Description
Object description
An interesting but incomplete ms memoir (158pp), with ts transcript (87pp), written in April 1919 and describing his service in the United Kingdom and on the Western Front with the 3/16th Battalion London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles), the 1/16th Battalion London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles) and 169th Trench Mortar Battery (56th Division) during the First World War; following failed attempts to enlist and after service as a Special Constable, he describes his enlistment in the Inns of Court OTC (March 1915) at the age of eighteen and subsequent commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 3/16th Battalion London Regiment (August 1915), battalion parades in Lincoln's Inn Fields and training at Berkhampstead, his arrival in France (early 1916) and appointment to the 1/16th Battalion London Regiment (169th Infantry Brigade, 56th Division) with which he served until wounded on 10 September 1916 when temporarily commanding a company, including insightful and frank reflections on his feelings at first coming under fire, his relief at being selected as a reserve officer on 1 July 1916, the state of mind of his brother officers selected to lead the actual assault on Gommecourt Wood, a vivid depiction of the battalion following the failed assault of 1 July 1916, his first view of a tank ('Hannibal's Elephants'), a battalion route march to visit the Battle of Crecy, and subsequent fighting at Leuze Wood on 9/10 September 1916, which he considered his worst experience on the Western Front; on his return to France (early 1917) he describes his service with the 169th Trench Mortar Battery (56th Division) during fighting at the Battle of Langemarck, Third Battle of Ypres (16 August 1916), and the Cambrai offensive (20 November to 2 December 1917) where he was gassed and awarded the Military Cross, describing his recuperation on the south coast of France during the winter of 1917/18 and his enjoyment of Nice and Monte Carlo, his return to his unit during the German Spring Offensive (March 1918), the routine role of a trench mortar battery in conditions of trench warfare, the Battery Commanders course he attended at GHQ Light Trench Mortar Battery School at Le Touquet (August 1918) and his promotion to command of 169th Trench Mortar Battery on his return, providing interesting observations on the open and mobile nature of fighting during September and October 1918 while making general references to the use of alcohol by officers and other ranks during stressful battlefield situations. Also included in the collection are two sketch maps of the battles of Cambrai and Third Ypres; on the reverse of the memoir are detailed training notes made by Cadet Robert Moy, No 4 Royal Garrison Artillery Officer Cadet School, Golden Hill, Isle of Wight, with summary notes by Lieutenant King.
Content description
An interesting but incomplete ms memoir (158pp), with ts transcript (87pp), written in April 1919 and describing his service in the United Kingdom and on the Western Front with the 3/16th Battalion London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles), the 1/16th Battalion London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles) and 169th Trench Mortar Battery (56th Division) during the First World War; following failed attempts to enlist and after service as a Special Constable, he describes his enlistment in the Inns of Court OTC (March 1915) at the age of eighteen and subsequent commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 3/16th Battalion London Regiment (August 1915), battalion parades in Lincoln's Inn Fields and training at Berkhampstead, his arrival in France (early 1916) and appointment to the 1/16th Battalion London Regiment (169th Infantry Brigade, 56th Division) with which he served until wounded on 10 September 1916 when temporarily commanding a company, including insightful and frank reflections on his feelings at first coming under fire, his relief at being selected as a reserve officer on 1 July 1916, the state of mind of his brother officers selected to lead the actual assault on Gommecourt Wood, a vivid depiction of the battalion following the failed assault of 1 July 1916, his first view of a tank ('Hannibal's Elephants'), a battalion route march to visit the Battle of Crecy, and subsequent fighting at Leuze Wood on 9/10 September 1916, which he considered his worst experience on the Western Front; on his return to France (early 1917) he describes his service with the 169th Trench Mortar Battery (56th Division) during fighting at the Battle of Langemarck, Third Battle of Ypres (16 August 1916), and the Cambrai offensive (20 November to 2 December 1917) where he was gassed and awarded the Military Cross, describing his recuperation on the south coast of France during the winter of 1917/18 and his enjoyment of Nice and Monte Carlo, his return to his unit during the German Spring Offensive (March 1918), the routine role of a trench mortar battery in conditions of trench warfare, the Battery Commanders course he attended at GHQ Light Trench Mortar Battery School at Le Touquet (August 1918) and his promotion to command of 169th Trench Mortar Battery on his return, providing interesting observations on the open and mobile nature of fighting during September and October 1918 while making general references to the use of alcohol by officers and other ranks during stressful battlefield situations. Also included in the collection are two sketch maps of the battles of Cambrai and Third Ypres; on the reverse of the memoir are detailed training notes made by Cadet Robert Moy, No 4 Royal Garrison Artillery Officer Cadet School, Golden Hill, Isle of Wight, with summary notes by Lieutenant King.
History note
Cataloguer AS
