I recently read The Tears of War by May W. Cannan. It tells the story of the war through her poems and letters with the man she loved.

Bevil Quiller-Couch, a special reservist in the Royal Field Artillery mobilised to France in 1914. He served with 2^nd Divisional artillery units and took part in every major battle on the Western Front from Mons in 1914 to the Armistice. He was a well-respected and efficient officer winning the Military Cross and Distinguished Service Order.

May Cannan volunteered and went to France in 1915 where she assisted in running a canteen for soldiers at Rouen Station. During the war May wrote poems and corresponded with Bevil.

On conclusion of hostilities he asked May to marry him. After leave in Paris and at home in Cornwall, Major Bevil-Couch returned to his battery which was forming part of the army of occupation in Germany.

Whilst in Germany Bevil fell ill and died of influenza 2^nd February 1919.

He served continuously in Flanders and France from August 1914 to the Armistice winning a MC and DSO, joins the army of occupation, then dies of influenza.

A review of the book records “Impossible not to be affected by it” with which I would agree.

He is burried in Cologne Southern Cemetery in Germany

CWGC Information

QUILLER-COUCH, BEVIL BRIAN

Rank: Major

Date of Death: 06/02/1919

Age: 28

Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery

9th Bty. 41st Bde.

Awards: D S O, M C

Grave Reference IX. F. 3.

Cemetery COLOGNE SOUTHERN CEMETERY

Additional Information:

Son of Sir Arthur and Lady Quiller-Couch. of Fowey, Cornwall. Served continuously in Flanders and France from Aug.,1914.

MC Citation

Lieutenant Bevil Brian Quiller-Couch RFA SR. Exceptional ability and energy during the time he was with the Brigade Ammunition Column on the Aisne and in Flanders from 20^th September to 16^th December 1914. On many occasions he showed great courage and initiative in bringing up his wagons. Since December in the Bethune District he acted as Orderly Officer until appointed Adjutant 10^th June 1915.

He has shown great zeal and ability.

During the recent active operations at Festurbert and Le Palntin in May his services were particularly valuable. It was a great deal owing to his energy and grasp of the situation that everything worked successfully and smoothly. This particularly applied to the tactical control of the French Group and arrangements in connection with the group generally.

DSO Citation

LG 3rd June 1919

Captain (A/Major) Bevil Quiller-Couch MC. RFA, SR has invariably shown marked initiative, energy and resource: untiring and cool, never sparing himself. Can always be relied on to ‘get things done’ under adverse conditions. Served at the front continuously since 1914.

Letter from Brigadier General Saunders RA to his parents Sir Arthur and Lady Quiller-Couch

He was quite one of the best officers in the Division. Very gallant, always cheery and full of energy, he was most popular with everyone with whom he had dealings. He had also quite exceptional abilities which would have carried him far in the Army, and I expect in any other profession. He was really a god all round soldier and man and his death is a very bitter grief loss to everyone of us. You will be glad to know that it was a great joy to him to hear that his name had gone in for a very well earned DSO.

The history of 2nd Division

From the Long Long Trail

http://www.1914-1918.net/2div.htm

One of the first British formations to move to France, the 2nd Division remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions, including:

1914

The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, including the the Affair of Landrecies, the Rearguard affair of Le Grand Fayt and the Rearguard actions of Villers-Cotterets

The Battle of the Marne

The Battle of the Aisne including participation in the Actions on the Aisne heights

First Battle of Ypres

1915

Winter Operations 1914-15

The Battle of Festubert

The Battle of Loos

1916

The Battle of Delville Wood*

The Battle of the Ancre*

The battles marked * are phases of the Battles of the Somme 1916

Operations on the Ancre

1917

The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line

The First Battle of the Scarpe**

The Battle of Arleux**

The Second Battle of the Scarpe**

The battles marked ** are phases of the Battles of Arras 1917

The Battle of Cambrai

1918

The Battle of St Quentin***

The Battle of Bapaume***

The First Battle of Arras 1918***

The battles marked *** are phases of the First Battles of the Somme 1918

The Battle of Albert****

The Second Battle of Bapaume****

The battles marked **** are phases of the Second Battles of the Somme 1918

The Battle of Havrincourt+

The Battle of the Canal du Nord+

The Battle of Cambrai 1918+

The battles marked + are phases of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line

The Battle of the Selle

The Division was selected to advance into Germany and form part of the Occupation Force.