Branch Notes
THE YPRES TIMES
121
A DIFFERENT HISTORY.
It is refreshing to pick up a history through
•which one does not "wade", but by which one
is carried interestedly through to the end; a
book in which the author has blended historical
accuracy with intimate anecdote and has made
the story of his Battalion a splendid record
of his comrades' deeds (and misdeeds), whilst
he has, in addition, given the public a thoroughly
interesting book.
One feels,' by the time that one reaches
the final page, that one knows the chief charac
ters in this Big Familyalmost as well as
did the author, who, indeed, had plenty of oppor
tunity of knowing them, having served with them
practically throughout the existence of the unit.
Such is the History of the 11th (Lewisham)
Battalion of The Queens's Own, Royal-West
Kent Regiment, (41st. Division) by Captain
R.O. Russell, M.C., and published by the Lewis-
ham Newspaper Co., Ltd., Loampit-vale, S.E.13,
at 5s. 9d. post free, with a de luxe edition at
a guinea.
The History has several unique features
apart from the unconventional manner in which
it is written. There are messages from its
Colonel, its Brigade Commander and its Divi
sional Commander. It is copiously illustrated,
and the maps and aerial photographs are splen
did: a number of them being now published
for the first time. Delightful thumb-nail sket
ches, too, add a further charm.
As for the fighting history of this Battalion
we read that its Colonel won the D.S.O. three
times in seven months. We need add nothing
further.
The Battalion served continuously in the
Salient for over twelve months in 1916-17 and
this alone should make the book particularly
interesting to members of the Ypres League.
The publishers are to be congratulated
on producing one of the best battalion histories
we have yet come across.
PURLEY BRANCH.
THE BOMBARDIER'S FOURSOMES, 1934.
4th, 5th and 6th Battles.
Just when the Fourth Battles were in
progress, a shadow fell on the competition
Capt. E. H. Carr, one of last year's finalists
and again fighting strongly, passed away sud
denly, after an illness which he appeared to be
overcoming.
The Chairman and a contingent of Members
attended the funeral to accord him the last
honours.
The Fourth Battles were the Quarter-finals
and at the top Alderson and Meredith, who
played Mutton and Duncan at Coulsdon Court,
got beaten by them on the last green, 2 up.
The next two matches were all Woodcote
Park parties Fitton and Zinn played Frost
and Green and lost to them, 4 up and 3 Green
and Scott played Taylor and Wiltshire, and
won 2 up.
In the last match Harris and Streat played
Featherstone and G. Carr at Coulsdon Court,
and the holders did their stuff quite well and
won, 3 and 1.
The Semi-finals or Fifth Battles were
exci ing affairs Frost and Green went invading
to Coulsdon Court, established an early lead on
Mutton and Duncan and beat them handsomely
by 5 and 3. Green's already high reputation
has gone higher after every match clearly
his partner Frost always does his share too.
The other battle developed into a desperate
show having survived for some years there
was just a possibility that the holders, Feather-
stone and Carr might win one more battle, but
this time they were unable to take the one
chance of winning at the 18th (Carr looked up
and Scott and Green won at the 20th. The
latter played very fine golf and each made
a match-winning shot at the right moment,
and so won a great game. The losers were
round in 78, Featherstone playing like a hero.
The Sixth and Final Battle was an all-
Woodcote-Park affair Capt. R. L. Haine, V.C.,
M.C., the Chairman, reports as follows
Final of the Bombardier's Foursomes
played at Woodcote Park on Sunday 29th
July. S. Green (12) and Scott (9) gave five
strokes to Frost (17) and G. Green (18).
The final this year was a ding-dong battle
from start to finish, and it was not until they
reached the 18th green that Scott and Green
(S) succeeded in finishing off their opponents
by winning 2 up.
Scott and Green took the lead at the first
hole but Frost and Green won the second which
was a stroke hole. The third was halved in
four, and Scott and Green again took the lead
at the fourth. The fifth was halved and the
sixth won by Green and Frost, to make the
match all square once again.
By this stage of the game all the players
had settled down and we enjoyed some really
fine golf. Frost in particular was playing
