CHAPTER XVII

THE RENEWAL OF TRENCH WARFARE

The great attempts to break through in April had definitely failed from a variety of causes. The Russian Revolution had rendered impossible the blow in the East, for which British munitions had for the first time adequately armed the Russian Armies. The German retreat had partially disorganised the combined British and French plan. The failure of Nivelle's great blow at the Chemin des Dames on the 16th April with enormous losses, made the French Armies incapable of any offensive operation on a large scale for several months. Hence the Battle of Arras, which had begun so happily, degenerated towards the end of April into a series of furious struggles, each of which showed less promise of decisive importance than the last. The centre of gravity shifted to the north, where preparations on a vast scale were pushed forward for the main attack in Flanders, which opened on 31st July. Accordingly, the southern sector in which the Battalion remained, settled down into a normal period of what is called inactivity.

The Battalion spent the beginning of May in the ruins of the village of Doignt, now greatly improved since they passed over the blasted roads on the 22nd March. Here the time passed in the usual training and recreations, and a Challenge Cup, presented by the C.O., was competed for in inter-Platoon Football Matches. Here, too, an invaluable thresher installed at Peronne disinfected the blankets, which were in a filthy condition. On the 12th the Battalion, now under Major Aldworth's command, as the C.O. was Acting Brigadier, moved to Combles, and entered the 15th Corps area. The old Corps Commander rode up to the Brigade on the way and expressed his regret at leaving such a gallant and well-behaved Brigade. The old Somme battlefields were still entirely desolate, the ground was full of corruption and noxious fumes and littered with the debris of battle. Far away, on the eastern horizon, a green strip appeared, showing the limits of the devastation. Next day the march was continued through the centre of the waste past Le Transloy to a capacious camp at Beulencourt on the Peronne road, 2 miles south of Bapaume. Next day the Battalion re-entered the line in front of Hermies, relieving the 9th Sherwoods, whose C.O., Colonel Thornton, came from our 1st Battalion. Until the end of June our lot was cast in this neighbourhood with normal periods of trench duty and relief. The line held by the Brigade stretched south from the great Bapaume-Cambrai road. It was from these trenches that the northern part of the surprise attack against Cambrai was launched on 20th November. The enemy was ensconced in his Hindenburg Line, which took advantage of every undulation in the bare tableland. The villages in our occupation, Hermies, Doignies and Beaumetz, had all shared in the systematic devastation of the spring. The foremost British line was still a matter of partially connected outposts, each Platoon forming as a rule a self-contained strong point, while inter-communication with other posts was always difficult and sometimes impossible by day. The Battalion frontage was strung out to a width of about 2,300 yards, and on our arrival was protected only by discontinuous belts of wire, but before the first tour had been completed they had all been linked together. No Man's Land was wide and ill-defined, amounting sometimes to 1,000 yards, with such debateable features as ruined farms or clumps of trees situated in the midst, which required constant patrolling, but were found regularly unoccupied. The aspect of the country with its tangled growth of grass and weeds revived memories of Hebuterne two summers ago.

Thus six weeks were spent in comparative stagnation. Again the enemy's artillery were almost silent for days on end, though now and again violent bursts of 5.9-inch would be directed at the Support Companies. The Battalion made no raids; the only one which was attempted against them was on a small scale, and was completely crushed by Sergeant Garrett, of Wokingham, whose good leadership of the post attacked earned him the Military Medal. We suffered no loss, and took one prisoner entangled in the wire. The total casualties for the period were no more than 15, but included Captain Down, who died of wounds on 22nd May. He had been with the Battalion since the spring of 1916, and was deeply regretted as a capable officer, who showed always the greatest consideration for his men. On 30th June the Battalion turned their backs on this quiet spot and marched by stages through Velu and Bihucourt northwards to Bailleulval, a village about 6 miles south-west of Arras, now 10 miles behind the line to which it had been in close proximity until that spring.

Here every sign suggested that the Battalion was soon to take part in an offensive. Drafts arrived in such numbers that the total strength was raised to 930, a higher figure than at any period since we first crossed to France. Training went on feverishly through the sultry days. The old system of trenches in front of the village were the scene of many practice attacks, nor did the musketry, bombing, and gas specialists neglect their opportunities. The Brigadier appeared, to give lectures and to inspect the capacity of each officer to use his compass. The Divisional General carried off all the senior officers for staff rides. Thus the three weeks were spent in most arduous preparation, which left no doubt that a severe ordeal was imminent. That a general offensive was intended in the north was no secret either to our Army or to the enemy, and was indeed the natural sequel to the Battle of Messines. All doubts were resolved when the Battalion entrained on 21st July at Mondicourt and moved north into Flanders. They passed along the same route by which exactly two years before they had come down to Hebuterne, and the survivors of those days cheered as they passed the well-remembered little towns of Marles and Lapugnoy. As the evening drew in the train wandered slowly through Lillers and Hazebrouck, vast centres of activity, finally drawing up at Godewaersvelde at 10.45 p.m., whence a weary march ended at dawn at Houtkerque, which, curiously enough, was next door to our first resting place in Flanders,—Winnezeele. The entire move had occupied 20 hours; it is interesting to note that while the direct distance between the two points was 43 miles, the Battalion had traversed by road and rail at least 70.



CHAPTER XVIII

THE THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES

The prolonged and terrible struggle which was now about to begin was the last attempt to break through in the west on the old plan. The immense collection of guns, ammunition, railway material, and every kind of transport aroused high hopes. It was believed that the bombardment prolonged throughout many days with an intensity far greater than before the Somme would overwhelm the German resistance, and open the way to the Flanders coast and to the submarine bases then at the most successful height of their activity. These expectations were disappointed. The German positions no longer consisted of continuous trench lines, which could be reduced to shapeless masses of earth. An organisation of great depth had taken their place. Machine gun nests and pill-boxes scattered about were almost indistinguishable from the sea of mud in which they were placed, and defied accurate aerial reconnaissance. In this fortified zone the foremost lines were weakly held, and the British troops after taking them found the main resistance still before them, when their energies were almost exhausted by their painful journey through the mire. The artillery had done its work only too well in tearing the soil to pieces; but had none the less left intact many a pill-box which would only succumb to the direct hit of a 9.2-inch shell. The dice of success were thus loaded heavily against the attackers, and complete victory was rendered impossible by the incredible weather. The great storm which raged throughout the initial attack on July 31st was succeeded by almost unprecedented rain throughout August. The brief improvement of September relapsed into the deluges which made the last stages of the struggle for Passchendaele so heroic a feat of endurance. The last month of the Somme Battle had been terrible, but the whole of the events now to be described were fought under far worse conditions. No trenches or dugouts were available for sheltering the troops in the battle area, of whom only a small fraction could be accommodated in such pill-boxes as remained intact. The corduroy paths by which alone rations and stores could be brought up were gassed and shelled night and day; one false step was to be engulfed sometimes beyond hope of recovery. The artillery were in little better case, their guns were placed almost wheel to wheel in the open, always sinking deeper into the morass, and unable to move away from the storm of shells. The light railways on which they depended for a regular supply of shells often sank themselves from lack of solid foundation. Far behind, junctions, dumps and rest camps were attacked by long-range fire and bombs, with a violent persistency quite unprecedented until the March days next year. The ordeal was bitterly hard, and the prize incompletely won, but the spirit of the British Armies rose supreme over all, and the German defence was taxed to the uttermost.

The 31st July brought the Battalion no excitements. Leaving camp soon after midnight they crossed the Belgian frontier and moved to St. Jan Ter Beezen, just west of Poperinghe. The flickers and rumble of the greatest bombardment yet known in war accompanied them through the night. The rain descended and the floods came for the next three days. Again, as in the days of Loos and the Somme, the first expectations and the eager hopes were disappointed. Success had been only partial; the weather was impossible, operations were postponed. Next day the sodden men found themselves in dripping tents, just pitched, a stage nearer the line at Dambre Farm, in the low country west of Ypres. On the 5th the battlefield was reached. All through the afternoon at five minutes' interval the platoons moved up. Heavy shells followed them all the way. At dusk the relief of the 188th Brigade in the reserve lines south of St. Julien was completed. Water stood everywhere, the trenches were blotted out, the pill-boxes themselves were flooded. The shelling was incessant, and no sleep was possible that night. On the night of the 6th-7th the 1st/4th Oxfords were relieved, and 24 hours were spent on either side of St. Julien through which runs the Steenbeck, foulest of streams. Next night, amidst violent thunder, the Battalion crawled back to Dambre Camp. The four days had cost them 11 killed and 31 wounded, which might well have been increased but for the steady discipline prevailing among all ranks.

Next week the attack, whose date was yet unknown, was sedulously practised in all its details. A large scale model of the ground was inspected by all officers and N.C.O.'s at Divisional Headquarters. On the 15th the time for action had arrived. The march to the battle was slow and deliberate. The men halted at midday at the camp of Reigersberg, ate and slept. Then ate again a last hot meal before setting out on their final journey through the darkness. All the Companies were in position by 3.30 a.m. on the 16th. Then followed a period of anxious inactivity, until at 4.45 the British barrage burst forth in its awful salute to the dawn. Men began to advance against the enemy on the whole front of 25 miles; the second act of the great struggle had begun.

The attack was, on the whole, a complete failure, though on the left the French made progress through the swamps towards Houthulst Forest, and the 23rd Division took Langemarck. In the centre, where our Division was engaged, progress was infinitesimal. The enemy troops, hidden in their deep and inconspicuous labyrinth of defence, were fresh and fought stoutly. Our attack was based on the support of tanks, which, owing to the condition of the ground, could not come into action. The forces alloted were far too weak to approach the ambitious objectives which had been assigned to them: and were fortunate if they succeeded in winning a few hundred yards after a long and desperate struggle which left them crippled. Our Battalion had a hard and disspiriting task. Assigned as Reserve to the Brigade it had been intended to sweep through the assaulting Battalions to the final objective. Actually their role was reduced to hanging about under violent shelling, almost stationary, turning now to right, now to left, to fill up gaps in the line, or to ward off threatened counter-attacks, always waiting for an order to advance which never came.

Although I have avoided criticism as far as possible in this narrative, I cannot refrain from saying, after a careful study of the documents available, that the staff work of the 5th Army (General Gough) was thoroughly bad as far as our Division was concerned. Time after time units were set impossible tasks, with inadequate support from artillery and tanks, and with ludicrously small reserves. This opinion is thoroughly shared by others more competent to pass judgment than myself.



The order of battle for the Brigade was as follows:—Starting from the line of the Steenbeek the three Battalions, covering a frontage of about 1,200 yards, were to take the fortified line of the Langemarck road from the crossroads at Winnipeg to those just west of Keerselare. This accomplished, their assault was to take them beyond the Pink and Blue lines to an outpost position along the farms of Flora Hubner and Stroppe. The 5th Gloucesters on the right joined the Ulster Division, the Bucks Battalion was in the centre, and on the left the 4th Oxfords touched the 12th Division. It will thus be seen that the Brigade, unsupported, was expected to advance about a mile through the mud, everywhere ankle-deep, taking on its way three regularly-organised positions, to say nothing of the intermediate strong points with which the ground bristled. The enemy was at his strongest, well-prepared and expectant. The 7th Bavarian Regiment, which faced us, had just come into line; it was part of a good Division, the 5th Bavarian. His barrage descended only three minutes after our own had begun. It is not surprising that, as a result, no impression was made even on the line of the Langemarck road, except at one point round Springfield. The fight swayed about round the pill-boxes, disused gun-pits and fortified farms which studded the countryside. Each one of these had to be taken separately; the pill-boxes in particular had to be rushed by bombers, who crept up and threw their bombs through the loopholes, which meanwhile were silenced by continuous machine-gun fire. One of these structures, entirely surrounded by water except for a narrow causeway, successfully defied all attempts at capture.

Meanwhile, our four Companies had varied experiences just behind this all-day battle. A Company on the right, advancing over the Steenbeek at zero, caught the full blast of the barrage. Captain Tripp (3rd East Surreys), who was in command, was immediately killed, and the only other officer, 2nd Lieut. Brooke, wounded. 2nd Lieut. Buck was then sent from Headquarters to take command. During the remainder of the day the Company, harassed continuously by shells and rifle fire (for the enemy held positions within 300 yards of them), reduced in strength by almost a half, succeeded in maintaining touch with the Ulsters and the Gloucesters. Twice the enemy, pushing forward small parties, tried to find a gap, but was arrested at once. The line remained, curving in an arc east of St. Julien, about 200 yards beyond the starting point. B Company also experienced great difficulty in making their way through the barrage. Captain Norrish, who was in command, walked up and down looking for a gap. After a while he brought them through by the north-east corner of St. Julien. Thence, turning right-handed in small parties, they dug in behind A Company and the Gloucesters. For the remainder of the day they remained in support to the latter, who were vainly endeavouring to force their way forward to the Langemarck road. This Company seems to have lost about 40 men during the day. To C Company fell such small share of actual fighting as came the way of the Battalion. The Bucks, on moving forward, were held up by a large strong point at Hillock Farm, which resisted obstinately with machine guns. Two platoons of C Company, creeping up from the north-west, played their Lewis guns upon the loopholes. The farm was encircled and taken, 50 of the garrison were killed and the remainder captured. This was about 7 a.m. During the next three hours the Bucks thrust slowly forward, losing heavily all the way. By 10.30 they had gained a precarious footing in the Green line on a front of about 200 yards round Springfield. Their position was very dangerous, as both their flanks were in the air. The Oxfords, on their left, had been completely hung up, and were barely beyond our front line. Two platoons of C Company pushed up northwards into the gap at 11.30, but found only small parties of the enemy, who enfiladed them at close range from some disused gun-pits 200 yards west of the Poelcapelle road. These snipers caused constant casualties, and when Captain Holmes was hit at noon all the officers had been put out of action. Under the leadership of Sergt.-Major Heath they cleared the gun-pits and extracted six prisoners, the only trophies of the day; there they remained until relief, losing at least 50 men. C.S.-M. Heath obtained the M.C. D Company, contrary to their experience at Ronssoy, had the easiest time of the four. Held back on the western bank of the Steenbeek by the congestion at the bridges until 5.15 a.m., they crossed when the barrage, always lighter on our left, had greatly slackened and suffered only slight loss. They dug in near the eastern bank, and remained all day there in support of the Bucks. At noon one platoon moved forward to the right, and securing the Bucks' right flank, kept in connection with the posts of A Company. The losses of this company were about 30 men. In all the casualties of the Battalion were 35 killed (including Captain Tripp), and 138 wounded and missing (including Captains Winslow and Holmes and 2nd Lieuts. Brooke, Oldridge and Wood). This amounted to about a third of the fighting strength. The remainder of the Brigade suffered more heavily, especially the Bucks, who had clung for hours with splendid gallantry to the exposed and practically untenable position round Springfield.

The Battalion next day was relieved by Companies at dawn and dusk, and reassembled at Dambre Camp. The respite was short, for before many days the Division was called again to make a fresh attempt at the same spot. Although no general attack was found practicable until the 20th September, it was apparently deemed essential first to gain a footing on the low ridge of Gravenstal, which, though it rose only 60 feet above the Steenbeek Valley, dominated the country as far as Ypres, and gave the enemy eyes to see our preparations. The next attack was fixed for 27th August; this time it was the turn of the 143rd and 144th Brigades to attack, while we remained in Divisional Reserve. The front and the objectives were almost exactly the same. On the left was the 11th Division, on the right the 61st, our second line. It was the first time that these two had come together on the battlefield, and the occasion was not fortunate, for both were unable to make headway and lost severely. The plan of attack showed great lack of imagination, and shook general confidence in the staff of the 5th Army. The lessons of the 16th seemed to have been entirely thrown away. The same impossible advance was expected. The ground was far worse than before. The water lay knee-deep in the valley. As the men struggled forward they could be seen pulling one another out of the glutinous mud in which they had sunk to the waist. The tanks, promised as before, were unable to perform. Finally, the attack started at the singular hour of 1.55 p.m., which rendered concealment of all the final preparations impossible, and gave the German machine gunners deadly opportunities for dealing with the reserves who poured up in the afternoon along the crowded tracks. The Battalion arrived at its assembly place on the road running through St. Julien about 3.30 p.m., and, as before, waited on events. Towards dusk it became known that the Warwicks' attack had completely failed, while further north the 7th and 8th Worcesters succeeded after four hours' fighting in seizing the Green line from Springfield as far as the Keerselare cross roads. At 8 p.m. all hope of a further advance in the Warwick area had gone, and the Battalion was ordered to relieve the shattered Brigade, one Company taking the place of each Battalion. There was naturally much difficulty in taking over, and next morning it was discovered that three platoons of the 8th Warwicks, whose position was unknown to their C.O., were still lying unrelieved round Border Farm. Meanwhile, on the evening of the 27th, confused fighting still went on north of Springfield, where the 1st/4th Oxfords had been brought up to try by exploiting the success already gained to turn the Spot Farm-Winnipeg portion of the Green line. No further ground, however, was secured; the men were at the limits of their endurance, and by next morning it was clear that everything had combined to render a further attack impossible. The day was therefore, passed quietly for the exhausted combatants; in front the stretcher-bearers bravely and indefatigably picked up the wounded, who had lain out all night in the liquid mud. That night two companies of the 2nd/10th London relieved us. Thus half a Battalion held defensively the whole fighting front of a Brigade. We returned again to Dambre Camp, which the enemy shelled viciously with a naval gun. The Battalion may be considered fortunate in losing only 11 killed (including Captain Norrish, 10th Middlesex), and 51 wounded (including Captain Shaw, 4th Northants).

St. Jan Ter Beezen now reharboured the Battalion, which was built up again in strength by a succession of curious little drafts of 6 and 11. The usual training, increasing in intensity as the men recovered from the fatigue of battle, was carried on through a spell of close and thundery weather. The nights were more than once disturbed by a shower of bombs. On 16th September a train journey removed us far from the front to Audenfort, near Calais, to occupy the farms and barns of several scattered hamlets. The attitude of the population, as sometimes happened in the back areas, was unfriendly. The reason, doubtless, is that the distance from the realities of war is apt to make the inhabitants less accommodating and the troops less well-disciplined. In this case, however, excellent relations were established in a few days. The training during the ensuing ten days was mainly confined to musketry, and A Company had the satisfaction of beating all the other companies of the Division in a field practice fired under the eyes of the G.O.C.

On the 27th September the Battalion returned to the same blighted region, now enveloped by dense autumn mists. The great attack of 20th September had rolled forward the tide of battle for more than a mile, and the British, now ensconced in the demolished farms on the east side of the Gravenstal Ridge, were preparing to carry out another stage of that painful and bloody progress. At dawn on 4th October the 143rd Brigade attacked through us, advancing some 1,500 yards. The Battalion spent the next three days in an uneasy reserve, changing their quarters every 24 hours, continuously soaked by the rain, which again fell pitilessly. On 7th October they regained the front line, pulling one another out of the trackless mire as they crawled up through the dripping night, plentifully sprinkled with gas on their way. Next night was even worse; the 7th Worcesters came up to relieve us under shell-fire; most of the guides we sent down to them were either killed or buried and the relief was long and arduous. The 144th Brigade attacked again on the 8th-9th October, under the worst possible conditions; our Battalion, in Divisional Reserve, was allotted to the Brigade, and lay out scattered by Companies until dusk on the 9th, ready to repel counter-attacks and to lend help as required, but was not actively engaged. The total casualties during this period amounted to 84, of whom 16 were killed. All who took part in these ten days' operations agree that the hardships suffered by the men exceeded everything yet endured on active service. The exhausted troops were taken back to Dambre Camp on the 9th by motor lorries. This was their last experience of that tremendous and ill-conducted battle, in which they had been engaged with but slight intermission for 70 days.



CHAPTER XIX

LAST DAYS IN FRANCE AND THE JOURNEY TO ITALY

On 15th October the Battalion left the Flemish swamps for good, and, returning south by rail, eventually settled for the remainder of the month in the huts at Villars-au-Bois, north-west of Arras. Here they rested in pleasant country behind the 2nd Canadian Division, one of whose regiments, the 27th, they replaced in reserve. The former were a splendid body of men, and very friendly. Their Quartermaster excited general admiration, being a man of over 60 years of age, two of whose sons were serving in the same Battalion as Second-in-Command and Adjutant. As usual, after active operations adequate drafts arrived of both officers and men; the former came mainly from the 3rd Wilts, the latter from the M.T., who, though practically ignorant of infantry work, soon developed in a very satisfactory way. From 2nd-10th November we occupied the sector in front of Vimy Ridge, the scene of the great Canadian victories in April, looking across to the devastated mining town of Lens. The Canadians had done all that was possible to improve the trenches, which the counter-bombardment of either side had levelled, and they were generally good except on the left, where all the soil had been shot away. The dugouts, as generally in ground captured from the Huns, were excellent; there was little fighting activity, and no more than three casualties were suffered. On the 8th the Battalion received the thanks of the 31st Division for their assistance in a daylight raid carried out by the latter on our right. Smoke-clouds were emitted from our trenches, while the skilful manipulation of life-sized dummies successfully produced the illusion of lines of men issuing from their trenches, who drew on their wooden bodies the desired effect of heavy enemy fire. On November 14th Savy and Villars Brulin received the Battalion. These little villages, some 12 miles from the firing line near the source of the Scarpe, were, though we knew it not, to be the last billets of the Battalion in France. Every autumn the enemy had replied to our offensive in France with a furious blow elsewhere. As in 1915 he had crushed Serbia, in 1916 occupied two-thirds of Roumania, so this year he fell upon the Italians at Caporetto on the 25th October. This enormous disaster, which cost the Italians 250,000 prisoners and a third of their artillery, brought the Austro-Germans by the beginning of November to the banks of the Piave, and it was decided that British and French forces should be dispatched to Italy to defend Venice and to give the Italian Army a breathing space for reorganisation. Therefore, when we were resting on the 21st, and speculating on the possibility of taking part in the Cambrai Battle so dramatically begun the day before, orders arrived for entrainment next afternoon with nine days' rations. The journey was made in two trains, under the command of Colonel Clarke and Major Aldworth respectively, which made for Italy by different routes, after leaving Troyes. Colonel Clarke's train reached Dijon on the second evening; Lyons early the next morning; throughout that day the exquisite and fruitful Rhone Valley passed before the delighted eyes of the men. The journey was slow, and when Avignon was reached at 2 a.m. on the 25th, the train was already twelve hours late. Still further time was then lost owing to an accident at Toulon, which station was only entered at dusk after a triumphant progress through crowds of excited southerners, who gathered along the line cheering and waving. Most of the famous places of the French Riviera were passed in darkness, but at 8.10 on the 26th the frontier was passed at Ventimille. The journey continued along the lovely Italian coast until Savona was reached at nightfall. The Italians showed little disposition to welcome their deliverers, and the unpopularity of the war in these districts was patent. Next dawn found the train at Pavia, whence it proceeded along the Po to Cremona, where a 16-hour halt enabled the men to stretch their legs. With band playing they marched through the streets, and succeeded in arousing the enthusiasm of the inhabitants. The local commandante, Cav. Vittorio, a very courteous gentleman, took the salute as the two Companies re-entered the station. The extreme congestion of the Italian railways now upset all timetables completely. Mantua was not reached until 1 a.m. on the 29th, but finally the two Companies detrained at Saletto; and in the afternoon billeting orders arrived, and the evening found them lodged in a private house, a theatre and a monastery at Noventa. The billets were shared with a detachment of the Italian Veterinary Corps, the miserable condition of whose horses and mules bore witness to the rigours of the recent retreat. An 8-mile march next day over roads slippery with frost ended in a most elegant billet, a gorgeous chateau, which belonged to a Colonel Cabely, killed near Gorizia. Part of its magnificence, however, consisted in marble floors, a cold bed for men wrapped up in only one blanket.

Major Aldworth's train travelled more rapidly; by midnight on the 24th it had crossed the Mont Cenis and was running through Italian territory. Early next morning everyone was peering out of the windows at the great snow mountains through which the train descended to the Piedmontese Plain. The bells of the village churches were ringing everywhere on this Sunday morning as the train moved towards Turin, which was reached at noon on the 25th November. This city provided a rousing welcome; ladies handed out chocolate, cigarettes and little silk flags from the platform; the train steamed out into the open country between vociferating crowds. The journey henceforth was slow and circuitous, the direction being first north-east to Milan, which was passed during the night of 26th-27th November; then south to Pavia, and from there along the Po through Mantua to Nogaro, where the men were comfortably installed in billets by 9 p.m. on 27th November. Both journeys were as comfortable as could be expected in the exceptional circumstances. The men were able to get a hot drink at least twice a day, which was often supplemented by the energy of Red Cross ladies on the platforms, particularly in France.



CHAPTER XX

THE ITALIAN WINTER

Happy the Battalion which for a while at least in wartime has no history. We had come to Italy expecting at once to be desperately engaged against the victorious invaders. But the Italians, greatly to their credit, had reorganised their broken forces, and, with their left resting on the mountains, had repelled all attempts of the enemy to cross the Piave, swollen with autumn rains. By the end of December the British and French Armies were fully concentrated, and a period of immobility set in, not to be broken for six months. The 48th Division, which formed part of General Haking's 11th Corps, found itself peacefully installed in Army Reserve. Under the clear Italian skies, in the peaceful Venetian plain, moderately well housed and not overworked, their lot was cast in a fair ground. The two halves of the Battalion reunited on 4th December, and finally settled on the 15th December at S. Croce Bigolina, where they remained six weeks. This village is situated just east of the Brenta, about 20 miles north of Padua, where G.H.Q. were established, and a similar distance south of the foothills of the Trentino Alps, where the line ran through the famous plateau of Asiago. Excursions to these hills in small parties for the purpose of reconnaissance formed from time to time a diversion from the ordinary routine of training.

Christmas was celebrated with great festivity. The officers had supplemented the men's rations by a subscription, stores were purchased in Vicenza and Padua, and a cheque of L50 was received from the County Association for the same purpose. Dinners, concerts and suppers were provided for the Companies; the officers were given free use of the house of the Parish Priest, who was entertained by them as the guest of the evening. It was the happiest Christmas which had been spent overseas.

With the New Year winter set in with a hard, bright frost, so keen that all the running streams were frozen. Visits of inspection were paid by General Plumer, the popular Commander-in-Chief, and by General Haking, whose kindliness and geniality in chatting to the men as individuals was heartily welcomed. At this time also the gratifying news was received that the commanding officer had been awarded the C.M.G.

On the 24th January the Battalion left S. Croce amidst general regret. The excellent priest, who had worked with all his will to promote good relations, in a parting message to Colonel Clarke especially commended the honourable and chivalrous relations which had existed between the troops and the women of the neighbourhood. At Paviola, which was reached after a weary march in a misty thaw over roads reduced to quagmires, the Battalion split up again: B and D Companies, with Headquarters remained in the same area, while Captain Challenor with the remainder moved to the Convent di Praglia, south of Padua, in order to supply working parties to the central school at G.H.Q. Here they remained till the end of February, doing every kind of job, to the complete satisfaction of those concerned. Some worked at the quarries, some at a bayonet-fighting assault course, some at the musketry school, others at the gas school; finding, however, time between their labours to play a number of football matches with neighbouring units.

By the end of the month all were again reunited; their long spell of rest had come temporarily to an end, and on the 27th they took over from the 2nd Queen's (7th Division) reserve lines on the Montello, that well-known hill overlooking the right bank of the Piave, which was one of the key-positions of the Italian line. The next fortnight was spent in this area, about half in the front line. It was an interesting though, fortunately, not a very dangerous experience, as the losses amounted only to one killed and one wounded. The long hill, which stretched for miles to the west of the river, was furrowed with numbers of deep, narrow dells, in which the platoons were housed. Along the foreshore was a series of disconnected posts, every second of which was armed with a Lewis gun. The majority of these were held only at night. They looked across the wide bed of the Piave, which, like all capricious mountain streams, divided into three or four channels, intersected by overgrown islands and beds of shingle, which heavy rain, as in the June battles, would convert speedily into a roaring torrent. The widest and deepest stream flowed on the enemies' side. Their inactivity was very marked, scarcely a shot was fired either by day or night, and except for the last day their artillery gave few signs of life. As was proved time after time, the last thing desired by the weary and disillusioned Austrian was to provoke the British.

This interlude was the nearest approach to warfare encountered for many weeks to come. On the night of the 14th March in intense darkness the Italians relieved us without incident, and we turned our backs on the Montello for good. The division now moved west for many days; some short time was spent at Arsego, but it was not till 3rd April that the Battalion settled down to a three weeks' sojourn at Valle, in the hill country west of Vicenza. The great events, which were shaking the Western Front to its foundations, found no echo here; two British Divisions were, it is true, moved to France, but the 48th was not among them. The Austrians as yet showed no signs of renewing their attacks.

While the Battalion were at Valle they lost their Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Colonel Clarke, who was appointed to command the newly-formed Divisional Machine Gun Battalion. His departure was deeply regretted. He had led the Battalion through all its serious fighting, and had gained the complete confidence of all. He had kept a strict discipline without worrying the men about trifles; they could all appreciate his administrative ability, his grasp of detail and practical concern for their comfort. We were fortunate in gaining as his successor Colonel Lloyd Baker, of the Bucks Battalion, who had been well-known earlier in the war as General McClintock's Staff Captain, and he brought to his new duties all his characteristic kindness and tact.

Meanwhile the constant exercise in hill-climbing for men and pack ponies, the schemes of attack and defence suggested that our next destination would be northward in the mountains. Nor was expectation falsified; for by the 23rd the Battalion had climbed up out of the warm, showery spring of the valley, and billeted in Italian huts at Granezza, about 4,500 feet above sea-level in storms of snow and hail. They were in Brigade Reserve immediately behind the lines on the Asiago plateau, which they were destined to guard until the advance to final victory at the end of October.



CHAPTER XXI

MOUNTAIN WARFARE

The new line ran along the forward slope of the hills, which had just been so painfully climbed, and whose reverse sides sheltered in their folds, densely populated with pine forests, the local reserves. The trenches themselves were strangely unlike any as yet inhabited, being blasted out of the solid rock. An impressive and, indeed, magnificent panorama extended itself in front. The valley of the Seven Communes, that curious little tongue of German-speaking territory projecting into pre-war Italy, ran across the foreground. Barren and almost treeless, it had been in the battle-line since the Austrian offensive of May, 1916, which had nearly broken successfully into the Venetian plain. Many villages and hamlets dotted the plain, especially towards the western end, the most imposing of which was Asiago. Though knocked about to a certain extent, they offered a regular and habitable outline as compared with the blank desolation of France. On the further side of the valley the pine-clad shoulders of the mountains were gradually merged in the great snow-covered, cloud-capped bastions of the Alps. Between the lines a vast No Man's Land extended, in many places nearly a mile in width, with miniature hills and valleys, and studded with houses and copses, over which our patrols were able to roam almost at will unmolested. Such was the general calm prevailing that officers in the front line were accustomed to sleep in their pyjamas. The entire casualties during May, most of which month was spent in the line, were three wounded. In a successful raid carried out on the 12th by two platoons of D Company, 2nd Lieut. Stott, slightly wounded, was the only victim. He obtained the M.C. and the Italian Silver Medal for Valour as a reward for his work. It was somewhat difficult to capture the prisoner required for identification, as the only post encountered promptly ran away; one, however, of the elderly Hungarians of the 24th Honved Regiment, who composed it, tripped and fell into a shell-hole, and was carried off by the raiders. The enemy made up for their lack of resistance by bombing their own wire and shouting assiduously until daybreak. On the 22nd the Battalion returned to Cornedo, in the plains; summer had by now fully set in; the vines, the maize, the mulberry and the orange, with many other diverse forms of luxuriant foliage, had completely changed the aspect of the country. The men were glad to wear the suits of drill and the sun-helmet which had now been issued. Thus May merged into June; the fourth great German attack was battering at the gates of Compiegne, but the Italian front had as yet given no sign. On our next visit, however, to the line, it became known that a British offensive was to be launched in the middle of June. The usual conferences and rehearsals took place; detailed orders were issued, the very date became known. It was to take place on the 16th of June. Twenty-four hours beforehand the Austrians, goaded at length out of their long sleep by the prodding of their Allies, suddenly launched that great attack on practically the whole of the front, which was the last offensive effort of the Hapsburg dynasty. After a somewhat alarming initial success on the Montello and the lower Piave, it changed into a complete failure. We have now to see how it affected the fortunes of our Battalion.

The Austrian attack was planned after the model of Ludendorf's great offensive of March 21st; that is to say, it was preceded by a short but violent bombardment of high explosive and gas directed particularly on the back areas and gun-positions. Its effectiveness was not, however, great, partly owing to the extreme difficulty of searching all the crannies of the mountain country, partly because the level of Austrian efficiency was low. Their gas-shells, in particular, seem to have been almost innocuous. The shelling began about 3 a.m., and lasted for three hours, when the infantry left the trenches. The two British Divisions in the line, 23rd and 48th, were attacked by portions of four Austrian Divisions; it is said that the latter had been brought up immediately before the battle in lorries, and told that their objective was weakly held by Italians, as their disinclination to face British and French troops was notorious. However that may be, they advanced against our Division with considerable energy at the outset. The two Battalions of the 145th Brigade in the line were from right to left, the 1st/4th Oxfords and 1st/5th Gloucesters. The enemy succeeded in driving in the outer flanks of both Battalions, and also in pushing a wedge between them to a maximum depth of about 1,000 yards. But attacking uphill over unfamiliar and blind country, exposed to cross-fire from rifles and machine-guns, and heavily bombarded, their progress was soon arrested. Our Battalion was in Brigade Reserve, and did useful work during the day in joining hands with the two assaulted Battalions. D Company joined the Oxfords at noon, and suffered some loss during the afternoon while forming up in the open to counter-attack. Here its commander, Captain C. Buck, a good and conscientious officer, was killed. He had served unhurt through the whole of the third Battle of Ypres, and was the only officer whom we lost by death during the Italian year.

Next morning very early, with the co-operation of C Company and one platoon of A, a completely successful advance was made to the old front line. All the heart had now gone out of the enemy, the failure of whose effort was patent. They made scarcely a shadow of resistance, and more than 60 prisoners remained in our hands. During the previous day C Company had been already engaged in stopping the gap between the Oxfords and Gloucesters. The latter, who had been isolated on both flanks, were in danger of complete encirclement during the morning and early afternoon, but extricated themselves and joined hands with C Company at 5.30 p.m.

During the 16th the whole divisional front was without exception re-established, and patrols were pushed forward into No Man's Land; the Austrians continued to surrender in little bodies, until the Division had collected over 1,000, with eight mountain guns abandoned and picked up. The casualty list of the Battalion afforded happy proof of the ineffectiveness of the enemy. We lost no more than five killed and 13 wounded. Thus ended ignominiously the great Austrian attack.



CHAPTER XXII

THE LAST SUMMER

The remainder of June was spent pleasantly in rest billets, disturbed only by the first of the great influenza epidemics, which, pursuing a mild course, resulted in no deaths, but caused the evacuation in all of 112 men. On the 20th the Division lost their Commander, Sir R. Fanshawe, who returned home. He had commanded us for more than three years; devoted to the care of his Division and to the task of defeating the enemy, he demanded in everything the same high standard which he always set himself. A frequent visitor to the trenches, he did not reserve his appearance for quiet times; at Pozieres and Ronssoy, for example, he was on the captured ground at the heels of his infantry. Therefore, he retained the confidence of the men throughout, in good days and bad.

Our sojourn in the plains was prolonged during the first twenty days of July under the full heat of summer, all moves being made in the early hours of the morning. On 12th July the Battalion had the satisfaction of winning the Divisional Signal Competition.

The ten days spent in the line were devoid of incident, one man only being wounded by a shell, and on the 30th July a return was made to Marziele for ten days, where a terrific storm one night blew down all the tents and bivouacs. The 10th August found them again in the mountains taking over from the 6th Gloucesters the extreme left of the divisional line. The war had now entered upon its penultimate stage with the splendid Allied victories of 18th July and 8th August; the enemy had lost everywhere the initiative, and was not to have the chance of regaining it. Although the Italians did not feel themselves capable at present of any important attack, the Austrians were not left in peace. Large-scale raids resulting often in the capture of hundreds of prisoners, were undertaken without respite by the French and British, provoking no attempt at retaliation.

Nor was the Battalion without share in these activities. The ground was first prepared for a full-dress raid by offensive patrols. On August 16th Lieut. Baxton attacked and bombed a party of the enemy on Coda Spur, the bombs falling clean among them. On the 15th a similar party under 2nd Lieut. Crawford shot five Austrians, who were patrolling their own wire, and who, when challenged, with fatal stupidity, halted and stood outlined against the skyline, an easy mark.

The time was now ripe for a more ambitious effort. The Battalion was withdrawn for a few days to Granezza, and returning to the trenches on the evening of the 26th, made a successful raid that same night in conjunction with the Bucks on our left. The attack was to be directed against the enemy trenches on either side of Asiago, the point of junction between the Battalions being at the south-east corner of the town. All four Companies were engaged; C on the right was to form a defensive flank within the enemy's trenches; B, on the left, was to seize the front line before Asiago, where A, passing through, would secure the support line, and allow D Company in turn, passing through them, to explore the southernmost limits of the town, and join hands with the Bucks. The withdrawal was to be in inverse order—i.e., C and B were to hold the captured positions until the other two Companies had been safely passed back.

Zero hour was 10.40 p.m., and there had been no preliminary barrage. The Companies had moved out from our outpost line at 9 p.m. and got into striking position after safely traversing the wide intervening area. As they lay waiting for the fiery signal, the enemy began to show nervousness; they had probably heard something suspicious, but could not see far, as clouds obscured the moon, and a white mist hung in the valley. They fired lights and rifle grenades and a few shells during the last half-hour before the bombardment opened, but caused no serious inconvenience. The barrage worked well; 32 minutes elapsed before it completed its shift from the front line to the final objective, which also it enclosed in a frame of shells on either flank. Here it remained for one hour, after which it died gradually away, as the withdrawal progressed. C Company reached and held their objective on the right with little difficulty, extracting 50 prisoners from the trenches and dugouts. B were equally successful, though a little hand-to-hand fighting was necessary to force an entrance on their right; they found the trenches shallow and ruinous, with few occupants (they could only collect six prisoners), and the dugouts in the quarry behind were wholly untenanted. The enemy annoyed them during their occupation of the trench with continuous shell-fire. A Company, according to programme, now passed through them in small columns, but as their commander was hit at this difficult moment, they lost direction and got mixed up with the Bucks, so that only one platoon met the enemy, who showed some fight in houses and dugouts near his support line. D Company successfully reached their objective, the enemy flying wildly before them and leaving four only in their hands. Those houses of Asiago which they searched were neither garrisoned nor fortified. The withdrawal took place with surprising ease, without even being troubled by systematic shell-fire. Prisoners were handed in to the 144th Brigade and receipts were given for 72; but it seems that nearly 100 was the actual bag. Casualties were fairly numerous, amounting in all to 77, but very light in character, only one man being killed and four missing, while of the wounded 26 remained on duty. The majority of wounds was due to shell-fire and unaimed machine-gun bullets, as there was very little genuine fighting. Many awards were made in connection with this well-executed operation; they are given in an appendix. I may mention here that Captain Cawley, who was wounded, received the M.C. and the Italian Silver Medal, and C.S.-M. Alder the same Italian decoration, together with the D.C.M.

September passed quite quietly in alternations between the front line and Granezza. The Battalion was now under the command of Colonel Whitehead, who succeeded, but did not replace, Colonel Lloyd Baker. He was a brave man, but of a narrow and unsympathetic school, staled by continuous service throughout the war.

October brought no change except in the weather, which declined suddenly to autumn on the hilltops, with night-frosts and continuous violent rain. The Austrians were still harassed perpetually by enormous and invariably successful raids, by bombardments and aerial bombing, to which they submitted with the patience of necessity.

The absence of any great concerted attempt to destroy them seemed almost inexplicable to our troops, as they heard of all the great works which were being performed against their enemies elsewhere. Already had Bulgaria fallen; the last Turkish Army had been dissolved; the German line was crumbling to pieces under the remorseless hammer of the British; and the interchange of Notes with America foreshadowed the end of the war. The Italians, however, were determined to wait until the possibility of failure had been reduced to a minimum, and doubtless they were the best judges of the capacity of their own troops. Thus it was not until 25th October that they launched the blow which was to prove the destruction of the Austrian Empire.



CHAPTER XXIII

VICTORY

The attack was started first on the Piave and the Brenta; and operations further west were contingent on success in those areas. Accordingly, its effects did not become apparent on our front until 29th October, when the Austrians were already in headlong flight towards the Tagliamento. At that date we were holding the extreme right of the Divisional Area. On that morning, at daybreak, C Company sent out a patrol, which found that the Austrians had abandoned their front lines—a retirement which deserters had foreshadowed for some days past. They pushed on at noon and entered Asiago, a silent village; thence exploring more boldly, they wandered right across the valley as far as Ebene, close to its northernmost limits. There they saw the French patrols similarly engaged in searching the houses. Then the enemy gave the first sign of his continued existence, firing with two machine guns from a little knoll, which commanded the village 500 or 600 yards away. The Bucks, who were out on the left, brought back similar word, and it was apparent that a general retirement had been carried out to their Winterstellung, or Winter Lines, which ran along the northern slopes and barred ingress into the side valleys which led up to the railway of the Val Sugana. It now became necessary to discover whether the enemy was standing strongly in this main line of defence, or whether it could be overrun by a coup-de-main. During the night of the 29th-30th, therefore, B Company was sent forward to feel its way and report on the resistance encountered. Captain Winslow now established his Headquarters in the Military Barracks at Asiago, keeping one platoon at hand. The remaining three spread widely over the plain and moved forward. They occupied the villages lying at the foot of the mountains, but it was evident that the enemy was still in strength before them. Here and there they extracted Austrians who had been left behind in houses and dugouts. The left platoon, in particular, discovered 17 in Bosco, including an officer; as they drove this party before them towards Asiago, while it was still light, machine-gun fire was directed upon them from the ridges of Monte Catz, causing several casualties. The prisoners, headed by their officer, were foolish enough to refuse to continue their journey, and their mutiny cost them dear, as, with one exception, they were all killed. Next day A Company took on the patrolling work, and found the lines still occupied, while the Austrians denied them access to Costa, which had been examined on the previous day. Reports from either flank gave similar information; there was nothing, therefore, to suggest the speedy and dramatic overthrow which was to follow.

During the night of the 31st October-1st November, the Corps decided to make a general attack at dawn, the orders being verbally delivered to Colonel Whitehead by the Brigade-Major soon after midnight. There was thus very little time to make preparations. Fortunately Major Battcock was acting as intelligence officer, and set to work with all his characteristic energy and method. He had only rejoined the Battalion at his own request some days previously, and although senior to every officer except that of the Colonel, had volunteered to act in any capacity in which he could be useful. He was living in advanced Headquarters at Asiago School, and succeeded in getting everyone in position by 3.30 a.m. Meanwhile D Company, whose duty it was that night to patrol in front, reported that Monte Catz was still strongly held. This long bare shoulder, which projected southward from the main ridge into the valley, was the objective of the Battalion. It was the key of the whole of this section of the Winterstellung, as it overlooked the trenches on either side. At 5.35 the attack was launched; C and D Companies, from right to left, were charged with the assault; they advanced close behind a barrage. Each had a section widely extended in advance as skirmishers, the main body advancing in two lines. C Company met with immediate and splendid success. Brushing aside opposition at Costa and on the slopes of the hill, they stood upon the summit at 7.30 a.m.; they had already taken 65 prisoners and had completely cleared their area. D Company had met with a tougher resistance, and being assailed by cross-fire from both right and left, were held up in the Plain until B Company came into the gap, and seized the machine-gun nests on the south-west slopes of Monte Catz about 7.30 a.m.

Thus our position was satisfactory beyond expectation. The 144th Brigade, however, on the left, were in a less happy condition. Their assault on the lower slopes of M. Interrotto had not been successful. The enemy had even passed to a counter-offensive, and had thrown them back beyond the uttermost villages of the Plain, Camporovere and Bosco. The evacuation of the latter imperilled all our dispositions, and Colonel Whitehead wisely kept A Company at Asiago in case the enemy should drive a wedge between the two Brigades. It was the more unfortunate that O.C. D Company, acting on one of those vague orders which often circulate during battle, whose source it is impossible to trace with certainty, had withdrawn his company somewhat from the slopes, believing himself to be conforming to the desires of the 144th Brigade. Monte Catz was therefore left in a dangerously salient position on the west, but as the Bucks, and beyond them the French on the east, had been completely successful, it was thought well to take the risk of exploiting the success which the 145th Brigade had already won. The indefatigable C Company, therefore, pushed on up the hill, seized and passed the Sichestal Trench (the last organised defence in that area); the Bucks securely protected their right flank; on the left B Company held a line slanting backwards to the Plain, where D continued the line on the outskirts of Bosco, still untaken. All this was accomplished by about 3 p.m. The blow of the Battalion had been decisive, as Lord Cavan mentions in his despatch. They had taken that day 480 prisoners, and more than 30 guns, and had destroyed many more. Next morning the 144th Brigade seized all their objectives with little difficulty; the Winterstellung existed no longer. The Division held the entrance and both sides of the Val d'Assa, and began to march up it towards their final objective, the Val Sugana, one of the main nerves of the enemy system. The Austrians fell into a rout, which can have few parallels in military history. Famished and without hope in the world, faced at the same moment with military disaster and political collapse, they fled headlong into the mountains, or swarmed down in enormous numbers to surrender to our advancing troops; almost the last remnant of self-respect which they retained was their determination not to become the prisoners of the Italians. The rough mountain tracks were blocked with their debris; and the crowds of unarmed men embarrassed our advance-guards and checked their progress. Generals and superior officers came down to meet us, sometimes at the head of troops, sometimes as solitary stragglers. A Corps Commander and three Divisional Generals were among the spoil of the Division. Here and there during the 2nd and the early morning of the 3rd, little bodies of devoted men still resisted; as at Mount Meatta, where a Company of 4th Oxfords put 100 Austrians to flight after a sharp combat. It was noted also that when the red-capped Bosnian Regiment surrendered to our Battalion, the men obeyed their officers smartly, and laid down their arms and equipment neatly at the word of command. It was curious that these Mahommedans, from the latest acquired of all the Austrian possessions, should have been the most faithful to their military oath. During the 3rd the confusion among the Austrians was, if possible, increased by their mistaken belief that the Armistice had come into force; they ceased even the isolated semblance of resistance, and were herded in the valleys like sheep. Meanwhile the Division advanced inexorably by the Val d'Assa and the subsidiary Val Portule; they crossed the enemy's frontier at 8.30 on that morning, first of all the armies of the West (except for that portion of Alsace which had remained in French hands since 1914). That evening the Battalion lodged in Caldonazza, just south of the Val Sugana; here the enemy had abandoned a vast ordnance park and more than 200 guns. The Advanced Guards were already in Levico, that pleasant little spa in the valley, with its baths and springs, only 20 miles from Trent. Next morning the news came that the Armistice was signed and was to come into force at 3 p.m. The weary troops continued their march up the valley until that hour, taking still vast quantities of prisoners; then they halted. For our Battalion the war ended at the village of Vigalzano. They had covered 35 miles in two and a-half days over rough paths in the mountains. Not a single man had fallen out. Their casualties in this last glorious battle amounted to 17 killed and 23 wounded. Their individual captures cannot be recorded, but the booty of the Division was unprecedented, and reached 22,000 prisoners and at least 600 guns.

Here I will leave them; I will not describe their subsequent stay in Italy, the demobilisation of the Battalion, the return of the nucleus and its welcome at Reading, or its rebirth in peace under its present popular and capable Commander, Colonel Aldworth, and its excellent Adjutant, Captain Goodenough.

Let us not forget these Berkshire men, who played a worthy part in the changing scenes of this tremendous conflict: who, at the close, amidst the utter confusion of their enemies, bore witness to the truth of that saying, 'He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.'



APPENDIX A.

1/4TH BATTALION ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT.

ROLL OF OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN WHO DIED IN THE WAR.

CAPTAINS.

Attride, R. G. Buck, C. Down, W. O., M.C.

LIEUTENANTS.

Hunt, N. G. Palmer, R. W. P. Ridley, L. E.

SECOND-LIEUTENANTS.

Bartram, A. Beasley, A. W., M.M. Clayton, N. Garside, T. O. Heppell, H. D. Teed, H. S. Wakeford, G. T.

ATTACHED TO OTHER UNITS.

Lieut.-Colonel Thorne, H. U. H. Lieut. Wells, H. M. W.

COMPANY SERGT.-MAJORS.

392 Lawrence, W. 200546 Wright, A. T., D.C.M.

COMPANY QUARTERMASTER SERGEANTS. 599 Moore, F. W. 1637 Perrin, C.

SERGEANTS.

2399 Amor, A. S. 200627 Benn, C. 2478 Brewerton, W. W. 200485 Childs, F. 2327 Didcock, F. 2402 Forge, G. F. 202093 Garrard, C. J. C. 200080 Giles, F. C. 2883 Grant, E. J. 426 Haines, G. 891 Hedges, F. W. 203799 Henson, A. 2446 Hewett, W. C. E. 200010 Holloway, W. C. 2610 House, A. E. 200861 Lukeman, C. H. 2529 Lush, G. 200605 Nicholls, A. 200406 Paddick, H. 200670 Parker, C. J. 200169 Parker, J. 2773 Pinnell, H. J. 44 Reddrop, R. T. 200542 Russell, T. D. 441 Rutter, P. 2434 Taylor, V. H. 200246 Weavings, R. 200690 Wright, F. J.

LANCE-SERGEANTS.

2342 Gorring, H. J. 200390 Langford, A. W. 1937 Watson, F. W. 200192 Webb, F. W.

CORPORALS.

202402 Cocking, J. H. A. 200422 Davies, E. L., M.M. 2340 Jones, A. T. N. 12799 Killmaster, W. 201482 Knight, F. 1830 Painter, A. G. 2701 Papps, A. C. 2575 Piggott, W. 203840 Russell, W. J. 1678 Rutland, H. S. 1825 Searle, A. E. 203836 Simmonds, T. G. 200896 Snow, J. M. 2154 Taylor, W. G. 201555 Watts, W. 2395 Wilson, R. G.

LANCE-CORPORALS.

200412 Attride, G. J. 200382 Barker, E. A. 200344 Beard, H. E. 2765 Boston, A. W. 200137 Brooks, A. C. 203198 Campbell, H. V. 5649 Cole, A. C. 200125 Cook, W. C. 200160 Dean, H. S. 1625 Deane, M. A. C. 200946 Dee, A. E. 2176 Garrett, F. H. 2947 George, R. W. 666 Godwin, A. H. 2946 Goodall, A. 200813 Hands, W. T. 3015 Haskins, R. 200513 Hatto, H. H. 2659 House, H. J. 203833 Jenkins, W. 4945 Johnson, W. G. A. 1470 Lambert, A. J. 1767 Legge, A. E. 201450 Lewis, F. C. 200242 Mills, G. 2442 Odell, E. V. 200425 Perkins, E. H. R. 201508 Rackley, A. 200621 Saunders, E. 6289 Smith, F. 1690 Somerville, S. 2354 Vaughan, F. W. 201543 Ward, E. 5775 Wright, A. V.

PRIVATES.

4716 Abery, L. H. 5529 Adlam, F. C. 200545 Allum, F. S. 203061 Andrews, G. 202156 Andrews, W. 201477 Annetts, P. 5455 Appleton, G. 2653 Atkins, F. 200824 Aubrey, F. W. 201843 Austin, J. W. 5654 Ayles, E. H. 1883 Ayres, F. 2714 Bacon, P. G. W. 1939 Badcock, A. 4682 Baker, P. G. 200617 Barnett, A. A. 1768 Barney, C. 5789 Bateman, J. 2962 Beckett, A. J. 5831 Beckinsale, L. 200157 Belcher, H. 200743 Belcher, S. E. 202211 Benger, A. T. 201877 Bickle, A. E. 5843 Bird, F. 1473 Blade, H. R. W. 4920 Bloomfield, C. I. 200472 Bolton, C. 10116 Bond, F. S. 2748 Boothby, R. 37969 Borley, F. G. 3088 Bowell, G. P. 20662 Bracey, G. G. 200400 Brant, B. J. L. 36259 Bromley, H. 5444 Brooman, H. B. 2076 Brown, C. J. F. 200544 Brown, S. R. 203847 Brown, W. A. 203181 Buckingham, F. J. 220192 Bullen, E. L. 18181 Burrows, C. 2782 Butler, A. J. 4969 Buxcey, A. E. 200960 Buxton, W. 200632 Cane, N. 203294 Cannon, H. F. 202033 Carter, A. 203195 Chaplin, F. A. 2122 Chapman, A. E. 202068 Chapman, W. J. 5327 Clarke, E. F. 36539 Clayton, W. M. 37974 Clements, F. 203192 Cleveland, F. T. 201991 Cockell, J. 5648 Collacott, F. E. V. 201548 Collis, A. 202139 Commins, H. J. 34087 Cook, A. E. 18346 Cook, F. H. V. 30435 Cook, J. 203706 Cook, R. 37977 Cooke, F. T. 5671 Cooper, H. 17723 Copas, A. W. 4801 Coventry, H. T. 4815 Cox, E. B. 5263 Coxhead, W. 5199 Cripps, A. E. 200902 Crook, W. 4701 Cropp, C. 5349 Cruse, A. G. 202219 Curtis, W. J. 202181 Dale, S. 2656 Dance, W. W. S. 202887 Darling, F. H. 5855 Davey, A. A. 2983 Denham, C. W. 2753 Dix, W. H. 5828 Dixon, G. 202230 Drake, F. J. V. 5738 Duckett, H. E. 202107 Eade, J. 202149 Eady, L. 200566 Early, F. W. 20350 Eighteen, H. T. 5083 Elbrow, A. J. 201908 Elwick, C. G. 201773 Emmett, C. W. 202186 Emmons, C. W. H. 5208 Evans, D. 200535 Fennell, F. 3250 Filbee, W. H. F. 3271 Filmore, H. W. 37921 Fisher, H. A. 203326 Fleetwood, F. P. 20202 Fleming, B. 2727 Ford, A. E. 200878 Freeman, J. 12384 Freeth, R. 202895 French, H. 201970 Fryer, E. G. 203712 Fullbrook, A. H. 37979 Furness, F. C. 203075 Garraway, R. H. 201356 Geater, A. J. 2539 Gee, R. B. 2996 Gibbard, H. 4983 Gibbons, C. E. 5641 Giles, E. S. 3053 Giles, F. 203881 Giles, H. 37915 Goddard, H. T. W. 200058 Goodenough, A. S. J. 2062 Goodship, A. B. 4874 Gore, A. J. 201412 Gould, A. 4939 Grant, G. 44411 Grant, G. 5131 Graves, T. H. 203255 Green, W. G. 32808 Greenaway, E. 5092 Greenough, E. J. 4124 Grigg, J. 201694 Haines, A. E. 201757 Haines, H. W. 2613 Hall, A. E. 201883 Hall, A. E. 201883 Harding, A. E. 203727 Harmer, H. 2723 Harris, J. F. 2881 Harvey, E. E. 4759 Harvey, F. W. 203793 Hawkes, C. J. 5178 Hays, J. 2968 Head, W. 1686 Heath, W. H. 2130 Herne, G. 200660 Herring, C. 201736 Hester, H. R. 5688 Higgins, A. H. 2380 Higgs, A. W. 201085 Higgs, J. 202365 Hill, S. A. 36755 Hipkiss, J. P. 202201 Hodges, S. G. 202426 Holloway, E. 4906 Holton, F. V. 37918 Hood, J. 202247 Hopkins, R. G. 2718 House, O. 203852 Humphries, W. 3382 Hunt, A. 203736 Ireland, G. 37186 Jackson, C. 202044 Jefferies, G. H. 37958 Jessel, H. 37939 Jones, L. L. 201568 Jones, T. H. 200293 Josey, B. 200196 Kinchin, H. 203187 King, A. E. 6126 King, F. 201455 King, H. A. 2616 Knott, A. T. 200251 Lambourne, W. 200834 Langford, A. B. 203746 Langmead, A. R. 6124 Lee, A. H. 202016 Lennard, J. 202041 Leonard, A. 3058 Leonard, R. 202703 Lett, G. E. 3113 Lewendon, A. 5709 Liddard, E. 200291 Long, D. 2607 Loving, H. 2204 Luke, W. S. 200783 Lunnon, P. 36028 Macdonald, A. 37913 Main, A. H. 3955 Maidwaring, H. 3198 Marshall, H. K. 202124 Martin, J. 36831 Mason, L. G. A. 203045 Mathers, G. 3166 May, C. 202118 May, P. 3836 McKay, J. 3060 Meads, F. 3809 Meads, T. 201494 Meads, W. H. 14102 Merriman, H. J. C. 203817 Miles, W. H. 1816 Miles, W. T. G. 18439 Millest, S. E. 200583 Mitcham, W. C. 41312 Mitchell, G. 2758 Moody, L. F. 5422 Morton, T. W. 2951 Muggridge, F. J. 2143 Mulford, F. 200361 Mulford, R. C. A. 37932 Nacowitz, J. 201396 Neale, G. W. 3193 Nelson, F. 200099 New, J. 37941 Newell, J. 20375 Newman, E. T. 1826 Noakes, A. 200454 Norman, J. P. 201765 Osborne, H. J. 201994 Packford, C. 3483 Painter, F. C. 202194 Panting, G. A. 5240 Parker, A. Y. 203760 Parker, H. L. 5653 Parsons, C. F. 5567 Parsons, W. H. 202148 Pascoe, H. 201839 Pearce, E. A. 201474 Pearce, W. A. 36417 Pepper, C. 3234 Piddington, W. J. 3456 Pike, W. 37960 Platt, R. 202014 Plumridge, W. 3032 Pocock, S. H. V. 201029 Pocock, S. R. 200310 Poole, J. H. 2713 Pratt, R. E. 36684 Prowse, W. 203846 Quarterman, C. F. 3450 Rackley, F. 202892 Robertson, R. H. 4974 Robey, W. R. 37169 Robinson, C. E. 6144 Rodman, S. H. 3004 Rogers, G. F. D. 2057 Rose, C. R. 18532 Rudge, S. 200373 Russ, E. 201581 Sadler, J. H. 203803 Sadler, T. 3384 Salmon, H. 35971 Salmon, W. H. 37989 Sargent, S. 200737 Schaffer, A. 201975 Searing, A. 202059 Searle, C. 202121 Searle, E. 2848 Selby, F. P. 2845 Seymour, A. J. 3033 Shackleford, A. F. 201881 Sharland, H. 201801 Shepherd, C. 37935 Skuce, W. 2469 Smith, A. F. 2378 Smith, W. T. 37925 Spice, A. F. 21830 Stevens, L. 203854 Stratford, W. 2635 Street, H. S. 5312 Swain, A. T. 36875 Taylor, G. 202165 Tellan, F. E. 203822 Thompson, J. H. 203781 Thorn, R. E. 5164 Tipping, H. 202174 Trather, E. 203782 Treadwell, W. S. 200054 Turner, F. 2639 Turner, J. 203300 Tyler, W. 1751 Tyrell, E. 5193 Vickers, J. 5729 Vockins, B. O. 200879 Waite, A. 2960 Walker, H. V. 201060 Walters, C. H. 3216 Warren, P. 1947 Webb, G. W. 2017 Webb, W. E. 203845 Welch, F. A. 5844 Wells, A. 19430 Werrell, W. 203770 Wheatcroft, A. F. 5197 Wheeler, F. 1457 Wheeler, G. 200986 White, C. V. T. 2662 White, J. H. 4795 White, R. J. 5856 Whittle, W. 200804 Wickens, B. E. 200665 Wicks, N. J. 5143 Wicks, W. C. 5553 Wicks, W. G. 201131 Wiggins, A. J. 202115 Wiles, F. 5638 Williams, A. G. 5412 Wiltshire, G. 2580 Wing, A. G. 2633 Winter, L. V. 201514 Witts, H. 2764 Woodall, R. E. 202000 Woodley, A. G. 203790 Woodley, F. W. 202684 Woodward, H. 23660 Woolford, E. J. 5793 Young, S.



APPENDIX B.

Honours And Decorations Gained By Officers, N.C.O.'s And Men Of The 1st/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, While Serving With The Battalion.

C.M.G.

Colonel O. Pearce Serocold. Lieut.-Col. R. J. Clarke.

D.S.O.

Lieut.-Col. A. B. Lloyd-Baker (Bucks Battn. attached). Lieut.-Col. R. J. Clarke. Capt. W. A. Wetherilt.

M.C.

Major J. N. Aldworth. Capt. S. Boyle. Capt. G. M. Gaythorne-Hardy. Capt. O. B. Challenor. Capt. W. O. Down. Capt. D. J. Ward. Capt. O. M. James. Capt. E. W. Crust. Capt. B. F. Holmes (Norfolk Regt. attached). Capt. J. W. Cawley. Capt. G. C. W. Gregory (East Surrey Regt. attached). Capt. L. Ball (R.A.M.C. attached). Capt. L. T. Goodenough. Capt. S. C. Larn.

Lieut. W. O. Forder. Lieut. P. G. Handford (Wilts Regt. attached). Lieut. T. Rogers. Lieut. A. O. Stott. Lieut. H. T. Wevill. 2nd/Lieut. E. E. Millar (Wilts Regt. attached).

200005 C.S.M., A. G. Rider. 201108 C.S.M., W. H. Heath.

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL.

200024 R.S.M. Laidler, A. H. 200546 Sergt. Wright, A. T. 3134 Sergt. Rogers, T. 65 Sergt. White, S. 203794 Sergt. Gilding, F. 200569 Sergt. White, W. T. [A]405 Sergt. Westall, A. G. 200034 Sergt. Roberts, W. A. 201115 Sergt. Wilson, W. 200052 Sergt. Holloway, T. 200756 Sergt. Salmon, J. H. 200500 Sergt. Moore, S. W. 203791 C.S.M. Alder, G. 4749 Pte. Appleby, J. 2594 Pte. Sadler, G.

[Footnote A: denotes award of Bar to D.C.M.]

MILITARY MEDAL.

12 Sergt. Beasley, A. W. 445 Sergt. Wickens, R. A. 203809 L/Cpl. Ranscombe, W. 142 Sergt. Shorter, G. 2035 Pte. Sellwood, P. 3128 Pte. Ross, B. A. 4968 Pte. Wernham, H. W. [B]3120 L/Cpl. Rixon, W. 2439 L/Cpl. Davies, E. L. 2612 L/Cpl. Rice, R. 2646 Corpl. Cooke, W. [B]200814 Pte. Mitchell, R. 144 Pte. Smith, S. 2629 Pte. Russell, T. 1547 Sergt. Goodenough, L. T. 2768 Corpl. Crust, E. W. 200150 Sergt. Garrett, E. J. 200633 Pte. Lambden, R. E. 200426 Sergt. Millican, H. 200847 L/Cpl. De Gruchy, H. 200620 Sergt. Martin, S. 200647 Sergt. Seeley, C. L. 203875 L/Sergt. Baylis, L. G. 200661 L/Cpl. Slatter, S. G. 201824 Pte. Breadmore, F. 200846 Sergt. White, H. G. 200406 Sergt. Paddick, H. 200373 Pte. Russ, E. 200682 Sergt. Fuller, B. H. 20649 L/Cpl. Mazey, J. 2772 Pte. Hutchings, G. W. 2252 Sergt. Evans, A. 3143 Corpl. Hart, H. 1858 Pte. Oliver, M. W. 8362 Corpl. Allen, W. 200675 Sergt. Shaw, E. 200263 Sergt. Harman, C. H. 37317 Corpl. White, N. B. 200356 Corpl. Withers, A. V. 38157 Pte. Black, D. 203850 Corpl. Cripps, H. J. 201508 Pte. Rackley, A. 36644 Pte. Edmunds, F. 26031 L/Cpl. Lloyd, L. V. 203873 Sergt. Thatcher, A. 200905 Pte. Robinson, F. W. 201115 Sergt. Wilson, W. 36796 Pte. Cooksey, E. H. 202187 Pte. Disbury, C. 200500 Sergt. Moore, S. W. 200256 Corpl. Duncan, J. A. 1794 L/Cpl. Sargent, E. N. 1140 Sergt. Holloway, T. 203771 L/Cpl. Stratton, W. W. 37937 L/Cpl. Rogers, S. 200485 Corpl. Childs, F. W. 200562 Pte. Clare, H. H. 203812 L/Cpl. Parris, A. T. 201775 Pte. Cund, F. 201917 Pte. Curtis, C. W. 200796 Pte. Stokes, W. J. 201505 Sergt. Prior, S. C. 200215 Pte. Carter, A. 203772 Pte. Cartland, J. 200216 L/Cpl. Bricks, H. A. 203862 Pte. Wiggins, C. W. 201753 Pte. Evans, G. 201796 L/Cpl. Thomas, M. 200877 L/Cpl. Freeman, J. 34146 Pte. Tyrrell, F. 202165 Pte. Crouch, W. J. 202244 L/Cpl. Edwards, H. F. 21799 Pte. Brooks, F. J. 201383 Pte. Hopkins, F. 17048 Pte. Fisher, A. 201776 Corpl. Sturgess, A. H.

[Footnote B: denotes award of Bar to Military Medal.]

MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL.

200423 C.Q.M.S. Pitman, C. E. 200063 C.Q.M.S. Snarey, F. A. 200019 C.Q.M.S. Hatton, E. S. 200849 Sergt. Grover, F. R. 200549 Sergt. Morris, W. H. 203829 L/Cpl. Kurton, C. 203753 Pte. Meads, H. H.

MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES.

Colonel O. Pearce Serocold (twice). Lieut.-Col. R. J. Clarke (three times). Lieut.-Col. A. B. Lloyd-Baker (twice) (Bucks Battn. attached).

Major G. A. Battcock (twice). Major J. N. Aldworth (twice). Capt. A. G. M. Sharpe. Capt. G. M. Gaythorne-Hardy. Capt. R. G. Attride. Capt. O. B. Challenor. Capt. L. Ball (R.A.M.C. attached). Capt. A. C. Hughes. Capt. O. M. James. Capt. F. Winsloe. Capt. W. A. Wetherilt. Lieut. R. A. Hogarth. Lieut. J. Payne. Lieut. R. W. Wells. 2/Lieut. C. A. Freeman.

R.S.M. Hanney, W. C. R.S.M. Hogarth, R. A. 2361 R.Q.M.S. Borton, E. 200024 C.S.M. Laidler, A. H. 200427 Sergt. Gutteridge, A. 200756 Sergt. Salmon, J. H. 203798 Sergt. Neal, S. 200540 Sergt. Monney, J. T. 200084 Sergt. Palmer, F. 1179 Sergt. Beaver, H. 200532 Sergt. Higgs, W. A. E. (twice). 200848 Sergt. Gale, A. 200947 L/Sergt. Earle, W. 200072 Corpl. Eggleton, A. E. 200356 Corpl. Withers, A. V. (twice). 200415 Corpl. Peacock, W. J. 200040 Corpl. Poulter, E. 200275 Corpl. Croft, J. 899 Corpl. Collier, G. H. 203182 L/Cpl. Parris, L. 200810 L/Cpl. Shaw, A. E. 17048 Pte. Fisher, A. 202196 Pte. Hardy, T. E. 200562 Pte. Clare, H. H. 38172 Pte. Jukes, F.

FOREIGN DECORATIONS.

FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE.

Lieut.-Col. H. F. Whitehead (E. Lancs. Regt. attached). 203842 Pte. Holley, P. F.

BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE.

200415 Corpl. Peacock, W. J.

ITALIAN SILVER MEDAL FOR VALOUR.

Capt. J. W. Cawley. Capt. W. A. Wetherilt. Lieut. A. O. Stott. 203791 C.S.M. Alder, G.

ITALIAN BRONZE MEDAL FOR VALOUR.

Lieut. O. Buxton. 203846 Sergt. Gilbey, O. 38157 Pte. Black, D.

ITALIAN CROCE DI GUERRA.

Lieut.-Col. A. B. Lloyd-Baker (Bucks Battn. attached). 202235 Sergt. Hill, A. J. 200569 Sergt. White, W. T. 203850 Corpl. Cripps, H. J. 201753 Pte. Evans, G. 36796 Pte. Cooksey, E. H.

FRENCH OFFICIER DU MERITE D'AGRICOLE.

Lieut.-Col. R. J. Clarke.

FRENCH CHEVALIER DU MERITE D'AGRICOLE.

Major J. N. Aldworth.

THE END