Category Archives: Inter War

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne April 1919

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

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.

9 Div of Drifters 15 April 1919

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 & 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 11th November 1918 and published in the Supplement to the London Gazette dated 18th 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/11th 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.

 

20 Division memorial letter 7 April 1927

On War Office Headed Notepaper.

 

THE WAR OFFICE,

LONDON, S.W. 1.

 

7th April, 1927.

 

45/Memorials/182 (A.G.4.a.)

 

Sir,

With reference to War Office letter, number as above, (A.G.4.b.) dated 26th October, 1926, I am directed to enquire whether the date for the unveiling of the Memorial to the 20th Division at LANGEMARCK has yet been decided.

 

I am to say that it is possible to obtain permission from the Belgian Government for Officers and other ranks attending the ceremony to travel through BELGIUM in uniform or plain clothes, and without passports, provided they travel in one body, under Command of an Officer, and are in possession of identity cards furnished by this Department.

 

They are, however, not prepared to grant permission for Arms (other than swords for officers) to be carried in their Country on occasions of this nature.

 

If you desire the special facilities above referred to, the following information should be furnished not later than 6 weeks before the date the party desires to start:-

  1. Date and hour of ceremony.
  2. Name of officer to perform ceremony.
  3. Strength of the party.
  4. The date and port of departure from England.
  5. The port of arrival in Belgium.
  6. The date and port of departure from Belgium.
  7. The rank and name of the officer in charge of the party.I am,                        Your obedient Servant                                    ******* *******for Director of Personal Services.Major General Sir W. Douglas Smith KCB, KCVO.,(Cox’s Branch),
  8. On reverse in handwriting.
  9. 6, Pall Mall, S.W.1.
  10. C/o Messrs Lloyds Bank Ltd.,
  12.                                     Colonel AAG
  14.             Sir.

 

 

Reply

 

I have asked Major Brace who is arranging all details for the unveiling ceremony to give you the information you require, his address is 19, — — & he will write to you in the course of a day or two.

 

I would ask whether you would kindly arrange for a senior officer of the Belgian Army to attend the ceremony.

 

I have etc., etc.

 

15/4/27

 

U.S. of State

War Office.

 

 

THE INTER-WAR PERIOD 1919

 

THE INTER-WAR PERIOD

1919

 

On the 23rd 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 10th 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.

 

————————————————–

 

 

 

DEtails of trip 30 March 1927

SPECIAL PARTY in CONNECTION with the UNVEILING of the

20th DIVISIONAL MEMORIAL at LANGEMARCK.

——-

 

ITINERARY.

 

(Subject to prevailing conditions, accommodation being obtainable, and the necessary passports and permits being granted).

 

The train and steamer services shown in the itinerary are subject to alteration or cancellation without notice.

 

1927.

Saturday                    Depart London (Victoria)    10.00

June 4th.                    Arrive Ostend.                       15.45

Depart Ostend.                     16.40

Arrive Ypres.                         18.47

 

Sunday                      During the morning drive by auto-car to Langemarck for the

June 5th                     unveiling ceremony, and return to Ypres in time for luncheon.

In the afternoon a drive will be arranged, passing through Vlamertinghe, Poperinghe, Reninhelst, La Clytte, Locre, Mont Kemmel, Messines, Wytschaete, Hollbeke, Hill 60, Zillebeke, Menin Gate, and return to Ypres.

 

Monday                      Depart Ypres.                                    9.18

June 6th.                    Arrive Ostend.                                   11.33.

Depart Ostend.                                 14.30.

Arrive London (Victoria).                 20.27.

 

————————

INCLUSIVE FARE: – £4.12.6. each passenger (for a party of not less than thirty persons).

————————————

 

WHAT THE FARE PROVIDES:-

  1. Third class travel tickets from London to Ypres and return.
  2. Meals en route, consisting of luncheon on June 4th and luncheon and dinner on June 6th.
  3. Hotel accommodation at Ypres, consisting of meat breakfast, table d’hote luncheon, table d’hote dinner, bedroom, lights and attendance, commencing with dinner on June 4th and terminating with breakfast on June 6th including taxes.
  4. Transfers from station to hotel and vice versa on arrival and departure in Ypres.
  5. Drives by auto-car (motor chars-a-banc) on Sunday, June 5th as specified in the itinerary.
  6. All fees and gratuities to hotel and railway servants, and to the drivers of the conveyances utilised.
  7. The services of a competent courier throughout the journey. He would supervise the general arrangements, act as interpreter, and relieve the members of all trouble as to detail.  TRAVEL TICKETS. The fare of £4.12.6. covers third class travel tickets. Members can travel in a superior class at the following supplements:First Class throughout.                   …..                  …..                  £1.18.0. each.
  8. Second class railway and first class on steamers                     £1.0.0. each.
  9. HOTEL ACCOMMODATION. Passengers booking at the fare of £4.12.6. will be accommodated at the Hotel Skindles, Ypriana, or similar establishment, at Ypres. Members desirous of staying at a better grade of house, e.g. Hotel Continental, Excelsior, or similar hotel, can do so upon payment of a supplement of….12/6 each.
  10. SUPPLEMENTS.
  11. ————

30 March 1927 letter ref 20 Div memorial

19, St. Mary Abbots Terrace,

Kensington, W. 14.

March 30th 1927.

Telephone – Park 7934.

 

 

Dear Sir,

20th (Light) Division

Battlefield Memorial at Langemarck.

———————————–

The unveiling of this memorial will take place on Whit Sunday, June 5th 1927.  Major General Sir W. Douglas Smith, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., has consented to perform the ceremony.

 

The Secretary of the Memorial Committee will be very glad to hear from any members of the Division or the relatives or friends (ladies or gentlemen) of those connected with it who may wish to attend.

 

For the convenience of those travelling to Belgium for this ceremony arrangements have been made (with Messer. Cook & Son Ltd) for a special party at an inclusive charge covering all travelling and hotel expenses. Full particulars, itinerary and application forms are enclosed.  Provisional  reservations of accommodation has already been made, but it is most important for the Secretary to hear as soon as possible from anyone wishing to join this party.  As accommodation will only be definitely reserved by the Agents on receipt of payment, applications should be accompanied by a remittance (cheques payable to Major A.G. Brace and crossed).

 

Should unforeseen circumstances subsequently prevent anyone from making the journey money paid will be refunded, less only a small percentage deducted for Agents expenses.

 

Further particulars and details of the Ceremony will be posted to those who signify their intention of attending.

 

Yours sincerely

ALAN G. BRACE

Letter re 20th Div Memorial 20 March 1927

FROM ALAN BRACE . ARCHITECT

19 ST. MARY ABBOTS TERRACE, KENSINGTON W.14

TELEPHONE PARK 7934

 

March 20th 1927

My Dear General,

Thank you for your letter also for cheque 12/6 – you have now paid up everything.

 

I think you will find General Caliatoy will appear from “November” at exactly 12 o’clock.  That is what the French General did at Guillemont.

 

I am sending you a proof of the “Form of Service”.   This has been drawn up in consultation with Barry (who is at present correcting the proof, the enclosed being a duplicate.)  I am afraid there will be no time to get any amendments from you so I hope you find it as you would wish.

 

We are sending “Formal Invitations” to the War Office – I.W.G.C. – Belgian attaché & any others we can think of and I am sending some dozen to the Ypres League representative to distribute to the correct local magnates.

 

The unveiling is at 12. We return to Ypres and all have a Luncheon together at 1.30.  I have arranged for 20 additional places for guests – The Belgian General and any of the local people who ought to be asked & whom you will ask no doubt on the spot.

 

I have arranged for 13 waiters that is one for each Regiment or Corps in the Division to be at Ypres and each have cards giving the various Battns of each tied with regimental colours. These will be laid at the memorial after the Service.  I am also taking out a flag to hang over the Tablet which you will remove when you “unveil”.

 

I will not be travelling with the party but am joining it at Ypres (having been sent off to Spain again at a moments notice).  The History will be posted to your Farnham address.

 

I think this is all. I am writing rather fully because I won’t be seeing you in England – Story is dealing with any emergencies from now on, his address being

Lt Col P.F. Story

26 Belsize Grove Hampstead N.W. 3.

Telephone Primrose 4676.

 

I think we should have a good show. 62 with the Party & some 3 or 4 others joining at Ypres.

 

Yours sincerely

Alan Brace.

Letter to General Sir W. Douglas-Smith dated 13 January 1927

Embossed Government notepaper.

13th January, 1927

 

My dear General,

I wrote to you on 20th December about your request for the Duke of Brabant to be asked to unveil the Memorial to the 20th Division at Langemarck, and undertook to make the necessary enquiries.

We now hear that H.R.H. has accumulated so many engagements during his absence from Brussels on his honeymoon that he is unable to add to them, although “he would have appreciated the honour had his time not been so fully occupied”.

In these circumstances perhaps you will consider the advisability of inviting some one connected with the Division to perform the unveiling ceremony.

If you will let us know in due course the details asked for in the last paragraph of our letter of the 28th October last we will take the necessary steps with the Foreign Office.

We will not reply officially, as I think this letter gives all the information you require to know.

 

Yours sincerely,

J.J.H. Nation

 

Major General Sir W. Douglas Smith, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.

c/o Messrs Lloyds Bank Ltd.,

Cox’s Branch

6, Pall Mall,

S.W. 1.