104 The vrres Times. 9th Lancers, for which Captain Francis Grenfell, was awarded the Victoria Cross. That account, naturally, dealt only with the fine work of the Lancers, and in consequence may have conveyed rather an inadequate impression regarding the part played by the gunners and their commander, who also received the coveted decoration for his gallantry on the same occasion. Perhaps, therefore, I may be allowed to supplement it by a few words as to the doings of the Battery on that day just ten years ago as I write. They afford a fine example of leadership and of discipline, as well as of the value of the pre-war training of the Army. For the Battle of lions, of which the action of Elouges formed a part, was fought less than three weeks after the Declaration of War, and within a fortnight of the Battery leaving its peace station. The 5th Division (to which the Battery belonged) was on the left of the British line, the flank against which it seemed probable that any turning movement would be directed. The heavy guns of the Division were therefore concentrated on that flank and a field batten- (the 119th) was kept in reserve, and was thus ready, when the anticipated movement developed, to form, with the Xorfolks and Cheshires, a flank guard to the Division. This flank guard, under the Command of Colonel Ballard, of the Norfolks, moved out through Elouges, near which village the guns were brought into action in a covered position between the railway lines from Quievrain and Audregnies to lions. They were shelled pretty heavily from the time they opened fire, but at first the enemy's practice was poor, and the casualties were slight. When, however, the 2nd Cavalry Brigade, which was also operating on this flank, drew off, two more German batteries turned upon the 119th, from their right, and this fire, with that of a machine gun at much closer range, soon became effective, being probably directed from a mine-dump which com pletely overlooked the gun position. Battery reconnaissance having also established the fact that the Germans were getting close up on that flank, the Battery Commander personally reported the situation to Colonel Ballard, who replied that he was just issuing the order to retire, and that the Battery was to do so. Meanwhile Battery-Sergeant-Major F. Smith had sent the spare gunners with their rifles to hold the railway embankment, on which he had also got two cavalry machine guns into action. But the Germans were showing in force on the mine-dump, and bullets were falling thick about the guns, though fortunately the musketry was bad. Major Alexander saw that any attempt to bring up the teams would be fatal, and that the only thing to do was to run the guns back by hand to the horses, and it was just then that Captain Grenfell came up (on foot) with his offer of assistance. Major Alexander explained what he was about to do, adding that if Captain Grenfell could give him any men to help he would be much obliged. He then walked back to the guns and started the detachments to work, and the first gun had just been got under cover when Captain Grenfell returned with his officers and men and helped to run the rest of the guns and limbers back to the teams, which were under the shelter of the railway embankment. The distance to be covered was about 300 yards, and the ground was very sandy and heavy, so that the timely assistance of the Lancers was very much appreciated, especially in view of the fact that the gunners had been working their guns for several hours, during which they had suffered heavy casualties. "To get the Battery away, even when safely limbered up, was, however, a ticklish job, for the railway had to be passed, and the level-crossing was much exposed. Recog nising the risk, Major Alexander personally reconnoitred the ground with the view of finding another passage. It was well that he did so, for the level-crossing was soon blocked by a wagon which was hit by a shell, while the guns got off with a few bullets, although they had to pass in full view and within a couple of hundred yards of the Huns on the mine-dump, and the pace was never hurried. When all were clear Major Alexander himself followed, and readers of the Ypres Times will, I am sure, be glad to know that the horse he rode that day is still alive and well in spite of his twenty-four years and his war service!"

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1924 | | pagina 18