zeptrader Posted 14 September , 2009 Share Posted 14 September , 2009 Hi all again, I have numorous threads here asking for help regarding my great grandad, many thanks for that help. Now I ask again for some help in reading the writing on some war diaries from the 7th Battalion The Rifle Brigade. Ive started from September 1916, this is the first one - A major commanding the battalion??? The ??? (it looks like dots between the letters which may indicate an abreviation) 'He relied soley on his ? guns' Thanks for any help Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulsterlad2 Posted 14 September , 2009 Share Posted 14 September , 2009 Hi Colin, that first one looks like (to me) The D.C.L.I ... ....... Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeptrader Posted 14 September , 2009 Author Share Posted 14 September , 2009 Hi Colin, that first one looks like (to me) The D.C.L.I ... ....... Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. Thanks, looks about right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 23 September , 2009 Share Posted 23 September , 2009 Colin, I think the second one is "... he relied solely on his m/c guns" - i.e. machine guns. The signature may be that of the Adjutant rather than the OC the battalion. If we're lucky Andy may spot this and will probably be able to tell us who was OC 7/RB and who was Adjt 7/RB in September 1916. Could be V.A.M. de Caley, Coley, Caley? Might help to see more examples of the handwriting. Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeptrader Posted 23 September , 2009 Author Share Posted 23 September , 2009 Thanks for that mark, ive changed it to machine guns, well done:) I have finished the diaries and are in PDF format, from September 1916 to May 1917, if anyone wants a copy please PM with your email addy. There are a few illegible words. I have found the signiture and its - V.A.M.C de Calry Major Commd LIEUT.-COLONEL V. A. M. C. de CALRY D.S.O. 6th Dragoons (Inniskilling)Aged 33, died May 10th, 1917 Eldest son of Valeric Magawly Cerati de Calry, 6th Count de Calry, and of his wife, Ellen Falkenburg, daughter of Redman Abbott, of Phila- delphia. R.M.C., Sandhurst. Married, in 1912, Sheila, daughter of Donald Cameron, of Clunes, and leaves a daughter. Lieut.-Colonel de Calry was originally gazetted to the 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers and was with them as Acting Adjutant in South Africa. He then transferred to the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons and accompanied them to India, being for several years Adjutant of the Regiment. He went to France in November, 1914, and served with the Cavalry till 1916, when he was given command of the 7th Battalion the Rifle Brigade. He fought in the Battles of the Somme and Arras, was twice mentioned in Despatches, and received the D.S.O. and the Croix de Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. He was killed by a shell on May l0th, 1917, near Wancourt, Arras. A brother-officer, an Old Etonian, wrote : — “ No more beloved or gallant Officer ever commanded a Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. He gave himself body and soul to the welfare of the men, spent large sums of money on the Battalion, and the result was — they were a fine Battalion, devoted to the Colonel. . . . He had led the Battalion so finely on the Somme, and so well earned his D.S.O., the whole Regiment were proud of him.” Another, an Old Harrovian, wrote : — “ On the Somme, though he took over the command suddenly and with no long experience of an Infantry Battalion’s ways in the trenches, he was absolutely splendid, utterly fearless, and never for a moment forgetting to give the men every comfort possible. He led and looked after them too.” Another, an Old Wykehamist, wrote : — “ I cannot tell you how deeply his loss will be felt by the Brigade. . . . He was always so splendidly cheery, so fond of his men, so proud of his Battalion ; and he had every right to be. . . . Whenever I wanted cheering up I always went to him, and I know many people who felt the same. . . . You may be very sure that with us nothing will dim the memory of a very gallant soldier and a wonderful friend.” Thankjs Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeptrader Posted 7 October , 2009 Author Share Posted 7 October , 2009 Just adding a few more picture of words (underlined) that I cant read, maybe you could have a bash for me 15th September 1916 #1 3rd october 1916 8th October 1916 #1 thanks....more to come Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connaughtranger Posted 7 October , 2009 Share Posted 7 October , 2009 Just adding a few more picture of words (underlined) that I cant read, maybe you could have a bash for me 15th September 1916 #1 3rd october 1916 8th October 1916 #1 thanks....more to come Colin 15th Sept ....x wounded and this number will no doubt be greatly modified.. 3rd October.....Acting Staff Captain.... 8th October....enemy.... I hope.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 7 October , 2009 Share Posted 7 October , 2009 I agree with the above! Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulsterlad2 Posted 7 October , 2009 Share Posted 7 October , 2009 For 15th Sept the number is 210. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeptrader Posted 7 October , 2009 Author Share Posted 7 October , 2009 Thanks to all 3 of you, that looks about right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeptrader Posted 7 October , 2009 Author Share Posted 7 October , 2009 a few more - 8th october 1916 #2 25th october 1916 #1 25th october 1916 #2 Bn ? march via flank St. ? thanks again fellas colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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