Liverpool Echo 15th October 1914
Stories from the front
Private G. HICKSON, 1st Battalion the Kings Regiment writing to his wife in Liverpool says :-
“We captured a German position and when we went to the trenches to bring them in we found them ankle deep in blood. They were glad when we took them away.
The people of England do not realise what war is. You should see the poor people’s homes that have been wrecked by the Germans. It would make you cry, some of them will never be able to get their homes together again.
The Germans are quite uncivilised to act as they have done against poor, defenceless women and children.”
A private of the Scots Guards at York tell the following :-
“In the trenches on one of our off days, I was sitting smoking a fag and my chum was writing a letter to his mother. He got to this, “I have got through without a scratch so far, but you never know your luck out” when a German bullet rounded off the sentence better than you or I could do and his grave is in the lovely valley of the Aisne, where so many of our bravest have fallen.”
One of the returned wounded tells this striking story :-
“After one of our hard fights in the Aisne there was occasion to let the wounded lie out in the rain at night. I came on one man of the Royal Irish Fusiliers who was done for. He had a waterproof cloak over him but nearby was a man of the Artillery without any covering at all. I asked the Irishman if I could do anything for him
“Nothing” he said, “but if you would take this cloak and throw it over the poor chap there I would be grateful. I will never pull through, but, he may if he is attended to at once. Goodbye, See that the vultures don’t get me when I’m gone will you?”
Private J. THOMPSON, Durham Light Infantry, says :-
“Our battalions suffered heavy losses but we gave the Germans some stick before they got away. One of their cowardly tricks was played on the West Yorkshire Regiment. They were lying on our right next to us. We were firing from our trenches, when an order came to cease fire, then we heard the officers shouting that the Germans had surrendered.
We let them come on with their white flag and their rifles above their heads. About 200 of them got to our men and stood still. Our men were going to take their rifles from them, when suddenly the Germans seemed to spring from nowhere and opened fire with rifles and machine guns. It was wilful murder and if we had not got reinforcements I should not be alive.”
“Not all Germans are cruel” says a private of the Black Watch in hospital in Newcastle.
“On the Aisne I was lying for hours wounded. A German came along and bound up my wound under heavy fire. When he had made me ship shape, he was going to clear off, but a stray bullet caught him, and he fell dead.”
Corporal HOUSTON of the Seaforths, says :-
“After Soissons I was lying on the field badly wounded. Near by was a young fellow of the Northamptonshire Regiment. Standing over him was a German infantryman holding a water bottle to his lips and trying to soothe him. The wounded man was delirious and kept calling “Mother are you there?” all the time. The German seemed to understand for he passed his hand gently over the feverish brow and caressed the poor lad as tenderly as any woman might have done. Death came at last, and as the soul of the wounded man passed to its last account I saw the German trying to hide his tears.”
Mrs HARGREAVES of Hightown, Wrexham has received a letter from her son G. F, a sapper of the 56th Company, Royal Engineers, written August 29th, and has taken 6 weeks to reach its destination.
HARGREAVES states he is a prisoner in the hands of the Germans, who captured him at the battle of Mons, after he had been wounded in the right arm, mouth and back.
“I am with the Germans” he says, “But do not worry, I shall be looked after all right.”
In a letter home to Chester, written October 4th, Lieutenant T. L. FROST, of the 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment, son of Alderman John M. FROST, Mayor of Chester, says :-
“Many gallant actions have been performed by the men of the Cheshires. I had one of my transport men mentioned in despatches the other day. The transport were under shell fire and one of his horses began jibbing, so he pulled his cart into the field beside the road, and although it was being heavily shelled the whole time he unlocked the jibbing horse and brought the cart on with the one horse after the remainder of the transport passed. By doing this he firstly saved the remainder of the transport, by drawing aside, and secondly he saved his own ammunition cart.”
Liverpool Echo 15th October 1914
Ex constable Benjamin SMITH of the Liverpool Police, who was killed at Moissy on September 15th was 28 years of age. He was a reservist of the Kings Liverpool Regiment and rejoined the colours at the outbreak of hostilities, and had been in the thick of the fighting up until his death. He joined the Liverpool Police in 1908 and was stationed at Tuebrook where he was greatly esteemed by his comrades, much sympathy is felt for Mrs SMITH who is an invalid.
--------
Liverpool Daily Post 16th November 1914
War stories at first hand
Our soldiers relate their experiences
Facing death at every turn
A private in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, now at home says :-
“You never know your luck out there. One day there was a chap who was writing a letter home, telling them to make ready for his return at Christmas. He did not like the way he was disturbed by German shells, so shifted to a place where he thought he would be safer, just as he settled down a shell dropped beside him, and the chap will never write another letter in this world.
There was a Lance Corporal of the Dragoons who was everlastingly fussing about his personal appearance. One day he did not think his boots were as clean as they might be, and he stopped at a village to buy brushes and polish. While he was giving them a shine the Germans came, and after a hard fight he was killed. We found him beside the boot brushes when we came back as dead as they make them.
One of the Irish Fusiliers got a letter from his girl, in which she asked for a German helmet for some party she was going to in fancy dress at Christmas. He went out to get one in the field, and just when he picked it up was hit in the chest by a shell splinter. With his last breath he asked us to send the helmet to the girl, and tell her at what cost he had got it for her. I hope she will appreciate it.
In another case a man of the Gloucesters was cut off just because he stopped by the wayside to collect some flowers he fancied. He was found dead the next day with a bunch of blood stained flowers clutched in his hand.”
Cunning as foxes
Gunner James FISH, son of a famous footballer, to his relatives in Darwen says :-
“We had to make a quick move as we were going to put a few of the enemy to sleep”
He relates how a conversation with a friend was cut short. He characterises the Germans as fiends, as cunning as foxes, who will stop at nothing.
“They did as much damage as possible where ever they went, burnt all they could and pinched everything worth taking”
Indicating the coolness of the British soldiers he says, “We don’t mind the German shells a bit, in fact, while the shells are about some of our men went out digging potatoes and carrots to feed upon at the first opportunity.”
The battle field concert
Told by a corporal of the East Kent Regiment :-
“You could scarcely credit half the stories that can be told of the coolness and courage of our men under fire and in the most terrible circumstances. I lay out with a party of wounded belonging to various regiments for over 24 hours, and it was terribly dull and weary work. It would have driven us mad had it not been for the cheerfulness and spirit of a young lad of the Royal Irish Regiment. Though terribly hurt, he had picked up a mouth organ from somewhere, and all the time he kept playing lively airs to keep us cheerful. He never seemed to tire but when we got to hospital it was found that he had paid dearly for his attempt to cheer us up, for the excitement had destroyed what little hope there was of his recovery. “Never mind” was his remark when the bad news was broken to him, “we didn’t have the blues anyway.”
The same day we were all very thirsty and would have given anything for a drink. Without saying a word a man of the Manchester Regiment crawled away to a farm close by and persuaded the farmer to venture out with some milk and water for us. The journey cost him his life for he died before the doctors arrived. His name was ROPER, I believe, but it is said he had another name, as his character wasn’t the best, he was known to the police. Another day I came on a guardsman who was spinning cuffers, to the rest of the wounded men while waiting for the ambulance though he was hit as badly as any of them. We asked about his wound, “Oh, its only a touch on the funny bone” he answered with a smile, but that touch on the funny bone made it necessary to take the arm off, and was within half an inch of blood poisoning.”
Recapture of an aeroplane
Sergeant T. M’MULLEN, 2nd Coldstream Guards, writes :-
“I wish you could see us in the trenches, we are just like rabbits bobbing up and down. We have been here for four days, but before we came here we were in the trenches for 29 days in and out every 24 hours. Yesterday or guns shelled the Germans out of their trenches. Then our men got their rifles and machine guns on them. On Monday just 200 or 300 yards away from us our men fetched an aeroplane down. It was an English one and some time or other the Germans must have captured it. It was flying over our guns and infantry, dropping lights to show the Germans where we were. Our boys fired at it and set in on fire, and down it came. One of the men in it was dead, the other jumped down when he was 600 feet from the ground. I don’t know what became of him.”
Like grim grey statues
Lance Corporal C. HILL. 5th Royal Irish Lancers, writes :-
“A fortnight ago we were in some trenches at ------, and we held on for 11 days. One day the Germans made an extra strong attack, and fully outnumbered us 20 to 1, or more, for they were everywhere we looked. They looked just like grim grey statues slowly coming along, with their officers behind driving them on. We kept on firing until they were 40 yards from the trenches before we retired. We must have mown down hundreds, as we could see them dropping all the time. Our rifles were so hot we could hardly carry them. To make matters worse they shelled us for about 7 hours before they sent on the infantry, who advanced under shell fire. The farm behind us alight and ablaze like a furnace. It contained 30,000 rounds of ammunition and it all went up when we were retiring.”
Captured Lancashire man
Private Ernest STEEN, 2nd South Lancashire Regiment, writes to his mother :-
“I am very sorry to tell you that I have been captured by the Germans. We were surprised by them while digging trenches at Jemappes in Belgium. We had only half finished the trenches when they came on us, so we had hardly any cover. This happened on August 24th on the Sunday afternoon, and we fought till dusk. We slept in the trench all night and at dawn we started again. We held our own for about 4 hours, till one of their shells blew our machine up.
Then their cavalry and infantry charged us, they were at least 20 to 1, after a short fight they cut us up. I had a most marvellous escape for I was struck by a bullet on my left breast, but it so happened that I had a big regulation jack knife and paybook in my top pocket. The bullet hit the knife then glanced off leaving a big bruise on my chest and a slight cut just below my left shoulder. Then as I looked round, I saw the Germans on top of us. They were like madmen and they were shooting us like dogs. One levelled his rifle at me and fire point blank.
I received the charge in my right shoulder and I am now in a German hospital. But for my wound I feel alright, and we are treated very kindly. The enemy that attacked us lost ten times as many men as we did. We are expecting to be transported into Germany any day, and kept prisoner until peace is proclaimed, which I sincerely hope won’t be long. Then I will come home for a good long holiday, and we will have such a good dinner.
At last I am able to write to you again, I only had one envelope, which the Germans were kind enough to give me. I am getting better very quickly, and feel stronger every day, for we are getting plenty of good food. The only complaint I have to make is that I have nothing to pass the time away, so would you send me a couple of books for me to read.
I will be glad when the war is over for I have found out it is quite true, “There is no place like home,” I dare say you will laugh if you saw me now, for all my soldier clothes were torn, so they gave me some civilian clothes to wear. I have a Homberg hat, a long frock tail coat, a pair of striped trousers and a pair of ladies slippers, so you can guess I look a pretty sight. I write you these few lines to let you know that I am nearly better, my wound is healing quickly and I will soon be as strong as ever.”
Trench fighting
Private A. R. WALLEN, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, writing to friends in Liverpool says :-
“In the morning as soon as it was light the Germans started shelling us, and I can tell you it was like hell on earth all the morning until about 1, then it stopped all of a sudden, and in a little while after we saw the French troops retiring. Then our advance post came in minus two men who had been shot. They said that the Germans were advancing on us in large numbers, and just as we heard that we saw in front of us about 20 yards away in a bit of a clump of trees, scores of them, but they did not know we were there, and I can tell you we soon left them know we scattered them in all directions.
Then when they had gone they started shelling us again, and we dare not come out of the trenches, but luckily only one man was hit and not seriously. The last two days we have had it hot. We are about 200 yards from the Germans now, and this morning just as it broke daylight, our sergeant said, “Look out, there are some Germans over there” and we looked up and there six of them were nicely arranging their trenches in front so we should not notice them. They thought it was too dark for us to see them. There were four of us in our trench, and we gave them a volley and fetched four of them down out of six. The other two escaped for the time being, but we waited for them and as soon as they showed themselves we had them, and that ended the six.
We can see Germans dead in front of our trenches, where they tried to charge the other night, but it did not come off. We have a good few casualties lately, but nothing to what the Germans have had. Their dead are piled up and they can’t get them in. They are sending a few shrapnel shells over at this moment while I am writing. I have to keep bobbing my head down. There is only one thing wrong with me, that is I want a good sleep. We have been in the trenches for ten nights running, and I don’t feel up to much.”
Impression of a Liverpool man
Sergeant John DALTON, who in peace time was employed in Liverpool shipping circles has sent an interesting letter from Belgium Expressing his interest and encouragement in the good news of the comrades battalions. He says :-
“We have been under fire very nearly every day since we arrived in this country. I think we should feel lonesome now if the artillery was to cease firing. The noise of the guns is something terrible, but you get quite used to it. I do not think the war will last very long, for we have thousands of troops and men arriving every day, and our boys are giving the Huns all they want. The weather here is very mild. I do not think they have any winter. The people are a good sort and are very good to us.”
--------
Liverpool Daily Post 17th November 1914
Treacherous use of the white flag
Liverpool Soldier’s story
Sergeant C. DAVIES, 1st Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment, writing from the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Millbank London, says :-
T am a Liverpool and belong to that well known regiment the King’s Liverpool, which is known as Lord Derby’s Regiment. I am very sorry to say while fighting for my King and country I met with a very bad wound. The only good point about it is that I did not lose my life.
I was in the trenches at the battle of the Aisne for eight days, we were under heavy shell fire the whole time, losing a very large number of men, and also the best part of our leading officers. They had shot my platoon officer, so being the senior sergeant I had to take command of a platoon which is roughly 60 men. About half an hour after my officer had got knocked over I had a job to do. There was some Germans in a wood and they had been firing at us all night. At 5.30am we spotted them about 150 yards away, and didn’t we pelt them with our rifles and machine gun. They were dropping down like sheep. When they got back in this wood which was about 100 yards further on, they shouted a word which means in English “surrender” they were also showing a white flag. So our captain shouted to our men to stop firing, and when we stopped our poor captain, a jolly good chap to, got shot, and died from wounds. My company commander said to me, “Sergeant DAVIES I want you to go out to that wood with your platoon and see can you get hold of the Germans.” I advanced on with my men all gay and hearty, and still they were showing the white flag, and not firing a round, so we walked straight to the edge of the wood of course.
Being in command I walked in front of my men, which was my duty. When the commander does his duty it puts good spirits in the men. As soon as ever I got to the wood, I suppose, 10 yards in front of my men, they saw my stripes. They knew I was in command, so they shot me down. I got up and shouted to my men to retire back to that bank, and I got myself away with just the one wound, but I believe there were seven men killed and wounded out of my sixty before they could get back.
The bullet entered my neck through my tongue catching the roof of my mouth and passing through my lip, breaking my jaw and all my teeth. I have lost my speech.”
One Briton three Germans
Private P. M’KENZIE, writes to his father in Liverpool :-
We have been all round France driving the Germans back and inflicting terrible losses on them, and still we have up to the present lost only two men. All our men are bright and cheerful, being well fed, and an issue of tobacco once a week, which keeps them from grumbling. We receive papers fairly often, so are not short away from any news. The weather here is fairly decent, but gets very cold towards evening. The blankets the papers are asking for will come in very useful, if we get them. Hope we do.
I read in the paper that Liverpool has contributed 40,000 men towards the new army. Let us hope they will prove what we have proved, and that is one Englishman is worth three Germans. I suppose you have read in the papers all about the work of the Germans, wrecking homes, killing innocent people, and reducing holy churches to complete ruin, and firing on the Red Cross. Well every word of this is true.
Near to Paris we gave the Germans the biggest shock of their lives. We killed and captured thousands again, and our loses were few. Then we drove them backwards, still killing and capturing them and their guns, and spoiling their chances of getting to Paris, which they thought was easy.
Then came the battle of Aisne, when we were in action for three weeks. The German loses here must have been terrible, but ours are not worth speaking of. We have left the river Aisne, but dare not say where we are, as a matter of fact, I don’t know. I must admit I have had some narrow escapes.”
Sergeant P. RILEY, 16th, Hussars, write to his brother in Liverpool :-
“Am pleased to say we are still being successful all along the line, and we have just reinforced one of our forces, previous to having a bit more fun with them. According to letters taken from prisoners they are inclined to admit they are a beaten country, and the men are very glad when they are captured, owing to the privations which they have to undergo.
General Sir Douglas HAIG with his division had a descent little bag on or about the 23rd inst, 500 killed, 200 of them bayoneted, about 1500 wounded and 600 prisoners, so one or two hauls like that should thin them out somewhat.
Am pleased to tell you I have still got my same mare I brought out with me from England, and sincerely hope I can take her through without a scratch, as she has got me out of several tight corners, and I won’t part with her if I can help it.
The weather here at present is excellent for the time of year, though very cold at nights owing to mists which prevail in this country.”
Corporal T. SCOTT, of the Royal Field Artillery, who has just returned from the front wounded, gives an interesting picture of the fighting around Pyres :-
“In intensity it beats anything that has gone before. At times it was simple wholesale murder. It was astonishing the way our chaps held on in face of terrible odds. The Germans swooped down on a man of the Guards, all that remained of his section. There were hundreds of them, but that chap would not give in and scorned to run away.
They could not help admiring his pluck, and the shouted to him to surrender. “Surrender be d----s! He said, “The Guards never surrender, come and take me”
He was behind a felled tree. He replaced his cigarette between his lips, and started to fire his last rounds. Soon they were all gone, and, coolly fixing his bayonet, he stood up. The Germans had orders to shoot at his legs, and he was hit, but on his knees he received the last charge, and was riddled with bullets.”
Gunner BRUCE, of the Royal Field Artillery, in a letter home writes :-
“More men and plenty of cigarettes are all we want out here, and we hope we will get them as quickly as possible. There is a lot of overtime to be worked, and we never hear of the eight hour day we had in the pits. It would be a godsend if we could have more spare time in which to rest. Sometimes we have to work until we drop with weakness.
I don’t blame the Army for that, it’s the fault of the men who prefer to stay at home and talk to their friends about fighting while other men are doing it. Sometimes I think it would be good if the Germans did invade the country, just to let our people see what invasion means, and wake them out of their sleep.
I’ll warrant we would get more recruits than we wanted. It would not be a bad plan to make an arrangement with the Keiser to allow the German Huns, to land, just to buck up recruiting.”
----------
Liverpool Daily Post 7th December 1914
Fun relieves the strain
Amusing interludes in the firing line
Soldiers stories
Private Paul YOUNG serving with the London Rifles at the front writes :-
”It is no use taking this business too seriously. It has its very serious side, but if we did not try our best to adjust things by dwelling on the lighter side, I am sure we would be all sent home to Colney Hatch before another week. The sights you see are so terrible that the only way to get away from them is to get a little frivolity now and then. Last week we made up a big snowman, and after putting on the whiskers and helmet and all complete it would have passed for a speaking bust of the Kaiser. It was touched up by an artist chap who is serving with us, and if the Germans had passed that way then they would have saluted under the impression that it was the old man himself who had got snowbound on his way round with Iron Crosses. By the way one of our boys got an Iron Cross sent out from home. It was a penny one that had been bought in the streets, and we have some rare larks decorating people with it. It has passed into currency here. We don’t say of a chap, when we want to imply that he is the limit, He takes the biscuit , but, He takes the Iron Cross. We also call the crosses the Kaiser’s Iron Tonic, because they seem to be used principally for stimulating faint hearted Germans. We were under fire for two days in the trenches, and I think we came up to expectations. We haven’t begun to fancy ourselves yet, and the praise we get is not likely to turn our heads.”
Heroism of Newsboy
Private J. THOMPSON, Northumberland Fusiliers, in a letter home says :-
“The Germans were getting around on the left of the Scots Fusiliers and volunteers were asked for to take a message telling them to retire.
A Newcastle newspaper lad took it up his name is Private W. YOUNG. When he came back he said, “A sniper tried to do me in, but, I soon let him see the North lads were sharper”
When he came out of the trenches he took off his shirt and coat and gave them to a little girl to keep her warm, as the child had no clothes, they had been burned by the Germans. In return she took from her neck a cross and gave it to him. After YOUNG came back with the despatch the company officer wanted to see him the next morning, but it was too late he was wounded, and wheeled down to hospital in a barrow.
When the lads saw him half of them had tears in their eyes, for he was well liked by his pals and a good sportsman.”
Tommies not downhearted
Private J. JUDGE, writes to relatives in Liverpool :-
“As I am writing this the boys are playing another kind of war, and the ammunition they are using is snow. We have had a beautiful fall here, and we are so near the Germans we could fight them with snowballs.
Probably you would not believe they are only 50 yards from our trenches and although our trenches are so near our guns can miss ours and drop shells right into theirs. It is really wonderful the shooting of our artillery.
I must tell you I am enjoying the very best of health, and in the best spirits, as you can see by the tone of this letter, and I don’t see a downhearted man amongst us and I think we could beat this lot with potsticks if we got at close quarters with them.
They have no more idea of using a bayonet than a pig has of using a pen and when they charge our fellows only have to show their bayonets to make them turn, so they let them come almost on to the head of the trench before they open out, and then there is a scatter.”
Bombs on Hospitals
Corporal John HERRING, of the Royal Engineers, writes to friends in Liverpool :-
“Snow has fallen and everywhere looks like winter, and of course it feels like it too. I often wish the British Army could get going and drive the Germans back, so as to conclude the war, for I feel so sorry for those poor chaps in the trenches day in and day out, and no fires.
Yesterday a German aeroplane flew over where I am and dropped a bomb which exploded, killing a poor chap in hospital who was being operated on and three medical chaps who were attending him. They fired at the aeroplane and brought him down.
We see German aeroplanes every day, and its fine sport watching the Germans shelling the aviators, plenty of shells bursting around them, but none killing them. I think we have brought four aeroplanes down altogether at this place, plenty of wounded coming in from the trenches.
I was at the place where Lord ROBERTS died, but not now. Great man! Have seen
FRENCH, looks a trifle older, but the same old stick!”
Prisoner of war
Liverpool prisoner of war
Private LUCAS, an Aintree railwayman, who has been 15 years in the 2nd Scots Guards who is now a prisoner in Germany writes to his family in Liverpool :-
I have been bayoneted by the Germans in the leg, and am going on alright they are treating me the best they can”
Private LUCAS fought 19 days and nights in the trenches at Ypres. With him were captured an officer and a doctor, who would not leave the wounded. A comrade who is in the Scots Guards, who is at Fazakerley Hospital says that at Ypres there were cases heard of wounded soldiers being maltreated by Germans with butt ends of rifles. Many officers hearing of this, stayed behind to protect the wounded, and were captured.
Liverpool’s terrible time
Driver C. THOMAS, of the 50th Battery of the R.F.A, writes to a friend in Liverpool, Private Edward HOWLETT, the 5th Kings Liverpool, who is at home wounded, as follows :-
“We had three weeks retirement. I witnessed some terrible sights, poor women and children, babies in arms, old couples all turned into the streets by the Germans.
It made your heart bleed to see them, and the poor girls. Well you can’t describe them. And then you came into another engagement, and we wiped the Germans out of their trenches and captured about 150. They were starving and giving us 3 Francs for a tin of bully or biscuits.
Then we advanced again until we arrived at a place called ------, and then we came into action again, and it was a terrible one the battle of Aisne. I had a terribly narrow shave, my horses were shot and a bit of shell went right through my overcoat just grazing my leg. We must have lost 100 horses that day, and then we had to take cover where we could. So I took cover in a barn close by. The next morning just as we had finished a bit of breakfast, a German shell burst right through the wall, killing 14 and wounding 34. I had another narrow shave there. We buried the dead men at night, we had a nice sermon over them, and then covered them up to rest in peace for evermore with God’s blessing.
The battle was still raging. The poor infantry, the Berkshires and the 5th, Kings Battalion Liverpool had a terrible time.
The battle lasted for 25 and a half days, and then the remounts came up, and we made our teams up again, and marched to a place called ---------, and we had a week’s rest. Then we advanced again until we came to a place called Ypres, and we came into engagement again, and this is the worst battle of the expedition for we have lost thousands of men and the Germans have lost tens of thousands.
I was writing a letter when a Jack Johnson burst the wall of the barn killing two horses and two men and wounding several. Then another one came killing one of my horses and wounding the other and one wheel horse, and my two comrades killed right out. So this concludes my story.”
15 days in the trenches
R. HUSON of the 1st Cheshires writing to his parents in Liverpool, says :-
“Near the fighting at La Bassee I was on the top of a haystack for five days and nights with the machine gun, and it was a very hot place, the shells hitting everywhere around us, but we had luck on our side. But on October 12th, our luck changed. In the morning the R.F.A, brought one of the guns up to our position and shelled the German trenches, but the enemy soon returned the fire with bad results to our men.
I was told to get down and take cover, which I did with the remainder of our men and the gunners of the 11th, Battalion R.F.A, went behind another haystack. I was standing talking to one of the gunners who had a paper in his hand, and the heading on the paper was, “German shells make much noise but kill few men” but about 30 seconds afterwards one shell dropped into the lot of us killing one private, a corporal, and a third was wounded.
I felt him being blown past me but I did not get hit myself, but I cannot tell you how it missed me, so if T am not lucky, I would like to know where the luck is, if there is any at all. I put them in one grave. I was very pleased to leave the haystack and get into the trenches, were we where for another 12 days until we were driven out by the Germans on the 22nd, although we did our best. But the ground has been taken since and held good.
On November 4th we arrived at Ypres and went into the trenches and it was the hottest place I have been in, and I have been through the lot up to now. Our regiment 4 machine guns and only 8 men to work them, we should have had 24.
We had to hold our position until we were relieved by the French troops who seemed to come slow up to the mark. We were in the trenches 15 days and nights up to our knees in water and no sleep for nights.
I could not walk I was that bad with frostbite, I was taken to hospital and sent home, leaving the two privates behind who I am sure were like myself, but I hope they are alright now and keeping out of range of Jack Johnsons, which have done for such a lot of our corps, but they are doing it like men and keeping up the name of our regiment.”
Wounded eight times
Lieutenant CRUISE, who, when he went to the front with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, had the rank of sergeant major, and is now in hospital in London wounded has been visited by the King and Queen, and in communication with his wife at Reading, says :-
“Both their Majesties evinced a special interest in me. The King told me I had been given a commission four days before I was wounded, and the Queen spoke most sympathetically to me, and wished me a speedy recovery.”
In a desperate attack by the Germans Lieut CRUISE seized several boxes of ammunition, and, amidst a hail of shrapnel and bullets dragged them from the trenches through a hedge into a place of safety.
He was severely wounded last month near Roye, after being in the firing line since the battle of Mons. He had shrapnel wounds in no fewer than eight places, left leg, left foot, right hand, shoulder and his head. He is making good recovery and expresses himself as very proud of the regiment in which he says, his father fought and died.
Terrible havoc of French guns
Mr Noel WITHES, son of Samuel WITHES, of Sandhurst, Shewsbury, writing November 25th, from the front, where he has been with the motor transport service since the beginning of the war says :-
“We were billeted in some barns. For a carpet we had straw, and for a table the mangers are covered with tops of biscuit boxes, while for a fireplace we have bricks surrounded by flattened out petrol five gallon drums with holes in placed on tins, which act as a fireguard. The pictures on the wall consist of thousands of spiders webs. We have wood and coal for our fire. With all this luxury we are very comfortable. At present our main amusement is obtained from a melodeon! As for war news, I know little or nothing, but I hear that the new French guns did a lot of damage yesterday. Germans being found dead in trenches, with no body wounds. I am still of the opinion that the war will not last long, that peace will be declared before or about Whitsuntide.
---------
Liverpool Daily Post 10th December 1914
Cool under fire
Scots not troubled by bullets
Corporal W. V. DUMBECK, of E. Company, Liverpool Scottish, in a letter to a business colleague says :-
“We are now resting after three days in the trenches. I did not feel so bad while we were there, but after we were relieved I felt utterly exhausted. The trench where I was stationed was behind a hedge bordering a small wood, the German trenches were on the other side about 150 to 200 yards away. Further along the line there was only about 30 yards separating our trenches from those of the enemy. The French had occupied and lost our trenches about a fortnight previously, and there were a lot of their dead lying just behind us. I had two as company for three days, and as they had been dead for some time the smell was far from pleasant. Just behind us on the right were some farm buildings that had been shelled, but two German snipers had taken up their quarters there, and were potting at our heads all day and night.
During the first night things were very quiet, and the day also passed without any particular excitement, but the second night we had an attack which, however, failed to come off. It is a fearful strain peering into the darkness trying to discover whether anything is moving. Moreover, as snipers were potting at the loopholes all the time we could not stay there too long. The snipers in front of us were not more than 10 yards away, but they were rotten shots. The narrowest escape I had was when a bullet hit the bank two inches from my head, and blinded me with dust for a few minutes. The fact of being under fire does not seem to trouble me in the slightest degree. On the other hand the discomforts of the weather worry me considerably. I do not believe it possible that any of the Regulars could have been cooler than our boys. They fired, or stood by, just as they were ordered, as calmly as though they were practising at Altcar. The third night we had a big attack just before dawn, but it was successfully broken, and the next day again passed quietly.
We were to have been in the trenches two nights only, and had only two days rations with us. The food is good and ample. For the two days we had two 12oz tins of bully beef each, a Maconnachie stew ration, a 1lb pot of jam for every two men, four biscuits and about half a pound of cheese. The stench, however, was too great that I could not eat anything. We had only our full water bottles to last for three days, and I had such thirst, when were relieved I drank right off two pints of water, following this up with five bowls of tea. Coming out we passed dozens of dead Frenchmen and a few Germans. It is rotten to see them lying around unburied, but nothing can be done on account of the close proximity of the enemy.
I have to thank you very much for the newspapers. We get far less news here than at home and have to look to the papers for what little we do get. I had four papers in the trench with me, and they passed part of the time away very nicely. Fortunately, the weather has become much warmer, but the roads are now inches deep in mud. Until we move in the firing line again we are billeted in a barn about five miles back. It is certainly a shelter but that is about all that can be said for it. There are eight of us around a single candle just now endeavouring to write legibly, if you can read this without considerable trouble I shall be a bit surprised.
I shall be glad to hear how all the boys are getting on, and I hope they will be soon out here to have a taste of what we are having. They will never believe our yarns if they don’t have a taste of the thing for themselves.”
Scenes of desolation
Private J. COSTELLO, another member of the Scottish, writes to his parents :-
“I just feel like sending you a line. We have had two days rest after a rough time in the trenches. We had been in some time and were expecting a relief, which did not come until they were 24 hours late. We were only 16 or 20 yards away from the German trenches, and it is impossible for you to imagine how we all felt. We had two attacks by the Germans during the last night. The enemy threw very bright lights at us to blind us for a few minutes, but we closed our eyes when they came.
When I first went into the trenches I felt a bit scared with the bullets ringing past in hundreds and “Jack Johnsons” and “Coal boxes” bursting just behind. When they burst they make a hole big enough in which we could put our house, and if only ten yards off they bury you alive, but we were too near the enemy to be a target for them. The biggest risk we had was when we had to leave the trenches. The beggars fired at us unmercifully, but fortunately none were hit. Our casualties were one officer killed and three men slightly wounded. We had no food or water for a whole day. The fields were all strewn with dead French and Germans who had fought in the previous battle for the trenches, and the smell was awful. There were also dead pigs and cattle alongside. I may tell you the sooner peace is declared the better.
By the way cigarettes are being given to us now and again, and if you could send me some chocolate, instead of cigarettes I would be glad. We are not getting very good food, and chocolate is a luxury. Nearly all our chaps have some sent them. I am not getting any pay because there is no place to spend any, all the people having fled.
The towns here are awful. They are just the same as Messina after the great earthquake. The shops and houses are razed to the ground, it is beyond all imagination. I wish I had all the food I had refused when I was at home. It is very cold here and sleep is impossible, except a few minutes at a time.”
The late Captain TWENTYMAN
Fellow officers tribute
Liverpool Scottish officer in a letter home :-
“By the time this reaches you will probably have read of the death in action of Arthur TWENTYMAN. We were in the trenches for three days, and poor old Arthur was shot by a sniper. He had gone to a neighbouring trench to get a bomb to throw at one of these snipers, who was lying close under the rifles of the Scottish, just where they could not deflect the muzzles enough to get him, and on his way back was sniped.
It was a bad blow for us all as he was a good chap, but, of course these things must be in war. We had one other man wounded only, we go back into the trenches tomorrow.”
Watched over his boys
A letter written by Captain TWENTYMAN to the mother of one of the Liverpool Scottish, sent by the lady to show that the gallant officer was not only brave but a kind hearted and sympathetic man :-
“I have received your letter, which I quite understand. I gave your boy every opportunity to stay at home on account of his age when he was in Edinburgh, but he said his father had been through three campaigns, and he wanted to do the same.
We are not in the firing line and are not likely to be this side of Christmas, so you need not worry about him. He is filling out and is quite fit and well, and you can rely on my not overtaxing his strength, and I will keep a friendly eye on him.
With kind regards, Yours truly,
A. TWENTYMAN [Captain]
P.S, I will not mention your letter to him.
Prisoner who escaped
A despatch riders, his adventures
Corporal William ROBERTS, motor cycle rider, son of Mr and Mrs ROBERTS, Concert Hall, Llanrwst, who enlisted on August 4th, and landed in France on August 16th, has returned home invalided. He was taken prisoner by the Germans during the retreat from Mons about 31st August, escaping on the 9th September from La Ferte.
It appears he was engaged on one occasion carrying despatches to a certain Army Corps, a task he successfully accomplished. When returning several shots were fired at him, he had not proceeded many yards when a bullet punctured his back tyre, he jumped off, dropped into a ditch and crawled into a turnip field, when another bullet penetrated the crown of his cap. Fearing the next bullet would lodge in his head, he put up his hands. The Germans then came up to him, removed his revolver, knife and all his correspondence. They then ordered him to follow them, but they had not proceeded many yards when he was shown several British soldiers the enemy had shot lying in the roadway. He thought he would be the next victim, but one of the mounted soldiers signed to him to cling to his stirrup, when they all trotted off. One of the officers, intervened and forced him to relinquish his hold on the stirrup, resulting in him having to run three miles without support until they reached the German headquarters, where he was vainly questioned as to the number and position of the British guns.
He was next placed amid the German infantry and had to carry their kit. That night they took his overcoat and forced him to lie on the bare road without any covering. In the morning he was given a small bag of biscuits, that was all the food he had for two days. They next placed him with six other British prisoners, one being an officer, each of whom had to carry kit. ROBERTS asked the officer was there any chance of escaping, but was informed that such a project was hopeless, and especially so since he had injured his knee and was lame. But he said to the officer that he would take advantage of the first opportunity. After several days marching from 6am until 3pm, they arrived at La Ferte.
On the following morning the British commenced shelling the place, and by 6pm were advancing through the streets. The Germans occupying the houses directed a heavy fire on the British, who took cover in gardens, behind walls, and other points of vantage. ROBERTS had been placed with the other six prisoners in one of the houses, and when the Germans were engaged firing he slipped off his boots and slipped into the cellar, where he found a door leading to the street. He opened the door cautiously and saw some British troops some 30 yards distance down the street in a garden. ROBERTS shouted out that he was a British prisoner, but the officer ordered his men to cover him with their rifles. ROBERTS withdrew back into the cellar, but, in about 10 minutes he reopened the door and crawled half way out and shouted again. The officer told him to run for it, but when informed there were five Germans in the upper rooms, the officer ordered his men to cover the windows. ROBERTS ran along the street and was not hit, although several shots were fired at him. He had run 30 yards and climbed a 6 foot wall, before he reached the British troops, who all shook hands and congratulated him on his escape. He informed the officer in command there were six other prisoners in the house with an equal number of Germans, with the result that the British immediately rushed the building and rescued the others. Subsequently they were all taken to British headquarters where they gave all the information they possessed.
The brother of Lord Derby, the Hon G. F. STANLEY, has sent a letter to his political agent at Preston. He says :-
“The Germans have entrenched themselves and our fellows have done the same. In the part of the line immediately in front of my battery there is only 50 yards between there trenches and ours. There is a good deal of sniping on either side, and if a man wants to leave this life he has only got to put his head above the parapet for 30 seconds or less and he will get a bullet through it. My battery is not so close, we are out of rifle fire, but their shells can and do reach us easily. We had a fearful dusting the first day I joined the battery. They got into us with, Jack Johnsons, and we had to leave the guns for a time and get them away after dark. We could not see their battery or we would have taken them on and there was no object in keeping the men there being shelled and not being able to reply to it, so we did the only possible thing in moving away and getting the guns away later. The men are perfectly magnificent, if the young men at home who can volunteer, and do not do so, could only see what the fellows out here do every day, they would be tumbling over each other to come and help them. As it is they evidently do not realise what a big thing is on. People who think the Germans are not good fighters make the biggest mistake of their lives, our men are better soldiers, but they are no braver than the Germans, who show just as much pluck, and will come on again and again in face of most awful losses. I am convinced they must have lost heavily. Their big guns are very well handled and their shells make an unpleasant noise when they burst near one.
The French are good fighters, and there is only going to be one end to this war, but no one can help seeing that the Germans are putting up a fine fight.”
Driver LYMER of the R.F.A, writes :-
“There is plenty of artillery as well as infantry out here, and there are several Liverpool lads here. We have been in action a month now, but the weather is awful, with snow and rain, but still we stick it like heroes. The mud is terrible, it takes a knife to get it off, but we do not trouble a bit as long as we are making good progress. We shall be proper little mud larks, and just as happy. We are looking forward now to Christmas, but if the weather keeps up we shall have a job to find the geese for mud, but as long as we get a smell of it, it will fill one up. We are having a good time amongst the French people, but the only thing that makes us laugh is the same saying, “Ne plus” or “Non compare” [no comprend pas?].
We have a few Jack Johnsons now and again, but they do not trouble our troops now, for they have had so many, but they do make a hole in the ground.
Now I must close, as the candle is on its last lap, but we make the most of a bad job.”
But they do not score
Private P. L. CLINTON, 1st Kings, Liverpool Regiment writes to his brother in Liverpool :-
“It reminds me of the old two full backs of the Liverpool team, DUNLOP and WEST. The forwards could never get through. It is just the same with the Germans. They make repeated attacks on the British but never get through to score.”
Another letter from hospital in Rouen, Private CLINTON writes :-
“I was wounded in the trenches. Somebody struck up a conversation about football, of course I joined in backing up my old team the “Blues” A few minutes afterwards something struck me in the shoulder. It was like a penalty kick, and so I was knocked out of the conversation, just like Everton was knocked out of the Cup by Glossop. I won’t say Everton is the best team again in a hurry. About the regiment being complimented by the general, our boys saved a battery of guns. The general said he would never forget them. It was a good day for us. Good luck to out Home Defence League.”
Trooper T. HOLLERON, 2nd Life Guards, writes to his sister :-
“The rough part of the fighting round the place you mentioned in your letter is all over, as the French troops have taken over the trenches from us to finish off, so you can tell what sort of a time we have had from the starting of it. It was our lot in the bayonet charge, I was in it myself and got safe over it.
The weather out here is all right for skating now, it started snowing about five days ago, and has been freezing over since, so our work as cavalry is finished until we get a thaw.
We got a fine present from the Queen today and the “Women of the Empire”. It was comprised of vests, socks and gloves. It was the first kit the majority of the regiment has had since we landed, so I think it has been one of the finest presents I have ever received.
We are having a decent time of it now, you can down to it in your barn and you know you will not be disturbed until 7am the next morning. We have had some fine praise given to us from the generals we have served under, saying they do not require any better troops than those of the 7th Brigade. Of course it makes the troops a bit pleased with themselves, but then it is passed off with a laugh. We have got plenty of garrison artillery, from round there after the German Jack Johnson.
I am sorry to tell you that the town round which the fighting is taking place will soon follow the fate of other towns which the Germans have shelled, and if they go on with it much longer there will be nothing left of the town.
I see by the “Football Echo” that the Russians are progressing very nicely, and doing some fine work.”
Dodging the bullets
A private in the Liverpool Scottish, writing to friends in Liverpool says :-
“We were in the trenches for four days we went in on Thursday night about 6.30. We were put in the support trench [that is G and H. boys], E and F, were in the firing trench line. We were under shrapnel fire from the time we went in till the time we left, that was Monday night.
The first night we were doubled up in the corner as the “coal box” and shrapnel were dropping within twelve yards of us. Next day we were looking for them, they would just sail over us and drop harmless behind. They make terrible holes in the ground, you could bury a pair of horses and a cart. Well when night fell again, they picked twenty men to go to the firing line with sandbags. I was one of the men.
We started out with rifles loaded with ten rounds under a corporal of the R. E s. We started out in single file, and I had not gone more than 20 yards before a sniper fired at me, and it just whistled past my ear. I ducked, and the whole 20 of us doubled to the village under fire from the snipers [they are the only ones we are really frightened of].
We arrived at the village quite safe and got the bags and we started back. What a time, somebody would shout “Duck” down one of us would go, and we kept on doing this until we arrived by a house. The firing was too hot at that moment to go any farther, so we waited until it had quietened down and then we moved off.
The road was absolutely riddled with holes, and running round and dodging the holes and bullets we had a warm time, eventually we arrived at the firing trench [beautifully made things] We rested for about ten minutes and started back for our own trenches [we were only 300 yards from the German trenches] We got back quite safe, only having one stoppage, and that was when our leader fell over a couple of dead Belgians. Back in our trenches we felt quite safe again.
We were then served out with bully and four biscuits per man. It then started to rain and we were lying in water until we spied a haystack some 200 yards away. We were not long in getting some of that in, and things were not so bad. When daylight came pigs and cows came around the trenches looking for food. It was funny watching these poor things dodging bullets. The rest of the time was taken up listening to the cannons of ours and the Germans attacking each other.
The only thing you can do is to keep your head down, and you will be pretty safe. I am pleased to say we came away with only one casualty.”
An eerie experience
Private J. F. DODD, G. Company, Liverpool Scottish, writing to Mr F. MADDEN, chairman of the Garston Wesleyan Young Men’s Club, says :-
“I had an awful experience while in the trenches. I was detailed with twenty more men to go for sandbags for the firing line. At twelve on Sunday night we crawled out of our trenches and walked to an empty village. We were being potted at all the time by snipers, who crawl up trees, and it is an awful sensation to be shot at, and you cannot make out where it is coming from. We got the bags all right, and had to crawl up to the firing line with them. Fancy having to walk over dead men at night, with the moon shining upon their faces.
I was thinking of the boys last Sunday. Having nothing to do but lie in the trench all day, one cannot help thinking.”
--------
Liverpool Daily Post 15th December 1914
The Faithful Horse
“After one desperate cavalry charge” says Private GREEN, at Bristol Hospital, “the German horsemen were retreating. One of the riders fell but his horse went on with the rest. Later it came back, found its master, and stood over him until a shell from our guns burst near and killed the horse. They were buried in the same grave the next morning. We hear of incidents of that sort every day.”
Deferred payment
Private T. MARSH, now at Nottingham wounded, tells the following :-
“A long time ago I lent half a crown to a mate in my workshop in Derby. He went away and I though I would never see him again. The next time I met him was on the Aisne after one of our fights, he was dying.
He recognised me, and taking three franc pieces from his pocket, he handed them to me in settlement of the debt. He told me he was too ill to explain matters, but begged me to believe that he had no intention of defrauding me. The next time I went to see him he was dead at the base hospital.”
Liverpool Daily Post 15th December 1914
Four giant sons in the army
Mr James BAXTER of Upholland, has sent four sons of giant stature and fine physique, to the regular army. These are Arnold over 6ft, 4inches, Maurice 6ft, 2 inches, Clive, 6ft, 1 inch, all in the Coldstream Guards, the other son Osmond, 6ft, 2 inches is in the Highland Light Infantry. Arnold and Clive have been in training at Windsor since the commencement of the war, and were especially selected to represent the Coldstream Guards at the opening of Parliament and at the funeral of Lord ROBERTS. They leave for the front on Thursday.
----------
Liverpool Echo 16th , December 1914
The Scottish casualties
The first names are now available of the Liverpool Scottish casualties in their second firing line experience A letter from a member of B. Company, who has been in the trenches dated December 11th, says “Two or three have been killed”
Another letter from the front from a Wallasey member of the Scottish refers to the death of “Breck” as he was known, and also to the death of a Birkenhead youth connected with the Scottish.
Captain returning wounded
Captain Donald MACLEOD of Birkenhead, who was in charge of F. Company of the Liverpool Scottish, and took over the command of the late Captain TWENTYMAN, wired from Boulogne informing his parents that he had been slightly wounded in the left arm and was on his way home. Captain MACLEOD is the eldest son of Mr Donald MACLEOD, Auchendrane, Talbot Rd, Birkenhead.
Private VEITCH of B. Company of the Liverpool Scottish in a letter to relatives in Liverpool dated December 9th says :-
“I am writing this in the trenches and we have been here three days, very wet ones, and expect to be relieved tonight. It has been simply awful and rained all the time, we are in about a foot of water.
Last night about 13 of our company had to leave as their trenches got flooded out altogether, they were in a sorry plight. So far T have not heard of any casualties, although we were at arms firing for nine hours during the night, and you could not hear yourself speak for the noise of the guns.
In spite of all we were still cheery, and looking forward to our relief coming, then we have rest. Chocolate is priceless here, and we cannot buy any as the Germans have been here first and pinched it all.
Two days later, we have arrived back to the base, and find two or three of us were killed and several wounded, and almost half are under the doctor. I am quite fit and never appreciated good health so much before.
You can never form any ideas of what we have been through, but, thank God, it is all over for a week or so, I hope.
The best kind of chocolate is plain or nut milk bars, something solid, not dainty, but food, also cream or treacle toffee is good.”
Private Harry ROGERS of F. Company of the Scottish in the course of a letter home to his father at Liscard writes :-
“It is still cold and wet. I hope you will have a happy Christmas, and I wish I could be with you. I doubt it will be long before peace is declared, and then I shall come home and have my Christmas dinner.
You will be sorry to hear young BRECKENRIDGE was killed in action. You might phone Mrs B and offer your sympathy. I am fit and well.
Private ROGERS is a salesman in the same firm in which Mr BRECKENRIDGE Sen, is engaged as salesman manager. His letter is dated the 10th and headed Belgium.
The deepest sympathy will be felt for Mr and Mrs BRECKENRIDGE, their remaining son and two daughters.
Young Ernest was 20 years old, a well built boy, fond of athletics, and a true sportsman like his father. He was in F. Company of the Liverpool Scottish, whose ranks he joined four years ago. Showing the geniality of the young man to quote a comment made in a recent letter from a comrade at the front which said, “Ernest is the favourite with the whole company.”
He was a member of the Waterloo Rugby Club, an earnest and clever player, his other sporting interests were in hockey and tennis. He attended Laurence Rd, School, Wavertree, and afterwards entered the same profession as his father, viz, cotton.. His father holds a responsible position with Messers RANKIN and NICHOLSON. The deceased soldier would have been shortly out of his apprenticeship with Messers CHAMBERS and HOULDER. It is thought the brave young soldier met his death on the 9th inst.
Mr J. P. BRECKENRIDGE resides at St Fillans, The Park, Waterloo, Lieutenant Colonel J. R. DAVIDSON, commanding the Liverpool Scottish has written, Mr J. P. BRECKENRIDGE as follows :-
“You have already received official notification of the sad death of your son, who was killed in action on the 9th inst. I wish to express the deep regret of the officers and men of the Liverpool Scottish Service Battalion on losing so true a comrade.
Your son was a universal favourite. His ever cheery smile and keenness as a soldier endearing him to all who knew him.
Only a few nights before his end he guided me down to the front firing trench in a most able manner. This was a particularly difficult and dangerous task, as the ground was open and the German trenches only 40 yards away were in full view.
It is difficult to find words that will be acceptable to you, but I do feel after the first grief of those who lose their loved ones, there will come a deep feeling of pride in having given their best to King and country.
If possible the position of his grave will be marked, and I will give instructions that any of the personal effects recovered shall be forwarded to you.”
The Cotton Exchange flag is flying at half mast today in a token of the death of Private BRECKENBRIDGE.
--
The following letter was received by a Birkenhead resident from Private F. D. REID who is in B. Company of the Scottish in which the deaths of three members are mentioned. Letter dated December 10th
“We got back from the trenches this morning after being in then 3 days, we have had a terrible lot of rain lately and it seems as if it will never stop.
I am sorry to say we again had three killed and eight wounded, this is small considering the weather has been terrible, and position the same, but the Scottish are making a fine show.
The people at home do not realise what war is like, and think the poor devils in the trenches have hot dinners to keep them warm, but let them come out here and see for themselves. It is terrible the trenches in some places are 2 feet in water and slush. You see things that nearly turn you sick.
We are with four fine regiments of the Army that have had most of the work to do since the beginning of the war.
I went up to the trenches early this morning with food, and a very exciting time we had as the German trenches are only about 200 yards away.”
----------
Liverpool Daily Post 17th, December 1914
Land of ruins and graves
Graphic stories
Sadler E. L. JONES of the A.S Corps, 2nd Division team, of Victoria St, Carnarvon, writes to a friend in that town :-
“We are in the land of ruins and graves, near the village where we are staying there are graves of all nations and we are within the noise of guns all the time.
We hear fearful stories about the Germans from the people round about here. We are in this village for a few days rest, being attached to the Guard’s Brigade, who have been in the trenches for days and nights doing splendid work. The German infantry are very inferior to ours and they are unable to stand the cold steel of our troops who come out of the trenches all covered in mud and dirt, cheerfully, and to hear their stories is something marvellous.
I have seen one friend from Carnarvon this week, he is Corporal Tom LOVELL, who is attached to our divisional train with the 4th Field Ambulance. He told me he had many narrow escapes since he was out here. One of the stories was most pathetic. The Red Cross were shelled by the Germans, they were picking up the wounded in a park, and the mansion was used as a hospital, when all of a sudden the Huns opened fire on them, and a shell just burst in front of their officer, who was on horse back, and it cut the horse in two, and the officer fell dead. The company was cut up LOVELL and some 30 more out of 212 escaped.
It is very pathetic to listen to their stories. I was sorry to hear of the death of Second Lieutenant M. WYNNE JONES, such a good young officer. I was just near the place where he fell. The King was here inspecting the troops and congratulating them on their good work, and I just had a glance of him passing in a motor car.”
Private J. CHUGG of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, writes from hospital at Ampthill to relatives in Liverpool :-
“I am very glad to tell you that I am in the best of health, except my hand, which is rather bad, but I have a lot to be thankful for, as you have no doubt heard. I suppose you read in the papers our regiment got cut up and out of 1,200 men we only had about 80 left, and out of my company of 120, there were only 4 of us and a sergeant.
How we got out of it I do not know, but I did not even get a scratch. They then sent us back to Belgium to wait for a few drafts from home to make the regiment up again. We even lost the colonel after we got a draft from the 3rd Battalion and a draft from the Special Reserves got our strength back up to about 800. The general wanted the new colonel to take us back on the lines of communications, but he would not have that, he wanted to have revenge for the loss of the 1st Battalion, so the order was for us to go in the trenches again. We got there about 10 at night. There was nothing much that night, but the following night it was like hell upon earth. The Germans were sniping all the time. About 3am they made a start to bombard our trenches, and it did not take long for them to find the range. About half an hour afterwards there was a shell burst about 2 yards from me and a piece of it went through my left hand, smashing the bones of my fingers, so that I was put out of action.
I am now in hospital and we are having a fine time out here, the very best of everything.”
The great retreat
A. FINLEY, corporal wheeler in the Army Service Corps, writes to his brother in Liverpool :-
“We fell in with the division about 6am, I had not time to make a cup of tea before we had to push off again. We kept on until we got across the bridge and then it was sent sky high, as they say, “no rest for the wicked” we pitched in a field, and just had time for a little food, when we pushed off again and passed the 6th infantry, and they were about done up. Some of the lads could hardly get along.
However we struck another field and had hardly got settled when a small French convoy came tearing along the road shouting, “Allemande” meaning the Germans were behind them. We were in a pretty sheltered place, and there were only a handful of us, 50 in all. We lay in the rain with fingers on the triggers for a few hours, and as luck would have it we ran into a brigade of artillery and infantry men who gave them what for. You could hardly hear yourself speak.
That kept on until the early hours of Wednesday morning, but they were driven back. Then we started our joy ride lasting four days and nights without sleep and very little food, and about 6,000 on our trail. We joined the division after several little exciting incidents, but without being harmed. We had been given up, and we got a good cheer when we fell in with our division on Saturday morning about 10am. We had an hour to put fresh life into us and our horses, the only rest since the previous Sunday.
Then we fell in with several French divisions and things were a little easier for us. We parted from them and did a 4 hour track and reached Soissons, and we fancied we were quiet for a day, but not so, off again in quick style.
It was our plan to keep out of the way of the Germans. It cost a lot of lives and the aeroplanes were after us, and often tried to put us out of mess, but their luck was out, although at times they were too near to be welcomed, and we had a very narrow escape. At -------- they worked round us, and it was the artillery who pitched battle in a turnip field.”
Ineffective fire
Lance Corporal HINES, of the Queen’s Westminster Rifles, writes to his brother in Chester :-
“We have been in the trenches now for a week, and are in a disgusting state, covered with mud from head to foot, unwashed and unshaven, but still happy. German snipers very active these last few days
Two of our chaps managed to get potted but only in the arm. Yesterday we were getting some beams from a farmhouse at the back of the trenches which had been burnt out, when the beggars started slinging over shrapnel. One burst about 50 yards away, that is the nearest so far, but the blessed bullets are singing around your ears all day.
The other night on our right there was some brisk business done. Quite an impressive sight, with searchlights and star shells, and the guns and rifles going like mad. Nothing came of it, however.”
Narrow escape of General
Trooper Ernest PIGG of the Northumberland Hussars, writes home :-
“Our party was riding along at daybreak when a chap rushed out of a house shouting, “Deutsch Deutsch”, he counted 16 on his fingers and informed us that 16 Uhlans had ridden past ten minutes before. We went ahead with eyes skinned and about half a mile along Lieutenant LAING spied them through the glasses a mile in front. At least one old fashioned border “Tally Ho” split the air as we galloped after them. Three were dismounted, but two quickly goose stepped into the saddle. The other dodged off into the wood.
In the afternoon we were informed there were 22 Germans around a farm. Two armoured motor cars went after them, two of the occupants of the first car were killed, and the driver also was lying over the side dead by the time we got up.
It was marvellous how they found our headquarters out. They shelled it each day, one day 163 shells and shrapnel fell around us. The general was sitting in his room when one fell through the roof, knocking the ceiling on top of him. He quietly picked up his papers and walked into another room, saying, “Fairly good shot that” and began writing again.
There are some very good fighters and brave chaps among the Germans. The papers I have seen rather underrate them. They have some very rotten tricks, of course, such as dressing up in khaki and coming round us [we take them to be our own men until they open fire on us] or running up the white flag before firing.”
A young German and his English sweetheart
Lance Corporal T. D. BATES, 19th Hussars, now at home on special lease, tells the following :-
“Our last fight with the tin hats was the day after we had bayonets served out to us. The enemy were close enough to know we were cavalrymen, and when they attacked I suppose they expected us to receive them with sword or lance. When we introduced them to the new bayonets, fixed on the end of our carbines, they were taken aback that they forgot their manners and ran away without as much as a “How do ye do” to the bayonets.
One very sad incident came under my notice in that fight. I found a very young German who had got run through with a bayonet. I asked what I could do. Nothing he said, except take a message to his sweetheart. I told him I would do my best, and then, to my surprise, he gave me an English name with a London address.
I was to tell the girl that being called out to fight against her country, had nearly broken his heart, and from the first day he went into the firing line he had given up hope of coming out alive, as he felt that he would rather die than face her again, especially as he had recognised one of her brothers among a party of English wounded in one of the fights.
His last prayer was that she would forgive him for doing his duty to his country.”
Will not last long
Driver Hugh EDWARDS, of the Headquarters Ammunition Column, writing to friends at Penmaenmawr, says :-
“War is terrible, but, thank God we are fighting for right and not might. We are fighting to protect a weak nation. It is awful that such suffering has been brought upon the Belgians by the ignorance and cruelty of one human being, if he is worthy of his name, and his cowardly soldiers. For what other name can you give the slayers of innocent women and little children. God says in the Bible, “Revenge is mine, I will repay” Surely he will repay such an inhuman monster. I do not think the war will last long, for the enemy have thousands dead.”
----------
Liverpool Daily Post 19th December 1914
Two Narrow shaves
How an officer tackled a German
A captain in a line regiment at the front in a letter home writes :-
I had a couple of extraordinary near squeaks. My revolver suddenly got stuck in the holster, and I could not get it out, and one blighter came at me with a bayonet and calling me the most unparliamentary names in English, I’m sure I blushed. I succeeded in collaring him round the knees, as if we were playing rugger, brought him down and managed to get hold of his throat, and returned some of the abuse until he was bayoneted.
After that I had to climb out of the trench and get some men from another part of it and bring them in from behind, and lump them in on top of friend German which brought down the curtain. I was wearing a woolly cap at the time with a nob on top, and one of my men quite unbeknown to me, thought I was a German officer and fired at me twice at a range of five yards. How he missed me the Lord only knows. When he had discovered what he had done he came up and told me, and thought it, “the divvil of a joke.” For the second time that night I am afraid I forgot my manners.
---------
Liverpool Daily Post 23rd, December 1914
Cheshire V 4th, Dragoons
Strenuous game at the front
Lance Corporal John BROWNLOW of the 1st Cheshire Regiment, who is well known in Wallasey football circles, has something to say in a letter to a Liscard Friend in regard to a football match at the front, 1st Cheshires V 4th Dragoons. He writes :-
“I am sorry to say we lost 1-0, after a very hard game. You would have said it was hard if you had seen us playing. We played on a very soft ground, dressed in all our heavy clothes. For goal posts we had hop poles tied together with string. I felt a bit stiff after it, and no wonder, for it was the first game I have played since we left Londonderry at the beginning of the war.
We were to have had another match the next day, but duty calls us. The Germans wanted us so we had to cancel the match till another time.
The British forces are doing very well at present, and I expect we shall soon have the Germans on the trot. The sooner the better. I shall have my Christmas in the trenches, as our regiment has been ordered in again, and I expect we shall not be relieved before Christmas.
I am sorry to say we lost heavily in our last engagement, when we were right in the thick of it in a very dangerous place. Still we came up smiling again.
When we were last brought out of action for a rest we needed it badly, for it was the first time since Mons. I have myself had two very narrow escapes in one day. A bullet went through my hat and a piece of shell cut my coat. I am keeping the piece of shell as a relic.”
Best fed in the world
Two Liverpool reservists, Private H. VINE and Private R. SIBTHORPE, write as follows :-
“We are the best fed army in the world. For instance our daily rations are, bacon, cheese, jam, fresh meat or bully, bread or biscuits. We also get English butter at times, tea, sugar, rum, meat and other rations, also gifts of cigarettes, tobacco, and the Government allowance.
We were in the trenches 12 says, and then when we should have been relieved we were told that we must hang on a bit longer. The “coal boxes” are only small editions of what they used to be when we first came out.
As we were in the trenches 30 yards away from the German position eight days at one stretch, I think we can talk from experience about the dangers and hardships. But we don’t complain and keep on smiling. We must pass our humble remarks in defence of the fine Supply Corps, we are well fed and clothed.”
Lance Corporal Hugh ROBERTS of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, writes to relatives in Holywell :-
“I have seen some terrible sights since I have been out here. We were in the trenches for 25 days without a wash or shave. The enemy were sending shells over our trenches from dawn till dusk, some of them were dropping a few yards behind our lines, and when they burst they send such a cloud of earth up into the air.
My chum and I were having breakfast one morning when a Jack Johnson, came over, it was the first “Jocky” I had heard whizzing through the air, but I had been told a lot about them. Another one came over and my chum said to me, “I suppose they had their own breakfast, and they are sending a few warm sausages for ours.”
No sooner had he spoken, when both of us were buried. It took three of our next door chums half an hour to dig us out. I was stone deaf for two days, and when I wanted to know if there were any shells coming I had to watch the others lying flat in the trenches and I would do the same.
Before we went into the trenches we had been chasing the enemy day and night, and in the night time were falling over their dead bodies and horses. It was terrible. The worst sight I saw that day was one of the cavalrymen lying on the roadside. He had been hit by a piece of our shrapnel. Their lances were lying on the road like match stalks. We went a little further and we saw some of the French soldiers wheeling some of the enemy wounded on a wheelbarrow and handcarts. They were lying in hundreds everywhere.
They made an attack on us one night, but they failed to come within 100 yards of our trenches. I was out on patrol one night and I got so near their trenches that I could see and hear everything that was going on, some were sitting around the fire singing, others peeling turnips, and I was on the pint of turning back when I caught sight of one of their sentries spying through a pair of field glasses. I did not want to fire at him or I would give myself away, and I was on the point of rushing him with my bayonet, when he fired he disturbed the whole of their line, and they all started blazing away.
But the best of it is that they get so excited when they fire at night that they fire up in the air, and that is how I had chance to crawl back to our lines, and you can guess, I did not come back without doing some damage.”
Grub tip top
Writing from the Field Veterinary Hospital, to friends in Liverpool, J. CORR says :-
“It is all snow and hard black frosts here lately, so you can imagine how that makes you suffer. However the poor chaps in the trenches must be worse off, poor beggars, they suffer awfully.
The grub is tiptop and ample for any normal man. I would give anything for a warm bath and my feet warm again. We are passing thousands of sick and wounded horses through our hands, some of them present woeful sights, torn with shrapnel and pelted with bullets. Everybody here is confident of ultimate victory, we must win.”
Tribute to the Red Cross
Private Edwin DODD, H. Company, Liverpool Scottish, writes to his mother in Liverpool, from hospital under date December 12th, :-
“As you can see from the above I have been brought from the firing line and put in hospital, but it is nothing for you to be alarmed at, for it is only my foot that is bad.
Our last time in the trenches was simply awful, sitting for three days and nights in mud and water with rain poring down. However, I am very comfortable now, and getting looked after. In fact, I think the British system of Red Cross work is splendid. I tasted the first bit of descent food in the hospital train, it was heavenly after living for three days on a biscuit. The doctors and nurses are very kind too.
The nurse tells me that a reply can be had within a week, so if you write soon as you receive this I will get it pretty early, and will you send some chocolate or cake?” Germans in skirts
Private Griffith J. WILLIAMS of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, who is home in Conway for a short stay after being wounded severely by a German shell, tells a thrilling story of the doings of the Guards Brigade :-
“At Ypres the fighting has been terrible. We came upon the Germans on one occasion, and as shelter they had piled up the dead bodies of their comrades, and were firing on us from behind.
At the battle of Flanders we were entrenched strongly, and one windy night the Scots Guards were ordered in perfect English to advance to a trench. As they did so there was a hail of bullets from the enemy. The men who gave the orders were found to be Germans in disguise.
One night I was on outpost duty, and I saw three men approaching our trenches. I challenged, and when I saw them scamper away I fired and brought one down. After a couple of hours lull I went up to him, and the poor fellow pitifully cried, “Osifer, osifer, merci, merct” I took him to headquarters where he died the next day.
On October 29th we had a bayonet charge three times in one morning, and it was the most terrible thing I had witnessed in all my soldiering career. We did nothing but stick bayonets into each other. The shrapnel was flying above our heads and the head of my comrade was blown away before my eyes, and there were dead men lying everywhere under your feet. I had a bullet through the top of my cap, and it scorched my hair. As we returned to our trenches I was struck with a shell, and I fell like a log, not knowing for some minutes what had happened. I have been through five battles.
There was a comical sight at Leffinger, the Guards had landed in a field in which there appeared to be a number of women digging potatoes. However, one of the “women” gave the show away, for “she” pucked up her dress and showed a jack boot. They were all Germans dressed up as women. We did not take long to scatter them.
Whilst advancing on one occasion we paid a visit to a “pub” and in an upstairs room we discovered apples. We had just concluded filling our pockets and were returning downstairs, when a German shell struck the house, and in less than five minutes the whole place was up in flames.
One night at Ypres we had orders to take to the trenches. In order to make ourselves as comfortable as possible, we commandeered straw from a stack which was close by. The men were scraping it together with their arms, and of course I did likewise. Judge of my surprise when I was able to pick it up, to find it was overweighed with the body of a German who had been killed. We also came across a German who had under his tunic the hand of a woman covered with the most valuable rings. He met his deserts.”
Fighting family
The following letter has been received by Mrs HUGHES, 19 Orchard St, Oswestry, from one of her sons, written in the trenches :-
“They are giving us a bit of rest now. We have been in the thick of the fight ever since we came here. Now we have got half a company in the trenches, the other half in reserve about 100 yards behind.
While I am writing this my pal and myself are waiting for the old “canteen” to boil. We are boiling it with a piece of fat bacon so as not to cause a smoke. I can assure you it is a luxury to have a drop of tea. Jack Johnsons dropping all around us. They make a hole big enough to bury six to ten men.
It is a splendid country out here. I have never seen so much fruit in all my life, but every farm is burnt to the ground by the Germans. I wish I could tell you where we are, but you see I dare not. Never mind I will tell you all when I come home, If I have the luck.”
Mrs HUGHES has five sons serving with the colours. The eldest Rifleman J. W. HUGHES, serving with the Rifle Brigade at the front, the second Corporal R. M. HUGHES, Kings Liverpool, at the front, the third Private D. E. HUGHES, 2nd South Staffordshires at the front, the fourth Private S. H. HUGHES, of the 4th Cheshires at home and Private E. HUGHES, Kitchener’s Army, at home.
Hard worked Scots
More trench work that any other terriers
Weather worse than fighting
Private T. H. WILLIAMSON of C. Company of the Liverpool Scottish writes to his family at Walton :-
“It has been raining almost continually for weeks now, and the trenches, or many of them, have about a foot of water in them. Two of our companies E and F had a rotten time last night. We were there. An attack made by a double company of one of the regular battalions in our brigade was to be supported by E and F companies. The regulars had about 40 casualties. Our half company, and half of D. Company, supported another half of the line, but the regulars did not have to attack so we did not have to reinforce them. We simply laid on our stomachs from about 8pm to 3am in the mud behind some trenches. We had to keep our heads down as we got the benefit of the stray bullets. There was also a sniper in the district, though he didn’t do much damage.
We had three killed and six wounded last time up, only one casualty in C. Company [a sergeant wounded]. Two companies had to clear out of their billet owing to being shelled but they got clear all right, so altogether we came off lucky. I hope we do as well this time. Our company will be in the firing line trenches, but do not worry, I’ll keep my head down.
I hope some candles are on their way out here now, they are very scarce. Such things as condensed milk and condensed coffee in tins and candles would be very useful about once a fortnight or so. We do not get overfed in these trenches, but, on the other hand, we are hoping for a rest after this time up, so there may be a chance of resting over Christmas. I hope so.”
Private WILLIAMSON in another letter home says :-
“You should have seen us when we came out of our trenches, absolutely covered with mud from head to foot. The trenches are in a terrible condition now. The ones our platoon were in were knee deep in water and had no proper head cover, so we had to remain in a doubled up position all the time, just bobbing our heads up to shoot.
Our company was billeted in a town just behind the firing line until we returned to the support line of trenches. These were not properly completed, so we were informed that we had better look slippy and dig ourselves in, as we should be shelled at dawn. So we had to work like ???????. The part of the trench I had to dig was a hopeless one, by the time we got three foot down there was a foot of water in, so we gave it up in desperation, and lay in the open until dawn, when we had to crush into the trenches at the other end of the line. In the morning they started shelling us and it got so hot in the right of our trenches that those occupying them had to vanish into the left trenches. The next battery that came up just a minute after dropped right into the trenches and smashed up some equipment. You should have seen one of the rifles it hit, it made an awful mess of it.
It is the weather that makes things so absolutely rotten, it gets more men down than the fighting. You would be surprised at the condition of the country, I’ve never seen anything like it. To get to the firing line you have to wade through sloughs of mud nearly up to your knees and evade the huge Jack Johnson holes, which make miniature ponds. As the relief’s always go up at night progress is very slow. The actual going into and coming out of the trenches is the most dangerous part. We are certainly getting worked very hard. I think our battalion has done more work in the trenches than any other Terriers with the exception of one lot who have been out longer than us.
Those German snipers are marvellous chaps, one the other night came right up in the parapet of the trenches. They get so near that you can’t shoot them without putting your head out of the trench, which of course you cannot do.”
----------
Liverpool Daily Post December 31st 1914
Something to laugh about
How the Scots went into the trenches
Private R. E. HUGHES, C. Company of the Liverpool Scottish, gives the following account of the experiences of the battalion in a letter to a friend in the Scottish stationed at home :-
“We arrived in camp, and stayed in France a few days. Then from there we took train to ---------, which took two days. There we stayed doing very hard training. I may say the cold was terrible.
From here we had a few days march to --------, and stayed at a farm. The cold was great. Next day we marched to the base, and got fine billets. It was a wonderful sight here, everybody in uniform and hundreds of transport wagons.
We were told by our colonel that from then we were attached to one of the most famous brigades, so we knew we were in for it. We marched to the Belgian frontier, and now we start serious business. From the base we had a days march to ---------, where we stopped three nights in a barn. On the next day we were mustered together and informed that we were going into the trenches that night, our officer giving us instructions what to do.
You cannot imagine how funny it was for us to know that we were going for the first time into the trenches. Everyone was laughing and joking.
We started off at dusk to the trenches six miles away. Only two companies went in, the rest waiting at the back of the trenches in reserve. We were in the trenches for three days, and on the last day, an hour before dawn, we were lined up in a field close by in reserve for an attack made by the French. The attack lasted half an hour, and the row, guns going, rifles giving rapid fire, and lights going up into the air! We stood quite silent until it was over.
From here we went back to little dugouts, about three miles away for six days rest, and then back in the trenches for three more days, my commanding officer going in this time to the trenches. It rained off and on, and the trenches were deep in water.
After three days we marched back for three days rest. Then we started back for the trenches. Two sections of my company went in and the other two stayed in a barn behind the trenches. I was in reserve.
Well, this night after doing a fatigue and with my feet covered in mud. I lay down in the barn for a rest. The time would be about twelve. I was just going asleep when the captain woke me with the news that I and some other chaps were to relieve others in firing line.
We started out after being numbered off and went into the reserve trenches for an hour, when we were called and told to load five rounds, after which we went off to the firing line.
When we got out the officer informed us that we must stay until the general gave permission to go, barring two or three we got back to a ruined town close by just on eleven.
I will never forget the noise. They consider this one of the greatest attacks made, the guns did not stop all day. After this we have come back for a rest, and it is during this time that I write this letter.
Scots Advance
German stars light up the scene
Private FYFE, of the Liverpool Scottish who is now in hospital at Boulogne suffering from frostbite, in a letter home says :-
I was one of the ten in our company who volunteered to make up the number required for the firing trenches, and, as our lot neared the trenches, E and F companies were just ahead of us.
Stray shots were the accompaniment as we straggled over acres of black mud, and then, just as E and F were crossing a very open portion, the Germans began machine gun fire, from about 200 yards range. There were about a dozen casualties right away, and stretcher bearers were soon busy amongst us.
Ours and another company took over alongside a line of hedges, and were fortunate in escaping unharmed. On occasions like this, by the way, the sending up by the Germans of innumerable star shells imparts a distinct sense of weirdness to the proceedings.
The shells are sent up on the off chance of revealing the movements of our troops, and as they burst a huge magnesium light flares across the sky, usually for a period of about half a minute. It is a most intense light and while it lasts everything around stands in a kind of ghastly relief.
There is a kind of word of mouth communication along the trenches, and next morning we learnt the extent of our casualties, three or four killed, seven of eight wounded.
Nothing much happened during our spell in the trenches, and in our portion bullets were periodically ripping the tops of the sandbags a foot above our heads.
The British and German trenches are separated by about 80 yards. The troops sent to relieve us came along on Wednesday night and we were glad to see them. Most of the time I had to crouch with my feet almost covered with mud and water. Walking back was a difficult business, and after a three miles march we billeted overnight in a Belgian schoolhouse.
----------
Liverpool Echo January 20th, 1915
Gallant deed of farm bailiff
Sergeant Rowland SHUBOTHAM, of the 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment, presently a patient in Warrington Infirmary, has received intimation that the Victoria Cross is to be awarded to him for the gallant rescue under heavy fire, of Captain MARNEY, who was wounded and left helpless on the battlefield. The sergeant had to crawl on his stomach whilst bullets whistled around him, with the captain hanging to his feet. The captain died a few hours after reaching a place of safety.
Sergeant SHUBOTHAM has received from the secretary of the King, the ribbon which accompanies the V.C, and a letter to the effect that his Majesty desires to present the decoration personally in London.
During the South African war Sergeant SHUBOTHAM received the D.C.M for heroic deeds, and during the recent visit by his Majesty to the front he was congratulated on his brave feat by the King. Sergeant SHUBOTHAM is a farm bailiff to Mr W. RILEY, High Birch Farm, Gawsworth, near, Macclesfield.
Stuck in the mud
Four hours to extricate a Guardsman
Private Fred HAYES, Royal Field Artillery, writes to his sister Miss Patience HAYES, 52 Halton Rd, Runcorn :-
“Our artillery bombarded a small place while our infantry charged it, and it proved a successful attack. A prisoner stated we killed 300 of them, whilst our losses were slight.
There was a Grenadier Guardsman stuck in the mud, it took four hours to dig him out. They are a fine body of men, the Guards have covered themselves with glory in the war. You say I shall be glad to get back to my bed again, If I have the luck to get back I will change my name to Rip Van Winkle.
At the same time I am quite content with everything so long as I know things are all right at home. I am glad to be of some use in the world. I have never had to seek medical aid since I came out here.”