1915

12^th November 1915. “B” and “D” Companies, under the command of Major G.H. Heelis, who was posted to this Battalion from the 1/4^th The Border Regiment, proceeded to Kirkee as the British Infantry Detachment, in relief of the 2/4^th Wiltshire Regiment.

29^th November 1915.  Headquarters and “A” “C” Companies left Poona for Kamptee, Central Provinces.

30^th November 1915.  “B” and “D” Companies, under Major G.H. Heelis, left Kirkee for Allahabad.

Stamp of TF Record Office London                                  From

From                                                                                       J E Beesley

Officer i/c I.F. Records London

To J.E. Beesley Esq.

4 London Wall Bldgs. E.C.

30^th Nov 1915                                                                       Dec 3^rd 1915

I wish to remind you that you

have not yet acknowledged the

receipt of a discharge Certificate re

No 2600 Pte. R.M. Beesley

28^th London Regt, forwarded to

you on his behalf on the 19^th inst.

Will you please do so?

N.M.P. Hay Capt. for C.O.

Territorial Force Records

LONDON.

With OHMS Envelope addressed to J.E. Beesley, Esq., Far Cross Bank, Kendal, Westmoreland.  Postmarked London 19 NO 15.

No 2346 L/Cpl A.W. Hanson

Orderly Room.

1/5^th Bn Leicester Regt

Sawbridgeworth.

Revd T.W. Walters.

Revd Sir,

            Just a few lines before we leave England, because it may be a long time before I get a chance out at the Front to write.

We expect to move away on or about Tuesday next, and I have been detailed to go out with the Troops and act as Orderly Room clerk the other two clerks are staying behind here for some time and will eventually go to the Headquarter Office at the Base, so that I shall be on my own in the office near the Firing Line.

I expect it will mean a lot of work for me to do, but still when I have got in to the run of things out there it will come quite easy.

Will you please let Miss Roulston have my copy of the Mens Service report, and she will take it home for me.

I trust that you and Mrs Walters will keep in the best of health, and I hope it may not be long before the War is over and we shall once more all meet again.

If it is not asking too much I should like Hymn No 595. Holy Father, in Thy mercy, sung in Church for me the next two Sunday evenings.

With very kind regards to Mrs Walters & yourself.

I remain,

            Yrs obediently

Albert Will

There is no envelope with this letter.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL A.P.A. ELPHINSTONE,

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP. LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

29^th NOVEMBER, 1915.

1041 – TEMPORARY COMMAND OF BRIGADE –

            Brigadier-General T.P.B. Ternan, C.M.G., D.S.O., having proceeded on leave – the temporary Command of the Brigade devolves on Lieutenant-Colonel A.P.A. Elphinstone, 3^rd Bn. Tyneside Scottish (22^nd (S) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers).

1042 – DIVISIONAL EXERCISE –

            At the Divisional Exercise 30:11:1915, at the 10 minute halts, all men are to fall out and remove their equipment, and the loads on pack mules are to be taken off.

1043 – EXTRACTS FROM SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDERS–

27:11:1915.

“London Gazette” –

The following extracts from the Third Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Tuesday, the 23^rd of November, 1915, is published for information:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers; –

23^rd (Service) Battalion (4^th Tyneside Scottish). – Major William Lyle (Special Reserve, The Lancashire Fusiliers) to command a Battalion, and to be temporary Lieutenant-Colonel vice J.C. Campbell vacated, dated 24^th November, 1915.

Salisbury Training Centre Order No. 1188.

1044 – SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDERS – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Salisbury Training Centre Orders 1192 and 1193 dated 27^th November, 1915.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR,

Brigade-Major, 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

“A” Coy

5^th Leicester Reg^t

Bishops Stortford

21/11/14

Rev^d T.W. Walters

Rev^d Sir,

            Having a few moments to spare I thought I would send you a few lines, because I know you will be interested with our movements.

            Last week was a rather busy week on Saturday I was on guard at the “General’s” office from 4 pm to Sunday 6 pm.  We were granted a special day’s pass on Monday, and as I left for home on Sunday evening.  We reached Leicester at 8.30 & were told by the railway people that they had received a telegram to say we were to return at once, so home was then out of the question.  We were only on the station 10 minutes before we left again for Luton.  When we got there we were told to pack everything up & it was 2 o’clock before we got too bed.

Were up again at 4 & fell in at 6.45 to march to Ware.  We were posted rearguard to the Division & so had the opportunity of seeing the whole procession, it took 2½ hours to pass by.

We had a tiring journey behind the Transport wagons because the horses required resting every few miles, in fact at 8 o’clock at night we had too leave about 30 wagons on the roadside.

We reached Ware just about 11.0 pm, & only went 27 miles, so we were 16¼ hours with our complete pack on, never having it off a minute & all we had to eat was a bit of bread & cheese which was supposed to be for lunch.

I stood it fairly well, but many we absolutely worn out & fell in the street like logs when we halted.

We had a rest all the next day & on Wednesday marched to Bishops Stortford, 11 miles which we did very easily.

We do not know how long we shall be here or where our destination will be.

I have got a very nice billet here with a retired farmer.

I hope you & family are keeping in good health altho I suppose the wintry weather will try you a little.

            Must now close with very kind regards to yourself & Mrs Walters & also please remember me to all our members

            Yrs obediently

AW Hanson

                        Lc/Cpl

                        No 2346

In envelope addressed to Rev^d T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.

Letter postmarked BISHOPS STORTFORD 21 NO 14.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TREVOR TERNAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.,

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP. LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

18^th NOVEMBER, 1915.

1001 – COMMAND OF BRIGADE –

            Reference Brigade Order No. 976 dated 11^th November, 1915, Brigadier-General T.P.B. Ternan, C.M.G., D.S.O., resumed command of the Brigade from this date.

1002– DIVINE SERVICE –

            Troops of the 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade will parade for Divine Service on Sunday 24^th inst – as follows:-

CHURCH OF ENGLAND   9-30 a.m. 1^st Bn. Tyneside Scottish)        Battalion

(20^th (S) Bn. Northd. Fus.)             Canteen

10-15 a.m. 2^nd Bn. Tyneside Scottish)     Battalion

(21^st Bn. Northd. Fus.)                   Canteen

10 a.m. 3^rd Bn. Tyneside Scottish)            Y.M.C.A.

            (22^nd (S) Bn. Northd. Fus.)            Hut

10-45 a.m. 4^th Bn. Tyneside Scottish)      Y.M.C.A.

(23^rd (S) Bn. Northd. Fus.)             Hut.

ROMAN CATHOLICS         8-15 a.m. in Y.M.C.A. Hut between Nos 14 and 15

Camps.

PRESBYTERIANS              9 a.m. in Y.M.C.A. Hut between Nos. 14 and 15

Camps.

            WESLEYANS and

            UNITED BOARD                  9 a.m. in Wesleyan Hut in No. 5 Camp.

1003 – DIVISIONAL EXERCISE –

            Reference Divisional Order No. 530 dated 17^th instant, the Officer, 2 Non-commissioned Officers and 20 men from each Battalion will report to Captain Bulman, “G” range, at 9 a.m. to-morrow, the 19^th inst.

1004 – DIVISIONAL ORDER – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Divisional Order No. 530 dated 17^th November, 1915.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR,

Brigade-Major, 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

NOTICE.

            It is notified for general information that the Tyneside Scottish Committee are compiling a History of the Brigade, which will be printed at the end of the War.  The Committee are anxious to make the volume as complete as possible and to include photographs of the Brigade and Battalions on parade.

The Photographers, Messrs Bacon & Son, will attend at Sandhill Camp on Saturday 20^th and Sunday 21^st instant.  Battalions will parade for this purpose in marching order, Scale “A”, in line of close column of companies – vide Plate VIa, Ceremonial 1912, Provisional Amendments.  Companies to be sized and equalized.  Bands to be on right of Battalions.

No 4564 9 Plat C Coy 3/5 Leicesters, Belton Park, Grantham Lincs.

Nov 14^th 015

Dear Rev Walters,

            Knowing that you always delight in hearing from the “Boys in Khaki” I once again take the pleasure of writing to you, because I feel honoured in being counted as one of your friends.

            Friendship is a valuable asset in life, & especially among soldiers.  One always finds the spirit of comradeship among soldiers; it is really remarkable how they cling to each other.

            I suppose the reason is this: – That unless one helps the other, there is no help at all.  Nothing to my mind, humanly speaking, tells in the life of a soldier so much as his knowing that all are comrades together.  The men whom I am with are often concerned about great questions.  Some ask great questions such as the following.

IS God dead?  If not – why the calamity of war, & the cause of tyranny?  Why does God permit the nations of the earth to destroy each other?

            Sir, Such are the questions asked, and they need answering; a soldier needs to be guided, & helped, because I find out this; – That once such questions are asked, there is a wavering of faith, a relaxation of the “Home-spirit” & a disposition to do evil.

            Soldiers are not saints by any means, (any more than Parsons are)

            No one knows the inner life of the soldier save be of the same community; and if the outer world knew, there would be a revelation such as would make mothers weep, & break the hearts of sweethearts.

            Sir, what is the reason?  Just this: – They think that the cruel discipline which they have to experiences outside the bounds of human feeling, they seem to have the idea that the agony they bear, & the sacrifice they make is greater than the agony & the sacrifice of the Cross

            The “Great Comrade of Life” is left out of the account & when He is left out men wonder in darkness, & experience a disgust with soldier life which is most appalling.

            Sir, my point is this: – I have never known a real Christian soldier to grumble or to doubt. No.  He smile at the storm; laughs at adversity, looks up when the heavens are black; & even remembers “That there is one who share all our sorrows & bears a part in our joys.  There is agony in stern discipline, but the agony is willingly bourn when one realises that the nation needs the best we can give & that can never be given where there is doubt & distrust.

            What a great fight this is.  And what a glorious spirit we are putting into the fight.  The day of victory has already dawned, & everywhere soldiers are preparing with the civil community to strike a smashing blow at the foes of progress & peace.

            We cannot have peace till war has ceased nor can we enjoy the beauty of a glorious sunset if clouds obscure our vision.  But peace will come.  The enemy will be crushed & Europe liberated from the “Dragon of Hell” who seeks to bind all in his clutches.

            I am very proud to say that the spirit of our soldiers is magnificent, & my only regret is – That the Christian Spirit is not so good.  Many lack the sweet Spirit of Home & the smile of loved ones & I suppose that is the reason.  Still we find the Master’s saying holds good.  Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.  We bear our burden with patience, & if needs be we willingly lay down our lives to defend the honour of right, & to bring a lasting peace to our beloved England.

“The strife will not be long.  This day the noise of battle.  The next the victor’s song.”

            And mark you Sir, We shall sing the victory song, & we hope to share in a glorious home coming when we shall make the arches of our old Parish church ring with our songs of thanksgiving.

            In the meantime.  Pray for our men.  And in the words of our popular song I would say –

“Keep the home-fires burning, while your hearts are yearning

When the boys are far away, they think of home.

There’s a silver lining, through the dark clouds shining

 Turn the dark clouds inside out, till the boys come home.

There is something seems to whisper that the day cannot be far

The silver moon seems smiling, there’s a twinkle in each star

Is it autumn or in winter that the joyful news will be

When war will cease & all be peace & we again be free

I think I have written enough.

Trusting that you are well.  I remain

            Yours respectfully

            PTER J.W. Brotherhood

S.P. Excuse scribble – do we have to write where we can & often under bad conditions.

                        J.W.B.

In envelope addressed to Rev T.W. Walters, Vicar of Whitwick, Whitwick Vicarage, Leicestershire.

Letter postmarked Grantham 3 PM 16 Nov 15.