The Gas War

[IanA]

ISBN 978-0-905924-61-8 Published in 2018 by Shetland Library.

 

Do not be fooled by the all-encompassing title - this is a slim volume of 96 pages and is in the realms of family history rather than general narrative. Having said that, it is well produced, nicely illustrated and gives personal details of the use of gas in the Battle of the Somme. Charlie and Willie Abernethy (see what caught my eye there?) were Shetland men who had both been conscripted into the army in 1916. Charlie had a science degree and Willie was studying science at university so they were both sent to 2nd Bn, Special Brigade, Royal Engineers. The book makes the excellent point that the army would have been better recruiting gas fitters, plumbers and labourers rather than scientists! Both men were part of 48 section, H Company and, by 11th June, were sent to Ribemont-sur-Ancre. The book does a very fair job of giving the general picture and the development and use of gas on the Western Front but its unique feature is that it draws on and quotes from the meticulous diary kept by Charlie Abernethy. On the 25th June they moved up to the Carnoy sector where Willie was tragically killed by a shrapnel burst and is buried at Heilly. Later on, Charlie was returned to England where he was employed in the Woolwich Research Laboratories. On the whole, I think my £5 was well spent.

 

Ian

[Terry_Reeves]

2 hours ago, IanA said:

ISBN 978-0-905924-61-8 Published in 2018 by Shetland Library.

 

. The book makes the excellent point that the army would have been better recruiting gas fitters, plumbers and labourers rather than scientists! 

 

Ian

There has long been a misunderstanding about the men recruited for the Special Brigade. The initial four companies were formed from  men with experience in chemistry to volunteer, all of whom were given the rank of corporal after letters were sent by the War Office to colleges and universities and other organisations  to enlist. Lt Col CH Foulkes, who had the task  of raising this new formation,  and was instrumental in asking  for for men with such experience to be recruited, realised before the the first British gas attack at Loos in September 1915 , that this was not necessary and informed the War Office of this. From October 1915, this requirement, and that of automatic promotion to corporal was dropped, although the recruiting system still sent some men with such experience. However, the majority of men sent  to Special Brigade as it was called when expanded from the original four companies in February 1916,  came from all walks of life, many being transferred from reserve infantry battalions and included many RFA drivers.  Men for Z Special company, formed initially to operate flame throwers  and in particular the impressive, but in practice,  largely tactically useless,   Livens' large Flamenwerfer, were fitters (general) gas fitters and plumbers, some of whom were transferred from field companies.

 

In any event, thanks for drawing attention to this publication which will be a useful addition to the subject.

 

TR

 

 

 

Edited 5 September , 2020 by Terry_Reeves

[IanA]

2 hours ago, Terry_Reeves said:

There has long been a misunderstanding about the men recruited for the Special Brigade. The initial four companies were formed from  men with experience in chemistry to volunteer, all of whom were given the rank of corporal after letters were sent by the War Office to colleges and universities and other organisations  to enlist. Lt Col CH Foulkes, who had the task  of raising this new formation,  and was instrumental in asking  for for men with such experience to be recruited, realised before the the first British gas attack at Loos in September 1915 , that this was not necessary and informed the War Office of this. From October 1915, this requirement, and that of automatic promotion to corporal was dropped, although the recruiting system still sent some men with such experience. However, the majority of men sent  to Special Brigade as it was called when expanded from the original four companies in February 1916,  came from all walks of life, many being transferred from reserve infantry battalions and included many RFA drivers.  Men for Z Special company, formed initially to operate flame throwers  and in particular the impressive, but in practice,  largely tactically useless,   Livens' large Flamenwerfer, were fitters (general) gas fitters and plumbers, some of whom were transferred from field companies.

 

In any event, thanks for drawing attention to this publication which will be a useful addition to the subject.

 

TR

 

 

 

Thanks, Terry. "...the recruiting system still sent some men with such experience" - I can't think of any other reason why Charlie and Willie would find themselves in the same company. As you say, they weren't corporals but pioneers. 

 

Ian