The Sherwood Foresters in the Great War 1914 - 1919

Chapter I: Introduction

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It is not only a great honour to have been asked to write an introduction to this book, but it is a real pleasure to me to be linked in this manner to a Battalion with which I was so intimately connected for nearly six years and in which I made so many friends, of whom many, alas, have passed the "great divide."

The Battalion has been lucky in finding in Capt. Weetman an author with such a ready and amusing pen, and one especially who was in a position to see the workings of the Battalion in almost every phase of its career and from every standpoint, first as a Company Officer, then as Adjutant and finally from Brigade Headquarters.

To me, perhaps naturally, the most interesting part of the book is the early chapters. From the time, in 1911, when I took over the command of what, I was informed by a Staff Officer qualified to know, was the best Territorial Brigade in the Kingdom, I was a firm believer in the Territorial Force. But I hardly think that the most hardened optimist would at that time have thought it possible for a Territorial Division to mobilise and march complete with equipment and Transport to its Mobilisation area on the sixth day after receiving the order "Mobilise." The amount of work done by Battalions and Companies was marvellous and only those who experienced it can have an idea of what it meant.

As for the Training, I don't believe better work was ever done than during those weeks at Harpenden. True we were lucky in the weather and in the Training area, and the 8th Battalion were specially lucky in their excellent staff of Sergeant-Instructors. All ranks put their heart into the work. I remember particularly the excellent work done by the large batch of recruits which joined the Battalion at that time, including surely as good a lot of young Officers as ever joined a regiment. The author has described fully the training carried out at Harpenden and in Essex, and that the time and labour spent in it were not wasted is proved by the manner in which all ranks so quickly took on their responsibilities in the trenches, and with such success. That the Territorial Force was in many ways neglected by the Higher Authorities during those early days is well known, but that the Force amply justified itself is proved by its actions and was fully recognised by those General Officers under whose command it came. The following extract from a speech made by Lieut-General Sir C. Fergusson, Commanding II Corps, to the Brigade at Locre, when it left his command, is worth recording to show the high opinion he held of our work in front of Kemmel. "No Battalion," he said, "and no Brigade could have held the lines better than you have done or have done better work than you have done.... Your work during the last three months is work of which any Brigade and any Battalion might be proud." No higher praise could have been given to any troops by an officer of such standing and repute.

I have written rather at length on this period for I consider the metamorphosis of a Territorial Battalion into as fine a fighting Battalion as ever took the field, is well worth the study of all those who have joined since those days or will join in the future.

It is only fitting that some acknowledgment be made to the memory of the man who did more than any other to make the North Midland Division worthy to take its place in line with the Regular Army. I refer to the late Major-General Hubert Hamilton, who commanded the Division from 1911 to June, 1914, and fell early in the war at Richebourg-St. Vaast. He foresaw that war with Germany must come and worked with all his power to make the Division efficient in every way--in Training as in Organisation. And it was very largely due to his efforts that Mobilisation was carried out so successfully.

One word more. I am fully convinced that if every Officer and man who joined up in 1914 _after_ the outbreak of war, had joined the Territorial Force and made himself efficient _before_ August, 1914, there would have been no war. If Germany had known that England could put 1,000,000 men into the field within a few weeks of the declaration of war, instead of only 160,000, she would never have dared to embark on her campaign of spoliation. The risk would have been too great.

If this story of the doings of a Territorial Battalion in the Great War can do anything to bring that Battalion up to strength, to keep it there, and to encourage all ranks to make themselves thoroughly efficient, I am sure that the author will consider himself well repaid for all the time and all the trouble he has spent on it.

C. T. SHIPLEY.
_12th September, 1920._

AUTHOR'S NOTE.

In compiling this history of the 1/8th Sherwood Foresters in the Great War, I have relied for my main facts on the Official War Diary, but from many other sources I have received much help. My thanks are due especially to Lieut.-Col. H. Mellish, C.B., for advice on many general points; to Lieut.-Col. A. Hacking, D.S.O., M.C., for much help with "The Salient" and "Lens" chapters, and for kindly revising the whole of the book; to Capt. A. L. Ashwell, D.S.O., for most of the "Hohenzollern" chapter, and for much general assistance; to Capt. A. Andrews, M.C., for much of the detail of the "Gorre and Essars" chapter, and information on many other points, and to Capt. A. B. Miners, M.C., for help with the account of the "Battle of Ramicourt" and subsequent fighting.

I have also to thank Capt. C. Davenport for some details of Transport work; Capt. R. H. Piggford for a few notes and the sketch dealing with Mining operations; and Lieuts. C. H. S. Stephenson and E. W. Warner, M.C., for some Signalling items, and the diagram of Signal communications. I am also indebted to Capt. J. D. Hills, M.C., of the 5th Leicestershire Regiment, for many hints on the general arrangement of the work, and to Pvte. A. Hunstone of the 6th Battalion for the excellent plans. To many others who have supplied me with information and helped me on various points, I offer my grateful thanks.

The book is not intended in any way to be a literary effort. All that has been attempted has been a simple narrative of our doings for the use primarily of persons connected with the Battalion. My main endeavour throughout, has been to secure accuracy, but it will be understood that in sifting the mass of material placed at my disposal, errors may have crept in. I trust, however, that these are few.

W. C. C. WEETMAN.
_Hereford, October, 1920._

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER.
Summary of Events
1. England
2. France
3. The Salient
4. Hohenzollern
5. Richebourg--Marseilles--Candas
6. Vimy Ridge
7. The Battle of Gommecourt
8. Bellacourt
9. The Capture of Gommecourt
10. Lens
11. St. Elie and Hill 70
12. Spring, 1918
13. Gorre and Essars
14. Auchel to Pontruet
15. Bellenglise
16. Ramicourt and Montbrehain
17. The Last Fight
18. Home Again

Appendix.
1. Roll of Honour
2. Honours

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lieut.-Colonel G. H. Fowler
Officers at Harpenden, Nov. 1914
The Avenue, Kemmel
Major J. P. Becher, D.S.O.
R.S.M. Westerman and N.C.O.'s of A Company
R.S.M. Mounteney and N.C.O.'s of C Company
Lieut.-Colonel B. W. Vann, V.C., M.C.
The Brasserie, Foncquevillers
Air Photograph of Lens and Loos Area
Air Photograph of Part of St. Elie Sector
The Beuvry--La Bassée Road
Gorre Brewery
The Clock Tower, Béthune
St. Quentin Canal, Bellenglise

MAPS AND PLANS.

Sketch of Mine Galleries
Kemmel Sector
Hooge and Sanctuary Wood
Hohenzollern Redoubt
Gommecourt
Lens District
Diagram of Signal Communications
Battle of Ramicourt
Battle of Regnicourt
Battle of Bellenglise
General Map of Western Front

SUMMARY OF EVENTS

1914.

Aug. 4th War declared. Mobilisation ordered.

" 7th Concentration at Newark.

" 10th--
11th Marched via Radcliffe-on-Trent to Derby.

" 15th Entrained at Derby for Luton.

" 21st Moved to Harpenden.
( Sept. 29th--Inspection
" 22nd-- | by Lord Kitchener
Nov. 15th Training in Harpenden | at Luton Hoo.
Area. <
| Oct. 6th--Inspection by
| Lord Roberts at
( Sandridge.

" 16th-18th Marched via Harlow and Dunmow to Bocking.

" 19th--
Dec. 27th Trench digging near Bocking.

" 28th-- By train to Luton for Musketry at Wardown
1915. and Galley Hill Ranges, and Field Firing at
Jan 5th Dunstable, returning to Bocking.

" 6th-- ( Feb. 19th--Inspection
Feb. 24th Training in Bocking Area. < by H.M. The King near
( Bishop's Stortford.

" 25th Entrained at Bocking for Southampton.

" 26th--
Mar. 3rd Crossed by detachments to Havre.

" 3rd--
" 4th By train to Cassel and marched to Oudezeele.

" 9th Marched to Merris.

" 10th Moved to Bac-St. Maur, for First Battle of Neuve
Chapelle. Temporarily attached to 2nd
Cavalry Division.

" 13th Marched to Neuf Berquin for training.

" 24th--
" 26th Moved via Vieux Berquin to Romarin.

" 27th--
" 30th Trench instruction at Ploegsteert and Messines.

" 31st Marched back to Vieux Berquin.

April 2nd Marched to Locre.

" 3rd Took over Kemmel sector.

" 20th Marched to huts near Vlamertinghe.

( In line at Hooge and )
| Sanctuary Wood, |
" 21st--< with intervals at rest > July 30th--First "liquid
Aug. 28th | in bivouacs near | fire" attack
( Poperinghe. )

Oct. 1st Marched from Ouderdom and entrained at Abeele
for Fouquereuil. Billeted in Béthune.

" 3rd Moved to Mont Bernenchon.

" 4th Marched back to Béthune, proceeded by 'bus to
Vermelles, and took over reserve trenches near
Lone Tree, North of Loos.

" 5th Moved back to Mazingarbe.

" 6th Marched to Fouquières.

" 13th--
" 14th Attack on Hohenzollern Redoubt.

" 16th Moved back to Vaudricourt.

" 19th Marched to Lapugnoy for training.

" 26th Marched to Béthune.

Oct. 28th Composite Company with other troops of XI Corps
inspected by H.M. The King at Hesdigneul.

Nov 4th--
" 5th Marched via Epinette to Vieille Chapelle.

Nov. 6th-- In line in Richebourg sector, with rest billets at
Dec. 2nd Vieille Chapelle and Lacouture.

" 3rd Marched from Vieille Chapelle to Haverskerque
for training.

" 19th-- Marched via Wittes to Molinghem and continued
" 26th training.

1916.

Jan. 7th--
" 9th Entrained at Berguette for Marseilles.

" 26th-- Returned by train to Pont Remy. Marched to
" 28th Ergnies for training.

Feb. 10th Marched to Ribeaucourt.

" 20th Moved by motor lorry to Candas.

" 21st-- Training and work for R.E.'s on new railway lines
March 5th in Candas area.

" 6th--
" 9th Marched via Iverny and Maizières to Acq.

" 10th-- In line in Vimy sector, with intervals at rest in
April 20th huts behind Mont St. Eloy. Mining activity.

" 21st By 'bus to billets at Tincques and Bethencourt for
training.

" 29th Moved to Averdoignt.

May 6th-- Marched via Rebreuviette and Gaudiempré to
" 10th Bienvillers.

" 11th--
June 4th In line in front of Foncquevillers.

" 5th Moved back to Humbercamp.

" 6th Marched by night to Le Souich.

" 8th--
" 14th Training in attack practice near Sus-St. Leger.

" 15th Marched to Humbercamp.

" 16th-- Working parties found for digging cable trenches
" 18th and screening approaches near Bienvillers.

" 19th--
" 27th In line in front of Foncquevillers.

" 28th
" 29th Rested at Pommier.

" 30th Moved at night to assembly positions in front of
Foncquevillers.

July 1st Battle of Gommecourt.

" 2nd Moved back to Gaudiempré.

" 3rd Marched to huts at Bavincourt.

" 4th Marched back to Pommier and Bienvillers.

July 10th Moved to Bellacourt.

( In line in front of Bretencourt, with periods
" 11th--< in Support at Bellacourt, and in Reserve at
Oct. 28th | Bailleulval. (Sept. 22nd, Raid by A Company
( near Blairville.)

" 29th-- Marched from Bailleulval via Warluzel, Le Souich
Nov. 3rd and Neuvillette to Maison Ponthieu, for training.

" 22nd-- Marched via Bealcourt and Neuvillette to
" 25th Humbercourt.

Dec. 6th Moved to Support billets at Foncquevillers and
Souastre.

( In line in front of Foncquevillers, with intervals
" 7th--| in Support in posts in and about Foncquevillers,
1917. < and in billets at Souastre. (Feb. 16th-17th,
Feb. 18th | heavy bombardment with gas shells and
( bombs.)

" 19th Moved back to St. Amand.

" 20th Marched to Iverny for training.

" 28th--
March 1st Returned via Grenas to St. Amand.

" 3rd Took over recently evacuated German trenches at
Gommecourt.

" 4th-- Followed up enemy to Pigeon Wood, Brayelle
" 13th Farm and Essarts. (March 4th, heavy counter-attack
against C Company.)

" 17th Moved back to Souastre.

" 20th-- Marched via Bayencourt, Courcelles-au-Bois and
" 24th Contay to Bertangles.

" 25th Moved by 'bus through Amiens to Revelles.

" 28th Entrained at Bacouel.

" 29th Detrained at Berguette and marched to Westrehem
for training.

April 13th--
" 14th Marched via Vendin-lez-Béthune to Houchin.

" 18th Moved up to Support billets in Liévin.

" 19th--
" 22nd Skirmishing in Cité de Riaumont.

" 23rd Attack on Hill 65 by C Company.

" 24th-- Held sectors in front of Liévin and Loos, with
June 30th intervals in Support in Liévin and in Reserve
at Marqueffles Farm and Noeux-les-Mines.

July 1st In Brigade Reserve for attack by 46th Division
West of Lens.

July 4th On relief by Canadians marched to Bully Grenay
and by 'bus to Chelers for training.

" 23rd Marched to Verquin.

" 24th-- In line in St. Elie sector and in Support at
Aug. 15th Philosophe.

" 16th--
" 25th Training in Verquin area.

" 26th-- In line in Cambrin sector and in Support at
Sept. 12th Annequin.

" 13th--
" 19th In Divisional Reserve at Fouquières.

" 20th Marched to Mazingarbe huts.

" 21st-- In line in Hill 70 sector, in Support in trenches
Nov. 14th North of Loos, and in Reserve at Mazingarbe.

" 15th-- In line in St. Elie sector, in Support at Philosophe,
1918. and in Reserve at Verquin. (Jan. 2nd, Raid
Jan. 20th on front held by D Company.)

" 21st Marched from Verquin to Burbure.

" 22nd-- Training at Burbure. Large detachment at Mazingarbe
Feb. 8th digging reserve trenches near Vermelles.

" 9th Marched from Burbure to Laires and Livossart.

" 13th Moved to Enquin-les-Mines for training.

March 5th--
" 6th Marched to Westrehem and by 'bus to Béthune.

" 14th-- Held Annequin Fosse "Locality," in view of
" 19th heavy attacks expected.

" 20th-- In line in Cambrin sector. (March 22nd, Heavy
" 23rd bombardment and raid on A Company.)

" 24th--
" 26th In Support at Beuvry.

" 27th-- In line in St. Emile sector, and in Support in
April 10th St. Pierre.

" 11th On relief by Canadians, moved back to Vaudricourt.

" 18th Moved to reserve trenches in front of Sailly-Labourse.
Unsuccessful attack by enemy near Givenchy.

" 20th Returned to Vaudricourt.

" 23rd Marched to Béthune.

" 24th-- In line in Gorre and Essars sectors, and in Reserve
Aug. 17th at Fouquières, Vaudricourt Park and Verquin.

" 18th Occupied Le Touret after driving out enemy
rear-guard.

" 19th-- In billets at Verquin, Vaudricourt Park,
" 31st Fouquières, Essars and Gorre.

Sept. 1st Took over front line near Richebourg St. Vaast.

" 2nd--
" 3rd Continued to drive back enemy rearguards.

" 4th Attacked and occupied old British Line in front
of Richebourg l'Avoué.

" 5th--
" 7th Moved back via Beuvry to Auchel for training.

" 11th-- By train from Calonne Ricouart via Amiens to
" 12th Corbie and marched to La Houssoye for training.

" 18th Marched to Bonnay and by 'bus to Poeuilly.

" 20th--
" 25th In line about Pontru and Pontruet.

" 26th Moved back to bivouacs near Vendelles.

" 29th Battle of Bellenglise.

" 30th--
Oct. 2nd In dug-outs near Lehaucourt and Magny-la-Fosse.

" 3rd Battle of Ramicourt.

" 5th--
" 7th In line at Sequehart.

" 8th Resting at Lehaucourt.

" 9th-- Moved via Levergies and Mericourt to Jonnecourt
" 12th Farm, near Bohain.

" 17th Battle of Regnicourt.--The Last Fight.

" 18th Moved back to Fresnoy-le-Grand for training.

" 30th Marched to Bohain.

Nov. 3rd--
" 4th Marched via Escaufort to Catillon.

" 5th Crossed Sambre-Oise Canal and advanced to
Mezières.

" 6th Occupied Prisches and Cartignies.

" 7th--
" 9th At Cartignies.

" 10th Marched from Cartignies to Boulogne-sur-Helpe.

" 11th Armistice.

" 14th Marched to Landrecies.

" 15th--
1919 Clearing battlefield in Landrecies area.
Jan 2nd Demobilisation begun.

" 3rd Marched from Landrecies to Prisches and continued
clearing battlefield.

Feb. 19th-- Marched via Bazuel to Bethencourt, near Candry,
" 20th for completion of Demobilisation.

June 23rd Return of Cadre and Colours to Headquarters at
Newark.

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