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Cavron St Martin - France


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Essex Yeomanry:

From September 1916 until April 1917 battalions of the Essex Yeomanry were billeted in our area: Aubin St Vaast/Cavron St Martin/Wambercourt/Fressin.

Ttext from the1920 book:
THE 10th (P.W.O.) ROYAL HUSSARS AND THE ESSEX YEOMANRY, DURING THE EUROPEAN WAR, 1914-1918. BY LT. COL F. H. D. C. WHITMORE. ... This book has been scanned using optical character recognition (OCR) some words may be unreadable or appear in error, and some lists not in logical order - but still a fascinating read. Page 75 starts the period when the Essex Yeomanry were billeted in the Aubin St Vaast area - Click HERE

898 Lance Corporal George William Perry, 1st/1st Bn. Essex Yeomanry, is buried in Aubin St Vaast churchyard; curiously the grave does not have a CWGC headstone.

Read exerpts from the fascinating Essex Yeomanry day by day WW1 diaries below...

24/9/16 Left FILLIEVRES at 8.30 a.m. and marched to CANCHE
valley W of HESDIN Regimental Headquarters in
ECQUEMICOURT, the Regt. in ABIN ST VAAST.

ECQUEMICOURT/AUBIN ST VAAST


25-27/9/16 Exercise and clean up. The weather has been beautiful
since the beginning of the march westward.
20 OR including 8 NCOs for-dismounted squadron arrived from U.K via Base. Squadron kit inspection American intertroop football tournament held at ST VAAST in the afternoon won by Waltham Abbey Troop, 2nd Southend Troop, 3rd Orsett Troop.
28/9/16 Exercise grazing and Riding school. Captain V.T.G Hine granted one weeks special leave to ENGLAND.
29/9/16 Signal Troop temporarily reformed under 2ndLt W.A Tuczek.
30/9/l6 Regimental parade to practise advanced guards over open country. No 1235 Cpl W. Ashton "A" squadron transferred to 1st 18th Bedfordshire Regiment.
1/10/16 Holy Communion 10 a.m. ST VAAST. Change from summer time made night of 30th and lst. Lecture by Brigadier to COs, squadron leaders, and 2nd in Command at MARESQUEL 2.15 p.m.
2/10/16 Dismounted squadrons left billets to proceed to
AUHEUX under Reserve Army. Major E.A Ruggles¬-Brise M.C. "B" squadron proceeded in Command of Divisional party Lt C.N Gi1bey and 2ndLt G. Wear proceeded with 90 OR from this unit. 12 OR from U.K.
3/10/16 Squadron schemes and Riding school. Weather colder and wet.
4/10/16 Squadron parades.
5/10/16 Tactical exercise at ST JOSSE and hill 100 (Reference ABBEYILLE 1/100000) for "A" squadron.
6/10/16 Tactical Exercise at ST JOSSE and Hill 100 (Reference ABBEYILLE 1/100000) for "C" squadron. "A"squadron representing the enemy.
7/10/16 "B"squadron performed the same tactical exercise the enemy was represented by "C"squadron,
8/10/16 Regiment played Bays at Rugby Football at ST VAAST
Bays won 12 pts to nil. Evensong at ST VAAST 6.30 p.m.
9/10/16 ST JOSSE scheme performed consecutively by one
squadron 10th R.H and squadron R.H.G "B" squadron
E.Y. representing the enemy for each attack.
10/10/I6 Squadron training
11/10/16 Squadron training. Result of Commanding Officers Cooking prizes for the first month as follows:-lst Waltham Abbey Troop, 2nd Southend Troop.
12/l0/16 Scheme for "B" squadron under C0 "A" and "C" squadron Training. No 1465 Pte. W Law "C" squadron in "A" 9/10/16.
13/10/16 Brigade scheme under the Corps Commander round BRUNEHAUTPRS-BLOVILLE-BRIMEUX.
14/10/16 Association Football American tournament for second elevens played off and won by Colchester Troop.
15/10/16 11 a.m. Holy Communion ST VAAST. 6.30 p.m, evensong ST VAAST. Rugby Football match E.Y v Queens Bays Bays won 3pts to 1. Association Football E.Y 3rd Cav. Div. Supply Column Draw 3 - 3.
16/10/16 7th Cav.Bde. scheme E.Y. G Battery G.M.G squadrons represented the enemy taking up positions round CAMPAGNE-LES-HESDIN BUIRE-LE-SEC 2nd Lt W. Ritchie proceeded to join 2nd Corps to relieve Lt. C.N. Gilbey.
17/1O/16 Exercise and grazing. Foot drill 11 a.m.
18/10/16 Regiment paraded at 6.15 a.m. to proceed to DOURIEZ to take part in a divisional scheme against the lst Cav. Div. Message received at GOUY ST ANORE to say scheme postponed owing to weather.
19-20/10/16 Squadron parades. Rearrangement of billets in process.
21/10/16 Staff ride (Bde) for C0 2nd in C and Sig.Officer
squadron. Exercise graze and clean up.
22/10/16 Evensong 6.30 p.m at AUBIN ST VAAST. The regiment played Artist Rifles at Rugby Football and were beaten 27 pts to nil.
23/10/16 Squadron training. Capt. R. G. Proby, Lt S. J. Tufnell with 75 OR proceeded to BOUZINCOURT to relieve 2nd Lt Ritche and Ware and similar number of OR with 2nd Corps.
24/10/12 Squadron training. Staff ride for squadron leaders. Lt.J.W.Fleming Hants Yeomanry with 4 O.R arrived for instruction in Hotchkiss rifle posted to "C" squadron.
25/10/16 Regimental H.Q moved billets from ECQUEMICOURT to the PLUMOISON area.

PLUMOISON
AUBIN ST VAAST
BOUIN

26/10/16 "B" squadron moved billets from AUBIN ST VAAST to BOUIN & PLUMOISON
27/10/16 Squadron parades.
28/10/16 Squadron parades.
29/10/16 Holy Communion 8 a.m. BOUIN. Evensong 6.30 p.m. AUBIN ST VAAST
30/10/16 The CO inspected the Regiment in marching order at PLUMOISON by Squadron.
31/10/16 Squadron parades.
1/11/16 Squadron parades. Medical inspection. Re analysis of all water supplies.
2/11/16 Squadron parades. Lt. J.W.Fleming Hants Yeomanry and 4 O.R left to rejoin unit. Major Gold proceeded to BOUZINCOURT to take Command of 3rd Cav.Div. digging party on lst inst.
3/11/16 Squadron parades.
4/11/16 Squadron parades 10 O.R proceeded to 8th M.G sqdn. 5/11/16 Evensong 6.30 p.m. AUBIN ST VAAST. Heavy gale and torrential rain during the night.
6/11/16 Squadron parades and riding school. 7/11/16 Squadron parades and riding school.
8/11/16 Parades as above. Major Buxton, Hill, and Ruggles-Brise went to 3rd Cav.Div.school of instruction at MERLIMONT. 2nd/Lt W.C.V Schwier from U.K and posted to "A" squadron 1 Officer and 9 O.R from 3rd Field squadron attached on 7th Reanalysed water.
9/11/16 2nd/Lt G.Wear to hospital U.K. Squadron parades at riding school started to repair billets and build stabling.
10/11/16 Capt (Adjt) T.K.Jackson to hospital 2nd/Lt R.W. Bruce acting Adjutant. 2nd/Lt L.Abraham from U.K posted to "C"squadron.
11/11/16 Major G.Gold, Capt R.G Proby, Lt.S.J Tufnell and 72 O.R ceased to be attached to 2nd Corps.
12/11/16 Holy Communion at 12 noon AUBIN ST VAAST.
13-16/l1/16 Squadron parades at Riding school.
17/11/16 Riding school ceased on this date.
18/11/16 Squadron parades.
19/11/16 Holy Communion 8.30 a.m. BOUIN.Evensong 6.30 p.m. AUBIN ST VAAST. Major E.HiII, A.Buxton, and E.A.Ruggles-Brise returned from Divisional school of instruction. 2nd/Lt H.H.Newman from U.K posted to "B"squadron.
20/11/16 Capt.J.O.Parker,Lt.J.K.Swire, 2nd/Lt W.Ritchie, R.C.Weatherby, L.Abraham, B.F.Wilmer, W.C.V.Schwier, and Lt A.M E J,Sayer (H.Q)with 261 O.R. (8th British Cavalry Pioneer Battalion attached 15th Corps) entrained at MARESQUEL under the Command LT.Co1.P.E.Hardwick,D.S.O 1Oth.R.H.
21/11/16 Capt.R.G.Proby and V.T.G.Hine and Lt R.A.Thomson proceeded to 3rd Cav.Div, school.
22/11/16 Major Buxton proceeded to Divisional school (Anti Gas) WAILLY.
23/11/16 Erection of Nissen huts commenced at Regimental Headquarters.
24-25/11/16 Squadron Parades.
26/11/16 Evensong at 6.30 p.m. at AUBIN ST VAAST. 2nd/Lt S.White (from DAOURS Town major) posted to "A"sqdn.
27-30/11/16 Squadron parades.
1/11/16 Parades under squadron arrangements. Repairs and improvements to billets and stables.
2/11/16 Parades under squadron arrangements. Information 'received that 8th Pioneers Batt. now under 13th Corps.
3/11/16 Parades under squadron arrangements. Maj.Hill went to Div.Gas school for course of instruction.
4/11/16 Parades under squadron arrangements. Lt.G.F.Nelson R.A.M.C ceased to be attached to the regiment.
5/11/16 Parades under squadron arrangements. Maj.A.Buxton left to take command of 8th Pioneer Battalion.
6/11/16 Parades under squadron arrangements. Precautions against fire were issued and fire picquets rearranged.
7/11/16 Parades under squadron arrangements. Major E.Hill returned from Gas school.
8-9/11/16 Parades under squadron arrangements.
10/11/16 G.O.C 3rd Cav.Div. inspected the regiment before attending Divine service at 10 a.m. in railway shed at AUBIN ST VAAST Regimental Band played for service. After the service the G.O.C 3rd Cav.Div. and 8th Cav.Bde. inspected the billets of the regiment. A horsed ambulance from 8th C.F.A is attached to the regiment for duty.
11/11/16 Squadron parades 2nd/Lt Maconnachie and 9 O.R from 3rd Field squadron ceased to be attached to regiment.
12/11/16 Squadron parades. Lt.E.J.Sayer returned from 8th Pioneer Battalion relieved by R.H.G.
13/ll/16 Squadron parades. Started trial of shoeing all horses of one troop per squadron with rolled toe shoes.
14/11/16 Squadron parades. Interpreter Vernot on detached duty to French Army.
15/11/16 Inspection of all horses of "A" & "C" squadron unsaddled, by C.O.
16/11/16 C.O.inspected the horses of H.Q "B" squadron & echelons.
17/11/16 Maj.E.A.Ruggles-Brise M.C went to Div.Gas School. 18/11/16 Squadron parades. Horses were paraded before casting board.
19/11/16 Squadron parades. 2nd/Lt A.W Rose appointed Regtl Sig.Officer in place of 2nd/Lt Tuczek.
20/11/16 Squadron parades. 27th 8th Pioneer battalion returned arriving at MARESQUEL about 6 a.m.
21/11/16 Squadron Parades.

ST JOSSE
ST AUBIN
LE MOULINEL

22/11/16 The regiment marched to billeting area lately occupied by R.Ds and were stationed as follows H.Q and ½ 'A" squadron at ST JOSSE "B" at VILLIERS and around LE MOULINEL "C" at ST AUBIN ½ "A" at ST JOSSE station and CAPELLE. 2nd/Lt Balfour from UK.
23-24/11/16 Squadron parades and work on improvement of billets. Divine services at 8 a.m and 6.30 p.m. 25/11/16 Holy Communion service at 8 at ST JOSSE 9 at LE MOULINEL.
26/11/16 Squadron parades at work on billets.
27/11/16 Squadron parades. Brigade staff ride for C.0s and Adjutant Capt.Parker, Lt.Gilbey, Tufnell, and 2nd/Lt Weatherby went to attend course at 3rd Cav.Div.School.
28/11/16 The Brigadier inspected all the transport of Regiment at ST JOSSE Station.
29/11/16 Squadron parades. 30/11/16 Squadron parades.
1/12/16 Evensong at ST JOSSE 6.45. All clothing of A" & "C" squadrons was treated in "Foden Disinfector" Holy Communion at ST AUBIN at Midday.
Squadron training. Afternoon staff ride for squadron leaders. LONDON GAZETTE. Lt Colonel.F.H.D.C Whitmore awarded D. S. 0. Lieut. E. J. Sayer awarded Military Cross.)
2-4/12/16 Squadron training.
5/12/16 Regiment inspection full marching order by G.O.C 8th Cav.Bde.
6/12/16 Squadron parades.
7/12/16 Divine service 6.45 p.m. ST JOSSE.
8/12/16 Squadron Training. Inspection of "A" & "B" echelons in full marching order by C.O. 9-11/12/16 Squadron training.
12/12/16 Inspection by A.D.V.S.
13/11/16 Squadron training.
14/11/16 Divine service 7 p.m. ST JOSSE.2nd/Lt A.Winter-Rose to Div.Sig.Course.2nd/Lt W.A.Tuzcek to Cav.Corps Signal course.
15/12/16 Squadron training. C.O. and 2nd in Command attended Brigade staff ride.
16/12/16 Squadron training. Demonstration in concealment of Hotchkiss rifle in action.
17/12/16 Squadron training.
18/12/l0 "B"squadran inspected in fire control By G.O.G 8th Cav.Bde.
19/12/16 Squadron training. 20/12/16 Squadron training.
21/12/16 Divine service 8.30(LE-MOULINEL) and 7 p.m.(ST JOSSE)
22/12/16 Squadron training. LONDON GAZETTE Sgts.1555 F. Smy, 806 R.G. Turnell, 767 E.Walker, Ptes 1650 G. Player, 895 A. Ro1ph,1236 A. J. Howard, and 1655 F.D.Dorrington awarded M.M.
23/12/16 Squadron training.
24/12/16 Demonstration of Gas scheme before G.O.C 8th Cav. Brigade.
25/12/16 Squadron training Inspection by A.D.M.S.
26/12/16 Inspection of Regiment by G.O.C 3rd Cav.Division.
27/12/16 Squadron training.
28/12/16 Divine service 12 noon and 7 p.m ST JOSSE.
2nd/Lt W.C.V Schweir to Pioneer course, 3rd Field squadron.
29/12/16 Squadron training.
30/12/16 Lt.R.A.Thomson and 100 O.Rs leave to join 8th Pioneer Battalion.
31/12/16 Squadron training.

During the month the following Officers attended 3rd Cav.Div.School at MERLIMONT PLACE. Capt.J.O. Parker, Lt.C.N.Gilbey, S.J.Tufnell, and 2nd/Lt R.C Weatherby. The following attended an Anti Gas Gourse at WAILLY 2nd/Lt G.L.Horsfall, B.F.Wilmer,and J.Flingeman while a number of Officers, N.C.Os and Hotchkiss Specialists of Corps Cav. were attached to the regiment for instruction.
1/2/17 Move to new billeting area regiment billeted as follows:- H.Q FRESSIN, "A"squadron CAVRON, “B"squadron SAINS, "C"squadron WAMBERCOURT.

FRESSIN
CAVRON
SAINS
WAMBERCOURT

2/2/17 Improvement of billets.
3/2/17 Improvement of billets. Capt.Hine and a second dismounted party, left the regiment to join the 8th Cav.Pioneer Battalion.
4-6/2/17 Exercise and Improvement of billets.
7/2/17 Exercise and improvement of billets. Captain J.L Parker promoted Major, Lt.C.N.Gilbey promoted Capt. both to date from 10th September 1916. (2nd/LT temp Lt)to be Lt. to date from 7th Feb.1916. Authority LONDON GAZETTE. Feb.3rd 1917.
8-10/2/17 Exercise and improvement of billets.
11/2/17 Divine service 6.30 p.m.FRESSIN. Exercise and improvement to billets. Lt.R.A.Thomson awarded Croix de Guerre.
12-17/2/17 Exercise and improvement of billets.
18/2/17 Inspection of signallers by A.D.M.S (Lt.Co1.Saddleir Jackson) 9.15 a.m. at FRESSIN.
19-24/2/17 Exercise and improvement of billets.
25/2/17 Divine Service. Matins and Holy Communion FRESSIN.
26-28/2/17 Exercise and improvement of billets.
Owing to the absence of a large number of men with 8th Pioneer Battalion training except in the case of signallers was practically brought to a stand still. During the last fortnight of the month, however, afternoon instruction took place on the following subjects:- Map Reading, Siting trenches, Respirator drill, elementary musketry and judging distance. The signallers were progressively trained throughout the month by 2nd /Lt A.Winter Rose.

The following officers attended courses at 3rd Cav. Div. School MERLIMONT PLACE Lt. J. C. Chaplin, Lt. J. K. Swire, 2nd/Lt R.W. Bruce, 2nd/Lt F.Wilmer. At Cav.Corps Intelligence School CAUMARTIN 2nd/Lt J.F.Lingeman. At Div.Anti Gas School, WAILLY Maj.G.G.Gold, Capt.E.Stork,R.A.M.C. 2nd/Lt L Abrahams. At Cav.Corps Signals 2nd/Lt K.C.Herron.
1-2/3/17 Exercise and General Clean up.
3/3/17 Exercise and General clean up. Inspection of all Regimental signallers by 0.C 3rd Sig.Squadron.
4-6/3/17 Exercise and squadron arrangements.
7/3/17 2nd in Command of Squadrons and Officers above this rank attended Brigade Staff ride resiting of trenches. An inspection of A.H.T. A.S.C at ration dump.
8-1O/3/17 Exercise and squadron arrangements.
11-13/3/17 Exercise and squadron arrangements. 2nd/Lt C.A Colliss, H.N.Long, and G.W.H.Ridley joined.
14-17/3/I7 Exercise and squadron arrangements.
18/3/17 Holy Communion at SAINS and Evensong at FRESSIN.
19/3/17 Exercise &c. 5 Officers and 245 O Ranks returned from 8th Pioneer Battalion.
19-20/3/17 Exercise and inspection of men, for scabies was held on 17th.
21/3/17 Exercise &c. G.O.C 3rd Cav.Div.inspected the horses of "C"squadron and the 2 troops of "A" squadron on range at musketry.
22/3/17 Exercise &c.
23/3/17 All the regiment were issued with small box respirators, and tested with gas.
24/3/17 Regiment took part in a Brigade field day taking up a position near AVONDANCE and keeping up Communication with aeroplane contact patrol.
25/3/17 Exercise &c. Holy Communion at FRESSIN at 12.15 p.m. Evensong at WAMBERCOURT.
26-27/3/17 Full marching order parade for Brigade was cancelled owing to weather. Squadron arrangements.
28/3/17 Squadron arrangements. G.O.C 8th Cav.Bde attended at "C" squadron range to see competitions between Hotchkiss rifles and troops &c.
29-31/3/17 Squadron arrangements. 2nd/Lt Hore joined regt.on 29th After the return of the men from the Pioneer Battalion the training was greatly interfered with by bad weather, snow, frost and rain and then by the brigade being under orders to move at 8 hrs notice. 2nd/Lt Holland, Ritchie, Shwier and Abraham attended courses at 3rd Cav.Div.Gas school. A class of instructors was arranged by the regiment 2nd/e for all officers who had not been at course at 3rd Cav. Div. School and for 24 NCOs. The Regimental training of signalers continued throughout the month. A course of lectures and instruction was given by the M.O to stretcher bearers.
1st April 1917 to 14 March 1918

FRESSIN, CAVRON, SAINS & WAMBERCOURT

1-3/4/17 Strength on first day of month 34 Officers, 601 O.Rs, 591 horses period 1st - 6th was occupied in preparations for move and in evacuating winter and billet stores to Brigade dump &c. Telephone lines were left up and communication maintained until 6th inst.

4/4/17 2 Officers and 48 0Rs were detailed to proceed to BEAURAINVILLE to form 8th Cav.Bde Dismounted party. Officers concerned Maj.J.O.Parker and 2nd/Lt H.C.Herron.

5/4/17 2nd/Lt H.N.Long and 25 O.Rs concentrated at LEBIEZ for purpose of joining 8th Cav.Bde dismounted party. The regiment with the exception of Headquarters fighting strength concentrated at CAVRON.

6/4/17 Good Friday. A conference was held at Regimental Headquarters FBSSSIN attended by Commanding Officer 2nd in Command, Squadron leaders, Adjutant, Medical Officer, Signal Officer, Quartermaster and Intelligence Officer at which the proposed plan of action was discussed in detail. The number of horses affected by the outbreak of Influenza reduced to 10 and all passed as fit to travel. 2nd/Lt R. D. Holland rejoined the regiment from Hospital and 2nd/Lt A.Collis was evacuated to base.

7/4/17 The regiment marched from the FRESSIN area to FREVENT where they bivouaced at the East end of the town.

8/4/17 The march was continued to GOUY EN ARTOIS where the. 3rd Cav.Div. was concentrated.

9/4/17 At 11 am. the Division moved out at a moments notice towards ARRAS and halted at the western entrance to the town on the race course and there watered and fed. Early in the afternoon orders were received by the 8th Cav.Bde. to move forward. The brigade was preceeded by "B" squadron 10th R.Hussars under Capt.Gordon Canning and "C" squadron Essex Yeomanry under Maj.Buxton D.S.O. These two squadrons marched to the N.W of TILLOY LEZ MOFFLAINES. The remainder of the brigade halted at the eastern outskirts of ARRAS on the Cavalry track leading parallel and N of the ARRAS CCAMBRAI road. ORANGE HILL was still occupied by the Germans and further reconnaissance on the part of the leading squadrons of the Brigade was rendered impossible on this account. The Brigade moved forward to the North West side of TILLOY and after watering in the river south of ATHIES bivouaced for the night N of TILLOY. There were frequent snowstorms during the evening and night. At 1.30 a.m on the night of 9th & 10th April the Brigade received orders to return to the racecourse ARRAS before light. Water forage and rations were able to be obtained at this place.

10/4/17. At 11 a.m. the Brigade moved forward from the race course to a position N of TILLY-LEZ-MOFFLAINES Capt.Gordon Canning's squadron 10th R.H., and Maj.Buxton's Squadron E.Yeo reconnoitring towards PELVES on the South of the River SCARPE. Patrols sent out by these squadrons reported that the slopes and spurs North of MONCHY LE PREUX were still held by the Enemy who brought their machine guns into action against these patrols. Captain Gordon Canning's patrol suffering many casualties whilst Lieut Wear of the E.Yeo became cut off by the enemy and had to rejoin his unit under cover of the darkness. Lt Weatherby E.Yeo was also sent out with a patrol and reports were all similar, and but for the fact of a very severe and blinding snowstorm which covered the retirement of these patrols the casualties would have been greater. Major Buxton was wounded by a shell during the afternoon.

Lt.Chaplin taking command of his squadron. The night was passed at FEUCHY CAPELLE and a continuous and heavy shelling with high explosive caused many casualties amongst horses and some men were killed.

The 10th R.H alone losing about 50 horses and about 10 men. The R.H.G and E.Yeo were more fortunate.

11/4/17 The Brigade "Stood To" at 5.30 a.m.. At 8 a.m. Lt.Col.Whitmore D.S.O commanding E.Yeo received orders "to advance" his regiment would be followed immediately by the 10th R.H and the R.H.G would be in reserve. The brigade was required to carry out the role already prepared for the purpose of seizing and holding the high grounds villages and woods on the eastern spurs facing the river SCARPE about 4000 yards E and N.E of MONCHY. These objectives were to be seized in the event of information being received that (1) The village of MONCHY was in the hands of our Infantry and that (2) the sunk road leading N. E from MONCHY to PELVES was in our occupation. Information as to No (1) and that the Infantry were advancing in an easterly direction had already been received by Brigadier General C.Bulkeley Johnson A.D.C Commanding 8th Cav.Bde. Lt.Colonel Whitmore D.S.O asked for half an hour in which to confer with Brig. Gen. Harman D.S.0 Commanding 6th Cav.Bde. Lt.Colonel Burt D.S.O Commanding 3rd Dragoon Guards whose Regiment would be acting on the right and With Lt.Colonel Hardwick D.S.O Commanding 10th R.Hussars whose regiment would be acting on the left. At 8.30 a.m. an advanced squadron of the Essex Yeo followed by an advanced squadron of the 10th R.Hussars under the Command of Lt.Chaplin and Capt.Gordon Canning respectively, each with one section of Machine guns advanced over southern end of ORANGE HILL meeting with severe barrage between that point and the enclosures on the N.W. of MONCHY and at the same time meeting with machine Gun Fire which apparently came from the North of the SCARPE -canal. On this account both leading squadrons changed their direction in a S. Easterly direction and entered MONCHY-LE-PRPDX at the N. Western entrance. At this moment the remainder of the two leading Regiments of the Brigade 10th R.Hussars and Essex Yeo were crossing the southern portion of ORANGE HILL where they were met with a heavy artillery barrage and suffered some casualties including Maj.Hill and 2nd/Lt White both of the Essex Yeomanry. At the N. Eastern entrance of the village only shell fire was met with, but many casualties occurred on account of the houses and hard road offering greater resistance to the high explosive shell. The two advanced squadrons

there proceeded as follows:- Essex Yeo via central road leading to the square, and thence by the sunken road leading N.E towards PELVES the 10th Royal Hussars following the Essex Yeo to the centre of MONCHY, thence, turning due N until they reached the outskirts of the village.

On emerging from the village, both these squadrons were held up by machine gun fire. By this time the remainder of the two regiments were already in village and the whole force of the German Artillery seemed to be concentrated upon it causing many casualties to Officers, men and horses. Machine guns and Hotchkiss Automatic Rifles were brought up at once from both regiments and distributed in positions surrounding the south east and north of the village, covering all entrances and slopes and making two strong points, one in the CHATEAU garden and one at the north eastern exit of the village. At this time Col.Hardwick D.S.O Commanding 10th R.Hussars with one squadron 10th R.Hussars endeavoured to make his way round the northern flank but again met with severe Machine gun Fire on the Northern outskirts of the village and was forced to turn in a south eastern direction through the wood. Whilst doing so he was wounded Capt.Greenwood Adjutant 10th R.Hussars was wounded immediately afterwards. It was now quite apparent that our Infantry were not holding the village, although the scattered remnants of the 111th and 112th Infantry Brigades were found in isolated places in and W of the CHATEAU. These were collected and they together with the 10th P.Hussars and Essex Yeo, the whole being under the Command of Lieut Col.Whitmore, D.S.O consolidated the positions gained on the Northern and Eastern outskirts of MONCHY by this time enemy shell and machine gun fire increased to such an extent that it appeared to indicate a probable counter attack and many of our Machine Gun and Automatic rifles were put out of action. The employment of abandoned Lewis Guns, wo of which were found, became necessary. Great difficulty was experienced in moving the led horses when it had become apparent that a further advance was impossible. This difficulty was due in the first place to casualties already caused which blocked the roads and secondly to the fact that so large a number of horses of so many units were seeking the same shelter outside the village thus attracting the fire of the enemy Artillery. On one occasion the enemy massed in the small copse 1000 yards

N.E of the village. Communication was difficult and artillery support hard to obtain, but no serious attempt at counter attack followed. Throughout the day shelling was heavy which rendered the work of consolidating the position difficult. This difficulty was further accentuated by the heavy state of the ground and by the fact that a large number of the tool packs had been destroyed. Men of the 111th and 112th Infantry Brigades were detailed for the purpose of conveying the wounded to the two dressing stations which had been established one at the Chateau by the medical Officer of the 10th R.Hussars and the other at the N.W exit of the village by the Medical Officer of the Essex Yeo. Many officers of both 10th R.Hussars and Essex Yeo had by now been wounded and information had been received to the effect that Brigadier General C.Bulkeley Johnson A.D.C Commanding 8th Cav.Bde. had been killed. Communication had been established with the 3rd Dragoon Guards on the right early in the day but the left flank remained somewhat exposed, and it was only by the employment of men of 111th Infantry Brigade that the gap on the left of our line was closed, and communication with the 63rd Brigade was established.

Lord Tweedmouth now commanding the Brigade sent Major the Earl of Pembroke's squadron of R.H,G to support the defence, but this Squadron was not able to get into MONCHY Capt Wilson being killed and Lieut Back wounded, also many men and horses of this squadron being killed or wounded.

By 5 p.m. the village was in a fair state of defence, but there were no reserves or supports available. Casualties continued throughout the evening both to officers and other Ranks, including Major Gold Essex Yeo, Capt. Gosling 10th R.Hussars, and Capt. Gilbey Essex Yeo. The greatest difficulty was experienced throughout the day in communication with the Brigade by any other means than by dispatch riders who did admirable service throughout. The signalling equipment of both regiments was destroyed.

There were constant visits over the lines from enemy aeroplanes during the day which were left to their own devices unmolested except from ourselves. Enemy aeroplanes swooped down and shot at the led horses with their Machine Guns. At dusk patrols were sent out from the two regiments which established the fact that the enemy were digging themselves in about 300 yards from the North Eastern outskirts of the village and in sectional trenches on the forward crest of Hill 100 about 800 yards due East from the village. About midnight the 37th Infantry Brigade took over most of the defences of MONCHY but the remainder could not be relieved until the following day owing to the insufficiency of troops. Lt.Colonel.Whitmore D.S.O handed over the defence of MONCHY to Lieut Col.Dawson Commanding West Kent regiment. April 11th 12th leaving Captain Palmes 10th R.Hussars in charge of those detachments of the 8th Cav.Bde. who were unable to be relieved. The casualties suffered by E.Yeo during the engagement were as follows:

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