Chairman Stan’s Spot MORE INFORMATION FOR ARTICLES WHEN: I look forward to this our first (+P) : photos, maps in Photo Gallery, Anniversary Issue of the Despatch. Our (+S) : supplementary information report See our website www.wfanlancs.co.uk and look branch magazine has come through against this Despatch several problems in its birth and hiccups but thanks to Terry and all contributors one year has past and 3 Issues are now “in the bag”. The Fighting Nutters: Mike Sherrington Here’s looking forward to our second Anniversary with Despatch gaining The exploits of Alfred “Battling” Pye strength along the way. were featured in last November’s issue, but he was not the only Preston boxer to Editor’s Musing pay the ultimate price. Albert Victor Nutter, a riveter by trade, lived on Water Producing this Despatch and finalising Lane. Early in 1914 he achieved the my talk “Several Battalion Commanders”, unusual feat of twice taking the which has involved a trip to for legendary flyweight Jimmy Wilde the full late site visits, has made for an distance, although eventually losing on interesting last month. points on both occasions. Wilde, who A dilemma when producing Despatch later became world champion, is was its length. My initial thought was for generally accepted as being pound for 20 pages but when it was beginning to pound the greatest boxer Britain has ever get difficult to fit everything in I opted for produced. His punching power was 24. The Duke of Wellington when writing phenomenal, hence his nickname “The to his son started “Dear Son, if I had Mighty Atom.” Nutter’s feat of more time I would write you a shorter endurance, surviving for 30 rounds, letter ….” should therefore not be underestimated. Synergy between my roles as Editor Pte Albert Nutter [17129] 7th Battalion and this month’s speaker at our meeting Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was contributes significantly to this Despatch. killed in action during the fighting at High The frontispiece and two articles being Wood on July 22nd 1916. He is spin-offs from my talk. I hope you like commemorated on the the text boxes which I will use in future Memorial [Pier & Face 11A] along with for “Featured Epitaphs” and similar rather another boxer, Harry “Kid” Nutter from than page footnotes. Rishton. Thanks to all contributors and a special mention for David and Pat Shackleton for sharing with me their special Epitaphs. Theirs fill the majority of the new text boxes and I hope all th The above photo is the polo team of the 18 King George’s Own Lancers who won readers will keep a keen eye for other the Indian Cavalry Tournament in 1913. Mills (seated bottom right) was one of evocative grave inscriptions which could th “Several Battalion Commanders” of the 17 Battalion Lancashire Fusilier’s during figure in future Issues. WW1 who figure in this month’s talk to the Branch. The photo appears briefly in the talk but nothing is said about the other members of the team. See page 8 to read about 6 DSOs, 4 KIAs, 2 Knights, an MC, a VC and the BEF’s first shots in the War! 2 Ironically, Harry “Kid” Nutter had victims indiscriminately. Hundreds of was subject to an artillery onslaught from territorial unit, the 4th Border Regiment. fought and lost on points to Alfred Pye in boxers-from former champions to “long distance high velocity guns.” On the His ‘soldiering’ had in fact even earlier March 1914 at Preston’s Adelphi Athletic amateurs, public schoolboy boxers to 4th September the Regiment was rotated foundations, with him serving in the Club. Neither could have imagined that honest journeymen professionals-failed into the front line in the St George’s Cadet Corps before becoming a territorial by the end of the year they would be in to beat the count and suffered the Sector. The trenches they occupied were soldier. Upon outbreak of hostilities uniform, less still that they were destined cruellest of knockout blows. in a poor state of repair, and enemy Armer was thus ‘called-up’ for service never to return to the ring. shelling was a continuing threat. The war and began training with the 1st/4th Border He was a 19 year old miner and (* Visit www.boxrec.com for Joe diary for the 5th September reveals in Regiment (Territorials). Many other local member of a Blackburn boxing family Durham’s boxing record, biography and stark detail what happened to Armer: men, including ‘old-boys’ from QES such which included elder brother George photograph.) as Herbert Hartley and Percival Harrison, “Ginger” Nutter, a well known “Some “Minnies” [Minenwefer] were also Territorial’s in the same bantamweight. Although his career as a QUEEN ELIZABETH GRAMMAR troublesome on the Left Company Front, regiment, and likewise commenced nd th flyweight had barely started, he had SCHOOL, KIRBY LONSDALE, ROLL OF 2 Lt A Armer killed and 3 O.R. training. By the end of 1914 the 4 recorded victories in about half his fights HONOUR: c/o Oliver Wilkinson (+S) wounded” Borders were ‘in theatre’ on active and shown sufficient potential to be service. However, they were not in regarded as one for the future. However, Arthur ARMER, 2nd Lieutenant, 11th The Germans had been active in France or Flanders, but were in fact in like many sportsmen he answered the Border Regiment (Lonsdale) evolving efficient trench warfare India, engaged in policing the British call for volunteers and as Pte Harry weapons, and by September 1917 the Empire. Native elements were described Nutter [15920] of the Accrington Pals, Arthur Armer’s war service charts a Minewerfer (Mine thrower) was a deadly as troublesome, and even India 11th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, very diverse and colourful career, addition to their arsenal. It was a mortar regiments could prove challenging to took part in the disastrous attack on incorporating a rise through the ranks designed to rain high explosive, gas or handle with the British Army stretched Serre on July 1st 1916. He had written to and service in various theatres of war. smoke shells on the allied trenches. As Lt thin by the continental conflict. An officer his mother shortly before, “I can duck the His death, however, reinforces the grim Armer was about to enter his dugout in of the 4th Borders, writing early in 1915, hooks and sidestep the straight lefts, but reality of the First World War. the front line one such shell exploded described how the regiment was I know I stand no better chance than any close by, and he was struck on the head employed in musketry training, scouting of the other boys. I have only once to and killed outright. He was not involved and patrolling, digging and bayonet die, but should I steer clear I will come in any huge offensive, nor any elite fighting, and he concluded that the men down our street singing ‘Are we operation, he was merely engaged in a were “coming on splendidly. downhearted?’-‘Not likely’-while the Kid mundane trench rotation. He was simply Armer had fulfilled his required time in is floating about.” in the wrong place at the wrong time the Territorials by 1916 so he returned to His optimism was sadly misplaced; he when the mortar landed. In fact the war England. However, he clearly remained was one of 234 killed and his name diary for virtually the entire period devoted to duty and quickly re-enlisted appears on the Thiepval Memorial [Pier describes the area as “Fairly quiet.” His with the 1st Border Regiment at Kendal & Face 6C]. death, however, reveals the reality of the on 28th June 1916. His previous military The fate of “Battling” Pye and the war. Death was literally rained down on service stood him apart in training, and in fighting Nutters was far from unique. men, and it was artillery above any other August he was promoted to Lance Many boxers were either killed, or determinant that was the biggest killer. Corporal. Then in September 1916 wounded so badly that it proved He is buried at Coxyde Military Armer was back in theatre, this time in impossible for them to resume their Cemetery. France on the Western Front. During this In September 1917, Armer was careers. Others like my grandfather, Joe Arthur Armer’s life, however, was far period a sniper killed a fellow Kirkby- attached as a 2nd Lieutenant to the 11th Durham*, the pre-war bantamweight more dynamic than his death. Born on Lonsdale man, Harold Hardacre. Like Battalion Border Regiment. This unit was champion of the north of England, gave the 28th February 1894, he had attended Armer, Hardacre had been to India with training at village of Oost Dunkerque their best years to the service of their Queen Elizabeth Grammar School for the Borders. Their service careers had approximately 5 kilometres west of country and as a result were denied the only a short period of time in 1908. In run in parallel and undoubtedly the two Nieuport (see map). On the first of the opportunity to fulfil their sporting August 1914, Armer was a solicitor’s men had got know each other in Kirkby month the tone was set when the village potential. The battlefield claimed its clerk and also a member of the local before the war. Armer now had the 3 4 unenviable task of writing to Mr W.H. THE WORK OF THE ROYAL meteorological experts, which had an the end of the war, our biggest concrete Hardacre, and describing how his son ENGINEERS IN THE GREAT WAR: important bearing on the plans of factory, which was organized by Captain had been killed. Shortly afterwards Maj-Gen. Sir Gerard Moore Heath commanding officers. Ambrose, began to season the blocks by Armer’s abilities had marked him out ……. Continued from November 2008 An important duty of the Engineers, passing low-pressure steam through and once again, leading him to be promoted both in defence and preparations for over them in a specially-prepared box; Acting Corporal, before being sent back Defences and Preparations for Attack attack, was the making of shell-proof the results appeared to be extremely to England in December for a Temporary cover, many dug-outs being 20-30 feet successful. After 12 hours these blocks Commission. Consequently in the early Many of us have been to France and below the surface. Deep dug-outs near attained the strength of 3 to 4 weeks old months of 1917 Arthur Armer was have seen the trenches; it is unnecessary the firing line had, however, obvious normal concrete. The blocks were training as an officer at the 10th Officer to describe them. But the organization of disadvantages, and the Germans found themselves reinforced with expanded Cadet Battalion at Gailes in Ayrshire. He a defended zone requires much more to their cost that they often formed traps, metal, chiefly with a view to was officially discharged from the 1st than trenches. Suffice it to say that the in which they were easily captured by our strengthening them for transport Borders on 29th May 1917, and gazetted organization included, as an ideal, a front quickly advancing troops; deep dug-outs, purposes. When built into the structure as a 2nd Lieutenant to the 11th Battalion system with front line trench, support moreover, were impossible in parts of the they were further reinforced by vertical Border Regiment. It is not know when he line, and reserve line, and as many rear water-logged areas of Flanders. This led and horizontal rods passed through holes joined his battalion in France after his systems of similar lines as time and to the construction of the concrete pill- made in them during the manufacturing appointment, but when he was killed in labour permitted – the whole, extending to boxes, which were such a conspicuous stage, and the whole grouted together September he had only been there a a depth of 10 miles or more, linked feature of defence in those parts. We with liquid cement. ‘short time’. Despite this short period with together by numerous defended have a great deal to learn as to the value his new unit he was described by his localities, e.g. villages and woods, and of reinforced concrete for resisting heavy Lieutenant-Colonel as a man loved by all interspersed with numerous machine-gun shells, and as to the best method of ranks, and an emblem of courage and positions. applying this and other materials devotion to duty. This devotion can The Engineers, as tactical experts in ordinarily at our disposal for resisting hardly be questioned in over three years defence matters, working with the penetration or the effects of delayed of military service, beginning as a Private General Staff, had a good deal to say as action. We laid down as a result of In judging the effect of shell-fire on pill- in a territorial formation and ending as a to the lay-out of these lines of defence, observation of fire effect, and of boxes, one must not forget the effect of Lieutenant with the new armies. but their purely engineering duties lay experiments, that 5 feet of monolithic concussion on the garrison inside them. Unfortunately tragedy for the Armer more in the construction of obstacles, concrete, unreinforced, and 3 feet of After the battle of Passchendaele it was family did not end with Arthur’s death. His revetments, drainage, and water supply, reinforced, was necessary to keep out a freely stated that many Germans had wife, Alice Ruth Armer, was also a patriot and the making of shelter for garrisons 6-inch shell. No pill-boxes made were been killed in their shelters entirely by and joined the Women’s Royal Air Force and guns against enemy fire and proof against sustained heavy concussion. Efforts were made to get at Bristol on 14th October 1918. Alice weather; offensive and defensive mining; bombardment but they certainly stood a over this in our designs. Our Armer subsequently served as Member and the provision and maintenance of good deal of hammering, for it is not experiments went to show that an inner 22699, as a Technical Store Worker. Her communications by wire, road and rail. every shell that is heavy, and probably chamber with air-space between it and military service was, however, short-lived All these works were also required in very few hits are normal to the surface the outer walls reduced the shock, and she died at the General Hospital, preparation for a deliberate attack, and (curved surfaces are best). There is no provided the air in the air-space was not Cheltenham, on 12th November 1918. after successful attack, in consolidation doubt, however, that apart from this, confined. She had succumbed to the influenza of ground won. concrete shelter gives much moral epidemic sweeping across Europe, her In connection with defence or attack, protection. The difficulty in the field was Camouflage official cause of death being cited as as is well known, camouflage played an to get clean materials to the site; to As everyone knows now, the science pneumonia. Ironically that flu epidemic important part, while the operations of overcome this both the Germans and of camouflage had great prominence in would proceed to claim more victims than our survey companies covered the whole ourselves evolved portable concrete this war. The art is an old one, but the the Great War that had claimed the life of field. Nor must we forget the arduous block construction, the block being made credit of organizing a department to her husband Arthur Armer. and often heroic work done by our of good stuff at a well-equipped factory in apply it scientifically in the field belongs “special service” engineers both in attack the rear of the fighting zone, and properly to the French. It called for much study, "I MUST GO DAD IT IS MY DUTY TO GO" – and defence, nor the forecasts of our seasoned before being sent up. Towards Sapper H Brown, REs 5 6 and the art of producing invisibility under by noting the direction of the bullet mark nervous strain on our men was very great action at Elouges and then helped different circumstances of light and in a couple heads so placed, the position in consequence, but towards the end of protect the right flank of II Corps at le shade became very highly developed. of the sniper could often be located. the war, having acquired sufficient lights, Cateau. After actions in the battles of the Good camouflage makes for small we began to establish an illuminated belt Marne and Aisne the 4DGs were losses, particularly so among the BETTER ONE CROWDED HOUR OF along our whole front, and some 2,000 to seriously involved at Ploegstreet then at gunners and their guns. GLORIOUS LIFE THEN A CENTURY 6,000 yards behind the front trenches. Neuve Chapelle and Messines. Railston The increase of aeroplanes on both WITHOUT A NAME – CSM Collcutt, This belt was provided with rows of was killed on 31st October “whilst sides kept our special works parks very Cheshire Regt searchlights three to four deep: the gallantry trying, under heavy fire, to busy, for it became necessary to conceal result, in co-operation with our night- rescue a French peasant woman”. whole positions. The extent of their Searchlights flying squadron, was so effective, that in The career of Arthur Mordaunt Mills is operations may be gathered from the Our searchlight organisation began in a short time enemy bombing almost described in “Several Battalion total output, which amounted to:- 1915 with only six 60-centimetre ceased in those areas. Commanders. In summary, after service projectors, brought out for the protection During our great advance at the end of in the Boer War with the Devon’s he Painted canvas sheets 959,000 sq yds of General Headquarters at St.Omer. the war, anti-aircraft searchlights were no joined the 18th Lancers and with them he Wire netting 6,000,000 sq yds In 1916 it was increased in order to longer required as such, but the lights went to France in 1914. He transferred Fish netting 7,000,000 sq yds protect the lines of communications, but became very useful for night bridging to command the 17th Covers for guns 15,000 sq yds heavy losses from enemy machine guns, operations. in 1916 and won his first DSO. After Road screening 850,000 sq yds fired from their low-flying aeroplanes, The personnel of our reverting back to the Lancers he won two soon brought our searchlights to the searchlight sections Bars to his DSO for actions west of In addition to the above, our artists front, where they did excellent work. was largely recruited Cambrai in December 1917 and in were very ingenious in designing It was found, however, that the 60- from the London and Palestine (1918). He served as Aide de camouflaged observation posts in centimetre projector was not powerful Tyne electric Camp to King George V, gained the rank parapets, trees, and so on, and not the enough. It was replaced gradually by the engineers, and of Major-General and was knighted in least of their inventions was an imitation 90-centimetre projector, and in 1917 the numbered 3,000 of all ranks by the date 1938. in canvas and wood of an infantry attack co-operation of these lights with anti- of the Armistice. …….. To be continued Sitting to the right of Mills is Francis moving across “No Man’s Land.” These aircraft guns became effective either in Aylmer Maxwell. For services as a were most useful to deceive the enemy bringing down enemy planes, or in POLO TOURNAMENT WINNERS Lieutenant on the North West Frontier as to the true point of attack in forcing them to fly at altitudes from 6,000 (Front Photo c/o History of the 19th King (India) he gained the DSO in 1898. connection with our numerous raids on to 12,000 feet, thus tending to make their George’s Own Lancers 1858-1921,) Serving in the Boer War he earned the his trenches. Snipers’ suits were also bombing operations inaccurate. Victoria Cross at Sanna’s Post. designed to the number of 4,000, which, Our searchlight detachments in front Besides Mills the other 3 members of “Lieutenant Maxwell was one of three harmonizing with the sandbags or grass areas were often themselves heavily the winning team justify mention. Going officers not belonging to ‘Q’ Battery RHA, against which the sniper was working, bombed; the detachments were very clockwise on the front photo starting top specially mentioned by Lord Roberts as allowed him to get close up to his plucky in sticking to their posts while right is the short stature of Lieutenant having shown the greatest gallantry and objective. working their lights – anyone who has Spencer Julian Wilfred Railston. He was disregard of danger in carrying out the Towards the end of the war, when our experienced air-raids at close quarters on leave in England when war was self-imposed duty of saving the guns of Army Headquarters had to advance into will realize the sort of courage that is declared and like many other officers on that battery during the affair at Korn the devastated territories, whole trains required. leave from India found employment at Spruit on 31st March 1900 …”. and camps were camouflaged against In June, 1918, a night-flying aeroplane once with the Expeditionary Force. At the outbreak of WW1 he was probable enemy bombing. squadron became available for He was attached to the 4th Dragoon Military Secretary to the Viceroy of India During the monotonous period of employment with anti-aircraft resources, Guards (4DG) and whilst there is no and could not be spared from that trench warfare the camouflage sculptors and about this time we asked for still specific mention of him in their War Diary position until May 1916. He was at once provided us with exact imitations of more powerful projectors, of 120 he would share with the 4DGs their given command of the 12th Battalion “Private Thomas Atkins’s” head. These, centimetres. experiences. The first unit of the BEF to Middlesex Regiment which he soon when put up on the parapet, were a All this time enemy bombing of front exchange fire with the Germans north of made one of the best fighting battalions certain draw to the enemy’s sniper, and areas had been increasing, and the Mons on 22nd August they saw serious in the Army. Then as Commandant of 7 8 the 27th (Lowland) Brigade he gained yet SKIN WANTED: Peter Bamford MUSEUM REPORTS Perpetual peace needs a creator greater glory around Arras in spring 1917 War grows more hideous year by year and later at Ypres. He gained a bar to I came across this rather unusual King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum, Souls are flung before their maker his DSO for ‘conspicuous bravery and request in the ‘Personal’ column of the Lancaster: Peter Donnelly leadership’.Yet we He think was our killed conscience by a sniper clear on Times dated 28th April 1915: 17th SeptemberShall we dare1917 to afterask God’shis Brigade blessing This spring will see the launch of a set had madeOn a oursuccessful instruments attack of warin the third “SKIN – OFFICER REQUIRES 4in. by of World War One trench maps printed Battle ofOther Ypres. nations For fondly many caressing years 3in. of SKIN to cover wound and expedite from originals in the King’s Own afterwards Thoughtson the thatanniversary they God’s of chosen his are his return to duty: opportunity for Museum’s collection, in partnership with death there appeared a brief notice on unselfish patriot.” Yorkshire based printing firm G H Smith the front page of the Times: “Frank & Sons. O God of battles is our cry Hear the cry of wounded soldier Maxwell, the bravest of the brave.” The follow up article was published in The selected maps include two from With victory crown our arms againMidst the carnage and the strife Finally, top left, is Frederick S Gwatkin. refrain! the edition of 30th April. the Macedonian Front, one used in th “For God’s sake give me water” He served withThe foethe also18 to LancersGod draws in nigh September 1918 by Lieutenant Richard France during OWW1 God ofearning battles the is their DSO As he battles for his life Brown who was awarded the Albert and MC. He gained the rank of Major- Medal in 1917 and one covering the area General and was knighted in 1942. His Shall we then our friendships sever? of Givenchy, France, where the 1st/4th two sons served in the Indian Army and Shall we then unsheath the sword? and 1st/5th Battalions of the King’s Own he suffered the tragedy of both being Shall we then ha saw action in April 1918. The Givenchy th killed on 14 March 1945 in Burma. Shall we sow and reap discord ? map, although from just after the period, They are buried side by side in Tankkyan shows the position where 2nd Lieutenant Lo! We hear a vesound war inforever? wonder War Cemetery. Joseph Henry Collin, of the 1st/4th That does set our hearts aglow Battalion, won his posthumous Victoria WAR POEM: Michael Holmes (+S) Voices like a clap of thunder Cross. The replica maps are due to be Peeling forth a mighty “No!” on sale soon from the museum shop. My maternal grandfather wrote a poem The museum is very pleased to (extract below) just before he died on the Where are the seed of British race? receive the original wooden grave marker in November 1916. It portrays a Thrown to the winds with bonds of blood cross from the grave of Herbert Edward graphic illustration of his feelings and Be friends of Peace, the foes of hate Adkins of the King’s Own. Private Adkins, observations at some of the horrors of Upholders of the common good originally of the Army Ordnance Corps that war. Whilst he was not an educated transferred to the 8th Battalion, King’s Peace in thought, as well as deed man, the poem cannot but strike some Own, in the autumn of 1918 and served Peace in motive and in prayer emotion in a reader. (the full poem can as an infantry soldier until the war ended. be seen on our website) Peace in heart as well as creed He then transferred to the 1st/5th And at and everywhere Battalion and saw service in Belgium as Dedicated to His Most Gracious part of the army of occupation. He fell ill Majesty King George the Fifth in early December and died on the 16th December, probably from the influenza Hear O King of mighty nation Private Edward Darlington Loyal “Let there be Peace” epidemic. In the 1920’s the wooden cross N.L.Reg’t. (died, 20.11.1916) Most illustrious Sire was replaced by the War Graves (Michael Holmes attended his first Where’ere the need for arbitration Commission by a Portland Stone Branch meeting in March and mentioned May thy labours never tire headstone. Private Adkins’s family, who to me his grandfather’s poem. TD) Gracious Sire when thine the task lived in Leytonstone requested that the

Peace to make or for to mar Unfortunately I can find no further wooden cross be sent to them on I AM HERE AS THE RESULT OF articles on whether the procedure was replacement and since then the cross Grant the prayer thy people ask UNCIVILIZED NATIONS – Corp. J C Banish all grim thoughts Goodall, 26th Aus Inf undertaken nor of its result. has remained in the hands of Iris, 9 10

of war daughter of Private Adkins. Iris, now several examples but this was something established the Lancashire Fusiliers as collection of artefacts is in storage aged 93 years old, presented the cross to special. Regimental Museums are one of England’s most celebrated pending negotiations with other the museum’s collection, along with his “People Museums” not “War Museums” regiments when it won the famous “Six museums and institutions as to its future. medals and memorial plaque. The cross and the objects in the collection exist to VCs before breakfast.” Sayres did not The King’s Liverpool Museum has is a wonderful addition to the museum’s tell the story of the Regiment and it’s land in the first assault but was later nothing to report. collection. The museum has no crosses people. This Webley Revolver certainly wounded and returned to England to and whilst they do survive they are few had several stories to tell. convalesce. Manchester Regiment Archive, Sketches and far between. The museum is most On recovery the now Captain Sayres of the 17th: Larysa Bolton – Archivist grateful to Iris and her family for this played a part in the raising of the 20th Tameside (+P) generous donation to the King’s Own Battalion or the Fourth Salford Pals. collection. However in 1916 he was posted to the One of the series of records that forms It is planned that the cross will go on 2nd Battalion then preparing for the part of the Manchester Regiment Archive display along with other material relating offensive planned for June of that year. is that of Personal Documents. This to the aftermath of the First World War It was on the 1st July 1916, shortly after series generally contains records of covering the 1919-1924 period. 9am, that Captain H W Sayres while service, letters of appointment, service The first story concerned it’s discovery commanding C Company was killed in and discharge certificates, pocket books, SONS AS YET UNBORN SHALL READ in a charity shop in Leicester where it fell what is recorded in the regimental history correspondence etc. The records are HOW BRITISH SONS MET BRITAIN'S out of a bundle of donated clothing. as the “first serious barrage” to hit the arranged by individual and each packet NEED. REST WELL BRAVE HEART – However who donated the clothes and Battalion. His body was recovered and offers something exciting and unique. Gunner A Smith, RFA how the revolver came to be included he is now buried at Sucrerie Military One such collection is that of 9210 may never be known. The second story Cemetary . Private Thomas Brough, 17th Battalion, Fusilier Museum: Mike Glover (Curator) involved Sergeant Richard Matlock of the However you may think that the story E Company Platoon no. XVII. Leicester Police who secured the may have ended there. However Manchester Regiment (MR3/17/141). Final preparations are now in place for revolver and carried out an investigation Sergeant Matlock is continuing his Pte Brough joined the 17th Battalion the move of the Fusilier Museum and to establish if the weapon had been used researches and is determined to bring Manchester Regiment at on Headquarters from Bolton Road to Moss in crime. The story could have ended the story of this gallant Lancashire fusilier 18 January 1915. We know from the Street in Bury. It is sad that the link here with the weapon being sent for officer to life and members of the Sayres small number of service records that established in 1873 between the 20th destruction. However Sergeant Matlock family are making contact with the survive for him that he was 27 years of Foot, then the East Devonshire was also an enthusiastic amateur museum. The story goes on….! age when he enlisted and was five feet Regiment, later the Lancashire Fusiliers historian and he had become fascinated seven inches in height with hazel hair and Wellington Barracks will be broken. by the Webley. TO US A GRAVE TO HIM THE and brown eyes. He lived in Hollinwood, However sentiment did nothing to He established that a Lieutenant Hugh RAINBOW'S END – 2nd Lt. C S Gillespie, Oldham, with his wife Sarah, whom he improve the condition of the Lancashire Sayres purchased the .455 Webley in Loyals had married in 1913, and had previously Fusilier Collection and has to be 1912 before he went out to join the 1st been employed as a fireman. balanced against reality. The reality is Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers in Liverpool Scottish: Ian Riley (Honorary The 17th Battalion spent the early part that to stay in Wellington Barracks would India. The Webley was a very fine Secretary) of 1915 in training at Grantham and Lark have led to a terminal decline in the state example of its type and cost three times Hill, Sailsbury Plain, before departing for of the Lancashire Fusilier Collection and more to manufacture than the later As reported last November, the France on 8 November that year. They ultimately to the closure of the Fusilier standard issue Webley. Sayres joined Trustees of the Liverpool Scottish arrived at Covin on 7 December to Headquarters in Bury. The move to the the 1st Battalion in India and was with the now have an office receive tuition in trench warfare. The new location will in one stroke secure Battalion when war was declared. The in New Zealand House, Water Street, battalion went on to fight at the Maricourt both the future and the past of the 1st Battalion found itself in 86 Brigade, Liverpool. Archive material (documents, Sector, at the Somme, Montauban, Fusiliers in Lancashire. with other Fusilier battalions and part of photos etc) can be viewed there by Trones Wood and , and in the The Collection recently acquired a the new 29th Division. On the 25th April appointment on Wednesdays and at Arras Sector and at Ypres. An invaluable fascinating object in the form of a Webley 1915 the Battalion landed on “W” Beach other times by arrangement (phone Mr description of these battles and the Revolver. The Museum already has on the Gallipoli Peninsular and Dennis Reeves on 0151 645 5717). The activities of the 17th Battalion is available 11 12 in printed form in the Record of the First Loyal North Lancashire Regiment are stand in Gloster Road until 8.30am. year but having missed last November’s City Brigade (16th, 17th, 18th, 19th currently on display in the museum with Seeing themselves outflanked on both Despatch we catch up on 2008 here. Battalions, the Manchester Regiment). other material donated by his relatives in sides by the enemy they were forced to our archives. withdraw to [?] Willows where they dug 390132 C. Serjt. Maj. Thomas William Watts joined the in. Casualties 3 Officers wounded, 2 (Will) MANKTELOW, DCM 1st Battalion Loyal Officers wounded and missing, 16 Queen Victoria's Rifles (QVR): 9th Bn. North Lancashire Officers missing, 2 Ors Killed, 27 Ors The London Regt. Regiment in 1889 wounded, 384 Ors missing.’ and served in the It wasn’t until February 1919 that Mrs 2nd Anglo-Boer Watts received official confirmation that War. According to his ‘Small Book’ he her husband had died. For many months was ‘mentioned in Earl Robert’s she asked her husband’s colleagues if despatch to the Secretary of State for they had heard any news. A letter from War, 4th September 1901.’ Thomas Bennett, a soldier in the 1/5th After 19 years of service with the 1st Battalion and also Albert’s friend seemed Battalion he was then posted to the 5th to confirm the worst. The letter, written Battalion. Watts was with this Battalion from a POW camp in 1918, states ‘Now when he arrived in France in February when I left him, our own Doctor had seen 1915. Up until his death in November him and he seemed to think his chance 1917 he sent postcards home to his wife of recovery was doubtful. He was then and 5 children. The majority wished outside our own little Dugout…. He was them Happy Birthday etc, but the seen again two hours afterwards in the occasional one described life in the same place by Private Percy Ashworth trenches. who said he was then being attended to On 30th November 1917 R.S.M. Watts by two German Red Cross men,…. under was killed in action. The Battalion had the circumstances his case certainly In 1914 at the age of 19, Will enlisted Amongst Pte Brough’s papers is a been taking part in the Cambrai seems doubtful.’ in the QVR, the London Regt. By the small notebook. This contains various operations. This was the first battle Watts was 46 years old when he died summer of 1918 he was a Company notes and lists but also a series of pencil where there had been no preliminary and is commemorated on the Cambrai Sergeant Major with a Distinguished sketches depicting trench life. They are artillery bombardment; instead tanks Memorial at Louverval. Conduct Medal. By August 1918 the incredibly detailed and reveal quite a were used to cut through the German German advance had stalled at th talent. There is a detailed sketch of the wire. The attacks started on the 20 and his unit was part of the general November and initially Allied advances HE GAVE HIS HEART TO HIS LOVE AND advance eastward, north of the River front of the billet on Rue de Lille in Ypres HIS LIFE TO HIS COUNTRY – Capt. were remarkable but the breakthrough Somme. It was here, on the 24th August, dated 14 October 1916, which may have Kyrke-Smith, The Kings (Liv) been drawn either by Pte Brough or Pte was not achieved. The Germans then near Bray that he was killed in action. Lee of the Kings Liverpool Regiment launched a counter attack. It was during His Company Commander wrote to his along with various depictions of guns, the counter attack that Watts lost his life. 2008 ON THE SOMME: David & Pat expectant widow to say that he had been equipment and fellow soldiers. Copies of The extract from the Battalion War Shackleton buried at Bronfay Farm Military these are on our website Diary for that day reads ‘Heavy German Cemetery. bombardment along whole of front We have enjoyed spending our Almost 90 years later in 2007, the R.S.M. Albert Watts M.C. D.C.M: Jane followed by strong flank attack. Front line summers at on the Somme family, who now live in Canada, visited Davies (Curator, QLR Museum) (+P) Captain surrounded, nothing definite since 2003. We are now fully “adopted” for the first time to pay their respects. known as to what exactly happened. by our kind villagers and inevitably see They were astonished to find, even with

Enemy seen approaching Gloster Road and learn of things which may interest their evidence, that Will had no The medals awarded to R.S.M. Albert from direction of Sherwood in great readers of Despatch. We hope to report headstone, nor was there even a Watts, M.C. D.C.M. of the 1/5th Battalion numbers at about 8am. Battn. HQ made on “things” in the November issue each headstone to an unknown soldier of his 13 14 regiment. By chance whilst there, they When the coffin was lowered into the were fortunate to meet Paula Kesteloot, FONDLY REMEMBERED BY HIS grave, the Dutchmen placed on the coffin an English lady with an interest and LOVING WIFE LOYAL BROTHER the sole item which identified the soldier, knowledge of the Great War, who lives in AND UNSEEN SON his metal shoulder title. We were all Albert. With her help, they contacted PROGENIE VIVAT visibly moved. CWGC at Beaurains, who informed the family that because no marker existed, The continuing work of the CWGC his name was commemorated on the Vis- en-Artois Memorial. Not only does the CWGC maintain the But this story is simply yet another cemeteries but it is also responsible for thank you to the continuing excellent burying the remains of soldiers who even work done by the CWGC, without whose now are found in France and Belgium. We are sure when these young men dedication, our visits to the Western Although burials are not uncommon, little left for the front they would never have Front and elsewhere would have a great or no publicity is given by the CWGC and envisaged such funerals. May they rest in peace. deal less meaning. On 24 August 2008, it is usually the gardeners who spread separately either side of “The Beat” in the th on the 90 anniversary of his death, Jane the information. ONE DAY OUR LORD WAS GATHERING direction of the “Shot at Dawn”. In this

,Will’s granddaughter and family returned On a particularly vile day in April 2008, FLOWERS AT EVENTIDE HE GATHERED manner of advance we hoped to miss to France to witness the unveiling of his we were fortunate to attend two burials in OURS – Pte L Shilton, Lancs Fus nothing of significance. Passing grave marker, now “Buried elsewhere in the Somme Department, both of memorials to REME, the Logistics Corps, THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL this cemetery” These are her words, unidentified soldiers of the Gloucester and the Lancashire Constabulary we ARBORETUM: Terry Dean (+S) "It is truly a heart warming story. I regiment. The first burial in Ovillers paused to admire the Royal Tank discovered after my father's death a letter Military cemetery was of a body found in Regiment plinth bearing a replica WW1 After checking the weather forecasts I from the Captain of the QVR to my nearby La Boiselle. There were few tank. set off in late March on my first visit to the grandmother attesting to the location of spectators in the driving rain but the Rev. The statue in honour of the Royal National Arboretum. Joe Hodgson who my grandfather's burial site. As no David Kennedy, chaplain for Nord & Pas Corps of Signals was the next to be had visited there twice and still had headstone was ever erected, it has been de Calais officiated, in the presence of a admired before we viewed the Roll of unfinished business kept me company. carved this year (2008) and is only being British Attaché from Paris and a Honour to those members of the My mission was to photograph the put in place now, as a result of me representative of the Gloucester Showmen’s Guild who made the plaque for William Stones in the “Shot at sending a copy of this Company regiment. supreme sacrifice. This included a panel Dawn” memorial. Stones is mentioned in Commander's letter as verification to the After welcome refreshments at for the Lancashire Section. We then took my talk “Several Battalion Commanders” CWGC.. My father was only given the we proceeded to London the shortest route across the soggy turf and his trial is the subject of our October box of letters and information about his cemetery at High wood. Here the party to the “Shot at Dawn” for photos and meeting. father when HE was a senior citizen. was swelled by a group of New planting of poppy crosses provided by After our 2 hour journey from Preston Until then, he had not known that his Zealanders who were staying nearby. Joe. we arrived in time for several essential mother had married his father's older The unknown Gloucester had the We then made out way to the sips of coffee before attending the daily brother after his real father's death. The additional honour of having his coffin centrepiece Armed Forces Memorial via act of remembrance at 11.00 a.m. in the man he knew as "father" was indeed his piped to his grave, despite the cold and the Soroptimist’s Garden. The Memorial Millennium Chapel. This includes Last uncle. My grandmother was only 3 rain, by a New Zealand ex-pat piper! has panels remembering those killed Post, silence and Reveille. It was month's pregnant with dad when her The body had been found near each year in conflicts since WW2. It is followed by short briefing about the husband was killed. I only wish my dad by two Dutchmen and the “striking and emotive and is quickly Arboretum which was of such perfect were here to see what has happened rumour, soon to be stated as fact, was assuming national significance”. From duration that the remains of our secreted over the past year. It would have been that all his remaining artefacts had been there we negotiated the temporary coffee in the Visitor Centre were at ideal the highlight of his life." Jane removed from his body. (When visiting pathways back to the Visitor Centre for temperature to expedite our mission. Manktelow-Hutchings, Canada the Somme, beware of rumours and facts lunch. Our campaign plan was to view the The Inscription on Will’s grave marker disseminated by some experts!) In the afternoon we allotted two hours Royal Engineers memorial then proceed reads: to reach the far flung Western Front 15 16 Association memorial and others en through this delightful part of the objective of the trip was the next stage of site to the south of Pheasant Wood. route there and back. The Gallipoli our cycle odyssey of the Western Front Following preliminary investigations the Memorial was passed on the right covering the section from la Bassee burial site had been marked by a plaque. followed by a diversion to the left to view canal to Plugstreet. Initially, however, we a Bofors (?) Gun on the Defensively sped to woods southwest of Cambrai to Equipped Merchant Ship Memorial. As view the terrain over which “Several the wind started to bite we moved north- Battalion Commanders” attacked in eastwards along the bank of the River 1917. Tame. Partway Joe wisely waited at Next day bikes and L were transported Special Forces Memorials whilst I went to from Arras to the 55th Division Memorial view the WFA’s effort. in Givenchy where we recommenced our I was disappointed to find little to justify odyssey. Thanks to L we were armed in Yorkshire Dales. the trek. Only a few memorial plaques our map cases with 1:25,000 IGN maps Our objective was the camp used by and saplings were to be seen and I left showing the main trench lines and our the Leeds Pals in Colsterdale but first we wondering what further was planned. As route for the day. Additionally my PDA visited Masham Station (now a cafe) Joe and I made our way back to the (mini-computer) was on my handlebars where the Pals arrived from Leeds before Visitor Centre for a cuppa before linked to GPS showing our position on A temporary access road had been a six mile march up the valley. At Harry's departure we bypassed enough trench maps as we moved along. built to Pheasant Wood and temporary request the cafe owner laid out a vast memorials to justify another visit in the A diversion was necessary to get near buildings had been delivered nearby display of photographs showing the future. the Boars Head south of Richebourg and where examination of remains, including station in 1914. A further stop was made Subsequently I have been in contact it was here that I noticed the DNA testing, will take place. A new at Fearby village where Shaun ( pub with Jonathan Dale, Chairman of the supplementary power cable to my PDA cemetery location had been marked out landlord ) opened up the village hall so Birmingham Branch who is leading on had snapped. This coincided with me that day in a field opposite the church. that we could examine the WW1 the WFA Memorial. Proposals for “our” realising that viewing the trench maps Following examination of remains burials Memorial and photographs. A quick pub memorial have recently been agreed by was not easy in the ambient light will progressively take place in the new lunch and off again up the valley. the National Trustees of the WFA and conditions when at the same time cemetery site. When all the remains The history of this camp is well approved, in principle, by the Arboretum. avoiding pot holes. The broken cable have been examined and the cemetery documented in 'The Leeds Pals' by An £8m appeal has also been launched had forced an early conclusion that completed, probably August next year, it Laurie Milner and Harry had very by the Arboretum to completely revamp Linesman trench maps via PDA on is understood the final remains will be thoughtfully reproduced a few to show us the site and the WFA’s memorial location handlebars is not recommended! interred and the cemetery what the camp was like in 1914. He then could be moved as part of the master From Richebourg our outward route commemorated in a special ceremony. gave us an excellent guided walk round plan. A visual of the WFA’s proposals is was to the north of Aubers Ridge Staying overnight in Armentieres we the site. The foundations of all the in the supplementary report. The cost is travelling southeast of Neuve Chapelle viewed the impressive environmental barracks, toilet blocks etc can still be about £120,000. then through Mauquissant, Fauquissart, improvements that had and were taking easily seen. The National Arboretum would make Petillon, les Rouges Bancs, le Touquet, place. My friend Trevor, who has a This was an excellent day out and and excellent venue for a Branch visit. and the industrial zone of Chapelle healthy scepticism for mapping systems somewhere that must be visited by all Over to our visit organiser ……… Armentieres to Ennetieres. We called “to commented: “If you have ever spent time WW1 enthusiasts. say hello” at cemeteries en route and marking trench lines on a French IGN

COLSTERDALE VISIT: Andrew Brooks looked for notable grave inscriptions. map from WW1 guide books and not LINESMAN GOES TO FRANCE (& TD) (+P) Our return to Givenchy was to the been sure when you get in the field they (+S) south of Aubers Ridge and on reaching bear any relationship to reality you will

A small party of eleven, from the North Fromelles failed in our quest for a cup of appreciate this software, particularly if On 20th April Linesman (L) had its first Lancs branch and members of the tea but found things happening on the your friend buys it .…overall a good journey through the Tunnel to justify my Bradford Mechanics Institute assembled Fromelles project. Work is to start shortly system”. The following morning we investment in it (for detail of the system at Masham to be guided by Harry Taylor recovering remains of British and started at the New Zealand Memorial see www.greatwardigital.com). The Australian soldiers from a mass burial (Cite Bonjean Cemetery) and it was here 17 18 we became aware of the New Zealand Some of the surplus stones would At my request, Graham wore his its castle, the Northumberland Fusiliers Government’s policy on not permitting presumably be used in small communal 'decadent' waistcoat, with which N. Lancs Museum and RAF Boulmer; possibly in grave inscriptions. cemeteries, some being moved into Branch members will be familiar. September. From there L had our route via Military cemeteries at a later date. Others The January Branch meeting was Lastly I would "plug" our Summer Chapelle-d’ Armentieres, hugging the were erected alongside original Portland taken up by a talk by Branch Member Luncheon (3 courses) and Talks at front line to Frelinghien from where we stone at the time the cemetery was made Frank Walmsley on the "White Lund, Hundith Hill Hotel, Cockermouth on sallied north to Plugstreet Wood enduring and still exist. Morecambe Munitions Factory explosion Sunday 21 June (10am - 2.30pm), with the poor road conditions for cyclists en After the war, around 4000 headstones and other Munitions Factory explosions." tea/coffee on arrival, when we will have route. …………Continued on back page a week were being made to replace the The topic attracted attention from far the eminent speakers, Bryn Hammond original wooden grave markers. What a afield, and we even had a Fire Brigade (Cambrai 1917 - the myth of the first ONLY A BOY BUT HE GAVE HIS ALL task and one which was not completed historian travelling from Ox & Bucks to great tank battle) and Peter Hart (Haig) at -Pte W P Edwards (18) Somerset LI until 1939. hear the talk. He has, subsequently, a total cost of £16. This is a delightful

The Commission’s principles that each supplied supplementary information venue, with magnificent views, and we DEAR EDITOR, of the dead should be commemorated by about the White Lund explosion. To my hope many other branches will be name on a headstone or monument , mind this, in part, is what the WFA helps represented, at what should be a good Corsehill Stone which is permanent, uniform and with no to achieve, i.e. bringing together like day. The hotel is also offering discounted You invited comments on your article distinction made on account of civil or minded people to share fellowship and rates for anyone wishing to stay entitled “CWGC Headstone Mystery” in military rank, race or creed, have been knowledge relating to the First World overnight. last November’s Despatch. strictly adhered to. I can think of no War. Almost all WW1 headstones are of reason why the Commission should keep On a more personal note, I attended BRANCH AFFAIRS Portland stone, although now, any new a record of the colour of the stone. the lecture in the Guards' Chapel, stones are made of Botticino limestone, it As far as I am aware, there are no red London on 21 January, when Franky being a more durable material. stones in Belgium. Maybe someone has Bostyn, Curator of the Passchendaele There are, however, certainly 4 war some further information? David Museum, gave the audience a In the light of Alan Lenord’s decision to cemeteries in France in which the stones Shackleton fascinating talk about WWI tunnels under relinquish his post as Secretary with are all in red Corsehill stone, Meaulte Flanders fields, which were excavated in effect from June Andrew Brooks is Military, Courcelles-au-Bois Communal Note: Roger Bird, of the CWGC at the 1990's, but which have been sealed considering possibilities for Alan’s Cemetery Extension, Mesnil Communal Beaurains, comments that Botticino again because exposure to the air was replacement. If necessary, Andrew will Cemetery Extension, Mesnil-Martinsart limestone headstones are not always resulting in their deterioration. We were temporarily perform the role of Secretary and Bailleulmont Communal. used in preference to Portland stone. In told that some of the tunnels are starting with help from Barrie Bertram and yours This stone was used as an some conditions Portland stone is more to collapse, sometimes with devastating truly. Barrie will take responsibility for “experiment” to see if it would wear less durable. (TD) effects, as witnessed by one farmer's the Branch’s equipment (laptop, quickly than Portland stone. wife, who disappeared into one when the projector, speakers etc) and I will liaise There are also a few known to me in BOB’S CORNER: Bob Matthews – floor of one of the farmhouse rooms with the WFA on our input to the national which the stones are mixed, Montreuil Chairman, Cumbria Branch WFA caved in. I was joined at the Chapel by website. aux Lions, Gouy-en-Artois Communal Peter Donnelly and former N. Lancs Cemetery Extension, Bleue Maison Everything has been fairly quiet on the Branch Member and now employee of Armistice Prize Military Cemetery, Eperlecques and "Cumbrian Front" since my last report in the IWM, Fergus Read. another (name forgotten!) near Cambrai. issue 2 of the "Despatch." 26 members By the time this article is published Following the report in last November’s How could this mixing occur? and friends did, however, enjoy an Cumbria branch should also have Despatch and discussion at the AGM all It seems reasonable to assume that excellent Christmas Lunch at the enjoyed a day of fellowship with the public and private High Schools in when CWGC decided to trial the "George and Dragon," Dent, provided by North Northumberland Branch, who are Lancashire and the southern part of Corsehill stone, a number of stones were one of our members (Gary Kirby) and his scheduled to join us at the Border Cumbria up to the northern boundary of ordered from the quarry. The bulk were staff. This was followed by an excellent, Regiment Museum and the Solway the County Palatine were invited by email cut and despatched from UK to France entertaining and illuminating talk by Aviation Museum. They have very kindly in late January to submit entries for the and erected in Meaulte,Courcelles etc. Graham Kemp on "Submarines of WWI." suggested a reciprocal visit to Alnwick, 19 20 Armistice Prize in 2009. The following scheme. The email will also draw years hence on “E-Mails from the Front in points were made to schools: attention to this Issue of Despatch which We rightly regard the Great War as the the early 21st Century”! (Barrie Bertram) - Entries can take the form of can be viewed on our website. Please first global conflict, one that saw the poems, essays, news articles, do what you can to encourage entries. combined industrial might of nation cast Battle of Cambrai – 1917: March 2009 artwork, reports of visits, drama, against nation. In his highly interesting videos and others from eligible Report of Meetings talk on 5th January titled “Postcard With his inimitable style of presentation pupils. Messages from the Great War” however, involving use of overhead projector and - Eligible pupils should normally 10th (Service) Battalion West Yorkshire Andrew Brooks reminded us of another map handouts Niall Cherry commenced be in years 9 and 10 but Regiment - , 1st July 1916: facet, that of the explosion of the his presentation by describing the submissions can be from pupils November 2008 photographic images that would drop background to the November 1917 in other year groups if the through countless letterboxes carrying battle. In April 1917 it had been agreed school feels the entry to be Les McHugh became interested in the words that might appear mundane by with the French there would be dual particularly worthy. 49th West Riding Division as his uncle themselves. attacks later in the year. A key element - Entries should be sent by the served with them at Wood. After This mundanity was very soon for the attack was to be surprise with no Head of History, or equivalent to undertaking some research, Les dispelled as Andrew reminded us of his advance artillery preparation. Tanks [email protected]. discovered that the 10th West Yorkshires matchless skills in interpreting this were to make gaps in the German’s If it is not possible to email the had taken the most casualties on the first censor’s mark or that Forces Post Office barbed wire for the following infantry. submission because of its day of the Somme. The 10th West number to bring life and character to long The Tank Corps looked forward to the nature, then details of the Yorkshires were raised in York and forgotten and nameless faces serving in chance of the attack over good ground submission should be described fought at Fricourt on 1 July 1916 as part a particular theatre of war or a unit. We conditions. With poor prospects for and arrangements will be made of the 50th Brigade. Les described how, heard of a chap writing to his young lady offensive taking place at Ypres Haig for it to be considered. on 1 July 1916, two companies of the in Norwich telling her that the previous needed a success when on 13th October - Entries can be made at any time 10th West Yorkshires attacked at 7:30 week had been particularly rough, an he authorised the Cambrai operation. up to the closing date of 1st am. Philip Howe, whose account of his understatement considering that the The attack was launched in dull, misty October 2009. experiences is quoted in Martin Germans had been busy gassing and conditions on 20th November using 476 Consideration has been given to the Middlebrook's "The First Day of the attacking his unit on the Frenzenberg tanks supported by 289 aircraft, 1000 marking scheme for entries. It is Somme", was in one of these Ridge during Second Ypres. Andrew artillery pieces, 4 Divisions of cavalry and anticipated that the scheme will award companies. When the other two recounted the tale of Joseph Wilson infantry. The plan was for tanks to be marks on the basis of: companies followed, they took many seeking to mollify his parents over the used in groups of 3, each group - Content casualties from enfilade fire. news that his brother George was supported by 4 platoons of infantry. - Structure Les showed slides he had taken of the missing at Suvla Bay. We saw the effort, Unfortunately on the north flank the - Presentation Fricourt area to illustrate the attack. He even before the then IWGC busied attack plan was varied and the tanks also - Reasoning/understanding and spoke about the casualties which themselves, made to bring orderliness to met German gunners who had trained - Grammar/diction included Major James Leadbitter Knott the cemetery at Etaples. using the guns in anti-tank mode. To the This should fairly cover the vast DSO (whose body was later exhumed to One can only wonder at the numbers south there were problems in gaining majority of submission types mentioned be reburied with his brother in Ypres of postcards that were sent by all sides, bridges over the St Quentin Canal. The above. However special consideration Reservoir Cemetery) and the poet Lt A V and the combined figure must be in the initial 6 mile breach made to a depth of may be necessary for a submission that Ratcliffe. (Gaynor Greenwood) many hundreds of millions. Even with just 4000 yards in the German defences is entirely artwork or for any other a score of images from his collection, could not be exploited. Haig authorised submissions that do not lend themselves IT WAS GOD’S WILL IT SHOULD BE SO Andrew must be complimented on continuing attacks for a week before to the marking scheme envisaged. AT HIS COMMAND WE ALL MUST GO reminding us of this feature of the Great stopping the offensive. The Germans At the time of writing two schools have Pte J Jones South Lancs Regt War, and that it involved the “little counter-attacked on 30th November and sent in a total of six entries. people” just as much as it did the “great the battle ended on 5th December. An email will be sent out shortly to all and the good”. A good talk with which to Niall felt the battle was “just about a schools reminding them of the Armistice Post Card Messages from the Great War: kick off 2009, and I, for one, am greatly victory for the BEF”. British casualties Prize and giving details of the marking January 2009 looking forward to his follow up talk 90 were 45,000 compared to the German’s 21 22 50,000. Two-thirds of the tanks were had arrived. Unwin won a VC for single- lost. Delays and hesitation caused the handedly undertaking a rescue mission A FAVOURITE failure. (TD) for the wounded. Many Staff Officers POSTCARD: needlessly lost their lives by becoming Andrew Brooks V Beach Landings, Gallipoli, 25 April too involved at the ‘sharp end’ rather than The card 1915: April 2009 directing operations. The village was illustrated was eventually stormed but the Turks had drawn in 1916 To a full house Peter gave a already withdrawn to their next line of by Corporal J. fascinating and entertaining talk on the V defence. Porterfield of Beach landings, questioning a lot of Peter summarised the action as rather the Machine commonly held beliefs. Turkish forces than being the British being overcome by Gun Corps. lacked machine gun capability and were insuperable odds, it was the Turks who The card was incapable of covering all possible landing had the odds stacked against them; the published and sites. W & V beaches had no MGs and defeat being caused by incompetent printed by only a single company covered each. planning and stupidity in allowing C.W.Kilby of Only a handful of troops covered Y & X reserves forces to come up during the the Rupert beaches. There was, however, a brigade battle. (Peter Bamford) Press in Leicestershire. As well as being Linesman in France (cont’d from Page 19) in reserve to reinforce wherever needed. a very humorous postcard the message Here one of L’s last jobs was to pinpoint The Allied attack was dispersed across Programme of Future Meetings in 2009 written on the reverse is interesting. the Cross of Sacrifice in the Military five beaches. V Beach, a natural Cemetery against a 1918 trench map. It st amphitheatre, was not ideal but a plan JunA Brilliant 1 ; “HindenburgPartnership” and- Ludendorf – 19/4/17. was then back downhill to Armentieres via was devised by Royal Navy Officer Prof. John Derry Dear Ethel, Berks Cemetery Extension. Edward Unwin, to run aground on the just a card showing the way to th Cross of Sacrifice location beach in an old collier, the SS River JulThe 6 Naval: “Before Career the of MusicBaron SoundedGeorg-von- – "Victory". Just note the reins of this fiery Clyde, filled with troops. She grounded Trapp” steed. They are a cartridge belt. The 80 yards short; other assault troops and - Michael O’Brien lance is a cleaning rod used for cleaning sailors, in rowing boats, were subjected rd the bore of the gun. The figures to ‘murderous fire’ on approach and were Augover 3 East: “The Africa” China - Bob Affair Matthews – Airships represent England, France, Belgium & virtually wiped out. Attempts commenced to reach the Australian troops charging Kaiser, Crown beach from the River Clyde via special SepBattlefield 7th; “inPhotos the of the French Prince, King of Austria with the Turks in gangways fitted either side, and lighters - Michal Shiel full flight. Note the "Tri Vosges Mountains” brought forward to form a pontoon bridge good picture. I think & I hope you will give from the ship. Unwin and a seaman, it a place in your album th pod". This is a very William Williams attached a line to the Oct 5 : “The Trial of Willie Stones” With love from G.M. lighters and swam to the beach where - David Tattersfield Ethel did put the card in her album and they held the line. The troops using this many years later I removed it and it is Greaternd Game – Sportsmen who fell in route made an easy target; they took to Nov 2 : “Advertising in the Great War” now in my care for a few more years. the water but were soon overcome by the the Great War” - Paul Michel weight of their kit. After failure of the first attack another Dec 7th. AGM (7.15 pm) then “The Western Front Association, North Lancashire Branch attempt was made later in the morning Chairman: Stan Wilkinson Treasurer: Gaynor Greenwood with the same result, as by then, Turkish - Clive Harris Tel: 01524 262302 Tel: 01524 410750 reinforcements with a few machine guns & Christmas Social Secretary: Alan Lenord Editor: Terry Dean Tel: 01254 812092 Tel: 01772 864182 Mob: 07866 493210 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] 23 24 Website: www.wfanlancs.co.uk