This narrative commences on the 10th June, 1915, the date on which Lieut.-Colonel Wadham’s notes entitled “Early Days” ends.
We left England under the impression that our military training was complete. There was one item, however, of which we had learnt little, and that was bombing. It was now impressed upon us that this weapon would play an important part in trench warfare. A Bomb School was therefore formed at a farmhouse between Lacouture and Richebourg St. Vaast. Qualified instructors were appointed, and a party under Lieut. G. F. Taylor was furnished from the Battalion. Material was scarce and equipment primitive, consisting at first of the home-made Battye. These were roughly made of cast iron. The bombers had to cut their own fuses, fix them into the detonators, attach the patent lighter, and wire the whole together—a laborious and lengthy task. The bomb when completed was unsuitable for transport, but could be easily thrown. There were other types being tried, percussion and time fuse. The percussion (Hale) soon lost favour, and we went through many varieties of time fuse, the light and heavy R.L., the Pitcher and the Hairbrush, until finally a selection was made of the Mills bomb, which stood the test well, being handy, portable and effective.
We now had the misfortune to lose the services of the Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Col. W. F. A. Wadham, who was ordered to the Field Ambulance, and eventually to England on medical grounds. He had done fine work for the Battalion, and it must have been largely due to his efforts that we were enabled to land in France at all. The strain had taken its toll. It was bad luck to lose him, but medical opinion admits of no argument.
The Command devolved upon Major R. Thompson (promoted acting Lieut.-Colonel) with Major N. E. Barnes as Second-in-Command.
Rumour, always busy, had for some days prevailed that the 154th Brigade to which we belonged was to be entrusted with an operation more ambitious than usual, and for once rumour was correct. A conference was held at Brigade Headquarters at Locon on the 13th June, and at 7 p.m. the following day the Battalion left billets at Le Cornet Malo, and moved by Companies along the familiar Route C, to take over trenches at Festubert. The transport also moved nearer to the line at Le Touret. By 10 p.m. the Battalion commenced to arrive in the old British trench, and were all in by 11.30. Contrary to arrangements this trench was already occupied by the 1/6th Scottish Rifles, and room was made in the reserve trench. The intended operation was an attack by the 7th Division, Canadian Division, and our own (the 51st) on the enemy position on the line Chapelle St. Roch-Rue d’Ouvert. After a 48 hours’ continuous bombardment our mine at Duck’s Bill was fired. At 6 p.m. on the 15th our attack commenced under heavy artillery fire from the enemy. It was led by the 1/4th Loyal North Lancs, on the right, and the 1/6th Scottish Rifles, with the 1/4th King’s Own and 1/8th Liverpool (Irish) in support.
“A” Company (less party selected from two platoons under Command of Lieut. R. Gardner for Brigade Relay Posts and less other details) were ordered to occupy and hold Sap L. 8.
“B” Company moved to the old fire trench, and “C” Company moved forward to take their place in support. “D” Company moved into support trench, and it was reported that two lines of German trenches had been occupied by 6.20 p.m. “D” Company were in position at 6.50 when a number of wounded of the 6th Scottish Rifles passed through. At 7.20 all reports from the front were satisfactory. At 8 p.m. “B” and “C” Companies were ordered to push on in support of the Loyals and Scottish Rifles, who asked for reinforcements. “D” were ordered to the fire trench and arrived at 8.25 p.m.
The progress of “A” Company (less detachment) to Sap L. 8 was delayed by blocks ahead, and bridges broken by shell fire, but they reached their position and performed their allotted duty. “D” Company moved forward to support the Loyals, and threw back their right flank whilst trying to get into touch with the Grenadier Guards. At 9 p.m. the last platoon of “D” Company was sent from the reserve trench to rejoin their Company in front. The 8th Liverpools commenced to arrive and moved two Companies to the old fire trench, and one to support. Battalion Headquarters got into touch with the firing line through Lieut. Taylor, the Bombing Officer. Lieut. A. A. Wright, in charge of the Machine Gun Section, was ordered to reinforce the firing line. This move commenced, but could not be completed and the machine guns were buried as the result of enemy shell fire. All the Companies concerned exhibited great gallantry and performed their duties with devotion, and showed fine discipline and steadiness, and excellent fighting qualities. Between 10 and 11 p.m. a retirement was ordered. “D” Company still tried to establish contact with the Grenadier Guards on our right, but this was not effected until some two hours later.
An Officer of the Loyals reported at Battalion Headquarters about midnight, but could give no clear information of conditions in front. At 12.30 a.m. on the 16th, the German counter-attack was delivered, artillery support was impracticable, heavy casualties had occurred amongst the Officers of the attacking battalions, no supports came up on our right, and our right flank was therefore in peril. Enemy pressure increased, and retirement along the line was effected in good order.
At 1.45 a.m. an order was received to re-form the Battalion in the reserve trench, and a Battalion from the 152nd Brigade moved up in support, the 8th Liverpools taking over the old fire trench. On relief the Battalion assembled at Le Touret at 10 a.m. on the 16th.
Such is the bare outline of events on this memorable night. Let us examine them a little more closely and see what they reveal. It would be natural to assume that the result of the encounter was negative, seeing that the relative positions of the opposing forces now remained as before. It had been rumoured that this Action was to synchronise with an attack on a large scale by the French between Arras and La Bassée, but this idea was dispelled when it was found that the troops on our right did not co-operate.
The educational effect on the Battalion was profound, and the young soldier, who less than twelve months before had stepped out along Dalton Road, Barrow, or Market Street, Ulverston, etc., with the gay irresponsibility of Saturday night, and was now thrown into this cauldron of war, recognized its realities in a way he would never forget. He had seen death in battle at close quarters, and was to look at things in a different light thenceforward.
Of course there were the inevitable casualties, matters that went astray, and bad luck. Five minutes after the attack commenced, the telephone line to Brigade Headquarters broke down, and messages had to be transmitted by the relay posts previously referred to. This part of the work was very well carried out under Lieut. R. Gardner of “A” Company. Lieut. Hewitt of “A” Company, the Assistant Adjutant, a most able Officer, was killed and his loss was severely felt. Lieut. Bigland of “B” Company was killed in the fire trench before the advance commenced, and it was never clearly known how Lieut. Walker met his fate. Captain W. G. Pearson with “B” Company followed up the Loyals in attack, and the Company was well inside the German lines when he was hit by shrapnel and went down. Unfortunately he could not be found when the retirement took place. He was eventually picked up by the Germans and made prisoner. Almost as trying, after the retirement was ordered, was the finding and evacuation of wounded and stragglers. Sergeant Bell did good work, returning again and again to the front so long as any could be found. Lance-Corporal “Tommy” Dixon also was prominent in this connection. The notorious “L. 8,” a sap following the line of a natural ditch twining away from our trenches to the German lines, and in “peace time” one of the plague spots from enemy fire, was occupied by “A” Company (less detachments) and was most valuable as a defence post, and also as a covered way for getting our wounded back into our lines.
The element of surprise in this attack was lacking. The enemy seemed to be well-informed of our intentions. He held his reply to our bombardment until almost the very moment of our attack and then opened a heavy artillery fire on our troops in their assembly positions, and caused many early casualties. In the fighting in the German trenches the enemy had the advantage of an adequate supply of bombs, whereas our supply became exhausted and the bombers were handicapped owing to forward ammunition dumps having been destroyed by the enemy’s artillery. The deciding factor, however, appeared to be the withering cross fire which the enemy was able to bring to bear upon our troops when crossing no man’s land.
To the onlooker the scene was one of terrible grandeur. The bombardment swelled to titanic proportions. Looking towards the line the eye was dazzled with the multitude of lights. Now it was the flash of exploding shells, now the slow glare of Very lights and rockets arching in the sky. Sometimes the thunder of the artillery softened into a muttering, when the tattoo of the machine guns became audible. The suspense of waiting was almost unbearable.
And so from this action the Battalion emerged, sadly depleted in strength by five Officers (three killed, one wounded and prisoner, one wounded) 147 other ranks (ten killed, 32 wounded and missing, 58 wounded, 37 missing and ten sick). Sergeant Bell received the Military Cross, which must be almost a unique award to one so junior. It was, however, a fitting recognition of one who even at this early period of his service, showed a natural flair for soldiering, which his subsequent distinguished career has confirmed.
A Special Order by Brigadier-General G. L. Hibbert, D.S.O., Commanding the 154th Infantry Brigade was issued as follows:—
“The Brigadier has received personal instructions from Lieut.-General Sir H. Rawlinson, Commanding IV Corps to convey to the Brigade his appreciation of the gallantry shown by all ranks in the attacks of the 15th and 16th instant under very trying circumstances.
“The Brigadier wishes to add on his own behalf his appreciation of the pluck and spirit evinced by all and while he deplores the heavy losses incurred congratulates the Brigade on the fine fighting qualities displayed.”
At 6 p.m. on the 16th the Battalion moved from Le Touret to billets at Pacaut, where it “rested” until the 22nd. The blessed word “rest” developed into one of the standing jokes of this period, and this time took the form of General’s inspection, when he complimented the Battalion on its recent work. Working parties were provided for the trenches, and these found and brought back our buried machine guns. All requirements in arms and equipment were replaced and the Battalion had a two hours’ route march. On the 22nd we moved back to Le Touret, where the same routine of working parties was carried on. On the 25th we marched to Estaires.
The folly of hearkening to idle report was never more triumphantly proved than now. It had been in the mouth of everybody that another week would see us at Armentières, or even further north. The rumour did not go bare and ungarnished. The most unlikely things were prophesied. Before the week was old the exact date of our leaving the Western front and embarking for India had been determined to the complete satisfaction of everyone, and no one dared to dispute a rumour which had emanated from the padre, and had received his benediction.
The Division did not go to Armentières, nor did it go much further north. It took over trenches in the sector of Laventie, and it was to the village of Laventie that the Battalion now went to billet. Laventie had been entered by the Germans in October, 1914, and vacated after the lapse of six days owing to the pressure of stronger forces, or in conformity with the general plan. Although separated from the front line by a distance of only three miles, it was still inhabited by many of the citizens, principally on the outskirts of the town. The centre of this place, from which radiated all the chief roads, was marked by the ruins of the church, a mere shell, and as sad a spectacle as could be witnessed in all this martyred region. True to their faith, many of the Catholics still clung to their dearest possessions and one cannot fail to remember the brave nuns of the Hospice, who refused to abandon their infirm charges to the fury of the oppressor. We found the place was still shelled almost daily.
On the 26th the Commanding Officer, Colonel Thompson, and others inspected the trenches. The trenches in the sector of Laventie partook of the nature of breastworks, and were in a much better state of repair than those at Festubert and Richebourg L’Avoué. It would seem that the fighting in this quarter had not attained the same infuriate heat as elsewhere. The temporary fever during the operations for the seizure of Aubers Ridge had subsided, but the enemy still held the commanding ground; and our line, forming a wide but not a deep re-entrant, skirted the base of the ridge from Fauquissart to Neuve Chapelle. The defensive system on the whole, seemed to be too insecure and vulnerable. Its liability to rupture, if subjected to the intensity of a bombardment and the crushing weight of a massed attack, appeared obvious to everybody. There was but one main line of trenches running parallel to the Rue Tilleloy, but in rear a succession of isolated forts, adequately served, fenced off this fertile country from the onsets of the enemy. Four of these fortified redoubts were strung along the Tilleloy Road from Chapigny to Fauquissart, and a fifth was isolated slightly in rear.
It was a task, therefore, of the first importance to provide an adequate defensive trench system, and the Battalion began to prove itself active in the necessary labour. The Germans, on the other hand, from whom we were separated at an average interval of 150 yards, possessed all the natural favours of the ridge. They had at least a triple belt of defence, with the additional advantage of numerous communication trenches. Behind their front line were farms capable of being put into a very solid state of defence, such as Ferme Deleval, Trivelet, La Distillerie, Les Mottes Ferme, and the Moulin du Pietre. As their line receded, the trees grew more and more abundantly, wherein they were able to conceal large numbers of guns. They had also the inestimable advantage of full observation from the ridge. Surmounting this high ground lay the village of Aubers, fed by a light railway. This natural bulwark, in the hands of skilful troops, could resist the strongest frontal pressure that could be brought to bear upon it.
At 8.45 p.m. on the 27th, Companies commenced to move off to take over trenches from the 8th Liverpools, and by 10.45 the relief was complete. This was not bad going considering that no trench maps were available. Periscopes also were not on view at this period. It was comparatively quiet in the trenches but it was soon found that sniping by the enemy was the order of the day. This was a nuisance as considerable work remained to be done on parapets, dugouts and communication trenches. Good progress was made notwithstanding, and in a few days improvement was apparent.
At 10 p.m. on the 30th there was a short bombardment by our artillery, and it is to be noted how short and inadequate our bombardments were at this time. Even at Festubert when a serious attack was contemplated, and after intensive gun fire, it was remarkable how much enemy wire was left standing in virgin serenity and uncut. This was not due to any lack of skill on the part of the gunners, but to lack of shells, which were understood to be limited to three shells per gun per day. Things remained quiet but persistent sniping continued. On the 2nd July we had a visit by the G.O.C. the 51st Division, also Officers of the 5th Gordons, who had received orders to relieve us. Suspicions were being formed that the enemy was laying mines to our detriment, and not only that, but actually placing field guns in his front line. At 9 p.m. on the 3rd the relief commenced, and working smoothly, the Battalion were all out of the trenches by 11 p.m. and marched into billets close to Laventie Station. Snipers had accounted for Privates Tyson and Dodd, killed, and Sergeants Pickin and Clampitt, wounded.
The usual routine of rest billets followed, numerous working parties for the trenches being furnished, and much sanitary work had to be undertaken to make the billets habitable. On the 5th the Brigade paraded for inspection by General Sir James Wilcocks, Commander of the Indian Corps, of which we formed part, and the General was good enough to express his satisfaction with what he saw. The Battalion sighed happily when it was all over. These functions of the highly placed have an uncanny knack of raising fears and tremors out of all proportion to the occasion, and it is not without humour to reflect that the majority would cheerfully prefer a turn in the trenches to one of these devastating ordeals.
Up to this time organized bathing facilities were non-existent, and it was only in intermittent streams, accidentally met, that we could indulge the craving for a thorough soak. This, too, could only be gratified at the expense of much diffidence, as it had to be carried out in the vicinity of the local population. This deficiency was now being overcome, and in certain centres baths were in existence, where the troops could revel in real hot water and soap. This was not all. They could hand in their soiled and inhabited underwear, and receive in exchange another set, sweet and clean, a boon indeed. One of these bathing centres was at La Gorgue, of dismal memory, but now changed to an enchanting oasis. The brewery had been taken over for the purpose, and the vats provided ideal receptacles for soiled soldiers in mass formation. Pandemonium, made up of songs, shouts and laughter, during these grateful ablutions, conveyed to the authorities approval of the wisdom of their kindly ministrations. It was, then, to the baths at La Gorgue that the Battalion marched by Companies on the 7th and 8th, and returned refreshed and enthusiastic.
Working parties went out nightly to the trenches, where the task of strengthening the defences went on incessantly, one of the parties being shelled en route, and two men were wounded. The billets at Laventie too, received their customary shelling from the Hun, but the tortured church again bore the brunt, and no other damage was done, and there were no casualties. At 6 a.m. on the 9th orders were received to take over trenches, and in the evening the move commenced, the relief being completed by 10 p.m. The Battalion held the four posts and small ammunition depot in rear of the line, the trenches being held by the 4th Loyals and Scottish Rifles. On the 11th the Machine Gun Section went into the line in relief of one gun each of the Loyals and Scottish Rifles. The 12th was notable for the presentation to Sergeant Owen of the Distinguished Conduct Medal for the action at Rue d’Ouvert, and our snipers accounting for two of the enemy.
At 9 p.m. on the 15th the Battalion moved into the trenches in relief of the 4th Loyals and Scottish Rifles, and at 10.45 the relief was complete, but we suffered three casualties from rifle fire. On the 17th those insufferable pests, civilian snipers, were seen behind our line. A keen hunt for this new quarry was immediately organized, but without success for the moment. They are wary birds, and the nest is seldom near where they operate.
Evidence that further moves were in contemplation, not only for the Battalion but for the Division, was forthcoming when the trenches were visited by the Staff of the 8th Division, and the usual curiosity and conjecture was indulged as to our destination. It was interesting and intriguing, but, after past experience, fantastic forecast was absent, opinion more sober, and there was a disposition to “wait and see.” This visit was speedily followed by orders for the relief to be carried out, and on the 23rd we handed over to the 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers. This was completed at 11 p.m., and at 11.30 the Battalion marched to billets at Estaires, near La Gorgue. Here equipment and clothing were issued, and on the 25th Lieut. E. Tillyard and one N.C.O. left by motor car for the new area on billeting duty. This area was now definitely understood to be the Somme.