From the 8th Brigade war records (WO-95-1527-4_1):
August
4th: Orders recieved by the battery stationed at Kildare to mobilise for active service. The battery at this time was on the higher establishment.
5th: Mobilisation equipment issued and marking commenced.
6th: All marking and issue of equipment finished. The battery suffered severley by promotions, losing two sergeants and the majority of the battery staff. It is important that in the future the services grades of n.c.o.s for the ammunition column should be maintained in piece.
7th: Reservists commenced to join. The gunners are good, the drivers indifferent, bad horseman and unaccustomed to riding and driving for some years. Thomas arrived in Ireland to join the unit around this time.
8th: About 50 horses joined and more reservists. The horses are good standing but apparently soft and straight from grass. Will probably fall easily.
9th: Completed in horses ??
10th: Horses fitted and teams sent out in draft. The majority went quietly. Reservist drivers very raw and useless.
11th: Took battery out for a short march.
12th: Battery inoculated against enteric fever (m.b. typhoid). All men sick.
13th: Men still sick. This inoculation is a great nuisance to a battery as we cannot get the ?? of men out to work.
14th: Heavy rain. Men recovering.
15th: Drill order. Reservist drivers nearly useless. A pity we have wasted these days over inoculation.
16th: The 1st line wagons, transports and riders to Lucan, bivouacking for the night.
17th: Remainder of the battery entrained at the Carragh riding for the North Wall at 8:30 am arrived at 10 am and joining up with the road party at the quayside, embarking at once on the S.S. Oxonian. Embarkation completed by 1pm. 65th Battery on same boat, Sailed at 5pm. Transport only received orders on arrival at Dublin at 4am to embark horses. Stalls being put up while the embarkation was going on.
18th: At ?? during the night the majority of the planks between the horses ?? away and also some of the front beams. This in calm weather. If it had been rough or any roll on the ship, the horses would probably all have been injured.
19th: Arrived off Le Havre at 11am. Ships derricks had to be used for disembarking the vehicles and the battery on shore till 8pm. Arriving at no 2 Rest Camp about 9:30 pm.
20th: Rest. One horse badly kicked had to be left behind. The reservists are very fractious on the lines and kicks are numerous.
21st: Marched at 5:30 am to entrain at the dock station. Entrained by 8:30am and left at 11:15am. The French horse trucks are a great improvement on our own cattle trucks leaving room for men and saddles in the middle. Consequently horses can be easily watered and fed during the journey.
Battles of Mons, Marne, Le Cateau and Aisne
22nd: Detrained at 3am at Le Cateau and marched 21 miles to Bavai. A very hot day and mostly collar work. Reservists cooked. Bivouwacked a mile south of Bavai in an orchard.
23rd: Marched to Elouges, nine miles, at 5:15 am. Roads much blocked. Arrived 11 am. Turned out at 1pm and marched 3 miles to the north of Dour. The march took about 4 hours owing to roads being blocked in Dour. Took up a good position behind two tailing heaps. Entrenchments made in shale. Took till nearly midnight.
24th: Action at Dour. Silenced a section of the enemys guns which did not reopen fire while the battery was in position. There was no attack on the section of defense to which the battery was alotted. During the retirement the battery was sent out to the left flank and took a position near Onnezies near the cavalry division. The cavalry retiring almost at once. The battery had to retire being entirely expired (sp?). Retired through Wargnies ou Bavai. No orders being received and men and horses much done up bivouwaked (sp?) with brigade headquarters and brigade ammunition coloumn half-way between Wargnies and St Waast les Bavay. Total road distance about 25 miles. Remounts and reservists beginning to fall.
25th: Marched at 4am on Bavai and joined the rear guard. Took up several positions but only opened fire in one, on enemys artillery under cover. Drew its fire. One shrapshell (sp?) bursting over a viaduct is reported to have destroyed a company of infantry causing it in ??. This shell was off the line. Reached a wet camp at Reumont at 7pm. The horses have had only one feed of corn for the last two days and are giving (sp?) in instantly (sp?). Stooks of oats provide food when passed by the battery. Distance 28 miles.
26th: Action at Le Cateau. Battery in action under cover and entrenched. Although the enemy searched the cover with fire he never got on the battery. Observation very difficult owing to trees. Localities were searched by using the map under orders from h.q. Effect in some areas said to be great. Infantry gave way and started retiring in the afternoon. A belt of fire was drawn front of the abandoned infantry trenches search the slopes of the hill. Fire stated by G.O.C., R.A. to have been most effective. One strong attacking line about eight deep, stated to have been blown to bits and carried to ruin by sweeping with lyddite (m.b. a high explosive shell containing picric acid). Net result no German infantry appeared over the crest in front while the battery was in action and the infantry retired through the battery untouched by rifle fire. All ammunition being expended the battery was ordered to retire. As the battery was retiring to ammunition wagons from the 37th battery joined it and the L.X. (left section, R.X is right section and C.X is centre section) was brought into action farther back covering the withdrawal of the infantry. Marched all night arriving at St Quentin at 8am. Distance 30 miles. Officers, men, horses exhausted.
27th: Halted for 4 hours a then marched to Ollesy unmolested. Distance 10 miles. German spy discovered and shot. Had on a Khaki uniform over a French one, superimposed on a German one. Actually got some corn for the horses and rations for the men, all being short of food.
28th: Marched to Pont l'Eveque, 15 miles, turning out at 4am. Battery on rear-guard. Infantry hopelessly weary. Supposed/suffered (sp?) eventually to form(sp?) the starting point (sp?) at 8:30am. Did not do so till about 11:30am. Reached bivouac at 10pm unmolested. A very tiring march of about 1 mile an hour behind tired infantry. The battery has now marched 140 miles by road exclusive of movements to positions in 7 days. The majority of the horses have been within or on short rations and have galled(sp?) badly and lost condition. Rations for the men have been few and the men are tired but full of fight.
29th: Rest at Pont l'Eveque. Marched at 7:15pm to Croutoy arriving about 6:30 am on 30th after two hours halt in the night, about 17 miles.
30th: Rest at Croutoy.
31st: Marched at 8am to bivouac north of Crepy. About 16 miles.
September
1st: The withdrawl of the rearguard. Rearguard in action against German cavalry who suffered some loss. Opened fire about 1:30pm on German cavalry who scattered. Retired about 1:40pm and took up a position further back. Battery then detailed for rearguard with East Surrey Reg. No further fighting. Reached bivouwac at Nanteuil about 8:30pm in the dark. Distance about 8 miles.
2nd: Marched at 3 am to bivouwac at Chambre Fontaine, 1 mile north of Plessis arriving about 9am. Distance about 10 miles. Horse inspection by V.O. battery 2 horses short and 28 unfit from strangles, condition, falls and lameness. The continuous marching has been very hard on the shoes and there has been very little time to get the horses shod up.
3rd: Marched at 7am to Mont Pichet, 2 miles north west of Crecy, halting for 3 hours at Esbly. Arrived about 5pm. Distance about 12 miles. A very hot and dusty march. The battery was in a position of readiness for nearly 3 hours at La Baste to cover withdrawl of rearguard but no enemy appeared.
4th: Sundry orders issued regarding struggling on the march which is now bad in the infantry. Left section turned out in the afternoon to support the outposts but was not required to fire. Marched at 10pm.
5th: After marching all night the battery reached Gagny south of Tour in the morning. The route lay chiefly through forest and from the numerous changes of direction it would appear the wrong turnings were taken. Distance about (blank) miles. Requisitioned oat hay for the horses/ The majority of the horses are now picking up again. Gallo (sp?) nearly well and no fresh ones as the remounts received at Kildare put on muscle. A few horses will not recover under a months rest after their hard work in soft condition. At 11pm orders were received that the division was going to reovercome (sp?) the offensive, much to the joy of all ranks. Prolonged retirement to discourage the rank and file.
6th: Marched at 5:30 am to Villeneuve, halting to bivouwac at 9am. Considerable firing to the front on both flanks. Continued march at 1pm to Montcerf. Battery allotted to the advanced guard with 15th Infantry Brigade. Halted till dark and then moved forward to La Celle Sur Morin.
7th: Considerable delays in starting owing to 3rd Division having to clear owl (sp?) road. Finally started at 11:30am with 15th Infantry Brigade, advanced guard and marched to Boissy le Chatel arriving at 6pm.
8th: Marched at 8am. Passage (cannot read). Sent out to left flank with Bedford Regiment to keep touch with 4th division. Action near Montgoins against enemys artillery which stopped firing. Line judged by ground. Advanced across river in persuit but no targets were visible when the battery arrived on the far side. The pull up from the river was very steep and took time. The battery was the first up of the division. Bivouwaced at Chamesseuil.
9th: Marched at 5am and formed advanced guard with 15th Infantry brigade. The battery was rigorously shelled in column on route on the road but got safely into action under cover without casualties, except to the water cart which was charged and smashed up by an abandoned infantry s.o.a. cart. Opened fire on enemys artillery and infantry. Enemys guns impossible to locate the country being very broken and covered with forest. Advanced under fire to Bezu Le Guery in closed support of 15th Infantry brigade which was being severely punished by shell and rifle fire. Came into action to cover their withdrawal if necessary. Impossible to give support in teh brigades existing position owing to forest. Remained in action all night.
10th: Marched at 5am. Had a long trot of about 4 miles to catch up the advanced guard of 15th infantry brigade passing on route an abandoned artillery battery of the enemy. Arrived in the nick of time and came into action south of Dhoisy against enemys rear-guard consisting mainly of cavalry which bolted, range about 4000, also fired at enemys convoy at 7000, caused considerable confusion. Convoy also fire on and stopped by R.H.A. with 5th Cav (sp?) Brigade on right flank. Shelled roads along which enemy was retiring through woods with some affect as enemy refused to stand. Continued advance to Cheze En Orxois having abandoned convoy with several dead. Bivouacked here at 7pm. Several prisoners taken in woods.
11th: Marched at 7am to Billy Sur Ourcq. A wet march and wetter bivouwac, short of rations for men and horses. Limes in a ploughed field in a valley which soon became a hopeless morass. Men made wigwams our of branches and shaves of corn.
12th: Marched at 5am to Mont de Soissons from north of Nampteuil sous Muret. Position of readiness till dark during reconnaissance of Aisne valley. Every one wet to the skin. Billetted at Mont de Soissons farm getting men and horses under cover.
13th: Came into action early supporting advance of 14th Infantry brigade at Le Mesnil. Enemys position across the Aisne strongly held by guns and infantry. 14th Brigade unable to cross owing to no bridge being available. Remained in action all night.
14th: 4th Division on our left crossed during night at Venizel by means of pontoon bridge and damaged bridge. Fired on enemys infantry retiring in front of 4th division. Enemy waved white flags on sheets. 14th infantry brigade followed 4th division and moved east to Saint Marguerite. Battery ordered to followed in closes support. Shelled while crossing the pontoon and valley, no casualties. Came into action at Sainte Marguerite against Chivres plateau. Silenced and entrenched battery and detached section, who fired on infantry. Battery under very galling and continuous enfilade fire from guns, but fortunately little damage was done owing to good cover. Casualties - 3 men wounded, 6 horses killed, 3 wounded. The battery fire nearly 2000 rounds.
15th: Engagement continued. The battery and section on Chivres plateau were withdrawn during the night. Fired chiefly at enemys infantry and an entrenched battery on plain 3700 north east where fire was (obscured). The enfilade fire on the battery continued more or less all day. Lt. H.A. Tyler and 3 men wounded.
16th: Battery returned during the night to gun pits on Chivres plateau and opened fire at dawn. It fired about six rounds before own fire became effective. When it stopped for the day. Range 2200. Our guns shooting very badly. Had to stop and have sights tested and put right. The experimental sight carriers (sp?) loaned to the battery for this years practice have also given out, the sliding drums (sp?) not working properly. Replaced them with the old eight carriers (sp?) which we brought with us in case of this occurrence.
17th: Battery on Chivres plateau re-opened at dawn but was stopped at once. Tried for direct hits. Hit the enforcements several times but never seemed to get really in. This battery was withdrawn during night. This left a wheel lying outside one emplacement. Fired on trenches in Chivres valley. The observation station coming in for a good deal of strafing daily at about 1200. The snipers in front of Chivres about 600 distant fortunately cannot use it on account of the bevel of the hill.
18th: The whole line is now strongly entrenched. The battery position is behind the extreme left of the 5th division and the observing station is in the middle of the 12th brigade of the 4th division. The battery is having the main work of the line, only two others being across the river, one belonging to the 4th division which is not allowed to fire, being kept for close defence, the other belonging our own division, barely being able to fire. Consequently the battery is paid a good deal of attention by the enemy. Went for direct hits on the battery on the plain, which re-opened this morning. Shut it up with line shrapnel first of all, which was effective judging from the stretchers brought up when we stopped firing. Tried for direct hits with lyddite when the afternoon sun got round. Hit two emplacements, one shell detonating, the first to do so in this campaign. The weather has turned we an the trenches are quagmires.
19th: The battery on the plain has gone leaving what appears to be an ammunition wagon behind. Parties were at work filling in the two gun pits we hit yesterday. Possibly burial parties so did not fire. Usual routine of shelling trenches etc. Wet continues.
20th: Same work as yesterday, shelling trenches. Snipers are improving in their shooting. Wet continues.
21st: The battery observing station were heavily shelled by a battery on the left flank towards Vregny. Shelled trenches.
22nd: Same as 21st. The aeroplanes are endeavouring to locate the Vregny battery so as to turn the heavy battery on to it.
23rd: Same as 21st. Shelling worse than ever. Men remained under cover most of the day as their was nothing important to shoot at. 1 horse killed, 6 wounded. Every vehicle is now marked by shell.
24th: New battery opened from behind a wood and joined in with the enfilading battery. Located it by sound and fall of shell. Searched behind wood and silenced it. Decided to find enfilading battery for ourselves. Sent out both subalterns to reconnoitre, who located it from a tree about 1/2 mile on our left flank in front of infantry firing line. Ran back the right section and obtained line to as night fell. Borrowed (sp?) belgate (sp?) telephone cart to run out wire to new station.
25th: Established Lt Housden at new observing station before dawn, covered by an advanced post of the Essex regiment. Post in thick bush in which you can hear the German patrols talking. Fire of battery silenced by R.X. under Lt Housden. A good piece of work for which the battery and infantry are duly thankful. Battery fired at trenches and parties of the enemy. Snipers have the battery observing station under close fire.
26th: Same as 25th. Fired on an anti aeroplane battery
located by Rosewood (sp?) behind a wood. Forced it to retire to longer range. Fire lyddite at trenches in front of Chivres and hit them, four shell in trench, one in bomb proof. Right section did good work against German guns at Vregny.
27th: Fired on Chivres trenches. Searched for heavy howitzers behind Chivres. Used a good deal of ammunition to ono purpose. Right section engaged with Vregny batteries. Observing station and battery much shelled.
28th: A new battery opened fire early from behind wood on Pt Verdonne. First two shells burst in the battery wounding sergeant Stannard (sp?). Enemys guns stopped after a few ranging shots from us. The observing station and battery were under intermittent shell fire all day. The right section had a hard task keeping down the fire of the Vregny batteries which it (did) very well.
29th: Still searching for the howitzers, occasionally even to get on to him, but more probable that the detachment knocks off work at intervals. Shelled a new bomb proof getting one lyddite shell in. Only one man came out who seemed dazed and stumbling. The section of guns opened about 4pm behind the edge of wood on Pt Verdonne. Position now easily recognised by two new V shaped cuts in the trees on the sky line. Our trial ranging shots yesterday were therefore on the right line. Silenced fine with L.X. R.X. had a busy time with the Vregny guns which now appear to be dispersed in sections. Just before dusk the flashes of the heavy howitzers were seen from the forward observing station. They are in two groups. C.x. turned on right group L.X. on left group. Howitzers stopped firing.
30th: The Vregny guns have hardly fired today, consequently the R.X section had an easy time which they have deserved. Opened fire with C.X and L.X on enemys second line of trenches. Lyddite first and then timed shrapnel. Shooting not good due to having to use No.1 charge at a big elevation. Guns on Pt Verdonne reopened from point about 200 west by sound, of their position yesterday. Was able to silence them at once. Searched with telescope for observing station and spotted a horses tail moving on edge of small clump of bushed. Switched on to it and bolted two mounted and three dismounted men, presumably subaltern and his party. These guns did not open fire. Noticed a new long thin pole in Verdonne forest. Sent for an R.E. officer who identified it as a wireless station. Knocked down with lyddite. Enemys howitzers opened fire from two positions which were identified by forward observing station seeing smoke. Turned C.X on to one lot and L.X on to the other. Silenced fine. Enemy re-opened later but was at once silenced and kept silent till dark by salvos at irregular intervals. The battery has now fired over 5000 rounds in this position and the guns are shooting as well as ever.
October
1st: Very misty and cold in the morning. Quiet day, battery did not fire and enemy accepted the holiday. Orders received at 6pm to retire across the Aisne at Venizel, the battery being relieved by the 55th battery of the 4th division. Bivouwaced for the night at Le Mesnil.
2nd: Halted all day in thick mist. Marched at 7:15pm to Nampteuil.
3rd: Halted all day. Horses taken into woods to hide from aeroplanes. Guns etc hidden by boughs (sp?). Marched at 6pm to longpont.
4th: Halted all day in woods to hide from aeroplanes. Four horses dies in last night from acute poisoning due, presumably, from eating crocuses in the woods at Nampteuil. Received ten horses from the Brigade ammunition column. Marched at 7:30pm to Le Bernal. Delayed for three hours en route by motor lorries transporting French troops to the left wing.
5th: Arrived Le Bernal about 5am. Halted all day.
6th: Marced at 2pm to Bethisy St Martin crossing our line of retreat on the 31st August. Arrived about 7pm.
7th: Marched at 5:30am to Comiegne where the battery entrained, leaving at 3pm for the north.
8th: Arrived Abbeville at 12:30am. Detrained at once and marched to Nedilly l'hopital arriving at dawn and bivouacking with the 15th Infantry brigade. Marched at 6pm to Boufflers arriving at 12:30am. Nights very cold with hard frost.
9th: Marched at 5pm to Trois Vaux south of St Pol arriving at 5:30am. 10th delayed for 4 hours by motor lorries transporting infantry.
10th: Halted at Trois Vaux. A good deal of firing on our right in the direction of Arras. Town full of refugees (sp?) from Arras and Lille. The former town is reported as being set on fire and destroyed by the German artillery.
11th: Marched to Vendin west of Bethune arriving late in the afternoon. Selected a position to cover the advance of the division in the morning, across the canal. Country very flat and wooded difficult to find an observing station.
12th: Thick mist in the morning. The battery was told to accompany the 14th infantry brigade across the canal at Locon. Halted for several hours. Orders received in the afternoon to move to Festubert in support of the 15th infantry brigade. Roads blocked by French cavalry division withdrawing from own front. Reached Festubert about 4pm where a sharp action was in progress. Ordered to find a position near the canal to support the Dorset Regiment. Country between Festubert and the canal is marshy, wooded and intersected by ditches. Battery could not move by the direct road as it was under close rifle fire. Reconnoitred a practical route by the canal tow path by which time is was dark, also a position for the battery at Pont Fixe. Bivouacked beside canal about one mile west of Givency.
13th: Occupied position, reconnoitred the evening before, at Pont Fixe, losing one wagon on route in the canal owing to the bank giving way. Observing station in a factory. Pont Fixe was shelled all day but the battery being well under cover only lost two men wounded. The observing station came in for a good deal of attention and was shelled out of the factory three times. Fired at Cuinchy enfilading the Germans living in a ditch which was cleared, several dead being left in the ditch. Field behind Dorsets and Bedfords heavily attacked in the afternoon. Bedfords retired which necessitated retirement of Dorsets. Battery covered retirement but was unable to save the Dorsets heavy casualties owing to the immediate retreat of the Bedfords on the left flank of the 13th infantry brigade on the right which enabled the enemy to enfilade them from both flanks . Part of the Dorsets retired past the battery but one company was at once rallied behind the battery staff and lined the buildings on either side of the factory. The Germans occupied Givenchy and opened machine and rifle fire on the left section. Lt Housden turned on the left section and stopped the fire. At the moment the battery finished its ammunition but fortunately more arrived from the column in about ten minutes just as night fell. The position of the battery at this time was uncomfortable. In the night the Germans were about 600 in front; in front their advance was stopping about 1500 from the battery one one roughly handled company of the Dorsets between us on the left they were in line with the battery about 500 distant. The battery remained in action till about 11pm. When it received orders to withdraw to billets During the attack the battery stopped the direct advance of the enemy, who moved away from the front into Givenchy. Wounded returning after dark reported no enemy in front. The fire of the battery was therefore , as appeared from the observing station, effective in stopping the direct advance of the enemy on Pont Fixe but we were unable, in addition, to cope with the attack on Givenchy. Lt J.P. Hickie joined.
14th: Battery received orders to occupy the same position at dawn as on the 13th. It was however unable to get forward owing to the enemy shelling the tow path. The O.C. Dorset Regt also requested the battery commander to select a position further in rear (sp?). Took up a position further back, action can called in by group commander. Our position on 13th would been absolutely untenable as by now it was enfiladed from the left at short range and badly visible to hostile artillery forward observers. Probably the order to re-occupy it was raised under a misconception "of the situation". Fired on Cuinchy, Givenchy and various towns where the infantry had located misaims (sp?). Returned to bivouac at dark.
15th: Same position. Shelled Givenchy and church tower which was hit repeatedly. Capt McClymont fired on the Germans occupying the houses and trenches on the west of Givenchy with success causing them to retire. Withdrew to bivouac at dark. The observing station on a haystack came in for a fair proportion of rifle and shell fire directed at the infantry trenches about 15 in front, but no damage was done.
16th: Occupied same position at dawn. This mist prevented any shooting. Infantry patrols reported enemy withdrawing. Capt. McClymont injured, sent to hospital.
17th: Same position. Infantry occupied Givenchy. Shifted observing station to south side of Givenchy and shelled enemys trenches at La Bassee station.
18th: Moved battery forward to a position immediately south of Givenchy. Shelled trenches at La Bassee station in support of French attack and the trenches along the canal bank towards La Bassee. Our infantry advanced to about 1000 east of Givenchy and entrenched.
19th: Same position and same objectives. A French battery came into action alongside the 61st. Our infantry did not advance.
20th: Same position and objectives.
21st: ditto
22nd: Shifted battery to a position 500 in rear, just in time as the battery has been located by the enemys aeroplanes. The left and centre sections got clear without trouble but the right section had two bombs dropped on it and came in for heavy shell fire from howitzers. Opened fire from new position towards Violaines which had been captured by the enemy. Battery remained in action all night.
23rd: Moved at 5am to a position near Festubert to cover the area Rue d'oucert-canteleux. The infantry have withdrawn to practically the same line except that we still hold Givenchy. Shelled Rue D'ouvert and Canteleux and remained in action all night. The French now hold Givenchy and Pont Fixe which strengthens our line.
24th: Same position. Enemy shelled Festubert hard and appear to be getting the range of the battery with their heavy howitzers. One gun of the 52nd on our left was knocked out. Observing station had rather a warm time. At dark moved battery back about 500 to a position about 200 north of that occupied on the 14th keeping the same observing station.
25th: Observing station came under a terrific shell fire, had to be vacated. B.S.M and Corpl Rentall wounded. Selected a new observing station and re-organised the battery staff. Two French batteries came into action beside us.
26th: Same position, quiet day.
27th: Same position. Battery did not fire. Germans fairly quiet.
28th: Same position. Fired on Rue D'Ouvert in conjunction with 52nd battery. 61st using Lyddite to bolt the Germans and 52nd putting shrapnel. Result difficult to see but all sniping stopped for some time in the line.
29th: Enemy attacked from Rue D'Ouvert in the morning which was missed. Searched and swept. Attack repulsed.
30th: Same position. Our infantry are being relieved by the Meerut division and gun batteries to be relieved tonight. Question of relieving howitzers not yet decided. German opened fire on Ghurka trenches with a new mortar stated to fire a 200lb shell. Makes a terrific noise and cleared the front trench. Germans tried to attack. Asked the two French batteries to open fire and observed it for them, Fire reported by infantry to have been most effective and to have stopped attack on out immediate front. Congratulated French commanders on halt.
31st: Howitzer batteries not to be relieved but the battery was allowed a day off in billets. The XVth brigade R.F.A and 5th division moved back except for a few odd regiments. The battery is now under the g.o.c. R.G. meerut division.
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