The regimental roll of honour and war record of the Artists' Rifles (1/28th, 2/28th and 3/28th battalions, the London Regiment T.F.) : $b Commissions, promotions, appointments and rewards for service in the field obtained by members of the corps since 4th August, 1914Higham, S. Stagoll (Samuel Stagoll)
History
The regimental roll of honour and war record of the Artists' Rifles (1/28th, 2/28th and 3/28th battalions, the London Regiment T.F.) : $b Commissions, promotions, appointments and rewards for service in the field obtained by members of the corps since 4th August, 1914
Higham, S. Stagoll (Samuel Stagoll)
Great Britain. Army. London Regiment. (County of London) Battalion (Artists Rifles), 28th -- History; World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- France; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
In August, on the eve of the Australian offensive before Amiens,
we went to Beaucourt-sur-l’Hallue. After their attack had been
successfully launched the Division marched north again via Famechon to
Souastre, whence we moved out via Fonquevillers to take our part in
the commencement of that vast movement which resulted in the eventual
overthrow of the enemy. The Division attacked on the 21st in heavy
mist supported by a very intense artillery barrage and at the end of
the day the Artists found themselves in the front line, having passed
unconsciously through the Battalion we were supporting who had lost
direction to a certain extent and moved too far to the right.
The next morning the C.O. and Adjt. (Capt. Barnett) were wounded and
we sustained our most deeply regretted casualty in the death of R.S.M.
Peter Emslie, who was ever a magnificent stand-by in the line, where
his courageous efficiency rendered him at all times invaluable. The
Battalion was brought out by Lieuts. Bayne and Besch.
On the 24th at Achiet-le-Petit we went over in close support of the
188th Brigade in a heavy ground mist intermingled with gas and smoke.
Objectives were carried and the attack turned south-east towards
Warlencourt and Ligny-Thilloy where stout opposition was encountered
and the attack delivered on the following morning in conjunction with
the Canadians failed. The Division was then withdrawn via Irles,
Miraumont, Achiet-le-Petit, Bucquoy, Ayette to Boiry St. Rictrude.
The next day we moved into trenches at Boiry-Becquerelle, and on the
26th we followed up the attack as Division in reserve, the attacking
waves passing through Fontaine and Hendecourt to Caignicourt, and so on
to the Hindenburg line between Inchy and Moeuvres.
SEPTEMBER, 1918.
Early in September the Division was withdrawn by stages to Bailleulval
on the Arras-Doullens road, where we remained for a period of rest and
“fattening.” On leaving we received an address from the Mayor thanking
us on behalf of the population for our considerate treatment of them
and their belongings.
We then marched back again to the Croisilles area, the Artists finding
a home in tents and shelters on the high ground south-east of St.
Leger near L’Homme Mort Wood. Here we were joined by our new C.O., Lt.
Col. Goldthorp (4/West Riding), who shall now continue the narrative.
* * * * *
I think that my story, such as it is, had better take the form of
a sort of letter. It was late on the night of 18/19th September,
1918, when I reached the 63rd R.N.D. Wing, then at Boisleux-au-Mont,
where I was welcomed by Major Edlmann, the O.C. Wing, and Capt.
Baillie-Hamilton, the Adjutant, who informed me that I was either for
the Artists or the Bedfords, who were both without C.O.’s.
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