8907 Private Jack Milton 2HLI 1914-5

[6RRF]

According to his army records, Heuget Jack Milton, alias Henry John Milton was 18 years 4 months old when he enlisted on 20 August 1903, suggesting that he was born in April 1885. Although he stated he was born in Guildford, there is no record of him there and a photograph as a boy is captioned “Jack Milton Riadorio, Argentine Republic 1891”. On his marriage to Annie Jane Grant in 1911 he stated that his parents were John Milton, a rancher, and Annie Worsfold. 
Both parents were evidently dead by 1901 for the Godalming census records him there as an accoutrement factory hand aged 15 and on his enlistment in 1903 his next of kin were listed as his sisters Ruth Wilson [?] and Rose Milton, both living at 2 Brighton Cottage, Cranleigh, Guildford, Surrey.
On enlistment he was described as a groom, 5’ 6” high, 123 lbs with a fresh complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. At the time he was already serving with the Surrey Volunteers but signed up for a Short Service Engagement with the Highland Light Infantry, which he joined at Hamilton. On 13 December he was posted to 2HLI and on 20 April 1904 to 1HLI in Egypt, before returning to 2HLI on 22 October. He then remained there until transferred to the Army Reserve on 16 August 1906.
After this initial period of army service he obtained work as a chauffeur and on 25 April 1911 married Annie Jane [Jean] Grant in Edinburgh. However, when registering the birth of Annie Magdalena [Meda] Milton at Annfield Stables, Kettle in Fife on 28 May, he claimed to have actually been married on 4 September 1910. This date was also given when his son John Grant Milton was born in Lanark on 5 April 1916 and when his second daughter Mary Nina Lilias Milton was born in Edinburgh in 1920. 
In the meantime on 5 August 1914 he was called up as a reservist and went to France with a reinforcement draft for 2HLI on 21 August.
His diary of his war service survives, together with a ms note:
“Jack left home 5th August 1914 went to France 21st August wounded 29 Oct [Rouan hospital] till 7 January when he went back
Convalescent Camp did not go back fighting line till 10th March wounded again 14 May 1915 came to London hospital on 21 May left hospital on the 14 June & came home 15th & attended Lanark hospital till 6 July when he went back to Hamilton, got home for week end 10th to 12 July also 16 to 19 July went to Malleny Camp 20 July came home for weekend 23 to 27 July [had a fall of Motor bic 24th]”
The posting to Malleny Camp [Currie, near Edinburgh] was a result of his transfer to 3HLI, the militia or reserve battalion and in September he was detached to the Ministry of War first at a garage in Wishaw and then with the Lanark Motor Co, Wellgatehead, Lanark. According to his service record he was posted back to the HLI Depot 8 February 1916 and discharged 1 December 1916, but he actually appears to have remained in Lanark throughout for when his son John Grant Milton was born on 5 April 1916 he was living at 60 Wellgate and gave his occupation as motor engineer.

It'll take me a day or two, but I can transcribe his diary - written in pencil in a tiny [two inches square] notebook - covering the period from his arrival in France in August 1914 to his wounding at Aubers Ridge 14 May 1915

[PRC]

23 minutes ago, 6RRF said:

Both parents were evidently dead by 1901 for the Godalming census records him there as an accoutrement factory hand aged 15 and on his enlistment in 1903 his next of kin were listed as his sisters Ruth Wilson [?] and Rose Milton, both living at 2 Brighton Cottage, Cranleigh, Guildford, Surrey.

A check of the GRO index of births in England and Wales for children registered with the surname Milton, mothers' maiden name Worsfold brings up only two matches that I could see, (although pre September 1911 it can be a bit hit and miss). The two children were Rose Milton, birth registered in the Guildford District in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1888, and Mary Milton, birth registered in the Guildford District in the Jamuary to March quarter, (Q1), of 1890. May be a co-incidence - this is genealogy after all - but the death of a Mary Milton, aged under 1, was recorded in the same District in Q3 1890.

On the 1891 Census of England and Wales there is a 2 year old Rose Milton, born Godalming, Surrey, who was recorded as a boarder at No.5 Victoria Road, Godalming. Civil registration District for the area is Guildford. Because she is a boarder, her relationship to the other household members is unknown. However amongst the other boarders at the same address there is:-
Philip Milton, married, aged 35, a General Labourer, born Godalming
Mary Milton, married, aged 32, born Cranleigh, Surrey
Ruth "Worsful", aged 12, born Cranleigh, Surrey.

The birth of a Ruth Worsfold was registered with the civil authorities in the Hambledon District of Surrey in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1879. The Hambeldon Civil registration District included the civil parish of Cranleigh. On the 1881 Census of England there is a 1 year old Ruth Worsfield, born Hambledon, recorded as a Nurse-child in the household of a Henry and Miriam Harris, at Lane End, Shere, Guildford, Surrey. If Philip and Mary Milton married in England & Wales I'm not finding any record of it.

On the 1901 Census of England & Wales the 12 year old Rose Milton, born Godalming, was recorded at Ewhurst Road, Cranleigh, in the household of her widowed grandmother Emma Worsfold. Emmas was then aged 61, had been born Cranleigh, and was then working as a Laundress. Living with her was her unmarried daughter Fanny E., (27, Laundress, born Ewhurst, Surrey) and her unmarried son Thomas, (22, Bricklayers Labourer, born Ewhurst, Surrey).

Chasing grandmother Emma back through the censuses.

1861 with husband George, (30, Agricultural Labourer, born "Cranley") living in the village at Ewhurst but the family surname is recorded as Worsfold. Children in the household are Louisa, (4), Maria A, (2) - both born "Cranley" and Winifred, (9 months), born Ewhurst.

1871 with husband George, (40, Fam Labourer, born Cranleigh) at Cheapside, Ewhurst, and children Louisa, (14), Maria Ann, (12) – both born Cranleigh – and Winifred, (10), Amelia, (8), George Edwin, (7), James William, (6), Margaret, (4), Harry, (3) and Mary, (1 month) – all born Ewhurst.

1881 in the village at Ewhurst, married but recorded as the head of the household. Working as a Laundress. Living with her are children George, (17, Agricultural Labourer), William, (15, Agricultural Labourer), Margaret, (12), Mary, (9), Fanny, (7) and Thomas, (2).

1891 head of the household at Three Hatches(?), Parkhouse Green, Cranleigh. Still shown as married she was working as a Charwoman. Living with her are her unmarried children George E., (26, Agricultural Labourer), Mary, (20, Domestic Servant) and Thomas, (12, Agricultural Labourer). The household also had a visitor on the night of the census – the 5 year old Henry Milton, born Godalming.

The most likely match for Ruth Worsfold on the 1901 Census of England & Wales is a 21 year old live-in housemaid, born “Crawley”, Surrey, who was recorded at 7 Nottingham Road, Croydon.

The (potential) marriage of a Ruth Worsfold to a Sidney Arthur Wilson was recorded in the Kensington District of London in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1903. So unless it was registered late, the dates wouldn't quite work out for her to have been a Ruth Wilson when this soldier enlisted on the 20th August 1903. Of course those next of kin details may have been added at a later date. And there is a 31 year old Ruth Wilson, born "Cranley", Surrey who is recorded on the 1911 Census of England & Wales living with her husband of 7 years Sidney Arthur Wilson, at 82, Tennyson Road, Stretford, (London), E.

So Ruth Worsfold, Rose Milton and John Henry Milton could possibly have shared the same mother, although quite who is a bit of a mystery. Looking at Emma Worsfolds' daughters, Maria Ann from the 1861 & 1871 censuses seems the most likely candidate unless there are others even older or who were living elsewhere when the censuses were taken. Could she be the Mary Milton shown as a fellow boarder Ruth Milton on the 1891 Census?

I couldn't help noticing that there was a John H. Milton of the right age who seems to have gone to Argentina a couple of times in the 1920's. A married man and with his occupation giving as Manager when he went out in 1926. I suspect it may be a different man, as possibly the wife was called Ida, (sorry - working from transcripts rather than original documents). However it did make me wonder if the address shown on the back of the picture related to later in life rather than where the picture was taken.

Hope some of that helps,
Peter

[6RRF]

Interesting thoughts there. I'm waiting to see what the 1939 registration census turns up by way of a d.o.b.

In the meantime...

[6RRF]

Here is the first tranche of transcripts from the diary.

Jack arrives in France with a second line draft on 26 August 1914. The battle of Mons was fought three days before and the British Army is in retreat with a famous rearguard action being fought at Le Cateau. 2HLI are nowhere in sight and all Jack knows is that his feet hurt - one of the first entries in the battalion war diary is a comment that the reservists’ boots were not properly fitted [TNA WO95 1347]

Wednesday 26 Aug 1914

Embarked on SS Berwick Castle, sailed at 12 noon, good passage. 3000 men on board, 1,000 horses & 20 cars. Landed at Havre 1 oc Thurs. Destination not known when we first sailed.

 

Thursday 27 Aug

Landed at Havre France  at 1pm, great reception from people on shore as we drew up and marched prompt to the rest camp at Harfleur, 7 miles, very tired.

 

Friday 28 Aug

Nothing much doing today, expecting to go to the front at every moment.

 

Saturday 29 Aug

Sudden call to outpost duty guarding the road, have to stop German armoured motor cars, they were making their way to our lines. On allnight duty.

 

Sunday Aug. 30

Still outpost, got shot at by air scouts in afternoon, relieved by other men at 5oc.

 

Monday 31 Aug

On outpost duty. Standing to arms till daylight – all the camp moving off, fear of German Raid, we are not fortified here. Went on board the SS Minneapolis at 4 oc. Marched 8 miles. This is a move to dodge the Germans, there are 5000 men on board. Destination not known but running south.

 

Thurs 3 Sep.

Standing outside St, Nazaire harbour alnight, drew in harbour at 3oc today, kept on board alnight, leave for the frontier in the morning by trucks for the fighting line.

 

Friday 4 Sep.

Started at 12am, don’t know where to yet, don’t know name of place we are at, fighting in the trenches all night, hearing shell fire, no harm from rifle fire, got a slight scratch, rest at 2am morning when writing this under fire.

 

Sat. 5 Sep.

Had repeated attack in morning, had to retreat today, hearing fire all the time. Got a few hours rest tonight, on again at 4.

 

Sun. 6 Sep.

Embarked on trains at a place outside Nantes, a good few miles on to fresh attack between Melun where we rested alnight, & Caudy.

 

Mon. 7 Sep.

On the road rail for the fighting line again. Passed by Paris in afternoon, came into our stopping place [     ] at 11pm. Found Germans had looted town, our troops are pushing them back. We take up our position tomorrow in firing line, expecting to be a great battle. Germans dug in alround. 3 men passed me in street were wounded, one very bad.

 

Tues. 8 Sep.

Germans into town again last night, tied to poison water. They managed to cut the telegraph wires. They were fired upon by our outpost, here in the firing line all day now, about a doz. of Bn men dead and a few Germans. One man had his head blown off. A lot of prisoners.

 

[according to the 2HLI war diary this is the day Lieutenant Lilburn joined with the second line reinforcement draft]

 

Wed. 9 Sep.

Slept in open field up at Boitron. Marched on to Charley-Sur-Marne, after taking up position to attack Enemy. Passed a few villages that had been looted by Germans. Many homes wrecked at Villiers and Emaute. Taking 20 Gs Passed many dead kilts and horses. G aeroplane fired upon by B guns. Wet night.

 

Thurs. 10 Sep.

Up at 3.30 am chasing the G back, a big Engagement. Fighting all day between Ouchy and Neuilly St. Front till dark. Raining hard, 5 of us captured 2 Gs & wagonload of good things, stores and horses. 500 Germans surrendered. We had shells bursting all around us in afternoon, all villages we passed have been looted. I took some stuff from a G.

 

Fri. 11 Sep.

Up at 3.00 am, marching hard all the time. I am utterly worn out, and can hardly get along. Assed a lot of G. convoys. Wagons – guns broken and dead horses everywhere. The red tabs. All the houses have been looted and wine bottles lay on all sides along the Route of march all looted. The French people are always awfully glad to see us passing and cheer madly. We are waiting to go into action again at 8 oc.

[6RRF]

16 hours ago, PRC said:

A check of the GRO index of births in England and Wales for children registered with the surname Milton, mothers' maiden name Worsfold brings up only two matches that I could see, (although pre September 1911 it can be a bit hit and miss). The two children were Rose Milton, birth registered in the Guildford District in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1888, and Mary Milton, birth registered in the Guildford District in the Jamuary to March quarter, (Q1), of 1890. May be a co-incidence - this is genealogy after all - but the death of a Mary Milton, aged under 1, was recorded in the same District in Q3 1890.

On the 1891 Census of England and Wales there is a 2 year old Rose Milton, born Godalming, Surrey, who was recorded as a boarder at No.5 Victoria Road, Godalming. Civil registration District for the area is Guildford. Because she is a boarder, her relationship to the other household members is unknown. However amongst the other boarders at the same address there is:-
Philip Milton, married, aged 35, a General Labourer, born Godalming
Mary Milton, married, aged 32, born Cranleigh, Surrey
Ruth "Worsful", aged 12, born Cranleigh, Surrey.

The birth of a Ruth Worsfold was registered with the civil authorities in the Hambledon District of Surrey in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1879. The Hambeldon Civil registration District included the civil parish of Cranleigh. On the 1881 Census of England there is a 1 year old Ruth Worsfield, born Hambledon, recorded as a Nurse-child in the household of a Henry and Miriam Harris, at Lane End, Shere, Guildford, Surrey. If Philip and Mary Milton married in England & Wales I'm not finding any record of it.

On the 1901 Census of England & Wales the 12 year old Rose Milton, born Godalming, was recorded at Ewhurst Road, Cranleigh, in the household of her widowed grandmother Emma Worsfold. Emmas was then aged 61, had been born Cranleigh, and was then working as a Laundress. Living with her was her unmarried daughter Fanny E., (27, Laundress, born Ewhurst, Surrey) and her unmarried son Thomas, (22, Bricklayers Labourer, born Ewhurst, Surrey).

Chasing grandmother Emma back through the censuses.

1861 with husband George, (30, Agricultural Labourer, born "Cranley") living in the village at Ewhurst but the family surname is recorded as Worsfold. Children in the household are Louisa, (4), Maria A, (2) - both born "Cranley" and Winifred, (9 months), born Ewhurst.

1871 with husband George, (40, Fam Labourer, born Cranleigh) at Cheapside, Ewhurst, and children Louisa, (14), Maria Ann, (12) – both born Cranleigh – and Winifred, (10), Amelia, (8), George Edwin, (7), James William, (6), Margaret, (4), Harry, (3) and Mary, (1 month) – all born Ewhurst.

1881 in the village at Ewhurst, married but recorded as the head of the household. Working as a Laundress. Living with her are children George, (17, Agricultural Labourer), William, (15, Agricultural Labourer), Margaret, (12), Mary, (9), Fanny, (7) and Thomas, (2).

1891 head of the household at Three Hatches(?), Parkhouse Green, Cranleigh. Still shown as married she was working as a Charwoman. Living with her are her unmarried children George E., (26, Agricultural Labourer), Mary, (20, Domestic Servant) and Thomas, (12, Agricultural Labourer). The household also had a visitor on the night of the census – the 5 year old Henry Milton, born Godalming.

The most likely match for Ruth Worsfold on the 1901 Census of England & Wales is a 21 year old live-in housemaid, born “Crawley”, Surrey, who was recorded at 7 Nottingham Road, Croydon.

The (potential) marriage of a Ruth Worsfold to a Sidney Arthur Wilson was recorded in the Kensington District of London in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1903. So unless it was registered late, the dates wouldn't quite work out for her to have been a Ruth Wilson when this soldier enlisted on the 20th August 1903. Of course those next of kin details may have been added at a later date. And there is a 31 year old Ruth Wilson, born "Cranley", Surrey who is recorded on the 1911 Census of England & Wales living with her husband of 7 years Sidney Arthur Wilson, at 82, Tennyson Road, Stretford, (London), E.

So Ruth Worsfold, Rose Milton and John Henry Milton could possibly have shared the same mother, although quite who is a bit of a mystery. Looking at Emma Worsfolds' daughters, Maria Ann from the 1861 & 1871 censuses seems the most likely candidate unless there are others even older or who were living elsewhere when the censuses were taken. Could she be the Mary Milton shown as a fellow boarder Ruth Milton on the 1891 Census?

I couldn't help noticing that there was a John H. Milton of the right age who seems to have gone to Argentina a couple of times in the 1920's. A married man and with his occupation giving as Manager when he went out in 1926. I suspect it may be a different man, as possibly the wife was called Ida, (sorry - working from transcripts rather than original documents). However it did make me wonder if the address shown on the back of the picture related to later in life rather than where the picture was taken.

Hope some of that helps,
Peter

Hi Peter, bit of a busy evening yesterday so didn't have the chance to thank you properly. I'll work on the information that you've dug up. The trouble with the Worsfolds is that although they're sufficiently uncommon to merit a One-name Study group they all seem to come from the Guildford/Godalming area. On the other hand while Milton is pretty ubiquitous, the fact that Jack enlisted in the HLI and his other connections point to a Scottish origin for his father and perhaps even service in the HLI before becoming a rancher.

As I say I'll see what turns up in the 1939 census but right now I'm thinking in terms of some tragedy in Argentina resulting him being shipped back to relatives in the UK

[PRC]

25 minutes ago, 6RRF said:

On the other hand while Milton is pretty ubiquitous, the fact that Jack enlisted in the HLI and his other connections point to a Scottish origin for his father and perhaps even service in the HLI before becoming a rancher.

Possibly but down the lower end of probability. The Scottish Regiments had a certain allure and recruited widely. A quick look at the 1911 Census of England & Wales produces over 2,800 matches for the search term "Highland Light Infantry", (the scope of the census included army units in the empire). As a random sample I looked at the first name in the match list and the associated page of an institutional return - an HLI Battalion at Lucknow. Just look at the places of birth - it's unlikely they all moved to the Glasgow area post birth. (In case the Admins delete the attachment, 30 names, 8 from the London area, 3 from elsewhere in England, and an American. It's likely the pattern repeats on the other pages).

Image courtesy Genes Reunited.

My understanding is that volunteer officers and senior NCO's received a bounty for "introducing" likely recruits to the Regular Army and it is likely some regiments paid higher than others.

From your narrative I'm not seeing any Scottish connection pre-enlistment.

I'm not finding a birth registration for him on the General Registrars Office index of overseas births, (i.e. ones registered with a British Embassy \ Consulate as any variation of Jack or John Milton. Whats available of the Argentinian birth registration and the 1895 Argentinian Census doesn't appear to have any Milton's - although lots of names that at a pinch my be an attempt to render the names in Spanish, (Miltorno and the like).

I then tried a search of Surrey births for 1885 for John Henry and Henry John - lots of possibilities but no surnames that could have been a mis-spelling of Worsfold or Milton.

So one last thought for now. Prior to 1927 there was no formal record adoption process. Unless there was property involved there is no legal documentation. Many adoptions were likely to have been done within family, sometimes to hide an out of wedlock or even out of wedding birth. So when Jack Milton refers to Ruth Wilson, (nee Worsfold) and Rose Milton as being his sisters, it could be a reflection of such an intra-family adoption. Unfortunately you are then in the realms of genetic testing.

Cheers,
Peter

[6RRF]

19 hours ago, 6RRF said:

Here is the first tranche of transcripts from the diary.

Jack arrives in France with a second line draft on 26 August 1914. The battle of Mons was fought three days before and the British Army is in retreat with a famous rearguard action being fought at Le Cateau. 2HLI are nowhere in sight and all Jack knows is that his feet hurt - one of the first entries in the battalion war diary is a comment that the reservists’ boots were not properly fitted [TNA WO95 1347]

Wednesday 26 Aug 1914

Embarked on SS Berwick Castle, sailed at 12 noon, good passage. 3000 men on board, 1,000 horses & 20 cars. Landed at Havre 1 oc Thurs. Destination not known when we first sailed.

 

Thursday 27 Aug

Landed at Havre France  at 1pm, great reception from people on shore as we drew up and marched prompt to the rest camp at Harfleur, 7 miles, very tired.

 

Friday 28 Aug

Nothing much doing today, expecting to go to the front at every moment.

 

Saturday 29 Aug

Sudden call to outpost duty guarding the road, have to stop German armoured motor cars, they were making their way to our lines. On allnight duty.

 

Sunday Aug. 30

Still outpost, got shot at by air scouts in afternoon, relieved by other men at 5oc.

 

Monday 31 Aug

On outpost duty. Standing to arms till daylight – all the camp moving off, fear of German Raid, we are not fortified here. Went on board the SS Minneapolis at 4 oc. Marched 8 miles. This is a move to dodge the Germans, there are 5000 men on board. Destination not known but running south.

 

Thurs 3 Sep.

Standing outside St, Nazaire harbour alnight, drew in harbour at 3oc today, kept on board alnight, leave for the frontier in the morning by trucks for the fighting line.

 

Friday 4 Sep.

Started at 12am, don’t know where to yet, don’t know name of place we are at, fighting in the trenches all night, hearing shell fire, no harm from rifle fire, got a slight scratch, rest at 2am morning when writing this under fire.

 

Sat. 5 Sep.

Had repeated attack in morning, had to retreat today, hearing fire all the time. Got a few hours rest tonight, on again at 4.

 

Sun. 6 Sep.

Embarked on trains at a place outside Nantes, a good few miles on to fresh attack between Melun where we rested alnight, & Caudy.

 

Mon. 7 Sep.

On the road rail for the fighting line again. Passed by Paris in afternoon, came into our stopping place [     ] at 11pm. Found Germans had looted town, our troops are pushing them back. We take up our position tomorrow in firing line, expecting to be a great battle. Germans dug in alround. 3 men passed me in street were wounded, one very bad.

 

Tues. 8 Sep.

Germans into town again last night, tied to poison water. They managed to cut the telegraph wires. They were fired upon by our outpost, here in the firing line all day now, about a doz. of Bn men dead and a few Germans. One man had his head blown off. A lot of prisoners.

 

[according to the 2HLI war diary this is the day Lieutenant Lilburn joined with the second line reinforcement draft]

 

Wed. 9 Sep.

Slept in open field up at Boitron. Marched on to Charley-Sur-Marne, after taking up position to attack Enemy. Passed a few villages that had been looted by Germans. Many homes wrecked at Villiers and Emaute. Taking 20 Gs Passed many dead kilts and horses. G aeroplane fired upon by B guns. Wet night.

 

Thurs. 10 Sep.

Up at 3.30 am chasing the G back, a big Engagement. Fighting all day between Ouchy and Neuilly St. Front till dark. Raining hard, 5 of us captured 2 Gs & wagonload of good things, stores and horses. 500 Germans surrendered. We had shells bursting all around us in afternoon, all villages we passed have been looted. I took some stuff from a G.

 

Fri. 11 Sep.

Up at 3.00 am, marching hard all the time. I am utterly worn out, and can hardly get along. Assed a lot of G. convoys. Wagons – guns broken and dead horses everywhere. The red tabs. All the houses have been looted and wine bottles lay on all sides along the Route of march all looted. The French people are always awfully glad to see us passing and cheer madly. We are waiting to go into action again at 8 oc.

Sat. 12 Sep.

Up at 4.30 march off at 5. No breakfast, no food today, transport late in coming in last night. Awful night. Rain all the time. We were soaked through and had to sleet out in the rain. Passed through heavy fire, looted villages. In action in morning in pouring rain. G. retired, left a big convoy behind and blew up the Bridge over the river not far from Quincey=sur-Marne. Big battle raging all day. More G prisoners came in afternoon. Raining nearly all the time. Have got quite a beard now and have not been able to wash for 4 days. Drove G well back, 300 prisoners taken. Raining hard. Slept in sheep pen in farm. March halted at 7pm.

 

Sunday 13 Sep.

Up at 5am. Had our beds in a sheep pen, plenry of straw and very comfortable from what we have had. A good nights sleep last night. We had a rest today up till 3 oc. First wash and shave for 4 days. Very short of food, butter issued today but none for me. Marched off to take up position for night attack on trenches. All night very wet and cold, nothing happened. A bridge was blown up in the morning.

 

[The entries for the next two days are too smudged to decipher, but according to the battalion War Diary, after leaving Veil-Arcy, 2HLI crossed the River Aisne by a pontoon bridge at Pont Arcy on the 13^th and took up an outpost position near Verneuil. The battalion was involved in heavy fighting on the eastern slope of the Beulne Spur on the 14^th, withdrawing after dark to Verneuil. The 15^th was relatively quiet, but 60 casualties were lost to shelling]

 

Wednesday 16 Sep.

3^rd Day of Battle

Up at 4.30. Soaked to the Skin. Still raining and I am very cold. Shelling started at once. We moved from our place but got worse. Shells dropping all round us, had to run for cover and lay under shrapnel all the time, 2 men of ours killed again this morning with the ammunition horse, and General wounded. Still shelling at 5 oc but we prepare to move. Moved and lined first line of defences at dusk, 900 yards from G firing line. G tried to break through our lines 3 or 4 times during the night, but drove them back, one big gun shelling all this time. Moved back to our own big trench at daylight.

Thurs. 17 Sep.

4 day of battle of V

Had breakfast very early and a good one later, first good feed since first in France. Shelling just as bad and more rain. Another wash and shave. Had a present of cigs and Tobacco from Mrs Telfer Smollet, wife of Lt.T. S. Just after got Jean’s welcome letter and sat with cigs reading it under a terrific shell fire and enjoying the first decent smoke since out here. Very heavy shell fire in afternoon. We go from trenches in evening to go to village to billet and to rest the next day. We slept in a dark hole in a barn, all cobwebs and dirt but a good nights sleep and not too uncomfortable.

[Lieutenant Alexander Patrick Drummond Telfer-Smollett, (12 August 1884 – 1954)  was probably Jack’s platoon commander. He was one of the few officers from the battalion to survive the war, later becoming Major General Telfer-Smollet CB CBE DSO MC DL. Jean, was Jack’s wife Annie Jane Grant.]

 

Friday 18 Sept.

5^th Day of Battle    Verneuil

Up at 4.45, moved a little way from village to trenches. Our big gun opened fire first thing. We are resting here all day, then move off at 6 pm to take up position in the trenches in the firing line. After I had finished my bully stew I was struck in the cheek by a piece of Lyddite shell, but happily noting wrong, only a scratch but a very narrow shave, thank God it was no worse. Moved again at night to trenches in a pouring rain, all soaked to the skin. Had to dig fresh and deeper trenches to hold against the shell fire as the old trenches were in the line of fire and shelled out. Tried to sleep at 2 am standing in water. 2 days and pulled out.

 

Saturday 19 Sept.

6 day of battle   Verneuil

Still raining, covered in clay, most pitiable object. Halted at 5 am, no food. I tried to dig a trench for self but as shall fell 50 yards off I had to run, shells were falling all along the trench line. This has been the most terrible shell fire we have had. Right after my trench was blown up. It must have been the Grace of God that saved us all. Every man was a tremble. Our nerves are almost shattered by this continual shall fire that we have been subjected to all this time. How we escaped this morning is a miracle. We had to run to some caves in the line of fire. Here we felt safer and got calmed down. We stayed here all day. Move off tonight to the trenches again. Found the body of Lt Powell, been dead 5 days, shot in head and side, buried in morning. A rumour the Gs big gun has been silenced, not sure but still heavy fire, lyddite and shrapnel. We dried our clothes on us. We are in a bad state, badly in need of rest. On outpost all night, very cold and wet. Fighting all the time.

 

20^th Sept. Sunday

Verneuil 7 day of batt.

Fighting from daylight on all sides of us. First line of trenches shelled at and Connaught Rangers retired. We had to support them in another lot of trenches. Shelled out of these, shells falling within 10 yds of us, nerve wracking and terrible. We move again to the first firing line. Almost all A Com. Cut up trying to rush the G trenches, our men falling everywhere. Medical officer killed. We are trying to get relieved.

[According to the 2HLI War Diary it was actually B Company, losing 3 officers and 20 men killed, 70 wounded and 25 missing. The MO was Lieutenant John Forbes O’Connell RAMC]

20 Sep. 8^th Day  Sunday

No relief. In the trenches all night, firing all night long. Utterly worn out and having delusions at times now. Journeys, I am eating different kinds of food and speaking to Jean. 1 man badly wounded in head died while we were helping him.

 

21^st Monday Sept.

9^th day. 6 ‘G’ killed officer. Pte G Wilson VC for capture MG gun.

In trenches all day, still the continual shell fire. In trenches all night, no sleep. Attacking the G, expect to be relieved soon. Delusions again last night, must be nerves affected a little. Manned trenches after dark but reived at 0.730 by Black Watch then marched 10 miles. Got into a rest camp at 2 am utterly worn out. At every halt men fell out on the muddy road, hardly able to waken, some left behind. However we have a good bed of hay and [             ] a great comfort.

Tuesday 22 Sep.

D’Huisel Village

At rest today and well earned. We are glasd to be away from the shell fire and nearly everyone gave a sigh of thankfulness. We are here 2 days. Sent pc to Jean. First wash and shave for 7 days.

 

Wed. 23 Sep. Aisne River

At rest, expect to move tonight, to the firing line again tonight but what a welcome rest. Shelling on our left past Verneuil a little closer.

 

Thurs. 24 Sep.

D’Huisel

Still at same rest camp and getting fair amount of food. Heavy firing still on our left. Rumour that the Gs are retiring. Digging trenches in case of counter attack by G on our left.

 

Friday 25 Sep.

Nothing doing today. In early morning after digging trenches all night. Still enjoyimg the rest and better food. Had fresh meat today for first time. Letter from Jean.

 

Sat. 26^th Sep.

Still at rest. Had ‘G’ here attack allnight last night and tried to break through the position which we held formerly, but no success. Fighting very hard to our front. We are standing ready to move.

 

Sunday 27 Sep.

Resting today. Not quite so much firing going on today. We fired at 2 G aeroplanes but did not get them. A big surprise of ‘G’ this morning, 1 whole division wiped out by our troops and 17 officers and a lot of guns. Sent away a few p.c.s.

 

Monday 28^th Sep.

Resting. Nothing doing, G started to shell this place now.

 

Tues. 29 Sep.

Digging trenches today. ‘G’ shelled our rest camp farm, wounded 5 men. On guard at night. We move tomorrow morning.

 

[6RRF]

On 22/10/2021 at 13:20, 6RRF said:

Sat. 12 Sep.

Up at 4.30 march off at 5. No breakfast, no food today, transport late in coming in last night. Awful night. Rain all the time. We were soaked through and had to sleet out in the rain. Passed through heavy fire, looted villages. In action in morning in pouring rain. G. retired, left a big convoy behind and blew up the Bridge over the river not far from Quincey=sur-Marne. Big battle raging all day. More G prisoners came in afternoon. Raining nearly all the time. Have got quite a beard now and have not been able to wash for 4 days. Drove G well back, 300 prisoners taken. Raining hard. Slept in sheep pen in farm. March halted at 7pm.

 

Sunday 13 Sep.

Up at 5am. Had our beds in a sheep pen, plenry of straw and very comfortable from what we have had. A good nights sleep last night. We had a rest today up till 3 oc. First wash and shave for 4 days. Very short of food, butter issued today but none for me. Marched off to take up position for night attack on trenches. All night very wet and cold, nothing happened. A bridge was blown up in the morning.

 

[The entries for the next two days are too smudged to decipher, but according to the battalion War Diary, after leaving Veil-Arcy, 2HLI crossed the River Aisne by a pontoon bridge at Pont Arcy on the 13^th and took up an outpost position near Verneuil. The battalion was involved in heavy fighting on the eastern slope of the Beulne Spur on the 14^th, withdrawing after dark to Verneuil. The 15^th was relatively quiet, but 60 casualties were lost to shelling]

 

Wednesday 16 Sep.

3^rd Day of Battle

Up at 4.30. Soaked to the Skin. Still raining and I am very cold. Shelling started at once. We moved from our place but got worse. Shells dropping all round us, had to run for cover and lay under shrapnel all the time, 2 men of ours killed again this morning with the ammunition horse, and General wounded. Still shelling at 5 oc but we prepare to move. Moved and lined first line of defences at dusk, 900 yards from G firing line. G tried to break through our lines 3 or 4 times during the night, but drove them back, one big gun shelling all this time. Moved back to our own big trench at daylight.

Thurs. 17 Sep.

4 day of battle of V

Had breakfast very early and a good one later, first good feed since first in France. Shelling just as bad and more rain. Another wash and shave. Had a present of cigs and Tobacco from Mrs Telfer Smollet, wife of Lt.T. S. Just after got Jean’s welcome letter and sat with cigs reading it under a terrific shell fire and enjoying the first decent smoke since out here. Very heavy shell fire in afternoon. We go from trenches in evening to go to village to billet and to rest the next day. We slept in a dark hole in a barn, all cobwebs and dirt but a good nights sleep and not too uncomfortable.

[Lieutenant Alexander Patrick Drummond Telfer-Smollett, (12 August 1884 – 1954)  was probably Jack’s platoon commander. He was one of the few officers from the battalion to survive the war, later becoming Major General Telfer-Smollet CB CBE DSO MC DL. Jean, was Jack’s wife Annie Jane Grant.]

 

Friday 18 Sept.

5^th Day of Battle    Verneuil

Up at 4.45, moved a little way from village to trenches. Our big gun opened fire first thing. We are resting here all day, then move off at 6 pm to take up position in the trenches in the firing line. After I had finished my bully stew I was struck in the cheek by a piece of Lyddite shell, but happily noting wrong, only a scratch but a very narrow shave, thank God it was no worse. Moved again at night to trenches in a pouring rain, all soaked to the skin. Had to dig fresh and deeper trenches to hold against the shell fire as the old trenches were in the line of fire and shelled out. Tried to sleep at 2 am standing in water. 2 days and pulled out.

 

Saturday 19 Sept.

6 day of battle   Verneuil

Still raining, covered in clay, most pitiable object. Halted at 5 am, no food. I tried to dig a trench for self but as shall fell 50 yards off I had to run, shells were falling all along the trench line. This has been the most terrible shell fire we have had. Right after my trench was blown up. It must have been the Grace of God that saved us all. Every man was a tremble. Our nerves are almost shattered by this continual shall fire that we have been subjected to all this time. How we escaped this morning is a miracle. We had to run to some caves in the line of fire. Here we felt safer and got calmed down. We stayed here all day. Move off tonight to the trenches again. Found the body of Lt Powell, been dead 5 days, shot in head and side, buried in morning. A rumour the Gs big gun has been silenced, not sure but still heavy fire, lyddite and shrapnel. We dried our clothes on us. We are in a bad state, badly in need of rest. On outpost all night, very cold and wet. Fighting all the time.

 

20^th Sept. Sunday

Verneuil 7 day of batt.

Fighting from daylight on all sides of us. First line of trenches shelled at and Connaught Rangers retired. We had to support them in another lot of trenches. Shelled out of these, shells falling within 10 yds of us, nerve wracking and terrible. We move again to the first firing line. Almost all A Com. Cut up trying to rush the G trenches, our men falling everywhere. Medical officer killed. We are trying to get relieved.

[According to the 2HLI War Diary it was actually B Company, losing 3 officers and 20 men killed, 70 wounded and 25 missing. The MO was Lieutenant John Forbes O’Connell RAMC]

20 Sep. 8^th Day  Sunday

No relief. In the trenches all night, firing all night long. Utterly worn out and having delusions at times now. Journeys, I am eating different kinds of food and speaking to Jean. 1 man badly wounded in head died while we were helping him.

 

21^st Monday Sept.

9^th day. 6 ‘G’ killed officer. Pte G Wilson VC for capture MG gun.

In trenches all day, still the continual shell fire. In trenches all night, no sleep. Attacking the G, expect to be relieved soon. Delusions again last night, must be nerves affected a little. Manned trenches after dark but reived at 0.730 by Black Watch then marched 10 miles. Got into a rest camp at 2 am utterly worn out. At every halt men fell out on the muddy road, hardly able to waken, some left behind. However we have a good bed of hay and [             ] a great comfort.

Tuesday 22 Sep.

D’Huisel Village

At rest today and well earned. We are glasd to be away from the shell fire and nearly everyone gave a sigh of thankfulness. We are here 2 days. Sent pc to Jean. First wash and shave for 7 days.

 

Wed. 23 Sep. Aisne River

At rest, expect to move tonight, to the firing line again tonight but what a welcome rest. Shelling on our left past Verneuil a little closer.

 

Thurs. 24 Sep.

D’Huisel

Still at same rest camp and getting fair amount of food. Heavy firing still on our left. Rumour that the Gs are retiring. Digging trenches in case of counter attack by G on our left.

 

Friday 25 Sep.

Nothing doing today. In early morning after digging trenches all night. Still enjoyimg the rest and better food. Had fresh meat today for first time. Letter from Jean.

 

Sat. 26^th Sep.

Still at rest. Had ‘G’ here attack allnight last night and tried to break through the position which we held formerly, but no success. Fighting very hard to our front. We are standing ready to move.

 

Sunday 27 Sep.

Resting today. Not quite so much firing going on today. We fired at 2 G aeroplanes but did not get them. A big surprise of ‘G’ this morning, 1 whole division wiped out by our troops and 17 officers and a lot of guns. Sent away a few p.c.s.

 

Monday 28^th Sep.

Resting. Nothing doing, G started to shell this place now.

 

Tues. 29 Sep.

Digging trenches today. ‘G’ shelled our rest camp farm, wounded 5 men. On guard at night. We move tomorrow morning.

 

Having stumbled through the battle of the Marne, Jack and 2HLI are now moving into battle on the Aisne and the start of trenvh warfare.

Wed. 30 Sep.

Marched off at 2 oc am to Verneuil, 7 miles, got in at 5. Trenching during the day, on patrol at night. Fired on by G all night, awfully cold.

Thurs. 1st Oct

Past Verneuil 7 kilo

Very fine morning, but heavy gun firing all morning. Off patrol at daybreak. 1 ‘G’ spy shot. Letter from Jean. Moved off at 9.15 pm to the hills off the Aisne. Standing to in the trenches all night, firing line again. Very cold at nights, not so many shells today & night.

 

Friday 2nd Oct.   Soupir Village

In trenches, firing line. ‘Gs’ lying 500 yds to our front. Sniping at them all day, 1 man of Staffs shot in head at loop hole this morning.

 

Sat. 3rd Oct.  Soupir

Still in trenches, eight night attacks repulsed by us. Very cold at nights, one or two shells coming over.

 

Sunday 4 Oct.    Soupir

In trenches, not so much firing today during day, but a very fine day. Very cold at night, firing during the night.

 

Monday 5 Oct.   Soupir

In trenches, good deal of firing today. Saw German trenches today, all entrenching along our front, some digging and making wire entanglements. We had blankets issued today which were a great comfort.

 

Tuesday 6th Oct.    Soupir

Letter from Jean.

Trenches, shell fire most of the day. No advance on ‘G’ lines, still holding our position. We are practically in caves here, our trenches are dug into the earth and rolled back, loop holes at top. Sharp attack at night, but repulsed. Sent p.c. to Jean. Very cold again at night, watched all night til 6 am.

 

Wed. 7th Oct.    Soupir

Trenches, nothing in morning but heavy shell fire in afternoon, one man wounded in our lot. There are lots of soldiers graves around us and many dead ‘G’ are lying in front of us which are beginning to smell bad. Had an attack last night, nobody hurt, crater all night.

 

Thursday 8 Oct.  Soupir

1 man killed   2 wounded shot in head.

Trenches, heavy fire in morning by big guns and some rifle fire, a fine day. ‘G’ aeroplane came over which we fired at but not doing much damage. Heavy attack on our right flank and gun fire also, but ‘G’ drove back. Nothing on our front but little fire, very cold night.

 

Fri.  Oct. 9 Soupir

Trenches, fine morning but cold. We were shelled very heavy between 10 am & 12, shrapnel and lyddite, a few men wounded. Heavy gun fire all day by us and the G. Letter and parcel from Jean with cigs and chocolate which was most acceptable.

 

Saturday Oct. 10th    Soupir

2 men wounded.

Trenches, word of a move. Nothing much in morning & a lot of shell in afternoon. We are using dead ‘G’ shells to boil our canteen on, ones that did not burst. We are often having a bullet or a bit of shell for dinner. Cigs from Kerswell. Hot attacks at night, all of our front, but repulsed.

 

Sunday Oct. 11th    Soupir

Trenches, no move yet. Nothing much doing in morning, usual sniping. Np tobacco issued today and nearly half rations again, though we had a good dinner for once with fresh meat. Heavy firing in afternoon and evening. Blankets taken away and awful cold, could not sleep at night.

 

Monday 12 Oct   Soupir

Trenches, still cold at nights. Fine morning, letter from Jean, Aunt Jan & Aunt G… Sent pc to Jean. Shelling in afternoon killed Sergt How. ‘G’ wounded 5 men. Heavy attack at night along whole right flank and front. Very cold, cannot sleep, only 3 hours tonight.

 

Tuesday 13 Oct Soupir

Trenches, orders to move tonight, 15 mile march. Fine morning but very cold. Batt. Had present of cigs today from Mrs G Fleming, Glasgow, 24 each man, very acceptable. ‘Gs’ sniping all day, attack again at night, relieved by French troops at 12pm. Marched 15 miles, on at 6 am morning.

 

Relief has come at last, so Jack and 2HLI move back to prepare for a big move north and the First battle of Ypres

 

[6RRF]

Wednesday 14 Oct

 Braisne, billet, rest

In here at 6 am.

Resting all day. Issue of new kit for those requiring it. We billet on an old cave used in the time of the Franco Prussion war. Marched off to Braisne station at 7pm. On train at 12 in cattle trucks for north of France as far as we can ascertain.

 

Thursday 15 Oct.

Train, cattle trucks.

In train, first stop St. Dennis, 16 miles from Paris. Made canteen of tea in signal box. Next stop Amiens at 12.30 pm.

 

Friday 16^th Oct.

Still in train, passed by Calais, Boulogne to Hazebruck, then at 4 am detrained. At 7 marched to Morbecque, billeted at farm. Got first butter, milk and eggs since out here, good feed. Into village in afternoon, had a drink and look round, back at 5.30.

 

Sat 17^th Oct.

Marched off at 7 am, urgent order to move. Billeted in school, had sing song in evening. I sang 3 songs.

 

Sunday 18 Oct   Godesverweld

Still at rest, 5 kilometre from Steenvoorde. Wrote to Jean and got Meda’s photo & letter. On outpost at night, sleeping in school, very comfortable.

 

Monday 19 Oct.

Still at rest, march out at midday, short distance and back to billet. We marched off at 4.30 pm into Belgium, billeted at Poperhinge in school, good quarter. Very hard marching 9 miles.

 

Tuesday 20^th Oct.

Up at 4.30 to march off, probably en route to Ypres. Later passed the aircraft section for which we are now forning air guard. Marched hard four hours. Lots of poor refugees passed us going from their homes away from the fire zone. On guard during the night, rain for a time.

 

Wed. 21^st Oct.

Belgium near Poperhinge   our first day of battle.

Start to march off at 5.oo, marched about 7 mile, 1 ½ hours rest, then we had an awful time right up til 4 pm, reinforcing the firing line, bullets singing all around us and shell fire all the time. The battle is furious here and terrible. The ‘Gs’ are entrenched while we are in the open. We have lost a lot of men so far wounded and killed as have the Ox & Bucks Regt. I am writing this in a wee ditch on the roadside about 160 yards from the firing line, bullets and shells still flying. We remain om the Road guard all night. The days fighting stopped at dusk with exception of a few shots now and again.

 

Thurs. 22 Oct.

Firing started at dawn, but stopped a bit till it started to get dark, then a heavy fire which was very fierce till midnight. The enemy charged about 7 or 8 pm, after they fired a big farm next to our trench. They fired the farms all around us to show us up and let them direct their fire. The shells burst all over us when they fired the farm. After they got it ablaze they charged up to within 50 yds of our firing line and we simply mowed them down, our fire was terrific. During this time the enemy were simply running into death. They gave great yells after they started but very few got back as far as we could make out. The screams were terrible. A good few of our men got wounded, 1 man Boyle got 5 wounds. It was a memorable night and afterwards towards morning took up other trenches near the enemys front.

 

Fri. 23^rd Oct.    Landmarck

4^th day of battle     about 300 casualties in 2 days

Still in trenches. Firing on both sides atill going on. All farms burnt to the ground. There is lots of dead cattle at our back. Captured 1 German prisoner this morning and took in 3 wounded officers. 1 man says their cost last night was terrible, 50 killed in his company alone (a Coy 100 men). After 4 pm an awful shell & maxim fire from the ‘G’ between then and 7 pm, trenches blown up within 20 yds from us, several killed and wounded. ‘G’ charged our trench again at 8-9 pm but we drove them back. Our fire was terrific. Got relieved by French troops about 12 pm.

 

Sat. 24^th Oct.

5 day, more to the right of our former line.

Up at 1 am   in at 6 am.

Marched 6 miles after 1 am to the right of our former front to reinforce the firing line here. We advanced into wood for bayonet charge. Thousands of ‘Gs’ in front of us. We cleared the wood at bayonet point. The Worcesters captured 30. We took up trenches at night, very cold, no blankets.

 

Sunday 25th Oc.

6 day.

There are many British troops here, nearly all the brigades of infantry.

Up at 4.30, stand to arms. In trenches we dug ourselves. Heavy shell fire by the ‘Gs’, started at 7 or 8 am, directed by their aeroplanes. Later the Brigade of Guards attacked the ‘Gs’. The Irish* captured  7 guns and later in the evening the combined Guards 2 more and 1000 nen.

*Our company in this charge, 8K 25W not absolute facts so far, soaked to the skin, rained all night.

 

[The entry for 26 Oct. is completely illegible, but the 2HLI War Diary records that it was relieved by the Grenadiers and Coldstreams and bivouacked in the wood – Polyglone Wood]

 

Tuesday 27^th Oct.

8 day.

At rest in trenches in a wood. Today had a parcel each from Jean and Mrs Murray our O.C.s wife containing a shirt, socks etc., very useful. Letter from Jean in parcel, sweater. Sent letter home. Moved at night for firing line and went back again. Very cold at night. There was heavy firing all night. Had first wash and shave after 9 days.

 

Wed. 28^th Oct.   9 day.

Up at daybreak, going to attack ‘G’ lines. Made attack in afternoon, then waited till night and took up front trenches 80 yds & 200 yds from ‘G’ trenches, very dangerous position. We drove them out of front trenches back 400 yds.

 

Thur. 29 Oct.

10 day   Wounded by shrapmel later on, pretty fed up, quite tired out.

Still in trenches, bitter cold last night, hard frost this morning. ‘Gs’ sniping all the time and heavy fire. 12 oc midday wounded in thumb from sniper and knocked down by ‘coalbox’. Shaken up awful, going to hospital at night, to Ypres.

 

Friday 30 Oct.

In hospital at Ypres. Wounded coming in very fast, large school used as hospital. Germans started shelling the town last night. We expect to move tonight to Boulogne. Shrapnel wound going bad, also thumb very painful.

 

Sat. 31

In train all day, never been dressed, wounds very painful, no sleep, only in cattle trucks. No food yet, am very tired & hungry. Wounds sore tonight, hope they will soon be better.

 

1 Nov. Sunday

Still in train. Awful rough ride & very cold. Wounds awfully painful today, can’t walk. Never had wounds dressed yet. Landed at Rouen 2 pm, 39 hours on train, no food. Got some food at hospital tent, first since left Ypres. Awfully tired & fed up but glad to be away from the trenches.

Wounds dressed tonight first time since I left the trenches.

 

[The diary pauses at this point, but Jack’s records show that after being wounded on 29 October, he was admitted next day to No.10 General Hospital.]

[PRC]

From Arthur Conan Doyles The British Campaign in France and Flanders: Volume 1 - 1914.

On October 22 the Second Division of Haig's First Corps, which had been fully occupied to the north with operations which will presently be described, moved down to cover the ground vacated by the Third Cavalry Division and to relieve the pressure upon the infantry of the Seventh Division. The 4th Guards Brigade took its position upon their immediate left. It was time. For four days they had covered the enormous front of eight miles against at least four times their own number, with more than six times their weight of artillery. It was touch and go. They were nearly submerged. It was indeed a vision of joy when the worn and desperate men, looking over their shoulders down the Ypres-Menin road, saw the head of a British column coming swiftly to the rescue. It was the 2nd Highland Light Infantry and the 2nd Worcesters, dispatched from the 5th Brigade, and never was reinforcement more needed. Shortly afterwards further help in the shape of a detachment of the Munster Fusiliers, two troops of the ever-helpful Irish Horse, and one section of artillery appeared upon the scene.
https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks12/1202551h.html

1 hour ago, 6RRF said:

50 killed in his company alone (a Coy 100 men).

Is that your note or something actually in the diary. The units of the British Expeditionary Force had moved to a system of "double" companys, so instread of 8 plus a small Battalion HQ there were now 4 plus a Battalion HQ. That gave a Company a nominal strength of 200+, but with the high rates of attrition of both regulars and reservists few units could maintain that sort of strength.

(If its any help to you "Shift" and "Enter" will take the cursor down a single line, unless you prefer double spacing).

Keep up the good work - I'm enjoying it so far.

Peter

Edited 24 October , 2021 by PRC
Typo

[6RRF]

47 minutes ago, PRC said:

From Arthur Conan Doyles The British Campaign in France and Flanders: Volume 1 - 1914.

On October 22 the Second Division of Haig's First Corps, which had been fully occupied to the north with operations which will presently be described, moved down to cover the ground vacated by the Third Cavalry Division and to relieve the pressure upon the infantry of the Seventh Division. The 4th Guards Brigade took its position upon their immediate left. It was time. For four days they had covered the enormous front of eight miles against at least four times their own number, with more than six times their weight of artillery. It was touch and go. They were nearly submerged. It was indeed a vision of joy when the worn and desperate men, looking over their shoulders down the Ypres-Menin road, saw the head of a British column coming swiftly to the rescue. It was the 2nd Highland Light Infantry and the 2nd Worcesters, dispatched from the 5th Brigade, and never was reinforcement more needed. Shortly afterwards further help in the shape of a detachment of the Munster Fusiliers, two troops of the ever-helpful Irish Horse, and one section of artillery appeared upon the scene.
https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks12/1202551h.html

Is that your note or something actually in the diary. The units of the British Expeditionary Force had moved to a system of "double" companys, so instread of 8 plus a small Battalion HQ there were now 4 plus a Battalion HQ. That gave a Company a nominal strength of 200+, but with the high rates of attrition of both regulars and reservists few units could maintain that sort of strength.

(If its any help to you "Shift" and "Enter" will take the cursor down a single line, unless you prefer double spacing).

Keep up the good work - I'm enjoying it so far.

Peter

Its a note in the diary. I've been using square brackets for my own comments. This one was "in text" hence the round brackets. He seems to have been quoting a Germsn prisoner

 

Stuart

[Michelle Young]

Thank you for sharing these diary entries, absolutely  fascinating. Have you thought about adding these to a blog on the forum? 

[6RRF]

Hadn't occurred to me I'm afraid, and unfortunately we're just about at the end.

[6RRF]

On 21 December 1914 Jack was posted to a convalescent camp and then to No.2 Infantry Base Depot on 7 January 1915. He remained there until 10 March when he was posted back to2HLI as part of a draft under Lieutenant McKenzie.

 

Wednesday 10^th Mar.

Entrained at Le Havre for the front, cattle trucks.

 

Thursday 11

Arrived at Bethune about 3 pm. Tea & marched for the trenches 7 miles. Billeted at Annuiquin, foot of 1 ½ mile long Communication Trench to the firing line.

 

Friday 12 Mar.

Went up to firing line in afternoon. The Communication trench was dug by Territorials and is  2 ½ feet wide by 6 ft deep and absolutely protects us from ‘G’ rifle fire as well as shell. Trench lasses through village of Guinchey, which is perfectly shelled and ruined by ‘G’, not one house left whole. At this village the ‘G’ trench is cut across the main road here at this spot. The famous brickfields where some of the worst fighting has been sone in the war. We had very little fighting yesterday, a few killed and wounded.

 

Sat. 13

Heavy fire all night. Last nught ‘G’ tried to attack all the line, but was repulsed. Desultory firing today. We are using trench mortars.

 

14^th Sunday

Attack at night, few killed 6 wounded.

 

15^th Monday

Firing all day & heavy fire from their mortars. Our Boys returned in afternoon to go to Bethune for 4 days rest. Arrived at Bethune about 5.30, billeted in R.C. school & orphanage.

 

19^th Friday

Marched back to same trenches at Guinchey, heavy fire all night, 6 casualties.

 

Sat. 20

Heavy fire commenced at midday lasting all night. Lot of damage done by trench mortars and light mountain guns of the enemy. About 20 killed & W.

 

Sunday 21^st

Relieved today by R. Berks. Marched back to Bethune for rest, expect to get ready for attack near Freisterburg.

 

Tuesday 23^rd

Prepared for call today, standing by in readiness.

 

Sunday 9 May

Big bombardment at Richebourg & Neuve Chappel. Infantry attacked in morning. We came up to attack in afternoon, sorry to say attack failed. We had hugw losses. There are awful lot of dead on our front and lots of wounded unable to get back.

 

10^th May

Monday morning from 3.30 a terrific sight met our eyes, dead, dying and wounded. I went out about 11 am over the breastworks and brought a Cpl Jeffrey of the Black Watch in, who was lying between ours & the German lines. He was wounded in 4 places, poor man was in an awful condition. I shall never forget this place.

 

[This was the last entry. Its a long time and I can't find the letter, but an enquiry to the Black Watch some years ago elicited a reply that Corporal Jeffrey subsequently died of his wounds] 

[6RRF]

After the failure of the attack at Loisne on the 9th, 2HLI took over some breastworks at Rue Dubois, but were relieved on the 10th. Then at 9.30 am on the 17th they took part in another attack on Aubers Ridge. This failed very quickly with heavy losses, largely, according to the War Diary, due to flanking machine gun fire from the left. One of the wounded was Jack Milton. Although initially reported as missing he was recovered from the battlefield very quickly, admitted to No.5 General Hospital on the 18th, transferred to No.11 Hospital next day and shipped to England on the 21st. From 22 May to 14  June 1915 he was in the care of London General Hospital RAMC

As he was noted to have a septic bullet wound in the left leg, he was presumably one of the victims of those machine guns on the left.

After his release from hospital he was posted to 3HLI [the militia or reserve battalion] at the Hamilton depot. On 24 September he was detached to work for the Ministry of War. Impressive as this sounds he was actually employed as a motor mechanic, first with MacKay Mudie in Wishaw and afterwards with the Lanark Motor Company. 

He was then discharged, presumably as time expired, on 1 December 1916. Although his wounds were not disabling, a combination of service, wounds, marriage with two children and now war work, saved him from conscription. 

[Derek Black]

On 24/10/2021 at 17:32, 6RRF said:

10^th May

 

Monday morning from 3.30 a terrific sight met our eyes, dead, dying and wounded. I went out about 11 am over the breastworks and brought a Cpl Jeffrey of the Black Watch in, who was lying between ours & the German lines. He was wounded in 4 places, poor man was in an awful condition. I shall never forget this place.

 

[This was the last entry. Its a long time and I can't find the letter, but an enquiry to the Black Watch some years ago elicited a reply that Corporal Jeffrey subsequently died of his wounds] 

This may be special reservist 3/1885 Pte. James Jeffrey of the 1st Btn
A photo of him appears in the Dundee Courier - Saturday 05 June 1915

Alternatively it could also be 1387 Sgt Charles Jeffrey of the 1st Btn.

Edited 26 October , 2021 by Derek Black

[6RRF]

4 hours ago, Derek Black said:

This may be special reservist 3/1885 Pte. James Jeffrey of the 1st Btn
A photo of him appears in the Dundee Courier - Saturday 05 June 1915

Alternatively it could also be 1387 Sgt Charles Jeffrey of the 1st Btn.

I still can't find that letter [from about 30 years ago], but Charles Jeffrey rings a distant bell

 

Stuart

[6RRF]

And here's the man himself, sitting on the left.

I've no idea where this photie was taken, but notwithstanding the swear box and toffee tin [and the woman and child] they are all wearing army trousers and boots, there are mess tins on the table and what looks like a jacknife dangling from Jack's belt.

 

[6RRF]

16 hours ago, Derek Black said:

This may be special reservist 3/1885 Pte. James Jeffrey of the 1st Btn
A photo of him appears in the Dundee Courier - Saturday 05 June 1915

Alternatively it could also be 1387 Sgt Charles Jeffrey of the 1st Btn.

I've found the letter [from 1992 - it was filed with the photie]. The Black Watch museum noted the two above but reckoned that they were both listed as killed on 9 May. However Jack rescued Cpl Jeffrey on 10 May, so the conclusion was that was most likely:

 

Jeffries, John  b. Poplar, Middx. e London 9796 Cpl.

d of w    F & F, 24/5/15

[6RRF]

On 21/10/2021 at 12:37, 6RRF said:

According to his army records, Heuget Jack Milton, alias Henry John Milton was 18 years 4 months old when he enlisted on 20 August 1903, suggesting that he was born in April 1885. Although he stated he was born in Guildford, there is no record of him there and a photograph as a boy is captioned “Jack Milton Riadorio, Argentine Republic 1891”. On his marriage to Annie Jane Grant in 1911 he stated that his parents were John Milton, a rancher, and Annie Worsfold. 
Both parents were evidently dead by 1901 for the Godalming census records him there as an accoutrement factory hand aged 15 and on his enlistment in 1903 his next of kin were listed as his sisters Ruth Wilson [?] and Rose Milton, both living at 2 Brighton Cottage, Cranleigh, Guildford, Surrey.
On enlistment he was described as a groom, 5’ 6” high, 123 lbs with a fresh complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. At the time he was already serving with the Surrey Volunteers but signed up for a Short Service Engagement with the Highland Light Infantry, which he joined at Hamilton. On 13 December he was posted to 2HLI and on 20 April 1904 to 1HLI in Egypt, before returning to 2HLI on 22 October. He then remained there until transferred to the Army Reserve on 16 August 1906.
After this initial period of army service he obtained work as a chauffeur and on 25 April 1911 married Annie Jane [Jean] Grant in Edinburgh. However, when registering the birth of Annie Magdalena [Meda] Milton at Annfield Stables, Kettle in Fife on 28 May, he claimed to have actually been married on 4 September 1910. This date was also given when his son John Grant Milton was born in Lanark on 5 April 1916 and when his second daughter Mary Nina Lilias Milton was born in Edinburgh in 1920. 
In the meantime on 5 August 1914 he was called up as a reservist and went to France with a reinforcement draft for 2HLI on 21 August.
His diary of his war service survives, together with a ms note:
“Jack left home 5th August 1914 went to France 21st August wounded 29 Oct [Rouan hospital] till 7 January when he went back
Convalescent Camp did not go back fighting line till 10th March wounded again 14 May 1915 came to London hospital on 21 May left hospital on the 14 June & came home 15th & attended Lanark hospital till 6 July when he went back to Hamilton, got home for week end 10th to 12 July also 16 to 19 July went to Malleny Camp 20 July came home for weekend 23 to 27 July [had a fall of Motor bic 24th]”
The posting to Malleny Camp [Currie, near Edinburgh] was a result of his transfer to 3HLI, the militia or reserve battalion and in September he was detached to the Ministry of War first at a garage in Wishaw and then with the Lanark Motor Co, Wellgatehead, Lanark. According to his service record he was posted back to the HLI Depot 8 February 1916 and discharged 1 December 1916, but he actually appears to have remained in Lanark throughout for when his son John Grant Milton was born on 5 April 1916 he was living at 60 Wellgate and gave his occupation as motor engineer.

 

Returning to Jack Milton, there are a couple of loose ends I'm trying to get my head around.

Briefly, [you can find all of it above] he signed up to a Short Service Engagement in 2HLI in 1903, was transferred to the Army Reserve in 1906 and then called up as a reservist in 1914, which probably came as a bit of a shock to the system. After being wounded at Ypres and then Aubers Ridge, he was transferred to 3HLI , but actually detached to the Ministry of War and working as a motor engineer in Lanark, until discharged in December 1916.

Although he suffered a bullet wound in the left leg at Aubers Ridge, he doesn't appear to have been disabled. Am I right therefore in supposing that he was actually discharged as time-expired on his original enlistment? Would war work and two children have then protected him from conscription?

[ss002d6252]

58 minutes ago, 6RRF said:

Although he suffered a bullet wound in the left leg at Aubers Ridge, he doesn't appear to have been disabled. Am I right therefore in supposing that he was actually discharged as time-expired on his original enlistment? Would war work and two children have then protected him from conscription?

December 1916 was in to the time period when it was unlikely a man would be discharged just as time expired. At that time the standard discharge was only if the man was over 41

The army could, of course, choose to release a man to work in the civilian world if they thought that was prudent.

The army could discharge a man entirely who they felt was not needed in the army, and then he would be subject to the standard issues regarding conscription and whether he was medically unfit or required in civilian work.

Craig

[6RRF]

Thanks for that, there are various questionmarks, but he certainly wasn't over 41 so I'll remain puzzled

[kenf48]

5 hours ago, 6RRF said:

Briefly, [you can find all of it above] he signed up to a Short Service Engagement in 2HLI in 1903, was transferred to the Army Reserve in 1906 and then called up as a reservist in 1914,

It was not a 'Short Service Engagement.  In 1903 standard terms of service were 3 years with the Colours, 9 years on Reserve so twelve years from 1903 = 1915, they were then paid a bounty to continue in service but as Craig says by 1916 and the Military Service Act (and subsequent legislation) he would be liable for conscription and would need to apply for exemption from the Local Tribunal. Many ex-s0ldiers were granted exemption but in April 1917 the Government enacted the Military Service Act (Review of Exceptions) which would prove very controversial.  Whilst not 'disabled' he may have been unfit for military service.

[charlie962]

Don't think you've covered this already? School Admissions, courtesy Findmypast provide an exact DoB and parents are 'Mrs Worsfold'. He leaves the school in 1898.

[charlie962]

1 hour ago, kenf48 said:

It was not a 'Short Service Engagement.

But that is how the Service Record is headed?