Chapter IV: Section IV: to those who enlisted originally in the Artists, as (2)

These good times soon come to an end. After various alarms and excursions, we finally marched off and embussed, our destination being a place called Le Forest, just outside Douai. It was rather a wonderful ride, and a lovely day. We went via Lens, which was a pitiable sight. I do not think I have ever seen any place of its size so completely and deliberately destroyed. There were a lot of refugees coming back, both east and west, carrying their worldly belongings with them. There was no possibility of anyone finding anything habitable when they got to Lens. One family struck me as a particularly bad case, even amongst so many. They had come goodness knows how far, and consisted of an old man, his wife, their daughter, and son-in-law, and their child in a tumbled down old perambulator, piled up with all kinds of other things. They had just arrived, and were standing on a heap of bricks, which they realized was the site of their old home. I shall never forget the look of utter desolation on their faces--they were beyond crying. There must have been many, many cases like this, and they would all either have to settle there, or face the journey back from where they had come, a case of 7 or 8 miles at the least, on roads that only bore the name out of courtesy. I saw some of our men crying when they saw these people. There is something about a Frenchman’s love of his home that appeals to us. With dog-like faith they tramp for miles to start all over again in a place rendered more than desolate, which seems to me the highest form of patriotism imaginable.

At Henin-Lietard we had to get out, as the bridges across the Canal were blown up, and trekked to Le Forest. The Artists got an old Boche hospital and after the usual spring clean was not too bad a home. Headquarter Mess was in a nice little house in the main Street--at least the bottom part of it was nice, the staircase having been burnt out, and the upstairs rooms were rather a muddle. Here we gave a concert and some conjuring exhibitions to the inhabitants, who hardly seemed to realise that they were actually free and allowed to do more or less as they liked. Some rumours of moves began to come along, and we realised that it would not be very long before we were off again--this time to some purpose.

NOVEMBER, 1918: THE LAST PHASE OF THE WAR.

On November 5th our rest at Le Forest came to an end and we journeyed back via Auby and Douai to Thiant. The next morning we marched on to Saultain, movement being slow owing to the congestion on the roads and their state, and we got completely blocked up in a village (Aulnoy) which showed signs of recent fighting, a good many dead lying about outside.

On the 7th we were off again to Sebourquiaux. By this time the Brigade that we were following were in action, and we were moving up in readiness to go through it when ordered, and that evening reached Angré.

Early the next day (8th) we reached Audregnies, where we went through the other Brigade, and had three objectives assigned, but it was obviously impossible that we should accomplish them in the time that was left to us in the day. Near Wiheries there was a fair amount of indiscriminate shelling on forward slopes and we lost some men. However, we moved on in artillery formation, keeping pretty well closed up and halted in the outskirts of Blaugies where we managed to get on the line of our first objective without further trouble and had to pass the night there as we could not overcome the Boche machine-gun fire.

November 9th was a day which I do not think any Artists who were then with us are ever likely to forget. We advanced in all 15,000 yards, as the crow flies, which of course meant considerably more trekking, and a good bit had to be done through woods and across country. We started off something like a triumphal procession, as we were the first English troops to enter Blaugies, and we were met by the inhabitants, who rushed out and kissed us, old and young alike, and offered us coffee, liqueurs, and anything they could lay their hands on. It was really pathetically sad, and yet very funny, and it was with difficulty one refrained from crying, by the necessity of laughing.

Passing through Blaugies, we ran into our own barrage, which eventually I got stopped, as it was falling amongst the cavalry and was holding up our advance. From that moment we were not bothered with any more barrages, the artillery being attached to us, which is really far the most sensible way in going through open country, as we were. It gives one the means of visible retaliation, which is always lacking when dependent entirely on artillery behind you, whose doings, except barrage work you know nothing about. We next had to go through the Wood of Sars-la-Bruyere and on to the village of the same name, where again we were welcomed by the inhabitants in like manner. I was presented with a large bouquet of flowers, tied up with Belgian ribbon and had to walk through the village carrying the beastly thing. The centre of this village had been our last objective, and we had no sooner got through than we had orders to move on again to a railway embankment on the other side of the wood to the east of Sars-la-Bruyere. Further orders came extending this objective right up to the Mons-Maubeuge Road in front of Quevy-le-Petit, so we packed up once more and started off. Then taking two runners with me, I started off straight through the wood, arrived in the village before the Battalion and took up my H.Q. in the Burgomaster’s house, which had only been left a few hours earlier by a General of the German Army, who had stopped to watch our advance and then gone off in a motor car. At last the Battalion was in possession of their objective and settled down for a few hours rest.

The next morning (10th) I got orders to ‘side-slip’ to the north, take up a position on the Mons-Maubeuge Road to the west of the village of Harvengt and support the Fusiliers and Bedfords. This was the first time that the Artists had been in support to either of the other Battalions since coming north from the Cambrai Sector, but it only lasted half a day. I met my Company Commanders at a Chateau on the Mons-Maubeuge Road, just below a bridge, which the Germans had blown up. We had a short conference in a delightful room placed at our disposal by the owner of the Chateau, then marched on up the road and we were in our place almost as soon as the cavalry had gone out.

I noticed going up the road that there was a Boche Observation Balloon up--the last one we saw during the War--and the only one which had been visible since our start on the 5th. Unfortunately, it saw the other Brigade, which was coming up to go through us, and this drew a considerable amount of fire round our H.Q. in the village of Asquillies.

Just after they had gone, I got the news by runner, that poor old Croft had been killed. It is no use trying to tell you what that meant to the Battalion, or to me personally. He had not been back with us very long after a prolonged absence, and I know he felt like coming home when he rejoined us at Brias. He was always like a ray of sunshine if there was anything doing. With him were two other good fellows, 2/Lt. King and Sergt. Garbutt; also a Lancer with whom they were talking at the time; a stray shell fell in the sunken road and killed all four of them.

We were anxiously expecting rations and orders to return to Asquillies for the rest we were all wanting, but were sent forward to Harvengt where there seemed to be a good deal of confusion, so I halted the Battalion and had a look round. I found from the 56th Division who were there that they had been held up just outside the village by heavy machine gun fire and that it would be quite impossible to go forward that night. Eventually it was arranged that the Artists should relieve the 1st London and we moved forward again as far as we could get.

November 11th. At daybreak I started off up the line, having received information that the Battalion had commenced to move and that the Boche had ‘hooked it.’ Reaching Harmignies, I found that our men had been in within less than half an hour after the departure of the Germans, and our patrols reported that at two of the villages in front there were no signs of the enemy. We had orders to take up our position and remain at Harmignies, and that the 188th Brigade would go through us early in the morning. I went round, saw everybody and waited until the other Brigade had started to move forward and then set off to return. On my way back I met a whole lot of the Lancers, all formed up ready to go through. It was a fine sight seeing them all on their horses anxious to be off. On getting back I was met by a Doctor who said that he owed me some money (he had made a bet with me; that there would be no armistice or peace this year). For a moment I could not quite make out what he meant, until I noticed that everybody seemed pleased and then I learned the news of the Armistice which had come through a few minutes previously. I saw the Brigadier, got confirmation of the Armistice news, sent it up to the Companies, scrounged round making arrangements for baths for the men, got them all back again, and they had their baths and went to bed.

In the afternoon the Band arrived, after a somewhat chequered journey from England, very sorry for themselves. Also British prisoners, who had been left behind by the enemy, began to trickle through; they were in a most pitiable state. And so came the Armistice to the Artists--in the line to the very last. It will always be a satisfaction to us when we come to look back upon things that we were there when the end came and that the efforts of our Division contributed in no small degree to the final collapse of the Boche.

AFTER THE ARMISTICE.

Of course we could hardly realise things at first and there was still an awful lot to do. The silence seemed almost uncanny at times.

I do not know if I can describe the funeral of Ben Croft, King and Garbutt, but of course it was the first thing we did. As they were killed just outside the village, we decided to bury them at the side of the road where they fell, with such Military Honours as we could, their own Company finding the firing party, and the buglers sounded the Last Post. It was a sad little party that gathered round the graves of the last Artists to fall in action. A large number of Officers and men came and the Brigadier found time to be present. I think these three were the last casualties of the War in our Brigade. It seemed so very hard, that it was only a matter of 24 hours, and all would have been well. The inhabitants of the village had given us some oak to make a cross from and someone else thought of flowers-and after doing all we could we returned to our billets.

We soon heard stories of going on to the Rhine and were selected for this, but owing to the heavy fighting, and our additional wastage through sickness, our strength was so far short that finally it was decided we should not go. So we had to accept the hard fact and see another Division put in our place. At the time we were generally disappointed, but on looking back now I think it was just as well, and possibly most Artists will agree.

On the 15th, a cold, clear November day, we took part in the official entry of the First Army into Mons, lined the street, and after hours of waiting marched past the Army Commander in the square. We did not exactly enjoy it, but now that distance is lending its enchantment we can regard it as a thing to have done.

Soon we got permission to move back to Harmignies to better billets, thence to Athis, where we started Education Classes and a Debating Society. We also had to practice for a Review by the First Army Commander, had two full-dress rehearsals, and then the show was put off, but I suppose a little ceremonial drill did not do any of us much harm; anyway it provided a certain amount of amusement. Next we were moved back to Blaugies where we were not long in getting ready for our Christmas plans. We decided to have Company dinners, three in one day was the maximum reached, and we came safely through the lot. It was really a great Christmas taking it all round. There was not one of us who did not want to be home for it, but as we could not, we put our backs into it, and made the most of it under the circumstances, and now it is all over I do not think one of us regrets having spent it in Blaugies.

All this time we were slowly getting smaller, and one day were sent to our final destination, St. Ghislain. It was an eye-opener for the men when they arrived there--almost like going home, without the home--real beds and sheets for every man, it must have been the first bed that most of them had seen for many, many months.

I soon found that the men preferred their own time to organised amusements, which so long as all went well was really much better for them, and I am more than glad to know that it did go well. It was a very good change for them to get into some sort of civilisation, and demobilisation started quicker when we got to St. Ghislain.

One day I got special leave, as I had been applied for at this end. I do not know exactly how to describe what I felt: I knew that this special leave was tantamount to saying “Farewell” to the Artists. However, it was unavoidable and would have had to come sooner or later, and perhaps it was as well that it was hurried a bit at the end. I got all packed up, and then went on to the Mess, where I found some villain had collected most of the Battalion to see me off. I think it takes nearly as much courage to go round and say “Good-bye” to people as it does to go over the top.

Soon after this I went down for the first time to the Artists Headquarters in Duke’s Road, where I met a lot of people whom I had often heard of, but never before seen. They one and all made me so welcome, that I almost felt I was going to my own home. I shall never forget Colonel May coming up to me, and saying that he would like to thank me for all I had done for the Artists, but that he did not quite know how to do so, so he thought perhaps he had better repeat to me what one of the men had said to him. When asked something about their new Commanding Officer, this man had replied, “Well, Sir, he might have been an Artist himself.”

I think that if I have earned those words, honestly spoken, it is as much as anyone could have wished.

R. H. G.

P.S.--I have said very little about the organisation and
interior working of the Battalion because I do not consider
it would be a compliment to go into such details. I think the
secret of the Artists’ success was very largely the wonderful
amount of material always at hand. When Adjutants, Scouts,
Signallers, Runners, Pioneers, and all these people were ever
ready, and there was always somebody fit to step into someone
else’s shoes if anything happened, it really was very easy work
for a stranger, once he realised this. Then there was old Freddy
Light, with his 40 years service in the Corps, and R.Q.M.S.
Hack, a veteran of the Boer War times. They always worked
quietly without any fuss or bother, always had what was wanted,
and would have done anything in the world which was humanly
possible, that the men should be comfortable, and that the
Battalion should always have the best of everything. There were
few Territorial Regiments who had the services of one of their
own Quarter-Masters, and the Artists have been extremely lucky
in theirs.

Then you will find in my notes that the names of the Officers
are nearly always the same. I have avoided using names at
all except where I thought it would simplify matters, but I
do not wish to convey the impression that these are the only
names worthy of note, as it is not so. I should not know where
to begin, or end, if I had to tell you what I thought about
individuals. I see that R.S.M. Fox is not mentioned--there
again we were singularly fortunate, and had to do a great deal
of “wangling” to keep him. As you know, any man who occupied
that position after Peter Emslie had gone, had a very tough
proposition before him.

ADDENDA TO SECTIONS I. TO VI.

Particulars received whilst this Edition was in the Press--

_Add to_ ROLL OF HONOUR (pp. 2 to 42).

† = _Died of Wounds._

✠ = Military Cross.

1917 Dec. 22. ABEL, 2/Lt. James Edgar,† 6/R. West Kent
_Died as Prisoner of war_
1918 Nov. 4. ATKINSON, Edward Arthur, 14/London
(late 2/Lt. 1/London)
1920 Nov. 22. BAGGALLAY, Capt. Geoffrey Thomas, 1/Welch (A.P.M.)
_Assassinated in Dublin_
1920 Nov. 28. BAYLEY, Lieut. Cyril Dunstan Wakefield, R.F.C.
_Kilmichael, Ireland_
1917 Dec. 3. BEVAN, 2/Lt. Wilfred, 20th Squadron, R.F.C.
_Belgium_
1920 Aug. 13. BUCHANAN, Capt. Edward Laurie, R.F.A. & R.A.F.
_Baghdad_
1920 Oct. 9. CORFIELD, Lieut. Frederick John Arthur,
Bucks Bn. O.B.L.I.
1919 Nov. 2. FLEET, Pte. Charles Arthur, 2/Artists _Died_
1919 Sept. 20. GERHARDI, 2/Lt. Charles, R.A.F.
1920 Dec. 3. GOLDING, Lieut. Harold Gordon Lancelot, 35/Sikhs
_Palestine_
1919 Feb. 9. GRASSICK, 2/Lt. William Henderson, R.F.A.
_Died, Wimereux_
1919 Sept. 22. HIGGINSON, Capt. John Victor, 2/R. Welch Fusiliers
_Gas poisoning_
1918 Oct. 23. HILDITCH, 2/Lt. Charles Henry, 27th Bde. R.F.A.
1917 July 31. HOPKINS, 2/Lt. George Henry Stanton, 45/Machine Gun
Corps
1917 Dec. 20. HUMPHREYS, Pte. Albert Brent, 1/Artists _Died_
1917 Nov. 5. LORIMER, Capt. John Scott, 1/Norfolk
1917 June 18. LOWRIE, 2/Lt. John Edward, Household Battalion
1918 Mar. 21. RICHARDSON, 2/Lt. Arthur Balfour, 8/Royal West Kent
1917 June 22. RUDGE, Lieut. Arthur Edgar, R.A.F.
_Combat near La Bassée_
1918 April 21. SHERLOCK, 2/Lt. Gerald,† 55/Machine Gun Corps
1915 Aug. 9. SHUFFREY, Lieut. Gilbert, 6/South Lancashire
_Gallipoli_
1920 May 7. SPILLER, L/Cpl. Herbert George, 1/Artists
1919 Aug. 13. TAYLOR, Lieut. Norman Samuel, R.A.F.
_In Russia_
1916 Jan. 1. VERNON, Cpl. Harold, R.E. (Meteorological)
_Mailly Maillet_
1918 May 31. VIVIAN, Lieut. Vincent, 22/Durham L.I.
1918 Feb. 27. WARD, 2/Lt. Eric,† 10/R. Fusiliers
1919 Mar. 2. WEBB, 2/Lt. Bernard Hugh, S.B./Middlesex
_Died (septic pneumonia)_
1916 Sept. 26. WENDT, Pte. George Norman, 13/London
1918 Sept. 6. WHARTON, Pte. Ernest Philip, 1/Artists _Accident_

_Add to_ DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (pp. 46 & 47).

CLARK, Capt. Philip Lindsay 11/Royal Sussex

E. of YPRES, 25th to 27th October, 1917. For conspicuous
gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of the left flank
company of the battalion. When the enemy broke through on his
left he organised a defensive flank. Finding a gap on his left
he filled and held it with some of his own men and of the unit
on his left. He personally led a charge against the advancing
enemy and dispersed them, and later repelled another attack.
He was wounded by a piece of shrapnel in the head, but though
dazed, continued in command of his company for two days until
relieved.

[3712

FAGAN, Capt. Herbert Archer, _M.C. (bar)_ 9/Gurkha Rifles
(late 5/Yorkshire)

In SOUTH RUSSIA. For conspicuous gallantry and determination
on several occasions, particularly at Sorarogha, on the 18th
January, and at Makin, on the 19th February, 1920. In the first
instance he was in charge of a company ordered to establish
a piquet in a position which was much exposed and commanded
by fire. He set a fine example in beating off attacks and in
attempting to establish the piquet. Subsequently he withdrew his
company with great skill. In the second instance he again showed
gallantry and leadership when troops on the left were ordered to
withdraw.

[3635

FIELD, 2/Lt. Edward Machine Gun Corps

ROUPY, near ST. QUENTIN, 21st March, 1918. For conspicuous
gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a section of
guns during repeated enemy attacks. For eight hours he fired his
guns with great judgment under heavy machine-gun and artillery
fire. The enemy poured out of a valley in large numbers, and
the guns fired with terrific effect. The enemy was held for
seven hours. Then, reinforced, they advanced to within 100 yards
of the guns and bombed the positions from the right rear. He
ordered his guns to cut their way to new positions while he
helped their retirement by throwing the remainder of the bombs.
In getting back he was shot through the body. His determination
and fearlessness were magnetic. Throughout the day he fought
magnificently.

[763848

JOHNSON, Lt.-Col. Francis Shand Byam R. of O., Royal Lancaster
(1/Artists)

POZIERES RIDGE, 24th March, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry and
devotion to duty. When his battalion became isolated during an
enemy attack and both flanks were exposed, by his courage and
skill he succeeded in withdrawing his battalion without serious
loss. The successful withdrawal was entirely due to his splendid
leadership and determination.

_Add_ to MILITARY CROSSES (pp. 55, 89 & 117).

ASTBURY, 2/Lt. Alec R.F.A. (D/286 Brigade, R.F.A. (T.F.)

Near BOYELLES, 22nd August, 1918. For conspicuous gallantry
and devotion to duty. He brought his battery into action under
very heavy fire, and got his ammunition wagons up to the
battery position in spite of congested traffic. Later, he was
instrumental in laying telephone wires from a very advanced
post to the battery over open country under heavy machine-gun
fire. The information which he sent back was of great value in
enabling the enemy line to be driven back.

[765207

HEY, 2/Lt. Percy R.G.A.

Near VILLERS BRETONNEUX, 7th August, 1918. For conspicuous
gallantry and devotion to duty. When a number of tanks filled
with bombs and explosives close to his battery position had
been set alight by enemy shell fire, he led a small party and
successfully extinguished the burning camouflage covering his
own and neighbouring guns, and dragged into safety all exposed
cartridges. His determined courage saved the loss of ammunition
and stores.

[765448

RICHARD, 2/Lt. Stanley Machine Gun Corps

Near LES RUES VERTES, 3rd December, 1917. For conspicuous
gallantry and devotion to duty. During an enemy attack, and
whilst under intense artillery fire, he performed magnificent
work, keeping his guns in action, being with one gun himself in
an exposed position until gun and team were blown up. Being the
only one remaining unwounded, on his own initiative he moved up
to his other three guns, which he continued to keep in action
and supplied with ammunition, until these also were put out of
action and he was wounded. Throughout he set a fine example of
courage, and was of great assistance in checking the hostile
attack.

[6352

WHITE, 2/Lt. Lawrence Arthur R.F.A.

Awarded 3rd June, 1918.

[2786

_Add to_ MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES (p. 152–158).

3383 BARNES, Lieut. R. C. _Haig_
760549 DAWSON, Capt. F. A. _Haig_
2256 SAVORY, Major K. S. _Hamilton_
598 THORNE, Lieut. A. J. P. _Haig_
766235 TAYLOR, Capt. P. S. _Murray_
-- TYER, Capt. A. A. _Haig_

_Add to_ BROUGHT TO NOTICE (p. 159).

557 IRWIN, CSM H. G., Artists (M-G. School).

_Add_ the following to G.H.Q. MACHINE GUN SCHOOL (p. 313),
and in Section IV. (p. 434) insert the symbols _a_ or
_f_ as below against their names.

3591 DUCLOS, Henri François 26/ 6/16 _f_
3637 FIELDING, Percy Arthur 3/ 9/16 _a_, _f_
5685 FLEMING, Ernest 3/ 9/16 _f_
7194 JACQUES, George 26/ 6/16 _f_
3643 LAND, Leo Frederick 3/ 9/16 _f_
1728 MORGAN, Hugh T. 15/12/15 _To 2/Lt. M.G.C._
6189 NEWTON, William McIntosh 3/ 9/16 _a_, _f_
3145 SEYMOUR, Bernard Gilbert 26/ 6/16 _To 2/Lt. 4/East Lancs._
3645 TAYLOR, Bertram Walter 26/ 6/16 _a_, _f_
3112 TUCKER, Richard Stuart 21/11/15 _f_
2862 WEBB, Francis Rands 2/ 1/16 _f_
3648 WILLIS, William Stephen 26/ 6/16 _f_

_Add to_ FURTHER COMMISSIONS (p. 427).

2364 BEALE, William Piere 7/ 9/15 _R.A.S.C. Capt._

[pp. 44, 319.

R. P. HALLOWES, V.C.]

_Copyright._] [Col. WALTER C. HORSLEY.

NOTRE DAME DE BREBIÈRE, ALBERT, 1917.]

_Copyright._] [Capt. W. LEE-HANKEY.

BAILLEUL IN 1914.]

BAILLEUL IN 1918.

(The first two casualties).]