HLI Chronicle 1915 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

flIOHL~D LJ(:tHT INJ"A1;TRY "cHRONICLE.
73
terets to· Cuvercnon ; Septembe:r 2nd, via,
Vincy to Chauconin; September 3rq., via
Meaux to Petit Courais; September 4th,
Petit Courais to Guiremoutiers; September
5th, G.uiremoutiers to Marles.· On this day
the 1st line reinforcement und.er Captain
C. T. Martin joined (104 men). It was on
.this day that the forward move after the long
retirement began.
On September 7th the Battalion left Paradis
in the afternoon and marched to St. Simeon,
which they found had just been evacuated
by the Germans. On the 8th they advanced
via La Tetroix and crossed the Petit Morin
River, where they were in action in support
of the 4th (Guards) Brigade, finally bivouacking
at Bassville. Casualties, 2 wounded; while
14 German prisoners were taken.
Lieut. Lilburn and 53 N.C.O.'s and men
joined.
From September 9th to 13th the advance
·of the Battalion was continued as follows :­
September 9th, across the River Marne to
Domptin; September 10th, via Bussiares to
Monnes; September 11th, to Beugneux;
September 12th, across the River Vessel
near Courcelles to Vielle Arcy; September
13th, across the River Aisne at Pont Arcy
to Verneuil. During all these days the weather
was very wet.
On September 14th the Battalion was
ordered to reinforce the troops holding the
top of Verneuil ridge at 12 noon. The enemy
were driven back, and after dark the Brigade
advanced as far as Chemin des Dames, but,
owing to the want of support, had to retire
on Verneuil. On this day part of "D"
Company, under Lieut. Sir A. C. Gibson Craig,
charged the enemy and killed a large number.
During the 15th, 16th, and 17th they entrenched
on the Verneuil ridge, and were
subject to the enemy's att.acks as well as very
heavy shell-fire. The casualties between
the 13th and 17th were :-Lieut. Sir A. Gibson
Craig, Bart., 2nd Lieut. R C. Ff. Powell,
and 18 N.C.O.'s and men killed ; Captain
C, T. :Martin, Lieut.. J. l\l'D. Latliam, 2nd
Lieut. R Whistler, and 79 N.C.O.'s and men
wounded; 14 N.C.O.'s and men missing..
I The Battalion was withdrawn to Verneuil
. village on the 17th, but returned to the trenclJ.es
on the 18th. On the 18th and 19th they had
3 men wounded.
On September· 20th the Germans opened a
heavy attack with riflefirt; at 6 a.m.They
were repulsed, aD,-dentrench~
French Regiment, .and marched to Vauxcelles,
where they arrived next morning .
October 14th.-Captain and Adjutant J.
H. Hope was this day awarded the Legion
> .d'Honneur, and No. 10901 Pte. Scott the
. lVIedaille ThIilitllire, by the FreIl;ch Government.
The same evening: they marched to Fjs~es.