HLI Chronicle 1915 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

HIGHLAND LIGHT
INFAN1'RY CHRONICLE.
41
on the ground.) However, we resumed our
march, and at about 5 p,m. arrived at Landreeies,
where almost the whole of the force
were engaged, and judging by the amount
of the wounded the Germans suffered severely.
At sundown we fell back on to camp (about
three miles), where we bivouacked. No
rations, and very wet. Officers' mess-cart
and staff also missing. Weather by day hot;
night miserable,
THURSDAY, 27th.-Turned out about 2-30
a,m. Everything wet, Continued our retirement,
with "A" Company as rear-guard,
The enemy made occasional demonstrations
on our rear and flank, commencing from a
forest (we have no map, but at one place on
a signboard saw "Queue-de-Bouie "), and
continued throughout the day, About 1
p.m, we took up position (rear), and while
extended were issued some biscuits and beef.
While here several Companies of French came
through, We continued our march, passing
through various villages, in which all horses
were harnessed up ready to leave. Beds,
chairs, and all kinds of furniture, were outside
houses, and old and young-from 1 year to 90
-were being pushed along in barrows, etc,
We marched through the fine old town of
Guise, and got to our destination about 10-30
p.m., where we billeted. Anything is welcome
after being on the road since a bout 2-30 a.m.
Everyone worn out, This place, I believe,
is Neuvillette, a town on the Oise, and east
of St. Quentin. Weather fair. Distance about
36 miles.
FRIDAY, 28th.-Turn out of billets about
3 a.m., remain in marching order, and leave
about 6-30 a.m., still going south, via Ribemont,
a good-sized town, and later through
La Fere. We bivouac near Servais, north
of St. Gobain, arriving here about 5 p.m.
Marching very slow and painfuL Distance.
about 20 odd miles Weather very hot at
times.
SATURDAY, 29th ..,..-The Division rest;;, except
the usual guards and posts. Here make up
deficiencies in ammunition, and issue a few
boots and some equipment. During the
evening General Munro visited the lines,
accompanied by the ColoneL Weather today
ideal, but very hot.
SUNDAY, 30th.-Turned out about 2-30 a.m.
Left Servais about 5 a.m., still retiring.
About midday we halted for about two hours,
as the heat was exceptional. The Highland
Regiments have no protection from the sun
owing to wearing the glengarry, whilst cavalry
and English Regiments wear a small sunshade
attached to their cap, which protects the
neck. Reached a cornfield on the road to
Soissons (no name) about 5-30 p.m. Water
inconvenient. Not much rest, as rations and
rum were being issued up till about 11 p.m
Nights are now colder, and although we get
an occasional wheat stook to sleep in we have
had neither ground-sheet nor blanket since
landing in France.
MONDAY, 31st.-Leave bivouac about 5
a.m., and still retire. March to a village
named Laversine, where we bivouac about
2 p.m., but not for long. At 5 p.m. "A"
Company warned for outposts. We take up
a position in rear of village facing north,
No. 4 Platoon (Lieut. W. Hooper) being on
the right, and No. 2 (Lieut. Keith M'Donald),
No. 1 (I.ieut. Cornish), and No. 3 (Lieut.
G. M. Gerard) on the left. We make shallow
trenches, with groups in front. Weather
hotter than ever, and marching uncomfortable
west of Soissons.
TUESDAY, Sept. Ist.-At 1 a.m. outposts
withdrawn, and retirement continues. Passing
through town of Soucy, with statue of Alexandre
Dumas, we halt about midday, and
prepare a meal. Distance about 18 miles.
At 2-30 we march on, and are suddenly ordered
to take up position in· rear of the Guards
Brigade (which has been attacked), passing
our guns on the way in action, and again take
up outposts for the night near haystacks,
which provide litter to lie Oil, and the Engineers
run a wire entanglement across our front.
Weather same.