A B R IEF HISTORY

T I ’ FL CORPS HE K NG S ROYAL RI E ,

1 755 T O 1 9 1 5 .

C O MP I L E D A N D E DI T E D B Y

L I E UT E N A N T G E N E R A L

S I R E DW A R D B UT T O N ,

hem-m am o the H i sto om mittee C f ry C .

X C E L E R E T A UDA .

L ouisber uebec 1 Martini ue 1 62 H avannah g, Q , 759 q , 7 , , " N o rth A m erica 1 6 — R o ica Vim iera Ma tini ue T a a ve a , 7 3 4 , l . , r q , l r , " " ' " " E nsa c F uentes d O nor A lbuhera C iuda d R odri o B ada oz o. . , g , j ,

" " “ " " S alamanm “ Vittoria P nees N ive e N ive O thes T ou ouse . . yre , ll , . r . l ,

P eninsu a Mo ltan G oo erat P unaub S outh A frica 1 8 1 —2 l . o . j . i , . 5

" " “ " “ De hi T aku F orts P ekin S outh A frica r8 A hm ad K he l , , , , 79, l,

“ “ " K a nd ha A f hanista n1 8 8 T el- el- K ebi E t 1 882 a r, g , 7 r. gyp , , " " " “ — C hit a Def nc of L ad smith R i f of L a d sm ith S outh A frica 1 8 1 0 2 . r l , e e y , el e y , . 99 9

C olonelf inv C hief

H I S MA JE S T Y T H E K IN G .

C olonels C om m andant

- F r nfe P C . C . B h R t . H o n. W . L o d G e . G F ield Mars al . r ll .

- n n o e. nant G enera S ir E dw ard T . H . H utto L ieute l , p

- h nh au h C . B . ne a R . S . R . F et ersto Major G e r l g ,

- - K C . B . Maj or G enera l S ir Wykeham L eigh P emberton.

E 1 S E C O N D E DI T I O N . P UB L I S H D 1 9 7,

' xsr DE C E MB E R 1 1 . F R O M 1 755 T O g , 9 5

no t . P r ic e L . 0 d .

C O N T E N T S .

s n Pe ar o .

— — P A R T I . 1 755 1 824. S ections — — — I . 1 5 1 nof R e m nand its S v i nN h 7 5 763. O rigi th e gi e t er ices ort A m erica as 6oth R oyal A m ericans — — — . 1 764 A m r n ar II 1807. West Indies and t he e ica W — — — — I I I . 1 808 1824 P 0 ninsu1ar ar h T h e R A m c nR . W 6ot oyal eri a egi ’ m ent becom es 6oth T he Du ke of Y ork s O w n — R ifle C orps 9 1 2

— — P a a r 1825 1 870 . II . — — — — I V. 1 1 S ik ar S u A f i 825 856. h W o th r ca — — — — — V . 1 De1h R ohil]rnnd P kin 857 1860 . i e

— - — — VI 1 1 1 . . 86 870 N orth A m erica R e d R iver

Pa a r II I — 1871 - 1 902

— - - — — VI I 1 871 1881 India AfghanWar - S outh Africa Zulu War — F irs t B oer War 20 25 — — — V 1882 E 1 2 T - el - K b E t 1 884 E l T eb III gypt 88 , el e ir gyp , , , and ama — and 1 — N E x d i n T i 884 85, ile pe it o

I X — — — n a rrenH ast ns . 1886 1 8 di W eck of W i 98 . I a, r g X — — — — H — f n S u h ar T li nn. l D c . 1899 1902. o t A fricanW al i l e e e of L adysm ith — R elief of L adysmith— T ransvaal — B rief N arratives by B att alions and Units — R ifle Depot 30 37

— — A R T I V 1902 1 1 5. P . 9

— - — - — XI . 1902 1914. T h e S u h A f nWa r 1 899 1 902 I ts O b c o t rica , je ts, and it s L essons— T he G reat Training P eriod Death of S ir R e dvers B ullet — Declarationof — R iflem e w rv 38— 47 W a r Af te rw ord to nno se ing . XI I —1 1 T h e r A u u th 1 4 S l at 9 5 G r eat W a , g st 4 , 91 , to b — R e e f m M n— T h e Decem er, 1 91 5 tr at ro o s Mam e — T h e A im e— F ir st B a tt le of Y pres Y s— S t E — N u S econd B attle of pre . loi e ve C hapelle — L oos— B rief R ecords by —R ifle Depot " I nM m r am 1 st zud rd and 4th B n e o i , , , 3 , attalio

P aa r V . A R e trospect

MA PS . T o face — I — orth A m eri ca I l us r in the a of Mi r MA P N O . . N . l t at g rea lita y d inP r I s cti n1 and 2 ls referre to a t , e o s ; a o

— — uth - estern ra w &nP ortu a l a nd S o W F nce. l u MA P N O . II . 8p , g , I l s n th e of O t n f r d t o inP I trati g area pera io s re e re art , section3 — — f f ti n I I I I ndia. I us r inth e a o O d MA P N O . . . ll t at g rea pera o s referre o ir I I c i ns 4 and 5 ns Part , se t o ; also Part III, sectio t anzl 9

— N o I V — outh A ri ca I l us in the a of O n Mar . S f . l trat g rea peratio s ef ed to inP c on7 8 and 10 r err art III, se ti s , , R E G IME N TA L H IS T O R Y C O MMIT T E E .

- N .s. c. - ne S ra E DW A R D H um O , p Lieut. G e ral

Mem bers

' - R R r Major G eneral A sr nnr T n . B - n H O R A T I O Mmm s C . . B rigadier G e eral , ' nnn- Wnsr - O N C H A R L E S S s cm B rigadier G eneral H . ,

O E d R im nt h nic . R N D. S . nl R . B Y O C olo e , itor eg e al C ro le

- nL uw rs B UT L E R . s . c. L imi t C olo el , p s c - nS I R H E R E WA R D W A K E B A R R p . . . B out C olo el , ,

S P E C I A L N O TE .

The names of O fficers of the British A rmy who are alluded

n not n n n in l . to, a d who do belo g to the Regime t, are pri ted ita ics

nand n as Campaig s battles , which have bee awarded Battle n n r nt ina s int he H o ours to the Regime t , are p i ed c pital body

ma urch s d fr m th e ub h Ma e . A R R E N C onies y be p a e o P lis ers, ss s W L T D H h S Winch e c B E n A N D S O N , ., ig treet, est r, pri e, est ditio , 23. 6d ., a E d on f m th e L ond nA n H u u nas L T D C h e p iti , or ro o ge ts, e R , , d n nS L n W . 5, R ege t treet, o o ,

S pecial rates are granted t o O ffice rs C omm anding B attalions of The ’ K in R a R fl C u on c i n th e g s oy l i e orps p appli at o to Publish ers, Mussa s . i h S n WA R R E N A N D S O N L T D. H re Wi ch , , g t et, ester.

O fi cers a a nd s nof th e R im nca n n , p st pre e t, eg e t obtai copies direct

om P ub h ci a e viz . B E d n C fr the lis ers at spe al r t s, , est itio , heap E d on nc udin and w h o iti , i l g postage, at lesale rates for the C heap u n n E ditionpo applicatio . A B R I E F H I S T O R Y O F

T H E K I N G ’S R O Y A L R I F L E R P C O S .

PR E F A C E .

T R R first editionof this abridged histo ry of th e Regiment w as inpart prepared by cert ainmembers of the H istory C om i ee ed e nan m tt i a d h n1 1 2 . , it d by the Cha rm , publis ed i 9 The fi t n n e n a e n rs editio of copies havi g b e exh ust d , a seco d e n nn s 31 8t D 1 91 ditio , bri gi g the hi tory up to the ecember, 5 , is now published at the request of the General Committee of the

Celer et A udax Club .

E di n H s The tor, Chairma of the i tory Com mittee (Lieut enal S ir E w H t nis n nm G er d ard ut o ) , i debted to the followi g em bers of the Regimental H istory Committee a — Major- General A s tley

- er i en H on. . ll - T ry, Brigad er G eral the C S ackvi e West, Lieut .

n S ir H a W and - n Colo el erew rd ake, also to Brigadier Ge eral H t o M ns n n in ora i e d for the co tributio , wholly or part, of Part I ,

. . n S ee 3 S 4 a d 5 S e . 9 an n ; Part II, ecs ; Part III , cs d 1 0 ; a d

S cs . 7 a nd 8 e e . n e t Part III , e resp ctiv ly Colo el L wis Bu ler,

a T he A nna ls the R e iment and n . r n uthor of of g , Colo el R By o , E i R e im enta l C hr ni l n d tor of the g o c e, have also le t their

valuable assistance . The E ditor holds himself alone responsible n nand for ns n a n. the opi io give , for the deductio s dr w

E very effort h as beenmad e to narrate ina concis e and popular

th e n s and - form origi , hi tory, world wide services of the several n R ifiem a nm a n battalio s , so that every y be able to lea r at least the outlines of the history of his Regiment — a Corps whose n n innm and n battle ho ours are u equalled u ber, whose reputatio for di scipline a nd courage is unsurpa ssed inthe annals of the

British A rmy .

A s S t nX S A nW ar 1 899—1 902 a nd S n ec io ( outh frica , ) ectio XI I n W ar A at h 1 91 4 D m 3 l s (Prese t Great , ugust , , to ece ber t , n n a n nn 1 91 5) deal with co tempora eous history, d co cer m em bers en l n n o f the Regim t sti l servi g, it has bee deemed advisable to n l ns a n adopt a short record of eve ts by batta io , le vi g t o the historianof the Regiment the com pilationhereafter of th e

com plete narrative .

The gallant exploits of the Regiment are here giveninno

e f - n ns h O e S pirit of pride or s l adulatio , but with the ear e t p that, n erminle r s e nan profiti g by the p of thei predece sors , the pr se t d future generations of R ifiem enm ay not only successfully m ainta in ’ as a sacred trust the credit a nd renownof The King s Royal Rifle l u n an Corps , but may also sti l f rther add to the ho ours d reputa t ionalready w on. T unE m r oa . D ecember 3l st, 1 91 6. ’ T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

— l 5— 1824 75 . P A R T l .

— — r T H E E G I ME N T A N D rrs 1 755 1 763 . 0 R I G I N o R

R . S E R VI C E S I N N O R T H A ME I C A , A s 60T H RO YA L A ME R I C A N S

The Regiment w a s raised during 1 755— 56 inN ort h A m erica n n ns — m D a 1 755 n u der special co ditio Christ as y , , has always bee adopted as the actual birthday— for the express purpose of assisting our A rm y to retrieve the terrible di saster whi ch had n n G enera l B ra ddock o n 8t h befalle the British troops u der the July, 1 n m c nc a nd n n 755 , at the ha ds of a s aller for e of Fre h Red I dia s

inthe forest fastnesses uponthe bank s of the O hio River . It had beenfound that the slow a nd ponderous m ovem ents of tr0 0 ps n n m nm m n trai ed upo the Ger a odel , with their heavy accoutre e ts , n m a n n a b w h n tight u ifor s , d u suit le tactics , ere elpless agai st a nd m a ns c a s savages , al ost equ lly helpless agai t soldi ers su h those n n ninA m w h o w a r of Fra ce the servi g erica, were habituated to

inthe dens e forests a nd trackl ess wastes of that country . It was b nm n inA m therefore decided y the British Gover e t to raise erica , f m ni h em c ro the Colo sts t selves , a for e which should be able to

m eet these conditions . D n 62nd a nd l n 60th R O Y A L esig ated as the , the fol owi g year as the 60t h A ME R I C A N S A m n m nw a s c n Royal erica s , the Regi e t a cordi gly form ed of m enin b na nd n E n four attalio s , Ge eral The arl of Loudou , C om — m n - in A m inA m n a der Chief of the British r y erica, was appoi ted

- - nin . m m n Colo el Chief It was recruited fro settlers , ai ly of rm na nd S i nin S M a Ge a w ss origi , the tates of ass chusetts , N ew nn n M n a nd N n York , Pe sylva ia, aryla d , orth Caroli a , to which were added volunteers from British regim ents a nd others from

E urope . Many of the senior offi cers a nd a considerable num ber of the Com pany officers were also draw nfrom the arm ies of E m m n n a nd ex n urope, so e of the bei g highly trai ed perie ced

soldiers .

Through the bold initiative of Lieutena nt - Colonel H enry * S ffi n n nn Bouquet , a wiss o cer of disti ctio , com m a di g the l st Bat n 60 t h A n n talio , the Royal merica s adopted Colo ial methods of i m n m n m na nd I n n equ p e t , si pler drill , ope for atio s , the dia system

‘ A ft e w a rds B ri a dier - G enera B ou ue t . B orn1 71 9 ie r g l q , d d 1 765 . T h e

vict or of B ush e R un. A bri ia nt offi cer of t h e i y ll , h hes t ca a cit as a lea der . g p y a nd i r ns a i a dmi nt at o . I t h as bee d h a s r t t by h is unt i m ely de a th G rea t B rit a in ost a enera w h o se resence m i h l g l p g t w ell h a ve ca us ed t h e A m erica nW a r o f I nd e endence t o a ssum e a different a s ec p t . Vid e B io ra hica l sk e t ch R e i g p , g m ent a C hronic e 1 9 1 0 now ub ished b Me , , ss s . W a rrenW inch e l l p l y r , s ter. Vida

a s B o u u t S . B it ish l o q e M , r Museum . E A BRI F H IS TO RY O F T H E R E G M E N T .

of f n n forest war are, thus early acquiri g those attributes of i dividual n t ni an n actio , swif i tiative, d of elastic though firm discipli e, whi ch have beenthe conspicuous cha racteristics of the Regim ent nan l n throughout its lo g d bri lia t career, characteristics which

a a n. n have m de its reput tio Thus equipped, The Royal A merica Regiment from its very beginning played a di st inguished a nd m em orable part inestablishing British power inN orth A m erica . The great struggle betweenFrance a nd E ngland for suprem acy inA m a w a s n in1 758 A m * eric at its height, whe early , bercro by,

n C om rna nder- ln- who had succeeded Loudou as Chief, decided upona general advance . The planof cam paignwas to invade na on ns— one S vi m ul sth 1 58 Ca da two fro t from the outh, d Lake Cha J y , 7 ,

T I C O N DE R A . n nM n a nd n n n O G plai , upo o treal the W ester portio of Ca ada, a nd r m E vi b r n the other f o the ast by sea, d Louis u g (Cape Breto ) a nd S t . w n n and E n. the La re ce River, upo Quebec the aster l st a nd 4th n n a nd H a ldim a nd ' The Battalio s , u der Bouquet j m m n in n n for ed part of the ai A rm y the W ester Field of operatio s , a nd o n b n n m m b the a ks of Lake Cham plai , at the e ora le defeat " n nc a n m 4t h n of Tico deroga, at o e a glory d a sha e , the Battalio a nd a portionof the 1 st showed a stubborncourage worthy of

a n inil a nd n . the highest praise, d lost very heavily k led wou ded O n l 27t h Ju y the , three weeks later, regardless of their losses , the Regim ent furnished a part of th e columnunder B ra dst reet gt 6 t h c m nn of the 0 , whi h, after a forced arch, captured Fort Fro te ac onLake O ntario by a coup de m a inuponthe 27t h A ugust . I nN m b n l st n m on ove er follow i g the Battalio , e ployed the n n n enra l F r es di n W ester fro tiers u der G e o b , played the lea g part n n n D non O a nd b i the adva ce agai st Fort uques e the hio , led y th e gallant Bouquet effected its captur e from the French a nd Red

Indians . This brill iant trium ph over great physical diffi culties m n n n n a nd c was achieved by sheer deter i atio , e dura ce , plu k ; a nd the solid value of the victory is thus sum m ed up by the n n n n W A m erica historia , Parkm a It ope ed the great est to n n n s a nd E glish e terprise, took from Fra ce half her avage allies , relieved her W es ternborders from the scourge of I ndianWars .

D nre - h n t w as n n Fort uques e , c riste ed For Pitt, thereupo garriso ed n 6 h a n n by a detachm e t of the 0t , d was desti ed later to play a prom inent part inthe subsequent O perations .

— nera am es A bercrom b C o one inC hief 1 757 1 768. G e l J y , l l ,

- n rn1 1 e t er a r L ieu t enera S ir F rederick H a ldi m a d . B o 7 0 di d T A f w ds . G l , ne u uet h e w a s a S w i ss so dier 1 91 . L ik e h i friend a nd co m rad e C o o B o 7 s , l l q , l nd er F re derick t h e G rea t a nd ne . I nhis ea ie ca reer h e serve d u of fortu rl r ,

nr - in- hief inN ort h A m erica nt a t t h e bat t e of M lw it z . C om m a de C w as pres e l o l , — i e di r a nd civi a dm inis t ra t r and G o vernor of C a nad a h e w a s a dist nguis h d s ol e l o . o r F H a nd e H l im a n P a er B rit i h Mus eum a s o L i e S i . ldima/ Vid a d d p s , s ; l f f , a ker f a na da e ie T oro nt M s o C s r s ( o ,

- n1 71 0 die d 1 774 a nB rad st re et . B o I A ft erw ards Ma j or G enera l Joh r , ; G eat di stinish ed hi m se f a t T icon successful lead er of irregula r tro o ps . r ly gu l de a w e roga nd O s go . ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

— - n n n . . nd a nd ard ns 1758 1760 The 2 Battalio , u der Lieut Colo el You g * nMa A s n in1 758 a d jor ugu ti e Prevost respectively, early were ordered to joinGenerals A mherst T a nd Wolfe inthe E a stern na nd m nn in n Field of operatio s , they took a pro i e t part the la d

th 1 ina nd O U I S B UR G n a nd sea - July 26 , 758, g capture of L , the great stro ghold base

L O UI S B UR G . of the French at Cape Breton. ns n in1 759 m These two Battalio were subseque tly noved up . ne i u is the S t Law re c to Quebec, where they st ll f rther d ti guished n n e o nu themselves at Mo tmore cy Falls , below Queb c , J ly the n m n a nd in s1 st , a d by their rapid move e ts their trepid courage w onfrom G enera l Wolfe the m otto of Celer et A udax (S anft onth e 1 3 and B old) . A still greater O pportunity occurred th of

. 13th 1 59 B E C n S ept . 7 , S eptember at the decisive battle of QUE , where upo the QUE B E C . n A 2 nd n i n Plai s of braham the Battalio , whose l ght Compa y cover in nin n fi a g the la d g had bee the rst to sc le the heights , protected the left during the battle against a very superior force of Red ni nand n m m in efi ort s I d a s Fre ch , who ade the ost determ ed to ’ assail the flank a nd rear of Wolfe s arm y under cover of the

dense bush a nd rocky ground . The Grenadier Com panies O f the 2nd a nd 3rd n n in m n com Battalio s were i cluded the co pa ies , ’ prising the Louisburg Grenadiers — a corp s d elite — to whom was

assigned the place of honour inthe centre O f the Line . It was inclose proximity to our Grenadi ers that the imm ortal W olfe a nd a nn n n fell , it is s id that it was Lieute a t Joh Brow , of The A m n fi a n a n Royal erica s , who was the rst to re ch the dyi g hero , d ,

w nn . . W . together ith Lieute a t J F des Barres , i his also

n n. 3r of the Regime t, to raise him from the grou d The d Batta lionplayed a no less im portant part by holding incheck the nm n nill hr n e e y u der Bougai v e, who t eate ed the rear through the

thick woods onthe river bank . The Regiment had thus a prom inent share inthi s m om entous victory— which gave t h e possessionof the N orth A m erican

nnnfina - Co ti e t lly to th e A nglo S axonrace . A in1 759 n mherst, who had succeeded A bercromby i chi ef m m n A m m n n a n co a d of the r y , led the ai force i its adv ce to 1760 , M n on 8 S 1 760 4th M o treal , where, the th of eptember, , the Bat O N T R E A L . n n 1 st a nd n na n r talio , a portio of the , the Gre adiers of the 2 d d 3 d , shared inthe glories of the surrender of the French A rm y under

the Marquis de Vaudreuil - a surrender through w h ich the m inA fina l supre acy merica l y passed to the British Crown.

A ft e w a ds Ma o - G ener a . S w is s b ex t ra ctionh e w as n1 2 a nd j y , bo 7 3 0 r r r l r , di ed 1 786 d a nerous w nd ed in ; u ul 1 759 a o v e g ly o J y , . b Que be c ; th e v ict or o f S av a nna h 1 779 a nd a di s t i nui e , , g sh d s o ldier.

A ft erw ards F i e - T d Marsh a S ir s fi er A m h e st B a ro nA m h e st C o ne l l J y , lo l r r , in- C hief 1 — , 758 1 797.

A fterw a rds Ma - nera i o G e . B orn1 722 d ie d 1 824 . neni j r l , A g neer of H not i ugue b rth ; h e a s smt ed t o na vi a t e t h e F eet u t e g l p h S t . L a w re nce ’ ; beca m e G ov ernor of P i nce E dw a rd s I s and a nd died a e r l , g d 1 0 2. A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

1760— 1 Following up their successes in1 758 under G enera l F orbes in 763. O hi V ll nd l n the o a ey , Bouquet a the st Battalio had by degrees captur ed or occupied the whole of the French posts west of the A ll nM nn an n n egha y ou tai s , d they w ere accordi gly chose for the nn ri in arnduous task of defe di g the va ous forts establinshed tnhe u explored country south of the great lakes . A regio em braci g th ousands of square miles of dense forest and im m ense lakes was thus consigned to the keeping of fiv e or six hundred m en a vast responsibility for a single weak Battaliongarrisoning a few insignifi ca nt forts . I n1 763 took place the general a nd suddenrising of the Indians n n — a n nn na nd u der Po tiac form idable co spiracy, bri gi g rui desola n in na n n nin tio to the settlers those wil d regio s , d eve threate g the safety of the Coloni es them selves . By surprise or stratagem ni ns in nn n the I d a , overwhelmi g um bers , secured ma y of the w i a h n m dely sc ttered posts held by the 6ot , m urderi g so e of the slender garrisons a nd beleaguering others . But the important posts of Fort Detroit uponthe S traits joining Lake E rie a nd Lake H na n nn i uro , d of Fort Pitt comm a di g the O h o River valley, both garrisoned by the 60t h under G ladw yn* and E cuyer respec t iv el n and l n n s y , were galla tly successfu ly held agai st treme dou odds . The relief of these two importa nt posts were operations n a n as m u fi n of the greatest urge cy, d every effort w ade to get s f cie t troops for this purpose . n n i in It was at o ce decided that Fort Pitt o the O h o, guard g W n n n s as it did the ester fro tier of the Colo ies , mu t be saved at a n nto n A inA m a y cost, but owi g the reductio of the rmy eric f m iffi a ter the great war, it was with the ut ost d culty that, at i 1 50 m l s i 3 l n rm Carl sle, i e west of Philadelph a, sm al colum was fo ed n c ns n 500 m en 1 st a n u der Bouquet , o isti g of barely of the Batt lio

60t h Royal A m ericans a nd the 42nd H ighlanders . This courage ous n - a nd n H n ba d, led by the stout hearted experie ced e ry rn Bouquet, marched almost as a forlo hope to the relief of the

r n. a in f na nd ea m n s ga riso Re ch g , a ter a lo g w ry arch, the da gerou e n n l m a nd defil s of Bushey R u , twe ty m i es fro their objective n n ’ u n withi view of the sce e of Braddock s cr shi g defeat, a site n nnin of battle deliberately chose by their cu g foe, the little force w as suddenly attacked by a va stly superior force of Indian m n bra ves . During two long trying days the co bata ts fought a ’ s n n de perate battle, u til at last Bouquet s ge ius as a nleadner a chieved a brilliant victory . The fight becom ing stagna t a d hi s en n n n m showi g sig s of exhaustio , Bouquet saw that the i m a nd n ni ns cr sis had co e , adopted a ruse ofte practised by the I d a th em selves of a ssum ing a retreat a nd w ithdrawing a portionof

n a nd us n n nn to a . the fro t, th i duci g his oppo e ts att ck The

Ma j or G ladw ynw a s prom ot ed from th e 8oth R egim ent int o th e 60th

- n R o a A m ericans in1 762 but w a s re t ansferred at er t o his old R e im e t . y l , r l g B ue M it h Mus eum ( ouq t S S B r is . ) ’ T H E KI N G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

— a n s o n 1763 1764. stratagem succeeded, d Bouquet delivered a de perate c u ter n n a nd n ul a n s ne attack upo the fro ts fla ks sim t eou ly, of the e my

n O n c t b rn . thus caught i the pe , whi h completely routed the s u bo foe nn an er n n s This victo ry, pro ou ced by A m ica historia the be t " n n n m ena nd ni an co tested actio ever fought betwee white I d s , was followed up inthe com ing year by a vigorous advance by Bradstreet uponDetroit by way of Lake E rie ; a nd by Bouquet marching from Fort Pitt with a columncons isting of his ow n n 60 th 42nd and n hi Battalio of the , the , Provi cial troops , w ch ’ ’ he led into the very heart of the enemy s country . Bouquet s n h a n a n n n ni n colum was triM p t , d upo reachi g the I d a settle m n n M in in i a n e ts o the River usk gum , deep the w ld f st esses of ’ i a nd fi n the prim eval forest, the r leader s diplomatic skill de a t

attitude com pleted the successful is sue of the M p a ign. Bouquet thus rightly earned for himself and his m enthe credit of having finally brokenthe French influence and Red I ndianpower in W n n o the est, givi g to the British Crow all the vast territ ries west A ll he nM nns an a e com of the eg y ou tai d south of the Gre t Lak s , s nno S a o f nn ni n W s rn pri i g w the t tes Pe sylva a , Virgi ia, e te

V n hi n nn na nd ns . irgi ia, O o, Ke tucky, I dia a , Michiga , Illi oi The conspicuous part played at this period by the 6ot h Royal n n n n ffi A merica s , a d the exceptio al merit of m a y of its o cers have hitherto beenbetter understood inthe Uni ted S tates a nd

inCanada thanby our ow ncountrymen. But it is now at last n n w n i c s ack owledged that the Regime t, o i g to ts espe ial attribute , was inthe forefront of all those O perations which (m ore than a ny others) added a peculia r lustre to th e British Crownat this early stage of the evolutionof the British E mpire inN orth

A merica . There is no period inits eventful his tory of which ’ The King s Royal Rifle Corps may more jus tly be proud than the epoch from its birth in1 755 t o the final overthrow of the

n n - ni n Fre ch a d Red I d a power in1 764 . na nn n in n nThe domi ti g i flue ce the Regime t at thi s period was u doubtedly H enri Bouquet . H is spirit of initiative and his s rm n n force of character cau ed refo s , which he had i troduced i to 60t h A ns n n s the Royal merica , both of orga izatio , drill , tactic , a nd n equipme t to be adopted by the whole A rm y . 1762 , M an in1 76 1 3rd n n n e while , , the Battalio , u der A ugusti e MA R T I N I QUE . n W n n in fi Prevost , movi g to the est I dies , had take part the rs t MA R T I N I UE r m t he n n 2 h n capture of Q f o Fre ch o the 7t Ja uary, 1 76 2 . It subsequently joined the expeditionto Cuba under the * E a rl A lbem a le r - n H n of r , whe e , led by Brigadier Ge eral avila d , it played a leading part inthe capture of H A VA N N A H from the

A u . lat h 1762 S n s on 1 3 A n g , , i u n pa iard the th of ugust, the co rse of which it pe e

H A VA N N A H . t rat ed n m n i to a orass , where it charged a d defeated a Regim ent S n D na nd m n of pa ish ragoo s other ou ted troops .

A ft e w ards G enera W i ia m H a vi and : C o one C m m a nda nt 1 — r l ll l l l o 76 1 1 762. A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F TIR E RE GIME N T .

- 1763 1783.

— W E sr IN D I E S A N D T H E A ME R I C A N W A R . W O nthe term inationO f the F rench W a r inA m erica th e British E S T I N DI E S . A a nd in1 764 and 1 763 3rd nrmy was reduced , respectively the a d 4t h Battalions were disbanded . The discontented a nd hostile feeling of the A mericanColonies a t this period rendered it advis able to trans fer The Royal A m n W n m erica s to the est I dies , recruited as they were fro the

C olonists them selves . Thus it fell to the lot of the Regiment to take a prom inent share inthe conquest a nd annexationof W t n n n a nd n the es I dia Isla ds the adjace t coast , which took place a t this period . The offi cers inm any ins tances filled im portant posts as Governors a nd A dm inistrators of the various islands . O nthe outbrea k of the W ar of Independence in1 775 the 3rd and 4th Batta lions were againraised inE ngla nd a nd despatched W n an n r to the est I dies , d the ce to Flo ida, where they figured prom inently inthe O perations inthat region. I n1 779 the 3rd a nd some companies of the 4th Battalion form ed portionof a narmy under General A ugustine Prevost inGe orgia a nd S outh Carolina . The Regim ent played a leading n n s M 3rd part at the brillia t actio of Briar Creek ( arch , a na in n nna d lso the subseque t siege of S ava h, where a superior ’ force of French and A m ericans under Com te d E st aigne a nd G eneral Lincolnwas successfully held at bay by a very m uch s rm n a nd fina nl maller a y u der Prevost, at the l assault was sig al y d a O 9th A nm efe ted with great loss ( ctober the , i provised ns M n nf n n body of Light Dragoo (or ou ted I a try) , orga ised by * - . nM 6oth di m Lieut Colo el arc Prevost, of the , d re arkable service d n ns and i on 9t h O uri g these operatio , at the v ctory the of ctober in s u n lost heavily , but greatly dist gui hed itself by rep lsi g the mainassaulting colum nof the enem y a nd capturing the colour of

n nno in n m il . the Caroli a Regim e t , w the possessio of the Prevost fa y Uponthe term inationof the A m ericanW a r of Independence in1 783 the 3rd a nd 4t h Battalions were disbanded for the second m but in in1 788 m a nd ti e , were aga raised fornthe third ti e des W n . 1 st a d 2nd n patched to the est I dies The Battalio s at this WE S T I N DI E S . period w ere quietly stationed inCanada until in1 797 a partial

- t e constructiontook place . The 3rd a nd 4t h Battalions inthe West Indies took part inthe following m ilitary O perations at this peri od — ur N ica ra ua - n A 1 3 1 780 1780 1809 Capt e of g Pa aman pril th, Capture by assault of the Isnla d of Tobago , a brillia t feat 1 1 of arm s A pril 7th, 793

ie - ne rc re born1 736 di ed 1 785 oune st b roth er of L ut . C o lo l Ma P vost , , , y g enera A u s t ine P re v ost — a b i lia nt a nd m ost om isin offi cer w h o G l gu r l pr g , succum be d t o th e effe ct of his w ounds . ’ T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

— n M n M 2 3rd 1 794 ur 2 d , 1794 1797. Capt e ( ) of arti ique arch n A r l 2nd 1 794 S ai t Lucia p i , n A i 1 2 1 794 Gra de Terre Guadaloupe pr l th , n nn n9th 1 796 S ai t Vi ce t Ju e ,

ni F eb . 1 8t h 1 797 Tri dad , n r A 1 8t h 1 797 A ttack o Po to Rico pril ,

ni F eb . 24t h 1 809 Capture (3rd) of Marti que ,

It w ill be seenthat the Regiment at this period was closely identifi ed with the ebb a nd flow of disaster a nd success inthe

conquest a nd re - conquest O f the W est Indi anIslands . It was

n - cursed with a perpetual a d deplorable death rate due to disease , n n n n a nd offi cial eglige ce or ig ora ce, the vicissitudes of the n i n m . r otoriously evil cli ate Yet the spi it of the Regime t, wh ch n m m C eler ct A udaaz had w o from W olfe hi self the proud otto of , n— n r rem ai ed the spirit of the origi al heroes of Louisbu g , of n R unand S nn ill Tico deroga, of Quebec, of Bushey , of ava ah st survived I

n 23rd A s 1 797 - M H .R .H . O the of ugu t, , Field arshal Frederick

a n n- in- n Duke of Y ork w s appoi ted Colo el Chief of the Regime t,

vi ce Lord A m herst deceased . I nDecem ber of the sam e year the fam ous sth Batt alion

O f n na n- n was raised at Cowes , Isle W ight, u der Lieute t Colo el BaronFrancis de R ot t enburgj ' uponthe A ustrianm odel as a ’ H om es ch s S pecial Corps of Jtigers or R iflem en. Four hundr ed of p Mounted R iflem en— a Germ anCorps rais ed for service under the n— n a l nw c m British Crow were drafted i to the Batt io , hi h was ar ned with rifles a nd dressed ingreenwith red facings . The seco d

nn- n a f w h o Lieute a t Colo el was that celebr ted Robert Crau ord , afterwards made his nam e so famous inthe Penins ular W ar

n n. th e as the ho oured leader of the Light Divisio Thus , by additionof the 5t h Battalionto the Regiment as R ifl em enin 1 797 n 6 h l a nno , the gradual evolutio of the 0t Roya A meric s i t ’ The K ing s Royal Rifle Corps w a s auspicious ly begun.

The raising of this Battaliona nd the appointm ent of Lieut . n n n m m n m not n DE B O T T E N B UB G . Colo el Fra cis de Rotte burg to its co a d , arks o ly n in n an an a disti ct epoch the history of the Regime t , but import t s in tage the development of the British A rm y . Just as Bouquet in1 756 had introduced radical changes of dress and ta ctics

n n - 60th al ninA and i to the ewly raised Roy A merica s merica , n A rm a nr in1 79 thus i to the British y , so lso did De Rotte bu g 7 ’ introduce a system of R iflem enand Light I nfantrym ens duties new A m n n to the British r y , which co tributed ot a little to the

successful issue O f the Peninsula campaign.

F rede ick Duk e of Y o k w as th e second sonof G e or e I I I a n r , r , g , d brot her of G eo e I and i i rg V W ll a m I V.

’ A ft erw ards L ieutenant - G ene a . B n or 1 760 died 1 832 . H e co nd 1 r l , m m a ed the 5th B at ta i on1 797- 1 808 nA . A ust ianb bi th and ance l , r y r , stry. G U L F 0

5 ? L A W R E N

A I N E

T O N

0 H N O R L I N 0 I S T

E N G I.

A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

— - 1798 1808. De Rottenburg prepared for Field Marshal H .R . H . Duke of “ — — York recently appointed Com m ander- in- Chief the R egula ti ons or the E x ercise R i em enand L i ht I nantr and I ns tructi ns f of fl g f y, o for " thei r c nduct inthe F i eld n o , illustrated by excelle t diagrams , which ,

m . A n- n in1 798 . with a emo by the djuta t Ge eral , was published

This book proved the text - book for the training of the 5t h i nand n in A Battal o , was thereupo adopted for use the British rmy ; it form ed the basis uponwh ich subsequent Rifle a nd Light I nfantry battalions w ere organis ed and trained . It was thi s work w hich largely influenced the ill us trious Lieutenant - General S ir John M in nn u D n oore, who regard to his trai i g of the famo s Light ivisio

n- na thus writes to the A djuta t Ge er l (A ugus t 3ot h , 1 803)

m n m e n n- nnin I ea to ake D Rotte burg the grou d work, oti g " the m arginwhatever changes we m ake from h im . It is interesting to record that in1 788 S ir JohnMoore him self r a s in 6ot h A m n a nd e se ved major the Royal erica s , that D Rottenburg in1 808 succeeded him at S horncliffe a nd Brabourne as a trainer of the Light Troops of the British A m y . I n1 799 a 6t h Battalionwas added to the Regiment— a com pany of whi ch w as clothed a nd trained as a Rifle com pany so that the close of the eighteenth century saw the Regiment com posed of six batta lions .

— — 1 808 1 824 . PE N I N S UL A R W A R . T H E RO YA L A ME R I C A N RE G I ME N T B E C O ME S

’ 60m T H E DU K E O F Y O R K s O W N RI F L E CO R P S .

I n1 808 Great Britaindetermined to take the offensive ns r nce and c n r a n agai t F a , , by oc upyi g Po tug l , e deavoured to drive N apoleona nd the F rench from the Peninsula of S pain a nd Portugal . s n nin W ar ll m m s Thu bega the Pe sular , so fu of glorious e orie

r s . 5t h nn m m n for the B iti h A m y The Battalio , u der the co a d M * n of ajor Davy , form ed part of the force despatched u der S ir r r a nd in nnc n A thur Welles ley to Po tugal , co ju tio with the 2nd Batta lionof the 95th 1' O pened the cam paignat O bidos onthe 1 5th of A ugust ; a nd two days later took part inthe

fight of R O L E I A . The services of the Battalionas Light Troops or R ifl em enwere valued so highly by the Comm ander of the n a n r in c forces , a d so import t was thei example , that a very om plim enta ry order he directed its distributionby companies

enera ir Wi ia m G a ie Dav C . B . ne Afterw ards G l S ll br l y , , C olo l — H c nde nd a nt 60th R ifles 1 842 1 856 . e su ceeded B a o R otten C om m a , , r burg nin1 808 inco m m and of th e 5th B a tt a lio .

annw T he R ifle B ri e n800 d o ad . 1 F orm ed i 1 , g ’ T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

m am ong the several brigades of the arm y . Thus it ca e to be n nn b w a r n e gaged i early all the great attles throughout the , starti g l n w b Vnum R A * w n r bril ia tly ith the attle of , here a sig al victo y

was gained over the French under General Junot . Wellesley w a s shortly afterwards superseded by S ir H arry rrar a nS i r H ew Da lr m le n m n B u d T d y p , who e ded the ca paig by nnn n n m n the Co ve tio of Ci tra, u der the ter s of which the Fre ch

evacuated Portug al . n n m a nd S ir The three com m a ders were the ordered ho e,

JohnMoore w a s selected to advance with a force uponMadrid . n nn n c m n n in S i r Davi d B a ird la ded at Coru a with rei for e e ts , i clud g 2nd na nd on 2ot h D m n M the Battalio , the of ece ber he j oi ed oore

near Mayorgo . By the masterly dispositions of N apoleonhim a n w n r n nn n self, over helmi g force of F e ch was co ce trated u der

n. l6th 1909 Ja M on nn. , , arshal S oult, which forced the British to retire Coru a C O R UN N A . ul nin r a m in m S o t , followi g pu suit , att cked the the act of e bark

n e n . i g, but m t with a crushi g defeat The British , however, ned paid a high price for their victory : B ai rd was severely wou d , and the gallant S ir JohnMoore w as killed— his dea th being a

heavy loss to the British A rm y . A t thi s junctur e General H O pe § took over the com m and a nd com pleted the em barkationof th e

. 2nd n n n n troops The Battalio , havi g bee allott ed to the defe ce

n nn in n n in t . of the tow of Coru a , was part o ly e gaged the bat le I n1 809 Wellesle n n in y , for the seco d time , la ded Portugal

and m m m n. H e n n n S l assu ed co a d at o ce adva ced agai st ou t, n nr n ns a nd n who had i vaded the o ther provi ce , by a brillia t feat m a D r a n S of ar s forced the pass ge of the River ou o , d drove oult

. nm n nM out of Portugal The , archi g upo adrid by the valley

n . I n of the Tagus , he defeated the Fre ch at TA L A VE R A his n S ir A w O f m n subseque t despatches rthur spoke armly our Regi e t , m n and n which deserved his praise , for by its s art ess i trepidity

it had saved h im from being ta kenprisoner . Uponthis occa " n in n a nd s n sio , he states his despatch , the steadi ess di cipli e 5 h n of the t Battalio 6ot h Regim ent were c onspicuous . — 1810 1812. r n nb n n Wclles l The F e ch havi g ee largely rei forced , ey retired n a w w a s n in1 1 n n i to Portug l , hich i vaded 8 0 by the e em y u der

M M n. na no arshal asse a The British Ge er l , w created Lord

S e . 27th 1810 W n nn on r n n n pt , , elli gto , i flicted the F e ch a sa gui ary check at B U S A C O ,

B US A C O . — n n — where the 60t h u der Colo el W illi am s againdistinguished

m . nm n the selves The e e y was , however , too stro g to be per m anentl a nd W n n n y stopped , elli gto retired to the li es of Torres

V n n. edras , coveri g Lisbo

’ T h e B at t alionw as es ecia m ent ioned inW e lles le s d es a p lly y p t ch . i e T F o rm erly a C a pt ainnt h 60th . F orm er Ma o int h e 4t h B at t a ion00th I ly j r l .

A ft e rw a rds G enera T h e E a r o f H o et o un C o o ne C o m n § l l p , l l m a d a nt i 6t h B a t t a l o n60th .

A fterw a ds Ma o - G ene a S ir W i ia m i i j W a m s , die d 1 2 r r r l ll ll 83 ,

’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

— n 1 81 4 one th e r ll n 1814 1824 I February, , occurred of most b i ia t n es — A r w i m a ceuvr of the war the famous passage of the dou , h ch n D v n n A rm t h e was forced i the teeth of a i isio of the Fre ch y , ’ m an 60th din n co p y of the lea g the adva ce of the Guards nBrigade, . O n 27th m m S to which it was attached _ the of the sa e o th oult

' was againtotally defeated at O R rnE s . W inton w in hi n onO U L O U S E ell g , follo g up t s victory, adva ced T , n h A 0 0 w on where , o the l ot of pril , the British tr ps the last of the n in ninl W ar in fourt ee great battles fought the Pe su ar , twelve

of which the Regiment ha d takena glorious part . The repul se of a sortie from Bayonne was the final episode of th is mem orable hi r ina th e a n E m war, w ch was te m ted by abdic tio of the peror

N apoleon. Thus closes a mom entous record of gallant achievements of n h the Regiment . A m ong the offi cers of the sth Battalio w o ni n nn W ar s disti gu shed themselves duri g the Pe i sular , beside

* - r ni n M W . n those al eady me t o ed, were ajor oodgate, Lieut Colo el

' aliffe nch oedd e an nB lassi re. G ,1 Captai S , t: d Captai e To continue th e history of the other Battalions of the Regi n i 2 nd t nin nr 1 809 me t at th s period, the Bat alio , Ja ua y, , after nn n nn ns an n Coru a , had retur ed to the Cha el Isla d , d the ce t o

n . nhi the West I dies The 1 st Battalio , w ch had previously always n inA m a in1 81 0 4 bee quartered eric , was , together with the th n E nn n Battalio , brought to gla d , whe ce it shortly afterwards e H a nd 4 a nw as proce ded to the Cape of Good ope, the th B ttalio

sent to Domini ca . A 7th and 8 a n n1 81 3 th Batt lio were added i , the former raised

at Gibraltar and the latter at Lisbo n. Both battalions w ere in n nd dressed gree , which colour at th e e of 1 81 5 was adopted

for the whole Regim ent . A t th e conclusionof the w ar with France the Regim ent was ns reduced to two battalio , of which the l st w as ca lled T h e nan n Rifle Battalio d the 2 d The Light Infantry Battalion. I n1 824 th e 2nd n c al s nan Battalio be ame o a Rifle Battalio , d the Regim ent dropping its old title of Royal A m ericans was ’ granted by George I V the name of The Duke of York s O w n " r n4t . Rifle Co ps , dated Ju e h

A fterw ards C o one and C . B . died 1 8 1 l l , 6 .

“ A fterw ards C o one and C . B 1 l l died 1 848.

A fterw ard s ie t - enera S ir H L u . G am es o m f l J l 03 S ch oedde , w ho ecei v d th irt eenc a s s w ith his w ar n1 7 m edal . B o r 8 i r e l p 6, d ed 1 86 1 . Ma o - G enera s S ir H enr C inon j r l y l t . S ir C s or e Murra and S ir Jam es K em t C o one s C om m andant of the R e i ena , m t so serve w ith di t inc n p l l g , s tio . A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E R E G M E N T .

— — - P A R Il I825 1836 1841 . T . 1 870.

— — 1 x n nS cum A m en. 1 825 1 856 r q 8 War

- I n1 827 took place th e deat h of Fi eld Marsha l H .R .H . the

n n- in- D uk e of who had bee Colo el Chief for thirty years , a nd had givenhis name to the Regiment . H e w as succeeded by his o er - M s a H .R . H . A D C am ri br th , Field ar h l dolphus, uke of b dge f n1 830 n r r W I I the title of the Regime t, by o de of illiam V, w as ’ a gainchanged to The King s Royal Rifle Co rps . A n e e N n e lo g peac follow d the great wars of the apoleo ic p riod, a nd from Toulous e in1 81 4 until the S ikh W ar in1 848 the Regi ment w as not engaged onactive service . But from 1 848 onwards n n m nn the British A rmy e tered upo a fa ous series of campaig s , i m n n nearly all of which the Regi e t has take a memorable share . Its success may be said to be largely due to the excell ence and 1 st n — i n n the example of the Battalio , which d rectly i heriti g the Peninsular honours and traditions of the st h Battalionas n— nn in“ n R iflem e had mai ta i ed, spite of the lo g peace, its reputa

n ne l na nd n fi n r. tio for smart ss , discip i e, ge eral ef cie cy for Wa n hi in n ffi r r n Fortu ate at t s period ma y o cers of g eat expe ie ce,

- the Regiment owed much to Lieut . Colonel the H on. H enry l ne n 1 st al n n Richard Mo y ux , I who comma ded the Batt io (the quartered inthe Mediterranean) from 1 836 until his untimely en death in1 841 . The high effici cy of the Battali onand its nes rit de cor s n ni in1 845 ne his stro g p p whe it sailed for I d a , u d r

- n. . n H o H en D na successor Lieut Colo el the ry u d s, § were largely na and hi s due to his strong perso lity to powers of organisation. Dundas commanded the Batta lionfrom 1 845 to 1 854 with con

. I n W ar nl an S picuous succ es s the S ikh , both as Colo e d as

- n l Brigadier Ge eral, he sh owed the highest qua ities of leadersh ip

’ H i s R oyal H ighness s sw ord and be lts w ere pres ent e d t o th e o fficers of ’ n eo e I V a nd a re now int h e c th e l et B at t a io b E LM. inG O ifi ers M l y K g rg , es s.

' 1 T he seventh sonof G eorge I I I a nd th e F ath er o f th e lat e F ield - Marsh al — H H e e rid e C o one - ln- C hi ef 1 869 1 9 4 .R . . G eorg Duk of C am b g , l l , 0 .

rn27th A u t 1 80 3r sono f 2nd E a of eft o n. B o us 0 died 1 4 t d rl S g , ; 8 1 .

e r ene a isc unt Me vi l e G . C . B C o one C o ndan1 5A ft rw a ds G r l V o l l , l l m m a t 864 rnin1 800 ente ed C o dst e a m G ua ds 1 81 9 urch a sed unat ta c 1 875. B o , r l r r ; p hed

— - n m a o it 1 82 6 M.P . 1 826 29 urch a sed L ieut . C o o e c 83rd R e i nt j r y ; ; p l l y g m e , w hi ch h e com m ended for fift eenyears ; a s sisted insuppressiono f t h e P a pineau R e e i ninC anada I nu 1 844 ex ch ane d t o com m an b ll o ; J ly, , g d l st B at a li n60th R ifles and t ook it t o I ndia 1 845 unt il rom ot ed Ma r- ne t o , , p j o G e ral nctioninth e P naub C am ai — 1 854. erved w ith rea t disti u n1 848 S g j p g , 49, both a oolt anand G oo erat . S ucceeded his fa th er as 3rd Vis c nt 1 t M j ou 851 . ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

nd a a nd nin a m nd — a cour ge, throughout the e ye rs of his co ma 1842 1857. the Battalionheld a forem ost place inthe British A rmy in

India . It was thus under these favourable circum stances that the n n in E and n D un Regim e t bega its career the ast, u der das played

a prom inent part inthe S ikh W a r . E m ployed incovering the n w a s m in m n of adva ce, it fore ost the stor i g of the city n a n n MO O L T A N . N n ul l d i e n. ud 1849 Ja 22 , , othi g co d exceed the ga la try d scipli

MO O L T AN . h G az ette 7th of the 60t Royal Rifles are the words of the , of

M 1 849 . arch, n n n S ubseque tly, by forced m arches , the Battalio joi ed the arm y under Lord G ough * intim e to share inthe fina l battle t G O O JE R A T r m b n S kh s F eb. 21 s , 1849. of , a victo y over a co i ed force of i

G O O JE R A T . a nd A fghans . The result of this trium ph of British arm s w as nn n una u a n A m the a exatio of the P j b, d the retreat of the eer Dost Mahom ed Khanwith the A fghanarm y beyond the Khyber

Pass .

U n 8 l 1 850 H . R .H . A s D k po the th of Ju y, , dolphu u e of

m b a nd n- in- i b Ca ridge died , was succeeded as Colo el Ch ef y Field

M H . R . H . nA n H er M n arshal Pri ce lbert, Co sort of late aj esty Quee

Victoria . I n1 851 2nd n i nn the Battalio , wh ch had bee o hom e service

S O UT H A F R I C A . n 1 847 m S O UT H A F R I C A a nd w as m in si ce , e barked for , e ployed

’

th e K affir W ar dur ing that a nd the t w o following years . It took

- part under Lieut . Colonel N esbitt inm any actions with the nm n in n e e y , i clud g the passage of the Great Kei, the atta ck o nM ninM l ot h a nd n the Iro ou ta ( arch , the O peratio s for n W l Ma 1 7t h cleari g the ater K oof ( y ,

A m n 2nd n - one nk detach e t of the Battalio (forty all ra s , with sevenw om ena nd thirteench ildren) form ed a portionof the tr0 0 ps

onb - i B irkenhea d i n n oard the ill fated troopsh p , wh ch , o the ight b 26th 1 852 w on S A n of Fe ruary the , , was recked the outh frica coast under conditions w hich evoked from the troops o nboard a m em orable di splay of steady discipline a nd serene coura ge in

n . m en l ina n n the facne of da ger The fe l d stood ca lm ly o parade awaiti g death while the ship w a s sinking w ithout a cry or ’ m urm ur among them . The whole ship s com pany with few

exceptions perished . O nS m b 23rd 1 852 na n epte er the , , Ge er l Viscou t Beresford

c m n- - n . . i vi ce H R H . n A n be a e Colo el Chief, Pri ce lbert, a d w as n o n 2 8t h n 1 upo his death the of Ja uary , 854 , succeeded by

- M Field arshal Viscount Gough . I n1 855 a nd 1 857 the ard a nd 4th Battalions were raised at D b na nd W n u li at i chester respectively . Thus in1 857 the Regi m n n n e t agai co sisted of four Battalions .

d ie d - Ma A ft e w ar s F sh a Visc nt ou h o - ou G x .r . C o one in r l r l g , , l l C hie f — 1 854 1 869. ° P am pluna

A I N . P O R T UG L .

H - WE S T F R A N C E ating the a rea of O perations

nP a rt 1 S ection8. red to I ,

E N G L IS H MI L E S

40 50 C O 70 00 0 0 to o

A E H BRI F IS TO RY O F T H E RE G I ME N T.

- — 1 857 1 860 . nnm . R O I . D H L K UN D a m .

The outbreak of the Great Mutiny of the N ative A rmy in I ni e non l oth Ma 1 857 d a b ga the of y, , at Meerut , where th e l st Battalionwas at th at time quartered under the command of

- * n n n. Lieut . Colo el Joh Jo es The Battalionat the moment was mustering for evening church parade . O nhea ring the news it inand nM ' n ffi n immediately fell , Captai uter, 1 the se ior o cer prese t, with great prom ptitude instantly despatched a com pany to secure th e Treasury . The Battalionthereuponm arched towards the n n n 6t h n n city, whe bei g j oi ed by the Carabi iers a d a Battery H A rt all E n a of orse illery ( the uropea troops av ilable) , it pro e e n N ce d d to occupy the li es of the ative troops , thus effectually preventing the m utineers fr om establishing them selves inthe w c to r city, so that they ere for ed forthwith ret eat towards Delhi . The story is to ld that while hurrying t o the native lines the Batt alioncame uponthe body of a lady lying dead and mutilated by the roadside . Thi s lady was well knownboth to the offi cers and m enfor her devotionand care for the w om enand children nand m en — of the Battalio , the as they passed e xasperated at the sight— raised their rifles inthe a ir a nd swore to avenge her nt m . o l nn death It is too uch to say that the Batta io , a d their n n " m nn A . leader, k ow later as Jo es the ve ger, ade good their oath inin i n B ri adi e A rchda l n March g pursu t, u der g r e Wilso , the Meerut troops foug ht two successful actions uponthe K indun in h l st n m nn nd on River, whic the Battalio took a pro i e t part, a th e 7th of June it joined the army under M aj or- G eneral S ir H enry

B arnard at A ligh ur . ’ ’ A t one o clock onthe following morning the whole of B am ard s force m oved against Delhi . O nreach ing B a dl ee- ke- S erai it was found that the m utineers were strongly posted inanentrenched ’ na n H n positio lo g the ridge from the flagstaff to i doo Rao s house, n nnm ns and s n overlooki g the ca to e t city, but after a harp e gage ment of about three - quarters of anhour the ridge was cleared of the enem y and occupied by o ur troops . Thus beganthe famous siege of DE L H I — a perniodnfull of glorious memories to all S ixtieth R iflem en. F rom the o to the final assault onthe city (June the 8 th to S eptember the 20th) the Battal ionwas con ’ ntl m e as st n H n sta y e ploy d either outpo s ear i doo Rao s house, n i n or w ith tnhe various conlum s wh ch werense t forwanrd to drive the muti eers back i to the city , whe , embolde ed by the

- ne enan a ir ohn o s K . C B r n a ds L ieut t G ene S . . A st o and A ft erw r r l J J , g F or his em a kab e se vi ces int h e Mutinh e eceiv forceful lea d er. r r l r y r ed t h e

e G ov erno r - G enera inC ounci C .B . rom oted C o one nd t hank s of t h l l , , p l l a

- nd ied 1 878. a K C . B . D B rigadier G e nera l . ,

' nbar Dou las Mut er w ho rea t distinuished him se f ne Du , 1 C olo l g g ly g l , bre v et s durinth e sie e and subs ue t o era tions H e bt ainint w o g g eq np . w as Win a nd di ed in1 9 9 afterw ards a Military K night of dsor ; 0 . ’ T H E KI N G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

s n inn a ss s tre gth of overwhelm g umbers , they made repe ted a aulnt uponour positiono nthe ridge . It is recorded that the Regime t

was during thi s period engaged intwenty - four separate act ions . O n nin S m 1 4th a of the m or g of epte ber the , after six d ys n s ns a in bombardme t, two breache were co idered practic ble the l ne in r n e wa ls of the city, o the cu tai to the right of the Cashmer

t n. Gate, the other to the lef of the water bastio The assault ns na n s was delivered at three poi t , mely, uponthe two breache a n ur m r . d the Cashm ere Gate, while a fo th colu followed as rese ve The whole of the Battali onwas split up inskirmishing order n u n m ns a nd in to cover the adva ce of the assa lti g colu , this apprO priat e and cong enial duty they greatly distinguish ed them selves . s a nd a n The assaults were succe sful , after heroic struggle the city was partially occupied by night- fall . But it w a s not until S eptember the 20t h that the place a nd its defences were n n o ur a nd nnl co n com pletely i the ha ds of troops , the o y after n n fi inin t inuous a nd desperate ha d to ha d ght g the streets . N n ul n a r n othi g co d exceed the determi ed v lou of the Regime t, and every R ifl em a nwill rem em ber with jus tifiable pride a nd in n m D pleasure that, hav g joi ed the ar y before elhi , its services were officially pronounced to be pre - eminent inthe mem orable " siege a nd capture . “ A ll n annn n behaved obly, writes Lord C i g , the Gover or General of India inhis final despatch uponthe siege a nd ca ptur e D hi N m 9th m a of el (dated ove ber the , but I y be per m it t ed to allude somewhat to those Corps most cons ta ntly n nnn 60th i e gaged from the begi i g , the R fles , the S irm o or

B att alionj and the Guides . Probably not o ne day thr oughout the siege passed w i thout a casualty inone of t hese Corps ; in r n our n n placed the very f o t of positio , they were ever u der

fire . r fi n Their cou age, their high quali catio s as skirmi shers , ln in b n n n. their cheerfu ess , their stead ess were eyo d com me datio in n n r Their losses actio show the atu e of the service . The Rifles com m enced w ith 440 of all ranks ; a few days before the storm they received a reinforcem ent of nearly 200 m en; their total casual ties were ’ We m ay conclude this pag e of the Regim ent s hi story by n n n n m citi g the judgme t of the Ge eral u der who they served, who described the Battali onas a glorious example both inits daring gallantry a nd its perfect discipline I

’ no - G enera s d es a t ch L ondonG az euc G over , Ma 1 8t h 1 860 nh e r l p , y , , upo t i nt f om I ndia R e m e . departure o f th e g r ‘ . nE dw a rd s O W “ G N O W th e 2nd K i g urkh a. R ifles T h e S irm o or R i 1 ( fleS ) . f this a ant R e i ent t h a t w h enask e I t is sta ted o g ll g m , d w h a t re w a rd t h ey w o uld ices at De h i t h e be ed f like for th eir serv l , y gg or a nd w ere ra nt e d t he red . g h e 60th t o be a dded t o th eir R ifle uniform facings of t .

e a t oh G eneral S ir A rchda e Wi s on2 2nd S e t em ber 1 85 I D sp , l l , p , 7,

A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GI ME N T .

I nthe following year the 1 st Battalionformed part of the n n n r i Roorkee Field Force u der Jo es , ow promoted B igad er n h a ains 1 1 th Ge eraln, whic operated g t the rebels from the of A il 24t h Ma 58 . pr u til the of y , 1 8 ’ During this short campaignJones force swept through the whole P rovince of R ohilkund from north to south ; fought o ne N u eenah l s n in r battle ( g , 2 t of A pril) ; defeated the e emy th ee a ns B a aw alla 1 7 A il B arreill ard Ma a nd ctio ( g , th of pr , y, of y , Do ura 5th Ma n ne j , of y) ; assaulted a d captured o city (Bareilly, 6th Ma a n M 1 of y) ; d relieved two others ( oradabad, 8th of A pril , a nd S h ah eh anore 1 1 th Ma B unnai j p , of y) ; destroyed two forts ( , 24t h Ma a nMa h o e 2 h Ma a n of y , d m d e, 5t of y) ; d took thirty I s evenguns . t was said of the gallant Jones that he never n n nor n assaulted a positio that he did ot take, attacked a gu

that he di d not capture . l st n n in nin The Battalio agai took part operatio s O udh , n i S i r T h m as S e tona nd B ri adi er lin r u der Brigad er o a g C o T oup ,

8 O n 3 l st D 1 5 . from the th of ctober u til the of ecember, 8 8 Four s nw n — n uccessful actio s ere fought with the rebels , amely Bu ka nst h O P us a on1 9 O R issool ur gao , of ctober ; g , th of ctober ; p , 2 sth O a nB ra oan2 r N a n of ctober ; d a g , 3 d of ovember ; d the Fort of Mit t ow lis was also ca ptured onthe l ot h of N ovem ber n n ar n n the ce the Battalio formed p t of a flyi g colum , whi ch cleared the rebels out of the K hyreegh ur jungles . A n 2nd l n n wi g of the Batta io , which had bee ordered from n fin n the Cape, also took part i the al stages of the operatio s a gainst the m utineers . I nM 1 860 1 st l nm E nn arch, , the Batta io e barked for gla d, a nd in na O nnn n- n n a Ge er l rder Lord Ca i g , Gover or Ge eral of I dia, bore further t estiinony to the services of the Battalionineloquent a nd n n m n in n u precede ted ter s , co clud g with the follow i g mem orable tribute

I t not m r ffi a nd m encon is ore by the valou of its o cers , s icuous non a n n is p as that has bee every occ sio , tha by the d ci pline a nd excellent conduct of all ranks during the whole of inI n i m n ni their service dia, that th s Regi e t has disti gu shed

itself. The Governor- General tenders to the Battalionhis warmest acknowledgments for the high example it has set in every respect to the troops with whi ch it has beenassociated inquarters as well as inthe field ; a nd he assures its officers a nd m entha t the estim ationinwhich their services are held by the Governm ent of Indi a confirm s to the full the respect n " a d adm irationwith whi ch they are universally regarded . The sp lendi d services rendered by the Regiment inthe period in m a its history above briefly recorded y perhaps be equalled , can r n n but hardly be surpassed by futu e ge eratio s of R iflem en.

L ondon ette Ma 1 8th 1 860 . G aa , y , ’ T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

— n 18 . n n n a nd nin 1845 60 The good co duct, sou d discipli e , u fl chi g courage of — il the l st Battalionduring its service inIndia (1 845 1 860) w l n m inA O L DE N A G E A G O L DE N A G E . always be regarded by the Regime t as ark g G

n r a nd ndm in n. i its histo y a la ark its traditio ns n n n 2 8t h b 1 860 2 d , O the of Fe ruary , , the Battalio u der * n - in . ne m m b Lieut Colo l Pal er, e arked at Calcutta to jo the Fra co

British E xp editionto China under G enera l S i r H op e G ra nt . S ix months later the Battaliontook a vigorous part inthe assault a nd capture of the TA K U FO R T S onthe Peih o River (A ugus t the l a nd n m a nd E K I N on 1 3 2 st ) , the ce arched to occupied P the th of

S eptem ber .

n m 1 86 1 n n E n n. I S epte ber , , the Battalio retur ed to gla d

— — ' rn R I C A . R E D I VE R . 1 86 1 1 870 . N on A ME R

I n1 861 the 4t h Battalionw a s hurriedly despatched to Canada n n N n at the time of the Tre t affair, whe war with the orther inn a n ni n S tates of A m erica seem ed im m e t , d Fe a raids were — n threatened . This Battalioncom m anded for fourtee years

— ' - nfi c an 1 1 3 . nH a m m in ( 860 87 ) by Lieut Colo el awley , 1 of cer of o d g personality a nd ability— achieved at this period a nd later the highest reputationfor its system of light drill a nd of organisation n in n m h l the far adva ce of the age , a syste w inch has gradual y n . n bee adopted by the whole A rm y The Regime t, both i dividu

a nd n H . S ir ally collectively, is deeply i debted to awley Redvers Buller i a nd Lord Grenfell § owed their early training to hi s tuition; a nd there are few R ifl em enof our generationwho have achieved distinctionwho do not directly or indirectly owe their hi s n nan in and hi s n n ll success to i spiratio d teach g , i flue ce is sti

- na n in n . w ge er lly ack owledged the Regime t to day H a ley , " S ir l m t with his pupil Redvers Bu ler, are, writes the ili ary

n H on. n n historia , the Joh Fortescue , the great trai ers of troops

our ow nm . Vid cti n I a . a n . of ti e e S e o X , par s B d D

A fterw a ds C o one a n r l l d C . B .

A fte rw ar s i - nera B H a w e e d L eut . G e R be ea ufo C o on C o m T l o rt y l y . l l m a nd a nt 1 890— 98 d 6th u s — ide : b rn1 8t h A i 1 82 1 die A u t 898. V , o pr l, , g . 1 B io ra h ica Me m ir n r a nR o b L ieut e G e eral S i E d w rd H ut t o e i m enta l g p l , y , g C hroni cle 1 909 a s vide 9—40 , ; l o pp . 3 .

A f r r H n ir e d er t e w a ds G enera R i h t o . S R v s B u e v t l g ll r. r . c . , . o . , o ne o m m a nd a nt 1 895— 1 908 B rn c C o C . o De e m e h ie l l , b r 7t , 1 839, d d ne 2nd 9 i a i ie a is t i i u 1 08. H s u t s s a d nu sh ed s o ie J , q l g ld r a re w ell sum m ed up by t h e ins criptio nup o nhis Mem oria l T o m b re ce nt ly ere ct e d inW inch es ter “ " C ath edra A G rea t L oa d er— B e o ve d b h is Men l , l y . Vida B io gr a hical S ket ch R e m nta l C hroni cle 1 908 1 5 7 a i e . s o R edvers B uller , g , , p ; l , by W is B ut e u b is he s S m it h E d er C o l r ; p l r , , l .

- n N o w i H W . L r F e d Marsh a R i h t o . F . o d G re nfe P 5 l l g ll , . O . , C o o ne C n r ri m m nt 1 898. B o nA 29t h o a d a 1 84 1 . l l , p l . Vida p . 45 a nd 80 H s to s o n 4 i r o the B riti h A rm V l . v . 60 u i 1 ll y f y, , p , p bl sh ed 1 9 2. A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

— I n1 869 4th n n E n n a nd w a s 1869 1870. the Battali o retur ed to gla d, r A i a ffi n q ua tered at ldershot , where its h gh st te of e cie cy was ni kn an n ll a nd u versally ac owledged, d the ovelty of its dri tactics attract ed much attention. U n on r M 1 869 po the death of Lord Gough , the 3 d of arch , ,

- M a H . R . H . D m Field arsh l George, uke of Ca bridge , the Com m n - in- n n a der Chief of the British A rm y , was appoi ted Colo el

- inChief. * - I n1 867 l st n n . n i n the Battalio , u der Lieut Colo el Fe lde , m M nn n a n n was oved from the editerra ea to Ca ada , d o the out ’ break of Riel s Rebellionin1 870 was selected by C olonel Wolseley 1“

in E nvide m a . to take part the Red River xp editio ( p , p

c nm n1 200 c n unR .A . l st The for e , u beri g , o sisted of two g s , , the n6 t h a n c n Battalio o Rifles , d two spe ially raised battalio s of

n nM . n na n Ca adia ilitia A fter a jour ey of 600 m iles by la d d lake ,

a c n n S . n it re hed Thu der Bay , o Lake uperior Leavi g Lake S h eba ndow ah fi m m k S on l 6 h , fty iles east fro La e uperior, the t E i n n in 600 m of July, the xp ed tio the traversed boats iles of a n a n c n a n regio of rivers , lakes , d forest , pra tically u explored d a nd t six n n l on 24th trackless , af er weeks of i cessa t toi , the of A u now W im ii e gust reached Fort Garry ( the city of p g) , the

n u . Wolsele headquarters of the rebel forces , u der Lo is Riel y, l ncou de m ain onw i 1 st n by a bril ia t p , pushed th the Battalio nfi a nd a nd his m i fty boats , took Riel followers co pletely by

. H nr n nn surprise urriedly , the i su ge t leader aba do ed Fort Garry a nd the rebellioncollapsed . c f nin n The dire t e fect of this achievem e t , which the Regim e t r n n m nna nd was fo tu ate e ough to take so pro i e t decisive a share, has beenthe unificationof the Dom ini onof Canada a nd the open ing up to a great a nd prosperous future of the whole wide region

N - n ne of the great orth W est, desti ed to becom e o of the most populous a nd m ost im porta nt portions of the E m pire . Thus for a second tim e has the l st Battalionof the Regim ent beenprivil eged to play a direct a nd alm ost single- handed part inthe additionof vas t regions to the British CrowninN orth A m r : fi in1 758 —1 64 n in n n e ica rst , 7 , u der Bouquet, co queri g A l nM nns now those territories west of the legha y ou tai , some of m s S a nU ni na nd n the ost prosperou tates of the A meric o ; , seco d , in1 870 n W lsel in n n , u der o ey, crushi g a rebellio , the overthrow of which h as enabled the prairies of the N orth - W est Territories of Canada to be welded into what are now among the m ost

flourishing Prov inces of the Dom inion.

Af rw ar - ne a F ei d e died 1 895. t e ds L ieut . G e n r l l ,

' - - A ft erw ards F ie d Marsh a Viscount W o se e K .P . etc . m m a nde in 1 l l l l y, . , C o r ’

C hiet th e B it i h md e e c x i a a . i . of r s A rm y, s . , p r v ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

— — 1871 1880. lll 187l P A R T .

- — . A r m an. 1 871 1 88L IN D 1 A . A F G H A N WA R S cum

ZUL U WA R . FI R S T B onnW A R .

The overwhelming defea t of th e French A rmies by the Germ an troops inthe mom entous w ar of 1 870— 71 brought about vast

changes inm ilitary E urope . A system of compulsory service onthe Germanm odel was introduced by all the great na tions — r ne e te — and e n i e n of E urope Great B ita i xc p d G rma dr ll , G rma

nif and n s nr ll . style of u orm , Germa method were ge e a y adopted I nE ngland a strong wave of pro - Germanfeeling swept over an li the British A rmy , d mi tary critics advocated the methodical

nd n m in- collectivism t o a exacti g method of ach e like , the no f el a nd d m n i destructio the asticity rapi ity of move e t , w th

the self- reliance and initiative which makes for individua lism . 60 th a n n The S pirit of the stood out, d did much to cou teract

nn and n re- n. this te de cy, to bri g about the actio n n 1 878 2n a n n in I the autum of the d Batt lio , com m a ded

- the absence of Lieutenant Colonel J . J . Collins by Major Crom er nh n rm r e A shbur am , was quartered at Meerut, a d fo ed pa t of th

l st 1 st D i i n n L i eutena nt - G enera l S i r D nal d Brigade, ivns o , u der o — t rt hi A f nW a r 3 3 1330 S ew a , , t t , 1 7 , w ch upo he outbreak of he gha was

W R . - A n . F G H AN n Vi na . A directed upo Ka dahar de map III , N orth W est I di A fter a trying m arch of 440 miles (one day thirty m iles across th e desert without a m a nfalling out) Kandahar was occupied n o n sth s n . Without resi ta ce the of Ja uary , 1 879 I nthe following S eptem ber there was a rising of the A fghans an n nhi at Kabul , d the British e voy a d s escort w ere m assacred . A n n n n n adva ce upo Kabul , the ecessary retort to such a outrage , in m u na nd n was accord gly ade by two col m s , after severe fighti g

l c L i eut. - G eneral ir Kabu was oc upied by S F rederi ck R oberts . — During the winter of 1 879 80 the positionof affairs a t Kabul r t a and nn became ve y cri ic l , it was fou d ece ssary to reinforce the A r n m m n S ir F re rmy the e u der the Co a d of derick R oberts . A ccord n on 27th M 1 880 S ir na ’ , Do ld S ta va rt n i gly the of arch , s Divi sio of 7520 m enwas directed to leave Kandahar and m arch upon

A fterw ards F ie d - Ma rs ha E a R oberts m e , v . c . et c . C o nd - l l l , m m a er in r , C hief of t he B i tis h Arm w h ose on son r y ly , L i eut . t h e H ) n 6 d i he R obe ts v .o . w a s k ed a t t bat t e of C o en r . , ll l l so , Decem ber l ti t h 1 859 "1i§h , 3 a noffice of th e R e im ent a nd servin as r g , A . D.C . t o S ir R e d v e r s B ullet . Died infi ance w ithinhe a inof t h e e m anun 1 r g r g s , 91 6 . A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

Kabul . O nthe 1 9th of A pril the A fghanA rm y attacked the m nonth e m A B I VI A D H E L n n in colu arch at K , whe , co cealed the and il khors gorges of the h ls , a large body of Ghazies charged

n n fi in. in boldly upo the fla k of the rst l e Carry g all before them , m m n the issue for a ti e see ed doubtful , but the stubbor courage h m nw onth e a n of the Britis colu day , d the form idable Ghazies ,

n a l . n after sufferi g great loss , were tot l y defeated The 2 d Bat

n n m m n l n - n talio , the co a ded by Co li s , had the ill fortu e to be k n rn and n on ta i g its tu of rear fla k guard this particular day, on rin fi n n ninm but , hea g the ri g , at o ce hurried to the sce e ti e in in vin nn to bear a lead g part retrie g the critical situatio , a d aid inturning what at one time threatened to be a serious reverse n i . m n n . i to a decisive v ctory G Co pa y, however, u der Lieut n* l m nn i r D na ld Davidso , al otted to the per a e t duty of escort to S o t art m nn r in n n S ew , played a pro i e t pa t meeti g the first sudde n a nd o slaught of the Ghazies , did m uch to stem the rush which a t the m om ent seem ed likely to be overwhelm ing . Continuing th e n n n ne the march , Battalio was prese t at the surre der of G huz e, a nd at the fight of U rz oo onthe 23rd of A pril whenthe A fghans were againdefeated . The colum nfina lly reached Kabul onth e

h m m n s m n n . 28t of the sa e o th, thu acco plishi g a ota ble m arch

n - 320 m i fiv e . l l It had covered iles thirty days over a hosti e, difficu t, nd m unnn nt n n a nd a al ost k ow cou ry , fought two ge eral actio s , captured a fortress . n h n Mai and I July A yub K a defeated a British force at w ,

n G enera l P ri m rose in n a . i n a d besieged Ka dah r The Battal o , already distinguished for its m arching powers and steady dis i line w as rm c p , selected to fo part of the Relief Force of en i ft n S ir F rederi ck R oberts on 9th m , wh ch le Kabul u der the of — s a nd n a on 3l st . s b A ugu t, reached Ka dah r the Thi march y ir Dona ld t rt s the sam e route as that of S S ew a , but at the hotte t

' — as efi eeted in n- n time of the year w twe ty four days , i clusive na n of halts , givi g average of miles per diem , or of for th e days of act ual m arching. n in l st n 2 1 st A S ir F rederick R oberts had fi A u . 2 mo O the of ugust oti ed g , ,

K AN DAH A B . the orders of the day that the city of Kandahar was com pletely n all in A h n i vested , characteristic y add g that he hoped yub K a " n . i th e would rem ai there This w sh was duly realised , for n nin n a nd on A fgha leader was fou d positio for battle, the follow n l st w as in na nd n i g day , S eptember the , he attacked fro t fla k, and completely routed ; the whole of his guns and camp (whi ch ha d beenleft standing) were captured by th e victorious troops . O nthe 8th of S eptember the 2nd Battalionleft Kandaha r in E n i m ns to take part the Mari xpeditio , wh ch lasted for two o th n na m in w a s not a d e t iled uch hard march g ; there , however, any fighting .

“ nK B K V O ue r K C one ir A rth ur Da vidso . C . . C . . E t o . M N ow ol l S , q r y . ex and a QueenA l r . ’ T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RI FLE CO RPS .

O nthe term inationof the cam paignthe Comm ander- in Chief inI ndia published the following ina General O rder The 2 nd Batta lion60 th Rifles has throughout the war m m aintained its high reputationfor effi ciency . I nthe arch m n bul A hm in m m b fro Ka dahar to Ka , at ad Khel , the e ora le m c m nd a n b n di n ar h fro Kabul to Ka ahar , d the su seque t expe tio M n 6 t h fl w m r to the ari cou try , the o Ri es ere re arkable for thei

discipline a nd m arching powers . I nthe O perations above 1 1 described the Regim ent m arched 000 miles in00 days . N 0 n but in un as A ni a n light feat a ywhere , such a co try fgha st it is one well worthy of record inthe annals of the British A rmy",

- O n 8 . n . . l ns the th of S eptem ber Lieut Colo el J J Co li , who had m m n n c m n co a ded the Battalio throughout the a paig , succum bed

to fever while onhis way to India onsick lea ve . I n i n m al n a n add tio to the war ed , a special bro ze st r was give

for the m arch from Kabul to Kandahar . It is worthy of note k i na nd w a s fi am nin that hak was wor , that this the rst c paig n in m fl ha d n which the Regime t , s ce it had beco e Ri es , fought i

any colour but green. 1879— 1884 n , S c m m 3r n pe ial refere ce ust here be ade to the d Battalio , B A T T A L I O N . whose good fortune led it to ta ke part inno less thanfour cam ai ns in a nt n p g six years , d hus to justify a claim to bei g called " fi n n. in1 inI n s the ghti g Battalio Raised 855 rela d , thi Bat talionhad beenm oved to Madras at the close of the Mutiny in1 857 m in1 862 c M in1 a n n , to Bur ah , ba k to adras 865, d to A de

in1 871 a nd n E nnin1 872 . not nn al , the ce to gla d It had, u atur ly , suffered m uch disadvantage from its long ex ile of fifteenyea rs

in E n n . the ast, u relieved by the experie ce of active service It in n n was , therefore , a co ditio especially to profit by th e exam ple H a nd 4t h nw hi nra of awley the Battalio , ch had m ade itself ge e lly a nd ca n no n felt , there be doubt that it derived at this period a im m n nfi inefli cienc a nd n n n n e se be e t y i terior eco om y, ot o ly m n n H a nd fro the i flue ce of awley his system , but also fr om na n the traditio s d example of the l st Battalion. Its new com m nn ffi m n* a nd n n n a di g o cer , Pe berto , its seco d i com m a d , n n n H a n n had both bee trai ed u der awley , d m a y of na nd n ofli cers a s as N n its captai s ju ior , well had bee prom oted or trans ferred from the 1 st a nd 4th Battalions to the 3rd onits returnfrom India These offi cers a nd m enbrought with th em into the Battalionth e v 1g0 1 o us spirit of the Regim ent , b i a nd a ne its flexi le dr ll tactics , its ideals of rapidity d lasticity o f m m n n b ove e t, re dered possible y the m ost careful attention

* N ow Ma j o r G enei a l S ir Wykeh a m L ei h P e m bert o n g , C o lo ne l na B n4t h Dgc C m a d nt 1 90 6. or e om , m ber, 1 833.

‘ ‘ ie t o one F ra ncis VernnN o rth e I L u . C o m orta w ne l l y , lly ou d d at t h e B a tt le of G inih lo vo Zu u Wa r A ri 2nd 1 879 g , l , p l , .

’ T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

w the assaulting colum n. The attack w as repul sed ith heavy a nd n did not e loss , the Battalio covered the retreat, but los many m en. O nthe 2 5th of January the 2 nd Battalionarrived from India ina state of the highest efficiency after its succe ssful experience in A nW ar . nin D rb n m the fgha La d g at u a , it arched forthwith n m n n th e to joi headquarters at N ewcastle , where it re ai ed u til arm istice inMarch . ’ v n N ek m The Boers , as a result of their ictory at Lai g s , ade ’ a desperate effort to sever the com m unications betweenC olley s

M n an n N w . force at ou t Prospect, d the adva ced base at e castle The General accordingly took prom pt steps to avert this catas r h e a n n sth w t op , d thus it cam e about that o the of February as fought onthe Ingogo H eights a nactionas glorious as a ny inth e

- hi 60t h . lle w 9 n R . A . n story of the C o y, ith two pou der gu s ,

i - m en M n nf n a nfiv e m ni th rty eight of the ou ted I a try , d co pa es 3rd nn n a on of the Battalio , u der A shbur ham , m arched e rly the 8 m nN n th fro Prospect upo ewcastle , crossed the I gogo River, a nd on ndin n a r m all , asce g the heights beyo d , was att cked f o sides shortly before noon. The British positionwas a pla teau a n covered with short grass , rocks , d boulders ; whereas the kloofs a nd slopes occupied by the Boers were also not only strewnwith o n n in a n r r cks , but overgrow with lo g grass , which be g three d fou

h l n . m feet igh afforded excel e t cover The troops , though co pletely n m na n n n nl surrou ded , ai t i ed the fight for early seve hours , u ti a t in h nn n n last, the gloom of approac i g ight a d a hea vy thu der

m fire a n n n . stor , the ceased d th e e em y sulle ly w ithdrew n fi e nffi n 9 The Battalio had lost v out of thirtee o cers , a d 1 1 out of 295 other rank s ; of I Com pany only one officer and ir nm en n n ain th tee were left , but owhere had the e em y g ed

n. v n ni grou d The sur ivors , without food or water, a d with am m u nnnn a n in n n tio ru i g short, but with courage d di scipl e still u shake , h n t e faced the last ordeal of that long day . Little could be ne w n n do for the ou ded , except to collect a d leave them with the

n and t e non- n an n chaplai , the doctor, a few o h r com bata ts ; d the , inr nn nand n nl n d e chi g rai dark ess , o y broke by flashes of light nn m nin in n a n i g , the few re ai g horses were hooked to the gu s , d m n the little force oved sile tly across the veldt to the river , which in and was flood , had to be forded breast high . S o slippery un m n no wans the gro d fro the rai that the horsens could t draw th e gu s ; this for the last few miles was do e by th e R iflem en.

A t a .m . the following m orning Prospect Camp was reached after a pecul iarly strenuous test of the courage and endurance of t . he troopns The co duct of all ranks throughout this trying day w as " dm S ir G e r e C lle inhi * a irable , wrote o g o y s despatch . T h e

Des ateh Mo nt P os ec . u t F eb uar 1 2th 1 881 ar p r p , r y , , p a . 20 . A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

— 2 comparatively young soldi ers of th e 60th Rifles behaved with 1881 188 .

the steadiness and coolness of veterans . A t all tim es perfectly inan n r n h d , they held or cha ged thei grou d as directed without r n n n fire fi hur y or co fusio ; though u der heavy , themselves red a nn mm ni na nd end ste dily , husba di g their a u tio , at the of the nm m and m off day , with sadly reduced u bers , for ed oved the n th e m n a nd a nd grou d with ost perfect steadi ess order ; , fin t n nn f a nd ally , af er eightee hours of co ti uous atigue , readily ll m t h e una nd r m cheerfu y attached the selves to g s , d agged the l n r m n n n up the o g hill f o the I gogo , whe the horses were u able

to do so .

F eb z7i b 1331 O nthe night of the 26th of February S ir G eorge C olley decided , , MA JUB A ' to seiz e Majuba H ill by a night march— a hazardous undertaking which was ably ex ecuted . The foll owing day the Boers inthree n n th e ifl fire a ssaulti g colum s , covered by r e of their largely superior a i una n n n a nd com force , c rr ed the mo t i with sple did galla try , plet ely defea ted the sm all British force of 41 4 soldiers and sailors . m ni 3rd a n n a nH olled Two co pa es of the Batt lio , u der Capt i * n w nna n S mith, were posted upo the lo er spurs of the mou tai , d n n w t n n with a third compa y , se t out later i h am m u itio , they

n n . covered the retreat , but were o ly slightly e gaged The brave and accomplished C olley— dauntless to the end ’ n nna nd died a soldier s death upo th e sum m it of the m ou tai , ‘ deplorable indeed was the loss inofllcers a nd m enof the force — n n n engaged . A pea ce i sis ted upo by the British Governme t brought this unh appy campaignto a close little to the satisfaction of the troops concerned .

VIII .

— - 1 . P T . - E B R 1 882 . 1 882 885 E G Y T E L L KE I ,

— — L B A MA I 1 884 . N 1L E E XP E DI T I O N 1 884 85 E T E , T , ,

MO UN T E D IN F A N T R Y .

r n n n rn n T h e 3 d Batt alio , u der Colo el A shbu ham , had bee M n i moved from S outh Africa to alta , whe the outbreak of hostil ties inE gypt caused it to be despatched with the 38th Regiment to

n n in 2 . id a I V S Cyprus a d A lexa dria July, 1 88 V e M p , outh

n h m m n O the 1 8t of July, shortly after the bo bard e t of A n a n l in m a nd m lexa dria , it l ded while the city was sti l fla es , for ed part of the advanced force under M aj or- G enera l S ir A rchiba ld

A lison. A portionof the Batta liontook part with the Mounted nf n n 2 2n ul in fi n n I a try , o the d of J y, the rst e gageme t of the n Ma l nc n m i f m A ndr ca mpaig at l aha Ju tio , eight les ro lexa ia ,

- enera S ir C h a es R o ed - S m ith N ow Ma j or G l rl ll , ’ T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

- a nd nin c nn n 5th A n I SM 1884. agai the re o aissance inforce o the ugust ear

Ram leh . O nA s 1 8th n r S i r G a rnet Wolsele ugu t the , upo the a rival of y,

m k a n in c n - el it e bar ed for Ism ailia , d took part the a tio s of Tel M on 2 5 h a n non 9t h S m ahuta the t , d Kassassi the of epte ber,

n n b n w a s m . whe the e em y , a out stro g , co pletely defeated n m l m m n M O l * The Battalio , te porari y co a ded by ajor gi vy , m 4th n n A urnh for ed part of the Brigade u der Colo el shb am , which had beenorganised for the night m arch of the 1 2 th— 1 3th

- - 13th 1882 nd ul n el l . S ept. , , S eptem ber a the assa t of the li es of Tel Kebir at day ight

- - T E L E L K E B I R . n H l n c The Brigade , formi g the support of the igh a d Brigade, losed nni n n nan up at the begi g of the battle as day bega to daw , d ’ gave a tim ely assistance inthe assault of the enem y s lines . The Battalionintwo lines pressed eagerly forward with its m a nd n in n accusto ed dash , , rei forc g the H ighla ders at a m ost m m n n n s n critical o e t , e tered the E gyptia work at about the ce t re n M m n in n of the positio , where ajor Cra er, seco d com m a d , w as

un a nd n him . A f a n a n wo ded , had his horse shot u der ter ebb d flow of strenuous bayonet fighting the enem y gave w a y onall ‘ a nd sufi erin na nd s n sides , , g great losses , were broke di persed i

n . T w o w a s a n headlo g flight days later Cairo captured , d the n n l n war e ded , upo which the Batta io formed part of the army

of occupation. I n rua 1 884 a l n n nh Feb ry , , the Batt io , u der A shbur am , w as

E L T . E D, T A MA I S n in n ordered to uaki , where it served a Brigade u der that

' s n R iflem anM - n S ir B ull er di ti guished , ajor Ge eral Redvers ,j as n ’ part of G e era l S i r G era ld G ra ha m s force . O nthe 29th of F ebru in D l n ary it took part the defeat of the ervishes at E Teb , a d on 1 3th M w a s n the of arch it prese t at the critical batt le of Tam ai . 0 0 w int w o one n The tr ps ere squares , u der S i r G era ld G raha m , m m nn ’ n . co a di g the force , the other u der Buller G raham s square b na nd in n n m n was roke , the co fusio so e of its m e poured a volley n ’ n s one runin. S ir n i to Buller s , cau i g face to Redvers at o ce a nd w a n rode outside the square , , ith gre t cool ess , rallied his

m en. n m n n By restori g the for atio he undoubtedly snta nved onff a terrible disaster, for, had this square bee really broke , othi g

could have saved the whole force . This actionended the

cam paign. MO UN T E D The history of the 3rd Battalionat this period w ould not I N F A N T R Y c n n n n bne nomplente without refere ce to the i troductio of Mou ted I fa try i to the British A rm y . It m ay be fairly said that the n M n nn th e b m n n creatio of ou ted I fa try , esta lish e t of a recog ised m nn a nd v m n syste for its trai i g , the de elop e t of its tactics , was O ffi a nd R iflem en 6oth nin largely the work of cers of the , a d a c very spe ial degree of the 3rd Battalion.

A ft erw ards C n n o o e a B . l l d C .

A ft erw a rds G e nera T h e R i ht H o n T ble . S ir R e d vers B u er l g ll vi de . 1 8 , p , no t e a s o S ee XI i . a ra . v . 44 , l , p , p . A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

— n nf n n m n n n 1881 1885. The value of Mou ted I a try, u der oder co ditio s of w ar w a s l n n , estab ished by the phe om e al success of the relatively

n nn in in1 882 . i s mall force of Mou ted I fa try E gyp t Th s corps, s a nd n nffi 6 t h * rai ed orga ised by a o cer of the o , who had raised a nd com m anded Mounted Infantry inS outh A frica during the a m fi a nd m en previous ye r, owed uch of its success to the of cers d rawnfrom the ard Battalionwho had sim ilarly served inthe Boer war ; its high reputa tionfor individual gallantry a nd in n nw a nd w a s no n itiative was u iversally ack o ledged , there e gage nin a r n A nr m e t the w , from the prelim i ary skirm ishes before lexa d ia inul un a r b cou de m a in J y, til the c ptu e , y a p , of the citadel of — a - ni h b inw C iro at mi d ght of the 1 4th 1 5t S eptem er, hich the Mounted Infantry di d not take a distinguished share s] A in 4 n nan m nis t Cairo , early 1 88 , the i ceptio d sche e of orga a tionfor the Mounted Cam el Regim ents w a s also the work of the n m s am e offi cer of the 6oth Rifles . The Mounted Infa try Ca el Regim ent inparticular which rendered such di stinguished service w ith the Desert Colum nunder the late G enera l S ir H erbert art w as an ffi a nd w as S tew , raised d equipped by the same o cer, largely com posed of offi cers a nd m enof the 60th . T w o out of the four com panies were com m anded by offi cers of the 60th F eth erst onh a h a n m ( ug i d Berkeley Pigott,§ both of who had r nnS A a nd served with the 3 d Batta lio i outh frica) , six out of the nsubalt em n ffi a R iflem en. — sixtee compa y o cers were lso “ 1885 1887. I n n1 886 m ns m na nd n Ju e , , a co prehe ive sche e for raisi g trai inM n nf nr in nnw as fi g ou ted I a t y E gla d rst proposed , before a c n ffi 60t h publi audie ce , by the o cer of the already referred to, un n L ord W lsele a nd inN m der the powerful w i g of o y , ove ber follow ing Mounted Infantry were raised a nd trained uponthe principles thenlaid dow nunder CaptainLewis Butler 1I at S horn n 2n na nd m n cliffe from detachm e ts of the d Battalio other regi e ts , under the effective supervisionofM aj or- G enera l nin1 887 n m im n Whe , , it was subseque tly decided to for a reg e t ne nn D i ncom of Mou t d I fa try for serv ice with the Cavalry iv sio , posed of deta chm ents from nearly all infantry battalions onhom e m m n a n n nw a s n M r service , the co a d d orga isatio give to ajo H n 6oth a n m n m in utto , of the , d , out of the eight co pa ies co pos g

- C a t a inH t t nno w ie G enera S ir E d w a rd H utto nK . C . B p u o , L ut . l ,

C o one C o m m a ndant 1 908 B ornDe cem ber 6th 1 848. l l , . ,

' Vide C o o C oura e ane iso d e of t h e E ianW ar 1 882 — R e im enta l 1 l g , p g , g C h nicle 1 9 9 n fi a n a n 8 ro 0 a d O ci l H i r E tia a m i 1 82. , , st o y . gyp p g ,

- nh a u h C . B . N ow Ma or G enera R . R F et h er t o i j l S . . s g ,

ncer 9 A fte w ar o o ne B erke e i tt . B . 2 l s t L a s . Died 8 r ds C l l l y P go , C , 1 7. i n W . P t ca irnC a m e . a r in A i e R . L . B ow er a d t w o b P . S M . M s ll p ll, l g, l , , e n H ar i e me rs of T h e R ifl e ri e na e h er t na d H o n. H . d n. e B ad m W . M. S s o g , ly , g

- ne B t er h e a uth of T he A na N o w L ieut . C o o L e w is u t o nls o the 1} l l l , r f nt L i e o S r R e ve s B ulle e m i h E er R e i m e i d r r tc . S t d g , f f , ( , l

ne a ir B a ker e e a - k Af t erw a rds G e S R us s tc . w e no w n r l ll , , ll C a va r G enera a nd 1 der f m en Die N vem r 1 1 e o . d o be 9 1 . l y l l , — ’ TIDE KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

— n or 188 1899. n n 6 th a nd fl , 7 the origi al regim e t , the o Ri e Brigade fou d two

- nf n m one fourth of the whole corps . The Mounted I a try ove n nc na nd in e m e t therefore m ay be said to ow e its i eptio , a larg 60th a nd m easure its success , to the ofli cers of the , to their

R ifl em en. The Mounted Infantry system thus begunwas largely n O f S A nW a r developed , so that upo the outbreak the outh frica in1 899 there w ere several thousands of offi cers a nd m enthrough out the infantry of the A rm y w h o had beentrained as Mounted * m u Infant ry . It has beenrightly said that the ulti ately s ccessful issue of the late cam paignwas ina great m easure due to th e n n nn ffi n large um ber of Mou ted I fa try o cers previously trai ed , a nd to the long w ork of preparationcarried onbefore the w ar " ’ n nn n a . T h e K ns by the Mou ted I fa try e thusi sts If this is so , i g Royal Rifle Corps m ay lay a fair claim to a goodly share of such

a nim portant result .

— — 1 886 1 898 . IN D I A N FR O N T I E R . CH I T R A L . MA N IP U R . " W R E C K O F T H E W A R R E N H A S T I N G S .

I n 1 891 l st n h n n ar in March , , the Battalio , t e rece tly rived n 3rd H r and I dia , formed part of the Brigade , aza a Field Force ,

F R O N T I E R . in non S m n n nl t ook part the O peratio s the a a a Ra ge, where Colo e m ' nn a nw as l n Cra er ,1 com m a di g the Batt lio , severe y wou ded ; and the com m and throughout the remainder of the cam paign

devolved uponMajor the H on. Keith T urno ur. 1 The Batta lion also took part inthe expeditionsent into the S heikham country

n n l nd in n Ma st oun. Vide Ma a d Kha ki Val ey , a the actio at p III,

- N orth West India . D in 4 h l nn m m n ur g the sam e period the t Batta io , u der co a d

- . n . a m c l of Lieut Colo el R Ch l er,§ form ed part of the suc essfu M nu nin n in m a ip r E xpeditio A pril , a d from December the sa e n Ma 1 892 nina l m year u til y , , was co t u l y e ployed with various

colum ns inBurm a a nd the ChinLushai country . I nS 892 n in a eptember, 1 , the l st Battalio took part the Isaz i

E n. I nM 1 895 a n n xpeditio arch , , it ag i took the field u der

- Lieut . Colonel H . B . a nd form ed part of the Chitral r n n n Relief Force , se vi g with the leadi g brigade u der Brigadier

n . . Ge eral A A . Kinloch 1" The Battalionhighly distinguished

T i m es is tor o the a r H W l . I I 31 y f , Vo , p . . A f er a r ndie T t w ds C B a d d .

- N o w L ieu t ne t h e H . i - . C o o o nK e t h T urnour F et hers t onh a u h f i l l g , o U p

P a rk P et e sfi e d . , r l er ne a n A ft w ard s C o o d C . B . Died 1 91 1 § l l , .

- ne a N e w B ri a die G e and C . B “ g r r l .

N o Ma - e r w o G ne a and C . B 1] j r l . A BRI E F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GI ME N T . 29

s l in th e M non n n it e f the battle of alaka d the 3rd of A pril , a d agai in t n on f in n the ac io at Khar the ollow g day , thereby addi g

CH I T R A L to the honours O f the Re iment . 4t n. 1 h 1397 g Ja , , A t end 1 896 1 st l n ne m nof VR E C K O F T H E the of the Batta io , u d r com a d E “ - - . o nM . c. . es I n n Lieut C lo el B For tier Walker, left dia , a d embarked n n stiff.“ onth e I ndi M Wa rrenH tin. Royal a ari e Troopship , as gs Leav nf o nes e n i g our c mpa i at Cap Tow , the headquarters O f th e Battalionand the remaining four com panies pro ceeded to th e

na t c .m on 1 4 n 1 89 Maurit ius , whe , . the th Ja uary, 7, the in ll s e on ni n ship , steam g at fu pe d a very dark ght, struck upo ’ the rocks ofl the Island of Reunionand became a tota l w reck fi" on in nto nd The tronops board , additnio the headquartenrs a four compa ies of the Rifles , co sisted of four compa ies of a nd ns im n a nd n th e York La ca ter Reg e t, a small detachme t Mi l s i n w nan il n of the dd e ex Reg me t, which, ith wome d ch dre , numbered inall 995. They at once fell inonthe maindeck

n c ni 4 e .m . n N n i perfe t order u t l , whe the ( aval) Comma der ordered their disembarkationto commence by rope ladders from the bow s . A t a m . th e positionof the vessel appe ared so cri tical that he at once ordered the disembarkation en s and m n nn of the m to cea e, the wo e , childre , a d sick to be

passed out . This order was prom ptly carried out ; the m en clung to th e side as they stood (th e ship lurching and bumping a nd na nd il n heavily) , passed out the wome ch dre through the n i " ~ fore port ; no m a murmuring or m ov ng from his post . 1

A t a . m . hi w as in m nn ne h ealin , as the s p n im i e t da g r of g er and inn a a nn. ov s ki g, it bec me ecessary to expedite the l di g O wing to the rem arkable courage and exem plary discipline ’ e s o n t n s display d, the whole hip s c mpa y, except w o ative , were

n n . - safely pass ed o to the rocks a d saved Lieut . Colonel

- r in m m n Forestier Walke ,1 who was co a d , w as th e la st soldier " to leave the ship . The Com m ander- in ends the S pecial A rmy O rder 1 3 1 89 n of March the th, 7, by declari g that he is proud of the

behaviour of the troops during this trying time . H e regards it as a good example of the advantages of subordinationa nd ’ in ha n nr ne strict discipl e, for it was by t t alo e , u de God s Provide c , " that heavy loss of life w as prevented. The Regiment will alw ays cherish the honoured memory

n r st e - Wal and i r of Colo el Fo e i r ker of the r comrades , who we e thus giventhe O pportunity of supplying one of the finest examples of high discipline which the annals of the British A rmy ca n

show .

nta l h nicle 1 909 . 60. Vida R egim e C ro , , p

ci A rm O de March 1 3th 1 897. T S pe al y r r, ,

ne fo r his conduct a nd w as se ect ed for S tafi em t P rom ot ed C olo l , l ploym ent in t w h e e he w a s a ccid ent l kil ed as C hief S ta fi O fficer E gyp , r a ly l uponthe 3181; 2 July, 1 90 .

- e shi eld Marsh a l Viscount Wolsel y . ’ T H E K I N G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

X .

— 1899 1902. — — H I L L . 1 899 1 90 2 . S O U T H A F R I C A . TA L A N A

M I T H . DEF EN C E O F LA D YS MI T H . RE L I E F O F LA D YS

TR A N S VA A L .

N ote — A s th e follow ing sectiondeals w ith co ntem poraneous v n a nd w h m m b of th e R m n i rv n has b n e e ts it e ers egi e t st ll se i g , it ee considered advisable to adopt a short record o f events by B atta lions nd n v n fu ur h r nthe c m i nf a u its , lea i g to a t e isto ia o pilat o o a com

plete narrative.

FI R S T BA T T A L I O N . l st non 7th 1 899 w ar B A T T A L I O N . Wh O n e , ctober the , , was declared by Preside t a nd nm n 1 st a n n Kruger the Boer Gover e t , the Batt lio , u der

- the m m n . n H nr nnin co a d of Lieut Colo el Robert e y Gu g , w a s D n N a n G m n at u dee , at l , with the exceptio of Co pa y, which ’ E w in n a nd m n n was at sho e Zulula d , there re ai ed u til after th e

follow ing March . A t nH l 2ot h O fi Tala a i l ( of ctober) , the rst battle of the war, t h e Batta liongreatly distinguished itself inthe attack of the na nd n in Boer positio , took a leadi g part the com plete defeat * - of the enem y . Lieut . Colonel Gunning was killed leading the a a n n n fi n ssault , d out of seve tee of cers prese t , fiv e w ere killed n m n and w an n. eight wou ded , together ith a y d R ifiem e

' Major W . PitcairnC am pbellr thereuponassum ed com m and . Thencam e the retreat to Ladysm ith by a forced m arch n n m a n a nd on 3o h u der peculiarly tryi g circu st ces , the t O ctober ’ m nci n took place the battle of Lo bard s Kop , which , i de sive i

n m n . its effect , led to the i vest e t by the Boer A rm y The four m n D F N C O F A D S MI T H e o ths E E E L Y was the result, th chief battle

in h W nH o n n h . be g t at of aggo ill Ja uary the 6t , 1 900 U M 1 900 n ff n p to arch, , the Battalio lost eight o icers a d

- m en ffi a nd 1 8 en n forty three killed , eight o cers 0 m wou ded ,

- and eighty one m enwho died inhospita l . A m o nt h e r fter the Relief of Ladys ith , 3 d of March , th e a n n 8 5t h D n nw a s Batt lio joi ed the th Brigade , ivisio , a d with ’ u l n n th e n n n B l er s adva ce i to Tra svaal , taki g part i the passa ge B i arsber inMa a n ’ n of the gg g y , the att cks o Botha s Pass a d. ’ A l m nN ek 8th a nd 1 1 th n n le a s ( of Ju e) , the occupatio of W akker m 1 7t h n a nd n n S a 2 r n. stroo ( of Ju e) , of t derto ( 3 d of Ju e) I nA ugust th e Battalionassisted inthe capture of A m ersfoort a nd E m a nd n r elo , was prese t at the battle of Belfast (A ugust 27t h w n m n R oberts a nd n the ) , he the ar ies u der Buller first joi ed n n in n a k o n . ha ds , taki g part the att c Berge dal I t n n subseque tly assisted i the occupationof Lydenburg 6th S m a nd fi nin ( of epte ber) , at the ghti g the Ma uchberg (9th

Vide O cia l H istor o the Wa r o l — V . I fl y f , , pp . 1 31 1 36.

' - nera ir 1 N ow L ieut . G e S W i ia m P it cairnC a m be K l ll p ll , . C . B . Vida also foot

7. no te . p . 2

’ T H E KI N G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

— a al . A 1899 1902. the left half were inpossessionof their pe k so way ’ ns w n e e n galloped Burger s gu do th S lope of the east r peak , a nd the pom pom from the S lopes of the ridge now exposed to fire from above ; downthe hi ll a nd off the O penridge streamed ’ Burger’ s com m andos a nd Botha s The key

ns w ona nd t o m n. of the Boer positio was , the road Ladys ith ope

- nn- n w n n . n Lieut Colo el Bucha a Ridde , who had sho a sou d j udg n i a nn m u m as me t coupled w th u usual eas re of oral courage, well k l on m n as of physical valour, was i led the summit at the om e t

' ' i nhis m enand M . B ew icke- C o le of victory wh le leadi g , ajor R p y l

thereupona ssumed comm and .

n n n n- A t Vaal Kra tz , after bei g e gaged for twe ty four hours , the Battalionhighly distinguished itself inrepulsing the Boer

counter- attack . 1 This incident has beengraphica lly and cor — r l l z A .m . on 6th ect y described as fo lows bout p , the P ebru fire m 3 — ary , the British shells had set to the grass so e 00 400 in n — i n nn yards fro t of the wall , held by a battal o of i fa try, a nd taking advantage of this a num ber of Boers crept forward n nl n O n 3 ifi a d , sudde y bursti g through the smoke, pe ed terr c n n n i n i s n fire upo the adva ced li e, wh ch u der th u expected attack

a nd . s ar a n wavered gave way The Boers ru hed forw d, d for a m om ent it looked as if they would carry everything before

- a nf them . But the half batt lio O the 60th inreserve saw and

ns n . S a n n acted i ta tly c rcely waiti g for orders , they spra g up,

n a nd w n . fixed bayo ets , charged ith a rousi g cheer T h e Boers c m ina nd rn heard the cheer, saw them o g , tu ed ’ A t H art s H ill four com panies were prom inent inthe desperate

n ni 2 2nd - 23rd l struggle duri g the ght of the of February, de iver ing t w o bayonet charges a nd losing over a third O f their num ber

inkilled a nd w ounded . “ Part of the R i fle Reserve Battalion

was also engaged inthis fight . The Battali onlost during this

portionof the campaignthree offi cers a nd forty- six m enkilled

in n nffi a nd 1 95 m enw n fift - nn actio , eleve o cers ou ded, while y i e m en in a nd m en n nd died hospital , eight were reported m issi g , a

unaccounted for . m l s n n r n It is worthy of re ark that the t , 2 d , a d 3 d Batta lio s m et in m h on 3rd n the streets of Ladys it the of March , 1 900 , whe ll n S ir Redvers Bu er e tered the townat t he head of his arm y . A f m 3r n ter the relief of Ladys ith, the d Batta lio , still part nn O f 2nd D n of the Light I fa try Brigade the iv is io , took part in n N nN a in the adva ce through orther at l , th e passage of the ’ B i arsber a nd in on a n n gg g, the attacks Botha Pass d Allem a s

- N ek 8 1 1 th n. n H e n n , th Ju e It e tered eidelb rg at the e d of Ju e,

’ Vide T im es H is tor o the S outh A ri ca nWa r f Vol . I I I 2 77 y f , , p . . " N ow B ri a dier - G enera a nd C B 1 g l . .

Vi de T im es H i stor o the S outh A rica nWa r Vo l I y f . I I I 2 f , , p . 3 4. ’ T im es H i s tor o the S outh A ri ca nWa r — f Vol . I I I 324 § y f . 32 , , pp 5 . Vide O lci a l H is tor o the S outh A ri ca nWa — l fi f r Vol . I l y . 4 f , , pp 76 484. A BRIE F H I S TO RY O F T H E R E G IM N T .

— 1 900 and o n en O n e 1899 1902. , fr m that date u til the d of ctober it was e gag d inth e neighbourhood of S ta ndertonand Greylingstad protecting

- - ra . I nN m 1 . nB e k e C O le the ilway ove ber, 900 , Lieut Colo el w ic p y m m n n was selected for co a d of a m obile colum , which , till

N 1 9th in n3rd a n. T he ovember the , cluded his ow Batt lio Batta lionsubsequently occupied a line of blockhouses between M and Dalm n E rn r n i achadodorp a utha, aste T a svaal , t ll the end of the war .

F O U R T H A T T A L I O N . B 4th B A T T A L I O N . The 4th Batta lionwas quartered at Cork during the earlier O f a n n n nna nd nn phases the war , d was e g aged i trai i g se di g out

n m nt a n n nf n . rei force e s , to a l rge exte t of Mou ted I a try It was not n D m 1 90 1 nn m m n u til ece ber, , that the Battalio , u der the co a d * of . - n E . W . H A f . nn Lieut Colo el erbert, sailed to rica La di g D r n r con at u ba , it proceeded to H a rism ith, where it s a nd n nnin a n tructed occupied a li e of blockhouses ru g west, d

m in n n n in n 1 9 2 . re a ed there u til the co clusio of peace Ju e , 0

R I F L E R E S E R VE RI F L E RE S E R VE BA T T A L I O N .

B A T T A L I O N . n n m m n M The Reserve Battalio , u der the co a d of ajor the

H on. E . . M na - S - W ortle ns t J o t gu tuart y ,j was orga i ed at Pie er ’ m a nd ffi n n aritzburg, composed of O cers a d reservists of The Ki g s and i nn Royal Rifle Corps of The R fle Brigade , who were i te ded to reinforce the Batta lions shut up inLadysmi th . It joined 1 1 th N in na 1 900 a nd the Brigade at Chieveley, atal , Ja u ry , , in ns 1 3t h 27th r took part the O peratio of the to the of Feb uary, ’ na m in M n H la n a ne H H l a nd ely , C golo , o te Christo , gw , art s i l , ’ th e final batt le of Pieter s H ill . A fter the Relief of Ladysm ith m vi n n a n ffi an this i pro sed Battalio was broke up , d the o cers d m enof the Regim ent were distributed between1 st a nd zud

Battalions .

N I N T H BA T T A L I O N . i M li n m n n n Th s i tia Battalio of the Regi e t , u der the comma d o f . - n W am - l is n Lieut Colo el illi Cooke Co l ,i volu teered for active v a nd in n m ser ice , , their services hav g bee accepted, e barked

in nr 1 9 . nn n for the seat of war Ja ua y , 00 La di g at Cape Tow on l s n a nd February t ,§ it proceeded at o ce to N aauwp oort, took part inthe O perations round Colesburg . Leaving N a auw in n in m n poort March , the Battalio was em ployed protect g the ai line of com m unicationa nd the reconstructionof the railway ’ through the Free S ta te inrear of L ord R oberts arm y . It eventually n w nV ni nand H nnS i took charge of the li e bet ee eree gi g o ing pru t, in . n r wnhere it rem a ed for a year The Battalio retu ed hom e i A 1 9 1 n . ugust, 0 , a d was disem bodi ed

' N o w C o one C . B . i e not e . 1 . l l, 1 V d p 3

W n. N O C o one a nd A D . t o t h e K i I l l, . . C g T w o cer § o ffi s di ed onth e v o ya ge o ut . ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

’ 1997— 1 O UN T E D N F A N T R O F T H E I N G S O A L 899. T H E M I Y K R Y

RI F L E C O R r s .

N ote — T he Mounted I nfantry rais ed inth e R eg iment played a nc a nd di nu h d t inthe a m n ha s h b n disti t sti g is e par c paig , it t erefore ee nd d dvi b a l c d th vic s b B on co si ere a sa le to sep rate y re or eir ser e y attali s . T he esta blishm ent of a Mounted I nfa ntry C ompa ny w as 5 ofi cers n f an1 h r nk o nd u c ns . d 42 ot e ra s , rga ise i to o r se tio

of A Com pany was raise d fr om the l st Bat talioninS outh A fri ca I nt B A T T A L I O N . w ar nH O 2 before the ; it fought at Tala a ill ( ctober the 0th , ’ in E F E E F n was the D N C O LA D YS MI T H , a d later w ith Buller s

n n inO 1 9 . army u til it arrived at Lyde burg ctober, 00 A fter nnu n in E n n l n this it was co ti ally e gaged the aster Tra svaa , u til n 2 5th M n nn inO o 1 901 see it joi ed the ou ted I fa try ct ber, ( p .

This Com pany lost tw enty- fiv e killed and thirty - three wounded

during the war .

M.I . of nw as r 2 n n A Com pa y aised from the d Battalionuponits 2 d B A T T A L I ON . in . I t n arrival N atal formed, with a S quadro of Imperial Light nd S d n ni m H orse a a qua ro of N atal Carabi ers , the co posite i n n M a r G ou h * 1 6th n an nin Reg me t u der j o g , La cers, d , joi g ’ o n in n Buller s army the Tugela , took part the campaig for ’ F F A D MI the RE L I E O L YS T H with Dundona ld s Mounted Tr0 0 ps . A fter the relief of this Regim ent it was re- constructed and became ’ ’ M.I . a nd m n ull n n G ough s , acco pa ied B er s army to S ta derto , n nt n in E e nh ansvaal n bei g subsequne ly e gaged the ast r , Zulula d, and the O ra ge River Colony until the end of the war . The wastage inpersonnel was such that only two officers and twenty nin na c n n n e e others of the origi l om pa y the rem ai ed, but th fact

n n. ori im in that twe ty per ce t of the g fl horses , received O ctober, 1 899 l n ns n n , were stil doi g duty, co tituted a otable record i horse

management. ’ 8rd n n one n T he M. I . of The Battalio co tributed sectio to Rifles " 8t d B A T T A L I O N . n. l . I . . . Compa y of the st M (vide M I of 4ih B a tta lion) . A n n m inD 1 899 and nn seco d sectio was for ed ecember, , , joi i g ’ ’ G ou h s M. I . Dundona l n in g , fought with d s mou ted troops the E L I E F O F A D S MI T H a n n R L Y , d was subseque tly at Blood R iver w as n a n n Poort , where it severely ha dl ed d its comma der, Mildmay,

w as . ninO 1 9 1 n t killed This sectio , ctober , 0 , was u ited wi h a n in i 1 9 n n . 00 a d h . n third sectio ra sed , j oi ed the 25t M I i O ct ober, 1 901 see nth e e n ( p . whe str gth was rais ed to a full company .

M.I . of The 4th Battalioncontributed a sect ionto The Rifles’ 4th B A T T A L I O N . m n n nD w Co pa y, u der Captai e ar , which , together with the n ard al nand nr r sectio of the Batt io , the two sectio s f om the 3 d a nd 4th n fom i ed one n Battalio s Rifle Brigade , of the four compa ies m n l st M. I . n n n co posi g the celebrated , orga ised a d trai ed at

‘ N ow G enera l S ir H u bert de la P G ou h . g , K . C . B . F A BRIE F H IS TO RY O T H E RE GIME N T . 35

- “ — A l n L ieut. C l nel E . A . H . A l n dershot u der o o derso before the w ar. 1099 1902. o n i d an nn The Rifles C mpa y was temporar ly etached, d , la di g E h inN m 1 899 n n at Port lizabet ove ber, , joi ed the force u der

M a - neral S ir William G atacre j or G e , which was defeate d at S r onD th e 1 2th e n to mberg ecember , wher it was specially m e ne n n ino tio d for its galla t co duct c vering the retrea t . T h e ’ Company thenrejoined the 1 st M. I . attached to F rench s Cavalry D v s nand P aardebur e n i i io , was at the battle of g, wher Capta i Dewar was kill ed ; it was also present at the surrender of C ronj e on 27th u r M Da and n the of Febr a y, ajuba y, took part i the b l and Dr nnand n n attles of Pop ar Grove iefo tei , the e try i to

Bloem fontein(l oth of March) . It was at the surpris e of ’ ’ B roadw ood s r S annah s 81 81: Caval y Brigade at Post ( O f March), r n s ll nr a n whe e it behaved with co spicuou ga a t y, d it was at the n a ninth e fi nn n . relief of Wepe er, d ghti g ear T h a ba ehu n ’ The l st M.I . were the allotte d to A ldersons Brigade with ’ ns ' M n a nd o in ’ H utt o j ou ted Troops, t ok part L ord R o berts

n n on 2nd Ma . n adva ce upo Pretoria the y This Compa y, therefore, w as ninth e t ns n Vet n prese t ac io of Bra dfort, River, S a d K ro nsta dt Vaal 27th a River, o , the River ( of M y) , the battle D n n nn 2 8th— 29th Ma ns of oor kop ear Joha esburg ( of y) , the actio alkhoevel Defile S ix M S 4th un n at K , ile pruit ( of J e), a d the entry into Pretoria (sth of June) . It w as sim ilarly engaged at the battle of Diamond H ill (1 1 th of June) ; inthe fighting south- east of Pretoria and at the actionof Rietv lei (July the l 6th) ; inthe advance to a nd operations round Middelburg ; n l 24t h A a nd in i the battle of Be fast ( of ugust, the march n n in s a east from Dalma utha, i clud g the a s ult of the almost impregnable positionof K aa p seh e H oop during the night of the — e 1 900 . 1 2th 1 8th of S eptemb r, F rom this tim e till th e end o f the w a r this C om n pa y , still a

. nn l st M.I w as o nand n part of the , c ti ually marchi g fighti g in O r ne n and n s nDe the a g River Colo y Cape Colo y, pur ui g nin naa in nes f a n Wet , back agai the Tra sv l, cou tl s or ys a d skir

n ni and . Wh ne c mishca, i the saddle ght day e p a e w as declared w as V e ni in n to H s h nd it at er e g g, whe ce it marched arri mit , a the portionbelonging to the Regiment w as abso rbed into the

25th Rifle Battalionof M.I . The rep utationw onby this Company for fighting valour and for general effi ciency was such as to do the highest honour to th e tw o gre at Rifle Regiments from which

The 4th Battalionalso sent out tw o complete Companies in1 901 h m in r n from Cork early , w ich were e ployed the T a svaal , a nd subsequently joined th e 25t h M. I . inO ct ober of that yea r

(see p .

- ne a S ir E d A e ft erw a ds L ieut ena nt G e w in d son e c . A r r l l r , t ., com

ndinT he C anadianA rm C or s 1 91 5. m e g y p ,

note . 2 1 Vida S ec. VI I I , p 7. ’ T H E KI N G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

n 1 8 1 9 1 i n M n O O ctober the th, 0 , a complete Battal o of ou ted Infantry was formed from the Regiment at H arrismith— an unique distinction— and consisted of

o . 1 m nl s n . . N Co pa y t Battalio (F M. Crum)

N o . 2 4t h Battalion(J . H ope) .

r . . . N o . 3 a d Battalion(W P Lynes )

N o . 4 4th Battalion(G . Dalby) .

T h e Battalionw as concentrated at Middelburg inthe

ns and la n m n M . . E . T ra vaal , was p ced u der the com a d of ajor C L * n- n n 2 n R obertso E ustace u til Ja uary, 1 90 , whe he was succeeded x by Major W . S . K a ys r T h e Battalionthus organis ed was composed of offi cers and riflem enwho had beeninthe field from the beginning of the

n r a nd i n i . war, a d were therefore t ied exper e ced sold ers It ’ n ens ons n M n i joi ed B : colum at iddelburg, a colum of wh ch it was said that no Dutchm andared sleep withinthi rty m iles of

its bivouac . The ceaseles s act ivity a nd success of B ensonevent u

is n - in- ally decided Lou Botha, the Boer Comma der Chief, to

make a determ ined attem pt to destroy hi s force . To achieve n 2 n nd this purpose he collected early 000 m e , a by a skilful combinationof hi s tr0 0 ps attacked the columnwhile onthe

march near B akenlaagt e uponthe 3oth of O ctober . By a rapid rw o ns charge he ove helmed the rear guard , captured tw gu , i B ens nand n n nu k lled o , surrou ded the colum , but was eve t ally

nofi . 2sth M . I . n beate The fought w ith a stubbor courage, and by their sturdy gallantry kept the Boers at bay and u e i ns i n n n glorio sly uph ld the trad tio of the Reg me t, losi g i

n nm en i fi e ffi an - n the actio eleve k lled , v o cers d forty five m e

wounded . Thus — stoutly fought out onboth sides by mounted troops of this especial typ e— e nded a fight whi ch has beendescribed as unique inthe annals of the The spirit of the R iflem en will best be understood from the lips of one of the wounded inthis nfi m nnif galla t ght, who re arked that they were co te t they n and n had do e their duty, felt rewarded if their Regime t thought " well of them . The Mounted I nfantry Battalionof the Regiment ended its short but brilliant career by taking p art inall the great " in . drives the E Tra nsvaal a nd N E . of the O range Free S and fin n n tate , was ally at Greyli gstad whe peace was declared

n n1 90 2 . o the 1 st Ju e ,

A fte ard S . O . T hi rw s D. s m ost ga lla nt and prom ising emeer died suddenly at C ai o O ct obe 4th 1 90 8 r , r , .

N ow C o one and B ri adie - G enera T l l g r l .

C olonel ens nR G . E . B o . A . u. e ad e of m uch i nction i i t . , l r d sti and ini t at ve. “ " Vida T im es H isto r o the Wa r Vo l. v a so R e i menta l C h nicle y f , ; l g ro . 1 905? T R A N

' b a f fl

S O UTH A F R I C A

illustrating the a rea of O perations

r f nPa r I I I e tion and I e erred to i t , S c s 7 O ,

o I I i 8 u nInset ma ar ect on. a lso p p, P t I , S

E N G L IS H MlL E S

loo IS O

’ T H E KI N G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

— — P A R T lV . l9o2 l9l 5.

— — 1 902 1 91 4 . T H E S O UT H A F R I C A N W A R , 1 899 1 902 . I T S O B JE C T S

A N D I T S LE S S O N S . T H E GR E A T TR A I N I N G PE R I O D A N D — I T S ME T H O DS DE A T H O F S I R RE DVE R S BU L L E R . E F F I C I E N T

T I F T H E E G I ME N T . DE C L A R A T I O N O F W A R CO N D I O N O R ,

‘ T 4m 1 1 4 . F I E R W O R D T O I F L E ME N N O W A U G U S , 9 A R

S E R VI N G .

1899— 1902 n ar w O n on 7t h O ct T E E S outh A frica W , hich pe ed the ober, S O UT H A FR I C A N 9 in n N a m ina at 1 89 , by the vasio of at l by the Boers , ter ted the

ere ni inon 31 st Ma 1 90 2 . Peace of V i g g the y , It had lasted two years a nd nine m onths : it had cost inm oney

and inBritish S oldiers gallant lives . It had brought n ne n na ar m en m i to o si gle are of W , gathered fro all parts of the E m pire to serve the I m perial cause a nd to vindi ca te n an m s the first pri ciples of law, justice , d freedo , as equal right

for all the white race s that claim allegiance to the King . ir W ar a n a nd hinfive The d ect obj ects of the were att i ed , wit years of its fina l episodes the U ni onof S outh A frica under the

British Crow nwas actually achieved . Far greater Im perial interests w ere however satisfied eventh anthe Unionof Boers

a nd Britons inS outh A frica . The principles of co - O peration inW a r betweenall parts of the E m pire had beenestablished ; fi m m n the rst step towards the great sche e of i perial u ity , cover ’ ’ ing all portions of the Ki ng s Dom inions — o ne - fifth of the w orld s — n n c a n n surface had bee tried, had bee ac epted, d its vast pote

tialit ies m n all w h o r . de o strated to had eyes to see , or ca s to hear Few realized that this fiery test of the S outh A fricanW ar thi s Dress Rehearsal— was but the prologue to the far m ore vast and m m nc n ighty dra a to be e a ted twelve years later ; the des ig er, rO h etic nin n whose p p i st ct foresaw it all , had died before the curtai

fell " W ith equal foresight a nd political skill the m aster- spirit n E m i n l f of a Co solidated pire had ach eved his obj ect , a d the i e

work of th e Right H on. Joseph Cham berlainw a s accom plished The Regim ent had beenprivil eged th rough its four regular Battalions to have a goodly share inaccom plishing the great

A ll ra nks . ‘ K il led and died from w ounds or disease I nv a lid ed fro m w ounds a nd disea se

T ot a 97 340 l , A BRIE F H I S TO RY O F T H E RE GI ME N T .

— r 1899 1902. pu pose for which the W ar had beenundertaken. I f m any defects of organisationa nd adm inistrationhad beenrevealed in A m a nd m nn n the r y its syste , it had o e the less show the nm i a n n i co parable valour, the adaptab lity, d the patie t deter m inationof the British soldier ; as well as the fighting qualities of the British soldier from beyond the seas . The Regim ent lost killed inaction during the cam paign

n- nn ffi twe ty i e O cers a nd 51 7 other rank s . A m ong the former

- - . n . H . nnnan . . nn n were Lieut Colo els R Gu i g d R G Bucha a Ridde , m m ndin l st a nd 2nd ns w h o m n co a g the Battalio , fell at the mo e t of victory while leading their m enat the storm ing of Talana H ill 2oth O 1 899 a nd w n 20t h n 1 900 ( ctober, ) T i Peaks ( Ja uary , ) respectively . For us R iflem enthe three years of the S outh A fricanW a r nfirm nn n h ha d co n ed the sou d ess of the system u der w ich we bee borna nd bred . It rem ained onl y to apply afresh a nd with n n n nN re ewed e ergy the pri ciples which Bouquet i orth A merica , 1 756— 1 765 De n a n ir n in , Rotte burg d S Joh Moore E urope , 1 797— 1 80 8 a n n n , d H awley i later years at home had laid dow * for us .

I nview of the im m ens e increase of Battalions a nd of R ifi em en ha s n i new i nn which re dered th s ed tio ecessary, it is imperative ’ n H m so - nw that the pri ciples of the awley s syste ( called) , upo hich n nis ed n a nd m ni ul the Regim e t is orga , trai ed, ad i stered , sho d be recognised now a nd by future generations of our R iflem en. From A l exa nder a nd H annibal to the successful generals of our o w nday the principles underlying sound military training are n a nd a l n the same , but it is upo their thorough practic l app icatio that m ilitary success depends . They may be sum med up under three headings

— r . A s in n n inn Fi st ssiduou care the orga isatio , the tra i g,

w - b n a nd n all ns . the ell ei g , the discipli e of ra k S econd — The physical and mental culture of offi cers a nd m en.

Third — The forgetfulness of self a nd of self- interest : that guiding principle w hi ch prom pts us Britons under all conceivable “ " circum stances to P la y the G am e.

A s regards the first The essence of our organisationa nd training h as always beenthe developm ent to the utm ost of individua lity am ong n n nz o ur officers a nd our Riflem en. It has bee ge erally recog i ed — inour Regim ent that the chief characteristic of our race the

— - true source of our greatness as a w orld- power is the self reliance

i da 2— 3 8— 9 and 1 8 es ective V pp . , pp . , p . r p ly. ’ T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

nn n a r - n na nd a d i itiative of the i dividu l f ee bor Brito , that pipe

n m in- m m nc llecti vi sm clay a d the ach e like ethods of Ger a o n nhave no true place am ong British troops . The fou datio of a successful m ilitary unit — be it a Regim ent or anA rm y— is its organisationa nd its interior econom y . The tactics are based n n na nd nm upo orga isatio , the strategy eve ust be largely governed by a sound system of interior econom y and it s administrative value . A n a nd m n nn and gai , careful i ute atte tio to the food well being of our R iflem enare absolutely vital m atters . Begot ten nnm nand i in m of these are co te t e t good d scipl e, which ake for a nm nfi n nffi a n en that sym pathy d utual co de ce betwee o cers d m , which have beenconspicuous from the earliest days of the Regi m ent . W henO ffi cers lead ina spirit of unselfish care a nd earnest ’ r m n - n R iflem en w zeal for thei e s well bei g , the will always follo , a nd if need be die with their leaders . With such a discipline— a real true discipline of m utual t rust a nd confidence — the utm ost steadiness inthe ranks a nd n n collectivel a n whe acti g y is assured , d equally the greatest and n n n indivi dua ll rapidity, elasticity, i itiative whe acti g y a nd inO penform ations .

A s regards the second

O ni l n a n nE very pportu ty is uti ized to e cour ge games a d sports a d to develop the physica l culture of officers and m en. Besides n n a nd ll r the regulatio gym astics dri , the true spi it of sport of every kind is impressed o nall . The Persianadage to ri de a nd shoot and tell the truth em bodi es the principles held by the

Regim ent . It will be seeninthe paragraphs which follow how successful the Regim ent has beeninall these important at tributes of R iflem en. The m enta l culture also of offi cers a nd m enh as never been upona higher level thanduring the period covered by this section

s . A n a of its hi tory ddresses , lectures , theoretical a d practic l in n a ll n n fi . n structio s of ki ds are give by the of cers , etc , a d every encouragem ent is givento R iflem ento excel ineduca tionand by private study .

A s regards the third The splendid services rendered by the Regiment during the early phases of the W a r are sufficient to show how well the lesson

n n - sa crifi ce la inthe am e has bee lear t of self for others , of p y g g of li e m n f for the achieve e t of victory ina noble cause . The three thousand gallant lives laid downinthe service of their King a nd n m * Cou try are the easure of its success .

"l T h e num ber of o fii cers a nd R ifiem enw h o h a v e la id dow nth eir liv es on th e fie d of ba tt e f om A u u st 5th 1 91 4 t o 30th une — l l g , , J , 1 91 6, a re o fii cers r , 1 47 oth er ra nks 3071 t ot a 2 1 ; , ; l , 3 8. A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

A ft th e V ereini inon31 st Ma 1 902 er Peace of g g y , , the Regi m n i a ninS A a none inn e t, w th three Batt lio s outh frica d I dia, was di stributed as follows

- l st B a tta li on n B ew icke C . B . nn (Colo el Copley , , com m a di g)

- nDe A ar— O n n held the block house li e ra ge River, Cape Colo y, whence it proceeded to a nd rea ched Malta onthe 1 7th O ctober 1 902 c m n n nn , to be wel o ed by the Gover or , its Colo el Comm a da t,

- M nf . m n ni M Field arshal Lord Gre ell It there re ai ed u t l arch , 1 905 w nn nM m , he u der Colo el arkha it proceeded to Crete, Cyp rus , and E gyp t .

nd B a tta li on n m m ni n 2 (Colo el Kays , co a d g) was at Rawal

Pindi where it rem ained until the end of 1 904 .

rd B atta li n n McG ri or C .B . nn 3 o (Colo el g , , comma di g) held M — D lm n r n n the railway achadodorp a a utha , T a svaal , whe ce it

a nd inM 1 90 3 . n em barked for reached Cork arch, There it rem ai ed n n i n m n M 1 9 4 u der Colo el Pitca r Ca pbell , u til arch , 0 , whenit proceeded to Berm uda againunder McG rigor .

4th B atta li on n H r C . B . m m ann (Colo el erbe t, , co di g , succeeded

- in n 1 903 . n . A . r Ja uary , , by Lieut Colo el F Fo tescue) held r s — n n nl E nn H a ri mith O ra g e Colo y , u ti it proceeded to gla d , an chin inMa 1 904 d , rea g Gosport y , , received a gracious m essage of welcom e from H . R . H . The Prince of W ales . The M . I . C om an n S * — nn nr 1 903 p y , u der hakerley which had bee si ce Ja ua y , , in il n— n inA 1 904 in n n S omal a d rejoi ed ugust , , hav g do e sple did service inthat very trying cam paign: its gallant conduct at idba lli n l ot h nr 1 9 4 the critical Battle of J upo the Ja ua y , 0 , n s Ma d M ll S which fi ally cru hed the power of the u ah , was pecially com m ended indespatches . It should be mentioned that the 2nd Battalionhad ‘ made i m inn n A 1 90 n good use of its qu et ti e I dia si ce ugust, 0 , to w i n i ffi n inm m ni a nd a ame for h gh e cie cy , especially arks a sh p , to a cquir e a reputationinsports a nd athl etics . n 6th N m 1 90 3 a W n Upo the ove ber , , a st tue was erected at i dsor by public subscriptionto Capta ina nd Brevet Major H . H . Prince

nV t S hl - H n Christia ic or of c eswig olstei , who served for twelve

in im nand r in n. years the Reg e t , took pa t four separate campaig s n fi a nd fine hl s inhis A admirable of cer a at ete, he was assiduou

- ca re a nd sympathy for hi s m en. While A .D . C . to Field Marshal E arl Roberts (during the S outh A fricanW ar) he died of enteric n h 1 9 a fever at Pretoria o the 29t O ct ober, 00 , at the e rly age of " hi s n M m n . 34 , almost last words bei g y duty is to y cou try ne ll i l m m his U iv rsa y regretted , he w l always be re e bered by comra des as anidea l R iflem an.

e n ards Ma o S h ake D . s . o . K i l ed R ue de B ois o Ma 1 h A fterw j r rl y . l , , y 5t , hi e incom m and of l st B a tt ali on 1 91 5, w l . ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

n n n - M a H . R . H . Full of years a d ho our, the vetera Field arsh l r n 1 7t h M George , 3 d Duke of Cam bridge , died upo the arch,

- nin H . R . H . n 5 . h 1 904 , at the age of 8 For t irty e years had bee

n - in- A m a nd n Comm a der Chief of the British r y , for early thirty

fiv e years Colonel - in- Chief of the 60th Rifles . The Regim ent n a nd n n u ow es m uch to his ki dly sympathy , u varyi g tho ght for its w elfare ; hi s m em ory w ill alw ays be held inaffectionate

a nd respectful rem em brance .

n W K . G . . now n H . . H . Ge eral R The Pri ce of alens , , etc , n H IS MA JE S T Y T H E K I N G , was appoi ted to the vaca cy

n l st Ma 1 904 . o the y ,

l st n n M h m * t a nn n The Battalio u der ark a , af er i teresti g nc n nw experie e of a joi t occupatio ith our allies of Crete , also

n n aininE r n 1 906 . of Cyp rus , fou d itself u ited ag gypt du i g nnn n n ffi n A lways m ai tai i g its great reputatio for ge eral e cie cy, its offi cers here achieved a prom inent place inthe Polo world n1 909 K um E i , after a year at harto , it left gypt for Gosport, w here it received a gracious m essage of welcom e from the Prince a n n m m b m v t of Wales , d bega a e ora le spell of ho e ser ice af er its

long eighteenyears of experience abroad . 2nd n n m m n a nd The Battalio , u der co a d of Kays , ? later 2nd B A T T A L I O N . n nm m l a ni a nd u der Chapli ,1: oved fro Barei ly to Raw l Pi d , back ll n ubbul ore nn to Barei y ; the ce to J p , where it co ti ued to add

to its athl etic a nd sporting successes . It distingui shed itself by challenging the Gurkha Rifle Battalions at khud (m ountain) im n a n il in w c N e a ulese cl bi g , especial class of h l rac g for hi h the p a nd not l are celebrated , though actual y victorious , achieved a

m no m im n. U n H w h o oral success of s all porta ce der are ,§ took m m nin1 908 a n n n over co a d , the Batt lio w o a forem ost place i

n n a nd n. I dia for shooti g , athletics , sport of all ki ds i C a — n in The Kad r p the Blue Ribbo of the Pigstick g world,

w a s w onby Lieut. Vernon"on F irepla nt against 1 1 6 com — etit ors b n n n n - nn p eni g the seco d time o ly i thirty i e years that it had bee w onby aninfantry offi cer . Riflem anMcG uire established a record by w inning a tw enty m ile Marathonrace int w o u a nd n at Jubbulpore ho rs , several private R iflem e dis e t ingui sh d them selves as fine gam e shots . A m ong them R ifiem an — A inna - nn — n n tk so well k ow boxer killed sev e sam bhur , o e n a n n d b k in n n. e n hye a , twe ty black uc a si gle seaso E xc lli g a nd m a i n n n n at football at ga es , the Batt l o co cluded its I dia service in1 909 by winning the QueenVictoria S hooting Cup

- nera - N ow B ri a di e G e . N ow B ri a die G ene a g r l T g r r l . K illed ina c i I t ona t t h e h ea d o f t h e 9th B a tt a lionw hile successfully storm inth e G erm a nt rench es a t H o o e u 3oth 1 1 g g , J ly , 9 5.

A ft er a rds B ri a dier - § w g G enera l ; seriously w ound e d a t th e h ea d of th e 86t h B i a d e w h i e forcinth e a ndina t S idil B a h r G a i o i a nu o n r g l g l g , ll p l , t da w p t h e 25th A i 1 91 6 now Ma or - G ene a pr l , ; j r l .

N ow L ieut - C n nr e . o o e H e V nonD " l l y r , . s . o . A I E H BR F IS TO RY O F T H E R E G I M N T .

— abroad the Blue Ribbonof the A rm y Marksmanship . This nota ble success it followed up by winning the same coveted prize in1 91 0 1 91 1 and in1 91 2 nn n at home , , , thus gai i g the u ique i ni n n nn in n d sti ct o of bei g the wi ers for four years successio , which earned the especial approval and congratulations of

K .M. in n- in- i ni nnn n The K g , the Colo el Ch ef, upo ts a ou ceme t

n . o February 24th , 1 91 3 A i ninE nnin n il n H rriv g gla d 1 91 0 the Battalio , st l u der are , received a gracious message of welcom e from the Colonel - in i a nd w a s n n nn n Ch ef, statio ed at S hor cliffe ; thus after i etee years absence abroad it begana m em orable term of service at hom e . 3rd n l un m m n c ri or * 3rd B A T T A L I O N The Battalio , sti l der the co a d of M G g , w as m in1 905 m A oved early from Ber uda to ldershot, where it m nin n nan s n well ai ta ed the reputatio of the Regime t, d w a i spected r n W : in 1 908 n n by the P i ce of ales February, , it left u der Chapli

or a n a n n n . f Crete d M lta , a d the ce to I dia

' 4th t n n th e di ns 4th B A T I A L I O N . The Bat alio , u der Fortescue , 1 with tra tio H a nd his s e r e in n o f awley sy t m , still che ish d the Regime tal n a nd in ffi i n nnin m i d, a very marked state of e c e cy, was wi g its way at Gosport and at A ldershot to a foremost place inthe

. t in1 9 nn . - n A m y at home La er 06 the Battalio , u der Lieut Colo el N n n O liver uge t : moved to Colchester, where it gai ed a similar prom inence insport and games to that whi ch it had already ' in e n n achieved m ilitary fiicie cy . A high com plime t was paid it by

H .E . H . The Prince of W ales intimating his w ish to make a special ne n nanH . R . H . onth e 2sth ul 1 9 i sp ctio of the Battalio , d J y, 07,

- - proceeded to Colchester accordingly. The Colonel inChief was pleased to express hi s unqualified approval ina most gracious

n . I n1 n t s nann mem ora dum 908 the Battalio , af er establi hi g u ique all n nw on re cord of Footb successes duri g the seaso , the A rmy

Cup at A ldershot onthe 20th A pril inth e presence of T .R .H . The Prince a nd P rincess of Wales : the coveted prize a nd medals were personally presented by E .R . H . The Princess . n n 1 909 n H n I Ju e, , am o g the Birthday o ours appeared the

- appointm ent of Lieut . Colonel N ugent to be A . D . C . to the King n n m ninO ffi a nd S m i n a ho our for the Co ma d g cer, a pecial co pl me t to the 4th Batta lion— which was m uch appreciated by the n ill n n. A t en Regim e t the d of December the Battalio , st u der n a n ana r n M nfi e N uge t , st rted for I dia , d r ivi g at eerut be e t d greatly by rece iving 373 seasoned R ifiem enfrom the 2nd Bat — n. ninS m r 1 91 0 n talio Thus the Battalio epte be , , comma ded — - r - h n by Lieut . Colonel H on. R . S tua t W ort y bega a very successful ca reer inIndia where its reputationha d already preced ed it .

’ - B i a die - ena n ne a B . C . M G . N ow G e a d o Ma o G e . N w j r r l, C , . 1 r g r r l,

a or - G e nera B D o N ow Ma o - G ene a C B s t N ow M j l, C . ., .s . . § j r r l , . . , D. . o. ’ T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

D .

n 2n n1 90 8 w ni U po the d Ju e , , passed a ay the greatest perso al ty

n . non 7th D m which the Regim e t has produced Bor the ece ber,

n . . n H on. S ir H v C 1 839 , Ge eral The Right Redvers e ry Buller , ,

joined the 2nd Battalionin1 858 . H e took part inthe following cam paigns — China W ar and Capture of n1 860— E n1 870— A n W ar a nd Peki , Red River xpeditio , sha ti C oom a ssi 1 873— 74 — l W ar a nd Ulandi Capture of , Zu u Battle of , — r l l — E i n m na nd 1 879 First Boer W a , S S gyp t a Ca paig Battle — - el - b 1 882 S ua ld n m nand s E l of Tel Ke ir , Ca paig Battle of Teb n 1 884— N i1e E na nd D m n1 884—85 a d Tam ai , xpeditio esert Colu , — A nW a r 1 899 1 900 . S outh frica , nw w a nnm na al u E do ed ith i do itable will , great perso l v o r n nninm ur n a d u fli ch g oral co age , he possessed the highest se se

n n n . an of ho our a d of devotio to duty Coupled with these , absence of selfi sh am bitionand anintense sym pathy for those n un n m nn n servi g with him , derlyi g a somewhat rough a er, e deared n m b a nd h im him to his troops i a re arka le degree , made a great pow er inthe A rm y . I nearlier days it w onh im the title of the

— Chevalier Bayard of S outh A frica sa ns p ea r et sans rep roche . " n a nd m l My very able frie d valued co rade , Redvers Bul er , writes L ord Wolseley in first and forem ost am ong his nm n mi n n nhi n co te poraries , whose ster deter atio of character ot g l f rc indifli cult w as not cou d ru fle , whose resou e y surpassed by any one I ever knew Cool a nd calm inthe face of every " danger be inspired general confidence . The Regim ent owes m uch to S ir Redvers Buller for prom oting its interests throughout his long career . The m ost di stinguished

n H w n A a n- n pupil of Ge eral a ley, he put i to effect as djut t Ge eral the principles w hich he had im bibed inhis early years to the n nfi a n lasti g be e t of the British A rm y , d w ith characteristic m agnanim ity never ceased to adm it the debt he owed to his old

Preceptor . May future generations never forget that it Wa s to th e creative ’ and m n L ord li a ls le m n power, ilitary ge ius of e y , the ad i istrative n w l and nw nnm en power , the i flexible i l , the k o ledge of ha dli g a nd ffi b S ir a n n o cers possessed y Redvers Buller , d the i dom itable energy a nd driving pow er of S ir E velynWaad 't that the British A rm y of the late eighties a nd of the nineties owes the deepest debt of gratitude . It was to this trio of rem arkable m enthat we are indebted

- m r - n i n n to day for the refor s , the e orga isat o , the preparatio W ar nin n nd m n n for , the trai g , the discipli e , a the e tal a d physical

’ Vi da T he S tor a i s - - o S old er L ei e Vol. I I . 1 77 78 F ie d Ma rsh a y f / , , pp . l l Vi scount W o se e died inMa rch 1 91 3 enera a cknow ed e e h e l l y , ; g lly l g d t o b t great est m ilit ary geniu s of our a ge : h e h a s left his im press up onthe B rit ish A rm for a l i y l t m e .

F ie d Marsh a S ir H e E ve W nr n o od v c . s 1 l l y ly , . . p . . c.

’ T H E KI N G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

tal ionhas throw nits whole energies into m aking the best use of its

n . n all opportu ities The sam e m ethods have bee adopted by , varied only by local conditions : a nd the interior econom y of

e t i n m a nd - in m en th Bat al o s , the co fort, food , well be g of the , their training a nd their discipline have received the sam e devoted

care a nd assiduous attention. N ev er has a better feeling of

m utual confidence a nd regard ex isted betw eenall ranks . The physical culture of offi cers and R iflem enhas received especial

a n w nm n . T h e c i thought , d has met ith phe o e al success a h eve ments inshooting a nd the general sta ndard of effi ciency have i a nd in in b reached the h ghest level ; the successes box g , foot all , nnn a nd n n c in i ru i g , athletics has ever bee approa hed the h story

of the Regim ent . O ffi cers have di sting uished them selves inthe n in nnfi e a nd b n a n polo grou d , the hu ti g ld, etwee the flags , d

notable successes achieved . A t the com m encem ent of the W ar sixteenO ffi cers serving inthe Regiment were graduates of the

- S taff College . A t the tim e of writing the Regiment has thirty one

n O ffi on s w m w n- hr Ge eral cers the active li t, of ho t e ty t ee are , or

n v nin fi . have bee , ser i g the eld as such

The m ental training a nd educationof N . C . offi c ers a nd private

R iflem enhave attained a standard never before thought possible . m a be no O n b nmi a nd It y justly said that pportu ity has ee ssed, the utm ost efi ort s have beenm ade to reach the highest plane ffi n n i of e cie cy, to rouse the spirit of the Regime t to a wh te heat in a n of pride its past services , d at all costs t o live up to its great

traditions .

- H .M. in our nin- n The K g , Colo el Chief, has e deared him self to all ranks by his consistent a nd gracious thought for th e m n nm n a ninn n Regi e t upo a y occ sio s I dia, at Malta , a d at hom e, a n l th e m n both sep rately to each Battalio as wel as to Reg i e t c ollectively . During the last fifteenyears four m embers * of the Royal am — ns n— F ily cousi of The Ki g have served inthe Regim ent . Two of them have laid downtheir lives for their Country while nin fi inS A a n n c servi g the eld outh frica d Fra ce respe tively, a nd one is still a subalt em uponactive service with the l st

Battalion. The interest of H is Majesty and the confidence shownby the Royal Fam ily inthe Regim ent are appreciated with loyal grati a nd a n na ns b en tude , it is clearly additio l respo i ility to the m now n m n servi g to erit the ho our thus paid to t hem .

a t a ina nd B rev et Ma or C H . H P rince hri ia p j . C s t nVict or of S chlesw ig H o st eindie d a t P ret oria durint h e S outh A frica nC a m ai n c 2 t h l g p g , O t o ber 9 ,

1 900. Vida 4 1 . nce F a nci — L ieut . H . P ri s of T ech 1 889 1 890 t ransfe red to t h e R o a r , , r y l Dra o ons a ft erw a rds Ma o r died Ma rch 1 , j , , 91 3. gieu H H P rince a l t . . . M urice of B a tt enber ki ed ina ct i nw hi e g, ll o l le dinhis a t o onne ar Z onnebeke inth e first ba t t e of Y e c r h g pl l pr s , O t obe 27t ,

l gl 4 . nH H P ince C a t ai . . L e o o d of B at t enber n na c ive p r p l g, ow o t e i ce s rv . A E BRI F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

A F T E R W O R D T o RI F L E ME N N ow S E R VI N G . The R iflem enof the four regular Battalions have now for m a a n n n the ost part p ssed away , d have joi ed the I visible A rmy

H S . n r of eroic ouls There rem ai s with us , however, the im pe ish m m of a n n able e ory their deeds , d th e recollectio s of their valour and - sa rifice l in self c To fo low worth ily their footsteps , to n nfi n a nd ina nd retai the co de ce approval of the K g , the gratitude r n n i R iflem en of thei cou tryme , is the weighty priv lege of the now serving . A Germ annewspaper has writtento reassure its readers tha t W e must think of the old British A rm y as a thing It has beensaid of the O L D A R MY by the ablest military w riter a nd critic of our generationthat it was one of the m ost perfect instrum ents for W a r of m oderntimes . A dm irable in a nd nn b m n physique trai i g, possessed of a ody of regi e tal officers without their equal s inthe world as well as non- com n ffi n m issio ed o cers of exceptio al m erit IT WE N T O UT ,

' FO U GH T GLO RIO U S LY, A N D DIE D . 1 With that O ld A rmy went our four regular Battalions Their

a in n n - spirit is live, it exists their successors i the Regime t to day , and tha t their m em ory shall rem ainfor ever as a cherished record is the obj ect of this Brief H istory .

N ot b t h e w of C m m c A rt P en y po er o er e, , or , S h all our G reat E m pire stand ; nor h a s it sto od B ut b th e nb d d of nb m en y o le ee s o le , ’ H c s a nd H u eroi live , eroes o tpoured blood . 1

— 1 T H E E A 1 91 4 91 5 . GR T WA R .

BR I E F RE C O R DS B Y BA T T A L I O N S .

N ote — A t the present tim e to relate the H istory of the G reat W a r up to date— s e far as the R egim ent is concerned — is m anifestly

nr x ed n B ut a . b R c d of h m neither possible o e p ie t. rief e or t e ain v n b B ns u the I s t D c m b r I 1 m u bv u e e ts y attalio p to 3 e e e , 9 5, st o io sly m n n n uc a R be of interest to the R ifle e pa st a d pres e t. S h ecord selected and concentrated from publis hed docum ents — is m erely a n n s m T h H no f outline of the s ple did ervices perfor ed . e istoria the R egim ent w ill indue tim e depict their stirring ex ploits w ith the completeness w hich they deserve .

Voaaiche Z ei tung . " ns b T he Mi ita C orres ondent of T he T i m es O ct ober 1 L o st L e gio , y l ry p ,

3l st . 1 91 6. ncis S co t t of uebec se vininF rance a s C h a a inC anadian I C anO nF ra , Q , r g pl c I m perial F or e. ’ T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

T H E RE GULA R BA TTA LIO N S .

' l sr BA T T A L I O N .

1914. n ar m 1 1 .m . The actual declaratio of W dates fro p , Tuesday, 1 “ B A T T A L I O N 4 h 1 91 4 nl a . . A ugust t , ; it was o y eight days later that at m , n 2 A 1 st n in o the 1 th ugust, the Bat talio , com plete every detail A ugust 12th . nn and m n n . - n E of perso el equip e t, u der Lieut Colo el dward

N orth e S n A n. y , left alama ca Barracks , ldershot, for Fra ce Form ing part of the 6th Infantry Brigade (Davi es )* a nd the 2nd n rra n n n n Divisio (M u y) , the Battalio reached Roue ; the ce we t

inon 1 4 n. H ena es a nd on 2 1 st by tra the th i st to pp , the by march n M n on 2 3rd fi route to Givry , ear o s , where the they for the rst

tim e cam e under fire . The Brigade had hardly takenup its ’ n n nm n and on n positio , whe the e e y s artillery ope ed, the follow i g

m orning the Retreat began. nA 25th n ni O ugust , the seco d ght of the Retreat , the

6th Brigade halted for the night inMarolles . During the night it w as discovered that a Germ anforce by m eans of m otor

- cars had seized the Marolles bridge head . The alarm was a nd n l nin in raised, the Battalio fal i g acted support of the 1 st n n t a n Battalio Royal Berkshire Regim e t, who were at cki g

- h w i . the bridge head , w ich , ho ever, they fa led to take The n m n in n na nd n m in Battalio re ai ed support u til daw , the , for g a e ll m r arguard to thenBrigade, successfu y withdrew fro the village without becomi g engaged with the enem y . Uponthe sam e

n 4th n . ightnthe Guards Brigade w as attacked at La drecies S e embe l st . O 1 st S m 4th r i m pt r the epte ber the Guards B igade , at th s ti e 2 nd D nb n rearguard to the ivisio , ecam e heavily e gaged with the

nm inV - C ot t eret W a n n e e y illers ood, d it becam e ecessary for h the 6t Brigade to returna nd support them . The Battalion n w in n and we t up ith the Brigade close support i to the wood , rem ained there until th e 4th Guards Brigade had pas sed through

n n - m m m n n a n h ne . the , co i g u der achi e gu fire d s rap l The n n nnfa f n Battalio thne executed anskilful retireme t i nce o a nstro gly pressed advna ce by the e emy whi ch resulted i surprisi gly few m 1 ffi 1 2 n n and 1 m s n. casualties , a ely , o cer, Rifleme wou ded, i si g A ugust 24th t o During the whole period from A ugust 2 4t h to S eptember 5th S eptember 5th . n the Battalio retreated by forced m arches . The heat was un a nd w a s nn n fin usually severe , there o e of the excitem e t of a de ite n m n m e nn e gage e t ; oreov r , they were w ithout a y ews of the m m n fi in w n o e tous ght g at Le Cateau, here , o the m emorable

26t h A S m ith - Dami ena n n r ugust, d the 2 d A rm y Corps im m o t aliz ed them selves by inflicting slaughter and disaster uponthe Germ anA rm ies of VonKluck a nd VonBulow fourfold as strong

as they .

T h e h n 6t I fant r B ri a de co nsis t e d of B ri a die - G enera R H Davies y g g r l . . , C B e Ze a nd . . N w a Mi it a r F orces c m ndin: , l l y , o m a g ’ l s t B a tt a io nT h e K ins L ive r o o R e im e n l , g ( p l g t ). 2md B a t t a ionS out h S t a ffordsh ire R e i n l . g m e t . l s t B a t t a ionR o a B e kshire R e i en l , y l r g m t . ’ l st B a tt a ionT h e K ins R o a R ifle C or s l , g y l p . A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

O nS n S e 6th n and n u day, ept mber , the tide tur ed, the lo g a nd ear r w n n a n nc w y Ret eat as co verted i to adva e , followed by the four- day battle of the Marne— the brilliant victory of the

A llied A rm ies . I n m nin l n n m the early or g of the oth , duri g the adva ce fro M n A i n e n— u nn the ar e to the s e, th Battalio p to the ot heavily e n as m n— in n an gaged a co plete u it was act g as adva ce guard , d w as so fortunate as to come suddenl y upona Germ anrearguard inpositionat H autevesnes a nd thus at last arose the chance s o . n in n nf n eagerly awaited The e emy fro t, some i a try a nd l n . n a battery of artil ery, were stro gly posted Permissio was n l a nd n n n N give to assau t, the Battalio , stro g, u der orthey , ns and b with its fla k protected supported by a attery , seized their O un a nd nan800 f n pport ity , upo yards ro t attacked with three

Com panies infront line a nd one insupport . From th e very beginning of the actiona com plete superiority o f fire w as l r a n i and nn estab ished by its accu acy d rapid ty , , adva ci g in en n s nfi ext ded order by alter ate ru hes, after a stubbor gnht of a n a nd c . m hour a half, a complete victory was a hieved The e e y 1 50 m eninil a n n a nd 45 fi a nd m en lost k led d wou ded, 0 of cers s r en n e nin al u r dered ; the bala ce, about 500 , retr ati g a demor ised c n n a n um n. fi o ditio , were c ptured by a other col This ght, w s N * a n t in rite orthey, was ex raord ary proof of the good our l nninfire n n results of carefu trai i g directio , orders , co trol ,

a n in n . d discipl e, coupled w ith i itiative The losses to the n in i Battalio , who this fight so well lived up to the r glorious n ffi n 1 n a nd traditio s , were 5 o cers wou ded , 0 other ra ks killed, 60 wounded— not a great price to pay for the annihilationof ’ a whole enem y s Battalion.

T h e co - O perationbetweenthe R iflem ena nd the A rtillery

n . ni n fi n was S ple did The se or Germ a of cer, whe asked why n n uni n they had surre dered as they still had ple ty of amm tio , replied that our fire w as so accurate that they could neither ’ nor l . m ove, cou d they put up their heads to shoot During the nex t three weeks the advance was continued S eptember 11th to l n n V ni n nO ctober st . a cross the rivers O urcq a d A is e to er eu l , with co sta t fi n hi in 2 e a nd 5 ffi a nd 1 36 ghti g , w ch cost casualties 7 kill d , o cers o ther rank s wounded .

i n n n 1 4 S m S ept embe 14th . The Battal o crossed the A is e o the th epte ber , r

T H E A I S N E . a nd n m m i n . was there split up , upo the sa e day beca e heav ly e gaged A a nd D m n n m n Co pa ies , u der Major A r ytage, formi g the left n 6th in fla k guard to the Brigade , fought touch g the right of the 4 h n S m t Guards Brigade i the W oods above oupir, where so e n l a nd m n very severe fighti g took place ; whi e B C Co pa ies , n nW ll e n n a nd u der Captai i , formed the right fla k guarnd, also m fi n. A ll u m had nso e very severe ghti g fo r Co pa ies greatly disti guished them selves .

R e i m nta l O hmamicle 1 91 5 39 g e , , p . . ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

‘ O nth e 1 3 O i nn nvicz th cntober , proceed gnorthwards by trai na n l a , A m ie s d Bou og e , the Batt lio reached Ypres where it went into billets ; a nd onthe 2 1 st was m oved E a st into the n nw 2 N m n. f 2 2 d Ypres salie t H ere , rom the o ard to the ud ove a n in fi n ber, it w s i volved the desperate ghti g that took place,

entitled The First Battle of Ypres . This battle proved to be one of the m ost critical events of the W a r up to the present ’ a n a S m - Dorriens time , d m y be said to be , with ith battle at

onA 26t h nin o ld A m . Le Cateau ugust , the crow g glories of the r y " I nM m m a nd S n . ( Vi da e oria , First eco d Battle of Ypres , p From O ctober 22nd to 25t h the 1 st Battalionw a s insupport n n fi n inon 26th . n m N E of Ypres , u til ovi g up i to the ri g l e the

it at once becam e closely engaged .

- O ctober 27th . The following day it form ed part of a counter attack against the enem y south of Zonnebeke— a nattack necessitated by the

retreat of the French a nd the loss of their trenches . Driving n m n n 80 0 the e em y ahead of the upo a fro t of yards , the Bat

talionsooncam e under a terrific artil lery a nd rifle fire . The losses w ere heavy inofficers as well as m en; am ongst those w h o

gave their lives for the E m pire was Prince Maurice of Battenberg . n m n i l n H e fell o the top of the ridge , ortally wou ded wh le gal a tly

n na n . n leadi g his platoo , d died shortly afterwards Pressi g for n t h e n r n w ard , the Battalio recovered tre ches lost by the F e ch ,

and speedily m ade good their position. S ituated at the very n n n ncam n poi t of the otorious salie t , the Battalio e u der a very n n n onn . . nc n m 1 0 p m , heavy a d o ti uous bom bard e t , but galla tly held u til O ctober al st. is the 31 st . A fter dark onthat day it w as w ithdrawnfrom th

a n n on Y - M nn sector for a rest , d se t to H ooge Chateau the pres e i

- n l st N m r l st D n. A t o Mid day, road to suppo t the ivisio m idday the ove ber

l st . N ovember e n it s n na nd in th Battalio reached desti atio , later the day , at

. n n 200 9 .m a d D m w p , B , C , Co pa ies ere moved forward with en 1 st m o n and m ni s m of the Coldstrea Guards the left, three Co pa e on n nW illan of the l st Royal Berkshires the right , u der Captai ,

N o embe 2nd . n n n nnn v r of the 1 st Batta lio , to hold a sectio of the tre ches ru i g south

m - G h eluveldt - M nn 500 ar w fro Ypres e i Road , about y ds est nof h el el . i nn n m G uv dt The r thi li e was subjected to a lo g bo bardme t, ’ n a n n n nn . m followed by adva ce of the e emy s i fa try A Co pa y, al nH w a with Batt io eadquarters , s at this time detailed to Reserve a n n com elsewhere , d o ly heard later of the catastrophe to their

rades which followed . The 2nd Batta lionhad just previously held with adm irable tenacity a positionat G h eluv eldt near thi s n n w n a n n very grou d , but had bee withdra for a rest , d the tur

l st n n . of the Battalio had ow com e The attack developed , a nd was pressed by the enem y w ith renew ed a nd desperate n and rm n n: n n n e ergy dete i atio stro gly rei forced , a d covered by n l k n n a curtani ofnarti lery , li e a risi g tide they adva ced with over m a d . 1 . . nn whel i g irresistible force A t 1 e m it was k ow that, ’ - nn nm on over powered by the adva ci g e e y s m asses , the tr0 0 ps A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E ‘ RE GI ME N T .

nan n nm the left had broke , d that those o the right had bee si ilarly forced back by sheer weight ; but still the three Com panies of the l st Battalionheld on. The exact incidents of the fight n r u at this ju cture, as glo io s as they were tragic , by which the n a nD m ni in Battalio lost the greater part of B , C , d Co pa es il un a nd m n ca nn c n k led, wo ded , issi g , o ly be o jectured, as there no r t a le m a nn were su vivors to tell the . They y be k ow at the e nd of the W ar . It is only certainthat the enemy by a furious ns n b n o laught with greatly superior um ers , attacked the salie t h eluv eldt on M nn and n n at G the e i Road , , drivi g back the eigh in nn a on n nknw n bour g i fa try , had swept forw rd either fla k u o n inf n n a n t o the three Com pa ies ro t li e, d thus had com pletely

s a nd n m . Un m n i olated surrou ded the aided, the three co pa ies

na n fi n n n. m ai t i ed a desperate ght , but were ever see agai

n s it s ow n a nd The followi g li t of casualties tells tale, although the Battalionwas alm ost im mediately m ade up againto its n na n A l on establishm e t , the origi l Battalio as it had left dershot the 1 2th A ugust had practically ceased to exist

— — . T 2 R B E R I CA S U A L T I E S A U G U S 3 D N O VE M S T H , Missing and A ccidenta lly K ill ed Wounded unac counte d for sh ot O fficers 5 23 9 1 O th er ranks 90 41 7 490 2 Total (exclus ive of sick inhospita l) 1 037

nD m 23rd a n re - w a s O ece ber the Batt lio , already formed , December z3ra. nin fi n in a nd m m nnO fi n agai the ghti g l e, its Co a di g f cer , Colo el

m i - n N orthey , was shortly afte rwards pro oted to Brigad er Ge eral of the 1 5th Brigade . January a nd February of 1 91 5 the Battalionspent almost continually inthe trenches w ith short spells inbillets .

n 2 nd M S Ma ch 2nd. O March ajor hakerley, succeeded to the r na nd nN A C t o n to comma d , Colo el orthey, .D . the Ki g , left take co mmand of the 1 5th Brigade . O nthe l oth March the Battaliontook part ina nassault of n ’ s n n n m n the e em y tre ches ear Give chy as auxilniary tonthe ani battle of N euve Cha pelle . The new Battalio rece tly reco n s n O ld st m ct ed , shew i g it elf worthy of the best traditio s of the , t n displayed the m ost despera e galla try , but was brought to a ’ standstill whenit was found tha t the enem y s wire h ad bee n

n l a nd na . N u touched by our arti lery was i t ct evertheless , two n a nd te nR ifi em en n officers , two sergea ts , , by crawli g through n n nn nm nin nm ’ a d u der the e ta gleme t, ade a lodgme t the e e y s n a nd n m n n tre ches , held their positio for a y hours , u til all but three were kill ed or wounded . Personally congratulated by the Generals of Divisionand n m a n r A rmy Corps , the Battalio was so ewh t co soled for thei losses , which were

ntal C hroni cle 1 91 4 . 1 38 R egime , , p . ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

Ki lled Wounded T ota l O ffi cers 4 2 O ther ranks 1 53 94

Ih ' om March 1 1 th to May sth the Battalionw as engaged n n w a and m n w na l i tre ch rfare i or services , ith occasio l spe ls of

rest inrear of the fighting line . 9th — 16th n th Ma 6t h w as May . O the 9 y the Brigade ordered to support the

. nin des s a nd fte nn R UE DE S B O I S 1 st Divisio proximity to Rue Boi , , a r co ti ued

n o n 1 5 m . fighti g , was ordered the th to the Fer e de Bois A fter r l m m n a l nn ul a heavy a ti lery bo bard e t , a c refu ly pla ed assa t was

. h n nn launched p m . by the 6t a d 5th I fa t ry Brigades and

part of the IndianDivis ion. The advance was correctly and n a nd in nfi n n sile tly carried out, , spite of stubbor ghti g by the e em y

nnn in- una nd fire r in n a d i te se mach e g rifle , the th ee l es of Germa n n a n ne n tre ches were take before daylight, d the w positio

consolidated . s a nd in m m nin The casualties were seriou , cluded the co a d g

. . S officer, Major G C hakerley K illed W ounded Missing O fficers 5 8 O ther ranks 22 1 84

Tota l

nMa 1 9th M Jelf n O y ajor , took over the com m a d of

n. O nMa 22nd n H nn the Battalio y Ge eral om e, com m a di g 2nd D nn i nan n n ivisio , i spected the Battal o , d co gratulated it upo the excellent service which it had rendered onthe night of the — 1 5th l 6th . A n n and n n period of ordi ary tre ch duty , spells of rest a d trai

ing followed . O nthe 25t h S eptember the Battalionw a s allotted to a Brigade

- n . n C arte n u der Lieut Colo el r, orga ised especially for the O pera nin nn nw i n tio s co ectio th the Battle of Loos , a d attached for the

' n 7th D nn Ma - occasio to the ivisio u der j or General S ir T . C app er

A t . m . on o in n p the foll w g day the W orcester Regim e t, A a nd m n n closely supported by B Co pa ies of the l st Battalio , n nD nonm a n n u der Captai e is , ade attack o the quarries west of

C itie S t . E on H u h n loi, tnhe lluch Road , w ich had bee recaptured previously by the e emy from some other Brigade . The R iflem en a an th e W inth e a nd t u g ll tly supported orcesters attack , al ho gh a n they failed to actu lly capture the Quarries , the Battalio seized a nd m ade good two lines of trenches immediately infront of the

. H m n m n- unfire Quarries ere they ca e u der heavy cross achi e g , fire a nd fire a nd n n rifle , artillery , owi g to havi g to cross about 500 n n W yards of ope flat grou d the orcesters lost heavily, but i not happ ly our losses were so serious . The remaining two Com ni n M A m m nn , nd t g , a pa cs u der ajor rmy age co a di came up later , n m n the Battalio was highly co plime ted by G enera l G ough .

’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

E a n a n n. O n 8th the ast , d the retreat becam e adva ce the the ’ n n c w i nm - a nd on Battalio got i to tou h th the e e y s rear guard , n n n nm the l ot h som e fighti g took place ; foll ow i g the retreati g e e y, n O a nd o n 1 3 n v a n the Battalio crossed the urcq , the th , acti g as

n A s n n . W guard to the Divisio , reached the i e , ear Bourg ith prom pt initiative the Battalionsucceeded insecuring the bridges n n n a nd nb over the river a d ca al alm ost i tact , thus e a led the l c R ifiem en m n Brigade , sti l overed by the , to ake good a lodgme t onthe east bank of the river . A t p . m . onthe same evening the order cam e to seize the high ground above Troyon. A t ’ n a nffi R iflem enn 2nd . m id ight o cer s patrol of eight , u der Lieut w a s no n nn a nd w dn Balfour, se t to reco oitre , ith great bol ess crept forward onto the plateau a nd located the enem y . Upon

. n er nb a . m o n 1 4 S ocold n its retur y the th , Colo el , havi g n c n n skilfully m ade his dispositio s , dire ted the Battalio to adva ce, D n s in preceded by Com pa y (Cathcart) , which, pu h g rapidly c m n i a n forward , very shortly afterwards a e i to close touch w th

n and . outpost of the e em y , which they prom ptly charged , routed Quickly supported oneither flank by A Com pany (Jelf) a nd B n a n b m nW r Com pa y (Foljam be) , d two hours later y C Co pa y ( a re) , iflem enin the R , spite of severe loss , seized the edge of the plateau im mediately south of the Chem indes Dam es . A m ost im portant s c n n a n n n uc ess had thus bee gai ed , d the Battalio , further rei forced on n n a n n n r either fla k , adva ced, d , sweepi g the e em y from thei n t w o m n nin nn tre ches , rushed batteries of Ger a gu s actio ear the

S . n n n c r ugar Factory These , u fortu ately , they were u able to ar y a nd n fi n n off, at ightfall , after a ght lasti g all day , the Battalio w n m nn was withdra fro its exposed positio i to Brigade reserve , a nd the rem aining thr ee Battalions of the Brigade m ade good the im portant lodgm ent thus gained . O n 1 7 fi nns c a n the th the ght assum ed a m ore i te e chara ter , d the Battalionwas againbrought up into first line . A bout

. m . nm ncam ffi e p a u ber of Germa s e forward , with t w o O cers l ad n - i n fiv e in n en. g, twe ty yards fro t of their m The w hole party ofli cers a nd m en— nn n n co ti uend to adva nce withntheir ha ds raised above their heads as toke of surre der , a d with their rifles

n i . . Dimm i a nO fli cer slnu g over the rnshoulnders Lieut er , w th of a other Regime t , we t forward to m eet them , w hile som e of our R iflem enstood up intheir trenches beckoning the Germ ans

. H n D m a to approachnneari g the click of a rifle bolt , im er c lled to his compa io and dropped at once into the turnips . The m n m m O n re treacherous Ger a s i ediately pe ed fi from their hips , w but ere speedily disposed of by the R ifiem en. A m im il so ewhat s ar episode took place shortly afterwards , whena body of som e 400 Germ ans m ade a like treacherous m a nd O n fire m on N n en atte pt , pe ed fro the hip the ortham pto m ,

m n . in n but were disposed of ai ly by Lieut Purcell , com m a d of

m n- n n our achi e gu attachm e t. A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

The inhum anway inwhich all efforts to relieve or assist the wounded lying inthe O penwere m et by the enemy aroused the m n n n ut ost rese tm e t a d disgust of our R iflem en. fi nin The success of this , the rst serious actio which the Bat ali n n n en n nfi n t o was e gaged , i spired the m with a sple did co de ce in m a nd the selves their leaders , but the losses were severe K ill ed W ound ed T ota l O ffi cers 9 7 1 6 O ther ranks 306 Grand total — 322 The seizure of the heights above Troyonproved to be of e a an c n great strat gical v lue, d is des ribed by the Comma der ’ in- l a n in Chief s Despatch as skilfu , bold , d decisive later the battle this positionbecam e the scene of further desperate

fi n. A non 1 7th D ninn ghti g gai , the , the espatch co t ui g states ’ that The King s Royal Rifles wheeled to their left onthe " ’ x m nk nn n n e tre e fla of our i fa try li e, so that the e em y s attack inforce was drivenback w ith heavy loss .

- O nthe 2 2nd Field Marshal S ir JohnF rench (the Commander S ept. 21 st t o

O ct . 20th . in- m i n nn Chief) hi self v sited the bivouac of the Battalio at Parg a , on A n nl an the is e , where he perso al y d without the form ality of a parade expres sed his thanks to the m en- a com plim ent which was m uch appreciated by the R iflem enand was well deserved . a n m n on A i nun 1 6t h O The Batt lio re ai ed the , s e til the ctober,

nb i a nd w as . E . a n c n whe y ra l road it m oved N , d rea hed Boesi ghe,

N . Y on 2oth . n nn 2 1 st of pres , the Late i the eve i g of the it m arched to H etsa s with orders to retake early the next morning som e trenches that had beenlost . The atta ck took place at

a . m . on 2 1 st a nw a s nn. n 6 the , d admirably pla ed The Battalio na w i l st m ade a fro t l attack , h le their com rades of the N orth ’ to ns hire a n na nd 1 st am p att cked the e em y s left fla k , the Loyal

na . ul c ul N orth La c shire the left rear The res t was m ost suc essf , n ni n n nil a nd n a d great loss i fl cted o the e em y i k led priso ers , of which D Com pany alone took 1 30 . O ur ca sualties were not

— great considering the result attained 36 killed a nd 60 wounded . H nn n s n a di g over the tre ches thu recovered, the Battalio n Y an in nW retur ed to pres , d w ith their Brigade were Polygo ood o nthe 28t h . A t 5 a .m . onthe following m orning the Brigade H erena n M nin a nd n was m oved to th ge Castle o the e Road , the ce in nnS erocold in m m n 1 st late the after oo , co a d of the Loyal N na a nd ow n i n n rw orth La c shires his Battal o , was se t fo ard to n r nf n L andon G heluv eldt to rei force the 3 d I a try Brigade ( ) , who w n b Y a n. n in ere holdi g the cele rated pres s lie t The troops , i clud g 2m n n n i n the d Battalio , allotted to the fro t li e of th s very importa t n n S erocold ni ffi n n n poi t, u der as se or o cer, stre gthe ed the positio

t h l . non through the 3o as best they cou d Before daw , the n l w r n l st m l . 3 , the e e y delivered a furious assau t ith ove whe mi g O ct 31st . nm nnr a nd n t n. u bers of i fa t y gu s , which forced the lef of the positio ’ T H E KI N G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

1914. A t one point the enem y brought up a field gunwithin800 yards 2nd B A T T A L I O N ’ n on f n m s m . of the tre ches our le t, determi ed to de oli h the The conti nued . n in a nd n ft s e em y were here very great force, a priso er a erward

said that there w ere twenty - four Battalions opposed to our sm all now a rr nd force . A a nd B Com panies w ere practic lly su ou ed n a n en a nd m n m n losses i offi cers d m very great , so e priso ers , ai ly n ffi w fiv e en n n. O e m wou ded , were take o cer ith or six had nm but w literally to hack his way through the e e y , got nback ith n n . A m l t w o of his party u wou ded ost serious situatio resu ted, a nd nothing but fine leadership a nd the sheer fighting power of

our m enprevented dire disaster . A t first nothing seem ed able nm a nd fi n nfi n to stop the rush of the e e y , erce ha d to ha d ghti g

foll ow ed ; but supported nobly by our guns — one 1 8 - pounder gun w a s actually brought up a nd fired point blank at the Germ ans

advancing downthe m ainstreet - the determ inationa nd tenacity R iflem en m a nd a n e of our triu phed, a respite was g i ed . The forc was thenslowly a nd skilfully w ithdrawnto a less advanced

position. S erocold * w h o n his m en m , had ha dled with arked success , l n and n fel severely wou ded, the losses were great, but the situatio

w a s saved . 2n nnow m m n i onin The d Battalio , co a ded by Ph lips , held

ov. l st . new na nd a n n m nin N m N their positio , e rly upo the ext or g , ove l st m n n in n a ber , the Ger a s , stro gly re forced , agai att cked, but

were successfully bea tenback . I nthe evening the highly tried r 6 ri n n s B igade was relieved by the th B gade , i cludi g the l t Bat

ta lion. The desperate onslaught of the enem y w a s renewed on 2nd inw hi 1 st nw as a n anthe the , ch the Battalio he vily e gaged , d 2nd Battalionwas againbrought into the fight to stem the torrent of the Germ anadvance ; a nd so for tw elve days the ebb and n on 1 2 n flow of battle lasted , u til the th the Prus sia Guard

was brought up for a final effort . A ttacking with a splendid a nd in n valour, close order, the Guard was o ly checked at sixt y

n m nm n n- unfire an yards dista t fro our li e ai ly by machi e g , d fell

- n . back with e orm ous losses It w a s here that Lieut . Dim m erl w on

V . C . A l n infiv e c nn ne his though wou ded places , he o ti ued si gl handed to serve his gun— all his deta chm ent being killed— until he

at last fell senseless beside it . The determ ined valour of this O ffi cer— rightly rewarded as he w a s— was only typ ica l of the n n a nd nnn n n u yieldi g spirit u fli chi g te acity of our m e , w ho took no heed of num bers nor reek ed of the critica l situationinw hich

w . Vide I n m m n n they ere ( Me oria , First , S eco d , Third , a d

a n . Fourth Batt lio s , pp 69

v. n N o 28t h . O N ovem ber 28th S ir JohnF rench againvisited th e Bat n n A na nd n m talio , as he had do e after the is e , co gratulated the

A ft e w ards rom oted B i a die - G ene a r p r g r r l .

N w a n o C t ai . H . S . Dim m er v T p J , . o. A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E R E G l Nfli N T .

on their behaviour thr oughout th e campaign. I wish to thank " " m a n n ha s n n every perso ally, he said , for all that bee do e , " adding how grateful I a m to you all . Later inthe day H . M.

n our n- in- m n n the Ki g , Colo el Chief, acco pa ied by the Pri ce of W a n n a na nw a s ales , w lked dow the ra ks of the Batt lio , d heartily e en na nd n e s M cheered by th m : a ki d co sid rate act of H i ajesty , which was deeply appreciated by all .

A n fiv e m ns l n N ov. 29th 1914 t o tryi g period of o th fo lowed of alter ate spells of , ,

Ma 8th 1915. n a nd w nn a nd . I n y , tre ch warfare , of rest ith trai i g fatigues D m m en m n an ece ber a draft of fro Rhodesia joi ed, d were form ed n nw i n n n i to a platoo , h ch soo ear ed for itself great reputatio for valour a nd good shooting . A t the end of the year a BattalionS ectionof S nipers

un . i was formed der Lieut Rattray, wh ch speedily established a rm n marked superiority over the Ge a s, a superiority which was generally m ani fest inwhichever sectionof the line the Battal ion ’ v n. a n m n n a nd was ser i g The high st dard of the e s shooti g , the a ssiduous care a nd interest takenintheir training before the W a r — now bore abundant fruit . The Rhodesians accustom ed to big " m n— c in i n ga e shooti g particularly ex elled th s system of s ipers , a nd inflicted continua l losses uponthe enem y .

I n r Ma 9th a n inanMa 9th . the early hou s of y , the Batt lio took part y ’ attack uponthe enem y s trenches near Rue des Bois . Many R UE DE S B O I S . a ni i n a .m . a cts of i d v dual galla try took place , but by the att ck

a nd . failed, the troops fell back ur m n O f n l n Fo o ths severe tre ch work fol owed, with i tervals of rest a nd training . O nMay 22nd R iflem anMarriner earned ’ the V . C . by crawling through the enem y s barbed w ire enta ngle n n in n a n w n m e t, clim bi g a parapet a thu derstorm , d thro i g bom bs no m n- unm n . i t a achi e g e placeme t, which had caused much loss

- O nS b 1 2 . n h l w as eptem er th Lieut Colo el P i ips ,

m - n a nd om m n n pro oted Brigadier Ge eral , the c a d devolved upo

- Lieut . Colonel G . K . P riaulx . I nthe desperate battle of Loos the 2nd Infantry Brigade

n a e .m . onS m formed part of the ge eral att ck at , epte ber

n l a nH . Unf n in 2 5th , betwee Loos its e f d ulluch ortu ately the ’ nm nc 2nd a n sector of the e e y s tre hes allotted to the Batt lio , the wire entanglem ent was found to be still intact . T w o attem pts i in a l n dis to force it were made , wh ch , spite of the great g l a try all nk i a nd t f n played by ra s , proved fru tless , af er su feri g great loss the Batta li onhad to be withdrawnuntil the Regim ents on nk m n infinn nm ’ nn ns the fla s , ore fortu ate di g the e e y s e ta gleme t

n a nd a nm n s n . destroyed , had carried the tre ches t ke a y pri o ers

- n n n e . P riaulx n Casualties , i cludi g Li ut Colo el wou ded, were

K illed W o unded G as sed Missing T ot a l 6 6 1 1 3 80 322 75 496 — 509 ’ T H E KIN G S RO Y AL RIFLE CO RPS .

inO Major Bircham succeeded to the Com m and . Dur g ctober

- nw a s w c n w a s re - fit t e d re i the Battalio t i e e gaged , but , equ pped, a nd againm ade up to full strength by O ctober 31 st . n w ins n U ponthe l ot h N ovem ber General S ir H e ry Ra l o , nin4 n 2nd nn Com m a d g th A rm y Corps , i spected the I fa try Brigade, a n a n n n d m ade excelle t address , praisi g the Brigade for its n 2 sth a nd 2 7t h S m work at the battle of Loos o the epte ber , which gave m uch satisfactionto the R iflem ena nd their com rades n nn n m of the 2 d I fa try Brigade , who had see so uch service

a n n W a r . together, both before d duri g the A fter alternate spells of trying work inthe trenches a nd rest in 1 1 n m nin n billets , the year 9 5 e ded with a Christ as spe t pleasa t billets at Philosophe .

3R D BA T T A L I O N A N D 41 1 1

- n n T H E 3rd n n . n nBattalio , u der Lieut Colo el CharnlesnGosli g , upo receivi g its orders for active service , was co ce trated at the nnn O 1 91 4 M a nd on l oth nt r n begi i g of ctober, , at eerut , the e ai ed for Bombay . 4th n a in M r H n The Battalio was at Ghari l , the u ree ills , whe nS n 4th t nx s ns upo u day, O ctober , af er som e days of a ious su pe e,

. nn fi . the welcom e order arrived The com m a di g of cer , Lieut

'

- n n H n. . . b Colo el the o C J S ackville W est , ad already bee selected

- n ir for the S taff of the A rm y Corps Commander (Lieut . Ge eral S

Jam es Wi llcocks and n w a s fi M . . ) , the vaca cy lled by ajor B nF W n n nin n. n 7th al iddri gto , seco d com m a d o the the Batt io n n n S ir after a ki dly farewell from their Divisio al Ge eral , Gerald

' n m m nn n D n l - nn Kitso ,1 co a di g the Raw al Pi di ivisio , a we l k ow R iflem an— n m c n reached Pi di by a forced ar h , a dis ta ce of forty m inw n- a n n nra in iles , t e ty three hours ; d upo the 9th it e t ed for

Bom bay . A t M n rn w n n rd a nd 4th uttrah , upo the jou ey do cou try , the 3 Battalions of the Regiment a nd the 4th BattalionRifle Brigade m et — a n n a n b R iflem en joyous gatheri g of old frie ds d rother , forming a red- letter day of happy augury ; all three Battalions n in m a n n n were desti ed to serve the sa e Brigade , d to w i ho our a nd nn in re ow together the forthcom ing c ampaign. The close associationof these three Regula r Battal ions of the Rifle Brigade a nd m n n n n our Regi e t , together with the i tim ate relatio s existi g betweenthe 7th a nd 8th (S ervice) Battalions of each Regim ent in 4 l st nfi n the Brigade of Rifles , have co rm ed the close ties betwee n b n n n the two lo g esta lished Rifle Regim e ts , a d have cem e ted

K i ed o nt h e 23rd u 1 91 6 w hi e inco m m a n i na t ll J ly , , l d of th e B a t ta l o th e st orm i nof th e G erm a nt rench es a t P o ziére s o nt h e S o m m e E x ce t i na g . p o lly — — ga llant a nd dev oid o f fe a r a fi ne lea der C olonel B irch a m h a d w ont h e com e te co nfidence of his m en T w ic nt i ne i . e m e o d nd es a t ch e D l ( p s ; . S . O re v et L ieut - C o o nel . l . )

T Ma o - G enera S ir G era d C h ar es K it son C B j r l l l , . . . Quart er Ma st er - G enera inI ndia 1 909— 1 9 2 l , 1 . A E BRI F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

s m fi m n n till ore r ly the relatio ship betwee them , which has always existed . It is to t h e obvi ous adv antage of both Regiments that n m b nin nn W a r 1 80 8 these bo ds of co radeship , egu the Pe i sula of betw eenthe 95t h Rifle Regim ent (now the Rifle Brigade) a nd ’ the 5th (Rifles) Battalion60t h Royal A m ericans (now The King s Royal Rifle Corps) uponthe fields of R oleia a nd Vim iera should a lw ays be m aintained . The first to reach Bom bay w a s the 4th Battaliononthe 1 2 m n w i 3rd n n th , which e barked at o ce , h le the Battalio , arrivi g l n m o n 1 4 n m the fo lowi g day , e barked the th upo the sa e ship ; thus the two Battalions found them selves joint occupants of one a nd n s of the biggest, , as it tur ed out, the least sati factory of the hired trans ports . Uponthe 1 8th N ovember the vessel c a nd t w o n n rea hed Plym outh , the Battalio s proceeded at o ce to W nc w nn ne— R iflem en i hester , at hich co ge ial ce tr sacred to they w ere encam ped upona wet a nd exp osed site onMornH ill . t w o i n * n The Battal o s formed part of the 8oth Brigade , u der

- na th H on. . G . F sc C .B . C . M . G . Brigadier Ge er l e C orte ue, , (late i w w 1 st a n 2n R fle Brigade) , hich ith the 8 d 8 d Brigades formed the

27th D nun M a r- G enera l S nw ivisio , der j o o , The 3rd a nd 4th Battalions were com posed of seasoned soldiers — the average service of the 4th Battalionm enbeing 6 5 years ; but officers a nd m enhad just passed through the long a nd trying a nn n s period of I dia summ er som ewhat exhausted by thi , added to a long a nd tedious voyage under very unfavourable n n ina n unfit t ed u co di tio s , they were especial degree for expos re to the m ire and m isery of a cold a nd wet camp during N ovember a nd Decem ber onthe exposed l p es of the H ampshire D owns . Under these unfavourable condi tions the m obilisationa nd

n ns c . m eqnuipping of the two Batntalio wenre om pleted It wans ost u fortu ate, but the tryi g experie ces of these Battalio s had undoubtedl y sapped the vitality of the m en— veterantroops though they were— a nd had rendered them particularly sus

e t ible - n- a n n m c p to frost bite , tre ch feet, d dyse tery , fro which they suffered whenm oved to Flanders . e Marching to S outham ptononthe 2oth Decem ber they m December 20th . — n r l n n nF R A N C E . barked , a d reached H av e the fo lowi g day the ce by trai n l B la vinh em a d m arch route to bil ets at g , where the Brigade

T h e 80th B riga de consist ed of ’ fa nt 2nd E u K ing s S hropshire L ight I n ry . ’ r 3rd T h e K ing s R o ya l R ifle C o ps . 4t h i a 4t h R ifle B r g de . ’ i h I nfa nt P rincess P a tricia s C a nadianL g t ry . ’ A sp ecia l reference m ust be m a de inrega rd t o t h e P ri ncess P a t ricia s n T hi B at t a i onw a s ra is ed inC a na da and w a s na dianL i h t I nf a t r . s C a g y l , co m p os ed a lm ost ent irely of a nd m enw h o h a d served inth e I m p eria l n a I t w a s ra ct ica a R e im ent of v et erans nC a a d . A rm y a nd h a d s et t led i p lly g , ’ a co r s e i te a nd p d l .

’ - now com m and ie ene a S ir T h om a s D O . S T N o w L ut . G r l , ing anA r m y C orps . ’ T H E K I N G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

m b . O n h n f m nin asse led the st Ja uary , a ter so e days of trai g nn nin n nc t w o a d i structio the ovel m ethods of tre h warfare , the Battalions m arched a nd took over trenches from the French at

n t . E n Y Dickebusch , ear S loi , orth of pres , which they occupied until March 24t h . a Dogged by bad weather , it would be hard to overst te the straina nd hardship from w hich officers a nd m enof both Bat talions suffered inthe first three m onths— m any were tem porarily disabled ; but the excitem ent a nd the glory of a successionof m inor engagem ents kept them going . The cheery confi dence of m ena nd n n m n n s the , their i spiri g deter i atio to ju tify the reputa nw i m a nd tio hich they had brought w th the , thus to rival the rem arkable services of their com rades of the 1 st a nd 2nd Bat n a n n m n n w hi talio s , were abidi g ele e t m aki g for future success ch no physical suffering could affect . A t this period a nd inthis sectionthe defences w ere m ost n w not nn a nd com imperfect ; the tre ches ere co ti uous , effective m unicat iontrenches di d not exist . N o arrangem ents had been

nn n- n n m en m ade for drai i g off the rai water, co seque tly the were

- n a n n b m nn . ever dry , d the tre ches ecam e per a e tly water logged 4t h n n n and onone The Batta lio was particularly u fortu ate , m nin in c n n in or g , after three days their se tio of tre ches deep ud a nd e ffi a n en m water, it had fiv o cers d 500 m tem porarily

inca pacitated from trench feet a nd unable to walk . I n n n n spite of these adverse co ditio s , the Brigade respo ded

l m n a nd mm n - in- h to all the cal s ade upo it , the Co a der C ief thus a lludes to the Divisionof which these Battalions w ere part m nfi n m ena n n c n They are a ag i ce t set of , d have do e ex elle t " in n . D n work the tre ches ( espatch , 2 d February ,

The 3rd Battalionwas the first to have its chance . The

nw a s n .m . o n 1 4 n Battalio paradi g at p the th February , whe anunexpected order cam e for it to reinforce another Brigade who had lost and fail ed to retake som e of their trenches which I the enem y had rushed at sunset . t was pitch dark a nd raining r nnew a nd nnn n a n hard , the g ou d u k ow , whe the Batt lio , at ’ .m . n n nw s p , joi ed up with a Battalio of the Duke of Cor all

nn . A n nn . . i Light I fa try j oi t assault was pla ed at 4 e m , wh ch , m inff a nd m en n with so e loss o icers , proved successful , a d the nm w a s n n n l e e y routed at the poi t of the bayo et , with m a y ki led

a nd som e prisoners . Finding certainflank trenches were still nm n n* n n held by the e e y , Colo el Gosli g perso ally directed a attack m n n: n by ntwo Co pa ies at daw they had the orders to carry these tre ches at the point of the bayonet . Gosling w as w ounded in n m n his a n n n s the ight , but re ai ed at post , d the Germ a tre che

were captured . During this incident Captaina nd A djutant F rank s R iflem a nS n fi with hee, greatly disti guished him self by

Ma j or L ong succeeded t o th e com m and of th e 3rd B a tt a lionunt il L ieut ’ C o one G os ins e turno nMa l l l g r y 5th . id 8 T V a p . 6 .

’ T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

m n n . was ovi g o very slowly, too slowly for it to be good n * im nb in n Prese tly Barker cam e l pi g ack, hit the foot whe n n n a nd tryi g to get out of the Germ a tre ch , he told us that we n n a nd w e had progressed about eighty yards dow the tre ch, er ri and E nw n held up by a sort of bar er, but that Poe de ere getti g

m en n n a nd m . the out of the tre ch to go rou d it, all see ed well n non There w a s still a forward m ovem e t goi g , so we waited nw a s and nw n till the m iddle of C Com pa y level with us , the e t onas fast as the ground woul d allow across the 1 00 yards t o n en w n . n i m N o 2 1 past the li e of crouch g , bet ee two dead n m n t h e corporals , who were propped up like se tries arki g

n n a nd n n b fi n . e tra ce , i to the i describa le lth of the tre ch The a n na nd n w a s l parapet was very low d very thi , the tre ch fu l na nd n n a nd a nd in of co rpses of every Regim e t , atio ality age , n w a variety of attitudes , som e still graspi g their rifles ith n m one in fixed swords projecti g fro the mud , ready to stick

the leg as one floundered through the m ud . The only w ay to prevent oneself sink ing up to the waist insom e places was

n . H n b to step o the corpses avi g recovered our reath here, we rushed across the intervening t enyards into the Germ an n a n n m en w a s m t o tre ch , d fou d it so full of that it i possible n n w e n pass along it . S o w e got out a d crawled along u til fou d

n a nd n w nn n. a gap i the wire , the dropped do i to it agai The n fi e b a nd tre ch w a s about v feet deep , well oarded revetted,

n n n - o n a d had a stro g sa dbag parapet , with loop holes the nc n n n. W e onn w e m a grou d li e walked u til ca e to a cert i or er, n a n w e n am ‘ about eighty yards alo g , d here fou d Birch 1 at the head of hi s Com pany a nd about six of D Com pany Thirty n n w a s r int h e yards beyo d the cor er the barrier, a so t of fort n nw i n a nd a nd n tre ch , very stro g th sa dbags wire , betwee it a nd t h e corner there was a heap of thirty of our dead a nd

wounded . A nything that showed round the corner got a a n n m none m bullet , d as I stood behi d Bircha more tha issed n a none n his his head by i ches , d we t through the shoulder of

. m n n m coat It was clearly i possible to do a ythi g here , for al ost D m n a a nw m the whole of Co pa y had disappe red , d ith the ,

P o L a dena nd E n. N o o ne c nc as I feared , e, g , de ould adva e n n in n n w nn rou d the cor er the arrow tre ch , hile a yo e who attem pted to get out and go round w a s instantly shot by rifle ’ a nd m achine - gunfire from the enem y s m aint rench som e

fifty yards infront . S o we decided to go a nd find if anything could be heard from our ow ntrenches further along to the l n v right , for I sti l hoped that som e of D Com pa y m ight ha e

gone onbeyond the barrier . W e went back the way we had

i E . . B a rk er nw a a eco nd L eu t. H o C t in S , p .

na n- ne A ft erw ards L ieut e t C o o D . S . O . S ev era t i e nti ned in T l l , l m s m e o

Des a t ches . K i ed u 2 srd 1 91 6. Vi de 2md B a a n p ll J ly . tt li o . A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

m n l nn nand nn co e , passi g Poole, stil disdai i g to lie dow , swi gi g his stick as if nothing inthe world was going on. We heard n n a nd n n othi g , so cam e back agai : we settled to go a d talk n on n n m n to the Ge eral the telepho e , after orderi g C Co pa y

back under cover . The Brigadier ordered that the 3rd Battalionshould take n us a n ul over the piece of captured tre ch from , d that we sho d

h n . S o n an n retire be i d the breastwork we we t back , d fou d * r in am a n n. Bi cham the s e place , d with him Beaum o t The nm w n b n e e y were thro i g bom s , but they could ot qui te reach us , one l a nd b n an n though later fe l urst betwee Bircham d Beaum o t,

n n b n n no s n . k ocki g them oth dow , but doi g seriou i jury m a n w Bircha also picked up d thre back a live bom b , which

afterwards burst am ong the Germ ans . It was now nearly

‘ n n a n daylight , so we left whe the relief was early com plete , d waited for Bircham a nd his Com pany inthe breastwork : not m b m w as n but as he had co e y the ti e it quite light , we we t

inS t . E inw w a s st n back to the cellar loi , hich the d Battalio H in m n nin eadquarters , leav g the re ai der of the Battalio the

. m n ar breastwork Bircha tur ed up shortly afterw ds , with a

ul inhim n n nN . 1 n b let , havi g bee hit as he was leavi g o 2 behi d ,

the last m a nof his Com pany .

The rem ainder of the story is as follows . The Germans ’ advanced to t h e corner a nd bom bed Beaum ont s Com pany

r n r in N . 2 1 . H out of the ca ptu ed tre ch , d iv g them back to o ere n a na n n n they were , atur lly , bom bed agai , d whe Beaum o t had n n m a nd u bee wou ded twice by bo bs , got a b llet across the a n a n en ni chest d through the arm , d all his m had bee k lled n r l to or wou ded, except fou , those who cou d crawl retired ’ S helley s Farm . Major B . F . W iddringt onfi com m anding the

n n in n. Battalio , was wou ded the course of the actio P oe e na nd E n m s n and no I , L gde , de were i si g, there is

doubt tha t they were killed . E denwas last seenat the head h is n in n a nd w as of platoo at the wire fro t of the barrier, Poe shot at least tw ice while attempting to lead his m enforward

out of the trench . S ergeant Butler was also kill ed while

n a n n- n- M cutti g the wire , d Com pa y S ergea t ajor Berridge did good w ork firing at the barrier outside the parapet by the fatal nn s corner . But it is im possible to m e tio all the brave deed n n nin a nd co n m n do e o that mor g, we all re g ise that a y of the

n n n . bravest act s are ever see at all , eve if the actors survive 3 in n — O ffi cers The total losses out of about 00 actio were , na nd 2 n ns — 1 6 k 30 m n 3 m issi g wou ded ; other ra k illed, issi g,

a nir e e B ea um ont B a t . C ptai S G org , r

- ne a S O N ow B ri adi e G e D. . . T g r r l , nd 2nd L ie nR . O . L a dena ut . th e nC . . L . P o C a ta i H o C a t a i V é n. I p n , p g , W . A . M. E de . ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS . n 62 n a n m i . wou ded , d it is safe to say tha t all the iss g are dead n ffi w l a nd M A ll the bomb throw ers a d their o cers ere ki led, ajor

n R .E . w a s k a nd n R .E . fi n Gardi er, , illed, a other of cer wou ded,

as well as several of their m en. It appears that most of the

survivors of D Com pany (about twenty - four ) branched off to r n n a n m the ight after passi g the cor er, d so ade their way

back to our line . h e n in w all n T Battalio stayed the breast ork that day, a d ni nin r n n was relieved at ght , but was se t to the t e ches agai the ’— l w nn . E t R e im enta l C hr nicle 1 fol o i g ight ( x ract from g o , 91 5,

pp . 1 40 A s n a nd n a sequel to the foregoi g clear vivid arrative, the

- following extract from the Despatch of the C .- inC . will be read with S pecial interest A very gallant attack was m ade by the 4t h Battalionof ’ The King s Royal Rifle Corps of the 80th Brigade onthe ’ enem y s trenches inthe early hours of March 2nd . The a n M W n n n Batt lio was led by ajor iddri gto , who lau ched it

. n a . a m e an at m , covered by extre ly accurate d effective fire but n artillery , the attack was brought to a sta dst ill by a very strong barricade inattem pting to storm which m any " — nr . D A t h casualties were i cu red ( esp atch , pril s ,

a ns in in n S t . E The two Batt lio were support the actio of loi,

t h and not n . n March 1 1 , were heavily e gaged O the 9t h A pril 80t h m and n l n the Brigade were oved south to Ypres , the ce to i es

inthe Ypres salient . H ere a contingent of residents from Fiji n 4t h i na nd nw joi ed the Battal o formed a platoo , hich, like the nin zud i n n n . Rhodesia s the Battal o , re dered galla t service A il 19th — Ma p y O nS n 1 9 A l S n n. r u day , the th pri , the eco d Battle of Ypres bega 13th , 24 days . The Germ anA rtillery opened the operations by a nintense bom S E C O N D B A T T L E n n bardm e t w ith gu s of a calibre quite new to modernwarfare . O F Y P R E S . O nthe following day the 8ot h Brigade was moved to Polygon W fiv e m w n nw a s ood , iles east of Ypres , here a defe sive positio

n . O n 24t h b n nns fi a nd take up the the ombardme t was i te i ed ,

m n a nd in- unfire was further supple e ted by rifle mach e g , which , nn m i n n co unica adva ci g , see ed to be per lously ear the li e of m m

tions onthe MeninRoad . The front of the Brigade w a s shortened 1 400 n n ’ n n to yards accordi gly , with Pri cess Patricia s Ca adia nn on nt 3rd a nn n and Light I fa try the or h , Batt lio i the ce tre , the

4t h non n - Battalio the south earest the Ypres MeninRoad . The Brigade Reserve had beenmoved elsewhere to meet the onward

pressure of the Germanm asses . — O nS n n 3rd Ma in n n increas May zud 4th . u day ight , the y , co seque ce of the in in n n n h g pressure the orther sector of the salie t , the sot Brigade n a nd i l was sile tly sk lfu ly withdrawnto a positionnearer to Ypres . O n 5 r w m a n n the th a fu ther withdra al was ade , d a positio was n a B ell ew a arde i nea h take up e st of Lake , st ll rer to Ypres , wit

T his d es criptionof T rench W arfa re is givena t som e length a s an il us t at ionof t h e new st e of defensive a r l r yl w . A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

’ the Princes s Patricia s CanadianLight Infantry and 4th Batta lion nina n inr d 3 nin . n h f o t l e, the rd Battalio close support O the 9t n. 3rd a n n n n had i st the Batt lio relieved the galla t Ca adia s , who n n n a n bee badly k ocked about, while th e 4th Battalio repulsed nf n . O n l oth r na n i a try attack the , after a te rific bom bardm e t d a n er nfire m n na n r n stro g cov i g of achi e gu s d rifle fi e, the e emy inn s n n n fa try es ayed a other adva ce , which was easily a d prom ptly scotched by a well - directe d rifle fire . B ellew ard e W ood was now an n a n i n im pe etrable abattis , d the two R fle Battalio s were thus ena bled to lend close a nd valuable assistance against the con centrat ed enem y attack to the south uponthe neighbouring troops at H ooge . The 3rd and 4th Battalions inclosest touch worked anin a n n w ith grea t effect, d dividu l acts of galla try were very um er

. . n a n n . m m ous By 6 p m the bo bard e t ceased, d the further adva ce of the enem y was efi ect iv ely checked . By m idnight the 4th Bat ta lionwas withdraw na nd a bare rem nant collected ; onthe follow n m a en i g day it was oved to a tempor ry bivouac, where the m lay ’ dow nto sleep for a full night s rest after twenty- six days inthe r n n r h a n e t e ches , duri g a great pa t of which they d bee clos ly a e en engaged . The ste dfast valor of the R ifl m was rewarded by a characteristic m essage from H . Q . A rm y Corps The G . O . C . is lost inadmirationat the w ay inwhi ch the 3rd a nd 4t h Battalions h ave stuck out the pounding which they have " received . n 1 4th al n dl O the 4th the Batt io , sa y reduced, was formed into a com posite regim ent with the remnant of the Princess ’ na n nf n a n n Patricia s Ca di a Light I a try, d m arched u der ndie" nn n ni 1 7 n Maje agai i to the tre ches u t l the th, whe the

Battalionmoved to billets inthe rear . O nthe 1 8th Major

n n in na nd m m m n. W iddri gto rejo ed the Battalio , resu ed co a d O nthe night of the 1 2t h — 1 3t h May the 3rd Battalionwas a nnn m na nd n furth er subject to i te se bo bardme t, was rei forced Y m n w n n by the N orth S omerset eo a ry, who ith sple did galla try ’ enabled it to againdefeat a nattempt of the enemy s infantry n a ow n u n to adva ce, lthough our artillery were q ite u able to support us . O nthe night of the 1 3th the 3rd Battalionat last was able n m nn to get rest i a bivouac four iles west of Ypres , after a co ti uous spell of twenty - five da ys of active work inthe trenches . The losses during the bat tle were approxim ately 3rd Batta lion l n m n O fli cers ki led , wou ded , issi g O thers Total nin h Ma 8 — l oth 4th Battalio , the t ree days , y th n m n O ffi cers kill ed , wou ded , issi g O thers

L ie - C o one and D S N ow ut . l l . .O . ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

n i n O May 2 1 st the 8oth Brigade, to wh ch the two Battalio s

n n - M S ir J hnF ench belo ged , was paraded , a d Field arshal o r , the

m n - in- w nw m - a c Com a der Chief, m ade the follo i g ar he rted spee h a nd I cam e over to say a few words to you, to tell you how

n - in- i h A m m uch I , as Com m a der Ch ef of t is r y , appreciate the

splendid work that you have done during the recent fighting . n l n You have fought the seco d battle of Ypres , which wil ra k

am ongst the m ost desperate a nd hardest fights of the War. You m ay have thought because you were not attacking the

enem y that you were not helping to shortenthe W ar . O nthe n n n n and h co trary , by your sple did e dura ce braveryn, you ave n n . I n is do e a great deal to shorte it th , the seco d battle of n nin Ypres , the Germa s tried by every mea s their power to

get possessionof the unfortunate town. They concentrated a n ll r a nd n large forces of troops d arti e y , , further tha that, they had recourse to that meana nd dasta rdly practice hi therto n in nm n u heard of civilised warfare , a ely , the use of asphyxiati g i fi s gases . Y ou have perform ed the m ost d f cult , arduou task nn n m n l of withsta di g a stupe dous bo bardme t by heavy artil ery, e fire n probably the fierc st artillery ever directed agai st troops , ’ a nd warded off the enemy s infantry attacks with m agnificent

. n a n n n bravery By your steadi ess d devotio , both the Germa

nw . n n pla s ere frustrated They were u able to get pnossessio of . H a l a a d m Ypres d you failed to repu se his att cks , ade it n n r a n ecessary for m ore troops to be se t to you assist ce , our nin not n a operatio s the south might have bee able to t ke place, a nd would certa inly not have beenas successful as they have

been. Your records have many fam ous nam es engraved upon

nnw i m a n - them , but o e ll be ore famous d more well deserved

thanthat of the S econd Battle of Ypres . I w ant you one and all to understand how thoroughly I realise and appreciate what

n. n ffi non- com you have do e I wish to tha k you, each o cer, n ffi a n a n n m issio ed o cer , d m for the services you have re dered n m nfi n a n by doi g your duty so ag i ce tly, d I am sure that your " country will duly appreciate your services .

- M m . n S ir H erbert P lumer m nn essage fro Lieut Ge eral , co ma di g ’ S nA 0 0 . st d and 4th n n eco d rmy , to Battalio s The Ki g s Royal

. E m nO 1 7 Ma Rifle Corps xtract fro Battalio rders , dated th y, 1 91 5 nn fi The Com ma di g O f cer is directed by the G . O . C . S econd A rm y to convey to all ranks of the Battalionhis admiration

n in . . of their co duct dur g the recent fighting . The G .O C thoroughly appreciates the excellent work of the Battalion in non nh in holdi g to their tre c es , spite of the very hea vy n n n " shelli g that i cessa tly pounded them . n Co gratulatory m essage .

T he l nm n fol owi g essage has bee received by the G .O .C . 80th A BRI E F H IS TO RY O F T IE RE GI ME N T . 67

I nfan r r - n r T hom as S now try B igade, f om Major Ge eral S i , com manding 28th Division

B a t li n ders 1 8th M a 1 91 5 . ta o O r , y,

The G . O . C . Divisionwishes m e to express his admiration at the way you a nd your Brigade have fought a nd endured ’ during the past four weeks operations . Twice the Brigade n n n nk n and on has fou d itself i a positio with its left fla tur ed, n h as nno n both occasio s there bee retireme t , but the exposed n on n nf i n Battalio s have fought it out the grou d , thereby i l cti g

enormous losses onthe enem y . The m anner inwhich the officers a nd m enstuck to their trenches inthe fac e of a terrific bom bardm ent is the adm iration

of all .

. . . nur The G O C deeply deplores the heavy losses i c red , but units w ill find com fort inthe fact that they have takenpart ina n s l fi ina nd nw a nin r epi ode which wil gure , ra k ith y thei

Regim ental history . H e is proud to have command of a Divisionwhich includes ' such a ‘ Stonew all B rigade as the 80th have proved them

selves to be .

H e n on r a n on co gratulates you you Brigade , d the Brigade " its Brigadier.

O n 24th Ma t e 0th i the y , af r a short spell of rest, the 8 Br gade i c n d ffi ul ni na nd m was d re ted to co duct a i c t ght operatio , ake a c ounter- attack against the enem y established north of the Menin

n elle a ar e . n Road , ear the B w d Lake A other Brigade had lost " s n a nd n l n ome grou d, the S to ew all B rigade was ca led upo to try a nd m ake it good . The 3rd a nd 4th Battalions formed up a t ni ni n n m id ght ; it was a still , dark ght, the cou try was i ter s ect ed with hedges and deep ditches full of water . The Germ ans n n in in n m nm n were soo fou d to be force, hold g a li e with a y achi e guns . Unfortunately the other Brigade which ha d beenalready s n in n n n n. hake was placed fro t, a d thi s fact led to som e co fusio 80th n The Brigade , however , movi g straight for their obj ective,

nn n fire . N 0 m ai tai ed its directio , but the became very heavy o ur n n on reply was m ad e , as pla of attack had bee based a surprise a nd a rush uponthe enem y w ith the bayonet . Daw nwas begin nin n n n g to break ; all hope of surprise had lo g si ce va ished, so t ha t there was no alternative but to Withdraw to a tenable position.

The casualties of the two Batta lions were approximately

r n 3 ffi 65 r nk . 3 d Batta lio o cers , other a s 4th 7 1 59

O n n2nd 3rd a nd 4th n nune 2 Ju e the Battalio s were withdraw J nd. no D n i t Reserve with their Brigade, which , with their ivisio , was t rans ferred to the Third A rmy Corps near A rm entiéres . I nthis ’ T H E K IN G S RO YAL RIFLE CO RPS .

n on in n but w district th ey rem ai ed duty the tre ches , ithout

a ny hard fighting . n 2 3rd n n m m nn3rd l n O July Colo el Gosli g , co a di g Batta io ,

n - n a nd com was appoi ted Brigadier Ge eral , for a short time the

m and developed uponMajor Bircham until Major W . J . Long

returned a nd took over com m and uponA ugust 5t h . n 2 r n f M ns a nd o nS O A ugust 3 d Captai Geo frey aki , eptember

nn n . . r nk 3rd 2zud Captai a d A djuta t J F F a s , both of the Bat ta lion— two of the bravest a nd m ost brilliant officers inthe n— n in nm in Regime t fell victims to som e s ipers the e e y l es , deeply

regretted by a ll their com rades . r n n sot h w The 3 d a d 4th Battalio s , w ith the Brigade , ere ni b r A m ns on 2 6t h O O ctober 26th . moved to the e gh ou hood of ie the ctober, and with the 27th Division(M ilne) prepared for trans fer to

S alonik a . n l 6 h r nm M ill O N ovem ber t the 3 d Battalio e barked at arse es, a nd the 4t h Battalionat the sam e port for the E asternMedit er n m 2 5th a nd nea n. k n o N ra They disem bar ed at S alo ika ove ber ,

inclouds of dust m arched to Lem bet Cam p . Pitching th eir n n n l nm nin l z te ts , they experie ced o the fo lowi g or g a b i zard,

e embe 12th c . O nD m b 1 2th D c r , whi h lasted for three days ece er the Brigade

S A L O N I K A . m c w n n w a s ar hed by the S eres Road to Balza , here a li e of defe ce

tak enup along a ridge of hills t enm iles north of S alonika . H ere ff n nn they su ered co siderable hardshi p , as the cold was i te se , with

c a n z n n n a n h . o c sio al bli zards , a d there w ere o te ts d little s elter The badness of the roads a nd their im passable character during the w inter m ade a ny offens ive m ovem ent of the Bulgarian w as troops m ost im probable . The attitude of the Greek troops

- . n n nx . n the cause , however, of co siderable a iety Lieut Colo el Lo g ,

- n w a s in m m n 3 r a na nd . co a d of the d Batt lio , Lieut Colo el

B . F . Widdringtonof the 4th Battalion. s in n w a n im m c sus Thu severest wi ter eather, d at a t e of u h n a nd n a n t w o pe se u cert i ty , the year 1 91 5 closed for these

Battalions .

’ T H E KI N G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

with a splendid a nd unshakable valor . The utmost effort s n — innm and i i of a desperate e em y superior u bers , prov ded w th

— a vastly m ore powerful artillery ha d failed . A t the termination — iflem enin l n of the st ruggle our troops our R particu ar , felt i ni el n n n sti ct v y that sile t , weary , but u shake though they be, they were the better m en. T his failure of the enemy m arks the end of the second phase

r M n m fi . of the W a , as the Battle of the ar e had arked the rst For us R iflem enthe Y pres S alient must alw ays be a sacred spot*— hallowed by the m em ory of the flow er of the four Regular ns m n w n Battalio of the Regi e t, who here laid do their lives for E ngland— a nabiding glorious thought 1 The Regular Battalions— such as we knew them before the W an— henceforth are no m ore : they m ust be reckoned as part of that Invisible A rmy of H eroic S ouls whose nam e w ill live inthe

- - m . re n c re history of our race for all ti e The co stru ted , equipped nand n S t l n ns Battalio s , the ewly raised ervice Ba ta io s , i pired by n m a nd the mem ory of their falle co rades , the record of their l in a nd — a deeds , will doubtless fo low their steps , will ple se God — take part inthe consum m ationof the final victory .

T H E S PE CIA L RE S E RVE BA TTA LIO N S .

n W ar in O the outbreak of the C derella of the A rmy, the

m n ow n. D s a n e S pecial Reserve , ca e i to its esp i ed d rej cted, ’ this unfortunate branch of H is Majesty s Forces had for m any years struggled inadversity until the hot breath of W ar gave ne a nd st h and 6th a n w n . it life, the Batt lio s , comma ded by Lieut

n - n a n . d n n. n Colo el Richard Byro , Lieut Colo el the H o Joh n c n Roderick Brow low respe tively, were mobilised at Wi chester

n sth A 1 91 4 . upo the ugust , A fter the Regular Battalions had received their quota of m n w n Reservists , the re ai der ere drafted i to the two S pecial ns Reserve Battalio , who forthw ith were moved to their allotted stations . 5m A T T A L I O N S P E C I B ( A L RE S E R VE ) .

s nm S n a n n Thi Battalio oved to heer ess d the Isle of Grai , where a strenuous period of training and of equipping constant nf n n n incon relays of rei orceme ts , combi ed with garriso duty

T he a ea ove w hi ch t he a ct ua fi ht in t o ok a c nthe r , r l g g pl e , lies bet w ee

Vi a e of G h eluveldt and H o o e ont h e Y re - Menin . s hi h nd ess ll g g p g roa d , a is l t h a nt w o m i es inenth b a b out 1 000 ards in l l g y y w i dth .

N ow B revet C o one a nd co m m andinI nfant B i T l l , g ry r gade inE as t K ent . cc - n S u eeded b L ieut . C o o e G u S t . A u y l l y byn. A BRIE F H I S TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T . 71

— n n 1914 1915. ect io n n. 1 5 with the Thames defe ces , bega Up to the s t D 1 n n n 5th and 6th ecember, 1 9 5 , rei forcem e ts to the um ber of over 5000 S P E C IA L ffi s and m en e non o cer wer despatched to the Battalio s service, R E S E R VE a nd n s 5 0 a nd en in a ucleu of 0 m was provided O ctober, B A T T AL I O N S ,

coninued. 1 91 4 n n . t , for the 1 4th Battalio as a supplem e tary S pecial Reserve

T h e average strength of the Battalionw a s approximately 2500 .

’ ' ‘ 61 1 3 B A I I A L I O N (S P E C I A L RE S E R VE ) .

i n S n onA 9 Th s Battalio reached heer ess ugust th , where , like n r n the 5th Battalio , it has pe formed m ost valuable services i r in ffi and m enand in ni n l ns on t aing o cers , fur shi g the Batta io

se n e n. U 31 st D 1 rvice with rei forc me ts p to ecem ber, 1 9 5, 5748 N anR ifle en— n n si nan n 244 d m i cludi g Rhode a s d Colo ials, n — a d n m 99 a nn d . British Volu teers fro Fiji, h ve bee se t abroa

T H E S E RVI CE BA TTA LIO N S .

“ I n; A N D 81 1 1 BA T T A L I O N S .

n th a nd t h n The arrative of the 7 s Battalio s , associated as they i n in were from their earl est military existe ce the same Brigade, is alm ost identica l . R a ised at Winchester towards the end of 4 n A ugust, 1 91 , they were S peedily m oved to A ldershot, a d placed

- n n . n . nni D . . . u der the Comma d of Lieut Colo el G Re e, s o (7th

- Battalion) and Lieut . Colonel H . Green(sth Battalion) respec nn ffi l . n tive y nTha nks to a spri kli g nof o cersnfrom the Regular Batt alio s , a d to a sm all but i valuable ucleus of N s n n n m en imilarly tra sferred, the ewly njoi ed made rapid progress in eir inn. not m o n th tra i g It was lo g, ore ver , before they bega s r n s ri t de cor s R ifl en to ab orb the spi it a d e p p of em , which spirit was afterwards so gloriously displa yed inthe hour of their first

fiery ordeal at H ooge inJuly of the following yea r . n o w 7th and sth n These two Battalio s , t gether ith the Battalio s of e s n The R ifle Brigade , were formed at A ld r hot i to the 4l st Brigade of R ifles — part of the 1 4th Light Division(Major- General

— - . . . n . . nc B D .s o un i r A e Morla d , , der Br gadie Ge eral F Fort scue,

. ni n i c .B ns and r had m scc e , whose adm i i trative o ga zi g abil ty a ple p inmoulding this excellent m aterial into a valuable fighting force. T h e early days of their training were bese t with difficulties on nr and t na n every side, but tackled with e e gy de ermi tio they were o ninnn ns o rm n1 sth vercome, a d i e mo th fr m the date of fo atio , a nn m man M y , 1 91 5, the 41 st Brigade of Rifles , the u der the Co d of

- n . . . n . . A D C in B rigadi er Ge eral O S N uge t , to the K g, left

E ngland for the more serious bus iness overseas . I norder that

w B ri a e - G eneral and N o g di r ,

‘ - a M and K B n ne a S ir T h om s L . N . o . C . C om m a d 1 N ow L ieut . G e r l rl , na C o s i g nA rm y rp . ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

they should gradually becom e the better accustomed to the novel n n m nw ar w n in co ditio s of oder , they ere i structed the art of n n n in an w a s n tre ch fighti g behi d the l es , d it Ju e before they were

m oved up into the front line .

June. The 1 4th Light Division(thenunder M aj or- G enera l Victor C oup er) was selected to take part inthe defence of the Y pres

salient : a very high com plim ent to its effi ciency . By a curious coincidence it fell to the lot of the 7th and st h Battalions of the 41 st r a nd 9t h n 42 nd B igade, to the Battalio of the Brigade , to hold alm ost identically the sam e ground over w hich their gallant com rades of the four Regular Battalions had already so gloriously ns e m nn e 1 st a n m upheld the traditio of the R gi e t, am ly, the d 2 d n i O 2 l st — N Battalio s at the F rst Battle of Ypres , ctober ovem ber 1 1 91 4 a n 3rd a nd 4th n S n 3th , , d the Battalio s at the eco d Battle — A l gth Ma 1 3 1 91 5 . of Ypres , pril y th , ’ ne to Jnl . a nd e n Ju y For over six weeks , writes a high r spo sible S taff ffi 1 4 D n r n o cer , the th Light ivisio held the t e ches of the hotly

Y P R E S S A L I EN T . contested Ypres salient e a st of the Y ser River uponthe Menin and vil m l e n high road , had lost hea y every day fro she l fir , whe , n 2 l st n ur n upo the July, the eighbo i g A rm y Corps successfully nin nt n n exploded a mi e the Germa re ches close to H ooge , a d 1 0 r n on occupied about 0 ya ds of the tre ches either side, which

formed the apex of the salient . Uponth e foll owing day the 4l st Brigade was directed to m ove up a nd ta ke over the defence

n a nd m . n of this place of ho our , to ake it good N o soo er had the change beenm ade thanthe enem y begana terrific bom bardm ent i w nn n , wh ch served as a ar i g of the desperate cou ter

i l . n n attack nwh ch fo lowed The salie t of the positio which had bee seiz ed was so situated that , although closely hem med in m n n on m en r n by Ger a tnre ches three sides , it gave our a st o ng tactical positio , from which they could take the Germ a n n n n ’ fro t li e of tre ches o either side inreverse . w a s t n n It obvious , herefore , to the Brigadier i com ma d that the re - capture of the salient w a s a m atter of utm ost m om ent m n and n to the Ger a s , he promptly m ade his dispositio s with nnth e D v na n thnat idea , while war i g i isio l Ge eral of the critical o slaught which he foresaw would com e . ’ 8 n n R O a l n The th Battalio of The Ki g s y Rifle Corps , u der

na nd 7th al n n - it nd Gree , the Batt io Rifle Brigade , u der H eriot M a la , w fi ne a nd n n ere allotted to the rst li , occupied the right a d left li es f na nd n nc n of ro t supporti g tre hes respectively . The 7th Battalio ’ n a nd n The Ki g s Royal Rifle Corps the sth Battalio Rifle Brigade, un nn nM l a d ac a chla n n . der Re ie , were i reserve rm nm nn a nnn n The Ge a s ai tai ed u i terrupted bom bardm e t, which resulted ina systematic destructionof the trenches by fire n shell a d by m inenw erfer . A t the end of a week there w ere a n n f a nd ninfi n hardly y tre ches le t, the two Battalio s rst li e, a nd n nn in nd n without sleep , wor with co sta t watch g by day a ight, A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

— sorely needed a rest . The night of t h e 29th soth July was n nin accordi gly fixed for their relief by the two Batta lio s Reserve, n 7th i n n’ a n amely , Battal o The Ki g s Royal Rifle Corps d the st h BattalionRifle Brigade .

- H n n n ul 3oth met . ardly had the Battalio s excha ged places whe , at J y

Affai at H O O G E . . n n a .m o 3oth m n n urni as r the , the Ger a s bega a b g g attack uponthe fr ont of the trenches w e had captured from them t en a nd m fi a nd m nn days before , at the sa e time a terri c shell i e n werfer fire was opened onthe support trenches . The Germa trenches were not more thantwenty yards distant . What a t l f m w e nt n not c ual y was the ef ect of the fla e attack do o k ow, as ’ n an a a n fi a si gle m was left alive to tell the t le , except of cer s

n m . serva t , who escaped by a iracle M n m n n i fire on ea while the Ger a s lifti g the r to the woods , n u in where the Reserve Compa ies were placed , assa lted three

ns . O n noff n nn colum two sides they were beate , but upo gai i g the front t rench they poure d inand took the sector inreverse .

n nn a n hin- unre a n Drive by the co ce trated artillery d mac e g fi , d s inn n pre sed by the overwhelm g umbers of the e emy , who were able to enfil a de a nd take inreverse the supporting trenches as f n n n nn a nd the well as the ro t li e , the positio became u te able , nn h i nin n n rem a ts of the 7t Battal o the fro t tre ches fell back , nd l n n S n r a nd a , ra lyi g upo the outskirts of the a ctua y Zouave

nn th e M nin . n W oods , co ected up with e Road Two Compa ies , n an rr nn however, u der W ormald d La Te iere , co ti ued to hold n n on n n M nin o to the tre ches the fla k faci g the e Road , where they m ainta ined a gallant a nd stubbornfight until nightfall . n hi s n n en Rei forced at t poi t by the two Battalio s nrec tly relieved , who without food , water, or sleep , had bee rushed a n up from their short d hurried rest, the whole Brigade were at

as m a nd n. l t asse bled , able to hold their grou d

The Brigadi er- General incommand early onthe scene had grasped the situation. Recognising the imm ensely superior force m n a n m n l a nd m n of Ger a s , backed by overwhel i g artil ery achi e

n w a s n ~ n ncon gu s , it obvious that a cou ter attack , u der the existi g

i ns O n na nd w m . dit o of pe grou d ith jaded troops , was i practicable H e urged that a large reinforcem ent to the extent of a com plete n n and n n n Divi sio should be se t , a le gthe ed bombardme t by n n r n artillery superior to those of the e em y shoul d be at o ce a ra ged, w i thout w hich be viewed the cha nces of success for any counter

w as a n c n - attacks as desperate . The reply order to ou ter attack nc in r n n at o e , but yield g to fu ther represe tatio that two Brigades n m i e n m n one were the m i imu force requ red , a r i force e t of Bat ’ nDu nw nnr n and ta lio ( ke of Cor all s Light I fa t y) was se t, the ’ — co - operationof another 9th BattalionThe King s Royal Rifle — - n 42nd e w as . n Corps (Lieut Colo el Chapli ) , of the Bnrigad pro m ised along the MeninRoad . A bombardme t by the Corps

a n nnn 2 .m . A rtillery was lso arra ged , which, begi i g at p , was to end at uponwhich the counter- attack was to be delivered . ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

n f n s e n - s e I for a ro tal attack, as a de perat cou ter troke , ther no t a nf fi an not z nand was o cer or m who did reali ne the situnatio no c n . m m w as did t ou t the cost The bo bard e t i effective ,

nevertheless the assault was launched at the appointed hour . ' n — er a na — h eerq a nd l n W e we t at itr ofli c s d ll as c y ga la tly w e R ifle en S n nH ll D as ever m did at pio Kop , Tala a i , or elhi " w a nffi n in cam Ridge , rites o cer of tried experie ce previous ’ a ns w a nd - fiv e m in p ig , but the odds ere too great, our forty utes

bom bardm ent had done nothing to save us . There was " not a ninch of dead ground . ffi l n ’ Led by their o cers , each successive i e swept forward, a n en writes the leader of the Brigade, d the last wave of m

rolled forward from the woods w i th determ ined courage . The

en in a n w as . m literally fell swathes , d headway im practicable First cam e a m essage from the left that one Com pany only

l m n . S . . n sti l re ai ed hortly after, about p m , the se ior

offi cer onthe right reported that further progress was im possible . It was clear that the attack had beenpressed hom e w ith a S n n a nd m c ple did galla try to its furthest li it , but that su cess ’ — was im practicable . The Brigadier judging rightly that to

"

further press his attack w oul d be to sacrifi ce his whole Brigade, a nd would be unjustifi able under the circum sta nces — direct ed “ his mm nn ffi n no co a di g o cers to i cur further avoidable losses ,

and to hold the edge of the woods till dark . Rallied at the nfi n S n and n co es of the a ctuary Zouave W oods , it was fou d that m nn 2 ll n m a bare nre a t of 7 0 of a ra ks could be ustered of the four thousa d m enof th e Brigade .

u sla . n . Du nn u a .m on J ly t ri g the eve i g a respite occ rred , but at

the 3 l st the enem y renewed their attack . A ll through the day 41 st n n a n thne Brigade , rei forced by two additio al Batt lio s , held o n in nn n n. u til late the after oo , whe it w as wi thdraw u r The c rse of the salient had beenheavy . O u losses ’ ’ - * w i n N n. O ffi cers great , rote Brigand er Ge eral uge t , he nadds , of a class we shall ever be able to replace , the pick of E glish ’ S an . n or British Public chool d Varsity life H eroes i battle, m en m m n n they led theirn with the ost subli e courage , k owi g, am di d n n . as I certai they , that they were goi g to certai death The splendour of it i The glorious sacrifice of courageous lives ina noble ca use There is nothing but praise for the con duct of these young Battalions of The King’ s Royal Rifle Corps and the Rifle Brigade ; nothing that you cannot relate

with satisfactiona nd pride . They have had a fiery trial pro ‘ n n nnin n the lo ged over early six weeks , culmi ati g the eve ts of 3oth a nd S l st l 1 91 a n Ju y, 5, d they have acquitted them selves worthily of the best traditions of the two great Regim ents n’ to which they belo g .

f r m d M - P o o t e a j or G enera l sh ort ly aft erw ards t o co m m and th e U lster Di w i s on C . B . a nd . , D . s . o . A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T . 75

I N M E M O R I A M .

A like sacred therefore must be the Ypres sal ient to all R ifle m en O l an ew n m m in of the d d N A rm ies , a d for ever e orable the A nnals of th e Regim ent will rem ainthe splendid services of the se venBattal ions . The area of ground oneither side of the Ypres M nn n w e i Road will be for the Regime t a doubly hallo ed spot, whereinthe heroic spirit of the O ld Regim ent blended with the s r N e and pirit of eage patriotism of the w , together showed a glorious example of self- sa crifice a nd devotionto duty which can " ne e . Vide I nM m r m 1 st 2nard and v r be surpassed ( e o ia , , d ,

4th n an n . Battalio s at the First d S eco d Battles of Ypres , p 69

Uponhearing of the trying ordeal through whi ch the 4l st and 9t h n th e e n Brigade of Rifles Batta lio of R gime t had passed, H is M t n f m ajes y the Ki g, through Lord S tam ordha , was pleased gracious ly to allow the foll owing extract of a letter to be con veyed to the Brigade nA Royal Pavilio , ldershot , “ ust 22nd 1 91 5 . A ug , The King l aw the 4l st Brigade of Rifles here m ore than n an n fi e and o ce , d rem embers what a sple did body of of c rs

R iflem enit comprised . N 0 one grieves m ore thanH is Majesty for the overwhelm ing and irreparable losses whi ch it sustained during those eventful days u Yo rs very truly,

S T A MF O R DH A M .

For the rem ainder of 1 91 5 the 7th a nd 8th Battalions performed th e s ss n inw a usual dutie a ociated with tre ch rout e arf re, but they did no t take part inany im porta nt engagements .

N o m— T h e n ‘ 29th r above N arrative of the A ct io at H ooge, 8l st ul 1 91 5 ul rea innnt n N a J y, , sho d be d co ju c io with the rrative of the 9th Batta lion.

' B A I T A L I O N . n n n Formed o th e same dat e a s the 7th a d 8th Battalio s ,

- e eri ne nn . n the xp e c s of the 9th Battalio , u der Lieut Colo el Charles n n nninA u 1 91 4 Chapli , duri g the early days of t rai i g ug st, , were s similar inall respects . H aving recently relinqui hed the Com nd 8r ninn a in u fi ma of the d Battalio I dia , Ch pl was well q ali ed n n ul a nd on t o k ow what a Rifle Battalio sho d be , he c trived , with th e assistance of a small but valuable staff of veteranofficers n an a nn ffi l a d d of e thusiastic set of o cers , to mou d

T he E dit or is indebted t o th e E ditor of t h e R egim ental C hroni cle for e nt oduco t h e a ccount of t his ac tion iv enint he editionfO r p rmissio o r r , g " 1 91 5 under th e ead ing of T rial by F ire A N arra tiv e of th e B ap tém e nd h B a tt a ions F eu of the 7th st h a 9t . de , . l ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

n n in r nknw nin the 9th Battalio upo the l es of the 3 d Battalio , o " the eighties as the Fighting Battalion. The period of training — on 2 th Ma 1 91 5— n A h over the o y , the Battalio left lders ot for n n M m * a 1 4 Fra ce with the 42 d Brigade ( arkha ) as p nrtnof the nth Light Division. The period of special Field T rai i g was spe t

n t . a n n n in ear the district of S E loi, d , havi g lear t their bus ess , the Brigade m oved w ith their Divisionto the notorious Bloody

S alient at Ypres . ul soth J y , A fter nearly six w eeks of the sam e trying experiences as the A ffai at H O O G E r th a nd 8 a ninth e 4l st 9t h i n 7 th Batt lio s Brigade , the Battal o had jus t beenwithdrawninto Reserve for a short spell of rest a nn h ul n m e st of Ypres , whe o the 3ot J y a sudde order ca e for

it to co - O perate uponthe Ypres - MeninRoad with the 41 51: Brigade ' inthe counter- attack which had beenordered (m de N arrative of

7th and 8 i n. A t nno nth e 3oth n nth Battal ons) oo , n July , thne Bant talio , u der Chapli , m arched accordi gly to the give poi t on nn in i ow n of assembly the Me i Road , close rear of ts Brigade

holding their entrenchments . A ll nece ssary dispositions were n a n n n the m de before the coveri g artillery bombardme t bega , and ft i e at a er it had ceased , the attack was im med at ly

delivered . m an n ins n Co fortably rested d well fed, the Battalio was ple did fi in n n r n in ght g trim ; i spired by a deep devotio to thei Colo el , nfi n n e whom they had im plicit co de ce, the Battalio was eag r to

di n e . e n sti guish its lf Preceded by its bom bers , th t w o leadi g m n n T anuera and D D nf in Co pa ies , amely, B ( q y ) ( ur ord) , each

n nc . . n two successive li es , pu tually at p m cleared the t re ches R ifle en h ni held by their brother m of the 9t Batta lio R fle Brigade, ’ and n nr nn 200 enm n, rushi g the i te ve i g yards , carried the e y s tre ches at the point of the bayonet . I nthe act of directing his m e n m in“ n to ake good their success , Chapl 1 cam e u der

m n- unfire a nd e l a D rn achi e g f l , shot through the he d . u ford and T anuera l an m m n n q y were also kil ed , d the co a d devolved upo

E ric Benson. 1 m n Y n n in n n n ( ) , C Co pa y oung ext successio , acti g accordi g nto orders , moved diago ally to its right to cover the exposed fla k of the tw o leading Com panies ; a flanking enem y trench w as n a nd in ni an the rushed , a spirit of bold i tiative the Com p y was

’ B ri a dier- G ene a at e T h e K in R O ifl s a l R e C o s w id e 42 . g r l , l g y rp , p .

F o r a nO bit ua N otice of L ieut - ne a r . C o o C h n C h a in T ry l l les S li sb l , _ g y p m de R e zm enta h nic e 1 1 l C ro l 9 5. T his a a nt cer h i g , g ll o ffi a d w o nt h e affect on a nd res ect of his o fficers a nd m ent o a v er rem a rk a nt Durin p y ble e x t e . ‘ g t h e w h o e o f m so dierin w rit es A u us t 6th 1 1 nt a l y , 9 5 t h e R e im e l g ( g , ) l . g

- S er ea nt Ma or neh a - g j o b lf o f th e no ncom m is sioned offi cers a nd p riv a t e R ifle m en I h a ve never serv ed under h , a ppier co ndit ions T h e B a t t a lionh a d no t beennf lo g orm ed be fore th e m enrespe ct e d a nd a dm ire d th eir C o lone l a nd ra dua rew t o e th e r a s ne a r t g lly g g o l ge fa m ily w ith t h e sa m e lo ve for th eir ’ dea r C o o ne a s s ons w ou d h a v e fo r t h ei l l l r fa t h er.

T his a a n c I t o ffi er w a s s ubse uent ki ed in1 9 1 6 w hi e em ra i g ll q ly ll , l t po r ly i ncom m a nd of th e B a t t a io n l .

’ T H E KI N G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

* a nd and respectively com m anded by Colonel W . S . Kays Lieut ' h f n m Colonel W . H . L . A llgood . 1 T e orm er was soo pro oted n 5l st a nd to com m a d the Brigade , was succeeded by Lieut nnn in m m nw n n . Colo el F Douglas Pena t }: who was co a d he it em barked . To dwell o the vicissitudes of their early career is nn s ffi n n nof u ece sary ; it is su cie t to say that , u der the tuitio

- n c m m nn fi . n D these exp erie ced o a di g of cers , Lieut Colo els ouglas nnna n fi n a n Pe a t d A llgood , their ef cie cy had reached a high st dard 2 1 st 1 91 5 w n m by the date (July , ) he they received orders to e bark

n n 59th . for Fra ce , form i g part of the Brigade Their probationary period intrench w arfare was uneventful nl S m b 25th n w n u ti epte er , whe they ere prese t at the Battle of

n in n. Loos , but di d ot actually take part the adva ce Throughout m n 1 91 5 a n a nd the re ai der of these two Batt lio s worked hard , w onan e n n n on e exc lle t reputatio , reflecti g the nhighest credit thos responsible for their training . A lthough ever having the good n ina n n n 31 st D m 1 91 5 fortu e to take part y ge eral actio to ece ber , , they showed onall occasions that fighting spir it a nd devotion to duty which are the characteristics of the Regiment .

1 2T H BA T T A L I O N .

The 1 2th Battalionw a s form ed a few days after the l oth and

1 1 t h Battalions . I nthe first few months of its existence it was comm anded by

- . - n . . nH on. E . S t . A n w Lieut Colo el uby , § follo ed by Lieut Colo el C

- A nh m and finl b . nA . . a n shbur a , " a ly y Lieut Colo el L P i e , 1l it com pleted its training inthe neighbourhood of A lder and S r na nd l n onu 22nd 1 91 5 shot alisbu y Plai , sai ed for Fra ce J ly , , form ing part of the 60 th Brigade under the com m and of Brigadier

General J . W . G . R oy . The Battalioncom m enced its instructioninm odernfield n x n th e 8 D n requireme ts at Fleurbai , bei g attached to th ivisio , a nd n on 2 5th in was prese t at the Battle of Loos S eptem ber , hold g

n n no in c a n. the fro t li e , but did t take part the a tu l fighti g The Battalionrem ained inthis neighbourhood until Decem ber 1 4 n w a s n n n as th , whe it directed to hold the fro t li e tre ches e t of the From ell es Road . During the first six m onths onactive service the 1 2th Battalionhad no O pportunity of showing their fi n n n ffi c n ghti g value , but it ear ed a high reputa tio for e ie cy generally .

’ - N ow B ri a di r nera a t T h e K in i M . e G e R nd . I g l , l e g s o ya l R fle C orps , a Vida 6 - 42 pp . 3 , 4 1 . ’ N o w B ri adier - G e nera 1 5th A ri a t e T h e K ins R o a R ifle T g l ( p l , l g y l M C r a nd . . o p s , I ’ L a t e T h e K ins R o a R ifle C or 1 g y l ps . ’ L ost a t sea w h enem o ed a s ueens Messener in1 91 6 L a t e T h e 5 , pl y Q g . ’ K i ns R o a R ifl r a e C o s nd M . g y l p . . I ’ L at e T h e K ins R o al R ifle C or s g y p . ’ e n L at T h e K i s R O al R ifle o a nd M. 1I g y C rps I . A BRIE F H I S TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T . 79

T he steady flow of recruits from the Rifle Depot enabled the 1 sth n W n e n h Battalio to be formed at i chest r o O ctober 7t ,

- * n . 4 n n . n as 1 91 , u der the comma d of Lieut Colo el A Blewitt, a d w t n r sh ortly af erwards moved to the traini g g ound near Tring . is ni c se 6 3 1 n Th u t ompri d part of the rd Brigade of the 2 st Divisio ,

n . - n a t that time comma ded by Lieut Ge eral S ir E dward H utton. ne it s a nin H n na nd It comme c d tr i g at alto Park , Tri g, shaped so n as n n n nin well that, o the occ io of his i spe ctio of the Divisio N m 1 91 4 e e n ul ove ber, , it rec iv d a co grat atory message from H is

- Majesty the King o nits smart a nd soldier like appearance . I nA r 1 91 5 n to S a n in p il , , the Battalio moved lisbury Plai , be g ns r m 63rd 1 1 th r an tra fe red fro the Brigade to the 1 B igade, d c n m m n - en R . . R . B rns ame u der the co a d of Brigadier G eral W a e ,

a n - the Divis iona l Comm nder bei g Major General C ount G lei chen.

- n . n . A w t t n neth a n Lieut Colo el Ble itt lef the Bat alio o Ju e , d * - n . - n cc d . e M u r was su neede by Lieut Colo el R Chest r aster, de whose s ne on 3 . comma d they ailed for Fra c July ot h , 1 91 5 I n v n the ici ity of the famous wood, Ploegsteert, they first n t n and onS e zud e lear t the arts of rench warfare, eptemb r mov d onue les a n n n. t o F q vil , t ki g over a li e of tre ches from th e Fre ch The last th ree m onths of 1 91 5 were occupied w ith plenty of no fi n a nd in hard work but serious ghti g, this hard school the m 1 th n i n raw aterial of the s Battalio was qu ckly matured, a d s d na nO uni nfi ne n howe that, give pport ty, the co nde c of its origi al founders inits success would be more tha justified.

- l 4fm A N D 1 51 3 R E S E R VE B a r m u ons .

T hese tw o Battalions were formed from the surp lus establis h n 5t h and 6th ns S in me t of the Battalio ( pecial Reserve) N ovem ber,

1 4 an n m n . - n 1 9 , d were placed u der the co m a d of Lieut Colo el * an - Guy S t . A ubyn d Colonel S ir Thom as MilburnS winnerton * nn r . c . Pilki gto , Ba t , respe tively The formationof these Res erve Battalions was the outco m e of the obvious necessity to provide additional units for supplying the rapidly increa sing number of S ervice Bat talions with trained reinforcem ents .

r f r s ff- on- S ea a n a They we e o med at W e tcli , d were l ter m oved a l n r e to S e ford , c ose to N ewhave , whe e th y were provided with the necessary staffs for producing thoroughly trained and well

. ir annnn no hO e equipped drafts Th e s was u e di g toil , w ith p of i to n reward, but they stuck gr mly theinr work, determi ed to meet the insa tiable demand of the Battalio s overseas for trained m en. o a n ar n n It is hoped that future hist ri s of this W , whe the fi al not f to ns story is told , will ail do the work of the Reserve Battalio

’ ns R o a R ifle C o L a te T h e K i g y l rps. ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

I nS m r 1 91 6 h n m l epte be , , t ese two Battalio s werne a a gamated and becam e the l 6t h T raining Reserve Battalio under Lieut .

n . Colo el Petre, late Rifle Brigade

’ 1 GT H (T H E CH UR C H L A ns B R I G A DE )

’ . nW ar th e r e 1914 The m ome t was declared , Chu ch Lads Brigad l 6th B A T T A L I O N . m in n n m n and ca e forward to take their share the atino al e erge cy, n . O A 7t h 1 91 4 offered their services to their Cou try ugust , ,

- n n a nd m m nan Field Marshal Lord Gre fell , Gover or Co a d t, placed n n hi n s the whole of the orga izatio , w ch i cluded at lea t Cadets— recognised as such by t he W ar O ffi ce— at the disposal ’ of H is Majesty s G ov erm nent . n 2nd 1 91 4 A m nci O S eptem ber , , the r y Cou l accepted the na nd l 6th patriotic offer to raise a S ervice Battalio , the Bat

talionof the Regim ent was thereuponbrought to life . The

- com m and of the Battalionw a s givento Lieut . Colonel C .

n - c m w n Ki dersley Por her (late of the Coldstrea Guards) , but , o i g

c inul 1 91 5 . - n to ill health , he was su ceeded J y , , by Lieut Colo el

C . W ild (late Coldstream Guards) . nn n d D nh am The early trai i g of the Battalio was carrie out at e , n m D w n m S nW e Bucks , a d later at Perha o Ca p , alisbury Plai , her I n it formed part of the 33rd Division. t owed ot a little of its efficiency to the fostering care a nd personal interest of Lord l n efli cienc a n Grenfell . O nthe m i itary side its ge eral y d at ta in m ents w ere m arked as being of a nexceptionally high standard n h n inn as regards the discipli e w ile u der tra i g , it had a sheet clear

c . n u of m ilitary rim e It was said of the Battalio that , at the req est en m n a nd w of the m the selves , each day ope ed closed ith a period i n a n m nn b nw for s le t prayer , d the daily or i g parade ega ith the ’ n S . O nN m b 1 sth recog ised Church Lads Brigade ervice ove er , 1 n m S am n nce a nd 1 9 5 , the Battalio sailed fro outh pto for Fra , nin H r A W n fi la d g at av e , proceeded to ire , here it lear t its rst

practical lessons inm odernwarfare . S o successful a nd popular did the formationof this Battal ion m m on n prove , that i ediately their departure for Fra ce Field Marshal Lord Grenfell undertook to raise a S econd or Reserve

Battalion. I nthe circular letter addressed to the clergy of E ngland a nd W ales inviting recruits Lord Grenfell was able to say : I have inspected a nd ta kenleave of the 1 6th Battalion n n na n n o its goi g to the Fro t, d I ca say that it would be hard find n S a n w n to a other ervice Batt lio so ell set up , sm art , a d with so fine a record as to conduct — there having beenabsolutely ’ no crim e inthe Battalion— thus showing what Church Lads nn n ’ Brigade trai i g has do e inth e past whenput to th e test . It is hardly necessary to add that this appeal m et with n n a nd n e thusiastic respo se, a Reserve Batta lio w as formed

accordingly. A BRIE F H I S TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

The subsequent narrative of the l 6th Battalion: it s steadfast 1915. ne in fine i a n n l 6th B A T T AL I O N , ss days of stress , its sold erly spirit, d its galla try ninued. n n co t i m n re n. a y fights , will be told i a futu E ditio

1 7T H (T H E BR I T I S H E M P I R E LE A G UE )

Thanks to the public spirit shewnby the gentlemenwho m n E m 1 for ed the Cou cil of the British pire League , our 7th Bat

- al n on 2 1 st A 1 91 5 a nd . n t io was raised the of pril , , Lieut Colo el

. a t h e l st S n L Whitehe d , late of urrey Rifles , was appoi ted to com m and . no n a n no nl 1 s Recruits w ere t ple tiful , d it was t u ti the t of

1 n . S eptem ber, 1 9 5 , that the four Compa ies were completed m m n nin H r W n They co e ced their trai g at u sley Park, i chester,

n . nd A l a d W I nD . a com pleted it at dershot itley n ecember Lieut n . ni m m n Colo el L Whitehead reli qu shed the co a d of the Battalio ,

- * n . . . n c i . W s a d was su ceeded by L eut Colonel E F ard Its sub e quent history belongs to a period ot covered by this E dition.

1 8T H E R VI C E A R T S R ' ' S ( A N D C A F rs) B A I rA L I O N .

S ir H . H . . M . P . 1 8th n It was to Raphael , Bart , , that the Battalio

- n. S ir H r fift owes its creatio erbe t, although y six years old , had set a wonderful exam ple to younger m enby joining the 24th

Batt a lionof the Royal Fusili ers as a private . A fter reaching the n a n m m n 1 h n ra k of Capt i , he was co issio ed to raise the 8t Battalio on n7th 1 91 5 . H e w as ni in n Ju e , e t rely successful his efforts , a d onS m 4th W ar O fi fi n epte ber the f cenof cially took over the Battalio n 1 0 ffi a d 900 n n . with a stre gth of o cers other ra ks , a d Lieut * - n . . . n Colo el G A J S oltau S ym o s was appointed to com m and . i nin W a n The r trai g was carried out at Gidea Park, itley , d

Al dershot . m l st n 1 91 6 n Their history fro Ja uary, , will be recorded i a future E di tion.

1 9T H RE S E R VE BA T T A L I O N .

in 1 91 5 f m m ni Form ed O ctober , , ro the Reserve Co pa es of n i n 1 9th n the l 6t h a d 1 7th Battal o s , the Reserve Battalio was

- n . n n n . E a d first comma ded by Lieut Colo el Kelly Pur ell , later

- n . . H m 9t h al n by Lieut . Colo el J A ope , fro the Batt io ,

- . D . . a nd afterwards by Lieut . Colonel R Keyworth Thi s Bat n r m n f n l 6th a nd 1 7 talio therefo e, fro bei g the o fspri g of the th n m m a nd S ervice Battalio s , beca e their foster other, a steady

flow of well trained a nd disciplined recruits was the result.

’ al R ifle C s L a te T he K ing s R oy orp . ’ T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

T H E RIFLE DE PO T .

F r 5th A u ust 1 91 4 to 3l st December 1 91 5 . om g , , ,

,— 1914 1915, i n H a an The R fle Depot at W i chester, with its e dquarters d

R I F L E DE P O T . Permanent S taff together with the Regular ofli cers attached to ’ a n h n n a the 5th d 6t Battalio s of The Ki g s Roy l Rifle Corps, n a n h n n a d the 5th d 6t Battalio s of the Rifle Brigade , was u der

n n n i - ne . A . the com m a d of Colo el ( ow Br gadi er Ge ral) F Fortescue, ’ C . B . m m nn 4t h n K n , late co a di g Battalio The i g s Royal Rifle

r nW ar c . m b n Co ps , whe was de lared The whole of the o ilizatio work was carried out under hi s directiona nd personal super in visionwith adm irable result . The system created dur g the n ar n M ns * S outh A frica W by Colo el H oratio e d , assisted by M n n nn c n the late ajor Riley, had si ce bee co ti ued by a suc essio n nn fi a nw a s m of experie ced com ma di g of cers , d ad irably developed n r c n n by Colo el Fo tes ue , assisted by Captai Judge , so that it agai proved a com plete success upona vast ly greater scale thanin — 1 899 1 902 . The Regular Reservists a nd 800 S pecial n nn m i a nd n Reservists upo j oi i g were clothed , ar ed, equ pped, se t to their W ar S ta tions betweenA ugust 5th a nd 9th w ithout a

i . in n D h tch Later, A ugust , Colo el Fortescue left the epot to take m m n 1 s N ew A and Co a d of the 4 t Brigade of Rifles of the rm y, in n s nH in was succeeded early S eptem ber by Colo el Vi cou t ard ge,

C . B . A .D . C . in m in , to the K g , late Rifle Brigade, who has re a ed

incom m and ever since .

The vastly responsible work ca rried out by the Com m andant a nd S f a r a n taf of the Rifle Depot from the early days of the W , d the im portant services that it has rendered to our Regim ent and m nn u to our co rades of the Rifle Brigade, ca o ly be fairly ga ged end n n l ca n at the of the prese t crisis , whe a ful record be

supplied .

N o w B ri ad ie - ne a and C a 37 G e . B Vid . . g r r l , . p A BRIE F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

R P A T V .

A RE T R O S P E C T .

The Regiment from its inceptionhas possessed certa in distinctive charact eristics which are pre - eminently those required for making Light Infantry and R iflem enof the best type .

in1 755 a nd n ns n Raised , i spired by the ge iu of H e ry i n n Bouquet , it early d splayed that stro g i dividuality, that

- n n ni self relia t courage, a d that ready i tiative coupled with l n i n n ste ady discip i e , wh ch w o from the i trepid Wolfe him self

t A . I n1 n n the proud m ott o of C eler e udam 797, u der the experie ced n n n m 5th n comma d of Baro de Rotte burg , the fa ous Battalio w a s s (Rifles) rai ed as a special type of Light Troops , thus reviving those specia l qualities O f the Royal A m ericans which n n nw n in a n had re dered the Regime t so re o ed its earlier years , d which w onimperishable fame throughout the Peninsular W ar.

nn ce n A ft er a lo g i terval of pea the Regime t , from 1 836 to 1 854 n n n , received a similar impetus at the ha ds of Moly eux a d ns a nd s n n an Du da , reaped a rich harvest of la ti g ho our d glory uponth e Delhi Ridge by displaying the same suprem ely valuable characteristics which ha d distinguished it inA m erica a nd in — ’ n. A a n 1 86 1 1 873 n H nn S pai g i , from , u der awley s com ma di g n n a nd ns in k ll n i flue ce i pir g s i , the Regime t , through the 4th n n a n Battali o , O pe ed up a more rapid d elastic syst em of drill n n n m n n a d ta ctics , a m ore i tellige t treat e t of the soldier, a d the n hi f in r i betterm e t of s li e ba racks , of wh ch the good effects are

- felt to day not only inthe Regim ent but inthe A rmy at large . The qualities thus m aintained for a century a nd a ha lf have nint nn i n bor e la er years abu da t fruit, of wh ch the stubbor courage n fi a lm n Wa rr n t ns at the I gogo ght , the c discipli e of the e H as i g , nH and m s the eager valour O f Tala a ill , the i petuou assault up the slopes of th e Tw inPea ks are glorious exam ples . To the same special qualities was due the inspirationwhich a m a n n M ne nf n cre ted the syste d pri ciples of the ou t d I a try , and it is to the O fficers a nd m enof the 6oth that the inception

n . a d success of thatnvnaluable fnorce is largely due L et the R iflem e ow servi g, who read of the deeds of their n a nd n an galla t com rades of the past, of the sple did valour d glorious self- sa crifi ce of their com rades inthe early phases of the present W a r— the greatest a nd the most fateful War of all — if nn i na n time rem ember that , they are to mai tai the trad tio s , d increase still m ore the reputationof the famous Corps to which n ca nnl u n S of ea they belo g , it o y be by c ltivati g the same pirit r dy ’ 841 T H E KIN G S RO YAL RIFLE CO RPS .

- sacrific e a nd uns n n a nd n self pari g devotio to duty, by developi g m n l n and the same pro pt i itiative, steady discip i e , ’ w n n courage , hich have ever bee the secret of the Regime t s success . Let each R iflem a nal so recollect that a distinguished Past is rather a reproach thana glory unless m aintained by a nequally di n n a n n sti guished Prese t , d developed, if possible, by eve m ore distinguished Future .

G O D S A VE

’ 86 T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

A further period of service inthe trenches near Delville Wood n n c na n a nd on followed , but othi g of ex eptio l i terest occurred , nm b nn m b A ugustn1 3th the Battalio oved y trai i to co forta le billets ear A m iens . n did not n a nd on 2 5th The a ticipated rest last lo g , the the Battalionw a s back againinthe trenches at H ebuterne . A n a nd nonN m period of tre ch duty followed , the ove ber t h nw a s a n nin on 1 4 thne Bnattnalio c llned upo to joi the attack the Germ a li e ear Beaum o t H am el . n A t 1 a . m . the Com panies started to m ove ; the ight w a s a nd n m t w o nm nh w dark nsubsenque tly isty, but e e y trne c es ere ocncupied a d co solidnated with a loss of 6 officers a d 1 26 other ra ks killed a nd w ou ded . A fter this the Battalionm oved back to Coulonvillers for a well - earned rest the rem ainder of the year being spent inwinter nina nd in n trai g the various sports orga ised for the Brigade .

1 91 7 .

F O R the first week of the N ew Y ear the Battalionrem ained at O n Coulonvillers carrying out training . the 8th January they nn nc n A a nd we t i to tre hes ear veluy , after a com paratively quiet period m oved out againpreparatory to taking part inanattack n M m n nch N O f o the irau o t tre es orth Courcelette . c on 1 7t h a nd n This attack took pla e February , was ot very nh successful . The ig t selected for the operationturned out a nd m a nd t h e w a s n dark , wet isty , result a loss O f dir ectio which led to considerable confusion. n v on 1 9th n The Battalio was relie ed the , havi g lost 9 O fficers a nd 1 82 n a nd w n other ra ks killed ou ded it had , however , a 1 80 n one m n una nd one n c ptured priso ers , achi e g tre ch m orta r, so that its efforts had beenrew arded with very appreciable success . O nMarch l oth the Battalionwas ordered to atta ck the i n nn Grev llers tre ch li e ear Courcelette . This O perationwas m l n co pletely successful, the obj ective a lotted to the Battalio being captured a nd consolidated w ith the loss of only 4 officers a nd 50 other ranks k illed a nd wounded ; w hilst its trophies n 1 20 n m n na nd 3 n i cluded priso ers , three achi e gu s tre ch m orta rs . c w a s m n t al n This suc ess ai ly due to the fact that he Batt io , ak — n 320 — though very we o ly all told , w a s com posed of ex p erienced fighters who knew t heir w ork a nd what was expected m a nd l n n , E . M . A l lfre M . C of the to the exce le t work of Captai y , w n m m on n who , though ou ded i ediately leavi g the assem bly n m n n n tre ch , re ai ed with his Com pa y u til the obj ectives had been u a nd n n capt nred co solidatio com pleted . O l ot h A al nm a n n the pril the Batt io oved to La Risset , d o

l ath , n the by a bold piece of patrol work carried out by 2 d Lieut .

. H . S n na nd 7 n G Lee , ergea t Britto m e , Bailleul village A E H S O BRI F I T RY O F T H E RE GIME N T . 87 n n n was captured without serious oppositio , the Riflem e o ce againearning the congratulations of the Divisional Com m ander " onh a nd t eir bold rapid advance . O nMa 3rd n inn y the Battalio took part a attack near O ppy . T his was successful as fa r as the part allotted to the Battalion n n a nd n n was concer ed , the Brigadier expressed his tha ks o the follow i g day . A f w d n c ter this follo e a lo g period of om parative peace , the Battalionalternately occupying front sectors of the line a nd nw w n a n nn bei g ithdra to rest d trai i g inbillets . O nthe 29t h N ovem ber a sm all but costly O perationnear Beaum etz resulted int h e capture of a nenem y trench with a loss n 4 n n 3 r a nd m n. of office s d 7 other ra ks killed , wou ded a issi g

I nthe enem y counter- attack which followed our m enhad a great n n r opportu ity , of which they took full adva tage , with thei nrifles and Lewis guns against Germ anm ass form ations . This cou ter attack w as part of a determ ined enem y effort to break the British n n a n n A li e betwee the villages of Moeuvres d Bourlo . m ost n n nh n O . C . i teresti g report o t ese O peratio s , issued by the G . 2nd D na nd in R e im enta l C hr ni cle 1 91 7 ivisio , published the g o of , att ributes the repulse of the enem y largely to the excellence of i l a nd unr a nd c n n m enin the r f e Lewis gnnfi e , the o finde ce of then h i . m t e r rifles The sou d enss of the Regi e tal tradition, which attaches so m uch im porta ce to m usketry , was thus o ce m ore dem onstrated . During this year no less than6 a nd 77 Military a nd m en n Medals were awarded to of the Battalio . n n 1 7 Its losses duri g the sam e tim e am ou ted to 5 killed , 433 n a n w ou ded d 89 m issing .

1 91 8 .

E R MA N F F E S I F R T H E G O N VE O MA C H .

zl s i n in l inE n O N March t the Battal o was bi lets qua court . A ll w a s w m n n n that day the air thick ith ru ours , but othi g happe ed nda inm m m nn l i 5 . the fol ow g y passed uch the sa e a er , but at p m . n nh it w a s reported that the e em y had broke nt rough to the S outh and w a s approaching N urlu . The Battalio w a s ordered to hold in n n a reserve l e of tre ches , but the ight passed quietly , though the Germ ans were by this tim e close to E quancourt . N ext m orning a m essage arrived ordering the Battalionto nc nm on a nd s m retire i o for ity with the troops its right , thi ove n w m e t was steadily carried out ithout excessive losses , though

n m nm n na nd - n u der heavy fire fro field gu s , achi e gu s low flyi g aeroplanes . From this tim e onward the work of the days a nd nights reads like som e visionof a nightm are . N o sooner had a positionbeentakenup thanit was discovered ns in a nd n n fla . that o e or both k were air, a withdrawal was ecessary ’ 88 T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

This withdraw al was as O ftenas not followed by a norder to

- ninnf m n O f re occupy the grou d co orm ity w ith the m ove e ts troops , ni n who had already va shed i to space . Brigade a nd Divisional H ea dquarters disappeared with a start n n and ina nd n in a li g freque cy , aga agai we read the di ry of the

nnO f L ieut ena nt ~ C olonel S Com m a di g f icer , tafford , of his efforts to place him self under t h e orders of first one Brigade a nd c in n thenanother . Yet all through this re ord we see the plai na n n nn m ina n rrative of eve ts recorded , evide ce of co sta t deter tio to hold o nas long as possible a nd thento w ithdraw w ith all due m ilitary precision. T h e inn m en w a nd un n cold was nte se , the wnere eary h gry tonthe poi t of exhaustio , yet the feeli g of the whole Battalio is unconsciously sum m ed up by the Com m anding O fficer inthe following sentence inhis account of th e events of March 2 6th O rders had previously beenreceived that this line w a s to be T n held at all costs . his a yhow w a s satisfa ctory after the with " draw a ls of the last few days . nl onM 27th nw a s e six Fi al y , arch , the Battalio relieved aft r days of incessant m arching a nd fighting ; and it rem ained to A c count the cost . asualty list O f 1 3 O fficers a nd 475 other n n n w ra ks , out of what had bee a weak Battalio to start ith , n is n bore evide ce to the severity of the fighting . It oteworthy n nc o m 57 n n. that the ab ve a ed figures i luded o ly , reported m issi g " S O n Ma O n b n nc e ded the rch ffe sive , rought to a st a dstill o e b nn a nd n m ore by the stub or ess te acity of our soldiers .

T H E I N A L A D V F A N C E .

O nA 2 l st n n c ugust the Battalio , the at La Cau h ie , was in on ordered to take part the attack Courcell es . i k na nd n nn This nv llage was ta e nthe adva ce steadilynco ti ued for the ext three days , duri g which the Batta lio ca ptured pris oners to the num ber of one a nd a half tim es its ow nstrength 6 n2 50 m n na n besides field gu s , achi e gu s d w ar m aterial , with 3 a nd 63 n a loss to itself of officers other ra ks killed a nd wounded .

A n nc n ftenr a rest , orders arrived for the Battalio to adva e o ce m ore o S eptem ber 2nd . The enem y oppositionw a s weak at rs a nd a m z n n n fi t , Be u et was captured but later o it stiffe ed , a d m 7t h w a s n n n fro that day up to the there co sta t fighti g , though n a not fortu ately our c sualties were heavy . A n l w a nd nn other period of rest fo lo ed , the o 27t h S eptem ber the Battalionwas ordered to attack the Germ anpositionnear e . u n Flesqui res This attack was s ccessful , but heavy fighti g took place at the bridge over the Canal du N ord which w a s not n n , crossed u til ext day . O n 29t h n a n the , havi g gre tly disti guished itself a nd suffered c n b n nn , nc onsidera le casualties the Battalio we t i to reserve tre hes u til 8th O ctober .

’ 90 T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

n 2 1 2 c i n , Casualties offi ers k lled , 5 w ou ded other ra ks , killed 1 5 n 0 w ou ded . O n9th S eptem ber the Battaliontook part infu rther opera n H t h n n nw n tio s at igh Wood, e obj ective bei g a tre ch k o as

Wood Lane . The operationw a s entire ly successful . The m n 7 O c n w h m 2 d in casualties a ou ted to ffi ers w ou ded , of o ied

nk i n 36 m i n. hospital ; other ra s , 24 k lled, 8 2 w ou ded , ssi g

1 9 1 7 .

n l n M nna I Ju y the Battalio m oved from etere , e r Bailleul, n h n i in ont h e to the coast ort O f Du querque , at f rst support n nnh r n nl n N left sector a d the o t e 3 d i to the fro t i e at ieupornt n n A rm . O Bai s , thus becom i g the left of the British y 9 n n 2n the th a raid w a s carried out by the Rhodesia s , u der d a none . . . ll n nu d Lieut T P McDow e , for ide tificatio p rposes , dead w : 1 n Germanw a s brought in. O ur casualties ere other ra k

an7 w n n inMcDow ell . killed d ou ded, i clud g O nthe l oth the Germans started a bom bardm ent of our

n a . . n a w nl t w o li es at m , a d kept it up all d y ith o y pauses

. n t en n r un. A t 7 . 1 5 m . m of mi utes each , to cool thei g s p the e e y A atta cked a nd took o ur trenches . part from the heavy casualties we had sustained from shell fire num b ers of m en

in n. nnO c . were buried the sa d The Comm a di g ffi er, Lieut

n A n . Colo el badie , was amo gst the killed Casualties 1 7 O 4 1 n 20 O 520 fficers , 8 other ra ks , out of a total of fficers ,

n. D f b n r n 3 other ra ks espite the fact O ei g su rou ded , officers a nd 1 5 other ranks— the rem nant of the Battalion— broke ’ n in k Y a nd cc through the e em y s l e after dar , sw am the ser, su ess V h fully regained our lines onthe further side . Riflem anV a m bac n in nd w ho carried a li e across his m outh , a thus saved those

not m . N da m R iflem en a nd could swi ext y a few ore escaped , onthe 1 2th the rem ains of the Battalionm arched to Le Clipon

m a nw - ca p d ent through a period of re organising and training . O n6th N ovem ber the Battalionm arched to a forw ard cam p inthe Y pres S alient a nd took over the P a dd ebeek sector betw een P oelca elle a n p d Passchendaele .

1 91 8 .

I nFebruary the Battalion’ s front ext ended from 1 000 yards north of P o elcap elle to a point about 1 000 yards south - east of that village . O nthe 1 7th the enem y raided our lines with 40 en a party of m , led by 2 officers . The raid was repulsed m n n with severe loss to the Ger a s , who left behi d them 1 9 dead, 1 n n a nd 1 n wou ded priso er m achi e gun. O ur only loss w a s

2nd . W m w a s in m m n Lieut il ot , who co a d of the post . It was fl n n nc a n d S . H uist ri chie y owi g to his galla t co du t that of ergt dge, t m n n a nd n n ogether with Rifle e Jo es Gree , that the e em y w a s A E H S 91 BRI F I TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

l a so successfu ly de lt w ith . This place was afterwards officially ’ nw n W k o as ilm ot s Post . O n20th March the Germ ans attem pted another raid onour n c nm n3 n a nd li ens , whi h was repulsed, the e e y leavi g priso ers n . m i our n. n2n a y dead ha ds zud Lieut . H arm a , d Lieut W n a nS i ter d ergt . Woodhouse greatly distinguished themselves in this action. O n4 h A t i nn M ir . p r l the Batta lio , u der ajor S J Lees , left the Y a nd n 7th pres sector proceeded to Lapugnoy . O the the

Battal iontook over the line south O f the Bethune- La B a ssée

Road . The m orning of the 9th opened w ith a terrific bom bard m nn n t h e n a n . . n c i e t orth of ca al , d at 7 a m the e em y atta ked a thick m ist . I nthe first rush they gained a S light success on

but n - nre . O n 23rd our left , the li e w a s soo established the the nm w no c 7 a nd e e y raided , but ith su cess , as they left dead several w n b n n ou ded ehi d them . The Battalionw a s relieved o the 27th n n in v b w n n. , ha i g ee three eeks the fro t li e O n1 2th Ma y we went into the line onthe left front of the H nl D u u ohe zol ernsector . uring this to r a successf l raid was

- n n . n n S t . A n orga ised by Lieut Colo el uby , the party bei g u der c t n the om m and of CaptainF ryer . The raiding par y co sisted 4 f n R E . a n1 1 0 of of icers , 1 officer, 8 sappers d other ra ks from D n 24th Ma m n. n on nCo pa y It we t over at the ight of ny a d a ec n. did gre t ex utio They reached their obj ective, securi g 4 n nfl c on nm m priso ers, i icted asualties the e e y esti ated at

70 a n n n - n in , d after destroyi g m a y dug outs regai ed our l es without

a M .C . losing a m an. CaptainFryer w s awarded the for this 2 c a 1 5 successful action. O ur casualties were offi ers nd other

n n 1 O a nd 3 n . ra ks wou ded, fficer sappers wou ded n A nw a s A O the last day of ugust the Battalio ordered to rras , n T h e m nn m a d arrived onl st S eptem ber . sa e eve i g it oved into the reserve for a nattack to be carried out by the Canadian D n c n w non 2 t e n ivisio . The atta k bega at da the ud , h Battalio O n 3rd n following about four m iles behind . the the Battalio

- n a . m . o m oved up to the area south east of E ta ing . A t the 4t h it advanced againunder heavy artill ery fire to a position

onthe m ainDrury Road . O nthe 1 0th the Battalionwent by trainto Guillaucourt a non 1 3t h A m n non 1 4 d the arrived at thies , ovi g agai the th

a nd 1 5th to a wood east of C a ulincourt .

O nthe 1 8th the Battalionattacked B ert h aucourt . It

A n n n M .C . m oved forward at a . m . , Com pa y (Captai Bar es , ) n m n 2n . nn n r m d , leadi g, suppo ted by B Co pa y ( Lieut Cu i gha a n n n M .C . on d . a n m M .C ) d C Co pa y (Captai Cook , ) the right nin n n 2nd . left respectively , D Com pa y ( Lieut Cotto ) Battalio in i O n reserve . Before reach g the f rst bj ective the Battalio n n but n l n was held up by m ach i e gu s , eve tua ly , chiefly owi g n nm 2n . nn to the splendid lea dership of d Lieut Cu i gham , the e e y positionwas turned a nd the Battalionpushed onand captured ’ 92 T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

n a the fi al objective , the villa ge of B erth aucourt . The c sualties 2 O a nd 23 nk 5 O and 95 were fficers other ra s killed, fficers other

- . A n nk . S t n a nd 6 n n . ra s wou ded , other ra ks m issi g Lieut Col uby one was of the officers wounded . O nthe 24t h the Battalionattacked againto capture the n w a s n high grou d overlooking Pontruet . The attack e tirely a n c w successful d all obj ectives were gained. O ur asualties ere 1 a n2 1 n ll 8 a nd 6 1 a n officer d other ra ks ki ed , officers other r ks

- n S t . A n n 3 n m n. . wou ded , other ra ks issi g Lieut Colo el nuby n n . O n c n n was agai wou ded this o casio , whe the li e was m m n a nd m m n o e tarily checked, a fox got up ade for the Ger a

- n. ifl n nc a n h o positio The R em e at o e rose , d with a loud Tally w a s followed the fox a nd carried the entrenchm ents . The fox n on not fou d dead the barbed wire, shot, of course by British

n . Riflem e , but by the Bosch O n1 7th O ctober the Battalionagainattacked from the l n Bois de Busigny . E veryt hing went well unti the Battalio n nn V M w reached the e closed grou d orth of La allee ulatre, here

nm m nc n m n- un n w the e e y had a y o cealed achi e g positio s , hich f n took a lot O m opping up . I nthis attack the Battalio A gained m ore ground thana ny other inthe Divi sion. nin t erest ing point about this battle was that w e w ere fighting the en in1 1 7 and h ad very m who had wiped us out at N ieuport 9 , 6 n our revenge . The casualties w ere 3 officers a nd 1 other ra ks 1 O a nd n n 5 c killed , fficer 6 other ra ks died of wou ds , offi ers

a nd 1 35 n w un 1 6 n in. other ra ks o ded, other ra ks m iss g A m inor O perationtook place onthe 23rd during the m oonlit night ; its object was to push our line 1 000 yards forward .

- - : . M . an1 3 It cost us heavy casualties 1 O fficer, 1 C . S d other n n n a nd 38 nk ra ks killed, 2 other ra ks died of wou ds , other ra s wounded . O nN ovem ber 4t h w e againattacked to m ake good e the crossing of t h e O ise Canal . A fter considerable d lay the al Battaliongot across a nd gained all O bj ectiv es . Casu ties 2 a nd 1 0 nk k 1 a nd 59 r n offnicers other ra s illed, officer other a ks n n. wou ded , 3 other ra ks m issi g n now n a nd few The Battalio was give a rest , after a davs , n A m w a s n c n duri g which the r istice sig ed , m ar hed to Colog e

nd m n - n m . H . . E . m h D . S . O . u er Co a d of Lieut Colo el F S it ,

3rd and 4th B A T A L N T IO S A T S A L O N IC A .

I N th e A utum nof 1 91 5 these Battalions had beenordered to S n a nd n m c m n n alo ika ; havi g co e as a o plete u it from Fra ce , w in 80th nn 2 7t h ere still the I fa try Brigade of the Division. The situationinthe BalkanPeninsula was critical Bulgaria n a nd n A had joi ed our foes by so doi g had placed our lly, S ervia , i na m ost difficult position. The arrival of a nA llied force in O 1 91 5 S ne t ctober had proved too late to avert the ervia d fea , a nd A m n nthe forces ofnthe llies were co pelled to take up a defe sive li e before S alo ika .

’ 94 T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

anm c 4th place d uch skill was displayed , parti ularly by the nn m o 1 5th a nd l 1 91 8 . Battalio , 6th of A pril , By this ti e the Greeks had determ ined to throw inth eir lot with us a nd brought

t h e n b m en. up troops by degrees to am ou t of a out This , n na nd n of course , helped the ge eral situatio e abled the British nn w m n n Gover me t to withdra so e of its Battalio s to Fra ce , in e m n n v where , view of the G r a successful adva ce , theirnser ices n . A m n w a s t h e 4th were badly eeded o g these Battalio , which quitted S alonika onthe l gth June . S hortly aft erwards the 3 rd Battalionwit h the remainder of the 8ot h Brigade quitted the S t m m a Valley a nd after a m arch of about sixty miles westward took over the positionprev iously n in nn n held by th e F re ch, m ou tai ous cou try west of the River ’ n nm - r a a nd V ardar . A t this poi t the e e y s shell fi e was he vy , onthe l st A ugust the trenches held by the Battalionwere n a u successfully attacked, but, partly through mal ria , partly ’ nm s - m by the e e y s hell fire, our losses had beco e very heavy , and at the beginning of S eptem ber the 3rd Battalioncould n n b 1 30 na nd and o ly muster for fighti g purposes a out ra k file, eventhis sm all total was larger thanthat of som e other Battalions inthe Division.

I nthe m iddl e of the m onth a general advance was begun. ’ The French and S ervians brok e through the enemy s line nM n a n V a n bet wee o astir d the ardar , d a day or two later a successful attack was m ade by British a nd Greek troops at

m nm nin . soth Doira , the e e y retreati g disorder The Brigade was not part of the force engaged but shared inthe subsequent pursuit of the enem y . O n 22n n n S an the d they crossed the fro tier i to ervia , but A rm istice with the Bulgarians o nthe 3ot h S eptem ber brought

. I nO 3 r n hostilities to a close ctober the d Battalio , however, m n a nd h n in n 1 1 w a s arched i to Bnulgaria t e ce Ja uary 9 9 des patched by trai to Constantinople . From Constantinople it was ordered to A sia Minor .

4th B A T T A L N IO . A F T E R the Battle O f Ypres in1 91 5 the Battaliontook its share of trench work and warfare but had no special opportunities n na n in n of disti ctio , d the autum w a s ordered with the n 27t h D n S al n n remai der of the ivisio to o ika , where it arrived o 2 the 5th N ovem ber . D n1 91 6 nm nA no uri g our e e y, the Bulgaria rmy, showed

n . m n c particular e terprise Co paratively little fighti g took pla e , and the difficulties of the situationwere chiefly due to the m a nd n n cli ate to the strai ed relatio s with Greece, which it was t o n n difficult recog ise either as a frie d or foe . During the first half of 1 91 7 the Battalionwas posted at on n Kato the right ba k of the S trum a River . A I E H S BR F I TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T . 95

I n n - a list of ho ours appeared the name of Lance Corp]. one l nc nnnr Paul, of the ga la t o ti ge t f om Fiji , of whom by this m w ti e few ho ever were rem aining . Paul received a Military Medal for very gallant work performed w ith the Battalion scouts . By this tim e the snow a nd rainof w inter had givenplace m w nw a s to extre ely hot eather , but the health of the Battalio m uch less affected thanhad beenthe case inthe previous year . w n n There was , ho ever, a certai am ou t of m alaria due to m osquito A bites . m osquito net was inconsequence issued to each m a n w ith successful results . A t nnn 1 9 1 n n the begi i g of 8 the Battalio , com ma ded by

- n Ma endie nh 2 and Lieut . Colo el j , showed a stre gt of 3 officers 7 n A in 83 other ra ks . s a result of the great Germ anoffensive I France the Battalionwas order to j ointhe westernfront . t h F nc on l st a nd few w reac ed ra e the Jul y , a days after ards , at M nE n 1 5l st w m arti glise , jnoi ed the Brigade , nhnich for ed part onf s t h D . w the o ivisio The Brigade , hich co tai ed also a Battalio nd one I nnk n w a s of the a of the is illi g Fusiliers ,

- n D n n n . S com m a ded by Brig G e eral R E . ugde ; the ivisio by

- H n Maj or General . C . Jackso . Towards the end of S eptem ber the 5oth Divisionjoined

- the 1 7th A rm y Corps near Lens . H ere Lieut . Colonel J . B . l st n a n Brady , from the Battalio , arrived d assumed a 4 c om m and . The strength of the Battalionw s about 7 officers a nd 952 other ranks . By this tim e the final offensive m ovem ent of the A llies w a s O n infull sw ing . During the first days of ctober the Battalio in t E n took part the Bat le of pehy, its task bei g to attack Le ‘ w a s a nd o C eit elet a nd Gouy . The fighting desperate the l sses i b n n w heavy , for the v llages had ee prepared for defe ce ith great

na - c m m n n skill . Machine gu s nd sharp shooters o a ded every li e nw a s n ss of approach . The task of the Battalio everthele

- m n nand successfully accom plished . Thirty five achi e gu s over

2 50 prisoners were captured . n and on 1 7 Further fighti g followed , the th the passage of N n w a s con the River S elle was forced . ext day the adva ce nn anA m nD n ti ed , although delayed by the fact that erica ivisio onthe right of our Battalionsw ung round half- left across the m n n battle front . By this ti e the stre gth of the Battalio had and 387 n nn beengreatly reduced out of , all ra ks , who we t i to O n n actionthe casualties am ounted to 1 24 . the other ha d ,

n 2 na nd m nm n unw c . 1 1 0 priso ers , field gu s a y achi e g s ere aptured A fter a few days ’ rest further heavy fighting took place m 8 c a nd from the 4th to st h of N ove ber , casualties of offi ers

1 73 other ranks being sustained . m n S o far as the Battalionwas concerned the ca paig had A t end im n lasted less thansix weeks . the of that t e it had bee alm ost annihilated . ’ 96 T H E KI N G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

th 7 B A T T A L IO N .

O N l st A 1 91 5 n m m n . the ugust , , this Battalio , co a ded by Lieut

n nn b c n . Colo el Re ie , ivoua ked a m ile east of Poperi ghe Its n nh duties were those of the ordi ary tre c warfare , the period n m n nn n of duty varyi g fro four to seve days , alter ati ng whe m l n . n l possible with a s a ler i terval Ge eral y speaki g , the Battaliontook turna nd turnabout w ith the sth Battalion

Rifl e Brigade . D n nn2 9th 1 91 6 a uri g the year e di g July , , the casu lty list 3 and 9 n n 76 showed officers killed wou ded other ra ks , killed a nd 378 wounded . O nthe 2 9th July the Battalionleft A rras for the S om m e

n Dem a cou rt on m nn 8 A . area , arrivi g at the or i g of th ugust ’ n m m M m z The Battalio occupied Po ier s Redoubt close to a et , whence it reconnoitred the sectionopposite O rchard Trench which was indicated as its obj ect of attack inthe offensive c n about to begin. O rders were issued to capture O r hard Tre ch on n 400 n non the fro t of yards , the right of the Battalio resti g — n L onuev ale 7t h nR .B . o the g Flers Road , the Battalio the

272 . left . The attack was successful : the casualties totalled Towards the end of N ovem ber Colonel Rennie relinquished n Ma comm a d , which was shortly afterwards assum ed by j or

. . H C K oward Bury . During the first days of 1 91 7 the Battalionm ov ed up to I nA l i the sector near Beaum etz . pri it took part nthe Battle of A rras .

During the actionat W ancourt inMa y the Lance - Corporal incharge of a bom bing party achieved a rem arkable feat . It w a s n a nd in nn m w n ight , tur i g to co e hom e he took the ro g a nd A cc e direction got into a Germ antrench . t daw nhe su e ded inquitting the trench a nd indigging him self into a shell h ole m behind it . Fro this point of vantage he was able to observe

l nd n t - the effect of our arti lery fire , a whe , after for y eight hours , he eventually escaped a nd returned to our lines the inform ation h n whic he brought was of co siderable value . D n J m n S n inw c uri g uly Regi e tal ports were orga ised , hi h 7t h 8 9th a nd 1 3 h n . T h e 7t the , th , th Battalio s took part n innn n n v a nd Battalio , which i e eve ts secured first place i fi e , nin w a s m seco d three , the ost successful . D n m n n n uri g nthe rne ai der of the year ple ty of fighti g took n . place , but othi g occurred of special ote

I n n 1 9 1 8 nm - - Ja uary the Battalio arched to Vaux sur S om m e , w here it w ona Divisional A rmy Rifle A ssociationC om p et it ion. u n The successf l platoo was com m anded by 2nd Lieut .

K et ch ell .

n n m m n - a . n . . The Battalio , u der co d of Lieut Colo el J G n 7 99 n , a n Birch stre gth of all r ks , relieved the Fre ch south of

S t . Quentin. I nconsequence of A rm y reorganisationthe

’ 98 T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

8th B A T TA L IO N .

DU R I N G 1 91 6 8 nw a s b 7t h the th Battalio rigaded with the , n1 91 7 in whose story has already beentold . I it took part A a nd nMa W nc the Battle of rras , i y at that of a ourt , where

its casualties am ounted to 2 80 .

- n . . n A t the end of January 1 91 8 Lieut . Colo el B J Curli g O 2 1 st M c took com m and of the Battalion. nthe ar h it was nU rv illiers A and m n in nn and posted rou d , C Co pa ies fro t li e , B m n n . I n n n n n D i support the fog at daw the Ger a s , u see , pe e t rat ed a gap betweenthe 1 4th Div isiona nd the 36th onit s

left a nd surrounded the Battalion. It transpired that the ’ enem y s turning m ovem ent actually reached Brigade H ead

quarters inthe rear before attacking our front line . The n nc n n Battalio fought m ag ifi e tly , holdi g out for four hours , at the end of which its am m unitionwas expended a nd surrender A s 1 4 D inevitable . a form ed body the th ivisionceased indeed

to exist . During the next day or t w o parties of m enorganised them and nin nn but selves fought to a great exte t depe de tly , days n ’ elapsed before the e em y s offensive could be checked . O nthe 27th the rem nant of the 1 4th D ivisionw a s st h n b n n relieved , but , although the Battalio had ee rei forced b m a nd n n n y s all drafts details dribbli g i , Captai Tetty , n few c a nd 90 n se ior officer , a offi ers other ra ks were all th at rem ained . A t end n n the of July the Battalio was broke up , its few rem aining m em bers being for the m ost part sent to j ointhe

1 2 th Battalion.

9th B A T T A N L IO .

A N U A R 1 91 6 n nin n J Y fou d this Battalio the Ypres salie t , but in n n A February it was brought dow to the eighbourhood of rras . on 24th A in onD l W It took part the ugust the attack elvi le ood , n nc m m n M H bei g the o a ded by ajor . C . Porter . Its casualties am ounted to nearly 300 . O nthe 1 5th S eptem ber it againsustained heavy losses at the capture of Gueudecourt . The rem ainder of the year passed an without y special incident . During the early m onths of 1 91 7 the Battalionw a s principally occupied infurnishing n h n . O 9t A n n m n worki g partnies nthe pril , hnavi g o ce ore bee brought up i to the li e , it took part i the successful Battle

A . O n 25t h Ma n n of rras the y Colo el Porter , who had bee

n in m m n - . n badly wou ded , was succeeded co a d by Lieut Colo el

. H w C K . o ard Bury . O n2 1 st July a variant inthe usual occupationof war took nno n n nnm place whe less tha six Battalio s of the Regime t , a ely , 7t h 8 9th 1 8 1 8th and the , th , , th 21 st , assembled for a m ost

S M in. n successfunl ponrts eent g Tnhe e d of the year left the Battalio resti g behi d the li e . A E H S O O F BRI F I T RY T H E RE GIME N T . 9 9

’ O nN e Da 1 1 w n n . Year s y , 9 8 , it e trai ed for the S omm e area O nth e night of 2oth — 2 1 st March the Battalionwas holding U rvilliers W t n nd on the ood sec or of the li e , fla ke the right by a Battalionof the S omerset Light Infantry and onthe left by

sth i n. n 2000 our Battal o Its fro t , yards , was far too wide to be held by a continuous line and all that could be done was to occupy posts 300 or 40 0 ya rds apart and devoid of lateral m m n n n r n. n n co u icatio Commu icatio tre ches a , however, back to the support line . A w a Germanattack ona large scale s expected . T h e early

n b n a .m . part of the ight was lit up y a bright moo , but at on 21 st n m n n the , whe a heavy hostile bombard e t ope ed , a thick fog had come to the aid of the enem y and it was im possible m to see a yard inany direction. The Ger ans were consequently n n nna nd nn n able to pe etrate our li e u see , the telepho e li e havi g ’ ncut n e nd n bee by the e emy s fir , it so happe e that the Germ a s were fa r past our line before it w a s knowninthe Battalion a t u that the Infantry attack had c ally beenbegun. S m all posts occupied by the Batt a lionwere surrounded and mopped E th a h up . xcepting for a few stragglers the 9 Batt lion ad m n 23 and 620 ceased to exist . Its losses a ou ted to officers other ranks . A t the end of the month all that could be mustered were nd 2 n8 2nd nn a 1 30 n. captai s , lieute a ts about other ra ks This in rem nant was nevertheless utilised the firing line . A defensive non sth A in n a ctio the pril resulted further losses , reduci g the A s trength of the unit to 80 . few days later the 1 4th Division n and 7th 8 and 9t h n w as broke up our , th Battalio s formed a unit inthe com posite Brigade .

T A L l oth B A T IO N .

- nD s n ne . nnn T m s Battalio , comma d d by Lieut Colo el ougla Pe a t, nd nin 59th 2oth D i n se a a u it the Brigade , iv sio , di mbarked at nin 1 91 5 and n n n n Boulog e July , we t at o ce i to the tre ches at n fa nn n but S ailly . Tre ch war re co ti ued duri g the whole year, no n casualties am ounting to 1 1 0 could t be co sidered very heavy . Trench warfare continued in1 91 6 inthe neighbourhood of

n m m n. n n . A . a i Poperi ghe , Colo el C Bl cklock Co a d n on l m n S e 3rd l n I the attack Gui le o t, ept mber , the Batta io

T h e n 273 . t ook a distinguished part . casualties amou ted to fs i O nthe 1 7th they were engaged at Les B ceu insevere f ghting . The year 1 91 7 was begunwell by a good perform ance of

n e - un m n . U the Battali o L wis g tea , u der Corpl sher, which I nA a brought dow na Germanplane . pril the Brigade chieved n a ill M a brillia nt success i the c pture of the v age of etz , the

- e . Battalionbeing now com m and d by Lieut Colonel Ley . Mis fortune attended the Battalioninthe Germancounter N h at tack at Cambrai at the end of ovember. T h e l ot Battalion ’ 1 00 T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

n t n and n with the 1 1 th o its lef was surrou ded , despite a galla t n nw a s m f and defe ce , the Battalio overwhel ed , four of icers n n m n n n 1 6 other ra ks o ly co i g out of actio ; the remai der, n t n n ll s gradually rei forced by draf s , was the moved i to bi et n 1 91 8 n n A r . E i ear nlbe t arly February the Battalio was broke up .

1 1 th B A T T A L IO N . 2 t h n I N the m iddle of February 1 91 6 the 0 Divisio , of which n m n 1 4 in our 1 1 th Battalio for ed a u it, relieved the th the Ypres D n n c m n f v n. salie t, be o i g thereby the le t i isio of the British li e D n one in l ath A The ivisio was of those the rmy Corps , com

- - n E n. S ll fire m anded by Lieut . Ge eral the arl of Cava he w as tolerably continuous and the Battalionsettled downto the I n m i A routine of trench warfare . the ddle of pril Colonel n t o o m m n 45th nf n A llgood , the C .O . , we t away c a d the I a try

nd M . . . H Brigade , a a few days later aj or J F R ope , who had n une in m e m n bee wo d d early the year, assu d com a d , but was

againwounded inJune . I nJuly the Battalionwas takenout of the Ypres salient and inA ugust was stationed inthe S om me area opposite O n 26th n H n n n. n Guillemo t the Colo el ope , havi g bee wou ded in n in m nd for the third time the curre t year , was succeeded co ma n I nS m b by Major F . L . S wai e . epte er the Brigade took part inanunsuccessful att ack onthe Germ anline infront of Les

m l w n . B ceufs , but was co pelled to fa l back ith co siderable loss D n n a n uri g the remai der of thenyear the Batt lio was either resting or not very actively e gaged . Ma jor G . K . P riaulx i n a a e n was nCom m a d . But its c su lti s for 1 91 6 amou ted to 7 and 1 38 n k 2 5 n officers other ra ks illed , officers a d 657 other n n 1 2 m enn w m i s n— a m ra ks wou ded ; only ere s i g very s all n a s n . proportion. N o e were t ke pri o ers I nFebruary 1 91 7 the Battalionoccupied the neighbourhood oe of its old ground inthe Les B ufs sect or . O nthe 4th A pril

it occupied the village of Metz . The operationwas adm irably m w 29 and 1 00 w un ns perfor ed ith a loss of killed o ded 60 priso er . 4 n nand 8 ren r n n. nnn machi e gu s , t ch morta s were take I co ectio t n nl n with this ac io , which received the perso a appreciatio of nd M a the Corps Comma er , four ilit ry Medal s were awarded ,

n nS . . W l m n and . . E nd the recipie ts bei g ergts J i lia s R G lki gt ,

- n . . H . A d . a n . L ce Corpls P ldridge a R J Fryer . O n 2 oth N m n t n the ove ber thne Battalio took par i the Battle of Cambrai . It was also e gaged inthe subsequent German

n - n m n 385. cou ter attack , duri g which its casualties a ou ted to 300 nA m n n n were missi g , Co pa y was surrou ded a d completely

lost . In1 91 8 on n m an n , the occasio of the Ger attack o 2 l st March , the Battalionwas inpositioninthe rear defence zone near

Vaux . The Germanadvance being unchecked the Battal ion

’ 1 0 2 T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

’ m - n n Ge r ancounter attack . The enem y s adva ce was at le gth V checked at La acquerie . ’ - M . n O N ew Y nA . n Da 1 91 8 . ear s y , , Lieut Colo el F aclachla , m 1 1 th n m m m nand n fro the Battalio , assu ed co a d the li e was n P olde rh o ek c n n take up inthe se to r . I February the Battalio m O m n was re oved to gnolles . The change fro the eighbourhood

of Y pres w a s welcom e . nw t h e 1 2 f and t h e The Battalio , ith th of The Ri le Brigade th I nn m 60t h 6 of the S hropshire Light fa try , for ed the Brigade ,

- nn. n n . . Du u der Brig Ge eral F J ca That Brigade , with the 9 h and 6 1 st m nn 2oth D nn 5 t , ade up the I fa try of the ivisio , u der

- D n G .H . . M n W . S m . in ajor Ge eral ith The ivisio was Q Reserve , but for purposes of adm inistrationwas attached to the 1 8t h

- M . A m m m n . n S ir r y Corps , co a ded by Lieut Ge eral Ivor axse O n2oth March the Battalionw a s bill eted at the village of O m H am and on nn ffoy , three iles west of , that day receivednwanr i g of anim pending Germ anattack . This attack bega i deed on n not nl fternn the followi g day , but it was u ti the a oo of the 2 2 m A t 4 . . nm nd that it spread to the 6ot h Brigade . p the e e y attacked onboth fl anks inoverw helm ing force and penetrated i A m w a s lm im both at Vaux a nd F la qu éres . Co pany a ost

m ediately cut off. It nevertheless held the Germ ans at bay l un nd in ti l all its officers were killed or wo ded , a order to avoid m n n n c d capture the Co pa y , i deed the whole Batta lio , was for e to retire to Villers S t . Christophe . E arly next m orning it was ordered to cross the canal and nem l w hold the bridge head at O ffoy . The e y fo lo ed hard and b erm n n n after , as the ridge over the G ai e had bee blow n w a up too soo there s som e difficulty incrossing the river .

O nand in a n . ffoy was , however , reached at daw the l e t ke up m n C Co pa y , which held the bridge head , did so with great

tenacity . Thenca m e news that the Germ ans had bridged the canal three - quarters of a m ile east of O ffoy and were pouring

. n nw a now ned over it The fla k of the Battalio s tur , but the

Germ ans were im m ediately counter - attacked by B and D C om anies n nm p who , chargi g with fixed swords , drove the e e y back n C aniz not n. i to y , but over the ca al ’ Being continually out- fl anked by the enem y s m asses the n w n n n Battalio was withdra to the ca al at Breuil . Th is li e was m aintained by the Brigade during the rem ainder of that 24th and n n day , the , duri g the greater part of the 25th , the o ly n nA casualties of this period bei g caused by our ow rtillery , c n t . I n nn 2 n whi h was firi g shor the eve i g of the sth , the fl a ks n n n n th e n of the Battalio havi g agai tur ed , Battalio was ordered

to retire . S o close were the Germans that anofficer leading m a the nd dressed inBritish uniform called uponour m ento

. T h e m an halt sword of a Rifle quickly terminated his ca reer . The Germans were already inthe rear of the Battalionand a ed th e W a nH . . n c ptur hole of the Batt lio Q , but the Com pa ies A E BRI F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T . 1 0 3

m n . A a . n effected their retire e t infairly good order t 3 .m o the 26th the rem nant of the 6oth Brigade reached Roye and w c m n nn had a short rest , after hi h it arched to Le Ques el , i e m l n - O n n n i es orth west of Roye . calli g the roll it was fou d n 1 n that the Battalio was reduced to 8 officers and 60 other ra ks . M S m ajor a psontook com m and . The road was blocked by nm b t h large u ers of m enretreating . The Brigade form ed e rear- guard ; the day was happily fine and Le Quesnel reached 1 about 1 a .m . During the rem ainder of the retreat the Battalioncontinued b w nd c ln a nd M m to ehave ith courage a oo ess , at ezieres ade a

n - c nnm n nc successful cou ter attack , apturi g u erous priso ers , tre h m a a m n m a e ort rs nd m achine guns . The retire e t ca e to nnd on 31 st m n n nm nin the , the credit of the Regi e t havi g bee ai ta ed from start to finish . The casualties which had beensustained r 5 were a little sho t of 00 . D n m n n A m n uri g the re ai der of the year , u til the r istice i N m nw a s n n not ove ber , the Battalio freque tly e gaged , but did an undergo y severe fighting . Whenthe Cease fire sounded onthe 1 1 th N ovem ber it had reached Maubeuge .

1 h B A T T A L 3t IO N . FO R ME D inO ctober 1 91 4 the Battalionproceeded to H alton

nd - 2 1 st D i n Park a were attached to the ill fated iv sio , which

n H nw G . . O a n m m an S . w s the co ded by Ge eral utto , hose was n and n Colo el Lewis Butler , u der the aegis of two such well knownR ifl em ena num ber of very capable officers were forth nw n m m n 3 n. m e com i g The ere draw fro a y districts , large nm nW m n on m u ber bei g elsh i ers , who later proved tnhe selves to be as doughty fighters as they were diggers of tre ches , the M rem ainder being Londoners and m enfrom the idlands . A fter a W inter spent inbillets at A m ersham and Great Missendenthe Battalionwere sent inthe spring of 1 91 5 to S n m 1 1 1 th alisbury Plai , where they for ed part of nBrigade of nand in l n w an. the 37t h Divisio , the fol owi g July e t to Fr ce

Up to that tim e the Battalionhad beencom m anded by Lieut . M n w w a s n . . Colo el Ble itt , but he the succeeded by aj or R C

- Chester Mas ter . F o r practically tw elve m onths the daily round and com m on task of trench routine w a s experienced with little of im portance a nd m in n s to record , co paratively few losses the Bie viller n m s— unil n 1 91 6 n n H anesca p Berles area t Ju e , whe duri g a ’ nm n S n- in- m m n M raid onthe e e y s tre ches the eco d Co a d , ajor n one n l . S m C . F . S im o ds , was kil ed i o ds was of the first officers to be posted to the Battaliona nd one of the very few with any

A n - n m n n. n previous experie ce of soldieri g fi e all rou d sports a , and m enand he was equally popular with officers , was ever ready with advice and help . ’ 1 0 4 T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

E vents thenm oved rapidly a nd inJuly and A ugust the nw a s S m w W l Battalio through the Battle of the o e , here , hi st n nan w c w a s ever leadi g attack , it did ith redit what it ordered nd n m m n to do , a experie ced for the first ti e extre ely heavy shelli g and consequent casualties . T w o m onths later int h e Battle of the A ncre the Battalion c a nd u m c m captured Beau ourt , co ld for the first ti e lai that they had led the attack a nd had the principal share ina n

c l n . u a nd offi ia ly recog ised assault Cas alties were heavy , severe shelling im m ediately prior to the attack resulted in S c bein n c nw n CaptainJ . L . to ks g the o ly offi er u ou ded inthe H e front line who knew the planof attack . had a m ost difficult task inreorganising the Com panies to m eet the altered circum ’ n a nd h im m n sta ces , to ust be attributed the lio s share of the

u w - ea ed D successf l issue , for which he received a ell m . S . O . Trench duties alternating with rest and training were carried

n w n 1 91 6 - 1 7 a nd inA l 1 91 7 m o throughout the i ter of , pri ca e A n in n n d n the rras offe sive , which the Battalio agai took a lea i g

n M n - le - part , capturi g the village of o chy Preux at the cost of n inc c 50 n. n n per ce t of its battle stre gth asualties , i ludi g the

A n n M .C . n w h o djuta t , Captai Fisher , n , wou ded , had for over two years w orked ungrudgi gly for its success . Chestenr - Master here show ed tonthe funll his ponwers of leader ship , whe with the total disorga isatio of pla s through the n l n on l n n t i abi ity of u its the f a k to gai their obj ectives , he e n a nd orga ised the attack captured the village . W ithintw elve

n n D . . S O . and n mo ths he had bee awarded the Bar , had o several nb ninm c n nd w occasio s ee te porary omma d of the Brigade , a ould n n n n, without doubt , have very soo bee give a Brigade , whe on 3oth A 1 91 7 h the ugust , , he was shot through the ead , w hile engaged inthe very characteristic w ork of personally loca ting annm - in n n e e y dug out preparatio for pla s for a raid . Unassum ininm nn n b a nd n g a er , u spoilt y success , guided guidi g always n m m nc n by the highest pri ciples , he had at the co e em e t of his com m and difficulties inev itable ina new Battalionofficered m en m m m nnn by , so e of who were pro i e t i other spheres of life a nd ncc m m n u a usto ed to ilitary discipli e , but by sheer force of character he w onthe esteem a nd affectionof the whole na nd w m n Battalio , it was ith the ost profou d sorrow that he in n H i was laid to rest the garde of the osp ce at Locre . M n n n and i or operatio s at Klei Zillebeke , w hat was generally considered to be the worst week ever experienced b t h e nin n nG h eluv eld t n y Battalio tre ches faci g , duri g which w 4 c a nd 1 56 n the casualties ere offi ers other ra ks , occupied S m b and in epte er , early O ctober the com m and of the Battalion

m M S - n was assu ed by ajor trode Jackso , from the 1 3th

— Rifl e Brigade . The w inter of 1 91 7 1 8 was spent intrenches a nd n new early i the n year a very nsuccessful raid was carried , i in n out though at co siderable cost casualties , the Klei

’ 1 0 6 T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

For conspicuous gallantry onthis occasionCaptainS agar w a s awarded the Distinguished S ervic e O rder . ’ I nthe early days of O ctober the Canal de L E sca ut was crossed without serious opp ositiona nd the advance continued n — n n and on u checked to the Beaurevoir Mas ieres Li e , the st h O ctober the Battalionagainw ent forward under h eavy n c m n nc fire . Proof of the battle se se , w hich o es o ly by experie e , was evidenced by the quick appreciationof changes inplans m m n ni m n and on m ade to eet u foresee c rcu sta ces , this day ore A nc end than300 prisoners were taken. further adva e at the of O ctober provided yet another scalp inthe shape of the vill age w a s n of S alesches , but although there little actual fighti g , losses

- were still num erous from artillery a nd m achine gunfire . A n m n on n ctually the last e gage e t was the attack Louvig ies , a nd the Battalionwas onthe m arch back to Caudry to rest whennews of the A rm istice reached them . T h e 1 not x n c n 3th did , perhaps , e perie ce su h hard fighti g m n m n onno n as so e other Battalio s of the Regi e t , but si gle occasiondid they fail to gaintheir obj ective or lose any ground and they did not them selves regain. Their losses were heavy only three officers a nd a handful of m enserved c ontinuously nninE nanand in n throughout the trai i g gl d active service Fra ce ,

- n - M n . but the spirit i culcated by Lieut Colo el Chester aster, m m n m n hi self i bued with the traditio s of the Regi e t , was kept and es ri t dc c r s m an alive , the p o p which was so ifest throughout the W a r is m aintained by a reuniondinner held inLondonin

A pril each year .

1 6 B A T T A L th IO N .

’ (Church Lads Brigade . )

O N 1 6 N m 1 9 1 5 n m m n the th ove ber , , the Battalio , co a ded by

- n . E . W Lieut . Colo el C ylde , late Coldstream Guards , sailed m S a nand nnn fro outh mpto at the begi i g of the N ew Y ear , after nn nin n a few weeks of trai i g , took up a positio the Give chy I n a d sector . July it took part nsuffered severe losses inthe attack uponH igh W ood . For their gall antry inthis operation no less thanelevenMil itary Medals were awarded to and m en. Colonel W ylde w a s am ong the wounded and Major

. A . H fl O O ld A C oward , a Ri e fficer of the rm y , shortly after m nof wards took co ma d the Battalion. I nA in no n m ugust it took part the operatio s the S om e , and onthe 2 ath was present at the successful attack onthe

GermanT trench . For the second tim e elevenMilitary Medals were awarded . Many com plim enta ry m essages were received m m fro higher ilitary authority . O nthe 5th N ovem ber the Battalionw a s engaged inan on n B a aufs nd H z attack a large scale upo Les a a y trench . The attack inwhich the British 3rd and the French 5th A rm ies A E H S O Y O F BRI F I T R T H E RE GIME N T . 1 0 7

cc - operated was successful . The casualties of the 1 6th Batta lion am un t o 1 o ted 63 . n 1 a 91 7 f nM E . n M W .C . in m m n J uary ou d ajor e ham , , co a d ,

- e n A . but na fnew we ks later he was relieved by Lieut . Colo el V . Joh so , of the Royal F usiliers . O nthe 2oth May inanattack uponth e H indenburg line n l c the Battalio was partia ly su cessful , but at the cost of 2 1 8 u e ren 8 nd 2 60 cas alties , which r duced its st gth to officers a other ranks . D nS n nm uri g eptember the Battalio , which had bee oved n Y n n n . back to the eighbourhood of pres , was co sta tly e gaged r Thei casualties were 2 1 6 . W ith regard to these operations 33rd D n n 1 00th nnr the ivisio , which i cluded the I fa t y Brigade , w n ned l to hich the Battalio belo g , was se ected for special praise S ir H m nn 2 m m nd A . by erbert Plu er , co a di g the rmy A t the beginning of 1 91 8 the Battalionwas still posted in n Y the eighbourhood of pres . I nA pril the Germ ans m ade n c n c o n 1 sth a their gra d atta k upo this se t r . O the desper te i n n f ghti g took place inthe eighbourhood of N euve E glise . T h e nin n n t rt Battalio , additio to bei g subjec to the a illery fire of i n d an m n nm . fr e d foe , became al ost surrou ded by the e e y They w ere unable to withstand the w eight of the attack and the

n in n r n. Battalio retired , still disput g every i ch of the g ou d A and n lthough losses were severe large umbers were cut off, m e 1 0th the re ainder of the Battalionrem ained intact . T h 0 Brigade received the praise due to it as a unit of the 9th A m n e n n r y Corps , whose li e of battl , although be t , was ever broken.

A fte r the 1 7th the att ack died away . The casualties suffered by the Battalionduring those days amounted to 24 officers and 2 n n 53 of other ranks . For services re dered duri g this M D M n2 ses .C . and 1 5 M r operatio ilitary Cros , the edal ilita y Me dals were awarded .

- n n 2md Ma . n . . O the y Lieut Colo el B J Curli g , m n nn n took com mand . A certaina ou t of trai i g took place duri g n n nw a s not u in n the i tervals whe the Battalio req ired the fnront I m . O ne m line . nJune a re arkable episode took place or i g

- n m m n a little before dawnLance Corpl . S earstonoticed a ove e t in n n nand n m en the grass i fro t of the positio , taki g a few , his m n e curiosity was rewarded by the capture of a Ger a , offic r O n n n d creeping along th e ground . bei g questio ed he refuse n nm nand to l n to give a y i for atio , c i ch the matter added , " I threw away m y papers whenI was surrounded . This and an r little boast h ad its due reward . S earston office set out without waiting for nightfall and found the missing docu m n nn n m n rtan. . e ts , which co tai ed i for atio of high impo ce Corpl

- n and S earstonreceived the congratulationof a Brig . Ge eral M was rewarded withnthe Milnitary edal . n n I nA ugust Colo el Curli g , who had bee appoi ted to the ’ 1 0 8 T H E KI N G S RO Y A L RIFLE CO RPS .

- m m n c b . n co a d of the Brigade , was suc eeded y Lieut Colo el

. H . N . m u C S ey our , s e . By this tim e the final adv anc e of the A llied A rm ies w a s nn 2 3rd — 24t h infull sw ing . A night attack by the Battalio o the S m b m n n w m of epte er , although a i or operatio , sho ed the ettle

nd . . S . h S . O . 2 of the Battalionand gained t e D . for Lieut G H nw h o c n l n b n oga , , after o spicuous gal a try , had ee left as dead M and onthe field . For this actionfour ilitary Crosses O 1 4 Military Medals were inadditionawarded . ther heavy n w nm l on n fighti g follo ed , for the e e y sti l held obsti ately to its ground . The Battaliontook a distinguished part inthe Battle of in h R ifl em annm the S elle , the course of whic a a ed Locket w a s i w perform ed a splendid feat of arm s . The obj ective a ra l ay nin n n m nm n. e ba k e t Locket , fi d g the leadi g platoo s of his m n b n n h a nd n Co pa y held up y wire , crawled u der eat it dashi g up the em bankm ent actually succeeded single - handed inca pt ur ing three m achine guns a nd five prisoners The em bankm ent n b m n c h was the captured y the Co pa y , despite the fa t t at it not no m inn. O n w had officners re a i g ther u nits ere , however , equally fortu ate , but the words spoke a few days afterwards by the Divisional General w heninspecting the Battalionwere worth record Y ou were the only Battalioninthe Corps to c nand rea h your objectives . You storm ed im possible positio s n m and h no ow nw n gai ed the , t rough fault of your ere drive w back . The attack w hich the Battalionm ade that day ill com e to be regarded as one of the finest achievem ents of a " splendid Regim ent . It should be recorded that at Divine few n3 n S ervice a days later , out of a Battalio 00 stro g upwards 2 of 00 were Com m unicants . The Battaliongained further distinctiononz2ud to 2 6th O in c w ctober a hot a tionat E nglefontaine . H ostilities ere ended by the A rm istice and the Battalionwas close to the n ’ Belgia frontier . The Church Lads Brigade had ach ieved a m agnificent success . 1 7th B A A L TT IO N .

O N 7t h M 1 91 6 1 7 n m w e the arch , , the th Battalio , for ed as have n E m m b nc see by the British pire League , e arked for Fra e with n 34 a nd 995 e n n m m n a stre gth of officers oth r ra ks , u der co a d

- . n E . . W a n m n of Lieut Colo el F ard , old Rifle a of the Regular

A m . m nin 1 l 7t h m m n r y It for ed a u it the Brigade , co a ded by

- n . H n and 39th D nn M Brig Ge eral P olla d , of the ivisio , u der ajor

n N . W . B a r Ge eral m a dist on. The Divisionwas attached to

3rd A m a nd m l st A co m the r y Corps for ed part of the rm y , m and ed n S ir M by Ge eral Charles onro . nw a s nn The Battalio soo u der fire . A t Beaum ont H am el on 2nd S m m n I n the epte ber it showed its ettle sple didly . nno n n this actio less tha eleve officers lost their lives . The n nn n 2 1 c and 635 n Battalio we t i to actio with offi ers other ra ks .

’ 1 1 0 T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

I nN ovem ber the Battalionw a s transferred to the Ita lian n n n m m fro t , where the situatio was fou d to be very uch ore n e m n quiet tha it had beeninFlanders . T h re ai der of the E in n year was spent peacefully onthe Piave . arly Ja uary 1 91 8 n n m m n n nn the Battalio , still u der co a d of Colo el Pe ell , A t m n n returned to France . the great Ger a offe sive of that m onth Colonel Pennell was wounded and com m and assum ed n and by Major Bristow e . Desperate fighti g took place , by m id - on 26th n n 900 n day the the Battalio , rece tly stro g , was D form ed to a single Com pany of 60 m en. esp ite such heavy

n n n n. losses its li e , however , had ever bee broke I nA pril the rem nant was sent up to the Y pres area and

- nnn S ir c m m . A t Lieut . Colonel JohnLees took o and the begi i g of May the Battalionhad actually beenrecuperated to a strength T h e n of 40 officers and over 1 000 other ranks . Battalio took in A m n its part the autum nadvance . T h e r istice fou d the a n N Batt lio inthe ukerke area .

h B L 20t A T T A I O N .

(British E m pire League Pioneers . )

H I S n n n 2 8 a nd 984 n T Battalio , co sisti g of officers other ra ks ,

- nc n m m n . nE . M m u der co a d of Lieut Colo el urray , e barked for Fra e at the end of March and w a s quartered inthe Poperinghe area .

- n I n1 91 7 the Battalionnow com m anded by Lieut . Colo el

. w a s n h E . nn B Inglis at Courcelles doing R . work inco ju ctio wit 56t h m n n m the Field Co pany . The Battalio was freque tly oved m one h b n about fro sector to anot er . Its la ours duri g this and the following year were uninterrupted a nd of the highest A t A value . the rm istice it w a s one of the units selected for th e A m O nn m an r y of ccupatio i Ger y .

2 1 8 B A A L 1: TT IO N . Tins Battalionw a s raised from the northerncounties under Y m n n n th e E the title of the eo e Rifles , u der the com m a d of arl

F ev ersh am . O n 4th Ma 1 91 6 w n n of n nthe y , , it e t over to Fra ce , where it soo attai ed a high reputationfor fighting .

' O n 1 5t h S m ina n n n nthe epte ber attack upo the e em y s n n . D positio east ofnFleresnit carried three li es of tre ches espite C . O . heavy losses , i cludi g that of its , it held the captured ground until relieved . O nthe 7t h O ctober ina further attack t h e w Y m n w c n losses ere so heavy that the eo e , of hom it o sisted , ceased to exist . The Battalionwas thencom pleted by drafts m ostly of Londonm en.

I n1 91 7 l n c n it had a good dea of fighti g , parti ularly duri g A n c n ugust , whe its asualties amou ted to 3 00 . O nt h e 2oth S m n n n . v n epte ber the Battalio , u der Colo el T Jar is , took part i " nin nc the capture of the grou d adva e of S hrew sbury Forest . I t s a m n c sualties a ou ted to 2 94 . I nthe m iddle of N ovem ber a n the Batt lio proceeded to Italy with the 4 1 st Divisiona nd w a s billeted at Volpago . A E 1 1 1 BRI F H IS TO RY O F T H E RE GIME N T .

E inM 1 91 8 n n n arly arch the Battalio retur ed to Fra ce , e in n new n n wh ren, accorda ce with the orga isatio , it was disba ded .

R E S E R E A T T S V B A L IO N .

BE F O R E the W ar these c omprised only the st h a nd 6t h

ns - m m n c . n . r n Battalio , co a ded resp e tively by Lieut Colo el R By o

- a n . d n H n. . n . I n l 1 91 5 nLieut Colo el the o R Brow low Ju y a S t . A . T h Colo el Byronw s relieved by Colonel G . ubyn e a n Batt lio s w ere quartered at S heerness . Rec ruits poured in ingreat num bers a nd the Battalions each b ec am e about 2 50 0 s n. u l r n n tro g The recruits were f l of spi it , a xious to lear ; r c n D thei edu atio therefore becam e com paratively easy . uring the W a r the st h and 6th Battalions supplied drafts of about m en to the four Regular Batta lions . O ut 1 6 new n n m of the Battalio s , the followi g for ed the reserve

1 4t h 1 5 1 9t h 2 2n 2 r a n24t h . , th , , d , 3 d d O f 1 4 a nno nca n n the th Batt lio accou t be give , for the 0 0 . did not think fit to com ply w i th the requests from a H eadquarters of naccount of his proceedings . During its exist ence as a separate unit of the Regim ent the 1 5th Battalionfurnished draft s for the Battaliononactive service t o the num ber of 1 843 other ranks inadditionto a very I 6 1 t h a 1 st h large num ber of offic ers . nS eptem ber 1 91 the 4 nd Battalions w ere tak enout of the Regim ent a nd form ed into

- units of the new ly organised General T raining Reserve . The 1 9th Reserve Battalionw a s form ed inO ctober 1 9 1 5 by the am algam ationof the reserve Com panies of t h e 1 6t h

- a . n nd 1 7t h Battalions . Lieut Colonel E . K . Pur ell was appointed to the com m and of the Battalionwhich w a s quartered at A ndover . I n 1 9 1 6 nnow m n M February the Battalio , com a ded by aj or Ma n . . nb . I n R G Keyw orth , was m oved to Ba ury y the Battalio , w hich had becom e intensely popular at Banbury left that town nm for huts at W im bledon. The people of Wim bledo ade fools of them selves by com plaining of the Battalionband a nd of t h e A ir w m m endrill ing near the golf course . raids ere of al ost n a nd m n w eekly o ccurre ce , it is to be hoped that the Ger a s w ere clever enough to drop th eir bom bs onthe heads a nd houses of the com plainers . I nthe m onth of A ug ust the Battalionw a s form ed into the l o9t h Training Reserve Battalion. The 22md Battalionw a s raised by the British E m pire League n nin n 1 91 6 a nd w a s c as a Pio eer Battalio the spri g of , re ruited largely fr om m enfrom Londonm ercantile houses . nn W nb a nd Its early trai i g was carried out at elli g orough , inMa y the Battalionm oved to Wim bledona nd became the m enw h o in 1 1 0t h Training Reserve . Most of the were the

2 2nd took part inthe First Battle of t h e. S om m e . ’ 1 1 2 T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

The 23rd was form ed during t h e last days of 1 9 1 5 a nd com

- - - S nin m m n n . A . H a nde d . m by Lieut Colo el J ope, the eco d Co a d a n n M S ir H b . bei g ajor er ert Raphael , Bart , who , although n v in in elderly m a , had ser ed the field as a private soldier a S ir H ber n Battalionof the Royal Fusiliers . er t did great thi gs 2 r na nd m n n for the 3 d Battalio , a o g others le t it a whole set of band instrum ents . I n1 91 6 t h e Battalionw onnot only the Brigade Football

Cup but also the greatest num ber of priz es at the Brigade S ports . It furnished drafts to the Battalions ov erseas to the num ber O l st S m of 4 1 officers a nd 1 075 other ranks . nthe epte ber it was transform ed into the 1 1 1 t h T raining Reserve Battalion. The 24t h Reserv e Battalionw a s form ed from the reserve

- I b . of t h e 2 l st a nd c om m anded by Lieut . Colonel L . P . r y It n 350 m en despatched oversea s drafts to the am ou t of about , but inA ugust it w a s takenout of our Regim ent a nd form ed into a Training Reserve Battalion.

DE E DS O F VA LO U R .

T H E deeds of valour perform ed inthe Regim ent during the W a not r nm m nn. w are far too u erous to e tio It is , ho ever , out of place to enum erate a few which may serve as exam ples

- ot n i of gallantry and self sacrifice . They are n ecessar ly the n m and n lm fi est exa ples , i deed are regarded a ost as everyday c nc n oc urre es , but they serve as a slight illustratio of the spirit shownby all ranks and by all Battalions— Regular or S ervice n W r n m m m n duri g the Great a . Be it i deed re e bered that of a y c n n heroic a tio s no e survived to tell the tale .

. . H . S . D m m 2nd n h is m n Lieut J i er , Battalio , served achi e un n Y n 1 2th N m g duri g the First Battle of pres o the ove ber , 1 91 4 n i n b n im s , at Klei Z llebeke u til he had ee shot five t e c n w — c nn thri e by shrap el , t ice by bullets yet o ti ued at his n un post u til his g was destroyed . n n b n The British fro t was bei g attacked y the Prussia Guards , ’ whose shell - fire quickly put out of actionthree of Dim m er s M m H e w a s axi guns . hit inthe face by shrapnel a nd nearly n m n fai ted but was revived by a drop of brandy . The Ger a infantry advanced until they were only sixty yards aw ay ; thenthe shell - fire killed the only three private Riflem enw ith

h im . W ith desperate courage Dim m er em ptied three belts ,

300 . n n n m m . each of cartridges The the gu , bei g overheated , ja ed ’ D m m n a d i er s stre gth was exhausted nhe fell downsenseless . O nbeing revived by som e soldiers he found the Germ ans had f led with heavy losses .

. D m m iv V . C . Lieut i er rece ed the , which he so well deserved . f end W a r n m m n Be ore the nof nthe he was killed while i co a d of a Battalio of a other Regiment .

’ 1 1 4 T H E KIN G S RO YA L RIFLE CO RPS .

O n l oth M 1 91 5 n m a nd the arch , , Captai Bircha picked up b m m n threw back a live o b , which afterwards burst a o g the

Germ ans .

The foll owing Brigade O rder w a s published by Major- General i H non 2 4th A 1 91 5 S r S teuart are , of our Regime t , the pril , , to n m m n b the 86th Fusilier Brigade , u der his co a d , which was a out to land at the Dardanelles F usiliers 1 O ur Brigade is to have the honour of being the first to land a nd to cover the disem barkationof the rest of the Division. in O ur task will be no easy one . Let us carry it through a way worthy of the traditions of the distinguished Regim ents of which the Fusilier Brigade is c om posed insu ch a w ay that m en A u a nd Minn D l and n m a the of lb era de , of e hi Luck ow , y n and m m n hail us as their equals i valour ilitary achieve e t , nd nm a N F u a future historia s y say of us , as apier said of the silier A b N n c n n Brigade at l uera , othi g ould stop this asto ishi g ’ Infantry . It would be difficult to find the parallel of such a m agnificent n n and es ri t de cor s t h e appeal to the ho our , galla try , p p of m n Regi e ts concerned . General H are was him self dangerously wounded at the very outset but recovered and had m any opportunities during th e rem ainder of the W a r of adding lustre to the British A rm y in n d ge eral anto our ow nRegim ent inparticular .

n Am n V C a s . . . o g other recipie ts of the . . w CaptainJ F B

4t h n. W a r h e Butler , of the Battalio S hortly before the had c m c t h e W A c n n w w h be o e atta hed to est fri a Fro tier Force , ith ich in m nW A he served the Ka eru s , est frica . O n 1 7 N m 1 91 4 n w a s n the th ove ber , , Captai Butler scouti g inthe Kam erunMountains w ith a patrol of 1 3 m enwhenhe n m on n fou d hi self the outskirts of the tow of Buea , where the m an nm n n Ger Gover e t buildi gs are situated . Being thus ina ’ n n w a s b n m n hor ets est , Butler a out to retire whe a Ger a patrol 1 00 n n n E n m n and of stro g , i cludi g several uropea s , ca e alo g , ina spirit of pure bluff the Captaincalled out to the Germ an n A t patrol to surre der . the sam e tim e he loudly told the S n n in n ergea t of his patrol , a egro , to br g up the Regim e t at once . The S ergeant cleverly grasped the situationand w ent

. m an m m n n n off The nGer Co a der , bei g told that he was bei g i . H is nm attacked great force , capitulated soldiers the arched f and n orward laid dow their arms . Whentoo late they dis m annan n covered , uch to their oy ce , that they had bee captured by a dozenm en A E H S O O F H BRI F I T RY T E RE GIME N T .

O nth e 27th D c m b ‘ n a e e er two gu s , escorted by a sm ll force un n c n der a ative offi er , had bee posted at the further side of

w S n . A a the ide a aga River suddennd heavy fire broke out . It w a s obvious that the natives were being attacked inforce a nd w a s N the loss of the guns feared . o boats were at hand . m m n l The British Co a der ca led for a volunteer to save the guns . CaptainButler at once took off his uniform and plunged into m n h im nd on m n the river , but the Ger a s had espied a co i g to t h e c d surfa e riddled the w ater w ith bullets . Butler dived an w m W n w in . n s a u der ater a zigzag he , however , obliged to c m N o e to the surface the Germ ans fired volleys at h im . ever t h eless r n n he safely reached the fu ther ba k , just i time to save T h e m unw n n the situation. uzzles of the g s ere tur ed upo

m an - fl ank ed m a nd nm the Ger s , who had out the , the e e y retreated with considerable loss .

O n 1 9t h S 1 9 1 4 m n . a n the eptem b er , , Rifle e T Baker d

. . . . n a n P Bullock rec eived the D C M for co spicnuous g lla try at S oupier Ridg e , where, despite their bei g exposed to ’ - n n m n nm shell fire, they gai ed valuable i for atio as to the e e y s 27t h N b w nb position. O nthe ovem er they ere agai rought n c a n n n nnb in m to oti e for g lla t co duct ear Zo e eke, several ti es

- - conveying messages under very heavy m achine guna nd shell fire . n nt h e l ot h M 1 9 1 5 S . . nna d O arch , , ergts J Robi so

- McC le a n n . . H . a n . nn W . Crookes, La ce Corpls L Reeve d C ,

M a n . H t h e l st nn . E . i n . d R flem e R W ilki so , C iles B yles , of n n a nd n c D . C . M . Battalio , re eived the for co spicuous galla try c an n n resour e d devotio to duty at Give chy , where they captured

2 . . a trench from the enemy and held it from a . m . until p m n n n f The rem ai der of the party, i cludi g two of icers, were either killed or wounded .

n 3ot h n 1 9 1 5 n . E . McG uire O the Ja uary , , at Cui chy , Corpl

n n a nd . received the D . C . M. for co spicuous galla try ability With grea t ingenuity he occupied a positionwhich dom inated

n - a nd c c a Germ a dug out , by the a curacy of his fire for ed the nw n n , occupiers i to the ope here , as previousnly arra ged they n . i cam e under t h e fire of our m ai body Later the day, although n w nn na nd slightly wou ded, he e t i to the ope killed four of the

- enem y inanother dug out .

- n anR ifl em anD . S 3rd Lance S ergt . H . Thor es d hee, of the n l n n D . C . M . Battalio , received the for co spicuous gal a try at n m n n1 5 b 1 91 5 , , S t . E loi o th Fe ruary , , whe ahead of their Co pa y ’ they rushed forw ard into the enem y s trenches with the result that the Germ ans threw downtheir arm s . ’ 1 1 6 T H E KIN G S RO Y A L RI FLE CO RPS .

- - nn a nS . . H . S C . S . M . G . E . Clay d ergt T pa to were equally rew arded for their gallantry inbringing inw ounded m enunder fire by daylight a nd for setting a fine exam ple to their m en.

- D ll D . C . M . o n . . Mc w Lance Corpl T . P o e also received the nh im n 8t h Ma 1 9 1 5 . S n the y , eei g a party of a ot er Reg e t retreat inin d n- nnn t h e n g disor er , this La ce Corporal , ru i g across ope n t h e r for som e 700 yards u der very heavy fire , rallied pa ty McDow ell n a nd brought them into actionagain. subseq ue tly received a com m issioninour 6t h Battalion.

A . O . M . a lso w m n W er The D . was a arded to Rifle a at house n n on 9th Ma 1 91 5 B ellew a a rde for co spicuous galla try the y , , at en nn Lak e . H e carried t w o wounded m across the ope u der a n n b n n heavy fire to a place of safety , d havi g o tai ed assista ce brought intwo others wounded .

S . n nn a n n Lieut . J . Poole, re dered i se sible by explosio of inMa 1 91 5 c n n n e a bom b y , recovered o scious ess to fi d hims lf H n inthe m idst of the enem y . e was take before the Germ an n a nd on u n n A rm y Corps Comm a der, his ref sal to give i formatio was inform ed that he would be shot forthw ith . Being placed n r w a s n a n n agai st a wall for the pu pose he agai asked , d agai

n m n. f r l refused, i for atio The ri les of the fi e squad had actual y beenbrought to the present w hena Germ anofficer st opped the execution. Poole w a s ta keninto Germ any as a prisoner and indue course effected his escape .

I nw r n 1 st non 7t h n iti g to the of the Battalio the Ja uary, 1 9 1 6 n w H n k , Ge eral (after ards Lord) or e rem ar ed, I write nk o u a nd n n n to tha y n all ra ks of your fi e Battalio for the good w ork done . O e expects a good deal from the 6 ot h a nd I have I f a not beendisappointed . ny troops could have succ eeded at Giv enchy onMarch l oth your great effort w oul d have done A t o n 1 t so . Richebourg the 8 h the successful night attack was largely due to the careful preparations of Maj or S hakerley " n a n and to your steadi ess d tenacity .

2n S . S . m d n n ergt Ru sey, of the Battalio , attacked a Germ a

en n. H tr ch with grneat dashnat the head of his platoo e cut all wires leadi g dow Germ anmine shafts . Thensingle

n n n - ha ded he successively e tered four Germ a dug outs , took 6 n a nd 4 n . priso ers killed who refused to surre der S ergt .

Rum sey was rewarded with a D .C .M.

1 1 8 H E ’ T KIN G S RO Y A L RI FLE CO RPS .

O n 7t h N b 1 9 1 7 - el- S h e ira in n the ovem er, , at Tel , Palesti e,

- . n A . D . r n nb Lieut Colo el Bo to , form erly of our Regim e t ut m m n m m nn n nn n at the o e t co a di g a Battalio of the Lo do Regim e t ,

c V . C . la n n na n re eived a for various gal t deeds , i cludi g exploit n 1 0 n n n of leadi g a party of volu teenrs agai st a field battery i actionat point blank range . Colo el Bortona nd his volunteers

captured 5 guns a nd their detachm ents .

D n N E A i 1 2 1 7 uri g the Battle of euve glise , pr l th to th , the casualties of the l 6th Battalionam ounted to 24 officers and

n. nc 2 1 544 D . C . M other ra ks The rewards i luded .

and 1 5 Military Medals .

- W l 6th nw a s n . n La ce Corpl estbrook , of the Battalio , take prisoner and confined ina cellar at N euve E glise with som e n m n m en. n n wou ded Bei g , however , u willi g to sub it to his n n m m n c . H fate , he searched for ea s of es ape avi g fou d a broo nd kn w n n m a a silver bugle , he ocked do the se try with the for er and with the latter called uponall British wounded who could A walk to follow h im . lthough onreaching the street fighting

l n on n m n- un was sti l bei g carried u der heavy achi e g fire ,

W estbrook succeeded inbringing back his party to our lines . n n n and The bugle , a mag ifice t trophy of such cool ess courage , ’ is now deposited inthe H eadquarters of the Church Lads Brigade

inLondon.

O n 1 2 O 1 91 8 n the th ctober , , duri g the Battle of the River S R ifl em an l 6th nndin n elle , Locket , of the Battalio , fi g the leadi g platoons of D Com pany w ere held up by wire a nd m achine

un d un n and n - n g s , crawle der eath the wire si gle ha ded rushed H e t h e railway em bankm ent . captured 3 m achine guns and 5 n n m n priso ers , havi g killed the re ai der of the teams .

O S RE TR PE CT .

W I T H the exceptionof the l st and 2md Battalions of the m n nin O ld A m n n Regi e t belo g g to the r y , all the u its whose doi gs have beendescribed inthe preceding ch apters have beend is I t a banded . is hoped nd intended that one day the whole history of the Regim ent and its perform ances during the Great W a r c n in will be hro icled full detail as it deserves . But even the curt and brief descriptiongiveninthe foregoing chapters m in n will give so e idea , however fa t , of the way i which the n and Battalio s fought died for their country . That the four

Battalions of which the Regim ent inpre - war days consisted 1 1 9 A BRIE F H IS T O RY O F T H E RE GIME N T . should have m aintained its old reputationis no m atter of sur prise but very rem arkable is the way inwhich the newly - raised n on t m nand Battalio s caught the sys e , the traditio s , the spirit nand n of the old Regime t , duri g their brief but terribly lurid period of existence worthily m aintained the traditional esp rit or s n S i de c p of their se iors of the erv ce . W ar n d w n n had hardly bee declare he recruits , looki g for r fl d n and n an a Rifle Co ps , ocke by thousa ds te s of thous ds to the Rifl e Depot and to every centre at w hich new Battalions no n n . n n n were bei g formed I cludi g Reserve , less tha twe ty new n s d three Battalio s were rai e , four of which were however o r n n e n . N tra sferr d bodily to other u its did the recruiti g cease , for as tim e went onthe Reserve Battalions w ere alw ays full a nd ready to fum ish the enorm ous draft s required to fill up the vacancies inthe Battalions onactive service . This eagerness to joinour Regiment was the result of no S pasm odic effort but of th e preparationfor such a crisis that for years past had m n c nm d . bee a e The Regi e t was popular be ause , although n knn r knn discipli e was ow to be st ict , it was also ow that every m anwould be well cared for and receive justice . N ot less important was the fact that the general knowledge of our share ’ inthe R iflem ens A id A ssociationwhich had beeninaugurated ’ W ar na nd V nA n thirty years before the bega , the etera s ssociatio n w m n n m et r u der hich old Rifle e of all ra ks together eve y year , now brought inabundant fm it . T h e Regimental system inaugurated and developed by great com m anding officers since the Regim ent w a s first raised m agnificently stood the strainim posed by the W ar . T h e l st and zu d Battalions were againand againdestroyed . Yet n l ft m E nan m as soo as fi led up by dra s fro gl d , te pered by a nc in n little experie e of war, their old dividuality sho e as brightly as ever . O ne a t r m nn other fe ure dese ves a word of e tio which , no m n nn m n although by ea s exclusively co fi ed to our Regi e t , O was at all events frequently exem plified therein. ver and over againwhenoffice rs were struck down taking m nw and n n their place s , exercised com a d ith capacity disti ctio , and onthose occa sions inwhich as well as officers were no n n r R ifl em en m in n lo ger to be fou d , p ivate co g to the fro t carried onthe operations with intelligence and success . T h e test of a good Rifle Regim ent is one inwhich other ranks a s a fi s collect ive body cheerfully follow the orders of their of cer , while its m em bers have the individualism needed to appreciate nin n a nd a n the object designed by the operatio ha d , re di ess if demanded by exceptiona l circum sta nces to assum e the responsi bility required for its success .