Category Archives: World War I

Letter to Rev Walters from A. W. Hanson

Orderly Room

11th

(July 15)

Revd T.W. Walters

Revd Sir,

            Thank you very much indeed for your nice letter of the 6th received about 3 o’clock today.

            Yes I think I have seen enough out her to fill a little book, but I am afraid it would be a very queer one.

            I have now passed my first test of trench life, of course I was not in the Fire Line, altho I spent some time in it during the early hours of two mornings.  The Sergt Major and myself had a little dug-out just behind, in which we did our office work, and also slept.

We had a very warm time and I was not sorry to get out.  The last morning in, a shell fell a very few yards from me, happily in a bog and so buried itself much more than if it had dropped on hard ground, but I was nicely covered with mud.

They are awful things, and we had a good number burst all round us.

I must thank you very much for your prayers, they are very helpful and also encouraging, constantly my thought are with you at the Sunday Services and week night meetings, and I can picture everyone, and also when I hear of the different members joining the Country’s call, I can see the empty spaces.

How I long to be at Sunday Service again.  It is very awkward for me to get to our service and there again it is not advisable to hold a large service and so they are held in small groups.

I heard from Lt. A.T. Sharpe and also my father what a nice Memorial Service you had the other week.

I read all Sidney Burton’s letters in the paper, I had met him once at Whitwick.

I think it would be nice to have a Tablet in church for Ernest Tugby, and I should like to suggest that should any more members have the misfortune to be killed, that they have one also.

I heard from home that you have had two very good thunderstorms.

You must be mistaken in the member of the choir you saw at Hugglescote Church.  I have no brother, only one sister.

We have many varieties of weather, some days hot, others cold and showers, but it is always very cold at night.

I get very little rest, there is such a large amount of work – always to be done.

I am afraid this lot will be a very long time before it ends by the look of things out here.

Must now close because I have several letters etc waiting to be attended to.

Kindly remember me to all our members and accept my very best wishes for yourself and family

Yrs obediently

Albert Will.

In a green envelope addressed to Revd T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester, Angleterre

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 138 11 JY 15.

There is no censor mark on this letter.

Letter to Rev Walters from A W Hanson

No 2346 L/Cpl A.W. Hanson

A Coy Leicester Regt

North Midland Division

Sawbridgeworth

Revd T.W. Walters.

Revd Sir,

            I arrived back from home safely although I was sorry it was so short a stay.

For a few days I am assisting the clerk in our orderly room, but do not know how long it may last.

I was very pleased to have been able once more to be present at our mens meeting.

Have no news just now to tell you so must close with very kind regards to you and  Mrs Walters.

I remain,

            Yours obediently

Albert Will

P.S. I must again thank you very much for the nice book; I think it is most comforting W.

In envelope addressed to Revd T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.

Letter postmarked SAWBRIDGEWORTH HERTS  11 JA 15.

South African Infantry.

Major J.F. Purcell D.S.O.

SHIPS ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Officer Commanding Troops.

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

10.10.1915

PART 3, No 20.

No. 83.  DUTIES FOR TOMORROW, the 11th OCTOBER 1915.

            Captain of the Day:              Capt. E. Whiting.

Subaltern of the Day:          2nd Lieut. A.H. Brown.

Officer in charge of Prisoner of War: Lieut. A.C. Harrison.

COMPANY FOR DUTY                  “E” COMPANY

No. 84. DUTIES – GUARD:

            As the Troops will be in Port tomorrow morning when the usual Guard dismounts at 9 a.m., no new Guard will be mounted but certain sentries will be posted until the Troops have all disembarked, and the Subaltern of the Day will be responsible that they carry out their duties.  (Kings Regulations – Para 1640)

Duty of Officer of the Guard will, therefore, be cancelled.

PICQUETS:

            No Picquets will be mounted on the Fo’castle Head and Monkey Island, so that the duties of the Officer in charge will be cancelled.

PRISONER OF WAR:

The Officer and Guard in charge of the Prisoner of War will remain on duty until such time as the Prisoner is handed over to the proper authorities.

J.G.W. Evans

CAPTAIN.

SHIPS ADJUTANT.

Tyneside Scottish Brigade Orders.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP, LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

10th OCTOBER, 1915.

867 – ATTACHMENT –

            Lieutenant R. Purvis, 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, was attached to the 23rd (S) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Scottish) for light duty from 20th September, 1915.

668 – EXTRACT FROM SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDERS–

8:10:1915.

Soldiers Messing –

            Southern Command Order No. 742 of 1915 is cancelled, and the following substituted:-

            The General Officer Commanding, though sensible that progress has been made in the majority of new units in the improvement of the food of the men, observes that this important matter still requires the close personal attention of Commanding Officers and squadron, battery and company commanders.  General Officers Commanding Divisions will be good enough to impress again upon commanding officers the necessity for carrying out the suggestions printed on Army Book 48a:-

  1. The A.B. 48a must be signed by an officer who will be held responsible for its accuracy.
  2. The orderly officer will attend and check the weights and quantities of goods issued from the canteen.
  3. The grocery slips which accompany A.B. 48a must be used.  The A.B. 48a should not be sent to the grocery bar.
  4. Copies of the weekly diet sheet should be kept in the cookhouse, at the grocery bar, in the dining room (or one hut, if there is no central room) and at the headquarters of the unit.
  5. The A.B. 48a must be an accurate record of the rations drawn issued and carried forward and of the goods daily purchased and consumed by the unit.  The book must be properly completed at the end of each monthly period (all receipts for refuse and dripping being included).  Entries in the book must be made in ink.
  6. With Infantry formations the Battalion system is recommended.  With Artillery formations the best results are frequently obtained where a weekly diet sheet is made up for the whole Brigade, each battery subsequently drawing its own daily rations, groceries, etc., and recording its transactions in a separate A.B. 48a.  This enables the officer generally responsible for the messing to check waste by comparing the books of several units.
  7. Attention is directed to King’s Regulations, para. 1175.

Divisional Commanders should require General Officers Commanding Brigades and their Staff Captains to inspect frequently the messing arrangements of their units, and ascertain that the above orders have been given effect to.

C.R., S.C. No. 2/18869/49.

Salisbury Training Centre Orders 919.

869– SALISBURY TRAINING CENTRE ORDERS – ATTENTION CALLED TO –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is called to Salisbury Training Centre Orders 914 and 915 of 8th inst.

WALLACE MARRS, Captain,

STAFF CAPTAIN, 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

On back of sheet O.C., C Coy.

South African Infantry.

BATTALION ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Commanding

1st SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY.

(S.A. Oversea Ex. Force)

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

10.10.1915

PART 1, No 29.

No. 127.  DUTIES FOR TOMORROW, 11th OCTOBER 1915.

            Orderly Officer:                     Lieut. J.T. Bain

Officer in charge of Prisoner of War:        2nd Lieut. A.C. Harrison

            COMPANY FOR DUTY:     “E” COMPANY                    

No. 128.  DISEMBARKATION:

DRESS:         On disembarkation tomorrow, the 11th inst., Dress will be full marching order, but the second haversack (representing Sea Kit bags) will be put in Kit bags, and will not be worn.  Great Coats will be worn.  N.C.O.’s and men will wear equipment outside of Great Coats.

KIT BAGS:     Men will carry their Kit bags under their arm when marched ashore.  If it is found necessary to stack or pack Kit Bags, Company Commanders will use the greatest care to avoid Bags of different Platoons becoming intermingled.

FATIGUE       The Duty Company will provide 2 N.C.O.’s and 30 men to report to the PARTIES:            Quarter Master immediately after all Troops have disembarked, also 2

parties of 1 Officer and 25 other ranks, each as shore and Baggage Room Fatigues respectively.

MEN GOING No N.C.O. or man will go ashore until his Company disembarks.  This ASHORE:            applies to all, but special Duties and Fatigues.

DISCIPLINE:            Company Commanders will impress on their Commands before

they land in England that each man holds in his hands the honour of the Regiment and of the Contingent generally, and that by their bearing and demeanour in Public the whole Force will be judged.  All ranks will bear in mind that they are representing their Country and that their behaviour should, therefore, reflect the spirit of earnestness, which inspires them to devote themselves in the present grave National danger to the service of their King and Empire.  The greatest hospitality will in all probability be extended to them, and it will be each mans’ duty to exercise self control and to keep the strictest watch on himself.

H. Woodhead

Captain

 ADJUTANT. 1st S. A. INFANTRY

South African Infantry.

BATTALION ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Commanding

1st SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY.

(S.A. Oversea Ex. Force)

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

10.10.1915

PART 2, No. 13.

No. 41.  PROMOTIONS.

            The Commanding Officer has approved of the following promotion:-

 “E” Coy. No. 2957 Cpl. (Temp. Sgt.) Kirwin John James, to be confirmed in the rank of Sergeant, as from date (11.9.15) incl of his Temporary Promotion.  (Reference Battalion Orders, Part 2, No. 11, Para 27, dated 29.9.1915.)

To be Colour Sergeant:

 “E” Coy. No. 2957 Sgt. Kirwin John James, as from the 4.10.15 (inclusive)          

No. 42.  APPOINTMENTS:

The Commanding Officer has approved of the following appointments:

As Coy. Q.M..Sgt. of “E” Company.

No. 2957 Colour Sgt. Kirwin John James, as from the 4.10.15 (inclusive)

The following Sergeants to be Platoon Sergeants:

“E” Coy. No. 2946 Sgt. Ryder A.W. – No. 17 Platoon

“E” Coy. No. 293   Sgt. Jolly S. – No. 16 Platoon

“E” Coy. No. 1574 Sgt. Jennings W.E.N. – No. 19 Platoon

“E” Coy. No. 3642 Sgt. Hirst J.A. – No. 20 Platoon.

As Lance Corporals:

“E” Coy. No. 4301 Pte. Fouche Stephen Peter, as from 7.10.15 (incl)

“E” Coy. No. 4105 Pte. Hall Eden Lashley as from 7.10.15 (incl)

“E” Coy. No. 4075 Pte. Bunting Hugo                    do.  7.10.15 (incl)

“E” Coy. No. 1039 Pte Leppan Frederick Harry     do.  7.10.15 (incl)

“E” Coy. No. 1523 Pte. Thompson John Thomas  do. 9.10.15(incl)

No. 43. REVERSION:

“E” Coy. No. 1523 Cpl. Thompson J.T. is permitted by the Commanding Officer to resign his rank and revert to the rank of Private as from the 9.10.1915 (inclusive), and is appointed Lance Corporal from the same date.  (See Para 42 of the above Order).  See Order 42 above. H.W.

H. Woodhead

Captain

ADJUTANT. 1st S. A. INFANTRY

(S.A. Overseas Ex. Force)

South African Infantry.

SHIPS ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Officer Commanding Troops.

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

9.10.1915

PART 3, No 19.

No. 80.  DUTIES FOR TOMORROW, the 10th OCTOBER 1915.

            Captain of the Day:              Capt. G.J. Miller.

Next for Duty:                                   Capt. E. Whiting.

Subaltern of the Day:          2nd Lieut. W.N. Brown.

Next for Duty:                                   2nd Lieut. A.H. Brown.

Officer of the Guard:            2nd Lieut. C.W. Reid.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. R.R. Sharpe.

Officer in charge of Prisoner of War: Lieut. A.W. Liefeldt.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. Bliss.

Officer in charge of Picquet – Fo’castle Head: Lieut C.I. Bate.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. E.J. Burgess

Officer in charge of Picquet – Monkey Island: Lieut. W.D. Henry.

Next for Duty:                                   2nd Lieut. W.S. Dent.

COMPANY FOR DUTY                  “D” COMPANY

No. 81.  FATIGUE:

            On the day of disembarkation, Monday, the Company Commander of the Duty Company “E”, will detail a fatigue party of 2 N.C.O.’s and 30 men to report to Capt. A.C. Wearner on board, after all troops have disembarked.

No. 82. KIT BAGS:

With reference to No. 79, Disembarkation Orders, of the 8th instant, Kit Bags will be stacked tomorrow afternoon, under direction of the Quartermaster, Capt. A.C. Wearner.  Company Commanders will arrange for sentries to guard them until disembarkation has taken place.

J.G.W. Evans

CAPTAIN.

SHIPS ADJUTANT.

Tyneside Scottish Brigade Orders.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEAD QUARTERS,

SANDHILL CAMP, LONGBRIDGE DEVERILL.

8th OCTOBER, 1915.

861 – DIVINE SERVICE –

            Troops of the 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade will parade for Divine Service on Sunday 10th instant – as follows:-

CHURCH OF ENGLAND 10 a.m. on the Parade Ground of the 20th (S) Bn.

Northd. Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish).

ROMAN CATHOLICS 10-15 a.m. in the lines of No. 15 Camp.

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

Markers for Church of England Troops to report to Brigade Major on the above named ground at 9-45 a.m.

862 – DUTIES –

            The Battalion on duty for week ending October 16th, 1915:-

22nd (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish).

****

next for duty:-

23rd (S) Bn. Northd. Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Scottish).

****

T.L.B. SOUTRY, MAJOR ,

BRIGADE-MAJOR,  102nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

On back of sheet O.C., C Coy.

South African Infantry.

BATTALION ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Commanding

1st SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY.

(S.A. Oversea Ex. Force)

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

8.10.1915

PART 1, No 28.

No. 125.  DISEMBARKATION NOMINAL ROLL.

            Company Commanders will return to Orderly Room by noon Sunday, the 10th inst., alphabetical Nominal Rolls by ranks in triplicate, on foolscap paper, showing all Officers, N.C.O.’s and men of their Companies (or attached) on board, stating in each case number, rank, name and initials.          

No. 126.  SIGNALLERS:

            “E” Coy. No. 4989 Pte. W.G.C. Ridar, while undergoing instruction in signalling, will be struck off all duties interfering with the above instruction.

H. Woodhead

Captain

**** ADJUTANT. 1st S. A. INFANTRY

(S.A. Overseas Ex. Force)

NOTICE.

            VICTORIA LEAGUE CLUB.

The attention of all ranks is called to notices posted up in various prominent places on board, concerning the Victoria League Club, inviting men of the Oversea Forces to use the Club.

South African Infantry.

SHIPS ORDERS BY LIEUT-COL. F.S. DAWSON.

Officer Commanding Troops.

S.S. DURHAM CASTLE,

At Sea,

7.10.1915

PART 3, No 17.

No. 74.  DUTIES FOR TOMORROW, the 8th OCTOBER 1915.

            Captain of the Day:              Lieut. J.T. Bain.

Next for Duty:                                   Capt. T. Ormiston.

Subaltern of the Day:          2nd Lieut. L.I. Isaacs.

Next for Duty:                                   2nd Lieut. A.W. Craig.

Officer of the Guard:            Lieut. Pirrie.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. K. Keith.

Officer in charge of Prisoner of War: Lieut. Phillips.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. Hertzyl.

Officer in charge of Picquet – Fo’castle Head: Lieut C.B. Parsons.

Next for Duty:                                   Lieut. S.W.E. Style

Officer in charge of Picquet – Monkey Island: Lieut. E.A. Davies.

Next for Duty:                                   2nd Lieut. A.C. Harrison.

COMPANY FOR DUTY                  “B” COMPANY

No. 75.  OFFICERS’ LECTURE.

            There will be a lecture to Officers by Capt. E. Whiting at 12 noon tomorrow.

This will be held on the Navigating Deck.

All Officers to attend.

J.G.W. Evans

CAPTAIN.

SHIPS ADJUTANT.