Rathbone, Reginald Blythe (Oral history)

British officer served with 6th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regt in GB, Gallipoli and Mesopotamia, 1914-1919

REEL 1 Signs of approach of war during period at Dusseldorf, 7/1914. Reactions to outbreak of war, 4/8/1914. Background to commission from Oxford University OTC into 6th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regt, 27/11/1914. Periods training at Tidworth, Winchester and Blackdown, 11/1914-6/1915: tactical training; story illustrating other ranks attitude; composition of 38th Bde; reactions to being left behind on unit's departure for Gallipoli, 6/1915. Period with 11th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regt at Billericay, 6/1915-8/1915. Recollections of voyage with draft aboard Mauretania to Mudros, Lemnos and landing at Suvla, 6/9/1915: prior news of unit at Gallipoli; kitting out and question of heat precautions; conditions. confused situation on landing; rejoining unit and posting to C Coy at Karakol Dagh; state of unit; prior knowledge of conditions. Recollections of initial period at Suvla, 9/1915-12/1915: move to divisional reserve at Lala Baba sector; story illustrating prevalence of lice; story of how celebratory cheers over first news of Loos started bombardment; move into front line in Green Hill sector, 10/1915. REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of periods in front line in Green Hill sector, 10/1915-12/1915: nature of trenches; reconnaissance patrols; story of fighting patrol, 12/1915; story of sniping activities; naval bombardments; strategic situation; casualties and medical arrangements; conditions of service; communications; cigarette smoking; food rations and supplementary sources; rest periods at Chocolate Hill; canteen; terrain; failure of attempt to court martial NCO found asleep on duty; story of court martial in Mesopotamia, 1917; field punishments; contacts with GB; opinion of Turks and role of Kemal during Suvla landings, 8/1915. REEL 3 Continues: role of Kemal during Suvla landings; background to Ian Hamilton's replacement by Charles Monro; effects of rain storm and freezing weather, 26/11/1915; impact of visit by Sir Stanley Maude, 28/11/1915; arrival of reinforcements, 12/1915; Recollections of evacuation to Lemnos, 19/12/1915: reactions; ruses to deceive Turks; later career of Maude; relationship with other ranks. Opinion of Gallipoli Association, 1984. Question of unit's overall casualties during war. Question of reasons for failure of Gallipoli operations, 1915. REEL 4 Continues: question of reasons for failure of Gallipoli operations, 1915. Period at Port Said, Egypt, 1/1916-2/1916. Appointment as staff captain of 38th Bde and voyage aboard Kalyan to Basra, Mesopotamia, 2/1916. Recollections of period in Mesopotamia, 2/1916-4/1916: background to War Office taking over control of expeditionary force and later impact of Maude; move up River Tigris to Sheikh Said, 2/1916; review of Mesopotamian campaign, 1914-1916; story of being wounded in arm at Um-el- Hanna brigade headquarters, 5/4/1916; failure of attempt to relieve Kut el Amara. Evacuation aboard Takada to hospital in Bombay, India, 4/1916. Convalescence leave in India, 5/1916. Rejoining unit, 10/1916. Various aspects of operations in Mesopotamia, 1916-1917: story illustrating Maude's involvement in planning of crossing by pontoon bridge to outflank Turkish positions; review of campaign; evacuation wounded to India, 12/1916-7/1917; problems during march with mixed draft to rejoin unit at Sindia, 7/1917; chest wound, 12/1916. REEL 5 Continues: Recollections of conditions of service in Sindia area, 7/1917-10/1917. Various aspects of advance to Kirkuk, 10/1917-10/1918: movements; food rations; story of successful outflanking manoeuvre; story of missing opportunity to claim medal; shortages of supplies at Kirkuk and consequent withdrawal to Mosul; story illustrating generosity of servant; news of Armistice at Abu Jissra, 11/1918. Various aspects of service in Mesopotamia, 1916-1918: comparison of conditions of service with Gallipoli; stories relating to evacuation wounded to India, 12/1916-7/1917; reaction to news of Maude's death, 1/1918; writing letters to deceased relatives; importance of well maintained war graves.