The Story of the 9th Kings in France | Page 3

receive only a barless medal. Some actually wished to transfer to
another unit so as to ensure getting out at once. When at last the
anxiously awaited order came that the Battalion was to go "over there"
one officer was overcome with exultation. His intense joy at being
allowed to serve his King and country on fields more stricken than

parade grounds was clearly marked. After many months of
distinguished service in the field, he now rests peacefully at
Montauban.
The few days immediately preceding the exodus of the Regiment were
days of great activity and preparation. The affairs of the Battalion had
to be completely wound up. The mysterious pay and mess books were
completed and company cash accounts closed. New equipment was
given out to officers and men, as well as wirecutters, revolvers and
other necessities of active service. Field dressings were handed
out--dark omens of what was now to be anticipated. The transport
section received its full complement of waggons and limbers, together
with its full number of mules, which proved to be equal to any which
proceeded to France.
Under the impression that active service meant the end of the comforts
of civilisation, officers provided themselves with supplies of patent
medicine, bought small first-aid outfits and elaborate pannikins
containing numerous small receptacles, which did not prove useful and
were ultimately lost. Spare kit including Sam Browne belts was packed
and consigned to the Depot. In anticipation of an early death many of
the officers and men made their wills. This was encouraged by a
rumour that the War Office had ordered a further 76,000 hospital beds
to be prepared.
At the end of December, 1914, Lieut.-Colonel Luther Watts, V.D. took
over the command of the Reserve Battalion at Blackpool, which had
been formed late in 1914, and Lieut.-Colonel J.E. Lloyd, V.D., was
gazetted to the foreign service Battalion.
Mention should here be made of the fact that shortly before leaving
England the old eight company organisation was abandoned, and the
new four company organisation adopted, and each new company was
divided into four platoons. The change was exceedingly beneficial, as it
would have been difficult in the field for a battalion commander to give
orders to eight company commanders. More responsibility was thrown
on the company commanders, who were at the time senior enough to
assume it, and for the first time the subaltern was given a command.

For the future he had his platoon which carried much greater
responsibility than that previously attached to a half company. It was a
fighting unit, and a separate body in which was reflected the work of a
good commander.
The 12th March, 1915, was the day destined for the departure from
Tunbridge Wells. One by one the companies, headed by a band kindly
lent by one of the other units quartered in the town, marched through
the streets for the last time. The greatest excitement prevailed when
"D" Company, which was the last, passed through the streets just as the
shops were opening. Farewells were waved, the troops were cheered,
and for many this was their last look at the town which had afforded
them every hospitality for the past few months.
Arrived at the station, the men entrained for an unknown destination,
and there was some speculation as to which seaport it would be. It
proved to be Southampton, from whence the men embarked later in the
day for France. The excitement had to some extent worn off in the cool
of the evening, and as the men had their last glimpse of England by
means of the beam of the search-light, many thought of the happy
homes they were leaving behind to which they would perhaps never
return. The journey to France was uneventful, which circumstance was
due largely to the protection afforded by the torpedo-boat destroyers
and other units of the Navy.
CHAPTER II.
THE 1ST DIVISION.
Next morning the Battalion disembarked at Le Havre and marched to a
camp at Sanvic. It was not to remain here long, and on the 14th the
Battalion entrained to join the First Army. The train journey was long,
and the men experienced for the first time the inconveniences of
travelling in French troop trains, being crowded fifty-six at a time into
trucks labelled "Hommes 48: Chevaux en long 8." Chocques was
reached on the 15th and the men marched therefrom to billets in a
village close by called Oblinghem. The Battalion was soon

incorporated in the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the 1st Division, a mixed
brigade consisting of four Regular battalions reinforced by two
Territorial battalions. A few days were spent in Divisional Reserve at
Oblinghem during which time all the officers and several
non-commissioned officers were sent to the trenches at Festubert or
Richebourg for instruction by the Regular