Category Archives: World War I

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne June 1915

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda & Correspondence

—————–

 

1915

 

 

June 13, 1915.

 

83rd Brigade

Heytesbury House

 

“I am unable to get away this week end. It has been truly glorious weather, much too hot for work.  We had two field days last week .  This week we are doing night digging.

I motored over to Bath one evening early last week and went with some friends to hear the band of the 1st Life Guards.  We got back about one in the morning.  The roads here are full of vehicles of every description ever invented since the Flood, from the donkey cart to the large steam lorry.  Even the railway has been carried along the Codford Road.  Hundreds of led horses, wagons of forage, stores, cause a vast confusion, and a solid block of sweating horses and men.  Everywhere and above all is thick dust, turning the troops white.

 

I have just managed to get a beautiful little mare. She looks well, and is full of life.  I have entered her for the Divisional Horse show to be held soon as a final social function.  The Howitzer Brigade are firing this afternoon about eight miles away, and most of the officers have gone over there.

 

I had to go to Church Parade this morning in the tin tabernacle. A most awful little parson preached.  He wore his wife’s fur stole round his neck.  It may have been white once.  Last Sunday afternoon I went to the Cathedral Service at Salisbury, and then had tea with some friends.  Field Days.  Colonel’s galloper.

 

June 22 1915.

 

“I had a most amazing journey last night. I caught the 9.50, from Paddington, and could not get further than Swindon, even with the help of a goods train.  There I got a room at the local Railway Hotel, until 4.30, this morning, and then travelled by the early morning train to Heytesbury, arriving at 8.10 A.M.  Today I have been Brigade Orderly Officer, and had the cleanliness of the camp to see to, and other similar duties, among them the inspection of prisoners in the cells.  One is a trifle mad, and threatens to murder any one who goes near him.  Tonight we are out picketing.  Tomorrow there is an inspection by the General in preparation for Thursday, for rumour has it that the King and Kitchener are going to review us on that day.  But I always doubt rumour.  There is little news in the Times today, bar the War Loan.

 

Heytesbury Hole is just the same, 1only whiter with age and dust. The 17th Division are just arriving, so more dust.

The Colonel had been away fishing and is in a good mood.

 

June 23 1915.

R.P.

I thoroughly enjoyed my week end at home. I had a long journey back via Swindon, where I spent the four midnight hours in the local Railway Hotel, and arrived at Heytesbury at 8 a.m. the next morning.

 

Tomorrow the King and Kitchener review us at Stonehenge, about fourteen miles from here.  The whole Division will turn out.  I am acting as Colonel’s Orderly Officer, so the Adjutant and I go by the saluting point together.  I hope my mare does not run away with me.  Tomorrow stables are at 4 a.m., and we start on our journey at 6.30 am.  We shall be dusty when get there, unless it rains which it is trying to do now.  The weather is on the change.  The dust has been somewhat trying lately, covering everything with a white deposit.  The day has been spent getting ready for tomorrow.  Yesterday we spent the night, “picketing out” on the Plain.

 

The Divisional Horse Show is on Saturday. I am putting in my new mare.

 

They are still building huts here. The place may be completed after we have left.

Heytesbury is white with dust.

 

(Left Heytesbury on Tuesday afternoon, June 30th 1915).

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne May 1915

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda & Correspondence

—————–

 

1915

 

May 4 1915.

Shoeburyness

“…… We had a sort of (picnic) to-day. It consisted in tramping along dusty roads, carrying glasses, compasses, maps, directors etc., climbing up church towers, and locating places.  It was rather interesting but very hot and thirsty work.  It is a wonder our instructor got back at all as every one wanted him to have a pint at the village pub.  I managed to finish my paper on Sunday night after I got back and verified my calculations on Monday morning, so I was alright.  Several men missed the last train back and had to arrive with the milk in the morning.  Our instructor here is a very interesting man.  He was a non-commissioned officer in the famous “L” Battery R.H.A., which was blown to pieces by the Germans.  He and two others continued to serve their gun when every other gun was out of action, and the other men killed or wounded, for which he and two others got the V.C. and commissions.  He was badly wounded by the back burst of a high explosive shell ….

Thursday night is guest night with band, generally a lively time. (We have to honour the King in Mess Port!

 

May 12 1915.

 

After a strenuous morning riding, afternoon at gunnery, evening at lectures, we went out at 9 o’clock for gun-pit digging all night….. We returned this morning at eight.

 

Sunday May 15 1915.

R.P.

B.A.C. 83rd Brigade R.F.A.

Heytesbury House

Heytesbury

Wilts

 

I arrived this afternoon with Dexter, and found that the whole of the officers of the 18th Division were quartered in Heytesbury House.  The surroundings are lovely, but the house is bare and much too overcrowded.

The Commandant of the Shoeburyness School of Gunnery has just been appointed Colonel Commanding our Brigade.

 

Thursday May 20 1915.

 

Somewhere on Salisbury Plain.

 

“I am sitting in a haystack surrounded by the muddy plain. We are on a field day with the infantry…..  yesterday the whole 18th Division went on a divisional route march, and General Maxse inspected us.  As far as I can make out it was for the benefit of the ladies (wives of the generals and staff).  See what I command sort of show,…..very boring for the (regimental officers and men and a day wasted.

 

The weather has been truly awful. I have never seen such mud.  Thick chalky soup, almost up to one’s knees.  The horses and men are never dry.  You can imagine what it is like with the huts not yet finished.  No stables and the horses in open lines.

 

Our new Colonel had arrived and dined in Mess last night. He is going to lecture to us every night on gunnery…..

Heytesbury House is the residence of Baron Heytesbury. The only furniture they have left are some awful family portraits and one or two broken chairs.  Otherwise the place is empty and very dirty.  There is a great crowd in the house.  I am lucky as I am in a room with the adjutant and the Colonel’s galloper.  The mess is very badly run, so we are enjoying ourselves.

 

Opposite here is a large wood, and on either side are high mounds, old tumuli, which probably contain the bones of British warriors. The only sounds are larks singing and gunners snoring.  This American harness is very rotten, and is always breaking.  Fancy having to go to America for our harness.

 

Some of the men are looking for what they call “nesties”. The usual instinct for hunting something.  The language is a bit thick at times, but they are not bad chaps, very willing, though sometimes very stupid.  The second in command of this Brigade is a priceless major, and he affords endless amusement because he can’t ride at all.  He is very tall with long legs that hang down and dangle as he rides.  He sits hunched up over the withers of his horse, and is quite incapable of controlling it.  He backed into the General the other day, who was furious.  The funny part is that when the battery goes into action and his horse takes fright at the noise, as it generally does, he is sure to be taken off to the rear, and as his battery staff have to follow him everywhere and keep him in sight, it is probable that the whole lot will be missing at the critical moment.  They have put off our firing practice for a week, owing probably to the wet.

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne April 1915

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda & Correspondence

—————–

 

1915

 

 

April 20 1915

R.P.

R.A. Mess

Shoeburyness

 

“There is plenty to do here, and we are kept hard at it. We wear canvas clothes and are treated as ordinary tommies.  We rise at 6.45 a.m.  Breakfast at 7.45 a.m.  Parades from 8.30 to noon or rather 12.30,p.m., then again from 1.30 to 5.30 p.m.  Then tea and lectures till dinner time.  Dinner takes an hour and a quarter.  They turn out about 200 officers a month here.  The detachment I am in consists of 24 subalterns under Captain Nelson V.C.  He was a sergeant in “L” Battery R.H.A. and is now a Captain and our instructor.  we are drilled by a regular sergeant one named Ford.

 

Eight of us live in one of the staff houses, and are quite comfortable. Two of us have a large room to ourselves.  I share with a man named Cousens.  Our camp kit is our furniture.  Dexter & Gould are both here.  The course lasts four weeks.

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne March 1915

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda & Correspondence

—————–

 

1915

 

 

 

March 8, 1915

R.P.

“Training has been considerably stiffened up. There are parades on Sunday mornings and on other days before breakfast and after tea in addition to the normal work.  There are night marches and trench digging.  I have been inoculated with two doses, and as a result I am rather stiff and sore.   The 48 hours off duty which we are supposed to have, needless to say I never got.

 

Tomorrow I am motoring over to Ipswich where the 84th Brigade is stationed.  We are expecting to go into huts on the 20th of this month.  Leave has been cancelled from certain places such as Colchester, Braintree, Woolwich, Ipswich on account of the outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis which is bad.

 

We have had several officers convalescent after wounds posted us. Major Caruthers, Major Cornes and others.

 

On Sunday morning I took Church Parade of about 400 men. Then I groomed my own horse.  Each officer has to be able to do this.

 

 

The Dardanelles show seems to be going well.  How foolish the Turks are to join this war. Turkey will be the first empire to fall, and it should mean the end of the Ottoman Empire in Europe.

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda & Correspondence

—————–

 

1915

 

 

 

March 8, 1915

R.P.

“Training has been considerably stiffened up. There are parades on Sunday mornings and on other days before breakfast and after tea in addition to the normal work.  There are night marches and trench digging.  I have been inoculated with two doses, and as a result I am rather stiff and sore.   The 48 hours off duty which we are supposed to have, needless to say I never got.

 

Tomorrow I am motoring over to Ipswich where the 84th Brigade is stationed.  We are expecting to go into huts on the 20th of this month.  Leave has been cancelled from certain places such as Colchester, Braintree, Woolwich, Ipswich on account of the outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis which is bad.

 

We have had several officers convalescent after wounds posted us. Major Caruthers, Major Cornes and others.

 

On Sunday morning I took Church Parade of about 400 men. Then I groomed my own horse.  Each officer has to be able to do this.

 

 

The Dardanelles show seems to be going well.  How foolish the Turks are to join this war. Turkey will be the first empire to fall, and it should mean the end of the Ottoman Empire in Europe.

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Feb 1915

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda & Correspondence

—————–

 

1915

 

 

Sunday February 14th 1915

R.P.

“I am Divisional Orderly Officer tonight, and have to sleep in the General’s Office near the entrance to the barracks. I am the only officer left in the Battery, as the others are away on courses, one at Aldershot, and the other at Woolwich.  Part of the Divisional Artillery have moved to huts at Ipswich, the Dexters with them.  I do not envy them in this weather, which is awful.  The Saturday’s half-holiday has been cancelled now, and the work has been stiffened up a lot.

 

Tuesday February 24 1915.   (?)

R.P.

“The scare here now is German air ships. I am on duty every forth night as Divisional Orderly Officer, and there has been a lot of night work lately.  One day I went by road to Ipswich with six guns and full teams.  Another day we had night trench digging.  Other days our time is occupied in gun drill, ranging practices, and reconnaissance rides.

 

My routine for the last few hours has been: last night in the General’s office, when some business turned up which kept me occupied till after midnight. Next morning at 6.30 am stables, breakfast at 8, a.m.  Parade 8.40 a.m.  Brigade ride to various battery positions with Colonel Lushington from 9 to 12 noon.  Demonstration Section Gun Drill noon to 1, p.m.  Lunch at 1, p.m. Battery Parade at 1.40 p.m.  Officer’s Standing Gun Drill from 2 to 3, p.m.  Men’s rifle and marching drill 3 to 4.30 p.m.  Stables 5 to 6 p.m. Battery accounts at 7 p.m.  Dinner 7.30 p.m.  After dinner I read Battery, Brigade, Divisional, Eastern Command and War Office Daily Orders.

 

On Sunday we had Church Parade. Then the Colonel found some dirty harness, and he ordered harness cleaning from 6 to 8 p.m.

 

Then at a late hour we had the excitement of the bomb bursting near by, which we may consider our baptism of fire.

 

It was quite a good shot for our barracks. The bomb fell just between the lower corner of the Artillery Barracks where our Battery has its quarters and the road in which I am billeted.  A portion of the bomb was found in this road, and mine host declares that a portion of lead from his roof came down.  I was not in my billet at the time, but was in another part of the town, so I did not hear much of the noise.

To night there is not a light to be seen anywhere. I hear a rumour that there are seven airships over Ipswich, but I have my doubts.

 

The other morning in the dim light of dawn I had to go down to the station to detrain a large number of kicking horses, which made me tear my hair until I managed to see the funny side of it, but my sense of humour took a long time to operate.  Now we have a lot of vicious mules for the Ammunition Column, and some of the Battery wagons.

 

I expect leave will be hard to get now in case of emergency parades.

 

The 10th Fusiliers move tomorrow to Andover.

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Jan 1915

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda & Correspondence

—————–

 

1915

 

January 10 1915

R.P.

“Today I am Brigade Orderly Officer, so I have to sleep in Officer’s Quarters as the other officers in the Battery are away I am extra busy.  The weather is dreadful here.

I have seen Dick Pelly, who is Chaplain here. Influenza is rampant here.  According to the doctors one in five have the complaint.  We shall be a very small army if the Germans land on the coast.

 

The other morning I had to get up at 4.30 am to see two lots of men off at the station on leave. It meant riding to and from the station four times.

 

I hear that our Brigade is to go into huts at Reed Hall, two miles out of the town, probably at the end of this month.

 

There are rumours tonight of air ships over London.  I hope it is not true for your sake.

 

We are hoping to get our new guns soon. It is about time too.  Then it will seem more like business.  We have a lot of new Canadian horses, but they are not exactly pleasant rides.

 

January 19 1915

R.P.

Maldon House

Wellesley Road,

Colchester.

 

“One day last week I motored to Clacton for dinner.  The place was in complete darkness.  It was most strange.  There were no lights showing at all.  Now I have a bad cold.

 

On Sunday morning I motored up to town to see some men off to the Front, and when I got back I was bundled off to bed, and no less three doctors came to see me. I slept all day yesterday, and now my temperature is normal.  I hope to be out again tomorrow.  Dick Pelly has been in to see me tonight, and yesterday my visitors were the three doctors.  It is lucky we have not to pay for their visits.  My host and hostess are looking after me very well indeed.

 

Monday January 25 1915.

R.P.

“Last night saw me back in Colchester.  One officer is away at Shoeburyness on a course, and one officer has left us altogether, so we are shorthanded.

 

Tomorrow Capt Farmer and another officer and myself will be away all day on a Reconnaissance Ride. The mud here is worse than ever.

 

Give my kind regards to Amy Mac when she turns up.

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Dec 1914

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda &

Correspondence

—————–

 

December1914

 

December 9 1914

R.P.

“We have guns, but only old 15 pounders, very ancient. At last the men in our battery  have got khaki, and they look much smarter.  The convict blue was really terrible.

 

I see that Vyvyan is gazetted today in the “Times” to the R.F.A.   He will not come to this division.

 

December 20, 1914.

 

Everything is alright. Leave for various and very secret reasons has been cancelled.  I suppose I had better not be more explicit now.  Leave is supposed to reopen with luck on Wednesday next.  Then I hope to get home again.  Our train was full of angry officers called back from their homes.  I was so sorry to give you such a fright, but I suppose one must expect such things to happen now, especially with such windy old dug-outs in charge.  I hope the congregation did not think that the Germans had landed.

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Nov 1914

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda &

Correspondence

—————–

 

November 1914

 

1

Nov 13th 1914

 

 

Sir,

I desire to apply for leave from 12, noon on Saturday, November, 14th 1914, to midnight on Sunday November, 15th 1914.

I have the honour to be,

Your obedient servant

A.A. LAPRORT Payne

2/Lieut R.F.A.

 

O.C. 260th Battery

R.F.A. Colchester

II

Forwarded and recommended

H.F.T. Blowey

Lieut R.F.A.

O.C. 260th Battery R.F.A.

 

To O.C. 83rd Brigade R.F.A.

Colchester

3

  1. Commanding 260th Battery R.F.A.

Returned. Brigade Order No. 145 has not been complied with

  1. Hanna

Colonel R.F.A.

Commanding 83rd Brigade R.F.A.

Colchester, 13.11.14

 

Monday November 16 1914

R.P.

“Tomorrow I hope to go into a billet. It will only cost me threepence a day over the amount I am allowed for living out, which is 4/9 per day.

 

November 27

 

“We have a new Battery Commander, the last having left for France to join the Royal Flying Corps.

 

My host’s brother, Major Chopping R.A.M.C. has arrived tonight from Ypres for a short holiday of 3 days.  He has told me a great deal of interesting information.  He says that our troops can only hold the Germans for the present, and nothing further.  The men are worn out with constant marching & fighting.

 

I see Huntriss, whom I knew at Salisbury, has been wounded.

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne War October 1914

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda &

Correspondence

—————–

 

October1914

 

October 2, 1914

R.P.

Alton,

Links Road,

Epsom

“We have actually been paid, 15 shillings each, a ten shilling note and a five shilling postal order. What a lot of work, drill, and being messed about, for those few shillings.  It is drill all day long with long route marches thrown in, and it gets rather boring, for we have no arms or uniform yet.

 

War Office, Whitehall, S.W.

3.10.14

Dear Payne,

I am sorry you could not find a vacancy in either Middlesex Battalion, but we did our best.

I am sure you were wise to accept a Gunner Commission. You will pick up the riding part of it very soon, and you will make a first class artilleryman.  In a few months, in fact, you will despise all footsloggers!

If you find later you don’t care for the work, you can work a transfer to the Line through your Divisional General.

In haste,

Lancelot Storr.

 

War Office

6.10.14.

Dear Payne,

I think you may get to the front just as soon with R.F.A., and you were wise to accept the offer of a temporary commission. Our casualties in the artillery are very heavy.

The main thing is to get to work as soon as possible.

The rest a Greek quote.

Yours sincerely

Lancelot Storr.

 

112/ARTILLERY/1993. (A.G.6)                                                                   War Office

LONDON S.W.

10th October 1914

 

Sir,

I am directed to inform you, that, on appointment to a temporary Second Lieutenancy in the Royal Field Artillery you have been posted to the 18th Divisional Artillery and should apply in writing at once, to the General Officer Commanding 18th Division Colchester for instructions regarding the unit and the station you are to join.

You should at once communicate your address to your regimental agents, Messrs Cox & Co., 16, Charing Cross, S.W., and keep them informed of any change of address, so that orders may readily be communicated to you.

You are requested to acknowledge the receipt of this letter and to return the attached “NEXT OF KIN” form completed, to the War Office.

I am,

Sir.

Your obedient Servant.

Arthur Young,

Lieut. Colonel,

for Major General,

director of Personal Services.

 

2nd Lieutenant A.A. Laporte Payne

Royal Field Artillery

Christchurch Vicarage,

North Finchley

N.

 

War Office.

Whitehall

S.W.

12.10.14

 

Dear Payne,

 

I think for various reasons you should join the Infantry; that you’re your first posting, and the second posting was evidently made in error. Also, there is the question of finance; although for the period of the war I don’t think one Arm will be more expensive than another.

My own tailors are John Morgan, 5, Albemarle Street; they are good but expensive.  I have also had things made by J and G Ross, 32, Old Bond Street, who are less extortionate and have done me well.

Yours

Lancelot Storr.

 

From, O.C. ROYAL ARTILLERY

18 DIVISION

COLCHESTER

October 13 1914

 

MEMORANDUM,

Ref. your letter dated 12th October 1914.

Will you please join as soon as possible at Colchester.

The uniform necessary for you to have on joining is:-

Cap.

1 Suit Service Dress,

Khaki Shirt,

“     Tie,

Boots and spurs,

Sam Browne belt if possible.

 

H.F. Salt,

Captain, R.F.A.

A/Bde. Major, R.A. 18th Division.

 

FIELD KITS OF MOUNTED SERVICES.

 

  1. WORN BY THE OFFICER.

Boots, field     pair 1.

Braces             “   1.

Cap, service dress, with badge 1.

Disc, identity, with cord.

Socks               pair 1.

Suit, service dress (jacket and riding breeches)

Shirt, drab flannel, with collar 1.

Spurs               pair 1.

Tie, drab                 1.

Underclothing, suit.

 

  1. OTHER PERSONAL EFFECTS.

Books Army Book 155 Field service pocket book.

Cap, comforter (in pocket of greatcoat)

Compass, magnetic, pocket (or prismatic in case)

Cutters, wire (in wallets.) pair

Dressing, field (in skirt of jacket)

Glasses (binoculars or telescope, or both in one case)

Slung from left shoulder or worn on belt

Grease (or Vaseline) in wallets tin 1.

Greatcoat 1. Rolled, 26 ins long behind saddle.

Handkerchief              1

Holdall (in wallets), containing knife, fork and spoon hairbrush and combe, toothbrush, shaving brush and razor.

Knife, clasp, with ring and swivel 1

Matches, box 1.

Soap (in wallets) piece 1.

Socks pair 1.

Towel       1.

Watch (in wrist strap)

Whistle and lanyard.

 

  1. ACCOUTREMENTS.

Belt “Sam Browne” (waist belt, 2 shoulder belts, ammunition pouch and pistol case and sword frog.)

Haversack

Mess-tin

Sword knot

Water-bottle (aluminium) and sling.

 

  1. ARMS.

Pistol (no special pattern, but must carry Government ammunition.) On left side of S.B. belt.

Sword. On nearshoe case, edge to rear.

Scabbard, leather.

 

  1. AMMUNITION.

Cartridges, S.A. ball, pistol, Webley, rounds 12.

 

CARRIED IN TRANSPORT TRAIN.

The total weights (excluding articles in camp kettles) of 50 lbs. for a commanding officer and 35 lbs. for other officers must not be exceeded.

Valise, Wolseley.

Boots, field.

Buckets, canvass

Housewife

Lantern, collapsible with talc sides.

Portfolio with writing materials

Shoes, canvas

Socks

Suit, service dress

Shirt, drab, flannel.

Towels.

Tie, drab.

Underclothing.

 

One Camp Kettle is allowed for every three officers who pack into it each, cup, enamelled plates, enamelled, pots, pepper, salt.

Note. Officers may leave at the base a bullock trunk packed with 100 lbs of personal baggage. This reserve baggage will be forwarded only when it may be deemed convenient to the service by the Commander In Chief.

 

(Scott and Son of 83 Regent Street write that they are making most of the R.A. kits! and offer to supply a drab whipcord service jacket, pair of collar badges and 1 pair stars for £3.15.6 and a Sam Browne Belt complete with holster and pouch for £2.5.6 and a sword, best proved blade with scabbard from five guineas. Field Kit complete for £7.10.0.  Prices for cash, fit and regulation guaranteed.)

 

18th DIVISION

COLCHESTER

 

C.R.A                                      Colonel English

O.C. 83rd Brigade R.F.A.        Major Robertson

260th Battery O.C.                  Gardner.

 

October 19 1914

R.P.

Royal Field Artillery

Colchester

 

“I have arrived here alright, and find my abode in a tent in front of the Gunner Mess. I have already met several men I know, and a friend of Reg’s named Dennis.  The two Dexters are here also.

 

Nov 9th. “still under canvass.”

 

FRIDAY OCTOBER 23 1914

 

R.P.

 

“In this Division at present there are about 50 Second Lieuts including several Oxford & Cambridge men.

I have been posted to the 260th Battery, and I found it possessed only one officer, a second lieut of two months standing who was in command.  He is usually is away, so I was told to carry on.  I did what I could, which was precious little.  I was horribly embarrassed.

The result is that here I am in command of 270 untrained men, trying to teach them marching drill, about which I know nothing at all. Route marching is easier.  We rise at 6 a.m., and at 7 I go on to the parade ground having previously looked up a few words of command in the book called Field Artillery Training.  Since I arrived two other subalterns have arrived, who know less than I do, if that is possible.  Now I can divide the battery up into two sections, which I hand over to the two subalterns, while I look on and wisely criticise.  Then when I have bucked up sufficient courage I join the two sections and drill the whole battery.

The first morning I was on parade was terrifying, but really most amusing.  I was all alone,  did not know any drill at all.  I used to know a little infantry drill, but this is quite different.

 

So when I wanted to advance my knowledge I marched the men about and when their backs were turned towards me, I secretly looked at the drill book.  Then I gave the next order.  So I learn, if the men do not.  Then one day to my horror General Maxse came past when I was in the midst of perpetrating my deceptions.  I managed to give the battery the order to “eyes right” and then almost collapsed.  Maxse hates subalterns, and gunner subalterns most of all.  I wonder what he thought of it all.  No doubt he made great fun of us over his port at night.  However we mean well, and I would not mind betting he never commanded a battery of men knowing no drill on the first day he put on H.M.s uniform

 

Though there are several horses here, we in our battery have none yet. We are hoping for some soon.  Then we shall have some fun.

 

As there is no accommodation for us in the Officers’ Mess, so another fellow and I have found a very decent family to provide us with three meals a day for one guinea a week each. The meals are quite good, including a four course dinner, three course lunch and breakfast.  We are still in tents, but it is not very cold.

 

Week-end leave is impossible. Colonel English is dead against such relaxations, as the men cannot get away too.  Today I paid the troops, and every day I have to inspect Kit, barrack rooms and tents.  As I do not know in the slightest what to look for I do not suppose my inspections are of much use.

 

Parades are 7 to 8,a.m. 9 to 12.15,p.m.;  2 to 4.15 p.m with a lectures for officers at 5.30 p.m.  Then we are supposed to work at night, but by then we are pretty tired.  The only regular officers here are Colonels commanding Brigades, and then they are dug-outs.  All the rest are new subalterns.

 

The 18th Divisional Artillery is commanded by Colonel English.  There are four Brigades.  Mine is the 83rd under Major Richardson.  Each Brigade is composed of three Batteries.  I am in 260th under Lieut Gardner, a Cambridge man.

 

The batteries are divided “into sections” of two guns each commanded by a subaltern, or four sub sections, each in charge of a sergeant.

 

Tomorrow we hope to start driving drill on our flat feet. It will probably turn into a fearful Harry Tate mess.

 

I can see we shall be here for ages. We require a tremendous amount of training, especially as we are gunners.

 

There is some talk of going into huts at Ipswich, and I shall have to go to Woolwich and Shoeburyness for training.

 

We are being inoculated by batches. My turn is to come.  Well it is all very interesting but bewildering.

 

The life is so strange. I feel like a silly little boy at a vast public school for the first time.  I suppose I shall get used to it some day.

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Sept 1914

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda &

Correspondence

—————–

 

September 1914

 

UNIVERSITIES & PUBLIC SCHOOLS FORCES

ROYAL FUSILIERS

 

EPSOM September, 1914

 

1st Battalion, No 1 Company, Section 4.

 

J.P.D. Clarke.  Sergt.   “Long John”    C.C.C. Camb X

Williams          “Bimph”                                  X

Osborne           “Ossy”

Harry Richards            “Loose Lizzy”

Roland Richards         “Rolly”                                    X

E.C. Collins                 “Lottie”           C.C.C. Camb

P.D. Gilmour Ellis       “Gil”

A.A. Laporte Payne    “Algy”             C.C.C. Camb

 

———————–

 

September 20 1914

R.P.

Sunday

Alton

Links Road

Epsom

“I was first of all billeted in a public house with three other men. When in the town later I met a friend who said he was in a palace, so I got leave from a Special Constable to move there.  On the next day, most unfortunately, we were re-billeted by companies, and we have landed up in a much smaller house and the food is not nearly as good.  But eight of us all friends are billeted together in two adjacent houses.  It is great fun.  I have met several men I know.  There are 3500 of us here now.  I dined out this evening with Richards at the house of friends of his, named Mountain.

 

SEPTEMBER 24th 1914

 

Having obtained leave of absence I called on Major C. Lancelot Storr, Rom 206, War Office, who took details of such qualifications as I had, and said he would do what he could. He informed me that the application from Cambridge University had been mislaid, but that he would put a fresh application for a commission through for me.

 

I obtained leave to go to town by saying that the War Office wanted to interview me. So a full blown private marched boldly into the “Holy of Holies, armed with a sheet of foolscap on which I had set out my name, age, school, University, degree honours, cadet corps service, and the fact that I had been for four weeks or so a private in H.M. Army.

 

I received the advice from an old soldier that “ the thing to do is to make the most of yourself, and not belittle your achievements. Humility does not pay in the army.”

 

 

September 24th 1914

PUBLIC SCHOOL BRIGADE

ROYAL FUSILIERS

 

Private A.A.L. Payne has leave of absence until 10 p.m. September, 24th 1914

 

H.E. Bowes Lyon

O.C. No 1 Company,

No 1 Battalion.

 

 

W.L.P.

“Colonel Griffin ….. is wondering what the War Office have done for you today, and says if you would like a commission in his battalion, the 11th Middlesex Regiment, write to the Officer Commanding this regiment, Hydrabad Barracks, Colchester, and ask for a commission as a 2/Lieut.  State all qualifications.  There is at present one vacancy for a 2nd Lieut. And one or two vacancies in the 12th and 13th Battalions.

Our love to you, my son. May the right decision be clear.  I esteem your prompt response to the call of duty.  The strongest fortress of prayer is yours.

Your affectionate Father.

 

Form M.T. 397                                                                        WAR OFFICE

LONDON, S.W.

25th September 1914

 

Sir,

With reference to your application for appointment to the Special Reserve of Officers, I am directed to inform you that the applications for such appointments already received are far in excess of the vacancies available. It has therefore not been practicable to grant you a commission in the Special Reserve.

I am to say, however, that your name has been placed on a waiting list of candidates for appointment to a temporary regular commission for the period of the war, and you will be duly informed if, and when, there is a vacancy to which you can be appointed.

If you are desirous of taking up such an appointment it will not be necessary for you (or any other person on your behalf) to address any further communication to this Office on the subject. Owing to pressure of work it will not be practicable to reply to such communication if sent.

If, however, you do not wish to be appointed to a temporary regular commission you should at once notify the fact to this Office.

 

I am,

Sir,

Your Obedient Servant,

  1. Grant, Captain

for Director of Military Training.

 

Secretary of State for War.                                                                 War Office,

Whitehall,

S.W.

25 Sept 1914

 

Dear Mr. Payne,

I have handed your application personally to the Assistant Military Secretary, so I hope you will be fixed up before long. You may have to wait a week or two.

In the meantime, get Major Griffin to apply officially for you to go to him directly you are gazetted and ask him to address the envelope to me by name to save time. Let me hear if you are not fixed up, say, in 3 weeks time.

Very truly yours

  1. Storr.

Colchester

28.9.14

Sir,

As I have no vacancies for officers in my battalion I have forwarded your letter to Colonel Glover, commanding 12th Middlesex Regiment.

Yours faithfully

W.D. Ingle

Lieut. Colonel

Comdg. 11th Middlesex Regt.

 

Form M.T. 426 (M.T. 3)                                                                      WAR OFFICE

LONDON S.W.

30th September, 1914.

Sir,

I am directed to inform you that your application for an appointment to a Temporary Commission in the Regular Army has been received. The Cavalry List is full at present.  Will you kindly state by return if possible, whether you desire to be considered for appointment to a Temporary Commission in the Royal Field Artillery.

Please state exactly what previous military experience you have had and also what standard of riding you have attained. If you have hunted state for how many seasons and with what pack etc.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant

E.B. CLIVE Capt.

for Director of Military Training.