The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division 1914-1918Gibbon, Frederick P.
History
The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division 1914-1918
Gibbon, Frederick P.
Great Britain. Army. Division, 42nd; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
“Though some units have distinguished themselves more than
others, the Division has, throughout this arduous period,
displayed a dash in attack and a spirit of determination and
endurance in defence which is worthy of the best traditions of
the British Army. The persistence with which the enemy were
held off during the recent determined attack, and part of the
ground lost gradually recovered in face of strong opposition,
was a fitting conclusion to the period during which the
Division has been in front line.
“The Lieut.-General Commanding wishes to express to
Major-General Douglas and his staff, as well as to all ranks
of the Division, his appreciation of their good work, and he
looks forward to seeing them again display the same soldierly
qualities in active operations against the enemy at an early
date.”
[Illustration: CAPT. FORSHAW, V.C., 1/9 BN. MANCHESTER REGT.]
[Illustration: GULLY BEACH.]
The Division, however, was not destined to enjoy a long period of rest,
as orders were received at noon on the 19th to take over the trenches
of the Left Section in relief of the 29th Division which had been
ordered to Suvla. This was completed by 8.30 p.m. More than a thousand
officers and men had rejoined from hospital in Alexandria, and small
drafts arrived from England, but the Division was still much below
strength; and as reinforcements for the Division practically ceased after
August, it is indeed amazing that the units held together in view of
the terrible losses through fighting and disease. The second line, from
which alone drafts for the Territorials could be obtained, was formed
into a Division (the 66th) for employment in France. To all intents this
meant that battalions must dwindle into companies and companies into
platoons or even sections. But there was no corresponding reduction
in responsibility. For instance, a Field Company of twenty or thirty
sappers, most of whom would be worn out by overwork and sickness, must
still do the work of a hundred fit men. The sappers had not enjoyed even
the brief period of rest accorded to other units.
[Sidenote: _Sickness and Pests_]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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