Category Archives: World War I

George Ryan’s letter home dated 3 Mar 1915

George Ryan’s letter home dated 3 Mar 1915

9th Middx

Barrackpore

Bengal.

India.

3 Mar 1915

 

Dear M & F,

 

Thanks very much for your letters of Feb 4. Sorry to hear about C. Closh.  I saw a letter he had written home in the W. Chronicle a few weeks ago.  I expect you saw it.  I should think he’ll be home for a few days when he comes out of hospital.

 

Well we didn’t go into camp at Jaffapore after all. We marched there & back each day.  Yesterday we went in our shirt sleeves, but we wore our equipment just the same.  We have not gone to-day; we’ve got to stay in barracks as the Viceroy is in or near Calcutta & we might be wanted as guard during the next few days.

 

I’ve only done 20 rounds of my firing, out of 200, so it will be a fortnight or 3 weeks before we are finished. This is not the test though.  I’m only firing the course I ought to have fired at Hythe before we left England.  None of us will get any extra pay however well we do.

 

I had a very bad cold on Mon & Tues & my eyes ached a bit through being out on the range all day, so I went down & saw the Doctor. He gave me a dose of something for my cold which brought it out very quickly.  I was blowing my nose every 5 min y’day but to-day I felt nothing of it at all.  He gave me some lotion for my eyes & advised me to get a pair of tinted glasses to wear while we are on the range.

 

Hope dad has still got something to do. By the papers it seems there’s a great demand for labour but I suppose it’s for skilled labour of a different nature to dads.

 

Trusting this will find you all well,

Yr affectionate son,

George

 

Order of Battle of 20TH (LIGHT) DIVISION. 2 March 1918

SECRET.

Copy No 20.

 

ORDER OF BATTLE.

———————————

 

20TH (LIGHT) DIVISION.

 

General Staff

2nd March, 1918.

 

 

G.O.C.                                    Major-General W. DOUGLAS SMITH, C.B.

A.D.C.                                                Capt. G.H.GILBEY, M.C.

A.D.C.                                                Capt G.A. GRIEG.

 

G.S. BRANCH.

 

G.S.O. 1                                 Bt. Lieut-Col J. McD. HASKARD, D.S.O.

G.S.O. 2                                 Major P.P. BUDGE, D.S.O.

G.S.O. 3                                 Capt. W.M. OZANE.

Int. Officer                              2/Lt. G.M. MORIER, R.G.A.

 

A.A. & Q.M.G’s BRANCH.

 

A.A. & Q.M.G.                        Lieut-Col. H.G.B. MILLER, D.S.O., M.C.

D.A.A.G.                                 Major W.O. TIMES, M.C.

D.A.Q.M.G.                            Major L.C.C. OWEN.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES & DEPTS.

 

A.D.M.S.                                Col. B.F. WINGATE, D.S.O.

D.A.D.M.S.                            Capt. A.C. HAMMOND SEARLE, M.C.

D.A.D.V.S.                             Major T. LISHMAN.

D.A.D.O.S.                             Capt. J. McGOWN, M.C.

 

SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS.

 

A.P.M.                                    Major J.E.B. MARTIN, C.V.O.

S.C.F. C/E.                            Rev. J.H. McKEW, M.C.

Div. Bombing Officer.          Capt J.E.G. SMITH, M.C. 7th Somerset L.I.

Div. Gas Offr,                        Lt. E.G. LAWFORD, R.E.

D.G.O.                                    Lt. H. PAYN-le-SUEUR, R.F.A.

French Liaison Officer       Aspirant G. BERGEREY

Traffic Control                       2/Lt. S.Q. SERVANTE.

Claims Officer                       Capt. C.W.V. WEBB, M.C.

Div. Depot Bn.                      Lt. J.H. BRANDEN POWELL.

S.S.O.                                     Major J.G.L. SOAMES.

 

 

 

H.QRS. DIVL. ARTILLERY.

 

Commander.                         Brig-General H.W.A. CHRISTIE, C.M.G., R.A.

Bde. Major                             Major A.G. CUNNINGHAM, M.C., R.A.

Staff Capt.                             Capt. C. FRANCIS.

Staff Lieut.                             Lieut. K.B. POTTER, M.C.

 

91st Bde. R.F.A.

 

Commander.                         Lieut Col. A.E. ERSKINE, D.S.O.

A/91                                        A/Major H.P.B. POER.

B/91                                        A/Major H.B. BUCKLEY, M.C.

C/91                                        A/Major H.PRICE-WILLIAMS, M.C.

D/91                                        A/Major E.G. EARLE, D.S.O.

 

 

92nd Bde. R.F.A.

 

Commander.                         Major G.R. BALSTON.

A/92                                        A/Maj. F. BUTCHER.

B/92                                        A/Maj. S.R. REYNOLDS.

C/92                                        A/Maj. W. LAING, M.C.

D/92                                        A/Maj. T.H. HOLLAND, M.C.

 

Div. Ammunition Column.

 

O.C.                                        Lieut Col. J.R. FOSTER.

Adjutant.                                Capt. R.H. DENMAN, M.C.

 

TRENCH MORTAR BATTERIES.

 

D.T.M.O.

X/20 T.M.B.                            A/Capt. G.S. GRANT.

Y/20 T.M.B.                            A/Capt. J. NEILL.

 

ROYAL ENGINEERS.

 

C.R.E.                                                Lieut. Col. E.M. NEWELL, D.S.O.

Adjutant.                                Capt. H.W. COALES, M.C.

 

83rd Field Coy. R.E.

O.C.                                        Major I.W. MASSIE, M.C.

84th Field Coy. R.E.

O.C.                                        Major P.G. NORMAN, M.C.

96th Field Coy. R.E.

O.C.                                        Major P.F. STORY, D.S.O.

20th Div. Signal Coy. R.E.

O.C.                                        Major A.G. BRACE, M.C.

 

 

 

INFANTRY.

 

59th Infantry Brigade.

 

Commander.                         Brig-General H.H.G. HYSLOP, D.S.O.

Bde. Major.                            Capt. H.H. DE LAESSOE, M.C.

Staff Capt.                             Capt. J. COWAN, M.C.

Bde. T.M. Bty.                        Capt. S.A. SMITH, M.C.

 

2nd Scottish Rifles.

O.C.                                        A/Lt. Col. H.C.H. SMITH, D.S.O

Adjutant.                                A/Capt. D.P. WRIGHT.

 

11th K.R.R.C.

O.C.                                        Lieut Col. G.K. PRIAULX, D.S.O.

Adjutant.                                Capt. A. FORDE NUTTING

 

11th R.B.

O.C.                                        Lieut. Col. A.E. COTTON, D.S.O.

Adjutant                                 Capt. T.J.B. BOSVILE, M.C.

 

60th Infantry Brigade.

 

Commander.                         Brig-General F.J. DUNCAN, C.M.G., D.S.O.

Bde. Major.                            Bt. Major A.E. SANDERSON.

Staff Captain.                       Captain G. VISCOUNT ERLEIGH.

Bde. T.M. Bty.                        Lieut. R. FISCHEL.

 

6th K.S.L.I.

O.C.                                        Lieut. Col. H.E. WELCH, D.S.O.

Adjutant                                 A/Capt. F.A.H. STANIER.

 

12th K.R.R.C.

O.C.                                        Lieut. Col. L.G. MOORE, D.S.O.

Adjutant                                 A/Capt. C.F. BAXTER.

 

12th R.B.

O.C.                                        Bt. Lieut. Col. A.F.C. MACLACHLAN, D.S.O.

Adjutant.                                Capt. C.W. TAIT, M.C.

 

61st Infantry Brigade.

 

Commander.                         Brig-General J.K. COCHRANE.

Bde. Major.                            Capt. E.P. COMBE, M.C.

Staff Captain.                       Capt. C.W.V. WEBB, M.C.

Bde. T.M. Bty.                        A/Capt. W.A. HILL.

 

12th King’s (L’pool) Regt.

O.C.                                        Lieut. Col. A.N. VINCE, D.S.O.

Adjutant.                                Capt. J.E.B. PLUMMER.

 

7th Somerset L.I.

O.C.                                        Lieut. Col. C.J. TROYTE-BULLOCK, D.S.O.

Adjutant.                                A/Capt. P.E.E. CHAPPELL, D.C.M.

 

7th Duke of Cornwall’s L.I.

O.C.                                        Lieut. Col. H.G.R. BURGES-SHORT, D.S.O.

Adjutant.                                Capt. F.W. ALLAN, M.C.

 

DIVISIONAL TROOPS.

 

Pioneer Bn. 11th Durham L.I.

O.C.                                        Lieut. Col. G. HAYES, D.S.O.

Adjutant.                                Capt. G.H. TOLLIT.

 

Divl. M.G. Battn.

O.C.                                        Lieut. Col. H.L. RILEY, D.S.O.

Adjutant.                                Lieut. A.M. CROMPTON.

 

Divisional Train.

O.C.                                        Lieut. Col. R.H.F. STANDEN.

A/Adjutant.                            Capt. C.S. MASCHMEYER.

 

60th Field Ambulance.

O.C.                                        Lieut. Col. A.C. OSBURN, D.S.O.

 

61st Field Ambulance.

O.C.                                        Lieut. Col. F. McLENNAN.

 

62nd Field Ambulance.

O.C.                                        A/Lieut. Col. G.H. STACK.

 

32nd Mob. Vet. Section.

O.C.                                        Capt. J.B. WELHAM.

 

Salvage Coy.                       Lt. S. DELAHAY.

 

Divl. Employment Coy.

O.C.                                        Major R.F. HIGGINS.

 

 

War Diary of 9th Canadian Artillery Brigade February 1919

WAR DIARY Of 9th CANADIAN ARTILLERY BRIGADE

 

From FEBRUARY 1st. – To FEBRUARY 28th.

 

 

 

RENAIX         1.2.19             Batteries having turned guns, technical stores, and vehicles at BAISEAUX returned to RENAIX with horses and harness leaving KAIN at 0900 hours and arriving at RENAIX at 13.30 hours.

 

  • Church Parade for R.C.s in Renaix Stone Church at 10.00 hours and for other denominations in Harmonie Hall, Grande Place, at the same hour. 9th Brigade CFA. supplies Town Picquet for four days commencing today.

 

  • Preliminary inspection of all harness and saddlery by Commanding Officer preparatory to handing in at 14.00 hours.

 

  • Central Store Room for all Brigade harness and saddlery selected in 31st. Battery CFA. Lines, 955 Rue Jean Nassau. Batteries all busy cleaning and oiling harness for turning in to Brigade Store Room.

 

  • Final inspection by Commanding Officer of all harness at 10.00 hours. In afternoon batteries turned in all harness to the store room. C.A. Smith was put in charge of all harness until called for by lorries.

 

6.2.19              Staff Captain ”Q” inspected harness in Brigade Store Room this morning; The Y.M.C.A. held a Cinema show in Harmonie Hall this evening.  First lot of fifty horses under Lieut. F.W. Case and Lieut. G.B. Alexander were sent to GHENT to be handed over to the Belgian authorities.

 

7.2.19              Part of the harness in the Brigade Store Room was taken away in two lorries at 09.00 hours.  9th Brigade Concert Party under Lieut. H.B. Devine gave first performance in Harmonie Hall at 18.00 hours.

 

  • Balance of harness was taken away in lorries to-day. 9th Brigade Concert Party gave second performance in Harmonie Hall at 19.00 hours. Second batch of fifty horses were sent to ALOST under Lieut. R.A. Gall and Lieut. A.D. Mason to be handed over to the Belgian authorities.

 

RENAIX           9-2-19           Church Parade for R.C.s in Renaix Stone Church at 10.00 hours and Other Denominations in Harmonie Hall at same hour

 

  • 9th Brigade Concert Party gave a third performance in Harmonie Hall this afternoon at 14.00 hours. M.C.A. gave a Cinema Show in the same hall this evening.

 

11-2-19            Details for the demobilisation of the balance of the Brigade arrived to-day.  Everybody busy packing and getting documents ready for the move.

 

12-2-19            First draft consisting of 1 Officer and 56 men per battery and 2 men from Headquarters left RENAIX at 06.30 hours by lorry to entrain at BAISEAUX for LE HAVRE.  190 All Ranks left RENAIX by lorry at 13.00 hours for KAIN where they will stay for the night and march to BAISEAUX tomorrow morning.

 

13-2-19            Leave party of 3 Officers and 104 Other Ranks left RENAIX for BAISEAUX by lorry at 06.30 hours.

Party at KAIN left there at 07.30 hours to march to BAISEAUX. Demobilisation train arrived six hours late.  Finally left BAISEAUX en route for LE HAVRE at 17.00 hours.  Party of 1 Officer and 40 Other Ranks per battery left in RENAIX to look after balance of horses until handed over.  They will proceed on leave when horses are finally disposed of.

 

14-2-19            Brigade on train en route for LE HAVRE.

 

15-2-19            Arrived at LE HAVRE at 06.00 hours, 22 hours late.  The trip was made in box cars but each car was supplied with plenty of straw and fuel.  The Y.M.C.A. had a box car in which they installed a Canteen, so that in addition to the rations the Unit was able to enjoy Canadian Fruit and Biscuits on the way down.

 

16-2-19            Day was spent in getting ready for embarkation.  Bath Parades were held, and documents completed for embarkation.

 

17-2-19            Brigade was warned for embarkation to-night but no boat was available.

 

18-2-19            Embarked at 21.00 hours and sailed *****

 

WEYMOUTH 19-2-19           Arrived at WEYMOUTH 09.00 hours and entrained for MILFORD Station at 11.00 hours.  Arrived at MILFORD Station at 16.30 hours and march to Witley Camp.

 

WITLEY CAMP 20-2-19       First batch of documents received from Area Records Clearing House this morning.  Documentation commenced and men got ready for Medical Board.

21-2-19            First Lot of 260 men ready for Medical Board.

 

22-2-19            First 260 men Medically Boarded this morning.

 

23-2-19            Second lot of 46 men Medically Boarded this morning.

 

WHITLEY CAMP

24-2-19            First 300 men boarded were sent on eight days Embarkation Leave.  Documents for 13 Officers completed and 10 Officers Medically Boarded.

 

25-2-19            Large batch of documents arrive from Area Records Clearing House.  Documentation of Brigade now almost complete.

 

26-2-19            Balance of men available sent on eight days leave to-day.

 

27-2-19            Last of men left at Horse Demobilisation Camp, RENAIX reported back from eight days leave.

 

28-2-19            Usual routine.  Documentation proceeding satisfactorily.

 

Lieut-Col

Commanding, 9th Canadian Artillery Brigade

The War Diary Ends here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Feb 1919

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Feb 1919

 

EXTRACTED FROM.

 

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

Correspondence

—————–

 

R.P February 8 1919.

155 Army Brigade R.F.A.

B.E.F.

France

 

The above is my address. I have managed to get to Colonel Congreve’s Brigade, and at present I am commanding A Battery, but later I may go to C Battery.  I took three days on the journey here, and it was cold!  Now we have hard frosts and snow.  The Colonel is in bed ill, and is probably going away on leave soon.

 

February 13 1919

I am expecting orders to go to the 3rd Division in Germany as the Colonel has recommended me as a battery commander in the Army of Occupation.  This Brigade is being demobilized and the Colonel goes home on a month’s furlough.

 

It is a bit too cold here. Everything is frozen hard.

 

We are going out pig sticking on Saturday, which promises to be rather amusing. It is rather a shoot in the French manner, as the French here get them up, and go out armed with guns, knives, swords, revolvers, and trumpets.

 

February 21 1919

I am still with the 155, Brigade, but expect to leave at any time. I have been told to hold myself in readiness.

 

This unit is gradually being demobilized. Horses and men trickle away slowly but surely.  Today we handed in the guns and ammunition wagons.  Life her is very dull, and it is sad to see the unit being broken up.  Next Saturday there is to be a real pig-sticking with the men as beaters.

 

February 26 1919

Just a visit to Amiens.

 

Report of Drifters off Mudros 28 February 1919

Report of Drifters off Mudros 28 February 1919

 

S.O. 9th Div of Drifters

D “Northesk” II (91)

Mudros.

Feb 28/19

A.P. Office

H.M.S. “Europa”

 

The following small defects have developed in vessels in my Division, and it is requested they may receive attention before leaving for England: –

R.H. Palmer.

Lieut. R.N.V.R.

 

H.M.D. “Comely” No. 2387. (local No 96)

Engine defect: – Knocking in H.P. Valve covers require lifting.

Deck defects: – Compass requires refilling (very bad)

Hatch cover requires repairing as leaking badly through wear.

——————————————————————————————————-

H.M.D. “Hopeful” No, 2386. (local No 95)

Engine defect: – Bilge valve at ship’s side is leaking & requires attention.

 

——————————————————————————————————-

 

 

 

 

Report of Drifters off Mudros 28 February 1919

Report of Drifters off Mudros 28 February 1919

 

C.O.

  1. “Northesk” II No 2022

Mudros.

Feb 28/19

A.P. Office

H.M.S. “Europa”

 

I beg to notify that no reliefs have been sent me for

  1. Smith Dk Hd

& S.J. Williams Tel

Who were discharged to H.M.S. “Europa” on Feb 14th.

 

It is requested that reliefs may be sent in order to complete complement.

 

I am without a signalman and am a W/T Operator short if these ratings could be sent me.

 

R.H. Palmer.

Lieut. R.N.V.R.

 

Report of Drifters off Mudros 28 February 1919

Report of Drifters off Mudros 28 February 1919

 

 

C.O.

H.M.D. “Northesk” II No 2022

Feb 28/19

A.P. Office

H.M.S. “Europa”

 

The following changes in the personnel of crew of H.M.D. “Northesk II” have taken place: –

 

H.M.D. “Northesk II” N2022.

 

  1. Banham Dk Hd discharged to D. 2196.
  2. Reynolds     “ “ “    D. 2196.
  3. J. Daly           “ “ “     T.284.

 

all P.M. Feb 28/19

 

  1. Bailey   Dk Hd reported for duty on D. 2022.
  2. Perry       “ “ “      “     “ D.2022.
  3. Nichols     “ “ “       “     “ D.2022.

 

all P.M. Feb 28/19

 

R.H. Palmer.

Lieut. R.N.V.R.

 

Report on Raid 27 February 1917

Report on Raid 27 February 1917

 

Between pages 40/41.

BRASS

Report of attempted Raid by Enemy on night 25/26 February 1917 on right Company sector & action taken by left Coy.

 

At 12.35 a.m. my H.Q. sentry reported a succession of green very lights being fired from the front line.

 

I immediately investigated the matter & decided that the S.O.S. was required. I fired 3 rockets (green) which all failed to ascend the sticks being stuck in the mud.

 

I loosened the 4th which was quite satisfactory.

 

I then saw that the bombardment was more intense on my right than my left & accordingly wired S.O.S. Boyaux 6 (1.40 am)

 

I had previously in the evening discussed the question of a raid on the right coy & the factors pointing to it with 2/Lt Shury & I had thought that the bombardment at dawn 24/25 was directed in a line from Boyaux 6 to S of junction OLD BOOTS & MUNSTER PARADE which lead me to suppose that it was the N edge of a box barrage.

 

I sent accordingly a verbal message over the phone. The message sent arrived thus “From Mr GREEN he thinks C Coy are getting it”.

 

I then sent 2 orderlies to MUNSTER TUNNEL to ascertain the situation. They reported all clear.

 

I then went to O.C. A. Coy & obtained from him a squad 1 officer, 1 N.C.O. & 11 men issued them with Mills No 5 & ordered them to proceed up MUNSTER TUNNEL & establish connection with RAILWAY SAPS POSTS & left Right of Coy & if all clear to return & report to me.

 

I then ordered 2 Lt Shurry to go to O.C. A Coy & tell him to send a squad to my left post & if all clear to establish connection with Tunnel post & return via TUNNEL & report to me there.

 

I then proceeded to TUNNEL & found everything satisfactory except that one Lewis Gun was out of action. A message was sent to O.C. A Coy for another gun which arrived some hours afterwards.

 

All liaison patrols returned at 4 p.m. & garrisons replaced by 5 pm.

 

Casualties as far as known at present

1 Sergt.            Killed.

2 Pte                Missing believed killed (buried)

6 “                  Wounded

2 “                  *****

W.C. Green O.C. D Coy

8 a.m. 27.2.17

Message 27 February 1917

“A” Form

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

 

To        Camp Comdt (Adv)

 

Senders Number                     Day of Month             In reply to Number     AAA

G.B. 305                                             27

 

The Left Division attacked this morning at 5.30 am. enemy’s trenches from N.36D.4.2. to N.35.D.8.0. and ERSATZ point as ordered AAA From reports received from the air and other sources this attack appears to have been successful and all objectives have been taken except for that portion on the right of the attack from N.36.D.00.05. to N.36.D.4.2. where the situation still appears doubtful AAA Up to date 6 Officers 336 OR and 2 machine guns have been captured AAA Prisoners belong to 119 R, 121 R. and 11th Bavarian R.I.R. AAA Prisoners state attack came as complete surprise AAA Our casualties reported to be small AAA Regiments who took part in attack were RASHER and REALM AAA Addsd C.R.A., C.R.E., TUMULT, TRAWL, TONE, TUBE, SENIOR SCHOOL and Divl Troops

 

From: TRUMPET

Place:

Time: 3 pm

  1. Durrant S/Sgt *** G.S.

Signature of Addressee

 

 

? 27 Feb 1917

Message form 27 February 1917

“A” Form

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

 

To                    Camp Cdt.

 

Senders Number                     Day of Month             In reply to Number     AAA

G.B.312                                              27

 

Situation now reported as quiet AAA All objectives have been captured and in addition posts have been pushed forward to N.36.C.6.95. and N.35.D.6.3.

 

From: TRUMPET

Place:

Time: 7 pm.

  1. Durrant S/Sgt *** G.S

Signature of Addressee

 

? 27 Feb 1917.