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diff --git a/18468-0.txt b/18468-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a9a301c --- /dev/null +++ b/18468-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7217 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, by D. D. + Ogilvie + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you +will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before +using this eBook. + +Title: The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry + and 14th (F. & F. Yeo.) Battn. R.H. 1914–1919 + +Author: D. D. Ogilvie + +Release Date: May 29, 2006 [eBook #18468] +[Most recently updated: June 3, 2021] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +Produced by: Jeannie Howse, Sigal Alon and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) +Revised by Richard Tonsing. + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FIFE AND FORFAR YEOMANRY *** + + + + + * * * * * + + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber’s Note: | + | | + | A number of obvious typographical errors have been corrected | + | in this text. For a complete list, please see the bottom of | + | this document. | + | | + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + +THE FIFE AND FORFAR YEOMANRY + + + + +[Illustration: OFFICERS AT FAKENHAM, 1915. +_Back Row (left to right)._—Lt. Smith, Lt. Rigg, Lt. Hutchison, Lt. +Herdman. Lt. Gray, Lt. Stewart, Lt. Marshall, Lt. Lindsay, Lt. +Robertson, Capt. Osborne, Lt. Don, Lt. Cummins, Capt. Mitchell, Capt. +Ogilvie. Capt. Tuke, Major De Prée, Major Gilmour, Lt.-Col. Mitchell, +Capt. Lindsay, Major Younger, Major Nairn. Lt. Nairn, Lt. Andrew, Lt. +Sir W. Campbell, Lt. Inglis. +_Frontispiece_] + + + + +THE FIFE AND +FORFAR YEOMANRY + +AND 14TH (F. & F. YEO.) BATTN. R.H. + +1914–1919 + + +BY MAJOR D.D. OGILVIE + +WITH A PREFACE BY +MAJOR-GENERAL E.S. GIRDWOOD, C.B., C.M.G. +Lately G.O.C. 74th (Yeomanry) Division + + +ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS + + +LONDON +JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET +1921 + + + + +_All rights reserved_ + + + + +FOREWORD + + +Major Ogilvie has done me the honour of asking me to write a short +preface to a work which to me is of peculiar interest. + +To write a preface—and especially a short one—is a somewhat +difficult task, but my intense pride in, and admiration for, the part +played by the Battalion with which the gallant author was so long and +honourably associated must be my excuse for undertaking to do my best. + +From his stout record as a soldier the author’s qualifications to +write this history are undoubted. His readers will be able to follow +from start to glorious finish of the Great War the fortunes of that +gallant little band of Fife and Forfar Yeomen who ultimately became +the 14th (Fife and Forfar Yeomanry) Battalion The Royal Highlanders. + +There was little of moment in the operations of the Egyptian +Expeditionary Force in which this unit did not take part. In divers +theatres of war they answered the call of Empire—from Gallipoli to +Jerusalem, from Jerusalem to France—ever upholding the honour of +their King and Country and the best traditions of the British Army. + +No matter what by-path of the Great War they trod they bore themselves +with the undaunted spirit of their forefathers. + +The experiences of the Battalion were so full of interest as to seem +well worth placing on record—quite apart from the military importance +of the operations in which they were concerned. + +The ordinary reader must consider the conditions under which the work +of this unit was carried out—often under a burning sun and again in +bitter cold, mud and torrential rain—conditions which might well +appal the stoutest heart, but here I note that the gallant author, as +I expected, makes light of the many hardships and vicissitudes that he +and his comrades were called upon to endure. + +Again, when we consider how these heroes first entered the lists as +cavalry, were then called upon to serve as dismounted cavalry, and +finally as infantrymen, it surely speaks highly for that “will to win” +that they had not long before the cessation of hostilities died of a +broken heart! + +Many a time during the two years that I had the honour to command the +74th (Yeomanry) Division both in Palestine and France, I noted—not +without a feeling of intense pride—the cheery “never-say-die” spirit +which pervaded all ranks of this splendid Battalion. + +No matter what task was set them—no matter what the difficulties and +privations to be encountered—all was overcome by that unfaltering +determination and unswerving loyalty which carried them triumphant +wherever the fates called them. + +In conclusion of these few poor remarks of mine, let me congratulate +the author on his story. If others read it with the same interest and +enjoyment with which it has filled me, I can only think that the +author’s labours have not been in vain. + +Further, may these remarks go forth, not only as a token to my old +friends of the 14th Battalion The Royal Highlanders, of the +admiration, affection, and gratitude of their old Commander, but to +the whole of Scotland as a tribute to the memory of those good and +gallant comrades of the “Broken Spur” whom we left behind in foreign +lands. + + ERIC S. GIRDWOOD, + + _(late) Major-General, + Commanding 74th (Yeomanry) Division._ + + PORTSMOUTH, + _20th August 1921_. + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +This short history, written by request, was started shortly after the +Regiment was disbanded. For the delay in publishing it, I must plead +the great mass of inaccuracies which had to be corrected and verified, +entailing a considerable amount of correspondence and consequent lapse +of time. It has been compiled from Official Diaries and Forms, and +from a Diary kept by Lieut.-Colonel J. Younger, D.S.O., without whose +assistance it would never have been completed. + +It will, however, recall to the reader’s mind the strenuous and +eventful days we spent together in a regiment of whose history we are +all so justly proud, and whose career now as a Yeomanry Regiment is +ended, and it will recall the gallant fellows with whom we served and +many a gallant deed. + +To the glorious memory of those whose graves lie in a foreign land, I +humbly dedicate this book. + + D. DOUGLAS OGILVIE. + + _April 1920._ + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAP. PAGE + + I. AT HOME—1914–1915 1 + + II. ABROAD—1915 9 + + III. EGYPT—1916 30 + + LIST OF OFFICERS 40 + + IV. EGYPT AND PALESTINE—1917 41 + + V. PALESTINE—1918 107 + + VI. FRANCE—1918 119 + + VII. SOME PERSONALITIES 143 + +VIII. THE PREDECESSORS OF THE FIFE AND FORFAR YEOMANRY 159 + + HONOURS AND AWARDS 165 + + LIST OF CASUALTIES 168 + + INDEX 204 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + _Face Page_ + +Officers at Fakenham, 1915 _Frontispiece_ + +N.C.O.’s at Fakenham, 1915 2 + +H.M. The King, with Brigadier-General Lord Lovat and + Major-General Bruce Hamilton 4 + +The Regiment in Column of Troops at St Ives 4 + +Crossing the Bridge, St Ives 6 + +Lieut. R.G.O. Hutchison and Machine Gun Section, 1915 6 + +Guard Mounting, Fakenham 8 + +Entraining Horses, Fakenham 8 + +Gebel-el-Ghenneim, Khargeh Oasis 18 + +The Highland Barricade, Asmak Dere, Suvla 18 + +Captain Tuke on “Joseph” 34 + +In the Village of Khargeh 34 + +Sentry on Water Dump “A” 36 + +Camel Lines at Khargeh 36 + +Senussi Prisoners, Dakhla 40 + +The Sergeants’ Reel, Moascar 40 + +The Battalion Mascot 42 + +Battalion Cookhouse, El Ferdan 42 + +Dug-outs in the Front Line, Sheikh Abbas 54 + +A Reserve Wadi, Sheikh Abbas 54 + +A Platoon Mess, Wadi Asher 58 + +“C” Company Officers’ Mess, Wadi Asher 58 + +Turkish Trench, with dead Turks, Hill 1070, Beersheba 62 + +Bathing, Regent’s Park 62 + +Battalion Bivouac near Suffa 110 + +The Irish Road crossing the Wadi Ain Arik 110 + +The Battalion Football Team 140 + +The Fife and Forfar Imperial Yeomanry at Annsmuir 158 + +Detachment at H.M. The King’s Visit to Edinburgh 160 + +Regimental Drill at Annsmuir, with Skeleton Enemy 160 + +Group showing Six successive Commanding Officers 164 + +The Cadre on arrival at Kirkcaldy 164 + + +MAPS + +Our Trenches in the Front Line at Suvla 20 + +Battle of Sheria 68 + +Operations in Palestine, 1917–1918 106 + +Trench System on the Somme 134 + +The Lys Sector 142 + + + + +THE FIFE AND FORFAR YEOMANRY + + +CHAPTER I + +AT HOME—1914–1915 + + +August 4th, 1914, marks the end and also the beginning of two great +epochs in the history of every Territorial Unit. It marked the close +of our peace training and the beginning of thirteen months’ strenuous +war training for the thirty-seven months which we were to spend on +active service abroad. + +The Fiery Cross which blazed across the entire Continent caught most +people unawares and unprepared—but not so our headquarters. Our +mobilization papers had already been made out and were despatched +immediately on the outbreak of war. Each one of us was bidden to +report forthwith to his Squadron Headquarters, and while we kicked our +heels there, officers were scouring the country for horses. Soon these +came in of every sort and shape, and in a week’s time the Regiment was +concentrated at Blairgowrie. + +The headquarters of the Regiment was at Kirkcaldy, the four Squadrons +A, B, C, and D having their headquarters respectively at Cupar, +Dunfermline, Dundee, and Forfar. The recruiting area comprised the +counties of Fife, Forfar, Kinross, and Clackmannan, and there was also +a troop in Stirlingshire within a few miles of Loch Lomond. The rest +of the Highland Mounted Brigade, to which the Regiment belonged, was +pure Highland, consisting of two regiments of Lovat’s Scouts, the +Inverness Battery, R.H.A., and a T. and S. Column and Field Ambulance +hailing also from Inverness. On changing to War Establishment, D +Squadron dropped out and was divided amongst A, B, and C, with the +exception of Lieut.-Colonel King who went to Remounts, and Captain +Jackson who became Staff Captain on the newly formed Brigade Staff. + +The Regiment was fortunate in having about a week at Squadron +Mobilization Centres before uniting at Blairgowrie, and a pretty +hectic week it was for most of us. The most rapid bit of work must +have been that of D Squadron, whose men were distributed amongst the +other squadrons, fully equipped, in about three days. This squadron +was also called upon to provide the various details, such as mounted +police, who were required on mobilization to report to the Highland +Territorial Infantry Division, the famous 51st. + +[Illustration: N.C.O.’s AT FAKENHAM, 1915. +_Back Row (left to right)._—Sgts. Edmond, Petrie, Annand, M’Niven. +_Second Row._—Farr.-Sgt. Lindsay, Sgts. Inglis, Gourlay, Farr.-Sgt. +Renton, Sgt. Abbie, Saddler-Sgt. Smith, Sergt. Kirk, F.Q.M.S. Allan, +Sgts. Hood, Walker, Colthart, Haig, Lumsden, Thorp, Dougall, Couper, +Bradfield, Craig. _Third Row._—Sgts. Thornton, Aitken, S.Q.M.S. +Craig, S.S.M. Edie, S.S.M. Ogilvie, Capt. and Adjt. M.E. Lindsay, +R.S.M. R.G. Rapkin, Capt. Jackson, S.S.M. M’Laren, S.S.M. Adams, +S.Q.M.S. W. Birrell, Farr.-Sgt. W. Guthrie, Sgt. J. Wilson. _Front +Row._—Sgts. Scott, Stewart, Gair, Duff, Hair, Adams, Kidd, and +Henderson. +_To face page 2_] + +During this first week squadrons had to arrange for their own +billeting, forage, and rations; take over, shoe, brand, and number the +horses as they were sent up in twos and threes by the buyers; mark all +articles of equipment with the man’s regimental number; fit saddlery; +see that all ranks had brought with them and were in possession of the +prescribed underclothing, boots, and necessaries; take on charge all +articles on the Mobilization Store Table as they arrived in odd lots +from Stirling; and, beyond the above duties, which were all according +to regulation, to make unofficial arrangements to beg, borrow, or +steal clothing of sorts to cover those who had enlisted, or +re-enlisted, to complete to War Establishment, and to provide for +deficiencies in the saddlery and clothing already on charge. + +The result of all the hard work was that it was practically a complete +unit which came together at Blairgowrie about the 12th of August. Our +Mobilization Orders had been thoroughly thought out and the general +outline made known to all ranks, so that no time was lost in getting a +move on. At Blairgowrie we were billeted in a school, and would have +been very comfortable if we had been older campaigners, in spite of +the fact that our horses were about half a mile away, up a steep hill, +in a field which looked as if it had been especially selected so that +we might trample to pieces a heavy clover crop, and at the same time +be as far as possible from any possible watering place for the +horses. It meant also about as stiff a hill as possible up which to +cart all our forage from the station below. Here our adjutant, Captain +M.E. Lindsay, who knew the whole business of regimental interior +economy from A to Z, started to get things into proper form and to see +that orderly officers, orderly sergeants, and orderly corporals +performed as many of their proper duties as, with their inexperience, +could be fitted into the twenty-four hours. By the end of three days +order was beginning to spring out of chaos, and the adjutant never did +a better bit of work—and that is saying a great deal—than he did in +hunting all and sundry during those first few days. + +A depot for recruiting was formed at Kirkcaldy and men quickly swelled +our reinforcements there. After a few days at Blairgowrie, the +Regiment entrained for the Brigade Concentration at Huntingdon; but as +it was found there was insufficient space for a whole brigade, we were +moved to St Ives, about six miles off, where there was a splendid +common for drilling and good billets for the men. Very strenuous +training occupied our two months there, and the expectation of going +abroad at a moment’s notice kept us up to concert pitch. An inspection +by H.M. the King of the whole Brigade on the common at Huntingdon, and +another by Sir Ian Hamilton, helped to confirm our expectations, +and when we suddenly got orders one Sunday at midnight that we were to +move to an unknown destination few doubted that we were bound for +Boulogne. + +[Illustration: H.M. THE KING, WITH BRIGADIER-GENERAL LORD LOVAT AND +MAJOR-GENERAL BRUCE HAMILTON. +_To face page 4_] + +[Illustration: THE REGIMENT IN COLUMN OF TROOPS AT ST. IVES. +_To face page 4_] + +What a bustle we had that Monday. We had built a fine range of stables +on the Market Square, which were completed all except the harness +rooms on the Friday, and on the Saturday all the horses were moved in +except those in the sick lines. We had just received a consignment of +about 100 grass-fed remounts which had been handed over to squadrons +to look after, but not definitely allotted. Consequently when we +received orders to move we had horses in the Market Square, saddlery +about a mile away up the Ramsey Road, and horses in the sick lines +which belonged to no one in particular and had never been fitted with +saddlery at all. In addition, every one had been collecting every +conceivable sort of kit “indispensable for active service,” presents +from kind friends and purchases from plausible haberdashers, with the +result that quite 50 per cent. of our gear had to be left behind or +sent home. To add to our confusion a draft arrived from our second +line to bring us up to War Establishment, and they had to be fitted +out with horses, etc. However, we got off up to time and entrained at +Huntingdon, wondering if it would be three days or a week (at most) +before we were charging Uhlans. + +But our destination was only the Lincolnshire coast—Grimsby. +Fortunately thirty-six hours terminated our stay there, and we trekked +off south, eventually halting at Hogsthorpe, a village about three +miles from the coast. The two remaining regiments of the Brigade were +one in Skegness and the other half-way between us and Skegness. + +For the next few months we moved from one village to another in the +neighbourhood of Skegness. “We dug miles of trenches along the +coast—we erected barbed wire entanglements for the sea to play +with—we patrolled bleak stretches of coast day and night, and in all +sorts of weather—we watched patiently for spies and Zeppelins, and we +were disappointed. Nothing happened; the Germans would not come.” + +Christmas was spent at Skegness, and in spite of alarms and excursions +we had an excellent regimental dinner, very largely due to the +generosity of our friends in Scotland. The ladies of the Regiment +opened subscription lists for “Comforts” for the Regiment, and +everyone who was asked not only gave but gave generously. Wherever we +went our “Comforts” followed us, whatever we asked for we got and, +except on Gallipoli, we were never without our own private stock of +Grant’s or Inglis’ oatmeal. We owe a lot to the generosity of our +friends in Scotland. + +[Illustration: CROSSING THE BRIDGE, ST IVES. +_To face page 6_] + +[Illustration: LIEUT. R.G.O. HUTCHISON AND MACHINE GUN SECTION, 1915. +_To face page 6_] + +From Lincolnshire we moved again south to Norfolk. King’s Lynn was +found to be unsatisfactory as a billeting area, so we trekked on to +Fakenham which proved to be our final resting place in England. By now +our training had so far advanced that we were not kept at it quite so +hard, and we had more time for sports. We had polo, cricket, and all +kinds of games, and on 3rd June mounted sports which were most +successful. + +We spent the summer putting on the finishing touches, and did some +very useful bits of training, including some fairly ambitious schemes +of trench digging and planning, which proved invaluable later on, and +which was a branch of knowledge in which many Yeomanries were +conspicuously lacking. Also, by this time, a few courses of +instruction had been started at the larger military centres, and we +had several officers and men trained at these courses in musketry and +other branches who were then able to pass their information on to the +rest of us. We were given an army gymnastic instructor who brushed up +our physical training—on which we had always been very keen—and also +started to put us through a thorough course of bayonet fighting. There +was also a busy time among our machine gunners, who trained spare +teams up to nearly three times our establishment, which was +invaluable, as it enabled us to take advantage of the chance which +came to us of going abroad with six machine guns per regiment instead +of three. As our usual role on Gallipoli was to take over with three +squadrons, whose effective strength was never more than 100 each at +the most, and generally considerably less, from four companies of +infantry, each numbering anything from 150 to 180 strong, these extra +machine guns were worth their weight in gold. + +By this time a good many were thoroughly “fed up” with so long a spell +of home service, fearing that the war would be over before we got out +at all. And it was not till nearly the end of August that we got +definite news that at last we were to receive the reward of all our +hard training and see service overseas. We were inspected and +addressed by General Sir H. Smith-Dorrien. Our horses, that had done +us so well on many a strenuous field day, that knew cavalry drill +better than some of us, that had taken part in our famous charge with +fixed bayonets on the common at St Ives, were taken from us and sent, +some to our second line and some to remount depots. In return for a +horse we were each given a heavy cavalry sword, presumably to prevent +us being confused with mere infantry. + +On 5th September we said good-bye to our friends in Fakenham and +started off on our journey for an unknown destination but—business. + +[Illustration: GUARD MOUNTING, FAKENHAM. +_To face page 8_] + +[Illustration: ENTRAINING HORSES, FAKENHAM. +_To face page 8_] + + + + +CHAPTER II + +ABROAD—1915 + + +The last few days at Fakenham were busy ones, chiefly owing to the +floods of new equipment which were at last showered upon us. Two +squadrons got a complete issue of new saddlery, harness, and vehicles, +which meant, in the first place, handing over the old issues to +representatives of the second line, and in the second place, +assembling all the new saddlery (which was issued in small pieces) and +packing it into sacks ready for the voyage. The rest of the saddlery +was put on board without being unpacked. Then our complement of +machine guns was increased from two to six per regiment, which meant +taking from each squadron 1 officer and 20 men to form the new +personnel, and replacing them in the squadrons with men from the +second line. By this arrangement we lost also our adjutant, Captain +M.E. Lindsay, who was made Brigade Machine Gun Officer. Lieutenant +H.S. Sharp took Captain Lindsay’s place as adjutant. All ranks were +fitted with helmets (on which pugarees had to be fixed under the eye +of the few old soldiers who had been abroad and knew how to do it), +and also with a complete outfit of khaki drill clothing. This last +caused no end of trouble and annoyance both to the tailors and the +men. However, it was all finished somehow, and it was a very cheery +party which embarked on the train at Fakenham station just after dusk. +The entire population turned out to see us off and wish us luck, and +gave us a very hearty send-off. + +Next morning we found ourselves at Devonport, where we were to embark +on H.M.T. _Andania_ (Captain Melsom), a second-class Cunard Atlantic +Liner, and set to at once to load our baggage in the holds. Speed +seemed to be the main concern, the safety of the cargo being quite a +secondary consideration. The Brigade arrived in some dozen or more +trains, each carrying what corresponded to a squadron, its baggage, +which consisted of all sorts of heavy cases and things more or less +breakable such as personal baggage, and saddlery in sacks, and also +motor bicycles and vehicles. Each train was unloaded as it arrived and +its contents thrown holus-bolus into one of the holds, except for the +wheeled vehicles. The result was that there were layers of saddles at +the very bottom of the hold, and further layers at intervals up to the +top sandwiched between ammunition and heavy cases of all kinds. +Fortunately we were never asked to unpack the saddlery. + +On Wednesday, 8th September, about 5 A.M., we left the harbour +escorted by two destroyers who took us to abreast Cape Ushant and +there left us. + +The first day or two on board was regular pandemonium and most +uncomfortable for the men. Four officers and 140 other ranks from the +second line had joined us at Devonport and we were very overcrowded. +Each man had a stuffy and inaccessible bunk and a place at a table in +the steerage saloon for meals, which had to be served in three relays +owing to the numbers on board. This meant either very perfect time +keeping or very perfect chaos, and, needless to say, for the first few +days it was the latter. The captain also had a habit of always having +his alarm boat drills while some relay was feeding, which did not add +to the harmony. After a few days, however, things went very much more +smoothly, but at no time could it be called a comfortable voyage. For +the officers it was very different. They were not too overcrowded and +were fed like fighting cocks. The deck accommodation was, of course, +ridiculously inadequate, and muster parades, boat drill, and physical +drill in relays was all that could be managed. We also had lectures on +flies, sanitation, and how to behave when we got to Constantinople. + +We steered a very roundabout course to avoid submarines and came into +the Straits of Gibraltar from the south-west keeping well south of +the Rock. We hugged the north coast of Africa, and passed a Greek +tramp who signalled to us to stop as a large enemy submarine was ten +miles east of us. As such ships had been used before as decoys for +German submarines, we gave her a wide berth and informed Gibraltar who +were to send out a destroyer to have a look at her. We reached Malta +on 14th September, but we were too late to get into Valetta Harbour, +so we anchored in St Paul’s Bay for the night and got into Valetta +Harbour early next morning. For most of us it was our first glimpse of +the Near East, and no one could deny the beauty of the scene—the +harbour full of craft of all sorts down to the tiny native skiff, and +crowned by the old Castle of St Angelo, the picturesque town, the palm +trees, and the motley crowd of natives swimming and diving, and +hawking fruit and cigarettes from their boats. Some of us got ashore +to see the historical old town, full of memories of the Templars—St +John’s Cathedral, the Governor’s Palace, the Armoury—but most had to +stay on board to bargain and argue with the native vendors. We slipped +out of the harbour at dusk, showing no lights, but to show we were not +downhearted, Lovat’s entire pipe band started to play. But not for +long; as the captain threatened to put them all in irons, which +brought the concert to an abrupt conclusion. + +We reached Alexandria on the morning of the 18th, and the first stage +of our trip was over—to everyone’s regret. We had had a lovely +voyage, a calm sea and perfect weather, and only the most persevering +had managed to get seasick. Those of us who had still lingering hopes +of seeing horses at Alexandria were speedily disillusioned, as we were +ordered promptly to unload all our saddlery and transport vehicles. +This was done with just as much organisation and care as the loading. +The following morning we all went a route march for a couple of hours +through the town. Perhaps the intention was to squash any desire we +might have had to linger on in Alexandria. All the same some bits +undoubtedly stank less than others. + +Meanwhile stacks of infantry web equipment had come aboard, and +fortunately for us about forty infantry officers who were able to show +us how to put it together. That kept us busy for the next few days. + +A cruiser met us in the Grecian Archipelago and conducted us safely +into Mudros Harbour on 23rd September. It had got very much colder as +we got farther north, and the day before we made Mudros it was +absolutely arctic, which was lucky indeed as it made us all take on to +the Peninsula much warmer clothes than we would otherwise have done. +Mudros Harbour was a great sight—British and French battleships, +hospital ships, transports, colliers, and all sorts of cargo ships +down to the little native sailing boats, and the steam cutters which +tore up and down all day looking very busy. The island itself looked +very uninviting, stony, barren, and inhospitable, and a route march +only confirmed our opinions—the race ashore in the ship’s boats, +however, compensated us—and nearly drowned us. + +Our ration strength at Mudros was 32 officers and 617 other ranks, but +of these 9 officers and 63 other ranks remained behind as first +reinforcements when the Regiment went on the Peninsula. Each squadron +went forward 4 officers and 136 other ranks. When we returned to +Mudros three months later our effective strength was 8 officers and +125 other ranks. + +On 26th September the Regiment filed down the gangways of the +_Andania_ on to the _Abassiyeh_ and landed that night on Gallipoli. +From the _Abassiyeh_ we were transhipped into a “beetle” packed like +sardines and loaded like a Christmas-tree. These lighters being +flat-bottomed could run ashore on the sand and land troops dry-shod. +The gangway was very steep and slippery and the men were so +overloaded, each carrying a bundle of firewood as well as full +equipment, and a pick and a shovel, that nearly everyone, like William +the Conqueror, bit the dust on landing. Otherwise, we had an +unmolested landing and started off for our billets in some reserve +trenches about a mile and a half away. + +Here our difficulties began with daylight, as we were in full view of +the Turkish positions and within easy range of their guns, with the +result we were not allowed to move about outside the trenches during +the day. Water had to be fetched by hand about a mile and then had to +be boiled, and we had not, like those who had been on the Peninsula a +few weeks, collected a stock of petrol and biscuit tins for storage. +Later on we even got water-carts filled with water brought from Mudros +or Egypt, but not for at least six weeks, and meantime everything had +to be carried and stored in petrol tins, rum jars, and such few +biscuit tins as were water-tight. The wells were so congested, and the +water so scarce that water-bottles were not allowed at the wells, and +all we could do was to keep them in the cookhouse, ready to be filled +and issued as the water was boiled. Apart from the November blizzard +our first week in the reserve trenches, until we got our water supply +in working order, was the most uncomfortable of our stay. Rations were +really wonderfully plentiful and good. + +That night we were ordered forward to complete the digging of a new +reserve area. Just as we were falling in to move off, a regular strafe +started in the front line only just over a mile away, but luckily it +stopped just before we were to move off. It was our first experience +of being under fire, and for all we knew it might have been the sort +of thing that happened every night, so we just carried on as if +nothing unusual were happening. Familiarity may breed contempt in most +cases, but bullets singing about four feet above one’s head is one of +the exceptions, and Heaven knows we had plenty of experience of +“overs” on the Peninsula. They are undoubtedly a fine incentive to +work however, and once on the ground the men dug like beavers—and +they _could_ dig—and by dawn at 4 A.M. we had a continuous though +somewhat narrow trench. The soil, for the most part, was clay, and it +was tough work digging, but once dug the trenches stood up well. + +After a day or two we began to be sent up to the front line for +instruction, 30 men per squadron at a time, the remainder digging +trenches and going down singly to the beach for a bathe. That was the +one thing for which Gallipoli was perfect. The beach was rather far +away, perhaps two miles, but we were all glad of the exercise, and the +bathing was glorious—the water beautifully warm and so refreshing. + +As regards the lie of the land and our positions there—coming up from +the beach at Suvla there were fully two miles of flat country before +you reached the foothills. The northern part of this plain was a +shallow lake dry in summer but with a few feet of brackish water in +winter called Salt Lake, and the southern part a few feet higher +stretched down to “Anzac,” where spurs running down from Sari Bahr to +the sea terminate it abruptly. Our front line, generally speaking, was +just off the plain, a few hundred yards up the slopes of the +foothills, with any reserves there were lying in trenches on the +plain. + +Imagining the whole Suvla plain and its surrounding hills to be a +horse-shoe, you might say the Turks held round three parts of the +shoe, leaving us with the two heels at Caracol Dagh on the north and +Anzac on the south, and a line between these two points across the +plain. This plain was practically bare, but Caracol Dagh was thickly +covered with dwarf oak and scrub, and Anzac with a good undergrowth of +rhododendron, veronica, and other similar bushes. At Sulajik (the +centre of the horse-shoe), and immediately to the north of it, and +also round the villages in the Turkish lines, were numbers of fine +trees, but nowhere that we could see was there anything that could be +called a wood. As regards the soil, the gullies at Anzac on the spurs +of Sari Bahr were quite bewildering in their heaped up confusion, +partly rocky, but mainly a sort of red clay and very steep. In the +centre it was a yellower clay with patches of sand and bog, and on +Caracol Dagh it was all rock and stones, so that digging was +impossible, and all defences were built either with stones or +sandbags. The view looking back to the sea from almost any part of our +line was glorious. Hospital ships and men-of-war, and generally +monitors and troop-ships in the Bay, and on the horizon the peaks of +Imbros and Samothrace reflecting the glorious sunrises and sunsets of +the Levant. + +In these surroundings we spent about a week before getting a turn in +the front line. We struck a reasonably quiet sector and fairly well +dug, but there were several details in which the trenches varied from +what we were accustomed to read about. The first and most noticeable +difference from the point of view of the inhabitants was the entire +absence of head cover. Even after we had been on the Peninsula nearly +three months all we had collected were one or two poles, a sheet of +corrugated iron (ear-marked as a roof for a signal station), and a few +yards of wire-netting. There was not a house or a building of course +in the country-side, and as our neighbours were as badly off as we +were, there was no scope for the enterprising. + +Our first turn only lasted four days, and we had hardly a casualty +until an hour or two before we were to move back into support. The +support trenches were very much less comfortable than the front line, +and as there were lots of parties to go up at all hours of the day and +night to dig and wire in front, it took a lot of scheming to get +everyone satisfactorily fixed with water and food. We also had to send +out officers’ patrols to fix the Turkish line, as we were intending to +have a dash at capturing his barrier across the Azmac Dere—a dry +watercourse which ran right through both the Turkish and our +lines—and so straighten out our line. Patrolling was very +difficult—there were no landmarks to guide one, the going was +exceedingly prickly, and at that time the place was full of Turkish +snipers, who came out at dusk and lay out till morning in the broken +and shell-pitted country. We soon got the better of these sportsmen +though—our snipers out-sniped them, and our bombing officer, if he +frightened them with his catapults and other engines of offence half +as much as he frightened us, must also be given credit for a share in +dispersing them. + +[Illustration: GEBEL-EL-GHENNEIM, KHARGEH OASIS. +_To face page 18_] + +[Illustration: THE HIGHLAND BARRICADE, ASMAK DERE, SUVLA. +_To face page 18_] + +A squadron (Major de Pree) and the bombing squad under Mr A.C. Smith, +in conjunction with a squadron of 2nd Lovat Scouts, carried out the +raid on the Dere on the night of the 17th/18th October. It was a +complete success—all the Turks holding the barrier being killed by +the bombing party, and about sixty or seventy yards of new trench +being dug the same night. This little exploit was the subject of +congratulations from both the Divisional and Corps Commanders, +Major-General W. Peyton and Major-General Sir Julian Byng. Mr Smith +got the M.C., and Lance-Sergeant J. Valentine and Private W. Roger +the D.C.M. for that night’s work. + +The Brigade was then due for relief, but we wanted to finish the job +of straightening the line before we went, so we stayed on to the end +of the month, by which time the work was practically complete. During +this time we had the joy of receiving some letters and parcels, and +even a very limited supply of canteen stores. People at home hardly +realised as yet where we were, the conditions under which we were +living, and the time it took for parcels to arrive. One officer +received three parcels—the first containing his keys which he had +left on his dressing-table at home, the second, some sort of +collapsible boot-tree, and the third, about a three years’ supply of +Euxesis shaving cream. Many a good cake too had to be hurriedly +removed and buried deep in the refuse pit. All the same, parcels were +a great joy to receive, and provided many an excellent tit-bit for +supper. Many, unfortunately, went missing—especially if they had the +labels of Fortnum & Mason, John Dewar, or Johnnie Walker. We sometimes +wondered if they were timid and preferred the comforts of the beach to +the hazards of the trenches. + +The canteen arrangements could hardly be called a success either. +Occasionally a few supplies trickled through to us, and once an +expedition to Imbros was arranged to purchase stores at the local +markets. Eggs, fruit, biscuits, oatmeal, chocolate, etc., were ordered +by the hundredweight, and an officer sent to make the purchases. He +returned to tell us the expedition had fallen short of complete +success. His share of the plunder for the Regiment had been one packet +of chocolate which he had eaten. + +[Illustration: OUR TRENCHES IN THE FRONT LINE AT SUVLA +Emery Walker Ltd. sc +_To face page 20_] + +We had now completed our turn in the line, and were relieved by the +158th Brigade, and went back to our old place in reserve which we +found very filthy. How we wished there were Dr Tukes in every regiment +and battalion. He had so inculcated everyone of us—officers and men +alike—with the vital necessity of cleanliness and the deplorable +habits and peregrinations of the household fly, that we sometimes +wondered if we were scavengers or soldiers. Though we lay no claims to +perfection—or anything like it—few trenches were cleaner than ours +were, and right to the very end of the war we never left a trench or +billet without it being cleaner and more “lime and creosol”-ated than +when we entered it. + +The water arrangements had also been revolutionised, and we actually +had cookers and water-carts in the lines, but the greatest joy of all +was to go bathing again. The weather was not nearly so hot, and the +flies which had tortured us in their myriads during the hot weather +were now nothing like so numerous, which made it possible to enjoy +what food we had. + +Rumour as to our future movements meantime was rife. Lord Kitchener +had come and gone, and all sorts of stories came from the beach. It +was not till 26th November that we knew definitely that evacuation had +been decided on, and that we had to make arrangements to get rid of +all surplus kit and all our “lame ducks.” + +Meantime, we were busy improving our trenches and digging South Lane +and Peyton Avenue communication trenches, and generally making +ourselves more comfortable. + +On 26th November we got orders to pack all surplus stores which were +dumped, along with officers’ valises, ready to be taken off that night +by the Sikh muleteers. We parted with great reluctance from our +tarpaulins and cart covers which provided the only shelters we had, +but that night even they would have been of little use. At five +o’clock the downpour started, accompanied by thunder and lightning, +such as you only can see in the tropics. Thunder-clap merged into +thunder-clap, each one noisier than the last—sheet lightning lit up +the sky, north, south, and east at the same time—and the rain came +down in torrents. It was a wonderful and awful sight. Trenches and +dug-outs were quite uninhabitable and a foot deep in water. +Fortunately by this time it was dark, so we climbed out of the +trenches and prepared to spend the night on the top, where the water +was only lying in places. Then came down the water from the hills. The +Azmac Dere came down in spate, washing away the Turkish and the +Highland barricades, carrying horses, mules, and men, dead and alive, +down with it. Peyton Avenue and South Lane were culs-de-sac and soon +filled, and the overflow flooded our trenches. The 2nd Lovat Scouts +were completely washed out, and had to retire and dig in down near the +beach. By this time the rain had stopped, and by next morning we saw +the water subsiding gradually. Fortunately it was a misty morning, and +we could wander about on top, though we did have one or two shrapnel +bursts over us. We then discovered that our valises and stores were +still floating in the water-cart emplacement—the Sikhs having turned +tail when the storm broke. It was six weeks later when we opened our +valises. + +We had hoped the relief would have been cancelled, but not so, and at +5 P.M. we started off for the front line. The Turks evidently +anticipated something of the sort, and their rifle fire soon forced us +to take to the communication trenches. North Lane was not too bad. +There was 18 inches of water, but the bottom was gravelly and the +going not too bad. Where this trench struck the old support line we +found guides awaiting us who took us past Willow Tree Well through +the most awful trenches-too narrow for a heavily ladened man, greasy +and slippery, and full of holes which took us up to the waist in +water. Some idea of the going may be gathered from the fact that the +journey of less than two miles took upwards of five hours to +accomplish. And then our troubles weren’t over. The firebays we found +crammed with the infantry we were relieving—a helpless, hopeless +mob—and it wasn’t till midnight that we had the place to ourselves. + +A Squadron (Major de Pree) held from the Azmac Dere to Fort Conan, and +B Squadron (Major J. Younger) from Fort Conan to the old road leading +to Anafarta, C Squadron lying in support. We could only man every +second or third bay lightly, and our left flank was in the air—the +159th Brigade on our left, being about 120 yards away. Lovats were in, +and to the south of, the Dere. + +Movement in the trenches to promote circulation was impossible—one +was exhausted long before one felt any life in one’s limbs, and to add +to our troubles snow fell during the night, and it turned bitterly +cold. Next day was even more bitterly cold with snow and rain, and a +lot of men had to go down the line sick with trench feet and +exhaustion, many of them suffering from jaundice and diarrhoea as +well. The area was again very heavily shelled with shrapnel, and we +suffered a few casualties. By night time everything was covered with +snow, but what really put the lid on was a sudden blizzard about 2 +A.M. with ever so many degrees of frost. Everything one had on was of +course soaking wet and covered with mud, and this was now frozen stiff +by the frost. Most of the rifles were out of action, and even the +water in the machine guns froze. However, daylight put new heart in +us, and we made good progress in improving the trenches, getting +rifles once more in working order, and generally tidying up and making +things as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. That night +about six or eight Turks crawled up the sunken road on our extreme +left flank and caused quite an excitement, but finding the trenches +still manned retired hastily. Unfortunately the message that they had +retired miscarried, and headquarters stood to impatiently for about an +hour. + +Gradually the weather improved and the sun came out, and we managed to +drain off more and more of the water from the communication trenches. +But the damage had already been done—the wet followed by the cold and +intense frost brought on trench fever in an acute and terrible form. +One poor fellow had died of exhaustion and 142 left the Regiment in +two days, some few never to recover and others to be maimed for life. + +In the week following the storm 7 officers, including Major Younger +and Captain Tuke, R.A.M.C., and 221 other ranks were admitted to +hospital through sickness. Owing to the washing away of the Highland +barricade, three men, bringing water up the Azmac Dere, foolishly +missed our trenches and wandered into the Turkish lines. + +By this time our numbers were so reduced that C Squadron was brought +up from the support line and divided between A Squadron (Major de +Pree) and B Squadron (Captain D.D. Ogilvie). A troop of Lovats and a +section of machine gunners were in support to us. Later we were all +amalgamated into one squadron under Major de Pree, 8 officers and 103 +other ranks, the entire strength of the Regiment, including +headquarters, being only 13 officers and 190 other ranks. + +From the beginning of December we began gradually to send off parties +of men to Mudros with surplus kit and stores. On 9th December we were +relieved by the 2nd Scottish Horse and moved back into the support +trenches, from which we sent a party back to the front line who +reported very little firing from the Turks but that they seemed to be +suffering from bad colds. Embarkation orders by Major-General W.R. +Marshall were read to all ranks and we prepared to go. Three officers +and 27 other ranks took over part of 1st Lovats’ line and formed our +rear-guard, and at six o’clock on the evening of 19th December the +Regiment paraded for the last time on Gallipoli and marched to C +Beach, via Peyton Avenue and Anzac Road. The perfect weather of the +last three or four days still held; a full moon slightly obscured by +mist, a calm sea and no shelling made the evacuation a complete +success. The remains of the Regiment embarked on the _Snaefels_ and +sailed for Imbros, where they were joined by Captain D.D. Ogilvie, who +had been acting M.L.O. for the evacuation and left by the last +lighter. A four-mile march to camp and a hot meal, and our troubles +were over. + +The complete success of the evacuation caused quite a stir at home. +From Suvla alone 44,000 men, 90 guns of all calibre, including one +anti-aircraft gun, 3000 mules, 400 horses, 30 donkeys, 1800 carts, and +4000 to 5000 cartloads of stores had to be embarked—and only by night +too, as of course the beaches and bay were visible by day from the +Turkish lines. To deceive the Turks, men were actually embarked by +night and disembarked by daylight to represent reinforcements, and the +Sikh muleteers drove furiously all day chiefly to make the dust fly. +On the last night about 12,000 men were embarked from A and C beaches, +and everything had been so well managed that there was never a hitch +of any kind. Needless to say each party arrived at the point where the +M.L.O. were to meet them well up to time and were conducted straight +on to the “beetles.” + +We were, of course, exceedingly lucky in the weather and in the lack +of initiative on the part of the Turks. The Higher Command counted on +50 per cent, casualties but actually, on the last night, only two men +were wounded on the way down to the beach—8 old guns, rendered +useless, were left behind at Anzac, 250 cases of Sunlight soap, a few +Indian carts minus their wheels, and one or two hospital tents were +left as a present for “Johnnie,” and that was about all. The A.S.C. +set fire to everything they could not take away, and a fine bonfire it +made. The morning we left the wind rose, the sea became choppy, the +Turks attacked in great style, bombarding the beaches very heavily, +smashing the piers and nearly wiping Lala Baba off the map. + +On 23rd December we left our camp and tried to board the _Prince +Abbas_, but the storm was too strong and we had to land again. +However, we got off next day, reached Mudros Harbour, and changed on +to the _Scotian_ on Christmas Day. None of us will forget the kindness +with which we were received on the _Scotian_, and the arrival of a +huge mail _and_ plum puddings completed our joy. We left on Boxing Day +and got to Alexandria on the 28th, where we at once disembarked and +went to camp at Sidi Bishr. + +Of the 32 officers and 617 other ranks who sailed from Alexandria on +the 20th September, 8 officers and 107 other ranks returned on 28th +December—each squadron on 20th September was 6 officers and 136 other +ranks strong, the composite squadron on 28th December was 4 officers +and 61 other ranks. On 9th December the strength of the Highland +Mounted Brigade was 39 officers and 854 other ranks—the 2nd Mounted +Division only 2200 all ranks. + +In addition to the C.O., Lieut.-Colonel A. Mitchell, we had lost +through sickness alone two squadron leaders (Majors J. Younger and +R.S. Nairn), the Adjutant (Lieutenant H.S. Sharp) and his successor +(Captain G.E.B. Osborne), the Quartermaster (Lieutenant W. Ricketts), +and the M.O. (Captain Tuke, R.A.M.C.), the R.Q.M.S. and all the +S.S.M., and S.Q.M.S., in all 18 officers and 339 other ranks. The +Brigade was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel A. Stirling of Lovat’s Scouts, +Lord Lovat having left through sickness; the Regiment by Major J. +Gilmour. Fortunately a good many of these, after a brief stay in +hospital in Egypt or at Malta, were able to rejoin us later on. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +EGYPT—1916 + + +From a military point of view 1916 can be summed up as far as we were +concerned in two words—nothing doing. It was certainly for us the +most peaceful and uneventful year. New Year saw us resting and +refitting at Sidi Bishr—bathing in the Mediterranean and sightseeing +in Alexandria. After a few days we moved to Mena Camp, under the +shadow of the Pyramids, and at the end of the tram line to Cairo. +Apart from the fact that we had two regiments of Lovat’s Scouts on one +side, and three regiments of Scottish Horse on the other, and every +man was either playing the pipes or practising on the chanter from +early morn to dewy eve, we had a peaceful time there for about five +weeks, watching our numbers gradually increase as men returned from +hospital, and wondering whether we were ever to be mounted again. That +rumour soon, however, got its quietus, as we were told we were to link +up with the South-Western Mounted Brigade (North Devon Hussars, Royal +1st Devon Yeomanry, and West Somerset Yeomanry under Brig.-General R. +Hoare), and form a dismounted Yeomanry Brigade of six regiments. + +On 12th February we removed up the Nile to Minia—a dusty, dirty, +horrible place. Two expeditions of 2 officers and 43 other ranks and 3 +officers and 40 other ranks set out from there—one to guard bridges +at Nazlet el Abid and the other to demonstrate along with Lovat’s +Scouts at Assiut. Minia is one of the wealthiest towns in Upper Egypt, +and it was thought probable that the Senussi might attempt to raid +Minia or Assiut, with a view to plundering the banks and giving a +start to any disaffection among the fellahin. + +On 5th March we moved again farther south to Sohag, and a squadron +carried on to Kilo 145 on the Sherika line to take up an outpost line. +Camel patrols were also sent out into the desert. We had a scheme or +two in the desert and a fire in the M.G. tent, at which the local fire +brigade greatly distinguished itself by its masterly inactivity and +futile energy. To the strains of “Kam lêyâl, Kam iyyâm” at the far end +of a leaking hosepipe, the fire eventually burned itself out. We only +had two fires the whole time we were in Egypt, which was very +creditable considering the inflammable nature of our “houses,” and on +both occasions our enterprising quartermaster made full use of the +distressing occurrence. + +We had two very excellent days of sports at Sohag against the +Australian Light Horse and in the Brigade, our most popular win +perhaps being in the tug-of-war. Another sporting event took place +here—a racing camel, ridden by its Bedouin owner, was backed to beat +any one of our officers’ horses over a six-mile course, of which the +first half lay along the canal bank, the last half over the desert +which was pretty heavy going. After the first mile and a half the +camel was leading by some 600 yards. After three miles the camel was +leading by about 200 yards and rolling heavily, whereas “Charlie” and +his horse were cantering steadily and easily. The latter continued to +gain and passed the camel about the four miles, and won comfortably at +a fast trot. In forcing the pace along the canal bank the Bedouin +undoubtedly burst his camel. + +We received a most unpleasant welcome at Gara on the night of 13th +April. A severe sandstorm got up at night, and in the morning we had +hardly a tent standing. Gara didn’t like us. When we returned there in +November we were washed out by a cloud-burst—a thing which hadn’t +happened there since the Flood. + +On the 16th of April we went to Sherika, and there we remained till +15th November. We became a small detached force—the Kharga Oasis +Detachment under Lieut.-Colonel Angus MacNeil, 2nd L.S. Yeomanry, +consisting of the Highland Mounted Brigade, a squadron of Egyptian +Lancers, and a company of the I.C.C. Later on three 15–pounders were +sent us, a company of R.E., a battery of Sikh Mountain Gunners, +R.F.C., at Meherique, and later at Sherika about 1000 baggage camels +and 2000 E.L.C. We also had an A.S.C. Bakery Section and our own +slaughter-house, and towards the end of our stay at Sherika another +company of I.C.C. joined us. + +Our oasis which looked so green on the map, we found to be a deep +depression of about 1200 feet, cut out of the central limestone +plateau. On the north and east the drop was almost precipitous, and it +was really a wonderful engineering feat to get a railway down it at +all—only accomplished by means of unusually steep gradients and sharp +curves. + +The floor of the oasis is, for the most part, just as bare and +desolate as the plateau above, but here and there are patches of green +round the Artesian wells, which were the only sources of water. Except +for the surroundings of the village of Khargeh itself, where there are +a number of splendid wells, a small shallow brackish lake, and +considerable date and fruit groves, no watered patch in the northern +half of the oasis is more than half a mile long and a few hundred +yards wide. The usual patch round a well would include a few +date-palms, perhaps an apricot tree, and an acre or two of Bersim, the +clover of the country, and a kind of Lucerne. + +The groves of Khargeh produce great quantities of excellent dates, and +a considerable trade is done with the Nile Valley in rush matting, +made chiefly in the southern portion of the oasis, at Boulak and +Beris. + +Points of interest were the half-buried and utterly filthy village of +Khargeh, the Persian Temple near Railhead in a very fair state of +preservation, and the Roman Fort near Meherique. This was still +remarkably intact—a large square with bastions at the four corners, +and built of mammoth bricks—about 60 feet high, with walls 12 feet +broad even at the top. + +The only notable natural feature was Gebel-el-Ghenneiem, which was +just a portion of the original limestone plateau left standing. Its +slopes were full of various sorts of fossils—sea-urchins and the +like—so that evidently the sea had been there at one time. From its +flat top one had a wonderful panorama of the desert. + +War, with a No-Man’s-Land of eighty miles and a very doubtful enemy at +the far end, is war at its very best—even though we did have only +marmalade and nothing but marmalade. But no war is without its +horrors—these came about once a month in the shape of inspecting +generals, who ordered us to raze our defences and build fresh and +proper ones—not a bad game in sand, where you do anyhow see some +result for your labours. + +[Illustration: IN THE VILLAGE OF KHARGEH. +_To face page 34_] + +[Illustration: CAPTAIN TUKE ON “JOSEPH.” +_To face page 34_] + +Every other week a squadron would go off to either Kilo 145, at the +top of the Scarp, Meherique, the only place the engines could water, +or Kharga (Railhead), and latterly to Water Dump A, to take over the +outpost there with the I.C.C., or a troop of Gyppy Cavalry. Life there +was not quite so pleasant on account of the mosquitoes (which, thanks +to Dr Tuke, we had exterminated at Sherika), and the sand hill which +formed the key to the situation at Kharga had a nasty habit of moving +on and leaving our wire entanglements buried up to the neck. We owe a +great debt of gratitude to Dr Tuke and his sanitary squad for the +comfort and health of the Regiment at Sherika. At all hours of the day +the doctor and his faithful mule waged war on the mosquito and the +Gyppy sanitary squad indiscriminately, and with complete success. Fly +and fellah, mosquito and reis—all fled at his approach, or buried +themselves in the sand. + +After the departure of Lovat’s Scouts for Alexandria, whence they +emerged as 10th Camerons, and proceeded to Salonika, the West Somerset +Yeomanry joined us, and on 1st August two detachments from the North +Devon Hussars and the Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry were attached to us. + +The half section of guns—old Nordenfeldts—had arrived without a +crew, but a couple of officers and one or two N.C.O.’s and men who +had once been Territorial gunners took the matter in hand with great +alacrity. Mobility was their chief trouble. Camel harness was +produced—they were taken out a couple of days before a field-firing +practice, and the targets were adjusted till the guns could hit them +every time, and really when the inspecting general arrived they gave a +most creditable performance. + +We also had a mounted troop, under Lieutenant W. Gray, mounted mainly +on mules for the longer patrols, and a Light Car Patrol (Lieutenant +A.S. Lindsay) consisting of 2 officers, 45 other ranks, and seven Ford +cars, fitted with Lewis guns, and one armoured car, which went out +with the camelry. Lieutenant M‘Dougal’s bombing school and the rifle +range combined instruction with amusement. + +The heat during the day was very trying-as much as 120° F. being +recorded in the shade—but we only worked from reveille (5.30) to +breakfast, and in the afternoon from 4.30 to 6. Polo and an occasional +jackal hunt, cricket and football, and all kinds of foot sports kept +us fit, but the most enjoyable time of all was in the swimming-baths. +When we first went there, there was only a small swimming-bath built +for the officials of the Western Oasis Corporation, which was reserved +for officers and for sergeants twice a week. However, with the help of +the Engineers, we built a beautiful swimming-bath, 26 yards long, +which was formally opened by Lieut.-Colonel A. M’Neil, O.C. troops, at +a swimming gymkhana on 6th August. + +[Illustration: SENTRY ON WATER DUMP “A.” +_To face page 36_] + +[Illustration: CAMEL LINES AT KHARGEH. +_To face page 36_] + +Although we had abundant water at Sherika and Kharga, it had to be +bored for. There was a river about 400 to 600 feet below ground, and +the water came up quite warm—about 85° F. The problem was how to +provide water for the 100–mile advance across the desert to Dakhla. +For this purpose the R.E. started boring at Water Dump A, about +twenty-five miles from Sherika, and were so far successful that, at +the finish of the Dakhla expedition, they were obtaining sufficient +water to work the bore. By that time also the light railway had +advanced to within a few miles of Water Dump A. + +The campaign was brought to an abrupt termination through the overzeal +of O.C. Light Car Patrol, who patrolled right up to Senussi outpost at +the entrance to the Dakhla Oasis. At the sight of Mr Lindsay and his +car the Senussi general fled, and when the I.C.C., after a very fine +march, got into Dakhla, all they got were 197 miserable, underfed, +diseased prisoners. Four officers and 100 other ranks from C Squadron +(Captain D.D. Ogilvie), and 2 officers and 30 other ranks from the +M.G.C. (Mr D. Marshall) set off on 25th October to relieve the I.C.C. +It was a trying march. Cars dumped fanatis with water for the midday +meal, twelve miles on and more for the evening meal, and breakfast +seven miles beyond that. The second day out was a scorcher, blazing +hot and no wind, over rough stony going for the most part, and Hell’s +Gate wasn’t reached till 7 P.M., after a very exhausting march. The +total march was seventy-six miles to Tenida, and of the 136 only 7 +failed to finish which, considering the circumstances, was very +creditable. No sooner were we there than orders were received to +return again. This time, however, we went in cars as far as Water Dump +A, and there we commandeered a convoy of camels returning with empty +fanatis, and we finished our trek mounted. Great credit is due to the +Light Car Patrol and to the Ford cars which really were wonderful. +Neither sand up to the axle, nor dropping down over rocks stopped +them—they made a road for themselves as they went along, and always +seemed to get there. + +That finished our 1916 campaign against the Senussi—the I.C.C. were +relieved by a London Yeomanry Company of the I.C.C, and later on some +Gyppy Cavalry went out and garrisoned Dakhla Oasis. + +On 13th November the Regiment started in relays by train for Gara. +There we received orders to start infantry training, as we were to be +converted into a battalion of infantry. Till then we had always done +dismounted cavalry drill. We now started hammer and tongs at infantry +drill, instructed by an officer and two N.C.O.’s from a neighbouring +garrison battalion. We were all looking forward to becoming pukka +infantry, as we had long realised that in our eccentric form as +dismounted yeomanry we should only be given the odd jobs. + +We had just got our camp tidy when the water-spout burst, and not only +washed out our lines and those of the Ayrshire and Lanarkshire +Yeomanries, but also demolished the fine earth church which the +Anglican Padre had had built. + +On 1st December we arrived at Moascar, a large camp on the Sweetwater +Canal near Ismailia, and there our infantry training started in +earnest. We ate our Christmas dinner there, and on Boxing Day had +Brigade sports. There was very fair bathing in Lake Timsah, and we all +enjoyed getting a sight of the Suez Canal, and being once more in +comparative comfort and civilization. + + + + +OFFICERS + +C.O. Lieut.-Colonel J. GILMOUR + +2nd in Command Major J. YOUNGER + +A Squadron Major C. G DE PREE and + Capt. R.W. STEWART + +B Squadron Major G.E.B. OSBORNE + +C Squadron Capt. D.D. OGILVIE + +Adjutant Lieut. H.S. SHARP + +Q.-M. Lieut. R.H. COLTHART + +M.O. Capt. A. TUKE, R.A.M.C.(T.) + + +[Illustration: SENUSSI PRISONERS, DAKHLA. +_To face page 40_] + +[Illustration: THE SERGEANTS’ REEL, MOASCAR. +_To face page 40_] + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +EGYPT AND PALESTINE—1917 + + +New Year’s Day saw the Regiment at Moascar Camp, Ismailia, and it was +there that the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry were interred “for the +duration,” giving birth at the same time to a sturdy son—the 14th +(Fife and Forfar Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Highlanders. We were all +very sorry to see the demise of the Yeomanry and to close, though only +temporarily, the records of a Regiment which had had an honourable +career, and of which we were all so proud. At the same time we +realised that, in our capacity as dismounted yeomanry, we were not +pulling our weight either as yeomanry or infantry, and no other +regiment certainly appealed to us as much as our own Territorial +Infantry Regiment, and we were proud to link our record to the long +and glorious record of the Black Watch. + +We spent five weeks altogether at Moascar, working hard at the +elementary forms of infantry drill and tactics, and on 8th January we +marched to our new camp El Ferdan, some ten miles along the Canal. +Here we continued our training, but of a more advanced kind, brigade +schemes, tactical tours and route marches, “jerks,” bathing, and +football kept us busy and fit. + +One day some of us went to see the Canal defences, dug the previous +year, about four miles east of the Canal. The sand was so soft, no +amount of ordinary sandbagging or revetting would make it stand up, +and all the trenches were made by sinking complete wooden frames into +a wide scooped out trench, and then shovelling the sand back on either +side of the frame. The original digging had to be about 20 feet wide +to allow them to sink the frames sufficiently deep in the sand. It +must have been a colossal work, and this was only a small portion of +the scheme, which included laying on water to the more important +defences, and laying out lines of light railways and roads from the +Canal eastwards, at intervals of seven and eight miles, the railheads +being linked by a lateral road. + +On 4th March we left El Ferdan and marched to Kantara, the base of all +operations up the Sinai Railway, and there entrained for El Arish to +join the 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The journey of about ninety miles, +over the very recently laid railway, was timed to take some eight or +nine hours, and was uneventful and, though we travelled in open +trucks, was not too unpleasantly hot. The frequent short gradients +led to the most awful bumps and tearings at the couplings, but they +stood the strain all right. + +[Illustration: THE BATTALION MASCOT. +_To face page 42_] + +[Illustration: BATTALION COOKHOUSE, EL FERDAN. +_To face page 42_] + +It was a very interesting journey to us, who knew only the Western +Desert, to note the difference between it and Sinai. To our eyes Sinai +did not appear to be a desert at all, as there were scrubby bushes of +sorts growing in nearly every hollow, various kinds of camel grass, +and even a few flowers—such as poppies and one or two species of +lilies. After the waste of misshaped lumps of limestone and volcanic +looking boulders, which were the only decoration of the Western +Desert, this sort of landscape seemed positively verdant. + +At El Arish we were camped some three miles from the station, and a +very long three miles it seemed, as a large part of the way was over +the softest of sand and most exhausting marching, especially with a +heavy pack. Here we had our first sight of hostile aeroplanes, some of +which came over nearly every day; it was a very pretty sight to see +them in the brilliant blue at about 12,000 feet, with the white puffs +of shrapnel bursting now on one side of them now on the other (but +seldom very close). We were at once set to dig ourselves funkholes, +which we were supposed to occupy on the alarm being given, but they +never once bombed us, or seemed to take any notice of us. They made +one or two bold individual attacks on the railway, between Kantara and +El Arish, but for the most part they appeared to be out purely for +reconnaissance. + +At El Ferdan we had got our first infantry reinforcements—11 new +officers—and now we received a welcome addition in the shape of 1 +officer and 373 other ranks, which necessitated the reorganisation of +the battalion. We also had to acclimatise the new draft who felt the +heat and heavy going very exhausting, and, to begin with, had to go +easy. + +Our camp was pleasantly situated on a sandy plain, within half a mile +of the sea, and dotted with scattered fig trees just beginning to show +a few leaves. The climate was perfect, but the water arrangements were +most difficult. We began to realise that it does not pay to be the +last comer when there is a shortage of anything. We were paid off with +the minimum number of fanatis (copper vessels for carrying water on +camel pack), and, instead of getting allotted to us the wells nearest +our camp, we had just to take whatever wells were left. These proved +to be on the other side of El Arish village, in amongst the steepest +sandhills, and it was a very tough tramp for the fatigue party, which +had to accompany the water camels and do the pumping. Our stay here +was just inside a fortnight, before the end of which we had got our +new drafts allotted to their various companies; and a very good lot +they were, though we feared they would have great difficulty in +standing the heat if we were called upon to do long marches. + +On 22nd March we started on our way to our first halting place El +Burj. It was about nine miles, and we marched in the evenings, which +was undoubtedly very wise. The going was not bad, there being a +wire-netting track laid over all the softest parts: it is wonderful +how satisfactory this is to march on, and many a time did we bless the +man who invented it. The only sufferers were the mule leaders. They, +naturally, could not lead their mules on the netting, and it was extra +hard work for them, as they had to walk in the heavy sand and maintain +the pace set by the troops who were on the good going. El Burj proved +to be a most desolate spot, but it was at all events near wells; and +we were so glad to hear that we were not to march straight on next +day, that we didn’t grumble much about the scenery. + +The Higher Command were a little nervous that the Turks might slip +away again as they had already done at El Arish; but the next few days +were to show that this information was not correct, and that the Turk +had no intention of leaving the Gaza-Beersheba line so long as he +could hold on to it. + +We stopped there four days, and marching once more in the evening, we +did a comparatively short step to Sheikh Zowaid, camping about a mile +short of the station. It was pitch dark when we arrived and we had no +idea what our camp was like, and it was a great surprise to find in +the morning that we were on the edge of a shallow salt lake. The +sunrise on this sheet of water, fringed on the far side with a line of +scattered palm trees, was really most exquisite. It was, however, the +only good thing about the place. Water for breakfast was late in +arriving, and we were told that the half-day’s supply, which then +arrived, had to fill the dixies for lunch, and also the water-bottles +for the next march. There was not nearly enough for this, with the +result that we had to start in the blazing sun about 1 P.M. with +hardly anything in the bottles. The reason for this was, that the +camels had to go on ahead to our next stop—Rafa—about thirteen miles +distant, where it was hoped to have water drawn and ready for us on +our arrival. + +This afternoon march was a gruelling experience. It was the hottest +part of the day; we had practically nothing in our water-bottles, and, +to add to our trials, the wire-netting road was not laid beyond Sheikh +Zowaid, as the ground had appeared quite firm to the divisions who had +preceded us. Since they had passed, however, the route had been cut up +by guns and transport, until it was just as soft as the softest sand, +and twice as dusty. Finally, when we did get to Rafa about 7 P.M., +there was no water waiting for us, and we found we had to take up an +outpost line from the railway to the sea, a distance of about three +miles, through the worst sandhills we had encountered. It was hopeless +to move before the arrival of some water, and it was about 10 P.M. +before we started to take up the line, and it was well after midnight +before the left company had got the line extended right through to the +shore. These sandhills were made of such fine sand that it was +continuously blowing and drifting; any rifle pits dug out, say, a +couple of feet, in the evening, would be completely obliterated in the +morning. + +Sending out supplies, as soon as it was light, to this distant +company, was a most difficult job. To begin with, we found that +camels, loaded with water fanatis, could not negotiate the steep faces +of sand, so we had to do our best with the Lewis gun mules, carrying +the fanatis only half full. Then there was a thick mist—the same mist +which hampered the attack on Gaza—and we had no accurate knowledge of +where the company was, nor was it possible to follow the tracks of the +previous night, as they were all obliterated by the drifting sand. +Luckily, some active members of the company had found the morning too +cold for sitting still, and had taken a morning walk back from the +line, so we came upon their fresh tracks, which led us to the rest of +the company. + +That night we had an alarm that the Turkish cavalry was out and had +slipped round our right flank, and was likely to have a dash at our +lines of communication either at Rafa or elsewhere, so we spent the +night digging trenches which, during the next day or two, we improved +into a sort of continuous line covering the water and railway station. + +During these few days the first attack was made on Gaza, but without +success. We heard a good many tales of hardship from lack of water, +and saw some prisoners come through, but there was no great +excitement. + +From Rafa—which is on the Palestine Boundary—we moved on 30th March +to Khan Yunis, said to be the home of Delilah. The march was once more +in the evening, and was very comfortable, except for the last mile or +two when we got in between the high hedges of prickly pear, and had to +march through about a foot of dust in the most stifling atmosphere. +When we arrived we found that we were once more on the fringes of +civilisation: we could buy oranges in unlimited numbers, and also +fresh eggs—not the Egyptian variety, about the size of a pigeon’s +egg, but real pukka hen’s eggs. Water also was less scarce than it had +been, and we were well content with our lot. We were in Brigade +Reserve, which sounded very comfortable, but which was not so “cushy” +as it sounded. It meant that we had to do all the unloading of +supplies and ammunition at the supply depot and at the station, and +also find the very large guards which were absolutely necessary, as +the native was a diligent and skilful thief. The units in the outpost +line really had much less to do, though, of course, they had their +turns of night duty which we escaped. + +Here we were joined by another brigade of our new division, and felt +that at last we were about to become like other people—organised in a +proper division. + +This week, with its eggs and oranges, passed like a flash, and we once +more moved on; this time quite a short way beyond Railhead at +Deir-el-Belah, where we camped quite close to our compatriots the 52nd +Division. After one night and a good bathe we took over, on 7th April, +from the 54th Division a sector of trenches near Sheikh Nebhan, +overlooking the hollow through which meandered the Wadi Ghuzzeh. This +wadi—like all others in this part—is quite dry except during the +storms of winter, but water could usually be got by sinking wells in +the bed of the wadi at about ten or twelve feet down. Our cavalry by +day and infantry by night held a line out beyond the wadi, covering +the work of those who were sinking wells, making ramps for guns and +transport crossings, and laying the water-pipe line. This line was to +be carried to the cisterns of Um Gerrar, where it would come in very +useful during the further operations for which we were preparing. It +is rather wonderful to think that this water was carried with us by +pipe line all the way from the Canal, and was actually Nile water +brought to Kantara by the Sweetwater Canal. + +The banks of the Wadi Ghuzzeh were almost everywhere precipitous, and +anything from ten to twenty feet high. All these had to be ramped, and +during the period of preparation some thirty such crossings were made +between Tel-el-Jemmi and the sea, and each unit was allotted its +crossing for the coming advance. During these days of preparation our +Battalion dug a strong line of trenches dominating the crossings of +the Wadi Ghuzzeh, and most of the officers got the chance of a +reconnaissance to a distance of about three miles beyond the wadi. + +The country beyond was very much cut up with smaller wadis, which at +this time of year were a mass of wild flowers which grew most +luxuriantly, and would have been welcome in most herbaceous borders; +the anchusas—to name one—were several feet high, and covered with +brilliant blue blooms, but the brightest effect was that of fields of +mauve daisies. These grew as thick as poppies in Norfolk, and were +almost as bright. One had plenty of time to look about at all the +flowers, as there was practically no sign of a Turk, though, if one +went too near up to the top of the watershed, an odd sniper would let +off at one. + +As the day for the advance drew near, all the troops told off for +battle surplus were sent back to Railhead and formed into a divisional +camp. Each battalion had to leave behind the following:—Either C.O. +or 2nd in Command, two of the four Company Commanders and two of the +four Company Sergeant-Majors, and a proportion of instructors in P.T., +Lewis gun, musketry, gas, bombing, and signalling—in all, for a +battalion at full strength, 120 of all ranks, including all officers +above the number of 20. + +This was the dustiest and dirtiest week of the whole year, the only +interest being the scraps of gossip which kept coming in, and from +which we pieced together the disastrous tale of the second battle of +Gaza. One could also ride up to the top of Raspberry Hill or Im Seirat +and see something for oneself, but usually any movement of troops was +invisible owing to clouds of dust. + +The fact that our main outpost line was, after this battle, advanced +about live or six miles, was used to represent this battle as a +British victory, but, as a matter of fact, it was a victory which +failed to gain any main Turkish position. The positions which we held +at the end of the battle, to which we had retired after being stopped +at Ali-el-Muntar and Gaza itself, had been reached in the first +instance with very few casualties, and it was on the glacis between +these positions and the Turk that we suffered our main losses. This +glacis was destitute of any cover, and was dominated by the heights of +Ali-el-Muntar and the cactus hedges surrounding Gaza, and after many +gallant efforts this had to be abandoned to form a No-Man’s-Land of a +mile or a mile and a half between ourselves and the Turk. On our left +in the sandhills the progress was slower and steadier, and the line +finished up a good deal nearer the Turk than on the right; but here +again the cactus hedges lined with machine guns proved too much for +us. Our Division was not used in this battle, being in reserve, which +was lucky for us, as those who were in the front line of the attack +all got a pretty severe knock. + +On 19th April the Battalion left the outpost line on Sheikh Nebhan and +marched towards Gaza, resting during the middle of the day on a ridge +west of El Burjaliye, and moving in the afternoon on to Mansura Ridge +in support. On the evening of 22nd April the Battalion moved forward +to construct and occupy trenches at El Mendur, which was on the right, +or refused, flank of the line, and there the details again joined us. +There we had a good defensive position, but the trenches still had to +be dug and, as luck would have it, this digging, which ought to have +been nothing to our men fit as they were, in ordinary weather, was +turned into a very high trial indeed by a khamsin. This red-hot and +parching wind, blowing off the desert, makes thirst a positive torture +when water is limited, and it was very limited at that time. We were +getting rather less than half a gallon per man for all purposes, which +is perhaps just about the quantity used by the ordinary man for +cooking and drinking in the cold weather at home; but in a khamsin +when you are doing five or six hours’ hard manual labour per diem, a +gallon is easily consumed. Luckily these heat waves only last about +three days, but it left us pretty limp. + +After a fortnight here a start was made with thinning out the line, in +order to let some of those who had been engaged in the Gaza battle get +a spell in reserve. We moved a step to our left, taking over with our +Battalion the sector previously held by a brigade. Our portion of the +line was taken over by the 12th (Ayr and Lanark Yeomanry) Battalion +R.S.F., and we took over the line on the left previously held by the +5th and 7th Essex Regiments. Battalion H.Q. had a very comfortable +pitch at the top of the Wadi Reuben, near a junction of many tracks +which had been named Charing Cross. + +Our week here meant another spell of steady work, as we had to convert +what had previously been a continuous line into a series of strong +posts, the intervals between which were covered by machine guns. This +was known as the Dumb-bell Hill Sector of the Sheikh Abbas Line, being +named from a hill whose contours on the map were a very fair imitation +of a dumb-bell. Here we were still facing to a flank, but our left +came up to the corner where the proper front began, which meant that +we lay enfiladed from the main front, and they used to throw over a +good deal of stuff if ever they spotted any movement. + +At the beginning of May we did another move, this time on to the real +front in the Sheikh Abbas Sector. This was quite a pleasant place, as +we lived on the reverse slope of a fairly steep bank, pretty well +defiladed from all the Turk guns, and the trenches, though only in +most places a single line with quite insufficient communication +trenches, had a long view and a good field of fire. The wire was +continuous though not very thick, and it was quite safe to leave the +trenches during the day in charge of a few observation posts. Add to +this the fact that all, except the posts, could walk about during the +day in the open quite covered from view by the steep slope mentioned +above, consequently it was trench warfare under the most pleasant +possible conditions. All the same it was a trying life owing to the +difficulty of getting a normal amount of sleep. We had to “stand to” +from about 3 A.M. till dawn, and then work till breakfast, and on +to about 9.30 A.M. By that time it was too hot to do any more, and the +rest of the day had to be spent in idleness. Few of us could sleep +during the day because of the heat, and the temperature seldom began +to get much cooler before 8.30 P.M., and sometimes later. There was +nothing doing in the way of warfare beyond continuous patrols at +night, sometimes small, sometimes up to twenty or more. The only +occasion during our first stay did anything in the nature of a +skirmish take place, and that was brought on by one of our patrols +having a narrow escape of being cut off at dawn near a place called +Two Tree Farm. One of the platoons in the line saw what was happening +and went out to support them, and managed to get them in all right. A +very small affair, but quite exciting for the onlookers, when there is +nothing more important doing. In this part there was about a mile of +No-Man’s-Land, and the Turk was very completely wired in and was +seldom to be found outside his wire. Most of our patrols in +consequence came in without having seen a Turk at all, but it was not +a comfortable job, as machine guns were firing bursts all night. + +[Illustration: DUG-OUTS IN THE FRONT LINE. SHEIKH ABBAS. +_To face page 54_] + +[Illustration: A RESERVE WADI, SHEIKH ABBAS. +_To face page 54_] + +We had a fortnight in the line, and on 25th May came out to Brigade +Reserve which was only a move of a couple of hundred yards and not +half so comfortable; but it gave some of us the opportunity of riding +over towards the sea and having a look at our own and the Turkish +lines on the sandhills. + +While we were here we marched to Deir-el-Belah to be disinfected, and +later relieved, first, the 16th (Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry) Devonshire +Regiment, and then the Ayr and Lanarks, to allow them to do the same. +On 13th June we took over the centre sector, the Abbas Apex Sector, of +the Brigade line from the Devons, and remained in the line till 9th +July when we handed over to the 4th Royal Scots, 52nd Division. Every +night we sent out a patrol of 1 N.C.O. and 10 men, either as a +standing patrol on Essex Hill or to patrol the wire in front of our +area, and an officer’s patrol consisting of an officer and 20 men to +cover the ground between Two Tree Farm and Old British Trenches. These +patrols were nearly always fired on, but we were in luck’s way as +regards casualties. + +We then marched back some four miles to the Dorset House area, where +we at once got started on intensive training for open warfare, varied +with some very hurried musketry in the Wadi Ghuzzeh. Whilst here we +had a very thorough inspection by Lieut.-General Sir P.W. Chetwode, +K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., Commanding Eastern Force, and in the way of +amusements managed to get one or two games of polo with a neighbouring +brigade. The plain on which we played was in full view of some of the +Turkish positions at Gaza, and on one or two occasions play was +stopped by shells. Also, in rotation by battalions, we made bathing +expeditions to the sea at Regent’s Park. It was seven miles each way, +but was well worth the trouble as it was months since most of us had +been in the sea. + +At the beginning of August we again changed our camp, and while on the +move put in a couple of days’ field firing. For once in a way the +ground lent itself to the purpose, and we had most interesting days; +but it was pretty warm work, not being confined to morning and +evening. Our new camp was right in the sandhills, near the aerodrome +at Deir-el-Belah, where we did intensive divisional training. This was +to have lasted three weeks, and was a very strenuous business. A full +divisional day meant leaving camp any time after 2 A.M. and not +getting back again until after midday; it was usually interesting for +the senior ranks, but intensely boring for everyone else. Luckily we +were able to fit in bathing, concerts, and sports, which kept everyone +cheery. + +After a fortnight of this we found we were at last told off for a +useful job of work—digging a new line of trenches in the sandhills +facing Gaza, between Fusilier Ridge and Jones’ Post, in front of those +on Samson’s and Fusilier’s Ridges, at that time held by the 54th +Division. We moved over the Wadi Ghuzzeh to Regent’s Park, where we +camped right on the shore about an hour and a half’s march from the +scene of our labours. After the second night it was decided that this +was too remote, and we moved up nearer our work. Here we stayed for a +week, with half of each battalion digging each night. It was a +tiresome job, as the sand was so soft that a very wide ditch had to be +dug and then faced with sandbags. The men were very quick about +getting down, and after the first night they were practically working +in safety for the remaining four or five days necessary to complete +the sandbag revetting. All bags used had to be double, as single ones +would not keep the sand in. + +Our first night was a pretty jumpy business. We were somewhere about +500 yards from the Turk lines, and there was a bright moon, with the +result that he spotted something and gave us quite a bombardment. For +some time there was considerable doubt whether the work should be +attempted at all, but thanks largely to Lieut.-Colonel J. Gilmour, who +subsequently got a D.S.O. for his work that night, a good start was +made at the cost of a few casualties. The rest of the week passed +quietly, but we were quite glad at the end of it to be relieved by a +battalion of the Norfolk Regiment of another brigade, as the march +both ways, plus digging, was very hard work. + +[Illustration: A PLATOON MESS, WADI ASHER. +_To face page 58_] + +[Illustration: “C” COMPANY OFFICERS’ MESS, WADI ASHER. +_To face page 58_] + +We did not return to the camp we had left, but to the Wadi Selke, a +mile or two inland from Deir-el-Belah. The distance from the sea made +bathing a bit of a toil, but otherwise it was a good camp, especially +for the officers, whose bivouacs were in a fig grove which bore a very +heavy crop of excellent figs. We stayed here about seven weeks, the +longest spell we had in any one place, and made it into a good camp. +There was a fair football ground on which we got through an +inter-platoon American tournament, which kept everybody amused. There +used to be a great turn-out when the officers’ team was due to +play—they occasionally won their matches. We also had a good 200 +yards’ range with sixteen targets, and carried out innumerable +experiments to decide upon the best methods of attack. We had +exhibitions of wire-cutting and smoke screens, bangalore torpedoes, +and many days of practising co-operation with aeroplanes. Very +frequent night marches by compass, combined with digging in, and +followed by an attack or advance at dawn. In fact, we were put through +a very practical training for the task which we were later to +undertake. + +In order to minimise the chance of anything going wrong with the plans +for the concentration and attack on Beersheba, many officers were +given the chance of making a reconnaissance as near as possible to the +Turkish positions. This was done from Gamli, a place on the Wadi +Ghuzzeh about fifteen miles inland and about eleven from us. We rode +over there the night before, and in the early morning the cavalry +moved out and pushed their line within a mile or two of the Beersheba +defences. Covered by this, parties of officers rode out and +familiarised themselves with the sector in which their unit was to +operate, and they were thus able to hand in reports upon which Brigade +Staffs could allot concentration areas and routes. + +At the moment of kicking off we were as well trained as we were ever +likely to be, and, what is more important, were very fit and full of +the offensive spirit. The concentration started on 25th October, when +we marched some six miles to Abu Sitta. Our transport establishment +had been very carefully thought out, and, though both animals and +vehicles were undoubtedly overloaded at the start, this soon rectified +itself, as consumable stores could not be replaced. We had one camel +per battalion for officers’ mess, and he started out very fully laden. +He was a good deal less heavily loaded towards the end of the +operations. Next day we marched on beyond the Wadi at Gamli—a very +dusty and tiresome march—and were to have remained there throughout +the next day. Word came in, however, that the Turk was attacking our +outpost line at El Buggar, some ten miles out, and the Battalion had +to move off at a moment’s notice about noon. The march through the +heat of the afternoon was most trying, and on arrival it was found the +enemy were occupying part of the line we were to take up. They +withdrew, however, in the evening, and we constructed a series of +strong posts from the Beersheba road to south of El Buggar. + +During these days of concentration the plain lying between Shellal and +Beersheba had been the scene of great activities. Karm had been +selected as the position for a forward supply dump, and both light and +broad gauge railways were being pushed out towards it at top speed. +The first blow of the campaign was to be launched at the defences of +Beersheba, which were facing west and extended both north and south of +the Wadi Saba. They occupied a commanding position and were +continuously wired. The main attack was to be pushed home south of the +Wadi Saba by the 74th and 60th Divisions, and at the same time the +enemy’s extreme left flank was to be turned by the cavalry, who were +to make a wide detour through very difficult and waterless country and +attack Beersheba from the east, and, if possible, cut off the retreat +of the garrison of the Beersheba area. Covering all these preparations +an outpost line was established some miles east of Karm and El Buggar, +held on the left by the 53rd Division, then the 74th Division, then +the Imperial Camel Corps, and, south of the Wadi Saba, where it was +much more lightly held, a mere line of cavalry observation posts. +These cavalry posts were covering, and slightly in advance of, the +positions selected for battle headquarters for the 74th and 60th +Divisions. + +The preliminary arrangements for the troop movements went like +clockwork, as did also the approach marches to the positions of +deployment, and at the appointed time on 30th October, the Divisional +H.Q. moved up the five or six miles to the battle stations selected. +There was no sign of crowding or confusion—the only indication that +there was anything unusual on, was the dust which could be seen here +and there. The moves of the infantry began just as it was getting +dusk, and long before dawn both the 60th and 74th Divisions had their +two brigades on the line of deployment, which stretched southwards +some three or four miles from the Wadi Saba. + +As soon as it was daylight a bombardment of the Turkish advanced +position on Hill 1070 was started, smothering the entire landscape in +clouds of dust. This first attack, which was carried through by one of +the brigades of the 60th Division, was ordered at 8.30 A.M. Hill 1070 +was carried at 8.45, and during the next hour all the remaining +advanced positions fell, and it was even reported that the enemy was +here and there evacuating portions of his main line. There was now +another interval for bombardment, whilst the gunners were +wire-cutting for the attack on the main positions. During this period +of waiting, which was longer than had been expected, our infantry +suffered a good deal from shelling, much of which was in enfilade from +positions north of the Wadi, and it was with relief that they received +the order about 12.15 to proceed with the main attack. In about forty +minutes all the trenches opposite the 60th Division were captured, and +the 74th completed their task only about twenty minutes later, one +brigade having had some difficulty owing to incomplete wire-cutting. +The 60th had, by 2 P.M., advanced some way beyond the captured +trenches towards Beersheba, and the 74th crossed the Wadi Saba and +cleared the trenches northward to the barrier on the Fara-Beersheba +road. + +[Illustration: TURKISH TRENCH WITH DEAD TURKS. HILL 1070, NEAR +BEERSHEBA. +_To face page 62_] + +[Illustration: BATHING, REGENT’S PARK. +_To face page 62_] + +Meantime the cavalry had found their detour even lengthier than had +been expected, with the result that they were some hours later than +they should have been, and were held up for most of the day by +trenches at Tel-el-Saba, a mile or more east of Beersheba proper. +These were, however, rushed towards evening, and Beersheba was +occupied that night. Very few of the troops allotted for the defence +of Beersheba escaped, the whole operation being completely successful. +The Engineers at first reported that the water supply and wells were +intact; but this proved to be far from the fact, and within +forty-eight hours the shortage of water was being severely felt. +After this smashing success in the first stage of operations all our +tails were well up, and everyone was keen to know what was to be the +next move. + +The next day found the 60th concentrated at Beersheba; the 74th just +north of the barrier on the Fara-Beersheba road, while an advance +northward had been begun by the 53rd and, in the evening, by a party +of the 74th. One brigade group for the former advanced in a northerly +direction west of Ain Kohleh, and the remainder in a north-westerly +direction on Kuweilfeh. The left advance was successful, and a line +was established on the desired objective, a ridge running east and +west some five or six miles north of Beersheba. The other advance was +not so fortunate; something went wrong with the supplies both of water +and ammunition, and strong opposition was encountered. Also, it was +impossible country to campaign in; practically roadless, and very much +broken up with wadis and rocky precipices, which made it most +difficult to maintain communications, even though a mounted brigade +was thrown in to help. + +The situation up here was much the same next day. No great progress +had been made, nor were good communications established, but they had +managed to get through both water and ammunition. Other divisions +were, however, kept on the move. The 74th were moved up to take over +some line from the left of the 53rd, the 60th were concentrated some +three miles N.W. of Beersheba, and one brigade of the 10th was moved +to Irgeig. This was an anxious day, as the 53rd seemed to be quite +held up at Kuweilfeh and not too well provided with supplies, and +there was considerable doubt, in view of the general scarcity of +water, whether it would be possible to carry on the campaign, which +involved rolling up the Sheria and Kuwauka defences from the east. + +Our Intelligence Department had for the moment “lost” a Turkish +division, which complicated the situation very much as, if it were +suddenly to appear on the right flank of our attack on Sheria, a most +serious situation would be created. However, on the afternoon of the +5th, word was received from the 53rd Division that they had captured +prisoners from numerous different battalions, some of which were known +to belong to the missing division. This settled the question, as it +was quite clear that the 53rd were keeping them too busy at Kuweilfeh +for them to be able to send any serious force to Sheria. The “lost” +division it seems was one which had been sent to reinforce the forces +defending Beersheba, but by the time it got to Sheria the Beersheba +defences were taken, and it was obviously no use going there. It was +accordingly then sent to Kuweilfeh in anticipation of an attempt by +us to turn their extreme left flank. + +On the afternoon of the 5th orders were rapidly issued for the attack +next day on the Sheria defences and the Kuwauka system. + +As most of the troops destined for the Sheria attack were at this time +in the outpost line, this meant a concentration and deployment by +night in an unknown country where map reading was very difficult +indeed, and it was most creditable that it should have been, as it +was, successfully carried out. There were certain minor mistakes, but +in the main the attack came off as planned, and by midday all the line +of the Sheria defences were in our hands. + +The spearhead of the attack was the 229th Brigade, with ourselves and +the Somersets in the front line, and it was a brilliant affair from +start to finish. The brigades on our right and left, the 230th Brigade +and a brigade of the 60th Division, were echelonned in rear of us, and +the prompt success of our attack greatly assisted the advance of the +60th and 10th Divisions on the Kuwauka system. Our Lewis guns +especially gave great assistance, and were successful in preventing +the Turks from removing several of their guns, placed in rear of the +Kuwauka system. This was acknowledged by the 60th Division who, in the +true sporting spirit, let our Division know that they did not claim +those guns as captured by them, though it was by their men that the +guns were actually collected. + +The guns of the 60th and 10th Divisions served them well and cut the +wire most thoroughly and, without any undue number of casualties, the +positions were finally taken about 2.30 P.M. The 10th then took over +the line from the 60th, who advanced to the attack on the wells and +railway station at Tel-el-Sheria. Unfortunately it was by this time +getting dark, and direction was to some extent lost. The Turk put up a +good fight here, and it was not until the morning that the wells and +station were in our hands. We could see their dumps blazing all night +far to the north, and it was clear that they had made up their minds +to a general retreat. + +These first six days in November had been strenuous days for the +Battalion. On 30th October the Corps Cavalry and I.C.C. had passed +through our lines, and we moved up to a position in Dundee Wadi. The +231st Brigade then passed through and took over from us, attacking +along with 230th Brigade working in conjunction with the 60th and +Cavalry Divisions. On 2nd November we took over the outpost line from +the 2/10th Middlesex Regiment (53rd Division), and on 4th November we +again advanced our line, meeting with no opposition except sniping and +intermittent shell fire. At 7 P.M. on the evening of 5th November we +received orders for the attack on the enemy’s position, were relieved +at 9 P.M. by a battalion of the 230th Brigade, and at 11 P.M. moved +off to the point of deployment. + +At 3.30 on the morning of 6th November we deployed for the attack, the +230th Brigade being on our right, and the Somersets on our left. The +advance began at five and we were badly enfiladed from the right where +the attacking troops were being held up, and whence we continued to be +enfiladed until we detached a couple of platoons, who carried the +enemy’s positions there by 6.15. By 5.55 we had taken our first +objective and captured four guns, all limbered up and trying to get +away. We promptly attacked the ridge beyond, and having captured it +proceeded to consolidate. At midday we again advanced under pretty +heavy fire, but the Lewis gunners were very well handled, and +succeeded in knocking out the crew and teams of two field guns beyond +the railway, and we carried on to the position just east of the +railway. + +Our casualties at the Battle of Sheria were Major G.E.B. Osborne, +Lieutenants J.D. Kinniburgh and E.A. Thompson, and 47 other ranks +killed, and 5 officers and 182 other ranks wounded, of whom 13 +subsequently died in hospital. Among the wounded was Lieut.-Colonel J. +Gilmour, who was hit at the very end of the day, and to whom was due +no small part of the credit for the victory. His brilliant +leadership and dash at Sheria earned him a well-won bar to his D.S.O., +and the admiration of the whole Brigade. The elan and dash of the +Battalion, under his inspiring leadership, throughout the operations +gained the highest praise from all quarters. Between 5 A.M. and midday +the Battalion along with the Somersets had advanced some 10,000 yards, +in the course of which they had captured several successive all-round +positions held by considerable garrisons, and well provided with +machine guns. In addition to 99 prisoners we had captured six field +guns with limbers, three machine guns, and a large quantity of S.A.A. +Our dead were buried in the cactus garden. + +[Illustration: BATTLE OF SHERIA +_To face page 68_] + +Major J. Younger who had been acting as liaison-officer between the +60th and 74th Divisions was sent for to take over command of the +Battalion, which was in the highest of spirits in spite of all it had +come through, full of beans, very proud of themselves and the Colonel, +and more than ready for another scrap. + +We were all thoroughly glad to have had such a good introduction to +infantry work; not only had it been a success, but it had also been +well planned. The staff work had been excellent and, above all, it had +been open warfare for which we thought, rightly or wrongly, that our +mounted training had prepared us. + +We had now got some news of the doings of the other corps on the +coast. We knew that they had succeeded in taking Gaza and were +advancing north, and we saw the cavalry divisions galloping through us +brigade after brigade to take up the pursuit. The Turk was in a most +awkward position, but proved himself a first-class rear-guard fighter. + +On the night of the 7th he had only the narrow neck between the +cavalry and the XXI. Corps, who were advancing up the coast, and this +neck was not more than five or six miles wide; but in spite of all +difficulties he managed to get most of his infantry and some of his +guns away. We ourselves expected to start our advance north following +on the cavalry, but it turned out that the transport was not able to +maintain two corps so far in advance of Railhead. The XXI. Corps, +being already on its way north, was given the task of clearing the +Plain of Philistia, and following up the Turkish retreat with the +assistance of a considerable portion of our (XX. Corps) transport. As +we were not to go on, the authorities were in no hurry to move us, and +we spent a couple of days clearing up the battlefield before returning +in a couple of the dustiest and most unpleasant marches to the +neighbourhood of Karm. + +Our actual destination was Goz-el-Gelieb; but when we got near the +spot it was so thick with dust that we could only see about 50 yards, +and as the plain was quite featureless and all alike, we just +bivouacked for the night, and hoped we should find in the morning that +we were somewhere near the right spot. + +First thing after daylight, while the dew was still able to keep down +the dust, we got our bearings and moved about three-quarters of a mile +to the correct map reference. Here we were joined during the day by +our “B” team or battle surplus, whom we had last seen a fortnight +before, and a draft of 2 officers and 126 other ranks out from home. + +On 15th November Major-General E.S. Girdwood, commanding 74th +Division, at a Brigade Parade presented Military Medals, awarded for +gallantry at the Battle of Sheria, when 9 men from the Battalion +received the honour. + +After a few days in the dust of this plain, we moved back in two +marches to our old area near the coast. This time we were just south +of the Wadi Ghuzzeh, on a hill which was beautifully green and fresh. +All the lower ground round it had been used for camps for the best +part of a year, but this hill had been so prominent and so fully under +observation from Ali-el-Muntar, that it could not be occupied so long +as the Turks held Gaza. Here we had a great presentation of medals by +the Corps Commander (Lieut.-General Sir Philip W. Chetwode, commanding +XX. Corps). Our share for Sheria was 1 D.S.O., 4 M.C., 5 D.C.M., and +1 more M.M. making 10 M.M. in all, which we all agreed was a quite +satisfactory allowance. Evidently the authorities at home thought so, +if one may judge from the fact that there was practically nothing +obtainable for the next six months. + +We were told by the authorities that we were certain to remain some +time in the Gaza area, where we were fully occupied in salvage work, +for the simple reason that the Q Branch could not feed us if we moved +beyond Railhead. Some new factor must, however, have arisen, as we had +only stayed some five days, and most of the Battalion was out some +four or five miles away on salvage work, when suddenly orders arrived +that we were to march that afternoon.—Starting point, the crossing of +the Wadi Guzzeh, 4.30 P.M. + +Before describing our march it would be as well to give some idea of +the position of the XXI. Corps, which had been, with the assistance of +the cavalry, pushing the Turkish forces back on to Jerusalem and +Jaffa. This pursuit, which met with a pretty stout resistance +throughout, had been going on for nearly a fortnight, and the Plain of +Philistia was cleared of the Turk, whose main forces had retired on +our left a little beyond Jaffa, and on our right into the precipitous +Judæan Highlands defending Jerusalem. Our Railhead had only reached +Deir Sineid, a few miles north of Gaza, and about thirty-five miles +south of the battle front. The Turkish railway, which went as far as +Junction Station, and from which much had been hoped, proved almost +useless owing to shortage of rolling stock, and consequently supply +depended almost entirely on motor lorry and camel from Railhead, or +from the Wadi Sukharieh, where some supplies were being landed in surf +boats. The question of supply had been most difficult, and water +supply hardly less so, even for the one corps, and it looked as if we +might come in for some scarcity when we got up nearer the front. In +the pursuit of the portion of the Turkish Army, which was retiring on +Jerusalem, our cavalry had penetrated some way into the hills, and +were endeavouring to hold on until the infantry could get up to +relieve them. The process of relief was going on during the few days +we were marching up. + +Now to return to our part in the affair. Our first march was a short +one of some seven or eight miles to a bivouac a mile beyond +Ali-el-Muntar, the prominent height dominating Gaza at which we had +been looking the whole summer. We stayed here for a day, partly to +wait for the arrival of greatcoats, which would be so necessary in the +Judæan Highlands, and to get rid of our helmets, and partly to give +the supply people a chance. Most of us spent an hour or two examining +Ali-el-Muntar and its defences. It looked very much less knocked about +than one would have expected after the severe bombardments to which it +had been subjected, and we came to the conclusion that there had never +been very many troops actually holding it. The infantry had evidently +been in trenches well away from the hill, which appeared to have been +used entirely for observation purposes. It must have been a pretty +uncomfortable corner for an F.O.O., as the top used to appear to be +blown off about three times a day. Concealment of trenches had been +made very easy by the presence of numerous cactus hedges, and it is +doubtful whether our guns, except in the actual assault, had ever had +a really satisfactory target. + +After this day of rest, 24th November, we marched just over twelve +miles to Mejdal. The weather was not too hot, and there was quite a +good beaten mud road, and we should have found it a fairly easy march +if it had not been for foot troubles. We had been more than six months +without having ever marched on a road—it had usually been soft +sand—and the sudden change to the flat hard surface of the baked mud +fired the men’s feet at once. When we arrived in camp at Mejdal we had +a foot parade, and found that there were over a hundred cases of +blisters and dressings for the medical officer and his satellites. +This Mejdal was quite a considerable village, and as we marched in we +met the most dignified specimens of native we had yet seen. Mounted on +donkeys and wearing the flowing robes of the Old Testament, they +really did remind one of the patriarchs in our stained glass windows. +All the brilliant colours—purple, crimson, and orange—were +represented, and many of them had the regulation beard. There were +also numbers of the usual class selling oranges and, oddly enough, +also cigarettes. + +Next morning we were again on the road and not feeling too cheery +about it, as we were told we were to do a 19–mile march—rather a +formidable proposition when every second man already had sore feet—as +it was the intention of the authorities to get us up to Jaffa in two +strenuous marches. However, during the course of the day the plan of +campaign was changed, and we were told that we should probably have to +go to the Judæan Hills instead of to the Ramleh-Jaffa Sector near the +sea. This was not the best of news, as there was no doubt which was +the more salubrious spot; but it had this compensation that it knocked +six miles off our day’s march, our camp being pitched near the Wadi +Sukharieh mentioned above, which was a convenient starting-point for +the next day whether we were ordered to Ramleh or to Junction Station. +We found, to our surprise, that the feet were no worse than the +previous night; some few were getting pretty bad, but most of them +looked as if they were on the mend. + +The next day we were finally labelled Judæa, and did a most trying +march—only about eleven miles, but a frightfully hot day—at first +through various pleasant looking farm colonies, and later through a +most desolate piece of country to Junction Station. On this trek we +were lucky enough to come under the eye of the Commander-in-Chief, who +at once noticed what we all very well knew—that we were carrying a +much greater load than could reasonably be expected in such a climate. +We had to do it, as the necessary camels had simply not been +available. However, the Commander-in-Chief quickly remedied this, and +from here onwards we had camels provided to carry our greatcoats, +leaving us pack and blanket only. + +At Junction Station we had our first taste of water trouble. As we +were making our way from west to east, we were changing places with a +division of the XXI. Corps. This division had spent the previous night +at Junction Station and had drunk the wells dry, so that no water was +obtainable on our arrival. We were told we should get it by 9 P.M., +and then a later hour was mentioned; but the net result was that we +got just enough to make our breakfast tea, but not enough to fill the +water-bottles, so we started on our next stage in the very worst of +tempers to find that we had hardly got out of camp before we were +involved in a regular block at the railway crossing which, needless to +say, was frightfully dusty. This delay proved, however, to be a +blessing in disguise, as it enabled our water camels to catch us up +with a small ration of water for lunch. If we had not got this water +we should probably not have got more than 75 per cent. of the Brigade +to the end of the day’s journey. We got into camp on a rocky slope +near Latron about dusk, and almost at once were warned to be ready to +start again at 9 P.M. to march another ten miles and take over part of +the line in the hills. This was soon altered to starting at 3 A.M. +owing to better news from the front, and again to 8 A.M. the next +morning as the situation calmed down. + +It was now becoming really interesting, as we expected to be in the +line within twenty-four hours, and all sorts of rumours were current. +Generally it was understood that we had penetrated successfully into +the hills until we were brought to a halt by the difficulties of +supply, and that now the Turk was beginning to recover from the +effects of his long retreat and was launching counter-attacks, which +had in some cases been fairly successful, and that he had given the +XXI. Corps a couple of heavy knocks to the north-west of Jerusalem. It +was expected that the XXI. Corps would be pulled out to the +comparative comfort of the Coastal Sector, while we—the XX. +Corps—were to have the honour of attacking, and we hoped, capturing +Jerusalem. + +We had now been marching for six days and most of us found our feet +improving and getting accustomed to the roads, though we had lost some +twenty-five good men, who had kept going like good ’uns with really +sore feet until they had to be sent to hospital by the M.O. That is +one great joy about the British Tommy, if things are really “business” +he will stick almost anything. Men who had protested before and during +every route march in training that they could not carry a pack more +than a few miles, and who literally had to be hunted home, did all +these marches up to the front without faltering, though they were +incomparably harder and though a heavier load was being carried. + +Our next march was a short one of six miles into the foothills to Beit +Sirra, a spot quite close to Likia, in a piece of country we were to +know very thoroughly before we were done. Here we spent an uneasy +night “in readiness to move”; but it was not till next morning that we +really took to the hills, marching up a most precipitous Roman road to +a spot which can only be described as Q 20, central. It was close to +the Roman road and about half-way between Likia and Kubeibe, and lay +on the covered side of the ridge south of that on which our line was +at that time established. + +Next day we got orders to take over a bit of the line, and towards +evening we climbed down into the Wadi Selman, and up the other side to +relieve another brigade of our Division. This turned out to be a +pretty jumpy business, as there had been some heavy fighting on our +right during the afternoon, and the people we relieved told us that, +to our right, all the ridge north of the Wadi Selman was in the hands +of the Turks, and that they might be expected to advance at any time +against our right flank, and that they themselves, though they had not +got it definitely, understood that our line was to be withdrawn behind +the Wadi Selman. + +The sector which we were supposed to take over extended from Hill +1750—where, presumably, even if we ever had had touch with our own +troops, our flank would now be right in the air—to the Wadi Zait. A +deep and precipitous wadi—the Shebab—ran from the Turkish positions +through the centre of our sector down to our Battalion H.Q. in the +Wadi Selman. We had no news of any change in the situation on our +left, so assumed it must be all right, and one company was sent up the +hill to occupy the portion of the line to the left (or west) of the +Wadi Shebab, getting touch with the 52nd Division on their extreme +left. This lot were lucky enough to find an enamelled wire already +laid from Battalion H.Q. to their Company H.Q. and, though it was +broken in one or two places by mules during the relief, they soon got +it patched up and in communication with Battalion H.Q. A company and a +half was sent to the right of the Wadi Shebab to move in fighting +order towards Hill 1750, making good the ridge as they proceeded. +There was no chance of getting wire out here, nor had we enough lamps +to establish a transmitting station, which was necessary; but by using +our own Orilux torches we managed to get through one or two brief +reports of progress, and at last, about 2 A.M., a message came through +that they thought they were on the hill and had encountered no +opposition. + +In the morning as soon as it was light, Lieut.-Colonel Younger started +out to see the right flank, and soon decided that they were not on +Hill 1750, which he made out to be twin knolls some half a mile +further on, and just about the same height as the hill we were +occupying. On one of these peaks we thought we saw a few Turks, and +about midday D Company (Captain H.S. Sharp) made a detour down +half-way to the Wadi Selman in our rear, and then advanced straight up +the cliff at these two peaks. They got to the top unopposed, but the +moment they showed over the skyline they were met with a hail of +machine-gun bullets and shrapnel, the position being completely +dominated by the Turks at medium range. How it was no one could +understand, but the attackers only had one casualty on the top, and he +was very gallantly brought back by the officer in charge of the +company. We stuck to one twin peak but evacuated the other, and it was +now clear that 1750 was still farther on, and that the Turk was +occupying it, so that, in order to have a dash at it, the first thing +to do was to extend our line farther to the right and get in touch +with some of our own troops. Distances and contours were almost +impossible to appreciate from the map, and it was not realised what a +great extent of line we were being asked to hold with a battalion, and +really, faulty map reading was excusable, considering the maps we had +to work with. + +To begin with, the map was two miles to the inch, and was not +contoured—merely hachured—which is no earthly use where the peaks +are crowded up within a few hundred yards of each other, so that three +peaks in line appear on the map as one ridge, though there may be dips +of 500 feet between them, and looking at it the other way, it is very +hard to believe that a place which it takes you one and a half hours +to reach walking is less than a mile on the map. We were all deceived, +but by good luck on this occasion no harm was done. + +Brigade at once sent up three companies and some machine-gunners to +support us, so we were all right in the line; but they proved to be +too many for the signal communications, which all had to come through +Battalion H.Q., and the signallers were worked to death. All these odd +companies and the machine-gunners had to arrange for their own supply +of ammunition, water, and rations with their own units, as they were +the only people who could supply the necessary pack animals to bring +the stuff as far as Battalion H.Q. From here the stores had to be +carried by hand by fatigue parties, and these parties had to be +advised by signals whenever their stores arrived. This meant +continuous work for the signallers, who had to keep their stations +going with insufficient reliefs, a thing that can only be done for a +very limited time. + +We had hardly got this extended disposition complete when orders were +received to relieve two companies of the Devons, as their battalion +was down to carry out an attack that night. Of course as luck would +have it, the companies were right up on the top of the hill, and the +only people available to relieve them were the companies which had +just come down after having done a couple of days up there. However, +there was nothing else for it, and they just had to go back, with the +promise that they would be relieved as soon as Brigade sent the troops +to replace them. During the afternoon the senior officers from the +attacking battalion came down to reconnoitre, but it was about 4 P.M. +by the time they got down, and consequently they had only time to see +their objective from one point of view which, as it happened, was a +fatal misfortune, as it left them with quite a false impression of +what their position would be when once they got their objective. There +was some discussion as to whether it should be a raid or a +consolidation. All those on the spot favoured a raid, but judging from +the map it appeared a desirable position to consolidate, and this was +finally ordered. + +Almost every division made one such mistake when first operating in +this mountainous country, and this was to prove to be ours. The +objective was the hill and village of Beit-ur-el-Foka—the Upper +Bethhoron of the Bible, where the sun stood still for Joshua—which +seemed to occupy a commanding position on the old Roman road between +Beit-ur-el-Tahta and El Jib, and was marked clearly on the map. It was +also supposed to contain water, and to be desirable for that reason. +The attack was carried out by an advance up the Wadi Zait to a +position of deployment at the foot of Foka Hill itself, whence the +summit was successfully rushed. There were few casualties and a good +haul of prisoners—somewhere about 150. But it was to prove impossible +to remain there. The position itself was not sufficiently roomy for a +battalion, and no digging was possible owing to the rocky ground. It +was also too exposed from no less than three sides. + +Opposite, across the Wadi Imaish, which ran east and west, roughly +N.N.E. from Foka, was the dominating ridge of Zeitun, some hundreds of +feet higher than Foka and under 1800 yards away; to the N.N.W., +perhaps 2000 yards off, was the crest of Khirbet Kereina, fully as +high as Foka; and, as if these two dominating positions in front, +giving first-class artillery observation, were not enough, there was +also a hill, subsequently known as Hill A, which was just about the +same height as Foka, was held by some Turks with one or two machine +guns, and fired slap into their right rear from the south-east. This +last was only some 500 or 600 yards away, but was divided from Foka by +a deep ravine, and it was found impossible to send a detachment to +storm it. It was this hill in rear that sealed the doom of the +business. They might have managed to stick it out in spite of the +rifle and artillery fire in front until the Turks got tired of it, but +the fire from the rear limited all movement and all getting up of +bombs and ammunition. Under cover of rifle fire and shrapnel the Turks +stormed up again and again, climbing up the steep face of the Wadi +Imaish where our guns could not have touched them, even if they had +had—which they hadn’t—any decent arrangements for observation. Once +up within bombing distance, the Turk had the great advantage of a +large supply of bombs, whereas we had not had time to get up more than +a few which were soon exhausted. Even ammunition was not too +plentiful, as everything had to be carried up the very steep Wadi +Zait, the top portion of which was commanded from Hill A. The best way +for evacuating wounded proved to be down the Roman road to +Beit-ur-el-Tahta, where they were handed over to the 10th Division who +were now on our left. + +To make a long story short, the O.C. Battalion had to make up his mind +to quit, and he had a hard job, even with some assistance from the +10th Division on Tahta Ridge, to bring away his wounded who were very +numerous. About 3 P.M. the last of them came out, having had a +terrible day, only four or five officers remaining unwounded. They +stuck to it well, but it was an untenable position. The Turk contented +himself with driving them off the Foka Heights, and did not attempt to +advance farther—if he had, it might have proved just as bad for him +as Foka had been for us. + +On 4th December we were relieved by the 6th Munster Regiment and went +back to our old camp at Q 20 central, where our transport had remained +all the time. Here we rested for a couple of days. We found that our +Division had been pulled out, in order to take part in the sweeping +movement by which it was hoped to capture Jerusalem. On the third day +after our relief we moved out, in floods of rain, along the so-called +road to Kubeibe, where, along with the battalion which had been in +Foka and half the machine-gun company, we were to form the Divisional +Reserve for the first phase of the operations. It was an awful night, +and the track was so steep and slippery that the camels could not get +on, and there was broken-down transport every few hundred yards along +the track which was charitably described on the map as a road. The +site of our bivouac was partly rocky ledges and partly slippery mud, +and we spent a most uncomfortable night. The attacking troops of the +Division moved to their positions of deployment the same night, and in +the early morning successfully took the Beit Iksa trenches, which were +the first objective. The next stage—the capture of the El Burj Ridge +and Neby Samwil—was not so rapid, but all were in our hands on the +following day (8th December) and, on our right, the 60th Division had +made equally good progress in face of determined opposition south of +the Jaffa-Jerusalem road. + +On 8th December 3 officers and 100 other ranks went off road-making. +One officer and 30 other ranks formed a military cordon round +Kubeibeh, and 1 officer and 50 men proceeded to Enab to represent +Scotland in the Guard of Honour which it was hoped would be required +for the entry into Jerusalem. Thirty more for A.S.C. fatigues at +Kuryet-el-Enab, and another lot to fetch from Latron a lot of donkeys, +which were to be added to our transport establishment. The result was +that, when about 5 P.M. we were ordered to rejoin the Brigade in the +neighbourhood of Beit Iksa, we could only muster about 200 of all +ranks. The Senior Company Commander was accordingly left behind to +collect what he could and follow on, and we started off with the rest +of the Divisional Reserve to do the six or seven miles in the dark in +single file. We could not use the road—so-called—from Kubeibe to +Beit Iksa, as we could not discover whether the village was wholly in +our hands, so we wandered on in pitch darkness with no path of any +kind to show us the best way along the most precipitous slopes, and +the most dangerous wadis. The camels were entirely unable to follow, +and even the mules were in difficulties, several of them falling over +ledges and down terraces. It was 1 A.M. (we started about 5 P.M.) +before we reached the locality in which we had expected to find the +Brigade, but we could find no trace of them, and there was nothing to +be done but send out a few scouts to look for them, and lie down and +sleep until daylight. + +The situation was not improved by the fact that all ration convoys +had broken down the day before owing to the slippery tracks, and we +had only the unexpired portion (_i.e._, breakfast) instead of two +days’ ration plus the unexpired portion as we should have had, and as +the authorities no doubt thought we had. We had also no confidence +that those who were responsible for bringing up the overdue rations +had any idea where to look for us even if the weather improved +sufficiently to allow them to make use of the tracks. We understood +that we were in for a four days’ push, and it looked like being a real +hungry one. This proved to be the case, as no rations reached us until +the end of the operations; but luckily they lasted only two days +instead of four. + +Next morning, the 9th, just before dawn, someone came rattling down +the steep slope above us, and to our joy we found it was the +Brigade-Major coming to look for us, and that Brigade H.Q. was just +above us—“just above” being 600 feet up one of the steepest slopes +one could climb. However, we got up all right about 7 A.M. and managed +to get a bit of our precious food disposed of before we received +orders to move. + +Our part in the assault of Jerusalem was to march with all speed to +take up a position on Tel-el-Ful, a hill some 2500 feet high, a mile +or so north of the town, so as to cut off the Turks from retreating up +the Nablus road. We were, as Divisional Reserve, carrying full +packs—not light fighting order—and it was an awful piece of country +to cross without even a track. We had first to climb down some 600 +feet into the Beit Iksa Wadi; then up the precipitous face of El Burj +about 1000 feet from the bottom to the top; then a couple of +comparatively easy miles down into the Wadi Hannina, and up the other +side some 1200 feet to Tel-el-Ful. Our Battalion did not have to go +very far beyond the Wadi Hannina, but we certainly thought it quite +far enough. This was to be one of our worst nights, as it rained hard +and blew a gale, and we were on the exposed side of the hill; also, no +rations had arrived or were likely to arrive, nor was there any sign +of them when we started off on a further advance north the next +morning. However, we knew that Jerusalem had fallen, which cheered us +up and made us hopeful that the operations would last less than the +promised four days. + +Our advance north was an attempt to get us into line with our own +people on Neby Samwil, which was easily the most commanding feature of +this part of the country. The battalion on our right had to attack up +the exposed ridge along which ran the Nablus road, while we were lucky +enough to have the frontage just east of the Wadi Hannina, where our +objective, the steep and massive feature of Bab-el-Muallek covered us +from artillery observation. The Turk soon spotted the movement and +during our advance treated us to heavy shelling, which took a +considerable toll from the exposed right battalion, whereas they were +firing at us without observation, and did us no damage, though the +machine-gunners, who advanced along with us, lost both men and mules. +The actual crest of Bab-el-Muallek was most uncomfortable, as shells +were bursting all along it; but though they searched the back of the +hill most thoroughly, it was so steep that we were pretty safe so long +as we lay snug. About 4 P.M. a couple of mules arrived with some +rations. It did not go far, but was enough to give everyone a bite, +and we were told that the rest would soon arrive. + +Just on the top of this, we were told that the 60th Division was +holding the line Tel-el-Ful-Beit Hannina, and that we might, as soon +as we were ready, retire through them into support in the Wadi +Hannina. Not much time was lost in getting under way—we did not even +wait for the Lewis gun mules, which were away being watered, but +man-handled the guns and heavy valises. These proved really too heavy, +and the men responsible for them were very much exhausted by the time +we got into bivouac, though the distance cannot have been more than +two or three miles. Here we found a regular haven of rest. +Comparatively smooth, lying in an olive grove, and _all_ the missing +rations waiting for us. We ate about one whole day’s rations in one +enormous feed, and then went to sleep. We all needed it pretty badly, +and even at dawn the whole camp was still sound asleep in spite of the +fact that they had no covering but their greatcoats, and there was +half an inch of ice on the water-buckets. + +This proved to be the end of the Jerusalem push, and next day, 11th +December, in glorious weather we marched back to a bivouac near Beit +Iksa on the slopes of the wadi leading down from Neby Samwil to +Kulonieh. Here we received our donkeys—forty per battalion—but they +were in miserable condition and felt the cold terribly, most of them +having come from the semi-tropical Nile Valley. They had also had a +tough journey up, having had to carry loads most of the way from +Railhead, when what they required was rest and food. Here we were +within four miles of Jerusalem, and all ranks had the chance of seeing +the city. + +During the next week or so we managed to supplement our rations with +dried figs, and the most excellent native brown bread; but the supply +of the latter soon stopped, as we were forbidden to buy it, as it +would just mean that the B.E.F. would have to supply bread to the +population later on if we were allowed to consume their stocks of +flour. H.Q. actually managed to secure a turkey, which was picketed +out near the Quartermaster’s stores to wait for Christmas. The +programme here was “Road Improvement,” but all the same we had a slack +time for ten days or so, when we were told what was to be the next +stunt. We were to assist in a big turning movement in which we were to +go along the Zeitun Ridge, the object being the gaining of some elbow +room to the north of Jerusalem. The 60th Division were to make an +advance up the Nablus road, with which was to be combined a sweep by +the 10th Division, with our Brigade attached, on to Bireh and Ram +Allah from the west. The country favoured such a movement, as the main +ridges ran east and west. We were to be at the same time the point of +the echelon (the brigades being more or less echelonned from the +right) and the inside of the wheel. + +Our course lay along the Zeitun Ridge to Beitania, and on our left, +and slightly in rear of us, brigades of the 10th Division were to +sweep clear the Kereina Ridge south of the deep Wadi Ain Arik, and the +Deir Ibzia-Ain Arik-Kefr Skeyan Ridges again farther to the north. +This meant that we had to get back to our old home in the Wadi Zait, +at the point where it joins the Wadi Selman, advance by night to the +Wadi Imaish, which lay between Foka and Zeitun, and deploy there for +the main attack. This was some twelve miles from Beit Iksa, and the +preliminary reconnaissance was a hard day’s work. We found that the +10th Division had, since we were there, secured Foka and Hill A, from +which we got an excellent view of our objective—Zeitun—but we failed +to find or hear of any path down to the Wadi Imaish. As nearly all the +hills here about are steeply terraced, that meant we could take no +mules with us to our position of deployment, as it would have been +hopeless to have them clattering about on the rocks in the dark, and +would have been certain to give the show away. We had expected to be +able to do this assembly and approach in our own time, but through our +secret service a copy was obtained of a Turkish order for an attack +down the Nablus-Jerusalem road by two fresh divisions, timed for 6 +A.M. on 27th December. This was only secured, however, three days in +advance, and it was not till 3 P.M. on Christmas Eve that we got +orders to move at once to our position of readiness in the Wadi Zait. + +We hurriedly packed up, H.Q. cursing their luck at not being able to +enjoy their turkey in peace, and got off about 6 P.M. Just after we +started it began to rain heavily, and by 8 P.M., when the camel convoy +tried to climb the hill out of the wadi, it was so slippery that they +had to give it up. The quartermaster’s hopes were then pinned on the +donkeys, who were being tried for the first time, but the mud and +cold proved too much for them. They managed to get most of them as far +as Kubeibe—about half way—but they were quite incapable of going any +farther. It was an awful night; such squalls and rain that the best +mackintosh, much less greatcoat, was quite useless, and as our course +lay along the Roman road we never left the exposed top of the ridge. +It was not so bad while we were moving, but with a brigade in single +file and a good many obstructions on the track, the rear of the column +sometimes had to halt for half an hour while those in front negotiated +some specially rough or slippery place. + +Up till midnight there were fair intervals, and we kept on getting wet +and then drying again; but midnight found us quite near our old camp +at Q 20 central, fully exposed to a gale and torrents of rain. + +The battalion in front of us had to descend the steep and slippery +side of the Wadi Selman, which was just like a mud slide, and we had +to stand at the top for more than half an hour. The length of the +descent was only about 500 yards, and in the daylight and when it was +dry fatigue parties and even camels used to get down in about ten +minutes, but now, what with the rain and the passage of the unit in +front of us, it had become indescribably slippery. Men were falling +down every few yards, and the mules were not much better. It took two +hours for the Battalion to cover this 500 yards. + +Wishing each other a very happy Christmas, we started on the last +stage of our journey along the bottom of the wadi, which was almost a +river, to our pitch in the Wadi Zait. We sat there till dawn—sleep +was out of the question—and then started everyone on physical drill +to get up some circulation. By this time we knew that the camels and +donkeys were both—in the language of the country—“mafisch” (which is +the same as “nahpoo”), and also that the wheeled transport, which +could not come across country as we had done, was not due till the +afternoon. Even then it was unlikely that they would bring any food, +as their proper load was Lewis gun stuff and ammunition. One can +realise what disaster had overtaken even the best arrangements, when +even Brigade H.Q., with a whole staff captain to look after them, +hadn’t so much as a crust for breakfast. The Brigadier, however, was +as cheery as ever, and almost as soon as it was light he was up in our +lines cracking jokes with everyone he met, and asking “are we +downhearted,” to which he got the usual roar as answer. It really +never stopped raining all day, and never again it is to be hoped will +any of us spend another Christmas like it. By superhuman efforts some +few ration donkeys were persuaded along by their drivers, and arrived +that night, but what they carried was only a small part of a ration. +Our hopes were fixed on the wheeled transport, which had brought their +loads of guns and ammunition, and had gone back to Kubeibe, to which +half-way house our camel loads were being brought by the wheeled +transport of the rest of the Division, who were not taking such a +leading part in the coming stunt. + +Next day, the 26th, was spent in reconnaissance by company officers +who had not already done one, and in pow-wows at Brigade, at which +were decided the final details and also the scheme under which the “B” +teams were to undertake the carrying forward of ammunition and bombs +in rear of the advance. Each battalion left behind some half dozen +officers and about 50 men, so there was quite a fair number available +for the work. Our spirits rose rapidly that day, partly owing to the +prospect of something doing, partly because of a marked improvement in +the weather, but chiefly on account of the arrival of rations in +satisfying quantities, which allowed of a huge feed before we had to +start at about 10.30 P.M. There was a nice moon, and our march in +single file up the Wadi Zait to Foka was quite uneventful, and we got +a pleasant surprise when we topped the crest and found that, by pure +luck, we had struck a small footpath—the only one for miles, we +afterwards discovered—which made the descent beautifully easy and +comparatively silent. With some diffidence we made for what we +thought was our map reference, and found to our joy, that we were +exactly right. Our “perch,” as really it should be called, was on +numerous ledges on the face of a very steep cliff, and it was a +lengthy business getting the Battalion arranged with its different +companies respectively in their right places; but by 4 A.M. we were +all snug like gannets on the Bass Rock, and quite easy in our minds, +except for the uncertainty as to whether dawn would discover the place +to be under Turkish machine-gun fire. This was pretty important, as we +were not to attack until 8 A.M., so there was time for a very +uncomfortable two or three hours before we could start. However, dawn +broke, and all was quiet, and we were able to have our breakfast +undisturbed just about the time the Turks must have been attacking +down the Nablus-Jerusalem road. + +The first attack was to be led by the Ayr and Lanarks on the right, +who were to scale the salient spur running up to their objective—Kh. +Mahmeh, and by the Somersets on the left, who were to advance up the +spur which led in a N.E. direction to Sh. Abu-el-Zeitun, which was +their objective. We, in close support, and the Devons in reserve, were +to follow the left battalion. This plan was adopted to avoid having to +advance up the re-entrant which was too dangerous. + +At 8 A.M. the advance started. Our position was in close support, and +the chief difficulty was to prevent the leading lines from going too +fast, and getting mixed up with the battalion in front. By 9 A.M. the +ridge was taken with a nice little bunch of prisoners, and very few +casualties to us. The face, up which we had advanced, was so steep +that the defenders could not get a really good shot at us, except in +certain places; but the Somersets and ourselves had to slide to the +east side of the spur, as we were being heavily fired at by machine +guns from the direction of Kh. Kereina. + +Our programme now was to turn east and sweep along the Zeitun Ridge, +but this depended, to some extent, on how the 10th Division were +getting on to our left. We were intended to be in advance of them, but +not more than a mile or so or we should get it too badly from the +flank. They had not expected us to get Zeitun much before 11 A.M., so +we were ahead of time, and the brigade on our left must have been a +bit late, as it was some time before they were visible at all, and +then they were some three miles behind. We sat all day on the safer +side of the crest, watching a stubbornly contested battle being fought +on Hill 2450, which was taken and lost more than once, and in getting +shelled continually by field guns. They did not hit many, but, as bad +luck would have it, they got our adjutant, Captain W.D. Brown, as +game a fellow as ever walked, and he was carried off evidently very +badly hit, and died that night in the dressing-station. We were not at +the time in touch with Brigade, but the brigade-major was over on the +ridge with us, so we had to get out orders for the further advance. + +It was our Battalion’s turn to lead, and we went for the main +objective, the Hill of Shafa, at the extreme end of the ridge about +one and a half miles away. The Ayrs and Lanarks were sent to seize a +hill on our right, another to maintain touch with the 10th Division on +our left (we were responsible as far as the W. Sunt), and the fourth +in support of us. We started the advance just after dark, and all went +well until we had almost reached the objective. One could see the +other battalion in the moonlight on the crest of the lesser hill to +our right, and we were ourselves about half way up Shafa, when we +suddenly bumped right into the Turk. Both sides were rather taken by +surprise, and our men at all events were thoroughly excited and firing +wildly in the dark without much chance of hitting anything. There was +a natural rock face about 8 feet deep right across the face of the +hill, and only about two spots where it could be climbed, and this +held us up for some time. The Turk began to try to work round the +flanks and the situation was looking rather unpleasant, especially as +we were wasting, at a great rate, ammunition which might be badly +wanted next day, the Lewis guns expending thousands. + +However, shortly before midnight, the excitement calmed down a bit, +and we managed to get up the rock face on to a sort of false crest, +and scouts, sent out to the front, reported that the Turk had cleared +right off the whole hill. Two platoons advanced and occupied the +farther crest and then we settled down to get what rest we could +though it was too cold to sleep, and a good many spent most of the +night walking up and down to keep warm. We found next day that our +ammunition had not been entirely wasted, as there were a lot of dead +Turks and quantities of rifles and machine-gun equipment left behind +when they retreated. Our casualties that night were 2 officers and 7 +other ranks killed, and 22 other ranks wounded, 3 of whom died of +wounds. + +In the morning we expected orders to advance, but as soon as we could +use our glasses we found that we were far ahead of our neighbours, and +were, in fact, enfiladed from the Turkish positions on our left. +Fortunately we could get into cover by going about 100 yards round the +hill, but rations and supplies had to come across about 80 yards of +open, under machine-gun fire, and it was a marvel that no one was hit. +It was impossible to get out in front to see our next objective, as +the Turks had us well marked and machine guns opened on anyone who +exposed himself. We had the Brigade-Major with us, but were again out +of touch with Brigade, and Lieut.-Colonel Younger was again tackling +the dispositions for the next advance, when the Brigadier himself rode +up, very nearly getting sniped as he trotted in. After telling us +exactly what he thought of us for having chosen such an exposed place +for our headquarters, he got out his orders for the assault of +Beitania. There was really no choice as to who should go first this +time, as there was no time to reshuffle units, and they just had to go +over in the order in which they were at the time disposed. + +This made us right leading battalion—objective Beitania—with the +Ayrs and Lanarks in close support. The left leading battalion—the +Somersets—were to make for Hill 500 about three-quarters of a mile +north of Beitania. The Devons were to advance in close support of the +Somersets, and we were given the K.S.L.I. from the 231st Brigade to +remain in reserve on Shafa, where Brigade H.Q. also remained. The left +battalion also had El Muntar as a further objective, so that the +Brigade, when finished, would be on a line running north and south to +the Wadi Kelt. We knew we should get a warm reception going over the +crest, as there were quite a number of machine guns in the village +and they were all laid on the crest. They also put over a lot of +shells while we were preparing to start but did not do much damage. + +We got off the mark at 2 P.M. in four waves, and went at record speed +to the bottom of the ravine. One could hardly have believed that men +carrying Lewis guns could have covered the ground so fast. In this +case it was our salvation, as we not only got over before the whole of +the machine guns had got properly going, but most of the shelling also +fell behind us. Once in the bottom we were quite safe from the machine +guns, and nearly so from the artillery. As it was we reorganised for +the attack in our own time and were very soon at the edge of the +village after a precipitous climb. Here we were held up for a short +time by fire from a spur to our right. The leading Company Commander, +Captain P. Campbell, A. & L.Y., of the supporting battalion, agreed to +take his own and another company to clear this spur. This movement was +rapidly and brilliantly carried out with the desired result, and in a +very short time we were in the village and through the far side, +holding the ridge to left and right, and in touch with our left +battalion. It was not until the following morning that we began to +count the spoils, which ran to about 150 prisoners, including a +battalion commander and nine machine guns. We buried about 80 Turks, +and there were a good many in odd places that we didn’t find at the +time. That night we took up an outpost line east of the village, and +in the morning saw the 230th Brigade march across our front into Bireh +without firing a shot. So well, too, had the supply of ammunition +worked, that at the close of operations we had 50,000 rounds in +Beitania. We spent two days there clearing up the battlefield and +reorganising the companies. On the second night we were told that we +were to be taken out into reserve for a long and well-earned rest. + +From St James’s Park to Beitania the Battalion had been continuously +engaged in very strenuous operations, marching, fighting, or +road-making over the roughest of country, without roads or landmarks, +up precipitous hills, through boulder-strewn wadis, against an +obstinate and determined foe, never sure of the next meal, tired +almost beyond endurance and many almost bootless, in the worst of +weather, cold and wet, and only slightly less miserable than the +camels. And the result? The capture of Jerusalem and turning of the +Turkish left flank; a loss of prestige and a military disaster from +which they never recovered. We had taken part in most difficult and +arduous fighting in most difficult and arduous country; difficult +because of the badness of the maps, which made it almost impossible to +locate one’s position or maintain touch, and arduous as only those +who know that rocky precipitous country can realise. For artillery it +was practically impossible, and though they did wonders in bringing +guns up over the roughest of roadless hills, the assistance they could +render the infantry was very slight. Nor are the transport or camel +leaders likely to forget that trek, and it was greatly to Mr +Drysdale’s credit that he managed to get them all safely to Kubeibeh +early on the morning of the 8th December. The heavy rains made the +Roman road almost impossible, and troops “resting” (so-called) were +turned on to road-making. The difficulty of command may be illustrated +by the fact that in marching to Beit Iksa the whole Battalion was +strung out in single file along a sheep track. + +It was very largely owing to this threat on his line of retirement +that caused the evacuation of Jerusalem which was entered by our +troops on 9th December. On the 8th 1 officer and 50 other ranks had +gone to Enab to furnish guards for Jerusalem, and to this Battalion +fell the honour of supplying the first Christian guards over the holy +places in Jerusalem after a Moslem occupation of seven centuries. + +Beitania, which brought the operations to a close, was quite a +brilliant piece of work. Our casualties were 1 officer and 8 other +ranks killed, and 4 officers and 40 other ranks wounded, of whom 2 +subsequently died of wounds; but, as we found afterwards that Zeitun +and Beitania had both been held by picked fresh troops, whose morale +had not been tried by the continuous fighting of the November retreat, +that number could not be called excessive. + +To single out individuals when everyone did so well is an invidious +task, but one cannot close an account of these operations without +mentioning the really splendid work of Lieut.-Colonel Younger, Captain +H.S. Sharp, and Captain W.D. Brown, also of Lieutenant R.A. Andrew, +whose energy and determination in bringing up rations and ammunition +over the most Godforsaken country, cannot be too highly praised. + +The news of the previous night proved to be correct, and the Battalion +moved off from Beitania about 9 A.M. on New Year’s Day down the Wadi +Sunt. The Wadi Sunt was by far the most attractive wadi we had yet +struck, being steep sided, and on the south side especially clothed +not only with the usual olive tree, but also with many sorts of +creepers and wild flowers which we had not seen before. The whole side +rose in terraces, and from almost every terrace, overhanging on to the +one below, was a very pretty dark leaved creeper, which was at the +time in full bloom with clusters of creamy coloured flowers which +looked as if they were made of wax, and the ledges were carpeted with +various wild flowers, mostly cyclamen and anemone. A mile or two took +us to the junction of the Wadis Sunt and Imaish, where we were within +a few hundred yards of the ledges where we had perched before taking +Zeitun Ridge, and there it began to rain in torrents. We continued +down the Sunt until we came to a rough path, made more or less +possible for traffic by the 10th Division, which led up to +Beit-ur-el-Tahta, in the neighbourhood of which the Brigade was to +bivouac. Next day we proceeded via the Wadi Melab to Beit Sira, and so +to our rest camp at Yalo. + +[Illustration: Operations in PALESTINE 1917–18 +_To face page_ 106] + + + + +CHAPTER V + +PALESTINE—1918 + + +From 4th January to 14th March when we went into the line at Khan Abu +Felah, we were employed continuously on road-making. The great +difficulty experienced in bringing supplies forward over the roadless +mountainous country, impassable to motors and often even to camels and +mules, made road-making an absolute necessity before any further +advance could take place. The only metalled roads were the +Jerusalem-Nablus road, running north from Jerusalem, and the +Jerusalem-Jaffa road, running west and north-west, passing Latron +about four miles from our camp at Yalo. The rest were mere donkey +tracks over cultivated unbottomed ground in the valleys, and winding +up wadis, over boulders, and through trees in the uplands and hills. + +Yalo, the ancient Ajalon, a city of the tribe of Dan, was our camp +till 24th February. Brigade H.Q. were at the head of the next wadi to +us, and below them the Devons and Somersets, while we occupied the +other side of the ridge with the 229th Field Ambulance beyond us. The +Ayrs and Lanarks were in a separate camp at Amwas. When we arrived we +found a rocky barren hill—when we left, it was almost a garden city. +The only “houses” were Battalion H.Q. and the kitchens, but every two +or three had built a home for themselves out of stones and mud, roofed +with waterproof sheets, while JOCK’S LODGE, a company sergeants’ mess, +was quite an architectural triumph. Paths lined with stones ran in all +directions, and almost every “villa” had its little garden of wild +flowers, chiefly scarlet anemones transplanted from the wadi. Below us +was the Valley of Ajalon, where Joshua defeated the kings of the +Amorites and the moon was stayed, a rich fertile plain stretching to +the hills which circled it on three sides. North-east we could see +nestling in the hills the two Beth Horons, and south of us lay the +picturesque capital of the tribe of Dan. + +While we were still settling down we sent 4 officers and 200 other +ranks daily on road-making fatigue, but later on the entire battalion +was turned on to repair the road from Latron to Beit Sara. At the same +time Captain Andrew was busy with a large class teaching the Lewis gun +to officers and men, Mr Scott’s flags “spoke” from every knoll, and Mr +Gall smartened the backward squad on the drill-ground below. We had +quite a good rifle range, and quite a fair football field, and life +was really very pleasant. + +On 18th February Lieut.-Colonel Younger rejoined us. He had gone off +to Cairo on leave where he was seized by Dr Tuke and put to bed in the +Citadel. + +We had now pretty well completed our road, so on the 24th we left our +comfortable camp and marched six miles to our new bivouac area in an +olive grove just north of Beit Sira. We had to make a new road to link +up with the Ram Allah road at Tattenham Corner. It was a most +picturesque wadi covered with olive trees, and what was more important +with any amount of stones suitable for road-making just at hand. On +the Latron-Beit Sira road stones were scarce and had to be man-handled +in limbers or baskets often quite a distance, but here were stones of +every size within a few yards of the road. It was a 16–foot road +bottomed with large stones, then two layers of smaller stones and +blinded with gravel. Everyone went at it like a schoolboy on holiday, +and we completed our road two days before scheduled time, on one +occasion actually doing 1½ yards of road per man. + +On 5th March we left our camp going by our newly completed road to +Tattenham Corner, into the Wadi Ain Arik, and up the Wadi Sad to our +halting place not far from the village of Ain Arik. We were now +campaigning again and our baggage was cut down to the bare +establishment, with one notable exception—oatmeal. We had arranged +for a regular supply from home to start as soon as we went abroad, and +though we were often short of many things we always had our oatmeal. +Our supplies had accumulated while we had been in the hills, and we +now found ourselves with about 30 cwt. for which there was no room on +the transport. This we were absolutely determined not to lose, so we +sent it on ahead about ten miles and dumped it in a wadi with a couple +of men to look after it. + +Next day we continued our journey through Ain Arik, where a friendly +brass band played us past with “Bonnie Dundee” till just below the top +of the pass at Kefr Skeyan, where we rested for the afternoon as we +might not cross the skyline in daylight. This resulted in a most +tedious night march, finishing in pitch darkness over very rough going +with a bad bivouac area at the end of it. Next morning we were +surprised to find ourselves by the side of a small lake—Lake +Baluah—shallow and muddy, but welcome as giving water for the animals +quite close to their lines. Road-making near Ram Allah was the order +of the day, and one company anyhow found the return journey not +without its excitement. A Taube dived at them and opened fire at very +close range, but fortunately their aim was distinctly bad, and it was +our nervous system only that suffered. + +[Illustration: BATTALION BIVOUAC, NEAR SUFFA. +_To face page 110_] + +[Illustration: THE IRISH ROAD CROSSING THE WADI AIN ARIK. +_To face page 110_] + +We were now only a few miles behind the line, and though our +Brigade was only to be in support for the next advance the C.O. and +Company Commanders climbed Sheikh Abdullah, from which a good view of +the surrounding country could be obtained. This was an easy climb, but +the view from here showed us that the next advance would be no picnic +even if the country alone had to be overcome. Ridge upon ridge faced +us, rising higher and higher to the horizon about six miles away where +Burj Lisaneh stood up like a sugar-loaf, while to our half-right +steepish slopes covered with fig trees, not yet in leaf, rose up to +the heights of Tel Asur 3318 feet high. In all this country there was +but one road which wound its way among the hills towards Nablus (the +ancient Shechem) and the north. There were a few miles of road up as +far as Beitin (the Bethel of the Bible), but there it stopped short, +which meant that the 53rd Division on our right would have to do their +advance without any road at all; but we had all done without roads +before, and no doubt we should do equally well again. However, we had +now completed a road through from Latron to Ram Allah and the Nablus +road, so that a further advance was possible as supplies could now be +brought up. The corps had been more or less stationary across the +Jerusalem-Nablus road for six or seven weeks, though there had been a +lot of activity on the eastern flank towards Jericho. + +On 8th March B Company (Captain D.D. Ogilvie) started off to report to +the gunners near Ain Yebrud and make the track passable for the +artillery as far as Selwad on the far side of Tel Asur. The track was +a dry river bed between two very thick walls most of the way, and +where it was impassable a track had to be made across country, which +meant cutting down trees and levelling terraces. Though there was +about five miles of road to prepare, so well did they work at it that +they were actually working on the road in front of the supports before +Tel Asur was finally captured, and the guns were able to move forward +that night. + +Meanwhile the other three companies had gone up the Nablus road to +repair it, as it had not only been heavily shelled by our artillery +but also blown up in a great many places by the retreating Turks. The +enemy were offering a stout resistance to our advance, and held a +strong line across the road. Tel Asur was captured and lost three +times before it finally remained in our hands, and it was not until 1 +P.M. that our line was sufficiently far forward for us to proceed to +Ain Sinia for road repair. Even then the road was being so heavily +shelled that we had to make our way by side paths and across country. +We were busy road-repairing for the next day or two, and officers were +reconnoitring forward to see the lie of the country which we were to +take over. + +On 14th March we moved on again, halting behind the skyline for the +midday meal while the C.O. and Company Commanders went on to see the +line we were to take over. It had been a rough journey. The tracks +were positively heart breaking. The usual pattern was 4 to 6 feet wide +with stout drystone walls on either side; the “pathway” being over +rough and uneven rocks with an occasional boulder, and here and there +the walls had collapsed completely, blocking the track—or else over +cultivated soil which was immediately converted into a muddy morass of +uncertain depth. On such paths only single file was possible, and pack +mules and donkeys had to be almost carried over some of the places. +But the worst was yet to come, and though we were not intended to go +down into the Wadi Kolah by day as it was in full view to the Turkish +artillery, the track down was so bad the C.O. wisely preferred risking +a shell or two to certain suicide going down in the dark. A mist +helped us, and we got down unmolested and had taken over the new line +by 5 P.M. The track down into the wadi was so steep and slippery from +the rain that donkeys were actually lowered down in some places by +their tails. + +The line we took over was a long one—about two and a half +miles—previously held by nine companies of the 159th and 160th +Brigades (53rd Division). There were three mountains with steep wadis +in between, and each company was given a hill which formed an isolated +post. Touch even between companies was very difficult to maintain at +night, and touch with the units on either flank was found impossible +and had to be abandoned. So sketchy was our line that we sometimes +discovered in the morning a miserable Turk or Arab well inside our +lines trying to desert but finding no one to whom to surrender. When +“captured” their joy was complete. Miserable, half-starved, ill-clad +wretches, conscripted to fight for a nation they loathed and feared. + +D Company (Captain J. M’Nab) held the Round Hill on the right and a +platoon of A Company held the village of Khan Abu Felah. C Company +(Captain I.C. Nairn) held the centre hill and B Company (Captain D.D. +Ogilvie) were on the left holding a “hog’s back” known as Fusilier +Ridge, and the wadi on either side. A Company (Captain Sir W.A.A. +Campbell) were in reserve at Battalion H.Q. Later A Company relieved D +Company, and D and C Companies moved a hill to their left, while B +came into reserve. Our horses, mules, and donkeys were with us, but +camels could not negotiate the steep slopes and remained on the high +ground above us along with the wheeled transport. + +Our stay here was uneventful. The Turks shelled us regularly but +without doing much damage, and we sent over one or two patrols every +night, but there was no great activity on either side. On 22nd March a +company of the Ayrs and Lanarks (Captain P. Campbell) carried out a +most successful raid on the isolated hill Amurieh opposite B Company. +Mr Cruickshank with 12 men from his platoon held White Hill, a small +intermediate knoll, and covered the advance, returning when the raid +started. Fully 100 prisoners were taken, with the loss of only one or +two wounded. At the same time we made a demonstration from Kent Hill, +firing off rifle grenades and rifles, which drew a lot of fire from +the raiding party on Amurieh. + +On 7th April the enemy attempted a bombing raid on A Company’s hill, +but it was a halfhearted affair, and they were easily driven off and a +few casualties inflicted. + +We had two or three days of very heavy rain just after we took over, +which made life very miserable for the outpost companies on the hill +tops, and especially for the mule leaders who had to make the journey +up and down that perilous wadi with rations and water at least once +and sometimes twice a day, and then wade through the mud to the +companies. The rain, however, helped them, as it gave us water close +at hand which was excellent for cooking and washing purposes. On the +whole, however, the weather was glorious, and the wild flowers were a +great joy to us all. + +After we had done a fortnight in the line we were to have been +relieved by another battalion in the Brigade when news came through +that the whole Division was to be relieved and march to Railhead, +which was now at Ludd. This, combined with a memo, which said “All +units XX. Corps except 74th Division will indent for shorts +forthwith,” made it quite clear that we were bound for France, and so +it proved. + +On 9th April we were relieved by the 2/4 R.W.F. (53rd Division), and +bivouacked that night at our transport lines on the shoulder of Tel +Asur. Next day the Brigade marched via Beitin to Bireh and bivouacked +just west of Ram Allah. The following day we went down the Ain Arik +road to Tattenham Corner, along the road we ourselves had made to our +bivouac area, near the old Devon Camp below Suffa. + +On 12th April we made Amwas, and next day after a long and dusty march +we reached our destination Ludd. We spent a busy day there drawing +stores from Ordnance and returning things for which we had no further +use. H.Q. and B Company entrained that evening, and the remainder the +following morning, and we all got to Kantara that night, or very early +on the morning of the 16th. + +We were at Kantara just a fortnight, during which time we were +disinfected and refitted, put through gas and exercised in field days +on the desert. We had never been allowed to draw clothing in +Palestine after Yalo as we were on the waiting list for France, and +when we arrived at Kantara we were a most disreputable looking +crowd—clothing patched and torn, garments showing where they should +never be seen, and boots in some cases almost without soles at all. +But when we marched out we were clad once more in new tunics, new +trousers, and new boots, and looked very smart. + +The transport left on 19th April under Mr J. Drysdale, and the +Battalion followed on the 29th, reaching Alexandria early next +morning, and embarking at once on H.M.T. _Indarra_. Brigade H.Q. were +with us. Lieut.-Colonel Younger was O.C. troops, and Mr R. Colthart, +ship’s adjutant. + +We left Alexandria on 1st May, and so bade good-bye to Egypt and the +East after a sojourn there of over two and a half years. We had all +had a great experience, at times very strenuous and unpleasant, but on +the whole interesting and not too bad. Our fighting had been almost +entirely open warfare, for which as yeomanry we were well adapted, and +which contrasted very favourably with the trench warfare on the +Western Front. But few were sorry to go. None of us anticipated +Allenby’s triumphant drive to Damascus, and felt we would be “doing +our bit” more effectively on the Western Front where we well knew the +final decision rested. But what counted much more was relief at +escaping another hot, dusty, thirsty summer in the East, and the +change to the civilisation and comparative comfort of France, and of +course most of all to the proximity of Blighty, and the prospect of +leave home. Though short local leave had not been so difficult to +obtain, home leave, owing to the difficulty of transportation, had +been very much restricted, and the great majority had never been home +since coming out. + +We had a very good trip to Marseilles. The captain laid himself out to +make everything as comfortable as possible; the feeding was excellent, +plenty of cabin accommodation for officers and N.C.O.’s, and the men +were as comfortable as they ever can be in a crowded troopship. There +were seven ships in the convoy which was escorted by British +destroyers as far as Malta, and there relieved by Japanese destroyers +who took us in safely to Marseilles. There was only one piece of +excitement on the fourth day out. A destroyer sighted a submarine, +rushed ahead at great speed and dropped a couple of depth charges. +Nothing more was seen of the submarine, and we proceeded on our +journey uninterrupted. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +FRANCE—1918 + + +On disembarking at Marseilles on 7th May we opened a new chapter in +the history of the Regiment. The contrast from the East was indeed +marked and delightful, and the long train journey passed quickly in +our joy at seeing once more green fields and green trees, villages, +and farms, long fair hair and fair complexions. We could hardly have +had more beautiful scenery than we had during the first day through +the south of France. We kept to the branch lines to the west of the +main Rhone Valley line, and wound in and out all day at the foot of +steep hills crowned with old castles and picturesque villages which +looked so peaceful that it was hard to realise that there was a war +on. The second day saw us skirting Paris by Juvisy, and gave us a good +view of Versailles and the numerous airships at St Cyr. The last day +our route lay chiefly through water meadows, and by 9.30 we had +reached our detraining station—Noyelles—whence after a hot breakfast +we marched ten miles to our destination—St Firmin near the mouth of +the Somme. Our transport had already been here about a week, and we +found excellent quarters in the long straggling village. + +Here we spent ten days, being fitted out with gas helmets, and passed +through gas, a form of warfare of which we had had no practical +experience out East, and in bayonet fighting also, under experts who +found we had not very much to learn in that line. Our number of Lewis +guns were doubled, and we started lots of classes of new Lewis gunners +to form the new gun crews and provide a large nucleus of trained men +as reinforcements. Our transport establishment was also completed +here. We entrained at Rue early on the morning of the 21st, and made +our way via Etaples and St Pol to Ligny St Flochel, whence we had a +long fifteen miles march to Humbercourt. That night we had our first +experience of night bombing. From here several senior officers went +for a day or two’s experience of trench life to a New Zealand Division +in the Hebuterne sector north of Albert. + +On the 25th May we moved to a very much better area at Grand +Rullecourt where we stayed for just a month. Here there were much +better facilities for training, and we worked away steadily at wood +fighting, fighting through crops, co-operation with tanks, and all the +while paying special attention to the Lewis-gun personnel. We also +gave an exhibition of the attack in open warfare, for the edification +of the Canadians who were in the neighbourhood, and put in a good +deal of musketry at the rifle ranges, and throwing and firing +grenades. We had quite a good field for football, and had an +inter-platoon competition, won by No. 6 platoon, but the great event +was the defeat of the Scots Guards by the Battalion team. The Scots +Guards were the winners of the Bull Dog Cup at the Crystal Palace, and +had only once been beaten, and to defeat them 2–0 was a great +achievement. + +The Ayr and Lanark Battalion of the R.S.F. left us here to form a new +brigade along with the 12th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Battalion; the Norfolk +Regiment from the 230th Brigade, and the 24th (Denbigh Yeomanry) +Battalion; the Royal Welsh Fusiliers from the 231st Brigade. We were +all very depressed at the departure of the Ayrs and Lanarks. We had +been together close friends and keen rivals on the football field ever +since we had been made into an infantry battalion, and though we all +knew that the Brigade was sure to be reduced from four to the normal +French establishment of three battalions, we had somehow never +contemplated parting from our special friends, the only other Scotch +battalion in the Division. + +Spanish influenza, which was so prevalent everywhere, now began to +attack us, and when we left Grand Rullecourt on 26th June, as we had +about nine miles to march to our entraining station Ligny, 150 were +considered unfit to march, and had to come on by motor lorry the +following day. This was an excellent arrangement, as it enabled us to +keep on the men who we knew would be quite fit again in a day or two, +instead of sending them to hospital, and probably to another +battalion. Fortunately it was a mild type, the patient being +completely knocked out for a day or two and then rapidly recovering, +but it left us all pretty weak for a bit. We detrained at Aire, and +though we had only another four miles to go to our billets at Fontes, +it was quite enough for anyone with a touch of the “’flu.” From here +parties went out every day to reconnoitre the various lines in the +Robecq-St Venant sector, and to get to know the country before we were +told to take over the line. + +We left Fontes with practically all our invalids cured after a +fortnight’s stay, and moved on to Ham en Artois, only a few miles +farther east, where we became Divisional Reserve, our Division having +taken over a sector of the line in the Lys area. Here we carried on +our company and specialist training while parties reconnoitred +forward, and after twelve days in reserve we again made a short move +forward on 23rd July to La Pierriere where we became Brigade Reserve, +the Brigade having the other two battalions now in the line. This was +a strenuous business, as not only had we to provide small working +parties by day and guards over about eleven bridges over the Aire-La +Bassée Canal, but we had also to supply 100 men per company each night +to dig in the support line, which meant very hard work for both +company officers and men, and it was with relief that we saw our eight +days finished, and moved ourselves into the line. It was not that the +digging was such hard or jumpy work, but the fact that it took two +hours to get there and two more to come back, which made it such a +trying business. There were very few casualties, though B Company had +a lucky escape. A shell landed right in the middle of them and wounded +thirteen, five of whom had to go to hospital, while the other eight +asked to remain on duty, fearing lest, if they went to hospital, they +might be posted to another battalion. + +On the night of 31st July/1st August, we took over the right +sub-sector of the line from the Somersets, and were lucky in having to +keep only one company in the line. This front line consisted of a +series of posts, each held by a section and built up as a breastwork, +trenches being impossible. The Noc and Clarence Rivers sluggishly +meandered through our line, and even in summer the water level was +only about nine inches below the surface. Behind these posts was a +semi-continuous support line, and half a mile farther back a +continuous main line, fairly well complete as to wire and parapet, +but hardly anything in the way of parados, so there was plenty of work +for everyone. D Company (Captain R.A. Andrew) held the front line with +their H.Q. at Baquerolles Farm, A and B Companies were in support, and +C back at Robecq in reserve. Battalion H.Q. were at Carvin Farm. +Frequent patrols were sent out, and the Bosche paid us a certain +amount of attention both with high explosives and gas, and at night +turned on his machine guns along the routes by which rations came up, +but at no time could it have been called anything but a quiet sector. + +We had been six days in the line when about four o’clock in the +afternoon word came from the battalion on the left that the enemy were +massing in front. Captain Andrew at once sent out officers’ patrols +who discovered no signs of the enemy, so he took his company forward +and occupied the German trenches, and by evening held a line about +half a mile farther forward. It was now evident that the enemy +intended evacuating the salient which our gunners had made so +unpleasant for him for some time past, and by nightfall our whole line +was moving forward. To D Company fell the distinction of initiating +the advance on the whole corps’ front, and then B Company passed +through them and advanced the line to Rues des Vaches Farm. So rapid +had been our advance that a party of Germans, still under the +impression that they were behind their own lines, bumped right into a +section of Mr Wood’s platoon in a “grouse butt.” On being challenged, +the Bosche sergeant-major called out, “Welche Kompanie ist das?” +(which company is that?) which seemed to annoy one Jock who replied +“Welsh Company be damned. Take that, you ——, it’s the Black Watch +you’re up against this time.” Their carelessness cost them five +killed, including the sergeant-major, and twice as many wounded. + +Next day we advanced to just beyond the Quentin Road, meeting with +practically no opposition, and later A Company (Mr C.G. Duncan) passed +through B, and advanced to the Turbeauté River. The Bosche guns were +very busy all day, and considering the number of shells they threw +over us and our lack of any cover, we were lucky in having as few +casualties as we did. We had a good deal of gas in our area and on the +main road, and the following day after a short but severe +trench-mortar bombardment they attacked one of our posts on the +Turbeauté River which repulsed them at the point of the bayonet. That +night we were relieved by the 15th Battalion, the Suffolk Regiment +(230th Brigade); our relief was managed quite successfully, and we +went back into support at Robecq, with garrisons in the main line of +the Amusoires trench system. + +Only very short parade hours and daily bathes in the Lys or La Bassée +Canals made this a delightful week. We were asked for no digging +parties, and the only fatigue—which the men thoroughly enjoyed—was +harvesting under Mr H. Adamson’s supervision. + +On 16th August we moved a few miles farther back across the Canal to +La Miquellerie where we had as good billets as we had seen in France. +Up to now we had received a few kilts of the large size only, so we +had only a few of the biggest men fitted out, and drill order was +always trousers. On getting to Miquellerie we found a huge assortment +of kilts awaiting us, and the sergeant-tailor (Sergeant Ferguson) had +two hectic days fitting the Battalion for the Divisional Church Parade +in a field between La Miquellerie and Ham en Artois. The Army +Commander, General Sir Wm. Birdwood, was present, and after the +service he gave us a most inspiring address, and saw us march past him +in fours as we left the field. The two following days were devoted to +a detailed inspection by the Corps Commander, Lieut.-General Sir R. +Haking, who seemed favourably impressed and made some very +complimentary remarks. + +On the 24th we moved up into support relieving the 25th R.W.F. The +Battalion was disposed in two halves supporting the right and left +battalions respectively—A and C Companies at Quentin and B and D +Companies in front of Calonne with Battalion H.Q. After spending +three quiet days here we were relieved by the 2/6th Battalion D.L.I. +(59th Division), and marched back to Molinghem where our transport had +been all the time. B Company left that afternoon, and the rest of the +Battalion entrained next day on a tactical train for the Somme. We had +a very slow journey, and arrived at La Houssoye about midnight and +found our billets there. On 31st August the B Team moved to the +Divisional Reception Camp at Franvillers, and about midday we got +sudden orders to proceed to near Franvillers where buses would be +awaiting us. We went by bus to a farm a couple of miles west of +Maricourt, dumped our packs there and reached our destination Le Foret +about midnight, where to our joy we were run to earth by the transport +with rations and ammunition. + +Next day, 1st September, was spent in reconnaissance towards +Bouchavesnes, out of which the Bosche had been pushed that morning. At +7.30 P.M. we set out for the position of deployment east of +Bouchavesnes, and were met by guides who conducted us by the longest +possible route over the worst country they could find, and it was 3 +A.M. before the relief of the 2/4th London Regiment was complete and +our men in the assembly trenches. Zero hour was 5.30 A.M., at which +time it was barely light and rather misty. The first objective was the +system of trenches (Opera and Monastir Trenches) on the far side of +the Canal Du Nord, the second objective the strong system of trenches +half way up the slope, and the final objective the crest of the ridge +south of Nurlu Village, a good four miles away. We were to advance +across the Tortille River keeping Moislains on our left, across the +Canal and then swing north-east and push on to the high ground. This +meant squeezing through a narrow neck between Moislains and Allaines +and then after we were through the neck, changing direction and +extending our front to almost double. + +After the preliminary bombardment and following the creeping barrage +the Brigade moved forward—the Somersets leading on the right with +ourselves following. The Devons were to mop up the village of +Moislains, and once clear of the village we were to come up on the +left of the Somersets and take the first objective. The barrage fell a +long way ahead of us and left untouched a party of the enemy holding +the trench immediately in front of us. This delayed us but for a +moment, but the Somersets were having a good deal of trouble from the +direction of Allaines which had to be dealt with and this took them +and us more to our right than we should have been. The advance was +again momentarily held up by heavy machine-gun fire on the Canal, but +pushing on in most gallant style the leading companies got across all +right and up the slope, driving the Bosche out of the wooden huts at +the point of the bayonet and accounting for a great many at the same +time. So far the advance had gone splendidly. The first objective had +been taken, and the advance begun towards the second when murderous +machine-gun fire was opened upon us from the left and left rear. The +battalion of Londoners on our left north of Moislains had withdrawn, +the village of Moislains itself was never mopped up, and the eight +Bosche machine guns holding Moislains seeing this moved quickly to the +south of the village and opened on our backs. In addition to this we +were being subjected to very heavy fire on our left flank, which was +now completely in the air, and we could actually see their gun teams +working the 77’s on the crest of the ridge. The Bosche had paid us the +compliment of rushing up his best troops to meet our Division, and +certainly the Alpini Corps were most gallant fighters. To advance +unsupported was out of the question, and our casualties were by now +very heavy, so there was nothing left but to withdraw to the west side +of the Canal again and reorganise the remains of the companies. Next +day we pushed forward to the trenches south of Moislains and to the +Slag Heap on the canal bank, and at dusk on the evening of the 4th we +were relieved by the 19th Battalion London Regiment and marched back +to rest and reorganise. + +Our casualties had been heavy—the C.O. wounded; of the four Company +Commanders Captain R.W. Stewart and Captain I.C. Nairn had been killed +and Captain J. M’Nab and Mr C.G. Duncan wounded. Mr Darney was killed +and C.S.M. Aitken died of wounds—a total of 3 officers and 38 other +ranks killed and 14 officers and 157 other ranks wounded. The +Battalion got great praise for its gallant performance that day, and +though the attack was apparently unsuccessful we had advanced farther +than the authorities had expected, and, moreover, had the pleasure of +seeing the 230th Brigade, who passed through us, make good about six +miles without firing a shot—a peace march, which as Brig.-General +Hoare was at pains to point out was entirely due to the offensive +spirit of the 229th Brigade. + +We were given a day and a half in which to rest and reorganise and +then off again on the retreating Bosche. Just as we were leaving we +heard that Mr J.C. Drysdale had been hit by a shell which landed right +at the mouth of his bivouac, at least six miles behind the line. In +him we lost a most efficient and hard-working transport officer. After +a night at Aizecourt and another at Longavesnes we were again in the +line relieving the 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) +Battalion Welsh Regiment in the left sector of the divisional front +holding the horse-shoe line of trenches round St Emilie, with +Battalion H.Q. behind the railway embankment between Villers Faucon +and St Emilie. A Company of the Somersets was attached to us to help +to hold the long length of this salient. They linked up with the +Devons on our right, while on our left and considerably to our rear +was the 58th Division. We had about one and a half miles of half-dug +trench to hold with less than 400 men all told. They were probably the +worst sited trenches in France, with no field of fire and not +continuous, completely dominated by the German guns at Epehy, who +could fire down them, and by snipers who, by crawling through the +thistles and broken country on our left rear (and the Alpini were bold +snipers and deadly shots), could fire right up some portions of the +trench. The salient held by the 74th Division was considerably in +advance of the line held by the Australians on our right and by the +Londoners on our left, and was quite an unhealthy spot until the +Bosche were pushed out of Epehy. + +9th September passed fairly quietly until evening, when D Company (Mr +Brodie Brown) was sent to reconnoitre to the front, and if possible +establish themselves on the ridge on the far side of the valley in +front of us. They had got about three-quarters of the way when their +patrols reported at least two companies of the enemy going into the +trenches which D were to occupy and two strong patrols working +forward on either side of them. To push on was impossible, so they +returned to the trenches they had left. Though this merely confirmed +what we already knew—that the enemy were holding that line in +strength—and though a report was sent in to this effect, because the +Air Force had reported that they could see no signs of the enemy, +Corps ordered us to push forward at dawn next morning and occupy the +crest of the ridge. These orders were only received at 2 A.M., and +though Company Commanders were summoned at once A Company (Sergeant W. +Collier) only received his orders at dawn—the runner having missed +the way in the dark. The company of Somersets were to attack on the +right, keeping touch with the Devons, C Company (Mr I.W. Cruickshank) +in the centre, B Company (Mr J. M’Lean) on the left, with D Company +(Mr Brodie Brown) in reserve. A Company (Sergeant W. Collier) was to +keep in touch with the Londoners (58th Division) on the left and +advance in conjunction with them. The time for our barrage opening was +postponed, but the wire from Brigade never reached us and we advanced +without any preliminary bombardment. C Company and the Somersets +almost reached their objectives unobserved when they were met by very +heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. B Company on the left were unable to +push on which left C Company’s left flank exposed. Into this gap the +enemy quickly rushed fresh troops and attacked in force with the +result that the two companies were overwhelmed by numbers and nearly +surrounded. They were ordered to retire but not more than a quarter +got back. + +We consequently were forced to hold our old line as a defensive line +and get liason with the 58th Division, who also found the enemy in +great strength and were unable to hold what they gained. We learned +afterwards that a regiment (three battalions) of the enemy were +holding the line between Ronssoy and Templeux le Guerard with orders +to fight to the last. The Battalion was now very exhausted, the +trenches were knee-deep in water, and a great number of Lewis guns and +rifles were out of action with mud and water. Major D.D. Ogilvie and +Mr Brodie Brown were the only officers left in the line, with Mr J.W. +Ormiston doing liaison between Battalion H.Q. and Captain R.H. +Colthart at Battle H.Q.—telephonic communication was almost +impossible as the line was broken every five minutes. We were +consequently very pleased when we were told we were to be relieved by +the 10th East Kent Regiment (230th Brigade), who took over from us +that night and we moved back to Longavenes. + +Here we found a draft of twelve Black Watch officers awaiting us, and +the day was spent in cleaning ourselves. Next day (12th September) we +moved back to Templeux la Fosse, with Battalion H.Q. in the old +Prisoners of War compound and the companies in trenches. Major J.M. +M’Kenzie, Royal Scots, arrived to take over command of the Battalion +from, Major D.D. Ogilvie, and Brig.-General F.S. Thackeray (H.L.I.) +assumed command of the Brigade which Lieut.-Colonel C.J.H. +Spence-Jones, Pembroke Yeomanry, had commanded since Brig.-General R. +Hoare had been wounded. We had six restful days here and then moved up +to Faustine Quarry in reserve for the attack by the Division. A +Company (Mr P. Dane) were attached to the Somersets, who had suffered +a lot of casualties from gas. + +The III. Corps continued the attack on 18th September with a view to +securing a position affording good observation on the Hindenburg line. +The 1st Australian Division co-operated on our right and the 16th +Division on our left. Against us was the 38th Division (German) +holding from Templeux le Guerard to Ronssoy. + +Our divisional frontage had been reduced by nearly half, each brigade +having been responsible for about 1000 yards. The 230th (and the +Somersets) were on the right, 231st (with the Devons) on the left, +leaving only ourselves in reserve. Aided by a haze and a very +effective barrage the attack was a complete success, the first +objectives being gained by 7.45 A.M. with very few casualties and a +large bag of prisoners. On advancing over the ridge towards the second +objective A Company came under very heavy machine-gun fire from +Rifleman Post, but our artillery soon silenced that, and we were in +occupation of Rifleman Post by one o’clock—an advance of 4500 yards. +Here we consolidated, and remained till relieved by the Sussex. A +Company’s casualties were 4 killed and 25 wounded, and they had a +number of prisoners and machine guns to their credit. + +[Illustration: The Divisional Boundaries for the three phases of the +advance are shown by shaded lines. The first two advances were on a +1–Brigade frontage, the third on a 2–Brigade frontage with only our +Battalion in Reserve. Opposed to us were the Alpine Corps (1st +Bavarian Jaeger Regiment and Body Infantry Regiment), with the 6th +Cavalry Division on their right and the 96th and 95th Imperial +Regiments of the 38th Division on their left. + +MAP SHOWING THE TRENCH SYSTEM ON THE SOMME. +In addition to the principal trenches, use was made of all sunken +roads and belts of barbed wire stretched across the country. +_To face page 134_ +Emery Walker Ltd. Sc.] + +20th September was spent in salvage work on the battlefield, and at 10 +P.M. we moved forward to relieve the Suffolks at Toine and Pimple +Posts—the first objectives in the attack. On the 22nd we relieved the +25th R.W.F. in the front line, and held from Carbine Trench to +Benjamin Post with A Company in support at Artaxerxes Post. The enemy +shelled the position heavily both with high explosives and gas and we +suffered some casualties. + +The Division was now consolidated on the line of the second objective, +and it was obvious that the Bosche were holding the high ground, +particularly Quennet Copse and Quennemont Farm, very strongly, and it +was impossible for the tired and depleted Division to advance without +further preparation. The line held by the enemy was our old front line +of March overlooking the Bellicourt-Le Catalet section of the +Hindenburg line, and they were determined to hang on to that at all +costs. The attack on the Hindenburg line was not for us. The 74th +Division was booked for the advance further north. + +On the night of the 24/25th September we were relieved by two +companies of the 106th American Battalion; got to Faustine Quarry by 5 +A.M. and at 8 marched to Tincourt, where we entrained for +Villers-Bretonneux. From Villers-Bretonneux we marched to Corbie +(fifteen miles east of Amiens) and got into billets there. This was +the last we were to see of the Somme, for we were destined for another +front. That our services on the Somme front were appreciated is shown +by the following letter received by our Division from General +Rawlinson, Commanding Fourth Army, dated 28th September:— + + “_74th Division._—The 74th Division has taken a prominent part + in the successful advance of the Fourth Army during the past + month, and, much to my regret, has been ordered to another part + of the British front. + + “The work of this Division during a period of severe and + continuous fighting is worthy of the best traditions of the + yeoman stock of Great Britain. + + “Brought to this country from a hot climate, where they took + part in a very different method of warfare, the 74th Division + has quickly adapted itself to the altered conditions, and has + fought with a determination and courage which is beyond praise. + + “In the capture of AIZECOURT, DRIENCOURT, TEMPLEUX LA FOSSE, + LONGAVESNES, VILLERS FAUCON, and TEMPLEUX LE GUERARD, the + Division has made a name for itself which ranks with the best + division fighting in the British Army, and I desire to offer to + all ranks my warmest thanks for their gallantry and + self-sacrifice. + + “In addition to the considerable area of ground gained the + Division has captured over 1700 prisoners. + + “I greatly regret that the Division is leaving the Fourth Army, + and in wishing all ranks every good fortune, I trust I may at + some future time find the 74th Division once more under my + command.” + +We left Corbie early in the morning of the 28th for Mericourt where we +entrained for Berguette, reaching our destination the following +morning, whence we marched to our billeting area in Bourecq, just +south of our old billeting ground at Fontes. Here we stayed till 2nd +October when we moved by the light railway to “what was Locon.” Two +days later we were at Herlies. On the night 10/11th October the 229th +Brigade took over from the 231st Brigade, and on the 14th we moved +into the line relieving the 12th Battalion S.L.I., D Company on left, +A in centre, and B on right, with C in support in Ligny Wood. On 15th +October we occupied the railway line east of Ligny, and next day our +patrols had pushed forward to the outskirts of Haubourdin (a suburb of +Lille). On the 17th we again advanced, crossed the Haute Deule Canal, +and on reaching our final objective handed over to the 16th Devons +while we remained in support. Petit Ronchin, Ascq (on the +Lille-Tournai road), and Baisieux gave us billets for the following +nights. We were now in support to the Somersets, who carried on the +advance until held up outside Marquain. The 231st Brigade had been +withdrawn, so the Division was advancing on a one-battalion frontage. + +As soon as Orcq was gained we were to pass through the Somersets and +carry on the advance. The enemy’s resistance, however, was stiffening, +and the Somersets were unable to push on. On the 22nd we took over the +line in front of Orcq, but found it impossible to patrol much to the +front owing to the heavy machine-gun fire. The trenches opposite were +well wired in and strongly manned, and the attack by B Company on the +23rd was held up within 100 yards of the objective by intense +trench-mortar and machine-gun fire and artillery barrage, and the two +platoons were compelled to withdraw to their original line after +suffering 32 casualties. + +Next day we were relieved by the 10th Buffs and moved back to billets +in Baisieux, where we rested for ten days and got through an +inter-platoon football competition. On the evening of 1st November the +enemy put over a few shells, and in going to regulate the traffic into +the cellars Captain R.H. Colthart was mortally wounded. The death of +our adjutant was a great loss to the Battalion. As Sergeant Colthart +he had gone out with the Regiment to Gallipoli, was appointed +quartermaster and then adjutant, and had been with the Regiment or +Battalion in every engagement in which it had taken part, being +mentioned in dispatches. Lieutenant J.W. Ormiston succeeded him as +adjutant. + +Tournai was evacuated by the Germans on 9th November. The 231st +Brigade promptly passed through it, and formed a bridgehead east of +the town with the 55th Division on their right and the 57th Division +on the left. The 230th Brigade occupied the town while we moved +forward to Lamain. Next day we marched through Tournai, and had a +tremendous reception. The skirl of the pipes and the sight of the +kilts moved the population to great enthusiasm, both vocal and +osculatory, and we had a regular triumphal procession. Our destination +was Beclers, five miles east of Tournai. + +On 11th November we were continuing our advance east, and had reached +the main road just west of Frasnes, when at twenty minutes before 11 +o’clock the Brigade-Major (Captain A.J.M. Tuck, M.C.) informed us that +an armistice had been signed which came in force at 11 o’clock. The +consequent halt threw our time-table out of gear, and we finally +stumbled in to our billeting area in the dark, covered with mud and +very weary. + +The following day our Brigade relieved the 230th Brigade in holding +the outpost line, and we were billeted at Izieres. The inhabitants +could not do too much for us, and we were quite sorry when orders were +received on the 17th to proceed to Moustier. We had been transferred +back again into the Fifth Army. Here we rubbed up our ceremonial drill +and practised guard of honour for the King’s visit. This, however, +fell through, and on the 7th December we marched to a point on the +Leuze-Tournai road, near Barry, where His Majesty held an informal +inspection. + +While at Moustier we started elementary educational training, which +was more fully developed after we moved to Grammont on 16th December. +Here our wanderings finally ceased, and demobilization commenced. We +had a most successful and sumptuous dinner on Christmas Day, the whole +N.-E. of France having been ransacked for geese and turkeys. On New +Year’s Day Lieut.-Colonel J.M. M’Kenzie went home sick, and Major D.D. +Ogilvie assumed command. Educational training in the forenoon and +sports in the afternoon was the order of the day, and everyone looked +forward to demobilization and Blighty once more. + +After defeating the K.S.L.I, in the semi-final we met the M.G.C. in +the final for the Divisional Cup on 22nd January, whom we beat 3–0. +Considering we had only four of the original team left it was all the +more creditable that we managed to pull it off. Major-General E.S. +Girdwood, C.B., presented a very beautiful silver cup and medals to +the winning team, and Battalion medals were also sent to all members +of the team. For the Divisional Cup our record was:—Played 6: won 5: +drawn 1: goals for 25: goals against 6. Unfortunately a complete +record of the Regimental and Battalion team was not kept, but we have +records of the last 74 matches. Of these 66 were won: 3 lost: 5 drawn: +goals for 217: goals against 45. + +[Illustration: THE BATTALION FOOTBALL TEAM. +_Standing_ (_left to right._)—Sgt. Patterson, 2nd. Lt. Gourlay, Pte. +Davidson, Pte. Buchanan, Pte. Thomson, Sgt. Fyall, Pte. Gair. +_Sitting_—Sgt. Goodall, Lt.-Col. Ogilvie, Pte. M’Guffog, Cpl. Davis, +Capt. Andrew. _In front_—Pte. Petrie, Pte. Moir. +_To face page 140_] + +The Divisional Cross Country Run was also won by us, and we were +selected to run in the Inter-Corps Run. One or two successful mule +gymkhanas were got up, and we also tried our hand at baseball, +cricket, and paper chases, both mounted and on foot. Two or three +nights a week we had dances, and one or two good concert parties +entertained us. + +Each week we kept sending men off for demobilization, and about the +third week in March we sent about 100 men to the 8th Battalion the +Black Watch, and half a dozen officers to the 6th Battalion in the +Army of the Rhine. This reduced us to cadre strength. On 18th June the +cadre consisting of 2 officers and 22 other ranks proceeded home via +Boulogne, and a few days later the baggage guard followed, after +handing over all Battalion stores at Dunkirk. Of those who went out on +the _Andania_ only four remained—Lieut.-Colonel D.D. Ogilvie, +Captain R.A. Andrew, M.C., R.Q.M.S. W.J. Galbraith and Sergeant-Major +W. Nisbet. The cadre reached Kirkcaldy on 25th June, where they were +entertained by the Provost on behalf of the Corporation, and in the +afternoon were all demobilized at Kinross. + +So ends the history of the 14th (Fife and Forfar Yeomanry) Battalion, +the Black Watch, Royal Highlanders. + +On 6th September 1915 Lord Lovat received the following wire from +Windsor Castle:— + + “I send you and your Brigade my best wishes on your departure + for Active Service. I feel sure that the great and traditional + fighting reputation of Scotsmen will be more than safe with you, + and that your Brigade will spare no effort in the interests of + the Empire’s cause to bring this war to a victorious conclusion. + + GEORGE _R.I._” + +The purport of this short history is to show how we did our best to +carry out His Majesty’s command. + +[Illustration: THE LYS SECTOR +_To face page 142_] + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +SOME PERSONALITIES + + +In writing this short history of the regiment I have carefully +abstained from all personalities. These few notes on some of our best +known characters are only added to recall pleasant—or other—memories, +and the subjects are asked to forgive the liberty taken. + +To criticise one’s superiors is both impolitic and impertinent, but +there are three who cannot be omitted—two of them live in England and +may never see this book, and the third—well, he has expressed his +opinion of me quite bluntly more than once already. + +At Grammont I received a letter from a very well-known member of the +football team thanking me for the medals, in which he said:—“We +always liked General Girdwood for his kindly consideration for the +men, and I know I am only expressing the opinion of all the boys when +I say we would not have changed him for Haig himself.” There is no +doubt that was the opinion of the whole Division about our +G.O.C.—and, fortunately, we only had the one. Whether he was talking +to the men after a good bit of work in the line, or at a formal +inspection in the “back area,” one always felt how keenly interested +he was in the men. They loved his “Beatty” cap—but not his roasts of +beef. He always expressed his appreciation of good work, but +apparently disliked the growing of oats on the spare pole of one of +the limbers—but the transport know more about that than I do! + +The G.O.C. had certainly a brain-wave when he adopted the “Broken +Spur” as our Divisional badge. We were all very proud of our “Broken +Spur.” An Australian officer, seeing it at Faustine Quarry, asked if +it was the badge of the 74th Division. “Well,” he added, “we call you +‘Allenby’s Harriers,’ because you are the only Division we can’t keep +up with.” Coming from an Australian that was “some” praise. + +I don’t know which was the more popular—the G.O.C. or “Reggie.”[1] +But “Reggie” took some knowing, and though it was capital fun watching +him strafing others—which he did “full out”—it was quite another +thing when he turned his guns on you! He was a tremendous sportsman, +and it didn’t seem to matter whether he was hunting sentries or +jackal—so long as he was hunting he was quite happy—while the +feelings of the sentry and the jackal were also probably similar! He +took a tremendous pride in the Brigade—“I take off my hat every time +to the 229th”—and I fancy what pleased him far more than defeating +Turk or Bosche was our victory over the Scots Guards at Grand +Rullecourt. + +If we had gone abroad within three months after mobilization nothing +would have saved “Black Mick”[2]—if within six months it was about +even odds. At nine months all the N.C.O.’s, a good many of the men, and +even one or two subalterns might have tried to save him; while after a +year, if any one had dared to lay hands on him, he would have been rent +in twain by the entire Regiment. And the reason was obvious. Realising +what capital material he had to deal with, Mick was determined that, +whatever people might think of him, his job was to get the Regiment to +the highest state of efficiency in the shortest possible time. The pill +certainly was a bit bitter, and it was only when the effects began to +be felt that we realised what a thundering good Doctor “Mick” was. +Shortly before we went out he admitted that we were as good as any +cavalry regiment in the Army, but characteristically added—“but don’t +tell the ——!” A very effective combination were the Colonel and Mick, +and if we didn’t love them much at the time we realise now how much we +owe them. + +Subalterns and N.C.O.’s were to Mick as a bone to a puppy—he could +chew us as much as he liked to-day, but we were still there for +similar treatment on the morrow! But how pleased we were when his big +black horse played up one day and knocked his cap off! + +His language was pointed and all-embracing, and our ancestry and +morals both seemed to meet with his disapproval. It is therefore +impossible to give any anecdote about Mick. When the narrator’s +opinion of Mick is added to Mick’s opinion of the narrator, the story +could only be told in Russian. “Always have an answer ready,” was his +advice, “even if it isn’t the truth—like Mr Sharp’s answer just now.” + +Sharpie[3] and Ralph Stewart were quite the best at looking after +themselves, and carried more gear than all the rest of us put +together. At Syderstone Common an inquisitive general ordered the +tarpaulin to be taken off the General Service wagon, and the first +things which caught his eye were Sharpie’s tennis racket and golf +clubs. At Gara munitions of war had to be left behind to find room on +the truck for his patent washstand. By the time he got to Palestine +Johnnie Smith really could not compete with his belongings, and had to +“borrow” a donkey to carry what could not possibly be left at Cox’s +Go-down—and it took eight months after the Armistice was signed +before sufficient shipping could be collected at Alexandria to bring +that home. + +“Tukie”[4] and “Doctor” Ross[5] of course go together—I don’t know +which had the more character. + +“What’s the guid o’ gaen tae oor Doctor? He wadna believe yer ill till +yer deid, and he wadna believe yer deid till yer stinkin.” +Scrimshankers got little sympathy from either. “I’ve got awful pains +in my back, Doctor,” said one man, and a knowing look passed between +the Doctor and Ross. “Off with your shirt then.” A good old smack on +his bare back and—“that’s all right, my man. A good dose of castor +oil, Corporal Ross. Medicine and duty.” + +Corporal Ross was a wonderful detective. He knew the past history and +character of every man in the Regiment, I am sure. Though no two could +have taken more care over you when you were really sick than Tukie and +his corporal, no two were harder on anyone they knew was shamming. How +these two worked on Gallipoli! Finally Tukie had to give in and was +literally pushed on board a hospital ship, but he was as bad as a +patient as he was good as a doctor, and they were glad to get rid of +him at Malta after a short time and return him to his beloved Unit. +Egypt, of course, afforded great scope for Tukie’s fly-extermination +crusade, and I have already referred in the text to his extraordinary +success in exterminating mosquitoes at Sherika. + +In Palestine his sanitary schemes were almost universally adopted, and +his award of a Military Cross hardly represents the great improvements +he introduced into the sanitation and health of the Force. We were all +very sorry to lose Tukie, but realised that his ability was wasted as +a regimental doctor, and felt he was better employed at the citadel +where he had more opportunity of using his great surgical powers. We +only hope he didn’t drop cigarette ash into the interiors of his +patients. + +Others we lost far too soon were Ronnie Hutchison, O.C. Machine Gun +Section, who went to the M.G.C. His favourite word of command was +“Gallop,” and his joy to jump ditches and hedges with his carts; Pat +Rigg and David Marshall, also Machine Gunners; Willie Don, who had to +leave us in Egypt owing to heart trouble. His Grace of Canterbury +himself could not have intoned words of command more melodiously than +Willie did. Charlie Herdman, our finest exponent of horsemanship. He +left us in Egypt to go to Remounts, and there he was absolutely in his +element, horse, camel, and donkey-coping. Spreull the Vet., who went +to the R.A.V.C. in France. Nor is anyone likely to forget “Daddy” +Ricketts, the Q.M., if he ever tried to extract anything from his +stores, or Gervase Babington (family motto “What is thine is mine”) +if he happened to possess anything Gervase or his troop coveted. + +“Ackety-ack”[6]—otherwise Willie Campbell—had one great failing. He +could see no farther than A Squadron or A Company, and if anyone ran +down “A” he foamed at the mouth. Ask him how many sergeants there were +in No. 1 platoon—which won one of the inter-platoon football +competitions—and he was abusive for a week! “Ackety” was perhaps seen +at his best playing for the officers’ team. On the advice of the +crowd, “Go for the man, sir, never mind the ball,” he invariably went +for Collier or Herd or Dommett, the adjutant of the Somersets—each +one quite two or more stone heavier than himself. He and +“Aeroplane”[7] were well matched, nothing striking to look at but +grand stayers. Willie was due for leave about the first week of +January 1919, but as he had spent all his money, and about £200 of +other people’s, on the men’s Christmas dinner, he had just to stay +where he was from want of funds to take him home. + +While at Sherika, Ross Robertson left us to join R.F.C. He was our +first signal officer, and when he left was second in command B +Squadron. We lost in Rossie a very capable and popular officer, and +his death on his first solo over the German lines at Cambrai was +keenly felt by the entire Regiment. Morning stables were of no +interest to Rossie—all the energy he could raise was devoted to +flicking the heads off the daisies in his lines, but give him a +definite job to do and no one could do it better. + +Unlike his successor, nothing could worry him—Bill Scott, on the +other hand, took his telephones very seriously. Till the day he went +home we pulled his leg about his ’phones. Ormy,[8] in particular, +being lavish in advice as to what to do, and threatening to get Jock +Clark if he (Scott) couldn’t do it. + +Ormy was a great fellow. The less he knew about a subject, the more +advice he would give and would argue the point _ad nauseam_. He was +reading Law at the time—perhaps that is why. + +Perhaps “Dinkum’s”[9] best _bon mot_ was when he nicknamed +M‘Dougal[10] the “Gallipoli Spider,” and Mac certainly had a wonderful +knack of gathering all things into his web. Gallipoli gave him +splendid opportunity for his Autolycus-like habits, and rumour has it +that, though really ill with dysentery, he took off with him from +Suvla seventeen ground sheets and nearly as many blankets. At Sherika, +rather than lose his share of the ice, he took it with his tea. + +Bombing was his strong point, and as an instructor in hand and rifle +grenades he was first class. Routine he hated like poison. Mac is +perhaps the only officer who was witty once—and only once—in his +trench report. I don’t know if H.Q. see the point of his remarks to +this day. He it was, who, having overshot the mark, and lost his way +in Palestine, was shown back to our lines by a Turkish officer! + +“George Washington,” Cummins,[11] “lost his nerve,” so he said, +through being mauled by a lion in South Africa. This is purely +supposition on his part, as he had no notion what nerves were. We +sometimes wondered if he even knew what pain was. He was badly +frost-bitten on Suvla, and had to be pushed off the Peninsula—at +Sheria a bullet passed through his forearm and grazed his upper arm +and ribs. He got it tied up, and continued with the advance, and then +assisted wounded all night at the dressing-station. The C.O. ordered +him to go to the Field Ambulance at once to have his wound seen to, +but George put in four more hours before complying with the order. + +At Fakenham an officer joined us from the Wild West—a cow-puncher and +lassoo expert. The obvious name for him was Arizona;[12] and Arizona +he remained. I have even heard him referred to as Captain Arizona. An +enthusiast in whatever he took up, he was in turn scout officer, +transport officer, Lewis gun officer, quartermaster and company +commander. But it is as sports officer that he will be best +remembered—training the football or running teams, coaching the +tug-of-war, organising cricket or baseball, or arranging mule +gymkhanas or swimming matches. One of his best efforts was coaching +the tug-of-war team in the final against Lovats at Sohag. Only when +his handkerchief was in his right hand were his instructions +“genuine.”[13]—“Heave” with it in his left meant nothing, and +completely mystified the opposing coach. Poor old Arizona! He went out +with us to Gallipoli, and was with us to the very end. Shortly after +coming home he had an operation on his broken nose, and everything +seemed all right, but pleuritic pneumonia set in, and he died very +suddenly in a nursing home in St Andrews in February of this year. + +There is one officer about whom innumerable stories could be told—no +need to mention his name. He, it was who, looking through a periscope, +well below the parapet, waved to a Turkish deserter to come in, and +could not understand how the Turk didn’t see him. + +When he was mounting his horse one day it collapsed and died on the +spot. + +“That’s a funny thing, Sergeant Cooper; I’ve never known this horse do +that before.” + +“Will you take my punishment or go before a court-martial?” “Your +award, Sir.” + +“Well, go away, and don’t do it again!” + +When asked how he got on when torpedoed on the way home, all we learnt +from him was, “It was very wet.” + +Then there is the oft quoted, “What are you complaining about? It’s +only another five miles, and you’ve cocoa for your tea!” + +Mac Lindsay,[14] the stock-whip expert and jack-of-all-trades, +confessed to only one ambition in life—to dress —— in a little red +jacket and fez and lead him round on a chain! The report that he made +a Ford car out of bully-beef tins has, I understand, been officially +denied. + +Just a week before the Armistice we lost Colthart, the best +quartermaster in the Army, and one of the best of fellows. He had a +wonderful “way with him,” and could get for us all sorts of stores, +etc., which other quartermasters were unable to get. He was with us +all the time, and never missed a “show.” + +Colthart once “took pity” on a stray donkey in Palestine. Government +oats soon made a tremendous difference, and the donkey was sold at +Yalo for, I think, £11. Unfortunately, the previous owner met the new +purchaser with the donkey, and all explanations being unavailing, a +court of enquiry was the result, to which witnesses seemed to come +from all over Palestine. Eventually, the donkey was returned to its +previous owner, and all parties satisfied—except the donkey. + +Dick Wood and Harry Fraser were two of the best we got from the Black +Watch. Dick Wood looked benevolent enough behind his spectacles, but +in a scrap his lust for blood was insatiable. Harry’s penchant was +stalking Bosche machine gun posts. Unfortunately, he got it badly in +the neck just as success was at hand, and was away from us till about +the Armistice. + +He and the other Harry (Adamson) looked after the transport lines. +Arizona told Harry Adamson to take his platoon forward and see if the +Bosche were still holding their trenches on the Lys Sector. “Hairy’s” +method was typical of the man. Thinking it might be a “dirty” job, +“Hairy” left his platoon under cover and went on himself. Having +failed to find any Bosche in their trenches, he got up on the parapet +and waved to his platoon to come on! + +Of the N.C.O.’s and men it is possible only to mention a few. + +I always associate S.M. Alec. Ogilvie with Hogsthorpe at early morning +stand-to going round the lines, abusing everyone for making a noise, +and himself making as much noise as all the rest of us put together. +He was the life and soul of C Squadron. Heaven knows what C would have +done without him on the Peninsula. He and Edie and M’Laren, our three +squadron sergeant-majors, were a very strong trio. Edie was an example +to all of us—however tired he might be himself he never thought of +resting till he was satisfied his men were all right. + +One man, I know, will never forget Sergeant Craig (he was made +R.Q.M.S. just a few days before his death on Suvla). Craig found lice +“doing squaderron drrrill up his legs,” and he was pegged out in an +outhouse till his clothes were fumigated. + +S.M. Bradfield was another splendid fellow who lost his life—the +result of frost bite—on Gallipoli. Corporal “One ’wo” was a physical +instructor in civil life, and no one could twist one better at “jerks” +than he could. + +Then there was the one and only Jock Lumsden. Regularly once a week at +morning stables he turned the whole troop out to water, while he and +“Dinkum” swept the entire garage out—a sure sign that the previous +night had been pay night. He always was a hard worker, but a perfect +demon for work the morning after the night before. A squadron leader +was showing a man how to use a pick, cutting trenches in the sandstone +at Sherika. Up strolled Jock—hands deep in his pockets. “Here, +Sergeant-major—this man hasn’t the foggiest notion how to use a pick. +I’ve just been showing him.” “I’ve been watching ye, sir. I’m thinking +it wad need tae be war time for you to earn ten shillings a day in the +pits.” + +“How many men in this bay for rum, Sergeant Lumsden?” “Four men and +myself, sir. That will be nine.” When handed his tot, he looked at the +bottom of the mug, and handed it back to the orderly sergeant, “Hoots, +Gorrie, dinna mak a fule o’ my stamach.” + +An inveterate gambler, but a great sportsman, no one could have been +more loyal to his Company than Jock. + +When a man on manoeuvres crawls up to a ditch within twenty yards of +a very wide awake post, leaves his cap just showing above the bank, +and then proceeds up the ditch so as to get within five yards of the +sentry, and could only be dislodged from there by stones, one spots +him at once as a keen, hard-working fellow. Such was Private Gall, who +eventually became R.S.M. He taught us to bayonet fight with “dash, +vigour, and determination,” and gave us Irish songs and recitations at +our smokers. + +Another star performer was Craig of the Machine Gun Battery, with his +whistling and patter. He eventually got a commission (and the D.S.O.) +in the Grenadier Guards. + +Then there was Sergeant Renton—who, though badly frost-bitten, +refused to leave the front line, and always showed his other foot to +the Doctor. He could only hobble with the help of spades as crutches. +Young Roger who “saw red” in the Dere and nearly bayonetted the +Doctor. Hastie Young, an “old soldier,” the regimental barber: he cut +the Brig.’s hair, until the Brig. unfortunately ran into Hastie +holiday-making in Jerusalem. + +Lowson who snored quite happily within a few yards of the Turkish +machine gunner at “Amulree”[15] and finally got lost, and “fetched up +among the ‘Duffs,’ I think ye ca’ them” (it is as the “Buffs” that +they are generally known)! + +S.-M. Elder, an old Black Watch man, who when asked if he were dead +stoutly denied it. + +Little Batchelor, the runner, never flurried and always so polite, +however nasty the Bosche might be, was nearly kidnapped by the +Australians as a mascot. + +“Honest John” M’Niven who would work twenty-four hours a day to make A +Company more comfortable. + +S.M. Hair whose wonderful pronunciation of words of command always +amused us. His “Stind at —— ice” electrified everyone; unlike poor +old Aitken, whose staccato and rapid “Company company ‘shun’” was +never heard by anyone! And then the footballers Savage, Herd, Collier +(who commanded “hauf a Batt-al-i-on” at St Emilie); Todd, M’Guffog +(who captained the team that won the Final of the Divisional Cup, with +a bit of Turkish shrapnel so close to his spine that they dared not +operate); Davis with a heart like a lion and a kick like a mule; +M’Lean who could head the ball about as far as he could kick it; +Durham who seemed always half asleep and too lazy to worry—and many +another first-rate footballer. + +Leitch, the biggest and strongest man we had, the end man of the +tug-of-war team, one of our best Lewis gunners, who, when shot in the +hand, so that he could not fire his gun, carried on bringing up +ammunition boxes all that day. + +Henderson, D Coy’s S.M.; Galbraith on whom descended Colthart’s +wonderful knack of obtaining whatever he wanted; Storrer Mosh alias +Morrison Storrar of A Squadron and A Coy. + +Mack, one of the best we got from the 10th Battalion, and they were +all good fellows; Corporal Gibb, who looked the part so well that he +was appointed Acting Q.M.S. by the Stores Officer at Kantara! + + +And Many More. + +Names and episodes crowd one another out—the more one writes, the +more one recalls. These random jottings, however, will call up many +more to the reader’s memory. Such is my hope—that, having started you +in a reminiscent frame of mind you will now carry on “spinning the +yarn” yourself. + + “Here’s tae oorsel’s! Wha’s like us! Damned few!” + +[Illustration: THE FIFE AND FORFAR IMPERIAL YEOMANRY AT ANNSMUIR. +_To face page 158_] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] Brigadier-General R. Hoare, C.M.G., D.S.O. + +[2] Capt. (later Lieut.-Col.) M.E. Lindsay, D.S.O., 7th D.G. + +[3] Capt. H.S. Sharp. + +[4] Capt. A.L. Tuke, M.C., R.A.M.C.(T.). + +[5] Cpl. (later Sgt.) A.J. Ross, M.M., R.A.M.C., attd. F. and F.Y. and +14th R.H. + +[6] Capt. (later Major) Sir W.A.A. Campbell, Bart., M.C. + +[7] His charger. + +[8] Lieut. (A/Capt.) J.W. Ormiston. + +[9] Pte. Henderson, B Squadron. + +[10] Lieut. (later Capt.) A.R. M‘Dougal. + +[11] Lieut. (late Capt.) W.W. Cummins. + +[12] Lieut. (late Capt.) R.A. Andrew, M.C. + +[13] Pronounced “_genu-eine_.” + +[14] Lieut. A.S. Lindsay, M.B.E., M.C. + +[15] Amurieh, an isolated hill held by the Turks, raided by the Ayrs +and Lanarks, 22nd March 1917. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE PREDECESSORS OF THE FIFE AND FORFAR YEOMANRY + + +During the troublous times in France at the end of the eighteenth +century the fear of invasion was as acute as it was during the first +years of the European War. To meet this danger Pitt issued his famous +appeal, and towards the end of 1793 the first yeomanry regiment was +raised in Suffolk. Others quickly followed, and in 1794 we find a +regiment was raised in Forfar called the Forfar Yeomanry or Angus +Cavalry, which continued twenty-five years until disbanded in 1819. + +In Fife the first unit raised appears to have been a regiment of +“Fencible Cavalry” named “The Fifeshire Light Dragoons”; like other +Fencible Units throughout the country this regiment seems to have been +more or less a Regular Unit enlisted for the period of the war and for +home service only. It was apparently the force on which the Government +relied for keeping a check on local unrest, and was disbanded in 1797. + +In 1798 the Fife Yeomanry Cavalry and the Stirlingshire Yeomanry +Cavalry were raised, and later on Perthshire, Clackmannanshire, and +Kinross-shire all had their yeomanry regiments, which, however, seldom +exceeded 150 in strength. + +In Fife, however, thanks to the inspiration and energy of Sir William +Erskine and Mr Wemyss of Cuttlehill, it was very popular; and when the +Earl of Crawford was appointed Colonel Commandant in September 1798 +there were already seven mounted troops. + +With change of name to the Royal Fifeshire Yeomanry Cavalry, and under +the successive command of Lieut.-Colonel Morison of Naughton (1803), +Colonel J. Anstruther Thomson of Charlton (1809), and Colonel W. +Wemyss (1823) the Regiment continued to flourish, receiving in +1814—the year which saw the close of the war—the thanks of both +Houses of Parliament for its services. + +In 1822 the Regiment took part in the Review held by His Majesty King +George IV. on Portobello sands where, according to a contemporary +account, “the novelty of an exhibition of this order, and the passion +allowable of the ladies to see their gallant and rustic lords and +lovers relinquishing the habiliments of common life and flourishing in +scarlet and glory, produced an immense crowd.” + +In December 1827 an Order was circulated announcing the disbandment +of many yeomanry regiments, and among those on the list was The Royal +Fife. Arms were returned to store, and the Regiment actually disbanded +in 1828. The Perthshire, Clackmannanshire, and Kinross-shire +Yeomanries were also disbanded at this time. + +[Illustration: DETACHMENT AT H.M. THE KING’S VISIT TO EDINBURGH. +_To face page 160_] + +[Illustration: REGIMENTAL DRILL AT ANNSMUIR WITH SKELETON ENEMY. +_To face page 160_] + +The troublous times of 1830 reached their height in the winter of that +year, and many yeomanry regiments were re-established, amongst them +being the Fifeshire Yeomanry Cavalry, commanded by General Balfour of +Balbirnie. The Regiment was again disbanded in 1838, the same fate +overcoming the Stirlingshire Yeomanry. + +In 1856 the Forfar Yeomanry were re-raised, and in 1860 the Fifeshire +Mounted Rifle Volunteers, under command of Lieut.-General The Earl of +Rosslyn, Captain Anstruther Thomson, son of the officer who had +commanded the Fife Yeomanry and Fife Fencible Cavalry half a century +before, Captain Whyte Melville of the 9th Lancers, Captain Oswald of +the Grenadier Guards, son of Captain Oswald of Dunnikier of the Royal +Rifles, and Captain Sir Arthur Halkett, who had carried the colours of +the 42nd Royal Highlanders at the Battle of the Alma, were the Troop +leaders. + +Though the Regiment was only officially accepted in June, they were +present at the Royal Review in Edinburgh in September, marching past +Her Majesty The Queen in rear of the Scots Greys. + +In 1862 the Forfar Yeomanry were disbanded, and for the next fourteen +years there were no Yeomanry in Forfarshire. + +In 1870, on the application of Lieut.-Colonel Anstruther Thomson, the +Mounted Rifle Volunteers were turned into Light Horse, and the Corps +was called the 1st Fifeshire Volunteer Light Horse Corps, with an +establishment of 240 all ranks. + +Towards the end of 1875 a movement was made to raise a Forfarshire +Troop of Light Horse, and early in 1876 a strong Troop, known as the +1st Forfarshire Light Horse Volunteer Corps, was raised at Dundee +under command of Captain P.A.W. Carnegy of Lour and attached to the +Fife Light Horse. + +In 1895 Lieut.-Colonel John Gilmour of Montrave succeeded to the +command of the Regiment, and introduced the Squadron System—“A” +Squadron having its headquarters at Cupar, “B” Squadron at +Dunfermline, and the “Forfar” Squadron at Dundee. + +In October 1899 the South African War broke out, and early in 1900 the +20th Company Imperial Yeomanry was formed. Captain Chappell Hodge, +late 12th Lancers, was given command, and under him were Lieutenants +J. Gilmour and J. Simpson. They embarked on 27th February for Cape +Town where they were given their horses, and proceeded to join General +Sir A. Hunter’s Division for the relief of Mafeking. The “Fifes” +crossing the Vaal captured the town of Christiana in the +Transvaal—the first act of war on Transvaal soil. + +After the death of Captain Hodge, Captain R. Purvis took command till +wounded at Nooitgedacht, when Lieutenant J. Gilmour succeeded him. + +In May 1901 the first contingent, after having marched 2575 miles and +taken part in 85 engagements, proceeded home. + +The 20th Company Imperial Yeomanry continued to serve till the end of +the war, receiving in all 498 officers and men from the Fife and +Forfar Light Horse. + +The conversion of the Light Horse into Imperial Yeomanry took place in +1901, and the Regiment then became the Fife and Forfar Imperial +Yeomanry—in 1908, on the formation of the Territorial Force, the word +“Imperial” was dropped. + +In 1901 Lieut.-Colonel Sir John Gilmour retired and was succeeded by +Lieut.-Colonel T.H. Erskine of Grangemuir, the present Honorary +Colonel of the Regiment. + +On the outbreak of war in 1914 the Regiment was commanded by +Lieut.-Colonel A. Mitchell of Luscar, subsequent Commanding Officers +being Lieut.-Colonels J. Gilmour, J. Younger, J.M. M’Kenzie, and D.D. +Ogilvie. During this period the Adjutants were Captains M.E. Lindsay, +H.S. Sharp, A.C. Smith, W.D. Brown, R. Colthart, and J.W. Ormiston. + +[Illustration: GROUP SHOWING SIX SUCCESSIVE COMMANDING OFFICERS. +_Standing (left to right)_—Lt. Younger, Capt. Lumsden, Lt. Stewart, +Capt. Haig, Col. Anstruther Thomson, Lt. Russell, Lt. Wright +(Yorkshire Dragoons), Lt. Nairn, Capt. Dewar. +_Sitting_—Major Osborne, Major Gilmour, Major Mitchell, Major +Erskine, Lt.-Col. Sir J. Gilmour, Capt. Burgoyne (Adjutant), Major +Marshall, Major Lawson. +_To face page 164_] + +[Illustration: THE CADRE ON ARRIVAL AT KIRKCALDY (see page 142). +_To face page 164_] + + + + +APPENDIX + +HONOURS AND AWARDS + + +=D.S.O.= + +Lieut.-Col. John Gilmour. +Lieut.-Col. James Younger. + + +=M.C.= + +Capt. Ian Couper Nairn. +Capt. Sir William A.A. Campbell, Bart. +Capt. A.L.S. Tuke, R.A.M.C.(T.). +Lieut. Robert A. Andrew. +2nd Lieut. Alec C. Smith. +2nd Lieut. William Jeffrey Johnstone. +2nd Lieut. John Crawford Houston. +2nd Lieut. A. Richard Wood. D.C.M., M.M. +2nd Lieut. T. Brodie Brown. +345626 C.S.M. John Cameron. + + +=D.C.M.= + + 131 S.S.M. Alexander Ogilvie. +345018 C.S.M. William Henderson. +345416 Sergt. William Collier. +345200 Sergt. William Syme. +345314 Sergt. William R. Chalmers. + 1437 L/Sergt. J. Valentine. +290604 Private James Birrell. +345094 Private H.A. Dickie. + 2029 Private W. Roger. +345209 Private Thomas Spence. + + +=M.M.= + +345674 Sergt. Alex. Park Gordon. +345375 Sergt. William Herd. +345380 Sergt. James Johnston. +345749 Cpl. J. Black. +300005 Cpl. Alexander J. Ross, R.A.M.C. +345074 L/Cpl. John J. Leitch. +345320 L/Cpl. E. Lippiatt. +345409 L/Cpl. A. Sinclair. +345116 L/Cpl. David Maxwell Telfer. + 11463 Private J. Armour. + 16877 Private Alex. Black. D.C.M. +345446 Private William Blair. +345259 Private A. Campbell. + 26870 Private Richard Izatt. +345075 Private Douglas Rodger. +345740 Private W.T. Smith. + + +=M.S.M.= + +345141 R.S.M. George Call. +345166 C.S.M. John Skinner Lumsden. +345191 R.Q.M.S. William James Galbraith. +345021 C.Q.M.S. William Blyth. +345095 C.Q.M.S. John M’Niven. + + +=Serbian Gold Medal= + + 2025 S.S. D.H. Pringle. + + +=Italian Bronze Medal= + +345031 L/Cpl. Alexander Wilson. + + +=Medaille Barbatie si Credinta—1st Class= + +345426 Sergt. Robert Ballantyne. + + +=Mention in Dispatches= + +Lieut.-Col. John Gilmour. +Major James Younger. +Major Cecil George de Prée. +Capt. Michael E. Lindsay. +Capt. D. Douglas Ogilvie. +Capt. Sir William A.A. Campbell, Bart. +Lieut. David Colville. +Lieut. Henry Adamson. +2nd Lieut. Alec C. Smith. +2nd Lieut. A.S. Lindsay. +Lieut. (A/Capt.) Robert Herd Colthart. +Lieut. Robert A. Andrew. +2nd Lieut. (A/Capt.) John W. Ormiston. + 131 S.S.M. Alexander Ogilvie. + 977 S.Q.M.S. J. Edmund. +345113 Sergt. Alex. Sievewright. +345185 Sergt. William Scott. +345424 Sergt. D. Low. +345943 Sergt. Duncan Campbell. + 792 Sergt. Nathaniel Mack. + 1860 L/Sergt. James R. Barron. +345165 L/Sergt. R.M. Hogg. +345476 Cpl. William A. Milne. + 650 Cpl. Alex. J. Ross, R.A.M.C. +345245 L/Cpl. J. Brown. +345302 L/Cpl. John Clark. +345031 L/Cpl. Alexander Wilson. +345180 Private Thomas Blease. +345154 Private William Dunn. +345052 Private Frederick Paterson. + + +=Certificates of Gallantry= + + 1860 Cpl. James Barron. + 1826 Private James Benton. + 1851 Private James Salmond. + 2441 Private W. Whyte. + + +=Honours gained by Officers extra Regimentally employed= + +Lieut.-Col. Alex. J. King, C.M.G. D.S.O. +Lieut.-Col. Andrew Spreull, R.A.V.C. D.S.O. +Major George Erskine Jackson. O.B.E., M.C. +Major (A/Lt.-Col.) Ronald G.O. Hutchison. D.S.O., M.C. +Capt. Harold S. Sharp. Mention. +Capt. Charles W. Herdman. Mention. +Capt. Harold W.V. Temperley. O.B.E. +Capt. A.S. Lindsay, M.B.E. M.C., Croix de Guerre. +Capt. David Marshall. M.C. +Lieut. R. Warburton. M.C. +Lieut. A.G. Brown. M.C. +Lieut. W.J. Rae. M.C. + + +=Honours gained by former Adjutants= + +Colonel (Hon. Brig.-Gen.) M.L. MacEwen, C.B. Legion d’Honneur. +Lieut.-Col. (Hon. Brig.-Gen.) G.R.H. Cheape, C.M.G. D.S.O., M.C. +Lieut.-Col. E.C. Jury, C.M.G. M.C. +Major (Temp. Lieut.-Col.) M.E. Lindsay. D.S.O. + + +CASUALTIES + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 28.9.15 2635 Private Carnegie, G. Wounded. + 2529 Private Dow, D. Wounded. Died 8.10.15 + 2056 Private M’Kenzie, F.W. Wounded. + 30.9.15 1998 Private Maloney, James Wounded. + 2.10.15 1617 Private Scott, D. Wounded. + 3.10.15 966 Sergt. Petrie, R. Killed. + 4.10.15 1799 Private Clark, T. Wounded. + 6.10.15 1681 Private Gourlay, J. Wounded. + 9.10.15 2405 Private Doig, W.S. Wounded. +11.10.15 2487 Private Grieve, J. Wounded. + 1816 Private Robertson, J. Wounded. +12.10.15 2039 Private Westwater, A.C. Wounded. Died of wounds. +18.10.15 1541 Cpl. Maxwell, J. Killed. + 1985 Private Haworth, F. Killed. + 1730 Private Pattinson, J. Killed. + 1437 L/Sergt. Valentine, J. Wounded. + 2029 Private Roger, W. Wounded. +19.10.15 2069 Private Carnegie, R.Y. Wounded. +20.10.15 2534 Private Lumsden, T. Wounded. + 2486 Private Morris, J. Wounded. Died of wounds + 20.10.15. +21.10.15 2489 Private Beveridge, H. Killed. + 1835 Private Macfarlane, J. Killed. + 1727 Private Brown, A. Wounded. + 2536 Private O’Neill, J.A. Wounded. + 1826 Private Renton, J. Wounded. +24.10.15 1995 L/Cpl. Blease, T. Wounded. + 2081 Private Young, W.K. Wounded. +26.10.15 1704 Private Ford, C. Killed. + 2201 Private Henry, J. Wounded. +27.10.15 2276 Private Campbell, G.W. Wounded. +29.10.15 1496 Private Clark, D. Killed. + 1449 Sergt. Farrell, A. Wounded. +30.10.15 1758 Private Baxter, J. Killed. +31.10.15 1971 Private Kennedy, J. Killed. + 2.11.15 2010 Private Millar, D. Wounded. + 3.11.15 1989 Private Rushworth, G. Died of wounds. + 4.11.15 2075 Private Whyte, J.L. Wounded. + 5.11.15 2535 Private Jarvis, T. Wounded. +12.11.15 1705 Private Cowan, R. Killed. + 2nd Lieut. Herdman, C.W. Wounded. + 1817 Private Fotheringham, H. Wounded. + 1751 Private Harris, W.H. Wounded. + 1921 Private Wilson, R. Wounded. +16.11.15 1621 Private Fyffe, T.W. Wounded. + 2216 Private Gordon, W. Wounded. + 2204 Private Pearson, W. Wounded. +26.11.15 1811 Private Robertson, R.W. Wounded. +28.11.15 2043 L/Cpl. Fairweather, T. Killed. + 2048 L/Cpl. Howie, W. Killed. + 1901 Private Hood, J.T. Wounded. + 1735 Private Mitchell, R.R. Wounded. + 2458 Private Wilson, J.M. Wounded. + 2089 Private Roger, J.M. Died. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + +29.11.15 1595 Cpl. Bowie, R. Wounded. + 2412 Private Adamson, D. Wounded. + 1685 Private Hamilton, T. Wounded. + 1930 Private M’Kechnie, W. Wounded. + 1563 Private Millar, T. Wounded. + 2456 Private Potter, A. Wounded. + 2455 Private Rough, J. Wounded. +29.11.15 2337 Private Wright, C. Wounded. + 1684 S.S. Cpl. Pearson, W. Missing (prisoner). + Died at Sivas, 25.5.16. +30.11.15 1886 Private M’Gregor, R. Died at Sivas, 25.5.16. + 2083 Private Moffat, T. Died at Sivas, 25.5.16. + 2360 Private Halley, J. Wounded. + 1581 Cpl. Peter, A. Wounded. Died 5.12.15. + 1.12.15 2440 Private Stewart, J. Wounded. Died of wounds + 3.12.15. + 2.12.15 1987 R.Q.M.S. Colclough, W.T. Wounded. + 8.12.15 2209 Private Batchelor, A. Wounded. +10.12.15 2021 Private Galloway, J. Wounded. +12.12.15 1618 Private Paton, D.S. Wounded. +15.12.15 2155 Private Finlayson, P. Wounded. Died of wounds + 16.12.15. +19.12.15 2057 A/R.Q.M.S. Craig, J. Died of wounds. + 6.11.15 2186 Private M’Laren, A. Died of disease. + 8.11.15 2024 Private Cairns, R.D. Died of disease. +18.11.15 2129 Private Harley, A.B. Died of disease. +15.12.15 2059 S.S.M. Bradfield, T. Died of disease. + 27.5.16 2026 Private Hendry, J.M. Died of disease. +27.11.16 2583 Tptr. Shearer, W. Died of disease. + 19.4.17 345413 Private Robertson, R. Wounded. Mansura Ridge. + 345542 Private Wilson, H.J.R. Wounded. Mansura Ridge. + 14.5.17 345122 Private Yule, G. Wounded. + 16.5.17 345060 Saddler Brown, J. Wounded and at duty. + 25.5.17 345945 L/Sgt. Bannigan, P. Killed. Dumb-bell Hill. + 345555 Private Floyd, J. Wounded. Dumb-bell Hill. + 346003 Private Wiseman, W. Wounded. Dumb-bell Hill. + 26.5.17 345561 Private Calder, J. Wounded and at duty. + Dumb-bell Hill. + 340020 Private M’Donell, D. Wounded. Dumb-bell Hill. + 340016 Private Milne, J.W. Wounded and at duty. + Dumb-bell Hill. + 31.5.17 345402 Private Aitkenhead, M. Wounded and at duty. + Dumb-bell Hill. + 12.6.17 345934 Private Davidson, R. Wounded. Dumb-bell Hill. + 17.6.17 345549 Private Keith, H. Wounded. + 30.8.17 ... 2nd Lieut. Crawford, W.S. Wounded. + (Lanark Yeomanry) + 345180 L/Cpl. Blease, T. Wounded. + 345703 Private Davidson, A. Wounded and at duty. + 345758 Private Edwards, J. Wounded. + 345497 Private Potter, S. Wounded and at duty. + 1.11.17 345461 L/Cpl. Harley, R. Killed. + 345190 Private Lister, L. Missing (prisoner). + 3.11.17 345073 Cpl. Dougal, J.F. Missing (prisoner). + 9276 Private Bell, A. Missing (prisoner). + 17468 Private Brady, J. Missing (prisoner). + 4.11.17 ... 2nd Lieut. Inglis, T.H. Wounded. + (att. Glo’ster + Yeomanry). + ... 2nd Lieut. M’Lean, J. Wounded. + 345335 L/Lieut. Wyles, A. Wounded. + 340021 Private Adams, W. Wounded. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 4.11.17 345207 Private Dow, R. Wounded. + S/8885 Private Kirk, G.B. Wounded. + 6.11.17 Major Osborne, G.E.B. Killed. Sheria. + 2nd Lieut. Kinniburgh, J.D. Killed. Sheria. + 2nd Lieut. Thomson, E.A. Killed. Sheria. + 345172 Sergt. Spence, A. Killed. Sheria. + 345951 Sergt. Sharp, J. Killed. Sheria. + 345633 Cpl. Dow, J. Killed. Sheria. + 345161 Cpl. Ovenstone, P. Killed. Sheria. + 345264 Cpl. Rattray, J.M. Killed. Sheria. + 345627 L/Cpl. Adamson, H. Killed. Sheria. + 345953 L/Cpl. Baxter, R. Killed. Sheria. + 13133 L/Cpl. M’Donald, G. Killed. Sheria. + 345289 L/Cpl. Prain, G. Killed. Sheria. + 20382 Private Anderson, J. Killed. Sheria. + 2819 Private Aston, T. Killed. Sheria. + 345332 Private Braid, D. Killed. Sheria. + 340004 Private Combe, W. Killed. Sheria. + 16294 Private Dalgleish, W. Killed. Sheria. + 345545 Private Downie, H. Killed. Sheria. + 345605 Private Fyfe, T. Killed. Sheria. + 21841 Private Gault, J. Killed. Sheria. + 345962 Private Geddes, C. Killed. Sheria. + 20390 Private Hendrie, J. Killed. Sheria. + 8913 Private Hoban, P. Killed. Sheria. + 345301 Private Howie, G. Killed. Sheria. + 6.11.17 8224 Private Hynd, H. Killed. Sheria. + 345247 Private Johnstone, J.R. Killed. Sheria. + 345609 Private Kemp, W. Killed. Sheria. + 345717 Private King, L. Killed. Sheria. + 345358 Private Lawrence, A.H. Killed. Sheria. + 9916 Private M’Donald, D. Killed. Sheria. + 340018 Private M’Millan, D. Killed. Sheria. + 345679 Private Milne, J. Killed. Sheria. + 345871 Private Milne, J. Killed. Sheria. + 340016 Private Milne, J.W. Killed. Sheria. + 16758 Private Mudie, F. Killed. Sheria. + 345350 Private Muir, J.K. Killed. Sheria. + 20362 Private Mutch, C. Killed. Sheria. + 345115 Private Nicoll, J. Killed. Sheria. + 345769 Private Notman, J. Killed. Sheria. + 345394 Private Pake, J. Killed. Sheria. + 16204 Private Peattie, D. Killed. Sheria. + 345598 Private Ritchie, J. Killed. Sheria. + 345239 Private Rodger, W. Killed. Sheria. + 21819 Private Ross, D. Killed. Sheria. + 345735 Private Scott, R. Killed. Sheria. + 20889 Private Staff, J. Killed. Sheria. + 345861 Private Stewart, A. Killed. Sheria. + 345622 Private Symon, A. Killed. Sheria. + 345444 Private Watson, N. Killed. Sheria. + 345325 Private Wilson, D. Killed. Sheria. + 19663 Private Woodward, J. Killed. Sheria. + Lt.-Col. Gilmour, J. Wounded. Sheria. + Captain Campbell, Bart., + Sir W.A.A. Wounded. Sheria. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 6.11.17 Captain Cummins, W.W. Wounded. Sheria. + 2nd Lieut. M’Carrick, F. Wounded. Sheria. + 2nd Lieut. Martin, J.M. Wounded. Sheria. + 345426 Sergt. Ballantyne, R. Wounded. Sheria. + 345128 Sergt. Ballantyne, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345416 Sergt. Collier, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345098 Sergt. Goodall, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345947 Sergt. M’Gregor, H. Wounded. Sheria. + 345334 Sergt. Saunders, A.M. Died of wounds 18.11.17. + Sheria. + 345164 Sergt. Taylor, D. Died of wounds 11.11.17. + Sheria. + 345251 Cpl. Chalmers, G.C. Died of wounds 8.11.17. + Sheria. + 345097 Cpl. Farmer, D. Wounded. Sheria. + 345950 Cpl. Hedley, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345138 Cpl. Hood, J.T. Wounded. Sheria. + 345234 Cpl. Moir, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 345341 Cpl. Patterson, T. Wounded. Sheria. + 345398 Cpl. Rollo, D. Wounded. Sheria. + 345196 Cpl. Stewart, G. Wounded. Sheria. + 345030 Cpl. Whyte, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345223 Cpl. Wright, R.H. Wounded. Sheria. + 345225 L/Cpl. Black, D. Wounded. Sheria. + 345917 L/Cpl. Cairncross, H. Wounded. Sheria. + 340001 L/Cpl. Dick, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345816 L/Cpl. Doig, R. Wounded. Sheria. + 345054 L/Cpl. Fleming, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 345174 L/Cpl. Flynn, W. Died of wounds. Sheria. + 6.11.17 345244 L/Cpl. Hamilton, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345780 L/Cpl. Holmes, R. Wounded. Sheria. + 345844 L/Cpl. Honeyman, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345074 L/Cpl. Leitch, J.J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345015 L/Cpl. Lister, H. Wounded. Sheria. + 345188 L/Cpl. Ogg, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345471 L/Cpl. Stephen, E. Wounded. Sheria. + 18945 L/Cpl. Ward, C. Wounded. Sheria. + 345395 L/Cpl. Wright, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 15545 L/Cpl. Younger, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345918 Private Alexander, P. Wounded. Sheria. + 15794 Private Allan, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 340002 Private Angus, T. Wounded. Sheria. + 345576 Private Armstrong, W. Died of wounds 29.11.8. + Sheria. + 345834 Private Bagridge, H. Wounded. Sheria. + 345998 Private Barlow, W.R. Wounded. Sheria. + 345579 Private Beaton, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345496 Private Birrell, H. Wounded. Sheria. + 345577 Private Bisset, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 345405 Private Black, G. Wounded. Sheria. + 345695 Private Black, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345478 Private Blyth, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345747 Private Boyle, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 346000 Private Bradshaw, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 345890 Private Bremner, F. Wounded. Sheria. + 345561 Private Calder, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345312 Private Calderhead, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345268 Private Campbell, G.W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345635 Private Campbell, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 18725 Private Cant, A. Wounded. Sheria. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + +6.11.17 20876 Private Chalmers, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345878 Private Chalmers, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 241313 Private Clarkson, J.R. Wounded. Sheria. + 340006 Private Colthart, T. Wounded. Sheria. + 345678 Private Conning, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 22141 Private Cooper, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345092 Private Coupar, D.L. Wounded. Sheria. + 345869 Private Craig, G. Wounded. Sheria. + 11824 Private Craig, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345152 Private Crichton, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345854 Private Crighton, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 345591 Private Cumming, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345275 Private Denholm, C. Wounded. Sheria. + 345648 Private Devlin, C. Wounded. Sheria. + 43091 Private Donaldson, D. Wounded. Sheria. + 18718 Private Drysdale, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 345704 Private Duffin, J. Died of wounds 23.11.17. + Sheria. + 345238 Private Duncan, G. Wounded. Sheria. + 345154 Private Dunn, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 20381 Private Edwards, D. Died of wounds 8.11.17. + Sheria. + 21824 Private Ellison, S. Wounded. Sheria. + 345567 Private Emerson, F. Wounded. Sheria. + 340013 Private Ewart, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345649 Private Ferguson, H. Wounded. Sheria. + 20878 Private Findlay, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345963 Private Finlayson, A.C. Wounded. Sheria. + 6.11.17 345568 Private Forsyth, J.B. Wounded. Sheria. + 345434 Private Gibb, D. Wounded. Sheria. + 4570 Private Gordon, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345507 Private Grant, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 345534 Private Gray, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 20378 Private Gunn, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 22331 Private Gunn, D. Wounded. Sheria. + 345713 Private Guyan, D. Died of wounds 11.11.17. + Sheria. + 345654 Private Helmsley, P. Wounded. Sheria. + 345898 Private Henderson, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345495 Private Henderson, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345282 Private Henry, T.B. Wounded. Sheria. + 241311 Private Herbertson, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 10507 Private Herd, D. Wounded. Sheria. + 10507 Private Hirst, R. Wounded. Sheria. + 345510 Private Hunter, R. Wounded. Sheria. + 345763 Private King, B. Died of wounds 6.1.18. + Sheria. + 345990 Private Laing, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345926 Private Langston, H. Wounded. Sheria. + 345965 Private Lawson, A.M. Wounded. Sheria. + 345611 Private Linn, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345612 Private Livingstone, G. Wounded. Sheria. + 345901 Private Lockhart, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 3752 Private Lyall, P. Died of wounds 7.11.17. + Sheria. + 345783 Private M’Aree, H. Wounded. Sheria. + 345385 Private M’Call, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 20379 Private M’Carthey, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345483 Private M’Cartney, W.H. Wounded. Sheria. + 345266 Private M’Donald, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 340020 Private M’Donald, D. Wounded. Sheria. + + DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 6.11.17 345269 Private M’Donald, F. Died of wounds 8.11.17. + Sheria. + 345975 Private M’Donald, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345354 Private M’Ewan, T. Died of wounds 8.11.17. + Sheria. + 345628 Private M’Fadden, H. Wounded. Sheria. + 345822 Private M’Goldrick, F. Wounded. Sheria. + 345460 Private M’Graw, D. Wounded. Sheria. + 345724 Private M’Inroy, D. Wounded. Sheria. + 345401 Private M’Kechnie, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345587 Private M’Laggan, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345611 Private M’Millan, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 345680 Private M’Millan, J. Died of wounds 6.11.17. + Sheria. + 345967 Private M’Rae, M. Wounded. Sheria. + 345971 Private Marshall, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 16505 Private Martin, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345659 Private Martin, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345406 Private Mathew, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345728 Private Meekison, C. Wounded. Sheria. + 345824 Private Meldrum, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 20394 Private Mercer, H. Died of wounds 8.11.17. + Sheria. + 345439 Private Moir, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345260 Private Moonie, J.W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345566 Private Morgan, S. Wounded. Sheria. + 345658 Private Mudie, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345910 Private Murray, T. Wounded. Sheria. + 345482 Private Penman, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 345290 Private Pennycook, J.M. Wounded. Sheria. + 6.11.17 16033 Private Petrie, D. Wounded. Sheria. + 345597 Private Prain, S. Wounded. Sheria. + 345929 Private Purvis, D. Wounded. Sheria. + 345976 Private Ramsay, W. Wounded. Sheria. + 345977 Private Reid, M. Wounded. Sheria. + 20875 Private Reid, R. Wounded. Sheria. + 345573 Private Rennie, C. Wounded. Sheria. + 345982 Private Robertson, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 345556 Private Robertson, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345392 Private Robertson, W. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 346010 Private Roy, A. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345575 Private Scott, A. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345486 Private Seath, J. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 18720 Private Shepherd, D. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345249 Private Simpson, A. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345995 Private Simpson, J. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345808 Private Smith, R. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345333 Private Smith, W. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 20865 Private Smith, W.A. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 340012 Private Soutar, W. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345741 Private Spence, G. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 346011 Private Stewart, C. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345585 Private Storey, C. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345068 Private Storrar, M. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345775 Private Stronner, J. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345529 Private Stuart, J. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345415 Private Thomson, H. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345862 Private Turner, G. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 19848 Private Twist, T. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + 345599 Private Urquhart, J. Died of wounds 12.11.17. + Sheria. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 6.11.17 345468 Private Veale, L. Wounded. Sheria. + 340022 Private Walker, G. Wounded. Sheria. + 345687 Private Waterson, T. Wounded. Sheria. + 15462 Private Weston, A. Wounded. Sheria. + 345784 Private Whyte, R. Wounded. Sheria. + 345506 Private Wilson, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 345317 Private Wilson, J. Wounded. Sheria. + 20895 Private Williamson, T. Wounded. Sheria. + 20376 Private Woodward, R.A. Wounded. Sheria. + Captain Brown, W.D. Wounded and at duty. + Sheria. + 345946 Sergt. Mackie, A. Wounded and at duty. + Sheria. + 345087 L/Cpl. Reid, I. Wounded and at duty. + Sheria. + 345020 L/Cpl. Robertson, K. Wounded and at duty. + Sheria. + 345615 Private M’Leod, N. Wounded and at duty. + Sheria. + 345666 Private Petrie, M. Wounded and at duty. + Sheria. + 345075 Private Rodger, D. Wounded and at duty. + Sheria. + 345383 Private Ross, G.R. Wounded and at duty. + Sheria. + 345317 Private Wilson, J. Wounded and at duty. + Sheria. +30.11.17 345002 C.Q.M.S Morrison, D. Wounded. Wadi Selman. + 345051 Sergt. Watson, J. Wounded. Wadi Selman. + 345430 L/Sergt. M’Neil, R. Wounded. Wadi Selman. + 345638 Private Benson, H. Wounded. Wadi Selman. + 345899 Private Higginbottom, R. Wounded. Wadi Selman. + 18845 Private Huckerby, W. Wounded. Wadi Selman. + 293275 Private Smith, E.J. Wounded. Wadi Selman. + 13401 Private Paxton, R. Wounded and at duty. + Sheria. + 1.12.17 2nd Lieut. Greenlees, G.D. Killed. “1750.” + 345352 Private Dickson, D.G. Killed. “1750.” + 345857 Private Plant, H. Wounded and at duty. + “1750.” + 3.12.17 345712 Private Gray, W. Missing (prisoner). +10.12.17 345814 Private Connaghan, M. Wounded. +27.12.17 2nd Lieut. Forrest, P.T.A. Killed. Zeitun. + 2nd Lieut. Armstrong, W.W. Killed. Zeitun. + 21840 Private Anderson, J. Killed. Zeitun. + 9388 Private Brand, J. Killed. Zeitun. + 345698 Private Brookland, F. Killed. Zeitun. + 21826 Private Goodfellow, J. Killed. Zeitun. + 345969 Private Jack, A. Killed. Zeitun. + 346009 Private Patterson, J.C. Killed. Zeitun. + 345524 Private Young, P. Killed. Zeitun. + Captain Brown, W.D. Died of wounds 27.12.17. + Zeitun. + 345214 Sergt. Menzies, J.B. Wounded. Zeitun. + 5756 L/Sergt. Grant, D. Wounded. Zeitun. + 345422 Cpl. Bisset, D. Wounded. Zeitun. + 345080 L/Cpl. Mackay, R.B. Wounded. Zeitun. + 345565 L/Cpl. M’Whirter, D. Wounded. Zeitun. + 2491 L/Cpl. Silvester, W. Wounded. Zeitun. + 21715 L/Cpl. Williams, J.P. Died of wounds 28.12.17. + Zeitun. + 345425 Private Braid, T. Died of wounds 29.12.17. + Zeitun. + 26887 Private Clunie, R. Died of wounds 28.12.17. + Zeitun. + 345647 Private Dunk, P. Wounded. Zeitun. + 345838 Private Ferguson, W. Wounded. Zeitun. + 7194 Private Freal, S. Died of wounds 2.1.18. + Zeitun. + 345842 Private Hickman, C. Died of wounds. Zeitun. + 345384 Private Knox, R. Wounded. Zeitun. + 18716 Private M’Intosh, E. Wounded. Zeitun. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + +27.12.17 345586 Private M’Intyre, W. Died of wounds 11.4.18. + Zeitun. + 345662 Private M’Kendrick, A. Wounded. Zeitun. + 345522 Private M’Pherson, M. Wounded. Zeitun. + 20368 Private Paton, F. Wounded. Zeitun. + 268743 Private Patterson, A. Wounded. Zeitun. + 240198 Private Smith, R.M. Wounded. Zeitun. + 345337 Private Tocher, A. Wounded. Zeitun. + 22243 Private Van Riel, H.F., Wounded. Zeitun. + 345273 Sergt. Halley, R. Wounded and at duty. + Zeitun. +28.12.17 Lieut. Johnstone, W.J. Killed. Beitania. + 2nd Lieut. Paisley, G.W. Killed (with A. & L. + Yeo.). Beitania. + 345200 Sergt. Syme, W. Killed. Beitania. + 345009 L/Sergt. Oliver, R. Killed. Beitania. + 345270 L/Cpl. Dickson, W. Killed. Beitania. + 345751 Private Byrne, T. Killed. Beitania. + 345815 Private Crighton, C. Killed. Beitania. + 241316 Private M’Kinnon, A. Killed. Beitania. + 345311 Private Reid, J. Killed. Beitania. + 18698 Private Ross, D. Killed. Beitania. + Captain Duncan, P.F. Wounded. Beitania. + 2nd Lieut. Cummings, D. Wounded. Beitania. + 2nd Lieut. Haggart, J. Died of wounds 3.1.18. + Beitania. + 2nd Lieut. Robson, P.L. Wounded. Beitania. + 345053 Sergt. Boath, W. Wounded. Beitania. + 345273 Sergt. Halley, R. Wounded. Beitania. + 345165 Sergt. Hogg, R.M. Wounded. Beitania. +28.12.17 345404 L/Cpl. Kilpatrick, W. Died of wounds 29.12.17. + Beitania. + 18684 L/Cpl. Rankine, T. Wounded. Beitania. + 345511 L/Cpl. Rodgerson, D. Wounded. Beitania. + 345578 Private Beveridge, R. Wounded. Beitania. + 345786 Private Blyth, G. Wounded. Beitania. + 345194 Private Brady, H. Wounded. Beitania. + 203197 Private Buntain, J. Wounded. Beitania. + 16034 Private Christie, G.D. Wounded. Beitania. + 3688 Private Cowan, A. Wounded. Beitania. + 14709 Private Davidson, A. Died of wounds 30.12.17. + Beitania. + 345459 Private Davidson, H. Wounded. Beitania. + 340025 Private Easson, W. Wounded. Beitania. + 200549 Private Flynn, W. Wounded. Beitania. + 345236 Private Henderson, W. Wounded. Beitania. + 22027 Private Inglis, J. Wounded. Beitania. + 345252 Private Johnstone, G.A. Wounded. Beitania. + 240369 Private M’Callum, W. Wounded. Beitania. + 13009 Private M’Ginley, R. Wounded. Beitania. + 345613 Private M’Kay, P. Wounded. Beitania. + 345927 Private M’Killop, P. Wounded. Beitania. + 17064 Private Minchella, P. Wounded. Beitania. + 14227 Private Mitchell, A. Wounded. Beitania. + 21828 Private Morrison, G. Wounded. Beitania. + 8742 Private Munro, S. Wounded. Beitania. + 345682 Private Potter, L. Wounded. Beitania. + 345512 Private Robertson, W.P. Wounded. Beitania. + 20390 Private Roper, J. Wounded. Beitania. + 18978 Private Small, A. Wounded. Beitania. + 12500 Private Smith, J. Wounded. Beitania. + 345984 Private Smith, W. Wounded. Beitania. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + +28.12.17 345209 Private Spence, T. Wounded. Beitania. + 21820 Private Taylor, T. Died of wounds 29.12.17. + Beitania. + 40617 Private Watterson, J. Wounded. Beitania. + 345745 Private Wheeler, J. Wounded. Beitania. + 345518 Private Williamson, J.A. Wounded. Beitania. + 345464 Private Young, W.D. Wounded. Beitania. + 345575 Private Mitchell, W. Wounded and at duty. + Beitania. + 345130 Private Young, H. Wounded and at duty. + Beitania. +14.4.17 12701 L/Cpl. Drinnan, G. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Arcadian._ + 18724 Private Findlater, J. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Arcadian._ + 18703 Private Wann, R. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Arcadian._ + 18697 Private Williams, A. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Arcadian._ + 4.5.17 20373 Private Brown, W.J. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Transylvania._ + 20880 Private Chisholm, A. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Transylvania._ + 20386 Private Denholm, J. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Transylvania._ + 20380 Private Houston, W. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Transylvania._ + 20393 Private Jones, W.L. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Transylvania._ + 20366 Private Shenken, P. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Transylvania._ + 20890 Private Smith, J. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Transylvania._ + 20893 Private Stewart, C. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Transylvania._ + 20867 Private Thompson, J. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Transylvania._ +30.12.17 202466 L/Cpl. Stenhouse, J. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Aragon._ + 266648 Private Small, R. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Aragon._ + 292849 Private Wood, E. Drowned ex H.M.T., + _Aragon._ + 20.3.17 345774 Private Reid, J. Died. + 14.4.17 345736 Private Shepherd, J. Died. +12.11.17 345411 Private Melville, J. Died. + 4.12.17 345494 Private Ewing, A. Died. + 10.3.18 20121 Private Keith, J. Wounded and at duty. + 22.3.18 300030 Sergt. Livingstone Wounded and at duty. + R.A.M.C. (attached). + 26.3.18 345445 Private Ferguson, R. Killed. + 345140 Private Carrie, A.F. Wounded. + 345852 Private M’Guffog, A. Wounded. + 345130 Private Young, H. Wounded. + 345104 Cpl. Conacher, J. Wounded and at duty. + 2.4.18 345550 Private Fagan, H. Wounded and at duty. + 6.4.18 Captain Down, N.C.S. Wounded. + 345021 C.Q.M.S. Blyth, D. Wounded and at duty. + 345648 Private Devlin, C. Wounded and at duty. + 345177 Private Ramsay, J. Wounded and at duty. + 24.7.18 345636 Cpl. Bruce, W. Wounded. + 345395 L/Cpl. Wright, W. Wounded. + 22156 Private Bingham, J. Wounded. + 345699 Private Rodger, A. Wounded. + 345884 Private Young, J. Wounded. + 345157 Sergt. Paris, J. Wounded and at duty. + 9090 Cpl. Halkett, J. Wounded and at duty. + 345646 Private Clark, C. Wounded and at duty. + 20881 Private Florence, R. Wounded and at duty. + 15200 Private Fraser, D. Wounded and at duty. + 22177 Private Heddleston, J. Wounded and at duty. + 345655 Private Herd, J. Wounded and at duty. + 345669 Private Samson, A. Wounded and at duty. + 25.7.18 18192 Private Findlay, W. Wounded. Died of wounds + 24.9.18. + 31.7.18 203396 Private Braynion, W. Wounded. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 4.8.18 2nd Lieut. Fraser, H.L. Wounded. + 345277 Sergt. Campbell, W. Wounded. + 345447 Private Allen, J. Wounded. + 345559 Private Donald, J. Wounded. + 345628 Private M’Fadden, H. Wounded. + 203190 Private Nimmo, R. Wounded. + 21837 Private Taylor, J. Wounded. + 345438 Private Wilson, A. Wounded. + 345237 Private Cameron, D. Wounded and at duty. + 345968 Private Mann, G. Wounded and at duty. + 5.8.18 346042 Private Morgan, G. Wounded and at duty. + 20888 Private Kane, J. Wounded and at duty. + 7.8.18 11944 Private Walker, D. Killed. + 315095 Sergt. M’Niven, A., Wounded. + R.A.M.C. (attached). + 11463 Private Armour, J. Wounded. + 16360 Private Berry, C. Wounded. + 345500 Private Hunter, J. Wounded. + 345252 Private Johnston, G.A. Wounded. + 345824 Private Meldrum, A. Wounded. + 22031 Private Todd, M. Wounded. + 8.8.18 20879 L/Cpl. Strachan, J. Killed. + 268173 Private Aitken, J. Killed. + 15200 Private Fraser, D. Killed. + 22157 Private Wilson, A. Killed. + 13697 Cpl. Hardinge, A. Wounded. + 8.8.18 345530 Cpl. Mackie, C.B. Wounded. + 345466 Private Brady, J. Wounded. + 20881 Private Florence, R. Wounded. + 345607 Private Greenhill, R. Wounded. + 22162 Private Kilgour, W. Wounded. + 8885 Private Kirk, G. Wounded. + 345790 Private M’Coubray, J. Wounded. + 266686 Private M’Rae, R. Wounded. + 2592 Private Paul, J. Wounded. + (attached T.M.B.) + 345472 Private Wilson, J. Wounded. + 9.8.18 16403 Private Wilson, G. Killed. + Private (attached T.M.B.) + 20677 Private Edmiston, J. Wounded. + 345682 Private Potter, L. Wounded. + 22183 Private Simpson, J. Wounded. + 346013 Private Wilson, A. Wounded. + 345575 Private Scott, A. Wounded and at duty. + 345435 Private White, H. Wounded and at duty. + (229th Brigade H.Q.). +10.8.18 6153 Private Frizzell, R. Killed. + 345318 L/Cpl. Nicol, J. Wounded. + 18683 Private Connelly, J. Wounded. + 345754 Private Crighton, A. Wounded. + 345647 Private Dunk, P. Wounded. + 5036 Private Osborne, W. Wounded. + 203198 Private Stewart, A. Wounded and at duty. + 13.8.18 345413 Private Robertson, R. Wounded and at duty. + 25.8.18 20376 Private Woodward, R.A. Wounded. Died of wounds + 27.8.18. + 9344 Private Murray, W. Wounded and at duty. + 2.9.18 Captain Stewart, R.W. Killed. Moislains. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 2.9.18 Captain Nairn, I.C., M.C. Killed. Moislains. + 2nd Lieut. Darney, C.E. Killed. Moislains. + 345028 Sergt. M’Kenzie, W. Killed. Moislains. + 345950 L/Sergt. Hedley, W. Killed. Moislains. + 345988 L/Sergt. Walton, F. Killed. Moislains. + 345390 Cpl. Keith, W. Killed. Moislains. + 345105 L/Cpl. Boyd, W. Killed. Moislains. + 345355 L/Cpl. Husband, W. Killed. Moislains. + 345553 Private Anderson, R. Killed. Moislains. + 345638 Private Benson, H. Killed. Moislains. + 345577 Private Bissett, A. Killed. Moislains. + 22250 Private Blair, D. Killed. Moislains. + 345561 Private Calder, J. Killed. Moislains. + 22141 Private Cooper, W.A. Killed. Moislains. + 16513 Private Duncan, T. Killed. Moislains. + 203208 Private Elder, G. Killed. Moislains. + 201336 Private Ferguson, J. Killed. Moislains. + 345760 Private Hamilton, R. Killed. Moislains. + 22177 Private Heddleston, J. Killed. Moislains. + 345842 Private Hickman, C. Killed. Moislains. + 203207 Private Irwin, J. Killed. Moislains. + 20121 Private Keith, J. Killed. Moislains. + 201992 Private Lambie, H. Killed. Moislains. + 13703 Private M’Ilwain, A. Killed. Moislains. + 345587 Private M’Laggan, J. Killed. Moislains. + 345726 Private M’Lean, T. Killed. Moislains. + 2.9.18 345968 Private Mann, G. Killed. Moislains. + 345149 Private Melville, L.W. Killed. Moislains. + 345526 Private Millar, R. Killed. Moislains. + 345260 Private Moonie, J.W. Killed. Moislains. + 9344 Private Murray, W. Killed. Moislains. + 203204 Private Reid, J. Killed. Moislains. + 29712 Private Reid, R. Killed. Moislains. + 345733 Private Rodger, J. Killed. Moislains. + 20371 Private Shanks, A. Killed. Moislains. + 22831 Private Smith, R. Killed. Moislains. + 22180 Private Sneddon, P. Killed. Moislains. + 3875 Private Thomson, J. Killed. Moislains. + 345866 Private Wilkie, A. Killed. Moislains. + Lt.-Col. Younger, J. Wounded. Moislains. + Captain M’Nab, J.B. Wounded. Moislains. + Lieut. Duncan, C.G. Wounded. Moislains. + 2nd Lieut. Clydesdale, R.A. Wounded. Moislains. + 2nd Lieut. Laing, J.E. Wounded. Moislains. + 2nd Lieut. Grant, J.W. Wounded. Moislains. + 2nd Lieut. Dawes, J.W. Wounded. Moislains. + 2nd Lieut. Van Millingen, Wounded. Moislains. + D.F. + 2nd Lieut. Craigen, J.W.W. Wounded. Moislains. + 2nd Lieut. Dickie, J.A. Wounded. Moislains. + 345001 C.S.M. Aitken, A. Wounded. Died of wounds + 2.9.18. + 345136 Sergt. Andrews, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 345097 Sergt. Farmer, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 6069 Sergt. Green, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345887 Sergt. M’Donald, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 3796 Sergt. M’Laren, P. Wounded. Died of wounds + 3.9.18. + 5306 Sergt. Meiklejohn, T. Wounded. Moislains. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 2.9.18 345941 Sergt. Mickel, H.W. Wounded. Moislains. + 345886 Sergt. Spence, J. Wounded. Died of wounds + 7.9.18. + 9090 L/Sergt. Halkett, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345920 Cpl. Airth, C. Wounded. Moislains. + 3056 Cpl. Blues, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345811 Cpl. Brown, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 22194 Cpl. Cattanach, T.J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345242 Cpl. Cheape, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 18847 Cpl. Douglas, S. Wounded. Died of wounds + 5.9.18. + 345721 Cpl. Marnock, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 5357 Cpl. M‘Dougal, T. Wounded. Moislains. + 22188 Cpl. Price, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345580 L/Cpl. Deans, S. Wounded. Moislains. + 345094 L/Cpl. Dickie, H. Wounded. Died of wounds + 4.9.18. + (D.C.M.) + 14721 L/Cpl. Duncan, F. Wounded. Moislains. + 11279 L/Cpl. Eddie, R. Wounded. Moislains. + 345342 L/Cpl. Greig, W.T. Wounded. Moislains. + 345993 L/Cpl. Hall, T.D. Wounded. Moislains. + 20864 L/Cpl. Jessiman, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 202135 L/Cpl. M’Intyre, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 265246 L/Cpl. Manuel, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345969 L/Cpl. Milton, M. Wounded. Moislains. + 345670 L/Cpl. Smith, P. Wounded. Moislains. + 203198 L/Cpl. Stewart, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 345525 L/Cpl. Wilson, F. Wounded. Moislains. + 22192 Private Alexander, G. Wounded. Moislains. + 2.9.18 345167 Private Alexander, R. Wounded. Moislains. + 41422 Private Allan, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 345889 Private Anderson, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 345639 Private Anderson, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 16495 Private Belford, J.B. Wounded. Moislains. + 346023 Private Bibb, H. Wounded. Moislains. + 22164 Private Blackwood, G.T. Wounded. Moislains. + 345371 Private Blyth, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 290402 Private Brown, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 345955 Private Buchan, M. Wounded. Moislains. + 203197 Private Buntain, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 241199 Private Burgess, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 345257 Private Burnett, H. Wounded. Moislains. + 20750 Private Burns, G. Wounded. Moislains. + 345891 Private Cameron, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345268 Private Campbell, G.W. Wounded. Moislains. + 267932 Private Campbell, T.W. Wounded. Moislains. + 40460 Private Carmichael, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 345940 Private Cassells, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 20876 Private Chalmers, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 241313 Private Clarkson, J.R. Wounded. Moislains. + 290777 Private Colville, H. Wounded. Moislains. + 41439 Private Cooney, B. Wounded. Moislains. + 345310 Private Cran, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345703 Private Davidson, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 20882 Private Donnett, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 345207 Private Dow, R. Wounded. Moislains. + 202972 Private Dunipace, W. Wounded. Died of wounds + 6.9.18. + 14723 Private Eadie, F. Wounded. Moislains. + 345101 Private Edwards, G.R. Wounded. Moislains. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 2.9.18 345593 Private Ewing, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 345550 Private Fagan, H. Wounded. Moislains. + 345215 Private Fairley, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 345759 Private Fleming, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 346007 Private Flockhart, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 345789 Private Gardiner, R. Wounded. Moislains. + 345961 Private Gillan, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 241346 Private Gow, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 345267 Private Greig, J.G. Wounded. Moislains. + 345651 Private Hagan, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345569 Private Haines, L. Wounded. Moislains. + 346040 Private Hanlon, G. Wounded. Moislains. + 345653 Private Hay, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345655 Private Herd, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345143 Private Hirst, S. Wounded. Moislains. + 345844 Private Honeyman, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 9620 Private Hunter, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 290189 Private Hutchison, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 5308 Private Inglis, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 345845 Private Jamieson, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 20888 Private Kane, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345657 Private Lang, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345720 Private Lightfoot, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345271 Private M’Askill, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 265722 Private M’Callum, C. Wounded. Moislains. + 268529 Private M’Diarmid, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 2.9.18 345975 Private M’Donald, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 340008 Private M’Donald, T. Wounded. Moislains. + 22182 Private M’Dowell, G. Wounded. Moislains. + 22324 Private M’Kay, F. Wounded. Moislains. + 346028 Private M’Kenzie, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 22187 Private M’Kenzie, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 345552 Private M’Kenna, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345661 Private M’Millan, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 22204 Private Marchant, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 22198 Private Mearns, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 266895 Private Merrylees, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 340011 Private Milne, J.S. Wounded. Moislains. + 345660 Private Mitchell, D.J. Wounded. Moislains. + 22142 Private Mitchell, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 345554 Private Montgomery, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 346008 Private Morris, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 345910 Private Murray, T. Wounded. Moislains. + 43455 Private Ness, T. Wounded. Moislains. + 345119 Private Niven, R. Wounded. Died of wounds + 6.9.18. + 340027 Private Norrie, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 43301 Private Ogilvie, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 345276 Private Page, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 345619 Private Petrie, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 16698 Private Philip, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 345682 Private Potter, L. Wounded. Moislains. + 41524 Private Rait, T. Wounded. Moislains. + 345321 Private Ramsay, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345278 Private Reid, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345977 Private Reid, M.D. Wounded. Moislains. + 20873 Private Richardson, T. Wounded. Moislains. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 2.9.18 345457 Private Robertson, A.G. Wounded. Moislains. + 22178 Private Rutherford, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 21831 Private Rutherford, P. Wounded. Moislains. + 240382 Private Scott, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 2901 Private Scott, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 345685 Private Simpson, T. Wounded. Moislains. + 345807 Private Smart, J. Wounded. Died of wounds + 4.10.18. + 345412 Private Smeaton, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 18102 Private Smith, J. Wounded. Died of wounds + 2.9.18. + 346043 Private Smith, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 345209 Private Spence, T. Wounded. Moislains. + 22230 Private Stewart, G.C. Wounded. Moislains. + 21843 Private Stewart, H. Wounded. Moislains. + 345931 Private Stewart, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 22159 Private Sturrock, D.K. Wounded. Moislains. + 22155 Private Summers, G. Wounded. Moislains. + 17654 Private Tallent, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345147 Private Thomson, G. Wounded. Moislains. + 203426 Private Tod, D. Wounded. Moislains. + 267695 Private Turnbull, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 21832 Private Twaddle, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 19848 Private Twist, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345743 Private Walkenshaw, A. Wounded. Moislains. + 17817 Private Walker, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 20325 Private Watson, R. Wounded. Moislains. + 345745 Private Wheeler, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 2.9.18 345389 Private Whitehead, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 340024 Private Whyte, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 20392 Private Williams, E. Wounded. Moislains. + 346022 Private Williams, H. Wounded. Moislains. + 20363 Private Wilson, J. Wounded. Moislains. + 345146 Private Wilson, R. Wounded. Moislains. + 6949 Private Wilson, W. Wounded. Moislains. + 15883 Private Yacamini, R. Wounded. Moislains. + 22331 Private Gunn, G. Wounded and missing. + 2nd Lieut. M’Lean, J. Wounded and at duty. + 2nd Lieut. Brodie Brown, T. Wounded and at duty. + 2nd Lieut. Cruickshank, I.W. Wounded and at duty. + 345943 Sergt. Campbell, D. Wounded and at duty. + 345660 Private Boylan, J. Wounded and at duty. + 345870 Private Horne, W. Wounded and at duty. + 20389 Private Kearsey, A.G. Wounded and at duty. + 21855 Private Livingstone, A. Wounded and at duty. + 3.9.18 Lieut. Drysdale, J.C. Wounded. + 9.9.18 21839 Private Robb, J. Wounded and at duty. + St Emilie. + 10.9.18 345125 Cpl. Ritchie, J.W. Killed. St Emilie. + 15546 Private Davidson, J. Killed. St Emilie. + 345959 Private Dawson, J. Killed. St Emilie. + 22147 Private Donaldson, T. Killed. St Emilie. + 340017 Private Ford, J. Killed. St Emilie. + 345253 Private Geekie, J.A.P. Killed. St Emilie. + 20365 Private Halliday, D. Killed. St Emilie. + 345659 Private Martin, W. Killed. St Emilie. + 203406 Private Munro, W. Killed. St Emilie. + 43045 Private Nairn, J. Killed. St Emilie. + 340007 Private O’Key, J. Killed. St Emilie. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 10.9.18 345978 Private Rennie, H. Killed. St Emilie. + 346033 Private Slater, J. Killed. St Emilie. + 20361 Private Smith, R. Killed. St Emilie. + 15545 Private Younger, C. Killed. St Emilie. + 345092 L/Cpl. Coupar, D.L. Missing, presumed + killed. St Emilie. + 41665 Private M’Connachie, W. Missing, presumed + killed. St Emilie. + 21830 Private Perston, W. Missing, presumed + killed. St Emilie. + 345313 Private Ramsay, J.W. Missing, presumed + killed. St Emilie. + 2nd Lieut. M’Lean, J. Wounded. St Emilie. + 2nd Lieut. Cruickshank, I.W. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345946 Sergt. Mackie, A. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345054 Cpl. Fleming, A. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345684 Cpl. Smart, A. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345376 L/Cpl. Cooper, A. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345869 L/Cpl. Craig, J. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345391 Private Bett, J. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345258 Private Boath, L. Wounded. St Emilie. + 310082 Private Brebner, C. Died of wounds 10.9.18. + St Emilie. + 345957 Private Cameron, W. Wounded. St Emilie. + 18316 Private Dorward, W. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345309 Private Henderson, J. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345610 Private Laing, T. Wounded. St Emilie. + 18799 Private Lowson, D. Died of wounds 11.9.18. + St Emilie. + 345034 Private Peter, D.S. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345556 Private Robertson, J. Wounded. St Emilie. + 20367 Private Robin, D. Wounded. St Emilie. + 10.9.18 20390 Private Roper, J. Died of wounds 11.9.18. + St Emilie. + 17741 Private Sharp, W. Wounded. St Emilie. + 350163 Private Thomson, C. Wounded. St Emilie. + 21676 Private Wallace, J. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345114 Private Wilson, A. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345672 Private Wylie, H. Wounded. St Emilie. + 22190 Private Young, W. Wounded. St Emilie. + 345947 Sergt. M’Gregor, H. Prisoner of war. + 345106 Sergt. M’Lellan, J.R. Prisoner of war. + 345637 Cpl. Davidson, D. Prisoner of war. + 345231 Private Annand, A.A. Prisoner of war. + 345934 Private Davidson, R. Prisoner of war. + 20136 Private Gray, D. Prisoner of war. + 345103 Private Greig, J.R. Prisoner of war. + 340005 Private Henderson, J.F. Prisoner of war. + 345927 Private M’Killop, D. Prisoner of war. Wounded. + 16473 Private Nisbet, R. Prisoner of war. Wounded. + 30372 Private Sharp, M. Prisoner of war. Wounded. + 22206 Private Wilson, W.A. Prisoner of war. Wounded. + 345153 Private Henderson, J. Wounded and at duty. + St Emilie. + 18.9.18 200328 Private Bonnar, G. Killed. + 345266 Private M’Donald, A. Killed. + 18460 Private M’Lean, J. Killed. + 2nd Lieut. Stuart, H.C. Wounded. + 345400 L/Cpl. Henderson, A. Wounded. + 345428 Private Beal, J. Wounded. + 345917 Private Cairncross, H. Wounded. + 345312 Private Calderhead, J. Wounded. + 24486 Private Campbell, D. Wounded. + 345591 Private Cummings, J. Wounded. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 18.9.18 22915 Private Gordon, C. Wounded. + 23586 Private Greenwood, J. Wounded. + 41264 Private Ireland, P. Wounded. + 2439 Private Kelly, T. Wounded. + 40294 Private M’Donald, A. Wounded. + 345791 Private M’Hardy, A. Wounded. + 20486 Private M’Kenzie, R. Wounded. + 345184 Private Maloney, J. Died of wounds 29.9.18. + 41060 Private Mann, R. Wounded. + 345971 Private Marshall, J. Wounded. + 345690 Private Meldrum, F. Wounded. + 345046 Private Nicoll, R. Wounded. + 345163 Private Ramage, J. Wounded. + 345474 Private Smart, A. Wounded. + 345501 Private Soutar, W. Wounded. + 345068 Private Storrar, M. Wounded. + 6630 Private Strachan, D. Wounded. + 14374 Private Walker, J. Wounded. + 20.9.18 22158 Private Grant, R. Wounded. + 21.9.18 18725 Private Cant, A. Killed. + 22151 Private Cubbon, E. Killed. + 340025 Private Easson, W. Killed. + 346049 Private Forbes, J.A. Killed. + 25324 Private Morrison, D.L. Killed. + 346034 Cpl. Thom, J. Wounded. + 14766 Private Bain, A. Wounded. + 21.9.18 345967 Private M’Crae, M. Wounded. + 22191 Private Penman, J. Wounded. + 25317 Private Philp, A. Wounded. + 345364 Private Summers, R. Wounded. + 345102 Private M‘Dougal, G. Wounded and at duty. + 22.9.18 345220 Private Lessells, W. Killed. + 2nd Lieut. Innes, D. M’L. Wounded. Died of wounds + 7.10.18. + 7206 C.Q.M.S. Elder, J. Wounded. + 18322 Cpl. Smith, R. Wounded. + 15110 L/Cpl. Livingstone, E. Wounded. + 202414 L/Cpl. Rader, J. Wounded. + 2929 Private Birrell, D. Wounded. + 18699 Private Condie, M. Wounded. + 213313 Private Cooper, J. Wounded. + 345818 Private Etchels, T. Wounded. + 345607 Private Finnigan, R. Wounded. + 20754 Private Grierson, W. Wounded. + 240503 Private Hunter, A.S. Wounded. + 25317 Private Philip, A. Wounded. + 7536 Private Pringle, J. Wounded. + 25326 Private Rankine, W. Wounded. + 25448 Private Reid, E. Wounded. + 25316 Private Ritchie, J. Wounded. + 25365 Private Robertson, J. Wounded. + 25348 Private Strachan, T. Wounded. + 345783 Private M’Aree, A. Wounded and at duty. + 23.9.18 25217 Private Smart, J. Killed. + 25451 Private Allan, R. Wounded. + 25452 Private Gilchrist, J. Wounded. + 25344 Private Inglis, R.V. Wounded. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + + 24.9.18 S/22207 Private Coutts, A.G. Killed. + S/22027 Private Inglis, J. Killed. + 2nd Lieut. Fell, F.J. Wounded. + 24050 Private Appleby, H. Wounded. + 293071 Private Boath, W. Wounded. + 16545 Private Craik, A. Wounded. + 22148 Private Henderson, D. Wounded. + 203189 Private M’Donald, J.R. Wounded. Died of wounds + 25.9.18. + 17064 Private Minchella, P. Wounded. + 25402 Private Wallace, D. Wounded. +15.10.18 2nd Lieut. Stevenson, E.J. Wounded. + 345958 Private Christison, G. Wounded. + 345925 Private Guthrie, J. Wounded. + 6007 Private Laird, W. Wounded. +16.10.18 345662 Private M’Kendrick, A. Killed. + 345979 Private Ross, T. Killed. + Lieut. Ewart, R.H. Wounded. Died of wounds + 16.10.18. + 2nd Lieut. Wood, A.R., + D.C.M., M.M. Wounded. Died of wounds + 16.10.18. + 345018 C.S.M. Henderson, W. Wounded. Died of wounds + 16.10.18. + 293071 L/Cpl. Boath, W. Wounded. Died of wounds + 16.10.18. + 345403 Private Gilmour, A. Wounded. Died of wounds + 16.10.18. + 345323 Private Goodall, J. Wounded. Died of wounds + 16.10.18. + 13428 Private Ross, A. Wounded. Died of wounds + 16.10.18. + 21686 Private Sharp, A. Wounded. Died of wounds + 16.10.18. + 25377 Private Barclay, L. Wounded and at duty. + 345456 Private Mitchell, D. Wounded and at duty. +16.10.18 5116 Private Skinner, E. Wounded and at duty. +21.10.18 19537 Private Haggart, J. Killed. + 7817 L/Cpl. Anderson, W. Wounded. + 202903 Private Adams, C. Wounded. + 17894 Private Bruce, D. Wounded. + 21184 Private Laird, J. Wounded. + 21152 Private Lally, D. Wounded. + 268963 Private M’Gee, A.B. Wounded. + 21100 Private Penny, E. Wounded. + 315708 Private Simpson, T. Wounded. +22.10.18 345055 Sergt. Bayne, A. Wounded. Died of wounds + 22.10.18. + 345321 Private Ramsay, J. Wounded. Died of wounds + 22.10.18. +23.10.18 2nd Lieut. Cumming, F.K. Killed. + 26870 L/Cpl. Izatt, R., M.M. Killed. + 25462 Private Barber, J. Killed. + 9729 Private Bartie, T. Killed. + 15814 Private Campbell, J. Killed. + 12506 Private Cockburn, T. Killed. + 6158 Private Sowerby, E. Killed. + 25347 Private Walker, T. Killed. + 25378 Private Webb, A. Killed. + 2nd Lieut. Robertson, R. Wounded. + 345943 Sergt. Campbell, D. Wounded. + 345490 L/Cpl. Crawford, D. Wounded. + 25376 L/Cpl. Patterson, R. Wounded. + 6006 L/Cpl. Spence, W. Wounded. + 14539 Private Anderson, D. Wounded. Died of wounds + 26.10.18. + 6145 Private Black, P. Wounded. Died of wounds + 26.10.18. + 25199 Private Conway, J. Wounded. Died of wounds + 26.10.18. + 25719 Private Davidson, R. Wounded. Died of wounds + 26.10.18. + +DATE. REGT. RANK. NAME. REMARKS. + NO. + +23.10.18 345818 Private Etchels, T. Wounded. + 5950 Private Kemp, A. Wounded. + 5255 Private M‘Dougall, A. Wounded. + 6176 Private M‘Ilroy, B. Wounded. + 25346 Private M‘Kay, H. Wounded. + 203311 Private M‘Lean, D. Wounded. + 16171 Private Reekie, J. Wounded. + 25656 Private Rough, D. Wounded. + 14611 Private Russell, A. Wounded. + 267921 Private Scott, W. Wounded. + 25368 Private Stevenson, G. Wounded. + 43388 Private Swift, J. Wounded. Died of wounds + 24.10.18. + 2nd Lieut. Mathewson, J.S. Wounded and at duty. + 345074 Sergt. Leitch, J.J. Wounded and at duty. + 20377 L/Cpl. Sinclair, J. Wounded and at duty. + 340030 Private M’Donell, D. Wounded and at duty. + 345982 Private Robertson, A. Wounded and at duty. + 290566 Private Watson, R.B. Wounded and at duty. + 1.11.18 Captain Colthart, R.H. Wounded. Died of wounds + 2.11.18. + 345298 Cpl. Matthew, R. Wounded. + 14770 Private Craig, D. Wounded. + 345770 Private Nicol, A. Wounded. + 345211 Private O’Malley, J. Wounded and at duty. + 14.4.18 345305 Private Morrison, G. Died of disease. + 4.1.18 345881 Private Melville, C. Died of disease. + 1.2.18 265831 Private Walker, H. Died of disease. + + + + +TOTAL CASUALTIES. + + +OFFICERS. + +Killed 12 +Died of wounds 9 +Wounded 32 +Wounded and remaining at duty 5 + —— 58 + + +N.C.Os. and MEN. + +Killed 188 +Died of wounds 46 +Missing 5 +Died of disease 15 +Drowned 16 +Wounded 568 +Wounded and remaining at duty 52 +Prisoners of war 20 + ——— 910 + + + Grand Total 968 + + + + +INDEX + + +_Abassiyeh_, the, 14 + +Abbas Apex Sector, 56 + +Abu-el-Zeitun, attack on, 97 + +Abu Sitta, 60 + +Adamson, Lieut. H., 126, 154 + +Aeroplanes, 43 + +African War, the South, 162 + +Ain Arik, 109; + Ridge, 92 + +Ain Kohleh, 64 + +Ain Sinai, 112 + +Ain Yebrud, 112 + +Aire, 122, 123 + +Aitken, C.S.M. A., death, 130, 157 + +Aizecourt, 130 + +Ajalon, 107, 108; + Valley of, 108 + +Alexandria, 13, 28, 30, 117 + +Ali-el-Muntar, 51, 52, 71, 73 + +Allaines, attack on, 128 + +Allenby, General, advance on Damascus, 117 + +Alma, battle of the, 161 + +Alpini Corps, 129 + +American Battalion, the 106th, 136 + +Amiens, 136 + +Amurieh, raid on, 115, 157 + +Amwas, 108, 116 + +Anafarta, 24 + +_Andania_, H.M.T., 10, 14, 142 + +Andrew, Capt. R.A., tribute to, 105; + instructions to his men, 108; + at Baquerolles Farm, 124; + return to Kirkcaldy, 142; + called “Arizona,” 151; + death, 152 + +Anzac, 17 + +Armistice, signed, 139 + +Artaxerxes Post, 135 + +Ascq, 137 + +Assiut, 31 + +Australian Division, the 1st, 134; + at Sohag, 32 + +Ayr and Lanark Yeomanry, 53, 56; + attack on Mahmeh, 97; + advance on Beitania, 101; + at Amwas, 108; + raid on Amurieh, 115; + new brigade, 121 + +Azmac Dere, 19, 23, 24; + raid on, 19 + + +Bab-el-Muallek, 90 + +Babington, Lieut. G., 148 + +Baisieux, 137, 138 + +Balfour, General, of Balbirnie, commanding the Fifeshire Yeomanry +Cavalry, 161 + +Baluah, Lake, 110 + +Baquerolles Farm, 124 + +Batchelor, Private, 157 + +Beclers, 139 + +Beersheba, attack on, 61–63 + +Beit Iksa, 89, 91; + capture of, 86 + +Beit Sira, 78, 106, 109 + +Beit-ur-el-Foka, attack on, 83 + +Beit-ur-el-Tahta, 83, 85, 106 + +Beitania, 92; + advance on, 101–103 + +Beitin, 111 + +Benjamin Post, 135 + +Berguette, 137 + +Beris, 34 + +Bethel, 111 + +Bethhoron, the Upper, 83 + +Birdwood, General Sir W., + inspection by, 126 + +Bireh, 92, 103, 116 + +Black Watch, 6th and 8th Battns., 141 + +Blairgowrie, 1–4 + +Bouchavesnes, 127 + +Boulak, 34 + +Boulogne, 141 + +Bourecq, 137 + +Bradfield, Sergeant-Major, 155 + +Brigade, the 159th, 113; + the 160th, 113; + the 229th, 66, 130, 137; + the 230th, 66, 67, 121, 130, 139; + at the battle of Sheria, 68; + the 231st, 67, 121, 137, 139 + +“Broken Spur” badge, 144 + +Brown, Lieut. T. Brodie, 131, 132, 133; + M.C. conferred, 165 + +Brown, Capt. W.D., adjutant, 148; + killed, 98; + tribute to, 105 + +Buffs, the 10th, 138 + +Burj Lisaneh, 111 + +Byng, Major-Gen. Sir Julian, 19 + + +Calonne, 127 + +Camel, a racing, 32 + +Camerons, the 10th, 35 + +Campbell, Capt. P., 102; + raid on Amurieh, 115 + +Campbell, Capt. Sir W.A.A., 114, 149 + +Canal du Nord, advance on, 128 + +Cape Town, 147 + +Caracol Dagh, 17 + +Carbine Trench, 135 + +Carnegy, Capt. P.A.W., commanding the Forfarshire Light Horse +Volunteer Corps, 146 + +Carvin Farm, 124 + +Casualties, list of, 168–203 + +Chetwode, Lieut.-Gen. Sir P.W., commanding Eastern Force, inspects the +Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, 56; + presents medals, 71 + +Christiana, capture of, 147 + +Clackmannan, 2 + +Clarence River, 123 + +Clark, Lieut.-Col. J., 150 + +Cloud-burst, at Gara, 32, 39 + +Collier, Sergeant W., 149, 157; + attack on the Germans, 132 + +Colthart, Capt. R.H., adjutant, 117, 133; + Quartermaster, 40, 153; + killed, 138 + +Cooper, Sergeant, 152 + +Corbie, 136 + +Corps III. attack on the Germans, 134 + +Corps XX., 70 + +Corps XXI., 70; + pursues the Turkish forces, 72; + at Junction Station, 76 + +Corps Cavalry, 67 + +Craig, Sergeant J., 155 + +Craig, Lieut. D., D.S.O., conferred, 156 + +Crawford, Earl of, Colonel Commandant of the Fife Yeomanry Cavalry, 160 + +Cruickshank, Lieut. I.W., 115; + attack on the Germans, 132 + +Cummins, Capt. W.W. (“George Washington,”) 151 + +Cupar, 2 + + +Daisies, mauve, 50 + +Dakhla, 37 + +Damascus, 117 + +Dane, Lieut. P., 134 + +Darney, Lieut. C.E., killed, 130 + +Davis, L.-Cpl. J. 157 + +Deir-el-Belah, 49, 56, 57, 59 + +Deir Ibzia Ridge, 92 + +Deir Sineid, 73 + +Demobilization of the British Army, 140–142 + +Denbigh Yeomanry, the 24th Battalion, 121 + +Devonport, 10 + +Devonshire Regiment, the 16th (Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry), 56; + at Beitania, 101; + Yalo, 107; + attack on Moislains, 128 + +Division, the 10th, 66, 67, 85; + advance on Bireh, 92; + capture Foka, 93; + the 52nd, 49, 79; + the 53rd, 61, 65, 116; + the 54th, 49, 57; + the 55th, 139; + the 57th, 139; + the 58th, 131, 132; + the 59th, 127; + the 60th, attack on Beersheba, 62–64; + on Tel-el-Sheria, 67; + advance on the Nablus road, 92; + the 74th, 131, 136; + attack on Beersheba, 62–64 + +Don, Lieut. W.G., 148 + +Drysdale, Lieut. J.C., 117; + tribute to, 104; + wounded, 130 + +Dumb-bell Hill Sector, 54 + +Duncan, Lieut. C.G., advance + on the Turbeauté River, 125; + wounded, 130 + +Dundee, 2 + +Dundee Wadi, 67 + +Dunfermline, 2 + +Dunkirk, 141 + +Durham, Private, 158 + + +East Kent Regiment, the 10th, 133 + +Edie, Sergeant-Major, 154 + +Edinburgh, Royal Review in, 162 + +Egyptian Lancers, at Sherika, 33 + +El Arish, 42–45 + +El Buggar, 61; + attack on, 60 + +El Burj, 45; + capture of, 86, 89 + +El Burjaliye, 52 + +El Ferdan, 41, 42 + +El Jib, 83 + +El Mendur, 52 + +El Muntar, 101 + +Elder, Sergeant-Major, 157 + +Enab, 86, 104 + +Epehy, 131 + +Erskine, Lieut.-Col. T.H., of Grangemuir, 163 + +Erskine, Sir William, 160 + +Essex Regiments, the 5th and 7th, 53 + +Etaples, 120 + + +Fakenham, 7–10 + +Fanatis, or copper vessels, 44 + +Faustine Quarry, 134 + +Fencible Cavalry, 159 + +Ferguson, Sergeant, 126 + +Field Ambulance, the 229th, at Yalo, 107 + +Fife, 2 + +Fife and Forfar Imperial Yeomanry, 163 + +Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, at Blairgowrie, 1–4; + St Ives, 4; + training, 4, 7, 38, 41, 56, 59, 120, 140; + inspections, 4, 8, 56, 126, 140; + at Skegness, 6; + Fakenham, 7–10; + sports, 7, 32, 36, 59, 140; + voyage to Gallipoli, 10–14; + in the trenches, 15–26; + journey to Sidi Bishr, 28; + casualties, 29, 68, 100, 104, 130; + at Mena Camp, 30; + Minia, 31; + Sohag, 31; + Gara, 32, 38; + Sherika, 32–38; + Moascar, 39, 41; + the 14th Battalion, Royal Highlanders, 41; + in camp at El Ferdan, 41; + journey to El Arish, 42; + reinforcements, 44; + at El Burj, 45; + Sheikh Zowaid, 45; + march to Rafa, 46–48; + at Khan Yunis, 48; + Sheikh Nebhan, 49; + El Mendur, 52; + in the Sheikh Abbas Sector, 54, 56; + field firing, 57; + at Deir-el-Belah, 57; + attack on Beersheba, 59–64; + battle of Sheria, 68; + at Goz-el-Gelieb, 70; + presentation of medals, 71; + march to Mejdal, 74; + foot parade, 74; + march to Junction Station, 76; + at Latron, 77; + march to Beit Sira, 78; + at Wadi Selman, 79; + camp at Q 20 central, 85; + advance on Jerusalem, 86–91; + march along the Zeitun Ridge, 92–95; + at Wadi Zait, 95; + capture Zeitun Ridge, 98; + advance on the Hill of Shafa, 99; + on Beitania, 101–103; + camp at Yalo, 106; + making roads, 107, 109; + march to Kantara, 116; + voyage to Marseilles, 117–119; + at St Firmin, 119; + Grand Rullecourt, 120; + epidemic of Spanish influenza, 121; + march to La Pierriere, 122; + bombarded by the Germans, 125; + fitted with kilts, 126; + at Le Foret, 127; + advance on the Canal du Nord, 128; + attack on the Germans, 132–135; + at Corbie, 136; + tribute to, 136; + advance to Orcq, 137; + reception at Tournai, 139; + at Moustier, 140; + demobilised, 140–142; + at Kirkcaldy, 142; + predecessors, 159–164; + Commanding Officers, 164 + +Fife Yeomanry Cavalry, 159 + +Fifeshire Light Dragoons, 159 + +Fifeshire Mounted Rifle Volunteers, 161; + review at Edinburgh, 162 + +Fifeshire Volunteer Light Horse Corps, the 1st, 162 + +Foka Hill, 83, 84, 92; + capture of, 93 + +Fontes, 122, 137 + +Football, games of, 121, 138, 140 + +Forfar, 2 + +Forfar Yeomanry or Angus Cavalry, 159; + re-raised, 161; + disbanded, 162 + +Forfarshire Light Horse Volunteer Corps, the 1st, 162 + +Fort Conan, 24 + +Franvillers, 127 + +Fraser, Lieut. H.L., 154 + +Frasnes, 139 + +Fusilier Ridge, 57, 114 + + +Galbraith, R.Q.M.S. W.J., 158; + at Kirkcaldy, 142 + +Gall, R.S.M., 156 + +Gallipoli, 14–27; + thunderstorm at, 22 + +Gamli, 60 + +Gara, 38; + sandstorm, 32; + cloud-burst, 32, 39 + +Gaza, attacks on, 48, 51; + capture of, 70 + +Gebel-el-Ghenneiem, 34 + +George IV., King, reviews the Royal Fifeshire Yeomanry Cavalry, 160 + +George V., King, inspects the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, 4, 140; + wire to Lord Lovat, 142 + +German Army, attack on, 132–136; + evacuate Tournai, 139; + trenches, occupied, 124 + +Gibb, Corporal, 158 + +Gibraltar, Straits of, 12 + +Gilmour, Lieut.-Colonel J., 164; + commanding the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, 29, 48, 148; + D.S.O. conferred, 58, 165; + wounded at the battle of Sheria, 68; + bar to his D.S.O., 69; + commanding the 20th Company Imperial Yeomanry, 163 + +Gilmour, Lieut.-Col. Sir John, commanding the Forfarshire Light Horse +Volunteer Corps, 162; + retires, 163 + +Girdwood, Major-General E.S., commanding the 74th Division, 71; + presents medals, 71; + prizes, 141; + tribute to, 143 + +Goz-el-Gelieb, 70 + +Grammont, 140 + +Grand Rullecourt, 120, 121 + +Gray, Lieut. W., 36 + +Grimsby, 6 + +Gyppy Cavalry, 35; + garrison Dakhla Oasis, 38 + + +Hair, Sergt.-Major J., 157 + +Haking, Lieut.-General Sir R., Corps Commander, inspection by, 126 + +Halkett, Capt., Sir Arthur, 161 + +Ham en Artois, 122, 126 + +Hamilton, Sir Ian, inspects the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, 4 + +Haubourdin, 137 + +Haute Deule Canal, 137 + +Hell’s Gate, 38 + +Henderson, Private (“Dinkum”) 150, 155 + +Henderson, Sergt.-Major, 158 + +Herd, Sergeant William, 157 + +Herdman, Lieut. C.W., 148 + +Herlies, 137 + +Highland Mounted Brigade, 2; + strength, 29; + at Sherika, 32 + +Highland Territorial Division, the 51st, 2 + +Hill A, 84, 85; + capture of, 93 + +Hill 1070, capture of, 62; + 1750, 79; + attack on, 80; + 2450, battle on, 98 + +Hindenburg line, 135 + +Hoare, Brig.-General R., 31, 130; + wounded, 134, 144 + +Hodge, Capt. Chappell, commanding the 20th Company Imperial Yeomanry, 162; + death, 163 + +Hogsthorpe, 6 + +Honours and Awards, 165–67 + +Humbercourt, 120 + +Hunter, General Sir A., 163 + +Huntingdon, 4, 5 + +Hutchison, Capt. R.G., 148 + + +I.C.C. the, 67; + at Sherika, 33; + relieved, 38 + +Im Seirat, 51 + +Imbros, peaks of, 18 + +Imperial Camel Corps, 61 + +Imperial Yeomanry, the 20th Company, 162 + +_Indarra_, H.M.T., 117 + +Inverness Battery, 2 + +Irgeig, 65 + +Ismailia, 39, 41 + +Izieres, 140 + + +Jackson, Capt. G.E., Staff Captain, 2 + +Jaffa, 72 + +Jericho, 111 + +Jerusalem, advance on, 87–91; + fall of, 89; + entry into, 104 + +Jones’ Post, 57 + +Judæa, 76 + +Judæan Hills, 73, 75 + +Junction Station, 73, 76 + +Juvisy, 119 + + +Kantara, 42, 43, 50, 116 + +Karm, 61, 70 + +Kereina Ridge, 92 + +Kefr Skeyan, 92, 110 + +Kent Hill, 115 + +Khamsin wind, 53 + +Khan Abu Felah, 107, 114 + +Khan Yunis, 48 + +Kharga, 33, 34, 35; + Oasis Detachment, at Sherika, 32 + +Khirbet Kereina, 84 + +Kilo, 31, 35 + +King, Lieut.-Colonel A.J., 2 + +Kinniburgh, Lieut. J.D., killed at the battle of Sheria, 68 + +Kinross, 2, 142 + +Kirkcaldy, 2, 142; + depot for recruiting, 4 + +Kitchener, Lord, 22 + +Kubeibe, 78, 86, 94, 96 + +Kulonieh, 91 + +Kuryet-el-Enab, 87 + +Kuwauka system, attack on, 66 + +Kuweilfeh, 64, 65 + + +La Bassée Canal, 123, 126 + +La Houssoye, 127 + +La Pierriere, 122 + +Lala Baba, 28 + +Lamain, 139 + +Latron, 77 + +Le Foret, 127 + +Leitch, Sergeant, J.J., 158 + +Levant, the, 18 + +Light Car Patrol, 36, 38 + +Ligny, 122; + Wood, 137 + +Ligny St Flochel, 120 + +Likia, 78 + +Lindsay, Lieut. A.S., commanding the Light Car Patrol, 36, 153 + +Lindsay, Captain M.E., 9, 145, 146 + +Loch Lomond, 2 + +Locon, 137 + +London Regiment, 127, 129; + Yeomanry Company, 38 + +Longavesnes, 130, 133 + +Lovat, Lord, illness, 29; + wire from King George V., 142 + +Lovat’s Scouts, 2, 19, 23, 30; + at Salonika, 35 + +Lowson, Private David, 157 + +Ludd, 116 + +Lumsden, C.S.M. J., 155 + +Lys, the, 126 + + +Mack, Sergeant Nathaniel, 158 + +MacNeil, Lieut.-Colonel Angus, commanding the Kharga Oasis Detachment, 32; + opens the swimming-bath at Sherika, 37 + +Mafeking, relief of, 163 + +Mahmeh, attack on, 97 + +Malta, 12, 118 + +Mansura Ridge, 52 + +Maricourt, 127 + +Marquain, 138 + +Marseilles, 118, 119 + +Marshall, Lieut. D., march to Tenida, 37, 148 + +Marshall, Major-General W.R., 26 + +M‘Dougal, Lieut. A.R., bombing school, 36; + the “Gallipoli Spider,” 150 + +Meherique, 35; + Roman Fort at, 34 + +Mejdal, 74 + +Melsom, Captain, of the _Andania_, 10 + +Melville, Captain Whyte, 145 + +Mena Camp, 30 + +Mericourt, 137 + +M’Guffog, A., 157 + +Middlesex Regiment, 67 + +Minia, 31 + +Miquellerie, 126 + +Mitchell, Lieut.-Colonel A., commanding the Fife and Forfar +Yeomanry, 29, 163; + illness, 29 + +M’Kenzie, Lieut.-Colonel J.M., 134; + illness, 140; + commanding the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, 164 + +M’Laren, Sergt.-Major, 154 + +M’Lean, Lieut. J., 132, 157 + +M’Nab, Captain J., holds the Round Hill, 114 + wounded, 130 + +M’Niven, C.Q.M.S. J., 157 + +Moislains, attack on, 128 + +Molinghem, 127 + +Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry, the 25th, 130 + +Morison, Lieut.-Colonel, commanding the Royal Fifeshire Yeomanry +Cavalry, 160 + +Mosquitoes, war on, 35, 147 + +Moustier, 140 + +Mudros Harbour, 13, 28 + + +Nablus, 111; + attack on, 92, 97 + +Nairn, Captain I.C., 114; + killed, 130 + +Nairn, Major R.S., illness, 29 + +Nazlet el Abid, 31 + +Neby Samwil, 89, 91; + capture of, 86 + +Nile, the, 31; + Valley, 34, 91 + +Nisbet, Sergt.-Major W., at Kirkcaldy, 142 + +Noc River, 123 + +Nooitgedacht, 163 + +Norfolk, 7 + +Norfolk Regiment, 58, 121 + +North Devon Hussars, 30; + at Sherika, 35 + +North Lane Trench, 23 + +Noyelles, 119 + +Nurlu Village, 128 + + +Ogilvie, Major D.D., 112, 114, 133; + commanding B Squadron, 26; + acting M.L.O., 27; + march to Tenida, 37; + commanding C Squadron, 40; + and the Battalion 140, 164; + return to Kirkcaldy, 142 + +Ogilvie, Sergeant-Major Alec, 154 + +Orcq, 138 + +Orilux torches, 80 + +Ormiston, Capt. J.W., 133; + adjutant, 150, 164 + +Osborne, Major G.E.B., adjutant, illness, 29; + commanding B Squadron, 40; + killed at the battle of Sheria, 68 + +Oswald, Captain, 161 + + +Paris, 119 + +Petit Ronchin, 137 + +Peyton Avenue Trench, 22, 23, 27 + +Peyton, Major-General W., 19 + +Philistia, Plain of, 70, 72 + +Pimple Post, 135 + +Pitt, Rt Hon. W., appeal for soldiers, 159 + +Portobello, review at, 160 + +Pree, Major C.G. de, 19, 24, 26, 40 + +_Prince Abbas_, the, 28 + +Purvis, Capt. R., commanding the 20th Company Imperial Yeomanry, 163; + wounded, 163 + + +Q 20 Central, camp at, 78, 85, 94 + +Quennemont Farm, 135 + +Quennet Copse, 135 + +Quentin Road, 125 + + +Rafa, 46–48 + +Railhead, 35; + Persian Temple, 34 + +Ram Allah, 92, 109, 116 + +Raspberry Hill, 51 + +Rawlinson, General, commanding Fourth Army, tribute to the 74th +Division, 136 + +Regent’s Park, 57, 58 + +Renton, Sergeant, 156 + +Rhone Valley, 119 + +Ricketts, Lieut. W., Quartermaster, 29, 148 + +Rifleman Post, 135 + +Rigg, Lieut. P.J.H., 148 + +Road-making, 107, 109 + +Robecq, 122, 124, 125 + +Robertson, Capt. J.R., death, 149 + +Roger, Private W., D.C.M. conferred, 20, 156, 165 + +Ronssoy, 133 + +Ross, Corporal, 147 + +Rosslyn, Lieut.-Gen. the Earl of, commanding the Fifeshire Mounted +Rifle Volunteers, 145 + +Round Hill, 114 + +Royal Devon Yeomanry, 30; + at Sherika, 35 + +Royal Fifeshire Yeomanry Cavalry, 160; + review, 160; + disbanded, 161; + re-established, 161 + +Royal Highlanders, the 14th Battalion, 41; + _see_ Fife + +Royal Scots, the 4th, 56 + +Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 121 + +Rue, 120 + +Rues des Vaches Farm, 124 + + +St Angelo, Castle of, 12 + +St Cyr, airships at, 119 + +St Emilie, 131 + +St Firmin, 119 + +St Ives, 4 + +St James’ Park, 103 + +St Paul’s Bay, 12 + +St Pol, 120 + +St Venant Sector, 122 + +Salonika, 35 + +Salt Lake, 17 + +Samothrace, 18 + +Samson’s Ridge, 57 + +Sandstorm at Gara, 32 + +Sari Bahr, 17 + +Savage, Private P., 157 + +Scotian, the, 28 + +Scots Guards, defeated at football, 121 + +Scott, Lieut. W., 150 + +Scottish Horse, 26, 30 + +Selwad, 112 + +Senussi, the, 31; + flight, 37 + +Shafa, Hill of, 99 + +Sharp, Capt. H.S., adjutant, 9, 40, 146; + illness, 29; + at Wadi Selman, 80; + tribute to, 105 + +Shechem, 111 + +Sheikh Abbas Sector, 54 + +Sheikh Abdullah, 111 + +Sheikh Nebhan, 49, 52 + +Sheikh Zowaid, 45 + +Shellal, 61 + +Sheria, 65; + attack on, 66–68; + casualties, 68 + +Sherika, 32; + swimming-bath, 36 + +Sidi Bishr, 28, 30 + +Sikh Mountain Gunners, at Sherika, 33 + +Simpson, Lieut. J., 162 + +Sinai Railway, 42 + +Skegness, 6 + +Smith, Capt. A.C., 19; + M.C. conferred, 19; + adjutant, 164 + +Smith-Dorrien, Gen. Sir H., inspects the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, 8 + +_Snaefels_, the, 27 + +Sohag, 31 + +Somersets, the, attack on Abu-el-Zeitun, 97; + advance on Beitania, 101; + at Yalo, 107; + attack on Allaines, 128; + on the Germans, 132; + advance on Marquain, 138 + +Somme, the, 120, 127 + +South Lane Trench, 22, 23 + +South-Western Mounted Brigade, 30 + +Spanish influenza, epidemic of, 121 + +Spence-Jones, Lieut.-Colonel C.J.H., 134 + +Spreull, Capt. (later Lieut.-Col.) A., 148 + +Squadron System, introduction, 162 + +Stewart, Capt. R.W., 40, 146; + killed, 130 + +Stirling, Lieut.-Col. A., 29 + +Stirlingshire, 2 + +Stirlingshire Yeomanry Cavalry, 160 + +Storrar, Private Morrison, 158 + +Submarine, sunk, 118 + +Suez Canal, 39 + +Suffa, 116 + +Suffolk Regiment, the 15th Battalion, 125 + +Sulajik, 17 + +Suvla, 16, 27 + +Sweetwater Canal, 39, 50 + +Swimming-bath, at Sherika, 36 + +Syderstone Common, 146 + + +Tahta Ridge, 85 + +Tattenham Corner, 109, 116 + +Tel Asur, 111, 116; + capture of, 112 + +Tel-el-Ful, 88, 89 + +Tel-el-Jemmi, 50 + +Tel-el-Saba, 63 + +Tel-el-Sheria, 67 + +Templeux la Fosse, 134 + +Templeux le Guerard, 133 + +Tenida, 38 + +Thackeray, Brig.-General F.S., 134 + +Thompson, Lieut. E.A., killed at the battle of Sheria, 68 + +Thomson, Captain Anstruther, 161 + +Thomson, Col. J. Anstruther, commanding the Royal Fifeshire Yeomanry +Cavalry, 160 + +Thunderstorm at Gallipoli, 22 + +Timsah, Lake, 39 + +Todd, L./Corpl. J., 157 + +Toine Post, 135 + +Tortille River, 128 + +Tournai, evacuated by the Germans, 139 + +Trench fever, 25 + +Trenches, digging, 16, 22, 52 + +Tuck, Capt. A.J.M., 139 + +Tuke, Capt. A., 21, 40, 147; + illness, 26, 29; + war on mosquitoes, 35, 147; + awarded a Military Cross, 148, 165 + +Turbeauté River, 125 + +Turkish Army, snipers, 19; + attack on El Buggar, 60; + retreat, 70, 72; + counter-attacks, 77, 84; + flight from Shafa, 100 + +Two Tree Farm, 55, 56 + + +Um Gerrar, 49 + +Ushant, Cape, 11 + + +Vaal, the, 147 + +Valentine, Lance-Sergeant J., D.C.M. conferred, 20, 165 + +Valetta Harbour, 12 + +Versailles, 119 + +Victoria, Queen, review in Edinburgh, 162 + +Villers-Bretonneux, 136 + +Villers Faucon, 131 + + +Wadi Ain Arik, 92, 109 + +Wadi Ghuzzeh, 49, 50, 58, 60, 71, 72 + +Wadi Hannina, 89, 90 + +Wadi Imaish, 84, 92, 106 + +Wadi Kelt, 101 + +Wadi Kolah, 113 + +Wadi Melab, 106 + +Wadi Reuben, 53 + +Wadi Saba, 61, 62, 63 + +Wadi Sad, 109 + +Wadi Selke, 59 + +Wadi Selman, 79, 92, 94 + +Wadi Shebab, 79, 80 + +Wadi Sukharieh, 73, 75 + +Wadi Sunt, 105 + +Wadi Zait, 79, 83, 85, 92, 93, 95 + +Water Dump A, 35, 37, 38 + +Wemyss, Colonel W., commanding the Royal Fifeshire Yeomanry Cavalry, 160 + +Wemyss, W., of Cuttlehill, 144; + commanding the Battalion, 69, 164; + tribute to, 105; + at Cairo, 109 + +West Somerset Yeomanry, 30; + at Sherika, 35 + +White Hill, 115 + +Willow Tree Well, 24 + +Wood, Capt. A.R. Dick, 125, 154 + + +Yalo, camp at, 106 + +Yeomanry Regiment, the first, 159 + +Young, Private Hastie, 156 + +Younger, Lieut.-Colonel J., vii., 117; + commanding B Squadron, 24; + illness, 26, 29; + second in command, 40; + +Wemyss, W., of Cuttlehill, 144; + commanding the Battalion, 69, 164; + tribute to, 105; + at Cairo, 109 + + +Zeitun Ridge, 84, 92; + capture of, 98 + + +PRINTED BY OLIVER AND BOYD, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND + + + + + * * * * * + + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Typographical errors corrected in text: | + | | + | Page 74: Ali-el-Mintar replaced with Ali-el-Muntar | + | Page 133: Longavenes replaced with Longavesnes | + | Page 208: Kinnieburgh replaced with Kinniburgh | + | Page 209: Melson replaced with Melsom | + | Page 212: Tortile replaced with Tortille | + | | + | Page 179: A PG reader kindly pointed out that his grandfather| + | Private D Shepherd, 18720, did not die of wounds | + | at the Battle of Sheria. | + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FIFE AND FORFAR YEOMANRY *** + +***** This file should be named 18468-0.txt or 18468-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/4/6/18468/ + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the +United States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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