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THE KING’S ROYAL

HUSSARS

NEWSLETTER

December 2013

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The

King’s Royal Hussars

Looking after soldiers and their families now and in the future. -------------------------------------------------------

The KRH Appeal

A great opportunity for you to make a real difference and enhance the lives of

our injured soldiers, old comrades and their families.

Please support your Regimental family

Why have The KRH Appeal?

As a modern, versatile armoured regiment, The King’s Royal Hussars has provided a large number of

mounted and dismounted troops for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq over recent years. Thankfully we

have not incurred the scale of casualties experienced by other regiments, however with our largest

deployment to Afghanistan planned for 2012, now is the time to act to ensure we are prepared properly.

As a family regiment, we aim to look after our own, and as such, the existing Regimental Welfare Trust

Fund has provided welfare grants for our soldiers and their families, serving and retired, for many years.

This Appeal will increase the funds the Trust has available, so show your support for our serving soldiers

and become involved with the Appeal by donating money, organising your own events or just

participating in the events.

Support the KRH Appeal and allow our Regiment to make a difference to the lives of soldiers and their families who

have been affected by their active service.

What can you do to help the appeal? We are a family Regiment and this appeal will only succeed with the help of the wider Regimental

family and their friends.

You can make a big difference to the lives of our soldiers.

In these extraordinary times, they deserve nothing less!

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Visit www.krh.org.uk or www.bmycharity.com/krh to make a donation

and find out how you can help with fundraising. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The KRH APPEAL OFFICE

The King's Royal Hussars

Aliwal Barracks

TIDWORTH

Wiltshire

SP9 7BB

Phone: +44(0)1980 656839

Web: www.krh.org.uk

E-mail: info@krh.org.uk

The KRH Regimental Trust is a registered charity— Charities Commission No 1021455

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As I am sure I do not have to tell you, it has certainly

been a busy few months since I last wrote to you, with

the bulk of the Regiment training in Canada. C

Squadron deployed with the 2 ROYAL WELSH Battle

Group on to the prairie for a demanding 36 days, whilst

the remainder of us provided the Opposing Force

(OPFOR) and deployed for a little less. On all fronts the

boys performed extremely well and I think collectively it

felt good to be ‘back in the saddle’ on armoured

vehicles. There was also a bit of scope for some

excellent adventure training too.

Since our return we have been focussed in training the boys to be set for the challenges of 2014,

with all 3x squadrons and Battle Group headquarters heading out to Canada between April and

October next year for a couple of months. This is all in preparation for the Regiment becoming the

Lead Armoured Battle Group (LABG) from 1st September 2014 until the end of 2015. We have

managed to have some fun since our return, with a re-focus on sports in general, including a

hugely successful inter squadron boxing night with a record number taking part.

Right, the CO’s crew during BATUS, yes

that is the CO, in role as ‘Red beard’,

scourge of the prairie.

As I am sure a number of you are aware,

there are some changes afoot in the

Welfare department. Wayne squeezes

back in to his military uniform to become

the Motor Transport Officer (MTO) from

the New Year after 3 long years in the

post. I am sure you will all join me in

thankingWayne (and to an extent Zoe

and his two boys) for his incredible

support to the wider Regimental family

over this period, and wish him luck in his

new role. We welcome in the current Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) – Gary Barrow – to the

post, who gallantly supervised the WAGs Christmas party which was a great success. I know both

Holly and Gary have some ideas as to how to take the Wives’ committee forward and would

welcome your thoughts.

Finally, on behalf of Holly, Poppy, Jake, Ruby (the new arrival) and I, we wish you all a very Merry

Christmas and a Happy New Year.

JK

COMMANDING OFFICER’S NOTES

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Maj Rupert Hope-Hawkins

This last three months has seen the culmination of the training C Squadron has done as part of 2nd

Battalion, The Royal Welsh Battle Group in preparation for our role as the first Lead Armoured

Battle Group in the new Army 2020 structure.

C Squadron began August with some well deserved and long overdue leave, after a particularly

busy summer training period. The Squadron returned to work with the promise of a day of

Chemical Biological Radioactive and Nuclear (CBRN, as was NBC) training to blow away the post

leave blues. Spirits were high as gas masks were retrieved from the bottom of bergans and behind

wardrobes; having been largely ignored while the focus was on Afghanistan. Sgt Baines was

leading this excitement and having discovered that the chamber was out of action, manfully made

do with a 12x12 tent. The squadron all made it through the chamber, gaining confidence in the new

GSR respirator whilst remembering that hot days and gas masks are not a good combination. This

didn’t bode well for a summer exercise in Canada with the promise of plenty more CBRN.

C Squadron CR2 support 1 Royal Welsh Warriors

The advance party arrived in BATUS to take over the tanks from the outgoing battlegroup, feeding

back news of a mountain of work but thankfully no mosquitoes. Once all were bedded into the

C (XIH) SQUADRON

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glorious H-Blocks the real graft of reactivating 18 tanks began. Long hours were pulled by all, in

particular the fitter section, under SSgt Thornton and Sgt Grew, who arrived first, left last and

generally became (more) feral whilst living on the tank park for such extended periods.

The Squadron lurched onto the dust bowl on D-2, less 4th Tp who were making the most of being

near the ‘pack bay’, changing their engines. Despite this, 40 refused point blank to be an

‘ambiturner’, with the hull only turning to the right. By D-1 the majority of the Squadron loaded on

the HETS (huge flat-bed trucks) and deployed onto the Prairie to park on a newly burnt out piece of

ground and pick up dust!

Above left, a C Squadron tank helps out with the rounding up “Come by, Come by”!!, and right, the

graveyard.

What followed was a few days of Squadron level ‘CT2 training’, where crews adjusted to being

back on tanks and more importantly began to remember (in some cases, learn) the nuances of

operating on the prairie. The Squadron practised various methods of movement across ground and

experimented with different techniques as we looked to bolster and develop the new 4 tank troop/

18 tank squadron doctrine. A potentially key doctrinal discovery was the effective use of Challenger

2 and CRARRV as fire-fighting platforms. The fire in question was almost certainly started by a

stray fag-butt from Lt Wade (despite his vehement denial, witnesses say it started under his tank)

but the Squadron pulled together and with some clever driving and some solid stamping the fire

was put out before the overworked fire department even entered the fray.

Above left, the tactics may change over the years, but attending to ones ablutions on the prairie is

timeless. Above right, a CR2 kindly pushes the CRARRV along at sunset.

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The BG then moved on to a period of CT3, working with the infantry companies from 2nd Bn Royal

Welsh who we were attached to. The Exercise really kicked off with a proper prairie thunderstorm

that came over once before

deciding to turn around and hit for

a second time, just as the

Squadron was attempting to

move to the beginning of the live

fire phase. Needless to say, there

were some miserable individuals

commanding ‘head-up’ as the

tanks conducted a merry ballet,

sliding down any gradient they

could find, with visibility reduced

to virtually zero unless the

lightening was putting on a show.

Left, caught on camera at last,

the ‘OXO Tower streaker’, or is it

the ‘American Werewolf in

Suffield’ after having an

‘episode’?

The Squadron slithered to the

beginning of live-firing and put a

BATUS record 16 out of 18 tanks

through Systems Performance

Check (zeroing) on the first day,

with a 100% pass rate. The final

two tanks passed straight through

the following morning and the

Squadron began the task of

getting to grip with live-firing away

from the constraint of a range.

For those who hadn’t done it

before the shock of firing opened

up, particularly if you’ve forgotten your goggles, was literally an eye opener. However all agreed

that the extra situational awareness that it brings whilst manoeuvring in close terrain was well

worth the scorched eyebrows. As live fire progressed we worked ever more closely with the

infantry; battlefield inoculation, or firing a surprise main armament round whilst dismounts were

nearby, never got boring! Lt Foster will claim that the best part of live-firing came during a

particular night shoot, where in a ‘moment of genius’ he broadcasted the line “watch my main

armament” - seriously unhelpful for anybody in the vicinity as the flash of DS/T at night blinded

everybody. The rest of the Squadron will probably say that this was trumped by Mr Foster’s

audition for the Combined Services sprint squad following a pack fire and his “heroic” flight from

the burning tank with utter disregard for the safety of his crew who tried to fight it.

The culmination of live fire was Ex Prairie Lightening, where the whole BG came together and

practiced working as a formation. To make up for this however, a number of the tanks got good

exposure on ‘BBC Wales Today’ as the delay battle raged and the BBC got mixed up with the

charge across a bridge. The final day of Prairie Lightening saw the Squadron able to stretch its

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wings and show what we were

capable of when given the freedom of

ground to our front. An 18 tank rapid

advance as a line wowed the watching

audience and led to a successful set

of final attacks with all ammunition

expended, including LCpl Britton’s

GPMG which he used to great effect

to start yet another prairie fire.

Left, it is the least he deserves.

BATUS virgins thought what was to

follow wouldn’t be too bad, but BATUS

veterans knew the infamous ‘TES fit’

would be dreadful. Still, it came and

went, despite various callsigns ending

up in the ‘elephant graveyard’, as the

REME area was known. By the first

day of the TES phase (Tactical

Engagement Simulation – using

lasers) all bar 0C were fit to fight. It

quickly became apparent that the CR2

TES fit had some serious limitations

that would have to be overcome

quickly in order to avoid large scale

losses. Short range engagements and

long range engagements were out of the window, all shoulder launch weapon bearing enemy were

to be feared as they could withstand coax better than a solid wall and enemy quad bikes were

worst of all! Never before have so many been tormented by so few; it became a feature of the first

few days to see a CR2 turret spinning, not dying but unable to move as quad bikes lead by ‘The

Red Baron’ (RSM) circled around gesticulating wildly. Regardless, there were victories to be had;

from Lt Brearley’s glorious death just off the bridge, to Cpl Sullivan’s one man mission on the

wrong side of the bridge and Mr Stephens’ bold strike to destroy enemy bridging.

Still the enemy tank company caused problems and many a good dogfight in the coulees was had,

with the nimbleness of the Scimitar/T-90 vs the CR2s somewhat limited turning circle but better

turret, leading to shouting and celebration (on occasion) that could be heard all around.

The exercise phases passed in a whirlwind of early mornings, long slow road moves and hasty

attacks, often on to urban areas, which provided key learning points for the Squadron and those

observing. The Squadron Leader will be keen to forget was managing to miss his own H-Hour,

after wedging his tank in a gully and requiring Cpl Burke to recover him. Tanks were found to be

more useful than the BG initially thought during the stabilisation phase. CR2 as a road block is a

particularly effective deterrent, as is its crews’ ability to deal with an IED strike on a convoy, as

Capt W-T found when he happened upon a serial meant for an infantry platoon which he dealt with

using just three men.

The final attack saw the Squadron lead the BG through the pitch black across some interesting

terrain, Sgt Bain and Cpl Harris both found a bog and took some time out of the battle, whilst the

rest pressed on with the freezing fog closing in and reducing visibility to less than 20m.

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Endexcelebrations were well deserved as 38 days on the prairie came to an end. The hard graft on

the tank park in the following days meant that the tanks were handed back to BATUS or over to the

RTR in good order, allowing many to get away on either AT or road trips. Inevitably Missoula,

Calgary, Banff and even Vancouver hosted raucous nights.

Above left, C Sqn leaguer with 2 Royal Welsh BG and right, if the devil could cast his net.

During a well earned fortnight’s leave at the end of October soldiers had a chance to catch up with

families and friends. In some cases this allowed new fathers; SSgt Dix, Cpl Bahooshy and Tpr

Bradshaw to spend time with their children; born during the exercise. SSgt Dix and Cpl Rymer

also found time to get married. We wish them all the best for the future.

Looking forward C Squadron now needs to maintain the high standards it has set this year. Next

year will have a slower start than 2013, in theory, but pressure will again ramp up as the year goes

on.

Maj Will Hodgkinson

With a spring in their step and a new team at the helm, Nobody’s Own in characteristic style split to

the four winds in the summer of 2013. With most BATUS bound there were a resolute few left

behind to spin the tumbleweed and bring in the hay…as they lay in wait for the stories of daring do

from their brave brethren. A troop to C Sqn to take part in the grown up exercise, half the Sqn in

the OPFOR Reconnaissance Company leaving the other half with the OPFOR Infantry Company,

we really were Nobody’s Own. The OPFOR deployment started early and having had such a

thorough handover from our predecessors were left with precious little to occupy the vast swathes

of time that we were wallowing in. After a number of much appreciated long weekends and the

‘Canada experience’ firmly wedged in the receipts section of our wallets, the team were itching to

get on with it and take the fight to the prairie.

A (xHx) SQUADRON

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Left, Lt Tom Padgett and his ‘Iron Cross’ for outstanding

bravery.

The Recce Coy were straight into the thick of it, having to

integrate a large number of different Regiments and skills

sets into the organisation. Quickly breaking down barriers

we all benefited from each other’s wisdom and were left with

a healthy mutual respect for each other’s ways of working.

We never could have imagined the devastating effect that an

overly aggressive infantryman armed with an RPG, zipping

about on a quad bike could have on a Challenger tank.

Experimenting with novel ways of fighting the Recce Coy

really tested the limits of its imagination in how to outwit the

2 RWELSH BG and has learnt some valuable lessons that

can be drawn through to the challenges that the Sqn will

face next year. Padgett’s Pocket to us will always define a

sneaky means of fighting…even if Lt Padgett’s success rate

was notoriously dubious. WO2 (SSM) Paul Sercombe very much proved that once a Recce soldier

always a Recce soldier and couldn’t be held back from the font of every battle…the only things

slowing him down being a wobbly vehicle and a subsequent spell attached to a spinal board.

A Sqn SSM and his claim that you are not a real commander until you have rolled in one of these.

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The Infantry Coy’s challenge in many ways was a far greater one – crewing vehicles of 1

RANGLIAN dismounts was far from simple. Such was the nature of the fighting though that they

were mostly used as mobile anti-tank platforms, opening up the mortar hatches at the back of their

vehicles and standing a brave man up with a missile on his shoulder to get close in and cause

havoc. Not happy with conventional tactics, Capt George Tyson and Tpr Fletcher invented their

very own unique form of ‘respirator’ fighting which led to some hilarious moments of a much

bewildered and terrified looking enemy as they came across some random dudes in gas masks.

With a large number of new soldiers in the Sqn the team performed superbly well...really getting

into the swing of OPFOR living Tpr Haynes was blazing the fashion trail with his softy ‘onesy’ and

impressed RHQ whilst doing so! We took best advantage of the adventure training that the Rocky

Mountains has to offer and for most of us we can safely say that it was a period of new

experiences. Above all it has been the most fantastic preparation for our anticipated return trip

next summer where I have no doubt the pressure will be higher, the workload greater and the

roadtrips shorter!

Maj Ant Sharman

B Squadron metamorphosed during the Summer of 2013 to become that most feared and envied

of organisations – the OPFOR Tank Coy. Conversion to CVR(T) was conducted in the UK, under

the watchful glare of SSgt(SQMS) Warren, our resident D&M guru and Sgt Laureau, our 30mm

Gunnery specialist. With Sgt Hay off providing safety throughout the season and Sgts Dyer and

Brown away learning all about Challenger 2, it was left to a small band of determined men to make

sure that 2 R Welsh in general and (C Sqn KRH in particular) didn’t have it too easy out on the

block. After much discussion and deliberation, it was decided that Capt Williamson’s sore knee

was probably sufficiently fixed to allow him to climb back onto a tank, if only a little one.

Left, Maj. Ant Sharman after his successful

interview to join the ‘Village People’ and

WO2 Leigh Ashton discovers why his Sqn

Ldr has got that “I just pumped the

neighbour’s dog” look.

The SSM, Mr Ashton, deployed with the

Advance Party to Canada along with some

of our most experienced Recce Troop

soldiers so that by the time the rest of us

caught up, the vehicles were in good

enough shape to roll out on a road run and

all roll back in again.

Our new Troop Leaders, 2Lt Tom Kirkham and 2Lt Harry Bartles were thrown straight in at the

deep end, supported by Sgt Laureau and Sgt Pollard, while Mr Mawby, fresh back from his

adventures in New Zealand, found himself handed a NLAWES and popped in the back of the Sqn

B (XIVH) SQUADRON

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Ldr’s Landrover, commanded by Sgt Wayne Buglass, who had returned from the AFV Gunnery

School (where he was both a CR2 and 30mm Schools instructor!) to be given the highly-prized role

of commanding 11A.

On arrival, the Sqn Ldr decided that it was time for his bi-annual hair cut, and took the SSM to his

favourite Med Hat Barbers while the Troop Leaders went off in search of novelty hats. During the

evening of bonding which followed, the haircuts were retained, while the novelty hats were,

mercifully, lost.

After rather a long time in camp, the OPFOR deployed onto the pre-exercise beat-up training,

which for the Tank Coy consisted of practicing a lot of dog fighting in pairs and troops of four,

usually around a piece of high ground from which SHQ could observe, referee and debrief. Crews

learned quickly; in particular, Cpl Daniels, Cpl Barnett and LCpl McLoughlin, all of whom were safe

to command but not trained tactically, were able to learn how to stay alive long enough to kill the

enemy. The Sqn Ldr and SSM specialised in taking the sneakiness to a new level. In the spirit of

the OPFOR mindset, one incident saw a vehicle hidden next to an armoured ambulance destroy a

complete troop, and from this point on, the Tank Coy ethos was all about playing by the rules but

making sure the fight was never fair. A couple of days fighting against the other OPFOR Coys

proved to be great fun, although we did begin to notice that Sgt Laureau’s tank would always

develop a “TES problem” when he found himself in a sticky situation. Meanwhile, the SSM and Sgt

Buglass enjoyed much success with the Land Rover mounted “NEDFOR”, sneaking up on enemy

tanks before deploying Mr Mawby and Tpr Ruxton with their NLAWES.

B Squadron looking resplendent on the Prairie

Returning to camp for a few days, the Main Effort was to get the vehicles prepared ready to track

out and face the R Welsh, but in the margins there was plenty of opportunity for the Sqn 2IC to

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inflict some pain with his hellish circuit training sessions. They didn’t go on for long, but they did

leave us hurting all day.

Heading back out onto the prairie ahead of the rest of the OPFOR to support the BG’s TES

familiarisation, the temperature had dropped considerably, but we were cheered right up by the

anger and frustration of those we were up against as they found that the OPFOR was less

compliant than BATUS Live Fire targetry. At least one C Squadron crew guard was seen to be

jettisoned from an enemy turret as another skirmish with the Tank Coy ended in disappointment.

Once the exercise began, the Tank Coy’s part in the plan was generally to stay alive and hidden

until the opportunity arose to destroy enemy AFVs, trying not to get too embroiled until we had the

opportunity for a decisive strike. We were generally successful at this, but we did destroy an entire

HCR Sqn one morning when we were trying to hide, so perhaps we could have been a bit more

sneaky.

As the exercise ran on, the entertaining stories of TESEX daring-do continued, with highlights

including emerging out of hides on the first day to destroy half of the ILABG in 30 minutes,

charging down past Ordek in a 10-Tank extended line and, after a successful obstacle crossing

and advance into depth, 4 Tank Coy vehs (along with the CO) attempting to surrender to the

BLUEFOR BGHQ.

There is always time for a ‘food stop’ in B Squadron

The Squadron returned home to the UK ready for another re-orbat. Key changes for us were the

loss of Capt Williamson, the 2IC, who has moved to A Sqn to be the armoured 2IC for the ILABG,

replaced by Lt Stephens from C Sqn. Also, after a stint which included the last deployment to

Afghanistan, SSgt Warren has moved on to become the MTWO, to be replaced as B SQMS with

SSgt Baines. We are all now looking forwards to Christmas and getting into the preparation in

January for deployment back to BATUS on Ex Prairie Storm 1 next year.

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Maj Alan Ponde

Recce Platoon (Captain Mark Lambert)

It has been a busy period for the Close Recce Tp, immediately following

summer leave we departed for Canada, to play enemy for the C Sqn

exercise. Morale was high, and in the three weeks we spent working on

the tank park the troops managed to get away on several road trips,

taking in the delights ofplaces as exotic as Calgary, Leithbridge and even Great Falls, Montanna.

Eventually work had to begin again, and we deployed on a weeklong shakeout exercise. Living up

to expectations we pushed the vehicles to find out their limits. Particularly in the case of SSgt

Oldfield, who managed to roll his Pinzgauer on a stretch of straight and level road. Sadly this

ended his exercise, however two months, several hospitals and many packets of pills later he has

returned to work, almost none the worse for the wear. The remainder of the Tp continued on, with

WO2 (SSM) Paul Sercombe from A Sqn taking over the slot of Recce 2ic. The curse of the 2ic

struck again barely two weeks later, when he himself rolled – this time on a slightly steeper slope!

Yup, another Landrover on its

roof!!

The Troop was now acting

almost ‘2 ranks up’ across the

board, with Cpl Leach (fozzy)

stepping in as 2ic. The

remainder of the exercise went

well, with our small band of

determined men putting up a

determined resistance to the

overwhelming force of the C

Sqn attacks. LCpl Judge and

Tpr Henzel proved a

particularly effective team,

sending up critical information

which allowed B Sqn in CVRT

to almost wipe out the Challenger 2’s. Praise must also go to Cpl Leach (meatball) for breaking

through the enemy defences, and along with the Tp Leader (until Capt Lambert was caught by the

safety staff) causing havoc behind enemy lines. Not wanting to miss out on the excitement Capt

Lambert and Tpr Leech then rolled their vehicle “Just to see what all the fuss was about.”

D (XRH) COMMAND & RECCE

SQUADRON

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Upon return from Canada a composite team was entered into the Cambrian patrol competition,

putting in a strong showing until several injuries forced the team to withdraw. They are now licking

their wounds and looking forward to taking gold next year.

Looking forward a Re-Orbat has seen much change, with SSgt Oldfield handing over to Sgt

Buglass, and much of the Tp moving on. We wish them the best in their future roles, and are sure

to see them back in the Tp later in life. The New Year brings new challenges, Ranges, exercise

and BATUS all loom on the horizon, although not wanting to miss out on the fun a Ski Expedition

will be hitting the slopes in early March!

Command Troop (Captain Luke Sherbrooke)

Well it has been another busy couple of months for Command Troop with the

most significant deployment being to BATUS in late August. After a well

deserved long summer holiday it was a bit of shock to the system to return to

work with the pace ramping up and last minute changes having to be factored

in.

The deployment was kicked off with temperatures in the region of 40 degree Celsius so the more

ginger members of the troop such as the RSO Capt Sherbrooke, Cpl West and Sgt Smith struggled

more than others! The advanced party headed up by Sgt Smith did a fantastic job in setting the

troop up for success, taking over the vehicles and starting the maintenance. With all of this

preliminary work a long weekend was worked into the system which allowed for trips all over

Canada and even into the United States. Luckily a sigh of relief was felt by all as everyone from

the troop retuned in good order on Monday morning all be it a little bleary eyed from their exploits.

The first item of ‘work’ on the agenda was filming the propaganda video with all of the COFOR

troops which involved ‘goose steeping’ and cheering for the most righteous and wonderful leader Lt

Col ‘the Big Lad’ Kingsford’.

Left, WO2 (RSWO) ‘Tony’ Underwood after

‘looping the loop’ in his Landrover.

The exercise then kicked off and the troops

were in full swing building every aspect up

to a high standard. Cpl West and Cpl Tom

Constant proved to be a very valuable

asset scoring top gun on the CO’s tank a

number of times during the exercise. The

only slight anomaly to this was the RSWO

(WO2 Underwood) who had seen and

heard about flying vehicles and decided to

give it a go when he hit a rock the same

size as Gibraltar. This caused his Land

Rover to do a monumental flip. Luckily the only injuries suffered where to the crews’ prides!

Upon returning from BATUS the pace of life has kept rising with the final push to Christmas. Part

of this has been the hand over from Sgt Smith to Sgt Duxbury who is now firmly in the seat. The

troop wishes Sgt Smith the best of luck in the future with his new role within A Sqn. For many

Christmas cannot come soon enough as the New Year brings its own challenges of ranges,

BATUS as well as exercises. That being said there is a ski trip planned so it is not all doom and

gloom!

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They are not people that the regiment is proud of!!

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Sigh..................................................

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Maj Michael Caulfield

HQ Sqn along with the rest of the Regiment has been

extremely busy since the last Newsletter. We have had a

number of personnel changes, a deployment to BATUS

and as we approach the end of the year, a number of the

Heads of Departments are also moving on.

Left, HQ Sqn Ldr, Maj Mickey Caulfield.

Firstly, following a well deserved Summer leave period, a

number of the Sqn deployed to BATUS on the Advance

Party. Never an enviable task but as always the chaps set

about their business with considerable gusto and ensured

we were set up for success for the remainder of the

deployment. The team were headed up by the QM Capt

Alex Rutter and WO2 Dickie Davies who were to provide

the spine of the Base Admin Group (BAG).

The deployment itself went extremely well as the team took on the role of OPFOR. This allowed

the troops an element of freedom on the Prairie and also allowed some members of the sqn to

compile a propaganda magazine which aimed to irritate our enemy for the exercise. I think we

succeeded!

During the exercise the LAD were fantastic ensuring the CO had as many vehicles as possible at

his disposal. MT again supported the exercise excellently and although there were so many

moving parts to consider, they were not found wanting. The SPS Det provided the essential admin

support superbly and the joint QM/QM(T) team pulled out all the stops throughout and were singled

out for praise by the hard to please BATUS staff. The Catering Dept who supported not only the

OPFOR but the 2RWELSH BG also were magnificent. Morale was lifted on a number of occasions

as a result of the chef’s efforts.

But of course as we were having fun in Canada, a number of the sqn was left behind on ROG

providing the essential and less glamorous rear support and ensuring the Regiment remained set

whilst supporting a number of significant activities. As you would expect, they performed

excellently.

As we approach the end of another busy year, a few notable changes. Capt ‘Welfare Wayner’

Price ends his marathon tour as Welfare Officer and moves to MTO. He will be replaced by the

current RSM. Capt Geordie Kennedy leaves MTO and becomes the QM. Capt Alex Rutter finishes

as QM and will retire from the Army in 2014. The Regiment and the Army will miss him

HQ (SUPPORT)

SQUADRON

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enormously. SSM HQ will now be WO2 Davies as SSM Bretherton moves to RSM. I thank SSM

Bretherton for his hard work and loyal service he gave to the sqn over the past 2 years.

Lots of changes, but the Regiment goes on! Let’s see what 2014 has in store!

A Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!

Mechanical Transport Troop (Captain Robert ‘Geordie’ Kennedy)

The deployment to BATUS for PRAIRIE STORM 3 saw the majority of the troop deployed either

with C Sqn attached to the 2RW BG or with the KRH who made up the OPFOR in their retro CS95,

this left a small team under Sgt Jolliffe as part of the ROG.

BATUS gave the troop a great opportunity to develop its skills and drills as all but a few were

relatively new into the MT world and had little knowledge of what the echelon does in the field. For

those who were attached to C Sqn, they had the benefit of an outstanding live fire period. Also the

lessons they have learnt this year will prove to be invaluable for next year when once again we will

find ourselves deployed to the Canadian Prairie. As for the MT soldiers who were part of the

OPFOR, it could be said that they worked equally as hard but they benefitted as their role was

much more fun and were in a warm bed most of the nights. For all who deployed had the

opportunity of some Adventurous Training and many took this opportunity with both hands.

Left, Cpl Field finds the pace in BATUS too

much.

With every deployment it is easy to forget about

the soldiers who are left behind, but it is those

small teams who make up the ROG which

keeps the Regiment functioning. Sgt Jolliffe and

the small team of MT worked extremely long

and at times unsociable hours, clocking up

many miles between Tidworth and Brize Norton.

However their hard work did not go un-noticed

and the ROG OC managed to get a trip

organised to ThorpPark and a great day was had by all.

With the return of the Regiment from BATUS most of the

soldiers returned with many things, gifts for their nearest

and dearest, memories of AT or nights out in Calgary. But

for one unlucky MT soldier who returned with his foot in a

pot after stepping off a MAN Truck, we just hope that not all

of his memories of Canada are as bad.

Right, Tpr Williams sporting the next generation of combat

boot

Since the troop has reformed after BATUS we have been

busy as usual, MT soldiers continue to be at the heart of all

regimental activity and has recently seen some of the troop

19

deploying to Scotland in support of Ex CULLODEN HAWK. But for some their time in MT has

come to an end and sees the MTO and MTWO move to new jobs in the regt. Capt Kennedy moves

across to take over as QM and WO2 Davis moves to be HQ SSM, both are wished well in their

new positions. As some move out others move in and we welcome in the new MTO, Capt Wayne

Price and SSgt Mike Warren as the new MTWO and LCpl Hagley makes a welcome return. We

wish them all good luck for 2014 as they and the troop have a great challenge ahead of them, but I

am sure they will succeed in everything they do.

Above left, the return of ‘Hagger’s’ and right, the new MTWO, SSgt Warren

Quartermaster Boots and Socks (captain Alex ‘the chin’ Rutter)

Refreshed from the department adventure training in July and a spot of summer leave, some of the

team headed west over the Atlantic, back to the familiar territory of Alberta and in particular

BATUS. A conglomerate formed of both QM and QM(T) personnel joined about 60 personnel from

across the Regiment and flew out early August for what was termed the COEFOR Activation Party.

Several name changes later and on the back of the ink drying on the large Regimental sign created

that publicised us as COEFOR, we became the OPFOR Activation Party. We were joined by the

remainder of the deployable element late in August, in good time to carry out some much needed

build up training. There was also a welcome return of an old guard member – Cpl ‘Teeth’ Bennett

in the familiar ammo storeman role.

Whilst the team forward were enjoying 40 degree temperatures in Canada, the majority of the

department adjusted to life as part of the Rear Ops Group, under the control of the RQMS – WO2

Mark Lowe. Either side of his RQ course, he set about instilling some radical changes within the

department, both with processes and the real estate itself. Ably assisted by the Tp Sgt - Sgt

Wilkinson, they methodically worked their way through the building showing no mercy to anything

that hadn’t been used for some time and hence deemed no longer required. The net result was a

distinct echo effect in each of the store rooms and a very empty looking clothing department.

Over the summer, we welcomed the first of our RLC 1st Line Optimisation soldiers – Pte Owen,

posted from 12 Regt RLC in Abingdon. No sooner had he arrived, he was promoted to LCpl…not

20

that the KRH can take too much credit for this! Congratulations to LCpl Owen; we now need to

tackle the problematic hair colour! More recently, we welcomed the second RLC soldier to the

department – LCpl Robanakadavu (try saying that 5 times quickly)! He too arrived from 12 Regt

RLC and has now settled in the Bulford area with his family. Both individuals will quickly bed in

and adjust to 1st Line accounting.

‘The new look Clothing Store, following the RQ’s clearout’

Quite a few of the department have used the autumn period to carry out both career courses and

education. LCpl Kingston and LCpl Massey have completed the All Arms Storeman Course in

Deepcut and LCpl Vernon went back to Bicester to complete the second part of his ammunition

accounting course. In the margins, some of the team are also making good use of the NVQ

scheme in warehousing and storage. Very recently, WO2 Pete Robinson, the unit’s Health and

Safety black belt, received confirmation that he had graduated with a Diploma in Occupational

Health and Safety – great news for both Pete and the Regiment.

Finally, as the end of the year approaches at speed, we will shortly be saying farewell to 3

department members in the form of Sgt Miller, Cpl Ashmore and LCpl Ford. All 3 are busy

conducting resettlement courses and preparing for life outside of the army. Rumour has it that Sgt

Devon Miller has already landed a job, running a little county across the Atlantic! Devon, Ash and

Fordy are wished the very best for the future and will of course be welcomed back at reunion

events and Regimental Weekends.

21

‘Sgt Devon Miller getting to grips with his new role, running the USA’

Quartermaster Technical (Capt Mark Witham) The Department’s first challenge was to prepare for CastlemartinRanges and Canada. Sgt Malone

and Cpl Shores deployed down to Castlemartin for the C Sqn range package and they were kept

quite busy, especially with the now infamous CR2 barrel saga. The rest of us remained back in

Tidworth preparing the vehicle for the handover to the Rear Operations Group (ROG). Sgt

Bensley, Sgt Malone, Cpl Shores, Cpl Buckley, Cpl Maher, Cpl Kendall and Cpl Parr also went up

to Cumbria to carry out adventure training which had been organised by the QM. Apparently and

according to our local lad Cpl Kendall, Cumbria is a wonderful place however the word is, he didn’t

stop moaning whilst there. Maybe it was the hills…

August saw the deployment of Sgt’s Brace, Malone and Cpls Kendall and Thompson to BATUS to

form the OPFOR QM(T). It appears that they all had an extremely good time as the profit at the

Coyote Grill tripled in tandem with their waistlines. Whilst everyone was eating their way through

the Prairie those left behind were supporting the RWxYduring their armoured exercise as well as

carrying out the normal day to day running of the ROG. Leave was a plenty with all those left in

UK maximising it to the full. Cpl Buckley even found the time to get married, many congratulations

to Shelly and Bucks.

22

As things evolve around the Army 2020 structure we have had two2 RLC soldiers posted to the

department in what is known as 1st Line Optimisation. We have gained a SSgt and Cpl both with a

great deal of stores experience, and we are already reaping the benefits. SSgt Ponsford and Cpl

Matavutuka are both proudly sporting their Brown berets and embracing regimental life, Cpl

Matavutuka has already represented the Regt at rugby. With BATUS around the corner once

more, our focus has now switched to ensure the Regt is fully supported and set for success next

year.

Above left, Bucks Stag do and right, without doubt the worst ‘selfie’ ever!!

Members of the QM(T) Dept lost on a mountain

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The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. (Captain Rob Ashton & WO1 (ASM) Dean

Oatley

Since I last wrote an introduction to the LAD newsletter article in July –

time has absolutely flown by! The LAD has mainly been engaged in

training BATUS deployment, actually deploying and beginning the

preparation for firing camps next year. I hope you enjoy reading some of

the articles written by members of the LAD.

C Sqn Fitters Deploy to BATUS! In August, 14 members of KRH LAD deployed as part of a Royal Welsh Battlegroup for Exercise

Prairie Storm 3. It was our job to support the Armoured Sqn throughout the 36 day deployment

onto the area.

The two weeks leading up to D Day would prove to be a baptism of fire as the fitter section worked

tirelessly to get the 18 tanks to a standard where they could roll out of the gate. This proved to be

just too much for one member of the section who sadly had to catch an AEROMED flight back to

the UK.

D-day started, as any of us would have expected, with the CRARRV breaking down 400 metres

after rolling off the HET. Job one was quickly followed by jobs two to seven as the fleet of

Challengers struggled to cope with the demands of the prairie. Despite almost missing D-day, the

rest of the fitter section finally arrived bringing with them our last job of the day, a destroyed wheel

station on Sgt Grew’s warrior. First parade checks anyone?

D-day proved to be a good taster of the remaining 36 days left on the area. Or 25 days if you are

our CRARRV commander who managed to trip over a camouflage net on D+2 putting a sizeable

hole in his foot. Upon further investigation it was found that “two day Tino” had previous form as he

was also a CASEVAC’d on his last deployment onto the area. Rumour has it he tripped over Cpl

Dyde’s admin which was all over every fitter section vehicle.

All in all, the deployment to BATUS was hard work but rewarding! We’re now looking forward to

our next deployment to BATUS in 2014!

OPFOR Deployment on Exercise PS 3

The bulk of the LAD deployed at the same time as C Squadron on Exercise PRAIRIE STORM 3 as

OPFOR. This is the opposing force that plays enemy for the battle group that is undergoing their

training.

After finally getting everyone out to BATUS and taking over the fleet – the crews and tradesman

set about ensuring that the vehicles were in the best possible start prior to deployment onto the

training area. The exercise came in two sections, a training period and then the main force on

force phase. As soon as we deployed onto the training period – the work storm started! We spend

a number of sleepless nights replacing fan belts on CVR(T), conducting gearbox realignments and

Bulldog pack lifts! The force on force phase was a little less fast paced in terms of vehicle repairs

we still had a number of broken vehicles in the maintenance area each day! We worked

throughout most nights to clear the backlog ready for the next mission in the morning!

24

C Squadron CRARRVs in the sunset!

Doing it the REME way

25

An additional task that the LAD undertook was the recovery of a number of vehicles. Through

various driving calamities, there were many vehicles that needed righting; including numerous

rolled Pinz and also a Landover that flipped onto its roof

.

“He’s only gone and rolled the rover over in the clover, over! That stone(aka ‘the rock of Gibraltar)

had been in that hole for millennia”

Just like C Sqn fitter section said, this was a rewarding deployment but extremely hard work! If

anyone is reading this that has any influence on our manning levels – can we have some more

tradesman please?!

KRH LAD ROG While the rest of the LAD were off to sunny BATUS, a lucky selection of 6 x tradesman were left

behind to maintain a vehicle fleet of about 130 vehicles ranging from Challenger tanks down to the

lowly Light Field Generators. Having only a few boys actually trained on tanks, it was very difficult

to keep them up to the standard required, however being REME tradesmen we overcame this

problem and all mucked in on every vehicle to keep the Bde availability to above 80% every week.

However it was not just all work. During the last 2 weeks of September, the ROG fitter section

enjoyed a well earned break while the Royal Wessex Yeomanry came in and borrowed our

vehicles for their CT1 training. This was an invitation to enjoy a well earned break and celebrate

Oktoberfest with the rest of the KRH ROG. The day after there was a trip organised to go to

ThorpePark and after the night before there was a lot of very ill people on the rides. As the ROG

period came towards the end more personnel were posted in and we all enjoyed a Halloween

themed night to bring the ROG period to its conclusion. It was hard work but in the end we all

actually enjoyed the fact we got to work a various array of vehicles.

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SPS Detachment (Clerks in old money)Capt Nigel Hinton & Capt Les Lester

Since our last instalment in the Newsletter the AGC Detachment has,

along with everyone else been extremely busy. Sgt Scott Doyle was

given the responsibility of organising a Regimental dinner night for the

SPS members of 12 Bde with guests of the Branch Brigadier and Branch

RSM. The Regiment kindly allowed the function to take place in the WO

and Sgt’s Mess and WO1 (RSM) Barrow and WO2 (SSM) Ruddick attended to add a bit of cavalry

flair.

Left, coming to a stationery cupboard near you,

‘Combat Clerkery’, four KRH SPS Specialists, 2nd

from left Pte Mackintosh, SSgt Harney, Capt Rob

Lester and Cpl Dalton.

Canada was our next stop, with a number of

people “popping” their BATUS cherry. In addition

to running the admin office Cpl Taylor and Pte

Sudesh Gurung made it on to the prairie. Pte

Gurung helped in destroying some of the Battle

Groups tanks and was rewarded with a flight in a Huey along with the CO.

Life continued in the UK and LCpl TejendraSherchan and Pte D Gurung had the sad task of

assisting at the funeral of an SPS colleague, a duty they performed with dignity and respect. Cpl

Dalton and LCpl Layiwola Kannike had a trip to Sandhurst, giving them chance to talk to cadets at

the RMAS about life in the SPS. Cpl Knott assisted in the Late Entry Commissioning Assessment

Board for the SPS which seems to have put her off from attending for life.

Sgt Duxbury, KRH, very kindly provided

some training In the PGTE, giving the

Detachment a taste of life in the cavalry. The

RAWO, WO2 Jane Cowell turned out to be a

star and passed every shoot with flying

colours, a possible tank commander of the

future perhaps?

Ready....Get Set.........WRITE!!!

A number of people have come on gone his

year and we have said goodbye to Cpl

LiniSavu and LCpl Kannike, both going back

to civilian life. Cpl Taylor off to Germany and

Op HERRICK 20 and Cpl Dalton back up north to Catterick. Capt (now Maj) Andy Harvey has

moved onto ICSC(L) priorto a staff job in Andover and Capt Lester is going off to be an RAO. We

welcomed Capt Nige Hinton the new RAO, Cpl Knott, Pte S. Gurung, LCpl Sherchan and Pte

Annor into the Detachment.

We also send our best wishes to Sgt Carole Patterson, Cpl Leanne Neal and LCpl Natasha Petrie,

all having their first babies and start the journey of motherhood. We now look forward to the

challenges and demands that await us in 2014.

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The Regimental Aid Post (Captain Dave Hindmarsh KRH RMO)

Phew, it has been non-stop at the RAP. With the KRH going off to

Canada and running up and down hills in Cambrian Patrol it is up to the

RAP to ensure that med-cover is not too far behind!

So we are just dusting ourselves from PS3 and thankfully the RAP

wasn’t swamped with too many casualties. LCpl Francis joined C Sqn

playing the good guys whilst the remainder of the RAP donned C95 and sought to cause chaos as

COEFOR. This year did a number of RTCs on the area where the BFAs where called into action.

The RAPs thanks has to go out to Tpr Rider, who was often found behind the wheel of BFA 1 and

Tpr Share who managed to drive the Doc whilst he attempted to navigate.

Above left, the RAP in BATUS and right ‘Abandon hope all ye who Entr”?????

But the RAP didn’t find itself too far from the scene as the Doc found himself in the back of one of

the vehicles that flipped! Much to the delight of the RAP and the rest of the regiment (once they

realised he was ok….). His efforts weren’t in vain thought as he managed to win the ‘Laugh-out-

loud’ moment of the exercise. Did anyone say spinal board?

It was no rest for the wicked as when we got back from BATUS and provided specific medical

teaching about CBRN in the now bi-annual ‘Toxic Hawk’, thankfully the antibiotics having to be

taken in full kit were only Smarties and nothing too toxic.

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Previous page Left, Cpl Rachael Smith administers the half Nelson and right, all aboard the ‘Spinal

Board’, L – R, Pte Brinkworth, Cpl Smith, Maj Nicholson (2RW), Capt Greenfield (2RW), Cpl Harris.

On the board is our very own RMO Capt Dave Hindmarsh.

Sport is looming large in the regiment and army wide. LCpl Kavanagh was thanked for providing

medical cover for the Army Judo Championships. Cpl Smith joined Capt Hindmarsh ringside for the

KRH Regimental Boxing in the Brocklehurst trophy. A fantastic night was had by and showing the

courage of key members in the regiment. With many thanks going to Cpl Daffern and LCpl

Kavanagh for providing backstage medical cover along side the paramedics. Doc also managed to

make his rugby playing debut and managed to score a try whilst announcing ‘I just downgraded

that ball!’, sad, but painfully true.

It is with great sadness that we see Maj Hicks (off to Pirbright) and Cpl Harris (now Sgt Harris with

19 RA) move on – please keep in touch!

Catering Troop (SSgt Angus Campbell)

The Catering Department have been busy since the last edition of the

newsletter with the deployment to BATUS for more than half of the

department for a 3 month period.

September saw the departure of Sgt Smith and the welcome of Sgt

Pieterse and Pte Eggerton. Cpl Bowen competed in Exercise Joint

Caterer where he achieved Silver Medal for the Ethnic Buffet and a Bronze Medal in the Open

Field Challenge with SSgt Campbell as Team Manager for The 3(UK) Div Team. Cpl Dewberry

completed several functions for the Commander Land Forces at his residence whilst he was

hosting dignitaries from the Indian and French Armies.

In October the Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess hosted the Central Southern Reunion Dinner

which was catered for by the ROG chefs. Towards the end of the month the chefs returned from

BATUS and were straight back into the thick of things with Balaklava day celebrations and the

Welfare Halloween party. On the 30 October, the catering department ably assisted 6 CS Bn

REME and all other units that dine in the Super Diner as they hosted the Medals and Families day

for 6 CS Bn REME. All units dined in the Aliwal JRDC which increased the numbers to 700, two

and a half times that of our normal feeding strength.

November started with Sgt Adam and

Cpl Bowen deploying to Inverness for

Ex CULLODEN HAWK which was a

resounding success and all

attendees had a busy week

incorporating two dinner nights. On

return from Inverness Cpl Bowen has

been posted to 22 ENGR Regiment

after serving 3 ½ Years with the KRH.

Looking ahead, the department has

Ramnugger in the Sgts Mess, the

Brocklehurst Trophy, the Wives Club

Christmas function, Officers Mess

Ladies Dinner Night, The Families

29

Christmas Lunch, The Junior Ranks Christmas Dinner and finally, The WOs& Sgts Mess to the

Officers Mess function to cater for before a well deserved break for Christmas Leave.

Gentlemen, the Padre, (Padre Gary Scott)

I am not entirely sure that being known as a tobacco dealer is quite

proper for a padre but my abiding memory of our trip to BATUS was

sitting outside my tent on the Prairie late in the evening when a shadowy

figure sidled up and asked ‘Padre, are you the Cherry Picker Shag

Bloke?’ I don’t have much experience of drug dealers (actually none at

all) but I imagine this is how a lot of dodgy deals are done. Either way, the Regimental tobacco was

a roaring success and two extra batches had to be dispatched while we were away (Mostly going

to Sgt Pople who I suspect was selling it on to C Sqn at a vast profit). On several occasions as I

strolled up and down the lines of vehicles in the Hides with the ‘Padre’s sweety bag’ I would smell

the distinct waft of black cherry as someone lit up behind their tank. I was always slightly uneasy

when one of numerous prairie fires started that inevitably the KRH had been in the area not long

before. Since we have come home most of the ‘KRH Puffers’ have hung up their pipes which is

probably a good thing but for a few months the Regimental tobacco provided a talking point and a

bit of fun. There is already discussion of a new improved mix for Canada next year. Watch this

space!

This morning I picked up the hymn sheets for the Christmas carol service and have been getting

organised for the Festive season. I usually look forward to this but have to confess a bit more

anxiety that normal this year. I am hoping that some of the KRH Wives and Girlfriends will come to

the service and form a scratch choir to sing a few carols. Having spoken to Holly Kingsford about

this I have somehow been persuaded to go to the WAGS party for a Christmas sing-song by way

of a practice. Since agreeing to this the Welfare team has taken great delight in telling me some of

the things that have happened at the party in the past and I am now distinctly nervous. There is a

chap in the bible called Daniel who was thrown into a den of lions and I am beginning to

understand how he must have felt.

I go into some of the local Primary Schools to take assemblies from

time to time and have been asked to go in next week and talk to the

children about Santa Claus. The original St Nickolas was in fact a 4th

century Bishop from Turkey (there must be a joke in there somewhere).

We don’t know much about him other than that he took his job very

seriously. He cared for his people and had a reputation for being

concerned about what happened to children. He was generous to the

poor, gave to the needy and all in all was a good bloke. Its worth

remembering over the next few weeks that the fat man in a beard and

red costume at the garden centre isn’t just there to get us to spend

more than we need to on stuff we don’t actually want. He actually

represents a man who lived in the spirit of the baby, born in a manger,

who came to care for this world and to love everyone in it.

I hope you have a happy and blessed Christmas. Enjoy the madness, celebrate the people and

have a great time. And in the spirit of St Nick see if you can make it great for someone else at the

same time.

All blessings

The Padre

30

Some views from our recent trip to BATUS

Above left, COEFOR deploys at daybreak and right, training on RPG’s.

Above, left COEFOR in regimental leaguer and BGHQ basks in the sun.

Above left, the 2ic, Maj. Jules Smith dreams of being CO, and right, modern soldier goes to war.

31

32

33

Ex CULLODEN HAWK – Conceptual study week, 4-9 Nov 13

Unable to resist the temptation of the opportunity to influence the Regiment’s forecast of events,

personnel on Extra Regimental Duty formed a plan to include Warrant Officers on the KRH 2013

conceptual study/ team building week for the first time. Originally it was assumed that this was a

goodwill gesture to include the future Late Entry officers of the Regiment but it soon became

evident that their inclusion was principally to drive the 62mph-limited minibuses from Tidworth to

Inverness as well as provide the photographer and scribe for the event too… rant over!

Following an emotional (up to 11-hour) drive, the first planned activity was a presentation from

Capt Alec Rose (SCOTS) to provide the background to the Battle of Culloden. This was very

informative and among several advertisements to his presence in a recent BBC documentary (I’m

sure his mother is very proud!), provided some nuggets of information, such as ‘a Manchester

Regiment was formed to support the Jacobite Army, which was ultimately defeated in the Battle of

Culloden by what became the British Army!’

Brief over, it was then time for a Regimental Dinner for which Sgt Adam (and his team) provided

fantastic food and one or two G’n’Ts/bottles of wine were drunk. The Warrant Officers also applied

their twist to the ‘Crimson Black Tie’ dress code by sporting tartan bow-ties and ‘Jimmy Hats’; they

were obviously trendsetters as even the Commanding Officer decided to get in on the act!

Left, Lt Col McKingsford sporting the ‘Jimmy

Hat’ and right, Inverness’s carefully coordinated

fireworks!

The next morning brought a short journey to the

nearby site of the Battle of Culloden. Luckily

the weather was a far cry from that of a typical

November day in Scotland and a morning in the

sunshine and fresh air accompanied the

battlefield tour; while also clearing a few

slightly-jaded heads. The tour was extremely

comprehensive and lasted longer than the battle itself (which was less than an hour) and

culminated in a visit to the recently rejuvenated visitor centre to warm up for lunch. A tour of the

historic Fort George, the Highlanders’ Regimental museum and the ‘best firework display in

Scotland’ rounded off the activities for the day.

Wednesday saw a series of Squadron led briefs, which formed the heart of the conceptual study

phase. An appreciation of the role of armour throughout history was provided, using examples of

the Boer War, WW1 and the Ardennes; culminating with the lessons learned from C Squadron

during the recent Exercise PRAIRIE STORM 3. Following a day in lectures, there was nothing left

to do but visit the BenRaichwhiskey distillery. Following the educational tour of the distillery, the

obligatory tasting took place of ten different whiskies, in which most made insightful comments

such as “an aggressively fruity taste” and “whisky tastes like sh*t!”

34

Above left, the Adjutant, Tom Gibbs enjoying the “aggressively fruity taste” and Right, the QM(T)

Mark Witham with his clone the RQMS(T). Tweedy Dumb and Tweedy Dumber!!

Thursday began with congratulations for RSM Barrow and ASMOatley on their selection for Late

Entry commission before the field sports commenced. Each group spent a day undertaking fly-

fishing, deer stalking or pheasant shooting with the key lesson learnt being that if the Commanding

Officer says he hit the target, do not argue. Unfortunately for the remainder of his group they didn't

shoot a thing, whereas the CO shot 7 pheasants, 5 grouse and 9 ducks; at least he shared his

spoils and Sgt Adam again proved his worth by butchering and preparing the duck for eating the

next night. The last activity for Thursday was a cultural visit to Scottish Opera’s production of Don

Giovanni , which proved to be a new experience for all; particularly enjoyable for the 2IC, Major

Smith, who could be heard joining in to the arias from the comfort of his private box!

The final day saw the rotation of field sports continue with the ASM proving his worth with his ‘2

shots, 2 kills’ before gaining the full experience of preparing a Hind halfway up a Munro. The final

event was the ‘Last Supper’, hosted by the Warrant Officers. A typical Scottish menu was devised

consisting of deep fried Camembert with freshly-shot duck, battered fish and chips (wrapped in

newspaper) and deep-fried Mars bars; a fun end to an enjoyable week.

35

The ASM ‘up to his nuts in guts!’

Many thanks go to Major Wil Hodgkinsonfor arranging a first-class week full of experiences never

before undertaken by the scribe.

The Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants Mess

Sat November 23rd was, as ever, the evening that the SNCOs commemorated the

Battle of Ramnuggur. This year was the 165th Anniversary of the Battle and as such

the mess pulled out all the stops to put on a night to remember.

Mr Durrant and his team had spent weeks putting the event together and had made the mess and

the adjoining marquee look superb. The night started with all the mess members and invited

guests listening to the RSM and others “tell the tale” of the actions that took place on that day. The

heroics of our predecessors and, dare I say it “the incompetency of some of our former officers”.

36

The RSM tells the tale of the Heroes of Ramnuggur

No battle honour was ever awarded for Ramnuggur; but the 5th Bengal Light Cavalry presented the

14th a magnificent silver cup. We use this on the anniversary of the battle to toast “the Heroes of

Ramnuggur”. The junior Sgt of the mess then raises the cup, toasts and what he doesn’t finish; he

uses to remove the dust and fluff from his uniform:

On completion of the formal commemorations; our ladies joined us from the Officers’ Mess where

Mr Dave Bayne had been hosting and looking after them for us. As always all the ladies looked

stunning. All the hairdressers nail artists and spray tanners in the whole of Wiltshire must have

been fully booked for weeks previously. We were treated to some military music from the band of

The Light Cavalry and then some exotic moves from a troop of belly dancers; arranged I might add

37

by a very excited Sgt Hudson; although his fiancé Sam was rather less enthusiastic about the

whole, semi-clad, hot female, belly dancer thing.

Sgt Paul Mulcahy “Mr Vice” wastes some perfectly good champagne.

The food as always was excellent with themes from around the world. The highlight has to be a 3

foot tall chocolate fondant in the shape of he KRH Hawk and low point was most defiantly the

sheep eyes given to the RSM and fellow Sergeant Majors in shock glass with chilli vodka. The

dance floor was packed from start to finish and I think it is fare comment to say unlike fine wine;

dance moves do not improve with age. The night drew to a close following a champagne breakfast

at 3 a.m. The final stragglers, as ever were Mrs’ Barrow and Ashton but they were eventually

persuaded to get on the transport and were asleep within minutes.

38

A great big thank you goes to all who attended and helped to make such a memorable night.

Here’s looking forward to the 166th commemoration of the Battle of Ramnuggur in November 2014.

GJB

Hello all!!! We have a new and revamped wives committee that is available to all of our readers

should they wish to put a suggestion to the Welfare Office but don’t feel that you want to do it in

person. The committee is representative across the rank structure so that the regiment is

represented proportionally and so that everyone can find someone that they feel comfortable

talking too. The current members are:

Holly Kingsford 07798 640514

Ollie Smith 07790 902314

Karen Smith

Lisa Kennedy 07739 975508

Lisa Hay 07754 298233

Zoe Sumner 07854 708510

Michelle Hume 07825 774018

Donna Thomson 07414 074940

Natalie Parker 07986 552945

We at the Welfare Office would like to thank all of our families who have supported throughout the

year with all the events and parties that we have laid on. In particular we are grateful for the

attendance and enthusiasm of all of you at the Halloween Party, the WAG’s Christmas Party and of

course the Children’s Christmas Party, all of which were amazing successes. Finally we bid

farewell to Capt Wayne Price who has been the Welfare Officer for the last three years. Wayne is

now off to be the MTO. In his place we welcome Gary (Wheelie) Barrow and hope that he has

more hair on his head when he finishes his term as the Welfare Officer than Wayne does.

RUMOUR CONTROL

39

Bouncy Castle, outdoor, for the

bouncing of.

Bouncy Castles

Both Bouncy Castles are available for hire for £50 a day (£20 of which is a refundable deposit).

The Regiment will not be held responsible for any injuries to children that use these facilities, the

responsibility lies with the parents in all cases. To hire the Bouncy Castles please contact the

Welfare Team to make a booking, or for any other enquiries. Tel: 01980 650722/651159.

D.I.S.C.O

The Disco (including mixer, lights, and speakers) is available for hire for £80 a day. Please contact

the Welfare Team to make a booking, or for any enquiries. Tel: 01980 650722/651159. A great deal

of money has been spent upgrading the disco kit since last Christmas which has enhanced the

whole ensemble enormously. The disco has a special adaptor that will let you play music from your

iPhone, iPod or pad.

Tickets out

The Welfare Office now has tickets to FinkleyDown Farm, Cholderton Charlies and the Hawk

Conservancy. Each ticket will admit two adults and two children free when presented to the

entrance of these establishments. To obtain a ticket please call the Welfare Office and book them,

please be aware that in the summer these tickets are out almost daily so book ahead if you can.

We will charge a fee of £5 per ticket so that we can maintain this incredibly good offer in the years

to come.

Bouncy Castle, Indoor, for the

bouncing of

FOR HIRE FROM THE WELFARE BLOKE

40

41

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42

“ATTACKED BY ENGLISH AT DAWN

CANNOT FULFIL MISSION”

An Account of the Eleventh (PAO) Hussars

And Their Action during the Affair at Néry 1914

Wayne Price

43

Copyright © Wayne Price 2013

Wayne Price has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs

And Patents act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

44

The First World War started properly for the British at 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday the 4th of August 1914

when Germany declared war on Britain and France. Over the preceding days it had become clear

that the Kaiser intended to invade Belgium in a wide hook in order to get to France. Britain had

pledged to defend Belgium’s neutrality from German aggression and so, following Germany’s

declaration, the order to mobilize went out to all British military units around the globe and by

midnight of the 4th, following their own declaration, Great Britain and her Empire was at war.

Above left, Lt Col Thomas Tait Pitman seen later in the war as a Major-General and right,

Brigadier-General Charles James Briggs pictured as a Lieutenant-General

When the war started the Eleventh Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own) (11th Hussars), commanded by

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Tait Pitman, 1were based at Warburg Barracks in Aldershot as part of

the 1st Cavalry Brigade which was in turn commanded by Brigadier-General Charles James Briggs

and, as well as the 11th Hussars also consisted of the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bay’s), the

5th(Princess Charlottes Own) Dragoon Guards and ‘L’ Battery of the Royal Horse Artillery. The

mobilisation plan had been well practiced in the weekspreceding the declaration of war. In fact, as

early as 1911 the British army had instructed its regimental and Battalion commanding officers to

come up with a plan that would mobilise their individual regiments expediently when the order

came and in a manner that would best suit them, as long as full mobilisation was achieved within

the proscribed time (usually around four days from receipt of the order).

1Colonel Tommy Pitman would survive the war as a Brigadier commanding the 4

th Cavalry Bde. During the war he also

served for a time in various staff appointments and was wounded once. Pitman was once described thus, “Pitman was an almost legendary figure in the regiment – bow legged from a lifetime spent onhorseback, as fit as a desert horseman and built more for convenience than beauty”.

45

For the 11th Hussars a pamphlet was prepared, under the

direction of the CO, by the Quartermaster (QM) of the time,

Lieutenant (Lt) Edwin Milson(right) which was called

‘Mobilisation Orders and Notes’. In his book ‘The Eleventh

Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own) 1908 - 1936’, Captain

Laurence Rogers Lumley2 (left), an officer who served in

World War One (WW1) with the 11th Hussars he tells us what this pamphlet was all about:

“In this manual every detail connected with mobilisation was explained, every minute, every hour of

the days of mobilisation were planned out and everyone from Colonel to Private could tell at a

glance what his job was at any particular moment”

When this document was completed it was sent up to Divisional (Div) level for approval and,

although it was never confirmed, it was well believed in 11th Hussars circles that their plan became

the template for all other units, and it was this plan that mobilised the British army when the time

came in August 1914.

The picture above shows the Officers of the 11th Hussars outside the Officers Mess of Warburg

Barracks in Aldershot just before embarking to France in 1914. Most of them were present at the

action at Néry; they are from left to right,

Top Row:

Lt. Richard Lumley (killed in action 17th of October 1914), Lt. the Hon. Sidney (‘Sack’) Pelham

(wounded during the war and discharged, he was awarded a Military Cross (MC).Lt. Lionel

Jefferson (he was sent home ‘sick’ on the 10th of October 1914 re-joining the regiment in August

1915. Lionel finished the war as a Captain and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).Lt.

Dermot (‘Boy’) Kavanagh (was sent home ‘sick’ on the 19th of November 1914 re-joining the

regiment in 1915. He then served as a staff officer (starting the 1st of June 1916) in France and

later Palestine; he ended the war as a Capt).Lt. John Ainsworth (killed in action on the 14th of

2 Lumley had a brother serving with the 11

th Hussars, Richard John Lumley who was killed at La Gheer on the 17

th of

October 1914.

46

October 1914 and was awarded a Mention in Dispatches (MiD).Lt. William Bell-Irving (served

later as an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Major-General Briggs, then was appointed a Brigade-Major in

Palestine, William was MiD four times, wounded in February 1915 and awarded the MC. He was

killed in action on the 29th of November 1917 whilst serving with the 1/4th Battalion the Kings Own

Scottish Borderers during the Battle of Jerusalem). Lt. Frederick (‘Fred’) Drake (Later attached to

the Cavalry arm of the Signals Corps as the Divisional ‘Pigeon Officer’;during the war he was MiD

and ended it as a Major).

Middle Row:

Capt. Wilfred Dale, (he was the Veterinarian Officer for the 11th Hussars throughout the early part

of the war leaving the regiment in December 1914. He finished the war as a Temporary Lt-Col and

was awarded an OBE), Lt. Edward (‘Tapeworm’) Tailby (he was wounded on the 23rd of

November 1914 and then attached to the Yeomanry before re-joining the regiment on the 30th of

August 1915. George ended the war as a Capt). Lt. Charles Norrie (he was wounded four times

during the war was an ADC to Brigadier-General Pitman and later served on the staff. Hewas then

attached to the infantry and finally to the Tank Corps. Norrie was MiD twice, awarded the MC and

bar as well as the DSO; he ended the war as a brevet Colonel).Lt. George Marshall (later served

as a staff officer and ADC to Lt-Gen Allenby who was commanding the Cavalry in the BEF. George

was killed in action by a shell burst on the 4th of November 1914 in the act of carrying a dispatch to

General Haig). Lt. Frederic Arkwright (was sent home ‘sick’ on the 20th of September 1914 and

re-joined the regiment in mid-1915. He later transferred to the RFC and was killed in a flying

accident in Scotland on the 14th of October 1915). Lt. Henry Hudson (he was wounded on the

11th of May 1915 and also served on the staff as the signals officer of the 1st Cavalry Brigade.

Later he served at General Headquarters and finished the war as a Lt Col with an MVO).Lt. James

Bannatyne (was seconded to the Infantry on the 9th of November 1915, he was killed in action on

the 15th of May 1916 whilst he was the second-in-Command of the 23rd Manchester Regiment with

the rank of Major). Lt. the Hon. Charles (‘Chas’) Mulholland Adjutant (he was wounded on the

31st of October 1914 and returned as a staff officer; he was then attached to the 3rd Cyclist Brigade.

During the war he was MiD twice and awarded the DSO and OBE). Lt. the Hon. Luke White (he

was wounded on the 2nd of November 1914 rejoining the regiment on the 13th of June 1915, he

later served as the Intelligence Officer for the 1st Cavalry Bde; Luke finished the war as a Capt).

Lt.A.R. (‘Burglar’) Curtis (he was wounded during the war and also served on the staff. Later in

the war he transferred to the RFC). Capt.M.P. Leahy (was the Medical Officer to the 11th Hussars

and was wounded in the neck and leg on the 25th of August 1914, He volunteered to remain behind

with other wounded 11th Hussars; Leahy was captured the same day and made a prisoner. During

his time in captivity he had to have his leg amputated. He was later repatriated and saw no further

active service. He was replaced as the M.O. on the 8th of September 1914 by Captain Thomas

Moriarty RAMC).

Front Row:

Capt. Michael (‘Toby’) Lakin (left the regiment on the 4th of March 1915 and served as the

adjutant to the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry before transferring in March 1916, first to the 5th Machine

Gun Corps and then later to the heavy branch which became theTank Corps. During the war Lakin

was awarded the DSO and an MC). Lt.(QM) Edwin Milson (he later transferred to the Machine

Gun Corps and was MiD, Edwin finished the war as a Capt (QM). Capt. Arthur Lawson‘A’

Squadron Leader (he later served on the staff of the 6th Infantry Division (from the 10th of August

1915), before taking command of the 2/5th Battalion the Gloucestershire Regiment. Arthur was

killed in action as a Lt-Col, leading his Battalion on the 24th of June 1916 after being awarded the

47

DSO and bar and being MiD twice). Capt. W. Lockett‘C’ Squadron Leader (was wounded twice

during the war firstly on the 10th of September 1914 and then again on the 6th of May 1915; He

later served on the staff of the 18th Corps. Lockett was then attached to the Cavalry arm of the

Machine Gun Corps and finished the war as a temporary Lt-Col, during the course of the war he

was MiD as well as being awarded the DSO). Lt-Col. Thomas Pitman Commanding officer of the

11th Hussars (he was wounded on the 1st of November 1914 and later commanded the 4th Cavalry

Brigade as well as the 2nd Cavalry Division. Pitman ended the war as a Major-General and was

MiD twice and appointed a CB). Maj. Rowland Anderson Second-in-Command (he was wounded

on the 1st of November 1914 and rejoined the regiment on the 26th of March 1915; he later

assumed command of the 11th Hussars. Anderson finished the war as a Lt-Col and was awarded

the DSO and created CMG). Capt. John Halliday ‘B’ Squadron Leader (he was wounded on the

31st of October 1914 when the trench he was occupying was ‘blown in’. He was taken to the

Duchess of Westminster’s Hospital at Le Toquet where he died of his wounds on the 13th of

November 1914). Capt. Francis Sutton (he was sent home as ‘sick’ on the 6th of September 1914

rejoining the regiment on the 20th of May 1915. He was again wounded later during the war and

finished it as an acting Major with an MC). Capt. Robert Stewart-Richardson (he served

throughout the war with the 11th Hussars and ended it as a Major after being MiD twice and

awarded an MC). Capt. Richard Baggallay (he served later in the war as a staff officer and then

commanded the 1st Battalion the Irish Guards. Richard ended the war as a Lt-Col with a DSO and

a MC3).

As the tension rose around the world in the early summer of 1914 and especially following the

assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie by Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo, so did

the urgency to practice mobilising at short notice. The 11th Hussars along with many other cavalry

regiments attended a demonstration at Southampton where they watched a fully mobilised

regiment (Cavalry) get loaded onto a boat, carefully noting the difficulties and noting how long

things took and what could be improved. The following week the 11th Hussars conducted their own

practice mobilisation over a full week with good results; should the order come all ranks felt

confident that they were ready.

They did not have to wait long. After those shots rang out in Sarajevo on the 28th of June 1914

events began to move at an alarming pace which would plunge the world into a war of hitherto

unseen proportions. One month later on the 29th of July tensions had increased further between

Germany and the allied countries of France, Britain and Russia to a point where the British

Government ordered all Officers and soldiers on leave to return to their units immediately. Capt

Lumley again:

“Several days of suspense then followed. They were impatient days for those who

were gathered at Aldershot. Germany seemed bent on making war, and France and

Russia, faced with impossible ultimatums, looked anxiously to Great Britain. To

many soldiers we seemed honour bound to help them. But the British Government

hesitated to go to their aid. They were unwilling to commit the Country to war on

3 Richard Baggallay played an unfortunate part in the execution, or at least the convicting of, Private Benjamin

O’Connell which led to his being shot for desertion. As his commanding officer Baggallay wrote a character reference for O’Connell which was read out at his trial, it said: “Private O’Connell was only with the Battalion for 3 weeks and it would therefore be impossible to give an indication of his character in or out of the line. He [Baggallay] does however state that in his opinion the desertion was deliberate, that the maximum penalty should be enforced, that the example to others would be beneficial and that Private O’Connell was useless to the battalion or to the British Army”. Twenty-three year old Benjamin O’Connell of Tinnarath, Foulksmills, in Co. Wexford was executed on the 8

th of August 1918.

He left behind his father James and his mother Mary.

48

account of a Serbian quarrel. For some days therefore, mobilisation was delayed. These days

were not wasted. Every preparation was made which would help make mobilisation swift and

smooth, if it should come”.

For the 11th Hussars these plans included receiving drafts of reservists and more

horses to bring the regiment up to its wartime strength. In a speech made to the

Royal Artillery Association in 1967, Lieutenant General - the Lord Norrie

G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., C.B., D.S.O., M.C.,(pictured left in 1914 just before the

regiment deployed) an officer serving as a Troop Leader with the 11th Hussars

when it went to war and a man we shall hear much more of later said of the

mobilisation:

“Our mobilization plans had been most carefully worked out and practised and everything worked

smoothly. One of our officers was on his honeymoon (Squeak Sutton4), we had a polo team at

Cowdray, and others were away at Goodwood Races, but they were all back within hours.On

the 5th day, our Regiment's Reservists arrived from Dublin full of enthusiasm. It is hard to.

believe, but quite true, 120,000 horses were collected for the Army in 12 days.We in the 11th

Hussars got some very good hunt horses from the FernieandPytchley, but they had not been

up very long off grass”.

Despite the fact that the British Government may have been reluctant to become involved in a

dispute that was as far away as the Balkans, when that trouble began to migrate westwards and

almost to their front door they were forced to draw a reluctant line in the sand; this line was to be

Belgium. It had been quite clear for some time that the relatively new country of Germany, which

had been formed by uniting the various kingdoms and states that had previously existed within

Germany’s borders, was keen to be the big player within Europe. Under the Kaiser, his father and

the great Otto von Bismarck, Germany had embarked on programmes of industrial, economic and

military expansion and, as would be expected from the German race they were soon up to a level

and in some cases, far advanced than the rest of Europe in terms of wealth, military and general

growth. The established European elite of Great Britain, France and Russia were extremely

worried that this new Germany would threaten their Empires and borders; they were right to be

worried because Germany, like a teenager coming of age, had looked around and wondered why

they should not have an Empire too.

Indeed Bismarck,5(1815 – 1898), the great ‘Iron Duke’ who, by 1871 had successfully unified most

Germanic states was initially against colonialism believing that the German way of doing things

would not work well in the ‘Lazy Tropic’s’ and anyway colonies were not cost effective to the

mother country, tending to take more than they give. All this was to change though in a remarkable

volte-face which surprised the rest of the world when, between 1883 – 1884, perhaps due to the

German public’s perception that to have colonies was a mark of high status in the world, Bismarck

became entangled in the ‘scramble for Africa’. Germany quickly acquired colonies such as Tongo

(Togoland), Cameroon (Kamerun), Rwanda& Burundi (German East Africa)and most of Tanzania

and Namibia (German West Africa). He also spread Germany’s interests in the Pacific as well as

other regions.

4 Francis Henry Sutton married Aileen Gosling at Eaton Square on the 21

st of July 1914. He would survive the war as a

Major with a Military Cross. He arrived in France two days after the remainder of the 11th Hussars perhaps to allow him a little more time with his wife. 5 Bismarck’s whole name was Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg.

49

France in particular was worried about this German land grab, equally as much as it was worried

about the expansion of Germany’s military; the humiliating Franco-Prussian war, in which the

French were utterly defeated in a matter of weeks, was still very recent and very bitter history for

the French. They looked to Great Britain to find support in the West and, knowing that it was every

Germans fear to fight a war on two fronts, they also ‘cosied’ up to Tsar Nicholas II and Russia in

the East. In these final decades before the war treaties across Europe were signed or existing

ones reaffirmed between all countries as the batting order was established and who would be on

whose side should a war become inevitable. Other smaller nations, wedged between the big-boys

such as Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, perhaps feeling like the little brothers in all

this, desperately sought to remain neutral through agreements with Great Britain and France

hoping that these nations would guarantee their neutrality. In fact there had been an agreement

between Britain and Belgium ever since the London Treaty of 1839 when Britain, amongst other

European nations, had agreed to recognise the Independence and neutrality of Belgium as well as

the German speaking part of Luxembourg. It was taken as read that on signing this treaty it

implied, implicitly, that Britain would defend this neutrality by force if it was threatened. The trouble

of course with guaranteeing Belgium’s neutrality was that the German plan to invade France,

known as the Schlieffen Plan after its designer6, called for a huge right flanking assault into France

through the Low Countries.

When Kaiser Wilhelm II had become the ruler of Germany in 1888 Germany, through the Kaisers

foreign policies, began to drift further and further from the mainstream countries of Britain, France

and Russia as they sought to expand its influences abroad. Within Germany itself the population

began to fear that at some point in the future they may have to fight a war on two fronts, that of

France and Russia, so to plan for such an eventuality, and driven on by the ‘Entente Cordiale’

which was signed by France and Britain in 1904, the Kaiser ordered von Schlieffen to make a plan

which would enable Germany to fight a war under such conditions.

The plan was, by its very nature, a complicated one which in very simple terms depended of the

Germans being able to mobilise quickly enough to defeat the French in the West (42 days was

estimated to be sufficient) before the Russians, (who were judged to take much longer to organise)

could mobilise and attack in East Prussia7. The plan also demanded that the neutrality of nations

such as Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg would be totally ignored and the German

armies would swing through them in a huge ‘right hook’ with, as the plan called for, ‘letting the last

man on the right brush the channel with his sleeve’. At the same time that this vast manoeuvre was

taking place the Germans would also present a huge defensive block in the Lorraine, Vosges and

Moselle regions to either prevent a French thrust into Germany itself or, to crush the retreating

French forces upon as they withdrew from the ‘right hook’; if both aims could be achieved so much

the better. Initially it was to be the Netherlands that German forces would pour through to get at

France, but this was changed to Belgium when Helmuth von Moltke amended the plan in 1906.

The Kaiser and Germany as a whole could not believe that Britain would actually commit itself to

war over Belgium and wrongly calculated what Britain’s response would be in the event that the

Germans invaded; in fact, they also totally underestimated the fight that the Belgians would put up

in defence of their nation and were wrong in their estimation of how long it would take for Russia to

mobilise.

6 The plan was devised in 1904 (following the entente cordial) by Count Alfred von Schlieffen and relied on the

assumptions that one nation, Russia, would take a long time to mobilise and a further three nations, Britain included, would be ambivalent at best in their desire for war. 7In the event the Russians surprised everyone, and probably not least themselves, when they mobilised inside six

weeks. This forced the Germans to pull more men from the attack in the west. Every little helps.

50

On the 28th of July, following a series of demands by Austro-Hungary to the Serbs, and the failure

of Serbia to comply with them all, despite their best efforts to avoid being attacked, the Austro-

Hungarian Empire declared war; The Russians immediately ordered a partial mobilisation in

defence of their Serbian allies, the game was afoot. On the 29th of July, using the pretext of

Russia’s mobilisation, Germany declared war on Russia and the following day ordered a full

mobilisation which was followed in kind by France on the 2nd of August. By the 3rd of August 1914

it became abundantly clear that Germany was about to put the (modified 1906) Schlieffen plan into

action and, in anticipation of this Britain issued an ultimatum to Germany that they would stand by

their obligations to Belgium. No one in Germany was at all convinced that Britain would actually go

to war;after all, of all the countries in Europe didn’t England and Germany have the most in

common? They were of course wrong. The next day, that fateful 4th of August, Germany flexed

her might and declared war on France, at the same time they enacted the Schlieffen Plan violating

Belgian borders; Britain’s ultimatum remained unanswered and consequently she instructed her

ambassador in Germany, Edward Goschen, to inform the German Chancellor, Theobald von

Bethmann-Hollweg that their two nations were now at war. The German Chancellor famously

replied “The Britons would go to war over a mere scrap of paper?” Russia and France reciprocated

and together they too declared war on Germany, at last the British mobilisation order went out.

For the 11th Hussars there were a number of tasks that had to be completed

before the regiment was ready for war. We have already seen that one of them

was the receiving of the men and horses that were required to bring the regiment

up to its proper war strength. Captain Lumley tells us what was expected of a

reservist when he had been mobilised:

51

“On mobilisation all reservists were required to report to their depots. Those of the Eleventh

Hussars therefore assembled in Dublin. Captain F. G. A. Arkwright[pictured above with his entry in

De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour]was sent over from Aldershot, on the 5th of August, to select and bring

back the number required to bring the regiment up to strength; he returned three days later with

one hundred and twenty men. These reservists, as soon as they arrived in Aldershot were put

through as much training as was possible in the time available. They all received some instruction

in riding school, sword drill and rifle or machine gun training, and in a remarkably short time the

soft spots were hardened and any cobwebs, which had grown up in civilian life were cleared away.

The reservists had responded to the call punctually and with enthusiasm, and the speed with which

they regained their old efficiency was something of an eye opener to their instructors”.

As well as this training, each soldier, whether reservist or regular, also needed inoculating

(although not compulsory) against diseases like enteric fever which had been as big a killer of men

as the enemy in previous wars. This was done at the same time equipment was being issued as

well as withdrawn, such as each man’s full ceremonial equipment.

The collection and delivery of the horses was not quite as quick as the allocation of reservists was,

but for good reason. In preparation for this war and a little while before it started a national census

was held gathering together information on all the horses that existed in Britain and grading them

as to their availability and usefulness to the war effort. Legislation was also passed which enabled

the military to requisition these horses in time of war, the individual losing the beast would be

compensated in some way. In this way, and as General Norrie has already told us 120,000 horses

were collected within 12 days of the mobilisation order going out.

Captain Robert Stewart-Richardson8(pictured left) as the purchasing

officer for the 11th Hussars, was detailed to go to the remount depot in

Aldershot and select the horses required by the regiment to bring them

up to strength. Some of these horses had already been strictlyallocated

for the 11th Hussars, such as the eight hunters which were sent by

Colonel Pitman’s brother (all of who survived the war), and a number of

other horses which were donated to the 11th Hussars by the Master of

the Meynell Hunt. A large amount of the other horses however were not

at their peak of physical fitness and would find the going hard until they

either perished or acclimatised to their new role.

Very quickly, the four British Infantry Divisions(Div’s) and the one Cav Div that had been

earmarked to be the spearhead of British Expeditionary Force (and would become the famous

‘OldContemptables’) were mobilised and placed under the command of Field Marshall Sir John

French who was himself a Cavalryman. The 1st Cav Bde (of which the 11th Hussars were part)

was grouped with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Cav Bde’s to form the 1st Cav Div and was commanded by

Major-General Edmund Henry HynmanAllenby.By August the 11th mobilisation was complete and

the BEF was ready to embark for the war and whatever it might bring, orders had been previously

received that embarkation for France was to begin on the 9th of August, just 5 days after the

declaration of war. The 11th Hussars War Diary entry for the 15th of August details their

movements from Aldershot to France when they had received their orders to go.

8 Robert Montagu Stewart-Richardson would survive the war with a Military Cross and Bar. He was born in 1886 at

Easthampstead in Berkshire and died in 1949 at Miami Beach U.S.A.

52

“Regiment left Farnbro in four trains at one hour intervals in the following order:-

HdQtrs + MG Section, C, A, B. 1st train arrived Southampton 11.30 a.m. HdQtrs,

M.G. Section & C Sqdn left in the CESTRIAN at 5 a.m. on 16.8.14. B Sqdn on the

MUNIFIENCE and A Sqdn on the BASIL. The 5th D. Gds also on the

CESTRIANarrived HAVRE 4 p.m. 16.8.14. Rested on the night 16th – 17th with 1st

Cavalry Brigade at HANGER DES CONTONS”.

In ‘Accepted as Dead for Official Purposes’ the story of Patrick Fowler, a man who was to spend

the whole war hiding behind German Lines I described the crossing that the 11th Hussars made on

their way to war:

“On arrival at Southampton there was a steady downpour of rain which was made all the more

harder to bear because the ship in which the 11th Hussars were to embark, the CESTRIAN, a

Liverpool registered Cattle Boat was not ready, an ant-like team of Carpenters and Welders were

feverishly working on The CESTRIAN in order to make her ready as soon as possible. Patrick and

the rest sheltered for the day in a large shed until the ship was ready and then when the order to

embark came it was found that there was only space for the Headquarters (HQ) element of the

11th Hussars and C Squadron; the rest of the space was taken up by the 5th Dragoon Guards. B

Squadron and A Squadron were forced to sail on separate boats. It has been recorded that the

men on board the CESTRIAN had to endure especially cramped conditions during the short

voyage but the Officers managed to have their own berths, as did the 40 or so Nursing Sisters who

also sailed!!”

By late August, despite having only been at war for two weeks, the 11th Hussars had advanced

almost as far as the Belgian town of Mons but was now, along with the rest of the BEF being

pushed back by a rapidly advancing German army who seemed to be unstoppable. It seems

incredible but apart from a few enemy planes overhead and some prisoners of war the men of the

11th Hussars had yet to meet any German troops in anger. The War Diary entry for the 21st of

August, states:

“Marched at 6.30 a.m. via GRANDRIG. Sent out officers patrol under Lt Pelham to

MONS, received information that 7000 Germans marching on MONS. Regiment in

reserve. Remained for 4 hours S of HAVRE sitting in billets at

VILLIERSStCHISLAIN. A Sqdn to keep touch with 2nd Bde near MONS. Spent most

of night entrenching”

On the 22nd of August the commander of the BEF, Sir John French ordered the BEF to advance

towards the Belgian border with the intention of placing a defensive line along the road which led

from Charleroi to Mons; the British had the French on their right flank and the coast on their left.

Whilst the Infantry were advancing on a fairly broad front the Cavalry, 11th Hussars included, were

providing a screen in front of them. It was not long before the Germans upset this plan by

threatening the British left and occupying Charleroi before the British could.

Mons was the centre axis for the Germans who, having implemented the Schlieffen Plan were now

executing a wide sweep from their German border up through Belgium with the aims of outflanking

the Anglo-French armies as well as to capture Rotterdam and the channel ports of Oostende,

Calais and Dunkirk.

53

Above, British Infantry forming up just prior to the advance into Belgium

Their confidence was sky high and so it should have been, the German army was an incredibly

formidable force with large amounts of artillery at their disposal as well as a well-trained infantry

corps that could be reinforced by the typically Germanic efficiently sound reserve system very

quickly. Apart from a few minor clashes the wider British army had yet to meet the Germans in a

large scale engagement, Mons was to be the first time.

When the German’s struck at Mons on the 23rd of August they struck hard, the British had only had

time to make the most rudimentary defences but despite this they fought like lions, with the

German Army experiencing its first taste of the ‘mad minute’ where each British soldier fired 30

rounds of .303 Ball as quickly as possible. Being on the dangerous end of the ‘mad minute’ has

often been likened to being shot at my hundreds of machine guns and whilst it is true that it must

have been terrifying to receive such a weight of fire there are no creditable accounts by any

German to say that it felt like being raked by machine guns; perhaps it was a British invention to

perpetuate a myth.

Despite the valiant and brave efforts that the British Infantry were displaying, the force of German

numbers and the fact that the French were withdrawing on their right meant that their position was

untenable. Sir John French ordered the Infantry to conduct an organised withdrawal whilst ordering

the cavalry to form a protective screen that the Infantry could withdraw through; the 24th of August

was to see the 11th Hussars take their first casualty. The regiment was holding a line along a

railway embankment in the area of Quievrain providing protection for the infantry that was passing

through them. In the early hours of the next day (24th) Lt Frederick Arkwright and some men from A

Sqn were sent out on a patrol as far as the bridge that crossed the canal just a few miles to their

front. In his own Diary Arkwright wrote:

“I am sent for by the General at 12.30 a.m. and told to take six men out and to

discover whether a certain bridge over a canal was held by our own infantry who

had been there in the afternoon, or by the Germans. It was about 4 miles out, and

he wanted the information before daylight, about 3. These patrols are nasty jobs,

all one can do is to get the information with as little loss as possible. I did not tell

the six men all that I had been told, so I just told them that we were going out to

see whether our Infantry were still there or not. We set off, riding on alternate sides

of the road, about 20 yards apart. Being deaf, it was no use going first, so I went third, and on we

54

went in the pitch black, stopping occasionally to make sure of the road. Approaching the bridge,

there was not a sound or sign of anybody or anything, and I knew at once that the Germans were

there and lying low. To dismount and advance would only have made it worse with the Germans

lying there waiting for us, so on wee went, no one except me knowing that we had just got there,

and were about to get it. Just then the leading man reached the bridge and halted, signing to the

rest of the men to stop. I wastrotting on up, and had got near enough to see that the bridge was not

there at all, when a terrific fusillade broke out on all sides of us. We all turned and galloped off, the

men thoroughly frightened and no wonder. I saw the man who had been riding second fall off like a

stone and his horse gallop on9. The man riding first also did not come on, so as soon as they

stopped firing, when I had gone perhaps 200 yards, I stopped and waited until he came up. His

horse had been wounded so we put him in a barn close by the roadside, and I looked him over by

match-light, while the men waited outside. He was badly hit in the head, and I had just decided to

finish him off when the man said he could hear something, so I had to leave the wretched horse

and clear out, taking the man up behind me on the Wasp. About 2 miles on we met the rest of the

men and I nearly fired on them with my revolver as they would not answer my challenge. Together

we rode back, stopping near home to look around ourselves and finding no further damage than a

shot through the tip of the Wasp’s ear”.

Left, an ‘oilette’ by Harry Payne showing the 11th

Hussars in their reconnaissance role in the very

early stages of the war.

The 24th of August was to be a bloody day for

the British loosing over 2,500 men as they were

pushed hard by the Germans, the majority of

these casualties (1,650) being taken by the 5th

Div. Over the following days the British were

slowly forced to retreat but won admiration from

their foes by the order, tenacity and bravery in

which they withdrew. Fierce actions were fought

at places like Landrecies where the Guards

fought hand to hand with the Germans. The 15th

Hussars were attacked by a large force whilst

they were holding a bridge at Maroilles and

were forced to retire, a counter attack by the

Royal Berkshire Regiment in an attempt to

retake the bridge failed at a cost of sixty men. At

Le Cateau on the 26th of August (the

anniversary of the Battle of Crécy in 1346) the

British turned to face a force of Germans much

larger than them (a nod to a similar situation at

Crécy) and fought the largest battle since the

war had begun. By the end of the day the British

had lost a further 7,812 men including 1,200 who became prisoners. The Germans certainly

suffered heavy losses too but played down the battle and described it as ‘the defeat of the British

at St Quentin’.

9 This man was Reservist, Private William Christopher Roberts a Welshman from Monmouthshire who was to have the

sad honour of being the first soldier of the 11th Hussars to be killed in WW1. Despite the fact that he was killed in the early hours of the 24

th of August 1914 the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records his death as the 4

th of

September.

55

By the 30th of August the British army was exhausted and the 11th Hussars were no different. They

had been moving and fighting almost without pause for the best part of two weeks and the men

and horses were suffering as a result. That daythe 11th Hussars had managed to meet up with

their baggage at Choisy-au-Bac, just outside Compiègne for the first time in a week and could have

a proper wash and perhaps a change of some clothing. That evening they stayed in the village

except ‘A Sqn who were sent out to provide pickets in the forest.

The 31st of August saw the men move out of Choisy-au-Bac and concentrate with the rest of the 1st

Cav Bde west of Compiègnemoving to an area of high ground where they remained all day

watching a German Cavalry Div until nightfall when the 11th Hussars withdrew through Verberie

and Rivecourtexpecting to be billeted atSarron. When they got to Sarron they found that the village

had already been taken by a French Cavalry Bde and so were forced to find other lodgings. The

11th Hussars, along with the remainder of the Bde were directed to an area which, although not

within their Corps boundaries, was available and would take a Cavalry Bde, it was a small village

called Nèry. Captain Arkwright again:

“We are called at 5.30 a.m. to find the brigade has just gone and we are to follow

on leaving a lot of kit behind us in the camp, as they don’t want us to put up too

much of a fight yet. We cross the OISE, the bridge being blown up behind us, and

manoeuvre about a bit on the high ground beyond, apparently with the chance of

getting a charge, but they do not come on. Later again we retired and settled into

billets at NERY now only about 50 miles from PARIS. Here we have a large farm

allotted to us plus the village green. The Bays, the 5D.G.’s and L. Battery are all

on the outskirts of the village”

Since the Germans first struck at Mons on the 24th of August and up until the 31st of August when

the 11th Hussars along with the rest of the 1st Cavalry Brigade entered Néry they had been in

constant retreat.Day after day they withdrew covering numerous miles each day, on the 24th they

marched the 17 miles from Quilverain to St. Vaast. On the 25th they went from St. Vaast the 28

miles to Catillon. Then on the 25th they left Catillon and marched 21 miles to Montrehain, the 27th

saw them march 17 miles to Serancour, then on the next day a further 10 miles to Berlancourt, on

the 29th it was the 14 miles from Berlancourt to Bailly. There was no let up on the 30th of August

when they saddled their horses and marched from Bailly to Choisy-le-bac and finally, on the 21st

they completed 23 miles in the saddle to Néry.

During this long march the 11th Hussars had been working as the scouts for the 1st Cavalry Bde

and as such were the first to enter Néry providing outposts all around thevillage to cover the

remainder of the Bde’s move into the village. As soon as the last unit came in (which was ‘L’

Battery) the 11th Hussars moved into the farm owned by a Monsieur Roland that they had

allocated themselves (privilege of being first in, although many of the 11th Hussars complained of

being in a ‘smelly farmyard’) and settled down for the night placing the majority of their horses

under shelter in the barns and other outbuildings. The fact that this farm had tall and solid walls

surrounding it would pay dividends in the battle to come.

The War Diary of the 5thD.G.’s also tells us of their movements on the 31st:

“The cavalry division concentrated to the west of Compiègne, remained there

some hours, and then marched southwards. The bridge at Compiègne over the

Oise was blown up. The previous morning Ansell’s Detachment was broken up,

and the Regiment rejoined the 1st Cavalry Brigade. Also captain John Norwood.

56

V.C., who had been cut off with his signallers at Solesmes, re-joined. The brigade marched

through Longueuil and Verbéries to Néry where it billeted.

Néry is a small village running N. And S. The village was occupied as follows:- the 5th Dragoon

Guards had the N. End, with their horses in the open. On the opposite side of the road from the

lines was a small cemetery. The 11th Hussars had the middle of the town with their horses in yards

and stables. The Bays had the S. End of the village, with their horses in the open; and beyond

them again, to the S.E., was “L” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, also in the open”.

The 5th Dragoon Guards were actually billeted around the farm belonging to the Debuire family with

the officers using the Farmhouse as their billet. The 2nd Dragoon Guards were men of few words

when they said in their War Diary for the same day:

“Moved at 4.30 and Cavalry Division concentrated at Compiègne. Billited at Néry”

The Queen’s Bays had actually centered themselves on the crossroads in the center of Néry close

to the Farmhouse of the Meignen family where Brigade Headquarters had billeted themselves.

Above, the Farm at Néry owned by Monsieur Roland that the 11th Hussars were billeted in on the

night of the 31st of August 1914 (picture by Lt-Col Pitman).

In the meantime the German II Cavalry Corps, commanded by General Georg von der Marwitz had

been ordered to move against the French 5th Army after the mauling it had taken at the battle of

Guise. On the afternoon of the 31st of August Marvitz received intelligence that there were

elements of the BEF in the area of Soissons and Crépy-ma-Valois. He ordered his 4th Cavalry Div,

commanded by General Otto von Garnier to advance at all speed to make contact with the British

and then attack them. Von Garnier was in command of a creditable force which was made up of 3

Cavalry Brigades each consisting of two regiments, these were:

The 3rd Cavalry Brigade – 2nd Cuirassiers and the 9th Uhlans

The 17th Cavalry Brigade – 17th Dragoons and 18th Dragoons

57

The 18th Cavalry Brigade – 15th Hussars and 16th Hussars

The 1st Horse Artillery Regiment (12 x 77mm Guns) and the 2nd Guards Machine Gun Company (6

Maxim Guns).

Above left, Georg von der Marwitz, commander of the German II cavalry Corps, and right, Otto von

Garnier, commander of the 4th Cavalry Division at Néry.

At full strength von Von Garnier’s Division would have been around 5,000 men strong with about

5,500 horses. The fact that it had been on campaign though for 23 days straight, and had had

been engagedin a stiff fight with the Belgians at Haelen on the 12th of August suffering heavy

losses, meant that it was much reduced in numbers, but was nonetheless still a force to be

reckoned with.

Von Garnier’s men had been hoping to rest for the night so were less than impressesd when the

orders came through for a night move and an advance to contact with the enemy. In order to move

swiftly, von Garnierdecided to leave his Division’s Baggage train, which included its immidiate

ammunition column further back as the crossed the Oise via a small wooden Bridge that had not

been destroyed by the British; he would later come to regret this decision. The 4th cavalry Division

continued it march through the forest of Compiégne until they reached the village of Béthisy St

Martin; it was now dawn on the morning of the 1st of September and von Garnier was only a mile

and a half from Néry and the British 1st Cavalry Brigade.

On their way to Néry on the evening of the 31st of August, the Battery Commander of ‘L’ Battery,

Major Walter Sclater-Booth, was concerned about the welfare of his horses and the difficulty he

was going to have watering them at Néry so late in the day. He decided therefore to stop at

Verberieenén-route to Néry and water the horses there, hence the reason that ‘L’ Battery were the

last unit to arrive for the night at the village. When they did arrive they were allocated a field near

the Sugar-beet Factory in the village for their guns and horses with the men using the factory itself

as their billet; the Officers of ‘L’ Battery used a small cottage close by.

58

In his incredible work ‘Retreat and Rear-guard 1914’, Jerry Murland gives a good description of the

ground around Néry which was to have such an effect on thebattle ahead:

“Néry stands on the western edge of a deep ravine chiselledout by the River Douvre as it flows

north into the larger Automme valley. The ravine – which is usually dry in the summer – is a wide,

flat-bottomed feature that is at its steepest on the eastern side as it climbs up again to the high

ground of Le Mont Bethizoy. Unlike today, in 1914 the ravine was almost devoid of vegetation

apart from the eastern side which was dotted with bushes and trees”.

As ever in war it is usually a series of events that were previously unforeseen, ‘the joys of war’, that

lead up to either a major victory against all odds, or a similarly tragic defeat, Néry was to be no

different. The commander of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, Brigadier-General Briggs had assumed that

his exposed Northern flank was covered by British infantry, and because of this assumption he did

not order his piquet line to extend any further than the outskirts of the village. He believed that he

would get ample warning of any Germans in the area from the infantry; in actual fact there was no

British infantry close enough to the Bde to give any such warning.

Left, the village of Néry from the position of the German Artillery.

59

Above, a sketch map of the village of Néry taken from the 1st of September entry in the 11th

Hussars War Diary

60

Néry has expanded in the intervening years but has largely remained its shape and is easily

recognised against the sketch map drawn in 1914 on the previous and following pages.

61

Another hand drawn map of Néry, this time taken from the October 1915 11th Hussars Journal

62

As dawn broke on the morning of the 1st of September the men, still tired from the many days in

the saddle, woke and began to prepare to move out of Néry, it was abundantly clear though that

because of the thick morning mist, which promised another boiling hot day, there was going to be a

delay to their departure and this was confirmed when they were told to remain where they were for

now. On hearing this order the horses were unharnessed and the poles of ‘L’ Batteries’ artillery

limbers were placed down to relieve the weight on the horse’s shoulders, at the same time and

with no move likely before the mist lifted the men began to wash and prepare breakfast.

Despite the mist,and the delay it caused, the 11th Hussars still

maintained the very wise precaution of sending out an ‘Officers

Patrol’ at first light to dominate the area immediately around them so

that any surprises that may be out there could be (hopefully)

detected10. On this morning, after being served a rather splendid

breakfast by their host, Monsieur Roland, Lt-Col Tommy Pitman

ordered 2nd Lt George Tailby11 of B Squadron (pictured left) to take

five men and patrol the high ground to the east and south-east of

Néry, to see if there was any sign of the Germans to the North.

Tailby set off at 4.15 a.m. that morning and was later to remember:

“I took the quickest route out of the village towards the plateau and

leaving the main road, struck off in a north-easterly direction down a

track in the direction of the ridge, crossed the little brook and almost immediately found the steep

slopes of the plateau facing me. It was too steep to ride straight up.....when at the top I found the

fog as dense as ever and I decided to look round the edge of the plateau”.

At about the same time that Tailby was scrambling up the plateau, von Garnier was receiving

reports from his own patrols that there was a British cavalry force bivouacked at Néry and that they

were not in a state of preparedness, let alone realistic defence. This was a chance too good to

miss and von Garnier made his plans to attack. He ordered his 12 artillery pieces and 6 machine

guns to take upa position opposite the village, eight of the guns, along with three of the Maxims on

the plateau shooting across the ravine into the eastern side of Néry, and the other four guns to the

south of the village where he hoped that as the British withdrew he could enfilade them with

catastrophic results,this, he intended, would mark the centre of his battle.

As soon as these guns were in position and they had commenced firing von Garnier intended to

launch two simultaneous attacks with his cavalry. The 3rd Brigade was to attack the British on von

Garnier’s left from the village of Bethisy whilst one regiment of the 17th Brigade, the 18th Dragoons,

was to launch an attack on the Sugar-beet Factory where the Gunners of ‘L’ Battery were billeted.

The other regiment from the 17thBrigade, the 17thDragoons, would provide a screen to cover the

attacks from a British counter-attack whilst the 18th Brigade would be kept in reserve at Le

PlessisChatalain where von Garnier would establish his headquarters. The German artillery and

machine-guns now moved into position on the south east edge of the ravine and unlimbered, they

were about 700 – 800 yards away from ‘L’ Battery, and thus Néry and had complete surprise on

their side. Despite this however, the mist had dictated where they had to form their gun line in

10

The 11th

Hussars were the only unit within the 1st

Cavalry Bde to do this on the morning of September the 1st

. 11

George Tailby had only been with the 11th Hussars for seven months after joining them from Sandhurst. His nickname was the ‘Tapeworm’ on account of his height and slender build. The five men that accompanied on this Patrol had been carefully chosen by B Squadron’s Leader, Captain John Halliday who ensured that they were steady men on account of Tailby’s inexperience. He would survive the war. John Halliday was to be less fortunate and was killed in action on the 13

th of November 1914.

63

order to see the British, this close proximity put them within range of the British machine-gun and

rifle fire.

Up on the Plateau and having no idea of Von Garnier’s intentions,2ndLtGeorge Tailby and his men

were still having no luck in seeing anything of the German’s due to the mist. Tailby was just about

to order his patrol to descend the plateau and return to Néry when there was a sudden and

unexpected briefthinning of the mist in front of him:

“I perceived, at about 150 yards distant to the east, a column of cavalry. By their

appearance of their long cloaks and spiked helmets, I knew they could be none

other than the much heard of Uhlans. They did not see us, however, for they were

dismounted, in sections, and appeared to have lost their bearings”.

For a reason known only to him, and considering they had all been chosen for the

patrol on the strength of their experience and level headedness, one of the men accompanying

Tailby on the patrol decided to fire on the Germans which obviously alerted them to the 11th

Hussarspatrol’s position. In his 1967 speech to the Royal Artillery Association, Lord Norrie gives

his opinion on this and Tailby’ssubsequent actions:

“By their long cloaks and spiked helmets he [Tailby] was certain they were

Germans. Tailby’s leading file rather stupidly fired and the enemy advanced

towards the patrol. Patrols are meant to find outinformation and not to attack the

enemy ten times their strength, so George wisely gave the order, ‘Files about,

Gallop’. Tailby, returning at speed down the ravine on his horse “Ronald”, which I

had sold him a month before, crossed his legs in a hole and both horse and rider

fell heavily. Although he was once my horse I take no responsibility for the

accident. I am glad to say the horse was soon caught and Tailby hurried back to report what he

had seen. Passing a local Estaminet on the road back to Néry, he saw, and picked up a German

grey cloak on a table where the enemy had obviously been drinking coffee. The patrol returned

through the lines of the 5th Dragoon Guards who they immediately warned, but I am afraid

disbelieved the story”.

The Estaminet that Tailby and his men galloped past with the Uhlans not far behind was in the

village of Vaucelles and, it was not just a cloak that was lying there, but a Mauser pistol as well.

Tailby recalls that he assumed that the Germans had heard them coming and had run off leaving

these items behind. As Lord Norrie states above, when Tailby galloped through the 5th Dragoon

Guards position and informed them that the enemy was right behind him he was dismissed for a

flapper and the officers and men carried on with their breakfast; in fact the 5th Dragoon Guard

piquet lines were heard to remark on the folly that it was to gallop around in such a thick fog.

Exasperated, Tailby continued on to the farm where the 11th Hussars were billeted and,

breathless, he leapt from his horse to make his report to Colonel Pitman. But if he thought he was

going to be praised for his good work, Tailby was to be disappointed.

It was now 5.30 a.m. and as Tommy Pitman listened to his young and excitable subaltern telling

tall tales about a hoard of Uhlans just about to attack the Brigade at Néry, he was less than

enthused and in fact downright sceptical. He dismissed Tailby’s claims as utter tripe stating that:

“A fog is no excuse for seeing spooks, get back to your patrol immediately, if you saw anyone it

was probably French cavalry”

64

Or words to that effect anyway.

To the old soldiers that had been on the patrol with Tailby it must have been rather amusing to see

an officer being berated in front of them, even though they knew the truth of Tailby’s words.

Turning to them, Tailby took the field-grey cloak and presented it to Colonel Pitman, that was

different, here was tangible evidence that Tailby was obviously telling the truth and Pitman, without

a word (of apology), took the cloak and raced off to inform Brigadier-General Briggs of the

imminent German attack. Once informed Briggs immediately sent two motorcycle dispatch riders to

find the nearest British units and ask them to come to the Bde’s assistance. One of these riders

was to go to the Headquarters of Major-General Allenby at St Vaast and the other to the

Headquarters of the 4th Division at Verberie. This done, the Bde Major, John Cawley then rode with

Lt-Col Pitman back to the 11th Hussars lines.

The appendix describing the battle at Néry that was attached to the 11th Hussars war Diary for the

1st of September 1914 neglects to mention the fact that Colonel Tommy had ridden his subaltern

rather hard and,in fact, perhaps to spare blushes all round, prudentlysticks to the operational facts

when it says:

“At 5.30 AM Lieut Tailby’s patrol galloped in and reported that they had ridden close up to a Regt.

of German Cavalry and had been chased into camp. The Squadrons were immediately placed in

positions, ‘B’ Squadron sending 1 troop to the S.E. corner of the village, 1 troop to the church

overlooking the ravine to the E, 1 troop to the N.E corner of the village and 1 troop being kept in

support. ‘C’ Squadron defended the farm immediately S of the church and ‘A’ Squadron are kept in

reserve”.

But before the 11th Hussars could adopt this defensive position the Germans

opened fire. Captain Arkwright and his Diary again:

“We get orders to be ready to move of at 4. a.m. but at 4.30 we get orders to off

saddle again. At 4.45 we get orders to saddle up at once as the Germans are

close to, and we start to do so with just the normal

speed, as such orders come at frequent intervals.

When we are half ready – when I myself am

brushing my teeth at the pump – the Germans get to work with their

guns, maxims and rifles, at ranges varying from 200 yards to 1000

yards. We, the Regiment, are lucky in being practically under cover;

all ranks behave as if nothing unusual was happening. We finish

saddling up, shut our horses into small yards, and ‘A’ Squadron is

set to work to barricade one of the principle entrances to the village;

which done we join the fray outside. I ran outside with my troop

behind me and throw myself down in a gap on the bank by the side

of the road. Looking about me I saw Cawley (Brigade Major)

[pictured right],on one side of me with a ghastly wound in his head,

obviously done for poor chap, though he was still alive then12”.

12

Thirty four year old Major John Stephen Cawley, an officer with the 20th

Hussars and attached to the staff of the 1st

Cavalry Brigade, did indeed die from his wounds on the 1

st of September 1914. He was the son of Sir Frederick and

Lady Cawley of Berrington Hall, Leominster, Herefordshire. They were to suffer particularly badly during the war because they also lost son’s, 37 year old Harold, a Captain with the 6

th Battalion the Manchester Regiment on the 23

rd

of September 1915 and Oswald , a Captain with the 10th

(Shropshire and Cheshire Yeomanry) Battalion of the King’s

65

The 11th Hussars had been fortunate in that they had managed to billet their men and horses

under cover so did not suffer during this initial German bombardment, although shells were

bursting over the farm they were occupying and one man and one horse from C Squadron were

wounded. The horses of Bde Headquarters had been placed in an orchard to the west of the farm

but were now moved into some barns just before the walls of the orchard were destroyed by

German gunnery. One of the anecdotes that has arisen from the battle is of a German shell from

the initial salvo that crashed through the roof of the building which the Bde Headquarters were

occupying. The story has it that Brigadier-General Briggs picked up the fuse of the shell (although

it should have been extremely hot) and saw that it had German lettering and was set for 800

meters. This apparently was the final piece of the jigsaw that convinced him they were being

attacked by the Germans. When asked about this event during his presentation to the Royal

Artillery association in 1967 Lord Norrie confirmed the story but stated that it was not one of the

first shells but one from later in the battle.

The 2nd Dragoon Guards, 5th Dragoon Guards and ‘L’ Battery were not so fortunate. The 5th

Dragoon Guards could have, arguably, done more to be prepared just before the bombardment

having heard Tailby’s warning as he galloped through them. Perhaps not wanting to highlight their

inadequacies their War Diary for the 1st of September opens rather laconically with:

“Partridge shooting begins!

A very misty morning. The ball opened with half-a-dozen shells bursting over the

village. Immediately all was bustle. Everybody ran to the lines to saddle up, under

shell and rifle fire. ‘C’ Squadron was ordered to hold the houses facing E. ‘A’ and ‘B’

Squadrons were quickly collected and galloped under Colonel Ansell, to the N with

the intention of turning the German right flank”.

The 2nd Dragoon Guards suffered the most in that first artillery salvo and were practically rendered

useless as a major unit for any further part in the coming battle. Their War Diary for that day states:

“5.15 a.m. 12 German guns opened fire at close range on our billets. ‘L’ BatteryRHA

practically wiped out. ’C’ Squadron horses nearly all killed at first burst of fire,

remainder stampeded through ‘A’ and ‘B’ squadrons causing them to follow”.

The German’s, despite being discovered by George Tailby had achieved almost total

surprise. The mist had now started to lift and the German 77mm’s were pouring fire into a small

area in the southern end of Néry, at close range which was packed with the 2nd Dragoon Guards

and ‘L’ Battery who, with their poles down could not move. The horses, as described above

panicked and stampeded, those of the RHA also tried to run away but with their ‘poles down’ they

simply dug into the earth causing the horses and limbers to tip over adding to the confusion. Now

the German artillery was joined by accurate and withering machine-gun and rifle fire, it looked like

the 1st Cavalry Bde was all but doomed.

A great deal has rightly been written about the actions of ‘L’ Battery that day during the Battle of

Néry and equally quite rightly, it has gone down in the annals of the history of the RHA and they

are extremely proud of the men that fought that day. Whilst it is not the intention of this account to

tell that particular story again it would be wrong not to explain briefly why this battle is so honoured

by the RHA. I will unashamedly use the account written by Alan Mallinson in his book ‘1914 Fight

the Good Fight’ to describe ‘L’ Battery’s action:

Shropshire Light Infantry, killed on the 22

nd of August 1918. John and Oswald are both buried in the Néry Communal

Cemetery, whilst Harold is buried at the ‘Lancashire Landing’ Cemetery in Turkey.

66

An ‘oilette’ by Harry Payne depicting ‘L’ Battery at Néry.

“With poles down, the teams stood little chance: as the horses tried to bolt, the poles drove into the

ground. Chaos ensued. More shells burst and men and horses began falling like proverbial

ninepins. The battery commander, Major the Honourable Walter Sclater-Booth, his second-in-

command Captain Edward Bradbury and his three subalterns were standing near some haystacks

when the first shell burst. Sclater-Booth was at once felled by shrapnel13. Bradbury, shouting for

gunners, raced to the 13 pounders, followed by the subalterns and 28 year old David Nelson from

county Monaghan. They managed to unlimber three guns and turn them towards the ridge,

Bradbury taking command of one, Lieutenant Jack Giffard another, and Lieutenants John

Campbell and Lionel Mundy the third. Before Campbell’s gun could fire a round, however, it was

knocked out by a direct hit, so he and Mundy ran over to Bradbury’s and the remaining two 13

pounders soon began to answer. After a few rounds Giffard was cut down by shrapnel and the rest

of the detachment either killed or wounded. Bradbury was now joined by the battery-sergeant-

major, George Dorrell – a thirty-four veteran of the Boer War (he had joined at fifteen) – back from

watering the horses, but the ready ammunition in the limbers was now exhausted, and the fire was

taking a steady toll of the gunners crawling across to the ammunition wagons. For well over an

hour the unequal duel continued, until at last, whilst trying to fetch up more ammunition, Bradbury

was mortally wounded by a shell that severed both his legs. Dorrell and Nelson, both wounded,

continued to fight the gun to its last round”.

The redoubtable Captain Arkwright wrote down his impressions when he saw ‘L’

Battery’s destruction:

“Just to my front in stubble field was the wreckage of ‘L’Battery, and a fearful sight it

was too. Guns lying anyhow, a few men crawling about and bunches of them behind

13

Walter Sclater-Booth was actually at Bde HQ when the shooting started, he and his bugler, Corporal Harry Goold immediately set off for ‘L’ Battery but were caught in a shell explosion on the way. Sclater-Booth was temporarily blinded and missed the whole action. Goold and Sclater-Booth would both survive the war.

67

two corn stacks in the field. They got one gun out of the field and the battery Sergt-Major and a

Frenchinterpreter before they themselves were snuffed out, and the last gun, plus the Maxim

gradually silenced the others”.

Above from left to right, Captain Bradbury V.C., Sergeant Major Dorrell V.C. (as a Lt-Col) and

Sergeant Nelson V.C. (as a Major).

Captain Bradbury, Sergeant-Major Dorrell and Sergeant Nelson would all be awarded the

Victoria Cross. Bradbury died of his wounds whilst both Dorrell and Nelson would later be

commissioned, Dorrell survived the war but Nelson was killed on the 8th of April 1918. During the

battle ‘L’ Battery lost over 150 horses as well as many men killed or wounded. Following the battle

the practice of lowering poles was discontinued. ‘L’ Battery’s action at Néry is well known, but this

is not the whole story of the battle.

With the men and horses of the11th Hussars already deployed in a defensive posture, under or

behind cover and their horses already saddled, they were able to organise themselves with relative

ease. On the morning of the 1st of September, the second-in Command of the 11th Hussars, Major

Rowland Anderson had woken with an unexplainable ‘feeling of Doom’.Because of this feeling and

despite orders to the contrary he had decided to order the regiment to saddle their horses and be

prepared to move at a moment’s notice. More than one 11th Hussar complained about this when

they looked around them and saw the remainder of the Bde in a more relaxed posture, watering

their horses and preparing breakfast. As we shall see though, Major Anderson, despite being

unpopular at the time was extremely prudent as events later proved. As soon as the situation

became clearer, and the shock of the first bombardment had passed, Lt-Col Pitman placed his ‘A’

Squadron at the disposal of the Bde Commander, Briggs. Briggs ordered ‘A’ Squadron to fill the

gap between where ‘L’ Battery was engaged and the right hand troop of the 11th Hussars ‘B’

Squadron, but to remain as far as possible under some sort of cover, from fire where available but

at least from view anyway. He also ordered them to construct a barricade at the southern end of

the village just in case the Germans attempted an entry at that point.

Almost all of the available 11th Hussars, less those that had been left with the saddled horses in the

barns and outbuildings of the farm were now in the firing line. Peering eastwards through the

dissipating mist ‘C’ Squadron spotted a patrol of Germans skyline themselves on the plateau and

opened an accurate and deadly fire, the Germans quickly turned tail and withdrew out of sight.

68

Meanwhile the 5th Dragoon Guards, now saddled stood by their horses and awaited orders from

Bde Headquarters. One of 5th Dragoon Guards officers,Lieutenant Montagu Brocas Burrowswas

resting under a tree feeling unwell at the start of the attack when one of the stampeding horses14

struck him on the head knocking him unconscious. He remained there after the battle, probably

thought dead and was taken prisoner the next day.15

Another Officer, also belonging to the 5th Dragoon Guards, Hugh Maurice Hill was badly wounded

in the head and again left for dead when the 1st Cavalry Bde left Néry. He was later picked up by a

group of Nuns who had no idea who he was because his identity discs had gone missing. He was

eventually identified by the serial number on his boots, which were sent to England and identified

as Hill’s by his boot maker ‘Peals’.

Briggs was in two minds as to what his size German force was facing. He decided that it must be a

small force of Germans, probably lost in the mist and so he now ordered Lt-Col Pitman to place his

‘C’ squadron in reserve and extend his line with the two remaining Squadrons up to the northern

end of Néry which freed up the 5th Dragoon Guards to make their attempt at a flanking movement

against the Germans and counter attack them; Briggs had no idea that he was facing an entire

Cavalry Division. The War Diary of the 5th Dragoon Guards mentions this flanking movement and

the tragic result:

“Colonel Ansell’s move to a flank had the desired effect of making the Germans

withdraw, but unfortunately he was killed in the doing of it. He had ridden to the

crest of a bluff to view the situation and was shot through the right breast. A

corporal and two men carried him to shelter, where he died in a quarter of an hour.

His last order to them was to get back in the firing line and leave him”.

In fact Lt Col George Ansell had ordered one of his officers, ‘C’ Squadrons Leader, Captain

Charles Blackburne16 to take all the dismounted men along with the machine-gun section and

move to the Northern end of the village to extend the line being held by the 11th Hussars and lend

their weight there. Meanwhile, Lt-Col Ansell took the two mounted 5th Dragoon Guards Squadrons

on a wide flanking move to the north and north-east of Néry. When they reached the top of the

ridge the men dismounted just outside Luce Farm, split into two groups and openedupan accurate

and withering fire on the German 3rd Cavalry Bde, who were dismounted and leading their horses

in preparation of launching their attack. This sudden and unexpected attack in their flank by the 5th

Dragoon Guards completely unnerved the Germans particularly the 9th Uhlans who were hit hard.

This bold and swift action by Ansell was delivered with enough force to make the Germans

withdraw and break off their attack. Ansell remained mounted throughout the action and this is

probably why he was shot as he presented such a good target. With the German 3rdBde now

14

Most of the horses that stampeded and not killed were later collected by the 3rd

Hussars. 15

Lt Burrows was to remain a Prisoner of War for the remainder of the war being repatriated on the 18th

of October 1918. He also served in WW2, first as the GOC of the 9

th Armoured Division and then in the same role for the 11

th

Armoured Division before being sent to Russia as the head of Britain’s Military Mission there. He retired in 1946 as the GOC for West Africa and died in 1967. 16

Charles Harold Blackburne of TyddynMold in Flintshire survived the action at Néry and would later be promoted to brevet Lt-Col and awarded a D.S.O. as well as being mentioned in dispatches. At the end of the war, on the 10

th of

October 1918 Blackburne was aboard the R.M.S Leinster sailing from Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) to Holyhead when she was struck by two torpedoes sinking her. It is thought that 529 drowned and Charles Blackburne was one of them.

69

withdrawing the 5th Dragoon Guards re-mounted and returned to Néry commanded now by their

senior major, Major William Winwood17.

At the same time that the 5th Dragoon Guards were in action, the machine-gun section from the

2nd Dragoon Guards, commanded by Lt Algernon Lamb18 had deployed in a good position at a

cross roads in the south –east of Néry and was doing great damage to the German gunners who

had inflicted so much damage on ‘L’ battery. Their fire was also being directed at the German 17th

Cavalry Bde’s attack who was attempting to enter Néry from the south. In “the History of the

Queens Bays 1685 - 1929” it describes Lamb going into action:

“Lieutenant Lamb, the machine-gun Officer of the Bays, had got a few of his men together, the rest

were in the village. His horses were luckily behind its southern houses, and he wasable at once to

run his two guns out, protected at first by a low wall, and bring them into action on the sunken road

to the left rear of the battery. As he brought them along he noticed that the horses of A and B

Squadrons were following those of C. As he came into action, shells were bursting and bullets

flying. He did splendid service by opening fire with his machine-guns, taking for their target the

flashes of the enemy’s artillery, and at short range giving most welcome help to the handful of

gunners who had already got three of their guns into action against the eight guns of the enemy”.19

Despite suffering severe losses,the dismounted elements of the German 17th Bde managed to

occupy some outbuildings in the southern region of Néry near the sugar-beet factory and put fire

down on the 2nd Dragoon Guards who were recovering after the initial German artillery attack.

Undaunted, and despite their losses so far, the 2nd Dragoon Guards formed up (dismounted) and

launched a counter-attack which, although it did not eject the Germans from Néry, it did slow them

down so that when they (the Germans) occupied the sugar-beet-beet factory it represented the

furthest that German troops would advance during the battle, and the only part of Néry the

Germans held during their attack. During this counter attack the 2nd Dragoon Guards lost one of

their Officers, Lt Norman Champion de Crespigny who was a very talented and popular officer

amongst all ranks. On hearing of his death, General Allenby wrote to his mother saying:

“Dear Lady de Crespigny – I and the whole of the cavalry Division sympathise with you, and we

feel deeply for Norman’s loss. But I must tell you that he died a hero’s death. The brigade was

hotly engaged, and on the Bays fell the brunt of the fighting on September 1. Norman, with a few

men, was holding an important tactical point, and he held it till every man was killed or wounded.

No man could have done more, few would have done as much. With deepest sympathy,

yours.E.H.H. Allenby”.

Actually three men came back unwounded, Lt Misa20 and two other ranks.

Not to be outdone by the excellent shooting from Lt Lamb and his men, the machine-gun section

from the 11th Hussars, commanded by Lt Dermot Kavanagh also established a firing position in

17

William Winwood survived the war as a Lt-Col and was awarded a D.S.O and created C.M.G. After the war he remained in the army and at one stage commanded the Army Remount Depot at Romsey in Hampshire. 18

Algernon Joseph Rutherford Lamb survived the war as a Major and was awarded a D.S.O for his actions at Néry. He was later attached to the Egyptian Army. 19

The other men who served the guns with Lt Lamb were, LCpl Frederick Webb, Private John Goodchild (later transferred to the MGC (motorised), Private Walter Phillips (discharged on the 27

th of April 1916 as permanently unfit

for further service), Private William Fogg, Private Horace Emmet, Private Francis Ellicock (Awarded a DCM and was wounded during the action at Néry, he died of his wounds on the 28

th of September 1914), and Private Charles Horne

(killed in action on the 26th

of January 1916). 20

V. H. Misa survived the war as a Captain attached to the Machine Gun Corps. He remained in the army after the war serving with the original British Army of the Rheine.

70

the south-eastern edge of Néry and opened up an equally effective barrage against the Germans,

LCpl Albert Stevens being particularly aggressive during the action21.

Von Garnier, having now tried twice to break into Néry and twice being frustrated by the British

cavalry realised that he was only likely to have one more chance before British reinforcements

started to arrive. He ordered Colonel von Prinz, the commander of the German 18th(Hussar)

Cavalry Bde, to execute a mounted attack on the southern end of the village.

This was launched immediately and, equally as quickly, began to unravel when the German 16th

Hussars reached the top of the ravine ignorant to the fact that the other side was extremely steep.

Lumley records how Colonel von Prinz personally led this attack:

“...The Brigade Commander Colonel von Prinz placed himself at the head of the

16th Hussars and gave the order, ‘form up and charge, Follow me!’ and although

the colonel of the regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Ludendorff suggested a

reconnaissance first, this was brushed aside, and the 16th Hussars galloped

forward. They crossed about a thousand yards of the Plateau and then came

across the very steep ravine near the valley head. A few men, mounted on

specially trained horses, attempted to ride down it, but they all fell and the charge

was held up”.

As soon as the German horses pitched over the crest of the ravine they started to throw their riders

which forced the German Hussars to dismount and continue the attack on foot, making excellent

targets for the 11th Hussars’and 2nd Dragoon Guards’machine-guns. The other regiment in the 18th

Bde, the 15th Hussars were more fortunate in that they passed to the north of the German guns on

the plateau and descended the ravine at a less steep spot reaching the bottom relatively

unscathed; here they also dismounted and advanced towards the British joining the 18th Dragoons

who were still engaged with the 2nd Dragoon Guards’as a whole and the 11th Hussars’ machine-

gun section.

Above left, a crew and 13-pounder gun of the Royal Horse Artillery around the time of World War

One and right, the Church at Néry pictured by Lt-Col Pitman on the day before the action. The 11th

Hussars held a line east of the church running practically the length of the village.

Throughout these German attacks and whilst the 5th Dragoon Guards were assailing the German

3rd Cavalry Bde and the 2nd Dragoon Guards were heavily occupied by the German 17th Dragoons

and 15th Hussars, the 11th Hussars were still holding a line at the eastern edge of the village from

21

Albert Stevens would later transfer to the Cavalry arm on the Machine Gun Corps. He was to have a distinguished war ending it as a Sergeant having been awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal as well as a Military Medal.

71

the north to the south, assisted in the north by the dismounted element of the 5th Dragoon Guards.

This line was doing the vital work of engaging any targets that presented themselves on the

plateau or on either end of the valley. On the left (north) of the 11th Hussars this firing opened up at

950 yards and was later reduced to 600 yards at which range the British cavalry was deadly

accurate with their rifles.

It was at the same time that he launched his third assault on Néry that von Garnier began to bitterly

regret the decision he had made to leave his ammunition column further behind. It is possible that

this third assault on Néry, in conjunction with the action in the south of the village could have been

successful if the German troopers had enough ammunition with them to press the attack and carry

it through; but they didn’t.This was not von Von Garnier’s only problem now, because as the mist

hadnow fully cleared the fire from the British Cavalrymen had increased both in volume and

accuracy. Not only this, but he was also receiving the first reports from his 17th Dragoons amongst

others, that British reinforcements were beginning to arrive.With this in mind and with three of his

attacks having stalled, von Garnier had no choice but to order a withdrawal.

The wisdom of Brigadier-General Briggs, and his prompt dispatch calling for reinforcements was

now clearly bearing fruit. When the dispatch rider had arrived at General Allenby’s headquarters at

St Vast-de-Longmont at 6 a.m.he immediately ordered the 4th Cavalry Bde along with ‘I’ Battery

RHA to ride at once towards Néry and lend their support. As is right in any cavalry action, the 4th

Bde arrived in the nick of time and, having been appraised of the situation, ‘I’ Battery’s four 13-

pounders, commanded by Captain Burnyeat,22 was deployed on a road to the south of Néry

opening fire on the German held sugar-beet factory which had just been reinforced with two

machine-guns. But, before the Germans could make good use of these guns, ‘I’ Battery, using the

smoke stack of the factory as a ranging piece, found their range and poured shells into the factory

that the Germans were holding, putting an abrupt end to any more aggression from that area of

Néry. ‘I’ Battery did not have it all their own way though, and the German Officer commanding their

artillery turned three of his guns towards ‘I’ battery and started to return their fire, it was now 8 a.m.

and about two and a half hours since the Germans opened fire.

At the same time that ‘I’ Battery was bringing their guns into action one of the Squadrons from the

British 4th Cavalry Bde, the 2nd Life Guards formed up and mounted a charge against the Germans

in the south of Néry but were counter attacked and forced to retire leaving behind Lieutenant Percy

Heath dead

Now the fickle nature of warfare again played a part in the British favour. The German gun

commander looking through his binoculars mistook a piece of farm machinery for the observation

ladder of ‘I’ Battery and heaped his guns firepower upon it. This meant that despite the weight of

fire from the German 77mm’s none of it fell of ‘I’ Battery who were free to ply their trade with

impunity. The 11th Hussars war Diary explains:

“At about 8 a.m. the 4th Cavalry Brigade arrived in support and opened a heavy

artillery fire on the German Gunners. The enemy then tried to manhandle their guns

out of action but being under close range of the Bays machine guns (which was

most admirably handled allthrough) and of the two machine guns of the 11th

Hussars which had been brought round to the road at the S.E. corner of the village,

the enemy swiftly withdrew. 8 guns were left on the field”.

22

Hugh PonsonbyBurnyeat was later promoted to Lt-Col and commanded the 65th

Bde Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in action on the 30

th of October 1918, just 12 days before the armistice.

72

At 6 a.m. the 1st Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment were also alerted to the battle at Néry by the

sound of gunfire coming from their south east, Néry was only a mile or so away from them. The

War Diary of the 1st Middlesex Regiment says:

“Outposts withdrawn at 5:30 Am and march continued to St Imes, there we were

ordered to high ground S.E of St Imes to support the Cameronians who were in

position there. On arrival [we were] ordered to deploy, this time left (facing E).

Almost immediately [we were] ordered to advance on Néry, there to assist Gen

Briggs Cav Bde who were being heavily attacked by German Cavalry and

artillery from close range”.

Whilst they were sorting themselves out and preparing to leave, an un-named Warrant Officer

(although thought to be Sgt-Maj Dorrell of ‘L’ Battery), galloped into their lines in a state of flux and

reported, somewhat unorthodoxly, that “the 1st Cavalry Brigade was being scuppered at Néry”.The

1stMiddlesex were at the time being commanded by Major Frank Rowley23who sent his ‘D’

Company and machine-gun section towards Néry to offer whatever support they could, meanwhile,

he gathered up the remainder of the Battalion and followed them on.

Back at the German gun line all was now chaos and death, the gunners were desperately trying to

retrieve their guns and take them out of action but the weight of fire from ‘I’ Battery and the

combined fire power from the machine guns of the 2nd Dragoon Guards and 11th Hussars was

devastating and any gunner who exposed himself was inviting death and many were indeed cut

down. Eventually the Germans were forced to do the one thing that is most feared as a gunner,

abandon the guns.

23

Frank George Mathias Rowley survived the war and was an acting Brigadier-General commanding the 138th

Infantry Brigade. After the war he reverted back to his substantive rank of Lt-Col.

73

Whilst all this was going on the 11th Hussars not engaged observed the German guns being

abandoned with a growing sense of excitement. Now that the threat from the sugar-beet factory

and German guns had been neutralised, Brigadier-General Briggs released ‘C’ Squadron from its

role in reserve and allowed it to re-join the line.

As a precaution and whilst the battle was raging Lt-Col Pitman had had the forethought to send a

dismounted patrol forward to the ravine in order to carry out a survey as to the best way of

overcoming this obstacle should the need arise. At the same time Lt-Col Pitman instructed 2nd Lt

Alfred Curtis to make contact with the 5th Dragoon Guards of whom, he had heard nothing since

the death of their Commanding Officer. Now, having received permission from Briggs to conduct

an advance towards the German guns and, if possible a pursuit, he received word from Curtis that

the plateau was clear of enemy troops. Pitman’s decision to survey the ravine now paid dividends,

he ordered Lockett’s ‘C’ Squadron to lead their horses, using the reconnoitred route to the summit.

Guy Norrie was in the vanguard of the Squadron and when they reached the top they managed to

capture four dazed Germans who put up no resistance.

Just before ‘C’ Squadron started their move across the plateau, ‘D’ Company of the Middlesex

Regiment arrived on the scene and Major Lockett used them as a firm base that the charge could

be launched from, placing them in position around Feu Farm, by the time they got into position,

Norrie would be already leading his men towards the German guns.

Now with his Squadron complete and atop the Plateau, Major Lockett ordered Norrie’s troop to

charge the guns whilst the other troop, commanded by William Bell-Irving24 opened fire on the

retreating Germans. Lord Norrie takes up the story:

“Brigadier-General Briggs still had one final stroke to play, and C Squadron of the

11th was ordered to capture the guns and carry out the pursuit. We in the 11th had

already reconnoitred the ravine and my troop was the leading one of C Squadron.

We secured the ground at the top of the Ravine and captured several Germans who

made little sign of resistance. We could see parties of the enemy both mounted and

dismounted, retiring eastwards. My Squadron Leader, Jeffery Lockett25, who

climbed up with my troop, ordered me to charge the guns, while No. 2 troop opened fire on the

retiring enemy”.

The order given the men of Norrie’s troop prepared to charge the three hundred yards to the

German guns, it’s only right that we allow him to describe the charge:

“With drawn swords and a rousing cheer No, 3 troop galloped through the guns

from the direction of Feu Farm. Quite a few of the shell shaken personnelwere still

about and one was run through by my troop sergeant, Sergeant Hailey26for failing to

put his hands up or shout "Kamerad".

24

William Bell Irving was killed in action on the 29th

of November 1917 having been awarded a Military Cross. 25

William Jeffery Lockett survived the war as a temporary Lt-Col with the Machine-Gun Corps. He was also awarded a DSO. 26

Guy Hailey, had married Gladys Holland on June 10th

1914. Gladys’ father ran the Bird in the Hand Pub at Camberley

and came from Aldershot. Mrs Hailey would be a widow a mere six months after her wedding when Sgt Hailey died of wounds on the 21

st of December 1914. A small obituary that was printed in the 11

th Hussars Journal in October 1915

reads:[Sgt Hailey] Transferred from Royal Berkshire Regiment in Dublin in 1907, and posted to "C" Squadron, in which he served ever since. He was a keen soldier and rose to the rank of Sergeant in 1913. For the past three years, was the troop-sergeant in No. 3 (Mr. C. W. M . Norrie's) Troop, and during the present campaign has shown great abilities.

74

3rd Troop ‘C’ Squadron charged straight through the guns killing some of the Germans and

capturing many more, for the 11th Hussars it might have felt that a monkey had been lifted from

their backs when the history of the charge of the light brigade, a charge that they took part in is

considered. The irony being that these guns at Néry had already been silenced

As the 11th Hussars charged through the guns and it was noted that five of the guns were pointed

at ‘L’ Battery and the other three were the ones that had been engaging (or trying to) ‘I’ Battery.

Once through the guns the 11th Hussars continued on to the village of Le PlessisChatelain where

they captured German troops representing just about every regiment within von Von Garnier’s

Division. Lord Norrie tells us of other prisoners that his troop ‘put in the bag’:

“We captured Germans from all 6 regiments of the 4th Cavalry Division, and also

2 Doctors and two ambulances.One of the German doctors protested when we

removed his Field Glasses that they had been a present from his girl-friend in

Berlin. He also said his grey charger was private property and should not be taken

from him. He even produced the Geneva Rules of War printed in French.None of

us could talk German but I was appointed official Interpreter as the Doctor and I

could both talk French. I should add that I kept the field glasses myself and the grey charger was

transferred to C Squadron, 13thHussars.

The men from the Middlesex Regiment had followed on the charge and arrived at the guns after

the 11th Hussars had passed through them and were now conducting the pursuit. The War Diary

of the 1st Middlesex however tells a different story when it reports:

“Attack was carried out on the village of Néry – D, ½ of C and A Coys to S and

SE of village. B, ½ of C to N of village.On the attack on the S of the village

getting close, the enemy’s gunners fled and the Batt. Rushed in and captured

about 30 of them and eight guns. These guns were at once disabled”.

The official history of the Middlesex Regiment written after the war states, rather imperiously:

“With bayonets fixed and a cheer, the Middlesex men rushed across the small

intervening valley and captured eight of the guns that had been firing on the 1st

Cavalry Brigade and ‘L’ Battery. With the exception of some dead or badly

wounded Germans, the gun crews had fled”.

I don’t think so mate!!

With the guns captured Lockett now turned his attention to carrying out the

limited pursuit that he had been given permission to conduct, in Lumley’s

account he says:

“Major Lockett had ordered the remainder of the Squadron to continue the

pursuit vigorously towards Le PlessisChatalain. With No. 4 Troop, Lieutenant

Was wounded in the leg by shrapnel at Messines, and died at Rouen December 22nd, Major Bacon, Capt. Salt, and Sergt. A. W. Moore, being present at the funeral.

75

Hon. Sackville George Pelham’s27 leading. They scoured the plateau for Germans, who were lying

about in beet fields and behind corn stooks. In this way some twenty further prisoners were taken,

half of whom were wounded. During the advance Mr Norrie’s troop was ordered to keep out on the

right flank. After handing over the guns and prisoners to the infantry, this troop moved forward

again pushing out a patrol towards Verrines”.

Many more of the Middlesex Regiment now began to arrive and, using them as a fire base to fall

back on should the need arise, Lockett (who had by now been joined by Lt-Col Pitman) ordered

Pelham’s troop to attack Le PlessisChatalain from the north and Curtis’s from the south whilst the

remaining two troops would be held by Lockett and would engage the village from the west. This

was done extremely successfully and, once Le PlessisChatalain had been secured (the Middlesex

arrived in the village later), the British were told to break off and return to Néry, whilst at the same

time sending out some patrols to the east just to make sure that von Garnier was indeed

withdrawing. Lord Norrie explained what he saw and gave a tally of casualties:

“After capturing Le PlessisChatalain and a number of prisoners we were ordered

to break the fight off and withdraw. We returned via the scene of ‘L’ Battery's

heroic stand and it is a sight I will never forget. There were large numbers of dead

horses with their swollen bellies, and these were subsequently buried by local

inhabitants during the following fortnight. As far as casualties were concerned

records show that there were 4 British officers killed and 35 other ranks, and 13

officers and 80 other ranks wounded. It is estimated that we lost nearly 400 horses, of which ‘L’

Battery and the Queen's Bays each lost 150. The Germans lost 8 guns and 2 machine guns and

about 230 horses. Some 200 officers and men became casualties, and we captured about 100

German prisoners”.

In fact whilst it is impossible to be 100% accurate when it comes to casualties it is thought that a

total of four officers and 42 other ranks were killed during the action (i.e. on the 1st of September),

but incredibly none from the 11th Hussars who only had Private Arthur Watts28 from ‘C’ Squadron

wounded and LCpl Albert Jackson, one of the machine-gun section wounded and subsequently

captured on the 2nd of September. The men from the 1st Cavalry Brigade that died at Néry or died

of their wounds in the immediate aftermath were:

Rank Name Regiment KIA/DOW Hometown

Maj John Cawley 20th Hussars Bde HQ KIA Leominster Beds

Cpl Jesse Turner 2nd Dragoon Guards DOW Reading

Pte Gilbert Parkhouse 2nd Dragoon Guards DOW Bath Somerset

Pte Henry Richardson 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Bordon Hampshire

LCpl William Turner 2nd Dragoon Guards DOW Aldershot Hampshire

Pte William Norton 2nd Dragoon Guards DOW Tadcaster Yorkshire

Pte Horace Collins 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Brentford Middlesex

27

Sackville George Pelham would survive the war with the rank of Captain with a Military Cross and was the second son of Charles Alfred Worsley Pelham who was the third Earl of Yarborough. Sackville’s elder brother, Charles was killed in action on the 30

th of October whilst serving as the machine-gun officer with the Royal Horse Guards. This

meant that he inherited the title of Lord Worsley and then The Lord Conyers from 1926. When his father died in 1936 he succeeded as the 5

th Earl of Yarborough. Sackville commanded the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry in the Second World

War from 1939 – 1944. He died on t e7th of February 1948. 28

Arthur Watts was awarded a DCM in 1915 for his bravery and coolness carrying messages during the 2nd

Battle for Ypres. He later transferred to the Labour Corps and survived the war.

76

Pte Herbert Comerford 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Hammersmith

Pte Albert Farmer 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Burton-on-Trent

Pte Arthur Glanville 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Meanmeer India

Pte Edward Felgate 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Colchester Essex

Pte Walter Fagg 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Canterbury

Pte John Dobson 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Bradford

Pte Arthur Smith 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Featherstone Yorkshire

Pte Frederick Wilson 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Canberwell Surrey

Pte Eustace Bates 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Barton-on-Humber

SS29 Charles Cram 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Sheffield

Sgt George Lewis 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Islington London

Pte Walter Withall 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Aldershot

Lt Claude Champion-de-Crespigny 2nd Dragoon Guards KIA Maldon Essex

Lt Col George Ansell 5th Dragoon Guards KIA Portsea Hampshire

Cpl Robert Sherriff 5th Dragoon Guards KIA Birmingham

Pte Alfred Harrison 5th Dragoon Guards KIA Batheaston Somerset

Pte Walter Swymer 5th Dragoon Guards KIA Stepney Middlesex

Pte Charlie Lodge 5th Dragoon Guards KIA Bath Somerset

Pte Charles Miller 5th Dragoon Guards KIA Saltash Cornwall

Bdr Charles Martin ‘L’ Battery RHA DOW Bow Devon

Gnr William Copplestone ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Gosport Hampshire

SS Alfred Heath ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Portsmouth

Gnr Alfred Miller ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Hailsham Sussex

Sgt Daniel Phillips ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Kingston-on-Thames

Dvr Ernest Collier ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Deal Kent

Sgt Water Fortune ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Ipswich Suffolk

Dvr Samuel Clayton ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Framlingham Sussex

Dvr Charles Mills ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Bethnal Green

Gnr Horace Bryant ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Biggleswade Bedford

Capt Edward Bradbury VC ‘L’ Battery RHA DOW Altrincham Cheshire

Lt John Campbell ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Tiverton Devon

Dvr Albert Burtenshaw ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Eastbourne Sussex

Dvr Ernest Brown ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Hanley Staffordshire

Bdr George Richards ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Peckham London

Gnr William Richardson ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Great Chesterford Essex

Gnr Thomas Rae ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Shirehampton Bristol

Gnr Percy Wornham ‘L’ Battery RHA KIA Gillingham

Gnr Charles Gidney (died 8/9/14) ‘L’ Battery RHA DOW Ipswich Suffolk

Bdr Frederick Taylor (died 2/9/14) ‘L’ Battery RHA DOW Plumstead Kent

Gnr Thomas Payne (died 4/9/14) L’ Battery RHA DOW Stratford London

Lt Lionel Mundy (died 3/9/14) L’ Battery RHA DOW Barnes Surry

Sgt Charles Weedon (died 3/9/14 L’ Battery RHA DOW St Pancras London

Gnr Edward Marsh (died 3/9/14) L’ Battery RHA DOW Forrest Hill London

Dvr Frederick Tester (died 2/9/14) ‘L’ Battery RHA DOW Farningham Kent

29

Shoeing-Smith.

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Numbers vary as to the amount of British that

were wounded and missing, the 2nd Dragoon

Guards give their number as 8 Officers and 44

other ranks as wounded, the 5th Dragoon Guards

as 1 Officer and 10 Other ranks. The figure for ‘L’

Battery’s total killed and wounded is unclear but

most historians record that they lost over a

quarter of their men as casualties, which would

place the figure at around 55. In all it is estimated

that the 1st Cavalry Bde had about 88 soldiers

wounded on the 1st of September. This figure,

added to those that were killed means that the

total Butchers Bill for the 1st Cavalry Division was 135 all ranks killed, wounded or missing. These

figure should always come with a health warning (no pun intended) because some soldiers may

have lived for months or even years after being wounded before succumbing either directly or

indirectly through complications of their wounds. I am always sceptical about exact numbers of

dead or wounded soldiers and indeed the dates given as to their death; these dates were written in

the immediate aftermath of an action by human hands. As a rule of thumb I rely on

theCommonwealth War Graves Commission for dates, although they too are not infallible.

Above, another ‘oilette’ by Harry Payne depicting Captain Lockett and ‘C’ Squadron charging the

guns at Néry.

It wasn’t just the men that suffered of course, there was also a price to pay for the horses and it is

thought that the British lost about 390 who were killed or wounded seriously enough to be shot.

The 5th Dragoon Guards claim in their War Diary that they had 60 – 80 horses killed or wounded

during the action alone. The vast majority of equine casualties were taken by the 2nd Dragoon

Guards and ‘L’ Battery

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As for the Germans, they also suffered heavily and, in terms of the aim being achieved they also

came off the worst. Von Garnier’s 4th Cavalry Division lost at least 180 men, of which 80 or so were

those taken as prisoners. They also lost up to 200 horses and, most importantly in terms of morale,

eight of their twelve 77mm guns. In fact, the three guns that the Germans managed to remove from

the battle field were found the next day by the 1st Cavalry Division abandoned, they were

subsequently destroyed by British Royal Engineers. Lumley explains what happened in the

immediate aftermath of the action:

“By this time the Eleventh Hussars were also moving out of Néry and C Squadron

was ordered to join them. It returned past the scene of the mornings fighting and

left Mr Curtis’s troop to assist a party of the 37th Howitzer Brigade which had been

sent by the 4th Division to remove the captured German guns; only three of these

guns were worth removing, the others being too much damaged. These three guns

were afterwards exhibited on the Horse Guards Parade in London labelled

‘Captured at Le Cateau’ the action at Néry was now over.

For a long time afterwards evidence of the violence of the fight lay around the village, thirty-two

smashed wagons, saddles and harnesses for hundreds of horses and many rifles and scattered

pieces of clothing. For several days the country people sought out the dead and buried them, they

also buried three hundred horses”.

The 11th Hussars role during the battle at Néry was extremely creditable. They alone were billeted

under cover30 and they alone sent out an Officers Patrol which discovered the Germans and at

least gave some warning to the German attack. But this was not all, Major Anderson’s ‘feeling of

dread’ when he awoke that morning meant that the 11th Hussars were saddled and prepared

before the action started. Furthermore, the 11th Hussar machine-gun section,along that of the 2nd

Dragoon Guards and ‘B’ Squadron’s accurate and timely fire onto the plateau throughout the battle

did much to prevent the Germans from being able to place troops on the plateau which could have

fixed the 1st Cav Bde in Néry allowing the Germans to manoeuvre in strength around the British

flanks. And of course, it was the charge by ‘C’ Squadron that took the guns and then subsequently

pursued the Germans to La PlessisChatalain which marked the end of the action.

When the wider context of the battle is considered though, it is not such a rosy picture.In truth

neither Briggs nor von Garnier could come away from the affair at Néry feeling very content with

the way that they had acted before and in some respects, during the action. Neither of them had

bothered to reconnoitre the ground in which they found themselves, Briggs having the better

chance of doing so because he had been there all night. It was only the fact that the 11th Hussars

sent out an Officers Patrols that morning that the British knew the extent and steepness of the

ravine on their eastern flank, this, coupled with Lt-Col Pitman’s reconnaissance later that morning

during the battle,was to help the 11th Hussars later when ‘C’ Squadron were ordered up to the top

of the plateau. Knowing this intelligence allowed the 11th Hussars to walk their horses up and arrive

at the top in good order. The mist also saved Briggs’ blushes because the Germans could not

move quickly despite knowing that the British were in Néry, indeed those first Uhlans that Tailby

saw that morning appeared to be lost.

30

Although this was as much by luck as it was by design, being that they were the first to arrive and probably ‘bagged’ the best spot for themselves.

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Above, men of the 2nd Dragoon Guards with Captured German Hussars and General Briggs with

members of his staff soon after the battle of Néry.

It was also the mist and steepness of the ravine that undid the German attacks, breaking them up

and giving the British machine-guns and rifles such a good target array. It should also be noted

that the British cavalrymen were experts with the .303 Rifle and had, following the lessons of the

Boer War been brought up to a standard that was every bit as good as their compatriots in the

infantry, in fact, in those days you shot for your pay; the better shot you were, the more money you

were paid. This accurate fire was as instrumental as the arrival of ‘I’ Battery in helping to disrupt

and frustrate the German attacks.

The actions of the German gunners in the early part of the battle was excellent as well as brave

considering that they were obliged to place their guns so close to the village and, without taking

anything of the bravery away from the British and in particularly ‘L’ Battery, if von Garnier had had

a small inkling of the obstacle that the ravine presented and, if he had conducted his own

reconnaissance he could have planned his attack much more effectively. It is highly likely that if he

had been in possession of this intelligence he would have manoeuvred his troops under cover and

avoided the hail of accurate British rifle and machine-gun fire and, he would certainly have avoided

the ravine. In this case it is extremely probable that the 1st Cavalry Bde would probably have been

rolled up in short order by the vastly more numerous Germans before ‘I’ Battery, the 4th Cavalry

Bde and the 1st Middlesex could arrive. Instead the fickle fortunes of war played their part and

despite suffering serious losses Briggs’ Bde, less ‘L’ Battery31 remained intact as a fighting force.

By contrast, von Garnier’s 4th Division was now in disarray and spread to the four winds, of the

4,300 troops that he started the war with he could now only muster 1,200 fit to fight. The task that

he had been given was now impossible for him to achieve and this meant that he, and the

Germans failed to pick up the movements of the French 6th army and, not to egg the pudding too

much, the action at Néry, despite the fact that it was largely unintentional may have gone a long

way to the allies winning on the Marne. A wireless message that was sent by the Headquarters of

the German 4th Cavalry Division was intercepted on the 1st of September, it read:

“Attacked by English at dawn, cannot fulfil mission”

31

‘L’ Battery were withdrawn from the line and replaced by a cobbled together battery consisting of men drawn from other depleted battery’s, the new Battery was called ‘Z’ Battery. The remnants of ‘L’ Battery were either sent back to the UK to reform the Battery or sent to other units. The re-constituted ‘L’ Battery re-entered the war in April 1915 when it was sent to Gallipoli. One wonders what ‘L’ battery had done to deserve a second go at being in hell.

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On the 11th of September 1914 the ‘Times’ Newspaper published the following report from their

special correspondent Captain Ferdinand Tuohy, it gives an insight to the confusion that reigned in

the days during the retreat from Mons:

“The cream of the British Army has suffered severely. Regiment on regiment, battalion on battalion,

have, in popular parlance been “cut up” – an elastic phrase. Yet just as never in the history of

warfare has there been anything like this great retreat, so too, is the steady flow of “stragglers” fit

and keen to fight another day, a refreshing novelty.

For instance, for two days now on a trip toward Paris, I have been persistently informed that the

11th Hussars no longer exist, that a role call would be farcical. Yet after probing the fate of the 11th

to the core, I would gladly bet that half of their 700 will eventually turn up, terrible as their

adventure undoubtedly has been. Their story may, indeed, be likened to a super tragedy such as

Magersfontein, for the pages of the Great War will surely one day be found replete with similar

misunderstandings.

At nightfall on September 2nd the 11th, exhausted horse and man after four days continuous

retreating, slackened rein in the vicinity of Compiegne. They had experienced a sorry piece of ill-

luck earlier in the day when a body of fifty Uhlans surrendered. No such luck as fifty fresh horses! If

the Germans were in a bad state, having been in the saddle six days, their mounts were dropping.

“When we took the saddles off, the poor beasts skin peeled off too. Had to shoot them all” a

‘straggler’ tells me. Still the 11th were not downhearted. They were to have a full nights rest at last,

thanks to a few hours screening movement by 10,000 fresher troops.

At 11.30 p.m. not a sound pierced the silence of their bivouac save the tread of the occasional

sentry. Dawn came and went. Suddenly towards 5 a.m. without warning of any kind, shell after

shell began bursting over their camp. In a rain of shrapnel the horses stampeded; a Napoleon

could not have stemmed the confusion which ensued. And that is really all there is to be told of the

fate of the 11th Hussars at Compiègne. For some reason or other the screening troops never

arrived. Survivors care to say little more. They only know how they themselves escaped from that

early morning inferno. Tonight there may not be more than twenty men of the 11th assembled in

any one spot, but to assert that the regiment is annihilated would be a vicious stretch of the

imagination”.

And there the story may have ended except for old soldiers telling war stories at the many reunions

and events that they would have attended following the war. But, in July 1963 an account of the

charge by the 11th Hussars was published in a periodical of the time called “Your Regiment”. The

following October and having read the article, the curator of the Regimental Museum of the

Middlesex Regiment, Major Richard Smith was moved to write a letter to “Soldier Magazine”

putting forward his regiment’s version of events on that day in September 1914, he wrote:

Sir,

I am afraid the story of the capture of the eight German guns at Néry by the 11th Hussars, as

described in "Your Regiment" ("Soldier," July), is not correct. These guns that were firing on the

famous "L" Battery were captured by "D" Company, 1st Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment. The

sights were removed and the elevating gear damaged as no horses were available from the

Middlesex to take the guns away. They were later taken away by the Cavalry who had made up

teams for the purpose. There was much correspondence in 1920 after publication of the story in

the "Cavalry Journal," and the whole story and correspondence is too long to cover in a letter, but

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the documents are at R .H.Q. of The Middlesex Regiment and can be seen by anyone interested.

In 1926, when the history was published by Everard Wyrall with the aid of General J. E. Edmond,

the official historian of World War One, the following paragraph appeared: "This small action,

insignificant as it may seem, is of considerable importance to Middlesex men, as the 1st Battalion

of the Regiment was the first British unitto capture German guns in the war." I am personally, as

are many others, an admirer of the "Cherrypickers" and soldiered alongside them in Abbassia in

1920, but feel I must write this letter to keep the record straight.

Major R. W. J. Smith

Curator, Regimental Museum, R .H.Q., The Middlesex

Regiment, Deansbrook Road, Edgware,

Middlesex.

This impertinence was too much to take by the likes of Lord Norrie and another distinguished 11th

Hussar, Sir Edward Spears who,in January 1964 both replied to Major Smith’s comments, again

using“Soldier Magazine” to set the record straight once and for all:

Sir,

It was my good fortune to have commanded 3rdTroop, "C" Squadron,

11th Hussars, at Néry. TheSquadron had been ordered to cross the

steep ravine,1914 move east, capture the German battery and reap

thefruits of victory. Mine was the leading troop and I confirm that we

did charge the German guns with drawn swords, capturing eight of

them and prisoners as well. My troop sergeant with his sword actually

wounded oneGerman gunner who was too slow in shouting

"Kamerad" and in putting up his hands with the rest of them.There

were no other British troops by the guns and the charge was a

spectacular one over 300 yards of open country, supported by rifle

fire from another Troop. I know that both The Middlesex Regiment

and The Queen's Bays have claimed the capture of the guns but this

was not the case. Although not so apparent at the time, the capture was a comparatively simple

task as the machine-gun fire of the Bays and the 11th Hussars had virtually silenced the battery,

and the fire of "l " Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, prevented the guns from being taken out of action

. These units, together with "L" Battery, of immortal memory, and the turning movement of the 5th

Dragoon Guards, made the capture of the guns possible. The most probable explanation of the

other twoclaims is that the main body of "D" Company, The Middlesex Regiment, did not arrive at

the guns until 3 Troop had moved on—having handed over the guns and prisoners to the former's

advance guard—and possibly the Middlesex had moved on when a party of the Bays arrived. The

Middlesex Regiment had marched to the sound of the guns to support the 1st Cavalry Brigade, and

we much appreciated this from old friends. Although nearly fifty years have elapsed, I personally

vouch that the facts given in this account are accurate. The whole of my Troop took part in the

charge, which was seen by others in "C" Squadron, and last but not least by the German gunners

who surrendered.

Lieut-General LordNorrie, D.S.O., M.C.

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And Spears wrote:

Sir,

As an old Cherrypicker I very much appreciate what Major Smith says

about my Regiment and Ishould like to return the compliment by saying

that I myself was brought up to respect and admire that most gallant of

corps, The Middlesex Regiment. I have made a close study of the

battle of Néry and I am convinced that the account I have given is

completely accurate. The following is a summary. At about 8 a .m. the

4th Cavalry Brigade appeared,together with "I" Battery, Royal Horse

Artillery, which unlimbered and opened fire on the German guns at a

range of about 200 yards as "L" Battery fell silent. "I" Battery reduced

the German guns and destroyed the teams which galloped up to

remove them. The German gunners tried to man-handle their guns

away under heavy and accurate rifle and machine-gun fire. Four guns that were extricated were

captured next day. Willoughby Norrie's troop supported by fire from the following troops charged

the guns and captured or scattered the gunners. Only one stood his ground, who was run through

by Sergeant Haily, Norrie's troop sergeant, with his sword. There were eight guns flanked by two

machine-guns, the first to be captured in the war. While the rest of the Cavalry squadron was

scouring the fields for prisoners, taking a good many, somecompanies of the Middlesex Regiment

appeared. Major Lockett came to a quick understanding with them that they would take over while

the Cavalry moved on to attack the next village which was held by the enemy. Later the guns were

taken away by the Cavalry who made up teams for that purpose. I think that most people would

conclude that the Cavalry which charged the German gunners and disposed of the gun crews were

the captors of the guns. I myself have always believed in the old axiom that the infantry was queen

of the battlefield but I donot think it adds anything to the glory of The Middlesex Regiment to give

the impression that they cantered ahead of the Cavalry to capture the guns at Néry.

Major-General Sir Edward L. Spears, M .C.

Having now seen the response to his claims, Major Smith wrote a letter to the Commanding Officer

of the 11th Hussars, Lt Col Sutton where he appears to agree to disagree. In the letter dated 3rd

January, 1964 to Lieut ColonelSutton, Major Smith gallantly says:

Dear Colonel Sutton,

Thank you for your letter of 7th November, 1963 and I must answer your last paragraph first. Of

course I agree to your springing to the defence of yourregiment. Where, or what, would the British

Army be without this Regimental loyalty and pride?I then thought I'd wait for the "Soldier" before I

replied. Now "Soldier" for January, 1964 has justappeared on my table and what a broadside from

the Néry guns!General Lord Norrie's letter is a most courteousand enlightening reply and will help

me considerably in putting the record straight. He was there, I wasn't,and only have War Diaries

and subsequent correspondenceto work on.I will write to you again as soon as I have checkedover

any details available that I have here or can find elsewhere. The important thing is to have the

correctstory, come what may.We often have to adjust old claims and although like to broadcast

Regimental achievements, I neverinvent them or let inaccurate stories stand.One thing this

correspondence in "Soldier" willdo is to attract attention to the exploits of our twoRegiments, in

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addition it may throw more light on the"Affair at Néry" if others write in. In closing, may I wish you a

successful New Yearand during the whole of 1964.

Yours sincerely,

Major Dick Smith.

And there, at least for now, the matter rests.