The Battle of Bixehoote
(First Battle of Ypres)
Vol. 7, No. 4. Published Quarterly October, 1934
Communications to
The Editor, "Ypres Times,"
20, Orchard Street, London, W.l.
By Captain J. G. W. Hyndson, M.C.
Late Loyal Regiment.
Author of From Mons to the 1st Battle of Ypres.
LATE in the afternoon of October 22nd, 1914, the 1st battalion Loyal North
Lancashire Regiment marched into the village of Boesinghe on the Yser Canal
and were allotted billets.
As the evening drew in, the sky was lit up by a distant glare of the burning houses,
which had been set on fire by the German artillery and the small arms fire became
more distinct in the calm night air.
Before we were able to settle down, fresh orders arrived and we were hurriedly
called out, and marched off without the slightest idea where we were going. After
trudging along a twisting road for a few miles we landed up at St. Jean, here we slept
(in the houses) for a few hours. Called out at midnight we marched off again, eventually
arriving at Pilckem, the railway crossing, where we turned off into a turnip field and
lay down to await daylight but not to sleep as the rest of the night was interrupted by
rifle firing which went on continuously, and the Germans sent up a constant stream of
different coloured Very Lights, which light up a limited area as brightly as sunlight.
At daybreak the firing increased in volume directly to our front, and a good many
stray bullets fell amongst us, but although there was an unpleasant Zip about them
as they struck the turnip leaves, surprisingly little damage was done and casualties
were negligible.
Soon after nine o'clock, all officers were sent for by the Colonel and he addressed
us as follows
Gentlemen, yesterday the Germans attacked and penetrated into the position held by the I st
Guards' Brigade in Bixehoote, which you will see by your maps is about two miles in front of us. The
Guards' Brigade and particularly the Cameron Highlanders, have been severely handled but are hanging
on to the ends of the break. The reserve company of the Camerons has been sent up to fill in the gap,
and has managed to prevent the Germans from exploiting their success.
We are to attack and re-establish the original line, and we will be supported by the 2nd South
Staffordshire Regiment from the 6th Infantry Brigade. A," B and C Companies are to lead
and D Company is to remain in reserve under my direct orders. The machine-guns will support
the attack from the best possible position. Any questions No Then off you gothe attack will
begin in half an hour from now."
