i st Bo. Middlesex Regioieot io the Retreat from Moos. 2o8 THE YPRES TIMES (A diary compiled at the time by Lieut.-Col. J. S. Cunningham, D.S.O., then Capt. Cunningham, Commanding "C" Company August io.Left Woolwich 5 a.m.Arrived Southampton 11.30 a.m.C and D Companies embarked on Princess Ena and lay alongside all night— C Company officers occupied ladies' lounge. August 11.Left Southampton at 4 a.m., escorted by destroyersDisembarked Havre 3 p.m.Much enthusiasm displayedArrived SanvicPitched camp 10 p.m. August 12-21.HavreIn billetsPitching and cleaning camps. August 22.Battalion left HavreDestination unknown. August 23.Arrived at Valenciennes 8 a.m.Marched and took up position on Mons-Condé CanalC Company on extreme left of BattalionCameronians on my left-My company in sight of CondéEntrenched position, with obstacles on pathsHeavy rifle and maxim fire to my right about 8 p.m. B Company attachedBlakeney wounded. August 24.-Received order to retire at 1.40 a.m.2 hours 40 minutes in comingretired company to QuevrainJoined remainder of BattalionSent Gould to say I had taken this routehe chased by Uhlans and fired atContinued retire ment to JenlanEntrenchedBridges blown up. August 25.Continued retirement earlyRested at Haussy at noon Carabiniers and other cavalry badly shelledLosses apparently not heavyLeft bivouac just in time, as enemy began shelling just as we leftShelled through village (name unknown)Arrived Le'Cateau in eveningVery long march4th Division entrenched covered our retirementSlept at Le Cateau in a shed. August 26Paraded 4 a.m. to continue retirement, battalion rearguard to brigadeC and D Companies rear partyLively exit from townHad to barricade roadsAttacked all along by UhlansThree men in company hit before clear of town. Continued rearguard actionTold by Col. Cameron (staff, 5th Division) that we were going to stand and fightTold to take company behind a wood and join remainder of battalionDid soBattery in positionArgyll and Sutherland Highlanders and ourselves moved on to hill near Le CateauTook up position about 10 a.m.Heavily shelledGood many casualtiesSpence woundedretired to second trenchCavalry retired from our flankTotal of about 800 on our hill, Middlesex, Scots Fusiliers and ArgyllsMasses of enemy appeared front and both flanksMust have been some thousands. At 3.30 p.m. ordered to retire towards D'EstréeRetirement successfully carried outMen AiWanted very little steadying and no panicOught to have been all scupperedShelled through village but enemy evidently cautious after lossesContinued retirement late into the nightWent into bivouac near D'Estrée Very wet, uncomfortable nightSlept in wet straw next to Ross. Fell in 2 a.m. and continued retirement west of St. Quentin to Ham 40 miles in 24 hours)Spies shotFirst wash for daysOutposts.

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1929 | | pagina 18