| Transcriber's Note: |
| Many inconsistencies appeared in the original book and were retained in this version. |
THE
FIFTH LEICESTERSHIRE.
A record of the 1/5th Battalion the Leicestershire Regiment, T.F.,during the War, 1914-1919.
By
Captain J.D. HILLS, M.C., Croix de Guerre.
With an introduction by
Lt.-Colonel C.H. JONES, C.M.G., T.D., Légion d'honneur(officier).
LOUGHBOROUGH.
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED AT THE ECHO PRESS.
1919.
THE FIFTH LEICESTERSHIRE.
XVII.
5.
To
COLONEL HIS GRACE DUKE OF RUTLAND, K.G.,
who has watched over us and lived with us
in all our losses and in all our joys,
this book is gratefully dedicated.
PREFACE.
No literary merit is claimed for this book. It is intended to be a diaryof our progress as a Battalion since mobilisation until the signing ofpeace, and the return of the Colours to Loughborough. I have written thefirst chapter, the remainder, including the maps, has been done byCaptain J.D. Hills.
This is scarcely the place to attempt an estimate of what the members ofour County Territorial Force Association, individually and collectively,have done for the 5th Leicestershire Regiment. We would merely placethis on record, that there has ever been one keen feeling of brotherhooduniting us all, from President or Chairman, to the latest joined recruitor humblest member of the regiment, whether actively engaged on thebattlefield, or just as actively engaged at home. Never has theExecutive Committee failed us. And to Major C.M. Serjeantson, O.B.E., wewould offer a special tribute for his untiring work, wonderful powers oforganisation and grasp of detail, and hearty good fellowship at alltimes.
To the men of the regiment we hope that the incidents which we narratehere will recall great times we spent together, and serve as a frameworkon which to weave other stories too numerous for the short space of onebook.
Meadhurst,
Uppingham,
Sept., 1919.
AUTHOR'S NOTE.
The following narrative is based mainly on the Regimental War Diary. Forthe rest, my thanks are due to Lt.-Colonels C.H. Jones, C.M.G., T.D.,and J. Ll. Griffiths, D.S.O., Major C. Bland, T.D., Captains D.B. Petch,M.C., J.R. Brooke, M.C., and A.D. Pierrepont, and R.Q.M.S. R. Gorse,M.S.M., for sending me notes and anecdotes; to Captains G.E. Banwell,M.C., and C.S. Allen, Corpl. J. Lincoln, and L/Corpl. A.B. Law, fortaking me round the battlefields and explaining the Lens fighting of1917; to 2nd Lieut. G.H. Griffiths, for supplying me with many of thebattlefield photographs; to all officers, N.C.O.'s and men of theBattalion who have always been ready to answer my questions and to giveme information; to Major D. Hill, M.C., Brigade Major, for the loan ofhis Brigade documents; and lastly to Mr. Deakin of