HLI Chronicle 1915 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY CHRONICLE.
43
Most of the houses have no residents, everyone
making off in the Paris direction. We halted
in the centre of a large wood about 11-30, and
oontinued our march about 1-30 p.m., finally
reaching the village of Marles about I) p.m.,
where we bivouacked in a ploughed field.
There we dug vegetables, et.c., that the
retiring .villagers had left, and made ourselves
fairly comfortable, the Battalion finding
headquarter guard and patrols. I saw
a little boy about six who with his mother had
been discovered by a German patrol, who
killed the woman and badly wounded the boy,
I believe. He was being attended to by
Lieut. O'Connel, R.A.M.C. (afterwards killed
at Aisne, September 20th, 1914). This evening
the first rainforcements arrived under command
of Captain C. T. Martin and Lieut. Ferrers­
Guy, No. 2 Platoon being reinforced by five
men. Weather not so unbearable.
SUNDAY, 6th.-Marched at 7 a.m., and took
up a position facing east, about three miles
from Marles, till about midday. We drew
back our left to face north. Action general.
Both gun and rifle fire heavy in woods in
front and right flank. About I) p.m. the enemy
began to fall back, and 1st Army Corps appeared
and marched through us pursuing
enemy, and a fine sight they made as troop
after troop of cavalry and batteries galloped
by. Later we ourselves advanced about
seven miles, and ·halted at a village named
Paradise, where we bivouacked about 10
p.m. Water reported poisoned, so got none.
Weather hot and close. Paradise indeed!
MONDAY, 7th.-Reveille 4 a.m. About 6
a.m,' Sections 7 and 8 of No. 2 Platoon ordered
to reconnoitre the woods in front. On reaching
iron gates leading into wood we discovered
a fine motor car, with one wheel off, that had
been left by the enemy. At this place Lieut.
Keith Macdonald took No. 7 Section, and
myself No. 8, one taking the right of the
wood. On going forward we found the
paths well kept, and farther down the wooded
slope statues placed in arbours. At the foot
of the slope was an ornamental sheet of water
with water-lilies and small rustic bridges
leading over the stream, and on .the farther
side of stream a very fine chateau occupied by
a staff of servants. No enemy in the house,
however, although there was plenty of evidence
of their visit in the wood surrounding
the house, as there were camp fires and camp
refuse in abundance. Why the enemy
neglected to pay their usual visit to the house
is unknown. During the morning the Guards
Brigade passed through us, and our men threw
fruit from the trees to them. The Irish Guards
told us of the loss of their Comtnanding
Officer (Col. Morris) and seven other officers
in the previous night's attack. At 1-30 p.m.
we continued our march, until 7 p.m., when we
bivouacked for the night, having passed St.
Just and St. Denis on the road. About four
miles from St. Simeon, where we bivouacked,
we came to a farmhouse, where a woman
told the Provost-Marshal that several Germans
had visited the farmhouso, and that a number
of them were then in the cellar of the house.
On investigation nine were found in the cellar
-all drunk. A motor car belonging to them
was found in the farmyard under some hay.
The Germans were brought into camp under
escort and handed over. Weather very hot,
with sun at our backs, and dusty.
TUESDAY, 8th.-Turned out at 4 a.m.,
and continued our advance at I) a.m. We
arrived at Rebais about 8 a.m. On the way
the enemy's aircraft hovered over the column.
" A" Company, by the order of the Adjutant
(Captain Hope), opened fire on one,
with no result, except perhaps cleaning some
of the rifle barrels. On arrival at Rebais
we were fortunate enough to halt near a small
fountain, where water-bottles were filled,
and Sections I) and 6 were detached for a
short time to take up observation posts.
Marching on, about 9-30 a.m. we passed
through the town, where the presence of the
enemy was greatly in evidence-houses
smashed up, others burned, bottles (empty)
lying all over the pavements, also dead bodies
6£ the enemy's cavalry lying in the gutters.
About an hour later we left the road and de­