The War History of the 4th Battalion, the London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), 1914-1919Grimwade, F. Clive
History
The War History of the 4th Battalion, the London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), 1914-1919
Grimwade, F. Clive
Great Britain. Army. London Regiment. 4th (City of London) Battalion; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
The Battalion occupied its comfortable quarters at Citerne for about
a fortnight amid conditions which presented a total change from those
amidst which it had passed the previous year, and which brought a
corresponding benefit to the troops by way of mental as well as
physical recuperation. The Hallencourt area, lying as it does on the
broad rolling hills of Ponthieu on the west bank of the Somme, formed a
complete contrast to the dreary flats and marches of Flanders not only
in the pretty variation of the landscape but also because this part of
the country was unscarred by the ravages of war. At Citerne, moreover,
the Battalion for the first time since it joined the Ferozepore Brigade
in February 1915 was stationed beyond the range of heavy gun fire.
Citerne is but a small village, but its kindly and warm-hearted folk,
from M. le Maire downwards, will always be held in grateful remembrance
by those of the 1/4th Londons who had the good fortune to enjoy their
hospitality.
The fortnight's sojourn here was devoted principally to training, but
the amusement of the Battalion was not overlooked and football matches
with other units and concerts in the tiny village theatre made a
welcome break in the routine of parades.
At Citerne the 1/4th Londons became possessed for the first time in
France of a Chaplain, the Rev. R. Palmer, C.F., Brigade Chaplain, being
attached to the Battalion on the 19th February. The Battalion was also
rejoined at Citerne by Capt. W. Moore, who had been hit at Ypres the
previous April, and was further strengthened by the arrival of a draft
of 95 N.C.O.'s and men.
On the 27th February the Division moved to a fresh training area on the
opposite bank of the Somme, Divisional Headquarters opening at Domart,
when the 168th Brigade Headquarters and the Battalion were billeted in
Vauchelles. Here the programme of training was continued until the 12th
March, on which day a second move was made, this time to the Doullens
area, all the battalions of the 168th Brigade occupying billets in the
town.
On the 8th March a further reinforcement of 100 N.C.O.'s and men
arrived from the 4/4th Battalion and was posted to companies. At this
time also the bad news was received that Lieut.-Col. L. T. Burnett, who
had gone on leave in January, was unfit to return overseas, and Major
W. G. Clark, D.S.O., therefore continued in command of the Battalion,
with Major W. Moore as second in command.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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