War Services of the 62nd West Riding Divisional Artillery — John Shaqi
War Services of the 62nd West Riding Divisional ArtilleryAnderson, Austin Thomas
History
War Services of the 62nd West Riding Divisional Artillery
Anderson, Austin Thomas
Great Britain. Army. Division, 62nd; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
Divisional Headquarters left the area of the Cambrai battle on the
4th December, together with the infantry of the Division, and after
several moves the Artillery Headquarters finally settled down for a
time at Bethoncourt, near Tincques, on the 19th. The guns, as usual,
remained in action, supporting different divisions in the arduous work
of adjusting the new trench line. Bourlon Wood was given up together
with some more of the captured ground, but Havrincourt was retained,
and the net result to us was considerably on the credit side.
Capt. E. F. Johnson was killed on the 9th December only about a week
after joining the Division. On the 13th Lieut. L. Gane was awarded the
Military Cross when in action at Doignies:
"When an enemy shell hit one of the gun pits which contained a large
number of charges, Lieut. Gane ordered all the men away, and himself
went into the pit. Satisfied that immediate action would save the shell
dump and prevent the fire from spreading, he had a party to extinguish
the flames, which was successfully accomplished. By his prompt action
and coolness he saved the shells and guns from being blown up."
I received the following letter dated the 11th December from the G.O.C.
R.A. of the 47th Division:
"To-morrow I shall be parting with your brigades and D.A.C., and I take
the opportunity of thanking you most heartily for all the work they
have done since you handed them over to me.
"Our infantry have been greatly pleased with the support your gallant
fellows have given them, not only on November 30th, but ever since, and
I am only sorry that they have had to put up with so much discomfort,
but the conditions have made it impossible to do much for them. Colonel
Sherlock has been a tower of strength.
"E. N. WHITLEY,
Brig.-General R.A."
At last, after another fortnight of hard fighting and great discomfort,
the artillery was withdrawn, and arrived in the rest area behind Arras
on the 29th December. In spite of the severity of the weather, all
ranks greatly enjoyed the rest which they had so well earned, although
it could only be called a rest in the sense that they were out of
danger and in a condition of comparative comfort. Much work of course
had to be done in cleaning up and generally refitting, and in preparing
to take up the new positions just north of Arras, which were now to be
our special charge.
[Sidenote: Jan. 1918.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account