F ro n tmp i ec e
n r o d P hoto :U n d e rwo od 8 U d e w o .
- - S ATE To o LT . C OL . A B S - L C O L . G R . . , T . O T Kw . N . C . o LT . C O L . , .
B a n . D . S . O B m C o m d . 2n d n ‘ 3 r d a t . C o m d g . g
l s t B a rt n . C om dg .
N O T E
P en d i n i e - be g the full p war history , which is to written by better hands , the very sketchy outline in
Part I . is given in order to form the connecting link between the Regiment in peace , since its formation , and the present time . It does not attempt to give the smallest idea of the hard work , often accomplished under disadvantageous
t circums ances , carried out by all ranks , which made possible the work done in the war . That the Regi m ent even now exists is solely due to Lieu t - Colonel Lord Bingham (now Brigadier
m General the Earl of Lucan) , whose cheery opti ism through the dark times previous to the birth of the
T erritorial Force was such a great tower of strength .
Any profits which may accrue from this pamphlet
’ will be given to the London Rifle Brigade P risoners
Aid Fund .
ct ober 6 . O , 1 91
C O N T E N T S
Pa rt I
Pa rt l l
S eco nd Ba tt alion
Third Ba t ta lion
Ad m ini st ra t ive C e n t re
Appen d ix A
Appe n dix B
Append ix C
App en d ix D
Appe n dix E
Appendix F
SH ORT H I ST O R Y
O F T H E L ON D ON RI FL E BR I G AD E
PART I .
“ t l s F o r m a t lo n . The London Rifle Brigade , formerly the London Volunteer Rifle Corps (City of London o fli ci Rifle Volunteer Brigade) , and now , ally, the 5th (City of London) Battalion The m London Regi ent , London Rifle Brigade , familiarly known to its members and the public generally by the sub - title or the abbreviation
2 rd 18 was founded July 3 , 5 9, at a m eeting convened by the Lord Mayor . It has always been intimately associated with the City i t s of London , companies being under the patronage of the various Wards . Within a week of its form ation the muster of the Regiment exceeded two battalions were form ed and headquart ers were taken at 8 e . r No , Great Winchester Street , where they m ained for 34 years , and subsequently in
Finsbury Pavement . In 1893 the Regim ent entered its present T headquarters in Bun hill Row . hese were de 3 - signed by the late Lieut . Colonel Boyes, erected
entirely from regimental funds , supplemented
by contributions from members of the Brigade , from various City Com panies and other frien ds m n of the Regi ent , and constitute the fi est build
ing of its kind in London . Since the formation of the Territorial Force these headquarters have been shared wi th the
Post Office Rifles .
H o n o a r fi r y Mr . Alderman Carter was at rst appointed
C o o n e . l l 1860 s e Honorary Colonel , but in it was sugge t d that a military Honorary Colonel would be more
appropriate than a civilian one , and Mr. Carter
H . H . (then Lord Mayor) approached R . the
Duke of Cambridge , who , in response to the
unanimous wish of the Regiment , accepted the
appointment , which he held until his death in a t 1904 . During this period he rarely missed
tending the annual inspection .
C o m m a n d In 1862 a resolution was passed at a meeting i n g o m oor e u that Regimental Commanding O fli ce rs should now and always be Offi cers of professional ex e ri e n e p c and ability. This tradition has been departed from on only two occasions prior to
the war , as shown in the list given on the
following page .
4
Colonel Cholmondeley was appointed to com mand the Mounted Infantry Section of the to which regi m ent the London Rifle
Brigade contributed 2 officers (Captain C . G . R .
Matthey and Lieutenant the Hon . Schomberg
M D n n e ll 8 . K . c o ) and 7 other ranks When the Volunteer Active Service Com 1 m panics were raised , 7 embers were accepted
for service with the Royal Fusiliers, and an additional 7 6 joined the I m perial Yeom anry and T he total death roll of the Regiment was
seven .
Colonel Cholmondeley , Lieutenant E . D .
m m - Johnson (I perial Yeo anry) , and Colour Ser
geant T . G . Beeton Infantry) were men t i on e d in despatches .
m G B . G R O U P S . Colonel Chol ondeley received the for
his services in South Africa, and Lieutenant the
. m M . G . Hon Rupert Guinness was ade a C . for
his work with the Irish Hospital . When the Coronation honours were a n n o un ce d 1 02 in 9 , Colonel Edward Matthey ,
D . V . O R , received the , a fitting award for his
long services to the Volunteer Force . Before
L . n R B . 1 joi ing the . in 873 as a private he had 1 already been 3 years in the Victoria Rifles . He 1 0 1 retired in 9 , having served in every rank . t he His interest in Regiment has been , and
still is , without limit .
The work he has done for its wel fare , while 4 To fa c e p a g e .
T H E C ON VEN T .
St !:t o 16 01 N ove m b e r 1 1 . , 9 4
6
T ournament and in the competitions of the Metropolitan Territorial School of Arm s Asso
ci a t i on . t h lot los . T he Battalion always took part in the various contests between the Territorial Regiments with
considerable success . The most notable of late were the following - The Marathon Race in the Territorial Championship of the London 1 1 H use District , 9 3, when Captain y and the London Rifle Brigade team won it in the record 12 1 . . time of hr . 33 min 37 sec the distance was
m . miles , fro Ewell to Stamford Bridge The national contest at Newport did not pro
duce such a good time , the London Rifle Brigade
1 1 sec . team winning it in hr . 48min . 4 The m arch to Brighton of 5 2 } miles for a
team of sixty of all ranks , in full marching 1 1 order , was accomplished in 9 4 by a London fl H use Ri e Brigade team , under Captain y and
1 . Lieutenant Large , in the record time of 4 hrs
2 3 min . The war has not given any other
battalion a chance to lower the latter record .
and it will assuredly take some doing . PART II .
The Battalion m obilised on the outbreak of war . It had actually gone into camp at East W bourne , but was brought back to London ithin a few hours of its arrival . A second and third Battalion were soon 0 formed . (See pp . 3 ,
R AL N FI ST BATT IO . Making stays of varying duration en route at m Wimbledon , Hersha , and Bisley (for three weeks) , the I st Battalion finally reached Crow borough , where it remained under canvas until ordered abroad .
N t h 1 1 . It embarked on ovember 4 , 9 4 The following were the officers
- Lieut . Col . W . D . Earl Cairns (Commanding) .
- Lieut . Col . (Hon . Col . ) C . G . R . Matthey ,
- - V . D i n . . (Second Command)
— T D r N . . . . Majo C King ,
— A . . . s . . . Captain S Bates , M H Soames , R H
H e . . . . us . y, C H F Thompson , H F
- A. . Ma cGea h . . m g , J R Somers S ith , L
L i t t . . n t o . . , and Hon Major C D Burnell
— . R . . O . . . . Lieutenants E tter, J G Robinson , G H
. Slessor . . Morrison , E . L . Large , P . A , H B e ho le . . . . C lm Price , A G Kirby , G H . y 8
— — . . K . . . . Second Lieutenants Forbes, G H G M
Cartwright , W. L . Willett , H . L . Johnston ,
. . T . . . C . W . revelyan , H G Vincent , G E S
Fursdon , G . C . Kitchin .
— t . . m Adjutan Captain A C Oppenhei ,
— m . . . Quarter aster . Lieutenant J R S Petersen — D T . . Ffice r . . Medical O . Maj or A D Ducat ,
T he following short account is writt en in constant rem em brance of the censorship regu la t i o n s , and with a view to giving a faint outline of its doings to those who were not out with the
I st Battalion in France . It will be an aid to m me ory to those who were with it , and are fortunate in being able to look back on a tim e when the I st Battalion undoubtedly reached its zenith . Never can any Battalion of the Regi m ent be better than was the l st London Rifle Brigade in
— 19 14 1 5 . That all will endeavour to be as good is quite certain . B The Battalion arrived in France . isem b a rk a t i on was a tedious business , and the pro gress through the town to the rest camp at the top of the hill was one of the worst forms of route march the Battalion had ever e xpe r i e n c e d . Frequent checks , but no halts , taught the true weight of packs and kit ! and a per fu n ct ory inspection on arrival at the camp com le t e d p the exhaustion . For the next three weeks the history of the Battalion was one common to those Territorial 0 units which were sent out as lone Battalions m un ce r about that time . It co prised a glorious
m tainty, which troops co ing out earlier and later in com plete divisions cannot have ex pe r i »
e n ce d . For instance , on landing it was learnt , quite by accident , but on excellent authority , that officers no longer wore S a m Browne belts or A carried swords . frantic rush at the last m oment procured web equip m ent just before the parade to entrain . Swords and belts were left at the base .
t h . T here was much to learn about entrainm ent N o v. 6
An in France . advance party had been sent m forward so e two hours earlier , and the rest of the Battalion and the transport were at the m T he station by 4 p . train was not due to leave until 9 p m . French trains and the French railway system becam e fam iliar later on in all m m m 0 their ra ifications , but at first Ho es 4 Chevaux (en long) 8 ” aroused suspicions that were only too well justified in the next 2 1§ hours T he before the train reached its destination . experience was not a unique one .
7 t . On arrival at General Headquarters it was N o v. h found that the Battalion was not even expected . and no arrangements had been m ade for the A night . fter a wait of three hours in the train , the Battalion m oved off into some old artillery
m m barracks, which were destined to beco e ore familiar later on . The quarters were, at that
m ti e , about as dismal and dirty as can be imagined . 10
o v. 8t h . The Battalion marched out some three and a half m iles to a large unfurnished and unfinished
convent , which accommodated the entire
strength . i There was no water laid on , no l ght , no m method of heating or of drying clothes , no fu i
ture , and no possibility of supplementing i n rations . The only bright spot was the first
t rod uct ion to the rum ration . w Training , hich consisted chiefly of trench
n digging a d artillery formation , was carried out
daily regardless of the weath er . The Battalion was apparently considered to be up to the required standard of efficiency and
hardness , or else the authorities had not the i t h heart to keep it there longer , for on the 5
orders were received to march the next day .
1 1 ov. 16 t h . The distance was 7} miles , and the roads a ée p v almost the whole way . There was also m so e rain . In spite , however , o f the absence of
other Battalions to keep them on their mettle .
not a single man fell out of the column .
1 7 i . c v. h Except for bruised feet , the march next day ,
1 1 . about miles , was not very trying Two
nights were spent at this town , where the Artists and Honourable Artillery Company were also
in billets . had While on the march it been possible , for
the first time, to see aeroplanes being shelled , a n d , while in these billets , the Battalion lea rnt what it meant to see the remnants of a Brigade come out of action .
1 t h . The Battal i on moved one stage nearer to N ov. 9
- the firing line in a snow storm .
- N 20t h . Brigadier General Hunter Weston paid the o v.
f . Battalion a visit , and addressed the O ficers He gave a short account of the 1 1t h Infantry
Brigade, which he commanded , and to which the
London Rifle Brigade was attached , and out
- lined the scheme of training . Half companies were to be attached to Regular Battalions for a spell in the trenches , the men being scattered amongst the Regulars . As soon as their worth
— m had been proved , half co panies were to be put in the line intact , and later whole companies . At dusk on this date half the Battalion pro ceeded via Ploegsteert to the trenches .
For some unknown reason the Battalion had N ov. not been permitted to adopt the “ double com ” pany system in England , but on this date the change was made with half the Battalion absent in the trenches .
1 A and D Companies became No . , under Major King .
2 E and O Companies became No . , m under Captain Soa es . ” G and P Companies became No . 3, under Major Burnell .
H and Q Companies became No . 4 . under Captain Bates . For the purposes of reference , these com a n i e s A D p will be referred to as , B , C , and
respectively , though , owing to the con fusion
that might have arisen with the old letters , this nom enclature was not actually adopted till after
the second battle of Ypres . Up to Decem ber 18t h the trench training of
the London Rifle Brigade continued . Platoons m m and whole co panies , gradually working ore m and ore on their own , were attached to the
. t h e Regulars When not actually in the line , whole day was invariably taken up with
fatigues of all kinds . A support line in the wood was remade and
named Bun hill Row .
It was during this period that t he Battalion gained the n icknam es London fatigue party “ or Fatigue Fifth , and other affectionate titles
which would not look well in print . The Battalion also learnt what it meant to “ ” have the dripping swung on it . The 1 1t h Infantry Brigade was composed of the following Battalions :
m I st So erset Light Infantry .
I st East Lancashire Regiment . m m I st Ha pshire Regi ent . i s t Rifle Brigade .
D . 1 . e c 9 t h T he object of the attack by the 1 1t h Infantry Brigade in front of Ploegsteert Wood on this
date was to clear its edges , including German
To fa c e p a g e 13 .
P LOE G S TEERT W House , and , if possible , establish a line in front
in the part afterwards known as the birdcage . The Som erset Light Infantry and Rifle Bri T he i gade attacked . London R fle Brigade was
in support . The weather could not have been
m . T he worse , and the ground was i possible
result was that the wood was cleared , and ’ Germ an House remained in No Man s Land . T he London Rifle Brigade was not called
upon to continue the attack . T his was the first experience the Battalion had of anything
like heavy artillery fire , and also of the difficulty of consolidating at night in an unknown bit of
— m i n ground . Two half co panies were engaged
assisting in this work , while the rest of the Battalion spent a miserable night in the marshes
in the wood .
D 2 r d . Each of the four companies was definitely e c . 3 m attached , as a fifth co pany , to one of the “ ” — A Regular Battalions to the East Lancs , “ ” ” m B to the So erset Light Infantry , C to “ ” the Hants , and D to the Rifle Brigade . All four com panies of the London Rifle Bri m gade being in the front line on the sa e night , it so happen ed that before t he end of 19 14 a Territor'ial Battalion held the whole of a Regular Brigade s front with the exception of half a company on the extreme left
The London Rifle Brigade was taken out of 19 15 . J the trenches preparatory to taking over a bit of “ st h . line of its own on the right of the l i t h Brigade . 14
W a rn ave Owing to the incursions of the river , this trench was in a very poor state of repair and
badly flooded . The dispositions o f the Battalion were— one
company in the front trench , one in London Farm and its environs (this supplied the night
carrying and working parties) , one company , which was u se d for general fatigues for the
Brigade , in reserve in P loegsteert , and one com
pany resting , washing , and cleaning in billets
at Armentieres . Every company spent three a d ys in each place , and in many ways this was the most comfortable tour of duty the Battalion
ever had . The men made themselves thoroughly at
home in the cottages of the village , while the ’ three days rest i n Armentieres owed much of its enjoyment to the initiative shown by the 4t h Division in organising both divisional baths an d
divisional Follies . i n Headquarters and various details, which cluded for the first time a permanent working “ s and wiring party, were , of cour e , always in
action in Ploegsteert. 11t h ' This was a period of sta nding by an d s various mall moves , but eventually , after three days in the East Lancashires’ trenches in front
of the Convent , the Battalion took over the 2 1 centre section in the wood on the l March .
- . Lieut Colonel Earl Cairns , owing
- to ill health , left the Battalion on March 16th ,
. . and Major A S Bates took over command . i s
The section was held with three companies in the wood , and the fourth in reserve in the 1 1t h village . The other battalions o f the Bri l 6t h gade went into rest on the , and the London Rifl e Brigade came out last on the next day The 1 1t h In fantry Brigade was relieved by a M brigade of the South idland Division . The following extract from a letter shows the change of conditions between the first and second sojourn of the Battalion in the wood
We are back again in the wood , and really almost glad , though I expect you will hardly believe it . Our quota of work in the winter no doubt did a good deal towards t he transforma tion , and spring is now helping matters . The co ud uro y no longer stops at the worst parts , where we used to hold our breaths and make a dive for it . Hunter Avenue , and right beyond it to the end of the wood , is now quite a pleasant walk . Rations and carrying parties , though t hey have developed a rather peculiar gait , can progress at a reasonable pace , and have no need to wade so long as they keep to the boards . On either side , however, we still have a reminder of the nightmare that is past . The possibility of getting material up has a corre s on di n f p g e fect on the work in the trenches. t h The trench we were in on December 9 , which we could not conceive ever being anything but a a drain , has now found its proper use . It has
T . C . new behind , and breastworks pushed out i n o c oss fr nt into the hedge , with little bridges a r to each ! so that altogether everything in the ! garden is as near lovely as can be . T he Bishop of London , the Senior Chaplain
m to the Regi ent , during his visit to the front , m A r d an d ca e to Ploegsteert on pril 3 , cele b ra t ed Holy Com munion for the Battalion on
Easter Sunday . He also consecrated the Bat ’ talion s graveyard in the village . His regret at not being allowed to see the m embers of the Battalion in the trenches was
shared by all ranks .
Ap r l l 17 t h . Two brigades had been withdrawn to the
neighbourhood of Steenwerck by this date , and the 4t h Division started its first period of rest
since the Retreat .
2 2 n Ap r ! a4 t h . Orders were received on the d for these ’ brigades to be ready to m ove at an hour s notice The London Rifle Brigade actually
m i d - 2 t h entrained at day on the 4 , and spent
the night in billets outside Poperinghe , moving m off at a m . next orning to the outskirts m m . 6 . . of Vla ertinghe It stopped there till p , when it paraded with the rest of the Brigade (less the East Lancashires) to go into the
Salient . Since the first gas attack on the evening of A ri l 2 2 n d m p , little definite in for ation had been available as to the situation between the left
2 8t h - N E . of the Division (some yards N . of Z onnebeke) and along the whole north side of the Salient down to the canal near 17
Boesinghe . The Canadians had held on with the grimmest determination in the neighbour
hood of St . Julian , while what became to be known as Geddes ’ force held the line from the ’ canal up to the Canadians . Geddes force con sisted originally of the supports and reserves (isolated com panies and battalions) from the
south and east sides of the Salient . By the night of the 2 5 th this force had been supple m e n t ed l ot h by the Brigade , the Northumbrian
Territorial Division , the Lahore Division, and t the i 3t h Brigade from the 5 h Division .
The 1 1t h Brigade was ordered on this night Ap r i l ast h to join up the left of the 2 8t h Division with the l ot h right of the Brigade , and so relieve the St Canadians , who were still holding out in the (s neighbourhood of St . Julian . No information was forthcoming as to the
location of either of these forces, and it would “l seem that , instead of one continuous line , there “15 were many small parties holding out in isolated
groups . Two officers from each Battalion had been sent up in advance (Captain H usey and Lieu tenant Johnston from the London Rifle Bri ol :gade) , but no available information could be e lttfl coll cted , except that there was apparently a
gap. That night the Hants joined up with the sde 2 8t h i Division , and prolonged the line nearly to r tea Z - t the junction of the onnebeke S . Julian and C 18
- wa s Ypres Passchendale roads There , how a ever , still gap of nearly yards between its left and the re sf of the Brigade which had prolonged the line from the right of the 10t h
Brigade and part of the Northumbrian Division . i The London Rifle Brigade , be ng in support . had been instructed to dig itsel f in 600 yards
- south east of Fort ui n .
l l 2 8t h or . The Battalion did not reach thi s position
n r . until but , tha ks to an early mo ning
mist , it was able to secure fairly good cover by d a yhght
n On this day , and daily for the next seve
days , the Battalion was heavily shelled , and f fl suf ered a high percentage of casualties , chie y n l from e fia d e fire . Orders were received for a company to move early in the afternoon and take up a position that would join up the gap existing between the
Somerset Light Infantry and the Hants . C s Company was detailed , but a personal reconnai sance by the Officer Com manding the Company (Major B urnell) convinced higher authority that it was not only im possible to move the men by ’ day, but that the Hants left could not be found. Orders were accordingly received for the whole
Battalion to move at dusk into the gap . Mov
ing by a somewhat circuitous route, it arrived o fo at its p sition , and dug in r the second night
. O in succession wing to the darkness, most, if
19
not all , of the rules as to artillery form ation were of necessity transgressed on this occasion . m The left of its line joined the So ersets , and the right an isolated party on the Z onnebeke t ’ S . Julian road , which was supporting the Hants left some 500 y ards further forward to the right front .
A r l l 2 t It was not until this night that the Rifle Bri p 8 h . gade finally dug across and joined up with the m Hants , so that there was once ore a continuous line.
fl be A The London Ri e Brigade , having now p r l l 2 9 t h . m come the second line , was oved up on this t h night to relieve the 4 East Yorks . The latter, th m with the 4 Yorks , were split up a ong the 1 1t h Battalions of the Brigade , two companies of the latter being attached to the London T Rifle Brigade . ( he East Lancs had rejoined m the Brigade by this ti e . )
M a z . m . l ud . About 5 p , under cover of very heavy she l y
fire and gas, the Germans advanced from the ridge beyond the H a a n eb eke st rea m into the dead roun d m g on the near side of the strea , o m 00 where they dug in s e 3 yards away , though on the left they got up much closer under cover of the houses . The London Rifle Brigade casualties were t he very heavy, especially on right , where the ground was more open . Though the Battalion was affected by the ga s
- s r wa s f i for about 10 minute , the e su fic ent wind C 2 to dissipate it before any serious damage was
done .
There is no doubt that , during their advance from about yards till they got into dead m f ground , the Ger ans su fered fairly heavy casualties from the rifle fire of the two com a n i e s p on the right , and this may possibly have deterred them from trying to leave the dead
ground . With the assistance of the two com panics of the 4t h Yorks and one company of the
East Lancs , which was also attached to the
Battalion , the damage to the trenches was m al ost all repaired during the night , and all
the wounded were evacuated .
M a y sr a. On this night the line was readjusted, and the whole Brigade retired through the new line
in rear without a single casualty .
M a y 4 t h . The actual withdrawal commenced at a m , commencing from the right of Batta
lions . Wieltje was timed to be reached at
a m .
The casualties over the period April 2 5th to t h 1 f May 4 were 6 o ficers and 39 2 other ranks.
M a y 4 t h These days were spent at various places in
8t h . m t e the woods behind Vla ertinghe resting,
organising , and dealing with accumulations of
mail .
M a 9 t h y . The Battalion moved early in the morning to
the grounds of the Chateau at Vlamertinghe . On this night and the next on e it had to dig on To !a r e p age 20.
B S . M AJOR A . S . ATE
a 1 1 . zo t h M y , 9 5
7 H 1 the east side of the canal on the north of La
Brique .
1 1i h . The Battalion moved up to the canal bank , M a y
m - and occupied so e very insanitary dug outs , which had not been previously inhabited by
British troops .
The London Rifle Brigade took over from the M a y 1at h . t he Dublins a section of front line , and was on A the extreme right of the 4t h Division .
Cavalry Division was on its immediate right .
’ Extract from Sir John French s despatch M a y 13 t h . On the 13t h May the heaviest bombardm ent a m yet experienced broke out at , and con tin n ed with little interm ission throughout the t h day. The 5 London Regiment , despite very heavy casualties , maintained their position ! unfalteringly . ' Extract from John Buchan s History of the
War , Vol . VII .
m Ma Early in the orning of Thursday, y 1 3th , a day of biting north winds and drenching T he m m . rains, a terrific bo bard ent began infantry on the left of the cavalry were fi ercely
d . attacked , but contrive to hold their own The London Rifle Brigade had lost most of its men in the earlier fighting. It began the day i 1 2 78 strong, and before even ng 9 more had
gone . One piece of breastwork was held by Sergeant Douglas Belcher with four survivors w m and two Hussars , ho he had picked up, and 20
though the trench was blown in , and the Ger
mans attacked with their infantry , he succeeded
i n bluffing the enemy by rapid fire , and holding
the ground until relief came . That gallant
stand , for which the Victoria Cross was t h awarded, saved the right of the 4 Divi sion A and part of B Com panies were in the “ ” front line . C Company garrisoned three
‘
fortified supporting points . The rest of B
Com pany and D were in support . The rein forcem ent of the front line commenced at about ’ m 8 a . (the shelling on the Battalion s sector had m started at 4 a . ) The distance between the
front line and the supports was about 900 yards .
m The shelling did not cease till 6 p . Later in the evening the Battalion was withdrawn to
the second line .
Captain Oppenheim, was wounded on
a n d . . this date, Lieutenant H L Johnston took A over the duties of djutant . He was sub
sequently confirmed in the appointment , and t h 1 16 held it till April 7 , 9 , when he took over m command of a co pany , being succeeded by
Captain F . H . Wallis.
a y 14 t h . This evening the Battalion moved into the
trenches in front of La Brique, which it had dug
less than a week before . a y 15 t h . The Battalion moved further forward into the co n se nd line , and two compa ies of the 6th Bat
To l a ce p a g e 23 .
C A P TAIN O TTE R AN D B C OM P AN Y .
M a 1 . 2 0 t h y , 19 5 talion Northu m berland F u sili e rs were atta ched to it .
The Battalion was withdrawn to the canal M a y 18t h . bank .
Orders were received that the London Rifle M a y 19 t h . Brigade was to be withdrawn and sent the next day to General Headquarters . The Battalion marched that evening to Vlamertinghe , and was
billeted there .
The Battalion marched past the Divisional M a y 2 ot h . m m a Co ander fter he had inspected it , and ex pressed his deep appreciation o f all it had done
2 - t h . since April 5 It boarded the motor buses .
and proceeded to General Headquarters . The London Rifle Brigade thus left the 4t h
Division after six months .
The Brigade , Divisional , and Corps Com manders had all personally thanked the Batta
lion for the work it had done, and congratulated it on its behaviour under the m ost trying cir
cum st a n ces. But perhaps even more valued were the farewell letters from the Battalions of t he 1 1t h Brigade , showing, as they did, that they really felt the London Rifle Brigade to have
become part of their Regular Brigade . The London Rifle Brigade arrived at ’ m m Tatinghe , and enjoyed ten days co plete
rest during perfect weather . The Rangers and Kensingtons had also been
withdrawn from the line . 24
J un o 1ah These three Battalions were amalgamated
for work on lines of com munications . This entailed the handing over of all the active ser
m . vice equip ent , and also all transport The
latter was a bitter blow , as the work of the
transport , personnel , and animals had been
beyond all praise . It is worth noting that in spite of the very heavy work of the previous four weeks the transport had actually aecom pli she d the thirty - mile trek from the Salient in
under 2 0 hours .
This period calls for no detailed treatment .
Headquarters , and the balance o f the men not
employed at the different railheads , remained at
St . Omer, first in the artillery barracks, and
from July I st under canvas . The n umbers at the various railheads altered
e . . very considerably from time to time , g , on June 6t h 2 10 other ranks were scattered over 2 t h fifteen stations , and on September 4 there
were 374 other ranks at twenty- one different
stations .
In addition to these details , the Battalion was called upon to furnish escorts and large parties
for detraining work . During the battle of Loos the Kensingtons and London Rifle Brigade between them fur n i shed all the escorts for German prisoners , m a n every available , including grooms and ’ officer s servants, being used . The variety of the work on lines of com m un icat i on provided scope for every type of 4 To fa c e p a g e 2 .
- D . M Y . F . H AN D P N S EC L IE U T . C A RLE S C CO A
z lz Ma 1 1 ot y , 9 5 . To fa c e
'
- W S AN D D C M P N Y . S E C L IEU T . ALLI O A
Ma 1 1 . 2 0t h y , 9 5 2 5 individual— clerks to telephone opera r to s , guards , shell fuse setters , navvies on coal wharves, caretakers of a horse rest camp , hos pital orderlies— while from time to time at small stations non - co m missioned officers were left in complete charge . From September zud to 3ot h the following f four o ficers were lent to the Gas Brigade , and
— z . took part in the battle of Loos Captain R . E
S ec - Otter , Lieutenant F . H . Wallis , and Lieu tenants A . B . White and F . D . Charles . On August 9t h the composite Battalion was broken up, and each unit regained its indi vid ua lit y . This did not make any practical f O 2 n d di ference until ctober , when the London Rifle Brigade was transferred from the lines of communication to General Headquarters troops , m t o Blen dec ues and arched , the band of the _ q Artists being kindly lent by their Commanding
Officer to play it out . While the Battalion was under c anvas at f General Headquarters , the o ficers messed in the ’ d H on n e ur 8t h m Salle of the Regi ent of Infantry .
On leaving, a present of a glass inkpot , with the
regimental crest of the London Rifle Brigade , was sent to this Fren ch regiment as a sm all
memento of the occasion . A most cordial an d charming reply was received by Colonel Bates
from Colonel Roubert , in which the latter looked ' forwa rd t o se eing the London Rifle Brigade once again in hi s barracks after victory had ’ crowned the Allies arms . 2 6
Th e stay at Blendecques was intended to be a period of training before being sent back to the 2 front . The actual period was 3 days , but , as it took more than a week to collect all the detai ls m from the various railheads , little ore than a ’ fortnight s full training was possible . The reluctance of the authorities at these rail heads to part with their London Rifle Brigade
m detach ents , even after their reliefs had
m arrived , although co plimentary, was not a little
annoying , but the grateful letters received by the Co m manding Officer in some measure com
pen sa t ed for the delay . These three weeks were a period of re
- m mobilisation . Most of the non com issioned officers who had survived Ypres had taken com All re missions . the specialists had to be
trained . The transport and detailed equipment T he re had to be indented for . essentials were ce ive d m by degrees , and actually co pleted a few
days before the Battalion moved . '
t h . ot . 2 5 T he London Rifle Brigade m oved by m ot or rd bus in pouring rain to join the 3 Division ,
which was resting east of Cassel . It relieved the Honourable Artillery Company in the 8t h T h Infantry Brigade . e latter Battalion returned m in the sa e buses . The transport had marched
on the previous day .
Incessant rain and frequent inspections , com b i n ed with training on t he lines laid down by
the new Division , employed the tim e up to 2 rd November 3 .
e To fa c e p a g 27 .
E B CK S G N H U S . TH AR RA . E ER AL EAD Q A RTE R 3 7
N ov. 2 3 r d . The Battalion marched to Poperinghe . For the first time it now had a bom bing se ction of 2 offi cers and 70 other rank s ! a sniping detach ment was also organised .
The Battalion relieved the Liverpool Scottish N ov. asm .
in the front line . The trenches were in a
desperate state , with very few traverses , no complete com munication trenches or second
m u d . line , and quite indescribable They were
en fila d e d m . also overlooked , and by the ene y r The tour was no mally seven days , with two com panies in the front line and two in reserve near Battalion Headquarters . Work was rendered very difficult owing to the
- water logged nature of the ground. Ration parties took as much as seven hours to
accomplish one round journey . z On the whole , the Battalion was ama ingly
fortunate while in these trenches . It suffered ' fr om occa si on a l casualties shelling and sniping , but on certainly two occasions the enemy bom barded the trenches and blew in fifty yards
of parapet without inflicting a single casualty . The march to and from t he trenches was an
exceedingly trying one . Only once was part of
a - the Batt lion able to use motor buses , but , after m the first tour , use was ade o f the Ypres Ex ” m f press , to whose Co manding O ficer the Lon m don Rifle Brigade will ever re ain indebted . The Battalion was i n the trenches during the l th wa s abortive gas attack on December g . but ff not a ected by the gas , which passed just
behind it .
Christmas Day was spent in Poperinghe . On leaving the trenches on this date the Bat
talion was kept in Brigade reserve . Apart from
- heavy night working parties , the week was not i m os too uncomfortable, though baths were p
sible .
Ja n . 1st h . The London Rifle Brigade returned to rest
under canvas instead of to billets .
rd F Ob . 14 0 Owing to the relief of the 3 Division this
period was one of variety . The Battalion
, marched from trenches to , rest and back into
reserve . It was attached to three different Bri a m g des , and for a ti e was Divisional Troops. 8 Eventually , on the th , orders were received to
entrain the next day . The various outlying de
tails were collected before midnight .
F b . t . e 9 h The Battalion entrained for the South .
This fighting is too recent for any details .
however bare , to be given . t Previous to this date the Battalion , now par of as fine a Territorial Division as France had
ever seen , took its ordinary tour of training
and trenches . It was, of course , known that the Di vision was going “ over the top at the i f beg nning of the o fensive , and all training was
carried out with this great end in view . The following extract from the account pub lished the in Press is given here , not becau se the T‘o fa c e p ag e 35
P E N H E . O P R I G , 19 1 5
29 writer of these notes does not feel able to give his own account , but because he might unwit tingly say more than the Censor would feel able to pass
first - I am about to give , on hand informa n tion , an account of the part which has bee played by certain of our famous London Regi
ments . These regiments , which included the ’ London Rifle Brigade , the Queen Victoria s ’ m Rifles , the Rangers , the Queen s West insters , T and London Scottish , had assigned to hem cer
tain objectives near Gommecourt , towards the ' v n ce nort hern end of our original line o f a d a ,
where, as is well known , owing to the extra ordinary preparations which the enemy had m ade in that direction , we did not fare so well
as we have done , and continue to do , further
south . The London Regiments , which fought m r with agnificent gallant y and tenacity , did , in
fact , accomplish their primary objects , but , c owing to circumstances beyond their ontrol , they subsequently had to retire to a line which nearly corresponds to that they occupied before
the battle began .
For its work on this day the Corps , of which
the Division formed a part , received a special
verbal message of thanks , delivered by one of ’ Sir Douglas H a ig s T his was sub sequently confirmed in writing by the Chief of
the General Staff . 30
‘ - Lieut . Colonel Bates , was given sick
H e M . C . . u s leave in August , and Major R . H y , , m m took co and . Under his leadership the Bat talion added to its laurels in the fighting during
Septem ber .
SECOND BATTALION .
1 1 m At the beginning of September, 9 4 , per is sion was obtained to form a second Battalion . Recruiting was com m enced at Headquarters in Bu n hill rd Row on the 3 , and the Battalion was S O re filled in one day . great was the rush of c r ui t s that , had it been possible to obtain leave to do so , another Battalion could easily have
m . been for ed Great care was taken , under v the these ad antageous circumstances , in selec T m tion of recruits . hose taken , co bined with the draft from the I st Battalion of men who were unable at that time to u ndertake the foreign service obligation , made up a fine Bat talion .
f m Of the o ficers on for ation , the following had m m v for erly served in the Regi ent , or were ser m ing, and transferred fro the I st Battalion under the hom e service condition :
- Lieut . Colonel G . R . Tod , formerly Adju
1 - 8 8 1 0 . tant for five years , 9 9 3
. r Major G Ha vest . m Quarter aster and Hon . Major J . Guppy .
To fa c e pag e 3 1
E N N C C M P R RA O A , S MAY 1 R , 10 W T E T E T 9 , H E E T H E L M Y O RD A OR S AW TH E B ATTALIO N O N P ARA DE 3 1
. M Captain C G . H . acgill , who acted as Adju t ant unt il the form ation of
the Hom e Service Provisional Battalion .
Captain S . Bowers .
Captain C . R . Bland .
Captain H . B . Prior .
Captain C . E . Johnstone .
. z Captain C Fur e .
Lieutenant B . E . Bland .
A THIRD BATT LION .
The 3rd Battalion was raised on November 1 1 T he m m f 3oth, 9 4 . first Co anding O ficer was B . . C . . Colonel H C Cholmondeley , (see pages 3 and The Battalion was fortunate in having the help of several old members of the Regiment in the com missioned and non ~ com m issioned ranks . They were invaluable in carrying on to the new men the traditions and esprit de corps of the London Rifle Brigade .
m s After so e five month in London , the Batta lion proceeded a t the end of April by train to \ Vi m bledon m T a d , and on , by route arch , to S worth , where it went under canvas . oon after its arrival Colonel Cholmondeley was given c om t h t he m mand of a 4 Line Brigade , and com and of the Battalion was taken over by M ajor
T . D . N orman C . King, , who went out to the i st front with the Battalion , and had been
- invalided home . Lieut . Colonel King , being the 32 officer with the senior permanent rank on the
. cadre of the Regiment , now commands it The system of training adopted was that of a re public school ! that is to say, the company presented the house , and the Captain the house master, who administered the company , but was not responsible for its training . The instructors — c in each subject g , drill, musketry , bombing , — f e t c each had their own sta f of assistants, and every platoon was taken up in turn for its lesson .
This represented the forms of a school . The system proved very successful , and received su b commendation from high authority. It was sequently recommended for ade ption over the whole of the Southern Command , but was too much of a departure from tradition to be taken wa s over as it stood , though it recommended in a modified form .
1 1 f As the summer of 9 5 passed on , o ficers l st from the Battalion , who had been wounded
- in the second battle of Ypres in April May , were
posted to the 3rd Battalion on recovery . Thus began the circulation between the I st and 3rd Battalions which has proved so invaluable in keeping close touch and sympathy between m those at the front and those at ho e . On November 12 th the Battalion moved to billets in Sutton , and received the greatest kind ness and consideration there . Everything pos sible was done for the comfort of the Battalion , and not the least of the kindnesses received 33
t he . were the services at Christchurch . under Rev
Courtney Gale . Nothing could have exceeded t he war m th and vigour of the church parades , which were m uch appreciat ed by all ranks .
t ot h 1 16 On January , 9 , the Battalion moved to its present camp .
ADMINISTRATIVE CEN T RE .
The Headquarters and Depot or Ad m inistra t 1 0 Bun hi ll tive Cen re are situated at 3 , Row,
E C a . , and are in charge of C ptain H Ferguson , t o whom the Regi m ent owes a considerable debt of grati t ude for the whole - hearted way he ha s t hrown him self into t he work since he joined . Having been private sec retary to the late Lord
Roberts , he has brought a ripe knowledge and warm appreciation of the T erritorial Force to bear on the thousand and one details which have to be arranged from Headquarters . Here it is that recruits receive their equipment an d their
first insight into drill . T he finances of the Regi m ent since war broke out have been ably looked after by Major
. \ V. V D C Cornish , . . , who took up the reins again after having laid them down in 1908. T he London Rifle Brigade Mutual Aid Bun hill Society centres in Row , and a copy of m A its sche e is given in ppendix F . ' T he Aid Prisoners Fund , for sending food a n d warm clo thing to non - commissioned officers D 34
r ifle m e n and of the Regiment who are prisoners, is also controlled from Headquarters . Weekly parcels are sent by ladies of the Regim ent t o any whose relatives are not in a position to send them all they require . 35
APPENDI! A.
HONOURS AN D REWARDS .
Vi ct or i a C r oss.
9 5 39 Lance - Sergeant Douglas Walter ’ e c — S Lieutenant , Queen Victoria s
. V. 0 ! . C
The Bishop of London .
C . M . G.
- Lieut . Colonel W . D . The Earl Cairns .
D . S . O.
A. . M . ajor S Bates '
m . Captain A . C . Oppenhei , King s Royal Rifle Corps
Mili t a ry Cr oss
. H u se . Captain R . H y
- m . Captain J . R . So ers Smith
Captain H . L . Johnston .
Captain C . W . Trevelyan .
Captain F . H . Wallis .
Captain R . Russell .
Captain F . H . Crews .
. m t t Lieutenant E R . Willia son (wi h a T rench Mor ar
Battery) .
- S ec Lieutenant A . K . Dodds (attached 1813 t Co m
pany, Royal Engineers) .
- l Sec Lieutenant R . E . P et ey . 36
C . M . D .
8 m R . T . F 9 33 Sergeant (now Captain , Ha pshire , )
W . F . Pothecary .
A m . 69 6 8 S ignalling Sergeant E . A . da s 1 T 85 4 S ergeant R . V . odd .
. 9435 T ransport S ergeant A . Gordon (now Sec
fl . Lieutenant , London Ri e Brigade) 1 5 5 Sergeant W. M . Lilley .
6 A . 999 Sergeant W . . Roulston (killed) t 949 7 Corporal (now Lieu enant , London Rifle Bri t gade) G . G . Bos on .
- t ra n so m S e c - 7 5 Lance Corporal T . H . S (now Lieu t tenan , London Rifle Brigade) .
- 1 1 . 003 Lance Corporal C Taylor .
00 6 R ifle m S e - 1 a n . . c J S Lindsay (now Lieutenant. a London Rifle Brig de) . 88 6 R ifle m a n 9 R . S . Clark .
1 8 R i fl em a n 0 39 E . L . Kench .
Mi li t a ry M ed a l
186 m - m 7 Regi ental Sergeant Major J . Ada s . ~ 6 60 S n o w S e c . L i e ut e n a n t ergeant ( , London Rifle
Brigade) P . T . Dyer .
10835 Sergeant F . C . Keel e
12 S S e c — 9 4 ergeant (now Lieutenant , London Rifle
S a . Brigade) E . H . l de
1 1 1 . . . 3 Sergeant W G T Mason .
6 . 7 7 Corporal R F . Ebbetts .
S ec - 9 5 35 Corporal (now Lieutenant , Lincolnshire d m m . Go s a rk Regi ent) P .
L - 2 1 ee . 99 Cpl (now Sergeant) L . W . Billington .
38
C r oi x d e Gu er r a (with pal m leaves) .
1 M . 5 5 Sergeant W. Lilley . All M above Orders , Decorations , and edals were - i won f - m f r ifle by O ficers , non com issioned O ficers , and m e n while serving with , or wearing the uniform of , t h e Regiment . T he f following o ficers , who served with or in the ' ranks of the I st Battalion , London Rifle Brigade , have gained the award shown after their nam es
i m m since be ng transferred , or co issioned , to other ! Regi m ents
e - t i n ze ll t S c . L Lieutenan H H . , The Border Regimen , M ilitary Cross .
- . D . m Sec Lieutenant Blofeld , The London Regi ent , M ilitary Cross (killed) .
- Sec . Lieutenant S . R . Hogg , Royal Fusiliers , M ilitary Cross .
hi i oe n o t a i m t o be om e e An a i i o n h T s l st d s cl c pl t . y dd t s s ou ld be sen t o t he Offie r i n Cha r e D e fit whe re a re or W i t c g p , c d ll be ke pt .
39
APPEN D I ! B .
The following officers and other ranks have been m entioned in despatches :
- Lieut . Colonel W . D . Earl Cairns .
T he Bishop of London .
- Lieut Colonel A . S . Bates T M . E . T . U . M . . ajor A D Ducat , , , ( ’
A. . Captain C Oppenheim , King s Royal Rifle Corps
H se . Captain R . H . u y
- m . S . Captain J . R omers S ith
T . Captain C . W . revelyan
Lieutenant R . Russell .
- ille t S ec Lieutenant W . L . VV t .
— S ec Lieutenant A . K . Dodds .
- Ma cve a h . 709 Company Sergeant Major A . J . R . g
8 88 - M S ec - t 4 Company Sergeant ajor (now Lieutenan , e n b r Ma e . A t ill r B. . Royal Field y) _ K y ’ ~ L i t a n t 8 2 S e c . e u e n 9 9 Corporal (now , King s Royal
Rifle Corps) T . H . Jenkin .
939 1 R ifle m a n R . E . Peck .
The following officer who served in the ranks of t he
I st Battalion , London Rifle Brigade , has also been mentioned in despatches since being com missioned to ! another regi m ent
- m S e c . . z Te porary Lieutenant L E Schult . Wiltshire
Regiment (killed) .
o e m e e An a i i o n Th i s l i st do e s n ot cla i m t b co pl t . y dd t s shou ld be fic r i n ha r e D e ét w ere a re ord wi be ke t se n . t o t he Of e C t g p , h c ll p . 40
APPEN DI! C .
— t he t Alphabetical list , by ranks lat er as on — o f London Rifle Brigade officers w ith ser vice in France up to that date , excluding those now serving whose nam es have not een passed by t he Censor fo r publi cation
Li eu t n a n t - l on e e Co l s .
B . P. Jo i n e d . F a s
N u n . n tfiC a O e r . L e ft
Bates , A . S . D Cairns , W . . , Earl
King , N . C .
Matthey, C . G . R .
a or M j s.
Burnell , C . D . Wounded Ma c e G a h H . D g , . F .
m Soa es , M . H .
Alcock , J . E . Wounded
Bland , B . E .
Charles , F . D .
Charles , R . D .
Cholm e le . . y , G H Wounded 4 1
Joi n e d a .
N u n s. a n O di c e r .
‘
B . l . C olo a n . de g , A
Harvey , B . S .
Johnston , H . L .
A. . Kirby , G
Kitching , G . C .
Large , E . L .
zo L i n t o t t A. . , L / m s xg/u /xs
M . . orrison . G H Killed
Nobbs , H . G . Wounded 81 Prisoner
o . R binson , J . G
Russell , R .
- m m t . . So ers S i h , J R
A. White , B .
Wills , E . C . Wounded
Li eut en a n t s.
Ba n t o f . t . , E S .
Beard , H . C .
Boston . G . G . Br o m ile y , B .
Cartwright , G . H . G .
d - Clo e Baker , G . 4 2
B Jo i n e d . E . F . a s
N E . F . AM E . a n fie r e B . Of c ! L ft
A . . Dodds , K Gassed
F li n t d E . R Q . , H Wounded F u r d o . S s n . . , G E Wounded
I . . 2 6 Long, C W 7 /7 / M M aynard , . J Missing fi Old eld , P . B . Wounded
Petersen , J . R . P . . . d ocock . B L E Wounde
. d Price , H B Kille S A . . e edgwick , E Wound d Killed l S e r o sso . , P o o o o o o o o
Titley , P
Vincent , H . G .
Williamson , E . R . Wounded 81 missing , believed killed
A. . VVo n d e Wimble , S u d
econ d - Li u t en n t S e a s.
Appleton , E . R .
A . ste , P . J
- . . 1 1 Baldwin , N E / o / 6
w l Ba lk i l . . , C V
A. Balls , F .
Barker, H . C .
A. . Benns , L
t W . . Be t s A. , T
Jo i n e d 3 . E . P . a s
N a n a . a n O c e r .
0 . . Rose, H S a wb rid e . g . B
Sell , C . H . m A l 16 Shar an , P . 9 /7 / t S m . i h , H
t ra n so m S . , J H
Ticehurst , G . H . m Tho as , E . G .
A . Warner ,
he a t le VV . M . y , F
Whitehead , L . E .
Willett , W. L .
\ Vra M . y , 4 5
APPEN DI ! D .
List of attached offi cers who have served with the l st Battalion , London Rifle Brigade , in France , e xclu ding those now w it h it whose n a m es have n o t
Ad /( t a n ! n obi l i sa t i on j o M . '
A m R . Capt . . C . Oppenhei , King s oyal Rifle Corps wounded
d i l cer M e ca Ofi s.
e B a t t Ba u . n a n o i n e t n . N AME 8:R e m t . J d L f tt D A . . Maj . D ucat , D . T . . M . D , m Capt . L . Cro bie M . M . Capt . J oyes E m Lieut . d unds Wounded
T . Lt . D . . C Frew
Lt . J . D . Marshall
S e con d l i eu t en a n t s .
. . I I 6 Cole , C H 4 /7 / Killed
. 1 I 6 Hughes , C R . 7 /9 / Wounded M atthews , H . L . L . Killed w i n N e l A . 1c 1c g , J . 7 / /
Sanderson , G . S . Killed — 1 6 . . o 1 Unwin , R W / / Killed d . n d . \ Vo u e Wilkins , J W
All 11t h L o n don . 46
A PPENDI ! E .
Com m i ss i on s .
S 1 ince the st Battalion landed in France , 5 35 of its non - com m issioned officers and men have received co m m issions . T h e m ajority o f these were sent to t he Cadet
School at General Headquarters or to England , while t he 2 00 m balance , just over , obtained their com issions when at hom e sick or recoveri n g from wounds . Out ! “ ” “ m 6 2 1 A 2 0 1 of this nu ber 5 ( of , of B , 5 of C , “ ” and 9 of D Co m p a nies) have been given co m mis m 0 m sions in the Regi ent , and 3 of these received the direct in the field in the I st Battalion .
m fi For a Regi ent , whose I st Battalion was ghting, m the total given below is a proud achieve ent . It was always a wrench to part with candidates , but the fi gures prove that the strictures , often heard , that Com m and i ng Offi cers refused to part with their best m e n were unfounded in the case of the London Rifle
Brigade . A few com missions were grant ed before the I st Bat talion went abroad , but no details are , at present , available .
‘ C om m i ssi o n e o r ran e r r t o s d t sf e d 0 . T . C an d fier C a e B a t a i o n Of c d t t l s . i st Battalion 5 35 2 n d Battalion 12 2 3r d Battalion 5 1
Total 4 7
APPENDI! F .
T H E LONDON RI FLE BR I GAD E MU T UAL
AID FUN D .
t T r u s ees .
- V W a ld e r a ve P . C . Lieut . Colonel Earl g , , D
- C M . G . Lieut . Colonel Earl Cairns , .
P . C . The Bishop of London , ,
i t t Com m ee.
t he M . . V. D . ajor C W Cornish , , nominated by
T rustees .
M . . W . J . Burton , Esq (late London Rifle Brig ade) , m no inated by the Trustees .
n Newton Du n , Esq . (late London Rifle Brigade) . m no inated by I st Battalion . M . . 2 n d ajor C R Bland , nominated by Battalion .
m m - Co pany Quarter aster Sergeant F . H . Anderson , m no inated by 3rd Battalion .
Under the above title a fund has been inaugurated
f - m m with the object of helping o ficers , non co issioned offi cers and m e n of the Regim ent who m a y be in need of assistance owing to injuries or incapacity due to the war, or to aid their dependants . 48
The Fund is ad m inistered by a Co m m ittee of
m m t wo m m t five e bers , of who have been no ina ed by
T m m t he m . the rustees , and are old e bers of Regi ent m m t h t and one e ber for each of e three Ba talions . to m be no inated by the O ffi cers Co m m anding . Support will be gladly received from friends and m m t m a me bers of the Regi ent , and dona ions y be sent
. o t 1 0 to Captain H . S Fergus n at Headq uar ers , 3 . Bun i t t o a c t h ll Row , who has kindly consen ed as honorary secretary and treasurer to the Fund .