The Grenadier Guards in the Great War of 1914-1918, Vol. 2 of 3Ponsonby, Frederick
History
The Grenadier Guards in the Great War of 1914-1918, Vol. 2 of 3
Ponsonby, Frederick
Great Britain. Army. Grenadier Guards; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
Lieut.-Colonel G. Hamilton, having been given a command in England,
left to take up his duties and was succeeded by Captain (Brevet Major)
the Viscount Gort, D.S.O., M.V.O., M.C. After a fortnight at Clery the
4th Battalion moved to Cartigny, where it remained for six weeks. On
arrival it had to pitch camp on sodden ground. Though it was snowing
hard and almost dark, the men managed in an incredibly short time to
collect timber from the ruined houses, bring up braziers and pitch
tents, so that a tolerably habitable camp soon sprang up. On the 14th
Captain M. Williams assumed temporary command of the 58th Prisoners of
War Company. The greater portion of the Battalion worked on the
railway, but each company in turn remained behind to do steady drill.
By degrees the Battalion made itself very comfortable, and a canteen
with a recreation room was built, two football grounds were made, and
a cricket-ground begun. The pioneers of the Battalion collected the
debris from the neighbouring ruins and erected stables and various
other buildings. On the 23rd the work on the railway ceased, and all
the companies were left at the disposal of the Commanding Officer.
[Sidenote: May.]
The 4th Battalion remained at Cartigny until May 18, practising all
the latest developments of the attack, but the work on the railway
again claimed three companies, and it was only occasionally that the
Commanding Officer had the whole Battalion at his disposal for
training purposes. Second Lieutenant R. G. West joined the Battalion
on the 1st of May, Second Lieutenant R. C. Denman on the 2nd, Second
Lieutenant H. W. Windeler on the 16th, and on the 12th Second
Lieutenant N. A. Pearce was appointed Transport Officer. On the 18th
the Battalion marched to Bronfay, and on the way was inspected by
Major-General Feilding commanding the Guards Division. The following
day it proceeded to Corbie, where it remained training until the end
of the month.
[Sidenote: June.]
At the beginning of June it moved on by train to Le Rons. Second
Lieutenant J. M. Chitty joined the Battalion on the 4th, and Second
Lieutenant F. R. Oliver and Second Lieutenant J. J. M. Veitch on the
7th. Company training and musketry were carried out during the
fortnight spent at Le Rons, and on the 17th the Battalion moved to
Herzeele, where the whole Brigade manœuvred together. On the 21st
Captain E. O. Stewart joined the Battalion, and on the 29th Second
Lieutenant D. J. Knight arrived.
[Sidenote: July.]
The officers of the 4th Battalion on July 1, 1917, were:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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