Ypres : Yser canal in November 1914
On August 4, 1914, Germany invaded Belgium. Britain declared war on Germany in the evening of the same day, having failed to secure a German undertaking to respect Belgium neutrality. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was rapidly mobilised, and General Sir John French was appointed as overall commander. By continental standards, the BEF was a very small force, an army of five Divisions, some 100,000 men. An extremely efficient national railway system transported the troops to the channel ports, from where they sailed to Le Havre. From this town, the BEF was taken by train to the environs of Amiens, and deployed by hoof and foot towards Mauberge and the Belgium border.
The soldiers of General Horrace Dorian Smith, the commander of II Corps on the left wing of the BEF, clashed with the Germans at Mons on August 22. However the French 5th army on the right flank of the BEF was retiring before the enemy, and unless the British too retreated, they risked envelopment by the vastly numerically superior German armies. On August 24, the retreat of the BEF began; in an unforgettable 10 days, the men of the BEF rode or walked the 200 miles southwards to the river Marne, with the Germans snapping at their heels.
The men were exhausted, the weather was very hot, the cobbled roads of France did not help with many soldiers suffering from sore and blistered feet. Long marches, a shortage of food and water and very little sleep were taking their inevitable toll
Many of the Bedwyn soldiers who died in 1914 were older than their later comrades. These men, who first marched to the drumbeat of war, were regular soldiers and reservists, not young recruits.
The soldiers of General Horrace Dorian Smith, the commander of II Corps on the left wing of the BEF, clashed with the Germans at Mons on August 22. However the French 5th army on the right flank of the BEF was retiring before the enemy, and unless the British too retreated, they risked envelopment by the vastly numerically superior German armies. On August 24, the retreat of the BEF began; in an unforgettable 10 days, the men of the BEF rode or walked the 200 miles southwards to the river Marne, with the Germans snapping at their heels.
The men were exhausted, the weather was very hot, the cobbled roads of France did not help with many soldiers suffering from sore and blistered feet. Long marches, a shortage of food and water and very little sleep were taking their inevitable toll
Many of the Bedwyn soldiers who died in 1914 were older than their later comrades. These men, who first marched to the drumbeat of war, were regular soldiers and reservists, not young recruits.
The Retreat from Mons
The 1st battalion, the Berkshire Regiment, was part of I Corps, which was commanded by General Sir Douglas Haig. The battalion saw little or no action at Mons. It marched there, and it marched back again. During the first two days of the retreat to the river Marne, I Corps passed the city of Mauberge and the eastern flank of the forest of Mormal. On the evening of August 25, troops of the 1st battalion were billeted for the night in the town of Maroilles.
Great Bedwyn - Private Hoare, August 26, 1914.
William John Richard Hoare was born in Great Bedwyn, and he was the son of William John and Kate Hoare from 44 High Street. His father was a postman. His sister, Beatrice Mary, was born in 1901.
He enlisted with the the Royal Berkshire regiment, and served in the 1st battalion. He was a regular soldier, and his army number was 9808. The Royal Berkshire regiment was a popular regiment of choice in Bedwyn. Thirteen men of Bedwyn died in service of one or other of the regiment's battalions during the war. The regiment was second in popularity to the Wiltshire regiment, in whose ranks 51 men of Bedwyn died.
The Retreat from Mons led the battalion to Longville near Bavay, north of the forest of Mormal, on Monday 24th August. On Tuesday at 03.00, the battalion learned that it was to be the Brigade rearguard, in effect the rearguard for I Corps. On this day, the battalion arrived in Maroilles after a 14 mile march. The road to Maroilles as described by Lieutenant Alan Sparrow, the battalion transport officer, reveals that the battalion went around the forest:
The country is open, hedgeless. The view extends far to right and left, but, wide as it is, wherever you look you can see waggons, carts, and pedestrians making for the road you are on. The whole countryside is emptying itself on to it. The little groups you behold are rivulets hastening to join the main stream on the road, which soon becomes a spate of refugees, pouring along like a Highland torrent
The companies of the battalion, having crossed over the river Sambre north of the town, began to arrive in Maroilles at 18.00, and the men optimistically entertained hopes of good billets and food. However, the town were congested with refugees as well as military wagons, motor lorries and ambulances. Panic was in the air, and numerous false alarms caused pandemonium.
The 1st battalion, the Berkshire Regiment, was part of I Corps, which was commanded by General Sir Douglas Haig. The battalion saw little or no action at Mons. It marched there, and it marched back again. During the first two days of the retreat to the river Marne, I Corps passed the city of Mauberge and the eastern flank of the forest of Mormal. On the evening of August 25, troops of the 1st battalion were billeted for the night in the town of Maroilles.
Great Bedwyn - Private Hoare, August 26, 1914.
William John Richard Hoare was born in Great Bedwyn, and he was the son of William John and Kate Hoare from 44 High Street. His father was a postman. His sister, Beatrice Mary, was born in 1901.
He enlisted with the the Royal Berkshire regiment, and served in the 1st battalion. He was a regular soldier, and his army number was 9808. The Royal Berkshire regiment was a popular regiment of choice in Bedwyn. Thirteen men of Bedwyn died in service of one or other of the regiment's battalions during the war. The regiment was second in popularity to the Wiltshire regiment, in whose ranks 51 men of Bedwyn died.
The Retreat from Mons led the battalion to Longville near Bavay, north of the forest of Mormal, on Monday 24th August. On Tuesday at 03.00, the battalion learned that it was to be the Brigade rearguard, in effect the rearguard for I Corps. On this day, the battalion arrived in Maroilles after a 14 mile march. The road to Maroilles as described by Lieutenant Alan Sparrow, the battalion transport officer, reveals that the battalion went around the forest:
The country is open, hedgeless. The view extends far to right and left, but, wide as it is, wherever you look you can see waggons, carts, and pedestrians making for the road you are on. The whole countryside is emptying itself on to it. The little groups you behold are rivulets hastening to join the main stream on the road, which soon becomes a spate of refugees, pouring along like a Highland torrent
The companies of the battalion, having crossed over the river Sambre north of the town, began to arrive in Maroilles at 18.00, and the men optimistically entertained hopes of good billets and food. However, the town were congested with refugees as well as military wagons, motor lorries and ambulances. Panic was in the air, and numerous false alarms caused pandemonium.
The road bridge over the river Sambre, the pont d’Hachette, was approached from the south by a raised causeway over marshy ground, from the Rue des Juifs. The bridge was guarded by B Squadron of the 15th Hussars. When the Hussars were attacked by elements of the German 48th Infantry Regiment, B company was sent to support the cavalry at 20.00. However as they approached the Rue des Juifs, it was learned that the bridge was already in German hands, and that the Hussars had retired. There were several casualties in B company, and it was unable to recapture the bridge.
The officer commanding the 1st battalion, Colonel Graham, decided to seize the bridge under the cover of darkness. Preparations for the attack were not auspicious. There were no available maps of the area, and the marshland restricted the leading companies to the narrow causeway. The men were soaking wet and extremely tired, and the strength of the enemy was unknown. C and D companies were involved in the initial attack, which failed. However, the bridge was finally taken from the Germans by 01.30 on Wednesday morning, and the three companies subsequently retired to Maroilles after relief by A company.
There were over 60 casualties. Sadly some of the wounded drowned in the ditches below the causeway. These were upto 4 feet deep in water. Other wounded were evacuated to a hospital, which was probably the the church or school at Maroilles. Some of the wounded were killed when the buildings were shelled by the Germans. The recorded casualty figures in the war diary are misleading: 23 missing, 37 wounded, and 5 killed. In fact, 17 men were buried at Maroilles cemetery in a communal grave. The bodies of another 5 men were never found, and they are remembered at La Ferte-sous-Jarre Memorial.William Hoare was probably killed or fatally wounded somewhere along the Rue des Juifs.
The officer commanding the 1st battalion, Colonel Graham, decided to seize the bridge under the cover of darkness. Preparations for the attack were not auspicious. There were no available maps of the area, and the marshland restricted the leading companies to the narrow causeway. The men were soaking wet and extremely tired, and the strength of the enemy was unknown. C and D companies were involved in the initial attack, which failed. However, the bridge was finally taken from the Germans by 01.30 on Wednesday morning, and the three companies subsequently retired to Maroilles after relief by A company.
There were over 60 casualties. Sadly some of the wounded drowned in the ditches below the causeway. These were upto 4 feet deep in water. Other wounded were evacuated to a hospital, which was probably the the church or school at Maroilles. Some of the wounded were killed when the buildings were shelled by the Germans. The recorded casualty figures in the war diary are misleading: 23 missing, 37 wounded, and 5 killed. In fact, 17 men were buried at Maroilles cemetery in a communal grave. The bodies of another 5 men were never found, and they are remembered at La Ferte-sous-Jarre Memorial.William Hoare was probably killed or fatally wounded somewhere along the Rue des Juifs.
"After fighting all night in a drenching and without any rest, we started our retirement again and did the longest day's march of the retirement".
[Pte Barlow. source: John Chapman's excellent Biscuit Boys website]
The 1st battalion marched wearily southwards. Despite the bravery of the men of the battalion, the fighting at Maroilles bridge seems to have been a pointless and costly affair.
A rearguard action conducted along the causeway could have effectively denied progress across the bridge to the Germans.
The geography of the Rue des Juifs has changed substantially. The D32 road from Maroilles to the bridge is a modern road. In 1914, the road lay further west, and it is now the D32A.
[Pte Barlow. source: John Chapman's excellent Biscuit Boys website]
The 1st battalion marched wearily southwards. Despite the bravery of the men of the battalion, the fighting at Maroilles bridge seems to have been a pointless and costly affair.
A rearguard action conducted along the causeway could have effectively denied progress across the bridge to the Germans.
The geography of the Rue des Juifs has changed substantially. The D32 road from Maroilles to the bridge is a modern road. In 1914, the road lay further west, and it is now the D32A.
The river Sambre has also been canalised, and the prominent meanders of the river in 1914 are now drained and farmed. And finally, the bridge in no more. It was replaced in 1938 with the present green bowstring bridge.
The battalion crossed the river Marne on September 3rd. Two days later the Retreat ended with the beginning of the battle of the Marne. After this battle the allies were able to advance, but any hope of driving the Germans back was overambitious. Although an allied victory, the battle was not so much won by the French commander, General Joffre, as lost by the unsteady nerves of the German commander Helmuth von Moltke, chief of German staff. His decision to halt the German advance and pull back to the river Aisne probably also lost Germany the war.
The battalion crossed the river Marne on September 3rd. Two days later the Retreat ended with the beginning of the battle of the Marne. After this battle the allies were able to advance, but any hope of driving the Germans back was overambitious. Although an allied victory, the battle was not so much won by the French commander, General Joffre, as lost by the unsteady nerves of the German commander Helmuth von Moltke, chief of German staff. His decision to halt the German advance and pull back to the river Aisne probably also lost Germany the war.
William Hoare is buried in a communal grave at Maroilles cemetery, which lies on the outskirts of the village. He was only 18 years old. William Hoare's name is on the war memorial in Great Bedwyn churchyard. He was the first Bedwyn man to die in the war.
The Aisne Heights
The Germans crossed the river Aisne, where they finally turned and stood their ground. According to the official British history of the war, "the 14th September passed in alternate attack and counter-attack, and ended in no decisive result. It was the first day of that " stabilisation " of the battle line which was to last so many weary months - the beginning, for the British, of trench warfare".
The Germans crossed the river Aisne, where they finally turned and stood their ground. According to the official British history of the war, "the 14th September passed in alternate attack and counter-attack, and ended in no decisive result. It was the first day of that " stabilisation " of the battle line which was to last so many weary months - the beginning, for the British, of trench warfare".
East Grafton - Private Shepherd, September 18, 1914.
Joseph Shepherd was born in Hinton Parva in 1882. He was the fourth of eight children of David and Hannah Maria Sheppard of East Grafton, and in 1901, he worked as a shepherd with his brother John on Elm Tree Farm at Ashbury, Berkshire.
Joseph Shepherd joined the army between 1905 and 1911. He was a regular soldier in the 1st battalion, the Wiltshire regiment. His army number was 7306.
Joseph Shepherd was born in Hinton Parva in 1882. He was the fourth of eight children of David and Hannah Maria Sheppard of East Grafton, and in 1901, he worked as a shepherd with his brother John on Elm Tree Farm at Ashbury, Berkshire.
Joseph Shepherd joined the army between 1905 and 1911. He was a regular soldier in the 1st battalion, the Wiltshire regiment. His army number was 7306.
On October 13th, the BEF crossed the river Aisne. However it was soon clear that the Germans were no longer retreating, and had in fact retired to prepared positions from which they could not be dislodged. The 1st battalion was part of the 7th Brigade which held a line on the Aisne from Vailly to Chavonne.
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3rd Division
7th Brigade 3rd Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment 2nd Battalion, the South Lancashire Regiment 1st Battalion, the Wiltshire Regiment 2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles 1/4th Battalion, the South Lancashire Regiment |
On the 14th September, the battalion successfully crossed the river Aisne by the railway bridge at Vailly. The bridge was blown, but the men crossed in single file on planks of timber laid down. On the northern bank under shell fire, the battalion followed a series of sunken lanes rising steeply through St. Précord towards the woodland above the village. The Vailly-Ostel road lay on the right flank, and the objective was a spur of high ground to the east of St. Précord. The battalion held the centre of the brigade front, with the Worcestershire battalion on the right towards Chavonne, and the 2nd battalion Lancashire regiment on the left at Maison Rouge farm.
For the next six days, the battalion endured much shelling and numerous attacks by German infantry. Fighting reached a climax on the 20th September, when 7th Brigade suffered 400 casualties. Joseph Shepherd was one of two men from the battalion who died on Friday 18th September. The battalion diary entry described a wet night, with continuous shelling all day.
Casualties in A Company were reported for September 14, when the battalion first dug in above St. Précord. The following day, further casualties were reported as a result of shelling. Joseph Shepherd may have been wounded at this time, for records suggest he died of peritonitis at a casualty clearing station. Between September 14th and 20th, there were 33 recorded deaths in the battalion, of whom only two men have known graves. Some men have Special Memorials at Vailly cemetery indicating that they were buried there but the location of the body is unknown. Vailly was not only a battlefield for the Wiltshire regiment. It was intensely fought over for the duration of the war, and many burial sites were destroyed by shelling.
Casualties in A Company were reported for September 14, when the battalion first dug in above St. Précord. The following day, further casualties were reported as a result of shelling. Joseph Shepherd may have been wounded at this time, for records suggest he died of peritonitis at a casualty clearing station. Between September 14th and 20th, there were 33 recorded deaths in the battalion, of whom only two men have known graves. Some men have Special Memorials at Vailly cemetery indicating that they were buried there but the location of the body is unknown. Vailly was not only a battlefield for the Wiltshire regiment. It was intensely fought over for the duration of the war, and many burial sites were destroyed by shelling.
Joseph Shepherd was 32 years old, and he has no known grave. His name is engraved on the memorial at La Ferte sous Jouarre, on the south bank of the river Marne. An inscription, also in English, records all those men of the BEF who were killed before October 1914, and had no known grave.
A la gloire de Dieu et en souvenir durable des 3888 officiers et soldats dont les tombes ne sont pas connues appartenant au Corps Expéditionnaire Britannique qui, mobilisé le 5 Août 1914, débarqua en France en Août 1914 et combattit à Mons, au Cateau, sur la Marne, sur l'Aisne, jusqu'en Octobre 1914
His name appears on the war memorial at East Grafton, and also at Easton Royal.
[note: CWGC records spelling of Joseph Sheppard; Wiltshire At War.]
A la gloire de Dieu et en souvenir durable des 3888 officiers et soldats dont les tombes ne sont pas connues appartenant au Corps Expéditionnaire Britannique qui, mobilisé le 5 Août 1914, débarqua en France en Août 1914 et combattit à Mons, au Cateau, sur la Marne, sur l'Aisne, jusqu'en Octobre 1914
His name appears on the war memorial at East Grafton, and also at Easton Royal.
[note: CWGC records spelling of Joseph Sheppard; Wiltshire At War.]
Froxfield - Drummer Haines, September 20, 1914.
Oliver Percy Holroyd Haines was born in Leatherhead. His mother, Catherine Harriett Haines, nee Desborough, was described as a widow aged 59 in 1911, and she lived at 1 Somerset Hospital, one of the Seymour almshouses. Previously she lived in Bromley, Kent, with her husband, the Reverend Frederick Henry 'William' Haines, who died in 1908.
Oliver Haines was a regular soldier in the Grenadier Guards, and he served in the 2nd battalion. His army number was 12175.
During the retreat, the bridges at Vailley, Bourg, and Chavonne were blown. The Germans arrived in the evening: "These unwanted guests live in the barns of farmers and even on the banks of the road, in "La Pointe" and "Thiolets". They plunder the crops scattered in the fields, to serve as bedding for men and food for horses". The following day they left in the direction of Paris. After the German advance slowed to a halt [Battle of the Marne], they returned to the village in retreat. On September 12, British soldiers had crossed the river and were patrolling the woodlands of the northern bank. However the Germans occupied the plateau above, and were determined to stay.
The 2nd battalion was part of the 4th Brigade which held a line on the Aisne from Chavonne to Soupir. This brigade was on the right flank of the Wiltshire regiment, and Oliver Haines probably died less than 5 kilometres from the trenches defended by Joseph Shepherd. The battalion secured the heights on the spur of the Ostel plateau, near a farm called the La Cour de Soupir, above the village of Soupir. The situation was chaotic as several Guards battalions, including the Irish and Coldstream, each arrived each without knowledge of the other. Severe fighting resulted as the Germans attempted to seize the farm, and the British attempted to seize Point 197, near the Croix sans Tete, which marked the highest point on the plateau. Both objectives would have given each side commanding views over enemy rear lines.
Oliver Percy Holroyd Haines was born in Leatherhead. His mother, Catherine Harriett Haines, nee Desborough, was described as a widow aged 59 in 1911, and she lived at 1 Somerset Hospital, one of the Seymour almshouses. Previously she lived in Bromley, Kent, with her husband, the Reverend Frederick Henry 'William' Haines, who died in 1908.
Oliver Haines was a regular soldier in the Grenadier Guards, and he served in the 2nd battalion. His army number was 12175.
During the retreat, the bridges at Vailley, Bourg, and Chavonne were blown. The Germans arrived in the evening: "These unwanted guests live in the barns of farmers and even on the banks of the road, in "La Pointe" and "Thiolets". They plunder the crops scattered in the fields, to serve as bedding for men and food for horses". The following day they left in the direction of Paris. After the German advance slowed to a halt [Battle of the Marne], they returned to the village in retreat. On September 12, British soldiers had crossed the river and were patrolling the woodlands of the northern bank. However the Germans occupied the plateau above, and were determined to stay.
The 2nd battalion was part of the 4th Brigade which held a line on the Aisne from Chavonne to Soupir. This brigade was on the right flank of the Wiltshire regiment, and Oliver Haines probably died less than 5 kilometres from the trenches defended by Joseph Shepherd. The battalion secured the heights on the spur of the Ostel plateau, near a farm called the La Cour de Soupir, above the village of Soupir. The situation was chaotic as several Guards battalions, including the Irish and Coldstream, each arrived each without knowledge of the other. Severe fighting resulted as the Germans attempted to seize the farm, and the British attempted to seize Point 197, near the Croix sans Tete, which marked the highest point on the plateau. Both objectives would have given each side commanding views over enemy rear lines.
The battalion dug trenches along the track in the wood 200 yards east of the farm to the Chavonne - Point 197 road, and also along a sunken road. A quarry south of the farm contained a number of caves which provided invaluable shelter during the fighting. The German frontline was 600 yards beyond the farm. Oliver's battalion came out of the line on September 17th, when it was relieved by the 2nd battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light infantry:
"Went up and relieved the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards at 4.30 a.m. It was a good position to hold, and we were able to make those men who were not actually in the trenches very comfortable in caves and elsewhere under cover. We found trenches already dug, and at once set to work to improve them. Besides the wounded there were a considerable number of dead, both British and German, lying about, but the enemy's fire prevented us from doing anything with them by day, so we had to do all the burying at night"
The battalion returned the following day to relieve the Coldstream Guards. Oliver and his battalion faced a daily routine of regular shelling and sniping. At one time, the shelling continued for six hours with an average of 50 shells a minute. The sniping at night caused the sentries to fire wildly and the forward companies to stand to. After a lull the sniping would begin again, and the Germans successfully kept the British awake through the night. This continued for several days before returning fire was upon command only, and the sniping died away.
Apparently September 20th was a quiet day, with very little shelling. However at dusk, there was a good deal of infantry fire. Unfortunately Oliver was one of five fatalities on this day.
The following day at 04.00 hours, his battalion again came out of line. In the second week of October, the British army on the Aisne was moved to northern France and Belgium. However, Soupir was fought over throughout the war, and there are French, Italian, and German cemeteries in the commune.
"Went up and relieved the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards at 4.30 a.m. It was a good position to hold, and we were able to make those men who were not actually in the trenches very comfortable in caves and elsewhere under cover. We found trenches already dug, and at once set to work to improve them. Besides the wounded there were a considerable number of dead, both British and German, lying about, but the enemy's fire prevented us from doing anything with them by day, so we had to do all the burying at night"
The battalion returned the following day to relieve the Coldstream Guards. Oliver and his battalion faced a daily routine of regular shelling and sniping. At one time, the shelling continued for six hours with an average of 50 shells a minute. The sniping at night caused the sentries to fire wildly and the forward companies to stand to. After a lull the sniping would begin again, and the Germans successfully kept the British awake through the night. This continued for several days before returning fire was upon command only, and the sniping died away.
Apparently September 20th was a quiet day, with very little shelling. However at dusk, there was a good deal of infantry fire. Unfortunately Oliver was one of five fatalities on this day.
The following day at 04.00 hours, his battalion again came out of line. In the second week of October, the British army on the Aisne was moved to northern France and Belgium. However, Soupir was fought over throughout the war, and there are French, Italian, and German cemeteries in the commune.
Oliver Haines was 36 at the time of his death, and he was one of the oldest soldiers to be buried at the Guards’ Grave Cemetery at Villers-Cotterets. His grave is I16. His name appears on Froxfield war memorial as his mother lived in retirement in the village. Perhaps Oliver was not too far from Froxfield when he died:
The nights are now cold, with a white frost in the early morning; but the days are perfect, with a bright, warm sun. The country about this place is pretty, and there are some fine woods, in which one would enjoy walking about if the Germans would not drop shells into them. We were not shelled at all to-day
[October 8th 1914 La Cour de Soupir: The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Chronicle, 1914-15. Volume 24 by Lieut.-Colonel A.F. Mockler-Ferryman]
The nights are now cold, with a white frost in the early morning; but the days are perfect, with a bright, warm sun. The country about this place is pretty, and there are some fine woods, in which one would enjoy walking about if the Germans would not drop shells into them. We were not shelled at all to-day
[October 8th 1914 La Cour de Soupir: The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Chronicle, 1914-15. Volume 24 by Lieut.-Colonel A.F. Mockler-Ferryman]
Burbage - Private Bushnell, September 22, 1914.
Savernake - Private Stagg, September 22, 1914.
George Henry Bushnell was born in Wexcombe to Albert and Fanny Bushnell, nee Choules. In 1914, he was 25 years old. Richard John Stagg was the son of William and Elizabeth Stagg, who lived in Savernake.
Both men were regular soldiers in the 1st battalion the Wiltshire regiment. George Bushnell's army number was 6318. Richard Stagg's number was 6080.
On Tuesday 22nd September, the 1st battalion began to withdraw from the Aisne. According to the war diary, C and B companies were relieved by 4am, and withdrew before daylight. The reminder of the battalion withdrew under the cover of evening darkness, via a pontoon bridge across the Aisne at Vailly. The battalion looked forward to a rest
Assembled Battn at 12p.m. marched off for VAILLY where we picked up our first line transport. Crossed the AISNE and reached BRAINE at 12.30a.m. on 23rd Sept where we went into billets having been nine (9) days in this position N of the river where the hardships were considerable
Privates Bushnell and Stagg were no longer among their number. When the battalion was relieved, there was a certain amount of night firing, and the pontoon was considered unsafe during daylight hours. However, it is not clear whether there were casualties in the battalion on this day. During the eight days that the battalion occupied the north bank of the river Aisne, it suffered approximately 160 casualties, including 44 men killed. The deaths of six men, including George and Richard are recorded for September 22nd.
Savernake - Private Stagg, September 22, 1914.
George Henry Bushnell was born in Wexcombe to Albert and Fanny Bushnell, nee Choules. In 1914, he was 25 years old. Richard John Stagg was the son of William and Elizabeth Stagg, who lived in Savernake.
Both men were regular soldiers in the 1st battalion the Wiltshire regiment. George Bushnell's army number was 6318. Richard Stagg's number was 6080.
On Tuesday 22nd September, the 1st battalion began to withdraw from the Aisne. According to the war diary, C and B companies were relieved by 4am, and withdrew before daylight. The reminder of the battalion withdrew under the cover of evening darkness, via a pontoon bridge across the Aisne at Vailly. The battalion looked forward to a rest
Assembled Battn at 12p.m. marched off for VAILLY where we picked up our first line transport. Crossed the AISNE and reached BRAINE at 12.30a.m. on 23rd Sept where we went into billets having been nine (9) days in this position N of the river where the hardships were considerable
Privates Bushnell and Stagg were no longer among their number. When the battalion was relieved, there was a certain amount of night firing, and the pontoon was considered unsafe during daylight hours. However, it is not clear whether there were casualties in the battalion on this day. During the eight days that the battalion occupied the north bank of the river Aisne, it suffered approximately 160 casualties, including 44 men killed. The deaths of six men, including George and Richard are recorded for September 22nd.
George Bushnell died in the area of Maison Rouge farm, above St. Précord. He was probably buried where he fell, for his grave was initially unknown. His body was buried at Vailly British Cemetery in plot IIF21 in 1919. During reinterment, he was identified by the oilskin in which his body was wrapped. His name is also engraved on the cemetery memorial at Vailly. His name does not appear on the war memorial in Burbage, but is recorded on a stone war memorial tablet at St. Nicholas' church Fyfield in Hampshire, and at Stockbridge, Hampshire, on the village war memorial, and on an oak tablet inside St. Peter's church.
Richard Stagg is also buried at Vailly British Cemetery. The location of his body within the cemetery is unknown, and he therefore has a Special Memorial, stone 11. Vailly British Cemetery was established after the Armistice in November 1918, when the remains of soldiers from other burial grounds throughout the region were brought to Vailly.
Richard Stagg is also buried at Vailly British Cemetery. The location of his body within the cemetery is unknown, and he therefore has a Special Memorial, stone 11. Vailly British Cemetery was established after the Armistice in November 1918, when the remains of soldiers from other burial grounds throughout the region were brought to Vailly.
La Bassée
The BEF withdrew from the Aisne and redeployed to Flanders, where it remained for the duration of the war. As fighting died down on the Aisne, the Allies and the Germans attempted to turn each others flanks in a campaign known as the Race to the Sea. The failure of the combatants to achieve any advantage resulted in the establishment of a line of trenches which defined the Western Front. The city of Ypres was held by the Allies throughout the war, despite three German offensives to seize the city. The first offensive, known as the first battle of Ypres, continued throughout October and November 1914. South of the Belgium border around La Bassée, the Germans also attempted to break the British line in an attempt to seize the channel ports. The outcome of the fighting was indecisive, but there was no German breakthrough. However the cost for the British was high. There were more than 56,000 casualties, and these battles destroyed the remains of the original BEF, which had landed in France only three months earlier.
The BEF withdrew from the Aisne and redeployed to Flanders, where it remained for the duration of the war. As fighting died down on the Aisne, the Allies and the Germans attempted to turn each others flanks in a campaign known as the Race to the Sea. The failure of the combatants to achieve any advantage resulted in the establishment of a line of trenches which defined the Western Front. The city of Ypres was held by the Allies throughout the war, despite three German offensives to seize the city. The first offensive, known as the first battle of Ypres, continued throughout October and November 1914. South of the Belgium border around La Bassée, the Germans also attempted to break the British line in an attempt to seize the channel ports. The outcome of the fighting was indecisive, but there was no German breakthrough. However the cost for the British was high. There were more than 56,000 casualties, and these battles destroyed the remains of the original BEF, which had landed in France only three months earlier.
Burbage - Private Bushnell, October 13, 1914.
Arthur Bushnell was born at Hampstead Marsh, London, in 1887. He was the son of Martha Jane Bushnell of 174 Ram Alley in Burbage. In 1911, he was living with his mother, but he had earlier lived at Reading with his brother, William, and at Hampstead Marshall as an agricultural labourer.
He joined the Militia in 1904, and served in the 3rd battalion, Wiltshire regiment, with an army number of 7545. However in 1914, he was a regular soldier in the 1st battalion, the Wiltshire regiment, and his army number was 7027.
In early October, the II Corps was directed to advance to La Bassée and Lille. The objective of securing Lille failed as this city was captured by the Germans prior to the advance of the corps. The front was masked by French cavalry, which facilitated British operations. The 3rd Division was initially deployed on the Aire canal, with the right flank of 7th Brigade on the 5th Division at Hinges. As part of the 7th Brigade, the 1st battalion arrived at Pernes at midnight on October 10th, and the next day marched to Hinges. The II Corp was pushing against the Germans at this stage of the war, and the advance led to the capture of Neuve Chapelle and the Aubers ridge. Unfortunately by the start of November, the Germans captured both the ridge and the village, and created a defence line which led to the costly and inconclusive fighting in 1915.
On Monday 12th October, French cavalry held the village of La Couture, on the west bank of the river Loisne, and French infantry defended the village of Richebourg St. Vaast, which lay on the east bank. The 7th Brigade received a request for help, but the Germans captured Richebourg St. Vaast before the British were able to advance. The 1st battalion had marched from Hinges to La Couture in the morning, and its companies were used to reinforce other units. B Company remained with 42nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery as an escort. Meanwhile, C Company was sent to the front line to fill a gap between 7th and 8th Brigades. The brigade boundary lay on the road between La Couture and Croix de Barbee, the latter village lying to the northeast, beyond Richebourg St. Vaast. D Company reinforced the 3rd battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment, but returned from the front line in the evening.
On Tuesday 13th October, the 7th Brigade crossed the Loisne river through the mist towards Richbourg St. Vaast. The battalion Headquarters moved to the immediate east of La Couture village, but was shelled throughout the day. In the evening, C Company returned from the frontline, and reported 9 killed and 8 wounded. A total of 12 men in the battalion were killed on 13th October. It is probable that Arthur Bushnell was one of these fatalities, possibly from C Company. None of these men have a known grave, suggesting their bodies were never recovered during the fighting.
Arthur Bushnell was born at Hampstead Marsh, London, in 1887. He was the son of Martha Jane Bushnell of 174 Ram Alley in Burbage. In 1911, he was living with his mother, but he had earlier lived at Reading with his brother, William, and at Hampstead Marshall as an agricultural labourer.
He joined the Militia in 1904, and served in the 3rd battalion, Wiltshire regiment, with an army number of 7545. However in 1914, he was a regular soldier in the 1st battalion, the Wiltshire regiment, and his army number was 7027.
In early October, the II Corps was directed to advance to La Bassée and Lille. The objective of securing Lille failed as this city was captured by the Germans prior to the advance of the corps. The front was masked by French cavalry, which facilitated British operations. The 3rd Division was initially deployed on the Aire canal, with the right flank of 7th Brigade on the 5th Division at Hinges. As part of the 7th Brigade, the 1st battalion arrived at Pernes at midnight on October 10th, and the next day marched to Hinges. The II Corp was pushing against the Germans at this stage of the war, and the advance led to the capture of Neuve Chapelle and the Aubers ridge. Unfortunately by the start of November, the Germans captured both the ridge and the village, and created a defence line which led to the costly and inconclusive fighting in 1915.
On Monday 12th October, French cavalry held the village of La Couture, on the west bank of the river Loisne, and French infantry defended the village of Richebourg St. Vaast, which lay on the east bank. The 7th Brigade received a request for help, but the Germans captured Richebourg St. Vaast before the British were able to advance. The 1st battalion had marched from Hinges to La Couture in the morning, and its companies were used to reinforce other units. B Company remained with 42nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery as an escort. Meanwhile, C Company was sent to the front line to fill a gap between 7th and 8th Brigades. The brigade boundary lay on the road between La Couture and Croix de Barbee, the latter village lying to the northeast, beyond Richebourg St. Vaast. D Company reinforced the 3rd battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment, but returned from the front line in the evening.
On Tuesday 13th October, the 7th Brigade crossed the Loisne river through the mist towards Richbourg St. Vaast. The battalion Headquarters moved to the immediate east of La Couture village, but was shelled throughout the day. In the evening, C Company returned from the frontline, and reported 9 killed and 8 wounded. A total of 12 men in the battalion were killed on 13th October. It is probable that Arthur Bushnell was one of these fatalities, possibly from C Company. None of these men have a known grave, suggesting their bodies were never recovered during the fighting.
Arthur Bushnell has no known grave. He was 27 years of age. His name is engraved on the Le Touret memorial, Panel 33 and 34, which is located in Le Touret military cemetery. This cemetery lies between Bethune and Lille, and the memorial commemorates 13,400 British soldiers who have no known grave, and who died in this area between October 1914 and September 1915. Arthur's name is also on the war memorial at Burbage.
Ypres
The first battle of Ypres consisted of a series of battles fought from 14th October to 22nd November 1914. Fighting began with a 6 day German offensive launched on October 14th, which was only halted by the flooding of the Yser north of Ypres and the arrival of French reinforcements. General Foch subsequently launched a counter offensive, which ended without success by October 28th. The Germans subsequently renewed the offensive, and came close not only to breaking the British line, but also capturing Ypres. Critically, the technology of defensive warfare was demonstratively more advanced that that of offensive warfare, and with the onset of persistent rain and snow, the fighting died down. The British held Ypres and a salient around it for the rest of the war.
The first battle of Ypres consisted of a series of battles fought from 14th October to 22nd November 1914. Fighting began with a 6 day German offensive launched on October 14th, which was only halted by the flooding of the Yser north of Ypres and the arrival of French reinforcements. General Foch subsequently launched a counter offensive, which ended without success by October 28th. The Germans subsequently renewed the offensive, and came close not only to breaking the British line, but also capturing Ypres. Critically, the technology of defensive warfare was demonstratively more advanced that that of offensive warfare, and with the onset of persistent rain and snow, the fighting died down. The British held Ypres and a salient around it for the rest of the war.
Froxfield - Private Hillier, October 24, 1914.
Burbage - Private Moon, October 24, 1914.
James Hillier was born in Froxfield in 1893, and he was the son of Ellen Bushnell, of 292 Kinwardstone, which lay on the boundaries of the parishes of Burbage and Grafton.
Arthur George Moon was from Burbage. He was born in Bronham, and in 1909 he married Louise Simpkins in Swindon. A daughter Violet was born in 1910. Before the war, Arthur worked for the GWR at Savernake Station. His widow Louise later remarried, and moved to Dunedin in New Zealand.
Both men enlisted in the 2nd battalion, the Wiltshire regiment. James Hillier's army number was 8791. Arthur Moon's army number was 5421. This battalion was stationed in Gibraltar, but was recalled to England in July.
Burbage - Private Moon, October 24, 1914.
James Hillier was born in Froxfield in 1893, and he was the son of Ellen Bushnell, of 292 Kinwardstone, which lay on the boundaries of the parishes of Burbage and Grafton.
Arthur George Moon was from Burbage. He was born in Bronham, and in 1909 he married Louise Simpkins in Swindon. A daughter Violet was born in 1910. Before the war, Arthur worked for the GWR at Savernake Station. His widow Louise later remarried, and moved to Dunedin in New Zealand.
Both men enlisted in the 2nd battalion, the Wiltshire regiment. James Hillier's army number was 8791. Arthur Moon's army number was 5421. This battalion was stationed in Gibraltar, but was recalled to England in July.
7th Division
21st Brigade
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The 2nd battalion, the Wiltshire Regiment arrived in Belgium on the 8th October 1914, having sailed from Southampton via Dover to Zeebrugge. The battalion was initially moved to Bruges by rail. The battalion as part of the 7th Division was intended for the defence of Antwerp, but after the capture of that city by the Germans on 8th October, it was diverted to Ostend, and then, on the 13th October, to Roulers. The following day the battalion arrived in Ypres, where it was billeted in the Kaiserine barracks.
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On October 15th, the 2nd battalion marched down the Menin road as far as Clapham Junction. On the 16th, the battalion passed through the thick woodland of Polygon wood along an unmetalled road to Reutel, which lay west of Beselare. In the late afternoon, the battalion deployed in a line from Reutel in the south to Noordemhoek in the north, and started to dig trenches. It was here that men of the battalion saw their first Germans, a cavalry patrol. On the 17th October, the battalion suffered its first fatality.
The battalion was deployed east of the road from Reutel to Zonnebeke:
The position which the Battn. now occupied was on a plateau on the Eastern edge of which a belt of trees and some small copses obscured the view to the front; the village of REUTEL marked our right flank restricting the view to the South; to our left the ground rose slightly rendering everything to the North invisible; in the rear were a number of houses and POLYGON wood. Between the wood and our trench line was a deep re-entrant which drained in a South-Westerly direction to the POLYGONEBEKE. The trenches were sited on a North and South line some 200 to 300 yards from the Eastern edge of the plateau
The location of the battalion was less than perfect as a defensive position, and its drawbacks would later prove fatal. However the most signal weakness of the defence was the lack of artillery support. The Germans assaulted the battalion positions from a line approximately indicated by the modern N303 road, which leads from Beselare via Broodsende to Passendale.
By October 20th, British offensive action east of Ypres was beginning to bog down in the face of a numerically superior German advance. The battalion advanced through Beselare towards Terhand, supported by the 2nd battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. However, intensive shelling and increasing attacks by German infantry forced the battalion back to Reutel.
The intensity of the fighting was demonstrated by the experience of the battalion at Reutel. Over the previous few days, their position had been intensely shelled and attacked by superior numbers of infantry. Two days earlier, the left flank was exposed by neighbouring units which were withdrawn. The battalion held on to an increasingly isolated position, without artillery support, short of ammunition and serviceable rifles, and burdened with large numbers of wounded.
On October 24th at 05.30, fresh German infantry launched a series of attacks which succeeded in breaking through the Wiltshire trenches immediately south of Reutel. About 08.00, the Germans exploited the re-entrant behind the village to enfilade the battalion trenches with machine gun fire. The Germans rapidly rolled up the Wiltshire line, south to north, from the rear. The Wiltshire defences quickly collapsed, and the Germans succeeded in capturing 468 men.
According to the war diary, "with the exception of about 30 NCOs and men mostly from trenches on right the remainder of Battalion were either killed or captured, a large number being captured". The battalion was broken. A number of corporals organised rearguard actions and got stragglers away. On the night of the 25th October, the battalion numbered 90 men. By the end of the next day, more stragglers had been collected, and 250 men were counted in the battalion. However, this first action of the regiment in Belgium was for many their last. In addition to the prisoners of war, a total of 83 men were reported killed, and 229 men wounded. The battalion arrived in Belgium with 1,100 men; it left Beselare with barely more than 300 survivors. James Hillier and Arthur Moon were among the fatalities, and there are no recorded details of their deaths. Another three soldiers from Burbage were taken prisoner at Reutel: Frederick Bradshaw, Reuben Frederick Hillier, and Sidney Cook Watts. October 24th was a sad day for the families of Burbage.
The battalion was deployed east of the road from Reutel to Zonnebeke:
- A Company was astride the Reutel - Becelaere road (south)
- C Coy in the centre
- D Coy to the left (north)
- B Coy in reserve in a hollow 200 yards behind the junction of A and C Coys.
The position which the Battn. now occupied was on a plateau on the Eastern edge of which a belt of trees and some small copses obscured the view to the front; the village of REUTEL marked our right flank restricting the view to the South; to our left the ground rose slightly rendering everything to the North invisible; in the rear were a number of houses and POLYGON wood. Between the wood and our trench line was a deep re-entrant which drained in a South-Westerly direction to the POLYGONEBEKE. The trenches were sited on a North and South line some 200 to 300 yards from the Eastern edge of the plateau
The location of the battalion was less than perfect as a defensive position, and its drawbacks would later prove fatal. However the most signal weakness of the defence was the lack of artillery support. The Germans assaulted the battalion positions from a line approximately indicated by the modern N303 road, which leads from Beselare via Broodsende to Passendale.
By October 20th, British offensive action east of Ypres was beginning to bog down in the face of a numerically superior German advance. The battalion advanced through Beselare towards Terhand, supported by the 2nd battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. However, intensive shelling and increasing attacks by German infantry forced the battalion back to Reutel.
The intensity of the fighting was demonstrated by the experience of the battalion at Reutel. Over the previous few days, their position had been intensely shelled and attacked by superior numbers of infantry. Two days earlier, the left flank was exposed by neighbouring units which were withdrawn. The battalion held on to an increasingly isolated position, without artillery support, short of ammunition and serviceable rifles, and burdened with large numbers of wounded.
On October 24th at 05.30, fresh German infantry launched a series of attacks which succeeded in breaking through the Wiltshire trenches immediately south of Reutel. About 08.00, the Germans exploited the re-entrant behind the village to enfilade the battalion trenches with machine gun fire. The Germans rapidly rolled up the Wiltshire line, south to north, from the rear. The Wiltshire defences quickly collapsed, and the Germans succeeded in capturing 468 men.
According to the war diary, "with the exception of about 30 NCOs and men mostly from trenches on right the remainder of Battalion were either killed or captured, a large number being captured". The battalion was broken. A number of corporals organised rearguard actions and got stragglers away. On the night of the 25th October, the battalion numbered 90 men. By the end of the next day, more stragglers had been collected, and 250 men were counted in the battalion. However, this first action of the regiment in Belgium was for many their last. In addition to the prisoners of war, a total of 83 men were reported killed, and 229 men wounded. The battalion arrived in Belgium with 1,100 men; it left Beselare with barely more than 300 survivors. James Hillier and Arthur Moon were among the fatalities, and there are no recorded details of their deaths. Another three soldiers from Burbage were taken prisoner at Reutel: Frederick Bradshaw, Reuben Frederick Hillier, and Sidney Cook Watts. October 24th was a sad day for the families of Burbage.
James Hillier has no known grave. He was 21 years of age. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Panel 53. He also appears on two memorials in Bedwyn, at Burbage and Grafton.
Arthur Moon initially had no known grave, and for this reason his name was included on the Menin Gate, Bay 53 EE. He was 33 years of age. However, the body of Arthur Moon was found after the war at map reference 28.J.11.b.0.5. This location suggests that he may have been buried where he died, in B Company trenches. Today, the original burial site lies in the middle of a field opposite Au Beau Jardin, Oude Wervikstraat 36, 8980 Zonnebeke.
He is now buried at Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, grave III F32. Sanctuary wood was so named in November 1914, when it was used to conceal troops behind the front line. Three cemeteries were established in 1915, long after the death of Arthur Moon, but they were destroyed in June 1916 during the battle of Mount Sorrel. After the end of the war, the cemetery was reestablished and many soldiers from outlying cemeteries brought in. Arthur Moon was reburied in 1927, and may only have been identified at that time by his clothing and a damaged identity disc.
Arthur Moon initially had no known grave, and for this reason his name was included on the Menin Gate, Bay 53 EE. He was 33 years of age. However, the body of Arthur Moon was found after the war at map reference 28.J.11.b.0.5. This location suggests that he may have been buried where he died, in B Company trenches. Today, the original burial site lies in the middle of a field opposite Au Beau Jardin, Oude Wervikstraat 36, 8980 Zonnebeke.
He is now buried at Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, grave III F32. Sanctuary wood was so named in November 1914, when it was used to conceal troops behind the front line. Three cemeteries were established in 1915, long after the death of Arthur Moon, but they were destroyed in June 1916 during the battle of Mount Sorrel. After the end of the war, the cemetery was reestablished and many soldiers from outlying cemeteries brought in. Arthur Moon was reburied in 1927, and may only have been identified at that time by his clothing and a damaged identity disc.
Froxfield - Private Hampton, October 26, 1914.
Charles Spencer Hampton was born in Devizes in 1888, and was the son of Charles H and Kate Hampton (b1856) of Springfield House in Devizes. In 1911, he was apparently living in Medway, Kent. His connection with Froxfield, other than his name on the war memorial, is unknown.
Charles Spencer Hampton enlisted with the Scots Guards in 1911, and served in the 1st battalion. He was a regular soldier who was deployed to France in early August of 1914, and who participated in the retreat from Mons as part of 1st Division, I Corp. His army number was 7997.
The battalion arrived at Hazebrouck, east of Bailleul, on October 18th, having left the Aisne the previous day by train. Two days later the battalion marched to Poperinghe, and the following day deployed in trenches at Boesinghe and Bixschoote. When the battalion left Bixschoote, reported casualties were 9 killed, 26 wounded, and 5 missing. The battalion was subsequently moved to the south of the Ypres salient, where there was the prospect of a German breakthrough.
On October 23rd, F company was sent to Reutal, to reinforce the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire regiment. The company officer was unhappy with the allocated position south of the village. The next morning, in the action in which Arthur Moon and James Hillier died, F company was overrun, and many men were captured or killed during the preliminary shelling.
On October 25th, the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, moved towards Gheluvelt, via Zillebeke and Hooge. The men received a foretaste of what the front line held for them, when they passed the 2nd battalion, Scots Guards:
"On the way we passed the transport of the 2nd Battalion and heard of its losses. Out of 1,004 commencing they were less than 500. From the 26th to 29th October we occupied the same trenches on the left of the 2nd Battalion with the exception that on the night of the 27th we took over from the Bedford’s trenches a little further advanced. We were unable to move either forward or backward owing to the furious shelling and sniping (it looked and it proved to be a veritable death trap)"
[Fresh in my Memory Always by Joe Garvey 1st battalion Scots Guards]
The 1st battalion held a position in the village of Kruisiec (Kruiseke). On the evening of October 25th, there was confused night fighting in which over 200 German prisoners were taken. There were many snipers and all the houses in the village were searched:
In searching the houses I came across an estaminet in the village, which was full of wounded men. It was a terrible sight; every other man had expired. They had been there for days with nobody to look after them and amongst them I discovered Lieutenant Holbeach. Some of the wounded men were clean off their heads. Lieutenant Holbeach had been dragged into this dressing station, which I think it must have been, and was left
[1914 in their own words. The letters, records and diary of Liet. Saumarez and his wife, an Old Contemptible of teh Scots Guards (BEF) in the trenches, the first battle of Ypres during the Great War of 1914-1918 by Emily Saumarez ]
Charles Spencer Hampton was born in Devizes in 1888, and was the son of Charles H and Kate Hampton (b1856) of Springfield House in Devizes. In 1911, he was apparently living in Medway, Kent. His connection with Froxfield, other than his name on the war memorial, is unknown.
Charles Spencer Hampton enlisted with the Scots Guards in 1911, and served in the 1st battalion. He was a regular soldier who was deployed to France in early August of 1914, and who participated in the retreat from Mons as part of 1st Division, I Corp. His army number was 7997.
The battalion arrived at Hazebrouck, east of Bailleul, on October 18th, having left the Aisne the previous day by train. Two days later the battalion marched to Poperinghe, and the following day deployed in trenches at Boesinghe and Bixschoote. When the battalion left Bixschoote, reported casualties were 9 killed, 26 wounded, and 5 missing. The battalion was subsequently moved to the south of the Ypres salient, where there was the prospect of a German breakthrough.
On October 23rd, F company was sent to Reutal, to reinforce the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire regiment. The company officer was unhappy with the allocated position south of the village. The next morning, in the action in which Arthur Moon and James Hillier died, F company was overrun, and many men were captured or killed during the preliminary shelling.
On October 25th, the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, moved towards Gheluvelt, via Zillebeke and Hooge. The men received a foretaste of what the front line held for them, when they passed the 2nd battalion, Scots Guards:
"On the way we passed the transport of the 2nd Battalion and heard of its losses. Out of 1,004 commencing they were less than 500. From the 26th to 29th October we occupied the same trenches on the left of the 2nd Battalion with the exception that on the night of the 27th we took over from the Bedford’s trenches a little further advanced. We were unable to move either forward or backward owing to the furious shelling and sniping (it looked and it proved to be a veritable death trap)"
[Fresh in my Memory Always by Joe Garvey 1st battalion Scots Guards]
The 1st battalion held a position in the village of Kruisiec (Kruiseke). On the evening of October 25th, there was confused night fighting in which over 200 German prisoners were taken. There were many snipers and all the houses in the village were searched:
In searching the houses I came across an estaminet in the village, which was full of wounded men. It was a terrible sight; every other man had expired. They had been there for days with nobody to look after them and amongst them I discovered Lieutenant Holbeach. Some of the wounded men were clean off their heads. Lieutenant Holbeach had been dragged into this dressing station, which I think it must have been, and was left
[1914 in their own words. The letters, records and diary of Liet. Saumarez and his wife, an Old Contemptible of teh Scots Guards (BEF) in the trenches, the first battle of Ypres during the Great War of 1914-1918 by Emily Saumarez ]
NLS 1917 28 NE 3. There are three villages, Neuwe Kruiseecke lies of off map. The mulitple place name spelling and various hamlets make the Scots Guard positions difficult to find. However, Lieutenant Saumarez produced a map which indicates the battalion positions south of the village and almost on the map boundary. The marked trenches are dated to 1917, not 1914.
The dawn of October 26th brought more horror to light:
the dawn broke and we could see corpses strewn over the front of the trenches as far as the eye could see among whom were a number of wounded who were crying out for water. Some of these Germans we brought into the trench and gave them water
[Saumarez]
More pressing duties involved rebuilding trenches which had collapsed under shelling. In the afternoon, shelling collapsed the trenches, which had no supports, and many men were buried alive. By evening, the Germans overran most of the village.
Charles Hampton was killed on this day, but there are no details of his death. There were 18 other fatalities in the 1st battalion on October 26th. Only one of them has a grave.
Charles Hampton was 26 years of age, and he has no known grave. His name is on the memorial at the Menin Gate, Panel 11, and on the war memorial at Froxfield church.
the dawn broke and we could see corpses strewn over the front of the trenches as far as the eye could see among whom were a number of wounded who were crying out for water. Some of these Germans we brought into the trench and gave them water
[Saumarez]
More pressing duties involved rebuilding trenches which had collapsed under shelling. In the afternoon, shelling collapsed the trenches, which had no supports, and many men were buried alive. By evening, the Germans overran most of the village.
Charles Hampton was killed on this day, but there are no details of his death. There were 18 other fatalities in the 1st battalion on October 26th. Only one of them has a grave.
Charles Hampton was 26 years of age, and he has no known grave. His name is on the memorial at the Menin Gate, Panel 11, and on the war memorial at Froxfield church.
La Bassée
East Grafton - Private Walker, October 26, 1914.
Earnest George Walker was born in East Grafton, and he was the son of Albert and Amelia S Walker, who were living in Partridge Green in Sussex. He was a regular soldier in the 1st battalion, the Wiltshire regiment, and his army number was 6457.
On Monday October 26, the battalion was still at La Bassée. It held front line trenches in the village of Neuve Chapelle, which lay in open, flat country. The surrounding ground is drained by many small ditches, and the area tended to flood in winter. Due to the high level of groundwater, deep trenches could not be dug, and breastworks had to be constructed above ground level.
The Germans attempted to capture the village, but they were eventually halted and thrown back. There was intense fighting as the Germans advanced into the village. The battalion counter attacked to recover the front line trenches, often with use of the bayonet. Major Thomas Roche, was commanding the 1st battalion and he recorded the afternoon's fighting:
Enemy again shelled the trenches and vicinity of HQ very heavily. Regt on our left mostly cleared out of their trenches. 4.30p.m. heard enemy had come through on left of our trenches. Sent up 2 platoons in support, moved up reserve Coy closer just in time to meet the Germans debouching from W side of village of NEUVE CHAPELLE. Deployed 2 platoons of C Coy who held them at the HQ farm. Enemy came on to within 200 yards on the road, as it was getting dark, and they proceeded to entrench there. Deployed 3 platoons of C Coy and attacked them with the bayonet, drove them back into the burning village behind, killing and wounding a certain number of them and taking about 6 prisoners
Towards evening, the arrival of reinforcements enabled arrangements to be made to recapture the village. However, as Major Thomas Roche succinctly put it, there were "5 different units, no senior officers to take command, no co-ordination". Part of the battalion led a successful attack against the Germans, but the remaining companies along with some of the other units never advanced. Again, the account of Major Thomas Roche:
After considerable delay and hesitation as to try and re-establish the firing in their trenches in front of the N end of the village of NEUVE CHAPELLE. It was eventually decided by the Senior Officer present that the N end of the village could not be attacked and cleared without Artillery support, and that to get this he must wait until daylight. All units about the village, which was now burning, withdrew to about half mile W of it
The Germans successfully held onto some buildings in the northern part of the village, and the following day, seized all of the village. Over the next few days, the village changed hands several times, but the Germans succeeded in establishing defences west of the village. On October 26, casualties in the 1st battalion were severe, for 20 men were killed, 40 men wounded, and 10 men were reported missing. One of the men killed was Earnest Walker.
Earnest Walker was 33 years of age, and he has no known grave. His name is engraved at Le Touret memorial, Panel 33 34, and is recorded at East Grafton.
East Grafton - Private Walker, October 26, 1914.
Earnest George Walker was born in East Grafton, and he was the son of Albert and Amelia S Walker, who were living in Partridge Green in Sussex. He was a regular soldier in the 1st battalion, the Wiltshire regiment, and his army number was 6457.
On Monday October 26, the battalion was still at La Bassée. It held front line trenches in the village of Neuve Chapelle, which lay in open, flat country. The surrounding ground is drained by many small ditches, and the area tended to flood in winter. Due to the high level of groundwater, deep trenches could not be dug, and breastworks had to be constructed above ground level.
The Germans attempted to capture the village, but they were eventually halted and thrown back. There was intense fighting as the Germans advanced into the village. The battalion counter attacked to recover the front line trenches, often with use of the bayonet. Major Thomas Roche, was commanding the 1st battalion and he recorded the afternoon's fighting:
Enemy again shelled the trenches and vicinity of HQ very heavily. Regt on our left mostly cleared out of their trenches. 4.30p.m. heard enemy had come through on left of our trenches. Sent up 2 platoons in support, moved up reserve Coy closer just in time to meet the Germans debouching from W side of village of NEUVE CHAPELLE. Deployed 2 platoons of C Coy who held them at the HQ farm. Enemy came on to within 200 yards on the road, as it was getting dark, and they proceeded to entrench there. Deployed 3 platoons of C Coy and attacked them with the bayonet, drove them back into the burning village behind, killing and wounding a certain number of them and taking about 6 prisoners
Towards evening, the arrival of reinforcements enabled arrangements to be made to recapture the village. However, as Major Thomas Roche succinctly put it, there were "5 different units, no senior officers to take command, no co-ordination". Part of the battalion led a successful attack against the Germans, but the remaining companies along with some of the other units never advanced. Again, the account of Major Thomas Roche:
After considerable delay and hesitation as to try and re-establish the firing in their trenches in front of the N end of the village of NEUVE CHAPELLE. It was eventually decided by the Senior Officer present that the N end of the village could not be attacked and cleared without Artillery support, and that to get this he must wait until daylight. All units about the village, which was now burning, withdrew to about half mile W of it
The Germans successfully held onto some buildings in the northern part of the village, and the following day, seized all of the village. Over the next few days, the village changed hands several times, but the Germans succeeded in establishing defences west of the village. On October 26, casualties in the 1st battalion were severe, for 20 men were killed, 40 men wounded, and 10 men were reported missing. One of the men killed was Earnest Walker.
Earnest Walker was 33 years of age, and he has no known grave. His name is engraved at Le Touret memorial, Panel 33 34, and is recorded at East Grafton.
Froxfield - Private Plank, October 31, 1914.
Burbage - Private Vallis, October 31, 1914.
William Charles Plank was born in Marlborough, and he was the son of Frederick Charles and Eliza Plank, who lived in Froxfield.
William Vallis was born in Wootton Rivers. He was the husband of Clara, who lived at 39 Stibb Green in Burbage. His widow later remarried (surname Wort).
Both men were regular soldiers in the 1st battalion the Wiltshire regiment. William Plank's army number was 9067; William Vallis's number was 6764.
At the end of October, fighting around La Bassée came to an end for the 1st battalion. On Thursday 28 October, the battalion moved to billets at Richebourg St. Vast, but in the evening returned to Pont Logy opposite Neuve Chapelle. The following day, the battalion was back again at Richebourg St. Vast. A consignment of mail, warm clothing and gifts from home was eagerly received. However in the afternoon, the area was shelled, and the battalion moved to new billets near La Couture. The danger from shelling was not to be underestimated:
Formed up Battalion about 1 mile west of RICHBOURG keeping it extended so as to minimise loss in case of further shelling. At dusk sent back party to remove our equipment and stores some of which could not by removed while the shelling was on
The battalion war diary recorded two fatalities, and four wounded during this day. Over the next two days, the battalion marched to fresh billets, finally arriving at Nord-Helf, where a muster on Sunday 1st November revealed there were only 493 men in the battalion. Both men were killed during this time, but the cause of death is unknown. They may possibly have been among the wounded or missing from October 27th. On this day, the following casualties were reported.
In the fighting round NEUVECHAPELLE from the 23 to 27th October 1914 it is estimated that the casualties were. Officers Killed 2, Wounded 5, Missing 7 = total 14 Officers. Rank & File Killed 45, Wounded 153, Missing 150 = total 350 rank and file
The battalion was involved in heavy fighting to capture the village of Neuve Chapelle between the 24th and 27th of October.
William Plank was aged 22, and he has no known grave. His name is on the war memorial at Froxfield.
William Vallis was 29 years of age, and he also has no known grave. His name is on the roll of honour at Wootton Rivers. The names of both men are engraved on the memorial at Le Touret, Panel 33 34.
Burbage - Private Vallis, October 31, 1914.
William Charles Plank was born in Marlborough, and he was the son of Frederick Charles and Eliza Plank, who lived in Froxfield.
William Vallis was born in Wootton Rivers. He was the husband of Clara, who lived at 39 Stibb Green in Burbage. His widow later remarried (surname Wort).
Both men were regular soldiers in the 1st battalion the Wiltshire regiment. William Plank's army number was 9067; William Vallis's number was 6764.
At the end of October, fighting around La Bassée came to an end for the 1st battalion. On Thursday 28 October, the battalion moved to billets at Richebourg St. Vast, but in the evening returned to Pont Logy opposite Neuve Chapelle. The following day, the battalion was back again at Richebourg St. Vast. A consignment of mail, warm clothing and gifts from home was eagerly received. However in the afternoon, the area was shelled, and the battalion moved to new billets near La Couture. The danger from shelling was not to be underestimated:
Formed up Battalion about 1 mile west of RICHBOURG keeping it extended so as to minimise loss in case of further shelling. At dusk sent back party to remove our equipment and stores some of which could not by removed while the shelling was on
The battalion war diary recorded two fatalities, and four wounded during this day. Over the next two days, the battalion marched to fresh billets, finally arriving at Nord-Helf, where a muster on Sunday 1st November revealed there were only 493 men in the battalion. Both men were killed during this time, but the cause of death is unknown. They may possibly have been among the wounded or missing from October 27th. On this day, the following casualties were reported.
In the fighting round NEUVECHAPELLE from the 23 to 27th October 1914 it is estimated that the casualties were. Officers Killed 2, Wounded 5, Missing 7 = total 14 Officers. Rank & File Killed 45, Wounded 153, Missing 150 = total 350 rank and file
The battalion was involved in heavy fighting to capture the village of Neuve Chapelle between the 24th and 27th of October.
William Plank was aged 22, and he has no known grave. His name is on the war memorial at Froxfield.
William Vallis was 29 years of age, and he also has no known grave. His name is on the roll of honour at Wootton Rivers. The names of both men are engraved on the memorial at Le Touret, Panel 33 34.
Ypres
Burbage - Private Randall, November 3, 1914.
Charles Herbert G Randall was born at Tidcombe in June 1885. His parents were Charles Randall of Vernham Dean, and Martha who came from Kintbury. Charles Randall lived in Tidcombe with his wife Hannah Maria (nee Harding) of Middle Conholt.
Charles Randall was a regular soldier, and he served with the 1st battalion the Royal Berkshire regiment. His army number was 7510, and he originally enlisted in 1903 or 1904.
The battalion arrived at Ypres on October 20th, and was soon involved in the fighting to the east of the city. In the evening of October 28, the battalion was relieved and went into Brigade reserve at Molenhaarselsthoek. The new position provided little protection:
The whole reverse ridge of this ridge is bullet swept, I could do with some sleep; 8 days of almost incessant fighting is tiring, especially with so much shell-fire round one. It is getting horribly cold at night; we can't have fires at any time of course
[Biscuit Boys: Colonel Graham diary]
On October 31st, the battalion was divided, with A and B companies providing reserves for 6 Brigade, and B and D companies providing reserves for Division. A and B companies were sent to Polygon wood, but in the evening advanced against heavy fire the railway embankment at Gheluvelt. Having seized the embankment, they held it until midnight, when a French battalion relieved them. On this day, the Germans captured Gheluvelt.
On November 1st, D company rejoined A and B companies, but in the afternoon, it rejoined C company, and they took up positions on the Menin road, west of Gheluvelt. The day started badly on November 2nd, when Colonel Graham was severely wounded. Shrapnel penetrated his legs, one of which was later amputated. Colonel Graham later returned to service as a staff officer.
Burbage - Private Randall, November 3, 1914.
Charles Herbert G Randall was born at Tidcombe in June 1885. His parents were Charles Randall of Vernham Dean, and Martha who came from Kintbury. Charles Randall lived in Tidcombe with his wife Hannah Maria (nee Harding) of Middle Conholt.
Charles Randall was a regular soldier, and he served with the 1st battalion the Royal Berkshire regiment. His army number was 7510, and he originally enlisted in 1903 or 1904.
The battalion arrived at Ypres on October 20th, and was soon involved in the fighting to the east of the city. In the evening of October 28, the battalion was relieved and went into Brigade reserve at Molenhaarselsthoek. The new position provided little protection:
The whole reverse ridge of this ridge is bullet swept, I could do with some sleep; 8 days of almost incessant fighting is tiring, especially with so much shell-fire round one. It is getting horribly cold at night; we can't have fires at any time of course
[Biscuit Boys: Colonel Graham diary]
On October 31st, the battalion was divided, with A and B companies providing reserves for 6 Brigade, and B and D companies providing reserves for Division. A and B companies were sent to Polygon wood, but in the evening advanced against heavy fire the railway embankment at Gheluvelt. Having seized the embankment, they held it until midnight, when a French battalion relieved them. On this day, the Germans captured Gheluvelt.
On November 1st, D company rejoined A and B companies, but in the afternoon, it rejoined C company, and they took up positions on the Menin road, west of Gheluvelt. The day started badly on November 2nd, when Colonel Graham was severely wounded. Shrapnel penetrated his legs, one of which was later amputated. Colonel Graham later returned to service as a staff officer.
The battalion faced a determined attack by the Bavarian 30th Division, and endured a day of confused fighting. At dusk, several companies were involved in an attempt to recover trenches which had been seized by the Germans during the day. These counter attacks were not successful, and the battalion was withdrawn by 9pm to a position east of woods at Veldhoek. Captain Lucas, who took over command of the battalion the following day, recorded the confusion:
At dusk General Fitz Clarence arranged that on the sound of the whistle the whole line was to advance and retake our original trenches. Suddenly in the dusk I saw some men pushing forward on my right, though I had heard no whistle, so we all started off. I didn’t know where the trenches were that we had to retake but there seemed to be no one in front
There may be some discrepancy over the date of death of Charles Randall. According to Captain Lucas, now commanding the battalion, November 3rd was a quiet day with few casualties. But there are 19 fatalities recorded in the war diary. These men, including Charles Randell, probably died during the heavy fighting of November 2nd.
Charles Randall was 29 years of age, and he has no known grave, but his name is engraved on the Menin Gate, Panel 45, at Ypres. His name appears on the war memorial at Upper Chute, and on the memorial plaque at St.Nicholas church in Middle Conholt. His name also appears at Burbage.
At dusk General Fitz Clarence arranged that on the sound of the whistle the whole line was to advance and retake our original trenches. Suddenly in the dusk I saw some men pushing forward on my right, though I had heard no whistle, so we all started off. I didn’t know where the trenches were that we had to retake but there seemed to be no one in front
There may be some discrepancy over the date of death of Charles Randall. According to Captain Lucas, now commanding the battalion, November 3rd was a quiet day with few casualties. But there are 19 fatalities recorded in the war diary. These men, including Charles Randell, probably died during the heavy fighting of November 2nd.
Charles Randall was 29 years of age, and he has no known grave, but his name is engraved on the Menin Gate, Panel 45, at Ypres. His name appears on the war memorial at Upper Chute, and on the memorial plaque at St.Nicholas church in Middle Conholt. His name also appears at Burbage.
Cadley
The last three Bedwyn men to lose their lives in 1914 are all associated with the tiny hamlet of Cadley. Two men had connections with Cadley, and one of them is buried there. The third man came from London, but was laid to rest in Cadley.
The last three Bedwyn men to lose their lives in 1914 are all associated with the tiny hamlet of Cadley. Two men had connections with Cadley, and one of them is buried there. The third man came from London, but was laid to rest in Cadley.
Cadley - Lance Corporal Purton, November 10, 1914.
Alfred John Purton was the son of Alfred and Susan Purton. In the census of 1871, his father was a 19 year old agricultural worker working in Savernake. By 1881, he had married his wife, Susan, or Susannah.
Alfred Purton enlisted in the Wiltshire regiment, and he served with the 1st battalion. The sequence of his army number, 7778, suggests he enlisted between 1907 and 1908.
Alfred Purton's battalion left the line at La Bassée at the end of October, much reduced in the ranks by the heavy fighting. It soon returned to the front line at Hooge, near Ypres, on November 7th, taking over a section of trenches from the Gordon Highlanders. Hooge lay on the Menin road, immediately east of Ypres. The front line lay beyond Herenthage, a couple of miles down the road towards Gheluvelt. On the day of his death, the battalion faced much shelling.
Foggy morning. Shelling started early and continued heavy from 10 a.m. Till 2p.m. and after that at intervals. Very dark night. 1 wounded
However, Alfred Purton did not die at Ypres. He died of wounds at home, and he was almost certainly wounded in the fighting that was so fatal to William Vallis, William Plank, and Ernest Walker, in the area of La Bassée.
Alfred Purton was buried in the churchyard of Christchurch in Cadley, and his grave lies north of the chancel, row D3.
His name also appears on a brass memorial plaque, formerly located in the church, now displayed at St. Mary's church, Marlborough. He was 28 years of age.
YPRES
Cadley - Private Gay, November 17, 1914.
Joseph William Gay was born in 1874 and was the nephew of John Gay, of 63 Brown's Farm, which lay near Cadley.
Joseph Gay served in the 1st battalion, the Wiltshire regiment, and the sequence of his army number, 6866, suggests he enlisted between 1906 and 1907.
By mid November, the fighting at Ypres was dying down. However on November 17th, the Germans launched an unsuccessful attack against the Guards Brigade at Klein Zillebeke. Joseph Gay's battalion, now close to Herenthage chateau on the Menin road, was also attacked in the morning.
Cadley - Private Gay, November 17, 1914.
Joseph William Gay was born in 1874 and was the nephew of John Gay, of 63 Brown's Farm, which lay near Cadley.
Joseph Gay served in the 1st battalion, the Wiltshire regiment, and the sequence of his army number, 6866, suggests he enlisted between 1906 and 1907.
By mid November, the fighting at Ypres was dying down. However on November 17th, the Germans launched an unsuccessful attack against the Guards Brigade at Klein Zillebeke. Joseph Gay's battalion, now close to Herenthage chateau on the Menin road, was also attacked in the morning.
Shelling started about 9a.m. Infantry attack about 10.30a.m. at noon about 150 Germans got into D Coys advanced trenches, at 12.10 a platoon of D Coy executed a bayonet charge against them, and drove them out killing about 50 Germans, and, wounding many others. They then started to shell D Coy very heavily, also using a mortar
Among the casualties, 11 men were reported killed, and 15 men wounded. Joseph Gay was one of the fatalities of D Company.
Sadly another casualty of the day was Major Thomas Roche. He was not directly involved in the fighting among D Company trenches at the time of his death. He was visiting Major Aubrey Buckingham of the 3rd Gordon Highlanders (part of 8th Brigade) and was in his dug out when a shell exploded directly overhead. The two men were killed. An officer from the 3rd battalion, the Worcestershire regiment, Second Lieutenant A.R.Rouse, was also in the dug out, which suggests the officers may have been a holding a meeting. Aubrey Buckingham was buried near the remains of his dugout:
We have buried him in a wood, close to where he fell. The place has been enclosed and marked with a wooden cross. The spot where he lies is in a little wood, not far from the road which leads from Ypres to Menin, S.E. of the village of Hooge
[Letter written by Major Walter Baird Commander, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders]
The body of Aubrey Buckingham was buried south of the Herenthage road, north of Bodmin copse. There is now little woodland nearby, and his original grave site lies in a field belonging to a dairy farm. The battalion firing line, where Joseph Gay perished, lay not far away, east of Aubrey Buckingham´s original resting place, and directly south of Herenthage wood.
Curiously the body of Major Thomas Roche was not buried nearby. His body was laid to rest in the grounds of Huize Benkenhorst, known during the war as Stirling Castle. One company of the battalion had been employed there since November 11th preparing reserve trenches. The house then had not yet been destroyed and much of the formal landscaping survived, although shelling brought down a large number of fine pines. Probably some of the company formed a burial party. The bodies of both men were moved after the war. Thomas Roche is buried at Artillery Wood cemetery, north of Ypres, and far away from his place of death. Aubrey Buckingham is buried at Ypres Reservoir cemetery, north west of Ypres.
Among the casualties, 11 men were reported killed, and 15 men wounded. Joseph Gay was one of the fatalities of D Company.
Sadly another casualty of the day was Major Thomas Roche. He was not directly involved in the fighting among D Company trenches at the time of his death. He was visiting Major Aubrey Buckingham of the 3rd Gordon Highlanders (part of 8th Brigade) and was in his dug out when a shell exploded directly overhead. The two men were killed. An officer from the 3rd battalion, the Worcestershire regiment, Second Lieutenant A.R.Rouse, was also in the dug out, which suggests the officers may have been a holding a meeting. Aubrey Buckingham was buried near the remains of his dugout:
We have buried him in a wood, close to where he fell. The place has been enclosed and marked with a wooden cross. The spot where he lies is in a little wood, not far from the road which leads from Ypres to Menin, S.E. of the village of Hooge
[Letter written by Major Walter Baird Commander, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders]
The body of Aubrey Buckingham was buried south of the Herenthage road, north of Bodmin copse. There is now little woodland nearby, and his original grave site lies in a field belonging to a dairy farm. The battalion firing line, where Joseph Gay perished, lay not far away, east of Aubrey Buckingham´s original resting place, and directly south of Herenthage wood.
Curiously the body of Major Thomas Roche was not buried nearby. His body was laid to rest in the grounds of Huize Benkenhorst, known during the war as Stirling Castle. One company of the battalion had been employed there since November 11th preparing reserve trenches. The house then had not yet been destroyed and much of the formal landscaping survived, although shelling brought down a large number of fine pines. Probably some of the company formed a burial party. The bodies of both men were moved after the war. Thomas Roche is buried at Artillery Wood cemetery, north of Ypres, and far away from his place of death. Aubrey Buckingham is buried at Ypres Reservoir cemetery, north west of Ypres.
In contrast, Joseph Gay has no known grave. His name is on the Menin Gate, Panel 53. He was 40 years old.
Cadley - Private Grimmer, November 29 1914.
John William Grimmer was born in Willesden, London, and he was the husband of Maud M Grimmer. They lived at 40 Gould Road in Twickenham.
John Grimmer was a bus driver, and was one of three hundred volunteers who responded to Sir Winston Churchill's request in October 1914 for transport in France. He was recruited into the Army Service Corps, and served with the 92nd Motor Transport Company, or 3rd Omnibus company. His army number, M1/6591, was taken form his driver's badge number. Following a very short period of service, John Grimmer was wounded in France or Belgium. He was evacuated to England, but sadly died of wounds in Savernake hospital.
John William Grimmer was born in Willesden, London, and he was the husband of Maud M Grimmer. They lived at 40 Gould Road in Twickenham.
John Grimmer was a bus driver, and was one of three hundred volunteers who responded to Sir Winston Churchill's request in October 1914 for transport in France. He was recruited into the Army Service Corps, and served with the 92nd Motor Transport Company, or 3rd Omnibus company. His army number, M1/6591, was taken form his driver's badge number. Following a very short period of service, John Grimmer was wounded in France or Belgium. He was evacuated to England, but sadly died of wounds in Savernake hospital.
John Grimmer was was buried in Christchurch church yard in Cadley, one week after Alfred Purton. His grave is situated south of the church in row A1. His widow chose the following inscription for his grave:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR HUSBAND His name is recorded on a brass memorial plaque, formerly located in the church, now displayed at St. Mary's church, Marlborough, and also appears on the war memorial at Holy Trinity church in Twickenham. He was 28 years of age. |
The London Bus
The British army requisitioned and used buses as a means of transport for troops and as ambulances. Ernest Lock, a wartime bus driver recalled how the buses and their drivers got to France :
In about early October, the British Government went into the London General Omnibus Company and said would they ask the drivers now driving those buses in service in London to take those buses right off the road and right over to France as they were short of troop transport – they had no transport. Once the soldiers got off the boat, they had no transport at all to take them up into the battle areas. And that’s how London buses ever became involved in the war. They asked their drivers to take those buses needed right over to France and do what they asked us to do. And the next morning, 300 of us turned up at Westminster and we said we’d do just that. We would take our buses right away and we would take them over to France and we would carry the troops as wanted
The British army requisitioned and used buses as a means of transport for troops and as ambulances. Ernest Lock, a wartime bus driver recalled how the buses and their drivers got to France :
In about early October, the British Government went into the London General Omnibus Company and said would they ask the drivers now driving those buses in service in London to take those buses right off the road and right over to France as they were short of troop transport – they had no transport. Once the soldiers got off the boat, they had no transport at all to take them up into the battle areas. And that’s how London buses ever became involved in the war. They asked their drivers to take those buses needed right over to France and do what they asked us to do. And the next morning, 300 of us turned up at Westminster and we said we’d do just that. We would take our buses right away and we would take them over to France and we would carry the troops as wanted
|
Another wartime driver, George Gwynn, described his first week in the army:
After they appealed for drivers, the next day 300 of us volunteers turned up at Grosvenor Road in Westminster. We were marched up and passed by the doctor and overnight we changed from a bus driver’s uniform to an army one. Some of the buses had their windows taken out and boarded up. Some remained red, some were painted grey. Within a week we were in France. When we got off the boat they gave us a rifle, bullets and a bayonet. We always carried that on the dashboard. Many of these buses were taken to Abbeville. From there, troops who had been moved by train from the Aisne, were transported by bus to the front line between Béthune and Ypres. The rapidity with which the soldiers of the BEF were moved from the Aisne to Flanders was one of the decisive factors in halting the German advance to the sea. Troops who previously took several days to reach the front, could be transported in 5 hours. Acccording to George Gwynn, the drivers worked through the night: |
We came under fire every night and would think 'game over'. I remember when the driver of the bus in front of mine was killed. Every night we had something like that. I slept at the roadside on those buses, with no cover. Each night in the winter we had to get out of our beds and start the engine every two hours. We had to be ready at any time to rush out and pick troops up from their billets.
Christmas Day 1914
Private John Grimmer was the last of 15 Bedwyn men to die in the first year of the war. For these men, the war was sadly over by Christmas. Had they survived, one or two of them may have witnessed one of the informal truces that occurred on Christmas day. Captain Robert Hamilton of the 1st battalion, the Royal Warwickshire regiment, kept a diary which recorded his Christmas day. In December 1914, he commanded A Company and one of his officers was Lieutenant Cyril W.C. Wasey from Leigh Hill House in Savernake. Captain Hamilton’s Christmas armistice began on the edge of Ploegsteert Wood, south of Messines near Ypres.
Private John Grimmer was the last of 15 Bedwyn men to die in the first year of the war. For these men, the war was sadly over by Christmas. Had they survived, one or two of them may have witnessed one of the informal truces that occurred on Christmas day. Captain Robert Hamilton of the 1st battalion, the Royal Warwickshire regiment, kept a diary which recorded his Christmas day. In December 1914, he commanded A Company and one of his officers was Lieutenant Cyril W.C. Wasey from Leigh Hill House in Savernake. Captain Hamilton’s Christmas armistice began on the edge of Ploegsteert Wood, south of Messines near Ypres.
Xmas Day - I went out and found a saxon officer of the 134th saxon corp, who was fully armed. I pointed to his revolver and pouch. He smiled and said seeing I was unarmed, “All right now.” We shook hands, and said what we could in double Dutch, arranged a local armistice for 48 hours, and returned to our trenches. This was the signal for the respective soldiers to come out. As far as I can make out, this effort of ours extended itself on either side for some considerable distance. The soldiers on both sides met in their hundreds, and exchanged greetings and gifts
Later on that marvellous day, Cyril Wasey accompanied Robert Hamilton to a couple of frontline concerts :
Wasey and I went to a concert in D company trench, and at about midnight, we attended another in our own. The Black Hat gang had rigged up an enormous dug out, and had plastered the walls with Tatler pictures of all the latest girls. They had a stove with a teapot singing away, and altogether it was a most enjoyable evening. A very merry Xmas and a most extraordinary one, but I doubled the sentries after midnight.
End 1914
Later on that marvellous day, Cyril Wasey accompanied Robert Hamilton to a couple of frontline concerts :
Wasey and I went to a concert in D company trench, and at about midnight, we attended another in our own. The Black Hat gang had rigged up an enormous dug out, and had plastered the walls with Tatler pictures of all the latest girls. They had a stove with a teapot singing away, and altogether it was a most enjoyable evening. A very merry Xmas and a most extraordinary one, but I doubled the sentries after midnight.
End 1914