Chapter III: Part 3

"In our (British) lines if one (a prisoner of war) has to work extra time, one always gets time off to compensate, also one has plenty of food to work on. Here, extra work carried no compensations. The work, especially latterly, was mainly unloading trucks, pushing the trucks about, and packing the contents of the trucks in various stores.

"In the yard were always parties of French and Belgians working, and, if allowed, they would have given us their souls. At the commencement of our stay, however, we were told to take nothing from the French, and it was certainly not many days before we found it was almost impossible to take anything from them because the penalty was so great. Whenever the French and the Belgians did get a chance they availed themselves of it....

"Let us never forget that we also got things from the Germans. Until we reached Phalemphin we had received no rough or cruel treatment whatever....

"At Douai our gaolers were without exception friendly and kind; at Lille our gaolers were taciturn, and when they did speak, though loud and threatening in words, laid hands on no man. We were, therefore, expecting no man-handling, and it came as a fearful shock. It is my impression that man-handling began in about four days' time, but it may be that some smaller incident, such as being thumped in the back by the guard, had passed unnoticed as being mere playfulness on their part.

"As to man-handling, it began slowly and increased in frequency, and I think in severity, as the time went on, until, to me at any rate, it became somewhat of a nightmare. Within a week of our arrival at Phalemphin the guard would rush at, beat, strike, or kick any man who had a pipe or cigarette in his mouth while we were being counted in the yard....

"Suddenly the man in charge in that part of the yard appeared. It was the first time I had seen him. Judging from first impressions, he was a quiet, self-contained, steady kind of man, rather like the great 'Agrippa' in 'Shock-headed Peter' to look at.... Suddenly the man changed, and with a sudden rush was amongst us.

"'Agrippa,' thinking he was being disparaged, flew at Barber and struck him violently two or three times in the face. One of our sergeants, named Morley, remonstrated, and in a second 'Agrippa' had struck him two or three times in the face....

"I don't know what you would think of one and a half spoonfuls of jam, or grease, or preserved meat, or half an uncooked herring for the only thing to eat daily in addition to dry bread and a bowl of soup at midday, but such are our rations, and I can tell you that by now one has got to look forward to the day's issue as a very big thing....

"The first 'tying up' shows him, the sergeant-major, at his best as a wise judge, jury, and executioner.... The method of tying up was as follows: In the garden behind our barn were some trees. The man had to stand with his feet close together and his back to the tree; he was then tied to the tree by a strap round the ankles.

"His hands were tied together behind his back and the strap passed round the tree. The third strap was the worst; it was tied round the man's neck, and tied tightly round the tree, so that the back of the man's head was against the tree.

"Of course, a good deal depended upon the guard--some guards would tie all the straps lightly, some would tie some men tight and others loose, and so on. The most popular tree for tying men up to was not straight, so that being tied up tightly to it was no joke, as I can vouch for....

"A favourite pastime of the sergeant-major was to come and watch the men at work. Then, indeed, did everyone buck up.... On one occasion I saw him mercilessly belabour an Australian boy with his stick. The boy had not been able to respond quickly enough to his order.

"Well, it is six months to-morrow since I had an English meal. (This is written in hospital.) The last three days I have tried the tip of having a drink of coffee at breakfast-time, and having my breakfast between 8.30 and 10, but I don't know that it is any better. Strange are the ways of this hospital--no soap and no clean bedding since I came in.

"Sometimes peace and go as you please, sometimes every little rule fussed about. Clothes and food are not in any way satisfactory, but one is getting a rest, and that is what one should remember.... Suspense. Waiting with, oh, how many hopes and fears, for that parcel to turn up. Hungrier and hungrier, and with the dread of tobacco running out...."

Then in conclusion comes a pathetic little personal note.

"I have never read this through since I returned in December, 1918. Seeing the mention of Bull a few pages back reminds me that I afterwards heard he had died in hospital. I wrote to his wife on my return, and found she was a widow.

"The Germans reported that her husband had died from wounds in Mons Hospital. I was with him all through August, and he had no wounds. I saw him in hospital in November, and he had no wounds, only boils. So I do not see how he died of wounds."

THE HONOURS' LIST

NAMES OF OFFICERS AND MEN AWARDED DECORATIONS AND MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES

THE HONOURS' LIST

OFFICERS

---------+----------------------+----------+----------------------------- | | Date of | Rank. | Name. | Award or | Decoration, etc. | | Mention. | ---------+----------------------+----------+----------------------------- Capt. | Bull, F.G. | 4. 6.17 | Military Cross Capt. | Bull, F.G. | 26. 7.17 | Bar to M.C. Major | Bowyer, C.H. | 4. 4.17 | Chevalier de la Coronne Major | Bowyer, C.H. | 13. 3.18 | D.S.O. Capt. | Barr, A.J. | 11. 5.17 | Military Cross Lieut. | Colman, L.H. | 9. 4.17 | Mentioned in Despatches Capt. | Gardner, A.S. | 17. 4.17 | Military Cross Capt. | Humfrey, A.A.P. | 13. 2.17 | Military Cross Capt. | Humfrey, A.A.P. | 17. 4.17 | Bar to M.C. Capt. | Hilder, M.L. | 11. 5.17 | Military Cross Capt. | Isaac, E.E. | 20.10.16 | Military Cross | (R.A.M.C.) | | Capt. | Isaac, E.E. | 17. 4.17 | Bar to M.C. | (R.A.M.C.) | | Major | Lewis, N.A. | 13. 2.17 | Military Cross Major | Lewis, N.A. | 17. 4.17 | Bar to M.C. Major | Lewis, N.A. | 26. 7.17 | D.S.O. Major | Lewis, N.A. | 7.11.17 | Mentioned in Despatches Lieut. | Moore, E.A. | 22. 5.17 | Mentioned in Despatches Lieut. | Milsom, M.G. | 26. 7.17 | Military Cross Capt. | Spencer, H. | 15. 6.16 | Mentioned in Despatches Capt. | Spencer, H. | 1. 1.17 | Military Cross Capt. | Spencer, H. | 7.11.17 | Mentioned in Despatches Capt. | Spencer, H. | 7. 4.18 | Mentioned in Despatches Capt. | Spencer, H. | 8. 7.19 | Mentioned in Despatches Lt.-Col. | Vernon, H.A. (From | 22. 2.16 | Croix de Chevalier | 1st K.R.R. Corps) | | Lt.-Col. | Vernon, H.A. (From | 20.10.16 | D.S.O. | 1st K.R.R. Corps) | | Lt.-Col. | Vernon, H.A. (From | 4. 1.17 | Mentioned in Despatches | 1st K.R.R. Corps) | | Lt.-Col. | Winter, E.A. | 1. 1.17 | Military Cross Lt.-Col. | Winter, E.A. | 7.11.17 | Mentioned in Despatches Lt.-Col. | Winter, E.A. | 1. 1.18 | D.S.O. Lt.-Col. | Winter, E.A. | 23. 7.18 | Bar to D.S.O. Lt.-Col. | Winter, E.A. | 8.11.18 | Mentioned in Despatches Capt. | Wiggen, R.H. | 20.10.16 | Military Cross Lieut. | Anderson, J. McC. | 8. 3.19 | Military Cross Lieut. | Cashman, J. | 8.11.18 | Mentioned in Despatches Capt. | Cluff, W.B. | 23. 7.18 | Military Cross 2/Lieut. | De Ritter, J.R. | 15. 2.19 | Military Cross 2/Lieut. | James, C.F. | 8. 3.19 | Military Cross Lieut. | Phipps, G.C. | 8. 3.19 | Military Cross 2/Lieut. | Bird, H. Mc. | 18. 2.18 | Military Cross 2/Lieut. | Brownlee. J. | 18. 2.18 | Military Cross Lieut. | Carr, J.W. | 3. 6.18 | Military Cross Lieut. | Carr, J. W | 8.11.18 | Mentioned in Despatches 2/Lieut. | Colbourne, J. | 8.11.18 | Mentioned in Despatches. Lieut. | Driscoll, J. | 9. 1.18 | Military Cross. (Award | | | also mentioned in _Lon | | | Gaz._, dated 26.9.17) Capt. | Goodman, S.T. | 12. 2.18 | Military Cross A/Capt. | Gore, J.T., D.C.M., | 2.12.18 | Military Cross | M.M. | | Lieut. | Maxfield, S.C. | 18. 2.18 | Military Cross 2/Lieut. | McLean, A. | 2.12.18 | Military Cross A/Capt. | Royston, E. | 8.11.18 | Mentioned in Despatches Lieut. | Sizen, R. | 18. 2.18 | Military Cross Lieut. | Sizen, R. | 23. 7.18 | Bar to M.C. Lieut. | Skinner, T.E. | 18. 2.18 | Military Cross Capt. | Taylor, H.A. | 1. 1.18 | Military Cross 2/Lieut. | Woodford, R.D.L. | 8. 3.19 | Military Cross Major | Rogers, H.P. | 8. 3.19 | D.S.O. ---------+----------------------+----------+-----------------------------

N.C.O.'S AND MEN

-------+----------+------------------+----------+------------------------- _Regtl.| | | _Date of | No._ | _Rank._ | _Name._ | Award or | _Decoration, etc._ | | | Mention._| -------+----------+------------------+----------+------------------------- 115 | Cpl. | Albany, W. | 21.10.16 | Military Medal 1495 | L/Cpl. | Anderson, D. | 21.10.16 | Military Medal 1657 | Sgt. | Bell, T.T. | 10.10.16 | Military Medal 1657 | Sgt. | Bell, T.T. | 5. 1.17 | Bar to M.M. 82231 | Pte. | Bate, F.T. | 11. 2.19 | Military Medal 1375 | Pte. | Beaven, F.L. | 17. 4.17 | Military Medal 48041 | Pte. | Becks, J.W. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 88156 | Cpl. | Bryden, T. | 24. 4.17 | Military Medal Old No.| | | | 1278 | | | | 61952 | Cpl. | Buery, W. J | 17. 9.17 | Military Medal 4502 | Pte. | Bull, W. | 29. 1.19 | French Croix de Guerre 4502 | Pte. | Bull, W. | 11. 2.19 | Military Medal 1358 | Sgt. | Carmichael, D.C. | 10.10.16 | Military Medal 1473 | Pte. | Clarke, C. | 21.10.16 | Military Medal 20906 | L/Cpl. | Carter, A. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 619 | C.Q.M.S. | Catley, C.K. | 18. 7.17 | Military Medal 351 | Sgt. | Clark, A.E. | 17. 6.18 | M.S. Medal 7332 | L/Cpl. | Clark, E. | 17. 4.17 | Military Medal 7332 | L/Cpl. | Clark, E. | 18. 7.17 | Bar to M.M. 7028 | Pte. | Clark, J.G. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 1079 | Sgt. | Cochrane, J. | 17. 4.17 | Military Medal 1079 | Sgt. | Cochrane, J. | 13. 3.18 | Bar to M.M. 216 | L/Cpl. | Collings, J. | 16. 7.18 | Military Medal 6025 | L/Sgt. | Cornish, J.A. | 18. 7.17 | Military Medal 18783 | Pte. | Cramb, J.J. | Not | Military Medal | | | stated. | 7613. | L/Cpl. | Crompton, J.B. | 19.11.17 | Military Medal 390 | L/Cpl. | Crozier, F.D. | 16. 7.18 | Military Medal 390 | L/Cpl. | Crozier, F.D. | ? | Bar to M.M. 856 | Pte. | Diamond, J.A. | 5. 1.17 | Military Medal 1861 | L/Cpl. | Davies, A.E. | 24. 4.17 | Military Medal 1123 | Cpl. | Dennis, H.G. | 9. 4.17 | Mentioned in Despatches 1123 | Cpl. | Dennis, H.G. | 18. 7.17 | Military Medal 975 | Sgt. | Dobinson, C.R. | 18. 1.19 | M.S. Medal 1405 | C.Q.M.S. | Donn, R. | 7.11.17 | Mentioned in Despatches 1405 | C.Q.M.S. | Donn, R. | 17. 6.18 | M.S. Medal 1649 | Pte. | Dossett, H.E. | 19. 9.17 | Military Medal 3185 | Pte. | Downing, J.T. | 18. 7.17 | Military Medal 48150 | Cpl. | East. A. | 14.12.17 | Military Medal 229431 | Pte. | Ervin, J.H. | 16. 7.18 | Military Medal 152 | R.Q.M.S. | Essex, P.C. | 9. 4.17 | Mentioned in Despatches 4179 | L/Sgt. | Fisher, E. | 17. 9.17 | Military Medal 74823 | R.S.M. | Franey, S.H. | 1. 1.19 | D.C. Medal 13632 | Sgt. | Freelove, W.A. | 18. 7.17 | Military Medal 1244 | Sgt. | Goodfellow, H. | 21.10.16 | Military Medal 1217 | Sgt. | Goodman, S.T. | 20.10.16 | D.C. Medal 1593 | Pte. | Gardner, A. | 5. 1.17 | Military Medal 316 | Pte. | Garratt, E.V. | 21.10.16 | Military Medal 1775 | Sgt. | Gore, J.T. | 10.10.16 | Military Medal 1775 | Sgt. | Gore, J.T. | 17. 4.17 | D.C. Medal 702 | Pte. | Hopkins, H. | 10.10.16 | Military Medal 3796 | Pte. | Hollyer, H.W.D. | 5. 1.17 | Military Medal 7688 | Cpl. | Haslam, C. | 5. 1.17 | Military Medal 61752 | Pte. | Gower, A. | 19. 9.17 | Military Medal 9635 | Sgt. | Harvey, W.R.J. | 17. 4.17 | Military Medal 2825 | Cpl. | Hemington, F. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 59592 | Pte. | Hitchcock, E.J. | 16. 7.18 | Military Medal 113 | L/Cpl. | Hope, R. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 3595 | Sgt. | Horton, T. | 16. 7.18 | Military Medal 51156 | Sgt. | Jackson, A.G. | 16. 7.18 | Military Medal 3419 | Sgt. | Jones, C. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 4500 | Pte. | Jones, F. | 17. 9.17 | Military Medal 4500 | Pte. | Jones, F. | 15. 4.18 | Belgian Croix de Guerre 48325 | A/C.S.M. | Jones, T.B. | 18. 7.17 | Military Medal 1967 | L/Cpl. | King, G.W. | 17. 4.17 | D.C. Medal 151 | Pte. | Kirby, F.D. | 18. 7.17 | Military Medal 3592 | Pte. | Kirk, H. | 14. 3.16 | D.C. Medal 63095 | A/Sgt. | Lawes, G. | 11. 2.19 | Military Medal 1257 | C.S.M. | Leith, E. | 16. 7.18 | Military Medal 4322 | Cpl. | Leveritt, H. | 18. 7.17 | Military Medal 646 | Sgt. | Lindsay, C.W. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 57987 | Pte. | Little, J. | 6. 8.18 | Military Medal 9172 | Cpl. | Lord, B.D. | 17. 4.17 | Military Medal 275 | C.S.M. | Lewis, R. | 8. 8.16 | Military Medal 275 | C.S.M. | Lewis, R. | 17. 4.17 | Bar to M.M. 533 | Sgt. | Lewis, M. | 10.10.16 | Military Medal 1293 | L/Cpl. | Little, J. | 21.10.16 | Military Medal 3533 | L/Sgt. | MacDonald, R.V. | 26. 7.17 | D.C. Medal 773 | R.Q.M.S. | Madgwick, H. | 17. 4.17 | Military Medal 51270 | Pte. | Mallon, W.J.A. | 8.11.18 | Mentioned in Despatches 229467 | Pte | Marchbank, R. | 16. 7.18 | Military Medal 564 | Sgt. | McCowan, T.E. | 5. 1.17 | Military Medal 564 | Sgt. | McCowan, T.E. | 26. 7.17 | D.C. Medal 57184 | Sgt. | McDiarmiad, J. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 1314 | Sgt. | Nunn, H.E. | 9. 4.17 | Mentioned in Despatches 57185 | Cpl. | Orme, J. | 11. 2.19 | Military Medal 49288 | Sgt. | Parsons, J.L. | 26. 7.17 | D.C. Medal 357 | Sgt. | Payne, E.A. | 8.11.18 | Mentioned in Despatches 687 | L/Sgt. | Penfold, R.F. | 7. 4.18 | Mentioned in Despatches 269 | R.S.M. | Pilkington, F. | 4. 6.17 | D.C. Medal 1242 | Sgt. | Plummer, V. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 1242 | Sgt. | Plummer, V. | 16. 7.18 | Bar to M.M. 57350 | Sgt. | Purgavie, W.R. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 3826 | L/Sgt. | Randall, P.T. | 18. 7.17 | Military Medal 1024 | Pte. | Rhodes, L.M.L. | 21.10.16 | Military Medal 89197 | Pte. | Raymond, F. | 17. 6.18 | M.S. Medal 7896 | C.Q.M.S. | Read, F.C. | 17. 6.18 | M.S. Medal 1997 | Sgt. | Reynolds, R. | 17. 4.17 | Military Medal 12463 | L/Sgt. | Rowley, E.G. | 24. 4.17 | Military Medal 375 | Sgt. | Royston, E. | 9. 4.17 | Mentioned in Despatches 375 | Sgt. | Royston, E. | 26. 5.17 | Italian Bronze Medal | | | | for Military Valour 1719 | C.S.M. | Rutherford, P.J. | 16. 2.17 | Military Medal 1340 | L/Cpl. | Sutherland, W.L. | 21.10.16 | Military Medal 4680 | Pte. | Sears, H.R. | 21.10.16 | Military Medal 1258 | Sgt. | Sadd, C.W.H. | 17. 4.17 | D.C. Medal 2337 | Q.M.S. | Sarginson, R.H. | 1. 1.18 | M.S. Medal 7964 | Pte. | Saxton, J.B. | 19.11.17 | Military Medal 7964 | Pte. | Saxton, J.B. | 11. 2.19 | Bar to M.M. 7415 | Sgt. | Shepard, H. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 63073 | L/Cpl. | Smith, A. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 60911 | Pte. | Sparrowhawk, A. | 16. 7.18 | Military Medal 1318 | Sgt. | Spowage, P.H. | 16. 7.18 | Military Medal 1618 | A/R.S.M. | Stafford, W.D. | 1. 1.18 | M.S. Medal 1618 | A/R.S.M. | Stafford, W.D. | 3. 9.18 | D.C. Medal 1398 | Sgt. | Steggal, R.F. | 11. 5.17 | D.C. Medal 49304 | Sgt. | Stirrups, A.T. | 17. 4.17 | Military Medal 1296 | Pte. | Thomas, T.W. | 5. 1.17 | Military Medal 4109 | L/Cpl. | Thomas, A. | 17. 4.17 | Military Medal 48089 | Cpl. | Thompson, P. | 11. 2.19 | Military Medal 4114 | Sgt. | Walters, T.S. | 11. 2.19 | Military Medal 183 | Cpl. | Webber, A.E. | 18. 1.19 | M.S. Medal 8736 | Cpl. | Webster, R.G. | 26. 4.17 | Military Medal 8736 | Cpl. | Webster, R.G. | 18. 7.17 | Bar to M.M. 12315 | Sgt. | Weller, C. | 17. 9.17 | Military Medal 60918 | L/Cpl. | Weston, A. | 11. 2.19 | Military Medal 5915 | C.S.M. | Wheeler, F.E. | 7.11.17 | Mentioned in Despatches 5915 | C.S.M. | Wheeler, F.E. | 1. 5.18 | D.C. Medal 49479 | Pte. | White, C. | 18. 7.17 | Military Medal 1795 | Pte. | Wilks, E.L. | 17. 4.17 | Military Medal 186 | Sgt. | Wingate, T.C. | 17. 4.17 | Military Medal 1886 | Sgt. | Wood, W.F. | 24. 4.17 | Military Medal 1441 | A/C.S.M. | Woodward, E.M.M. | 15.11.18 | D.C. Medal 14681 | Sgt. | Wren, H.G. | 16. 7.18 | Military Medal 211 | Cpl. | Wright, T.H. | 13. 3.18 | Military Medal 4127 | L/Cpl. | Walker, V.D. | 21.10.16 | Military Medal 165 | Sgt. | Woollett, C. | 10.10.16 | Military Medal 569 | L/Cpl. | White, W.H. | 5. 1.17 | Military Medal -------+----------+------------------+----------+-------------------------

THE ROLL OF HONOUR

OFFICERS AND OTHER RANKS WHO DIED THAT ENGLAND MIGHT LIVE

THE ROLL OF HONOUR

OFFICERS

---------+-------------------+----------+-------------------------------- | | | _Rank._ | _Name._ |_Date of | _Remarks._ | | Death._ | ---------+-------------------+----------+-------------------------------- Lieut. | Aris, T.A. | 16. 4.17 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Bushell, R.H.C. | 27. 7.16 | ---- Lieut. | Carpenter, C. | 17. 2.17 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Chubb, T. | 17. 2.17 | ---- 2/Lieut. | De Beck, G.C. | 18. 2.17 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Green, L.A. | 13.11.16 | ---- Capt. | Hayward, C.B. | 27. 7.16 | ---- Capt. | Hilder, M.L. | 3. 5.17 | ---- Capt. | Johnson, R.D. | 6. 7.16 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Kentfield, E.N. | 17. 2.17 | ---- Capt. | Lissaman, A.J. | 13. 4.17 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Morris, R.M. | 17. 2.17 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Oliver, E.A. | 27. 7.16 | ---- Capt. | Ranken, D.C. | 27. 7.16 | ---- Capt. | Rattray, D.L. | 17. 2.17 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Symonds, A. | 17. 2.17 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Taylor, E.F.H. | 27. 7.17 | ---- Capt. | Wiggen, R.H. | 17. 2.17 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Balbirnie, J.V.E. | 7. 9.18 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Burgess, R.C. | 3. 5.17 | Missing 3.5.17. Death accepted | | | as having occurred on or since | | | 3.5.17, on lapse of time. 2/Lieut. | Cornes, H.P.G. | 27. 9.17 | ---- A/Capt. | Coull, J.F. | 30. 9.18 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Davies, D.F. | 15. 4.18 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Dixon, R.E.L. | 8. 5.18 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Freeston, C.A.E. | 25. 3.18 | Reported wd. and missing | | | 25.3.18. Death accepted as | | | having occurred on or since. Capt. | Fugeman, W.A. | 1.12.17 | ---- 2/Lieut | Jackson, A.R. | 25. 4.18 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Jackson, W. | 30. 9.18 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Pratt, W.G.J. | 28. 9.17 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Sanders, F.J. | 6. 8.18 | Died of wds. at 3 Can. St. | | | Hosp. 2/Lieut. | Smith, A.W. | 7. 9.18 | ---- 2/Lieut. | Wells, F.B. | 10.10.18 | Died of wds. at 46 C.C.S. ---------+-------------------+----------+--------------------------------

N.C.O.'s AND MEN