Chapter I: Preface

For more than two years I was responsible for keeping the War Diary of the 1/4th Battalion, and it was this duty which first suggested to me the idea of writing a History of the Battalion in the Great War. Soon after the armistice was signed I submitted the idea to the Commanding Officer, who expressed his strong approval and promised to assist in every possible way. The present book is the result.

The “History” is based mainly on the official documents in the Battalion’s possession. These have, on the whole, been well preserved, particularly since the beginning of 1916. They have been supplemented by the personal recollections of many officers and other ranks. Proofs of each chapter have been submitted to at least two senior officers, who were serving with the Battalion during the period covered therein, and many alterations have been made as results of their criticisms and suggestions.

My sincere thanks are due to Brig.-General R. E. Sugden, C.M.G., D.S.O., T.D.; Lieut.-Col. H. S. Atkinson, T.D.; Lieut.-Col. J. Walker, D.S.O.; Major W. C. Fenton, M.C.; and Capt. E. N. Marshall, M.C., for reading part, or the whole, of the proofs; for many valuable criticisms and suggestions; and for much information. I desire also to acknowledge my obligations to Major E. P. Chambers for much help with the earlier period; to Sergt. E. Jones, particularly for his assistance with the Itinerary; and to the many officers and other ranks, too numerous to name, who have willingly placed their knowledge at my disposal. Most important of all has been the help rendered by Lieut.-Col. A. L. Mowat, D.S.O., M.C. Nothing has been too much trouble for him. He has read through the whole of the proofs, and the book owes much to his kindly criticism. He has relieved me of the whole of the business side of the production. It is not too much to say that, without his constant help and encouragement, this book would never have been published.

The book has been written primarily for the men who served with the Battalion. If they experience as much pleasure in the reading, as I have in the writing of it, its publication is more than justified.

P. G. BALES.

POSTSCRIPT.--Since this book went to press “The West Riding Territorials in the Great War,” by Major L. Magnus, has been published. Apart from three or four minor corrections, such as a date and the number of a Division, I have seen no reason to alter anything set down here.

P.G.B.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. MOBILISATION AND TRAINING 1

II. FLEURBAIX 12

III. YPRES, 1915: JULY TO OCTOBER; OCTOBER 16TH; THE WET
MONTHS; DECEMBER 19TH 29

IV. JANUARY TO JUNE, 1916 59

V. THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME: THIEPVAL WOOD; SEPTEMBER
3RD; LEIPSIG REDOUBT 69

VI. WITH THE THIRD ARMY: HANNESCAMPS; FONQUEVILLERS;
HALLOY; BERLES; RIVIERE 101

VII. WITH THE FIRST ARMY: FERME DU BOIS SECTOR;
CORDONNERIE SECTOR; ST. ELIE SECTOR 124

VIII. THE COAST: ST. POL AND GHYVELDE; LOMBARTZYDE SECTOR;
COAST DEFENCE AND TRAINING; EN ROUTE FOR YPRES 145

IX. THE BELLE VUE SPUR: OCTOBER 4TH–8TH; OCTOBER 9TH;
REST AND REORGANISATION 160

X. WINTER ON THE PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE: MOLENAARELSTHOEK
AND KEERSELAARHOEK; WORK AND TRAINING; REUTEL
SECTOR 176

XI. THE SPRING OFFENSIVE: ERQUINGHEM AND LE VEAU; NIEPPE;
BAILLEUL; ST. JANS CAPPEL; POPERINGHE; KEMMEL 203

XII. THE LAST OF YPRES: MAY, 1918; ZILLEBEKE SECTOR;
ZILLEBEKE RAID; QUIET DAYS IN THE YPRES SECTOR 237

XIII. THE LAST STAGE: MOVEMENTS AND TRAINING; OCTOBER 11TH
AND AFTER; REORGANISATION; NOVEMBER 1ST–2ND 254

XIV. DEMOBILISATION: AUBY AND DOUAI; THE RETURN OF THE
CADRE 276