24 Sunday
Allouagne.
Church Parade & celebration of Holy Communion in Barn.
25 Monday
Allouagne.
Wet; rained for 24 hours.
Digging transport trenches.
26 Tuesday
Allouagne.
Getting ambulance waggons ready to move.
27 Wednesday
My Birthday.
Left Allouagne marched 10 miles in rain & returned to hospital at Fouquières, billeted in upstairs room.
28 Thursday
Fouquières.
King inspects troops here, only 10 of unit attend. His horse shies owing to cheering & throws him off, but he is only bruised.
Wet day.
29 Friday
Room orderly.
30 Saturday
Fouquières.
Rest.
These photographs give an idea of some typical scenes that Frank would have experienced.
Monday, 29 December 2008
Thursday, 25 December 2008
9 May 1915-31Oct 1915
Reading Frank's diary between May and October 1915 we get a picture of how his days were spent at this early period of the war.
Outside of the odds and ends of jobs, such as messenger, water guard and carrier, working on an incinerator, a coffee stall, on guard, gradually his medical duties increase, and there are descriptions of some of the h
9th May 1915 - 31st October 1915
Reading Frank's diary between May and October 1915 we get a picture of how his days were spent at this early period of the war.
Outside of the odds and ends of jobs, such as messenger, water guard and carrier, working on an incinerator, a coffee stall, on guard, gradually his medical duties increase, and there are descriptions of some of the hazardous moments, including several near misses from enemy shelling.
'Collecting' was a major part of his duties, and we see how hazardous that was, as usual expressed in his matter-of-fact way. He mentions living in dug-outs at Hill 60, a notoriously dangerous place, one of the most feared areas. At Maple Copse he writes of carrying wounded men five miles. He also records casualties among the men that he knows; the 5th and 6th South Staffordshire Regiments were 'in the line' for much of this time, and there was a constant stream of casualties from the trench warfare. Frank mentions Jack Forrester, killed on 16th August, shot through the head, and Albert Welch who also died in the trenches, both men he knew from Willenhall; in the diary on 22nd of July he mentions seeing Jack Forrester that day. The previous day he mentions Joe Court, wounded by shrapnel, someone who he knew and with whom he stayed in touch.
So the men Frank dealt with in his duties were not strangers, they were friends, neighbours, work mates, fellow Territorial Army members, and others that he knew.
With that in mind, we come to the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, which took place on 13th October 1915. For the full story, follow the links below.
http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/terriers1.htm
http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/terriers2.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenzollern_Redoubt
The War History of the 6th Battalion the South Staffordshire Regiment is available to buy on CD, and well worth reading:
http://www.midlandshistoricaldata.org/index.html
In that document you can find the complete plans for the Battalion's part in the attack; at the end, the author wrote 'Alas for the dispositions of men! Never were troops in a better state to undertake a task such as now lay before them'. It took no more than ten minutes of the battle to shatter that group of men as a fighting force.
Ninety years on, and with another World War between us and that time, we find it remarkable or curious how military tactics in the Great War allowed the stalemate of trench war to happen, and these repeated attacks which resulted in the useless slaughter of thousands of men. The attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, now a largely forgotten sideshow of the Battle of Loos, itself a less well-known part of the conflict, gives an insight into what happened when troops tried to attack a fortified position. Basically they advanced across No-Man’s Land, often under enemy shell fire, and were shot down in droves by rifle and machine-gun fire. Both sides suffered the same result of such attacks; even the use of gas, which was supposed to be the battle-winner, failed to make much difference. It was not until much later in the war that the use of new weapons, developed by the Allies, such as armoured vehicles, and new tactics like the rolling artillery barrage made attacks more successful.
The attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt was to be one of the many that stirred up resentment at home. General Haig, then General Officer Commanding 1st Army, visited the survivors, expressed his pride in the men and their actions, and his regret for the casualties, saying that it was inevitable in this war.
The aftermath was a somewhat different story. The attack could not be called anything else but an abject failure. Before the battle, the 1st Battalion of the 6th South Staffordshire Regiment numbered 22 Officers, 15 Sergeants, and 677 Other Ranks; after the battle, the roll-call was 4 Officers, 9 Sergeants, and 230 OR, so the casualty rate, dead, wounded or missing, was 66%.
Haig noted in his diary on the day of the attack that the 46th Division General, Major General Stuart-Wortley had apparently used up his reserves of troops before they were really required. A few weeks later Haig wrote to the Prime Minister, Anthony Asquith, referring to the 'failure of the 46th (North Midland) Division on 13th October'. He claimed that he had heard from two independent sources that the men of the Division 'had not advanced to the attack as ordered'. Haig concluded in his personal diary that the preliminary artillery and gas bombardment had been satisfactory, but the troops did not take advantage of the 'favourable situation created for the attack', and finally that this was due to 'want of discipline in the 46th Division and general ignorance of war conditions'. He also said that he did not think much of Major General Stuart-Wortley, who commanded the 46th Division, and who was sacked after the 46th Division's attack on 1st July 1916 at Gommecourt on the Somme, which was also a failure with heavy loss of life.
The arguments go on about the strategy and tactics of the Great War, particularly whether the appalling loss of life resulting from mass attacks on heavily fortified defences, could have been avoided. There were also arguments about the tactical abilities of the commanding officers, and the war strategy. Haig may have regretted his diary entries later on; we don't know. But it is on record in the British Official History of the war that the 46th Division 'attacked bravely but faced an impossible task'.
Haig got promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force when Sir John French was 'retired' in December 1915. At home, as the casualties mounted with no signs of an end to the slaughter nor of progress towards a successful end, questions increased about the conduct of the war. Haig became known in the streets as 'the Butcher', but he stayed in his post to the end. At a victory parade, the troops cheered him, but then having survived, they would have probably cheered anyone. On the other hand, Haig was constrained by the politicians, British and French, leaving him with few options. It may be that no commander could have done anything else at that time. An extensive analysis and detailed chronology of the Battle of Loos can be seen at:
http://www.1914-1918.net/BATTLES/bat13_loos/bat.htm
A panorama of the battleground taken in the following April, when the Hohenzollern Redoubt was still firmly in enemy hands, can be downloaded from:
http://www.lulu.com/items/volume_63/2578000/2578901/1/source/Hohenzollern_Redoubt_Panorama_07.04.1916_A1_width.jpg
A map of the area is viewable at:
http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/9div.jpg
On 5th October, before the battle, Frank was based at Gonnehem, and he records going to Robecq to see his friends at the 6th South Staffordshire Regiment; while there he saw Sir Douglas Haig and Captain Parkes. The latter was probably a member of the Parkes family who ran a lock making firm in Willenhall; Captain Parkes must have introduced Frank to Haig, and Frank records shaking hands with him, the Commander of the First Army. Captain Parkes was wounded in the abdomen on 13th October.
In the days after the attack Frank and his colleagues, now at Allouagne, marched 10 miles to be inspected by the General (it's not clear who this was), who praised their good work. They moved back to Fouquieres on 27th October. In a break from their duties of looking after the hundreds of wounded, on 28th October the King (George V) inspects the troops, including only 10 of Frank's unit. The King's horse shies as a result of the cheering, and the King is thrown off, suffering some bruising.
Among the wounded Frank records Alfred Bateman, Harold Baker, two Tonks, Lat Wedge; Humfrey Fox was missing. Of these, the cousins Reginald and Roland Tonks died of their wounds on the day of the attack, the rest seem to have survived.
Just after the attack Frank managed to get a personal letter home to Ethel, part of which survives:
We had a very busy time yesterday, having over 300 wounded through our place and are now this Thursday morning still expecting convoys as they have poured in throughout the night.
As I told you in my letter of yesterday I went to see most of the Willenhall boys the previous day before they went up into trenches, which was the time I was there, as I saw them start to march up to them, I went to wish them good luck as I knew what they had got to do and so did all of them. I saw Captain Parkes ride by on his horse, that was 2 o’clock pm Tuesday and 25 hours after that being yesterday teatime he was brought into our place badly wounded through the abdomen. This past few days all our div knew the charge they were going up to make and knew the ground they had got to take, our hospital had everything clear in readiness. It took place at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, in which we used the gas on the Germans.
It must have been hell, our artillery bombarded their trenches then our boys charged over the parapets. It must have been a sight which should stand in history, for I hear as soon as the word was given, the boys of Staff had no hesitation, but fled over the parapet and fled after the Germans like mad wolves after meat. We suffered awful losses, must have been thousands, most of our wounded yet have been Lincolns and Leicesters, we had 5th and 6th and Black Watch. I don’t know how most of the Staffs boys got on, as I only saw one, Tom Hall, .... Head, he went to St Giles school and as soon as he came in he saw me and shouted ‘Frank’ so I saw who it was and went to him, gave him something to drink and immediately asked him, how many of the Staffs lads had been wounded, he did not know, as he was shot....
(reverse of above fragment)
Now I have such a lot of sad news to tell you, most of Willenhall boys I know are wounded. As I said Captain Parkes and now Harold Baker and Lattie Wedge, both Tonks sons, Reg and Rol, one being Charlie’s and the other being Enoch’s son, Tom Spate of Love Lane, who goes with Parramp’s daughter who you have seen on tram car going back to Walsall on Sunday nights and I don’t know where Humfrey is. Harold Baker came in this afternoon, he has got a shrapnel wound in right arm and back, but he will be alright I know if he doesn’t worry, as I told him, he says he hopes they take him to Birmingham University, as his sister has got passed out as a nurse and been sent there. Lat Wedge has not come in to our hospital yet neither have Reg and Rol Tonks, but may do so yet, of course there is time yet, as most of the wounded lay out between the trenches 24 hours and up to 30 hours, as the stretcher bearers could not get up to them, as they started collecting last night when dark and Germans sent up a star shell and spotted them and so shelled them away, the poor men have suffered awful lying out there all night as it was bitter cold and they had awful wounds. I believe most of the Staffs have been cut up, and not many left, as they had to rush into blazing shell and rifle fire, as it was such a well fortified position, but they did not fear death they took the position, but I think it was at too great a cost. I hope they can hold it, as the Germans are making a fearful counter attack, but I pray we shall not lose it. What is left of them are being relieved tonight and they come out, so I hope they come round here so that I can see who has not been wounded. We are by Grenadier Guards here and they say it is one of the finest charges there has been. Did you know Batemans who used to live opposite us in next yard past Grapes. Well their son Alfred has just come out with some reinforcements to Staffs and when I saw the boys go up as I said on Wednesday afternoon he shouted to me and that is the first time I have seen him out here, he is about 17 or 18 years old, you know his mother sells papers, well I think this was his first time up trenches. Well he has been wounded, he has several shrapnel wounds, none of them being serious. I have not seen him, but some of our chaps have and he asked them to tell me, he was wounded between our trenches and theirs, but crawled back into ours, and he will now be alright. Would you mind telling Mother to tell his Mother and that she need not worry, he will be alright, and will you please tell them all the news you can out of my letter at your earliest opportunity, as I can’t write and tell them the news.
All available men out of our unit were sent up the line collecting at 1.30 in the early hours of the morning to help to fetch in the wounded who are lying out helpless. About 100 were sent and they have not returned yet. I hope they are alright as they have now done 20 hours. I have done 48 hours up to now without a break, but have now been relieved and so I am trying to scribble this letter. They would not allow any of my Section who are on permanent hospital duty for the present to go up the line collecting, or else I should only have rushed at the chance, if it was only to find out where some of the Willenhall boys are lying and help to bring them in, but I did not get the choice, my duty was marked out and I had to get full particulars of every man as he came in and up to now we have had about 500 and not many of us to work the place, every man has had to work extremely hard and not think of hours he is working. We have had very little to eat, as the wounded have had to be fed on part of our rations, we have had to have those biscuits. I have been buying my own bread this past two days, mind you I don’t grumble, none of us do, the wounded deserve more that us, a glance at them makes one feel he would give up his last penny after such awful hardships they have endured, they endure more that any other regiments in the army, I am alluding to the men who fight in the trenches.
I feel extremely sorry for Joe Fletcher, as I guess you have heard he has received some very sad news, his wife lying seriously ill, he has received a telegram to that effect asking him to come to her immediately. He has applied for leave, but I don’t know if he will be allowed to come, he has got to see what Headquarters say, it has happened at a very funny time, the div being so active and all leave being stopped, he is worried to death. Our work at present is far from cheerful for as when one sees their chums all wounded, of course you feel it more when you know them, than if they were strangers to you, but when a young man receives such news on top of it all, I don't know if he can come and see her, it is enough to send him mad, he said to me hours ago ‘Frank, I don't know how I worked last night through’, as he too was on duty all night.......
Frank sent another letter soon after:
France
October 17, 1915
My own Darling and True Sweetheart Ethel
I was extremely pleased and thankful to receive your letter of Monday last October 11th and parcel of Tuesday 12th which I received quite safely and in good condition, and for same I wish you to accept my wholehearted thanks, as it was quite a surprise and I can assure you I have fully enjoyed all the contents.
I have now received your letter of Thursday last 14th, and for writing paper enclosed in the above letters. I wish to thank you, also lovely pc.
Well Love, I hope my short letter will find you and all at home in the best of health, as it leaves me so, except for a slight cold. Remember me to all. I sent you a Field Card immediately on receiving parcel which I trust you have received, as I was too busy to send you a letter, which you deserved and a good one too. O that I could give you a good love, for you are such a thoughtful Dear.
We had over 800 wounded through our hospital from that one charge. I am sorry Rol Tonks died from his wounds, Enoch’s son. I was speaking to him the day before the charge, when he was quite well, also Humfrey Fox, I hear he is missing, as they can’t account for him, unless his people have received news of him, I should say he was killed. We had awfully busy times and I have seen the results of this awful war more this past week than ever, men coming in smothered with dirt and mud and arms or legs blown off, cases too numerous to mention. They have suffered awful agony, and to see such sights it makes me thankful to One Above for life and good health. The weather has been rather misty the past few days and does not seem to get clear, it is very cold too. I am now on night duty starting from tonight, from 6pm o’clock to 6am the following morning, 12 hours, I shall now have to sleep in daytime, I don’t mind as we shall have to take it in turns doing night and day duty. I am now working in a ward with 40 patients in, which are now sleeping as it is 12pm o’clock and I am working this letter in between, there is a clerk to each ward at present.
I was extremely sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Fletcher, as it will break Joe’s heart, and to think he has got to come out here and face this again, with that on his mind. I feel very sorry for him, it would not have been so bad if he had been able to spend the last few moments of her life by her side. O it is awful. A young man in our Corps has had his only child die, but they would not allow him any leave, he applied for it, but was told he could not do anything if he went. I know if it had been me I could not bring the child back to life but one thing I should try to do and that being, relieve my wife’s mind of part of her sorrow. It is Sunday today and the first time for a long time that I have been able to go to Holy Communion, which I went to at 8 o’clock this morning and my....
(letter fragment)
.......as I have before explained, David was fetched out of bed last night at 12.30 to fetch in two serious cases just then wounded, he was asleep of course, he did not get back until 4 o’clock this Saturday morning, they fetch us all out in our turn I can tell you, but I shall never grumble at being fetched out of bed no matter what hour of the night it may be, as I am in good health, and to go out and bring in a wounded man, and relieve him of part of his agony, and in many cases be the means of saving his life by getting him to a hospital in good time for a speedy operation, is just the work I have come out to do, humanity compels you to do and give all in our power to save and relieve the fallen heroes we daily see. I brought out with me the largest part of a pot of that ointment you sent me, and we had got a man in one of our hospitals suffering from my complaint and much worse than I had ever suffered, and they were treating him with medicines, and he was not making much progress, so I gave him my ointment, as he was suffering, and I was assured of this that my Darling would never think wrong of me for giving away something she had bought to do me good, when I was passing your kindness to me onto others at a time of urgent need. We have some heartbreaking cases to deal with at times I can tell you, for instance the following. We brought in a case the other night, it was a shell wound of the leg, he was suffering very much from pain and shock, and from the trenches to our hospital, the roads are very bad, owing to holes from shell fire and too dangerous for repair, and so our wagons do not travel so smooth, this poor man said to me ‘O do stop the waggon’; of course it was no use, I could not, as we were in a danger zone and our building in sight, so I said ‘We are nearly there now, and I will soon put you right’, but he said ‘I know that but I am in awful pain, do stop’. I knew he was dying and the jarring of the waggon was causing him agony, and the above was the last words he said, as he was dead before he got to our hospital. I could not sleep that night for thinking of how he died, and the loved ones he may have left behind. Now Lovie, do not say a word to anyone of what I have just said as we are not supposed to say a word in our letters about same, so I trust my secret to you dearest Darling. I should just like to clear up a few words you said in reference to what I said about playing a game at football, I should not do any such thing and rob you of a letter, and most times when I have played, as I said in my letter, is after I have been out collecting, it is a great strain on our nerves I can assure you, and our minds are not always in a fit condition for writing letters. We must indulge in a little game of some sort to clear our minds of the awful surroundings of which we are in the midst, so loving Ethel I think those few words will clear that little matter. I am very sorry to hear Fred Lockley ......
(Frederick Lockley died 13th October 1915, age 17)
In many ways Frank's diary entries and letters reflect the feelings of the people at home; from the early enthusiasm and optimism, they were plunged into the shock and despair at the level of casualties. After the failed attack of October 13th 1915 and the loss of so many of his friends and neighbours, we see no more optimistic words in Frank’s diary or letters home. azardous moments, including several near misses from enemy shelling.
'Collecting' was a major part of his duties, and we see how hazardous that was, as usual expressed in his matter-of-fact way. He mentions living in dug-outs at Hill 60, a notoriously dangerous place, one of the most feared areas. At Maple Copse he writes of carrying wounded men five miles. He also records casualties among the men that he knows; the 5th and 6th South Staffordshire Regiments were 'in the line' for much of this time, and there was a constant stream of casualties from the trench warfare. Frank mentions Jack Forrester, killed on 16th August, shot through the head, and Albert Welch who also died in the trenches, both men he knew from Willenhall; in the diary on 22nd of July he mentions seeing Jack Forrester that day. The previous day he mentions Joe Court, wounded by shrapnel, someone who he knew and with whom he stayed in touch.
So the men Frank dealt with in his duties were not strangers, they were friends, neighbours, work mates, fellow Territorial Army members, and others that he knew.
With that in mind, we come to the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, which took place on 13th October 1915. For the full story, follow the links below.
http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/terriers1.htm
http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/terriers2.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenzollern_Redoubt
The War History of the 6th Battalion the South Staffordshire Regiment is available to buy on CD, and well worth reading:
http://www.midlandshistoricaldata.org/index.html
In that document you can find the complete plans for the Battalion's part in the attack; at the end, the author wrote 'Alas for the dispositions of men! Never were troops in a better state to undertake a task such as now lay before them'. It took no more than ten minutes of the battle to shatter that group of men as a fighting force.
Ninety years on, and with another World War between us and that time, we find it remarkable or curious how military tactics in the Great War allowed the stalemate of trench war to happen, and these repeated attacks which resulted in the useless slaughter of thousands of men. The attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, now a largely forgotten sideshow of the Battle of Loos, itself a less well-known part of the conflict, gives an insight into what happened when troops tried to attack a fortified position. Basically they advanced across No-Man’s Land, often under enemy shell fire, and were shot down in droves by rifle and machine-gun fire. Both sides suffered the same result of such attacks; even the use of gas, which was supposed to be the battle-winner, failed to make much difference. It was not until much later in the war that the use of new weapons, developed by the Allies, such as armoured vehicles, and new tactics like the rolling artillery barrage made attacks more successful.
The attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt was to be one of the many that stirred up resentment at home. General Haig, then General Officer Commanding 1st Army, visited the survivors, expressed his pride in the men and their actions, and his regret for the casualties, saying that it was inevitable in this war.
The aftermath was a somewhat different story. The attack could not be called anything else but an abject failure. Before the battle, the 1st Battalion of the 6th South Staffordshire Regiment numbered 22 Officers, 15 Sergeants, and 677 Other Ranks; after the battle, the roll-call was 4 Officers, 9 Sergeants, and 230 OR, so the casualty rate, dead, wounded or missing, was 66%.
Haig noted in his diary on the day of the attack that the 46th Division General, Major General Stuart-Wortley had apparently used up his reserves of troops before they were really required. A few weeks later Haig wrote to the Prime Minister, Anthony Asquith, referring to the 'failure of the 46th (North Midland) Division on 13th October'. He claimed that he had heard from two independent sources that the men of the Division 'had not advanced to the attack as ordered'. Haig concluded in his personal diary that the preliminary artillery and gas bombardment had been satisfactory, but the troops did not take advantage of the 'favourable situation created for the attack', and finally that this was due to 'want of discipline in the 46th Division and general ignorance of war conditions'. He also said that he did not think much of Major General Stuart-Wortley, who commanded the 46th Division, and who was sacked after the 46th Division's attack on 1st July 1916 at Gommecourt on the Somme, which was also a failure with heavy loss of life.
The arguments go on about the strategy and tactics of the Great War, particularly whether the appalling loss of life resulting from mass attacks on heavily fortified defences, could have been avoided. There were also arguments about the tactical abilities of the commanding officers, and the war strategy. Haig may have regretted his diary entries later on; we don't know. But it is on record in the British Official History of the war that the 46th Division 'attacked bravely but faced an impossible task'.
Haig got promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force when Sir John French was 'retired' in December 1915. At home, as the casualties mounted with no signs of an end to the slaughter nor of progress towards a successful end, questions increased about the conduct of the war. Haig became known in the streets as 'the Butcher', but he stayed in his post to the end. At a victory parade, the troops cheered him, but then having survived, they would have probably cheered anyone. On the other hand, Haig was constrained by the politicians, British and French, leaving him with few options. It may be that no commander could have done anything else at that time. An extensive analysis and detailed chronology of the Battle of Loos can be seen at:
http://www.1914-1918.net/BATTLES/bat13_loos/bat.htm
A panorama of the battleground taken in the following April, when the Hohenzollern Redoubt was still firmly in enemy hands, can be downloaded from:
http://www.lulu.com/items/volume_63/2578000/2578901/1/source/Hohenzollern_Redoubt_Panorama_07.04.1916_A1_width.jpg
A map of the area is viewable at:
http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/9div.jpg
On 5th October, before the battle, Frank was based at Gonnehem, and he records going to Robecq to see his friends at the 6th South Staffordshire Regiment; while there he saw Sir Douglas Haig and Captain Parkes. The latter was probably a member of the Parkes family who ran a lock making firm in Willenhall; Captain Parkes must have introduced Frank to Haig, and Frank records shaking hands with him, the Commander of the First Army. Captain Parkes was wounded in the abdomen on 13th October.
In the days after the attack Frank and his colleagues, now at Allouagne, marched 10 miles to be inspected by the General (it's not clear who this was), who praised their good work. They moved back to Fouquieres on 27th October. In a break from their duties of looking after the hundreds of wounded, on 28th October the King (George V) inspects the troops, including only 10 of Frank's unit. The King's horse shies as a result of the cheering, and the King is thrown off, suffering some bruising.
Among the wounded Frank records Alfred Bateman, Harold Baker, two Tonks, Lat Wedge; Humfrey Fox was missing. Of these, the cousins Reginald and Roland Tonks died of their wounds on the day of the attack, the rest seem to have survived.
Just after the attack Frank managed to get a personal letter home to Ethel, part of which survives:
We had a very busy time yesterday, having over 300 wounded through our place and are now this Thursday morning still expecting convoys as they have poured in throughout the night.
As I told you in my letter of yesterday I went to see most of the Willenhall boys the previous day before they went up into trenches, which was the time I was there, as I saw them start to march up to them, I went to wish them good luck as I knew what they had got to do and so did all of them. I saw Captain Parkes ride by on his horse, that was 2 o’clock pm Tuesday and 25 hours after that being yesterday teatime he was brought into our place badly wounded through the abdomen. This past few days all our div knew the charge they were going up to make and knew the ground they had got to take, our hospital had everything clear in readiness. It took place at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, in which we used the gas on the Germans.
It must have been hell, our artillery bombarded their trenches then our boys charged over the parapets. It must have been a sight which should stand in history, for I hear as soon as the word was given, the boys of Staff had no hesitation, but fled over the parapet and fled after the Germans like mad wolves after meat. We suffered awful losses, must have been thousands, most of our wounded yet have been Lincolns and Leicesters, we had 5th and 6th and Black Watch. I don’t know how most of the Staffs boys got on, as I only saw one, Tom Hall, .... Head, he went to St Giles school and as soon as he came in he saw me and shouted ‘Frank’ so I saw who it was and went to him, gave him something to drink and immediately asked him, how many of the Staffs lads had been wounded, he did not know, as he was shot....
(reverse of above fragment)
Now I have such a lot of sad news to tell you, most of Willenhall boys I know are wounded. As I said Captain Parkes and now Harold Baker and Lattie Wedge, both Tonks sons, Reg and Rol, one being Charlie’s and the other being Enoch’s son, Tom Spate of Love Lane, who goes with Parramp’s daughter who you have seen on tram car going back to Walsall on Sunday nights and I don’t know where Humfrey is. Harold Baker came in this afternoon, he has got a shrapnel wound in right arm and back, but he will be alright I know if he doesn’t worry, as I told him, he says he hopes they take him to Birmingham University, as his sister has got passed out as a nurse and been sent there. Lat Wedge has not come in to our hospital yet neither have Reg and Rol Tonks, but may do so yet, of course there is time yet, as most of the wounded lay out between the trenches 24 hours and up to 30 hours, as the stretcher bearers could not get up to them, as they started collecting last night when dark and Germans sent up a star shell and spotted them and so shelled them away, the poor men have suffered awful lying out there all night as it was bitter cold and they had awful wounds. I believe most of the Staffs have been cut up, and not many left, as they had to rush into blazing shell and rifle fire, as it was such a well fortified position, but they did not fear death they took the position, but I think it was at too great a cost. I hope they can hold it, as the Germans are making a fearful counter attack, but I pray we shall not lose it. What is left of them are being relieved tonight and they come out, so I hope they come round here so that I can see who has not been wounded. We are by Grenadier Guards here and they say it is one of the finest charges there has been. Did you know Batemans who used to live opposite us in next yard past Grapes. Well their son Alfred has just come out with some reinforcements to Staffs and when I saw the boys go up as I said on Wednesday afternoon he shouted to me and that is the first time I have seen him out here, he is about 17 or 18 years old, you know his mother sells papers, well I think this was his first time up trenches. Well he has been wounded, he has several shrapnel wounds, none of them being serious. I have not seen him, but some of our chaps have and he asked them to tell me, he was wounded between our trenches and theirs, but crawled back into ours, and he will now be alright. Would you mind telling Mother to tell his Mother and that she need not worry, he will be alright, and will you please tell them all the news you can out of my letter at your earliest opportunity, as I can’t write and tell them the news.
All available men out of our unit were sent up the line collecting at 1.30 in the early hours of the morning to help to fetch in the wounded who are lying out helpless. About 100 were sent and they have not returned yet. I hope they are alright as they have now done 20 hours. I have done 48 hours up to now without a break, but have now been relieved and so I am trying to scribble this letter. They would not allow any of my Section who are on permanent hospital duty for the present to go up the line collecting, or else I should only have rushed at the chance, if it was only to find out where some of the Willenhall boys are lying and help to bring them in, but I did not get the choice, my duty was marked out and I had to get full particulars of every man as he came in and up to now we have had about 500 and not many of us to work the place, every man has had to work extremely hard and not think of hours he is working. We have had very little to eat, as the wounded have had to be fed on part of our rations, we have had to have those biscuits. I have been buying my own bread this past two days, mind you I don’t grumble, none of us do, the wounded deserve more that us, a glance at them makes one feel he would give up his last penny after such awful hardships they have endured, they endure more that any other regiments in the army, I am alluding to the men who fight in the trenches.
I feel extremely sorry for Joe Fletcher, as I guess you have heard he has received some very sad news, his wife lying seriously ill, he has received a telegram to that effect asking him to come to her immediately. He has applied for leave, but I don’t know if he will be allowed to come, he has got to see what Headquarters say, it has happened at a very funny time, the div being so active and all leave being stopped, he is worried to death. Our work at present is far from cheerful for as when one sees their chums all wounded, of course you feel it more when you know them, than if they were strangers to you, but when a young man receives such news on top of it all, I don't know if he can come and see her, it is enough to send him mad, he said to me hours ago ‘Frank, I don't know how I worked last night through’, as he too was on duty all night.......
Frank sent another letter soon after:
France
October 17, 1915
My own Darling and True Sweetheart Ethel
I was extremely pleased and thankful to receive your letter of Monday last October 11th and parcel of Tuesday 12th which I received quite safely and in good condition, and for same I wish you to accept my wholehearted thanks, as it was quite a surprise and I can assure you I have fully enjoyed all the contents.
I have now received your letter of Thursday last 14th, and for writing paper enclosed in the above letters. I wish to thank you, also lovely pc.
Well Love, I hope my short letter will find you and all at home in the best of health, as it leaves me so, except for a slight cold. Remember me to all. I sent you a Field Card immediately on receiving parcel which I trust you have received, as I was too busy to send you a letter, which you deserved and a good one too. O that I could give you a good love, for you are such a thoughtful Dear.
We had over 800 wounded through our hospital from that one charge. I am sorry Rol Tonks died from his wounds, Enoch’s son. I was speaking to him the day before the charge, when he was quite well, also Humfrey Fox, I hear he is missing, as they can’t account for him, unless his people have received news of him, I should say he was killed. We had awfully busy times and I have seen the results of this awful war more this past week than ever, men coming in smothered with dirt and mud and arms or legs blown off, cases too numerous to mention. They have suffered awful agony, and to see such sights it makes me thankful to One Above for life and good health. The weather has been rather misty the past few days and does not seem to get clear, it is very cold too. I am now on night duty starting from tonight, from 6pm o’clock to 6am the following morning, 12 hours, I shall now have to sleep in daytime, I don’t mind as we shall have to take it in turns doing night and day duty. I am now working in a ward with 40 patients in, which are now sleeping as it is 12pm o’clock and I am working this letter in between, there is a clerk to each ward at present.
I was extremely sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Fletcher, as it will break Joe’s heart, and to think he has got to come out here and face this again, with that on his mind. I feel very sorry for him, it would not have been so bad if he had been able to spend the last few moments of her life by her side. O it is awful. A young man in our Corps has had his only child die, but they would not allow him any leave, he applied for it, but was told he could not do anything if he went. I know if it had been me I could not bring the child back to life but one thing I should try to do and that being, relieve my wife’s mind of part of her sorrow. It is Sunday today and the first time for a long time that I have been able to go to Holy Communion, which I went to at 8 o’clock this morning and my....
(letter fragment)
.......as I have before explained, David was fetched out of bed last night at 12.30 to fetch in two serious cases just then wounded, he was asleep of course, he did not get back until 4 o’clock this Saturday morning, they fetch us all out in our turn I can tell you, but I shall never grumble at being fetched out of bed no matter what hour of the night it may be, as I am in good health, and to go out and bring in a wounded man, and relieve him of part of his agony, and in many cases be the means of saving his life by getting him to a hospital in good time for a speedy operation, is just the work I have come out to do, humanity compels you to do and give all in our power to save and relieve the fallen heroes we daily see. I brought out with me the largest part of a pot of that ointment you sent me, and we had got a man in one of our hospitals suffering from my complaint and much worse than I had ever suffered, and they were treating him with medicines, and he was not making much progress, so I gave him my ointment, as he was suffering, and I was assured of this that my Darling would never think wrong of me for giving away something she had bought to do me good, when I was passing your kindness to me onto others at a time of urgent need. We have some heartbreaking cases to deal with at times I can tell you, for instance the following. We brought in a case the other night, it was a shell wound of the leg, he was suffering very much from pain and shock, and from the trenches to our hospital, the roads are very bad, owing to holes from shell fire and too dangerous for repair, and so our wagons do not travel so smooth, this poor man said to me ‘O do stop the waggon’; of course it was no use, I could not, as we were in a danger zone and our building in sight, so I said ‘We are nearly there now, and I will soon put you right’, but he said ‘I know that but I am in awful pain, do stop’. I knew he was dying and the jarring of the waggon was causing him agony, and the above was the last words he said, as he was dead before he got to our hospital. I could not sleep that night for thinking of how he died, and the loved ones he may have left behind. Now Lovie, do not say a word to anyone of what I have just said as we are not supposed to say a word in our letters about same, so I trust my secret to you dearest Darling. I should just like to clear up a few words you said in reference to what I said about playing a game at football, I should not do any such thing and rob you of a letter, and most times when I have played, as I said in my letter, is after I have been out collecting, it is a great strain on our nerves I can assure you, and our minds are not always in a fit condition for writing letters. We must indulge in a little game of some sort to clear our minds of the awful surroundings of which we are in the midst, so loving Ethel I think those few words will clear that little matter. I am very sorry to hear Fred Lockley ......
(Frederick Lockley died 13th October 1915, age 17)
In many ways Frank's diary entries and letters reflect the feelings of the people at home; from the early enthusiasm and optimism, they were plunged into the shock and despair at the level of casualties. After the failed attack of October 13th 1915 and the loss of so many of his friends and neighbours, we see no more optimistic words in Frank’s diary or letters home.
Outside of the odds and ends of jobs, such as messenger, water guard and carrier, working on an incinerator, a coffee stall, on guard, gradually his medical duties increase, and there are descriptions of some of the h
9th May 1915 - 31st October 1915
Reading Frank's diary between May and October 1915 we get a picture of how his days were spent at this early period of the war.
Outside of the odds and ends of jobs, such as messenger, water guard and carrier, working on an incinerator, a coffee stall, on guard, gradually his medical duties increase, and there are descriptions of some of the hazardous moments, including several near misses from enemy shelling.
'Collecting' was a major part of his duties, and we see how hazardous that was, as usual expressed in his matter-of-fact way. He mentions living in dug-outs at Hill 60, a notoriously dangerous place, one of the most feared areas. At Maple Copse he writes of carrying wounded men five miles. He also records casualties among the men that he knows; the 5th and 6th South Staffordshire Regiments were 'in the line' for much of this time, and there was a constant stream of casualties from the trench warfare. Frank mentions Jack Forrester, killed on 16th August, shot through the head, and Albert Welch who also died in the trenches, both men he knew from Willenhall; in the diary on 22nd of July he mentions seeing Jack Forrester that day. The previous day he mentions Joe Court, wounded by shrapnel, someone who he knew and with whom he stayed in touch.
So the men Frank dealt with in his duties were not strangers, they were friends, neighbours, work mates, fellow Territorial Army members, and others that he knew.
With that in mind, we come to the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, which took place on 13th October 1915. For the full story, follow the links below.
http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/terriers1.htm
http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/terriers2.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenzollern_Redoubt
The War History of the 6th Battalion the South Staffordshire Regiment is available to buy on CD, and well worth reading:
http://www.midlandshistoricaldata.org/index.html
In that document you can find the complete plans for the Battalion's part in the attack; at the end, the author wrote 'Alas for the dispositions of men! Never were troops in a better state to undertake a task such as now lay before them'. It took no more than ten minutes of the battle to shatter that group of men as a fighting force.
Ninety years on, and with another World War between us and that time, we find it remarkable or curious how military tactics in the Great War allowed the stalemate of trench war to happen, and these repeated attacks which resulted in the useless slaughter of thousands of men. The attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, now a largely forgotten sideshow of the Battle of Loos, itself a less well-known part of the conflict, gives an insight into what happened when troops tried to attack a fortified position. Basically they advanced across No-Man’s Land, often under enemy shell fire, and were shot down in droves by rifle and machine-gun fire. Both sides suffered the same result of such attacks; even the use of gas, which was supposed to be the battle-winner, failed to make much difference. It was not until much later in the war that the use of new weapons, developed by the Allies, such as armoured vehicles, and new tactics like the rolling artillery barrage made attacks more successful.
The attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt was to be one of the many that stirred up resentment at home. General Haig, then General Officer Commanding 1st Army, visited the survivors, expressed his pride in the men and their actions, and his regret for the casualties, saying that it was inevitable in this war.
The aftermath was a somewhat different story. The attack could not be called anything else but an abject failure. Before the battle, the 1st Battalion of the 6th South Staffordshire Regiment numbered 22 Officers, 15 Sergeants, and 677 Other Ranks; after the battle, the roll-call was 4 Officers, 9 Sergeants, and 230 OR, so the casualty rate, dead, wounded or missing, was 66%.
Haig noted in his diary on the day of the attack that the 46th Division General, Major General Stuart-Wortley had apparently used up his reserves of troops before they were really required. A few weeks later Haig wrote to the Prime Minister, Anthony Asquith, referring to the 'failure of the 46th (North Midland) Division on 13th October'. He claimed that he had heard from two independent sources that the men of the Division 'had not advanced to the attack as ordered'. Haig concluded in his personal diary that the preliminary artillery and gas bombardment had been satisfactory, but the troops did not take advantage of the 'favourable situation created for the attack', and finally that this was due to 'want of discipline in the 46th Division and general ignorance of war conditions'. He also said that he did not think much of Major General Stuart-Wortley, who commanded the 46th Division, and who was sacked after the 46th Division's attack on 1st July 1916 at Gommecourt on the Somme, which was also a failure with heavy loss of life.
The arguments go on about the strategy and tactics of the Great War, particularly whether the appalling loss of life resulting from mass attacks on heavily fortified defences, could have been avoided. There were also arguments about the tactical abilities of the commanding officers, and the war strategy. Haig may have regretted his diary entries later on; we don't know. But it is on record in the British Official History of the war that the 46th Division 'attacked bravely but faced an impossible task'.
Haig got promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force when Sir John French was 'retired' in December 1915. At home, as the casualties mounted with no signs of an end to the slaughter nor of progress towards a successful end, questions increased about the conduct of the war. Haig became known in the streets as 'the Butcher', but he stayed in his post to the end. At a victory parade, the troops cheered him, but then having survived, they would have probably cheered anyone. On the other hand, Haig was constrained by the politicians, British and French, leaving him with few options. It may be that no commander could have done anything else at that time. An extensive analysis and detailed chronology of the Battle of Loos can be seen at:
http://www.1914-1918.net/BATTLES/bat13_loos/bat.htm
A panorama of the battleground taken in the following April, when the Hohenzollern Redoubt was still firmly in enemy hands, can be downloaded from:
http://www.lulu.com/items/volume_63/2578000/2578901/1/source/Hohenzollern_Redoubt_Panorama_07.04.1916_A1_width.jpg
A map of the area is viewable at:
http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/9div.jpg
On 5th October, before the battle, Frank was based at Gonnehem, and he records going to Robecq to see his friends at the 6th South Staffordshire Regiment; while there he saw Sir Douglas Haig and Captain Parkes. The latter was probably a member of the Parkes family who ran a lock making firm in Willenhall; Captain Parkes must have introduced Frank to Haig, and Frank records shaking hands with him, the Commander of the First Army. Captain Parkes was wounded in the abdomen on 13th October.
In the days after the attack Frank and his colleagues, now at Allouagne, marched 10 miles to be inspected by the General (it's not clear who this was), who praised their good work. They moved back to Fouquieres on 27th October. In a break from their duties of looking after the hundreds of wounded, on 28th October the King (George V) inspects the troops, including only 10 of Frank's unit. The King's horse shies as a result of the cheering, and the King is thrown off, suffering some bruising.
Among the wounded Frank records Alfred Bateman, Harold Baker, two Tonks, Lat Wedge; Humfrey Fox was missing. Of these, the cousins Reginald and Roland Tonks died of their wounds on the day of the attack, the rest seem to have survived.
Just after the attack Frank managed to get a personal letter home to Ethel, part of which survives:
We had a very busy time yesterday, having over 300 wounded through our place and are now this Thursday morning still expecting convoys as they have poured in throughout the night.
As I told you in my letter of yesterday I went to see most of the Willenhall boys the previous day before they went up into trenches, which was the time I was there, as I saw them start to march up to them, I went to wish them good luck as I knew what they had got to do and so did all of them. I saw Captain Parkes ride by on his horse, that was 2 o’clock pm Tuesday and 25 hours after that being yesterday teatime he was brought into our place badly wounded through the abdomen. This past few days all our div knew the charge they were going up to make and knew the ground they had got to take, our hospital had everything clear in readiness. It took place at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, in which we used the gas on the Germans.
It must have been hell, our artillery bombarded their trenches then our boys charged over the parapets. It must have been a sight which should stand in history, for I hear as soon as the word was given, the boys of Staff had no hesitation, but fled over the parapet and fled after the Germans like mad wolves after meat. We suffered awful losses, must have been thousands, most of our wounded yet have been Lincolns and Leicesters, we had 5th and 6th and Black Watch. I don’t know how most of the Staffs boys got on, as I only saw one, Tom Hall, .... Head, he went to St Giles school and as soon as he came in he saw me and shouted ‘Frank’ so I saw who it was and went to him, gave him something to drink and immediately asked him, how many of the Staffs lads had been wounded, he did not know, as he was shot....
(reverse of above fragment)
Now I have such a lot of sad news to tell you, most of Willenhall boys I know are wounded. As I said Captain Parkes and now Harold Baker and Lattie Wedge, both Tonks sons, Reg and Rol, one being Charlie’s and the other being Enoch’s son, Tom Spate of Love Lane, who goes with Parramp’s daughter who you have seen on tram car going back to Walsall on Sunday nights and I don’t know where Humfrey is. Harold Baker came in this afternoon, he has got a shrapnel wound in right arm and back, but he will be alright I know if he doesn’t worry, as I told him, he says he hopes they take him to Birmingham University, as his sister has got passed out as a nurse and been sent there. Lat Wedge has not come in to our hospital yet neither have Reg and Rol Tonks, but may do so yet, of course there is time yet, as most of the wounded lay out between the trenches 24 hours and up to 30 hours, as the stretcher bearers could not get up to them, as they started collecting last night when dark and Germans sent up a star shell and spotted them and so shelled them away, the poor men have suffered awful lying out there all night as it was bitter cold and they had awful wounds. I believe most of the Staffs have been cut up, and not many left, as they had to rush into blazing shell and rifle fire, as it was such a well fortified position, but they did not fear death they took the position, but I think it was at too great a cost. I hope they can hold it, as the Germans are making a fearful counter attack, but I pray we shall not lose it. What is left of them are being relieved tonight and they come out, so I hope they come round here so that I can see who has not been wounded. We are by Grenadier Guards here and they say it is one of the finest charges there has been. Did you know Batemans who used to live opposite us in next yard past Grapes. Well their son Alfred has just come out with some reinforcements to Staffs and when I saw the boys go up as I said on Wednesday afternoon he shouted to me and that is the first time I have seen him out here, he is about 17 or 18 years old, you know his mother sells papers, well I think this was his first time up trenches. Well he has been wounded, he has several shrapnel wounds, none of them being serious. I have not seen him, but some of our chaps have and he asked them to tell me, he was wounded between our trenches and theirs, but crawled back into ours, and he will now be alright. Would you mind telling Mother to tell his Mother and that she need not worry, he will be alright, and will you please tell them all the news you can out of my letter at your earliest opportunity, as I can’t write and tell them the news.
All available men out of our unit were sent up the line collecting at 1.30 in the early hours of the morning to help to fetch in the wounded who are lying out helpless. About 100 were sent and they have not returned yet. I hope they are alright as they have now done 20 hours. I have done 48 hours up to now without a break, but have now been relieved and so I am trying to scribble this letter. They would not allow any of my Section who are on permanent hospital duty for the present to go up the line collecting, or else I should only have rushed at the chance, if it was only to find out where some of the Willenhall boys are lying and help to bring them in, but I did not get the choice, my duty was marked out and I had to get full particulars of every man as he came in and up to now we have had about 500 and not many of us to work the place, every man has had to work extremely hard and not think of hours he is working. We have had very little to eat, as the wounded have had to be fed on part of our rations, we have had to have those biscuits. I have been buying my own bread this past two days, mind you I don’t grumble, none of us do, the wounded deserve more that us, a glance at them makes one feel he would give up his last penny after such awful hardships they have endured, they endure more that any other regiments in the army, I am alluding to the men who fight in the trenches.
I feel extremely sorry for Joe Fletcher, as I guess you have heard he has received some very sad news, his wife lying seriously ill, he has received a telegram to that effect asking him to come to her immediately. He has applied for leave, but I don’t know if he will be allowed to come, he has got to see what Headquarters say, it has happened at a very funny time, the div being so active and all leave being stopped, he is worried to death. Our work at present is far from cheerful for as when one sees their chums all wounded, of course you feel it more when you know them, than if they were strangers to you, but when a young man receives such news on top of it all, I don't know if he can come and see her, it is enough to send him mad, he said to me hours ago ‘Frank, I don't know how I worked last night through’, as he too was on duty all night.......
Frank sent another letter soon after:
France
October 17, 1915
My own Darling and True Sweetheart Ethel
I was extremely pleased and thankful to receive your letter of Monday last October 11th and parcel of Tuesday 12th which I received quite safely and in good condition, and for same I wish you to accept my wholehearted thanks, as it was quite a surprise and I can assure you I have fully enjoyed all the contents.
I have now received your letter of Thursday last 14th, and for writing paper enclosed in the above letters. I wish to thank you, also lovely pc.
Well Love, I hope my short letter will find you and all at home in the best of health, as it leaves me so, except for a slight cold. Remember me to all. I sent you a Field Card immediately on receiving parcel which I trust you have received, as I was too busy to send you a letter, which you deserved and a good one too. O that I could give you a good love, for you are such a thoughtful Dear.
We had over 800 wounded through our hospital from that one charge. I am sorry Rol Tonks died from his wounds, Enoch’s son. I was speaking to him the day before the charge, when he was quite well, also Humfrey Fox, I hear he is missing, as they can’t account for him, unless his people have received news of him, I should say he was killed. We had awfully busy times and I have seen the results of this awful war more this past week than ever, men coming in smothered with dirt and mud and arms or legs blown off, cases too numerous to mention. They have suffered awful agony, and to see such sights it makes me thankful to One Above for life and good health. The weather has been rather misty the past few days and does not seem to get clear, it is very cold too. I am now on night duty starting from tonight, from 6pm o’clock to 6am the following morning, 12 hours, I shall now have to sleep in daytime, I don’t mind as we shall have to take it in turns doing night and day duty. I am now working in a ward with 40 patients in, which are now sleeping as it is 12pm o’clock and I am working this letter in between, there is a clerk to each ward at present.
I was extremely sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Fletcher, as it will break Joe’s heart, and to think he has got to come out here and face this again, with that on his mind. I feel very sorry for him, it would not have been so bad if he had been able to spend the last few moments of her life by her side. O it is awful. A young man in our Corps has had his only child die, but they would not allow him any leave, he applied for it, but was told he could not do anything if he went. I know if it had been me I could not bring the child back to life but one thing I should try to do and that being, relieve my wife’s mind of part of her sorrow. It is Sunday today and the first time for a long time that I have been able to go to Holy Communion, which I went to at 8 o’clock this morning and my....
(letter fragment)
.......as I have before explained, David was fetched out of bed last night at 12.30 to fetch in two serious cases just then wounded, he was asleep of course, he did not get back until 4 o’clock this Saturday morning, they fetch us all out in our turn I can tell you, but I shall never grumble at being fetched out of bed no matter what hour of the night it may be, as I am in good health, and to go out and bring in a wounded man, and relieve him of part of his agony, and in many cases be the means of saving his life by getting him to a hospital in good time for a speedy operation, is just the work I have come out to do, humanity compels you to do and give all in our power to save and relieve the fallen heroes we daily see. I brought out with me the largest part of a pot of that ointment you sent me, and we had got a man in one of our hospitals suffering from my complaint and much worse than I had ever suffered, and they were treating him with medicines, and he was not making much progress, so I gave him my ointment, as he was suffering, and I was assured of this that my Darling would never think wrong of me for giving away something she had bought to do me good, when I was passing your kindness to me onto others at a time of urgent need. We have some heartbreaking cases to deal with at times I can tell you, for instance the following. We brought in a case the other night, it was a shell wound of the leg, he was suffering very much from pain and shock, and from the trenches to our hospital, the roads are very bad, owing to holes from shell fire and too dangerous for repair, and so our wagons do not travel so smooth, this poor man said to me ‘O do stop the waggon’; of course it was no use, I could not, as we were in a danger zone and our building in sight, so I said ‘We are nearly there now, and I will soon put you right’, but he said ‘I know that but I am in awful pain, do stop’. I knew he was dying and the jarring of the waggon was causing him agony, and the above was the last words he said, as he was dead before he got to our hospital. I could not sleep that night for thinking of how he died, and the loved ones he may have left behind. Now Lovie, do not say a word to anyone of what I have just said as we are not supposed to say a word in our letters about same, so I trust my secret to you dearest Darling. I should just like to clear up a few words you said in reference to what I said about playing a game at football, I should not do any such thing and rob you of a letter, and most times when I have played, as I said in my letter, is after I have been out collecting, it is a great strain on our nerves I can assure you, and our minds are not always in a fit condition for writing letters. We must indulge in a little game of some sort to clear our minds of the awful surroundings of which we are in the midst, so loving Ethel I think those few words will clear that little matter. I am very sorry to hear Fred Lockley ......
(Frederick Lockley died 13th October 1915, age 17)
In many ways Frank's diary entries and letters reflect the feelings of the people at home; from the early enthusiasm and optimism, they were plunged into the shock and despair at the level of casualties. After the failed attack of October 13th 1915 and the loss of so many of his friends and neighbours, we see no more optimistic words in Frank’s diary or letters home. azardous moments, including several near misses from enemy shelling.
'Collecting' was a major part of his duties, and we see how hazardous that was, as usual expressed in his matter-of-fact way. He mentions living in dug-outs at Hill 60, a notoriously dangerous place, one of the most feared areas. At Maple Copse he writes of carrying wounded men five miles. He also records casualties among the men that he knows; the 5th and 6th South Staffordshire Regiments were 'in the line' for much of this time, and there was a constant stream of casualties from the trench warfare. Frank mentions Jack Forrester, killed on 16th August, shot through the head, and Albert Welch who also died in the trenches, both men he knew from Willenhall; in the diary on 22nd of July he mentions seeing Jack Forrester that day. The previous day he mentions Joe Court, wounded by shrapnel, someone who he knew and with whom he stayed in touch.
So the men Frank dealt with in his duties were not strangers, they were friends, neighbours, work mates, fellow Territorial Army members, and others that he knew.
With that in mind, we come to the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, which took place on 13th October 1915. For the full story, follow the links below.
http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/terriers1.htm
http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/terriers2.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenzollern_Redoubt
The War History of the 6th Battalion the South Staffordshire Regiment is available to buy on CD, and well worth reading:
http://www.midlandshistoricaldata.org/index.html
In that document you can find the complete plans for the Battalion's part in the attack; at the end, the author wrote 'Alas for the dispositions of men! Never were troops in a better state to undertake a task such as now lay before them'. It took no more than ten minutes of the battle to shatter that group of men as a fighting force.
Ninety years on, and with another World War between us and that time, we find it remarkable or curious how military tactics in the Great War allowed the stalemate of trench war to happen, and these repeated attacks which resulted in the useless slaughter of thousands of men. The attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, now a largely forgotten sideshow of the Battle of Loos, itself a less well-known part of the conflict, gives an insight into what happened when troops tried to attack a fortified position. Basically they advanced across No-Man’s Land, often under enemy shell fire, and were shot down in droves by rifle and machine-gun fire. Both sides suffered the same result of such attacks; even the use of gas, which was supposed to be the battle-winner, failed to make much difference. It was not until much later in the war that the use of new weapons, developed by the Allies, such as armoured vehicles, and new tactics like the rolling artillery barrage made attacks more successful.
The attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt was to be one of the many that stirred up resentment at home. General Haig, then General Officer Commanding 1st Army, visited the survivors, expressed his pride in the men and their actions, and his regret for the casualties, saying that it was inevitable in this war.
The aftermath was a somewhat different story. The attack could not be called anything else but an abject failure. Before the battle, the 1st Battalion of the 6th South Staffordshire Regiment numbered 22 Officers, 15 Sergeants, and 677 Other Ranks; after the battle, the roll-call was 4 Officers, 9 Sergeants, and 230 OR, so the casualty rate, dead, wounded or missing, was 66%.
Haig noted in his diary on the day of the attack that the 46th Division General, Major General Stuart-Wortley had apparently used up his reserves of troops before they were really required. A few weeks later Haig wrote to the Prime Minister, Anthony Asquith, referring to the 'failure of the 46th (North Midland) Division on 13th October'. He claimed that he had heard from two independent sources that the men of the Division 'had not advanced to the attack as ordered'. Haig concluded in his personal diary that the preliminary artillery and gas bombardment had been satisfactory, but the troops did not take advantage of the 'favourable situation created for the attack', and finally that this was due to 'want of discipline in the 46th Division and general ignorance of war conditions'. He also said that he did not think much of Major General Stuart-Wortley, who commanded the 46th Division, and who was sacked after the 46th Division's attack on 1st July 1916 at Gommecourt on the Somme, which was also a failure with heavy loss of life.
The arguments go on about the strategy and tactics of the Great War, particularly whether the appalling loss of life resulting from mass attacks on heavily fortified defences, could have been avoided. There were also arguments about the tactical abilities of the commanding officers, and the war strategy. Haig may have regretted his diary entries later on; we don't know. But it is on record in the British Official History of the war that the 46th Division 'attacked bravely but faced an impossible task'.
Haig got promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force when Sir John French was 'retired' in December 1915. At home, as the casualties mounted with no signs of an end to the slaughter nor of progress towards a successful end, questions increased about the conduct of the war. Haig became known in the streets as 'the Butcher', but he stayed in his post to the end. At a victory parade, the troops cheered him, but then having survived, they would have probably cheered anyone. On the other hand, Haig was constrained by the politicians, British and French, leaving him with few options. It may be that no commander could have done anything else at that time. An extensive analysis and detailed chronology of the Battle of Loos can be seen at:
http://www.1914-1918.net/BATTLES/bat13_loos/bat.htm
A panorama of the battleground taken in the following April, when the Hohenzollern Redoubt was still firmly in enemy hands, can be downloaded from:
http://www.lulu.com/items/volume_63/2578000/2578901/1/source/Hohenzollern_Redoubt_Panorama_07.04.1916_A1_width.jpg
A map of the area is viewable at:
http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/9div.jpg
On 5th October, before the battle, Frank was based at Gonnehem, and he records going to Robecq to see his friends at the 6th South Staffordshire Regiment; while there he saw Sir Douglas Haig and Captain Parkes. The latter was probably a member of the Parkes family who ran a lock making firm in Willenhall; Captain Parkes must have introduced Frank to Haig, and Frank records shaking hands with him, the Commander of the First Army. Captain Parkes was wounded in the abdomen on 13th October.
In the days after the attack Frank and his colleagues, now at Allouagne, marched 10 miles to be inspected by the General (it's not clear who this was), who praised their good work. They moved back to Fouquieres on 27th October. In a break from their duties of looking after the hundreds of wounded, on 28th October the King (George V) inspects the troops, including only 10 of Frank's unit. The King's horse shies as a result of the cheering, and the King is thrown off, suffering some bruising.
Among the wounded Frank records Alfred Bateman, Harold Baker, two Tonks, Lat Wedge; Humfrey Fox was missing. Of these, the cousins Reginald and Roland Tonks died of their wounds on the day of the attack, the rest seem to have survived.
Just after the attack Frank managed to get a personal letter home to Ethel, part of which survives:
We had a very busy time yesterday, having over 300 wounded through our place and are now this Thursday morning still expecting convoys as they have poured in throughout the night.
As I told you in my letter of yesterday I went to see most of the Willenhall boys the previous day before they went up into trenches, which was the time I was there, as I saw them start to march up to them, I went to wish them good luck as I knew what they had got to do and so did all of them. I saw Captain Parkes ride by on his horse, that was 2 o’clock pm Tuesday and 25 hours after that being yesterday teatime he was brought into our place badly wounded through the abdomen. This past few days all our div knew the charge they were going up to make and knew the ground they had got to take, our hospital had everything clear in readiness. It took place at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, in which we used the gas on the Germans.
It must have been hell, our artillery bombarded their trenches then our boys charged over the parapets. It must have been a sight which should stand in history, for I hear as soon as the word was given, the boys of Staff had no hesitation, but fled over the parapet and fled after the Germans like mad wolves after meat. We suffered awful losses, must have been thousands, most of our wounded yet have been Lincolns and Leicesters, we had 5th and 6th and Black Watch. I don’t know how most of the Staffs boys got on, as I only saw one, Tom Hall, .... Head, he went to St Giles school and as soon as he came in he saw me and shouted ‘Frank’ so I saw who it was and went to him, gave him something to drink and immediately asked him, how many of the Staffs lads had been wounded, he did not know, as he was shot....
(reverse of above fragment)
Now I have such a lot of sad news to tell you, most of Willenhall boys I know are wounded. As I said Captain Parkes and now Harold Baker and Lattie Wedge, both Tonks sons, Reg and Rol, one being Charlie’s and the other being Enoch’s son, Tom Spate of Love Lane, who goes with Parramp’s daughter who you have seen on tram car going back to Walsall on Sunday nights and I don’t know where Humfrey is. Harold Baker came in this afternoon, he has got a shrapnel wound in right arm and back, but he will be alright I know if he doesn’t worry, as I told him, he says he hopes they take him to Birmingham University, as his sister has got passed out as a nurse and been sent there. Lat Wedge has not come in to our hospital yet neither have Reg and Rol Tonks, but may do so yet, of course there is time yet, as most of the wounded lay out between the trenches 24 hours and up to 30 hours, as the stretcher bearers could not get up to them, as they started collecting last night when dark and Germans sent up a star shell and spotted them and so shelled them away, the poor men have suffered awful lying out there all night as it was bitter cold and they had awful wounds. I believe most of the Staffs have been cut up, and not many left, as they had to rush into blazing shell and rifle fire, as it was such a well fortified position, but they did not fear death they took the position, but I think it was at too great a cost. I hope they can hold it, as the Germans are making a fearful counter attack, but I pray we shall not lose it. What is left of them are being relieved tonight and they come out, so I hope they come round here so that I can see who has not been wounded. We are by Grenadier Guards here and they say it is one of the finest charges there has been. Did you know Batemans who used to live opposite us in next yard past Grapes. Well their son Alfred has just come out with some reinforcements to Staffs and when I saw the boys go up as I said on Wednesday afternoon he shouted to me and that is the first time I have seen him out here, he is about 17 or 18 years old, you know his mother sells papers, well I think this was his first time up trenches. Well he has been wounded, he has several shrapnel wounds, none of them being serious. I have not seen him, but some of our chaps have and he asked them to tell me, he was wounded between our trenches and theirs, but crawled back into ours, and he will now be alright. Would you mind telling Mother to tell his Mother and that she need not worry, he will be alright, and will you please tell them all the news you can out of my letter at your earliest opportunity, as I can’t write and tell them the news.
All available men out of our unit were sent up the line collecting at 1.30 in the early hours of the morning to help to fetch in the wounded who are lying out helpless. About 100 were sent and they have not returned yet. I hope they are alright as they have now done 20 hours. I have done 48 hours up to now without a break, but have now been relieved and so I am trying to scribble this letter. They would not allow any of my Section who are on permanent hospital duty for the present to go up the line collecting, or else I should only have rushed at the chance, if it was only to find out where some of the Willenhall boys are lying and help to bring them in, but I did not get the choice, my duty was marked out and I had to get full particulars of every man as he came in and up to now we have had about 500 and not many of us to work the place, every man has had to work extremely hard and not think of hours he is working. We have had very little to eat, as the wounded have had to be fed on part of our rations, we have had to have those biscuits. I have been buying my own bread this past two days, mind you I don’t grumble, none of us do, the wounded deserve more that us, a glance at them makes one feel he would give up his last penny after such awful hardships they have endured, they endure more that any other regiments in the army, I am alluding to the men who fight in the trenches.
I feel extremely sorry for Joe Fletcher, as I guess you have heard he has received some very sad news, his wife lying seriously ill, he has received a telegram to that effect asking him to come to her immediately. He has applied for leave, but I don’t know if he will be allowed to come, he has got to see what Headquarters say, it has happened at a very funny time, the div being so active and all leave being stopped, he is worried to death. Our work at present is far from cheerful for as when one sees their chums all wounded, of course you feel it more when you know them, than if they were strangers to you, but when a young man receives such news on top of it all, I don't know if he can come and see her, it is enough to send him mad, he said to me hours ago ‘Frank, I don't know how I worked last night through’, as he too was on duty all night.......
Frank sent another letter soon after:
France
October 17, 1915
My own Darling and True Sweetheart Ethel
I was extremely pleased and thankful to receive your letter of Monday last October 11th and parcel of Tuesday 12th which I received quite safely and in good condition, and for same I wish you to accept my wholehearted thanks, as it was quite a surprise and I can assure you I have fully enjoyed all the contents.
I have now received your letter of Thursday last 14th, and for writing paper enclosed in the above letters. I wish to thank you, also lovely pc.
Well Love, I hope my short letter will find you and all at home in the best of health, as it leaves me so, except for a slight cold. Remember me to all. I sent you a Field Card immediately on receiving parcel which I trust you have received, as I was too busy to send you a letter, which you deserved and a good one too. O that I could give you a good love, for you are such a thoughtful Dear.
We had over 800 wounded through our hospital from that one charge. I am sorry Rol Tonks died from his wounds, Enoch’s son. I was speaking to him the day before the charge, when he was quite well, also Humfrey Fox, I hear he is missing, as they can’t account for him, unless his people have received news of him, I should say he was killed. We had awfully busy times and I have seen the results of this awful war more this past week than ever, men coming in smothered with dirt and mud and arms or legs blown off, cases too numerous to mention. They have suffered awful agony, and to see such sights it makes me thankful to One Above for life and good health. The weather has been rather misty the past few days and does not seem to get clear, it is very cold too. I am now on night duty starting from tonight, from 6pm o’clock to 6am the following morning, 12 hours, I shall now have to sleep in daytime, I don’t mind as we shall have to take it in turns doing night and day duty. I am now working in a ward with 40 patients in, which are now sleeping as it is 12pm o’clock and I am working this letter in between, there is a clerk to each ward at present.
I was extremely sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Fletcher, as it will break Joe’s heart, and to think he has got to come out here and face this again, with that on his mind. I feel very sorry for him, it would not have been so bad if he had been able to spend the last few moments of her life by her side. O it is awful. A young man in our Corps has had his only child die, but they would not allow him any leave, he applied for it, but was told he could not do anything if he went. I know if it had been me I could not bring the child back to life but one thing I should try to do and that being, relieve my wife’s mind of part of her sorrow. It is Sunday today and the first time for a long time that I have been able to go to Holy Communion, which I went to at 8 o’clock this morning and my....
(letter fragment)
.......as I have before explained, David was fetched out of bed last night at 12.30 to fetch in two serious cases just then wounded, he was asleep of course, he did not get back until 4 o’clock this Saturday morning, they fetch us all out in our turn I can tell you, but I shall never grumble at being fetched out of bed no matter what hour of the night it may be, as I am in good health, and to go out and bring in a wounded man, and relieve him of part of his agony, and in many cases be the means of saving his life by getting him to a hospital in good time for a speedy operation, is just the work I have come out to do, humanity compels you to do and give all in our power to save and relieve the fallen heroes we daily see. I brought out with me the largest part of a pot of that ointment you sent me, and we had got a man in one of our hospitals suffering from my complaint and much worse than I had ever suffered, and they were treating him with medicines, and he was not making much progress, so I gave him my ointment, as he was suffering, and I was assured of this that my Darling would never think wrong of me for giving away something she had bought to do me good, when I was passing your kindness to me onto others at a time of urgent need. We have some heartbreaking cases to deal with at times I can tell you, for instance the following. We brought in a case the other night, it was a shell wound of the leg, he was suffering very much from pain and shock, and from the trenches to our hospital, the roads are very bad, owing to holes from shell fire and too dangerous for repair, and so our wagons do not travel so smooth, this poor man said to me ‘O do stop the waggon’; of course it was no use, I could not, as we were in a danger zone and our building in sight, so I said ‘We are nearly there now, and I will soon put you right’, but he said ‘I know that but I am in awful pain, do stop’. I knew he was dying and the jarring of the waggon was causing him agony, and the above was the last words he said, as he was dead before he got to our hospital. I could not sleep that night for thinking of how he died, and the loved ones he may have left behind. Now Lovie, do not say a word to anyone of what I have just said as we are not supposed to say a word in our letters about same, so I trust my secret to you dearest Darling. I should just like to clear up a few words you said in reference to what I said about playing a game at football, I should not do any such thing and rob you of a letter, and most times when I have played, as I said in my letter, is after I have been out collecting, it is a great strain on our nerves I can assure you, and our minds are not always in a fit condition for writing letters. We must indulge in a little game of some sort to clear our minds of the awful surroundings of which we are in the midst, so loving Ethel I think those few words will clear that little matter. I am very sorry to hear Fred Lockley ......
(Frederick Lockley died 13th October 1915, age 17)
In many ways Frank's diary entries and letters reflect the feelings of the people at home; from the early enthusiasm and optimism, they were plunged into the shock and despair at the level of casualties. After the failed attack of October 13th 1915 and the loss of so many of his friends and neighbours, we see no more optimistic words in Frank’s diary or letters home.
suffering from my complaint and much worse than I had ever suffered, and they were treating him with medicines, and he was not making much progress, so I gave him my ointment, as he was suffering, and I was assured of this that my Darling would never think wrong of me for giving away something she had bought to do me good, when I was passing your kindness to me onto others at a time of urgent need. We have some heartbreaking cases to deal with at times I can tell you, for instance the following. We brought in a case the other night, it was a shell wound of the leg, he was suffering very much from pain and shock, and from the trenches to our hospital, the roads are very bad, owing to holes from shell fire and too dangerous for repair, and so our wagons do not travel so smooth, this poor man said to me ‘O do stop the waggon’; of course it was no use, I could not, as we were in a danger zone and our building in sight, so I said ‘We are nearly there now, and I will soon put you right’, but he said ‘I know that but I am in awful pain, do stop’. I knew he was dying and the jarring of the waggon was causing him agony, and the above was the last words he said, as he was dead before he got to our hospital. I could not sleep that night for thinking of how he died, and the loved ones he may have left behind. Now Lovie, do not say a word to anyone of what I have just said as we are not supposed to say a word in our letters about same, so I trust my secret to you dearest Darling. I should just like to clear up a few words you said in reference to what I said about playing a game at football, I should not do any such thing and rob you of a letter, and most times when I have played, as I said in my letter, is after I have been out collecting, it is a great strain on our nerves I can assure you, and our minds are not always in a fit condition for writing letters. We must indulge in a little game of some sort to clear our minds of the awful surroundings of which we are in the midst, so loving Ethel I think those few words will clear that little matter. I am very sorry to hear Fred Lockley ......
(Frederick Lockley died 13th October 1915, age 17)
In many ways Frank's diary entries and letters reflect the feelings of the people at home; from the early enthusiasm and optimism, they were plunged into the shock and despair at the level of casualties. After the failed attack of October 13th 1915 and the loss of so many of his friends and neighbours, we see no more optimistic words in Frank’s diary or letters home.
(Frederick Lockley died 13th October 1915, age 17)
In many ways Frank's diary entries and letters reflect the feelings of the people at home; from the early enthusiasm and optimism, they were plunged into the shock and despair at the level of casualties. After the failed attack of October 13th 1915 and the loss of so many of his friends and neighbours, we see no more optimistic words in Frank’s diary or letters home.
Monday, 15 December 2008
Gauze Gas Masks
From the national archives at Kew, we looked up the war diary of the 1/3 North Midlands Field Ambulance and it mirrored Frank's diary almost exactly.
Most of it was hand written by Col Hodder and Col Dent
The following is an excerpt from the archive:
Lt Harrison of the Unit and 10 men detailed from the sections at Neuve Eglise to make up and soak in neutralizing solution cotton waste for sewing into the gauze masks for the men in the trenches to use against asphyxiating gasses. The sewing was carried out by a party of girls in a convent in Bailleul . The construction of the masks is as follows:- a large piece of cotton waste (the size of a fist) is rolled up and soaked in a solution of hypo, carbonate of soda, glycerine & water. This is loosely sewn into a double layer of gauze 1 metre long. The part B is for covering the eyes, the ends C tie behind the head. The pad A going over the mouth
Most of it was hand written by Col Hodder and Col Dent
The following is an excerpt from the archive:
Lt Harrison of the Unit and 10 men detailed from the sections at Neuve Eglise to make up and soak in neutralizing solution cotton waste for sewing into the gauze masks for the men in the trenches to use against asphyxiating gasses. The sewing was carried out by a party of girls in a convent in Bailleul . The construction of the masks is as follows:- a large piece of cotton waste (the size of a fist) is rolled up and soaked in a solution of hypo, carbonate of soda, glycerine & water. This is loosely sewn into a double layer of gauze 1 metre long. The part B is for covering the eyes, the ends C tie behind the head. The pad A going over the mouth
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