Private James Rainey-290563 (1892-1918)
Z Company
8th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
James Rainey was born on 30th April 1892 in Aughnahoy, Portglenone, Co. Antrim and baptised in the Church of Ireland in the village. The next official record that appears for him is in the 1901 census, where he is listed as a 10 year old schoolboy, living with his mother and four siblings. At that time his family were still living in Aughnahoy in a property owned by John Maxwell. Jimmy’s father was John Rainey, although he is not listed as actually living at the address at the time. It is likely that John was coal mining in Scotland at the time, as were several other local people, due to high local unemployment. His mother Hanna is listed as head of the family who was aged 40. There are five children listed in the family in the 1901 census, the oldest being my grandfather Henry aged 16, next Jane (Jeannie) aged 13, then James aged 10 followed by Lizzie-Ann aged 7 and finally Rose aged 4.
In 1911, the census records James is listed as a 20 year old farm labourer, living with his father John aged 54, his mother Hannah aged 55, his brother Henry aged 23 and sister Rose 14, the family still living in Aughnahoy.
At the outbreak of World War One in August 1914 family stories recollect that Jimmy set off to walk to Randalstown to enlist in the Army, but this is unlikely for two reasons: firstly, in the Battalion history quoted below it states in his death notice that he had enlisted in Glasgow and secondly since his Battalion, the 8th Scottish Rifles, was a Territorial one, he would have been a weekend soldier before the war broke out and so would have to be living in or around Glasgow. His nephew William Rainey (1930-2007) also told me Jimmy worked in the gasworks in Glasgow before the war. The 'Terriers', or 'Saturday Night Soldiers', were not obliged to serve overseas in the event of a crisis and as stated in the extracts only volunteers sailed off to Gallipoli and beyond.
It is not possible to confirm any of Jimmy's war service details since the majority of WW1 service records, including Jimmy Rainey's, were destroyed in a German bombing raid on the Ministry of Defence during WW2. The remainder of these records are knows as the "Burnt Documents". However, we know from his medal rolls that he disembarked with the battalion on Gallipoli on 14/6/1915, and that from his death certificate he was killed in action in France on 29/7/1918 while still serving with the 8th Scottish Rifles (copies of both are enclosed). Since the battalion remained overseas for the entire period it is reasonable to assume that he saw action with them as listed in the story below. The only period of home leave mentioned is before they set off for Gallipoli. Almost certainly there were periods when he would have been out of action due to sickness, which was rife with the regiments on the Middle–East front, but local hospitals and rest camps would have been used for treatment and recovery.
At around the age of twenty-three therefore he would have set off with many hundreds of compatriots from Scotland and Ireland, some to escape the drudgery of the mines, others simply looking for adventure. They would sail and march to destinations they had scarcely heard of before but which would become infamous when the history of World War One was written. Names such as Gallipoli, Egypt, Gaza, and Palestine on the Middle East front, and Flanders etc on the Western Front. They all found adventure beyond their wildest dreams although some of them never returned to share it with family or friends. One of them was Jimmy Rainey who was killed on the Western Front on 29th July 1918 during the Battle of Beugneux. He is buried in Raperie British Cemetery, Villemontoire, Aisne, France in plot 6, row A, grave 10. (Photo of grave and cemetery enclosed) This article is an attempt to show his life and death as a soldier in the Great War.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 8TH CAMERONIANS IN WORLD WAR ONE
The 1/8th Cameronians, a Territorial Force battalion, originally formed part of the 156th Infantry Brigade of the 52nd (Lowland) Division, serving with that formation on Gallipoli and subsequently in Egypt and Palestine until June 1918, after which the battalion was transferred to the 103rd Brigade of the 34th Division and moved to the Western Front. The 34th Division fought as part of the French XXX Corps in the Second Battle of the Marne during the last days of July 1918 when Private Rainey was killed.
1915 -GALLIPOLI
28/29 JUNE--Gully Ravine
12/13 JULY--AchiBaba Nullah
29 DECEMBER-Krithia Nullahs
1916
Night of 7/8 Jan.-Evacuation of Helles, Gallipoli
After the evacuation of Gallipoli the 52nd Division moved to Egypt.
EGYPT
22 APRIL--Dueidar
4/5 AUGUST-Battle of Romani
1917
INVASION OF PALESTINE
26/27 MARCH--First Battle of Gaza
17-19 APRIL--Second Battle of Gaza
1-7 NOVEMBER-Third Battle of Gaza
8 NOVEMBER-Wadi el Hesi
12 NOVEMBER-Burqa
13 NOVEMBER-El Maghar
14 NOVEMBER-Capture of Junction Station
20-24 NOVEMBER-Battle of Nabi Samweil
21 DECEMBER-Passage of the Nahr el Auja
1918
Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March, when it sailed between the 4th and 11th of April from Alexandria for Marseille en route for the Western Front. The 8th Scottish Rifles were transferred on the 24th of June to the 103rd Brigade of the 34th Division and fought with the XXX corps of the French Army in the second battle of the Marne.
Item details WO 95/4321-Scope and content 156 Infantry Brigade: 1/8 Battalion (Scottish Rifles) Covering dates 1915 May - 1916 Jan.
Item details WO 95/4610 -Scope and content 1/8 Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Covering dates 1916 Jan. - 1918 Mar.
Item details WO 95/2467 -Scope and content 8 Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Covering dates 1918 Apr. - 1919 Feb
Extracted from 'WITH THE 8TH SCOTTISH RIFLES' BY COL.J.M.FINDLAY DSO Published 1926
The 8th Scottish Rifles mobilized for war on the 4th August 1914 and with the 5th, 6th and 7th Scottish Rifles made up the Scottish Rifle Brigade, soon to be known as 156th Infantry Brigade, 52nd Lowland Division.
On the previous Friday we had just completed our annual training at Gailes, and it is certain that nobody had the slightest idea of the upheaval to industry, to society, and to ordinary routine of life that we were to experience during the next few years. We knew, of course, in a vague way, the serious things a war portended. We had sent off, before camp training was completed, various guards to Scapa, to Lochgelly Oil Works, to Aran, and other places, and we thus realized its imminence. I think we all looked forward to mobilization, and went into the affair lightheartedly and eagerly as though setting out on a great adventure.
It was a harassing time, and everybody was thankful when we received orders at the end of a week for a move to the Larbert area. This was a distance of 23 miles and it was decided to march there. Normally, and especially when we had just completed our training this would not have stretched the men too much. But in spite of all the efforts to keep the men fit during the week in Glasgow, the ten days' interregnum had softened them. Sufficient to say, that on a hot day, with new boots, the march was a very trying one, and our entry into Larbert was hardly of the 'conquering hero' type. There was an epidemic of blistered feet in the battalion for a week after.
Man is an adaptable animal and we soon settled down to a life of strenuous training. We were not destined to remain long as a battalion at Larbert. About a fortnight after our arrival there, during a route march, we had a half-hour fall-out in a large field a few miles out towards Airth. While there the Brigadier, who had previously sent a chit to the C.O's asking how many of the officers and men were willing to volunteer for foreign service, came round each battalion to find out the response. As far as the 8th was concerned, it is comforting, that all the officers and over 90% of the other ranks unhesitatingly stepped forward in reply.
The Service Battalion ousted us from Larbert, and after a day or two to settle down, we again got into the way of strenuous training. I remember we did a good deal of night work, and some special instructions in musketry and platoon training came to us from the Gordons.
October, November, December 1914, and January 1915, passed quickly in hard training, and hard swearing at our fate that we would never get to the front, as we supposed.
To our great chagrin, in November, the 5th Scottish Rifles were sent off on their own to France. The following month the 6th Scottish Rifles also departed for France. Thus were left only the 7th Battalion and ourselves. To complete the Brigade in April 1915 there eventually came into our area the 4th and 7th Royal Scots from Edinburgh and Leith, and these two remained with and completed the 156th Brigade until the end.
The hills behind Falkirk in the morning and the Gasworks field in the afternoon were the chief scenes of our activities. On the former we attacked and defended every conceivable position in every conceivable way. The amount of energy expended in these attacks, retirals, and night manoeuvres was amazing, and was only equaled by the eagerness or the rush for the front stalls in the local Grand Theatre every Monday evening.
In January we began to get awfully sick of things; everything appeared to against our going on Foreign Service. We even envied the troops who had been sent to India. Units here and there seemed to be chosen, whilst we, one of the finest battalions, as we considered ourselves, were left at home. Towards the end of the month I was ordered to take a party of 200 strong to Torphichen to carry out a musketry course. While there the men were billeted in a comfortable little hall in the village, Mr. Wood of Wallhouse entertained officers. We spent there a useful and happy 10 days.
In February we were ordered to the Tay defences to relieve the 4th Black Watch, ordered on foreign service. I took two companies to Broughty Ferry which was a good place, and considering how fed-up we all were about our non-removal to a sphere of active operations, it was a happy change. The two companies at Dundee had a poor time, having constantly to furnish guards down at the docks, thus leaving insufficient men for serious training.
Barry Range is only about 20 minutes by rail from Broughty Ferry and while on the Tay defences the battalion benefited from proximity to the range, and all ranks were put through a musketry course, most valuable, as was later proved in the war; incidentally, we had some good games of golf on the course there.
About the middle of April 1915, the battalion returned to Falkirk, being relieved by a unit of the Welch Regiment. We knew then we were destined for the Dardanelles, and a very strict medical examination was necessary- owing to this 70 other ranks were rejected as unfit, and a few others were hurriedly fitted out with dentures to help them cope with "hard tack". We spent about a month in fitting out, weeding out, completing equipment to war-scale, making wills, and getting embarkation leave. This is probably when the photograph above was taken as Jimmy Greer of Portglenone is also pictured in the full version of the photo. A family story also tells that when it came time to return to the battalion Jimmy Rainey did not want to go back and was eventually “persuaded” to go by the Military Police. His father apparently volunteered to go in his place, and his mother tried to prevent him from going by lying down in the doorway to block his path. I think this story is purely apocryphal and refers to someone else from Portglenone who served in WW1. Family stories are notoriously inaccurate as all other pieces of verbal information passed on to me about Jimmy turned out to be untrue when checked against primary sources.
GALLIPOLI
On the 5th April the Division received information that it would shortly proceed overseas, and on the 7th May it was warned that it would be employed in Gallipoli. On the 17th May 1915, the battalion left Falkirk for Devonport. The right-half battalion departed at 1700 hours and the left-half at 1800 hours under my command. We all arrived at Devonport on the morning of the 18th, and embarked on the H.M.T. Ballarat. The Battalion transport did not leave Falkirk until the 21st, arriving Devonport on the 22nd, and embarking on H.M.S. Shropshire the same day. The movement of the division was marked by a tragedy. On the 22nd May the troop-train carrying Headquarters and two companies of 7th Royal Scots was involved in a collision near Gretna in which 3 officers and 207 other ranks were killed, with 224 injured.
There is not much to chronicle about our voyage to Mudros, the port on the island of that name, which was the jumping-off point for Gallipoli. We had a very comfortable, quiet journey; nobody was permitted to go ashore at Gibraltar or Malta, and at that time the submarine menace did not trouble transports.
We arrived at Mudros on the 29th May 1915, and at 1600 hours we steamed into the inner bay. Mudros is one of the world's most wonderful natural harbours and could have anchored the whole British Navy. After a fortnight of weary waiting, during which we passed the time in physical training, swimming and sailing, we at last got our sailing orders.
Battalion H.Q. and two companies were detailed to go in the Osmanieh, while the remaining company and I was told off to Trawler 328. With what eagerness we all changed ships, hurrying aboard the smaller craft lest by any chance our orders should be cancelled. My recollection of our passage on the trawler to Helles is that we left the Ballarat at about 1800 hours on the 13th June, and arrived alongside the River Clyde by V Beach about 2300 hours.
We were lucky in getting ashore without being shelled. Having formed up, we started off under the guidance of a youth, who had himself only arrived the day before, in the hope of finding the spot where we were to bed down for the night.
After wandering around for four hours or so, during which time I dispensed with the ineffective guide, we came across, by good luck, the Brigade-Major. He led us to a dump of picks and shovels, which were distributed, and we proceeded to dig ourselves in to our first downy beds on the peninsula. It was then dawn, and we hadn’t been digging long when an enemy aircraft spotted us, and soon we tasted our first shellfire. We took cover and then carried on digging. We were in full view of the Turks where we were, but not much troubled by shelling, and soon made ourselves trenches and holes in the ground to live in. This position was to become the Rest Camp for the troops at Helles.
The C.O. and the rest of the Battalion left Mudros at 1900 hours and I leave it to Lieut.-Colonel D.S.Carson to tell their story. This is the half of the Battalion that James Rainey would have sailed with as according to his medal records he disembarked in Gallipoli on 14th June 1915, as did this section of the Battalion.
"As the Osmanieh sailed slowly through the maze of shipping in the harbour, thousands of soldiers and sailors lined the rails of the ships as we passed, and cheered us on our way. To a shipload of Australian sick and wounded some of our fellows shouted the stock phrase at the time 'Are we downhearted? No!' and when some Australian wag shouted back 'Well, you dammed soon will be', our chaps, though taken aback, were incredulous. As the ship passed out through the winding harbour entrance darkness came down and everyone retired below to have a feed, with butter and other kindred comforts, the like of which was not to be seen again for some considerable time.
Notwithstanding the attractions below, everyone felt that the top deck was the place to be on the eve of such an adventure. All we thought of was that at last our nine months of hard training would be put to the test, and our discipline and fortitude tested on the anvil of modern war. Thus very soon everyone crowded up from below and gathered about the rails and peered into the darkness. Our passage through the calm starlight summer night, unbroken by any sound except the gentle lapping of the Aegean Sea against the ships side, exuded romance. Expectation was in the air, but what to expect!
The C.O and Adjutant were bombarded with questions, but all the time we kept listening and listening! We had been told that the firing could be heard a long way out to sea, and if there was still firing we might yet be in time. At last, amid great excitement, the tongues of war were faintly heard above the chunking of the propeller. Soon the rattle of musketry and the rat-tat-tat of machine-guns became distinct. As we approached Cape Helles we could see every now and then Very lights shoot into the sky, hover for a few seconds in dead silence, and go out amid a roar of defensive fire. What an entry into war! Can you picture it? We had literally sailed into it.
Soon our ship, which had been zigzagging about for fear of submarines, came to a halt, and lighters came alongside into which we all tumbled as quickly and quietly as possible. Within twenty minutes we were alongside others lighters on Lancashire Landing, and from there we jumped ashore where we lay receiving orders and counter-orders until after daybreak, when we joined the other half of the battalion which had landed earlier.
It quickly became obvious that there was there was a multitude of orders, ambiguous and often conflicting, and as we lay on the beach we sensed in the atmosphere, the lack of grip and an absence of that real command which in all forms of warfare is essential to success. We had been trained to believe we would form part of an efficient machine, and when, at the outset, we found all this wanting, our confidence received a setback.
The battalion soon settled down to live in a sort of rabbit warren known as Torres Lines, but we were not left long undisturbed, as the Rest Camp was heavily shelled on the morning of the 15th June from Asia, the battalion suffering several casualties. Our chief hardships were of course, the great heat, shortage of water, and the swarms of flies. Add to these the stench of half-buried bodies which we experienced in the front line, and you have a pretty fair idea of our distasteful experiences.
On the night of the 18/19th June, the battalion relieved the Essex battalion of the 88th Brigade, which was about 175 yards from our line. I don't think we shall ever forget this move. One must realize that in order to relieve a battalion in the front line, the relieving unit had to move up across country in full view of the enemy as far a place called Pink Farm, where started the long communication trench called the Southern Mule Track. To arrive there with the minimum of casualties, however, companies had to move across in small groups, at 50 or 100 yards distance, and in the evening it was very easy to lose touch, front and rear. As darkness falls quickly there, touch was lost all round. We soon found ourselves in Krithia Nullah, a stinking, sluggish stream croaking with frogs. A lively action seemed to be in progress, and hundreds of rounds passed over our heads. We eventually arrived at the front line, only to discover none of the rest of the battalion had arrived. We lay down in the reserve trench and slept till dawn, when the rest of the battalion arrived.
The first time spent by a battalion in front line trenches is naturally one of considerable over-anxiety. We knew we had relieved good men, and that an attack was possible at any moment, the feeling we had to prove ourselves put all of us on our mettle. But after a few days we became accustomed to things, officers and men got to know their jobs, and we began to think of something offensive to do to the Turks.
After two more days in the trenches, we moved back on the 24th June to our Rest Camp. On the afternoon of the 27th Bramwell and I attended a conference at 52nd Divisional HQ. General Egerton talked to us generally on the conduct of the campaign, and then more particularly about our participation as a Brigade in the next day's attack. The conference over, I returned to the Battalion, and calling all the officers together, carefully went over the orders upon which I framed my own, and which, owing to the shortage of time, could only be verbal. The two assaulting companies were to be Nos. 1 and 3, with No. 2 in support, and No. 4 as reserve.
THE BATTLE OF GULLY RAVINE (THIRD BATTLE OF KRITHIA)
I do not think that many of us got much sleep on the night of 27/28th June, I know that to me it was slow in passing, but dawn came at last, cool and beautiful, with a hint of the coming heat, and the dried-up sparse scrub had been freshened by the night's dewfall. The good heart of all ranks impressed one, but I could not feel the buoyancy of anticipated success.
The artillery bombardment, which took place from 0900 to 1100, was quite too futile (the shortage of shells and guns was criminal), but it drew down a retaliatory shelling which caused some casualties in the Battalion before we moved forward at all.
As 1100 approached, Bramwell and I made our way up to the front line; both of us felt I think, that our place was there, doing what we could to cheer the men going over the top. How slowly those minutes from 1055 to 1100 passed! One became conscious of saying the silliest things, while painfully thinking, "It may be the last time I see many of these fellows alive".
Prompt at 1100, the whistles blew, and up and over went Nos. 1 and 3 companies, followed almost immediately by No.2 Company. Five minutes after they had started they were practically wiped out, and No. 4 company had also suffered severely even before they had reached our front trench. There was a ridge running between our line and the Turks front line, having crossed which every advancing man was subjected to a deadly fire from the right, front, and left, and it was when each successive wave advancing topped this rise they were enfiladed and mown down. Very few men reached the Turkish trenches, and those who did were either killed or wounded, with the exception of one or two men who managed to crawl back to our trenches during the night. In a matter of minutes 25 out of 26 officers and four hundred men had been knocked out.
On the morning of the 29th June, there were left but three officers and about 70 other ranks (including Jimmy Rainey) who had been collected, the pitiful remnant of a fine Battalion.
Casualties
Officers 14 Killed 11 Wounded
Other Ranks 334 killed 114 Wounded
Our failure to take our objective was due to the lack of artillery support and not to inexperienced troops, as might be perhaps supposed, Thereafter, no further attacks were projected against this valuable point, which remained in Turkish hands until the end.
Major-General Egerton, the commander of the 52nd Div., was powerless to intervene in the conduct of the battle, for the 156th Brigade had been detached under the command of De Lisle. He was heartbroken at the fate of his men and furious with GHQ for letting these untried but enthusiastic beginners in for such a terrible baptism of fire.
BATTLE OF ACHIBABA NULLAH
After the terrible casualties of the 28th June, a composite Scottish Rifles battalion was formed of the 7th and 8th, the former of which also suffered serious losses, and was commanded by Major T. Bird of the 7th who took it into action on the 12th July. The battalion war diary has the following entry:
“July 11th. Two parties, each of 1 officer and 25 other ranks, left at 1530 to act as garrison of the redoubt near Achibaba Nullah. Battalion moved up on the evening to the reserve trenches at Backhouse Post. Orders for attack were issued by Division-156th Brigade to be in reserve.”
“July 12th. Attack by 155th and 157th Brigades. The combined French and British artillery bombarded the Turkish trenches from 0430 to 0730, when the assault was made. Before the assault the Scottish Rifles were moved up to the Eski line and remained there until 1100, when it was called on to proceed to the firing line on the left of the French. About 1530 No. 1 company went over the open and captured the trench in front, barricading it on the right of a sap leading forward, thus assuring Nos 2 and 3 companies advance on the left. During the night of the 12th/13th July the Turks counter-attacked three times but were repulsed with heavy casualties. Trench then consolidated. Great difficulty experienced in getting sandbags owing to enormous demand.”
“July 13th. Continued to consolidate position. In the early morning a large body of Turks were seen advancing, apparently to surrender, but as they carried arms with fixed bayonets, the order was given to fire and they were shot down. Battalion returned to Backhouse Post, being relieved by R.N. Division.”
From the middle of August to 19th September the battalion remained in trenches on the right of Krithia Nullah, taking turn about with the other battalions In the Front, Reserve and Eski lines. The weather now began to show signs of the coming winter. It became colder at night, rain fell more frequently, and troops began to experience mud in the trenches.
On November 15th the battalion took part in an attack by the 156th Brigade, an extract from the G.O.C., given below, announces the success of the action, although only meager results were achieved considering the casualties involved.
“52nd Division carried out a very successful attack on the Turkish trenches on the 15th inst. three mines were exploded under enemy trenches at Krithia Nullah at 3pm, and the infantry captured some 280 yds of trench”
“Simultaneously with the assault, our artillery opened on the enemy’s reserve support trenches, and fire was maintained until position was consolidated at about 6pm. Turks in neighbouring trenches, who fired heavily, were caught by machine-gun, rifle fire and bombs, and suffered heavily. No attempt at counter-attack was made until night of 16/17th when it was easily repulsed. Our casualties were under 50 killed and wounded. Over 70 Turkish dead seen in captured position, and wounded prisoner reports that over 30 were buried by explosion of one mine”
The battalion marched to Rest Camp on 21st November for a well-earned rest. Owing to cold and fatigue and the strain of recent action, dysentery, paratyphoid, and jaundice were rife, and of battalion strength of over 300, some 20 to 30 men per day were being sent to hospital.
On the evening of 28th November heavy rain fell, which turned to sleet, and next morning six inches of snow was lying. By 8am on the 29th the battalion was on the move again to the front line, and was grateful for the snowstorm, as it provided cover from the Turks seeing the move as they crossed the open. The three miles move up to the front line was, at that time, the limit of the men’s powers, and strong fellows, who at home could carry their kit for 20 miles, had now to halt and rest every few hundred yards. By mid-day bright clear frost set in, which gradually increased in intensity, till during the night, the thermometer fell to 12 deg F. As a result of the blizzard there were thousands of casualties.
The intense frost had another unexpected effect, which might have proved even more serious. It tended to jam the action of the men’s rifles. Oil got into the bolts and thickened with the cold, to such an extent that when the trigger was pressed the striker would come forward too slowly to fire the cartridge. Fortunately a supply of paraffin was at hand, and once the bolts were washed out they became serviceable again.
Work during the day consisted mainly of improving trenches, many of which had been occupied by the Turks. In consequence the former parados became the parapet. The Turks had an objectionable and to say the least of it, insanitary habit of burying their dead in the parados. Our unfortunates had the task of making new fire bays, which meant digging in the old parados and removing the remains of brother Turk which had lain there in a hot climate for several months. More need not be said.
The battalion remained in the trenches until 9th December, and moved to “Rest Camp”, which was remarkably ill-named as digging fatigues were performed daily and shell fire came from several points. The battalion was involved in an attack by 157th Brigade on the 19th December and although not taking part in the action came under shell fire for some hours. Moved back to rest camp on the 22nd where a new area had been allocated to the unit. This was absolutely waterlogged and the men had to dig and drain holes in which to sleep.
Evacuation Of Gallipoli
On the early morning of 9th January 1916, the evacuation of Cape Helles was successfully completed. The 156th Brigade provided the final garrison of the 52nd Division’s portion of the front, and to the battalion fell the great honour of supplying the final garrison of the firing line. The garrison got away without any casualties. So ended the heroic tragedy of the Dardenelles Campaign, how nearly it had succeeded.
At about 1am on the 9th, our beetle ran alongside H.M.S. Prince George, and all clambered safely on board. A few minutes after the anchor was weighed a dull thud was felt, but no one told us what it was, and it was only when we reached Mudros that we learned that the Prince George had been struck by a torpedo, which fortunately for us had failed to explode.
The battalion put ashore at Sarpe Pier, West Mudros on a glorious morning and it was difficult to realize that we were safe and could walk about in the open without any danger from shells, and that at night a real tent would be over our heads.
EGYPT
The Scottish Rifles remained at Mudros until 1st February 1916, when it embarked for Alexandria in H.M.T. Briton, arriving there on the 3rd, and moving to Abbassia near Cairo on the 5th. Here they found about 200 officers and men waiting them, some from hospital, but most from the 3rd line battalion at home. They moved to Ballah on the 16th, and on the 21st February the battalion was re-organised into the 1/7th and 1/8th Scottish Rifles again.
On the 6th March the battalion marched to Kantara, some 7 miles off, on the east side of the Suez Canal. This, its first experience of camel transport, was a trying one. The march over soft sand was very trying to troops unaccustomed to it, and it was a thoroughly exhausted body of men that reached Kantara. Next day, with the arrival of more reinforcements, the battalion strength was up to 23 officers and 340 other ranks.
The battalion remained at Kantara until 23rd April, the time being used in smartening up the drafts, not to mention the veterans of Gallipoli. Close-order drill, handling of arms, open-order work, outpost schemes, the attack, night-work by compass, punctuated with working parties for fatigues and trench digging, kept them fully and necessarily occupied.
On the 11th May the battalion marched out and took up an outpost position at Sabket-el-Romani, about a mile and a half in advance of the railhead.
On the march the battalion was allotted 110 camels as transport for baggage and water. The water allotment at this time was 200 gallons, and on arrival at the outpost this amount was depleted by 30 gallons on urgent representation from the Glasgow Yeomary. The battalion remained on this outpost position until 17th May, during which time the heat was terrific and well earned title “Hells Gate”. A shade temp. of 127 Fahrenheit was registered. During this time the men were employed in digging, wiring, and protective duties. Water was very scarce, being rationed at ½ gallon per man per day for all purposes, and the men suffered severely from its want and the devastating heat. The men’s tongues became so swollen they could hardly speak, doctors told us at the time that the Egyptians in hot weather drink 3 gallons per day.
On the 17th May the battalion marched from Romani to Chabrias, which is near the sea. That march to Chabrias, though only three and a half miles, came as a climax to the trials of “Hells Gate”. Owing to some mistake, the 4th Royal Scots, who should have relieved us at dawn when it was cool, did not arrive until 1000, when it began to get hot. There was no breeze, and no shade tempered the pitiless heat of the sun, which concentrated its burning rays on the marching men. Rifle barrels became searingly hot.
The march would have been bad enough if there any water to revive the vitality of men parched by more than a week of very scanty water ration-but there was none, the day’s ration having been sent direct to Mahemdiya. After the first mile or so the men began to fall out, some delirious, some staggering like drunken men, some unable to speak and black in the face from thirst. The last mile was strewn with those who succumbed. Eventually in one way or another all the casualties were carried into Chabrias, but many had to go to hospital, and some dozen or so were never fit for further war service.
It was with the Chabrias defences that the battalion was chiefly concerned, occupying them by night as garrisons, and by day constructing them. The chief relaxation of the camp was sea bathing, which, subject to all the necessary work being carried out, was encouraged, and enjoyed by all ranks.
On 17th June Col. Findlay returned to the battalion from Devonport, and resumes his account. At this time there was a serious amount of carelessness on sentry duty, and a number of men had to be court-martialled for “sleeping on his post”- one of the most serious crimes on active service. I had great sympathy with the men, as they had not yet recovered from the march to Chabrias, and the great heat since then, combined with their hard work on the defences, gave them no chance to recuperate. Tired as they were, they had to go on outpost duty with the knowledge that the enemy was 30 miles away, with the cavalry in between. It was a sore temptation to yield to an overwhelming desire to sleep, but crimes of this sort had to be stamped out, and stamped out they were.
During the hot days at Chabrias we worked from 0600 to 0930 and from 1530 to 1900, thus avoiding the great mid-day heat. Our work consisted of digging and wiring the defences, occupying them at night, and in specialist training as far as possible. Water and rations were regular, and more plentiful than before. Camels were provided to practise the necessary and difficult art of loading them.
On the 8th/9th July the battalion entrained for Kantara en route for Alexandria where we were going to have a long promised rest, but at Kantara, we were held up, and on the 19th at 2300 we entrained back again for Chabrias, 348 strong. Arrived at 0100 next morning and reported to G.O.C. 157th Brigade under whose command the battalion was now put. We were instructed to occupy a position between the railway line and the southern end of the defences and dig in. This we did, but immediately on our front was Hill 80, which, had the enemy occupied, would have entirely dominated our front. We got Egyptian labour and hastily constructed two redoubts on the forward slope of the hill.
On 22nd I received orders to rejoin the 156th Brigade at Romani, and we entrained at 1330, having waited for the train in the heat of the sun from 1000. Arrived at Romani half-an-hour later and marched to a camp half a mile away, where tents had already been pitched for us, for which we were very thankful, having been out in the blazing sun during the previous three days.
We were now in Divisional Reserve and carried on training for some days at Romani. Ever since we had returned to Chabrias from Kantara we had shrewd suspicions that the Turks were moving against us and on the 4th August the Turk launched the main attack on the Romani defences.
BATTLE OF ROMANI
At about 1700 on the 4th August 1916, the 7th Scottish Rifles and I received orders from Brigade to move up and occupy Wellington Ridge. We moved out of camp at 1800 and met with the 7th Rifles, who took up their position on our left behind Work 23. From there both battalions moved up towards the ridge, each in four lines of platoons. My orders were to clear Wellington Ridge of the enemy and occupy it, digging ourselves in.
On arriving at what they considered the position they were to occupy, which they did without opposition, the 7th commenced to dig in. On their right, and on our front, however, was a nullah, and our battalion had to advance beyond this because it was impossible to dig-in at its bottom, and also because the crest of the ridge had not been reached as ordered. After some difficulty with regard to direction, the battalion advanced to the crest and was suddenly heavily fired upon by the Turks who were entrenched at the top. The battalion displayed great coolness, lay down and replied, three Lewis guns being in the firing line, and one in reserve. The Turks reinforced their line, and for a considerable time there was a heavy interchange of fire, all our companies, less three platoons, being eventually engaged. Time, 2300.
Meantime the transport officer sent word that the Egyptian camel drivers had fled, the guard having been inadequate to retain them under fire. We were therefore much concerned about getting up ammunition, and the adjutant was dispatched to see if he could collect the camels and bring up the reserve ammunition. We also communicated our position to the 7th Rifles, and asked them to move their right forward and join up with us. This was eventually done.
At about 0100 the Adjutant succeeded in rounding up the camels with the reserve ammunition. As the light grew stronger our fire became heavier until at about 0430 we ceased on the Turks putting up a flag of truce, and holding up their hands. We took 364 prisoners and a considerable quantity of rifles and ammunition.
After sending off the prisoners under escort, the battalion moved forward to the Turkish second line, which we occupied. Here we remained until the following morning, when we returned to camp.
Casualties
Officers Killed 1 Wounded 2
Other Ranks killed 13 Wounded 15
We remained some time at Romani after the battle, and took our turn in the Redoubt line. When not on outpost we carried out a musketry programme at a range constructed for the Brigade. This range was adapted for long-range controlled fire, as well as short-range individual firing. It was possible to fire up to 1200 yds. And very useful practices were carried out.
ON MOBILE COLUMN TO PALESTINE
In October 1916 began the dreary trek through the Sinai Desert. On 11th October the Brigade moved to Er Raba, where we found traces of the Turkish occupation, this oasis had been the jumping off point for their attack on Romani. On the night of the 12th we moved to Afein, a distance of 12 miles, halting for two hours at midday at Negiliat.
On the 13th we moved to Bir-el-Abd, some 8 miles away. This was our railhead and the 8th Scottish Rifles were on outpost on the left section covering railhead.
On the 17th, the Brigade went into Divisional Reserve at Abd, this was just like any other portion of the desert, though perhaps hotter and scrubbier than usual, and 10 days afterwards we moved to Ganadil, where we remained until the 1st of December, and I think we all enjoyed out time there. We did a lot of good work, the weather was very pleasant, and the moon for a few nights very brilliant. During this time we built an excellent rifle range, which was the admiration of the Australian patrols that passed it.
On 1st December the Brigade trekked forward to Tillul, about 10 miles eastwards, and the next day to Mazar, where we arrived at 1300. We remained at Mazar until the 20th, during which time we had Divisional manoeuvres, on a scheme which represented the Turkish positions at Masaid, which we expected to take before reaching El-Arish. Most of the time here, W and Y companies were at Gererat, about 3 miles away, digging wells.
On the 20th we moved to Maadan, and then on the 21st to Meshalfat, doing a night march to get there. We arrived at El-Arish at about 1300 on the 22nd, and were the first British Infantry Brigade to enter the town during the war. The night of the 22nd again saw us on outpost duty covering the town to its east, where we at one began to dig entrenchments. The last week of December was cold and stormy, Christmas Day itself was a miserable day with heavy showers which flooded many a dugout, though we were much heartened by our home mail.
January 1917 was a quiet month, although we had some visitations by day and by night from Taube aeroplanes, which carried out some unpleasantly accurate bombing practices, however, as a unit we were fortunate in escaping casualties. On the night of the 9th we moved to a new outpost line on the east side of Wadi Arish, where we had to start a fresh set of trenches.
During February we did some Brigade training from the 3rd to the 9th, practicing the formation of Brigade in attack, elementary night exercises, rear-guard action and a night approach-march and attack, and then on the 21/22nd we carried out Divisional night-operations.
PALESTINE
The Brigade crossed the frontier into Palestine on the 24th March 1917, marching via Rafa. About 2100 we reached Khan Yunus. It had been a long march, but the pleasure of getting onto hard ground and of the new surroundings filled everyone with delight and anticipation. On the 28th the first battle of Gaza was fought, and we could both hear and see something of it from Khan Yunus. On the 30th the Brigade moved forward to Imseirat and rejoined the Division, which was in general reserve there.
We remained at Imseirat until 16th April, and on the 17th the battalion moved forward to a rendezvous on the other side of Wadi Guzzi. On the 19th the second battle of Gaza took place, and the following notes from Col. Findlay’s diary relate the role of the 8th Scottish Rifles.
16th April With a view to taking part in operations against Gaza positions occupied by the Turks, 156th Brigade moved at 2130 to Wadi Guzzi.
17th April Brigade remained in same place all day while Sheik Abbas and Mansura Ridges were being occupied by our troops.
18th April Brigade still in position, about 1800 battalion received orders to move to position under Mansura Ridge with a view to attack at dawn.
19th April Our artillery began bombardment at 0530 and continued until 0730, at which time we were to attack. 8th Scottish Rifles were given a frontage of 400 yds on the left of the Brigade, and was to advance with left directed at center of Green Hill. Battalion went forward in 8 lines of half companies at 200 yds distance. Advance continued slowly until 0900 until 155th Brigade captured Outpost Hill, which they did about 1000. Advance then continued until our leading-line reached point about 400 yds from track leading out of enemy position. Received orders at 1140 from Brigade not to advance further until ordered. The enemy, as far as could be seen, re-captured Outpost Hill about 1430, and their snipers began to work their way down the flank of Middlesex Hill on the our flank.
Received orders to maintain positions until dark, when our advance line would withdraw. About 1730 however, heavy enemy fire caused 155th on our left to give way slightly, this followed by unexpected retiral of the troops on our right, leaving our leading companies no option but to follow suit. Our casualties were between 150-170 killed and wounded, mainly due to enemy machine-gun positions at the base of Green Hill, which had been very little affected by artillery fire.
We remained on this line for the next few days, and on the evening of the 21st received orders to retire to a line 1200 yds in the rear, and as soon as the withdrawal was complete the incessant digging and wiring commenced again.
On the 6th May the battalion moved back to El-Sireh, when the Brigade went into Reserve, and until the end of May we did a great deal of digging and wiring, both in the front trenches and the redoubt line. We went into the line again on the 19th July, at the Sheik Abbas Apex locality. While there we carried out a considerable amount of patrolling in No Mans Land. Unexpected casualties by shell-fire are recorded throughout July, 2 men on the 18th, four on the 24th, two on the 28th,four on the 29th, seven on the 30th, and another on the 31st. In short, the Apex was a dangerous place to be.
The weather of course became hotter and hotter since the April battle, but there was no rest for the weary, and we were constantly employed in digging or wiring, or patrolling, or in ordinary trench duties. Work had to be carried out at night, which at least was cooler, but meant that sleep during the day was difficult. On the 6th August we again went into Reserve, and we marched back to a bivouac area on the Wadi Simeon.
On the 11th the Brigade took part in a raid by the Camel Corps upon Sana, Hairpin and Atawineh redoubts, which were about two miles away on our right front. Our job was to protect the left flank of the Camel Corps and to secure their withdrawal. Nothing was seen or heard of the enemy by the battalion
On the 23rd August we relieved the 5th Royal Scots in the Mendur region, garrisoning the redoubts there. The Mendur locality is low-lying and very dusty, and what little breeze came its way wafted the most penetrating and dirty sand into every nook and cranny. The whole place seemed “germy” and filthy and we were much troubled by sandfly fever, which is a sort of mild dysentery, lasting for a few days and exceedingly unpleasant. About 30-40% of the battalion suffered from it and practically all had to go off to hospital, returning from a compensating week or two in Alexandria.
During September we got through a lot of musketry on a local range, at which also the Lewis guns were tested. On the night of 13/14th Sept. the battalion was relieved and went into bivouac at Apsley House, another dusty spot. At this point the battalion consisted of 25 officers and 836 other ranks.
The latter half of September and month of October was spent in intensive training, with a move on 14th October to Regent’s Park, rather a pleasant bivouac near the coast where a fresh breeze usually tempered the mid-day heat. While here considerable administration work was carried out. Tin helmets were issued, tools were made up to mobile scale, and all kit, surplus to bare necessities, was collected and sent to a dump at Belah.
On the 30th September Major-general Hill inspected the Brigade, prior to the attack on Gaza, for which we had been intensively training the last few weeks. That same evening we moved up to a position just behind the front line, near Sheik Ajhlin. The actual time and date of our attack was dependant on the success of our troops against Beersheba, situated some 30 miles to our right.
Third Battle of Gaza
Beersheba was taken on the 30th October, and our zero hour was fixed as 10pm on the 1st November, and the objectives of the 156th Brigade were Umbrella and El-Arish Redoubt. At this time on the Brigade duties roster it was our turn for the odd jobs, and so it fell to our lot to be split up. One company (Z) being attached to the 4th Royal Scots, and (Y) to the 7th Scottish Rifles. The two remaining companies W and X were to act as carrying companies to these two battalions.
Both attacks were ultimately successful and the carrying companies were responsible for the transfer across No-Mans-Land of No. 3 Dump, which consisted of ammunition, bombs, sandbags, wire, picks and shovels, in time to consolidate the positions taken. This meant as many as thirteen journeys, each time heavily laden. However, in the morning, the O.C. of the 4th Royal Scots found he had to use both our carrying companies in the defence of the captured trenches. The enemy still held out for the next two or three days, and on the 4th November W, X and Y companies returned to the Battalion, as did Z on the 5th. On the night of the 6/7th November the Turks evacuated all the trenches defending Gaza, and next day we were able to walk in unopposed.
It should be explained that the Turk’s retreat from Gaza was not occasioned entirely by the capture of the Gaza trenches mentioned here, other and bigger factors contributed. On the 31st, before we attacked Gaza, our troops on the extreme right had taken Beersheba, 26 miles away, and the next day pushed northwards, capturing on the 6th, Kauwukah and the Hareira and Sheria defences, and this, combined with our flank movement, compelled the enemy to evacuate Gaza to avoid being cut off.
The whole action was planned in a masterly fashion; enormous booty was captured, together with some 7000 prisoners. I was particularly proud of the way in which the companies of the 8th did their jobs. It is a severe test of discipline for a Battalion to be broken up in this way.
Casualties
Killed or died of wounds 40
Wounded 112
Missing 3
On the 6/7th November 1917, the Battalion united again, re-armed, re-fitted and rested. On the 7th, the Division pushed along the shore, 157th Brigade leading, to find the heights above Wadi Hesi strongly held by a Turkish rear-guard. Our Brigade moved up the following day, the 8th, and this coincided with the Turkish retreat from there. It is not suggested that this was cause and effect, although the Turks may have seen us coming along the shore. We took no part in the Wadi Hesi engagement, and on arrival were required to take up an outpost position covering the shore, at the mouth of the Wadi.
I recollect on riding forward to reconnoiter the outpost line, that the hurried flight of the Turks was very noticeable, belts, ammunition, utensils and headgear were strewn about. Their trenches, which had obviously been prepared some time previously, now became very useful to us.
As far as the 8th were concerned, the night passed quietly; and in the morning some of our scouts plucked our first oranges from a grove near Herbiah. We sent these as a present to Brigade, but it was unkindly suggested that we did not keep them because they were still sour. Next day we moved to a bivouac area on the shore, and next morning moved off towards Askalon and Mejdel. At Mejdel we lay overnight on a sparsely grassed field near the village. The B.G.C. being doubtful of the arrival of rations, put us on half rations, and I think this was the only time that that occurred during all our operations in Palestine.
Next day we marched to Esdud, arriving at 1600. The brigade moved out on the 12th and attacked a strong Turkish position at Burkah. This attack would have been more successful had a Brigade of Australian Light Horse executed their role more satisfactorily. As it was, the Turks slipped away in the dark, leaving some 50 or 60 dead in our part of the line, and a similar number wounded.
REPORT ON THE ACTION AT BURKAH-12TH November 1917
The 8th Scottish Rifles were allotted to attack echeloned to left rear of 7th Royal Scots; and to protect their left and support them. The 8th Rifles had only three companies, W company having been detached as escort to the guns.
The ground to be traversed was a flat plain about 2 miles from the Turkish position, two wadis being the only obstacles and at the same time the only cover to attacking troops. The Turks opened with shrapnel and high explosives, but the first wadi was reached at mid-day with no casualties. From this wadi onwards the Turks kept up long-range machine-gun fire, but nevertheless, the second wadi, was reached at about 1300 with but few casualties.
At this point the 7th Royal Scots seemed inexplicably held up, and after communicating (by phone) with the O.C., I ordered Major Coulson to push forward his two companies, and link up with the lines of the Royal Scots, and prepare to advance with them. This was at 1400. At 1430 I got a message from him saying that the 7th Royal Scots were very short of ammunition, and he could not advance further without them. I informed O.C. 7th Royal Scots. At 1500 I received a message that the crest of the ridge had been taken, and that the 7th Royal Scots and my battalion were digging-in. Not being satisfied that they had got the main position, I sent to ask Major Coulson what ridge they were actually holding, pointing out that the enemy still seemed to occupy the main position.
At 1730 I received a message from him: “ Am attacking with 7th Royal Scots”. At 1810 Major Coulson reported that the final Turkish trenches had been taken, and that the whole line was consolidating.
Casualties
Killed 8
Died of wounds 5
Wounded 64
Missing 6
We bivouacked on the ground, and the next morning, the 13th, along with the 7th Scottish Rifles marched to Beshit. During this march we heard heavy firing to our front, and learned that the 155th brigade was fiercely engaged at Katrah and Mughar. We reached Beshit at 1700 and came under the temporary command of 157th Brigade. Our job, next morning the 14th, was to make good the high ground east of El-Mansura, so as to get command of the railway. The move on Mansura was a fine spectacular advance over the open country in artillery formation. The 157th Brigade debouched at 0800, through the line Katrah-Mughar, with the 5th Argylls on the right and 7th Highland Light Infantry on the left.
Behind, in the same formation, came the 8th on the right, and the 7th Scottish Rifles on the left. It was a bloodless victory, the Turks being apparently in no mood to make a stand at Mansura.
The 8th Scottish Rifles bivouacked for the night near Mansura, and next day marched to Ekron, where we took up an outpost position covering Ekron. Next morning at 0800 we moved to Ramleh, arriving there at 1330. At 1600 we found out we were to move forthwith to Ludd. The men had to pack up again, snatch a cold dinner, and we got on the move at 1800. The congestion on the road was most aggravating. All the Division seemed to be converging on Ludd, and we did not arrive until 0300, a matter of six hours to do three miles-bad staff work.
It started to rain, but having got up our transport, we simply bivouacked in a couple of adjoining gardens for the night, and a very uncomfortable wet night it was. We were on the move at 0800 next morning, the destination of the whole Brigade being Beit Likia, via the old road, through Jimzu and Berfiliya. Eventually we arrived at Beit Likia, where the Battalion had to go on outpost duty. It was a cold and rainy night, with no cover except big boulders, and the men had no greatcoats or blankets, and were still wearing khaki-drill.
Next day, the 20th, we changed bivouac, outpost companies being withdrawn to the low ground below Beit Likia, a sheltered and comparatively good spot. Fires were permitted, and the men got some hot food, but during the night a very heavy deluge of rain poured upon us, soaking everyone and everything, and putting out the fires. It ceased at 0100, and by some miracle the cooks succeeded in lighting a fire again, though how they did it remains a mystery.
The 21st November dawned a beautiful sunshiny day, and everybody got their things dried and had a day’s rest. Next morning at 0530 we started again along the old Roman stony track through Beit Annan, where we found the 157th brigade making it into some semblance of a road; about mid-day we reached El-Kubeibeh. The ground here was a very steep, deep ravine, high hills with great boulders jutting out here and there. Movement was extremely difficult and in single file only along the tracks, such as they were.
From a vantage point at Biddu, we had a most comprehensive view of the country, which was a forbidding series of steep and rocky hills and valleys, with here and there desolate-looking clusters of houses perched upon the hills-no roads-no water-no vegetation, except hardy scrub amongst the rocks.
General Leggett pointed out to us Neby Samwil, which was the most prominent feature of the landscape, some five miles north-west of Jerusalem, a steep stone-strewn hill rising abruptly from its surroundings, with the mosque towering majestically at its top.
The B.G.C. then gave me orders to move the 7th and 8th Battalions across country to reinforce the 234th Brigade at Neby Samwil, which they had captured the previous day. As soon as we moved we came under observation, but we were hardly shelled at all until we got close to Neby Samwil. The 7th, under Mather’s able leadership, arrived at the crucial moment when the Turks, after hard fighting, had just got into the mosque. He immediately counter-attacked, and successfully ejected the Turks, and we were never near losing Neby Samwil again.
The 8th I assembled in a gully about 200yds behind Neby Samwil, there being at the time no room for them on the hill itself. It was a most unlucky spot. The Turks had got the range to a nicety, and gave us some nasty enfilading shells, killing 5 and wounding 30. I made the Battalion get down behind boulders and take what cover they could, and I proceeded up to B.H.Q. to ascertain the situation. I discovered they were expecting the Turks at any moment, and were ready with bayonets fixed. Our reinforcements had been in the nick of time, and they were very glad to see us.
It is difficult to give an adequate description of Neby Samwil, which was going to prove one of the most uncomfortable corners we were ever in. It is about 5 miles north-west of Jerusalem, and the mosque, whose tower in the course of the next few days was shelled to pieces, is supposed to contain the remains of the Prophet Samuel.
It should be remembered that at this time the Division had moved so quickly forward, and over such rocky tracks, that the artillery could not follow us. We had therefore to suffer the enemy’s shelling from both flanks and from the front in blasphemous silence. Wherever we turned we always offered the other cheek.
At 1700 the same day I received orders to relieve the 234th Brigade with the 7th and 8th Scottish Rifles. The positions taken up were as follows: the 8th with W and X companies held the right side of the mosque to its centre; Z company, on their right, garrisoned hastily constructed trenches clear of the mosque walls, facing east and south. Except on Z Company’s position, trenches were impossible on account of the rocky and terraced nature of the ground. Platoons lined the mosque walls, or had Lewis guns and rifles through loopholes, or did the best they could by constructing little sangars.
It was bitterly cold that night, and the men had only their drill kits and no blankets. Rations also only consisted of the unexpired portion of some biscuits which had been issued after breakfast, so everything considered, conditions were cheerless, and we were glad when dawn came, and the sun began gradually to warm us.
During the 22nd we were wonderfully spared, having only four killed and nine other ranks wounded. Late in the afternoon some 4.5-inch howitzers heralded their arrival by giving the Turks warm evening greetings. Nicholl and Boyd managed to bring up half rations that evening, but in the dark they had great difficulty with the camels on the rocky ground, and finally the rations had to be carried up to our ledge from the gully beneath. A pleasant and truly welcome surprise was whisky, which the thoughtful fellows produced. It was another very cold night with again no blankets.
The next day a big Divisional effort was ordered with a view to getting command of the road north from Jerusalem, cutting off the Turkish retreat, and thus forcing the surrender of Jerusalem. It was at this point that the Turks received reinforcements and made a gallant stand. At one place after another they put up a desperate fight, and we now found ourselves help up. The 156th Brigade was to clear the northeastern slopes of Neby-Samwil and seize Nebala.
The attack was timed to start at 1205. It was foredoomed to failure. Impossibilities cannot be done; the difficulties of the ground and the fact that the Turks had been reinforced, that they were much stronger in guns than we were, and occupied strong positions, should have made the position clear.
In our Brigade no movement was possible, and only the 7th Royal Scots moved 200yds forward. During the action, two battalions came up to relieve us, but it was soon realized that this would result in failure. “As you were” was ordered, and the 7th and 8th Scottish Rifles again took up their positions holding the mosque. The second relief was completed at 0130 on the night of 24/25th after a long, trying and ineffectual day. Double rations, however, came up.
Casualties
Officers Killed 0 Wounded 2
Other Ranks killed 8 Wounded 28
The morning of the 25th was quiet, but heavy shelling descended upon us during the afternoon. Casualties during the day were 13 other ranks wounded. That night, to our immense satisfaction, we were relieved by two battalions of the London Regt. Companies of both battalions moved independently as soon as relieved to Beit Anan, where the last of us arrived at 0030 on the 26th, which day and the next were spent in sleeping, eating, cleaning, and resting generally. Our sojourn at Neby Samwil had been trying and fatiguing, and a heavy toll had been taken of our numbers.
On the 28th the Brigade moved at 0900 back to the vicinity of Beit Likia, where we expected to have a rest, but about midday after arrival, I was ordered to take the 8th to the vicinity of Beit Sira. The BGC wanted me to relieve the 4th KOSB, who had driven the Turks off the hill now held, and suffered considerably in the process. After looking at the country to be crossed, about 20 to 30 yds before they would get cover behind rocks, I decided to try it. The relief was accomplished quickly and easily, there being only nine casualties, two other ranks killed and seven wounded.
Late that afternoon some Australian gunners came up, and signaled their arrival by bombarding Brigade HQ, we were all wickedly delighted (there being no casualties) and the BGC sent them some choice words of thanks.
That night and next morning were relatively quiet, it was also St. Andrew’s Night, and by good luck we had a little of the wherewithal to celebrate, and Brigade sent us a present of some further “medical comforts”.
The 1st of December was also quiet for us, but the Turks launched persistent attacks against Tahta. That evening at the 5th Inniskilling Fusiliers relieved 2100 us, it was a very strong battalion compared to ours. After relief the Brigade concentrated a mile west of Beit Likia, where we spent a restful night. Next morning, we moved to Kubab, arriving there comfortably at 1600, and on the following day, reached a bivouac area, Surafend, three miles northwest of Ramleh. Here we remained for three days, refitting with new boots and clothing, resting, and thank heaven, our blankets and packs were brought back to us from Ludd.
On the afternoon of the 7th the Brigade moved, under my command, to a place called Selmeh. We left at 1600 and immediately it began to rain. We followed the Ramleh-Jaffa road as far as Yasur, and then struck across country to the north. The track was feet deep in mud and the final two miles were very trying for the men who were carrying packs for the first time since trekking to Gaza. The camels and transport mules could not cross a deep wadi halfway from Yazur, and had to barrack there for the night.
The infantry were able to cross, but owing to the darkness, the Brigade did not arrive at the bivouac area until 2330. The advance parties had been there since 1930, had got fires and tea ready, but owing to the rain and the delay in our arrival, the fires had gone out and the tea was diluted and cold. The men spent a miserably cold night, soaked to the skin. They had been moving with full packs and wet blankets, and no food, for 6 and a half hours, and of course there was no breakfast until the camels came up next morning.
Next day, after a short march to Sarona, we found we were to be billeted there, under roofs! We arrived there about 1500 and every man in the battalion, for the first time in many months, slept under a roof. Sarona is a pleasant little place, with foliage and creepers upon the houses, which were charming to the eye. It was really a German-Jewish colony; the men of military age had all been interned. Orange groves were scattered all around, the whole district is of course devoted to this industry-Jaffa oranges.
We remained in Sarona until the 12th, when it became our turn to occupy the front-line position on the southern bank of the River Auja, which flows into the Mediterranean some 3000 yds north of Sarona.
CROSSING THE RIVER AUJAIt soon became clear that there would be a forced crossing of the River Auja, and to clear the enemy out of their commanding position on the north side. It was obvious that it would have to be a night crossing, and hence a thorough reconnaissance by us was necessary. Each brigade was allocated one of the three objectives, ours being Skeik Muannis. The next problem was how to get these Brigades across.
As for our Brigade, it was necessary to arrange for some sort of pontoon bridge, to have the pontoons carried down during the night and hidden until required, and to choose a place to cross unfrequented by Turkish patrols.
There were two phases of the action. First, the crossing, second, taking the Turkish positions. For some days prior our guns from 2000 until midnight kept up a continuous bombardment of the enemy trenches, so that when it came to the night of the crossing the Turks should be unsuspecting.
The date chosen was 20th December 1917, and on the evening of the 18th we were relieved in the front line by the Auckland Mounted Rifles. During the next two days we had practices in embarking and paddling flat-bottomed punts, which proved exceedingly useful.
At about 1900 on the 20th the Brigade moved out from Sarona. It was pitch dark, had been raining considerably during the past two days, and the ground as we approached the river became softer and deeper and muddier. However we reached the river about 2100, and were thankful that the bombardment was proceeding with great vehemence, that the rain was ceasing, and that a grey lightness permitted one to see a few yards in front.
After some natural hitches in crossing, owing to the darkness, and to the fact that there were two sets of rafts about 100 yds apart, ferrying the troops, we accomplished the crossing, and with the 7th Royal Scots on our left, we progressed in fours, with small advance guards close to us, past Slag-Heap Farm. Then at the corner of the orange grove at One-Tree-Farm we parted from the 7th Royal Scots and proceeded on our own objective. Up to this point our going had been fairly easy, though soft and marshy. We had not had a sight of the enemy, and as we moved up to an orange grove past the farm, I thought the gods were with us and all would go well. But as soon as we struck east and then south through the lower orange grove we encountered difficulties.
The groves were fairly thick, and the mud and drains, which were dug between every second row of trees, were so deep and sticky that going was very difficult. Men fell into the drains and stuck there, they could not move and had to be rescued, and it was difficult to keep in touch. Our small advance guard soon came to the Turkish H.Q., which they surrounded, and after some bombing and shouting in Turkish learned for the occasion, succeeded in capturing the place, taking prisoner three officers and ten other ranks, besides an enormous amount of war material, machine-guns and two Arab stallions. We had one casualty, who was killed by a bomb from a fleeing Turk.
When morning dawned all brigades had achieved their objectives, and the Turks had retired in front of us, but not far, for they could be seen some 2000 yds farther north, holding a line of dug rifle pits.
We passed the day resting; the battalion having concentrated in Muannis, and in the evening orders came for a further move forward on the 22nd. The whole Division advanced on a three-Brigade front, with our Brigade, the 156th, in the centre. The country, the southern part of the plain of Sharon, was generally undulating, with rolling downs and gentle slopes.
The 7th and 8th Scottish Rifles in artillery formation led the Brigade, and as we started off from Muannis the spectacle of the Division advancing across country was a very fine one, and more like a peace parade than anything else. The weather now, after a couple of fine days, again broke, and that evening heavy rain and strong winds beat down upon us, and some of our bivouacs were blown away.
Next day was Christmas Day, also cold and wet, packets of “Three Castles” cigarettes were issued, also rum. This was the best we could do to cheer ourselves on the occasion, our mails were long overdue, as all the available transport was required for bringing ammunition and supplies up to the troops from the railhead at Ludd.
On the 26th we moved forward about 1000yds and started to dig the agreed-upon final Divisional line, linked up with the other Brigades. During the month the battalion strength increased to 24 officers and 680 other ranks.
At the beginning of January, our belated Christmas gifts were delivered, and they arrived in a pitiable state. They had been on the way out since October, and after arrival in Egypt had been held up at various points. They had often been dumped in the open, drenched with rain, and thrown out of the trains into mud and rain pools, as we heard afterwards. Practically all the food was sodden; the cigarettes soaked with rain, addresses were obliterated. Anything worth salvaging was distributed around companies. We were as disappointed as children.
Up to the 4th January we remained under the wing of 155th Brigade, digging and wiring the front-line trenches. The weather was unsettled, but we were fairly comfortable dug-in, and experience of bad weather did not worry us any more. On the 11th January, along with the rest of the Brigade, we moved back into billets in Sarona. When in billets there, we managed to get bathing for the men in some locally arranged baths, we carried out some refitting, disinfection and inoculation also constantly reduced the number for parade.
On the night of 29/30th January, we relieved the 5th Royal Scots Fusiliers, who were left-reserve battalion in the right sector of the Sheik Ballutah area. During February, inside the Brigade, we changed over twice with the 7th Royal Scots, always easily carried out reliefs. Whether in the line or reserve, we carried out the necessary work of digging and wiring our positions. March was also a month of very changeable weather. On the 19th we were relieved by the 157th Brigade, the battalion changing over with the 6th battalion HLI, whose billets in Sarona we took over.
On the 28th the battalion moved back to Surafend near Ramleh, arriving there about 2330. By this time we were beginning to suspect the 52nd Division was destined for another front. The March offensive had put to an end the vacillation about reinforcements to the Western Front. So we were all on tiptoe of expectation and hoping to have a go at the Huns.
FRANCE AND FLANDERS
On the 3rd of April the battalion paraded at 1500 for the march to Ludd, where we were to entrain. Boyd and I were each loaned a horse to ride to the station, and mine was a skittish young mare that had apparently never seen infantry. Anyhow, before our first halt, as I was dismounting, she threw me onto my head in the road. It is related that as I lay there concussed, General Allenby passed in his car, and seeing me, remarked “Another of those drunken Scotsmen”.
The battalion, now under the command of Hume-Gore, arrived at Kantara next morning for breakfast. Next day, the 5th, the battalion arrived at Gabbari Dock, Alexandria, and embarked on H.M.T. Canberra, which lay in the harbour until the 11th, when she sailed for Marseilles, in convoy with the remainder of 52nd Division, escorted by destroyers.
The battalion arrived at Marseilles on the 17th, after a peaceful voyage, and marched to camp Fournier for the night. After three nights in the train, with occasional halts, the battalion reached Noyelles at 0630 on the 20th, and proceeded to the town for breakfast, after which they route marched to Le Bout de Crocs, via St. Firmin. Here they billeted in the village and neighbouring farms, and remained until 24th April, busily engaged in gas-drill, musketry and route marches. Soon they moved on again, and after a night in the train, they detrained at Wizernes, in Belgium, and breakfasted in a field near the station, after which they marched to Mametz where they found most unsatisfactory billets.
The battalion remained at Mametz until the 8th of May, when they entrained at Aire for Acq, where they arrived at 1330, and after dinner they marched to a camp at Neuville St. Vaast, near Arras, changing next day into Ottawa Camp at Mont St. Eloi. Two days later on the 15th, the battalion relieved the 4th KOSB, in the front line opposite Arleux, and in front of Vimy. This at the time was a quiet front, and our work consisted mainly of trench improvement and patrolling. On the 23rd we relieved the 7th Royal Scots in the support line.
June was an eventful month for us, though not from the fighting point of view. On the 2nd we went into Divisional Reserve, and on the 11th we again relieved the 4th KOSB in the front line, a daylight relief, completed at 1530. We remained there until the 20th, when we relieved the 7th Royal Scots again in the support line. During our period in the front line we carried out valuable reconnaissance by night and by day, and we did a good deal of work in the way of digging and wiring.
On the 25th we were informed that the infantry Brigades of our Division were to be reduced by one battalion. This meant that we would leave the 52nd Division, and move to 103rd Brigade of the 34th Division, which was being reformed after very severe casualties incurred in March 1918. This change was a great shock to us, and it was a hateful parting, but it had to be.
We were relieved in the support line on the 27th June, and moved back to Mont St. Eloi, where Sir A. Hunter-Weston, Corps Commander, asked that all the men who had served in Gallipoli fall out in front, inspected us. He spoke to each of them individually.
Next day we embussed at 1030 at Chateau d’Acque for Belgium, and after having been sent off in great style by the Division and Brigade we arrived at Bambecque at 2130. We billeted there for the night. On the 30th we marched to St. Janster-Beisin, a hutted camp about 12 miles away. It was a hot, airless and dusty day; the men, unaccustomed to marching with packs, and being out of condition generally, found the march most trying, but we arrived.
St. Janster-Beisin was poor place. The hutted camp we took over was dirty; its surroundings were drab and desolate, and the natives screwed the last penny out of any poor Jock, who had a few centimes to spare.
On the 6th July all surplus baggage was collected and dispatched by transport by road to Cormette, whither the battalion, with the rest of the Brigade entrained on the 7th. Cormette was a hutted musketry camp, and Brigade had made out a programme, which all the battalions carried out for the next five days. Four hours or so of musketry was carried out every day, together with close-order drill, gas drill, physical training and bayonet fighting under a special instructor, CSM Dixon, from the Bayonet-Fighting School.
On the 14th July we entrained for Proven, where we were for the time being in front of Ypres in reserve, and we carried out various recces with a view eventually to taking over a portion of the front line. However, suddenly after orders for the occupation of the reserve line had been issued, the BGC came along and told us we were for the south-destination unknown, and next morning, the 17th, we marched to Waayenburg and entrained for- somewhere unknown. We were detrained next day at 1200 at Survilliers, south of Chantilly. At 1630 we set out by route march for Balagny, some 3 or 4 miles east of Senlis, through which town we passed, arriving at Balagny footsore and weary at 2200.
In the dark it was most difficult to spot billets, and owing to a mistake, 2nd Lieut. Russell, who had been sent on in advance to arrange billeting, had gone to Chantilly to meet us. However, eventually we all concentrated at Balagny. Next morning, orders arrived at 0655 to embuss about a mile away at 0700. We actually embussed at 0815, which was a good effort considering the men had breakfast during the interval.
The 2nd Battle of the Marne
The 34th Division, to which we were now attached, was concentrated in the Senlis area, and under the orders of General Petain, commanding the XXX Corps of the 10th French Army, who had on the 13th attacked the Boche north of Soissons and driven the enemy back some five miles, taking many prisoners. We were to take part in the exploitation of this victory. The French arranged the bussing for us. After we had covered some 15 or 20 miles, we came to a little village called Russy, where we met the BGC, who told us we would bivouac there but we must debuss some few miles farther on, and on a loop road, so as not to interfere with the traffic on the main road.
On we went to Vanciemes and marched back to Russy, where we found we were to bivouac in an adjoining wood, the Bois-de-Tillet. This wood was delightful, cool and shady, and full of soft spots to sleep on. It had been a tiring hot day, with a scrappy meal to begin on, and an unnecessary march back from the aforesaid loop. On our journey to Vanciemes we passed a huge party of Hun prisoners, most of whom seemed done-in, ready to accept their lot, and grateful for a drink of water. It is significant that the battalion passed them without a word. I wonder if the same could be said of a Boche battalion in the same circumstances. It was late afternoon on the 19th when we arrived at the Bois-de-Tillet, and we had a complete day’s rest there on the 20th, which we all enjoyed thoroughly.
We may have thought that in our time we had got used to rain and mud, but the night of 20/21st and the morning of the 21st July, were about as unhappy experiences in the wet we ever put in. We moved from the Bois-de-Tillet at 2000, and leaving the heavy baggage, joined the remainder of the Brigade at Feigneux. On our arrival there I received orders that our objective was Soucy, a little battered village near Villers-Cotterets, about 18 miles away, but we would not move until midnight, and with this cheering news came heavy drenching rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning. All ranks then spent their vigil trying to get shelter from the cold wet elements.
We at last got on the move at midnight, and progressed fairly well. As dawn broke, we were traversing beautiful forests. The going was bad owing to the rain, and we were footsore, tired and hungry, but when we arrived at Soucy at 0930, the men chirped up, and cooked and cleaned and made themselves comfortable. Soon after we had settled down, two home mails rolled up.
We remained in Soucy overnight 21/22nd July, and moved in the morning to a bivouac in a wood just west of Chavigny farm, a mile or so from Longpoint. Orders now received indicated that the batt, and the 5th Argylls were to be in reserve to the 30th Army Corps, and were to concentrate near Blanzy. We moved at 2300, our objective being Le-Bois-du-Fond-de-Soissons. It was necessary at this point to move with intervals of 100 yds between platoons, down into the wood, in order to avoid casualties by shellfire.
I had to go back, as some of the rear companies had lost touch, collected and hustled them into the Bois, where they dug in and bedded down for the night (0200 on the 23rd)
We remained doggo in the Bois until the 27th, with some casualties, as we were subject to periodic shelling, and three men were killed with twenty-one wounded. On the night of the 27/28th we marched, under some heavy shelling, via Blanzy, to Bois-de-Boeuf, where the whole Brigade was concentrated
In the afternoon, there was a conference at B.H.Q. at which Gen. Nicholson explained the scheme of attack, which was to take place at 0400 the next morning, the 29th July. The 34th Division was to capture the high ground between Cramaille-Beugneux-Orme du grand Rozoy, now held by the German rear guards. The sector allocated to the 34th had its front line in the valley of a small stream and the objective lay to the west of Servenay. To reach it the Division had to make an advance uphill and then cross the high ground marked by point 189 and Orme du grand Rozoy. The assembly position was west of a light railway, zero hour was 0400.
We paraded and left Bois-de-Boeuf at about 2200, and marched via Billy-sur-Ourcq and Oulchly-la-Ville to our position, which thankfully we had no trouble finding. The French 5th Division, who were holding the line, had sent guides who met us at Oulchly-la-Ville, but they were soon dismissed, and together with their comrades, lost no time in clearing out as soon as we were in position.
Our dispositions were as follows: Y and Z ( inc. James Rainey) companies in front line were to move in two lines at about 100yds distance, X company in similar formation in support, and W company in reserve, with B.H.Q.
The Battle of Beugneux -29th July 1918
We got off the line promptly at 0400, but had got no farther than 200yds when the Boche put down a shrapnel barrage. It was certainly somewhat erratic, but that possibly made it more annoying, and before long we had casualties. It was very misty, but though difficult to keep direction, the railway line was reached without opposition. As day dawned we had our first experience of tear gas-it was disagreeable for about half-an-hour and here and there temporarily incapacitated men
(Jumping off point photographed on 13/4/07)
Our attack was of course covered by an artillery barrage, which was timed to lift at specific hours from one objective to a farther one. Accurate timing was therefore necessary, but whether our advance had outstripped its timing at certain points, or whether the gunners did not keep to their times, it happened that several times I got messages that our front line was being shelled by our own guns, and that on one occasion our barrage had come down between our front and support lines.
We pushed on however, and by 0600 had made considerable progress, though the leading companies suffered from heavy machine-gun fire. Referring to the sketch, by 0700 Y Company had reached a point about 500yds short of the station, where they were held up by machine-gun and rifle fire from Hill 158. Z Company sent in a dozen prisoners, and then found themselves held up by machine-gun fire from Beugneux itself. The advance had been made for the most part through standing corn and cultivated ground, and across the G.M.P. line (which was originally to be the finally held line for the defence of Paris)
The ground gradually sloped down to the little burn crossing our front half-way to Beugneux, and then rose again to that village, which was flanked on the south by a wooded hill, Point 158, and on the north by Hill 189. Therefore the advance was well under enemy observation as soon as the G.M.P. line was left. X Company was sent up to reinforce the front companies and Y Company was intended to attack Point 158 from the south while X held the front, if and when we could get artillery to co-operate. All the time we were out of touch, except by runner, with BHQ. We eventually managed to get some artillery preparation, but as soon as the companies started moving we saw the guns had done no material harm to the defences of Beugneux and we stopped the movement.
(Beugneux village on 13/4/07)
What we wanted at this time was a diversion to turn Beugneux, not a reinforcing of the line already seriously held up. A general retiral continued and we now found ourselves in the air, therefore each company was ordered to collect and reorganize on the GMP line. The reorganization was completed at about 1500. The 34th Divisional history relates “The enemy was prevented from taking any advantage of our withdrawal by the heavy barrage put down on his positions by the artillery”. Unfortunately, some of it was also put down on both nations, and upon our information the shelling promptly stopped.
Casualties
Officers Killed 2 Wounded 10
Other Ranks Killed 32* Wounded 129
* Includes Jimmy Rainey-290563
Later that night we received orders to reoccupy in depth the position we had gained during the day, and by 2300 the most forward position was again made good without opposition. That night BHQ was subject to shelling by mustard gas and by 1200 on the 30th 19 were hospital cases, one man (Gray) died of it. The village of Beugneux was eventually taken after an attack at 0415 on the 1st August, and despite desultory artillery and machine-gun fire from the enemy it was obvious he was merely covering his retreat.
On the 4th August the battalion was withdrawn to Rouvres near Paris for rest, but on the 6th we were on the move again. Fighting took place in several more locations for the battalion before going into reserve on the 3rd November and we were in billets when the Armistice was declared on the 11th November.
The Division soon learned that it would be one of those that would march into Germany and on the 21st January we moved to the Cologne area, which was the bridgehead of the Army of Occupation. The battalion remained in Germany until 1st September 1919 eventually arriving in Dover on the 3rd having been on active service for over four years. Our home destination however was the Curragh in County Kildare and we arrived there on the 5th September.
Jimmy Rainey is buried in Raperie British Cemetery, Villemontoire, France.
Plot VI, row A, grave 10.
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