History of 20th Battalion Machine Gun Corps

[hmsk212]

I came across the following precis which others may find of interest in the War Diary for the 20th Battalion Machine Gun Corps - WO 95 / 2108

HISTORY OF THE 20TH BATTALION MACHINE GUN CORPS

In December, 1915, 4 Machine Gun Companies were formed at Belton park, Grantham. 3 of these Coys. embarked from Southampton for Le Havre on 22-3-16; owing to the presence of submarines only one boat got across, the remainder made many attempts but did not reach Le havre till 8 days later. Each Company was attached to one of the following Brigades - 59, 60, 61, and since the Battalion was formed they have been known as A, B, & C Coys respectively. They were in Command of Major Birch, Major Godson, and Captain Glascott.

The 4th Company was 217, commanded by Captain Stevens who brought it out to this Division on 24-3-1917 and it is now known as "D" Coy. The Companies were with the Division on the Canal Bank, near Ypres, until they all went out for a rest early in May, to Calais for a few days, where the troops enjoyed fine weather with plenty of sea bathing and all kinds of sport. In July during a hostile attack "B" and "C" Coys. were called upon to assist the Australians and Canadians near Fleurbaix. This was the first time they had experienced gas.

Guillemont

During this battle the Companies suffered severe casualties and won many decorations, Captain Glascott was sent down with Shell-Shock, Major Godson, although badly wounded in the head remained with his Company until March 1917, when he returned home owing to his age. All were personally congratulated by their Corps Commander, the Earl of Cavan. A few days afterwards they wereagain fighting hard at Les Boeufs, Morval, and Guideclurt. From 11-10-16 to 29-11-16 the time was spent in resting and reconstructing Units in the Corbie Area. Many decorations had been won and losses had been most severe. December was spent in holding the line in the same area but the Division was happily relieved on Christmas Eve and remained out until New Years Eve.

German Retreat

The Companies were still in the same district when the enemy retired in March 1917, and they pursued him through Roquigny, Bus, Bertincourt, Ytres, Metz, and finally finished up at Havringcourt. It was during this action that No 217 (D) Coy. joined the Division and acted as the Divisional Company.

Nothing further of importance happened until the end of July when the Division moved to Belgium after 3 weeks of training & recreation in the Candas Area.

Pilckem

"A" and "D" Coys. assisted the 38th Division in taking the Pilckem Ridge by putting over a heavy barrage of overhead fire. "D" Coy. lost their C.O. who was wounded, and Lieutenant Lumm took command temporarily. One Section of H.Q. was in a pill-box which was square when they entered it, but after being hit 37 times it was made completely round. with most of these hits the men inside were knocked on the ground.

Steenbeck

On the 16-8-17 the M.G's working under the direction of Major H.B. Law who had been appointed D.M.G.O., fired a covering barrage to assist our infantry. "B" Coy. was commanded by Captain b.C. Parkinson-Cummine, and "C"Coy. by Captain Drydurgh. Casualties were heavy in all Coys. "D" Coy. lost 7 officers out of 8, leaving only 14 men with 16 guns.

Eagle Trench

On 20-9-17, a similar action was fought in caputring Eagle Trench. This was the hardest of all as the troops had occupied the line for some days under a constant barrage. Many decorations were won, Captain Odgers, commanding "A" Coy. was wounded, and afterwards awarded the M.C. "D" Coy. was commanded through this battle by Captain Rollings.

Cambrai

During our advance towards Cambrai on the 20-11-17, the M.G's first fired an overhead barrage and then advanced with the remainder of the Cavalry, Infantry and Tanks, with complete success as far as our troops went. They remained until the counter-attack on the 30-11-17. Many guns were hit and knocked out of action before the enemy came over, and thegun teams attached themselves to the infantry and used rifles. Captain Tanner, commanding "A" Coy. and his 3 Section Officers were killed. Only 17 men and the C.S.M. returned, the latter was awarded the D.C.M. "B" Coy. received 5 M.C's the other Coys. suffered in the same way and received similar awards

After spending 6 weeks in the Menin Road Section at Ypres, the Division moved to the Ercheu Area and here the Battalion was formed. The official date was 23rd February, but it was not until March 15th that the Battalion was complete. The increase in personnel was formed by drafts from all Infantry Battalions in the Division. 59th, 60th, 61st Coys. became A, B, and C, and 217th became D Coy. Order of Battle was :-

Commanding Lt Col H.L.Riley D.S.O.

2nd in Command Major H. B. Law

Adjutant Captain A. M. Crompton

Quartermaster Lieutenant & Quartermaster Mr. F. J. Cooper

Battn Transport Officer Captain A. E. F. Hill M.C.

Company Commanders

"A" Coy. Major A. N. Richardson M.C.

"B" Coy. Major B. D. Parkinson-Cummine M.C.

"C" Coy. Major W. E. Hewett M.C.

"D" Coy. Major A. E. Rollings M.C.

The German offensive was imminent at this time and on March 20th we were packed up and ready to move. Surplus Kit was stored at Libermont, and that was the last that was ever seen of it. "B" Coy. joined 60th Bde. at Ham on the evening of 20th March, and "A" and "C" joined 59th and 61st Bdes. on the morning of 21st. "D" Coy. (Divisional Reserve) and Battalion H.Q. moved to Aubigny. During subsequent fighting "A", "B", and "C" Coys. were workingwith their respective Brigades, nothing being seen of "C" Coy, for several days as the 61st Infantry Brigade was detached from the Division and were with the 36th Division. This Company was commanded throughout by Captain L.C. McLearon. Space does not allow any detailed account of the 10 days fighting, but particularly fine targets were secured by "A" Coy at BETHENCOURT and by a mixed detachment, assisted by a Canadian Motor Battery at HOMBLEUX.

When the Division was finally relieved, the Battalion moved back by lorry and route march to MERS, which was reached on April 14th and a draft of 12 Officers and 200 O.R. joined us at LE TRANSLAY on the march down. The final day's march was a long one, very hot, and the Battalion halted for 6 hours about 7 miles from MERS as it was doubtful if we should be allowed to billet there, the town being out of the Divisional Area. We finally marched in just before dusk, and had a great reception, nearly the whole population turning out. 2 Companies were billeted in the CASINO and 2 at the Ordnance Depot, subsequently moving to the Hospice. The Officers were accomodated in 2 hotels which were entirely at our disposal. we had an excellent time during the week that we were at MERS, and everyone was very kind to us, the French Commandant going specially out of his way to help us on all occasions. A number of mules had their first experience of sea bathing; unfortunately the weather was cold, but a few men bathed one day to the great interest of the people on the promenade. On april 21st we entrained and arrived next day at CAMBLIGNEUL, where we remained for about a fortnight. Our stay here was chiefly noticeable for P.U.O. whcich struck down most of the Battalion. From here we marched up and took over the LENS SECTOR from the Canadians, 3 Companies being in the line in 2 groups, and 1 Company and Battn H.Q. in a very good camp at MARQUEFFLES FARM, just north of NOTRE DAME DE LORETTE Spur. The remainder of the Division was on the S. side of the hill, in the SOUCHEZ Valley, about 6 miles away by road. We thought that we had got a permanent home, but the Canadians coming into close support, we had to move again, and found ourselves at SCOTTS CAMP, CARENCY, a collection of small sheds, with, however, excellent transport lines. We eventually made ourselves comfortable one of the chief drawbacks being the absence of any recreation ground, except on the hill in view of the German Lines. Another unpleasantness was the almost nightly arrival of German bombing planes. Fortunately they were generally bent on going further afield and our camp was left alone.

The LENS SECTOR was very quiet during our time there, with the exception of periodical concentrations of gas shell; indeed, during September, the line was safer than the camp, as an H.V. gun started shelling the camp, usually between 11pm and midnight. Several duds fell in the camp, and we were very fortunate in having only 2 casualties from this gun; but it necessitated an almost nightly exodus to trenches and banks, the animals also had to be taken clear of the camp every night.

On relief by the 12th Battn M.G.C. at the beginning of October we moved by bus to LA THIEULOYE. We put in a lot of training here and also a very successful Battalion Sports, which were won by "D" Company. A lot of football was played, both Battalion matches and inter-company and inter-section competitions. A small theatre was lent to us by the R.E. workshop, about a mile from our billets and the Concert Party, the "Spare Parts", who had just been formed at CARENCY made rapid progress.

From here we moved to the CAMBRAI FRONT, and finally found ourselves on Armistice day on the MONS-MAUBEUGE ROAD. After a few days at FEIGNIES we moved back to MARIEUX where those of us who have not been demobilized, still remain. Several football grounds are available and a number of matches have been played. The Battalion Team reached the semi-final of the Inter-Battalion competition when snow put an end to everything. There is an excellent theatre at this place, formerly a Corps Cinema, and this was entirely fitted with electric light and the scenery made and painted by members of the Battalion. The "Spare Parts" gave a number of excellent shows, and the theatre was invariably packed whenevr they performed. They also toured round the Division, and asisted by two artistes from the 61st Field ambulance, who were the only other troops in MARIEUX, established a great reputation. Lieutenant Davies was very largely responsible for the success achieved, and he was asisted very much by Major Law, who collected some wonderful dresses for the ladies, even finding it necessary to visit PARIS at frequent intervals to see the latest models.

Steve

[hmsk212]

I have to say that it is the only time I have ever found such a history within the files at Kew. If anyone else has come across similar perhaps they too can put them on the site. I am sure that they will be of interest and they may throw up details that will be useful to the mother site.

Steve

[JulianB]

What an interesting discovery, I had looked in 95/2108 but must have missed that. It seems to have been written in late 1918 - or possibly early 1919. Is there any clue as to the author ?

However, there are interesting problems associated with 20 Bn MGC. I was trying to do some research on this one because my great uncle was a 2/Lt in it briefly. When he was posted to it, from Camiers, on 9th March 1918 he was officially in 60th Coy MGC but knew it was about to become B Coy, 20th Bn. The problem is that the War Diary for 60 Coy (95/2122) stops on 28th Feb. buit the WD of the new 20 Bn (95/2108) only starts on the 15th March (its official creation). The 20 Bn WD hardly mentions any personnel but I would like to know where they (or B Coy of it at least) were in the first two weeks of March. In the event gt uncle was severely wounded on 24th March so his front line career only lasted 15 days !! - joined, commissioned, front line, wounded and all under 20 !

If anyone finds a record of what happened to 60th / B coy in those two weeks I'd be grateful.

Julian

[hmsk212]

Hi Julian,

I know what you mean about lack of info, I located this precis whilst trying to research a Private KIA with 61st Coy MGC on 21/03/1918. The 20th Btn Diary gives absolutely no firm details of events of that day let alone give casualty figures etc. If you read the precis you will see that the Division moved from the Menin Road Section at Ypres to the Ercheu Area, which is in the Somme Region. I believe that Ercheu is somewhere near Beaumont-Hamel but I am sure that one of the Pals can confirm its location. It was whilst there that the 20th Battalion was to be formed from 59, 60, 61 & 217 Coys. It was supposed to be formed by 23rd February but was not completed until 15th March. I would therefore assume that during the first two weeks of March the Battalion were still in the Ercheu Area.

Steve