The Story of the 9th King's" in France"

th Div

for France its place was taken by the second Battalion. For a considerable time it carried out training at Tunbridge Wells

eneral Paynter's 172nd Infantry Brigade of the 57th Division, which was a Divi

ere the Battalion remained for nearly seven months. The sector had been held by the New Zealanders, and was one of the quietest on the whole British front, but orders were now given to liven things up in order to keep as many enemy troops opposite the sector as possible, and distract their attention from the impending operations at Messines on the left. This object was achieved by considerable activity, patrols, and artillery bombardments. The extent of the front held entailed a good deal of exertion in

nth the Battalion was taken out of the line for a rest, and was billeted in the village of Febvin Palfart. Here it remained for a

was then withdrawn and the Battalion was put into rest billets at Nielles. After about a month spent there in re-organisation and training for the attack, it moved up to Emile Camp, just outside Elverdinghe. The weather was bitterly cold and the ground frozen hard. On Christmas Day the Battalion went into the shell crater line at Poelcappelle, and spent four days there. The weather conditions were very severe, snow had fallen, the ground was wet and the machine gun fire very active. The first week in January the Reg

its met at Waterlands Camp outside Armentières, and were united to form one battalion. The union, though imperative, was distasteful to some, as many officers and non-

company in the Lunatic Asylum at Armentières, and after a short stay it did one tour in the l

ttle from the effects of artillery. During the next three months it was to be reduced to ruins. The Battalion was accommodated in a Nis

y arranging a kind of concert in one of the estaminets in Estaires. This was the last occasion before the Armistice on

ch to Sus St. Leger. The night was dark and the roads were in bad condition and a few men fell out, but on the whole, the march discipline was good. On the 5th the Battalion moved to Warluzel, where it remained for three days and then proceeded to Thièvres, staying there four days. These moves meant a great strain on everyone. To march in full pack on bad roads with motor lorries splashing mud, day after day, is an ordeal. In each village a fresh start had to be made. Billets had to be found and allotted, fire orders put up and billet guards mounted

n as they lay sleeping on the ground. Fires could not be lighted as the enemy aeroplanes would have used them as aiming marks. In the morning the Battalion on awaking found it was just outside Pas, in what was called Beaucamp Ravine. Here it remained for two days, and then moved to Hénu, where the men pitched a camp in a field, and there the Battalion remained for a little over a fortnight. But it was no rest camp. The weather was very bad and the ground became wet and sodden. Every alternate day large working parties, which consumed almost all the available men, were detailed for work on the rear lines of defence, that were

n and again. Defence schemes were studied and prepared, but these tended to become a little too co

d not thoroughly understand how to set the fuses, the shells were all blind. The Germans seemed to be able to advance whenever they wished, whereas the British had miserably failed at Ypres the last year. The men wer

deep and wide, and there were traverses every few yards. They were revetted with hurdles and planks of timber which were kept in position by iron pickets, which were securely wired to anchor pickets driven sideways into the walls of the trench. So well anchored were the revetments that in spite of the continuous bombardments of the Somme Battle

s still an obstacle which was only passable by infantry in certain places where lanes had been made. Anyone who saw this entanglement did not w

y marked, and several trees were still alive, including one or two fine copper beeches. Wild hyacinths and other f

eclaiming old trenches, digging new ones, and putting the a

talion's position, with gas shells, most of which were charged with mustard gas, and some

reminded one of the Loos trenches in 1915. It was a time of great patrol activity. No one was quite sure where the Germans were and in what force. Daylight and night fight

ugh the communication trenches. This enabled the enemy to note ways of approach which he could shell after nightfall, and so inflict casualties on working parties. To prevent this, two snipers were told off to lie in the grass and

mine entrances to the dugout occupied by the headquarter's personnel received direct hits and were blocked. The Second in Command then had the unple

onsiderable age. There was an enormous byre partitioned off into several pig styes, and this was allotted to the officers, one pig stye for each o

f being closely associated with the headquarters of the 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers; and it is interesting to record that this was not the first time that the Battalion had the honour of working in conjunction with this illustrious regiment. Many membe

nners of "B" were accommodated. "B" and "C" Companies remained in the Chateau de la Haie Switch. There was heavy shelling in "A" Company's area duri

ompany's sector in the early morning. The men quickly adjusted their mas

h.-These days w

s in the centre with posts in Gommecourt Trench, and "C" Company was on the left flank in Pigeon Wood. "D" Company was in reserve with orders to man a strong point, known as Julius Point, in case of an attack. Opportu

talion furnished several working parties. There was abnormal sickness duri

enamed Rum Support. The companies were disposed from right to left in order, "B," "A" and "C" in Gommecourt Trench and Gommecourt Support. "D" Company was in reserve. The companies were housed i

es and our artillery-some of which was immediately in rear-opened with rapid fire. It transpired later that the

id considerable work in its own sector digging rifle slits, and making baby eleph

ng at this period our observers were able to observe well behind the enemy lines. Occasi

very quietly, and there is n

n and expressed his appreciation of the wiring done at Salmon Trench. Visibili

on headquarters with 77 m.m. guns and 10.5 c.m. howitz

very quietly and there is no

Front. Companies were disposed as follows:-Left front company, "A." Centre company, "D." Right front company, "C." Reserve

played more than usual activity. The

al artillery activity. Two enemy aeroplanes, one of which was a Halbe

posts in front of Rossignol Wood were troubled by

enemy was not

Winston Churchill visited the Battalion sec

onsiderably. Our gunners still continued to harass the

-4th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment to wire B

the 2-6th Battalion Liverpool Regiment. During

d as follows:-"A" and "D" Companies at Chateau de la Haie; "B"

, which functioned before the shell buried itself and so gave the shell a very great splinter effect. It was usual for the enemy to fire on cross roads and similar targets in

e camp, and particular attention was paid to the keeping of direction in the advance, the tactical employment of Lewis guns and the envelopment of machine gun nests. The fighting had become more open this year than it had been in 1917, and consequently the men ha

cond, and one third prize. The Army Rifle Competitions took place here, and No. 6 platoon of "B" Company

s at Warluzel by the following route: Pas, Grincourt, and Couterelle. The march was rather severe as the weather was very hot, and it needed the greatest firmness on the part of th

Place. In the evening of the next day the Battalion paraded in the Square and marched to Wakefield Camp by Roclincourt. While in Arras the troops found an old hat shop and great amusement was cause

zone in the Gavrelle-Fampoux sector. The companies were taken up to the forward area by a light railwa

ritish line lay the rolling Artois country which was fundamentally agricultural, and in front there loomed in the distance an industrial manufacturing district, which seemed a far-off civilization in contrast to the devastation behind. It was a time of great aeriel activity on both sides. Battles were fought at high altitudes, of which one was scarcely

ut 10 p.m., (after the men had bedded down) to move at once. The move was quite unexpected as everyone believed the Battalion was to stay in the village for several days longer. Kits were hastily packed in the darkness, and in an hour the Battalion was ready to move. Fosseux wa

less a worn-out appearance. The men were dusty and tired out as they trudged in the mist of the morning, with the field kitchen and Lewis gun cart in the rear. The cooks were doing their best to get the fire lighted to boil the water for breakfast. The pack animals seemed to

tory was certain, and that Marshal Foch had ordered everyone to advance. This news instantly

d Battle

ft for Bellacourt. The next day the Battalion left and, passing en route Ficheux and Blaireville

ed at 6 a.m. that the Battalion would attack that day. Operation orders followed later. The two leading companies were to assemble at Humber Redoubt and Mole Lane, and the other

d numerous shell holes. Shortly after zero the contact aeroplane unfortunately received a direct hit by a shell and crashed to earth. Very heavy machine gun fire was directed against the leading companies from Copse Trench, which brought about many

ourt was reached, and several men entered the village. As it was reported that there were no British troops on either side of the village it was decided on the spot to withdraw to Cemetery Avenue temporarily. "D" Company was endeavouring to get round the north side of the village but was held up by heavy machine gun fire from Crow's Nest. Owing to this machine gun fire and to the fact that the left flank of the Battalion was in the air, and that the British artillery was

umbers, were united to form "X" Company, while "B" and "D" Companies formed "Y" Company. This scheme was adopted so that the original companies and platoons would not sink their identities in that of a sister company. This re-organisation was completed, equipment made up, and all necessary stores given out within twenty-four hours, and the Battalion was again ready for action. The bivouac area was vacated at 4 p.m. on the 1st September, and the Battalion went to the Hindenburg Line, where

dered to advance in the direction of Riencourt, the fringe of which village it reached by advan

nce of the enemy, was completely broken. Months had been spent on its preparation and in making c

patrols were sent out. The following evening the Battalion was withdrawn to a bivouac area outside Croisilles, which vi

talion headquarters were situated in the Hindenburg Line and the two forward companies were just on the fringe of Inchy, and accommodated in what had lately been the headquarters of the 115th Feldartillerie Regiment. The dugout was

re the line of the Canal du Nord. The attack was covered by an intense bombardment of the enemy front positions and Bourlon Wood, and the advance of the infantry was cover

n support. The conditions were bad, and the men in front had to lie in their shell craters all day. As these generally contained water, the men got very wet. The village was incessantly shelled and p

g place the Company Commander was out interviewing the Commanding Officer and, returning to his headquarters, he saw shell after shell burst in the vicinity. When the intensity of the fire was somewhat mitigated, he returned to company h

fought in the first Battle of Ypres in 1914 and had remained in France until wounded in 1917. Though blind in one eye and deaf in one ear, he insisted

ccount of the enemy aeroplanes. The next day, however, was fine and everyone quickly dried. Of the village scarcely a vestige remained. Here and there the foundation of a wall was discernible in the mud. French villages are usually well wooded, but of all the trees in Bullecourt there was only one

a few days were spent in resting and training, and on the 25th September the Battalion m

n of assembly in the Hindenburg Line and then passed through Moeuvres, crossed the Canal

t of which was firing over open sights, and several casualties were sustained. The Battalion was soon held up by machine gun f

unately, the suburb of Proville had not been captured, as had been originally supposed, a

istently shelled it with his heavy batteries, and the trees served to intensify the sound of the explosions. Several 18-pounder guns and a battery of 8-inch howitzers

were few troops on the bridgehead east of the Canal de l'Escaut. The area was periodically searched by the enemy heavy artil

on the 11th moved to a bivouac area by Inchy. The next day it marched to Hermies,

time to the trenches in front of this town. The next day the Battalion went by motor lorries through Locon and other places the men had known so well in 1915 and, debussing near Laventie, the Battalion marc

ll

ague report that the enemy had departed, but it was not known to what point the British troops had then attained. There might have been troops between the Battalion and the enemy, and there might not. Road mines and "booby" traps were to be expected. The Battalion arrived at Haubourdin at 4 p.m., where there was a halt for a meal. On rea

issing the soldiers. So great was the crowd that the passage of the troops was impeded. Eventually the companies reached their allotted stations and formed gua

no post; the streets were unlit and the trams had long since ceased to run; garbage was deposited in the street and there putrified.

scape before the French police arrived. Out of the men not actually on duty, a guard of honour was found to accompany M. Clemenceau on his triumphal entry into the city on behalf of the French Republic. It was an inspiring occasion

ur

perhaps in a ditch on the side of the road. Sentries kept a look-out from a skylight window or gap in the hedge. Civilians were living in the same houses as the troops and some of these appeared rather friendly towards the enemy. One woman actually

family, and the then occupier, Mademoiselle Thérèse de Germiny, who had remained, lent her boat to the Company, and several men were able to row on the ornamental lake which was situated at the side of the chateau in a beautiful park. One platoon w

ning shells before evacuating. Day after day the park belonging to the Froyennes Chateau was searched by all manner of shell. So intense was the fire that it remi

r days in the front position with the intention of spending all the next tour i

n the war was over. Their last time in action was passed. Among those that trudged wearily out of action that night were a few who had landed at Le Havre with

icers were billeted in private houses in the vicinity. While on parade on the morning of the 11th November it was announced to the men that the Armistice had been signed. The news of the cessation of hostilities was received by the soldiers withou

e terms of the Armistice was evidenced by the returning British prisoners of war from the German lines. A picquet was posted on the main road outside Battalion headquarters, and on arrival returning prisoners were escorted to a billet which was prepared for them. Fires were burning in the billet, and all of the late prisoners were supplied with a bed. A hot meal, tea and a rum ration were served to them as they arrived. By midnight about eighty had come through. The majority of

rs for prisoners of war. The conditions inside the fort were terrible and constituted strong evidence of the sufferings the prisoners of war must have endured. In view of the imminence of demobilisati

ra

ition huts in a wood. The next day the Battalion passed through Lens, and one was surprised to see how near the Highlanders must have got to the town at the Battle of Loos. After leaving Lens the Battalion marched right through the centre of the district in which the Vimy Ridge Battles had

o be done to make the huts habitable. Beds and tables had to be constructed, cook houses established and ovens built. Duckboard tracks had to be laid as the ground was muddy. In this work the men were assisted by some German prisoners who worked very well and thoroughly. No enmity was evinced by the men, w

is men and he managed to secure an ample supply of paint. Others telegraphed to England for table decorations and some things could be bought in Arras. One sergeant-major borrowed bed sheets from some lady friend and these served as table cloths. The din

it received the colours of the Regiment from the Lord Mayor

gth parades ceased. Men who had served and lived together for so long were parting and might perhaps never see each other again. Friendships of months' standing were no

p to the Rhine Army, where they had the pleasure of seeing the result of their comrades' work, and the Germans dejected and defeated. It was indeed gratifying to see British soldiers quartered in Bonn University, that home of "kultur" where the late Kaiser Wilhelm was educated. A reunio

working in harmonious union, the Battalion earned for itself a high reputation for efficiency in every direction. The work it was given to do has been done in a cheerful and thorough manner, and let th

END

by officers and men while

DISTINGUISHED

olonel Lord

SERVICE ORDER AND

n R.C.

GUISHED SE

neral F.

Colonel H.K

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F.S.

Mahony,

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n C.G.

ant S.H

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LITARY

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ant R.

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nt A.C.

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ant W.L

W.G. Harris

ant W.J

ant L.T

enant

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nant C

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gt.-Major

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ral W

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NORTHERN PUBL

and 11 Brunswick