4th Queens own Hussars

[BeppoSapone]

Hi Bepposappone , The Info i have is from this link http://www.crystalpalacefoundation.org.uk/...fault.asp?id=51 They can probably supply the current location of the shop . Ihope it's useful to someone Regards Teresa

Thank you Teresa

This gets even more interesting. It seems that the shop was very close to Crystal Palace, and they took a lot of pics of it.

During WW1 wasn't Crystal Palace a Royal Naval establishment? So, it is possible that the photographers took photos of a lot of the members of the Royal Naval Division.

[Ciaran Byrne]

Crystal Palace was also a dispersal station for troops being demobbed in 1919. Same as Alexandra Palace just round the corner from me.

[Guest Hootsmon]

There must have been stacks of military negatives around the old photo shop .I wonder what happened to them ,Maybe the Imp. war museum has them .

[bcerha]

Thanks very much Teresa. I know E Battery RHA were stationed at Newbridge at the outbreak of the First World War but I do not know in which barracks. However the accumulated info on this thread gives me a pretty good picture of what was there and will be in the future. Hopefully one day I will get to visit Newbridge and the Curragh myself. Many thanks again.

regards

David

[BattlerBritain]

Just been searching this forum for the first time as I'm trying to research a picture of my Great-Grandfather, a George Robson of the 4th Queens Own Hussars.

I've managed to get hold of his Medal records that show that he went to France on 18th August 1914, but it seems he spent most of the war with the RFA.

My Nan is still alive and tells me that he was in the Curragh in 1914 and came back in 1916 before leaving for France again.

She is after a picture of him (she's never had one) and she can't remember what he looks like.

I just wonder if he's on one of these pictures.

Will also try Eastbourne Redoubt (when it opens on 1st April).

Many thanks for this excellent post,

Battler

[reggiesson]

This is my first time on this site also!

One of my Gt Uncles Frederick Samuel Dawson b c1889 Chipping Hill Witham

Served in 4th (Queens Own) Hussars and was in France from 15 August 1914 and died 10 August 1918. Buried in Fouquescourt. We visited the grave last week. He died on the day the village was recaptured by the Australians so I assume that the regiment was supporting in the attack.

Thats all I know and I cant seem to find too many references to the regiment in books so this post is most interesting. Any other leads I should follow up?

Unfortunately I cant see many of the pictures, including the diary that's referred to - any tips on what I should do?

[pilot]

Hello

There is an account of the 4th QOH in Amiens offensive :

« The Squadron » lieutenant-colonel Ardern Beaman (John Lane The Bodley Head, Ltd, 1920)

and an extract with this title: « The agony of man and horse at the Amiens Battle,

but we were marching on to victory » published « The Great War… I was there ! » part 44, August 1st 1939

Have you got a picture of your relative?

Best regards

[reggiesson]

Thanks for the sources Pilot. I dont have a picture unfortunately (although I am trying to contact long lost cousins who might) I didnt even know I had 3 Gt Uncles killed in WW1 until I started doing the family tree.

I see you are in the Somme. When we visited Fouquescourt Cemetry there was an entry in the visitors book from a french person who had visited the graves of all 4 4th QO Hussars but I couldnt read the french to understand why and (being in a hire car due to breakdown) didnt have a pen to note the comment and address in Amiens down for future reference. If you are interested in the regiment it might be worth making contact.

Does anyone know why I cant see the diary extract and some of the pictures that have been posted on this thread? All I get is a box with a red cross in it?

[madraf]

Hi Phil

I'm not sure what happened to the pics, but will try to post them again later

my Grandfarther's Diary spans from Aug 1914 to July 1915 when he has injured

and sent home.

[Guest Paul D]

Frederick Samuel Dawson

Served in 4th (Queens Own) Hussars and was in France from 15 August 1914 and died 10 August 1918.

My Great Grandfather (Private William Charles Grainger) also served in the 4th (Queens Own) Hussars and this is my first post also.

For your information: A quick summary of the diary entry for the night of 9/10 August 1918 by Captain Evans.

Whilst the men were bivouaced for the night, a hostile aeroplane came over and dropped a bomb on Headquarters and the head of "A" Squadron. The result was that Private Flintham, Signaller Greenway, Private Dawson and Corporal Cheshire were killed and twelve others wounded, of whom Private Tull afterwards died of wounds. Also twenty-one horses were killed and a lot of others broke loose. This will show what damage one bomb can do. As Captain Halpin RAMC had previously been wounded, all the dressings of the wounded men fell on Lance Corporal Fuller who was the medical orderly. He worked splendidly and was awarded the Military Medal for his fine efforts.

[madraf]

Here are a few entries from my Grandad's diary

Private William Valentine Ashley 1252 4th Hussars

14/8/14 We leave Curragh and reach camp wet to the skin,

some chap behind me starts singing "one where the sun shines"

me and Pat go for a drink, Pat had a row with Keating but he soon put him

to sleep I had a row with Rothey and he came off rather badly.

We went to bed wet blankets each.

15/8/14 Revellie at 4 o'clock and reached Dublin at 10 o'clock and marched North Wall

to embark our horses. We had all all horses on by 6 o'clock and met my brother

he and Pat were fighting half the night. I did his guard for him.

I sent a c to sister and had a look round docks and to bed.

16/8/14 Ship started about 5:50 and nobody knows were we are going, boats behind with

16th Lancers on and 5th. Nothing to do, play cards, Col Hogg reads a letter from

the King

17/8/14 Revelle at 6 am and a good breakfast, French battleships are escorting us.

18/8/14 Landed at Le Harve, we had a very hard day's work getting horses off the boat,

we were pulling them. Train left at 11 pm and now were in for a long ride. My brother

is looking after horses they are kicking each other nicely.

I will gladly post some more if anybody is interested

Rich.

[Robert Dunlop]

Very interested. Yes please Rich. Thank you very much for the offer.

Robert

[madraf]

Here you go Robert

19/8/14 I am feeling rather bad and my lips are very sore.

We got bully and nothing else for breakfast, the French people gave us coffey

and very bad too. As we go along the people are getting better and gave us

beer and wine, fags apples, everything even money. The people say the crown

prince is wounded.

20/8/14 22 1/2 hours riding rather sore but billet somewhere in Belgium and can here the guns

going. Cpl Mullan was kicked by a horse and sent back to base.

21/8/14 We make a move and the people gave us a very good send off plenty of everything

but still I know the Germans will soon be in here and then God help the people.

Air ship passes over us and we moved rather quick. 2 German Vlands were caught

and then the air ship passes over again, another move.

22/8/14 Battle of Briey

Saddle up, no food all yesterday, none today. We saw the enemy and our guns

let them have it, the Germans make towards a wood, one of our trumpeters has been

killed, this work seems very funny a man here. and one there dropped out of

hes saddle and one does not know who's turns next. Air ship again we move,

we rode for 25 hrs with no food for man or horse.

23/8/14 Although were in the saddle all night the Germans are just behind us one of our

officers have got the wind up, I would not be surprised if some ot the men shot him

as he ran away and left them behind, outpost tonight but alarm sounded at 12 midnight,

still no food.

24/8/14 Marching all morning and not a sign of the enemy but plenty of houses on fire.

Gen Allenby sent my troop extended orders to draw their fire, it was a death trap.

We rushed into some wire and then the Germans let us have it, there must have been

thousands of them. Mr Faulkner's horse was hit and then our troops were dropping

everywhere, we got the order action near, the Col went nearly mad but Maj Howell

came along and we were soon letting them have it. One of A squad charged us

thinking we were Germans but no harm done. I saw Pte Fanning wounded and I

helped Cooper carry him away, very hard to carry a man one mile with all my

kit on. We are fighting all day.

25/8/14 Up at 3:30 and started patrolling again. Orders were read out, infantry 4th & 5th

infantry brigade held back 6 German divisions, rather good for the Curragh div.

Shells bursting all around us but we have the luck on our side. My God I am

hungry 3 days and nothing to eat, they gave us some sugar & prunes to keep us

going. We got ready to charge there guns but they were waiting for us with wire

in front of them thank God we did not charge. Hundreds of old men and women and

children running away their houses all allight and cattle killed.

I'll post some more later gotta go work on the deck (darn wife)

Rich

[Ciaran Byrne]

This is really interesting stuff, please keep posting!

[madraf]

Here some more of the diary

26/8/14
We have just gone through a big town called Mons, there will be a big fight here.
Our infantry are passing us in hundreds with arms and legs off it is. I spoke to some and they say
it is awful, D.C.L.I. Gordans East Surrey tell us that there trenches are full of dead. My Troop is guarding a
small village, the Germans soon made a mess of it and we are in for a long ride.

27/8/14
We take one loaf of bread and start riding we throw away everything we can blankets, cloaks,
etc to make the saddle as light as possible. They shelled us for all that they were worth but we sat
there, I am glad to say very cool. Men and horses were dropping all around but we got away. I am
going on outpost with my brother. I made some tea for my men and then my brother wanted
to shoot a Frenchman for a spy, I stopped him SGT, Stanley nearly shot me but hit a pig instead.

28/8/14 Failloue
We had roll call this morning and 230 men are missing, we heard that 90 are with infantry and
others are captured. Under fire all day and at night we waited for the enemy to come in a village
and let them have it, we lost one man P.T.E Read. I am very lucky bullets all around but I am not hit.

29/8/14 Chaunty
Move off at 2 am, a troop of enemy ran into our 4th and our men beat them and we had a good nights
rest and a good feed.

30/8/14 Beseme
I am on outpost again but am very ill so will do it tomorrow. We started well by charging some Germans,
I got some sugar and a new shirt.

31/8/14 Morte Fontaine
We had a bottle of rum tonight and Webb got drunk, sorry for him.

1/9/14 Ha Ferte Miton
Me and Jim are dying for a smoke. Well our Col. has just been hit, I beleive killed, hit somewhere
near the heart, he was the last man to leave the village.

2/9/14 Maiox
We have an order, take what we can to eat from the farmers, good dinner, rabits and ducks eggs
and milk very nice time.

3/9/14
Start riding on 30 mls ride to join French calvary, on guard last night now 30 mls to go. Well it was
the worst I ever had, we mounted and dismounted all day, enough to break a good man's heart,
got to camp at 10 pm and then we had the order we might be shelled any minute. Poor Pat he
slept with his back to a tree holding his horse reins all night.

4/9/14 Contmmiers
We are on the move to Paris and stop in a field for a rest, the enemy spotted us and before we knew
anything they shelled us, one dropped just in front of me and killed Wright's horse and a piece
of shell went in my serge. I was very lucky, my brother was very lucky to, we moved on and met the
guards but the poor chaps were nearly dead so we cut down alot of apples for them and cheered
them on. We lost 6 horses and 4 men today.

5/9/14
Up at 1 o'clock and on the move our horses are nearly done in, most of them have lost their shoes
and are lame but they must go on. Poor old 43, my horse has got a sore back, it nearly made
me cry as he has been a very good horse and carried me many miles. Sgt Holmes sent out and
going in a wood, they found about 30 men French cav they were lost. I think they were the worst
lot of men I seen in my life, nearly starved and in rags they called us the lucky fourth. Just passed
a chap with his chest and head scattered all over the road. If this is war roll on peace.


I tried to copy the diary word for word but it is over 90 years old and some of the pages are stained.
If any of the pals can give me the proper spelling of any of the towns I would greatly appreciate it.
attached is what the cover of the diary looks like. I'll add some more entries within the next couple of days
Rich.

[Ciaran Byrne]

Madraf,

That is really interesting stuff. I have the history of the 4th Hussars and what is written here ties in nicely with what is written in the history. Its a day by day account which makes this easy to follow. Which date do the entries go up to?

[madraf]

Ciaran

The diary goes to July 21 1915, there are some breaks in days later on when he is sick and is sent to hospital

but mostly it is a day by day account I have The 4th Queens own Hussars in the great war & it is great to see

two different descriptions of the same actions.

[Robert Dunlop]

Failloue = Faillouel

Chaunty = Chauny

Morte Fontaine = Mortefontaine

Ha Ferte Miton = La Ferté Milon

Maiox = Meaux

Contmmiers = Coulommiers

It was Colonel Hogg who was killed. He died three days after receiving the mortal wound and was bured in Haramont.

Thank you very much for sharing the information. Glad to help out.

Robert

[madraf]

Thanks Robert

It will sure help with the rest of my research

Rich

[madraf]

6/9/14 La Flesses

We had 4 hrs rest and the C.O. said that we are going to advance I think after what we have been

through we are fit to beat any German regiment. I am sent out to find the enemy, I went into a wood

and saw a man dead I found a camera box with a hole in where he had been shot so I kept it.

I soon founf the Germans and reported it. We went in a village and found all the women and children

killed it was it was maddening, well we found in another village all the people locked in cellars and we let them loose again and stopped for the night we had a good rest too.

7/9/14 Sommie

I am sent out to find the enemy again, well I only had one man with me Pte. Read 6742 and I told him to ride just behind me I got right into the village when they let us have it, they had blocked the road and fired

at us from behind carts Read got hit so I sent him back. I waited five minutes and went back to find out

how many ther were I counted 10 men. On my way back I met Mr Haymers with two troops and told him

about it but he would not move. A squad drove them away and when the people of the village saw me

alive they went mad and gave me everything we had another good night rest.

8/9/14

Well the Germans shelled us all day but we kept driving them back. All villages are burnt down and

cattle all along the road dead, rain all day and we billet wet to the skin.

9/9/14

One battry of our guns captured and bridge knocked down we spent the day building another one,

hard work.

11/9/14 Villmontoire

We captured a convoy and then I joined the regiment. Today we rode all day and mounted and dismounted

until we were sick of, captain is showing himself as a fool as well as something else.

12/9/14 Chassemy

We had th guns on us all morning, and going down a road we stopped for a minute and a shell came Mr Burrel,Smith and two more were hit. We had dinner and they shelled us again we lost 3 more men and about 7 horses, we got to billet about 9am they were still firing at us.

13/9/14

It seems funny the 13th our rest day and we slept and had tea all day they gave us new boots, putties, this is the first rest we have had but I am sorry our infantry seem to be losing hundreds this is called the

battle of Chassemy.

[madraf]

Here's a couple more entries from the diary. If anyone has any information on any of thes events I would sure like to here from you.

14/9/14 Van Beslin

We are behind the Scotts Greys when the order is retire at a gallope, we did too, one squad of Greys were

wiped out as they came over the bridge, we went into a wood and the commanding officer said we have got to cross that bridge over dead bodies or not. We tried but just near the bridge they let 3 guns off, one went over our heads and killed 7 men of R.A.M.I. the next killed 11 horses and the next was just in front of us, we did not cross that bridge.

15/9/14 Braime

We are escort to guns, my troop as usual we had a rotten time being shelled the whole time. I think the Germans have dug them selves in as we kept going bcakwards and then on again. Dead men and horses everywhere very bad smell, we dug a hole and put 3 or 4 men in with flowers on top and put lime on the horses.

16/9/14

Nothing to do but look for wounded and dead, our infantry are entrenching, we are resting.

17/9/14

Waiting for more men my horse had a fight with 2 cart horses he put them sick, good old 43.

I'll post some more later.

Rich

[reggiesson]

Madraf - this is very interesting - what a wonderful thing to have. Please keep the extracts coming - my Gt Uncle must have gone through most if not all these events.

[madraf]

Hi Phil

Do you have any pics of the 4th ? I 'd sure like to see them if you do, I have pic of 5 Hussars but do not know which one is my grandad is as mum was only 3 when he died.

[madraf]

19/9/14

15,000 infantry join and go to trenches next time I think tomorrow.

20/9/14

We went to church first time Mr Guiness was here.

23/9/14

Stand too ready to move any minute and short rashions again, we can not get any bread.

24/9/14

On guard I had some words with Pat.

25/9/14

We turn out to support our infantry but were not wanted.

27/9/14

We get some 8th Hussars, Jack Pierce good chap rather like him.

29/9/14

Me and Pat are chums again I have known him so long I should not like to fall out with him for good.

30/9/14 Curry

We move our billets to Curry House.

1/10/14

We are off again and billet at Villemontoise, very nice place but I was taken ill and laid down all day, we saddle up again and went to Ville Mon Troiry.

2/10/14 Oiguvi

We had to sleep in the yard but we made the best of it. I was made full rank and Pat made sarge. I am very glad and hope he looks after himself.

3/10/14

Standing too but moved off at 3:30.

4/10/14 Vethiser ST Martin

I got a nice billet for my section and we slept in a bed and had eggs and bacon for breakfast, apples and pears and cofee the people gave us everthing we wanted, we billet at Trico.

5/10/14

We march off at 7 oc. I must say it was one of those marches that makes a man fed up, the CO Maj, Howell made us run about 2 mls and the French people laugh at us we felt like killing them. The places were Montdidies

Pennipoint Hamill then to billet.

6/10/14

My troop is on outpost and the third troop on the been more trouble. We stand too.

7/10/14 Dormot

We waited in a wood all day and then to billet.

8/10/14

Off again I had a row with Pat. I am on outpost again rather tired.

9/10/14

We just march all day the boys seem fed up do not speak to each other.

10/10/14

French army got the wind up and we stand too for them and form a line of outpost for them, they always seem late.

11/10/14 Reculg

We started to dig trenches but caught a spy and we saddle up. Me and Mr Faulkner went out on patrol we had a lively time first a Frenchman fired at us then we got right in the German lines. We found out a lot of information,

when the enemy saw us they came after us as fast as the could, once again I thank God I had a good horse,

just as we got clear of this lot we run into a troop of them they fired at us but we crossed a field and got behind them, well I nearly dropped down dead for the road was blocked with carts filled with sand Mr Faulkner said it was all up with us and the only thing was to shoot our horses and get away ourselves, then I did the best thing in my life, I refused and after that we nearly killed ourselves by trying to move the carts, at last the Germans gave up the chase and we were safe again, but I do not want to go through the same again.

12/10/14

We set some traps for the enemy but going along the road I was leading my troop we found two men of the

16th Lancers one was a sargent the other a private, we found them with their hands cut off and full of holes,

we are trying to catch the lot that did it. We are outpost tonight.

I hope your enjoying the diary, reading it sure got me interested in the war.

I'll post some more later There is lots of more interesting events to come.

Rich

[Ciaran Byrne]

Keep it up Madraf, this is a most interesting thread. In fact, its entries like this that give the formal official diaries some width. Its very interesting to know what the men were going through as the offical diaries are in most cases very clinical.

Pics of the 4th Hussars are pretty rare, are pics of the 5th Lancers. They turn up from time to time on Ebay and at miltiary fairs but on the whole are quite expensive. If I remember rightly there are a few images of the 4th Hussars in the Times Offical History of the War and also some of the War Illustrated Magazine.