BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

28^th MAY, 1915.

362 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

RESULTS OF THE 11^th RIFLE COURSE –

            The undermentioned Non-commissioned Officer qualified at the 11^th Rifle Course, held at the School of Musketry, Strensall, from the 22^nd April to the 8^th May, 1915:-

637, Lance-Corporal Robson, C., 20^th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.

Northern Command Order No.884.

363 – Command Orders –Attention called to –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to Northern Command Orders 886 and 887 of May27^th, 1915.

WALLACE MARRS, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

POST OFFICE

TELEGRAM

                                                                                                Postmark Bolton 27 May 45.

83 6.30 service priority Bham 20

Mrs. E. Wilkinson 1068 Bury Rd Breightmet Bolton Lancs.

Arrived safely home in couple of days all my love Ernest.    CT 1068

With Post Office Telegram Priority envelope addressed to Mrs Wilkinson.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

27^th MAY, 1915.

357 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

RUNNING TRAINING –

            The Superintendant of Gymnasia has called attention to the fact that the instructions as regards running training laid down in paragraphs 309 to 321, Manual of Physical Training, are in many cases not sufficiently followed.

In many cases the exercises are made too severe and not sufficiently progressive, and in many cases the instructions in paragraph 319 as to not running before breakfast are disregarded.

General Officers Commanding are requested to issue such orders as they think advisable to correct these faults in training.

Disregard of the instructions laid down often causes heart strain, and the training, improperly carried out, is actually harmful in many cases, instead of beneficial.

C.R.N.C. No. 48597 (G.).  Northern Command Order No.863.

RETURNS – ARMY GYMNASTIC STAFF –

            All Instructors to the Army Gymnastic Staff attached to Units will render a return to the Superintendant of Gymnasia, Fulford Barracks, York, every Monday, showing the number of hours employed during the past week and the number of Officers, N.C.O.’s, and Men under training day by day.

C.R.N.C. No. 59925.  Northern Command Order No.866.

STORES – CARE AND CUSTODY OF –

            The attention of every Commanding Officers in charge of Government Stores is directed to the necessity for exercising due care for their safety and custody, for which duty he is held accountable under paragraph 100 of the King’s Regulations.

C.R.N.C. No. 47408 (O.S.).  Northern Command Order No.870.

358 – Command Orders – Attention called to –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to Northern Command Orders 868, 871, 872, 876, 878, and 881 of May 26^th, 1915.

359 – Horses – Issues of to Units 4^th and 5^th New Armies –

            With reference to Northern Command Order 871 of the 26^th instant, Officers Commanding Units will forward without delay to Brigade Headquarters indents for the horses required, including the transport light draught and pack horses referred to.

360 – Stores for Hutments –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No.876, Officers Commanding Units will indent accordingly.

361 – Bayonet Fighting Equipment –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No.878, Officers Commanding Units will indent accordingly.

WALLACE MARRS, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

NOTICE.

            The Honorary Secretary, Tyneside Scottish Brigade Committee, has notified that Silver Badges (Officers’) are now ready, and can be obtained from him.

Commanding Officers will inform him of the number required, and at the same time forward remittance.  Price of badge is 5s. 4d.

+

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Germany

24.5.45.

Sweetheart,

Just a few lines, to say that I am keeping in the best of health, and am looking forward to seeing you soon, and it cannot be too soon for me.  This waiting is getting to be rather a bind.  We are all waiting very impatiently for the time when we take off from here, and we are on the last stage of our journey to England.  What a thrill it will be, to see the coast looming up on the horizon.

The Americans are looking after us very well.  It is quite a change to get good well cooked food, and white bread, which goes down very well, after the black stuff, which I have had to eat for the last thirteen months.

I am going about here, with a couple of lads from Lancashire, one was born at Bury and his folks now live a Marton, Nr, Blackpool, and the other one comes from St. Helens.  They have both been down over three and a half years.

I hope that everything is alright with you, and that you are keeping O.K. and looking after yourself, and your mother is doing the same.  Give her my best love.  Also give my regards to all at Prestwich that is if you ever see them now.  Give my regards to Uncle Arthur, Aunt Ethel and Ivy.  Tell Uncle Arthur that I hope soon to be having another drink with him in the Black Horse before long.  Give my best wishes to Aunt Clara, and all at 1066, and to all at Little Lever if you go down there.

This is all for now Darling so I will say Cheerio and God Bless you.  I love you

Yours forever

Ernest

xxxxxxx

With cover addressed to Mrs. E. Wilkinson, 1068 Bury Road, Breightmet, Boulton,

Lancs. England.  U.S. ARMY POSTAL SERVICE MAY 25 1945 postmark on envelope.  On top of envelope F/Sgt E. Wilkinson 2211329 As Below.

G Branch

HQ I Brit Corps

B.L.A..

Thursday 24 May 45

My dearest Maz,

            Since my letter to you last Wednesday I’ve had 2 most interesting ones from you, dated 15^th and 18^th, a consignment of DF baccy and a whole host of VE maps.  I was very disappointed not to see your photo in the ECS,I had hoped there might have been an insert of Mrs GCB, ex-Mayoress ‘giving a snappy eyes left in front of the saluting base’!  Many thanks for the Thanksgiving Service Pamphlet, a good souvenir.  What very tough luck on Louisa catching the scarlet fever, I hope, as Elli would say, it doesn’t leave any ill effects.

I don’t know whether your weather has been like ours this last week – cold and very Aprilified – some terrific thunderstorms, long periods of sun and terrific rains.  Without  any exaggeration I haven’t been further than 200 yds of my mess or office this passed week and have had little or no time in which to relax, read or write.  Another G3 arrived yesterday which will be a help, he is the first of the 3 who we are short of (if you see what I mean!) – all work and no exercise make Pete a dull boy and that’s just how I feel now – still it can’t go on at this pitch for much longer – I hope.

I had a very nice letter from Bill the other day but in it he imparted the news that Eileen and I had got to be out of the flat by 24^th June.  My first reaction was one of absolute fury at old man Pawsey but there is obviously nothing one can do about it and there is no doubt that now the danger is past it won’t matter a tuppeny damn whether one was away from home and all that means during the war or whether one was a ‘conchie’ – but it did strike me as being a bit early for that sort of thing – but on second thoughts I rather agree with Eileen that it was a bit too small, not much because wherever we live of necessity it must be small, still it was small and there were those absolutely frightful specimens of humanity (?) overhead, real shockers.  For so long my dreams of the future had rather centred round the flat and it was always somewhere where we would make a start and I must admit that I’m still a bit peeved about it, more on principle than anything else – wouldn’t you feel the same?

My only diversion from work of any sort has been a trip last night to a special cinema show at 9.30 for the officers, the film room is only 150 yards away so Charles and I decided to go not having the slightest idea what the film was.  It turned out to be some Spanish dame named Carmen Miranda and the title of the film I can’t even remember – any film however bad would have been enjoyable and we had a few good laughs, the news was good and so was the cartoon.  Most of the laughter during the big film came in places where we weren’t meant to laugh and vice versa.  Maz dear, I must slip back to the office just to see if there is anything needing attention and then I’m aiming at an early night.  So very many thanks for the baccy, those excellent mags and your letters – I’m longing to see you again and hope it may be soon.  My love Pari and Elli – much love

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

P.S.  My writing paper getting very low and I should be most grateful if you could send me a ‘tablet’!  P

In envelope headed ‘On Active Service’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 734 dated 25 MY 45.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham.          

On front of envelope Written May 24^th 1945 rec May 28^th  1945.        (20)

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

23^rd MAY, 1915.

354 – District Court-Martial –

            With reference to Brigade Order No. 350 of 22^nd May, 1915, the person named will also be tried by this Court.

In the margin.  No. 1024 Pte. G. Tones 22^nd (S.) Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers (3^rd Tyneside Scottish)

355 – Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

COURSE – MACHINE GUN –

            Results of 7th Machine Gun Course held at the School of Musketry, Strensall, from 22^nd April to the 12^th May, 1915.

The following qualified as Brigade Machine Gun Officers:-

Lieutenant Murray, J.W.E., 21^st Northumberland Fusiliers.

The above Officer is also capable of using the Barr and Stroud Range Finder.

C.R.N.C. No. 59896 (G.M.).  Northern Command Order 852.

BLANK AMMUNITION –

            Approval had been given for the following allowance of small arm blank ammunition to be issued for training purposes:-

1. Infantry of Divisions of IV. New Army.      ]
2. 2^nd Reserve Infantry Brigades.                  ] 40 rounds per man.
3. 3^rd Line Units of the Territorial Force.       ]

Authority, War Office letter 54/General Number/1902, A.  (M.T 2), dated 18^th May, 1915.

With reference to the above order, indents are to be submitted to the O.O., Selby, forthwith.

C.R.N.C. No. 59549 (G.M.).  Northern Command Order 853

SCHOOL OF COOKERY – ALDERSHOT –

            The Commandant, School of Cookery, Aldershot, notifies that the intended class for the 3^rd of June is postponed.

C.R.N.C. No. 41428 (I.Q.M. G.S.).  Northern Command Order 855.

FIELD RATIONS – REDUCTION OF –

1. With reference to Army Order No. 396 of 1914, in order to make further provision for varying the dietary of units at the discretion of their Commanding Officers, it has been decided that from the 22^nd May, 1915, inclusive, an additional cash allowance of 1½ d per diem will be issued in lieu of the following portions of the ration now drawn by troops at home, viz:-

¼ lb. Bread.

1 oz. Cheese.

1 oz. Jam.

• From the above date the modified field service scale of rations issuable at home in kind will be as follows:-

1 lb. Fresh Meat, or 1 lb. (nominal) Preserved Meat.

1 lb. Bread, or ¾ lb. Biscuit, or 1 lb. Flour.

2 ozs. Bacon.

½ oz. Tea.

2 ozs. Sugar.

½ oz Salt.

1-20 oz Mustard.

1. oz Pepper.

• When this ration is drawn, a cash allowance of 5½ d. a day will be issuable.  It will be drawn by the Officer Commanding on the basis of the number of rations drawn in kind, and will be expended by him solely on messing.  A full record of the messing will be shown in Army Book 48, and a separate cash record of the allowance will be kept regimentally.

The reduced ration will be drawn by all units in the Command from the

      29^th May, 1915, inclusive.

Authority, Special Army Order, dated 13^th May, 1915.

Northern Command Order No.860

356 – Blank Ammunition  – Indents for –

            Officers Commanding Units will indent on the Ordnance Officer, Selby, for Blank Ammunition mentioned in Brigade Order No. 355 (Northern Command Order No.853) forthwith.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.

On Y.M.C.A. notepaper.

Reply to Y.M.C.A. Tent Woolsington Park Camp, Nr Newcastle Northumberland.

May 22^nd 1915

Dear Rev Walters,

            I have great pleasure in accepting the invitation mentioned in Mr Bakers’ letter viz that you would be very pleased to have a letter from me.  First of all, I must say that the mens’ service was to me a positive delight, & the memories of those services are still delightful.

The work of the Y.M.C.A. is indeed a glorious work, & involves great responsibilities.  It is remarkable how the soldiers appreciate any little kindness shown to them.  Many of them have now left for home for their holidays and how delighted they seemed to be.  The one thought of home appeals to them.

It is Whitsuntide and I pray that this festival may bring great delight to you.  May it be a festival of the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon you & your parishioners.  For I consider that the need of the age is; “To be filled with the Holy Ghost.  And dear Vicar, my sincere prayer is That the command of God may find a complete fulfilment both in your soul, & the souls of those to whom you minister.

And now, in conclusion, I retain a happy memory of the last mens’ service which it was my privilege to attend and the one thought that cheers me, is, that you are praying for me, & that the sympathy of the members of the mens’ service is extended to me.

I do pray for you, remembering the promise, that whatsoever ye shall ask in my name I will do it.  and what do I ask God for?  Just this.

“The Lord of Peace himself give you peace by all means.  The Lord bless thee; keep thee; the Lord make his face to shine upon thee; & the Lord lift his countenance upon thee, & give thee peace.

I am Rev Sir,

Your very respectful

J.W. Brotherhood

There is no envelope with this letter.

Germany.

21.5.45.

Darling,

            Just a few lines to say that I am quire O.K. and I am hoping to be home in a few days.

            We were handed over to the Americans by the Russians yesterday, and we are now just waiting for aircraft, to bring us to England.  It was good to see those Yankee trucks waiting for us at the Elbe, and to know that at last we were on the way home.

We were liberated by the Russians just a month ago yesterday and they did the best that they could for us under the circumstances.  They treated us very well.

Well Dear, I hope that every thing is alright with you, that you are keeping in good health.  I also hope that Mam is keeping well too.  Give her my love.

Lloyd and Nobby are here, and they are both well.  Nobby was at Stalag III A when we arrived there in February.  By the way Lloyd has got his commission he is now a Pilot Officer, Mac also got his.  So I am left the only N.C.O., in what is left of the crew.

I hope that you are still keeping in touch with Betty, tell her I will be coming to see her when I get home.  Also if you have heard from Mrs. Keep, that is Eric’s Mother, tell her I will be coming to see her too.

Well Sweetheart I think that this is all for now, I will tell you more when I see you.  Order a pint for me at the “Bull”.  Give my regards to all.

I will close with all my love to you Darling.

Yours forever

Ernest

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

P.S. I love you.

No 8 Platoon

“B” Company

15^th Batt C of London Regt

2^nd London Division

4^th Infantry Brigade

21/5/15

Dear Dada,

            Recd the big parcel last night just after we were relieved from the trenches.  It was a fine assortment & we enjoyed it immensely.  Yesterday was the 11^th day we have been at the trenches & everyday 11 day without having our boots or equipment off.  Today is the first day we have tasted bread since Sunday the 9^th inst when we went into the trenches or breastworks.  All we had was Bully, biscuits, tea (with milk sugar etc) a little bacon & a smell of jam.  Am now in a small village just over a mile from our trenches & unless our Brigade are relieved by another Brigade today will probably be up at the breastworks again tonight.  As you have no doubt seen in the newspapers we are now in possession of the G breastworks which we used to fire at a few days.  The regulars just on our left captured the German trenches opposite theirs & gained the breastworks opposite our breastworks by bombing along.  The G artillery seems somewhat worn down as they have been constantly shelling us with little damage.  The Company I am in are very lucky as each time we have been relieved the relieving company had some killed & wounded but our fellows got off with scratches & bruises by shrapnel etc. e.g. the day before yesterday our company had 2 bruised by falling sandbags (knocked down by fiz-bang), & the co who relieved us had 2 killed & 12 wounded.  One of the fellows I saw on a stretcher I think Dinny knows as he was in his old Company.  There are some ghastly sights out here, but I will not try to describe them.  After being under shell fire for the last 11 days we are now somewhat indifferent to it.  Just on our right the Germans exploded a mine which was meant to blow up part of a trench manned by Guardsmen but it fell short & only killed one man.  Following the explosion the Gs made a half hearted attack & were consequently shot down.

Our battn have a lot of G equipment rifles etc, in its possession, which were left in the once G breastworks.  Some of our fellows have got G spiked helmet but I cannot get one yet.  If I manage to obtain one I shall send it home.  Yesterday our company had the most thrilling & narrow escapes since we have been here.  We were in support to the breastworks in some ruined houses about noon when the Huns started shelling us.  I was in a house, in another room of which was a sergeant & a pte when the first shell struck the corner of the house.  Fortunately no one was struck by pieces of the shell but the sergeant was terribly bruised by a ton of bricks which fell on his back.  I thought the whole house was coming down on me, but escaped through being in a corner & got smothered in brick dust & splinters of everything.  The G shelled us for about 20 mins knocking houses down etc & I think we are lucky at having no casualties because the Battn who relieved us at that place had several casualties there that evening.  We picked up several of the shells & gave them to an artillery officer who told us they were 50 pounders.  The shells were made in 1915, so we presume the Huns have not too much ammunition.  We are all tired as whilst in the trenches one is lucky if he has time to sleep.

            Your letter of the 14^th was so interesting that several fellows have read it, & Val nearly choked himself with laughter when he read it especially about the bread, buns, scones & cakes were thrown out amongst the aristocracy of Custom House.

Val sends his regards to yourself & Mick.  We are still enjoying ourselves we will be glad when it is over.

Your loving son Eddie.

P.T.O.

Would you mind telling Len Knight that am sorry have not had a chance to reply but will after I have had some rest if we don’t return to the breastworks.  With remembrances to Mrs Knight  E.B.

P.S. Should like a pair of socks & also Loofa socks.  E 

BRIGADE ORDERS.

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

COMMANDING 102^nd (TYNESIDE SCOTTISH) BRIGADE.

HEADQUARTERS, ALNWICK,

21^st MAY, 1915.

342– Extracts from Northern Command Orders –

“LONDON GAZETTE” –

The following extracts from a Supplement to “London Gazette” of Friday, 14^th May, 1915, are published for information:-

The Northumberland Fusiliers –

21^st Battalion (2^nd Tyneside Scottish). – The undermentioned temporary Lieutenants to be temporary Captains:-

Ernest H.S. White, from 20^th Battalion (1^st Tyneside Scottish).  Dated 14^th March, 1915. John W.E. Murray.  Dated 15^th March, 1915.

John G. Harrison.  Dated 16^th March. 1915.

The undermentioned temporary Second Lieutenants to be temporary Lieutenants:-

Arthur V. Curry.  Dated 15^th March, 1915.

John C. Williams.  Dated 16^th March, 1915.

Arthur S. Wells.  Dated 17^th March, 1915.

Edward Charles Lingwood to be temporary Second Lieutenant.  Dated 18^th April, 1915.

22^nd Battalion (3^rd Tyneside Scottish). – Temporary Lieutenant John McClay, from 20^th Battalion (1^st Tyneside Scottish), to be temporary Captain.  Dated 13^th March, 1915.

23^rd Battalion (4^th Tyneside Scottish). – Temporary Lieutenant Thomas B. Coull, from 20^th Battalion (1^st Tyneside Scottish), to be temporary Captain.  Dated 13^th March, 1915.

Northern Command Order No.816.

343 – Command Orders – Attention called to –

            The attention of Officers Commanding Units is drawn to Northern Command Orders 817, 818, 819, and 821 of May 18^th, 1915; 825, 826, and 827 of 19^th May, 1915; and 830, 832, 834, 837, 838, 839, 840, 841 of 20^th May, 1915.

344 – Chiropodists – Training of New Armies –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No. 817 of May 18^th, 1915, Officers Commanding Units should take the necessary steps to carry out this order as soon as possible.

345 – Courses – Machine Gun –

With reference to Northern Command Order No. 825, dated 19th May, 1915, further instructions will be issued later.

346 – Stores for Hutted Camps –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No. 827, dated 19th May, 1915, the Tyneside Scottish Committee have been requested to take the necessary action.

347 – Daily Messing Account –

            With reference to Northern Command Order No. 830, dated 20^th May, 1915, Officers Commanding will submit applications for copies to these Headquarters without delay.

T.L.B. SOUTRY, Captain,

Brigade-Major, 102^nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade.