and am not a bit tired. There may not be any delay at Taranto, so I am writing this in the train. We have had a few very interesting halts on the way for instance at Turin where we had a few hours and yesterday at Falnza where there is a rest camp. We arrived there in time for lunch. It was a lovely place with bungalows, and a band played the well known fox trots and things on the veranda during lunch. They also played “The First Love is the Last Love”. Do you remember hearing it at the Alhambra last year? The evenings are wonderful when the fire flys come out. I have never seen such multitudes of them. The whole place sparkles with them. The sunsets have been gorgeous too. We have been along the Adriatic from Rimini which we reached last night.
Breakfast at Castelmare Adriatico this morning but no time for bathing. Rationing in the train, and these are supplemented by things we buy en route. The Italian women and children come and meet the trains at the remote stations and barter eggs and wine for bully beef and cheese &c. It is great fun really and you would laugh to see the sights.
There was a thunderstorm last night but otherwise the weather has been perfect.
Taranto
25th May 1919
Arrived here this afternoon, and am to embark on the transport for Constantinople to-morrow morning. It takes four days to get there. So I shall be travelling for a fortnight when I arrive there.
Best love to you & Anna
from Willie

Letter re arrears of separation allowance 20 May 1919

MEMORANDUM

From Regimental Paymaster Winchester

To Mrs. Springett

Date 20.5.1919

……………………………………………………………………………………….

Re the Late

A/205166 Rfn Springett KRRC.

Herewith please find enclosed money order for the sum of 16/9. This is the arrears of separation allowance due to you in respect of the af soldier as from 6.5.19 to 26.5.19.

Please

Kindly return Ring Paper as soon as money order is cashed please.

REGIMENTAL PAYMASTER

WINCHESTER

MEMORANDUM

From Regimental Paymaster Winchester
To Mrs. Springett
Date 20.5.1919

……………………………………………………………………………………….

Re the Late
A/205166 Rfn Springett KRRC.

Herewith please find enclosed money order for the sum of 16/9. This is the arrears of separation allowance due to you in respect of the af soldier as from 6.5.19 to 26.5.19.
Please
Kindly return Ring Paper as soon as money order is cashed please.

REGIMENTAL PAYMASTER
WINCHESTER

Gerald Benham’s notes from diaries

1916
28 April Moved to Camp at Mistley.
6 “ Took over Holly House from Mrs Duffin.
7 “ Lois arrived to look over Holly House.
18 “ Met and dined with Dawes family at Mount Ephraim.
20 “ Lois Brian & Nurse arrived at Holly House.
Note. Several entries on good tennis matches at the Hemmings. Who were they!

1917
26 April Moved from Boughton by rail to Camp at Little Clacton. Maz went to
Dolly Dawes family saw us off. Arrived Thorpe 8.21 pm. Camp 8.35
pm.
29 “ To tea with Grannie.
1918

2 April On leave at Colchester until Saturday 6th April when I left by 8.43 train
for Liverpool St & stayed night at Great Eastern Hotel.
7 “ Reported at 1.15 pm at ALDERSHOT for Senior Officers Course.
12 “ Left by 3.20 pm from Aldershot on week end leave & returned by
evening of the 14th (Sunday)

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne April 1919

EXTRACTED FROM.

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda
Correspondence
—————–

April 4 1919.
A/76th Army Brigade R.F.A.
B.E.F.
Germany.
I have just arrived at this unit, to which I am attached. After wandering over a good deal of Germany I have at last come to rest.

I met Rex Collins in Cologne the other day. He is trying to get out of the army as soon as possible. The Colonel here is very decent. He has only been with the Brigade two or three days.

April 11 1919.
A/76th Army Brigade R.F.A.
Germany.
I took over the command of this battery yesterday. We are in the hills all by ourselves. There is a wonderful view from my bedroom over the hills and pine forests.

The village is small and rather dirty, but my billet and the mess are quite good.

I knew one of the Battery Commanders before. He is Wheeler of A Battery. The Colonel, Thomson came to lunch yesterday with the Adjutant, Burston.

April 16 1919.
A/76th Army Brigade R.F.A.
B.E.F.
Germany.
I have I hope taken root at last; but you never know in this army of ours.

Our high elevation here gives us the full force of very strong winds, but the wonderful view is usually obscured by frequent heavy rain and hail showers. It has been a very cold spring. The good weather only lasted three days. The Captain is coughing and sneezing like a soda water bottle, so I suppose I shall be in a like condition in a day or so.

We are miles away from anywhere, and some distance from the rest of the Brigade, so we are not worried much by senior officers and the staff. But yesterday the General did arrive with the Colonel and the A.D.C., who was at school with me at Cheltenham. He seemed fairly satisfied.

My harness is not over clean, however, and I expect there will be trouble before long if it is not better. I am very shorthanded at present, as many men have been demobilised, none taking their place. There are a lot of horses to look after as well, about 170, among them a whole section of greys, which look very fine.

There is only one captain, a ranker, and one subaltern with me. One subaltern is away with the guns, which are being calibrated on the other side of the Rhine. Another is going on leave as he has not been home since last October, and yet another is attached to B Battery, as they have only a Major and a Captain.

The Boche villagers here are an extraordinary crowd. They are very polite, and I take what straw and wood I like without paying for it, which is a novelty. All have to be in their houses by nine unless they get permission from me to be out. If they are caught out the sentries arrest them and they are subsequently tried for the offence. They seem to be doing a lot of work in the fields, when they are not in church to which they go regularly every morning. I am living in the school house, and have quite a good mess, and an excellent piano. We use all their crockery and cutlery without payment. Nearly all the men have beds. Unfortunately there is nothing for the men to do when they are not working, and there is sometimes a little trouble.

We had a service on Sunday afternoon, the wretched padre having to come miles, and a sort of concert in the evening. It is much too wet to play games at present.

One of our subalterns, Isgar, is a Somerset farmer.

Do you remember the pre-war Empire Days and the thoughts of a possible German menace. Well, here we are on the Rhine.

MIDLAND DIVISION

C.R.A. Brig. General M.P. Monkhouse, C.B., C.M.G., M.V.O.

76th (Army) Brigade, R.F.A.

C.O. Lieut. Colonel R.G. Thomson, C.M.G., D.S.O.
Adjutant,

A Battery.
Major, R.E.M. Wheeler, M.C.
Captain F.C.R. Prior-Wandesforde, D.S.O.
Captain J.D. Tremlett M.C.

B Battery.
Major E.S.G. Howard.
Captain E.H. Prior.
Lieut A.H. Hamilton-Gordon.

C Battery.
Major H.E. Cheeseman

D Battery (Howitzer.)
Major A.A. Laporte Payne.
Captain S.H. Hilyard.

Reference letter 24 April 1919

Headed notepaper 10th Batt Middlesex Regt

Damanhour
Egypt
25/4/19

I have known No 93118 Private A. Weatherhead of the Middlesex Regt since February 1916.

He is smart, intelligent and keen upon his duties, and I have always found him trustworthy and honest. He has my best wishes for his future and have every confidence in recommending him for any position of trust.

He has been servant to Brig General V.L.N. Pearson D.S.O. from Feb1916 to Nov 1918 and to Brig Gen F.H. Borthwick D.S.O. since Nov 1918.

F.W. Miller
Capt.
Brigade Major
Late Lt. Col. 2/10 Middlesex Regt.

Lieut. R.H. Palmer R.N.V.R.

D “Northesk” II No 2022

Gibraltar.

April 15 1919

Paymaster Commander

H.M.S. “Dreel Castle”

Falmouth

I beg to advise that I have this day drawn from Cashier, Gibraltar Dockyard the sum of two hundred and sixteen pounds (£216.0.0) which has been disposed of as follows:-

Advance Victualling money for 3 weeks from April 11 1919

H.M.D “Northesk II” No. 2022                                £28.0.0

“    “Prime” No 2289                                            £24.0.0.

“   “Hopeful” No 2386                                        £22.0.0.

“   “Comely” No. 2387                                       £22.0.0.

£96.0.0.

The total amounts for each Drifter were handed to the respective Skippers & amounted to the sum of £2 per man.

Receipts in duplicate were obtained the originals of which are enclosed herewith together with list of names of crew. The duplicates are being held by me until my arrival in Falmouth.

Pay (on account) disposed of as follows: –

H.M.D “Northesk II” No. 2022                                £46.0.0

“    “Prime” No 2289                                            £26.0.0.

“   “Hopeful” No 2356                                        £24.0.0.

“   “Comely” No. 2387                                       £24.0.0.

£120.0.0.

Receipts from each Rank & rating were obtained in duplicate, the original being enclosed herewith & duplicate being held by me until my arrival in Falmouth.

Reginald H. Palmer.

Lieut. R.N.V.R.

S.O. of Div.

List of Officers & Men Mentioned in Despatches 11 April 1919

List of Officers, N.C.O.s and Men of the Construction Department, Inland Water Transport, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force mentioned in Sir William Marshall’s despatch dated 11^th November 1918 and published in the Supplement to the London Gazette dated 18^th February 1919.

Captain (Temp. Lieut. Col.) R.D.T. Alexander D.S.O. 1/14 Bn. London Regt.(London Scottish).

Temp. Lieut. F. Dunnett, Special List

Lieut. (Temp. Major) E.L. Harvey, I.A.R.O.

Temp. Captain G. Neilson, R.E.

Temp. Lieut. H.R. Pape, Special List.

Temp. Captain E. Wilson R.E.

Sergeant (Acting C.S.M.) V.G. Bearn R.E. No 309077.

L/Corpl. H. Darke R.E. No 309090.

Sapper (Acting Sergeant) J.H. Lang R.E. No 553959.

Sapper (Acting Sergeant) W.C. Prouse R.E. N552840.

Sapper J. Scotland R.E. No 554149.

Sapper (Acting C.S.M.) R.C. Watts R.E. No 553229.

1. Geary No 25184, Carpenter Foreman.

Hon. Temp. Subadar Gyan Chardra Roy.

L.A. Castellas No 25627, Clerk.

F.W. Knight No 23427 Stenographer.

Allah Ditta No 19808 Chargeman Fitter.

Roor Singh No. 9920, Carpenter R.I.M.

Hon. Temp. Jamadar Mohamed Din No. 42427 Workshops Chargeman.

Nand Singh No. 35475, Carpenter.

Santa Singh No. 25189, Wireman Foreman.

Sona Kara, No. 61620 Tindal.

Drjan Singh No. 46896, Carpenter Mistry.

Yakub Ali No. 47758, Timekeeper.

Jeneant Singh No. 19683; Carpenter.

No. 2314/E/2(G)       D/11^th April 1919

Forwarded to:- a/R.S.M. R.C. Watts R.E. No. 553229

With Major Harvey’s and my Congratulations.

R.D.T. Alexander

Lieut. Colonel

Superintending Engineer,

A.D.I.W.T. Construction.

THE INTER-WAR PERIOD

1919

On the 23^rd March 1919, Benito Mussolini formed the National Fascist Party and galvanised the support of many unemployed war veterans. He organised them into armed squads known as Black Shirts, who terrorised their political opponents. Mussolini had fought in the Italian army and in 1917 had been badly wounded and discharged. Upon recovering he resumed his position of editor-in-chief of his new paper Il Popolo d’Italia.

In July 1919, after having fought in the Great War, Adolf Hitler was still in the German Military as an acting intelligence officer. He was sent to report on an emerging right wing group, the German Workers Party (known as the DAP and later renamed the Nazi Party). Hitler was immensely unhappy by the German defeat in the Great War, and blamed the Jews and socialists, who he believed had surrendered the nation. Finding he agreed with the Anti-Semitic, Nationalist beliefs he joined the party in September 1919. At the DAP, Hitler met Dietrich Eckart, one of the founder members who became Hitler’s mentor, exchanging ideas with him. To increase its appeal, the DAP changed its name to the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP). Hitler designed the party’s banner of a swastika in a white circle on a red background.

The Republic of Germany-Austria signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain on the 10^th September 1919, with the victorious Allies of the Great War. The peace treaty regulated the borders of Austria by dissolving the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They forced Germany-Austria to change its name to Austria. The final condition being they did not continue the union with Germany. The treaty was signed at Saint-Germain near Paris. The United States of America did not ratify the treaty and later made a separate peace treaty with Austria.

Bulgaria signed the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine with the Allies on the 27th November 1919. The peace treaty regulated the borders of Bulgaria, ceding territories back to Serbia and Macedonia. The Bulgarian army was reduced to 20,000 men and the Allies ordered Bulgaria to pay war reparations. The treaty was signed At Neuilly-sur-Seine in France.

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