THE 42ND (EAST LANCASHIRE) DIVISION 1914-1918 [Illustration: COUNTRY LIFE] _First published in 1920_ PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, BRUNSWICK ST., STAMFORD ST., S.E. 1, AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK. [Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL SIR WM. DOUGLAS, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O. _By permission of Lyddell Sawyer._] The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division 1914-1918 BY FREDERICK P. GIBBON Author of “The Lawrences of the Punjab” LONDON PUBLISHED AT THE OFFICES OF “COUNTRY LIFE,” LTD., 20 TAVISTOCK STREET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C. 2, AND BY GEORGE NEWNES, LTD., 8-11 SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, W.C. 2 NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS _To the Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Men of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division_ _As their late Commander, I dedicate this history of their achievements, conspicuous even in days of great deeds, in the hope that the record of their unchanging spirit of courage, loyalty, and comradeship may give gratification to survivors and solace to relatives of the fallen._ [Signature: A. Solly-Flood. Major-General.] _11th November, 1920._ [Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL A. SOLLY-FLOOD, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. _By permission of Keturah Collings._] FOREWORD The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division was only a comparatively short time under my command, but during that period officers, N.C.O.s and men showed themselves to be possessed of a magnificent fighting spirit. The 42nd Division came to France at a time of crisis, and shared in the glory of breaking the most desperate and most dangerous German offensive made since the early days of the war. In my Despatches I have drawn attention to some of the outstanding actions of the Division. I am glad now to express to all ranks my personal gratitude for their splendid service. [Signature: D. Haig.] FIELD MARSHAL. _G.H.Q. The Forces in Great Britain, Horse Guards, London, S.W. 1._ _14th July, 1919._ PREFACE “Sir William Douglas asks me ‘to write a few lines’ to be embodied in the preface to a history of the 42nd Division. “In the regions of time and space the Dardanelles enterprise forms only a trifling part of the record of this famous Division; but, in the sphere of the imagination, that part will be reckoned by Lancastrians yet unborn as the most precious heirloom bequeathed to them by the generation who fought the great war.