Category Archives: 1915

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL C.H. INNES HOPKINS,

COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

11th MARCH, 1915.

169 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

MAP READING –

            Officers Commanding field formations should make every endeavour to utilise the services of any available Army Schoolmasters near their Stations for the instruction of young officers and non-commissioned officers in elementary map reading.

C.R.N.C. 46671. (G). Northern Command Order No.347.

“LONDON GAZETTE” –

The following extracts are published for information:-

From the Fourth Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Tuesday, the 2nd of March, 1915:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers –

21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish) – John Laing, late Captain, 7th Battalion, to be temporary Captain.  Dated 11th February, 1915.

Robert Graham Melrose to be temporary Second Lieutenant.  Dated 25th January, 1915.

From the “London Gazette” of the 5th March, 1915:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers –

20th Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish) – The appointment to a temporary Captaincy of Edward E. McClintock, notified in the “Gazette” of 30th November, 1914, is antedated to the 26th October, 1914.

From a Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Friday, the 5th March, 1915:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers –

20th Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish) – Temporary Lieutenant and Adjutant J.S. Miller to be temporary Captain.  Dated 8th January, 1915.

Northern Command Order No.349.

HOSPITAL STOPPAGES – ACCOUNTING FOR –

            Owing to remissions of stoppages, diet accounts of Hospitals are not in every case supported by the acknowledgement portion of A.F.O. 1643 showing the number of days a soldier was dieted.

As the acknowledgement portion of the form is required to support the Hospital Supply Account, the procedure laid down in paragraph 81, Allowance Regulation, 1914, should be followed in all cases of soldiers admitted to Hospital, and the acknowledgement portion forwarded the Local Auditor with the Diet Account.

In cases where no stoppage is required, A.F.O.1643 should be suitably amended by the Regimental Paymaster.

Authority, War Office letter No. 121/Finance/178 (Q.M.G.F.a.), dated 3rd March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. 38188/S.T.  Northern Command Order No.351.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

NOTICE.

The following is a description of an absentee from the 3rd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

DESCRIPTION OF NO. 11396, PRIVATE WILLIAM MURRAY.

            Born at Higham, near Rochester, Kent.

Present Age. – 34 years 9 months.

Attested at Winchester, 1st September, 1914.

Height – 5ft. 6in.

Complexion – Fresh.

Hair. – Fair.

Eyes. – Grey.

Marks – Design of Flags and “LOVE” on chest.  Snake Geisha, Horse-shoe on right fore-arm.  Butterfly, Eagle and Dagger on right and Basket of Flowers left calf.  Centipede right calf.

This man has, during his absence without leave, obtained Railway Warrants from various Military centres, and on the plea of his being on sick furlough and having a large sum to his credit, obtained financial aid from a Help Society.  If arrested communication should be made to the Officer Commanding 3rd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buchinghamshire Light Infantry, Cambridge Barracks, Portsmouth.  Last heard of at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

C.R.46778 (a)

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL C.H. INNES HOPKINS,

COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

10th MARCH, 1915.

168 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

FIRE ORDERS PAMPHLET –

Numerous applications have been received for further copies of this pamphlet.  These can be obtained on payment from the Yorkshire Printing Company, Hull Road, York.

Will units kindly send in orders as soon as possible to the Manager?

Northern Command Order No.337.

LEAVE WARRANTS – CHANGE OF STATIONS –

It has been decided that in cases where a unit changes its station while officers or men are on leave a warrant may be issued from the home of the officer or man concerned to the new station.  In the event of the change of station having been arranged before the officer or man proceeds on leave, it will not be necessary to issue Army Form O.1799 or O.180, as a single ticket will only be required for the outward journey on leave, which should be paid for by the passenger.

Authority, War Office letter No. 14/General Number/5540 (Q.M.G.2.), dated 5th March, 1915.

C.R. No. 46903.  Northern Command Order No.342.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL C.H. INNES HOPKINS,

COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

8th MARCH, 1915.

166 – District Court-Martial –

            The District Court-Martial directed to assemble in Brigade Order No. 135 of 22nd February, 1915, of which Major F.B. Lewis (2nd Battalion, Tyneside Scottish) was President, is hereby dissolved.

167 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

            The following extract from a Supplement to the “London Gazette” of Friday, the 26th of February, 1915, is published for information:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers.

21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish). – Herbert Charles Lunn to be temporary Lieutenant.  Dated 2nd February, 1915.

SEPARATION ALLOWANCE –

            The question has been raised as to whether the stoppage of Separation Allowance under paragraph 113 (e) and (h), Allowance Regulations, should apply during the present war in the cases of admission of soldiers’ wives and children into Military Families’ Hospitals or Civil Hospitals, and that it has been decided as follows:-

  1. Where the wives and families are in barracks, there is no reason for departing from the present regulations.
  2. In other cases, any necessary hospital treatment will ordinarily be obtained by the wives and families by the usual civil means, and no payment from public funds will be made for such treatment in view of the fact that Separation Allowance is being drawn.  In the few cases in which the wives and families on the married establishment may possibly be admitted into a military hospital, Separation Allowance may be continued, but an abatement will be made in respect of hospital treatment and maintenance at the rate of 6d. a day.

Authority, War Office letter No. 46/70 (Q.M.G.F.a.), dated 26th February, 1915.

C.R. No. 45846, Northern Command Order No.336.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

NOTICE.

It is notified for information that the address of the Deputy Assistant Director of Remounts, No. 2 Remount Circle, is 16, New Walk Terrace, not Headquarters, Northern Command.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

7th MARCH, 1915.

163 – Command – Temporary – of Brigade –

            Brigadier General Trevor Ternan, C.M.G., D.S.O., having proceeded to-day to York, in accordance with Northern Command Order 314 of the 4th inst., the Command of the Brigade temporarily devolves on Lieutenant-Colonel C.H. Innes Hopkins, 20th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish).

164 – Northern Command Order –

The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Northern Command Order No. 330.

165 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

NECESSARIES –

            It has been decided that the following additional items in the scale of necessaries for all soldiers enlisted in units raised by individuals or municipalities will be provided by the Army Ordnance Department:-

Brush, blacking                    1

    “       brass                         1

    “       clothes                      1

    “       polishing                  1

Button, brass                         1

Wax polish, tin of                 1

Indents for requirements to be put forward to the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, by units concerned.

Authority, A.C.D./Manch/673 (Q.M.G.7), dated 1st March, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 46405/O.S.  Northern Command Order No.328.

CHAPLAINS –

It is notified for information that in view of the pending moves of the New Army Divisions it has been decided that Chaplains at present attached to Brigades should continue to serve with the same Brigades, and should accompany them on transfer to other stations.

Authority, War Office letter No. Clergy/General Number/4185 (Chaplains), dated 27th February, 1915.

C.R.N. C. No. 45991 (M.S.).  Northern Command Order No.329.

DISCHARGE DOCUMENTS –

            It had been brought to the notice of the War Office that the completion of discharges of men by Officers in Charge of Records is much delayed through the following reasons:-

  1. Mistakes in documents prepared by units.
  2. Failure to close the mens’ accounts, the men being only partially paid up, and the final settlement of the balance left in abeyance.
  3. Neglect of units to send Part II Orders weekly to Officer in Charge of Records, in conformity with paragraph 1890 King’s Regulations.
  4. Delay in replying to queries from the Record Officer.

Commanding Officers should accelerate as far as possible the preparation of

all documents etc., of men due for discharge, in order that their discharge may be carried out without undue delay.

            It is very desirable, in the interests of the Army generally, as well as of units themselves, that men should not be sent back to civil life labouring under a sense of dissatisfaction at their treatment by the Military Authorities.

Authority, War Office letter No. 35/Gen. No./1450 (A.G.2.B.), dated 26/2/15.

C.R. No. 45993 (A).  Northern Command Order No.331.

COMMISSIONS FROM THE RANKS –

            It is notified for information that the very large number of names that have been submitted with a view to promotion to commissions from the ranks is far in excess of the number of commissions that can be allotted.

Selections have been made, and instructions will shortly be issued regarding the disposal of those Warrant and Non-Commissioned Officers whose promotions have been approved.  Those who have not yet been selected will be considered from time to time as opportunities offer, and it is requested that no further recommendations may be forwarded unless very special reasons can be given in support of any individual case.

It is observed that in certain cases Non-Commissioned Officers have been recommended because their juniors have already been selected.  In no case, however, is this a valid reason for recommendation, which should be based solely on each man’s individual merits.

Authority, War Office letter No. 100/General Number/1492 (M.S.I.), dated 27th February, 1915.

C.R. No. 46035 (M.S.).  Northern Command Order No.332.

INSPECTION OF HIRED BUILDINGS –

            General Officers Commanding Divisions, Garrisons, Districts, and Brigades, 4th and 5th New Armies, will be responsible that a thorough inspection of all hired buildings, etc., occupied or used by troops under their command, is made weekly for the purpose of assessing all damages that may be reasonably considered as chargeable against the troops under their command.  Steps should immediately be taken to make good all such damages regimentally.

Northern Command Order No.333.

With reference to the above Order, Officers Commanding Units will render a report to this Office by first post on Mondays. 

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

6th MARCH, 1915.

161 – Clothing – Immediate Issue of, on Joining –

            The War Office point out in circular letter 54/General Number/Q.M.G.7/, dated 3rd March, 1915, that in spite of constant and frequent communications having been made emphasising the necessity of completing troops with Service dress, the weekly reports received show invariably a number of men without Service dress.

The attention of O.C. Units of this Brigade has on previous occasions been drawn to this matter.  Officers Commanding Battalions will at once take steps to ensure that every man on the day of joining their Battalion is immediately clothed in Service Dress.  This order is to be rigidly carried out.  To ensure this being done without fail a sufficient stock of surplus clothing (and necessaries) will be kept in the Quarter Master stores both with the Headquarters of the Unit and with the Depot Company.

Should the Brigade Storekeeper be unable to supply at once the clothing, the Commanding Officer concerned will be held personally responsible that an indent is immediately forwarded to the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, for the supply required.  Should the stores be unobtainable from York, a report to that effect will be made to this office.

162 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

PERISCOPES – ISSUE OF –

            It has been decided to issue Periscopes, on the scale of 12 per Infantry Battalion, to all units of the New Armies and Territorial Force proceeding to the Continent of Europe.

The mobilization store table for these units, as detailed below, should be amended by inserting the above item under Section No. 15 B. and the equipments adjusted accordingly.

Army Form G. 1098-110, dated January, 1915.

Army Form G1098-43A, dated February, 1915.

Authority, 84/W/6063 (Q.M.GF. 10), dated War Office, 27th February, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 46157(O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.315.

AMENDMENTS –

The following amendment should be made to Army Form G/1096-34 Inventory Form for Wagons G.S. Special 14 feet long:-

Under sub heading of “Spare Parts” –

Insert Blocks, brake (Front 2, Rear 2), in seat box.

Brake Bars will be allowed spare at the rate of 5 per cent., but these items will not be mentioned on the inventory.  For purpose of Indents. The nomenclature of this store is:-

“Bar, brake wagon G.S. special, 14 feet long.”

Authority, 57/3/4503 (A.3), dated War Office 27th February, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 46144 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order, No.317.

BICYCLES –

            It has been decided that only the Service patterns Bicycle is suitable for service overseas, and that when units are ordered to proceed there, they may be so equipped.

Non-service machines are suitable for Home service, and any displaced by the issue of Service patterns should either be returned to store or passed to the Reserve Unit as directed in Command Order No. 252, dated 22nd February, 1915.

Authority, 57/Aldershot/8858 (A.3.), dated War Office, 27th February, 1915.

C.R.N.C. No. 38021/15/6 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.320.

APPLICATION FOR SUPPLY OF STORES –

            Attention is again called to the frequency with which application for Supply of stores and ordinary routine correspondence are forwarded to Headquarters. Northern Command.

Much unnecessary correspondence is caused thereby.

All such communications should be addressed to the Chief Ordinance Officer, York, under paragraph 18, Equipment Regulations, Part 1.

C.R.N.C. No. 46388 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.321.

ALLOTMENTS OF PAY – DEPENDANTS OF SOLDIERS –

            It is notified to all concerned that in all cases where a soldier offers an Allotment of Pay on A.F.O. 1838 in support of an application for Separation Allowance for a dependant under Army Order 440/14, the Officer Commanding should take steps to regulate the cash issues to the soldier in accordance with the amount allotted from the date of application (or date of  enlistment of [if] application is made within 10 days of that date).           

Authority, War Office letter No. 46/203 (Accounts 3 c), dated 24/2/15.

C.R.N.C. No. 45374.  Northern Command Order No.323.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

5th MARCH, 1915.

156 – Increased Accommodation –

            No schools, halls, or other buildings at present occupied by Battalions of this Brigade are to be evacuated without written orders from this office.  Commanding Officers of Units will take immediate steps to ensure that in no case whatever is an allowance of space of less than 30 super feet per man available.  Should it be found after measurement that further accommodation is required, application will be at once made by telephone to this office.

157 – Medical Aid on Furlough –

            The following extract from War Office letter is published for information:-

“A soldier on furlough who requires medical aid must apply, either in person or otherwise, to the nearest military hospital if he resides within two miles of the hospital.

“If he resides outside the radius of two miles, he may apply to a civilian medical practitioner.  The soldier must report the employment of the civilian doctor to his Commanding Officer by letter immediately.”

Authority, W.O. letter No. 93/1056 (F.2.), dated 23rd February, 1915.

158 – Attachment –

In accordance with orders received the Unit named below will be attached to this Brigade from this date:-

12th (Service) Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Tees-side).

Authority 20 – General No. – 3592 (A.G.I.)

159 – Arms – Issue of –

            An issue of M.L.E. rifles to the Battalions of this Brigade will be made as follows:-

600 per Battalion.

Sword bayonets, pattern ’88 will be issued in similar numbers.

Officers Commanding Units will submit indents at once to the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, showing the rifles and bayonets (if any) of this description already in possession, and demanding balance to complete.

Authority, telegram, O.1494 (A.D.O.S.) Northern Command.

160 – Barbed Wire –

            Officers Commanding Units will indent on the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, without loss of time, for barbed wire required for (practice purposes) entanglements.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

4th MARCH, 1915.

153 – Infectious Diseases – Weekly Return of –

            Attention is again drawn to Northern Command Order No. 216 of 1915, and returns will be posted without fail so as to reach this office by first post on Friday.  “Nil” returns to be rendered when no cases have occurred.

154 – Soap – Supplies of –

             Officers Commanding Units will indent on the Chief Ordnance Officer, York, for the necessary supplies of soap, sanctioned, as a first issue, sanctioned under Para. 380, Equipment Regulations, Part 1, 1912.

For subsequent issues see Northern Command Order No. 224.

155 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

“LONDON GAZETTE”

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

The Northumberland Fusiliers

23rd Battalion (4th Tyneside Scottish). –  The undermentioned temporary Second Lieutenants to be temporary Lieutenants:-

Joseph B. Cubey.  Dated 1st January, 1915.

Creassey R. Longhurst.  Dated 2nd January, 1915.

Frank Milburn.  Dated 4th January, 1915.

Henry D. Whittaker.  Dated 5th January, 1915.

Sydney Smith.  Dated 6th January, 1915.

Russell Phillips.  Dated 7th January, 1915.

Henry A. Bolton.  Dated 8th January, 1915.

Robert J. Dougal.  Dated 9th January, 1915.

John H. Patterson.  Dated 11th January, 1915.

AMMUNITION – BLANK –

It is notified for information of all concerned that the issue of blank ammunition for IV. and V. New Army Units cannot at present be Authorised, but the matter is receiving full consideration.

Authority, 54/General Number/1799 (M.T.2.), dated 23rd February, 1915.

C.R. No. 45127 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.306.

EXCHANGE OF FRENCH NOTES –

It is notified for information that arrangements have been made with the General Post Office for the acceptance and exchange at any Post Office in the United Kingdom, of French Notes sent or brought Home by soldiers from France.

The rate of exchange is 9 ½ d. (ninepence halfpenny) per franc.

Notices should be posted in all Military Hospitals to the above effect.

Northern Command Order No.310.

HORSES – DESPATCH OF FROM REMOUNT DEPOTS –

  1. It is notified for information that Remount Depots are experiencing great inconvenience owing to units wiring to say that they are not ready to take animals that are despatched to them.
  2. No animals are issued to units unless intimation has been received from the units or from the Divisional or Brigade Commanders concerned that they are ready for horses.  The number of horses and mules in various Remount Depots is very great, and the number coming and going to be dealt with is such that the organisation can only be handled if they are issued at once in accordance with orders received or co-ordinated from the War Office.  I am, therefore, to say that Remount Depot Commanders have been informed that the first and last communication that should pass between them and the unit to which they are issuing horses is a telegram from the Depot saying that the animals have been despatched and stating probable time of their arrival.
  3. Commanding Officers are directed to revive the horses sent to them, and if they have any objections to make to communicate them to Command Headquarters, and not to Deputy Assistant Director of Remounts of Circles or to Depot Superintendents.
  4. All applications for horses should be forwarded to Command Headquarters, stating in the case of horses for Officers their weight and height.  The name of the station to which horses should be consigned must always be stated.

Authority, War Office letter No. R.1418 (Q.M.G.4.), dated 26th February, 1915.

C.R. No. 46034 (R.).  Northern Command Order No.312.

LECTURES ON PRESERVATION OF HEALTH –

Arrangements have been made for lectures to be given to the Troops in all Garrisons on “Preservation of Health.”

Commanding Officers should communicate with Major T. Wardrop Griffith, Royal Army Medical Corps (T), Organizing Secretary, 43, Park Square, Leeds, stating date and hour when it will be convenient for their men to be lectured, when arrangements will be made accordingly by Major Griffith.

Northern Command Order No.313

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 123rd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

3rd MARCH, 1915.

151 – District Court-Martial –

            The detail of officers as mentioned in Brigade Order No. 144, dated 26th February, 1915 will re-assemble at the Orderly Room, Newburn, on Saturday, March 6th, at 10 30 a.m., for the purpose of trying by a District Court-Martial the accused person named in the margin.

The accused will be warned, and all witnesses duly required to attend.

The proceedings will be forwarded to the G.O.C., 123rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, “Alnbank,” Alnwick.

The Officers Commanding 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions, Tyneside Scottish, will each detail three officers to attend for instructional purposes.

The accused named in the margin was Regt. Sergt.-Major Alfred George Minter, 22nd Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish).

152 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

STORE – PRICES OF

            It has been decided to adhere to Vocabulary Rates as the basis of unworn value in assessing charges for deficiencies against the soldier.

Authority, War Office letter No. 15/15 (Q.M.G.F.b.), dated 22nd February, 1915.

C.R. No. 43386 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.296.

CORRESPONDENCE – POSTAGE TO BE PREPAID –

Postage must be prepaid on all correspondence, etc., in ordinary “O.H.M.S.” covers sent to Command Headquarters and Departmental Offices by Units.

The payment of surcharges causes much inconvenience and delay, and should be avoided as far as possible.

C.R. No. 45649 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.297.

SICK LEAVE – OFFICERS –

To obviate the necessity of ordering medical boards on officers when the leave likely to be granted is under one month, Divisional and Brigade Commanders are empowered to grant leave up to one month on medical certificate, Army Form B. 175.

Command Order No. 973 is hereby cancelled.

C.R. No. 42898 (A.).  Northern Command Order No.298.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES – WEEKLY RETURN OF –

Attention is drawn to Command Order No. 216 of 1915, which must be strictly complied with.

Northern Command Order No. 301.

CANADIAN HORSES – UNITS ISSUED WITH –

            It is notified for information that Canadian horses issued to units have usually somewhat tender feet.  Great care should therefore be taken that they are not put to fast work on hard roads until their feet have time to get thoroughly hardened.

Northern Command Order No. 304.

BOOTS – ANKLE –

With reference to Command Order No. 256, dated the 22nd February, 1915, it has now been decided that in the event of regulation pattern boots not being available, the Standard No. 1 pattern may be taken by men proceeding to join the Expeditionary Force.

Authority, War Office letter A.C.D./Boots/10(R.A.C.D.), dated 23rd February, 1915.

C.R. No. 44617 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.300.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 123rd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

Diary of 2/4th Battalion The Border Regiment

1915

16th February 1915. Captain V.S. Jones, 4 officers, and 167 other ranks proceeded to Fleetwood to provide the guards on the Arsenal and the Harbour.

22nd February 1915.  The Battalion was asked to volunteer for service in Burmah.  Practically every man volunteered, but owing to a considerable number being too young for Foreign Service, only 767 N.C.O.’s and men were available.  Japanese rifles had been received with which to arm the Battalion.  These were, however, never issued, and Lee-Enfield Mark 1* rifles were substituted.  Owing to the previous shortage of rifles, and the necessity of using a certain number for guard duties, very few men had fired on an open range, except some of those transferred from Sittingbourne, and a small number who were exercised at Fleetwood.

28th February 1915.  Captain F.W. Halton, T.D., promoted Major and appointed Second in Command.  Lieut. H. Thompson appointed Adjutant.

Notebooks of W. Allason.

All the notebooks were written on the right hand page and additions, photos, cartoons or other documents were added to the left hand page.

Book 2

This book commences Night 15 – 16 Feb 1915 and is obviously a continuation of an earlier volume, not part of this series.

miles deep at least in the firing line trenches.  The two supports were in places knee deep and only constant pumping kept the water down.  The men had no shelter from the weather and the firing line trenches suffered much from enfilade fire.  There was an apology of a wire entanglement to our front but the chief safeguard against attack was the swampy nature of the ground.  The Germans were very much top dog in sniping by day anything showing above the parapet attracted fire.  It was impossible to get from our trench to the other or back to the supports until dark.  The trenches on our left held by D Coy were even worse and the gum boots available had all been given to them.  Our predecessors had evidently given up all idea of improving the trenches and passed the hours they were there in abject hopeless misery.  On an average they had asked for 100 sandbags a night to replace those shot away.

16th Feb. 1915.         I demanded 2000 nightly and had the parapets thickened, traverses and shelters built after the surface slush had been removed and many hundred empty sandbags which had rotted away where they had been first thrown down, had been cleared away, we came upon a lot of floor boards.  Pulling up these and digging through about two feet of evil smelling rubbish we came to the original soil.  After making small channels leading to sump pits which could be easily drained out the boards were replaced.  From that time on the men were dry-shod in the trenches.  Our example infected by degrees the rest of the Bde and soon the trenches became fairly good.  A number of sniping posts were also constructed and we began to stop the Germans having it all their own way.  I arranged that the men should be in three reliefs by night No 1 lookout, No 2 waiting man No 3 working party.  This prevented any chance of surprise and ensured a third of the men working all night.

On the opposite page is a sketch map showing the position near Wulverghem.

They got what sleep they could during the day.  Close to the barbed wire in the intervals between the parapets listening posts were dug in.  They were relieved every three hours during the night and withdrawn by day.  Landon was killed the previous day in 13 trench while glancing over the parapet about 3 p.m.  I was holding 10 B, 11 A, 11 B and the two support trenches.  I arrived with a cold in the head but by getting wet up to my waist and remaining wet for 3 days the cold was driven away.  There was a good bit of shelling by the Germans during the day and the trenches on our left caught it.  Two English aeroplanes tried to chase off a German but it was like two owls after a swallow.  The German darted too & fro where she liked.

17th Feb. 1915.         Work was continued throughout the night I noticed that about three seconds after every German flare there was a rapid burst of fire.  Arguing that to fire the Germans must be exposing themselves I ordered all the lookout men to fire a round in the direction of every flare sent up and then take cover before the German bullets could reach them.  It seemed to have a good effect.  They shelled my group of trenches during the morning.  One shell burst right in my right hand trench but caused no casualties.

On the opposite page a Bainsfather cartoon “The Innocent Abroad” of a shelter.  It has been annotated “Just like my shelter.”

18th Feb. 1915.         We were ordered to stay a third night in the trenches.  I proposed changing round the men who had been in the worst trenches with others but Sgt. Newsome asked if he might be allowed to stay on as he hoped with another 24 hrs work to make his trench quite habitable.  Once let our men understand what requires doing and they are splendid.  Cpl. Puddifoot with 3 men crawled out in the dark to try & round up some snipers.  Cpl. Dunton found our wire had been cut and repaired it.  Going my rounds at night I got stuck in one trench sinking in up to my thighs.  My orderly was able to help me out.  We walked about with long poles to feel for Jack Johnson holes.  There were generally a good many loose bullets about and as we were on the crest of a slight ridge we must have shown up against the skyline.  It is extraordinary how little sleep one can do with.  After 3 nights without any I found a two hours doze quite sufficient.  No rations arrived for us on the 3rd day and then we heard that there would be no relief again.  It had been raining for 48 hrs on end.

19th Feb.1915.          However about midnight a Coy of the Dorsets came to take over and we marched back to the little farm house we had been in on the 12th & 13th where the shelling occurred.  The 25th British Indian Division at Ypres had been badly mauled and they wanted to bring them down to our part of the world where it was comparatively peaceful and send us up to take their place.  This required a certain amount of management – thus instead of a rest of 8 days – we were kept on 3 days over our time and then had 3 days rest at Dranoutre before returning for a spell of five days.  In Dranoutre we were to be ready to move off always in ½ an hour but a canvas bath had come out for me and I was able to get a good wash.

20th Feb. 1915.         We remained on in the little farm house making up for arrears of sleep and that evening marched to Dranouter or rather some very dirty farm houses beyond it.  Our mess was in an Estaminet, the meals being cooked in the room we fed in, on a small stove.

21st & 22nd     We remained there the next two days and then marched back to R.E. farm, close behind the firing line, by 8 p.m. 

23rd Feb. 1915.         D Coy was in “Burnt farm” close by.  A and B in the firing line. 

24th Feb 1915.           We stayed there the next day and the following evening took over 11A, 11B and the two supports.  Half the company had been in a redoubt behind the line on the two previous days so they not much rest.  Had the Germans rushed our front trenches they might have been on us within five minutes.  I had agitated at once to have the farm prepared for defence.  This was now being done by the R.E.  Just as we were marching off Capt. Ratcliffe was brought in.  Shot in the stomach (he recovered).  No work had been done to the trenches since we were last there except that the wooden cases of the ammn boxes we had carried up had been burnt for firewood thus exposing the cartridges to the weather.  I sent in a report.  The trenches were filthy tho’ we had left them clean.  I arranged for a certain proportion of hand grenades to be prepared for use only leaving the safety pin to be drawn.  Previously it had been the custom to have a box of them somewhere, the detonators (probably the wrong size) somewhere else and nobody told off in charge.  If there had been a German attack none of them could have been used.

25th Feb. 1915.         During the night there was a full moon and a sharp frost.  It seemed as light as day and going from trench to trench in the open to see how the work was progressing was no fun.  The Germans were about 300 yds off.

On the opposite page is a Bainsfather cartoon cut from Bystander.

26th Feb. 1915.         I got my feet very wet.  The Germans pitched a couple of shell 25 & 50 yard from the trench I was in, otherwise all was quiet. 

27th Feb. 1915.         During the night my listening patrols reported the Germans working in the open.  All the men were lined up ready and then I made a succession of flares burst right over them.  The men opened rapid fire and the Germans ran for cover.  During the day I was sitting in my bomb proof trying to warm my toes with a charcoal brazier when – bang – bang bang – a rapid succession of rifle shots sounded inside my bomb proof.  It was not easy to extract myself as the opening was very narrow but I muscled and pulled away the barrier.  An old battered ammunition tin was propping it up and this on examination proved to contain between 200 & 300 rounds a fortunate escape.  The following evening we were relieved and marched back to Bailleul.  I intended marching the whole way for exercise and to get rid of an attack of dysentery but after 3 miles I nearly fainted.  Luckily my horse was there and I managed to mount.  Arriving at Bailleul I could not stand and had to be taken into the nearest billet.  Here the Dr. gave me some medicine and next morning I was nearly all right again.

28th Feb. 1915.         My toes were a little frost bitten but in the course of a few weeks that wore off.  It is curious how all the inhabitants seem to be wearing army clothing.  My landlady tells me there is a large sale of mens’ boots.  A man issued with a new pair will sell them and go on wearing his old ones.  I personally saw every article issued to my men and made certain the discarded clothing was worn out and returned any surplus to the Qr Master.  The best boots were handed over to the Shoemaker Sgt for repair.  The next time the Bn went to the trenches.  He of course had his hands full while in Billets.  By this many hundred boots which would otherwise have been thrown away were saved.  Instead of going into the Grapperies again the men were put into dirty lofts.  The proprietor of the hothouses was claiming several hundred thousand francs indemnification if our men were to be kept there any longer as he wanted to start the vines in heat.  The French always billeted their men in schools & private houses, we never allowed men into private houses.  Major Roche went off on leave & I became Senior Major.