Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original maps. See 44511-h.htm or 44511-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/44511/44511-h/44511-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/44511/44511-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See https://archive.org/details/withreservistinf00bolwrich WITH A RESERVIST IN FRANCE A Personal Account of All the Engagements in Which the 1St Division 1St Corps Took Part, viz.: Mons (Including the Retirement), the Marne, the Aisne, First Battle of Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, Festubert, and Loos by F. A. BOLWELL With Six Sketch Maps by the Author [Illustration] London: George Routledge & Sons, Ltd. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co. TO THE LATE COLONEL KNIGHT AND OFFICERS OF THE LOYAL NORTH LANCASHIRE CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. THE CALL, AND THE START 1 II. THE LANDING IN FRANCE 9 III. THE RETIREMENT 21 IV. THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE 35 V. THE BATTLE OF THE AISNE 45 VI. THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES 67 VII. THE FIGHT ON THE BIPSCHOOTE-LANGEMARCK ROAD, OCTOBER 23RD, 1914 73 VIII. LA BASSÉE DISTRICT 115 IX. THE BATTLE OF FESTUBERT, MAY 9TH, 1915 135 X. LOOS 147 LIST OF MAPS MAP 1. The Fight on the Marne, Sept. 10th, 1914 on page 39 2. Battle of the Aisne, Sept. 14th, 1914 " 49 3. Ypres, First Battle " 71 4. Rough Sketch of the Fight on the Bipschoote-Langemarck Road " 77 5. The La Bassée Front " 119 6. Rough Sketch showing Attack at Loos " 151 CHAPTER I THE CALL, AND THE START Being a Reservist, I was naturally called to the colours on the outbreak of war between England and Germany on August 4th, 1914, so I downed tools; and, although a married man with two children, I was only too pleased to be able to leave a more or less monotonous existence for something more exciting and adventurous. Being an old soldier, war was of course more or less ingrained into my nature, and during those few days before the final declaration I was at fever heat and longing to be away. As all the world knows, war was declared on the fourth, which was a sign for all reservists to present themselves at the post offices throughout the country, there to procure their travelling allowance and proceed to the depôt named by the authorities on each Identity Life Certificate. This I accordingly did early on the following morning. Late on the night before the General Mobilization notices had been posted up outside all newspaper offices and public buildings.