FEBRUARY 1916.

Tuesday 1^st.

Working on Wire this morning. Foggy had to quit at 12. At 2.45 went up to E.2. Essex trenches to see what was required. Thorne & I took our sections out at 5 p.m. and worked till 12.30 under heavy fire. Got the trench repaired and revetted. Bed at 2 a.m.

Wednesday 2^nd

Working at wire this morning as it was foggy, a shell dropped in my wire without exploding so I set it off with guncotton.

This afternoon we rested and at 11.30 paraded to march to K. Redan to build a new trench 300 yds in front of 1^st line. Got the section up safely.

Thursday 3^rd.

Wrote to Irene. At 1.30 a.m. arrived at K. Redan and proceeded to site of new trench which we worked at til 6 a.m. and practically finish. The rifle shots were frequent but no casualties as the Germans did not spot us. We had to do a lot of walking about in the open and the bullets came unpleasantly near us very often. We got back to billet at 7.30 a.m. & slept till 3 when I had to march the men out to a new piece of work, a communication trench.

Friday 4^th.

First parade 7 a.m. took the men for a bathe. At 9 a.m., took the men to commence work on the new Com trench and stayed at it till 4.30. Then payed the men 10 Francs each. There was a heavy cannonade by our batteries as many as 6 batteries of 4 guns all going off together. The Germans got their shells close to one of our guns & it was moved away at a gallop. Received orders at 9 p.m. to move to Gorges starting 10 a.m. Saturday.

Saturday 5^th.

Started at 9.45 a.m. & travelled along the Amiens R^d to Querrieux arriving there at 3.15. Stayed the night there sleeping in an Armstrong Hut. I bought an old clock for 10 francs, as a curiosity. The men were very tired tonight.

Sunday 6^th.

Started at 10 a.m. and continued our march. Stopped for lunch at Villers Bocage then on to Wargnies where we stayed overnight.

Monday 7^th.

Started off at 10 a.m. and marched through to Gorges arriving at 12.45. Found it a very small uncomfortable place though very picturesque. It lies in the heart of a wheat growing section.

I have only just room to stand in my room alongside the bed. It is the worst billet yet.

Tuesday 8^th.

Spent the day fixing up horse lines and finding place for rifle range. Thorne went to practice demolition. Lieut Col. Craster, C.R.E., called and as Major was away I had to show him round. Rather cold today & a very heavy hailstorm. My application for transfer sent forward today to C.R.E.

Wednesday 9^th.

Thorne & I making reconnaissance of village. About noon Major B got orders to move tomorrow. Snowstorm early this morning.

Worked this afternoon getting ready for move.

Thursday 10^th.

Started at 9 a.m. and joined the 116 Brigade at 10 a.m. marching in rear of it.

Reached Thiervies at 4 p.m. very tired having done 15 miles very slowly.

Friday 11^th.

Started at 9 a.m. & reached Humbercamp at 1 p.m. billeted with Rifle Brigade and spent a very pleasant evening yarning with the officers.

6 mile march.

Saturday 12^th.

Marched to Pommier then on to Beaumetz les Loges leaving the Coy at Pommier, I & my Section being detailed to take charge of R.E. Park at Beaumetz. I was the first Englishman in Beaumetz which was occupied by the French & I had a great time making them understand A French General fixed up my billets.

Sunday13^th.

Went round the works & got my men’s hut fixed up. They have got the best quarters they have had so far. Duel of airplanes over head 2 bombs dropped close to

Monday 14^th.

A few shells came in to town & the billet first allotted me was shattered. Several men killed.

The 165 Brigade Staff moved in to Beaumetz & I reported to them.

Tuesday 15^th.

Gen Greene Wilkinson called to see me. General Jeudwine 55^th Div. O.C. sent for me to ask what improvements were wanted in the trenches and ordered my suggestions adopted. Went round the gun batteries to examine strength of dug outs left by French men. Found them poor. C.R.E. came & ordered me to get transport out. Major Brown countermanded it.

Wednesday 16^th.

General McMahon sent for me for a report on Howitzer epaulments. C.R.E. came twice today. I took charge of the town pumping stations petrol and steam pumps. Got in a lot of stores & divided them up amongst Inf & Artillery.

Thursday 17^th.

Went round Beaumetz with Interpreter locating buildings for demolition. Then to the Major. This afternoon I rode over to Monchiet and Gouy. Saw C.R.E. and adj’t D’Aeth at the last place then rode out to the batteries on the Arras R^d to choose place for Signals Dugout. Received & issued a lot of stores. Had a row with officer of 7^th King’s Lpool who was helping himself to stores. Made him put them back. Brig Gen Wilkinson sent for me at night to report on supplies.

Friday 18^th.

Gen Greene Wilkinson sent for me to Basseux so I rode over this morning but found him gone. His Staff Capt wanted me to go & report on some trenches. Busy day loading & unloading stores. C.R.E. wired to me to go & see him which I did at 7 o’clock. He told me Gen Jeudwine would not agree to me going as infantry man but they would transfer me from Major Brown & make me Field Engineer as soon as another Lieut could be secured.

Saturday 19^th.

Handed over care of stores to the 1/4 South Lancs Pioneers Battⁿ II Lieut Walmsley taking charge. Arranged a church service for the men for tomorrow.

Rode out with Sergt M^cDonagh to find timber for trench boards & found a lot. Stayed in at night writing. Zeppelins over. Heavy cannonade.

Sunday 20^th.

Church parade at 9. Sent off a party to the Gunners and one to demolish houses. This afternoon Sergt McDonagh & I went round the works. Fixed up billet papers & sent them in to Coy Hdquarters. Wrote to Frank.

Monday 21^st.

Went round the batteries this morning. This afternoon went to Gouy to get plan of beehive dug out. At 9.30 p.m. Adjt came for me to go and fix up a water plant. Took 12 men & tools & worked all night getting home at 6 a.m. but finished the work.

Wrote to Maud, Dauberry John.

Tuesday 22^nd.

Snow today. Did very little this morning as I was very tired. The Section was on Dugouts, Duckwalks and collecting timbers. 78 Duck Walks up to now have been made.

Wrote to Gerald.

C.R.E. wrote for statement of my experience as C.S. for the Chief Engineer 7^th Corps so I sent him my history since 1893.

Wednesday 23^rd.

Got wire telling me to report to CR.E.’s when I got there I was ordered off to Solernau to make arrangements for getting water out of a deep well. Found a most interesting lot of chambers and stairways cut in the chalk under the Chateau. The stairs went away down below water level which was 54 feet down. Went on to Couturelle to advise the Col of Wessex Fld Ambulance about some work he wanted done. Reported to C.R.E. on the way home. Freezing hard at night. Lots of snow fell today.

Thursday 24^th.

Very cold. Went to Gouy this morning & had to wait all morning in C.R.E.’s office. This afternoon I went to look over the Artillery dugouts we are building. Drew Fr 100 from Field Cashier. Wrote to Gerald for ****. Wrote to Irene at night.

Friday 25^th.

Rode to Fosseux this morning to arrange for a water supply. A wet miserable day. The men were busy at trench boards and on the signal dugout. Called at C.R.E.’s office on my return.

Saturday 26^th.

Company H.Q. and N^o 3 Section came over today and the same old worry of faultfinding recommenced. The Major has been very nice to me since he has heard I am leaving him. Went to Gouy this morning.

Sunday 27^th.

Took the wagons to Gouy & sent them on to Mondicourt for R.E. stores. Back to Beaumetz to see the gun dugouts.

Monday 28^th.

Rode to Gouy then by MT to Mondicourt for water troughs but could not get any, so I took the MT to La Herliere where it got stuck in the snow and I had to walk home 8 miles or more to Beaumetz. 1^st Field Co marched in tonight.

Tuesday 29^th.

Went to Gouy this morning then to within 4 miles of Arras to report on some dugouts that were falling in. This afternoon I was busy with a model machine gun emplacement that was ordered by the General. Major Brown & the others marched back to Grosville.

Diary of 2/4th Battalion The Border Regiment

Feb28

1916

7^th February 1916. “D” Company proceeded to Shankargarh for company training. Returned 19^th February, 1916.

14^th February 1916. Inspection of Allahabad Detachment by Major-General May, G.O.C. the 8^th (Lucknow) Division.

18^th February 1916. “A” Company proceeded to Sooradavee for company training. Returned 4^th March, 1916.

Letter to Rev Walters from W Cooke

Feb28

Monday 28/2/16

D Coy 25

Leic Regt

Dear Sir,

I now take the liberty of writing this letter to you hoping to find you all in the best of health and spirits. Well I cannot very well say it leaves me the same as I am at present suffering from boils on the inside of my thighs so I am far from being in good spirits as they are not nice things to have when you are at home where you can by and ease them so we have to by as we can in a barn but we do not mind that a bit as it is preferable to the trenches any time. Well [no] doubt you remember me writing to you but it was many months ago before we went up in the Ypres salient as they call it out here. Well since then we have spent nearly four months in the Ypres salient and we spent six days in Ypres itself being billeted in the Barracks which is far as I could see then was about the only place left standing but they had been knocked about and had got several rooms with shell holes through the roof. At that time the Cloth Hall was nearly down to the ground and the spire of the Cathedral was on its last legs in fact it was a wonder how it stood as when we looked at it we passed the remark that a good shove would send it over but still it defied the best effects of the German gunners and up to the time we came away it was still there a mark of their Kultur. Since then we have been in action at Loos and we made a name for ourselves doing the charge (although we were not the first over) at the Famous Hohenzollern Redoubt. This redoubt had changed hands several times being held by the Guards but they has to retire back so it lay to us to retake it which we did and what was more we held on to it but we suffered heavily over it. Well after that we had ten days rest or suppose to as the General came and spoke to us and told us a good tale and they sent one or two on leave and we all expected to be going home on leave before going in action again. Next morning the first of our supposed rest they had us out doing Batt Drill at seven o’clock in the morning that was the first day rest and it was the same for nearly a week and then leave was stopped. The next week we were reviewed by the King and while we were cheering him he had the misfortune to have his accident which you have no doubt heard of. Well we moved from there and shortly after we were in some trenches not far from Neuve Chapple and we only used to have twenty four hours in the firing line at the time as the trenches were full of water coming right up our thighs and me being on the small side it came over the top of my rubber boots which we were supplied with. Well we did not have a very long stay in this part of the line but the move come as a surprise to us. I here was not much doing up these trenches and though it is hard to believe when we were being relieved at night the chaps used to get out and walk to their posts on the top of parapets sooner there walk up trench through the mud and water and it was very rare you heard a shot come over and I don’t think all the time we were up there our losses amounted to half a dozen so that will tell as we never went up the trenches in the Ypres Salient without we had fifty or sixty casualties during the time we where up through we used to do eighteen days at a stretch. Well we came out of these trenches for our six days rest and then we went in for a further six days but we only do one night and then the next night we were relieved by some of the New Army and we had one night in our old billets and then we marched away to an unknown destination although rumours were rife some said we were going to Servia then Egypt and such like. Well we were moving all about the country for a month and then early in the new year we entrained for Marseilles so they said but we were not sure about that and we were residing in Cattle Trucks for three days and nights when we arrived at Marseilles. Well our first impression of it was not a great I can tell you as we arrived early on Sunday morning and we had got to help unload the Transport wagons off the trucks and then march to the Camp which was about six miles away. Well we had a rough journey to the Camp which was situated on a hillside over looking the sea and we had to march all along the sea front and it was a very rough night and the wind blew the shingle in our very faces and it cut now and then. Anyhow we got to the Camp at last and we were under canvas and we were soon down on the bare ground and asleep. When we wakened it was a lot different and the sun was shining grand and we could ly in the tents and see the ships coming in and going out as it was quite a novel sight to us after being in the trenches. Well of the City itself I will not say much although it is a very wicked place but all reports are as a rule. Well we seen men of all nationalities and colours during our stay there. We had a very easy time as we done very little work of a morning and then we were allowed out of camp from two o’clock till nine so we had plenty of time to look round. Well the change was something to talk over and it was that warm the chaps even bathed in the sea and hardly a week before we had been up to our knees in mud and water and in the same country and it made us think of the trenches we had left behind us as we thought. Well we have about a fortnight there and then we had the order that we were going on board the ship the next day that was Thursday night and we marched away from the Camp early on Friday morning and we were all on board just after eight. Well we were all looking forward to a nice voyage and we had each got a bunk to ourselves and I was soon under the Blankets. When they came round with orders we had another surprise as they told them all they had got to be off the ship again early next morning. When morning come a great many who had expected being on the way to Egypt were more surprised than us as they were asleep when they come round and told us on the night. Well we marched off the ship and back to the Camp again and then after having a week there we entrained again up the line again so you can tell we have been about France pretty well. It is just twelve today by the date since we landed in France and I think our only grievance is about the leave. What makes it worse is this you pick up the local papers and there you see Pte So and So as been on leave and then when you run your mind back he had only just joined it the time we came out here but of course he belongs to the New Army and that makes the difference as they are getting their leave every three months and us poor Terriers who come out to bear the brunt of the fighting while they were living in luxury in England well it seems to me as though we are not known as there is over two hundred of our Batt now who are still waiting for a leave as for myself I think I shall get one if the war keep on long enough. I cannot say where the fault lys or whose fault it is that we are not getting our leave but they ought to look after us better than they are doing over it. Well you can publish this letter in your Magazine if you like but keep back what you think fit by what I can see I think there is going to be a big move on but at present I cannot say whether we shall be in it or not but I expect it will be so. Well I should be very pleased if you would kindly send me a Magazine now and then as I like to hear about the old Place. Well I hope you will excuse the writing and mistakes so I will now close. With Best Wishes to you All

Yours sincerely

Pte. W. Cooke 2557

5th Lincs Regt.

In green envelope addressed to The Rev T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick Leicestershire. England.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 138 2 MR 16.

Letter to Rev Walters from R. C. Whitmore 27 Feb 16

Feb27

27^th Feb 1916

Dear Sir,

May I take the pleasure of writing a few lines to you while I have a little chance with it being Sunday we have a little more time for writing unless we are moving, we have often taken to the road on Sunday which doesn’t give us a chance for a Church parade. All the boys like the Church parade but I think some of them like it because it is short & they get more time for writing letters etc. Our battalion are not at present in the trenches & I couldn’t say if we shall be in again for a while. We have had three weeks down at Marseilles bound for another Country but the orders were cancelled & we returned up north again. I am pleased to see of Petty Officer A.J. Wilson’s quick promotion which I noticed in the Coalville Times. I dropped across Driver James the other night & wished me to remember him to you if I wrote. I suppose you know who I mean. Well sir I must close now hoping you enjoy the best of health the same as myself. You will remember me as one of the boy scouts who played the side drum in khaki at the annual tea which you gave them last year.

From Yours R.C. Whitmore

4161 Pte R.C. Whitmore

16 Platt D Coy

5^th Leicesters

B.E.F.

France.

In green envelope addressed to Rev. T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Leicester Rd, Whitwick, Leicestershire. England.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 46. 28 FE 16.

THIRD ARMY INFANTRY SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION.

Feb25

SYLLABUS.

LEADERSHIP. (a) Its meaning.

(b) How to acquire the gift of.

DISCIPLINE. (a) General behaviour and conduct of the Officers.

(b) Personal appearance – Physical Fitness – Punctuality – Saluting.

MORAL. Its meaning and importance – Responsibility of Officers

and N.C.O.s regarding it – Patriotism – Esprit de Corps – Esprit de Brigade – Esprit de Division – Esprit d’Armee – Psychology of the War.

DISCIPLINE & COMMAND. Necessity of System of Command so as to

ensure continuity – bearing of Officers and N.C.O.s towards their men.

ORGANISATION. Battalion – Brigade – Division – Chain of Responsibility.

CARE OF ARMS. Rifles, Bayonets, Ammunition – Equipment – Smoke

Helmets – Clothing – Iron Rations.

SANITATION. (a). In trenches, Billets, Bivouacs, Line of March.

(b). Care of feet: Standing Orders on the Subject.

(c). First aid, use of Field Dressings.

(d). Evacuation of the wounded, general principles of.

Billet Life. How to care for and get the best out of the men in billets

– N.B. This is a special subject with a very special importance, which was not realised at the commencement of the last winter campaign.

DUTIES OF In camp, bivouac and billets.

PLATOON & (a) System of billeting.

SECTION COMDRS (b) On the line of march (discipline).

(d) In the Attack.

PROTECTION. Advance guard, Rear, Flank, and Outposts.

PRINCIPLES OF (a) Organisation previous to.

ATTACK NORMAL. (b) Distribution of troops for.

(d) Formation with regard to fire.

12. FIRE DISCIPLINE. (a) Combination of Fire with Movement.

(b) Fire Control.

(d) Use of Range finders.

DEFENCE NORMAL. (a) Principal lines of defence.

(b) Taking up a defensive line.

(d) Telling off and distribution of working parties.

TRENCH WARFARE. (a) Organisation for an attack from the trenches. (attack) Supply of Ammunition, grenades, rations, water.

DECENCE. (a) Construction of Trenches.

(b) Construction of Parapets.

(d) Revetting, sandbags, fascine, wire, hurdle and other

expedients.

(e) Construction of Splinter Proof.

(f) Loopholes, sighting and construction of.

(g) Sniping Posts.

(h) Listening Posts.

(i) Sapping, principles of.

(j) Entrenching tools, use of.

(k) Entanglements.

(l) Use of telescopes and periscopes.

(m) Sniping, use and methods to be employed in.

Trench Orders. (a) Absolute necessity for.

(b) Organisation of work.

MACHINE GUNS. (a) How to fire the Lewis Maxim Gun.

(b) Principles of employment in attack and defence.

GRENADES. (a) Description of.

(b) Handling of.

(d) Use in attack and defence.

(e) Training of Grenadiers.

(f) Organisation of Grenadiers in the attack.

Organisation of Grenadiers in defence.

(g) Carrying of.

(h) Supply of.

PATROL WORK. (a) Importance of.

(b) How to organise.

MAP READING. (a) Simple scales and meaning of.

(b) How to read a map. (Explain how it should be looked

upon as a book and not as a puzzle.

Magnetic into true bearings

(d) Setting a map by compass and by other methods.

Co-operation Importance of, and method of.

of other Arms Co-operation between Staff and Regimental Officers.

MASSAGES & (a) Official letters, writing of.

REPORTS. (b) Memoranda.

(d) Field Messages, method of writing.

(e) Verbal messages, limitations of.

(f) Reports, how to be written.

(g) Reconnaissance, simple form of.

(h) Trench reports.

ARREST. (a) Rules for.

(b) Telling off and disposal of prisoners.

(d) Field General Courts Martial.

(e) Army (suspension of sentences) Act 1915.

INTELLIGENCE. (a) Service of security.

(b) Information.

(d) Their treatment and disposal.

G.R.O. Extracts from, Secrecy, Dress, Discipline,

Correspondence etc.

GAS. Use of protectors, methods of dealing with, organisation

of attack.

SYSTEM of (a) Ammunition.

SUPPLY. (b) Supplies.

DRILL. (a) Importance of as a means to an end.

(b) Squad with arms.

(d) Company.

Physical Training. (a) Bayonet Fighting.

(b) Football.

REVOLVER. (a) Method of using.

(b) Short course in the use of.

—————————————————-

COPY.

Feb24

INDIRECT LAYING SYSTEM IN USE BY BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE IN FRANCE.

The site for the Battery and general directions in which fire will be required having been ordered, the line of guns are placed approximately at right angles to this line.

If covered emplacements are built, it is very important that each dial sight should be able to see the aiming point.

The gun on one flank is usually chosen as directing gun. The corrections for the other guns will be simpler if the aiming point is at right angles to the line of fire, but it is very difficult to make a covered emplacement which allows of this. In the battery I saw, the aiming point was 45^o right of rear.

The exact position of the directing gun is then marked very accurately on the map, and a line drawn through it for a normal axis of fire. This is called the zero line. Also a line on the aiming point – the angle between these two is then measured by the dial sight.

If the zero line can be laid on a seen object marked on the map, there will be a chance to check accuracy. The distance between the guns is then carefully measured, and the angle between the aiming point and the zero lines calculated. This should bring all the zero lines parallel, and pickets on which lamps can be hung are placed to mark them.

A line is drawn on the map behind the enemy’s position at right angles to the normal axis of fire; and degrees right and left set off along it, as calculated from the directing gun.

A paper straight edge is pivoted at the directing gun, and when this is brought over the target, the angle right or left of the normal axis of fire can be read off on the scale of degrees.

A scale of ranges, allowing for the shooting qualities of the cordite in use, is marked on the edge of the paper straight edge, and immediately gives the range of the target from direction gun. When this is known, the correction in line to concentrate the other guns on target is easily got from a table.

To get the exact line – only a cross wind need now be allowed for.

To get the elevation – a headwind, barometer and thermometer corrections must be made. Also for difference of level of gun and target, if any.

After the first shot, the forward observing officer signals corrections.

Aeroplanes directing guns first signify the target by the usual map nomenclature by wireless.

After the first shot, they signal the angle from north and the distance of the spot where they wish the next shot to fall.

The Battery Commander has a scale and circular protractor device by which he can readily calculate the necessary corrections in angle and in elevation for his guns.

(Sgd.) P.F. Molony Major.

R.E.

24/2/16.