18th Rifle Brigade

[stiletto_33853]

A little while ago I managed to get hold of a lot of photgraphs of this Territorial Battalion of the Rifle Brigade during their time in Rangoon.

Edited 10 December , 2017 by stiletto_33853
deleted as being used on another site without asking permission

[stiletto_33853]

another

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Edward Ashdown

Bugler

No 200511

18th Rifle Brigade

23/3/19

Age 43

Rangoon War Cemetery

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British Barracks

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another

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Natives

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18th

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18th

[Steven Broomfield]

Really fascinating. Thamks for sharing them.

As it was, effectively, a Garrison Battalion, I guess that would account for the ages of the blokes - a 43 year-old bugler, and the chaps in the photos look as fit and active as I do ( ).

Great pictures, though, and of a very forgotten aspect of the war, and of the Empire. Are they a family heirloom of some description?

[stiletto_33853]

Hi Steve,

Loads more of the pictures but now mainly of local tribes and Rangoon itself, not a family heirloom ( family mainly Lifeguards at the time of WW1) just some pictures that I have gathered over the years.

The 18th (London) came into being about 11th November 1915, being formed by transfers from The Queens, Royal Sussex, East Surrey, Essex and Middlesex Regiments, and from the 7th, 10th, 18th, 20th and 24th Battalions London Regiment. Their buglers came mostly from the 18th London (London Irish), as did their Bugle-Major.

Andy

[stiletto_33853]

Old thread but just managed to obtain the story of the 18th and its voyage to Rangoon in some verse form written by Rifleman John Layton, late Royal Marines, Sale Barrack, Rangoon.

Thought it might be of interest.

The Voyage of the 18th London Battalion Rifle Brigade of Old Soldiers.

The Battalion was formed on the 10th September, 1915, arriving at Rangoon, Burmah, 5th January, 1916.

NULLI SECUNDUS

Wife, I must get away from here, I can't stand people's insults, or the way they laugh and jeer,

They little think that years ago I went away to war,

And fought as any soldier should, or ever did before,

My wife, said Jack, I know it's wrong, and very hard to bear,

Your doing a duty for England, a true old soldre.

Let the younger men go first, and if they are as game,

Great Britain she will never lose, but still retain her fame.

Years before the war had started, I joined the old reserve,

for once a soldier always one, and was ready again to serve.

My King and Dear Old Country, I was ready to defend,

Or die as a British Soldier, Oh, what a noble end.

Where're I go the slacker, I see fit, only to laugh and jeer,

At the old veteran soldier, the first to volunteer.

For when the Prussian monsters, interfered with Englands Might,

These good old British warriors, were ready to go and fight.

So when the war had started, up they came, but were told

to give way to young blood first, and yourself in readiness hold.

[stiletto_33853]

Then after months of weary duty, guarding railways and dockhead piers,

I went on Foreign Service as one of the Pioneers.

They formed a New Battalion, from the National Reserve,

Called the 18th (London) Rifle Brigade, in which I went to serve.

We left Halton Camp one night, no one knew where,

Once more as British soldiers we were off to do our share.

Sealed Orders we were under, our destination we did not know,

But every man was well prepared to meet a deadly foe.

When marching through the country lanes, villagers cheered us on our way,

Are we down-hearted No, we cried, not while Britons hold the sway.

Those tender-hearted folks, could noy help but sigh,

As they watched these noble warriors, go marching by.

As we left Wendover station, the band played Auld Lang Syne,

Then our train in total darkness, soon was speeding down the line.

We arrived at Devonport Dockyard, then to Transport 70/A,

Which took a Norfolk Battalion, and most of ours away.

Old soldiers there were many, who had been to war before,

Were leaving wives and children, would they see them any more.

[stiletto_33853]

"D" Company's men we left behind, we couldn't take them away,

So left them in St. Bordeaux Camp until the following day.

They left in another Transport, that we left awaiting there

To do the same as their comrades, follow them out, and do their share.

We went off in the evening, to go on a dangerous trip,

For we were all told to get life-belts, be prepared to leave the ship.

With upper decks in total darkness, the men stood side by side,

They were all taught to discipline, and that's a British soldiers pride.

We had passed over many seas, where ships had been sent below,

Toepedoed from German submarines and could not strike a blow.

The journey on board was trying, that any brave soldier could serve,

For this was a dangerous journey, that would test the strongest nerve.

It was in the Mediterranean, where many dangers we had faced,

And only just off Malta the Transport she was chased.

But the Captain, a typical sailor, I'll run the gauntlet, says he,

What a risk he was taking with such valuable cargo at sea.

His face it beamed with pleasure, when last into safety we ran,

When the Allies Men-of-War loomed upon us, a cheer rang from every man.

It was a real reception that none will ever forget,

When the drums and fifes played the 'Marsiellaise.'

On the old steamship Ballarat.

The Frenchmen replied with gusto, near English as one could expect,

'Tis a Long way to Tipperary, Are we Down-hearted yet.

[stiletto_33853]

"D" Company's men, that we left behind, came away the following day,

In a Transport called the Militades which steamed fast all the way, When passing Gozo Island, they did our merchants a turn,

For they sunk a German submarine, with a gun she had astern.

She put into Malta Harbour, on the day that we arrived,

And was fastened to a bouy mid-stream, Thank God they all survived.

We were off again next morning, once more to chance our luck,

To show the enemy once again, we still have British pluck.

We steamed through dangerous waters, to get to our Eastern base,

And did not think of dangers, that we had got to face.

When nearing Alexandria, we received another fright,

For the look-out man reported, a periscope in sight.

We reached Alexandria in safety, the men can proudly boast,

That they never sank the Ballarat, when steaming round the coast.

The ship was overcrowded, with two thousand British sons,

And underneath her decks below, she carried fifty guns.

With a good supply of shot and shell, for the war out in the East,

To give these German rascals, a little British feast.

They unloaded the precious cargo, for Hospital ships and war,

And orders were then given, that every man could go ashore.

So we landed for a route march, just to let the Egyptians see,

Great Britain still had soldiers left, and was Mistress of the Sea.

We were there two days, then off again, news then was quickly spread,

That we were going to India, and would coal ship at Port Said.

[stiletto_33853]

We arrived next morning early, to receive loud cheers once more, From the sailors of our Allies, French battleships of war.

We quickly coaled and watered ship and went off again at night,

Through the Suez Canal, a silver stream, in the wake of a bright searchlight.

We hauled up to Ismailia, until the break of day,

To allow ships loaded with cargo, to pass on their way.

We passed a Gurkha biavouc, riddled with shot and shell,

Where many battles had taken place, and many brave soldiers fell.

They performed a noble duty, that some of the bravest would shirk,

To defend the land of Egypt, from this cruel and barbarous Turk.

When steaming through the bitter lakes, the scenery looked quite grand,

And we got a good reception from a British cruiser's band.

Another, as we steamed along, yet waiting the chance,

To guard Great Britain's interest, also that of France.

Suez town we reached that evening, the sun was setting low,

Again next morning, when the winds commenced to blow.

She was a splendid sea boat, none better sailed the sea,

The men come quite cheerful, it was quite a pleasure to see.

How life had changed among them, now we'd passed the danger zone,

The men were getting contented, making more of their floating home.

We started evening concerts, to drive dull times away,

And games of all description, were being played by day.

Canvas tanks were filled with water, so that men could have a dip,

But something was to upset the pleasure, the rest of our long trip.

[stiletto_33853]

For early the next morning, when breakfast was supplied,

On the decks outside the galley, a man of the Norfolks died.

We buried him at sunset in the usual British way,

Having performed this sorrowful duty, we proceeded on our way.

Up the Gulf of Suez, and through the famed Red Sea,

Past the barren rocks of Aden, making life the best could be.

So, the days and nights they slowly passed, but only sea and sky,

Until we reached the Indian coast, a lighthouse loomed near-by.When we entered Karachi harbour, it was just the break of day,

Where we disembarked the Norfolks, who'd been with us all the way;

They'd been invalided from the trenches, but still they were required

For Indian garrison duty and should be much admired.

Most of them were disabled, and would be all their life,

And lots of them were married men, leaving children and a wife.

Then the Rifle Brigade got orders, that every man must land,

To be inspected by the General, under the troopshed near at hand.

He seemed to be quite satisfied, and said the men looked well,

And shook hands with officers, and wished us all farewell.

We were off next morning early, for Bombay now we steered,

And spent the Christmas Day at sea, and thought of those endeared.

We reached that port on Boxing day, and entered Alexandra dock,

Where Indians of all different cast, on the jetty began to flock.

Our Colonel got permission for the men to go ashore,

To see the sights of an Indian port, some had never seen before.

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Some of the men that landed, were quite suprised to find,

That the Militades had been and gone, and left our chums behind.

They were at Colabo barracks, where they spent the Christmas Day,

And sixty men were detailed off, and equipped and marched away,

To a ship called S.S. Ellenga, to guard over prisoners of war,

Turkish soldiers that were captured, nine hundred men or more.

It was no pleasant duty to watch these day and night,

Those barbarious Turkish brutes, who looked a deplorable sight.

They were dirty and covered with vermin, dying like rotten sheep,

The smell from them was awful, where our men they had to sleep.

The Rifle Brigade were very pleased, when it was time to leave the ship,

And will not forget the Ellenga, in which they made the trip.

The Ballarat went off again speeding quickly out of sight,

But keeping the Indian coast in view nearly all night.

By beautiful Colombo, the capital of Ceylon.

Past the Andaman Islands, our ship was sailing on.

Then up the Rangoon river, the ship she ploughed her way,

Soon the old Brigade was landed, to be quickly marched away

By a native band there waiting, to give a lively tune,

Up towards the great Pagoda, throught the streets of old Rangoon.

The roads were lined with spectators, who seemed very much impressed,

By the appearance of these veterans, volunteers not pressed.

They were well received by General Young, who gave a little speech,

Who said he was proud to see such men, its a splendid example to teach.

The young blood of the nation, thougn you've done your bit before,

You have once again responded, now the country is at war.

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Some of the men were told to rest themselves whilst there,

As they would have to sail away, to do duty at Port Blair.

We ran a most dangerous gauntlet, over thousands of miles of sea,

Risking our lives, for children and wives, to keep the old land free.

We are well equipped and ready, to fight for the country we admire,

God save the King Crowned Emporer and the Great British Empire.

By Rifleman John Layton,

Late Royal Marines,

Sale Barrack,

Rangoon.

Arrived Rangoon, Burma, 5th January, 1916.

God Save The King And Emperor.

[paul leeson]

Andrew,

Excellent collection of photos - quite easy to find too even after all these years !!!!

Paul

[stiletto_33853]

Glad you found them Paul.

Andy

[rfndave]

Hi Andy,

I purchased a Death plaque for L/cpl Albert Philip Grover, number 129, 18th RB, Died 17th July 1916. Buried South Andaman Island age 40 years. Would you have any idea how he died? Would there be Diary's for this type of Battalion?

Also listed is Rfn George Frederick Fuggles, number 117, 18th RB, aged 67!

Many thanks Dave

[stiletto_33853]

Hi Dave,

His records are on Ancestry with 2 pages of post mortem written up by the medical officer. The 18th Rifle Brigade left no war diary but I can give you a brief record of the battalion if you need it. Errm you puchased the plaque from me on an auction site as I am concentrating my collection in a certain area, these Territorial battalions however do not fit into the criteria which I am concentrating on.

Fuggles record you will also find on Ancestry

Andy

[rfndave]

Andy, Thank you for your reply.

I will have a gander on Ancestry. I didn't know if I should mention 'the other place'. Always on the look out for RB or 60th bits

Regards

Dave

[Guest Ceryswyn]

Thank you so much for sharing these images and the poem, it's a real treasure to be able to fill out some history of one of my family members.