Chapter I: Front Matter

The Thirteenth Hussars in the Great War

_From a photograph by The Mendoza Galleries._

_Lt. Col. J. J. Richardson. D.S.O. Commanding 13^{th} Hussars from August 1915 to the present time._]

The

Thirteenth Hussars in the

Great War

BY

THE RIGHT HON.

SIR H. MORTIMER DURAND

G.C.M.G., K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E.

_WITH MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS_

William Blackwood and Sons
Edinburgh and London
1921

_ALL RIGHTS RESERVED_

_DEDICATION_

To the Unfading Memory of the

_OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, AND MEN OF THE REGIMENT WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES DURING THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918_.

“I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.”

--(_Ode to Duty_, by the late Sir CECIL SPRING RICE,
G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O.)

CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE

I. INTRODUCTORY 1

II. CAVALRY BEFORE THE GREAT WAR 3

III. EARLIER HISTORY OF THE REGIMENT 17

IV. 1910-1914--OUTBREAK OF THE GREAT WAR 42

V. THE INDIAN ARMY--BEGINNING OF WAR 55

VI. VOYAGE TO FRANCE 60

VII. 1915 IN FRANCE 67

VIII. 1916 89

IX. MESOPOTAMIA 98

X. SUMMER IN LOWER MESOPOTAMIA 109

XI. MARCH TO THE FRONT--MAUDE’S PLAN OF CAMPAIGN 124

XII. DECEMBER 12, 1916-FEBRUARY 24, 1917--FIGHTING ON THE
TIGRIS 140

XIII. THE RECAPTURE OF KUT--RETREAT OF THE TURKS 158

XIV. THE FIGHT AT LAJJ, 5TH MARCH 1917 173

XV. OCCUPATION OF BAGHDAD 200

XVI. OPERATIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTER CAPTURE OF BAGHDAD 216

XVII. THE SUMMER OF 1917 229

XVIII. AUTUMN OF 1917--RAMADIE, MENDALI, TEKRIT 235

XIX. WINTER OF 1917-18 262

XX. THE SUMMER OF 1918--KULAWAND AND TUZ KERMATLI 272

XXI. THE AUTUMN OF 1918--LAST BATTLE WITH THE TURKS--CLOSE
OF THE WAR IN MESOPOTAMIA 291

XXII. SCOPE AND MEANING OF THE MESOPOTAMIAN CAMPAIGN--THE
SHARE IN IT OF THE THIRTEENTH HUSSARS 319

XXIII. RETURN TO ENGLAND--CONCLUSION 326

APPENDICES 329

INDEX 378

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PHOTOGRAVURE.

Lieut.-Col. J. J. Richardson, D.S.O., Commanding Thirteenth
Hussars from August 1915 to the Present Time _Frontispiece_

COLOURED PLATES.

Officer of the 13th Light Dragoons, 1830-1836 _To face page_ 34

Officer of the 13th Light Dragoons (undress), 1830-1836 ” 36

Before the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, 25th October
1854 ” 38

13th Light Dragoons, 1853 ” 40

Festubert ” 68

Mesopotamia ” 104

Xmas Card sent to the Regiment, 1916 ” 142

“Caprice” and Foal: Born May 1920 ” 178

Tuz Kharmatli, 29th April 1918 ” 280

The Storming of Richardson’s Bluff, 29th October 1918 ” 302

HALF-TONE PLATES.

The Drum Horse--at the Durbar _To face page_ 42

“D” Squadron--at the Durbar ” 44

The Queen at Agra ” 46

The Escort at Agra, 1st and 3rd Troops of Squadron “D” ” 48

Draft of Men and Horses detailed for the 8th Hussars, September
1914--The Band at the last Church Parade before leaving India,
November 1914 ” 52

Embarking at Bombay, November 1914 ” 56

The Departure from Bombay, 19th November 1914 ” 58

In the Suez Canal, December 1914 ” 60

In the Suez Canal, December 1914 ” 62

Major T. H. S. Marchant, D.S.O.--Col. A. Symons, C.M.G.--Major
W. A. Kennard, D.S.O.--Bt. Col. W. Pepys, D.S.O.--Lieut.-Col.
E. F. Twist ” 64

Bt. Lieut.-Col. E. J. Carter--Major R. F. Cox--Capt. Lord
Huntingfield--Capt. Norman Neill, Brig.-Major, 7th British
Cavalry Brigade--Bt. Major R. S. Hamilton-Grace, G.S.O.,
2nd Hdqrs. Cav. Corps--Capt. F. C. Covell--Bt. Major H.
Ll. Jones, D.S.O. ” 66

Capt. J. N. Lumley, M.C.--Capt. J. I. Chrystall, M.C.--Capt.
E. H. Stocker--Lieut. G. R. Watson-Smyth--Capt. J. H.
Hind--Capt. J. L. M. Barrett--Capt. J. A. Jeffrey, M.C. ” 70

2nd January to 21st February 1915: Billets of Captains Eve and
Jackson at Enquingatte--Capt. W. H. Eve--Capt. T. K. Jackson
and Lieut. J. V. Dawson--Trenches at Enquingatte dug by “D”
Squadron--School at Enquingatte where Lieut. J. V. Dawson
was billeted ” 72

February and March 1915: Farriers, “D” Squadron--Officers of
“D” Squadron--Major R. F. Cox--Officers of “D” Squadron ” 74

In the Sandpit, March 1915 ” 76

In the Sandpit, March 1915 ” 78

Hurdle Shelters, Bois du Reveillon, 15th March 1915--Billets at
Warnes, April 1915 ” 80

“D” Squadron Billets, Ochtezeele, May 1915--Quarters of “D”
Squadron at Witternesse, 6th to 19th May 1915--Quarters of
“B” Squadron, Ochtezeele, May 1915--The Chateau: Quarters
of “A” Squadron at Witternesse, June 1915--“Rags” and
“Stilts,” Ochtezeele, 3rd May 1915--On Lingham Rifle-range,
June 1915 ” 82

“D” Squadron Quarters and Mess at Bettencourt, August and September
1915--Captain Eve’s Dug-out at Authuille, September
1915--Lieut. J. V. Dawson in his Dug-out at Authuille, September
1915 ” 84

Lieut. J. I. Chrystall at Bemaville, October 1915--Hounds at
L’Abbaye, 31st March 1916 ” 88

“Caprice,” 1915--At Martainneville, March 1916 ” 90

At Feuquières, April 1916 ” 92

Lieut. Basil H. Williams, M.C.--Lieut. M. H. C. Doll--Lieut.
T. E. Lawson-Smith--Capt. J. O. Oakes--Capt. A. M.
Sassoon, O.B.E., M.C.--Lieut. W. P. Crawford-Greene--Capt.
S. V. Kennedy, M.C. ” 94

The _Islanda_ ” 96

Basra: Arab Policeman--Negro Waterman--Kurdish Water-carrier--Persian
Policeman ” 110

Basra: Basra Fort--A Creek--H. Robinson Bridge--Sindbad’s
Tower ” 112

Bridge over Ashar Creek--Huts under Construction--Ashar: Bullock
Transport--The Square, Basra _To face page_ 114

Makina: Sergeant G. Cook’s Grave--Breakfast on the March ” 122

On the Tigris ” 124

On the Banks of the Tigris ” 126

The River Front, Amara--Pontoon Bridge, Amara ” 128

Amara: The Bazaar--View from House-top--Maheilas ” 130

On the March ” 136

Lieut. B. E. H. Judkins--Lieut. R. Gore--Lieut R. C. Hill,
M.B.E.--Bt. Major Charles Steele--Lieut. M. C. Kennedy--Capt.
C. H. Gowan, M.C.--Lieut. J. W. Blyth, D.C.M. ” 138

On the Tigris--January and February 1917 ” 140

River Fort, Hai Town--On the Tigris ” 146

Lieut. D. A. Stirling--Lieut. J. A. Lord--2nd Lieut. J. F.
Munster--Sergt. W. D. Tassie, D.C.M.--S.S.-M. J. Brearley,
D.C.M. ” 150

Bussoorie: Lieut. Munster’s Grave--Graves of Lieut. Munster,
Private Killick, and a Corporal of the 14th Hussars--Private
Killick’s Grave ” 152

Captain Eve’s Charger “Follow Me” ” 156

H.M.S. _Tarantula_--Private Massey’s “Oracle,” otherwise
Coracle ” 164

Turkish Prisoners, February and March 1917--Aeroplane attached
to 7th Cavalry Brigade ” 168

Halts on the March ” 170

Sergt. P. Chipperfield--Sergt. H. Knapman--Capt. W. H. Eve--Pte.
A. Wallhead--Pte. Alfred Jones, D.C.M. ” 172

Lieut. G. R. Pedder--Lieut. E. F. Pinnington--2nd Lieut. G.
Lynch-Staunton--Lce.-Cpl. A. W. Watkins, D.C.M.--Sergt.
F. Spanton ” 174

Sergt.-Tptr. J. S. Styles--Sergt. G. Anderson--2nd Lieut. E. V.
Rolfe--Sergt. W. Gilbert--Sergt. A. Harrison ” 176

Lieut. A. M. Le Patourel--Capt. H. C. D. FitzGibbon, M.C.--Capt.
A. Vlasto, M.C., R.A.M.C.--Capt. H. G. T. Newton--Lieut.
J. H. Hirsch--Pte. J. L. Roberts, D.C.M. ” 180

Scene of the Fight at Lajj, 5th March 1917 ” 184

Scene of the Charge at Lajj, 5th March 1917--“Caprice” with
Pte. C. Hogg, who found her in May 1918, after she had been
“missing” for Fourteen Months ” 186

Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men of the Thirteenth
Hussars who fell at Lajj, in Mesopotamia, on Monday, the 5th
of March 1917 ” 198

One of the Entrances to the Mosque at Khazimain--Ctesiphon ” 200

Capt. J. V. Dawson--Lieut. G. L. M. Welstead--2nd Lieut. J.
O. P. Clarkson--Lce.-Cpl. G. W. Bowie, D.C.M.--The Rev.
H. Cooke, C.F., M.C. ” 202

“B” Squadron on the way to the Diala--Crossing the Diala--Watering
in the Diala _To face page_ 204

The Grave in Baghdad Cemetery ” 206

Baghdad: Turkish Barracks--Army Commander’s House--British,
American, and French Consulates ” 208

A Typical Water-lift--A Persian Water-wheel near Baghdad ” 210

Turkish Cavalry Barracks outside Baghdad used as a Hospital--View
of Baghdad from Roof ” 212

The Regiment entering into Occupation of the Turkish Cavalry
Barracks at Baghdad, 13th March 1917 ” 214

Baghdad: Clock Tower in Turkish Infantry Barracks Square--A
Street in Baghdad--Framework of Hangar in Baghdad ” 216

Baghdad: Inside Turkish Cavalry Barracks ” 218

Baghdad: G.H.Q.--Hospital Ship ” 220

Baghdad: Storks--The North Gate from Inside--The Tramway,
Baghdad to Khazimain ” 222

The Diala and Khalis Canal Campaign: Departure from Baghdad--Dead
Turks--Captured Arabs awaiting Execution ” 224

Lieut. E. Bristol--Lieut. A. E. Annett--Lieut. C. A. F.
Wingfield--Major and Q.-M. A. Cooke--Lieut. W. Madgin--Lieut.
A. Williams--Lieut. L. A. Ormrod ” 228

Chaldari Camp, 1917 ” 230

Chaldari Summer Camp, 1917--The Regimental Mess ” 232

Lieut. W. G. Newman--S.S.-M. (afterwards Lieut.) C. M.
Douthwaite--Lieut. G. F. Earle--Lieut. J. W. Biggar--Lieut.
C. W. Jemmett--R.Q.-M.S. H. J. Edwards--Lieut.
A. H. Wood ” 234

F.S.-M. A. Bald--S.S.-M. A. Potter--R.S.-M. S. F. Seekins,
M.C.--Sergt. W. H. Tetheridge, D.C.M.--Cpl. J. Stevens,
D.C.M.--Cpl. G. Rayner, D.C.M. ” 240

Lieut. T. Williams-Taylor--Lieut. M. G. Hartigan, M.C.--Capt.
S. O. Robinson--S.S.-M. F. J. Tegg--Pte. F. G. Jasper ” 246

Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men of Squadrons “B” and
“C” who fell in the Charge at Tekrit, Monday, 5th November
1917 ” 248

The Grave at Tekrit ” 254

Sergt. John Gray--Lieut. D. J. E. Norton, M.C.--Capt. F.
Norman Payne--Sergt. A. S. Newman--Pte. Wm. Thomson ” 256

Baghdad Cemetery--Capt. F. Norman Payne’s Grave in Baghdad
Cemetery ” 260

2nd Lieut. A. C. Barrington--Lieut. M. R. Farrer--Lieut. F. G.
Lawrence--Lieut. E. Goodman--Lieut. W. W. N. Davies--2nd
Lieut. E. P. Barrett--Lieut. H. G. Keswick ” 262

Capt. G. W. Rose, R.A.M.C.--Capt. E. Wordley, R.A.M.C.--Capt.
D. M. Methven (21st Lancers)--Lieut. A. C. J. Elkan--Lieut.
J. Hampson ” 268

S.Q.-M.S. S. B. Haines, D.C.M.--R.S.-M. (late Lieut.) M.
Churchhouse--Sergt. S. G. Strawbridge, D.C.M.-Lieut.
W. J. L. Norwood--2nd Lieut. J. H. Lucas _To face page_ 272

After the Charge at Kulawand--Prisoners taken at Kulawand ” 274

Capt. D. W. Godfree, M.C. (21st Lancers)--Lieut. H. Macdonald,
M.C.--Lieut. C. A. G. M‘Lagan--Capt. B. W. D. Cochrane--Sgt.
W. Matthews, M.M.--Lieut. L. Osmond ” 278

Lieut.-Col. J. J. Richardson, D.S.O., after a Hard Day at
Tuz--Machine-guns captured by the Regiment at Tuz ” 282

Guns captured at Tuz--The Bridge at Mosul and the
_Baghdad_ ” 286

Lieut.-Col. J. J. Richardson, D.S.O., September 1918 ” 292

Sergt. R. Holloway--Lce.-Sergt. Wm. Leeman--S.-Sergt. J. F.
Couch, D.C.M.--2nd Lieut. G. R. Russell--Cpl. A. Vinall,
D.C.M. ” 300

On the Way Home ” 326

A Group of Officers of the Regiment, taken in October 1920 by
Elliott & Fry ” 328

The Memorial Tablet in All Saints’ Garrison Church, Aldershot:
Dedicated and Unveiled 2nd August 1920 ” 372

ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT.
PAGE
Map of India 34
Germany and her Confederates 99
The Advance from Basra 124
Sketch-plan of a Perimeter Camp 125
Sketch of British Position on Tigris, December 1916 137
The Advance on Baghdad 159
Sketch-plan of Turkish Trench System 175
Baghdad and Field of Operations, 1917-1918 201
Sketch of Position at Battle of Tekrit, 5th November 1917 259
Approximate Sketch of Richardson’s Bluff Position 292

* * * * *

Thanks are tendered to Messrs. Elliott & Fry, to Messrs. Gale & Polden, and others, for permission to copy some of the portraits reproduced in this work.

The Thirteenth Hussars in the Great War.