* * * * *
Q. 6. A
AND OTHER PLACES
Q. 6. A AND OTHER PLACES
RECOLLECTIONS OF 1916, 1917, 1918
BY FRANCIS BUCKLEY
LONDON SPOTTISWOODE, BALLANTYNE & CO. LTD. 1 NEW-STREET SQUARE, E.C. 4 1920
INTRODUCTION
In the following pages I have tried to set down as faithfully as I can some of the impressions which remain to me now of three years' service in France and Flanders.
I have naturally suppressed much of the grim and ghastly horrors that were shared by all in the fighting area. A narrative must be written from some point of view, and I have had to select my own. I regret that so much personal and trivial incident should appear. Perhaps some will be able to see through the gross egotistical covering and get a glimpse, however faint, of the deeds of deathless heroism performed by my beloved comrades--the officers and men of the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers, the officers and men of the 149th Infantry Brigade, the officers and men of the 50th Division.
The climax of the story is the battle on the Somme where so many dear friends have perished. The name is taken from a spot where a small party of the 7th N.F. did something long afterwards to avenge their fallen comrades.
Finally no criticism of the Higher Command is intended by anything that has been written. If such can be read between the lines, it is unintentional and a matter for sincere regret.
CONTENTS
PAGE
I. WHEN IT BEGAN 1
II. THE MEN OF THE NORTH COUNTRY 7
III. ALNWICK 12
IV. THE JOURNEY OUT 17
V. HILL 60 22
VI. MOUNT SORREL AND CANNY HILL 31
VII. KEMMEL 41
VIII. DIVISIONAL REST 48
IX. BRIGADE HEAD-QUARTERS 52
X. THE BRIGADE BOMBING SCHOOL 59
XI. ST. ELOI AND NEUVE EGLISE 64
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: Q.6.a and Other places by Francis Buckley
- 2: Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General
- 3: And at Berkhamsted they worked you hard
- 4: I set off for Alnwick to join my battalion
- 5: But have they the wild fury that carries the Scot
- 6: Their pugnacity develops countless local feuds
- 7: Shortly after returning to Alnwick I was sent
- 8: I was kindly treated by every one at Alnwick
- 9: Eventually we reached the camp at Ouderdom
- 10: Scott Jackson at Alnwick when he was last on leave
- 11: A Company had two platoons in the front line trench 41
- 12: Accordingly I was sent to see Sergt
- 13: I soon found out who were the most expert throwers
- 14: Welch has often humourously suggested that I was the Jonah
- 15: The General spoke to Gregson first
- 16: From Cafe Belge to the Canal Dugouts
- 17: Illustration Wytschaete Ridge Trench Map
- 18: This time we moved back to Locre
- 19: The bombers had a day's training at Bruloose
- 20: And went through Bailleul to Meteren
- 21: I found that the battalion was still at Locre
- 22: Anderson became Brigade Major in his place
- 23: The 'fishtail' was a small trench mortar bomb
- 24: But though some grenades went off too quickly
- 25: At La Clytte there was a small bombing ground
- 26: Next morning we reached Doullens
- 27: Briefly the Division went into the Somme area on August 17
- 28: And about 1400 live grenades were fired
- 29: And then to the south of Mametz Wood
- 30: Went to the deep dugouts in Mametz Wood
- 31: We had fifty casualties at the Quarry from premature bursts
- 32: Illustration Scene of Attacks by 50th Division
- 33: Flannigan went to the Corps School
- 34: This then was the problem that faced the 50th Division
- 35: Who reached and took the Gird Line
- 36: Moved back to a billet in Albert
- 37: Only eleven were left of the battalion bombers
- 38: General Ovens went on leave at Bresle
- 39: There were some Divisional baths at Bazentin le Petit
- 40: We all liked him well as adjutant of the battalion
- 41: I have often noticed how grave these poilus look
- 42: The Brigadier was a fair French linguist
- 43: A party of men had been detonating grenades
- 44: Left us at Foucaucourt and Lieut
- 45: At Warfusee Brigadier General H
- 46: The 50th Division came into action on April 11
- 47: Wancourt was captured but not Guemappe
- 48: Of Wancourt for the purposes of observation
- 49: Guemappe was heavily shelled by our siege guns
- 50: So on May 17 the Brigade moved from Pommera to Souastre
- 51: The country round Monchy was well suited for this
- 52: From June 20 to 23 I continued the rifle grenade training
- 53: In a camp near Neuville Vitasse
- 54: Which is some distance from Cherisy
- 55: General Riddell had at one time been Adjutant of the 7th N
- 56: And entrained at Miraumont station
- 57: Where the 50th Division had their battle H
- 58: At Elverdinghe Chateau were bombed
- 59: OMER Serques was quite a pleasant little village to stay at
- 60: And I went with certain advanced details to Watten
- 61: Used by the lorries to bring up ammunition
- 62: Then along the mule track to Tyne Cottages
- 63: Were selected to go from the 149th Infantry Brigade
- 64: Having just left the trenches between Cambrin and Loos
- 65: When I reached Lapugnoy no observers had yet arrived
- 66: When we reached Basseux about 6 P
- 67: To the east end of Logeast Wood
- 68: I returned to Bienvillers to get a little much needed rest
- 69: To the west and north of Essarts
- 70: Of the Infantry Brigade in Essarts
- 71: Between Gommecourt and Fonquevillers we had to halt
- 72: Was captured at this time near Bucquoy
- 73: Our destination being Souastre
- 74: Near the orchard in Fonquevillers
- 75: On the Bayencourt Ridge during the morning
- 76: In the trench was a small mined dugout
- 77: I asked the observers to make telescopic sketches
- 78: On the 6th reached the high number of 1126
- 79: I reached Authieule railway station on August 31
- 80: The British forces had already taken Bapaume
- 81: North west of Havrincourt Wood
- 82: And Haplincourt to the outskirts of Bertincourt
- 83: North of Viesly passed quietly enough
- 84: Behind the ridges south of Viesly
- 85: Coming back I avoided the village of Carnoy
- 86: On February 10 I got back to Charleroi