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.