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Sgt. Alfred Alaxander "Alf" Nix
British Army 1st Battalion, B Company Northumberland Fusiliers
from:284 Perry Road, Nottingham
Alf Nix, my grandfather, was an Old Contemptible. A soldier during the First World War who took part in the retreat from Mons August 1914 and the subsequent advance to the Marne and Aisne in September 1914. Evidence of his former military life was very much on display at his modest terraced home in Nottingham. A collection of brass shell cases polished religiously every week adorned his mantle piece. On the wall was a photograph of him standing in uniform looking over the Khyber Pass situated on the Afghanistan Indian border. He died at the grand age of 94 and was at one time the oldest retired employee of John Player & Son, the Nottingham based cigarette manufacturer. During his funeral in 1973 a small contingent of former soldiers, members of the Old Contemptible Association conducted a salute to their former comrade. I was a teenager at the time and didn’t quite understand the significance of the salute or what the Old Contemptible Association was all about. In later years my interest in the First World War grew and I began to research and read books on the subject. The first book I ever read on the subject was Lions Led by Donkeys; I was discussing the content with a cousin of mine, who asked if I had ever read our grandfathers account of his time in the First World War. This was a revelation to me; the said document was retrieved from my auntie’s loft, after a short but frantic search.
Granddad served with the First Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Why were Nottingham men serving with a regiment who traditionally recruited from the North East? The story behind it his quite a simple one in granddad's case, his love of horses! At the age of fifteen Alf joined the local regiment the Robin Hood Rifles (Sherwood Foresters) at the time of the second Boer War. He volunteered to join the Northumberland Fusiliers, who at the time were forming a Mounted Infantry Battalion in South Africa. Many Nottingham men transferred and trained as Mounted Infantry to combat the highly mobile Boers. Discharged from the army in 1905 after his service Alf remained an army reservist, married and started a family. In August 1914 when war was declared with Germany Alf once again returned to his regiment the First Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who were assembling in Portsmouth, ready to head for France as part of the British Expeditionary Force
Sometime between 1905 and 1914 the mounted infantry battalion must have disbanded, Alf and his comrades found themselves with no choice except “Shanks’s Pony†during the epic retreat from Mons, a tactical withdrawal of over two hundred miles. As part of General Smith- Dorian’s II Army Corps the Northumberland Fusiliers where in close contact with the enemy from the beginning, as the German Army advanced through Belgium and Northern France. Heavy fighting occurred all the way from Mons to within 30 miles of Paris before the tables turned and the German Army was pushed back to the Aisne River, Northern France, where basically they remained entrenched for the next four years.
Arthur Mather was another Nottingham man who chose the exact same military career path as Alf Nix, both men rejoined the battalion and departed for France together in August 1914. Both men were around thirty years of age and both had children. Arthur’s story is not a happy one. His luck ran out in September 1914 at the battle of the Aisne. His death his graphically described by Alf in his account of the battle. To cut a long story short I am now in contact with Arthur’s family, who I met after a memorial to the Basford men who died in the conflict was reconsecrated at St Leo’s church Old Basford in 2005. I was left with something of a dilemma. However I am sure I made the right decision and deposited a copy of Alf’s account with Arthur’s family, whom I have remained in touch with in recent years. After meeting Arthur’s family I was quite perturbed by their story, despite receiving a widow’s pension Arthur’s family suffered terrible hardship after the 1st World War. Something I found even more upsetting was the fact that Arthur had no marked grave; his name appears on the La Ferte-sous-Jourre memorial along with many other thousands of British and Irish soldiers without marked graves who took part in the conflict. Vailly-sur-Aisne the township in France where Arthur fell is now home to a large Commonwealth War Grave, the majority of burials remain unmarked, the chances are Arthur is buried in there somewhere.
2014 the centenary of the conflict will soon be upon us, many families decedents of the brave soldiers who took part in the terrible conflict will I am sure be heading for Northern France and Belgium to pay their respects to family members who perished. Over recent years I have carried out much research, mostly derived from the official War Diary of the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Along with the Gladstone Historical Society a visit to France is on the cards for 2014. Visiting the Vailly-sur-Aisne area will be a priority, especially Rouge Maison farm 2miles north of Vailly were heavy losses were inflicted on the 1st battalion and the 9th brigade on the 14th of September 1914. Kindly published by the Wartime Memories Project the route taken by the battalion and the 9th brigade can be viewed on two modern Google maps, for those wishing to follow the route march or just visit certain locations. Also published is a transcribed account of the war diary describing in detail were the battalion was located, and what was happening leading up to the first battle of the Aisne, in September 1914. Alf Nix’s account, gives a more personnel slant to the conflict, and what the brave soldiers of the battalion had to contend with during the early months of the war. Locations and place names are very sketchy, possibly on purpose, Alf was aware I am sure that he was breaking the rules by keeping a diary. The most poignant sentence in the account for me as a grandson are the very last four words, intended for his wife back in Nottingham. Alfred Alexander Nix, Private 9101, B Company 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers 1914-16 4th August 1914 Page 1 War with the greatest army the world had ever seen being a reservist it affected me to begin with. I had a wife and three very young children and left them at home for the battle that came to France on the 13th of august. What a morning the land very hot marches about eight miles next day we rested and waited for the order to move. Where to we did not know for all was very exiting and very secret. I was very happy under such times as we had in France from everywhere we went we was given the finest reception that any soldier in the world could wish for. What times we had trying our best to make the French people understand us but in all these very happenings we little thought we should be up against the fighting hounds of the war lords of Germany. Well we were entrained south of where we did not know where too. We got to a very big place on the 20th of august and billeted in some very nice farm buildings belonging to the French we marched off on the 22nd Saturday and lands on some very high hills. The order came put 5 rounds in your magazine the Captain of my company tells us we are about to see the enemy. We lands at a railway station with a canal running along it for what distance I do not know. The people was very pleased at meeting such jolly never to be forgotten soldiers of the land of humanity. Page 2 Get your coats off pull all obstacles down facing the bridge well we did work hard 0n that Saturday afternoon digging trenches in back gardens and then putting loop holes in houses and building barricades up the street. Plenty of good people have been bringing us biscuits and beefsteak wine beer and chocolate and tobacco of Belgium. Grown perhaps in the little plots land. Well Saturday night we was all going to the empire in our thoughts. We had pickets out two miles away waiting for 25 Ulans that was supposed to come to the bridge but our engineers was very busy looking after the same bridge with some gun cotton. I am selected to go out on a picket at 2am to relieve the others and a very decent time we had looking and wondering what on earth was there. Six am relief came I goes in my trench in the back garden we get orders to carry all the old people out of the houses that face our trenches and a very funny sight to for we carried old women has tenderly has we could. Some went out of town in carts and traps of different people. I has a fine wash up and breakfast of grilled steak the loveliest bit of steak I has ever tasted all for nothing! After breakfast a look at the best apple trees in the garden then people kept coming and asking us what they should do. Page 3 What should a private soldier tell them only one thing and that was stop where you are we shall hold them. Some did this I think after to there sorrow. Something very unusual to us was the sound of bridges being blown up and we began to see our own engineers putting the touch for our bridge to be blown up but did it I can say no and we were a bit sorry for it, as we was so close to it. 11.15 Sunday morning august we could hear drums and whistles and shouting just like a lot of I can say savages I never heard a worse din in my life like it. Well we heard the sharp crack of rifles and we soon knew what it was to be under fire and I can say there was no cooler men on earth than my company and that first days action 5 hours holding 25 Ulans so we was told. But there was 80 thousand instead what a lie or a lull not to put the wind up us. This same day and place I saw a German gun brought into action to blow the loopholes, houses and boards down. When they got in action I deliberately saw a child I should say about 4 or 5 years old put in straight in front of our first line so they could get their gun in action a very dirty piece of work of work for a civilised army. Well if you believe me we would have never retired from Mons if we had a bit bigger army and a few more guns. Page 4 We had a hell of a time getting of the garden and if it had not been for the awkward street as we retired up we should have been cut up. The street saved our company I can say that for sure. We went seven miles back and then I saw my face in a spotless looking glass in a Belgium house I was black as a sweep with streaks of sweat running down my cheeks. I was very pleased when we halted for a few hours. Just to see what during those few hours rest we had it was a very distressing sight. Women and children crying and just a few bundles of what they could carry before they parted with their dear homes. Well we got the order to dig more trenches and we did it with a will but I myself was sorry to see them dug in such a place because there was a big flare from a very big gas works that sowed the Germans what we was on with. We finished the trenches by 2am and I can say non went to sleep for we could here our patrols firing all the time they were out in the distance we could see many houses on fire and it was the houses only a few hours before we all was defending this was war of course and we waited for the order to stand to the second time in this great war. Page 5 The morning broke the patrols came in and reported the Germans were coming once again for the little army. We waited in a very quit way and the first terrible time to us with the bursting of enormous shells it simply rained shells at the back of our trenches that bright morning. After three hours under this nasty business we got an order to retire into the street. We came out simply grand just as if we were on parade. Why because we had got a grand lot of experienced company offices who told us not to bother but still it was something to bother about with such things flying over our heads for the first time. Another order came back to us to go and hold those same trenches at any cost we went back just the same as we came out perhaps a little smarter for the Germans gunners was letting the pills drop a little short. We went back in only one man wounded. What a wonderful thing for it seemed to us that the world had turned into one big roll of thunder. What a couple of hours we spent; in that terrible time we done our duty we held the trenches for the time. Page 6 We had to hold them we retired into the gas yard and fixed our bayonets waiting for the Germans to come again. While in the gas yard other fellows of my regiment were tearing the road up pushing wagons over just to stem the transport a little or their guns Another two hours saw us out of the yard and over some lovely fields. We dug dummy trenches and got on the retreat again and what an awful time it was. The third day came only to see one of the sights that a soldier never dreamed of that was a fight between two aeroplanes in which my battalion took part in opening fire on the German one it was fetched down like wild duck would. Now on this day was the first time in which we only saw French soldiers it was strange to us to see them and they went to see whether the German pilot was alive or not we was not allowed to do this but I may say there was a cheer that those same Frenchmen heard from us that they would always remember. The fourth day saw us again in the fields fighting a rear guard action against their Cavalry. We came on the march again and we had to keep on all that night. Page 7 I can say this my dear chums had to hold me up while I had a sleep absolutely marching asleep. A thing I know a good many people would not believe but this is the truth in a terrible time the fifth day broke with us still on the march. After I should say twelve miles had been done we were pushed in a big wood and we were on the look out for them once again shells dropping in this wood did no harm we were very safe here the time we was here. I plucked a nice lot of blackberries for I was getting rather hungry they came in very handy has our transport had been lost and it was very bad for those that had to supply us with food. We got on the march again and passed through a very big town crossing over a bridge which our engineers were preparing for destruction. What awful times still on the march and very little to eat on the sixth day. We fought another rear guard action all day long. We were in action this battle was called le Cattou. Well on we went again on the march. On the seventh day very footsore and hungry I can say all of us were about done for when we got the word halt for two hours what a grand drop of tea I made which bucked me up a treat. Page 8 Two hours rest and off again ceaseless marching were going to do us all in. But night came on and we got two more hours rest and down we all flopped on the side of the road fast asleep in two ticks. We woke up rather wet for it had been raining. Eighth day and still on the march when we had an order to hold the top of a big hill where there was a big chimney and a glassed roof place. We saw our cavalry for the first time here and we got the order to move when a nice pill came at the chimney and went all among the glass house and in the distance we could see a church steeple on fire a very queer site this was for a steeple to catch fire first. On the march again on the sides of the road were apples of the kind that make wine for France they were treated in a decent way with us for we were not allowed to touch them but still we got a few from some R .A.M.E men that were shaking the trees and throwing them down the line to us for all they were worth. Still we were trudging along a bit lagged out. The ninth day came and still wearing good leather out. We were happy this day as we were told that we could make what we like. Page 9 So we went and got some chickens in a farmyard and vegetables and began cooking. At once what a happy lot of fellows we forgot all our troubles and the hard times we had been through what did any care so long as we could get a good meal into our stomachs. What a shocking thing to happen we got the order to march and over went the stews and every thing in that farmyard. I dare not like to tell anyone the talk of those North Country fellows. We grabbed at apples and pears as we were marching off full of disgust. To think the general had ordered us on the road again but the Germans spoilt everything that day for they were coming in motorcars and still kept them from doing us any damage. Still on we went just wondering when we should finish marching around France for it seemed to us that we were doing so. The tenth day arrives and on still further than any other day. We marched all the night as well when was all this going to finish. Well we all began to grouse and no wonder for we had been severed from all the supply transport which meant that we had to get what fruit we could and what we could pick up on the road I was a starving man. Page ten Then when day broke on the eleventh day thank god for we were told we were going to have a good rest. We did get a good one and had a roll call at the same time which bought to light how many men the battle had cost. I should say about 300 and we got made up with reserves from home and we were told we had done 68 miles and fighting hard at times. In eleven days not a bad performance the twelfth day comes with the order we are going to advance men and we did and felt jolly has school boys coming out of school for play. What a time chasing Germans was more exiting than retiring on the dusty roads. We done very well the first day on the advance. On the road one day and getting after them another. What a change in such a short time for the Germans to be smashing us up and then for us to smash them up on this advance. Up to the Aisne we was always in touch with them we saw what the Germans had done. We passed tables with white clothes on and the best of wines and glasses all strewn about outside on the road and gramophones to sooth their ears. When we was not in the field we had to search houses and see as there was no spies or Germans in and the sights we saw the lovely homes of the working man or noble with their sheds robbed of calves and horses stolen. Page 11 And all their beds and furniture strewn all over the rooms. What a shame afterwards I often wonder if they had homes themselves they must have been pig dealers instead. We often saw on the advance women and children coming to us and asking for biscuits and what could we do nothing for them only give them what we could afford. We often thought of our loved ones at home so comfy as any nation could be and these poor wretches being turned away from the cannons roar. Well we passed all this off has there was one thing as wanted doing and that was push the Germans as far as possible. Now I come to the battle of the Aisne we went across a footbridge built by the Germans themselves for it was a case of being a tight rope walker for it was very narrow and being in the dark and the river down below to receive us if we made the least slip or wrong step thanks a little to our engineers who was calling across the other side which the infantry got across Monday morning. September the 14th broke and up through the town we went and we was very surprised at finding people in there homes under a very terrible shell fire I remember a women and three children being blown to pieces with one of there shells. Page 12 We got in a wood and through it we went like all jolly boys should do we got in some fields and across we went after them. We got the order my platoon to support another company’s left and what a hot place to get in. the sergeant gave us the order to lie down and fixed our bayonets for we was 20 yards from two German maxims and it rained bullets over our heads and this is where my dear pal Arthur Mathers got killed how sorry it was for him and all that were so dear to him. He got a bullet clean through is heart. Well there was a good many wounded about and I got the order to go in the wood and the best way I could get the poor boys out of the way I did so while my platoon or what was left of them got to the maxims with the best Sheffield steel how they used them. But a good lot paid the price for I think that there was 30 left to tell the tale of the fight with those Germans and their guns. I was in a bad plight for the wounded men wanted doing up and I done my best to get them on the road and I succeeded in doing this and I thought my last had come for it rained shells on that wood. I can say I had 7 men of the royal fusiliers and my own men all wanting help. Page 13 I got to some crossroads and the thing I had in my mind to do was to chance my luck and get by this crossroad it was getting worse the shell fire was but it was stopped by someone greater than anyone for god seemed to speak to me in that awful hour. I spots a little bomb proof shelter all in the rock and a door to it I got the worse cases in and then we stopped all of us for six hours as I got the last man in a shell burst two yards from the door and it was the means of killing out right two poor fellows belonging to the royal fusiliers. How I cried to see how I was fixed with the moans of the wounded round me and me sitting on two men that lay dead. What a terrible six hours that was for I did not know if I was in the German lines or my own. Well the time came for me to have a peep out of the door and just see if I could see any hope for me to go for help I heard the sound at last of feet in the wood and to my joy it was my platoon coming back retiring from the road. I came straight out when I herd their voices and stood there with my face a beam of pleasure for I knew I was all right we had a tough time getting the men out of danger. Page 14 Any way we done it and formed up and joined up with the remains of the battalion. I can say here we caught the Germans running as fast as they could but we met them with a very heavy fire from our maxims and riffles the losses to them that day must have been enormous as we could not help but it them they where like a herd of sheep running away. We got the order to come back 400 yards and we only had heavy traverses to make for shelter their trenches were almost natural we where here for 8 days for we had no support and we were very pleased after such a trying time we could get no food across to us but the engineers made a pontoon. Only to be built up 4 times it was a great piece of work this was only they suffered heavy losses in trying to get the food across to us we lived mainly on apples and grapes that were grown in the valley of the Aisne. It was nothing to see men going down these slopes day in and day out for the apples and every time a man was spotted by the German observers we generally got a rain of these beautiful shells called jack johnsons anyway we bucked up with the news we were being relieved for a rest and here is a list of fine officers we lost Monday September 14th Captain Toppin then came Gatehouse a fine officer this, then Selby and Mathews and lut Boyce. Page15 And to top it all up we lost two medical officers and the third got us all a way for we were looking harassed and he feared we should all drop with exhaustion and no wonder with practically no food for 8 days and for water we went far to get under the penalty of death. Not nice work this But any way some went west and those that were lucky enough to get out alive shook hands with him self. Any way we got relieved and ten miles we had to march for our rest and I think there was never more done for. A lot of men were dropping a good many just through having no strength. Four days rest and back again to hell just going back happy to think we had wrote a few lines home for the first time and we got some letters from home and papers to and we all gasped when we read of the doings of the retreat. How we helped the mighty nation from losing their capitol Paris of course. We were a proud lot of men after that news got to us. In the trenches again but a Different lot this time for we held a wood and we were burying Germans at night a sickly time this I was so fed up with this work but still we had to do it. Page 16 Six days in the trenches and back again to rest two days then came some very hard forced marching and we got in touch with some French cavalry and a fine lot of men they were all with breast plates on big cloaks and brass helmets with a tail to it that’s what we called them and their horses were beautiful to look at. When we moved off they bid good night in their own way which is bon swar. We soon picked that up any way and they soon gave us good night. We gets into action again and one more pal is lost wounded Joe Maddocks he was soon home. We attacks a German line and then we had a awful time with those maxims. Again gets relieved and to another position went our Platoon in charge of a lance corporal we advanced eleven miles under his guidance and only lost three men two wounded one killed not a poor performance this. Wins the positions we are digging all night again and next morning we see a lot of women and children all on top of a hill behind our trenches we expect any moment to see some shells come but with a shout from us they hurried away. We caught our breath and got relieved again after being up on the hill five days I think this place was called Herbiese. Page 17 From here we went up to the la basse region and what a time we had nothing but hails of bullets for six days and we lost a lot of fine chaps. Here in the trenches we could hear the Germans singing the watch on the Rhine and they all seemed as if they belonged to a choir for it was really beautiful singing to hear. When they finished they came for us in masses and we left them in masses this is A company and six men of B Went in a mad headed charge to the Germans and repulsed them ninety nine killed and wounded was the toll of our own boys. I took part in this and I shall never forget it then after that they would persist in making their charges and we gave them all they needed from us. I can say this. we saved two guns of our artillery and rescued the limber full of ammunition very near to a haystack which had been left on fire by the Germans. We got relief here from the Indians what a fine lot of chaps they were the Gurkus as quit as mice when they got in our trenches. When I was here in this place I had a nasty experience we got some new fellows and two was marked off with me to fetch rations and I went with them and met the quartermaster he left me in charge. Page 18 No sooner had we left than a terrible fire came over my pals left me to. I stopped where I was but I thought my last hour had come there was thousands of bullets coming from all directions and I had the soldiers sense to lie as flat on my belly as I could then I pulled two sacks of bread one side the box of cheese to the other and bully beef to cover my head I got cover like this. I had a lot of temptation here but I never got any bread at all out of those sacks and I delivered the lot to my company in the trenches being a bit lucky in getting there. Well after the excitement I had a good sleep in the trenches. We got relief and on the forced march once again and rested on a train and back across France once more. Lands at a place called Abeville on the march again grand roads in this quarter after a time on the road getting a meal heard that we was to get in some French motor buses and a good ride it was all in the beautiful country of France, then we got out and into a billet only for a few short hours rest. The alarm went at 2am on the first of November and we marched off on our way not knowing that we were going into action at daybreak. Page 19 We got planks across dykes and through barbed wire fences when all of a sudden we heard rifle shots and an officer shouting about turn and we new that it was guns of ours that had gone to far in the village of Messines. We kept on for a bit and daybreak arrived now. A and B company were going to attack A company on our right and us on the left and the Lincolns further to our right was helping the London Scottish. My platoon had no fire connecting us to our other platoons and I thought that if we went straight in the wood that day to our left we should be doing wrong. Well I went and found out where we was to be when the attack took place and I went with an order from the captain to our sergeant. He was a poor one as a leader but still he went to his post and all was well. I had to keep on the road and keep there as an orderly for the captain I did so and at daybreak we could see some Scottish retiring and Lincolns to for they had been caught in a trap and I saw Germans rushing out of the houses well what could I do me and a Lincoln got a maxim but it broke in the breach and we had to leave it while we got our rifles going we enjoyed it for it was a bit of a competition between me and him who would bag the most. Page 20 Then all of a sudden came an order to hang on as long as possible we did so with a terrible toll out they came rushing and we got an order to retire down a ditch on the road. Well what a sight I saw on that morning men falling everywhere on the roads and fields I could do nothing only snatch disks from fellows that were dying I did this and I can tell you that it was very exiting for me has I was under a terrible firing the Germans only 400yds from me. I saw them kicking our wounded as hard as they could and throwing hand grenades on them god help them on the day of judgement. Well I was done for as regards a run I walked as well as I could and got to a place with a crucifix in and stopped there and saw the cavalry English and French charge that same mob of ruffians I was very pleased at this and while they were charging I looked around to find 23men left out of 340 and two captians one killed one wounded. What a shock Sunday morning and the second Sunday in which we had to retire on Belgian soil with a rare shaking we dug some trenches and then we got relieved by a French division of infantry a fine lot of fellows only they done a good turn to alter the affair they also lost 1400 men in the same place. Page 21 We go back on the road and we got a meal ready for ourselves and to wait orders we were of again where to we did not know at last going down a very steep hill we could see a big place in the distance and the rumour got about we were going to have a two week rest in the big place. It was a fine place when we got there it was believed a good many here spoke Flemish and the Germans marched through this town and never troubled anyone as regards dirty work such as rape and looting this is what the people told us. Well I myself seemed very satisfied here for the rest was very welcome and some people facing where we were resting they were very kind to me for they gave me anything and such nice people it was like being at home. I saw a fight in the air and of course the German came down in a heap for I can say the French airmen were too good for him. We got three days rest and off we went again after having a very cherry word from Smith –Dorian. We did not know where we were going but we done 16 miles and landed at an awful big place but the mist was very thick and we could not see all. We marched through this place with fixed bayonets on through the centre of town and we were told it was that beautiful town called Ypres they had not done a big deal of damage when they passed through it but- Page 22 They soon let every one know what they were going to do what a shameful sight when we passed through again 16 days after. Well we got on the outskirts on November the 6th at night and had a good rest for about four hours when we were ordered through a wood and a lot of shrubby hilly ground we were off to the trenches which were very eventful to us we relieved the 5th dragoons on the 7th of November at 4am and right from that moment we were ordered to stand to till daylight. There was six in my trench and about 10 o clock one of my dearest pals got killed. What a nasty shock we knew then that we had to be careful for we were near to an heavy sap about ten yards away and a road about 100 yards. Well I was making the trench fit for shell- fire for I could see that things were going to be hot some time or another. The trench we where in was the advance trench and I shall never forget I think the Bedford’s lay on our right and after doing plenty of naveying I got a snack and then seen to poor Buck Adams. I was busy with him when I heard a shout I looked up to my right all the Bedford’s was retiring and when I collared my rifle and looked to my front there was a thousand or more Germans rushing on our trench and in some cases inside the trench someone shouted to me that it was every man for himself. Page 23 Well I got out of my trench when the Germans were on top and how I got away I will not know there was three that got away from that trench out of 107 I was very anxious about what I were to do and I at last found the Scotch fusiliers in support trenches and told the officer in charge what had happened and we had to go back with his company and we did and with a good heart and believe me those same lot of Germans that overpowered us went back as soon as they could see what was going to happen to them if they stopped. As they did they were met by an enflable fire from A company and the Lincoln’s maxim guns when we linked up with the others we dug our selves in this being Saturday night we had barely finished our trenches than the Germans were on us again but we stopped them this time for when we looked over the top next morning it was an awful sight I should say there was 800 Germans dead in that field which faced A company in which I was attached to them for I had no company. Then what an awful time we had again on the Monday on they came at daybreak and down they went at daybreak. I can say this there is no soldiers in the world can get by a British line of Tommy’s Page 24 Providing his riffle is clean and alright I always look after that for it is a Tommy’s biggest pal at all times. It was after that attack they stopped again 15 yards from us and all was quite bar plenty of sniping on both sides we could snipe as well as them. On the Tuesday night I was on sentry so I said to my chum whatever is that we could hear the wheels of some heavy transport and we knew it was not our own we little thought the Germans massing guns for us just to show how they can waste shells for at daybreak on the Wednesday the most terrible bombardment I ever heard took place in my position and our Captain in charge of the trench came up and told us they were going to attack and they did in the time of this bombardment. I can say we all said our prayers and waited for death but death only came to one of our regiment that morning. Well the Germans let us know they were going to attack for we could see the tops of their bayonets in their own trenches we was all exited as every man is when you see six feet and nothing less in height coming for you. What did we do we let I should say a thousand Germans get over to charge us and we was not allowed to fire for a second or two for when those poor chaps came with a yell that would upset a good many on they came and down they went. Page 25 I was marking time on the sep for it was very near and every man as came out on top of the sep was received with a clean bullet in him. Well the attack ended and Calais was once more out of sight and out of mind for that was a big bedding of lives they lost enormously for on our left the old Northampton’s and Suffolk’s got out of there trenches and let them in a trap for they got the biggest lot of al to deal with when the Germans smashed through the line and into the wood. They were mowed down by maxims that had been hidden for the purpose the boys fought there way back and collared the trenches again with very little loss to themselves. I felt very proud of myself after that lot for it was touch and go for three hours after all was over me and my chum lance corporal Graham a splendid shot he was made a kind of a sand bag cover so no sniper could touch us and we was free to see about 1200 yards an house where the Germans used to get behind then rush and drop in their communication trench they used to come in hordes doing this and of course we had to try and get our artillery but they could not so me and Graham kept on giving a few small ones instead now half way across the field was a thing shaped like this .O O. I think it was an observer for a trench mortar. Page 26 Well I told Graham he’s up on his riffle and lets fly at it and smashes it to bits I shook hands with him for his fine shooting but I can tell anyone this from that same place their was five bombs came in our trenches again and we never budged one inch we lost six men blown to atoms and what I thought after them bombs landed well I did give up all hopes but thank god they did no more damage only blow our trenches in. We got the order after this to pack up we was going to leave the trenches and go in some further back as our line had been put in a very rotten position. We was nearly surrounded and we had got to be very careful how we got out for the least sign of us going meant death perhaps to us all. We got out safely and we put German riffles and the caps of our brave lads who had gone to eternity on the top of our trenches just to lull them and decoy for a while. We got to our new trenches they were in front of a big lot off trees and a lovely spot where a jack Johnson or any other shell could be nicely dropped. Now there was water in this trench for the first time in our history of this war and the long nights getting cold we could picture what sort of a time we was going to have only our drop of rum kept us in high spirits we could of done with twice a day. Page 27 I can say here we had good food and the drop of tea we were supposed to have never got to us for we were there for 16 days and never a drop of hot tea. I thought I should have gone mad here for we was supposed to be relieved here and it never came so we had to stop another two days and snow began to fall at dawn on Thursday morning I am not sure of Thursday. The night came and we were wet through and trying to keep warm we could not. No one knows our suffering just now. About four the following morning the order came that we were to make a charge and that sent us queer I don’t mind saying this for we were only human. But a there was an shrill seemed to strike us and we did not care there was an 18 pounder came to our trench and it was to blow an house which was full of snipers and maxim guns in. we got of our trench and filed round a house adjoining the one with the Germans in the gun opened fire with four high explosives and the word was given for our rush the gun had done all was asked it and we rushed with the bit of steel and I never heard more pitying cries from a lot of men when we got to them but we did not spare one for we had enough trouble of our own never mind looking after theirs.Page 28 My dear pal Jack Serviner got a bullet through him and he died of his wounds what a shame for a chap to meet such a death. About 11 0’clock we got relieved in the daytime and has we walked down the wood the shells began to drop and I knew we should have to cancel going any further. We got a fine name from general wing for the charge we made that morning of course getting other peoples position s back for them. We got in some dugouts and stayed there till about four o’clock and on the road we went to an house and it was a god send for all of us and we had the chance of making some tea which bucked us up it was hard cheese for we had to go fall in at night and go back relieve some more men what had given way to illness. We only went back for one night and then we was to go to another position and we did on the next night we went to some very clever dugouts and it was a treat to have a good sleep I did snuggle up and fast I went for about ten hours. Very lucky I was to get this as we never the moment we should be wanted. When I woke a pal told me there had been a terrible amount of shell bursting close to us and they did not understand how I slept right through it for you know I told them how I did it I was very often on sentry at night in sheets of rain and I would not give way. Page29 When any one wanted me to do so I seemed as if I could not trust anyone for they got to such a pitch they did not bother. Well we got relieved for a good rest by a French army corps and it was a fine piece of work how they took such a shocking position up in the time when their guns were relieving ours. On the road a shocking thing happened to a battery of 4 guns some big shells were dropped right among them and laid the best of the men out and three guns smashed to bits. Well our stretcher-bearers went back to help and getting the wounded away they said they never wanted to see another sight again like it. We marched our way back with a bright moon to light us up and show each side of the road made things look very weird but still we marched to land at a farm 18 miles away we land here done up down in spirits and utterly exhausted never mind what was left of the battalion numbered 183 all told. Up came some more men for us and after having four days rest we went back again to the trenches. General French gave us a lecture before we went and he told us some very sensible things as regards what we had done. Now feeling that I was getting an old hand with the battalion I looked the old hands up that came out august the 13th 1914 I found about 40. Page30 Now any one can see I have been very lucky up to now. In the trenches once more and up to the knees and waist at times in water and slush something this to test our durability whether we was made in some Sheffield iron works or not. Well how we was going to stop the Germans in this predicament we did not know but still that gave us a good rest while we was in four days once more and very few men fit so we went out of our trenches like a lot of men with gout every picture tells a story. After the numbed limbs had been exercised we was alright the offices were very good they walked very slow and they also sympathized with us and they was the same as us only they had perhaps a bit more nourishment while they was in the trenches. Back again to billets how long for we did not know we got some pay hurrah! while we were resting and a drink of coffee and beer if we wanted it and pork to buy but it was very dear. This place they were very kind the people here was Belgians and always ready to do us a good turn and pick our talk up. Well Christmas was combing and we were well into December and often wondered what was going to be sent us from the land of the free. We got six days rest however and off we went in the pouring rain. Page 31 Now there was a very good system of working different battalions as regards the winter two company’s go in the firing line for two days and the other two were in support dugouts and another battalion was in reserve then relieved again we should turn about. When we went back I shall always remember these trenches for there was very big holes on the road and we had to be very careful how we went by these for the slip meant going in the water which was very cold at such times when we go in these trenches we have a coal or charcoal fire and it very welcome under such trying times. We could make a drop of tea and all was serene the Germans began to calm down a bit bar sniping for I can say if we put our finger over the top of the trench it was off in a twinkling. I think the Germans had 40 or 50 thousand trained snipers and gave them to different regiments along the line. I think myself they were very fine shots but has time went on we began to find a good many of these men and of course we never spared one in my regiment. We came out for another rest and we were judging we should get Christmas Eve out of the trenches. Well we got relieved on Christmas Eve but it was not kept up as it would have been if we had got from the trenches earlier we landed in billets about 12 o’clock. Page 32 I shall remember the nice bright fire that was made by the Wiltshire regiment and some cheery words to look at well it was Christmas day and a good breakfast we ad bacon bread, cheese a good pint of tea and the extra tot of rum which made us all happy bar two men one was the course of a big argument and I my self did not agree with what he said and I told him so and I sat down on my kit and start having a little thought whether the children had any thing to look at on that morning. The fellow came straight for me and such a smash with his fist on my cheek. Well I did not want to spoil Christmas day for anyone I felt grieved at this treatment but I kept an eye on that man for a few hours and I goes to him the boys wondering what was going to happen I just took him outside and of course he wanted me to have a go at him and calling me the foulest names any Tommy could do he took me down the field which was very hard with frost and behind a clump of trees. I don’t know whether he had any boxing lessons but I showed him how a decent fellow could tackle a bully I gave him all he wanted just as we was walking away from this small battle of knuckles there was two lovely shots from two 9.2s that wanted to send a word that we welcomed the Christmas season I don’t know what the Germans thought when they got them. Well this same chap could not do enough for me after that tiffy. Page 33 I was away when xmas dinner was dished out so I had no xmas dinner it was a little better at tea time for I had a good tea and supper and that’s how I got over xmas day. Three more days and we was off to see Germans once more they did not bother with much during the time we was in only we could hear them singing the watch on the Rhine and a few more ditties. Out of the trenches once more and then for a big draft of men to reach us they where a fine lot of men but the majority had seen a good lot of fighting besides the fighting that was soon going to be theirs and they had never seen the trenches before. They were anxious to see the Germans of course it was something for them but we gave all good advice and all was serene with them. They did not like the water touching the feet but it had to be done and we all wondering if we should ever have any fine weather again for it was all rain and very little sunshine. In and out of the trenches all January nothing exiting only just watching that’s all. I can say all that they could possibly do for us was done. Out of the trenches we had football matches and concerts. In the bath tubs and having a change was simply grand for we had plenty of snipers on our shirts and one more thing I shall always remember Page 34 How we used to be in the trenches on moonlit nights if we had a lot of water in them we used to all sit and bail it out with our canteens and we very often could not fathom out how the water got in the more we bailed the more it would come in till some beautiful language came from us. Well there was a nice little house blown in of course by the Germans a little distance from our trenches I went once or twice to this place and got what I could for our comfort such as spares and tubs. I get’s a tub for me and my mate and sat there in it for twenty four hours and the laughing and joking to think of us being in such a predicament. Never mind we have got over these little ditties after all some was lucky some was unlucky of course. February arrives and one nice afternoon we was called out to go to Ypres how long for we did not know but it seemed like old times going back there. I forget what regiment we relieved but what a shocking time we had every moment at night they would throw their starlight’s up and show every thing up. We used to stand still and then rush for it till we reached the trenches. My company was a rather lucky company as we got decent trenches and we made it a lot better before we left them. The dead Germans and our fellows were lying all over. Page35 The fields and communication trenches it was awful to see the sights of the death around Ypres. I happened once to be company orderly one night and I shall never forget it for I thought my last had come going to headquarters from my captain I had to cross some fields and then to the road then across a bridge made of doors and across some more fields I had to pass two small woods on my right and I went on my way in my usual off hand manner caring nothing for stray bullets I had one pass clean through my coat and then another one through my cap. I hardly new how this was I stood still two moments and one more came close to me. I made up my mind to dash as hard as I could by this place but still that sniper had me al the way to headquarters and I dodged him this time alright no one knows a mans feeling when a sniper has him yet I would love to have got him and if I had had a pal with me I would have had a good look for him for he was at the back of our lines. After having 11 days in and out of the trenches we were relieved by the Cheshire’s there was ten of us told to take ten sand bags apiece to an advance trench and among my party was a fellow that had been wounded earlier in the war and then came back. Page 36 Well he was frightend awfully of hearing a bullet pass him I was sorry for him for he would duck at the least thing. We had an orderly to take us to this trench and a nice mess he made of things. How we got by our own trenches I do not know for we was going over a field and the Germans threw up one of their starlight’s and we all stopped on our stomachs and we could see our own trenches behind us there was a terrible fire opened up on us and we all rushed to a trench and jumped in we was in a mess up to our waist in slush and water but still had our sandbags in our hands. Well we did curse to think we had been between our lines and the German lines. No one however got hit for a good job or the orderly would have got in a bother. We had about half an hour in the trenches and we went to a small wood. And a little gap in this wood was always marked by the Germans at night with set riffles to catch anyone that came in came through it. Just as we got to this little gap there was three or four lights went up all round us and down we flopped again one poor chap shouts I am hit And I thought it was Jim Kirkwood it was not anyway. All rushed when the lights went out but me and the wounded man. The sergeant in charge asked if any body was stopping so I shouted to him that I would. Page 37 Well I had an awful time with that fellow in the dead of night among the dead I shall never forget for I had take cover for both of us from the gap I done my best for him he was hit in the side poor chap. But I was happy to think I was the means of saving the Mans life. It was nearly daylight when I got away for I had waited for the ambulance men to fetch him and we took some finding. But the worst part was when I left the trench a maxim was put on me and shells began to fall in large quantities I dodged all once more and landed in Ypres where I found my Battalion. We went in some huts to billet and then to the trenches once more what an awful time we lost two hundred men this time for they where just beginning to show us they had some shells left. Out once more and in our very comfortable billets I was feeling the strain of the war but I stuck to my regiment like a good honest soldier ought to do but I was getting worse in the meantime and hopeless but I still stuck to It and got in the trenches again for 12 days not so bad when a man feels done for and still there all the time depressed and one thing on your mind all the time wondering if I should reach dear old England again. Save this for Lizzi
