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The Ypres Times.
R. F. B. Hodgkinson, O.B.E., T.D., which, apart from the financial results was an act of kindness
and of real value deeply appreciated by the League. We also wish to express our gratitude to the
N.C.O.'s and men of the Battalion who generously offered their services in the capacity of sellers.
Worksop.Captain Weetman, with the loyal support of his Company, who did all the actual selling
of the songs, met with the ungrudging support of the proprietor and manager of the local cinemas
The Victoria Palace, Worksop The Picture House The Gaiety Theatre Mr. J. Drury, Assembly
HallMr. G. Green, The Pavilion. We thank all these gentlemen for the kind co-operation, and we
congratulate Captain Weetman on his splendid success by which our funds were materially benefited
and our propaganda spread.
We publish for the interest of our readers a short history of the 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters.
A SHORT ACCOUNT OF 8th BATTN. THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS IN THE WAR.
Like all other units of the Territorial Force, the Battalion mobilised on August 4th, 1914, and began
its move to France 011 February 25th, 1915, a part of the 46th North Midland Division this Division
being the first complete Territorial Division to be sent on active service. On April 3rd it took over a
sector of the line at Kemmel, and remained there for nearly three months. Owing to bad trenches,
inexperience, and a good deal of bad luck, it suffered a large number of casualties. Its next move was
to the Salientit took over the trenches in front of Sanctuary Wood on June 23rd, and our stay in this
part of the Une continued until the end of September. The most memorable portion of this was a tour
of nineteen successive days in the trenches, during which the Battahon helped to sustain and beat
off the murderous liquid fire attack at Hooge on the night of 29-30Ü1 July. For its conduct in this
action, the BattaUon afterwards received the thanks of the Higher Command.
Perhaps the most interesting period in the history of the BattaUon (and also of the Division) was
in September, 1918. As part of a larger operation, the Division was ordered to cross the St. Quentin
Canal between BellengUse and Riqueval Bridge, hold the crossings, and take the trench system to the
east of it. On the morning of September 29th, contrary to all expectations, the Staffordshire Brigade
achieved the impossible, and took and crossed the canal. In all the BattaUon took something like 300
prisoners, 40 machine guns and 10 trench mortars. This achievement, which was as wonderful and
unexpected as it was far-reaching in its results, was due solely to the splendid spirit of all ranks and their
invincible determination to get there at all costs. On October 3rd a further attack was undertaken
by the Division, which was opposed by four German Divisions with instructions to hold out to the
last The objective of the Brigade was Ramicourt and Montbrehain the former was captured,
together with 400 prisoners, by three companies of this BattaUon. On October 17th a general attack
was ordered to be carried out on the Bois-de-Riquerval and the Ardigny Ridge, this BattaUon being
entrusted with the attack on our Brigade front. After some very gallant fighting, the enemy were
eventually pushed out, and the Battalion had a total of 220 prisoners and nearly 100 machine guns
to show.
Colwyn Bay.Our sincere thanks are due to Colonel W. H. Hughes, T.D., 61st Medium Brigade,
R.A. (T.A.), who helped us through his Battery Commanders at Colwyn Bay, Bangor and Llandudno.
Colwyn Bay was organised by the O.C., 243rd Med. Battery, R.A., who made a very successful appeal.
Bangor was organised by 241st Medium Battery, and Llandudno by Major C. B. Arnold, Commanding
242nd Medium Battery. We were most grateful for help in these three districts and apart from the
amount reaUsed for our funds, which was no mean contribution, we appreciate the nature of our name
being so widely spread. We have also to acknowledge with grateful thanks the anonymous gift of one
guinea through the O.C. 243rd.Medium Battery. Among those who helped, we extend our thanks to
Mr. Pittingale, Public Hall, Abergale Road Mr. Kenyon, Princess Theatre Mr. Kennedy, Arcadia,
Princess Drive. Also to Sergeant T. E. Ellis, Sergeant W. R. Murrell, Br. J. F. Sheehan, Miss
K. Jones.
Woodford Green.Mrs. Jolly, whose husband, Lt.-Col. H. Jolly, T.D., commands the 58th Essex
and Suffolk Brigade, R.A., most kindly approached the South Woodford Cinema on our behalf and
gave us most valuable help, for which we are very grateful. We would like to thank the Manager of
the Cinema for his support and for adjusting his programme to suit our purpose. Much praise is also
due to Miss Vera Foot, who volunteered to sing our song and whose beautiful rendering without doubt
largely increased the sales.
Llanelly.Lt.-Col. H. S. Burn, D.S.O., Commanding 4th Brigade The Welch Regiment (T.A.),
who so ably organised Llanelly for us, seemed to find little difficulty in achieving a complete success.
Selling at three Cinemas, he sold all the songs sent him and informed us that he could have sold many
more. We congratulate him most heartily on his easy victory, and regret that we are unable to
publish the names of the Cinemas which supported him.
Elgin, Scotland.Colonel S. Gair, C.B.E., D.C.M., T.D., Commanding the 6th Battalion Seaforth
Highlanders, helped our cause considerably. We were very fortunate in securing his support, and we
feel that, through his kindness, our propaganda reached a district which we should not have been able
to approach successfully in any other way.
Manchester.With the kind assistance of Lt.-Colonel L. C. Mandelberg, D.S.O., M.C., Commanding
the 8th Lancashire Fusiliers at Lower Broughton, and of Captain H. A. Newson, the Adjutant, who was
