Short History of the London Rifle Brigade Part 4

These days were spent at various places in the woods behind Vlamertinghe resting, reorganising, and dealing with acc.u.mulations of mail.

[Sidenote: =May 9th.=]

The Battalion moved early in the morning to the grounds of the Chateau at Vlamertinghe. On this night and the next one it had to dig on the east side of the ca.n.a.l on the north of La Brique.

_To face page 21._

[Ill.u.s.tration: OFFICERS.

_20th May, 1915._]

[Sidenote: =May 11th.=]

The Battalion moved up to the ca.n.a.l bank, and occupied some very insanitary dug-outs, which had not been previously inhabited by British troops.

[Sidenote: =May 12th.=]

The London Rifle Brigade took over from the Dublins a section of the front line, and was on the extreme right of the 4th Division. A Cavalry Division was on its immediate right.

[Sidenote: =May 13th.=]

Extract from Sir John French's despatch:--

"On the 13th May the heaviest bombardment yet experienced broke out at 4.30 a.m., and continued with little intermission throughout the day. . . .

The 5th London Regiment, despite very heavy casualties, maintained their position unfalteringly."

Extract from John Buchan's "History of the War," Vol. VII.:--

"Early in the morning of Thursday, May 13th, a day of biting north winds and drenching rains, a terrific bombardment began. . . . The infantry on the left of the cavalry were fiercely attacked, but contrived to hold their own. . . . The London Rifle Brigade had lost most of its men in the earlier fighting. It began the day 278 strong, and before evening 91 more had gone. One piece of breastwork was held by Sergeant Douglas Belcher with four survivors and two Hussars, whom he had picked up, and though the trench was blown in, and the Germans attacked with their infantry, he succeeded in bluffing the enemy by rapid fire, and holding the ground until relief came. That gallant stand, for which the Victoria Cross was awarded, saved the right of the 4th Division. . . ."

_To face page 22._

[Ill.u.s.tration: LIEUT. TREVELYAN AND "A" COMPANY.

_20th May, 1915._]

"A" and part of "B" Companies were in the front line. "C" Company garrisoned three fortified supporting points. The rest of "B" Company and "D" were in support. The reinforcement of the front line commenced at about 8 a.m. (the sh.e.l.ling on the Battalion's sector had started at 4 a.m.). The distance between the front line and the supports was about 900 yards.

The sh.e.l.ling did not cease till 6 p.m. Later in the evening the Battalion was withdrawn to the second line.

Captain Oppenheim, D.S.O., was wounded on this date, and Lieutenant H.

L. Johnston took over the duties of Adjutant. He was subsequently confirmed in the appointment, and held it till April 7th, 1916, when he took over command of a company, being succeeded by Captain F. H. Wallis.

[Sidenote: =May 14th.=]

This evening the Battalion moved into the trenches in front of La Brique, which it had dug less than a week before.

[Sidenote: =May 15th.=]

The Battalion moved further forward into the second line, and two companies of the 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were attached to it.

_To face page 23._

[Ill.u.s.tration: CAPTAIN OTTER AND "B" COMPANY.

_20th May, 1915._]

[Sidenote: =May 16th.=]

The Battalion was withdrawn to the ca.n.a.l bank.

[Sidenote: =May 19th.=]

Orders were received that the London Rifle Brigade was to be withdrawn and sent the next day to General Headquarters. The Battalion marched that evening to Vlamertinghe, and was billeted there.

[Sidenote: =May 20th.=]

The Battalion marched past the Divisional Commander after he had inspected it, and expressed his deep appreciation of all it had done since April 25th. It boarded the motor-buses, and proceeded to General Headquarters.

The London Rifle Brigade thus left the 4th Division after six months.

The Brigade, Divisional, and Corps Commanders had all personally thanked the Battalion for the work it had done, and congratulated it on its behaviour under the most trying circ.u.mstances. But perhaps even more valued were the farewell letters from the Battalions of the 11th Brigade, showing, as they did, that they really felt the London Rifle Brigade to have become part of their Regular Brigade.

The London Rifle Brigade arrived at Tatinghem, and enjoyed ten days'

complete rest during perfect weather.

The Rangers and Kensingtons had also been withdrawn from the line.

_To face page 24._

[Ill.u.s.tration: SEC.-LIEUT. F. D. CHARLES AND "C" COMPANY.

_20th May, 1915._]

[Sidenote: =June 1st.=]

These three Battalions were amalgamated for work on lines of communications. This entailed the handing over of all the active service equipment, and also all transport. The latter was a bitter blow, as the work of the transport, personnel, and animals had been beyond all praise. It is worth noting that in spite of the very heavy work of the previous four weeks the transport had actually accomplished the thirty-mile trek from the Salient in under 20 hours.

[Sidenote: =Lines of Communication.=]

[Sidenote: =June 1st--Oct. 1st.=]

This period calls for no detailed treatment. Headquarters, and the balance of the men not employed at the different railheads, remained at St. Omer, first in the artillery barracks, and from July 1st under canvas.

The numbers at the various railheads altered very considerably from time to time, e.g., on June 6th 210 other ranks were scattered over fifteen stations, and on September 24th there were 374 other ranks at twenty-one different stations.

In addition to these details, the Battalion was called upon to furnish escorts and large parties for detraining work.

During the battle of Loos the Kensingtons and London Rifle Brigade between them furnished all the escorts for German prisoners, every available man, including grooms and officers' servants, being used.